• 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

• US forces in Iraq, Syria came under attack 100 times since October 17: Report Press TV 17 Dec 2023 -- American forces based in military installations in Iraq and neighboring Syria have been targeted dozens of times, as anti-American sentiments are rising across the region over Washington's unconditional support for Israel's onslaught on the Gaza Strip.
• US Sends Carrier Strike Group to Gulf of Aden Amid Houthi Attacks - Reports Sputnik 17 Dec 2023 -- The US Department of Defense has recently dispatched a carrier strike group to the Gulf of Aden in response to attacks on ships in the Red Sea by Yemen's Ansar Allah rebel movement, also known as the Houthis, American press reported, citing anonymous officials.
• Federal Government of Somalia, AFRICOM target al Shabaab AFRICOM 17 Dec 2023 -- In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command carried out an airstrike against the al-Shabaab terrorist group near Jilib, Somalia on Dec. 17.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Meeting With the Kuwaiti Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, His Excellency Sheikh Ahmad Fahad Al-Ahmad Al Sabah DoD 17 Dec 2023
• Putin rejects Biden's claim that Russia plans to attack NATO as 'nonsense' Press TV 17 Dec 2023 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has dismissed US President Joe Biden's claim that Russia could attack a NATO country as "nonsense," saying such a conflict would run counter to his country's interests.
• Putin Says Naively Believed There Would Be No Confrontation Between West, Russia Sputnik 17 Dec 2023 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Sunday that in the early 2000s, he had a naive idea that the world has changed, there is no ideological confrontation, and no grounds for conflict between the West and Russia.
• How Strategic Rocket Forces Saved Russia From Being Erased From World Map Sputnik 17 Dec 2023 -- Sunday is Strategic Rocket Forces Day, the professional holiday of the branch of the military in charge of Russia's ground-based intercontinental ballistic missiles. A lot has changed since their creation over 60 years ago, but the forces' mission remains the same: defending Russia and preventing a world-ending nuclear war.
• Reported launch of 4th Type 075 amphibious assault ship 'able to safeguard sovereignty' Global Times 17 Dec 2023 -- Overseas media has reported that China recently launched its fourth Type 075 amphibious assault ship, a type of vessel which is believed to be able to not only safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity in regions like the Taiwan Straits and the South China Sea, but also sail to far seas and carry out non-military operations such as international humanitarian aid.
• N Korea fires long-range ballistic missile Radio Free Asia 17 Dec 2023 -- North Korea launched an intercontinental ballistic missile that a Japanese official said on Monday had a range that could reach the United States.
• Secretary Blinken's Call with Turkish Foreign Minister Fidan US Dept. of State 17 Dec 2023

Defense Industry

Other Conflicts

Ukraine Conflict News

Operation Iron Swords / Operation Al-Aqsa Flood

• Press Briefing by IDF Spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari December 17th, 20:15 Israel Defense Forces 17 Dec 2023
• Sinwar's Subterranean Tunnel System: Biggest Hamas Tunnel Exposed in Gaza, 400 Meters From the Erez Humanitarian Crossing Israel Defense Forces 17 Dec 2023
• PM Netanyahu's Remarks at the Start of the Government Meeting Israel - Prime Minister 17 Dec 2023
• Internal Opposition to Netanyahu Explodes After IDF Killing of Israeli Captives Sputnik 17 Dec 2023 -- More than 18,700 Palestinians, mostly civilians, have been killed in Israel's military campaign in Gaza as the United States has twice vetoed ceasefire resolutions at the United Nations.
• Calls for Cease-fire in Gaza Growing VOA 17 Dec 2023 -- Calls for a cease-fire in Gaza grow among some of Israel's allies and by protesters at home after Israeli forces intensified their attacks on the enclave overnight Sunday.
• Fierce ground battles rage in multiple Gaza fronts: Reports IRNA 17 Dec 2023 -- Fierce ground battles are raging between Palestinian resistance fighters and Zionist military forces in several parts of the Gaza Strip, resulting in the destruction of several Israeli military vehicles, according to media reports.
• Israeli captives killed by regime forces in Gaza were holding white flag: Official Press TV 17 Dec 2023 -- The three Israeli captives shot and killed by the regime forces in the north of the besieged Gaza Strip on Friday had been holding up a white flag, according to a military official.
• UNRWA Situation Report #53 on the situation in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem (All information is valid as of 16 December 2023 at 22:30) UNRWA 17 Dec 2023
• Amid war in Gaza, vital that Switzerland upholds its humanitarian values by funding UNRWA aid operations UNRWA 17 Dec 2023
• WHO delivers health supplies to Al-Shifa Hospital, appeals for continued access to address urgent needs in north Gaza WHO 17 Dec 2023
• 'Bloodbath': WHO slams Israeli aggression in Gaza's al-Shifa hospital Press TV 17 Dec 2023 -- The World Health Organization has voiced grave concern over the condition of the al-Shifa hospital in northern Gaza, which has been devastated by Israeli bombardments.
• US Middle East Vision Emerges as Biden Focuses Beyond Gaza War VOA 17 Dec 2023 -- An American vision for the Middle East is emerging as the Biden administration presses Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's war Cabinet to scale back its 10-week-old campaign to root out Hamas in Gaza amid mounting civilian casualties.
• Readout of National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan's Meeting with Emirati National Security Advisor Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed The White House 17 Dec 2023
• Israel committing more heinous crimes than Daesh: Iran FM IRNA 17 Dec 2023 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian has said that the Zionist regime authorities are committing more heinous crimes in Gaza than those carried out by the Daesh terrorist group in an attempt to redeem their historically disgraceful defeat.
• Real face of US human rights revealed in Gaza: IRGC Cmdr. IRNA 17 Dec 2023 -- Commander-in-chief of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has said the violation of the human rights and democracy, which the US claims to be a flag-bearer, is apparent in the Gaza Strip.
• Iran: Palestinians definite winners of 'unequal battle' against Israel Press TV 17 Dec 2023 -- Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian of Iran says Israel continues its "fruitless war crimes" in the Gaza Strip but the Palestinian people will definitely emerge victorious in the face of the regime's "unequal" battle.
• IRGC chief: The more Israelis destroy Palestine, the more nails they drive into their coffin Press TV 17 Dec 2023 -- The chief commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) says the more destruction the Israeli regime causes in Palestine, the more nails they drive into their coffin.
• Netanyahu, Biden have 'conflicting interests' in Gaza war: Iran envoy Press TV 17 Dec 2023 -- A top Iranian envoy has warned that "conflicting interests" between Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and US President Joe Biden in the Gaza war may become "unmanageable" and cost them their political future.
• France condemns Israeli killing of employee in Gaza IRNA 17 Dec 2023 -- A French government employee has been killed in an Israeli bombing of a residential building in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, a region previously declared a "safe zone" by the Zionist regime.
• France calls for 'immediate' ceasefire in Gaza after consulate staff killed in Israeli bombing Press TV 17 Dec 2023 -- France's top diplomat has called for an "immediate" ceasefire in the Israeli war on the Gaza Strip as the country's foreign ministry condemned the bombing of a residential building that killed one of its staff in the besieged Palestinian territory.
• Why the UK and Germany back a sustainable ceasefire: article by the Foreign Secretary and the German Foreign Minister UK FCDO 17 Dec 2023 -- In The Sunday Times, Foreign Secretary David Cameron and his German counterpart Annalena Baerbock write on paving the way to a sustainable ceasefire in Gaza.
• Turkiye's Fidan Urges US's Blinken to Involve Israel Into Gaza Settlement Talks - Reports Sputnik 17 Dec 2023 -- Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan during his phone talks with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has called for bringing Israel to the negotiation table on the settlement of the Palestine-Israel conflict in the Gaza Strip, a diplomatic source in Ankara told Sputnik on Sunday.
• Palestinian minister urges intl. investigation into Israeli forces burying Palestinians alive in Gaza hospital Press TV 17 Dec 2023 -- The Palestinian health minister has called for an international investigation into reports that Israeli forces have buried Palestinians alive in the courtyard of Kamal Adwan Hospital in the northern part of the besieged Gaza Strip.
• Israeli forces kill three Palestinians in separate West Bank raids Press TV 17 Dec 2023 -- Israeli forces have killed three Palestinians, including a teenager, in separate raids across the occupied West Bank.
• Hamas: No prisoner swap talks unless Israel ends war 'once and for all' Press TV 17 Dec 2023 -- Hamas says it has informed all sides mediating talks between the Palestinian resistance group and Israel that it will engage in no discussions on a prisoner-for-abductee swap unless the occupying regime completely ends its onslaught on the Gaza Strip.
• Hamas Says Will Not Negotiate Release of Hostages Until Israel's Operation Ends Sputnik 17 Dec 2023 -- Hamas stated on Saturday that it would not negotiate a hostage exchange until Israel ended its military operation in the Gaza Strip.
• Hamas: Israel has not achieved, won't ever achieve any of its goals in Gaza Press TV 17 Dec 2023 -- The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas says the Israeli regime has failed and will continue to fail to achieve any of the objectives it pursued through its genocidal war on the besieged Gaza Strip.
• Hezbollah fighters pound Israeli military positions in support of Gaza Press TV 17 Dec 2023 -- Fighters from the Lebanese Hezbollah resistance movement have continued their strikes on Israeli military position close to the border between Lebanon and the occupied territories, in response to the Tel Aviv regime's war on Gaza.
• Stopping operations in Red Sea depends on halt to aggression against Gaza IRNA 17 Dec 2023 -- The spokesman of Yemen's Ansarallah Movement, Mohammed Abdolsalam, said on Sunday night that the cessation of operations of the Yemeni armed forces in the Red Sea against Israeli ships depends on the cessation of aggression against Gaza.
• Shipping company OOCL halts all cargo deliveries to Israeli regime IRNA 17 Dec 2023 -- In the wake of successful military operations by the Yemeni army against ships heading to the occupied territories, the international shipping company OOCL has announced the suspension of all cargo deliveries to the Israeli regime.
• Yemen warns of expansion of attacks on Israel IRNA 17 Dec 2023 -- An official with Yemen's Ansarullah movement has cautioned that the Arab country's retaliatory attacks on the Israeli regime would expand to the depth of the occupied territories if strikes on the Gaza Strip continue.
• Shipping company OOCL halts all shipments to Israeli regime Press TV 17 Dec 2023 -- Hong Kong-based shipping giant Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL) says it has stopped delivering cargo to the Israeli regime, amid repeated warnings by the Yemeni army that it will prevent the passage of all ships bound to the occupied territories in the Red Sea in support of the Gaza Strip.
• Yemen warns retaliatory strikes will expand if Israeli genocide in Gaza persists Press TV 17 Dec 2023 -- A senior member of Yemen's Ansarullah resistance movement says the country's armed forces will expand the scope of their military operations to target installations deep inside the Israeli-occupied territories if the regime forges ahead with its genocidal war on Gaza.
• Four Shipping Majors Halt Vessels on Red Sea After Attacks Sputnik 17 Dec 2023 -- At least eight ships have reportedly come under attack by the Houthis in what is believed to be retaliation for the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.

Other Conflicts

• New Israeli missile attack on Syrian capital injures two soldiers Press TV 17 Dec 2023 -- Syrian air defenses have responded to another Israeli aggression targeting the countryside of the country's capital Damascus. shooting down some of the regime's missiles.
• Two Syrian Soldiers Injured in Israel's Attack on Damascus Governorate Sputnik 17 Dec 2023 -- Two Syrian servicemen have been injured in an Israeli attack on the Syrian capital governorate of Damascus, the Syrian Defense Ministry said on Sunday.
• Sudan: Statement by the Spokesperson on the situation in Wad Madani and El Fasher European External Action Service (EEAS) 17 Dec 2023 -- Just days after the Rapid Support Forces and Sudanese Armed Forces made solemn commitments to the Heads of States and Governments of the Intergovernmental Authority for Development (IGAD) for a cessation of hostilities and political dialogue, credible reports indicate that fighting is spreading to Wad Madani in Gezira State and that El Fasher in North Darfur remains under constant threat of attack.
• AU Mission in Somalia Resumes Drawdown After 3-Month Pause VOA 17 Dec 2023 -- The African Union Transition Mission in Somalia on Sunday resumed handing over security responsibilities to Somali government forces after a three-month pause, officials said.

News Reports

• Demise of the Amir of the State of Kuwait India MEA 17 Dec 2023
• United Russia party congress President of Russia 17 Dec 2023 -- Vladimir Putin attended a meeting at the 21st congress of the United Russia political party.
• Putin Warns Finland Of Unspecified 'Problems' As Helsinki Closes Border Again RFE/RL 17 Dec 2023 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin warned of unspecified "problems" with Finland and said he had ordered the establishment of a new military district in regions bordering the Nordic nation.
• Fresh anti-Russia sanctions to cause more damage to EU: Moscow Press TV 17 Dec 2023 -- Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said on Saturday that the latest European Union sanctions against Russia will cause more harm to the EU than Russia.
• Researchers Cite Western Progress in Curbing Electronics Transfers to Russian-Iranian Drone Facility VOA 17 Dec 2023 -- U.S. and Ukrainian researchers say Western nations are making progress in trying to curb illicit transfers of Western electronic components to a Russian facility suspected of making Iranian-designed attack drones, but that more needs to be done.
• United Russia Party Congress Unanimously Supports Putin's Presidential Bid Sputnik 17 Dec 2023 -- On December 8, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced his plans to run for reelection in 2024.
• Western Companies Declare Over $100Bln in Losses After Leaving Russian Market - Reports Sputnik 17 Dec 2023 -- Western companies that announced their withdrawal from Russia following the start of Russia's special military operation in Ukraine in 2022, suffered losses of more than $103 billion, The New York Times reported on Sunday.
• Gazprom Sets New Daily Record for Gas Deliveries to China Sputnik 17 Dec 2023 -- The new record emphasizes the importance of Russia's partnership with its Asian neighbor, as Europe struggles with the irony of their economic failures following their unprecedented sanctions imposed on Russia, as well as the cost of liquefied natural gas exports from the US.
• COVID-19 infections in China at low epidemic level, no unknown viruses have been found: China CDC Global Times 17 Dec 2023 -- COVID-19 infections in China are at a low epidemic level and no unknown viruses or bacteria have been found during the monitoring of respiratory pathogens in China, according to Chinese health authorities on Sunday.
• Trial of secessionist Jimmy Lai set to begin on Monday, 'expected to be a classic case in upholding national security in Hong Kong': legal experts Global Times 17 Dec 2023 -- The highly watched trial of the anti-China and violence-inciting figure Jimmy Lai on national security charges is set to begin on Monday at West Kowloon Court, toward which some Western media and political figures have launched a public opinion campaign by badmouthing the city's rule of law and the National Security Law (NSL) for Hong Kong. Legal experts said begging external forces to support Lai and undermining the rule of law in Hong Kong are destined to be futile.
• HKMA chief rejects claims that HKSAR is a 'relic'; position as financial hub irreplaceable Global Times 17 Dec 2023 -- Eddie Yue, chief executive of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), on Sunday rejected claims that Hong Kong is now a "relic" of an international financial center, saying the city has the largest banking system among all the international financial centers in Asia.
• Trial of Jimmy Lai Under the Hong Kong National Security Law US Dept. of State 17 Dec 2023 -- "The United States condemns the prosecution of pro-democracy advocate and media owner Jimmy Lai in Hong Kong under the PRC-imposed National Security Law. "
• Foreign Secretary statement on Jimmy Lai's national security trial UK FCDO 17 Dec 2023 -- On 18 December, British national Jimmy Lai's national security trial is scheduled to begin in Hong Kong.
• Fear of intervention by China reigns, but tracking it not always easy CNA 17 Dec 2023 -- The United States Department of State has approved a US$300 million Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to Taiwan that includes follow-on life cycle support and related equipment to maintain the C4 (Command, Control, Communications, and Computers ) capabilities of its military forces.
• Latest US arms sale to Taiwan 'creates more risks of conflict' Global Times 17 Dec 2023 -- Chinese mainland experts on Sunday slammed the collusion between the US and "Taiwan independence" secessionist forces for creating more risks of a conflict, after the US recently approved a sale of military data link equipment to the island of Taiwan.
• PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan Dec. 17, 2023 ROC MND 17 Dec 2023
• Readout of National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan's Call with the National Security Advisors of the Republic of Korea and Japan Following the DPRK's ICBM Test The White House 17 Dec 2023
• Statement by Spokesman for DPRK Ministry of National Defence KCNA 17 Dec 2023 -- A spokesman for the Ministry of National Defence of the DPRK on Sunday made public the following statement titled "The hostile forces' any attempt to use nuke will face a preemptive and deadly counteraction":
• Jailed Iranian Nobel Peace Prize Winner to Stand Trial Tuesday VOA 17 Dec 2023 -- Jailed Iranian rights activist and Nobel Peace laureate Narges Mohammadi has been notified that she will stand trial Tuesday in connection with her recent activities within prison, such as disseminating her statements and writings to the public, according to a social media post.
• Iran ready to further strengthen all-out ties with Kuwait: Foreign minister Press TV 17 Dec 2023 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian says Tehran is ready to further improve relations with Kuwait in various fields.
• Iran's foreign minister meets with new emir of Kuwait IRNA 17 Dec 2023 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian has held a meeting with Sheikh Meshal al-Ahmad al-Sabah, the new Emir of Kuwait, shortly after arriving in the Persian Gulf country.
• UN Security Council condemns terrorist attack in southeast Iran Press TV 17 Dec 2023 -- The members of the UN Security Council have strongly condemned the terrorist attack on a police station in Rask County, Sistan and Baluchestan Province, calling for the prosecution of the perpetrators and sponsors of such "cowardly" acts of terror.
• Security Council condemns deadly terror attack on Iran police station UN News 17 Dec 2023 -- The members of the Security Council have condemned Friday's assault on a police station in southern Iran, in which 11 Iranian police officers were killed, and eight critically wounded.
• IRGC chief vows 'bitter revenge' for those behind Rask attack IRNA 17 Dec 2023 -- The chief commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has issued a stern warning to the enemies of the Islamic Republic following a terrorist attack against security forces in southeastern Iran.
• IRGC commander says those behind Rask attack will pay dearly for it Press TV 17 Dec 2023 -- Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Major General Hossein Salami says the country will respond decisively to a terrorist attack on a southeastern police station earlier this week that left 11 guards killed and 6 others injured.
• UN Security Council condemns 'cowardly terrorist attack' on Iran IRNA 17 Dec 2023 -- In response to a letter written by Iranian Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Amir Saeed Iravani, the United Nations Security Council issued a press statement on a terrorist attack in Rask, Sistan and Baluchistan Province, Iran, and categorically condemned the cowardly terrorist attack.
• Vucic, SNS Declare Victory In Serbia Vote Marred By Opposition Claims Of Irregularities RFE/RL 17 Dec 2023 -- The ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) of President Aleksandar Vucic declared victory in a snap parliamentary vote late on December 17, even as election officials just began the process of counting votes in what was seen as a crucial test of Vucic's strength in the face of a united opposition from a pro-Western coalition.
• Shrinking Glaciers And Shallow Rivers: Kyrgyzstan Feeling The Effects Of Climate Change Despite Its Tiny Carbon Footprint RFE/RL 17 Dec 2023 -- Kyrgyzstan welcomed the first snow of the winter a few days ago as the mountainous Central Asian country gears up for New Year's festivities.
• Pakistan Restricts Internet Access Amid Rare Opposition Online Rally VOA 17 Dec 2023 -- Authorities in Pakistan temporarily slowed down internet services and blocked access to major social media platforms Sunday amid a rare online rally organized by the party of imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan.
• Zuma Says He Will Not Support ANC in Next Year's Election VOA 17 Dec 2023 -- Former South African president Jacob Zuma said Saturday that we will not vote for the ruling African National Congress party next year in the country's general election.