• 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

• Letter to the Speaker of the House and President pro tempore of the Senate consistent with the War Powers Resolution (Public Law 93-148) The White House 25 Jan 2024
• We will not be fooled by US lies: Iraq's Kata'ib Hizballah IRNA 25 Jan 2024 -- Iraq's Kata'ib Hizballah resistance group has reacted to reports on negotiations between the United States and Iraq regarding the future of US military presence in the Arab country, emphasizing that the group will not be deceived by Washington's lies.
• Iraq says U.S. airstrikes on Hashd Shaabi forces "irresponsible escalation" People's Daily 25 Jan 2024 -- The Iraqi government said on Wednesday that U.S. airstrikes on positions of the paramilitary Hashd Shaabi forces are "irresponsible escalation" in the Middle East region.
• US vows to maintain military presence in Syria: Report IRNA 25 Jan 2024 -- The administration of US President Joe Biden has told media on Wednesday that Washington is not thinking about pulling out its forces from Syria.
• Officials: Airstrike in Somalia Kills at Least 20 Al-Shabab Militants VOA 25 Jan 2024 -- A military strike killed at least 20 al-Shabab militants in central Somalia, regional and military officials said Thursday.

Defense Policy / Programs

• MCTSSA Designated Corps' First STRL, Accelerating Force Modernization USMC News 25 Jan 2024 -- Marking a significant advancement towards Force Design's ambitious modernization goals, Marine Corps Tactical Systems Support Activity, or MCTSSA, has been designated as the first Science and Technology Reinvention Laboratory, or STRL, within the Marine Corps.
• First Generation Legacy: 3rd MAW Marine Forges His Own Path USMC News 25 Jan 2024 -- U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Johnson Truong is an air support operations operator with Marine Air Support Squadron 3, Marine Air Control Group 38, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, and a Harrisburg, Pennsylvania native. It is fitting that Truong hails from a city with as much historical significance to the U.S. as Harrisburg. His family legacy was shaped by sacrifice and commitment to a stable life in the United States.
• USS Antietam Departs Yokosuka After Nearly 11 Years of Forward-Deployed Service US Navy 25 Jan 2024 -- The Ticonderoga-class guided missile-cruiser USS Antietam (CG 54) departed Yokosuka, Japan, Jan. 26 to transit to its new homeport of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, as part of a planned rotation of forces in the Pacific.
• USAFRICOM Commander and Senior Enlisted Leader visit Kenya, Somalia and Djibouti AFRICOM 25 Jan 2024 -- U.S. Marine Corps General Michael Langley, commander of U.S. Africa Command, along with Sgt. Maj. Michael Woods, the command's senior enlisted leader, undertook a strategic visit to Nairobi, Kenya; Mogadishu, Somalia; and Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti from January 22-25. This visit was aimed at reinforcing relationships with regional civilian and military leaders.
• Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh Holds a Press Briefing DoD 25 Jan 2024
• Battle Looming Between AI and Counter-AI, Says Official DoD News 25 Jan 2024 -- The Defense Department is just at the start of using artificial intelligence. Peer competitors are as well, said Jude R. Sunderbruch, executive director of the DOD Cyber Crime Center, who spoke today at the Google Defense Forum.
• French delegation visits USEUCOM, strengthens strategic partnership EUCOM 25 Jan 2024 -- U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Daniel Lasica, director, U.S. European Command Strategy, Plans and Policy, hosted Maj. Gen. Philippe de Montenon, chief of the French Strategic Joint Operation Center, and a French military delegation to the command's headquarters in Stuttgart, Germany, on Jan. 25, 2024.
• Red Flag offers 388 FW F-35 maintainers a chance to grow together US Air Force 25 Jan 2024 -- Airmen from the 421st Fighter Generation Squadron are working around the clock to provide mission ready F-35A Lighting II aircraft for exercise Red Flag 24-1, but they are also working on their own growth as Airmen.
• SECNAV Del Toro Delivers Remarks at the Royal United Services Institute US Navy 25 Jan 2024
• Readout of Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti's Meeting with Vice-Admiral Rajesh Pendharkar, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Eastern Naval Command, Indian Navy US Navy Press Release 25 Jan 2024
• No Pullout, But US Military Eyes an End in Iraq VOA 25 Jan 2024 -- The United States and Iraq will start talks to end the U.S.-led international military coalition in Iraq and transition to a bilateral partnership, continuing a process that has been stalled by the Israel-Hamas war.
• Senior Defense, Military and State Department Officials Hold a U.S.-Iraq Higher Military Commission Background Briefing DoD 25 Jan 2024
• Statement by Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III on the Start of Working Group Meetings of the U.S.-Iraq Higher Military Commission DoD 25 Jan 2024 -- The United States and the Government of Iraq will start working group meetings of the U.S.-Iraq Higher Military Commission (HMC) in the coming days, initiating a process the two sides committed to during the U.S.-Iraq Joint Security Cooperation Dialogue (JSCD) in Washington, D.C., on August 7-8, 2023.
• U.S., Iraqi Officials to Hold Talks DoD News 25 Jan 2024 -- A commission made up of officials from the U.S. and Iraq will begin holding high-level talks in the coming days designed to advance the nations' shared goal of building an enduring security partnership, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III announced today.
• Change in ISIS Threat Means Evolution in Long-Term U.S.-Iraq Relationship DoD News 25 Jan 2024 -- The Pentagon today underscored the mutual commitment by the United States and Iraq to strengthening the evolving security relationship between the two nations.
• Iraq, US agree to discuss timeline for withdrawal of American troops Press TV 25 Jan 2024 -- Iraq's foreign ministry says Baghdad and Washington have agreed to set up a committee to start talks to set a timetable for a phased withdrawal of American forces from the Arab country.
• NATO Begins Largest Exercise Since Cold War DoD News 25 Jan 2024 -- Over the next six months, thousands of U.S. service members will participate in the largest NATO exercise since the end of the Cold War.
• With eye on Russia, NATO launches largest war games since Cold War Press TV 25 Jan 2024 -- The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has launched its largest military exercise since the Cold War, with a US warship leaving the United States for transit across the Atlantic to alliance territory in Europe.
• Erdogan Officially Approves Turkiye's Ratification of Sweden's NATO Membership - Reports Sputnik 25 Jan 2024 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday approved the ratification of Sweden's membership in NATO by Turkiye, the NTV broadcaster reported.
• Kremlin on NATO Exercises: Russia Knows Against Who They Held Sputnik 25 Jan 2024 -- Russia knows against who the NATO drills are held and has never had any illusions about this matter, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Thursday.
• China's Defense Ministry Blasts NATO as 'Walking War Machine' Sowing Chaos Everywhere Sputnik 25 Jan 2024 -- Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin, when summing up the outcome of 2023, said that the West is trying to shift NATO's activities to Asia, whip up a crisis there and form new military and political blocs.
• NATO kicks off largest military drills in decades People's Daily 25 Jan 2024 -- The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) on Wednesday kicked off "Exercise Steadfast Defender 2024," its largest military drills in decades.
• Meeting with Kaliningrad Region Governor Anton Alikhanov President of Russia 25 Jan 2024 -- The President had a working meeting with Kaliningrad Region Governor Anton Alikhanov.
• Russian president visits Kaliningrad bordering NATO countries Press TV 25 Jan 2024 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has arrived in Russia's westernmost region of Kaliningrad, a Baltic Sea exclave that is largely surrounded by two NATO members Poland and Lithuania.
• Russian Engineers Craft 'Intelligent' UAV Capable of Returning to Home Base if Contact Lost Sputnik 25 Jan 2024 -- Electronic warfare has emerged as a critical component in modern combat, particularly in countering the proliferation of drones, also known as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Due to their versatile capabilities and relatively low cost compared to traditional manned aircraft, UAVs have earned great popularity.
• Conscripts starting 1-year military service report to boot camps CNA 25 Jan 2024 -- The first batch of new conscripts starting their one-year compulsory military service, extended from the previous four months starting 2024, reported to boot camps across Taiwan on Thursday.
• Japan Takes Leadership Roles Protecting Global Security DoD News 25 Jan 2024 -- Japan is growing and taking leadership roles that not only benefit people in the Indo-Pacific, but the global community, said Grace Park, the director for Japan policy at the Defense Department's Indo-Pacific Security Affairs Office said.
• DPRK Missile Administration Conducts First Test-fire of New-type Strategic Cruise Missile KCNA 25 Jan 2024 -- The Missile Administration of the DPRK conducted the first test-fire of the new-type strategic cruise missile "Pulhwasal-3-31" under development on January 24.
• North Korea says tested new cruise missile, assures neighbors of no impact on their security Press TV 25 Jan 2024 -- North Korea says it has tested a new type of strategic cruise missile, assuring neighbors that the test-firing has no impact on the security of neighboring countries.
• North Korea Carries Out First Test-Fire of 'New-Type Strategic Cruise Missile' Sputnik 25 Jan 2024 -- The North Korean Missile Administration on Wednesday carried out the first test-fire of the still under-development "new-type strategic cruise missile Pulhwasal-3-31", the North's state-run news agency KCNA reported.
• Defence resumes regional presence deployments in 2024 Australia DOD 25 Jan 2024 -- The Australian Defence Force has deployed a Royal Australian Navy warship to conduct the first regional presence deployment for 2024.
• Iran Army highly prepared to give crushing response to threats: Senior commander Press TV 25 Jan 2024 -- The commander of the Iranian Army's Ground Force says the military unit is highly prepared to give a "crushing response" to any kind of threat.
• Biden urges Congress to approve sale of F-16 jets to Turkey 'without delay' once Ankara okays Sweden NATO bid Press TV 25 Jan 2024 -- US President Joe Biden has urged Congress to approve "without delay" the sale of F-16 fighter jets to Turkey once Ankara completes the ratification process for Sweden's NATO accession, sources say.
• Minister Radosław Sikorski talks with European Commissioner Thierry Breton about development of Europe's arms industry Poland - Ministry of Foreign Affairs 25 Jan 2024
• MoD redoubles funding for defence technology development Lithuania MND 25 Jan 2024 -- The Ministry of National Defence will step up the support to technological defence innovation: the Defense Technology Development Program launched in 2021 has been extended for another four years and doubled its funding to 5 million euros.
• Moldova Has No Plans for Hosting F-16 Jets on Its Territory for Ukraine - Defense Minister Sputnik 25 Jan 2024 -- Moldovan Defense Minister Anatolie Nosatii on Wednesday denied media reports that F-16 fighter jets that the West will send to Ukraine would be based on the territory of Moldova.
• Blinken Wraps Up Four-Nation Africa Tour, Commits to Ongoing Security, Economic Partnership VOA 25 Jan 2024 -- U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Thursday the United States will continue intensive engagement with African partners in hopes of resolving the ongoing conflicts in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
• Secretary Blinken's Call with South African Minister Pandor US Dept. of State 25 Jan 2024
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken and Angolan Foreign Minister Téte António at a Joint Press Availability US Dept. of State 25 Jan 2024
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken Remarks to the Press US Dept. of State 25 Jan 2024
• Press Gaggle by Principal Deputy Press Secretary Olivia Dalton and NSC Coordinator For Strategic Communications John Kirby En Route Duluth, WI The White House 25 Jan 2024

Defense Industry

• Contracts For Jan. 25, 2024

Other Conflicts

Ukraine Conflict News


• 25 January 2024 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 25 Jan 2024

Operation Iron Swords / Operation Al-Aqsa Flood

• PM Netanyahu: "Here, next to the Gaza Strip, I say as clearly as possible: There is no alternative to deepening our roots and there is no substitute for total victory over our enemies." Israel - Prime Minister 25 Jan 2024
• Minister Joly speaks with Israel's newly appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs Canada 25 Jan 2024
• Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Call With Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant DoD 25 Jan 2024
• Gaza City Attack Kills 20, Wounds 150, Hamas Says VOA 25 Jan 2024 -- An Israeli attack killed at least 20 people and wounded another 150 at a traffic roundabout in Gaza City on Thursday as Palestinians waited for humanitarian aid, Hamas health officials said.
• Jan. 24: 'Axis of Resistance' operations against Israeli occupation Press TV 25 Jan 2024
• Criticism pours in after Israel strikes UN compound in Khan Younis Press TV 25 Jan 2024 -- Criticism pours in after the Israeli regime attacks a United Nations' facility in the city of Khan Younis in southern Gaza Strip, which has endured more than three months and a half of an unrelenting genocidal Israeli war.
• Senior UN official in Gaza: civilians trapped amid intensified attacks in Khan Younis UNOCHA 25 Jan 2024 -- Persistent attacks on civilian sites in Khan Younis are utterly unacceptable and must stop immediately. People are being killed and injured. As fighting intensifies around hospitals and shelters hosting the displaced, people are trapped inside and lifesaving operations are impeded.
• UNRWA Situation Report #69 on the situation in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem (all information from 23-24 January 2024, is valid as of 24 January 2024 at 22:30) UNRWA 25 Jan 2024
• Khan Younis: One of the largest UNRWA shelters hit during military operations UNRWA 25 Jan 2024
• UNRWA warns about violation of humanitarian international law in Gaza IRNA 25 Jan 2024 -- The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) has warned the situation in Khan Younis city in the southern Gaza Strip indicates the violation of humanitarian international law.
• Gaza: Top UN aid official calls for end to attacks on sites sheltering civilians UN News 25 Jan 2024 -- Attacks on buildings in Gaza where terrified civilians are sheltering are "abhorrent and must stop immediately", a top UN humanitarian official insisted on Thursday following a direct hit on a United Nations training centre.
• Foreign Minister Baerbock on the situation in Gaza Germany Federal Foreign Office 25 Jan 2024
• Russia, Iran, Turkey issue joint statement calling for immediate truce in Gaza IRNA 25 Jan 2024 -- Iran, Turkiye, and Russia have issued a joint statement at the 21st international meeting on Syria in the Astana Format emphasizing the need to stop the Zionist regime's attacks on the Gaza Strip and to send humanitarian aid to the enclave.
• Qatar 'appalled' by Israeli PM's criticism of its mediation efforts in Gaza war Press TV 25 Jan 2024 -- Qatar has condemned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's recent remarks on Doha's mediation role in the Gaza war, saying his comments are detrimental to mediation efforts in the besieged enclave.
• UK announces new aid support for Gaza on Foreign Secretary visit to Middle East UK FCDO 25 Jan 2024 -- The UK and Qatar are working together to get more aid into Gaza.
• Hezbollah stages drone attack on Israeli Iron Dome missile system in support of Gaza Press TV 25 Jan 2024 -- The Lebanese resistance movement of Hezbollah announces launching a drone attack against the Israeli regime's Iron Dome missile system in the northern part of the occupied territories.
• The Red Sea shipping crisis is having a 'dramatic' impact, warns logistics chief UN News 25 Jan 2024 -- Attacks against shipping in the Red Sea by Houthis are devastating for global trade and supply chains, already reeling under the impacts of the war in Ukraine and climate change-linked conditions in the Panama Canal, said the UN trade and development body, UNCTAD, on Thursday.
• Al-Houthi: US starving Gaza, turned Red Sea into battlefield ISNA 25 Jan 2024 -- The leader of the Ansar Allah movement highlights the US' direct role in war crimes against Palestinians in his latest address.
• Al-Houthi: Targeting of Israel-linked ships in Red Sea will continue Press TV 25 Jan 2024 -- Yemen's Ansarullah leader Abdel-Malik al-Houthi says the targeting of ships linked to Israel will continue until aid reaches the Palestinian people in Gaza.
• Ansarullah orders US, British UN staff to leave Yemen Press TV 25 Jan 2024 -- Yemen's Ansarullah officials have ordered US and British nationals working for the United Nations and humanitarian organizations in the capital Sana'a to leave the country within a month.
• Houthi Military Spokesman Says US Military Vessel Suffered 'Direct Hit' in Gulf of Aden Sputnik 25 Jan 2024 -- Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said Wednesday that a US military ship had suffered a "direct hit" as a result of clashes between its forces and several American warships in the Gulf of Aden and the Bab al-Mandab Strait.
• The U.S. and UK Sanction Houthi Military Officials US Dept. of State 25 Jan 2024 -- The United States is continuing to take action to hold the Houthis accountable for their illegal and reckless attacks on vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. Today, the United States is, jointly with the United Kingdom, imposing sanctions on four military officials of Ansarallah, commonly known as the Houthis, who have supported the Houthis' recent attacks.
• U.S. and UK Target Houthi Military Officials for Supporting Acts of Terrorism US Treasury 25 Jan 2024 -- Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) imposed sanctions on key officials of the forces of Ansarallah, commonly known as the Houthis, for their support to acts of terrorism targeting commercial shipping. Today's action targets four individuals who have supported the Houthis' recent attacks against commercial vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, including holding civilian crews hostage. Concurrent with OFAC's designations, the United Kingdom is also imposing sanctions on these key figures of Houthi forces.
• UK and US sanction key Houthi figures to protect maritime security in the Red Sea UK FCDO 25 Jan 2024 -- The UK and US have sanctioned the Houthis to disrupt their ability to attack international shipping in the Red Sea, and to promote Yemen's peace, stability and security.
• U.S. And Iran-Backed Huthis Engaged In High-Stakes Fight Tehran Wants To Avoid RFE/RL 25 Jan 2024 -- It is not only missiles that are being lobbed as U.S. and U.K. air strikes aim to stop the Iran-backed Huthi rebels in Yemen from targeting ships in a key global trade route - mutual threats of continued attacks are flying around, too.
• US warship directly hit with missile: Yemeni army spox IRNA 25 Jan 2024 -- A Yemeni military spokesman announced on Thursday morning that the country's armed forces have once again confronted Americans in waters off the Yemeni coast, targeting warships with missiles and directly hitting one of them.
• US-UK aggression against Yemen risks expansion of war: Iran FM IRNA 25 Jan 2024 -- Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian has reiterated his country's opposition to any foreign military aggression against Yemen and warns the United States and Britain that their strikes on the Arab country can expand the war.
• Yemen's Houthis claim launching missile attacks at U.S. commercial vessels, navy warships People's Daily 25 Jan 2024 -- Yemen's Houthi group said it hit an American warship on Wednesday in the Gulf of Aden and the Bab al-Mandab strait, according to a video statement from the group's spokesman.
• UN asks Houthis to reconsider order to expel U.S., British nationals People's Daily 25 Jan 2024 -- The United Nations on Wednesday asked Yemen's Houthi authorities to reconsider their decision to expel U.S. and British nationals working for the world body in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen.

Other Conflicts

• Madrasahs Go Mainstream: Taliban To Grant University Degrees To Religious Students In New Blow To Secular Education RFE/RL 25 Jan 2024 -- Since seizing power, the Taliban has appointed its foot soldiers, commanders, and leaders as ministers and the heads of state-run institutions in Afghanistan, including universities and hospitals.
• Joint Statement by Representatives of Iran, Russia and Türkiye on Outcomes of the 21st International Meeting on Syria in the Astana Format, 24-25 January 2024 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 25 Jan 2024
• No: 15, 25 January 2024, Regarding the High-Level Meeting on Syria held in Astana on 24-25 January 2024 Republic of Turkey Ministry of Foreign Affairs 25 Jan 2024
• Military battalion camp seized by Kachin rebels in Myanmar's Shan state Radio Free Asia 25 Jan 2024 -- An ethnic army has captured the military camp of the junta's Light Infantry Battalion No. 123 in northern Myanmar's Shan state, residents and the rebel group said Thursday, capping months of fighting for control of a key trade route with China.
• Kayin Border Guard Force cuts ties with Myanmar junta Radio Free Asia 25 Jan 2024 -- The decision by the commander of the Border Guard Force in southeastern Myanmar's Kayin state to cut ties with the ruling junta has dealt a blow to the regime's military might and undermined its influence on the country's ethnic groups, observers said Thursday.
• Pakistan Accuses India of Directing Cross-Border Assassinations VOA 25 Jan 2024 -- Pakistan alleged Thursday that a recent spate of assassinations of its citizens on Pakistani soil was orchestrated by India, claiming that the violent acts bear resemblance to cases that have occurred in other countries, including the United States and Canada.
• Remarks by the Foreign Secretary on India's Extra-Judicial and Extra-Territorial Killings in Pakistan Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs 25 Jan 2024 -- 25 Jan 2024
• Sudan war 'a living nightmare for children': UNICEF Representative UN News 25 Jan 2024 -- War in Sudan is putting the future of its 24 million youngest citizens at risk, the Representative of the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) in the country has warned.
• Mali Junta Ends Peace Deal With Separatists VOA 25 Jan 2024 -- Mali's military rulers ended a 2015 peace deal with Tuareg separatist rebels in the country's north, government spokesperson Colonel Abdoulaye Maiga said in a televised statement on Thursday.
• Human Rights Watch Accuses Burkina Faso of Apparent War Crimes VOA 25 Jan 2024 -- Human Rights Watch has accused Burkina Faso's security forces of killing at least 60 civilians last year in drone strikes while claiming to target jihadist fighters. HRW says the attacks may amount to war crimes.

News Reports

• Financing terrorism: Office of the Attorney General files indictment against two individuals Federal Council - Swiss Government 25 Jan 2024 -- The Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland (OAG) has filed an indictment in the Federal Criminal Court against a 59-year-old Swiss-Spanish dual national and a 69-year-old Swiss national. The OAG accuses the two suspects of having provided financial support to the proscribed terrorist organization Islamic State (IS). They allegedly did so by sending over 50,000 Swiss francs to Syria to their son, who was fighting for IS in Syria, and other IS members in Syria.
• Russian National Sentenced for Involvement in Development and Deployment of Trickbot Malware US Dept. of Justice 25 Jan 2024 -- A Russian national was sentenced yesterday to five years and four months in prison for his involvement in developing and deploying the malicious software known as Trickbot, which was used to launch cyberattacks against American hospitals and other businesses.
• Trump Becoming Biggest Obstacle to Border Deal to Fund Ukraine, Israel VOA 25 Jan 2024 -- A deal that would free up $106 billion in foreign aid spending for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, while tightening rules on immigration that the White House and senators from both parties have worked on for months, is under threat to be torpedoed by former President Donald Trump.
• Berklee College of Music Student Convicted of Stalking, Threatening Individual Promoting Democracy in China US Dept. of Justice 25 Jan 2024 -- A federal jury convicted a People's Republic of China (PRC) national and Berklee College of Music student for stalking and threatening an individual who posted fliers in support of democracy in China around the Berklee campus area.
• Chinese Student Convicted of Stalking, Threatening Pro-Democracy Activist in US VOA 25 Jan 2024 -- A federal jury in Boston has convicted a Chinese music student on charges of stalking and harassing one of his Chinese classmates after she posted flyers in support of democracy in China around the campus of the Berklee College of Music in the fall of 2022.
• NASA Helicopter Ends Mars Mission After Three Years VOA 25 Jan 2024 -- NASA's Ingenuity Mars helicopter has officially ended its mission after nearly three years, the space agency said Thursday.
• Russian Nationalist, Kremlin Critic Girkin Sentenced To 4 Years In Prison RFE/RL 25 Jan 2024 -- A court in Moscow has sentenced Russian nationalist Igor Girkin (aka Strelkov) to four years in prison on a charge of making public calls for extremist activities.
• Russia Reorienting Gas Exports to New Markets With Emphasis on Asia-Pacific Sputnik 25 Jan 2024 -- Russia will continue to reorient its gas exports to new markets with an emphasis on the Asia-Pacific region and increase supplies through the Power of Siberia pipeline, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said on Thursday.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin's Regular Press Conference on January 25, 2024 PRC MofA 25 Jan 2024
• Australia cuts off channel for China's rich to shift assets offshore Radio Free Asia 25 Jan 2024 -- Australia has revoked its "golden visa" immigration program targeted at attracting wealthy investors, a move that eliminates a popular option for China's rich to escape with their assets from an increasingly difficult political and economic climate at home.
• Hong Kong to focus on security laws over economic revival Radio Free Asia 25 Jan 2024 -- Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee has vowed to complete legislation of the city's own security laws this year, reiterating its priority on national security in the face of what he describes as increasingly complex geopolitics and secretive espionage tactics over public discontent as well as economic and social issues.
• Hong Kong leader warns of foreign 'wolves' waiting to pounce Radio Free Asia 25 Jan 2024 -- Hong Kong's leader on Thursday said his city is poised to step up a crackdown on foreign "wolves" trying to undermine its stability, as a top court reinstated a prison sentence handed down to human rights lawyer Chow Hang-tung, a key figure in the pro-democracy movement.
• China's top financial regulator vows more efforts to support property market Global Times 25 Jan 2024 -- Officials of the National Financial Regulatory Administration (NFRA) on Thursday vowed to step up efforts to support the property sector and meet the reasonable financing demand of real estate companies.
• PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan Jan. 25, 2024 ROC MND 25 Jan 2024
• China's Military Escorts US Destroyer Transiting Through Taiwan Strait Sputnik 25 Jan 2024 -- The Chinese military escorted and monitored the USS John Finn that passed through the Taiwan Strait on Wednesday along its entire route, Shi Yi, the spokesperson for the Eastern Theater Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), said.
• USS John Finn transits Taiwan Strait CNA 25 Jan 2024 -- The Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS John Finn transited the Taiwan Strait on Wednesday, according to the U.S. Navy.
• PLA deals with US warship transit in Taiwan Straits, confirms combat patrols Global Times 25 Jan 2024 -- The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) tracked and monitored a US destroyer as it made a transit through the Taiwan Straits on Wednesday, with experts saying on Thursday that the provocative US move, the first of its kind since separatist Lai Ching-te won the Taiwan regional election, sent a wrong signal and further raised tensions.
• DPRK Concentrates Efforts on Increasing Electricity Production by Solar-energy KCNA 25 Jan 2024 -- The Pyongyang Municipal People's Committee in the DPRK is dynamically pushing ahead with the work for increasing the production of electricity by solar-energy.
• China sends top diplomat to Pyongyang amid N Korea's economic woes Radio Free Asia 25 Jan 2024 -- China sent its vice foreign minister to Pyongyang for a discussion that could set the stage for high-level bilateral engagements including a summit, as North Korea aims to concrete its relations with its regime backer in the face of its economic difficulties.
• Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un Makes Important Conclusion at 19th Enlarged Meeting of Political Bureau of 8th C.C., WPK KCNA 25 Jan 2024 -- Kim Jong Un , general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea, made the following important conclusion "On Forcefully Promoting the Implementation of the Party's 'Regional Development 20×10 Policy'" at the 19th Enlarged Meeting of the Political Bureau of the 8th Central Committee of the WPK on January 24:
• Report on 19th Enlarged Meeting of Political Bureau of 8th C.C., WPK KCNA 25 Jan 2024 -- The Workers' Party of Korea, a genuine party for the people that regards it as its revolutionary climate and immutable mode of existence to believe in the people as in Heaven and make devoted service for them, declared the "regional development 20×10 policy" for the promotion of the people's well-being, to evoke lively response from among all the people of the country heralding dynamic advance of the country which will be vibrant with new civilization and new life of socialism and unprecedented great change.
• Iran, Turkiye vow to boost mutual ties: Raisi IRNA 25 Jan 2024 -- Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi has described Iran-Turkiye ties as intimate and deep-rooted, noting that the two sides decided to strengthen mutual ties.
• Iran, Turkiye ink contract to connect power grids IRNA 25 Jan 2024 -- The Iran Grid Management Company and the Turkish Electricity Transmission Company (TEIAS) have signed an agreement to make operational the Khoy-Van grid line.
• Iran: President Raeisi's visit begins 'new chapter' in ties with Turkey Press TV 25 Jan 2024 -- Iran's foreign minister says the official visit by President Ebrahim Raeisi to Turkey and its results will mark "the beginning of a new chapter" in bilateral and regional cooperation between the two powerful neighbors.
• Iran, Russia, Turkey stress fighting terrorism, blast Israeli attacks on Syria Press TV 25 Jan 2024 -- Iran, Russia and Turkey have jointly stressed fighting against terrorism in all forms, slammed Israeli attacks in Syria and emphasized the leading role of Astana format talks in promoting a sustainable settlement to the Syrian crisis.
• U.S. Secretly Warned Iran Of Threat Within Its Borders Ahead Of Deadly Attack On Soleimani Memorial RFE/RL 25 Jan 2024 -- The U.S. government provided Iran with a "private warning" about a terrorist threat within its borders ahead of a deadly attack earlier this month that killed more than 80 people, a U.S. official said on January 25.
• Myanmar court orders sale of jailed Suu Kyi's historic home Radio Free Asia 25 Jan 2024 -- A Yangon court has ruled in favor of Myanmar's junta selling jailed former State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi's historic family home, a source close to the court told Radio Free Asia on Thursday.
• Situation in Belarus EC/CEU 25 Jan 2024 -- Council of Europe Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić today made the following statement:
• Belarus: Statement by the High Representative on the latest wave of police searches and political detentions European External Action Service (EEAS) 25 Jan 2024 -- The European Union condemns in the strongest possible terms the recent wave of repression against former political prisoners remaining in Belarus, as well as relatives of political prisoners. The raids and searches by the regime's security apparatus affected more than 100 people, many of whom have been arrested.
• MFA statement on another wave of repressions in Belarus Poland - Ministry of Foreign Affairs 25 Jan 2024 -- Polish MFA is deeply concerned over the reports from Belarus regarding another wave of massive searches and arrests among former prisoners of conscience and relatives of persons currently incarcerated by the regime on political grounds.
• Condemnation of the Lukashenka Regime's Raids on Former Political Prisoners US Dept. of State 25 Jan 2024
• US Commission Troubled by Hindu Temple Opening on Ruins of Mosque in India VOA 25 Jan 2024 -- The grand opening this week of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, India, has triggered a wave of both jubilation and criticism, reigniting long-simmering tensions over religious tolerance in the world's most populous democracy.
• PACE resolves not to ratify the credentials of Azerbaijan's parliamentary delegation, citing a failure to fulfil 'major commitments' EC/CEU 25 Jan 2024 -- The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe has resolved not to ratify the credentials of the Azerbaijani delegation, which were challenged on the opening day of the session, concluding that the country has "not fulfilled major commitments" stemming from its joining the Council of Europe 20 years ago.
• GCC: first Regional Security Dialogue with the EU held in Riyadh European External Action Service (EEAS) 25 Jan 2024 -- Senior officials from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and European Union gathered in Riyadh for the first GCC-EU Regional Security Dialogue on 24 January.
• Closer Vietnam-US ties not based on Beijing issues, says conference Radio Free Asia 25 Jan 2024 -- There are stark differences in the ways the United States and Vietnam approach their relationships with China, participants at a recent U.S.-Vietnam conference in Washington, D.C. said.
• Government Of North Macedonia Resigns Under Roadmap For General Elections RFE/RL 25 Jan 2024 -- The prime minister of North Macedonia and his cabinet on January 25 submitted their resignations to parliament, clearing the way for a caretaker government to be installed ahead of general elections in May.
• New Report Says Georgia's 'Penchant For Appeasing Russia' Hurting EU Aspirations RFE/RL 25 Jan 2024 -- The Kremlin's war on Ukraine has split Eastern Europe, prompting Moldova and Ukraine to grow closer to the European Union while Georgia has exhibited a "penchant for appeasing Russia," according to a new report.
• Haiti Still Waiting for Multinational Force as Violence Spreads VOA 25 Jan 2024 -- Haiti's foreign minister appealed to the international community Thursday to expedite the deployment of a multinational force to help the national police combat brutal gang violence.
• Haiti crises have reached 'a critical point': UN envoy UN News 25 Jan 2024 -- More than 8,400 people were victims of gang violence in Haiti last year, including killings, injuries and kidnappings - a 122 per cent increase over 2022, the UN Special Representative for the country told the UN Security Council on Thursday.
• Long-term governance is the only way to ensure stability and safety for Haitians: UK statement at the UN Security Council UK FCDO 25 Jan 2024 -- Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki at the UN Security Council meeting on Haiti.
• World News in Brief: ICJ to release emergency measures over Israel genocide allegations, Libya flood repair bill, leprosy stigma continues UN News 25 Jan 2024 -- The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is due to issue an emergency measures order on Friday relating to South Africa's accusations of genocide by the Israeli military in Gaza, which Israel strongly denies.
• Central Asia Seen as Key to Breaking China's Rare Earth Monopoly VOA 25 Jan 2024 -- U.S. officials hoping to break China's near monopoly on the production of rare earth elements needed for many cutting-edge technologies should engage the governments of Central Asia to develop high concentrations of REEs found in the region, says a new report.