• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

Defense Policy / Programs

• Interoperability Testing With Allies and Partners at Bold Quest 23 Denmark Concludes DoD 25 Oct 2023 -- The U.S. military joined allies and partners in Jutland, Denmark for Bold Quest 23 Denmark, hosted by the Danish Armed Forces. At the center of the joint exercise was interoperability of Identification Friend or Foe systems, which allow identification of friendly manned and unmanned aircraft and vessels.
• Resilient Defense Industrial Base Critical for Deterring Conflict DoD News 25 Oct 2023 -- A resilient defense industrial base is critical to the Defense Department's ability to deter future conflict, the Pentagon's top acquisition official said today.
• Unmanned Surface Vessel Division Arrives in Sydney US Navy 25 Oct 2023 -- Unmanned Surface Vessel Division One's (USVDIV-1) unmanned surface vessels (USVs) Ranger, Mariner, Seahawk and Sea Hunter arrived in Sydney, Australia, for a scheduled port visit October 24 ahead of their participation in bilateral exercises with the Royal Australian Navy (RAN).
• USS Jack H. Lucas (DDG 125) Arrives at Homeport in San Diego US Navy 25 Oct 2023 -- The first Flight III Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, USS Jack H. Lucas (DDG 125), arrived at its new homeport in San Diego Oct. 25.
• US, allies hold naval exercise in South China Sea Radio Free Asia 25 Oct 2023 -- Warships from the United States, Japan, Australia, Canada and New Zealand took part earlier this week in a multilateral exercise following a recent spat between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea.
• Secretary General at NATO-Industry Forum: without industry there is no defence NATO 25 Oct 2023 -- Addressing the NATO-Industry Forum in Stockholm on Wednesday (25 October 2023), Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg highlighted the vital link between NATO, Allies and industry when it comes to ensuring support to Ukraine, strengthening deterrence and defence, and maintaining the Alliance's technological edge.
• NATO tests new regional 'deterrence and defense' plans Army News 25 Oct 2023 -- NATO ended its largest and most complex computer-assisted, command post exercise of the 21st century on Oct. 19.
• Supreme Commander-in-Chief directed training of strategic deterrence forces President of Russia 25 Oct 2023 -- Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Federation Armed Forces Vladimir Putin led a training exercise that involved the forces and resources of the ground, sea and air components of Russia's nuclear deterrence forces. The exercise included practical launches of ballistic and cruise missiles.
• Supreme Commander-in-Chief directed training of strategic deterrence forces Russia MoD 25 Oct 2023 -- Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Federation Armed Forces Vladimir Putin led a training exercise that involved the forces and resources of the ground, sea and air components of Russia's nuclear deterrence forces. The exercise included practical launches of ballistic and cruise missiles.
• Russia Says It Rehearsed Delivering 'Massive' Retaliatory Nuclear Strike RFE/RL 25 Oct 2023 -- Russia has successfully tested its ability to deliver a massive retaliatory nuclear strike by land, sea, and air, the Kremlin said in a statement on October 25, hours after lawmakers moved to revoke Russia's ratification of a landmark nuclear test ban treaty.
• Statement by Andrey Belousov, Deputy Head of the Delegation of the Russian Federation, at the Thematic Debate on "Conventional Weapons" in the First Committee of the 78th Session of the UN General Assembly, New York, 23 October 2023 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 25 Oct 2023
• Exclusive: $150 Million in Ukraine Military Aid Expected Wednesday VOA 25 Oct 2023 -- The United States is providing up to $150 million in additional military aid for Ukraine in a package expected as soon as Wednesday, three U.S. military officials tell VOA, a week after Ukraine used its newest weapon from the United States to pummel Russian military targets deep into Russian-controlled eastern Ukraine.
• Chinese Defense Ministry slams Pentagon's China report Global Times 25 Oct 2023 -- The recently released US report on China's military development disregards facts, fabricates stories, uses vague rhetoric, misinterprets China's defense policy and military strategy, and hypes the non-existent "Chinese military threat," according to a Chinese Defense Ministry spokesperson.
• Deploying additional support Australia DOD 25 Oct 2023 -- The Australian Government has deployed additional ADF personnel and aircraft to the Middle East as part of Operation Beech.
• Refuelling aircraft and aviators Australia DOD 25 Oct 2023 -- Members of 19 Squadron fuelled aircraft and aviators during Exercise Bersama Lima.
• Historic first for Japan exercise Australia DOD 25 Oct 2023 -- Australia is the first country invited to participate alongside Japan and the United States for Exercise Yama Sakura.
• Karlin Says U.S. Can Support AUKUS Submarine Builds DoD News 25 Oct 2023 -- The trilateral defense agreement among Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States is historic and is part of generational change that is occurring in the Indo-Pacific, said Mara Karlin who is performing the duties of the deputy undersecretary of defense for policy.
• Biden not worried by Australia's ties to China Radio Free Asia 25 Oct 2023 -- U.S. President Joe Biden met Wednesday with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at the White House, telling reporters he was not worried about Canberra's apparently warming relations with China because the United States itself is seeking a thaw in ties.
• US, Australia Reaffirm Shared Values, Cooperation Against Chinese Ambitions VOA 25 Oct 2023 -- President Joe Biden on Wednesday hosted Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for a pageantry-filled state visit aimed at deepening cooperation and emphasizing unity on issues dominating global attention, including the increased ambitions of China and the gruesome conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine.
• Remarks by President Biden and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of Australia in Joint Press Conference The White House 25 Oct 2023
• Remarks by President Biden and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of Australia Before Bilateral Meeting The White House 25 Oct 2023

Defense Industry

• Contracts For Oct. 25, 2023

Other Conflicts

Ukraine Conflict News
• 25 October 2023 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 25 Oct 2023
• Secretary-General's remarks to the Security Council - on Women, Peace and Security UN Secretary-General 25 Oct 2023
• UNHCR: Forced displacement continues to grow as conflicts escalate UNHCR 25 Oct 2023 -- The number of people displaced by war, persecution, violence and human rights violations globally is likely to have exceeded 114 million at the end of September, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, announced today.
• Over 114 million displaced by war, violence worldwide UN News 25 Oct 2023 -- More than 114 million people worldwide have been forced to flee their homes by the end of September 2023, due to conflict, persecution and human rights violations, UN refugee agency UNHCR said on Wednesday.

Operation Iron Swords / Operation Al-Aqsa Flood

• Daily Recap: Hamas - Israel War October 25th, 2023 (19:30) - Day 19 Israel Defense Forces 25 Oct 2023
• IDF & ISA Forces Eliminate Hamas' North Khan Yunis Battalion Commander Israel Defense Forces 25 Oct 2023
• PM Netanyahu to Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer: "It's the worst atrocities committed against the Jewish people since the Holocaust. It's worse than ISIS." Israel - Prime Minister 25 Oct 2023
• PM Netanyahu to Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala: "This is our darkest hour and I appreciate the fact that you are standing here." Israel - Prime Minister 25 Oct 2023
• Statement by PM Netanyahu Israel - Prime Minister 25 Oct 2023
• Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Call With Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant DoD 25 Oct 2023
• Readout of President Biden's Call with Prime Minister Netanyahu of Israel The White House 25 Oct 2023
• UNRWA Situation Report #14 on the situation in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem (all information valid as of 24 October 2023 at 18:00 local time) UNRWA 25 Oct 2023
• Secretary-General's remarks at press encounter - on the situation in the Middle East UN Secretary-General 25 Oct 2023
• UN chief hits back at 'false' claim he justified Hamas terror attacks UN News 25 Oct 2023 -- The UN Secretary-General on Wednesday firmly rebuked what he described as the "false" claim by top Israeli diplomats that he had sought to justify the terror attacks of 7 October by Hamas in a speech he delivered to the Security Council.
• Gaza crisis: Deadlock deepens as Security Council rejects competing resolutions by US and Russia UN News 25 Oct 2023 -- China and Russia on Wednesday vetoed a draft resolution sponsored by the United States, while a second Russian-backed resolution failed to secure sufficient votes in favour, deepening the Security Council's deadlock over any unified response to address the crisis in Gaza and Israel.
• Israel-Palestine: Blockade puts Gaza aid on the line, WHO spotlights soaring mental health needs in Israel UN News 25 Oct 2023 -- Humanitarian operations in Gaza risked grinding to a halt on Wednesday due to the ongoing fuel blockade, while Israel continued to deal with a protracted hostage crisis amid the horrific aftermath of Hamas' 7 October attacks.
• UN: Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza Reaches 'Unprecedented Point' VOA 25 Oct 2023 -- The United Nations warned on Wednesday that the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip had reached an "unprecedented point," as Israel stepped up its calls for the U.N. chief to resign over comments a day earlier.
• UNCTAD Report: Billions Needed to Rebuild Gaza's Shattered Infrastructure, Economy VOA 25 Oct 2023 -- Billions of dollars in international economic aid will be needed to reverse decades of border closures, military operations and de-development in Gaza, according to a report published Wednesday by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, UNCTAD.
• WHO calls for immediate release, access to, and medical support for hostages taken by Hamas WHO 25 Oct 2023
• As War Rages, Biden Renews Call for Palestinian State Alongside Israel VOA 25 Oct 2023 -- Even as war rages between Israel and Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip, U.S. President Joe Biden voiced support Wednesday for what now seems like a distant goal — the long-sought U.S. wish for separate, autonomous Israeli and Palestinian states.
• Telephone call between Federal Chancellor Scholz and President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan Germany - Federal Government 25 Oct 2023
• "We stand ready to be one of the guarantors of Palestine" Presidency of The Republic of Turkey 25 Oct 2023 -- Addressing AK Party's parliamentary group meeting, President Erdoğan said: "We, together with our humanitarian, political and military presence, stand ready to be one of the guarantors of the Palestinian side. We call on all the countries with goodwill and determination to assess our offer, take concrete steps and open the doors to peace as soon as possible."
• UK delivers humanitarian aid to support Palestinian civilians UK FCDO 25 Oct 2023 -- An RAF C-17 aircraft is en-route to Egypt to deliver vital UK Government humanitarian aid to Palestinian civilians.
• We regret the draft resolution proposed by the United States has not been adopted: UK statement at the UN Security Council UK FCDO 25 Oct 2023 -- Explanation of vote by Ambassador Barbara Woodward at the UN Security Council meeting on the Middle East.
• Canada allocates funding for partners responding to urgent needs stemming from the crisis in Gaza Strip, West Bank, Israel and neighbouring areas Canada 25 Oct 2023 -- Today, the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of International Development, announced that Canada is allocating an initial $10 million in funding for humanitarian assistance to address urgent needs stemming from the crisis in the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, Israel and neighbouring areas.

Other Conflicts

• Taliban Tout Islamic Rule, Claim 'General Amnesty' Reunited Afghans VOA 25 Oct 2023 -- The Taliban are pushing back against persistent global criticism of their Islamic governance in Afghanistan, claiming their supreme leader's decrees, including a general amnesty, have promoted national reconciliation and put the war-torn country on the path to stability.
• Canada Admits Nearly 40,000 Afghans, Willing to Take More VOA 25 Oct 2023 -- Canada is on the brink of fulfilling its commitment to accept 40,000 Afghans before the end of this year.
• South China Sea conference 2023: Indo-Pacific Minister's speech UK FCDO 25 Oct 2023 -- Anne-Marie Trevelyan's keynote speech to South China Sea conference in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Transcript of the speech as it was delivered.
• Statement by the Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan on indiscriminate attacks on civilian facilities and infrastructure UNOCHA 25 Oct 2023
• Sudan Cease-Fire Talks to Resume Thursday in Saudi Arabia VOA 25 Oct 2023 -- Talks between Sudan's warring factions will resume Thursday in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, with a focus on securing access for humanitarian aid to reach beleaguered civilians, according to senior U.S. State Department officials.
• Hague-based UN court extends deadlines in Rohingya genocide case Radio Free Asia 25 Oct 2023 -- The International Court of Justice has extended two deadlines for written arguments in a complaint brought by the West African nation of Gambia alleging that Myanmar's military carried out genocide against minority Rohingya Muslims.
• Myanmar victims file war crimes complaint in Philippines court Radio Free Asia 25 Oct 2023 -- Five Myanmar nationals on Wednesday asked the Philippines' Department of Justice to open a war crimes investigation into 10 members of the Burmese junta for a range of alleged atrocities, including the killing of civilians, mutilation of bodies and torching hundreds of homes and churches.
• Canada provides additional humanitarian assistance funding in response to Nagorno-Karabakh crisis Canada 25 Oct 2023 -- Canada is deeply concerned by the refugee crisis in Armenia as more than a hundred thousand individuals have fled from Nagorno-Karabakh.

News Reports

• US Denies Hamas Eyeing US Southern Border VOA 25 Oct 2023 -- Fears that Hamas' deadly terror attack on Israel could help spark a wider conflict or even terror attacks in the United States have yet to materialize into actual threats, according to U.S. officials, but that has not stopped concerns from spreading.
• Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova's answer to a media question about the latest anti-Russia statements by President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 25 Oct 2023
• Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's greetings to organisers and guests of an official United Nations Day reception, Moscow, October 24, 2023 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 25 Oct 2023
• Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's opening remarks during the meeting with Foreign Minister of the Republic of Belarus Sergey Aleinik, Minsk, October 25, 2023 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 25 Oct 2023
• Analysts: Chinese Defense Minister's Removal Could Be Beginning of Trend VOA 25 Oct 2023 -- The removal of Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangfu is a sign of growing turbulence in China's political system under the leadership of Xi Jinping, some analysts say. They also say his removal Tuesday and that of another top-level official in recent months just as Xi begins a norm-breaking third term in office may only be the beginning of an emerging trend.
• China passes 'patriotic education' law to reinforce party line Radio Free Asia 25 Oct 2023 -- China's legislature nodded through a law on 'patriotic education' on Wednesday, in a move aimed at strengthening patriotic feeling among the country's youth, state media reported.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning's Regular Press Conference on October 25, 2023 PRC MofA 25 Oct 2023
• READOUT: First Meeting of the Financial Working Group Between the United States and the People's Republic of China US Treasury 25 Oct 2023
• California Governor Newsom, China's Xi Discuss Climate, Taiwan, Fentanyl VOA 25 Oct 2023 -- California Governor Gavin Newsom met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Wednesday, raising hopes that China and the United States can find common ground ahead of an APEC summit in San Francisco next month.
• Are China, US Seeking Warmer Ties? VOA 25 Oct 2023 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping, striking an unusually conciliatory tone, is calling for closer cooperation and more stable ties between China and the United States based on mutual respect and peaceful coexistence.
• Statement by NSC Spokesperson Adrienne Watson on National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan's Meeting with Director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission and Foreign Minister Wang Yi The White House 25 Oct 2023
• Hong Kong to eradicate 'undercurrents' of dissent with new laws Radio Free Asia 25 Oct 2023 -- Hong Kong leader John Lee vowed on Wednesday to 'eradicate the causes' of dissent that he said still lingered in the city despite a 28-month-long crackdown on criticism of the authorities.
• Hong Kong Leader Says City Will Impose New Internal Security Law Next Year VOA 25 Oct 2023 -- Hong Kong's leader says the semi-autonomous city will pass its own internal security law next year, four years after Beijing imposed its set of draconian laws on the financial hub.
• PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan Oct. 25, 2023 ROC MND 25 Oct 2023
• US and allies confirm North Korea-Russia 'deleterious' arms deal Radio Free Asia 25 Oct 2023 -- The United States and its allies have verified an arms trade deal between Russia and North Korea that could bolster Moscow's aggression towards Ukraine, issuing a stern warning that the allies would respond against these "deleterious" actions.
• U.S.-Japan-ROK Joint Statement Condemning DPRK-Russia Arms Transfers US Dept. of State 25 Oct 2023 -- The text of the following statement was released by U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken, Japanese Foreign Minister Kamikawa Yoko, and Republic of Korea Foreign Minister Park Jin.
• North Korea installs electric fences around new bridge to China Radio Free Asia 25 Oct 2023 -- North Korea has constructed electrified barbed wire fences to keep people from using a new bridge as a route to escape to China, but hungry citizens say the government should focus on feeding the people and supplying them with constant electricity so they wouldn't need to run in the first place, residents told Radio Free Asia.
• Iran's Guardians Council Returns Hijab Law Due To 'Ambiguities' RFE/RL 25 Oct 2023 -- Iran's Guardians Council has returned a chastity and hijab bill to parliament due to "ambiguities" in the legislation, which has drawn criticism both inside the country and abroad.
• U.S.-Based Rights Group Decries Iran's 'False' Claim Of Ties To Imprisoned Journalists RFE/RL 25 Oct 2023 -- The U.S.-based rights group United For Iran has rejected allegations by Tehran that it has collaborated with detained Iranian journalists Elahah Mohammadi and Niloofar Hamedi, calling the accusations "part of the Islamic republic's long-standing tradition of crafting false narratives."
• Will Iran Seek to Leverage Its Nuclear Program as Middle East Tensions Soar? VOA 25 Oct 2023 -- Recent efforts to de-escalate tensions between the West and Iran over Tehran's nuclear program have been set back by the recent Hamas terror attack on Israel, and Iran could seek to use the atomic program as leverage, according to analysts.
• India Resumes Canadian Visa Services VOA 25 Oct 2023 -- India has decided to resume visa services for Canadians after suspending them in September amid recent frosty diplomatic relations, India's High Commission in Ottawa announced Wednesday.
• Kyrgyzstan's Latest Repressive Trend: Women Political Prisoners RFE/RL 25 Oct 2023 -- This time last year, six women activists were among more than two dozen people arrested and jailed in a crackdown on dissent that marked a turning point for the rule of Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov.
• EU Leaders Set For Brussels Summit With Focus On Ukraine, Budget RFE/RL 25 Oct 2023 -- European Union leaders will meet in Brussels on October 26-27 for a summit where they are expected to reiterate their condemnation of Russia's war against Ukraine and discuss the bloc's support for Kyiv amid signs of donor fatigue in some members, with the war in its 21st month.
• 'Tipping points' of risk pose new threats, UN report warns UN News 25 Oct 2023 -- No ground water available? No access to satellite data because of where you live or home insurance due to recent natural disasters? A new UN report launched on Wednesday has some useful insights on the "risk tipping points" which are becoming an increasing challenge worldwide.
• Zimbabwe Says It Lost in Excess of $150 Billion to Sanctions VOA 25 Oct 2023 -- Zimbabwe's vice president on Wednesday said the country has lost more than $150 billion due to sanctions imposed by the European Union and countries such as the United States following reports of election rigging and human rights abuses in the early 2000s.
• Kenya's Judiciary Proposes Abolishing Death Penalty, Reducing Sentences VOA 25 Oct 2023 -- The chief justice of Kenya has sent a proposal to parliament that calls for removing the death penalty for the crimes of murder, violent theft and treason, saying the proposed changes aim to put the country's laws more in line with international human rights standards.