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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
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Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• DOD Responds to Attacks, Continues Efforts to Deter Spread of Israel-Hamas War DoD News 19 Oct 2023 -- DOD assets in the Red Sea, Iraq and Syria responded to missile and drone attacks over the past two days, as U.S. service members look to deter groups from using the Israel-Hamas war as an opportunity to launch conflict that could engulf the region, Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder said today.
• US Warship in Red Sea Shoots Down Missiles, Drones Potentially Headed to Israel VOA 19 Oct 2023 -- The USS Carney, a Navy destroyer in the Red Sea, has shot down multiple missiles and drones launched by Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen, weapons that the Pentagon says were "heading along the Red Sea, potentially toward targets in Israel."

Defense Policy / Programs

• Remarks by President Biden on the Unites States' Response to Hamas's Terrorist Attacks Against Israel and Russia's Ongoing Brutal War Against Ukraine The White House 19 Oct 2023
• Biden Equates Hamas With Putin, Asks Americans to Support Israel, Ukraine VOA 19 Oct 2023 -- President Joe Biden made a direct appeal to the American people to continue funding the war efforts of Ukraine and Israel during an Oval Office address Thursday evening, a day after returning from Tel Aviv to show support for a key Washington ally.
• 2023 China Military Power Report Fact Sheet DoD 19 Oct 2023
• DOD Releases 2023 Report on Military and Security Developments Involving the People's Republic of China DoD 19 Oct 2023 -- The Department of Defense today released its annual report on "Military and Security Developments Involving the People's Republic of China." The congressionally mandated report serves as an authoritative assessment on military and security developments involving the PRC.
• DOD Report Details Chinese Efforts to Build Military Power DoD News 19 Oct 2023 -- The People's Republic of China is continuing its efforts to overturn the international rules-based order and is building an increasingly effective military to further these aims, said a senior defense official speaking on background.
• US Warns China's Nuclear Arsenal Exceeding Predictions VOA 19 Oct 2023 -- China's nuclear arsenal is growing faster than expected, according to the latest unclassified Pentagon assessment, with a senior U.S. defense official warning the Chinese military is "on track to exceed previous projections."
• Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder Holds an On-Camera Press Briefing DoD 19 Oct 2023
• Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Call With the President of the UAE Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan DoD 19 Oct 2023
• Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Call With Qatar Amir, His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani DoD 19 Oct 2023
• Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III Remarks Welcoming Croatian Defense Minister Mario Banozic to the Pentagon DoD 19 Oct 2023
• Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Meeting With Croatian Minister of Defense Mario Banozic DoD 19 Oct 2023
• Austin Says Croatia's Support for Ukraine Is Commendable DoD News 19 Oct 2023 -- The United States appreciates Croatia's steadfast commitment to help Ukraine, said Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III.
• First AFFORGEN deployers depart Travis AFB US Air Force 19 Oct 2023 -- Over 400 Airmen were able to deploy through the new Air Force Force Generation as they head out from Travis Air Force Base. These Airmen are the first on Travis AFB to be able to experience the Air Force's new deployment model.
• Decade of Developments Changed DOD's Focus on Weapons of Mass Destruction DoD News 19 Oct 2023 -- Back in 2014, the Defense Department's strategy for countering weapons of mass destruction was focused largely on places like Iran, North Korea and a variety of violent extremist organizations. In 2023, the focus has changed to address new realities, said the department's assistant secretary of defense for space policy.
• Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Call With Republic of Korea Defense Minister Shin Wonsik DoD 19 Oct 2023
• Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Call With Saudi Minister of Defense, His Royal Highness Khalid bin Salman DoD 19 Oct 2023
• Marines test emerging technologies at The Combat Center USMC News 19 Oct 2023 -- Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center has emerged as a critical center for innovation within the United States Marine Corps. The largest Marine Corps training facility of its kind, MCAGCC has become an essential testing ground for emerging technologies.
• NATO Diplomats Discuss Growing Concern Over Hungary's 'Deepening Relationship With Russia' At Budapest Meeting RFE/RL 19 Oct 2023 -- NATO ambassadors met on October 19 in Budapest as concerns grow over Hungary's relations with Russia following talks between Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier this week.
• NATO steps up Baltic Sea patrols after subsea infrastructure damage NATO 19 Oct 2023 -- NATO and Allies are stepping up patrols in the Baltic Sea following recent damage to undersea infrastructure in the region. The increased measures include additional surveillance and reconnaissance flights, including with maritime patrol aircraft, NATO AWACS planes, and drones. A fleet of four NATO minehunters is also being dispatched to the area.
• Polish Special Forces once again to take up duty within the NATO Response Forces Poland - Ministry of National Defence 19 Oct 2023 -- For the third time in history, the Special Forces Component Command has achieved certification stating that they can command the NATO Response Forces, but for the first time in history, which is worth noting, the Special Forces Component Command has achieved certification for commanding a large-scale defense operation.
• Secretary General at the Conference of National Armaments Directors: Ukraine needs our sustained support NATO 19 Oct 2023 -- Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg stressed the importance of continued support to Ukraine in a Conference of National Armaments Directors (CNAD) meeting at NATO Headquarters on Thursday (19 October 2023). Calling for Allies to "go further and go faster" with "a renewed sense of urgency," he said: "Ukraine is making progress on the ground. But they need our sustained support."
• Israel conflict not to affect US-Taiwan arms sales: AIT chairperson Radio Free Asia 19 Oct 2023 -- The ongoing Israel-Hamas war will not affect arms sales between the United States and Taiwan, said the chairperson of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), as quoted by the Central News Agency, which stressed that Washington will continue to support the island's commitment to self-defense capabilities.
• Five power air defence Australia DOD 19 Oct 2023 -- Flying out of north-west Malaysia, the Royal Australian Air Force has deployed six F/A-18F Super Hornets and a C-27J Spartan to support Exercise Bersama Lima.
• Marines bid farewell to Darwin Australia DOD 19 Oct 2023 -- After six months of exercises with the ADF and a range of partner nations, the 12th iteration of the Marine Rotational Force - Darwin (MRF-D) has come to an end.
• Minister Blair officially accepts delivery of first new Armoured Combat Support Vehicles for the Canadian Army Canada 19 Oct 2023 -- Today, the Honourable Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence, and General Wayne Eyre, Chief of the Defence Staff, visited Garrison Petawawa where the first four new Armoured Combat Support Vehicles (ACSVs) were officially accepted by the Canadian Army.
• DELIVERY OF SECOND MCA BARGE, LSAM 8 (YARD 76) India PIB 19 Oct 2023 -- Contract for construction and delivery of 08 x Missile Cum Ammunition (MCA) Barge was concluded with M/s SECON Engineering Projects Pvt Ltd, Visakhapatnam, a MSME, in consonance with "Aatmanirbhar Bharat" initiatives of the Government of India
• Negative decisions on real estate transactions Finnish MoD 19 Oct 2023 -- On 17 October 2023, the Ministry of Defence issued three negative permit decisions concerning real estate acquisitions by buyers from outside the EU and EEA. The negative decisions concern two properties in Ruokolahti and one in Kitee. The decisions were signed by Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen.
• Closer defence cooperation between Lithuania and Japan agreed on in Tokyo Lithuania MND 19 Oct 2023 -- The Lithuanian-Japanese defence cooperation is taking shape in practical terms. On visit in Tokyo on October 19, Vice Minister of National Defence Greta Monika Tučkutė met with Vice Minister for International Affairs and signed a Memorandum on Defense Cooperation/Exchanges.

Defense Industry

• Contracts For Oct. 19, 2023
• Two Businessmen Charged for $1M Kickback Scheme Involving Nuclear Weapons Components US Dept. of Justice 19 Oct 2023 -- An indictment was unsealed today in Kansas City, Kansas, charging two businessmen for an alleged scheme to fraudulently steer and award subcontracts by a major engineering firm for work on nuclear weapons manufacturing projects for the National Nuclear Security Administration's Kansas City National Security Campus (KCNSC).
• Slovak defence firms can now apply for EU ammunition and missile production ramp-up funding Ministry of Defence of The Slovak Republic 19 Oct 2023 -- The European Commission (EC) has today published calls for proposals to award grants for projects under the Act in Support of Ammunition Production (ASAP).

Other Conflicts

Ukraine Conflict News
• 19 October 2023 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 19 Oct 2023

Operation Iron Swords / Operation Al-Aqsa Flood

• Daily Recap: Hamas - Israel War October 19th, 2023 (20:00) - Day 13 Israel Defense Forces 19 Oct 2023
• IDF & ISA Conduct Counterterrorism Activities Against Hamas in Judea and Samaria Israel Defense Forces 19 Oct 2023
• Terrorist Infrastructure Destroyed & Senior Terrorist Operatives Neutralized, Including Head of PRC Military Branch Israel Defense Forces 19 Oct 2023
• PM Netanyahu to Golani Brigade Soldiers at an Assembly Point near Gaza: "We are going to win with full force." Israel - Prime Minister 19 Oct 2023
• PM Netanyahu and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak Issue Statements Israel - Prime Minister 19 Oct 2023
• PM statement at press conference with Prime Minister Netanyahu of Israel: 19 October 2023 Gov.UK 19 Oct 2023
• PM meeting with the Prime Minister of Israel: 19 October 2023 Gov.UK 19 Oct 2023
• PM meeting with the President of Israel Isaac Herzog: 19 October 2023 Gov.UK 19 Oct 2023
• Israeli Defense Chief Tells Ground Troops to 'Be Ready' to Invade Gaza VOA 19 Oct 2023 -- Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on Thursday told hundreds of thousands of the country's ground troops to get ready to invade the Gaza Strip, even as its fighter jets launched new airstrikes against the Hamas-controlled territory.
• Israeli Airstrikes Hit Gaza After 'Blunt' Biden Visit VOA 19 Oct 2023 -- Israel carried out fresh airstrikes Thursday in the Gaza Strip, as British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak traveled to Israel with a message of support following a visit by U.S. President Joe Biden.
• Secretary-General's remarks at press encounter after meeting with Egyptian Foreign Affairs Sameh Hassan Shoukry Selim UN Secretary-General 19 Oct 2023
• From Cairo, Guterres appeals for 'sustained' humanitarian access to Gaza UN News 19 Oct 2023 -- With essential supplies running out in Gaza, UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Thursday appealed for humanitarian access to the besieged enclave.
• Explainer: What now, as Security Council deadlocks on Gaza? UN News 19 Oct 2023 -- Conflict is raging, threatening to spill over multiple borders and the world's only body charged with maintaining international peace and security can't agree on a solution. Now what?
• From Cairo, Guterres appeals for 'sustained' humanitarian access to Gaza UN News 19 Oct 2023 -- With essential supplies running out in Gaza, UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Thursday appealed for humanitarian access to the besieged enclave.
• UN independent experts 'unequivocally condemn' violence against civilians in Israel, Gaza UN News 19 Oct 2023 -- UN independent human rights experts on Thursday voiced deep concern over the fate of civilians and victims of terrorism caught up in the Israel-Gaza crisis.
• UN Chief: Gaza Needs 'Massive Support' VOA 19 Oct 2023 -- U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Thursday that limited humanitarian assistance to Palestinians living in Gaza is not enough, it must be ongoing and at scale.
• Middle East: Council presidency triggers activation of the Integrated Political Crisis Response EC/CEU 19 Oct 2023 -- On 17 October, EU leaders meeting in a videoconference to discuss the situation in the Middle East, identified important and urgent areas of work including humanitarian assistance, engagement with partners, domestic security issues and migration. They highlighted the importance of constant monitoring, exchange of information and coordination.
• Egypt Wary of Opening Gaza Border to Palestinian Refugees VOA 19 Oct 2023 -- The World Health Organization said Thursday that five trucks full of medical supplies are ready at the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and the Gaza Strip, with hopes that the aid could be delivered to Palestinian hospitals as early as Friday.
• Analysis: Mass Protests Rock Jordan, Key US Ally in Mideast VOA 19 Oct 2023 -- Furious protests over the bombing of a Gaza hospital continued Thursday on the streets of Jordan, a key U.S. ally in the Middle East, which also has a large population of Palestinian descent. Analysts say a summit in Jordan between U.S. President Joe Biden and Arab leaders, now canceled, could have helped further cement a humanitarian corridor for Gaza.
• Foreign Minister Baerbock prior to departing once again for the Middle East Germany Federal Foreign Office 19 Oct 2023
• Chinese Netizens Post Hate-Filled Comments to Israeli Embassy's Online Account VOA 19 Oct 2023 -- After the Hamas attack on Israel, the Israeli Embassy in Beijing began posting on China's social media platform Weibo. The online effort to gain popular support appears to be backfiring as comments revile the Jewish state, applaud Hamas and praise Adolf Hitler.

Other Conflicts

• Somalia: Insecurity worsens, civilians pay the price UN News 19 Oct 2023 -- Insecurity persists in Somalia, with extremist group Al-Shabaab and fighting in the Laascaanood region taking a heavy toll on civilians, the UN envoy for the country told the Security Council on Thursday.
• Thailand Lifts Emergency Rule in Parts of Rebellion-Racked South VOA 19 Oct 2023 -- Thailand this week lifted emergency rule in parts of the country's restive south, where a Muslim insurgency has claimed thousands of lives over the past two decades. Critics said the emergency measures had led to rampant human rights abuses.

News Reports

• DHS Statement on Israel-Hamas Conflict DHS 19 Oct 2023 -- Building on our safety notification earlier this month, today, DHS and our federal partners issued an update to state, local, tribal, territorial, and private sector partners with our latest intelligence assessment of the threat environment.
• Fearing Rise of Radical Islamists, Greece Boosts Migrant Camp Security, Surveillance VOA 19 Oct 2023 -- Greek intelligence has increased surveillance of refugee camps in the country amid radical Islamist calls for jihad in response to the Israel-Hamas conflict.
• Thirty-Seven Gang Members Plead Guilty to Racketeering Conspiracy US Dept. of Justice 19 Oct 2023 -- The 37th and final defendant charged as part of the case against members and associates of the Simon City Royals gang - a gang aligned with the Gangster Disciples - pleaded guilty today to racketeering (RICO) conspiracy.
• Greetings on the opening of the 5th Russian-Chinese Energy Business Forum President of Russia 19 Oct 2023 -- Vladimir Putin sent greetings to the participants, organisers and guests of the 5th Russian-Chinese Energy Business Forum.
• Kazakhstan Says It Restricted Export Of War-Related Goods To Russia RFE/RL 19 Oct 2023 -- Kazakhstan has restricted the export of goods to Russia that can be used for military purposes following demands from the West that the Central Asian nation and its neighbors abide by sanctions imposed on Moscow over its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning's Regular Press Conference on October 19, 2023 PRC MofA 19 Oct 2023
• British government urged to protect Hong Kong activists Radio Free Asia 19 Oct 2023 -- Calls are growing for the British government to take action to protect Hong Kongers both in the United Kingdom and in their city of origin, following the arrest of 20 British visa applicants last week.
• 51 nations blast China over violating Uyghurs' rights Radio Free Asia 19 Oct 2023 -- In a joint statement, 51 countries, including the United States, expressed deep concern to the United Nations on Wednesday over Chinese human rights violations of Uyghurs in its far-western Xinjiang region.
• Latest US Chip Controls Will Limit China's AI Development VOA 19 Oct 2023 -- The latest U.S. expansion of export controls on advanced chips, including those for artificial intelligence, as well as chipmaking tools will make it difficult for China to develop in that sector, analysts say.
• PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan Oct. 19, 2023 ROC MND 19 Oct 2023
• Russia's Lavrov arrives in Pyongyang, meets leader Kim Radio Free Asia 19 Oct 2023 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov met North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during his visit to Pyongyang, the Russian foreign ministry said on Thursday.
• Kim Jong Un vows to bolster Russian ties, testing Biden's strategy Radio Free Asia 19 Oct 2023 -- The purported tighter cooperation is aimed at building leverage against the U.S. and its regional partners.
• Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's opening remarks ahead of talks with Foreign Minister of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea Choe Son-hui, Pyongyang, October 19, 2023 Russia MFA 19 Oct 2023
• Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's official visit to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea Russia MFA 19 Oct 2023
• Mahsa Amini And Iran's 'Women, Life, Freedom' Movement Win EU's Sakharov Prize RFE/RL 19 Oct 2023 -- Mahsa Amini and the "Women, Life, Freedom" movement in Iran that was triggered by her death were awarded this year's Sakharov Prize, the European Parliament's top rights award, the second honor bestowed upon Iranian women this month for their sometimes deadly struggle for human rights after activist Narges Mohammadi won the Nobel Peace prize.
• Mahsa Amini Awarded Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought VOA 19 Oct 2023 -- The European Union has awarded the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought to Mahsa Amini, who died shortly after Iranian authorities arrested her last year.
• Iran's 'Axis Of Resistance': A Network Designed To Create Chaos, Fight Tehran's Enemies RFE/RL 19 Oct 2023 -- As fighting intensifies between Palestinian militant group Hamas and Israel, Iran has been increasingly vocal about the prospect of additional firepower entering the fray to score a victory for what Tehran calls the "axis of resistance" against Israel.
• Tehran 'Very Unlikely' To Get Directly Involved In Israel-Hamas Conflict, Says Iran Expert RFE/RL 19 Oct 2023 -- Seyed Ali Alavi is a lecturer in Middle Eastern and Iranian Studies at SOAS University of London. He is also the author of Iran And Palestine: Past, Present, Future, a book released in 2019 that looks at the history of Tehran's relationship with the Palestinian territories.
• PM meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia: 19 October 2023 Gov.UK 19 Oct 2023
• Statement on expulsion of Canadian diplomats by the Government of India Canada 19 Oct 2023 -- The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship today issued the following statement:
• Transcript of Weekly Media Briefing by the Official Spokesperson (October 19, 2023) India - Ministry of External Affairs 19 Oct 2023
• Transcript of the Weekly Media Briefing by Spokesperson Thursday 19 October 2023 Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs 19 Oct 2023
• Pakistan Court Blocks Arrest of Ex-PM Nawaz Sharif Upon Return From Self-Exile VOA 19 Oct 2023 -- In a rare ruling, a federal court in Pakistan restrained authorities Thursday from arresting the convicted former prime minister, Nawaz Sharif, upon his return to the country this coming weekend after four years in self-imposed exile.
• Belarus: Statement by the Spokesperson on new death sentence verdict European External Action Service (EEAS) 19 Oct 2023 -- On 19 October, the Minsk regional Court in Belarus reportedly sentenced to death Alexander Taratuta, convicted of murder.
• Damaged telecommunications cable between Sweden and Estonia Government Offices of Sweden 19 Oct 2023 -- An undersea telecommunications cable between Sweden and Estonia has been damaged. Minister for Defence Pål Jonson and Minister for Civil Defence Carl-Oskar Bohlin held a press conference on Tuesday 17 October to provide an overview of the situation and describe what government agencies are doing in response.
• Vietnam president attends BRI Forum as Xi Jinping plans Hanoi trip Radio Free Asia 19 Oct 2023 -- Vietnam President Vo Van Thuong's visit to China this week for the Belt and Road Forum is the latest in a series of high-level exchanges aimed at balancing Hanoi's relations with Washington and Beijing amid increased competition between the two powers, according to experts.
• Russia's Sick Ruble Squeezing Kyrgyzstan's Bellwether Garments Industry RFE/RL 19 Oct 2023 -- In an industry based on the principles "cut, make, and trim," margins are tight. But for a growing number of garment manufacturers in Kyrgyzstan, Russia's ailing ruble is making them too tight to bear.
• Supporters, Civil Society Want Withdrawal of Arrest Order for Chad's Opposition Leader VOA 19 Oct 2023 -- Rights groups and the political opposition in Chad have been organizing protests and issuing statements ahead of Friday's first anniversary of a crackdown that killed 128 people and injured more than 500 who were demanding an end to military rule.