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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• Coalition Jet Flies Dangerously Close to Russian Fighter in Syria Sputnik 20 Aug 2023 -- An F-35 fighter jet of the US-led coalition operating in Syria flew dangerously close to a Russian Su-35 aircraft near Al-Tanf in southeastern Syria, a senior Russian military official said Sunday.

Defense Policy / Programs

• 8 EAMS innovates, provides joint airlift across COCOMs US Air Force 20 Aug 2023 -- The 8th Expeditionary Air Mobility Squadron at Al Udeid Air Base, conquered a logistical challenge by building relationships with U.S. Navy counterparts.
• Ukrainian pilots begin training on F-16 fighter jets Press TV 20 Aug 2023 -- Ukraine's Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov says the training has begun for Ukrainians to operate US F-16 fighter jets, a move that brings Kiev closer to obtaining a long-sought-after military asset.
• Netherlands, Denmark to Supply US-Made F-16s to Ukraine VOA 20 Aug 2023 -- During his visit, the two countries pledged to give F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine.
• Netherlands, Denmark To Give Ukraine F-16 Fighter Jets In Crucial Win For Kyiv RFE/RL 20 Aug 2023 -- The Netherlands and Denmark have said they will give F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine once certain "conditions" have been met, a long-awaited development that will help Kyiv fill a crucial hole in its defense capabilities.
• President following the meeting with Mette Frederiksen: We have agreed on the transfer of 19 F-16 jets by Denmark President of Ukraine 20 Aug 2023
• President familiarized himself with the program of training of Ukrainian pilots on F-16 at the base of the Royal Danish Air Force President of Ukraine 20 Aug 2023
• President following the negotiations in the Netherlands: We will use F-16 to keep Russian terrorists away from Ukrainian cities and villages President of Ukraine 20 Aug 2023
• Iran self-sufficient in production of ground forces equipment: Commander IRNA 20 Aug 2023 -- The commander of the Ground Force of the Iranian Army Brigadier-General Kiumars Heidari has announced that Iran is fully self-sufficient in production of equipment needed by the force, adding that Iran does not rely on any other country for the needs of its ground forces.
• Iran Army's Ground Force 'self-sufficient' in production of military equipment: Cmdr. Press TV 20 Aug 2023 -- The Iranian Army's Ground Force has reached a "very good" level of self-sufficiency in the production of essential combat equipment and bears no dependence on any foreign countries in ground defense, says Brigadier General Kioumars Heidari.
• Iran Army ground force commander in Russia for bilateral talks IRNA 20 Aug 2023 -- The Commander of the Iranian Army's Ground Force, Brigadier General Kioumars Heydari, has arrived in Moscow at the invitation of Russia.
• Iran's Army commander arrives in Moscow for bilateral talks ISNA 20 Aug 2023 -- Iranian Army Ground Forces commander Brigadier General Kiumars Heidari paid a visit to Moscow on Sunday to meet with Russian military officials.

Defense Industry

Other Conflicts

Ukraine Conflict News
• IED attack kills 11 laborers in Pakistan's North Waziristan Press TV 20 Aug 2023 -- At least 11 laborers, working on an under-construction army post, have been killed in an attack in Pakistan's northwestern tribal region when an improvised explosive device (IED) exploded under their vehicle.
• Libyan Central Bank Announces Reunification After Years of Division Sputnik 20 Aug 2023 -- The Central Bank of Libya announced on Sunday that its two rival branches had been reunited after nearly a decade apart and would take on the issues arising from their division together.
• Hamas leader calls for efforts to confront Israeli settlement expansion plans Press TV 20 Aug 2023 -- The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas has called for efforts to confront the Israeli regime's plans to expand the construction of illegal settlements across the West Bank, saying the schemes aim to displace Palestinians and relocate them to Jordan.
• Israel forces raid occupied West Bank town, injure dozens of Palestinians Press TV 20 Aug 2023 -- Dozens of Palestinians have sustained injuries after Israeli troops stormed the northern part of the West Bank, amid stepped-up deadly violence by Israeli forces and extremist settlers against Palestinians in the occupied area.

News Reports

• Russia's Luna-25 Lunar Probe Crashes Into Moon After Technical Failure RFE/RL 20 Aug 2023 -- Russia's Luna-25 spacecraft crashed onto the surface of the moon on August 20 after spinning into an uncontrollable orbit, the Roskosmos space agency reported, delivering a blow to President Vladimir Putin's space ambitions.
• Russia's Luna-25 Module Experienced Issues Before Pre-Landing Maneuver - Expert Sputnik 20 Aug 2023 -- Some "worrying issues" with Russia's Luna-25 module were detected before it attempted to enter the pre-landing orbit around the Moon, but the decision to postpone the maneuver was not taken, Nathan Eismont, a leading researcher at the Space Research Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, told Sputnik.
• Luna-25 Station Collided With Moon - Russian Space Agency Sputnik 20 Aug 2023 -- The mission was part of the Russian lunar program for the exploration and practical use of the Moon and its orbit to establish a fully automated lunar base. Luna-25 was expected to become the first station to make a soft landing on the lunar south pole, which has difficult terrain, on August 21.
• Russia's Luna-25 Crashes Into Moon VOA 20 Aug 2023 -- Russia's Luna-25 spacecraft has crashed into the moon.
• Comment by Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova on the anniversary of Russian journalist Darya Dugina's murder by Ukrainian special services Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 20 Aug 2023
• Russia Seeks To Seize Power Assets Belonging To One Of Nation's Richest Individuals RFE/RL 20 Aug 2023 -- Russia's Prosecutor General has filed a lawsuit to confiscate a power asset belonging to one of the country's richest men, claiming his purchase of the company five years ago was corrupt, local media reported.
• Russia Supplied 62.7% More LNG to China in January-July 2023 Year to Year Sputnik 20 Aug 2023 -- Russia supplied 4.46 million tonnes of liquefied natural gas (LNG) worth $2.98 billion to China over January-July 2023, up 62.7% compared to the same period last year, according to data released by China's General Administration of Customs on Sunday.
• HKSAR chief listens to public views on upcoming policy address with focus on talents, tourism Global Times 20 Aug 2023 -- John Lee Ka-chiu, chief executive (CE) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), listened to public concerns and suggestions from hundreds of people on Sunday during a district forum for the upcoming policy address in October, which is expected to include some new measures to attract talents and boost tourism.
• China's financial regulators pledge stronger support for credit growth and real economy Global Times 20 Aug 2023 -- Chinese financial regulators vowed to ramp up credit growth while continue to implement prudent monetary policy in a forceful manner to boost the continuous rebound of the economy, shore up internal growth momentum, improve market expectations and resolve hidden financial risks.
• Taiwan accuses China of election interference with trade probe CNA 20 Aug 2023 -- Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) has accused Beijing of seeking to meddle in Taiwan's presidential election by launching an investigation into what China has described as trade barriers imposed by Taiwan.
• 25 Chinese warplanes cross Taiwan Strait median line: Defense ministry CNA 20 Aug 2023 -- A total of 45 warplanes and nine warships from the People's Liberation Army (PLA) of China were detected around Taiwan during the 24-hour period from 6 a.m. Saturday to 6 a.m. Sunday, including 25 warplane that crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait, according to the Ministry of National Defense (MND).
• PLA's sudden, swift joint drills around Taiwan island highlighted by live munitions, multi-source intelligence support Global Times 20 Aug 2023 -- The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) launched a sudden and swift joint exercise around the island of Taiwan on Saturday that was not anticipated by the island's defense authority despite the island's separatist deputy regional leader Lai Ching-te's provocative "stopovers" in the US, as the drills displayed the PLA's growing combat readiness and its capability to completely control the region, experts said on Sunday.
• PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan Aug.20, 2023 ROC MND 20 Aug 2023
• N Korea hackers target joint US-S Korea war games: Seoul Press TV 20 Aug 2023 -- South Korean police have leveled allegations against a suspected North Korean group of hackers, claiming it attempted to disrupt the upcoming huge joint war game between the military forces of Seoul and Washington, due to begin on Monday.
• IRGC forces US warship entering Persian Gulf to land its helicopters IRNA 20 Aug 2023 -- The Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) have forced a US warship entering the Persian Gulf to land their helicopters and avoid approaching the territorial waters of Iran, according to a footage published by force.
• IRGC forces US helicopter carrier to ground choppers in Strait of Hormuz Press TV 20 Aug 2023 -- Video footage released by Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy shows Iranian speedboats issuing warnings to a US helicopter carrier in the Strait of Hormuz, forcing the warship to ground its choppers before they can enter Iran's territorial waters.
• Iran interested in cementing ties with ASEAN members: President Raisi ISNA 20 Aug 2023 -- Stating that the Islamic Republic of Iran is determined to develop cooperation with Cambodia, the President said, "Iran is interested in expanding relations with ASEAN members and strengthening its regional relations with the countries of this region, including Cambodia".
• Iranian president will leave for South Africa on Wednesday to attend BRICS summit Press TV 20 Aug 2023 -- Iranian President Ebrahim Raeisi is scheduled to travel to South Africa to participate in the annual meeting of the BRICS group of emerging economies.
• Iran nabs 200 Daesh terrorists plotting attacks during Arba'een march: Minister Press TV 20 Aug 2023 -- Iran's Intelligence Ministry says it has arrested about 200 members of the Daesh terrorist group plotting to foment chaos and instability during the rituals of Arba'een, which marks the fortieth day after the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Hussein (AS).
• Ayatollah Khamenei successfully guided Iran through US-led sanctions, sedition: IRGC chief Press TV 20 Aug 2023 -- The chief commander of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) says Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has successfully guided the country through economic sanctions and seditions over the past four decades.
• Iran's ex-top banker accused of passing confidential information to IMF Press TV 20 Aug 2023 -- Former Central Bank of Iran (CBI) governor Abdolnasser Hemmati has been accused of supplying confidential information to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) three years ago when he was seeking to secure a multi-billion dollar loan from the fund to finance Iran's response to the coronavirus pandemic.
• Iran insists on water rights after 'positive' visit to Afghan river IRNA 20 Aug 2023 -- Iran's special envoy to Afghanistan Hassan Kazemi-Qomi has said a recent visit by an Iranian technical team to a hydrometric station on Helmand River signaled a "positive sign" by Kabul that it is prepared for "constructive interactions" with Tehran in resolving a long-running water dispute.
• Suu Kyi's son urges young Burmese to 'never give up' on democracy Radio Free Asia 20 Aug 2023 -- Radio Free Asia's Soe San Aung spoke with Kim Aris, the son of former State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi, last week.
• Pakistani President Denies Signing New Pro-Military Laws VOA 20 Aug 2023 -- President Arif Alvi of Pakistan said Sunday that he has refused to sign into law two bills that critics say would undermine dissent and enhance authorities' power to prosecute people for acts against the military and national security.
• Thousands of pro-coup supporters throng Niger's capital; slam France, ECOWAS Press TV 20 Aug 2023 -- Thousands of demonstrators have taken to the streets in the Nigerien capital to voice their support for the country's military leaders, who seized power from pro-Western officials in a coup last month.
• Coup leader: Niger open to dialogue, ready to defend itself if needed Press TV 20 Aug 2023 -- Niger's coup leader says the country is open to dialogue to avert a conflict with the West Africa's main regional bloc, warning that, at the same time, it is prepared to defend itself if needed.
• Nigerien Military Leader Says Niger Does Not Want War Sputnik 20 Aug 2023 -- The leader of the mutineers who seized power in Niger, Gen. Abdourahamane Tchiani, said on Saturday that his country does not want war, but will be ready to defend itself if necessary.
• Ecuador Opens Polls for Presidential Election Sputnik 20 Aug 2023 -- Voting has begun in Ecuador's presidential election on Sunday, with eight candidates running and only five projected to advance to the second round, according to pre-election polls.