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Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• US Conducts 'Retaliatory' Strikes Against Kataib Hezbollah, Other Groups in Iraq Sputnik 26 Dec 2023 -- The United States carried out strikes against three targets of Kataib Hezbollah and associated groups in Iraq in response to a drone attack on Erbil Air Base where coalition forces are stationed, the US Department of Defense said on Tuesday.
• US military pounds three Iraqi resistance sites following retaliatory strikes Press TV 26 Dec 2023 -- The US military has carried out air strikes against three sites used by anti-terror resistance forces in Iraq, after a military base in the country's semi-autonomous Kurdistan region where American occupation troops and trainers are stationed came under a drone attack.
• Several injured in drone attack on US base in Erbil: Iraqi military IRNA 26 Dec 2023 -- The spokesman for the commander-in-chief of the Iraqi armed forces has said that several people were injured in a drone attack on a US military base near the Erbil Airport.
• Iraq Objects to US Strikes That Killed 1, Wounded 18 VOA 26 Dec 2023 -- Iraq condemned on Tuesday U.S. airstrikes on Iraqi territory, calling them a "hostile act" and a violation of Iraq's sovereignty.
• Senior Iraqi politician condemns US airstrikes, calls for withdrawal of American troops Press TV 26 Dec 2023 -- A senior Iraqi politician has strongly condemned the United States' latest airstrikes against three sites used by anti-terror resistance forces in Iraq, saying the only solution to stop such illegal and aggressive attacks is the withdrawal of American occupation troops from the country.
• Baghdad condemns US strikes on resistance positions as 'violation of Iraqi sovereignty' Press TV 26 Dec 2023 -- Baghdad has denounced as "unacceptable violation of Iraqi sovereignty" the United States' latest airstrikes against three sites used by anti-terror resistance forces in the country that left one serviceman dead and 18 others wounded.
• Iraq condemns drone attack on U.S. base in northern Iraq People's Daily 26 Dec 2023 -- The Iraqi government on Monday condemned an attack by a bomb-laden drone on an airbase housing the U.S.-led coalition forces near Erbil Airport in Iraq's northern semi-autonomous Kurdistan Region.

Defense Policy / Programs

• New F-15EX Eagles arrive at Eglin AFB US Air Force 26 Dec 2023 -- The Eagles have landed. The Air Force's two newest fighters, F-15EX Eagle IIs, known as EX3 and EX4 touched down at Eglin Air Force Base, Dec. 20, just minutes from each other.
• World's Largest Aircraft Carrier Arrives in Souda Bay US Navy 26 Dec 2023 -- The U.S. Navy's newest aircraft carrier, USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), and embarked staff from Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 12 arrived in Souda Bay, Crete for a scheduled port visit, December 26, 2023.
• USS Normandy Arrives in Piraeus, Greece US Navy 26 Dec 2023 -- USS Normandy (CG 60), a part of the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group (GRFCSG), ported in Piraeus, Greece, for a regularly scheduled port visit December 26, 2023.
• Squadron commanding officer on US aircraft carrier removed Radio Free Asia 26 Dec 2023 -- William Coulter, the commanding officer of an electronic attack squadron on the USS Carl Vinson aircraft carrier, was removed last week "due to a loss of confidence in his ability to command," the U.S. Navy has said.
• Milestone Pending: Secretive X-37B Space Plane Preparing for Thursday Lift-Off Sputnik 26 Dec 2023 -- Originally scheduled for December 7, the launch faced delays due to weather conditions and technical issues. The spacecraft, set to lift off from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, has a four-hour launch window beginning at 7 p.m. local time.
• Okinawa rejects court order over revised U.S. base transfer plan People's Daily 26 Dec 2023 -- Japan's Okinawa prefectural government on Monday rejected a high court order to approve a revised plan for a key U.S. base relocation within the southernmost prefecture, local media reported.
• Japan to Finalize Relocation of US Base in Okinawa on Thursday - Reports Sputnik 26 Dec 2023 -- Japanese Land Minister Saito Tetsuo will give his formal approval on December 28 to start ground works for the relocation of a US military base in Okinawa prefecture, despite opposition from local authorities, Japanese broadcaster NHK reported on Tuesday.
• Turkey parliament's foreign affairs committee approves Sweden's NATO bid Press TV 26 Dec 2023 -- The Turkish parliament's foreign affairs committee has approved Sweden's bid to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), putting Stockholm one step closer to membership in the US-led Western military alliance.
• Russian Defence Minister chairs special wrap-up teleconference Russia MoD 26 Dec 2023 -- The Supreme Commander-in-Chief highly appreciated the work of leadership and personnel of the Ministry of Defence, thanked for the conscientious fulfilment of the tasks.
• Russian State Defense Contracts Boomed in 2023 - United Aircraft Corporation Sputnik 26 Dec 2023 -- This year alone, the Russian defense industry has seen a major rise in both developing and producing new advanced equipment and refining and improving existing ones. The United Aircraft Corporation has spoken on the company's latest trends and federal contracts.
• Ukrainian pilots learn to fly F-16 fighter jets after completing basic training in the UK UK MOD 26 Dec 2023 -- The UK has been providing basic training to Ukraine's combat air pilots as a contribution to the international Air Force Capability Coalition for Ukraine
• Xi promotes PLA officers to rank of general People's Daily 26 Dec 2023 -- Xi Jinping, chairman of the Central Military Commission, promoted two senior People's Liberation Army officers on Monday to the rank of general, the highest rank for officers in active service in China.
• Three remain missing in sub accident: Taiwan Navy Radio Free Asia 26 Dec 2023 -- The search continues for three crew members of a Taiwanese submarine, who were swept off their boat by a sudden large wave last week, Taiwan's Navy has said.
• Army holds live-fire anti-landing drill on Taoyuan beach CNA 26 Dec 2023 -- The Army conducted the first-ever live-fire drill on the Guanyin Coastal Recreation area in Taoyuan on Tuesday to prepare against a potential Chinese amphibious landing.
• Taiwan Navy confirms submarine incident likely due to unexpected waves CNA 26 Dec 2023 -- Sudden waves are likely to blame for an incident on Dec. 21 that left three members of a Taiwan submarine crew missing, Taiwan's Navy confirmed Tuesday as it presented a timeline of what happened.
• Germany's Army General Warns of Equipment Gaps Due to Brigade's Deployment in Lithuania Sputnik 26 Dec 2023 -- The German army may face equipment gaps, and its equipage may drop to 55% from 60% due to the deployment of a German brigade in Lithuania, Lt. Gen. Alfons Mais, the inspector of the German army and the chief of the German Army Headquarters at Strausberg in Brandenburg, said Tuesday.
• Proud moment for India as INS Imphal commissioned into Navy: PM India PIB 26 Dec 2023 -- The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, expressed pride as INS Imphal was commissioned into Indian Navy today
• Raksha Mantri commissions stealth guided missile destroyer INS Imphal in Mumbai; Terms it as a symbol of 'Aatmanirbharta' in defence India PIB 26 Dec 2023 -- INS Imphal, a Project 15B stealth guided missile destroyer, was commissioned into the Indian Navy in the presence of Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh at an impressive ceremony held at the Naval Dockyard, Mumbai on December 26, 2023
• Readout of President Biden's Call with Amir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani of Qatar The White House 26 Dec 2023

Defense Industry

• Contracts For Dec. 26, 2023

Other Conflicts

Ukraine Conflict News

Operation Iron Swords / Operation Al-Aqsa Flood

• Press Briefing by IDF Spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari December 26th, 20:40 Israel Defense Forces 26 Dec 2023
• PM Netanyahu at IDF Intelligence Unit #9900 Israel - Prime Minister 26 Dec 2023
• Israeli PM inspects north Gaza, vows to continue fight People's Daily 26 Dec 2023 -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu toured the northern Gaza Strip on Monday and vowed to continue the fight, the prime minister's office said.
• Dec. 25: 'Axis of Resistance' operations against Israeli occupation Press TV 26 Dec 2023>
• Israeli Plan to Expand Fighting in Gaza Causes Alarm VOA 26 Dec 2023 -- Israel on Tuesday said it plans to expand ground fighting in central Gaza Strip's densely populated refugee camps and that its war on Hamas could last several more months, raising concerns from the United Nations.
• Death toll from Israeli attacks on Gaza rises to 20,915 IRNA 26 Dec 2023 -- The Ministry of Health in Gaza has reported that the death toll from the Israeli regime's aggressions in the Gaza Strip has risen to 20,915.
• Israel hits Red Crescent Society headquarters in Gaza Press TV 26 Dec 2023 -- Israeli forces have attacked the headquarters of the Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS) in the Gaza Strip, causing a great deal of damage to the entire facility, which is home to thousands of displaced people in the besieged territory.
• Israel continues bombing Gaza amid mounting death toll People's Daily 26 Dec 2023 -- Israel continued Sunday bombing targets across the Gaza Strip, with both Palestinian and Israeli sides reporting mounting death tolls.
• Gaza health workers pushed to the limit amid airstrike 'carnage' UN News 26 Dec 2023 -- Overwhelmed medics in Gaza on Tuesday continued to try to save victims of missile strikes including attacks near refugee camps in the centre of the devastated enclave that have reportedly killed well over 100 people, the UN health agency said.
• 'Human chessboard': UN says displaced Gazans have 'nowhere to go' as war intensifies Press TV 26 Dec 2023 -- The United Nation says Israel's indiscriminate strikes on the Gaza Strip and incessant evacuation orders have left displaced Palestinians with "no safe place" to go.
• WHO decries Israel's 'harrowing' strike on Gaza's Maghazi refugee camp Press TV 26 Dec 2023 -- The World Health Organization has denounced a recent airstrike by the Israeli regime on a refugee camp in the besieged Gaza Strip, which claimed the lives of at least 70 Palestinians.
• Appointment of Sigrid Kaag US Dept. of State 26 Dec 2023 -- The United States welcomes today's announcement by United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres of the appointment of Ms. Sigrid Kaag of the Netherlands as Senior Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator for Gaza.
• Iran rejects U.S. accusation of attacking tanker in Indian Ocean People's Daily 26 Dec 2023 -- Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nasser Kanaani on Monday rejected the U.S. accusation that an Iranian drone attacked a chemical tanker operating in the Indian Ocean.
• US, Israel facing 'two-sided' defeat in war on Gaza Strip: Iran security chief Press TV 26 Dec 2023 -- Iran's top security official says the United States and Israel are both suffering a "two-sided" defeat in the ongoing war on Palestinians in the Gaza Strip as they can neither stop the aggression nor continue it in the besieged territory.
• Israel's killing of Iranian military advisor to further complicate regional situation Global Times 26 Dec 2023 -- Israel's killing of a senior adviser in Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is likely to further stimulate anti-Israel and anti-US sentiment in Iran and complicate regional conflicts, as well as the Red Sea situation, said Chinese experts.
• China continues to make efforts for peace, stability in Middle East: spokesperson People's Daily 26 Dec 2023 -- China will continue to work with all parties to enhance coordination and galvanize more responsible and meaningful actions in the UN Security Council for an early cessation of hostilities in Gaza, the implementation of the two-state solution and peace and stability in the Middle East, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said on Monday.
• Palestine asks UN to declare famine in Israeli-bombarded Gaza Press TV 26 Dec 2023 -- The Palestinian Foreign Ministry has called on the United Nations to officially declare famine in the Gaza Strip, as the world body expresses grave concern about the continued Israeli strikes on the besieged Palestinian territory.
• Netanyahu's plan to displace Gazans reveals true goal of Israeli genocide: Palestinian Foreign Ministry Press TV 26 Dec 2023 -- The Palestinian Foreign Ministry has strongly condemned the Israeli prime minister's plan to allegedly "facilitate" displacement of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip, which is currently under the regime's genocidal war.
• Palestinian Groups Say Talks Underway Over Egyptian Proposal on Gaza Strip Sputnik 26 Dec 2023 -- Palestinian groups said on Tuesday they were holding detailed discussions on an Egyptian proposal for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.
• Lebanese resistance targets six Zionist bases IRNA 26 Dec 2023 -- Lebanese Islamic Resistance has said it has targeted six Zionist bases on Tuesday, according to Palestine's Sama News.
• Yemen forces hit ship headed towards occupied territories, Israeli targets Press TV 26 Dec 2023 -- Yemen's Armed Forces have announced striking a ship headed towards the occupied territories as well as targets lying within those territories in support of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, who are subject to an unrelenting genocidal Israeli war.
• Don't trust them, they have no solution for Hamas tunnels: Israeli officer IRNA 26 Dec 2023 -- A Zionist reserve officer has emphasized that the claims of analysts and the Israeli army about the Gaza war should not be believed.

Other Conflicts

• Yemen peace plan to be signed in Saudi Arabia in January: Report IRNA 26 Dec 2023 -- The Yemen peace plan will be signed in Saudi Arabia at the beginning of next month, according to a report.
• UN envoy welcomes 'significant step' towards ceasefire in Yemen UN News 26 Dec 2023 -- The UN Special Envoy for Yemen has welcomed steps towards a ceasefire in the war-torn country, where Government forces, backed by a Saudi-led coalition, and Houthi rebels have been fighting for more than eight years.
• Military burned more than 440 bodies over 19-month period Radio Free Asia 26 Dec 2023 -- More than 440 bodies, mostly those of civilians, were burned by ruling junta forces across Myanmar between March 2022 and September 2023, according to a report by a U.K.-based nonprofit group dedicated to exposing human rights abuses and war crimes.
• Junta attack claims lives of 3 people in Myanmar's Rakhine State Radio Free Asia 26 Dec 2023 -- The junta army's heavy artillery shelling in Myanmar's ancient capital of Mrauk-U in Rakhine State between Sunday and Monday resulted in the deaths of three civilians and the arrest of nine others, local residents told Radio Free Asia on Monday.
• Lavrov: Unconditional respect for Iran's territorial integrity is Moscow's unchanging position IRNA 26 Dec 2023 -- In a telephone conversation with his Iranian counterpart, the Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that Russia sincerely and honestly and unconditionally respects Iran's territorial integrity, and this is Moscow's unchangeable position.
• Russia FM reasserts Moscow's respect for Iran's territorial integrity Press TV 26 Dec 2023 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov reasserts Moscow's respect for Iran's territorial integrity following the Islamic Republic's criticism of an Arab-Russian statement backing the United Arab Emirates' unfounded claim about three Iranian islands in the Persian Gulf.
• EU Welcomes Serbia's Decision To Recognize Vehicle License Plates Issued By Kosovo RFE/RL 26 Dec 2023 -- The European Union has welcomed Serbia's decision to recognize vehicle license plates issued by Kosovo, saying it demonstrates that progress in the process of normalizing relations is possible.

News Reports

• New COVID variant JN.1 makes nearly half latest infections in U.S. People's Daily 26 Dec 2023 -- A new coronavirus subvariant JN.1 is spreading fast in the United States, and is now accounting for nearly half of the latest COVID-19 cases in the country, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
• Meeting with Gazprom CEO Alexei Miller President of Russia 26 Dec 2023 -- Vladimir Putin had a meeting with Gazprom CEO Alexei Miller in St Petersburg.
• Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's telephone conversation with Foreign Minister of Iran Hossein Amir-Abdollahian Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 26 Dec 2023
• Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's participation in the seventh session of the United Russia General Council Commission on International Cooperation and Support for Compatriots Abroad Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 26 Dec 2023
• Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's address at a meeting of the United Russia Party General Council Commission on International Cooperation and Support for Compatriots Abroad, Moscow, December 26, 2023 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 26 Dec 2023
• Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's upcoming talks with Minister of External Affairs of the Republic of India Subrahmanyam Jaishankar Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 26 Dec 2023
• Informal meeting of the CIS heads of state President of Russia 26 Dec 2023 -- An informal meeting of the leaders of the CIS member countries took place at the Konstantin Palace.
• Navalny Confirms Transfer to Arctic Circle Penal Colony VOA 26 Dec 2023 -- Jailed Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny confirmed Tuesday that he had been transferred to a penal colony north of the Arctic Circle.
• Kremlin Critic Aleksei Navalny Confirms Arrival At Arctic Prison RFE/RL 26 Dec 2023 -- Kremlin critic Aleksei Navalny has published his first message from the Arctic prison he has been transferred to, telling his followers on X, formerly Twitter, not to worry about him after an absence of more than two weeks that raised concerns about his well-being.
• China adds two more satellites to mega BeiDou constellation Global Times 26 Dec 2023 -- The BeiDou Satellite Navigation System, also known as the BDS - China's largest space-borne infrastructure to date that provides quality services to worldwide users - added two more satellites to its mega constellation on Tuesday.
• Pushing forward the cause pioneered by Mao best way to pay tribute: Xi Global Times 26 Dec 2023 -- Commemorations to mark the 130th anniversary of the birth of People's Republic of China's founding leader Chairman Mao Zedong were held by the Communist Party of China, the Chinese local governments and Chinese people across the country on Tuesday.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning's Regular Press Conference on December 26, 2023 PRC MofA 26 Dec 2023
• China takes countermeasures on US company, two individuals against Washington's Xinjiang-related sanctions Global Times 26 Dec 2023 -- China has announced countermeasures against a US company and two individuals that have long collected sensitive information to provide so-called evidence for illegal sanctions by the US, after the US newly added two Chinese officials and three Chinese companies onto a sanction list citing so-called human rights concerns.
• China's top legislature starts standing committee session People's Daily 26 Dec 2023 -- The Standing Committee of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, started its seventh session Monday in Beijing.
• China to boost industrial recovery with targeted measures People's Daily 26 Dec 2023 -- China will take further measures to step up the country's industrial development next year on the basis of the current steady recovery in the sector, according to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT).
• Presidential contenders bicker over how to deal with China economically CNA 26 Dec 2023 -- The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and main opposition Kuomintang (KMT) presidential candidates remained at odds over how best to manage Taiwan's trade and economic relationship with China during their second policy presentation forum on Tuesday.
• Man indicted for organizing China tours to allegedly sway Taiwan voters CNA 26 Dec 2023 -- A man has been indicated for breaching laws against election interference by organizing group tours to China partially funded by local Chinese governments, during which participants were asked to vote for Beijing's preference in the 2024 election, Kaohsiung prosecutors said Monday.
• 2023 Yearender: Cross-Straits ties mixed with restored exchanges and provocations from DPP, US Global Times 26 Dec 2023 -- The year 2023 marks the first year of cross-Taiwan Straits exchanges fully resuming following the end of the pandemic, with people of vision on both sides of the Taiwan Straits continuing to promote communication and integration, and Taiwan secessionists who rely on the US for "independence" creating barriers for dialogue and elevating the atmosphere of hostility and tension.
• PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan Dec. 26, 2023 National 26 Dec 2023
• S Korea issues unilateral sanctions on 8 N Korean individuals Radio Free Asia 26 Dec 2023 -- South Korea imposed unilateral sanctions on North Korean individuals involved in illicit financing of the country's high-stake nuclear programs that have posed threats to the United States and its regional allies.
• Tehran warns Israeli regime of decisive response after martyrdom of Iran's senior military adviser IRNA 26 Dec 2023 -- Iranian Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN Amir Saeed Iravani after the martyrdom of Seyed Razi Mousavi, Iran's senior military advisor in Syria condemned the "heinous and cowardly measures of the Israeli regime and declared that Iran has its legitimate and inherent rights based on international law and the United Nations Charter for a decisive response at the appropriate time.
• 'Israel committed strategic mistake by killing IRGC commander' IRNA 26 Dec 2023 -- Chief of Staff of Iranian Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Bagheri has said that the Monday Zionist assassination of an IRGC commander in Syria was a strategic mistake.
• Iran's officials vow harsh response to assassination of IRGC commander in Syria IRNA 26 Dec 2023 -- Different Iranian authorities have vehemently condemned the assassination of an Iranian military advisor in Syria by the Israeli regime and vowed a severe and wise reaction to the heinous crime.
• Tel Aviv should wait for tough countdown: FM Amirabdollahian IRNA 26 Dec 2023 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian has expressed his condolences over the martyrdom of a senior Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) military in Syria and emphasized that Tel Aviv should wait for a tough countdown.
• Islamic Jihad to Israel: Await our next response to IRGC advisor's assassination Press TV 26 Dec 2023 -- The Palestinian Islamic Jihad resistance movement has strongly condemned Israel's assassination of a senior Iranian military advisor in Syria, saying the occupying regime should await a decisive response to its cowardly act.
• IRGC advisor's assassination exposes Israel's 'frustration' against resistance: Iran Army chief Press TV 26 Dec 2023 -- The chief commander of the Iranian Army has condemned Israel's assassination of a senior military advisor of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) in Syria as yet another sign of the occupying regime's "frustration" against the resistance.
• Iran's oil exports at $26.46bn in 9 months to late Dec.: IRICA IRNA 26 Dec 2023 -- The head of the Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration (IRICA) has announced that the country's oil exports totalled $26.46 billion in the first nine months of the current calendar year.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi holds telephone conversation with Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia India PIB 26 Dec 2023 -- Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a telephone conversation with Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud
• PM speaks to HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud on future of Strategic Partnership between India and Saudi Arabia India PIB 26 Dec 2023 -- The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has spoken with HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud on the future of Strategic Partnership between India and Saudi Arabia
• Pakistan Court Restores Jailed Ex-PM Khan's Party Election Symbol VOA 26 Dec 2023 -- A high court in Pakistan allowed former prime minister Imran Khan's party Tuesday to use its iconic cricket bat logo as an election symbol, a crucial legal victory for the jailed leader ahead of national polls in February.
• Outspoken former Vietnam lawmaker facing additional criminal charge Radio Free Asia 26 Dec 2023 -- A former lawmaker who was expelled from Vietnam's ruling Communist Party following his arrest last month is facing an additional criminal charge of "abusing power for personal benefit," police announced on Tuesday.
• Opposition In Serbia Holds Ninth Day Of Protest Over Alleged Election Fraud RFE/RL 26 Dec 2023 -- Several hundred people gathered on December 26 in Belgrade for another protest organized by the opposition to demand the cancellation of elections held earlier this month.
• World News in Brief: Senior Humanitarian Coordinator for Gaza, cholera spreading in Sudan, aid for eastern Ukraine UN News 26 Dec 2023 -- A veteran Dutch diplomat and politician who previously held top UN positions has been appointed Senior Humanitarian Coordinator for Gaza, UN Secretary-General António Guterres announced on Tuesday.