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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
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Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• U.S. Strikes Targets in Iraq and Syria in Response to Deadly Drone Attack DoD News 02 Feb 2024 -- U.S. forces conducted a series of strikes today against Iran-backed militant groups in Iraq and Syria in response to last weekend's attack in Jordan that killed three U.S. soldiers.
• CENTCOM Statement on U.S. Strikes in Iraq and Syria CENTCOM 02 Feb 2024 -- At 4:00 p.m. (EST) Feb. 02, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces conducted airstrikes in Iraq and Syria against Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Quds Force and affiliated militia groups. U.S. military forces struck more than 85 targets, with numerous aircraft to include long-range bombers flown from United States. The airstrikes employed more than 125 precision munitions. The facilities that were struck included command and control operations centers, intelligence centers, rockets, missiles, unmanned aerial vehicle storage, and logistics and munition supply chain facilities of militia groups and their IRGC sponsors who facilitated attacks against U.S. and Coalition forces.
  
• Statement from President Joe Biden on U.S. Military Operation in the Middle East The White House 02 Feb 2024
• Statement From Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III on U.S. Strikes in Iraq and Syria DoD 02 Feb 2024
• On-the-Record Press Call on U.S. Military Operations in the Middle East The White House 02 Feb 2024
• U.S. Launches Retaliatory Strikes On Iranian-Linked Sites In Syria, Iraq RFE/RL 02 Feb 2024 -- U.S. forces have launched multiple strikes against dozens of Iranian-linked sites in Syria and Iraq, U.S. officials said on February 2, in retaliation for a drone attack in Jordan that killed three U.S. service members on January 28 and which Washington blamed on Tehran.
• US Airstrikes Hit Iranian Targets in Syria and Iraq - CENTCOM Sputnik 02 Feb 2024 -- The attack comes in response to a drone strike on a US garrison on the border of Jordan and Syria that killed three US service members and injured dozens more. On Thursday, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said that the US response would be "multi-tiered," implying that more strikes are likely in the coming days.
• US-occupied base in eastern Syria targeted by explosive-laden drones: Report Press TV 02 Feb 2024 -- A US base in Syria's eastern province of Dayr al-Zawr has reportedly come under an attack by explosive-laden drones, the latest in a series of strikes on American forces in the Arab country.
• US, UK carry out fresh strikes on Yemen IRNA 02 Feb 2024 -- The United States and Britain have conducted a fresh round of air strikes on different areas of Yemen's Hajjah Province, according to local media.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Readout of the Department of Defense Microelectronics Commons Site Visits to California and Arizona DoD 02 Feb 2024
• Remarks by Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks at the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) Change of Directorship (As Delivered) DoD 02 Feb 2024
• Remarks by Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks at the U.S. Cyber Command and National Security Agency Change of Command (As Delivered) DoD 02 Feb 2024
• German ministry officials visit IMCOM-Europe, continuing series of cooperative meetings Army News 02 Feb 2024 -- Officials from the German Federal Ministries of Defense and Construction met with leaders from IMCOM-E, U.S. Air Forces in Europe, and the Army Corps of Engineers at Installation Management Command-Europe headquarters in Wiesbaden to discuss construction issues and concerns across Germany.
• Director of Global Posture Policy visits APS-2 site to discuss infrastructure investment plans Army News 02 Feb 2024 -- Army Field Support Battalion-Mannheim hosted the director of Global Posture Policy from the Office of the Secretary of Defense at the Coleman Army Prepositioned Stocks-2 worksite in Mannheim, Jan. 29.
• Directors of Training Conference identifies focus areas of improvement, modernization for Army learning environment Army News 02 Feb 2024 -- The Army's perpetual pursuit of lethality requires constant adaptation to current operating systems and procedures.
• U.S., European leaders endorse collective defense tactics at strategy symposium EUCOM 02 Feb 2024 -- Conference discussions centered on the impacts of malign influence in the Euro-Atlantic, and wide-ranging considerations to implement and execute NATO's regional plans to enhance European security and stability.
• DIA's Intelligence Mission Valuable for U.S., Ally Security, Says Hicks DoD News 02 Feb 2024 -- The intelligence that Defense Intelligence Agency collects, analyzes and disseminates is indispensable to the Defense Department and the wider intelligence community, said Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks.
• CNO Hosts Republic of Korea Chief of Naval Operations for Counterpart Visit US Navy Press Release 02 Feb 2024 -- Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti hosted the Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN) Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Yang Yong-mo for an official counterpart visit, Jan. 30 - Feb. 2.
• MARINE CORPS SELECTS PROTOTYPING PARTICIPANTS FOR MEDIUM TACTICAL TRUCK DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM USMC News 02 Feb 2024 -- The Marine Corps has selected Mack Defense and Navistar Defense to participate in Phase I for the development of the Medium Tactical Truck program. This pivotal phase, spanning an estimated 12 months, will see the performers leveraging the Corps' top-level requirements to submit innovative design concepts and comprehensive project plan for Phase I.
• Norway and USA agree on additional agreed facilities and areas under the SDCA Government of Norway 02 Feb 2024 -- Today, Defence Minister Bjørn Arild Gram and U.S. ambassador to Norway, Marc Nathanson, signed an amendment agreement under the Supplementary Defense Cooperation Agreement (SDCA).
• Minister of Defence of the Russian Federation General of the Army Sergei Shoigu addresses special teleconference with leadership of Russian Armed Forces Russia MoD 02 Feb 2024 -- Today, the National Centre for State Defence Control hosted a special teleconference with the leadership of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. Defence Minister of the Russian Federation General of the Army Sergei Shoigu addressed the special teleconfrence:
• Russia's Newest Arms Clearly Better Than NATO's - Putin Sputnik 02 Feb 2024 -- Russia's newest arms are clearly better compared to the ones of NATO, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday.
• Lithuania transferred latest aid package to Ukraine Lithuania MND 02 Feb 2024 -- The Ministry of National Defence renders military assistance to Ukraine on a continued basis.
• New $54Bln for Ukraine Aimed at Supporting Economy, Not Arms Procurement - Orban Sputnik 02 Feb 2024 -- A new 50 billion euro ($54.4 billion) package for Ukraine is aimed at supporting the country's economy, which cannot survive without European and US support, and is not related to arms procurement, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on Friday.
• Chinese Navy Escorting Commercial Cargo Ships in Red Sea VOA 02 Feb 2024 -- China's navy has started escorting Chinese cargo ships through the Red Sea, according to a shipping company and Chinese state media reports. This comes as many cargo shipping companies have decided to avoid the globally important trade passage because of attacks from Houthi rebels.
• Germany to Send Frigate to Red Sea Next Week to Take Part in EU Operation - Reports Sputnik 02 Feb 2024 -- Germany will send its frigate Hessen to the Red Sea next week to take part in a European operation to protect merchant vessels from Yemen's Houthi rebels, DPA news agency reported.
• Personnel fly back from Nevada Australia DOD 02 Feb 2024 -- Exercise Red Flag Nellis 24-1 has concluded after three weeks of high-intensity air combat training at Nevada and airspace in the southwest of the United States.
• Exercise Red Flag Nellis 24-1 concludes in United States Australia DOD 02 Feb 2024 -- Exercise Red Flag Nellis 24-1 concluded in the United States on 2 February after three weeks of high-intensity air combat training that involved 150 Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) aviators.
• Australia joins Japan-United States exercise for first time Australia DOD 02 Feb 2024 -- The Australian Defence Force has joined Japan and the United States for Exercise Keen Edge for the first time.
• Report: North Korea conducts test of multiple 'strategic' missiles Press TV 02 Feb 2024 -- North Korea has fired multiple "strategic" cruise missiles, possibly nuclear-type, into the sea off the country's west coast, the fourth time in just over a week Pyongyang has launched such missiles.
• SWIFT RESPONSE BY MISSION DEPLOYED INDIAN NAVAL PLATFORMS FOIL ANOTHER PIRACY ATTEMPT ALONG EAST COAST OF SOMALIA India PIB 02 Feb 2024 -- Information regarding piracy attempt on Fishing Vessel FV Omari was monitored on 31 Jan 24
• HIJACKING OF VESSELS BY PIRATES India PIB 02 Feb 2024 -- Seven incidents of hijacking of vessels on high seas by pirates have been reported during the last three years
• DEFENCE ECOSYSTEM India PIB 02 Feb 2024 -- The Government has drawn various action plans to strengthen the country's defence ecosystem
• MARITIME SECURITY India PIB 02 Feb 2024 -- Indian Navy units are regularly deployed on Mission Based Deployments in our areas of interest in Indian Ocean Region (IOR) to enhance maritime security
• INDUCTION OF ELECTRIC VEHICLES IN INDIAN ARMY India PIB 02 Feb 2024 -- Indian Army has proposed to introduce phased induction of a limited number of Electric Vehicles in 'Peace Stations' across the country.
• EXERCISE VAYUSHAKTI-2024 India PIB 02 Feb 2024 -- The Indian Air Force will be conducting Exercise Vayu Shakti-24 on 17 February 2024 at the Pokhran Air to Ground Range, near Jaisalmer
• UK flagship deploys on historic NATO mission Royal Navy 02 Feb 2024 -- UK flagship HMS Queen Elizabeth sails on Sunday to lead an international task group for an historic NATO exercise – the largest in Europe since the Cold War.
• Smarter maintenance for Navy Fleet under £1.85 billion contract UK MOD 02 Feb 2024 -- UK security will be boosted through a vast new contract - worth nearly £2 billion - that will ensure the long-term availability and resilience of critical naval assets.
• UK Commandos train in Arctic ahead of largest NATO exercise since Cold War UK MOD 02 Feb 2024 -- Hundreds of Royal Marines and Army Commandos are conducting extreme cold weather training alongside allies in Norway ahead of Exercise Nordic Response.
• In Rare Intervention, US Urges Britain to 'Reassess' Cuts to Armed Forces VOA 02 Feb 2024 -- Britain's readiness and ability to fight a major conflict is under the spotlight after senior military officials at home and abroad questioned cuts to the country's armed forces at a time of heightened global threats.
• The Netherlands - Hellfire Missiles DSCA 02 Feb 2024 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of the Netherlands of Hellfire Missiles and related equipment for an estimated cost of $150 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.
• US, Thailand to hold annual military drills with troops from 30 nations Radio Free Asia 02 Feb 2024 -- The United States will stage annual, large-scale military drills in Thailand at the end of February, the allied nations announced Friday, with more than 10,000 troops from 30 nations slated to participate.
• Romanian Army Chief Warns Country Must Be Ready For Putin RFE/RL 02 Feb 2024 -- Romania urgently needs to adopt a legal framework that would allow civilian volunteers to pursue military training as the country need to be better prepared in case Russia's war against Ukraine spreads, the NATO member's new army chief has told RFE/RL.
• Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova's answer to a media question regarding the statement made by President of Ecuador Daniel Noboa on transferring Russian military equipment to the United States Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 02 Feb 2024
• Secretary Blinken's Meeting with Kenyan Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Mudavadi US Dept. of State 02 Feb 2024
• Secretary Blinken's Call with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud US Dept. of State 02 Feb 2024

Defense Industry

• Contracts For Feb. 2, 2024

Other Conflicts

Ukraine Conflict News


• 2 February 2024 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 02 Feb 2024

Operation Iron Swords / Operation Al-Aqsa Flood

• 24h Operational Update: Dozens of Terrorists Eliminated and Numerous Weapons Located in Khan Yunis Israel Defense Forces 02 Feb 2024
• Israeli Forces Target Southern Gaza City of Khan Younis, Outskirts of Rafah VOA 02 Feb 2024 -- Fighting continued Friday in the Gaza Strip, with health officials in the territory reporting that 105 people were killed overnight, according to Agence France-Presse. The news service quoted the Hamas press office as saying Israeli air and artillery strikes targeted the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis.
• Israel's Netanyahu rejects Biden's sanction against 4 settlers in West Bank People's Daily 02 Feb 2024 -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected on Thursday an executive order issued by U.S. President Joe Biden sanctioning Israeli settlers accused of attacking Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.
• Feb. 1: 'Axis of Resistance' operations against Israeli occupation Press TV 02 Feb 2024
• Scores of Gazans killed after Qatar says Israel approved ceasefire plan Press TV 02 Feb 2024 -- Scores of Palestinians have been killed in overnight Israeli aggression in the besieged Gaza Strip, after mediator Qatar said Tel Aviv had approved a proposal to pause its war on the besieged territory.
• Rafah a 'pressure cooker of despair' in Gaza; US ambassador to UN stresses vital role of UNRWA UN News 02 Feb 2024 -- The UN agency assisting Palestine refugees (UNRWA) plays a "critical role" in delivering aid to civilians in the Gaza Strip and it is vital to restore international confidence in the agency, the United States Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield said on Friday.
• UNRWA Situation Report #72 on the situation in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem (all information from 30-31 January 2024, is valid as of 31 January 2024 at 22:30) UNRWA 02 Feb 2024
• Stories of loss and grief: At least 17,000 children are estimated to be unaccompanied or separated from their parents in the Gaza Strip UNICEF 02 Feb 2024 -- "UNICEF estimates that at least 17,000 children in the Gaza Strip are unaccompanied or separated. Each one, a heartbreaking story of loss and grief.
• WHO warns of high risk of famine in Gaza as Israeli aggression goes on Press TV 02 Feb 2024 -- The head of the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned of a "high" risk of famine in the besieged Gaza Strip amid a brutal Israeli aggression, reiterating his call for a ceasefire.
• Children in Gaza Face Mental Health Crisis VOA 02 Feb 2024 -- The United Nations Children's Fund, UNICEF, is warning that children in Gaza are facing a mental health crisis and are in desperate need of psychosocial support, which is largely unavailable under the security and humanitarian conditions prevailing in the war-torn enclave.
• 'Awakened conscience to judge' UNRWA funding suspension: Iran IRNA 02 Feb 2024 -- Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani has reacted to a recent suspension of funding the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) by certain countries, noting that "the awakened consciences will judge".
• Ending Israeli crimes only way to restore stability to West Asia: Iran FM IRNA 02 Feb 2024 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian says the only way for stability to return to the West Asia region is to put an end to the Israeli crimes against Palestinians in Gaza.
• Iran censures West for 'bitter' defunding of UNRWA Press TV 02 Feb 2024 -- Iran has once again denounced a "bitter" move by certain Western countries in suspending the funds to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), the main lifeline for the Palestinian refugees.
• Iran: Cessation of Israeli crimes in Gaza sole way to halt regional crisis Press TV 02 Feb 2024 -- Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian has underlined the need for stopping Israeli war crimes and genocide of Palestinians as a fundamental step in halting the crisis in the entire region.
• Yemeni army hits British vessel amid tensions with US, UK IRNA 02 Feb 2024 -- The Yemeni army has carried out yet another attack in the Red Sea, this time targeting a British vessel amid tensions over the UK-US joint aggression against the Arab country to protect Israeli maritime interests in the region.
• Israeli enemy in crosshairs: Yemen fires ballistic missiles against Eilat Press TV 02 Feb 2024 -- Yemen's Armed Forces have carried out a ballistic missile strike against the city of Eilat in the southern part of the occupied Palestinian territories in support of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, who are enduring a genocidal Israeli war.
• Millions-strong Yemen rally vows continued Palestine support Press TV 02 Feb 2024 -- Millions took to the streets of Yemen on Friday to voice support for Gazans in the face of a brutal Israeli onslaught against the besieged territory.
• Yemen strikes British merchant ship in support of Gaza Press TV 02 Feb 2024 -- Yemen's Armed Forces say they have targeted a British merchant vessel heading towards the occupied territories in continued support for Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, who are enduring a genocidal Israeli war.

Other Conflicts

• The Azadi Briefing: China Upgrades Diplomatic Ties With The Taliban RFE/RL 02 Feb 2024
• Afghanistan: Taliban's crackdown on women over 'bad hijab' must end UN News 02 Feb 2024 -- UN independent human rights experts on Friday expressed profound concern over multiple reports detailing arbitrary arrests, detention and ill-treatment of women and girls in Afghanistan.
• Syria says downed Israeli missiles over Damascus Press TV 02 Feb 2024 -- Syria says its air defenses have confronted an Israeli missile attack over the capital Damascus, in the latest act of aggression by Tel Aviv against the Arab country.
• Myanmar's junta storms 3 townships in bid for northern town Radio Free Asia 02 Feb 2024 -- Six civilians are dead after junta air raids and maneuvers in several townships in Myanmar's Sagaing region, residents told Radio Free Asia on Friday.
• Pakistan Kills 24 Insurgents in Volatile Baluchistan VOA 02 Feb 2024 -- Authorities in Pakistan said Friday that security forces killed 24 separatist militants, including key commanders, in a three-day counterinsurgency operation in turbulent southwestern Baluchistan province.
• WFP pleads for aid access in Sudan, amid reports of starvation UN News 02 Feb 2024 -- The number of hungry people in Sudan has doubled over the past year, the World Food Programme (WFP) said on Friday, adding that it is already receiving reports of people dying from starvation.
• WFP calls for urgent, safe access to feed millions in Sudan as fighting rages across the country WFP 02 Feb 2024 -- The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) urgently calls on Sudan's warring parties to provide immediate guarantees for the safe and unimpeded delivery of humanitarian food assistance to conflict-hit parts of Sudan, especially across conflict lines where hungry displaced civilians are trapped and cut-off from life-saving humanitarian assistance.
• World Food Programme forced to prioritise limited food assistance as funding shortages persist in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) WFP 02 Feb 2024 -- The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has embarked on an extreme prioritization of assistance leaving millions of vulnerable people without food assistance as needs continue to outpace available resources in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
• U.S. Reaffirms Support For Bosnia's High Representative RFE/RL 02 Feb 2024 -- U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs James O'Brien reaffirmed Washington's support for High Representative Christian Schmidt during a visit to Bosnia-Herzegovina on February 2.
• Central African Republic: $367.7 million needed to reinforce strictly humanitarian response in 2024 UNOCHA 02 Feb 2024 -- The situation has generally improved in the Central African Republic (CAR), but humanitarian needs remain high as a result of the conflict that has persisted for over a decade, and the recent impact of the war in Sudan and insecurity in the northwestern border region with Chad.

News Reports

• Iran Intelligence forces identify 'tens' of Mossad spies in 28 countries Press TV 02 Feb 2024 -- Iran's Intelligence Ministry says its forces have identified a significant number of spies linked to the Israeli Mossad spy agency in 28 countries across the world.
• Turkey arrests 34 people suspected of spying for Israel's Mossad Press TV 02 Feb 2024 -- Turkish authorities have detained 34 people on suspicion of engaging in espionage activities and planning abductions on behalf of the Israel's Mossad spy agency, security sources say.
• Former CIA employee given 40-year term for giving secrets to WikiLeaks Press TV 02 Feb 2024 -- A former CIA software engineer tried for leaking the US spy agency's most valuable hacking tools to WikiLeaks has been sentenced to 40 years in prison.
• Designating Iranian Cyber Officials US Dept. of State 02 Feb 2024 -- The United States is today designating the head of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Cyber-Electronic Command (IRGC-CEC), an organization that has been responsible for a series of cyberattacks on critical infrastructure in the United States and other countries, and five of its senior officials.
• Treasury Sanctions Actors Responsible for Malicious Cyber Activities on Critical Infrastructure US Treasury 02 Feb 2024 -- Today, the Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned six officials in the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Cyber-Electronic Command (IRGC-CEC), an Iranian government organization responsible for a series of malicious cyber activities against critical infrastructure in the United States and other countries.
• Counterterrorism: EU and UK hold dialogue on shared priorities and approaches European External Action Service (EEAS) 02 Feb 2024 -- The European Union and the United Kingdom held their first ever Counterterrorism Dialogue in Brussels on 2 February. The Dialogue focused on enhancing cooperation and coordination in countering and preventing terrorism and violent extremism.
• The first UK-EU Counter-Terrorism Dialogue in Brussels UK FCDO 02 Feb 2024 -- The inaugural UK-EU Counter-Terrorism Dialogue took place in Brussels on 2 February 2024, to enhance cooperation on counter-terrorism.
• Meeting with activists participating in the Everything for Victory! forum President of Russia 02 Feb 2024 -- Vladimir Putin has arrived in Tula where he held a meeting with activists participating in the Everything for Victory! forum.
• Plenary session of Everything for Victory! forum President of Russia 02 Feb 2024 -- Vladimir Putin addressed the plenary session of the Everything for Victory! forum and presented the Order for Valiant Labour to the staff of the Alexander Ganichev NPO SPLAV Group. The ceremony took place at the Tula Kremlin.
• On Russian-Chinese consultations regarding the use of AI technologies Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 02 Feb 2024
• Russian Election Commission Finds Problems With Supporter List Of Anti-War Candidate Nadezhdin RFE/RL 02 Feb 2024 -- Russia's Central Election Commission (TsIK) has said it has found irregularities in some of the paperwork submitted by presidential hopeful Boris Nadezhdin, putting in peril the bid of the only politician in the March election who has openly called for a halt to Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.
• China's Communist Party Liaison Chief Considered Top Foreign Minister Pick VOA 02 Feb 2024 -- There is growing consensus among analysts that the Communist Party of China's international liaison Liu Jianchao is likely to be chosen as the country's next foreign minister, perhaps as early as March during China's most important annual political meetings, the Two Sessions.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin's Regular Press Conference on February 2, 2024 PRC MofA 02 Feb 2024
• UK relaxes partner rules for its BNO visa scheme for Hong Kongers Radio Free Asia 02 Feb 2024 -- The British government has loosened requirements for people wanting to emigrate from Hong Kong with their partner under the British National Overseas route to citizenship, which has already seen hundreds of thousands of Hong Kongers settle in the country amid a crackdown on dissent in the wake of the 2019 protest movement.
• IMF Predicts China Economy Slowing Over Next Four Years VOA 02 Feb 2024 -- The International Monetary Fund says China's economic decline is likely to continue over the next four years as the world's second largest economy deals with a range of challenges from a rapidly aging population, higher unemployment and a property crisis.
• China slams U.S. over slanderous cybersecurity accusations People's Daily 02 Feb 2024 -- A spokesperson for China's foreign ministry on Thursday said that China urges the United States to stop its worldwide cyber espionage and cyberattacks, and stop smearing other countries under the excuse of cybersecurity.
• Chinese mainland, Hong Kong move to promote financial cooperation, connectivity People's Daily 02 Feb 2024 -- China's central bank and the financial authority of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region have jointly rolled out new measures to strengthen financial cooperation, which is expected to promote the country's financial opening up and consolidate Hong Kong's role as an international financial center.
• U.S. State Department critical of China's modified M503 flight path CNA 02 Feb 2024 -- The United States Department of State expressed concerns Thursday over changes to China's M503 flight path, saying the U.S. was opposed to any unilateral changes to the cross-strait status quo by either side.
• Taiwan's pro-China speaker choice stirs fears of deeper Beijing influence Radio Free Asia 02 Feb 2024 -- The former pro-China mayor of Taiwan's Kaohsiung has been elected speaker of the Legislative Yuan sparking local civic groups' protests to "reject China's choice".
• PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan Feb. 2, 2024 ROC MND 02 Feb 2024
• Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un Gives Field Guidance to Nampho Dockyard KCNA 02 Feb 2024 -- Kim Jong Un , general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, gave field guidance to the Nampho Dockyard.
• Iran Says It's 'Not Looking For War,' But Is Ready For One RFE/RL 02 Feb 2024 -- Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has said during a trip to an impoverished southern region that Tehran is not looking for military conflict but would respond forcefully to any country that threatens the Islamic republic.
• 'Iran not after war but will respond to those who bully' IRNA 02 Feb 2024 -- President Ebrahim Raisi has issued a stark warning to Iran's enemies, saying the Islamic Republic does not intend to start a war but will respond firmly and decisively to an oppressor or force that wants to bully the country.
• Raeisi: Iran's response to any potential attack would be 'decisive and strong' Press TV 02 Feb 2024 -- Iranian President Ebrahim Raeisi says Tehran will not start a war but will give a decisive and strong response to any adventurism seeking to bully the Islamic Republic.
• Super project: Iran begins construction of $15bn nuclear plant Press TV 02 Feb 2024 -- The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) has begun the construction work on a new nuclear power plant in the country's southern coastal province of Hormozgan with an investment of $15 billion.
• Iranian 'Spy Ship' In Spotlight As U.S. Seeks Retaliation Against Tehran RFE/RL 02 Feb 2024 -- Since a Tehran-backed militia in Iraq killed three U.S. soldiers in a drone trike in Jordan, there has been mounting speculation about how Washington might retaliate against Iran.
• Justice Department Announces Terrorism and Sanctions-Evasion Charges and Seizures Linked to Illicit, Billion-Dollar Global Oil Trafficking Network That Finances Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and Its Malign Activities US Dept. of Justice 02 Feb 2024 -- Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Leadership and Others Indicted, More Than $108 Million Seized, and More Than 500,000 Barrels of Sanctioned Fuel Seized
• Imposing Sanctions on Those Supporting Iran's Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) and Missile Production US Dept. of State 02 Feb 2024 -- The United States is imposing sanctions today on four entities operating as front companies and subsidiaries for U.S.-designated Hamed Dehghan and Pishtazan Kavosh Gostar Boshra (PKGB).
• Treasury Sanctions Transnational Procurement Network Supporting Iran's Ballistic Missile and UAV Programs US Treasury 02 Feb 2024 -- Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned a key procurement network of prolific suppliers of materials and sensitive technology for Iran's ballistic missile and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) programs, including the Shahed-series UAV produced by Iran's Shahed Aviation Industries Research Center (SAIRC).
• Cleric Urges Iran to Clarify How Student Died in IRGC Custody VOA 02 Feb 2024 -- In his Friday prayer sermons, Molavi Abdol Hamid, a spiritual leader for Iran's Sunni Muslim population, urged government agencies to disclose the details surrounding the death of Sepehr Shirani in the custody of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in Zahedan.
• Coalition Urges UN Rights Official To Delay Iran Visit Saying She Won't See The 'Truth' RFE/RL 02 Feb 2024 -- A coalition of rights activists and writers have penned an open letter to Nada Al-Nashif, the UN deputy high commissioner for human rights, urging her to reconsider her planned visit to Iran saying the government will not allow her to see the "truth" about the situation in the country.
• Three arrested over anti-junta 'silent strike' in Mandalay Radio Free Asia 02 Feb 2024 -- Authorities in Myanmar's second city Mandalay have arrested at least three people for taking part in a "silent strike" protesting the third anniversary of military rule, according to residents.
• Setbacks raise question of whether Myanmar's leader can maintain control Radio Free Asia 02 Feb 2024 -- Recent battlefield setbacks and little apparent public support are raising the question of whether the leader of Myanmar's junta can expect to maintain influence within the military and his hold over the country, several observers told Radio Free Asia this week.
• Q&A: UN Envoy Exposes Russia's Role in Myanmar Coup, Calls for More International Support VOA 02 Feb 2024 -- In an interview at VOA this week marking the third anniversary of the military coup in Myanmar, Tom Andrews, the U.N. Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in Myanmar, spoke about the worsening humanitarian crisis there.
• PM call with Prime Minister Meloni of Italy: 2 February 2024 Gov.UK 02 Feb 2024
• Poll: Pakistani Youth Hope for Transparent Elections, Trust Military VOA 02 Feb 2024 -- A court in Pakistan sentenced former prime minister Imran Khan and his wife to seven years in prison Saturday after finding them guilty of a marriage law violation in 2018.
• Guatemala: Council sanctions an additional five individuals for undermining democracy and the rule of law EC/CEU 02 Feb 2024 -- The Council decided today to impose restrictive measures against five individuals for actions that undermine democracy, the rule of law or the peaceful transfer of power in Guatemala.
• EU Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum: Remarks by High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell at the press conference European External Action Service (EEAS) 02 Feb 2024
• EU Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum: Closing remarks by High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell European External Action Service (EEAS) 02 Feb 2024
• EU Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum: Opening remarks by High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell European External Action Service (EEAS) 02 Feb 2024
• Boosting EU-Indo-Pacific Partnerships: Chair's Press Release following the EU Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum European External Action Service (EEAS) 02 Feb 2024 -- The third EU Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum was held in Brussels on 2 February 2024. The Forum was chaired by Josep Borrell Fontelles, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/ Vice-President of the European Commission.
• ASEAN: Opening remarks by High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell at the EU-ASEAN Ministerial Meeting European External Action Service (EEAS) 02 Feb 2024
• The Foreign Ministry calls for evaluation of involvement in Latvian enterprises of foreign citizens supporting Russian aggression Latvia MFA 02 Feb 2024 -- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has approached line ministries and public authorities with a call for providing proposals for further strengthening of the European Union sanctions against Russia.
• The Foreign Minister: strong unity and cooperation is needed in security matters Latvia MFA 02 Feb 2024 -- On 1 and 2 February 2024, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Krišjānis Kariņš, took part in the Third European Union (EU) Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum and the 24th Ministerial Meeting of the EU and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) held in Brussels, Belgium.
• Malaysia halves jail term of former Prime Minister Razak in 1MDB scandal Press TV 02 Feb 2024 -- Malaysia has halved the sentence of disgraced former Prime Minister Najib Razak.
• In Presidential Election, Azerbaijan's Government Makes It Clear There Is No Alternative RFE/RL 02 Feb 2024 -- At a debate held before Azerbaijan's February 7 presidential election, the viewer could be forgiven for not being sure who was supporting the incumbent and who represented the opposition.
• Moldova Vows To 'Accelerate' Efforts To Comply With EU's Russia Sanctions RFE/RL 02 Feb 2024 -- Moldova is "accelerating work" to comply with EU sanctions against Russia over its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, a government spokesman said on February 2, a day after an RFE/RL investigation showed Moldovan firms have continued to supply airplane parts to Russian airlines and companies.