• 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

• Turkish parliament to discuss Sweden's NATO bid next week People's Daily 23 Dec 2023 -- Turkish parliament's foreign affairs committee said on Friday that it would discuss Sweden's NATO bid next week.
• Zelensky discusses delivery of F-16 jets to Ukraine with Dutch PM People's Daily 23 Dec 2023 -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Friday that he had discussed the delivery of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte in a phone conversation.
• Rustem Umerov calls on Polish arms manufacturers to sign direct contracts with Ukrainian companies Ukraine MOD 23 Dec 2023
• Biden signs into law 2024 defense spending bill with Taiwan provisions CNA 23 Dec 2023 -- United States President Joe Biden on Friday signed into law the finalized bill for the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which authorizes the U.S. secretary of defense to create a training program for Taiwan's military and requires a status report on the delivery of defense weapons and services that the U.S. has agreed to sell to Taiwan.
• Last French troops leave Niger People's Daily 23 Dec 2023 -- The last 50 of the 1,500 French soldiers previously stationed in Niger left the country on Friday morning, marking the end of military cooperation between the two countries, according to the Nigerien military.
• Japanese gov't relaxes ban on arms exports amid criticism People's Daily 23 Dec 2023 -- The Japanese government on Friday lifted its ban on exports of arms and ammunition manufactured under license from foreign companies to their countries, and conditionally to third countries.
• British Army's Ajax vehicle rounds out positive year UK MOD 23 Dec 2023 -- The Ajax Programme is making positive progress towards the delivery of a new generation of armoured fighting vehicles that meets the Army's needs.

Defense Industry

Other Conflicts

Ukraine Conflict News

Operation Iron Swords / Operation Al-Aqsa Flood

• Press Briefing by IDF Spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari December 23rd, 20:15 Israel Defense Forces 23 Dec 2023
• Airstrikes Kill Scores of Palestinians as Israel Escalates Gaza Offensive VOA 23 Dec 2023 -- More than 90 Palestinians were killed by Israeli airstrikes Saturday on two homes in the Gaza Strip, rescuers and hospital officials said, as civilians in the enclave have nowhere to go for safety, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned Friday.
• Gaza death toll at 20,258 on 78th day of war IRNA 23 Dec 2023 -- The Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza has said that the total death toll from Israel's attacks on the besieged territory since October 7 has reached 20,258.
• Gaza municipality announces complete collapse of all services Press TV 23 Dec 2023 -- Gaza Municipality has announced the complete collapse of all its services after 78 days of the Israeli regime's relentless air and ground bombardment of the besieged territory.
• Israel used one of its biggest, most destructive bombs in south Gaza: Report Press TV 23 Dec 2023 -- Israel has used one of its biggest and most destructive bombs in an area designated safe for civilians in southern parts of the war-torn Gaza Strip, a report says.
• Dozens killed in Israeli strikes in Gaza after UN approves 'unhindered' aid resolution Press TV 23 Dec 2023 -- Palestinian authorities are reporting heavy Israel shelling in several cities in Gaza hours after world powers demanded more aid be allowed into the besieged Palestinian territory.
• UNICEF says Gaza children face 'high risk' of starvation Press TV 23 Dec 2023 -- The United Nations children's agency has warned that acute food insecurity has put children in the Gaza Strip at high risk of starvation amid the Israeli regime's months-long attacks on the besieged Palestinian territory.
• UNSC resolution on Gaza 'falls well short, ceasefire needed': UNRWA Press TV 23 Dec 2023 -- The UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) has criticized the recent United Nations Security Council resolution aimed at increasing humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, saying it falls well short and that a ceasefire is needed.
• UN chief blasts Israeli war for stonewalling aid deliveries to Gaza Press TV 23 Dec 2023 -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has denounced the Israeli regime's ongoing genocidal war against the Gaza Strip over its blocking the transfer of humanitarian aid to the besieged Palestinian territory.
• UN Security Council passes resolution to boost humanitarian aid access to Gaza People's Daily 23 Dec 2023 -- The UN Security Council on Friday passed a key resolution, emphasizing the immediate acceleration of aid deliveries to the distressed civilians in Gaza, but without the original call for an "urgent suspension of hostilities" between Israel and Hamas.
• Israel creates massive obstacles to aid distribution in Gaza -- UN chief People's Daily 23 Dec 2023 -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Friday that the Israeli offensive is creating massive obstacles to the distribution of humanitarian aid inside Gaza.
• PM Netanyahu Speaks with US President Joe Biden Israel - Prime Minister 23 Dec 2023
• Readout of President Joe Biden's Call with Prime Minister Netanyahu of Israel The White House 23 Dec 2023
• Iran FM accuses US for hindering stoppage of Gaza war IRNA 23 Dec 2023 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian says the United States and its allies are the main obstacle to the stoppage of the Zionist aggression against Gaza Strip.
• Iranian, Russian diplomats discuss Gaza IRNA 23 Dec 2023 -- The Russian Foreign Ministry in a statement announced that Mikhail Bogdanov, the special representative of the Russian President for the Middle East and Africa, and Kazem Jalali, the ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Russia, discussed the Gaza Strip and the solution to the Palestinian issue.
• Iran: US, allies major obstacles in stopping Israeli crimes in Gaza Press TV 23 Dec 2023 -- Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian of Iran says the United States and some of its allies are the main obstacles on the way of efforts to stop the killing of Palestinians in the besieged Gaza Strip.
• Raeisi: US, Israel must stand trial for crimes against humanity in Gaza Press TV 23 Dec 2023 -- Iranian President Ebrahim Raeisi says the United States and Israel must be tried at the International Criminal Court (ICC) for crimes against humanity during the Israeli onslaught on the besieged Gaza Strip.
• Iran: UNSC resolution on more Gaza aid deliveries 'positive but insufficient' Press TV 23 Dec 2023 -- Iran has described the recent United Nations Security Council resolution aimed at increasing humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip a "positive but insufficient step" in addressing the desperate needs of besieged Palestinians in the territory.
• Putin, Abbas urge political dialogue for settlement of Palestinian-Israeli conflict People's Daily 23 Dec 2023 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Friday highlighted the urgent need to resume political dialogue to settle the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
• Hamas terms UN resolution on Gaza aid as insufficient IRNA 23 Dec 2023 -- The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas has announced in a statement that it considers the recent UN resolution "an insufficient measure that does not respond to the catastrophic situation created by the Zionist war."
• Hamas: Gallant's assassination threat shows disgraceful defeat of Zionists Press TV 23 Dec 2023 -- Hamas has dismissed the latest threats by Israeli minister of military affairs Yoav Gallant against the Palestinian resistance movement, saying they indicate the disgraceful defeat of his forces in the Gaza Strip.
• UNSC resolution "fails to match" abject condition in Gaza: Hamas People's Daily 23 Dec 2023 -- Hamas expressed disappointment at the UN Security Council Resolution adopted on Friday demanding immediate and unhindered humanitarian access throughout the Gaza Strip.
• Lebanon's Hezbollah conducts retaliatory attack on Israeli bases IRNA 23 Dec 2023 -- Some Lebanese media outlets have reported that Lebanon's resistance movement Hezbollah has targeted two military bases belonging to the Israeli regime in northern regions of occupied Palestine.
• Hezbollah retaliates, strikes Israeli military sites near Lebanon border Press TV 23 Dec 2023 -- Fighters from the Lebanese resistance movement Hezbollah have conducted retaliatory strikes against Israeli positions, targeting barracks and gathering sites near the border in response to the regime's genocidal war in Gaza.
• UK Navy Says Received Report About Incident off Yemen Coast in Bab al-Mandab Strait Sputnik 23 Dec 2023 -- The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said on Saturday it received a report on an incident off the Yemeni coast in the Bab al-Mandab Strait, adding that the investigation is underway.
• Israel-affiliated merchant vessel hit by drone 200 kilometers off coast of India Press TV 23 Dec 2023 -- British maritime security firm Ambrey says a merchant vessel affiliated to the Israeli regime has been targeted by a drone in the Arabian Sea off the western coast of India.
• Yemen: Anti-Israel operations to intensify if Gaza aggression doesn't end Press TV 23 Dec 2023 -- The Yemeni defense minister in the National Salvation Government says the country's armed forces will intensify their strikes if Israel doesn't end its military aggression and all-out blockade of the Gaza Strip.
• Drone Attack Targets Israel-Affiliated Merchant Ship Off India's Coast VOA 23 Dec 2023 -- A drone strike Saturday off the west coast of India hit an Israel-affiliated merchant ship, according to Ambrey, the British maritime security firm.

Other Conflicts

• UN chief welcomes Security Council resolution on financing of AU-led peacekeeping People's Daily 23 Dec 2023 -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomes the Security Council's adoption of a resolution on the financing of African Union (AU)-led peace support operations, said his spokesman on Friday.
• US-led militarization of South China Sea will intensify in coming years: expert at GT annual conference Global Times 23 Dec 2023 -- The US-led militarization of the South China Sea will intensify over coming years, Wu Shicun, president of the National Institute for South China Sea Studies, warned at the GT Annual Conference 2024.
• UN Security Council voices 'alarm' at rising violence in Sudan Press TV 23 Dec 2023 -- The United Nations Security Council has voiced "alarm" at mounting violence in Sudan, as the ongoing civil war in the country has displaced over seven million civilians.
• UN reports surge of refugee arrivals in South Sudan from Sudan People's Daily 23 Dec 2023 -- The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) on Friday reported a surge in new arrivals at South Sudan's border with Sudan.
• Iran summons Russian charge d'affaires IRNA 23 Dec 2023 -- Iran's Foreign Ministry has summoned the Russian charge d'affaires to convey the strong protest of the Islamic Republic over Russia's repeated support for claims on Iran's trio Persian Gulf islands.
• Russia stresses respect for Iran's territorial integrity IRNA 23 Dec 2023 -- Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov has highlighted that respect for Iran's territorial integrity is among Moscow's fundamental principles.
• Iran summons Russian envoy in protest over meddlesome statement Press TV 23 Dec 2023 -- Iran has summoned the Russian chargé d'affaires to Tehran in protest over a recent joint statement issued by Russia and several Arab countries on Iran's three Persian Gulf islands of Abu Musa, the Greater Tunb, and the Lesser Tunb.
• Russia reiterates respect for Iran's territorial integrity Press TV 23 Dec 2023 -- Russia has reiterated its full respect for Iran's territorial integrity just days after a joint Russian-Arab forum in Morocco where the United Arab Emirates repeated its claims about three Iranian islands in the Persian Gulf.
• Iran rejects Arab-Russia statement regarding ownership of Gulf islands People's Daily 23 Dec 2023 -- Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian on Friday rejected a joint Arab-Russia statement, saying it challenged Iran's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
• Bulgarian Troops in the KFOR Mission Make a Significant Contribution to Ensuring Stability in Kosovo and the Western Balkans President of the Republic of Bulgaria 23 Dec 2023 -- Bulgarian troops in the KFOR mission make a significant contribution to guaranteeing peace, security and stability not only in Kosovo but also in the region.
• The Humanitarian Coordinator strongly condemns attacks in Nzakoundou and calls for immediate protection of civilians UNOCHA 23 Dec 2023 -- The village of Nzakoundou in the Prefecture of Lim-Pende (Northwest of the Central African Republic) was the scene of inter-communal violence and acts of violence against civilians on 21st of December. At least 22 people were killed, most of them civilians. Another 25 individuals were injured, and houses were set on fire.

News Reports

• CPC leadership meeting calls for rallying powerful force to advance national rejuvenation People's Daily 23 Dec 2023 -- A meeting of the Communist Party of China (CPC) leadership has stressed building on the gains in the Party's theoretical study program to rally a powerful force for building a strong nation and advancing national rejuvenation.
• In dealing with the US, China should strive for the best outcome, but also prepare for the worst consequences: PLA Navy rear admiral Global Times 23 Dec 2023 -- China advocates peaceful development, while the Western powers, led by the US, believe China will inevitably follow the path of previous major powers in seeking hegemony. This fundamental difference in perspective creates a significant contradiction between the two sides, Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy rear admiral Yang Yi said at the Global Times Annual Conference 2024. He warned that China should strive for the best outcome, but also prepare for the worst consequences by developing plans and building up its own strength.
• China to "appropriately" strengthen proactive fiscal policy in 2024: minister People's Daily 23 Dec 2023 -- China will continue to implement its proactive fiscal policy by "appropriately" strengthening it to improve its effectiveness in 2024, according to Minister of Finance Lan Fo'an.
• Chinese mainland needs to be prepared for the risks caused by Taiwan secessionist force: experts Global Times 23 Dec 2023 -- The Chinese mainland needs to be prepared for the risk caused by Taiwan secessionist force and the interference from the US on the Taiwan question, as the US is trying to use the island to provoke military conflict between the mainland and the island to contain the development of China, said experts from both sides of Taiwan Straits on Saturday.
• PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan Dec. 23, 2023 ROC MND 23 Dec 2023
• Iranian Authorities Seize Sakharov Prize Awarded To Honor Mahsa Amini, Rights Groups Say RFE/RL 23 Dec 2023 -- Iranian authorities have seized the prestigious Sakharov Prize that was awarded by the European Parliament to honor Mahsa Amini, whose September 2022 death in custody sparked nationwide anti-government protests and who came to symbolize battle for human rights for Iranian women.
• France decides to close embassy in Niger People's Daily 23 Dec 2023 -- France announced the indefinite closure of its embassy in Niger and the termination of the employment contracts of embassy staff, according to a letter sent to embassy staff and seen by Xinhua on Friday.
• Indian opposition lawmakers protest against their suspension from parliament People's Daily 23 Dec 2023 -- Opposition parties in India on Friday staged a protest here against the recent record suspension of 146 lawmakers from the two houses of the parliament.
• Ex-Pakistan PM Khan Granted Bail in US-Cable Case but Remains Jailed VOA 23 Dec 2023 -- Pakistan's top court Friday approved the post-arrest bail of former Prime Minister Imran Khan in a lawsuit stemming from charges that while in office he made public state secrets involving the United States.
• Breaking the laws of the land: Vietnam's real estate scandals Radio Free Asia 23 Dec 2023 -- For a country whose regime was founded as a land-to-the-tiller movement, one would expect the Vietnamese government to be more sensitive to real estate issues. While abuse and corruption have been a persistent irritant in the countryside, they've increasingly spread to the cities and impacted the middle and emerging middle classes.
• Why Is Turkmenistan Toning Down Its New Year's Celebrations? RFE/RL 23 Dec 2023 -- ASHGABAT -- Authorities in Turkmen provinces have removed decorated New Year's trees from the streets and state-appointed imams have told their congregations that ringing in 2024 is incompatible with Islam.
• Partial DRC Election Results Released, Diaspora Voters Favor Tshisekedi VOA 23 Dec 2023 -- In the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Independent National Electoral Commission published partial results Friday for the December 20 presidential election. This first session focused solely on the diaspora vote by Congolese in South Africa, the United States, Canada, Belgium and France.