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Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• US Military Reports Destroying 5 Houthi Drones VOA 28 Feb 2024 -- The U.S. military said U.S. and coalition forces shot down five Houthi drones late Tuesday in the Red Sea.
• America, British warplanes keep pounding Yemen IRNA 28 Feb 2024 -- The US and Britain have carried out new military aggression against Yemen to put pressure on the Arab country to cease its anti-Israel operations in the Red Sea.
• German warship opens fire on US Reaper drone: Reports Press TV 28 Feb 2024 -- A German warship partaking in a European anti-Yemen coalition in the Red Sea has mistakenly opened fire on an American MQ-9 Reaper drone, reports say.
• Federal Government of Somalia, AFRICOM target al-Shabaab AFRICOM 28 Feb 2024 -- In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command carried out an airstrike against the al-Shabaab terrorist group near Jilib, Somalia, on Feb. 15.
• Iran-backed Attacks Slow Since 3 US Service Members Killed VOA 28 Feb 2024 -- Attacks by Iranian-backed proxies have slowed since the drone attack in January that killed three U.S. service members in Jordan near the Syrian border.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Return of PEO Summit Tackles Urgency, Delivering at Speed and Scale DoD News 28 Feb 2024 -- Earlier this month, the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment hosted its semiannual Program Executive Office Summit. The forum allows senior acquisition leaders from across the services and DOD components to discuss common challenges, share best practices, and build relationships for improving the delivery of capability to our warfighters, allies and partners.
• U.S. Air Force bomber conduct training with Swedish Air Force EUCOM 28 Feb 2024 -- U.S. Air Force B-1 Lancers assigned to the 28th Bomb Wing, Ellsworth Air Force Base, launched from their deployed location at Luleå-Kallax Air Base, Sweden, to train alongside Swedish Air Force aircraft Feb. 26, 2024.
• INDOPACOM likely more confrontational under new chief: experts Global Times 28 Feb 2024 -- As the US Senate Armed Services Committee on Tuesday voted to advance the nomination of Samuel Paparo as chief of the US Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM), sending the matter to the full Senate for a confirmation vote, Chinese experts warn that under the new chief's command, it is very possible that the US military will try to create a crisis and deepen military tensions with China in the Asia-Pacific, especially across the Taiwan Straits.
• Top Air Force General Discusses Plan to Reoptimize for Future of Warfare DoD News 28 Feb 2024 -- The Air Force is at a critical inflection point as it adapts to the changing character of warfare, its top general said today.
• Allvin adds detail, texture to plans for reoptimizing the Air Force US Air Force 28 Feb 2024 -- Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin offered a forceful - and deeper - explanation for plans to reshape and "reoptimize" the service and for why it's necessary during an appearance Feb. 28 at the Brookings Institution.
• Air Force holds multinational ACE conference US Air Force 28 Feb 2024 -- Headquarters Air Force hosted an Agile Combat Employment Interoperability and Integration conference with seven allies and partners at the Pentagon, Feb. 27-28.
• US Air Force bombers conduct training with Swedish Air Force US Air Force 28 Feb 2024 -- U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancers assigned to the 28th Bomb Wing at Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota launched from their deployed location at Luleå-Kallax Air Base, Sweden, to train alongside Swedish air force aircraft Feb. 26.
• Marine Corps XQ-58A Valkyrie completes second successful flight USMC News Release 28 Feb 2024 -- The Marine Corps' XQ-58A Valkyrie, a highly autonomous, low-cost tactical unmanned air vehicle, successfully completed its second test flight February 23, 2024 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.
• Combined Task Force 154 Conducts Operation Northern Readiness II in Aqaba, Jordan US Navy 28 Feb 2024 -- Operation Northern Readiness II was conducted at the Royal Jordanian Naval base in Aqaba, Jordan, Feb 18 - 22.
• U.S. Naval Forces Africa Hosts Nigerian Navy Delegation for Staff Talks US Navy 28 Feb 2024 -- Adm. Stuart Munsch, commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa (NAVEUR-NAVAF), and NAVAF staff members welcomed their Nigerian counterparts, including Rear Adm. Zakariyyah Muhammad, the Nigerian Navy's Chief of Training and Operations, for staff talks onboard Naval Support Activity Naples, Italy, Feb. 27-28, 2024.
• Secretary of the Navy Del Toro Meets with Leaders of HD Hyundai and Hanwha in the Republic of Korea, Tours Shipyards US Navy Press Release 28 Feb 2024 -- Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro met with top shipbuilding industry executives in the Republic of Korea (ROK) and toured some of the world's most technologically advanced and prolific shipyards, Feb. 27.
• Iraqi MP: Parliament supports gov't to expel US military IRNA 28 Feb 2024 -- Habib Al-Halawi, and Iraqi parliamentarian, has said that sooner or later the American occupying forces must leave Iraq and that the parliament supports the government's position in expelling them.
• Sweden's NATO entry raises security concerns People's Daily 28 Feb 2024 -- The Hungarian parliament's green light on Sweden's accession to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) cleared the final stronghold in the military bloc's comprehensive expansion in the northern direction.
• Baltic Fleet ships train conducting individual battle Russia MoD 28 Feb 2024 -- The small missile ships Serpukhov, Odintsovo and the missile boat Chuvashiya underwent an individual battle exercise.
• Russian Defence Minister inspects fulfilment of state order by defence industry enterprises in Tula region Russia MoD 28 Feb 2024 -- Russian Defence Minister General of the Army Sergei Shoigu inspected the progress of fulfilling the state defence order by defence industry enterprises in the Tula Region during a working visit to the Western MD's troops.
• Large landing ship Ivan Gren, Pacific Fleet, sails off for routine missions Russia MoD 28 Feb 2024 -- The large landing ship Ivan Gren, Pacific Fleet, has sailed off for routine missions.
• Frigate Marshal Shaposhnikov undergoes training in Arabian Sea Russia MoD 28 Feb 2024 -- The frigate Marshal Shaposhnikov (Pacific Fleet) detached from the ship battle force being on long-distance underwent a counter-piracy exercise in Arabian Sea.
• Air Force General Says Ukraine Desperately Needs Ammunition DoD News 28 Feb 2024 -- In the last two years of fighting in Ukraine, Russians have not hesitated to initiate frontal assaults with no concern about sacrificing their own people, said Air Force Lt. Gen. Leonard J. Kosinski, Joint Staff logistics director.
• Europe's Defense Official Says 'There Are Western Special Forces in Ukraine' - Reports Sputnik 28 Feb 2024 -- Remarks of French President Emmanuel Macron on a possible deployment of Western troops to Ukraine were aimed at creating deterrence and ambiguity toward Russia, and "everyone knows" that Western special forces are in Ukraine, an unnamed senior European defense official told Financial Times on Tuesday.
• European leaders fail to reach consensus on sending troops to Ukraine People's Daily 28 Feb 2024 -- Many European countries on Tuesday ruled out the possibility of sending ground troops to Ukraine, after Monday's meeting in Paris during which French President Emmanuel Macron suggested that European nations might do so.
• 2024 U.S.-Australia Strategic Policy Dialogue US Dept. of State 28 Feb 2024 -- The governments of the United States and Australia held their annual Strategic Policy Dialogue (SPD) on February 27 in Honolulu.
• A stronger force leaves Guam Australia DOD 28 Feb 2024 -- Exercise Cope North 24 has finished after a rewarding four weeks in Guam for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), United States Air Force (USAF), Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) and other allied nations.
• A lot to learn in the jungle Australia DOD 28 Feb 2024 -- Soldiers from 1st Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment, were led through a week of jungle warfare training at Tully, Queensland, earlier in February.
• LAUNCH OF AMMUNITION CUM TORPEDO CUM MISSILE BARGE, LSAM 18 (YARD 128) 4TH BARGE OF 11 x AMMUNITION CUM TORPEDO CUM MISSILE (ACTCM) BARGE PROJECT ON 28 Feb 24 AT M/S SURYADIPTA PROJECT PVT LTD, THANE India PIB 28 Feb 2024 -- The launch of 'Ammunition Cum Torpedo Cum Missile Barge, LSAM 18', 4th Barge of 11 x ACTCM Barge Project, built by MSME Shipyard, M/s Suryadipta Projects Pvt Ltd, Thane for Indian Navy, was undertaken on 28 Feb 24
• Defence Secretary interacts with German Defence Industry India PIB 28 Feb 2024 -- Defence Secretary Shri Giridhar Aramane interacted with the Federal Association of the German Security and Defence Industry (BDSV) at Berlin on 28 Feb, 2024
• Defence Secretary co-chairs India-Germany High Defence Committee meeting in Berlin India PIB 28 Feb 2024 -- Defence Secretary Shri Giridhar Aramane co-chaired the India-Germany High Defence Committee (HDC) meeting in Berlin on 27 Feb 2024 with the State Secretary, German Ministry of Defence Mr Benedikt Zimmer
• INDIAN NAVY - NARCOTICS CONTROL BUREAU ANTI NARCOTICS OPERATIONS AT SEA India PIB 28 Feb 2024 -- In a coordinated operation at sea, the Indian Navy and the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) apprehended a suspicious vessel carrying almost 3300 Kgs contraband (3089 Kgs Charas, 158 Kgs Methamphetamine 25 Kgs Morphine)
• Defence Procurement Minister oral statement on the Integrated Procurement Model - 28 February 2024 UK MOD 28 Feb 2024 -- Minister for Defence Procurement James Cartlidge's Oral Statement on the new Integrated Procurement Model.
• Widespread reforms to transform delivery of kit to UK's armed forces UK MOD 28 Feb 2024 -- A new procurement system will see earlier expert assurance of future military programmes, ensuring they deliver for UK forces on the frontline.
• Defence: Statement on behalf of High Representative Josep Borrell at the EP debate on strengthening European Defence in a volatile geopolitical landscape European External Action Service (EEAS) 28 Feb 2024 -- Speech delivered by Matthieu Michel, State Secretary for Digitalisation in charge of administrative simplification, privacy and buildings administration of Belgium, on behalf of High Representative / Vice-President Josep Borrell.
• General Eichelsheim visits arms manufacturers in the Czech Republic that are supplying Ukraine Netherlands Ministry of Defence 28 Feb 2024 -- The DITA self-propelled howitzer is a modern artillery system that can hit targets dozens of kilometres away. Ukraine urgently needs weapons of this kind. The Netherlands therefore recently ordered nine units for Ukraine. The weapons are part of a large Dutch order for Ukraine that is being fulfilled by two arms manufacturers in the Czech Republic.
• A look at the Defence news 19 - 25 February Netherlands Ministry of Defence 28 Feb 2024
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken and Republic of Korea Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul Before Their Meeting US Dept. of State 28 Feb 2024
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre The White House 28 Feb 2024

Defense Industry

• Contracts For Feb. 28, 2024

Other Conflicts

Ukraine Conflict News


• 28 February 2024 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 28 Feb 2024

Operation Iron Swords / Operation Al-Aqsa Flood

• 24h Operational Update: IDF Troops Continue To Eliminate Terrorists and Locate Weapons in Khan Yunis and Zaytun Israel Defense Forces 28 Feb 2024
• 'Risk we can't afford to take': Israel's Olmert warns against invasion of Rafah Press TV 28 Feb 2024 -- Ehud Olmert, the former head of the Israeli regime, has warned against a planned invasion of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, citing potential international fury.
• Feb. 27: 'Axis of Resistance' operations against Israeli occupation Press TV 28 Feb 2024
• Another Zionist commander killed in Gaza war: Report IRNA 28 Feb 2024 -- The Zionist media have reported the death of another Israeli military commander in the Gaza war.
• Three Palestinian martyrs, including commander of Tubas Brigade ISNA 28 Feb 2024 -- On Tuesday at dawn, three young Palestinians were killed by Israeli occupation bullets in the Al-Faraa refugee camp, south of Tubas, in the occupied West Bank.
• No medicine, no hope: Doctors describe life under Israeli attack in Gaza UN News 28 Feb 2024 -- No communications, no medicine and little hope. That's what operating a hospital in a war zone has become in Gaza, according to a team of doctors trapped for weeks inside the besieged Al Amal Hospital in Khan Younis.
• All parties to Gaza crisis may have committed war crimes: UN rights chief UN News 28 Feb 2024 -- All parties to the Gaza conflict have been responsible for "clear violations of international humanitarian law including possible war crimes", according to the UN's top human rights official, Volker Türk.
• UNRWA Situation Report #83 on the situation in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem - All information from 25-26 February 2024, is valid as of 26 February 2024 at 22:30 UNRWA 28 Feb 2024
• WFP Deputy Chief warns Security Council of imminent famine in northern Gaza unless conditions change WFP 28 Feb 2024 -- The World Food Programme Deputy Executive Director Carl Skau addressed the United Nations Security Council on Wednesday 27 February on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. He was speaking at a High-Level Open Debate on the Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict.
• UN Describes 'Impossible' Conditions for Humanitarian Work in Gaza VOA 28 Feb 2024 -- The United Nations said Wednesday that those trying to distribute or receive humanitarian aid in the Gaza Strip were facing life-threatening challenges.
• Ongoing famine in Gaza alerts UN People's Daily 28 Feb 2024 -- The permanent observer of the State of Palestine to the United Nations, Riyad Mansour, on Tuesday told the Security Council that Gaza is currently experiencing a famine, which worsens daily due to the ongoing "criminal aggression" by Israel.
• Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Call With Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant DoD 28 Feb 2024
• US, pushed by Israel, involved in widening war despite consequences: Iran FM Press TV 28 Feb 2024 -- Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian says the United States is involved in the expansion of the scope of the Israeli war on Palestinians in the besieged Gaza Strip to other fronts across the West Asia region.
• Clear Norwegian contribution to the International Court of Justice in The Hague (ICJ): Prevents the possibility of a two-state solution Government of Norway 28 Feb 2024 -- 'The Israeli occupation and the illegal Israeli settlements are the biggest obstacles to a two-state solution, which is the only solution to the conflict between Israel and Palestine', said Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide.
• South Africa pursuing Israeli regime's failure to comply with ICJ's ruling: FM IRNA 28 Feb 2024 -- South African Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor says that her country had informed the International Court of Justice (ICJ) of its concerns with the Israeli regime's failing to adhere to its ruling to avoid genocide in Gaza.
• South Africa says following up on Israel's non-compliance with ICJ ruling Press TV 28 Feb 2024 -- South Africa says it has contacted the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to pursue Israel's non-compliance with the top court's ruling on the prohibition of genocide of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
• Russia's UN envoy says US giving Israel 'license to kill' Palestinians Press TV 28 Feb 2024 -- Russia's permanent representative to the United Nations says an alternative draft resolution Washington has proposed on the situation in the besieged Gaza Strip simply paves the way for more Palestinian civilian deaths.
• Hamas fires volley of rockets from south Lebanon toward Israeli bases Press TV 28 Feb 2024 -- The military wing of the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas says it has fired rockets toward the northern part of the occupied territories from south Lebanon.
• Haniyeh urges Palestinians to march on Al-Aqsa Mosque on 1st day of Ramadan Press TV 28 Feb 2024 -- Ismail Haniyeh, the political bureau chief of Hamas, has called on the Palestinians in the occupied West Bank to march on Al-Aqsa Mosque on the first day of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
• Hezbollah rockets hit three Israeli bases IRNA 28 Feb 2024 -- The Lebanese resistance movement, Hezbollah, has said that it targeted three Israeli military bases with rockets in its latest operations in support of the Palestinians in war-ravaged Gaza.
• 'Hezbollah fired 1,000 missiles at Israeli army positions since Oct. 7' IRNA 28 Feb 2024 -- The Zionist media has admitted that Lebanon's Hezbollah has fired nearly 1,000 anti-armor missiles at the Zionist regime's army positions in northern occupied Palestine since the beginning of the war on the Gaza Strip.
• Zionist military shells, bombs Lebanese towns IRNA 28 Feb 2024 -- The Israeli military has conducted new artillery and air raids on the border areas of southern Lebanon.
• Hezbollah commander unveils new weapon ISNA 28 Feb 2024 -- The commander of Hezbollah's anti-armored munitions unit reveals a new NLOS weapon developed by the Resistance in the face of the Israeli occupation.
• Hezbollah bombs Israeli Golan base with 60 Grad rockets ISNA 28 Feb 2024 -- Lebanon's Hezbollah announces that it bombed an Israeli base in the occupied Syrian Golan with 60 Grad rockets in response to escalation in Lebanon.

Other Conflicts

• Marcos plans to discuss South China Sea security while in Australia Radio Free Asia 28 Feb 2024 -- Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. arrived in Australia on Wednesday for a two-day official visit where he plans to solidify security arrangements linked to concern about the reported presence of Chinese warships near traditional South China Sea fishing grounds.
• Afghanistan: UN appalled at revival of public floggings, executions UN News 28 Feb 2024 -- A revival of Taliban-ordered public executions by gunfire taking place in sports stadiums in several cities in Afghanistan "must cease immediately", the UN human rights office (OHCHR) said on Wednesday.
• Syria confronts Israeli airstrike near Damascus: Report Press TV 28 Feb 2024 -- The Syrian military reportedly confronts an Israeli airstrike on a suburb of the Arab country's capital of Damascus.
• Will Thailand's aid corridor with war-torn Myanmar make a difference? Radio Free Asia 28 Feb 2024 -- Thailand's plan to open a humanitarian aid corridor with war-torn Myanmar next month is facing skepticism from experts and aid workers, who say its limited scope and lack of engagement with ethnic minority forces means it is unlikely to have much impact.
• Battle erupts on northern Myanmar university campus Radio Free Asia 28 Feb 2024 -- A battle erupted on a university campus in northern Mynamar's Sagaing region earlier this week as ethnic Kachin and Chin fighters attacked junta troops based on the property, prompting the rebels to detain and eventually evacuate more than 130 civilians trapped in the crossfire, residents and fighters told Radio Free Asia.
• Scores of captive Muslims forced to undergo military training at displaced camp Radio Free Asia 28 Feb 2024 -- Junta authorities are holding more than 100 mostly ethnic Rohingya Muslims captive at a camp for the displaced in western Myanmar's Rakhine state and threatening to kill them if they refuse to take part in military training, residents said Wednesday.
• Transdniester Separatists Ask Russia For 'Protection' At End Of Meeting Chisinau Rejects As 'Scam' RFE/RL 28 Feb 2024 -- The leadership of Transdniester has called on Russia to take measures to "protect" the breakaway region from what it said was increasing pressure from Moldova's pro-Western government that amounted to an "economic war."
• Transnistria Seeks Russia's Help in Wake of Economic Blockade by Moldova Sputnik 28 Feb 2024 -- Predominantly Russian-speaking Transnistria, 60 percent of whose ethnic population are Russians and Ukrainians, declared its independence from Moldova during the collapse of the Soviet Union.
• IRC Suspends Red Sea Route for Sudan Aid Amid Rising Cost, Risks VOA 28 Feb 2024 -- Getting humanitarian supplies to millions of Sudanese affected by the country's more than 10 months of conflict is getting expensive and risky because of attacks on Red Sea shipping by Houthi rebels based in Yemen.
• Wheat from war-torn Ukraine to feed families affected by conflict in Sudan UN News 28 Feb 2024 -- More than 7,000 tonnes of wheat donated by war-ravaged Ukraine will help to feed one million conflict-affected people in Sudan for a month, the UN World Food Programme (WFP) said on Wednesday.
• Emergency food aid from Ukraine arrives in war-torn Sudan WFP 28 Feb 2024 -- A shipment of wheat donated by Ukraine to the United Nations World Food Programme's (WFP) Sudan operation has arrived in Port Sudan and is being loaded onto WFP trucks for emergency food distributions. This in-kind food donation will be a core part of food rations provided to one million conflict-affected people in Sudan for one month.

News Reports

• Justice Department to Implement Groundbreaking Executive Order Addressing National Security Risks and Data Security US Dept. of Justice 28 Feb 2024 -- On Feb. 28, the President will issue a groundbreaking Executive Order (E.O.) addressing the extraordinary and unusual national security threat posed by the continued effort of certain countries of concern to access Americans' bulk sensitive personal data and certain U.S. Government-related data. The first of its kind, the E.O., entitled "Preventing Access to Americans' Bulk Sensitive Personal Data and U.S. Government-Related Data by Countries of Concern," will direct the Justice Department to establish, implement and administer new and targeted national-security programming to address this threat.
• Message to the Congress on Preventing Access to Americans' Bulk Sensitive Personal Data and United States Government-Related Data by Countries of Concern The White House 28 Feb 2024
• Sixth Bulgarian Charged In Britain With Spying For Russia RFE/RL 28 Feb 2024 -- A sixth Bulgarian citizen has been charged in Britain with allegedly being a member of a Russian spy network operating in the United Kingdom, British prosecutors said.
• Pro-Russian Narratives Rise Among Latin American X Users, Research Shows VOA 28 Feb 2024 -- When Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine two years ago, it sparked outrage in many parts of the world. Images of atrocities by Russian fighters and destruction of Ukrainian cities tilted much Western public opinion in favor of Kyiv.
• US, Mexico, Guatemala Boost Cooperation to Control Migrant Arrivals at Southern Border VOA 28 Feb 2024 -- U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken hosted a meeting Wednesday in Washington with top Mexican and Guatemalan officials to discuss managing irregular migration, displacement, and expanding lawful immigration pathways in the Western Hemisphere.
• Joint Statement on Charting a New Path for Hemispheric Migration Partnership at Trilateral Ministerial Meeting US Dept. of State 28 Feb 2024 -- The text of the following statement was released by the Governments of the United States of America, Guatemala, and Mexico on the occasion of a Trilateral Ministerial Meeting in Washington, DC.
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken, Mexican Foreign Secretary Alicia Bárcena, and Guatemalan Foreign Minister Carlos Ramiro Martínez before the U.S.-Mexico-Guatemala Trilateral Migration Ministerial Meeting US Dept. of State 28 Feb 2024
• Senior Administration Officials Previewing the U.S.-Mexico-Guatemala Trilateral Ministerial Meeting on Migration US Dept. of State 28 Feb 2024
• Treasury Sanctions Guatemala's Los Pochos Drug Trafficking Organization, Members, and Companies US Treasury 28 Feb 2024 -- Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) redesignated, pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 14059, the Los Pochos Drug Trafficking Organization (DTO), and designated three members and four affiliated companies based in Guatemala. First sanctioned in 2019 pursuant to the Kingpin Act, the Los Pochos DTO is a Guatemala-based organizationprimarily engaged in cocaine trafficking from Guatemala through Mexico to the United States. Today's action places renewed attention on the Los Pochos DTO following a change in leadership and involvement of its members in local Guatemalan politics. The Los Pochos DTO controls narcotics trafficking activities on the Guatemala-Mexico border and is associated with Mexico's Sinaloa Cartel, one of the world's most notorious drug trafficking organizations.
• Briefing by Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, Moscow, February 28, 2024 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 28 Feb 2024
• What To Watch For In Putin's Annual Address RFE/RL 28 Feb 2024 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin will deliver his annual address to parliament and the nation on February 29, less than three weeks before an election that is set to hand him a new six-year term in the Kremlin.
• Navalny Funeral Set for Friday in Moscow VOA 28 Feb 2024 -- The funeral for Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny will take place Friday at a Moscow church and be open to the public, although it was not clear whether authorities may try to prevent people from attending.
• Navalny's Funeral Service Set For March 1 In Moscow After Days Of Uncertainty RFE/RL 28 Feb 2024 -- A funeral service for the late Russian opposition politician Aleksei Navalny will be held on March 1 at a church in the Maryino area of Moscow, where the Kremlin critic once lived, after several days of uncertainty marked by claims by his mother that she was being blackmailed by officials into holding a secret commemoration.
• Navalny's Widow Urges EU To Investigate Money Flows Tied To 'Bloody Mobster' Putin RFE/RL 28 Feb 2024 -- Yulia Navalnaya, the widow of the late Russian anti-corruption crusader and Kremlin critic Aleksei Navalny, has called on European lawmakers to investigate Russia's leadership, which she characterized as an "organized criminal gang" led by President Vladimir Putin and his allies.
• Statement by the Head of the Russian Delegation, Mr. Dmitry Birichevskiy, at the Informal Meeting of BSEC CSO on February 23, 2024 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 28 Feb 2024
• Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's talks with Malian Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Abdoulaye Diop Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 28 Feb 2024
• Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's remarks and answers to media questions during a joint news conference with Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Mali Abdoulaye Diop following their talks, Moscow, February 28, 2024 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 28 Feb 2024
• Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's opening remarks during talks with Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Mali Abdoulaye Diop, Moscow, February 28, 2024 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 28 Feb 2024
• Russia: Statement on behalf of High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell at the EP debate on the murder of Alexei Navalny European External Action Service (EEAS) 28 Feb 2024 -- Speech delivered by Commissioner for Energy, Kadri Simson, on behalf of High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell
• Locking down dissidents ahead of China's parliamentary sessions Radio Free Asia 28 Feb 2024 -- Police across China are placing prominent dissidents under house arrest or taking them out of town on enforced "vacations" ahead of next week's annual National People's Congress in Beijing, activists said in interviews and via social media.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning's Regular Press Conference on February 28, 2024 PRC MofA 28 Feb 2024
• China In Eurasia Briefing: Is China The Winner From The War In Ukraine? RFE/RL 28 Feb 2024
• China, Sierra Leone deepen ties, advance cooperation Global Times 28 Feb 2024 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with President of the Republic of Sierra Leone Julius Maada Bio, who is on a state visit to China, in Beijing on Wednesday. The two leaders hailed the traditional friendship, signed various bilateral cooperation agreements under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), and announced the deepening of the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.
• Hong Kong's Proposed Article 23 Legislation Further Undermines "One Country, Two Systems" Framework US Dept. of State 28 Feb 2024 -- The United States is closely monitoring Hong Kong's development of national security legislation under Article 23 of the Basic Law and its implications for U.S. citizens, investments, and companies operating in Hong Kong.
• Different opinions on Article 23 legislation reflect Hong Kong's diversity, value of freedom of speech Global Times 28 Feb 2024 -- With the public consultation period for the Article 23 legislation ended on Wednesday, local officials said there is a general consensus in Hong Kong society that we must expedite the legislation as soon as possible while the major issues of concern in the legal community include the purpose of the legislation, definitions and penalties of offenses and protection of human rights and freedom, some legal representatives said, noting that those various opinions also reflect the city's diversity and protection of freedom of speech.
• Hong Kong's budget boosts confidence with concrete plans, mainland's support Global Times 28 Feb 2024 -- The financial chief of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) on Wednesday unveiled the budget plan for 2024-25, outlining concrete measures to bolster confidence and create favorable conditions for the regional economy amid a complex global geo-economic situation.
• Hong Kong's Article 23 law will 'damage rights,' hurt business: experts and activists Radio Free Asia 28 Feb 2024 -- Hong Kong's forthcoming "Article 23" security legislation will be a major blow to human rights in the city, according to a U.N. human rights expert, American legal scholars and human rights groups.
• Hong Kong axes all property curbs to revive sector, boost growth Radio Free Asia 28 Feb 2024 -- Hong Kong announced Wednesday it is scrapping all property curbs to revive a faltering housing market, increasing spending to boost tourism and strengthening efforts to lure back foreign capital.
• Hong Kong national security proposals: UK statement UK FCDO 28 Feb 2024 -- Foreign Secretary David Cameron gave a statement on Hong Kong's Article 23 national security proposals.
• Country Garden liquidation petition deepens China's property crisis Radio Free Asia 28 Feb 2024 -- China's troubled property developer Country Garden Holdings disclosed on Wednesday it received a liquidation petition filed by one of its creditors, a further sign of the deepening real estate crisis in mainland China.
• Top legislature revises Law on Guarding State Secrets Global Times 28 Feb 2024 -- Chinese lawmakers on Tuesday voted to adopt a revised Law on Guarding State Secrets at a session of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, to take effect on May 1. The revision, the first in 14 years, aims to comprehensively enhance the confidentiality management of state secrets, particularly in cyberspace, amid new challenges brought by an accelerating technological revolution both domestically and internationally, Chinese officials expounded on Wednesday.
• Revision of Law on Guarding State Secrets responds to needs of the times: official People's Daily 28 Feb 2024 -- As the guarding of state secrets faces new problems and challenges in the new era, the revision of the Law on Guarding State Secrets is a necessary move to improve relevant work, said an official with China's National Administration of State Secrets Protection.
• China adopts revised Law on Guarding State Secrets People's Daily 28 Feb 2024 -- Chinese lawmakers on Tuesday voted to adopt a revised Law on Guarding State Secrets.
• Military expert highlights threat of Chinese research ships spying on Taiwan CNA 28 Feb 2024 -- A military expert cautioned against the threat of Chinese civilian vessels operating in waters off Taiwan conducting espionage under the pretense of research.
• Speedboat deaths used as grey zone tactic to pressure Taiwan: official CNA 28 Feb 2024 -- An anonymous high-level Taiwanese national security official said on Wednesday that Beijing is using grey zone tactics in its handling of an incident in which a speedboat capsized and two Chinese men died in Republic of China (Taiwan) territorial waters off the Kinmen Islands after being chased by the Taiwan Coast Guard.
• DPP authorities tell lies, conceal truth about fatal boat incident: Taiwan Affairs Office Global Times 28 Feb 2024 -- We express strong indignation and condemnation on the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities' move following a recent incident in waters near Kinmen that led to the death of two people on a mainland fishing boat, said Zhu Fenglian, a spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council on Wednesday.
• Adjusted M503 flight route facilitates cross-Straits aviation operation and personnel exchange: Taiwan affairs office Global Times 28 Feb 2024 -- China's State Council's Taiwan Affairs Office spokesperson Zhu Fenglian said on Wednesday that the adjusted M503 flight route has rectified cross-Straits aviation operation as well as personnel exchanges, and was in line with the common benefit of people in Chinese mainland and the Taiwan island.
• China Warns Taiwan US-Sponsored Pursuit of Separation Rife With Military Risks Sputnik 28 Feb 2024 -- The Taiwanese administration's attempts to achieve independence with the help of the United States and new weapons will create military danger in the Taiwan Strait, Zhu Fenglian, a spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the Chinese State Council, said on Wednesday.
• New Tuvalu government reaffirms Taiwan ties in government document CNA 28 Feb 2024 -- Tuvalu's new government on Wednesday reaffirmed that it will continue to formally recognize the Republic of China (Taiwan) instead of switching its allegiance to China following a national election last month.
• Mainland coast guard's entry into so-called 'restricted waters' near Kinmen signals normalized law enforcement in the region Global Times 28 Feb 2024 -- After the coast guard of East China's Fujian Province conducted a law enforcement patrol in waters near Kinmen in the Taiwan Straits on Sunday, the Taiwan authorities on Tuesday claimed that China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels also entered the so-called "prohibited or restricted" waters near Kinmen on Monday. An observer noted that this indicates the normalization of regular law enforcement patrols in Xiamen-Kinmen waters by the mainland coast guard authorities, a move that is lawful and reasonable. Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities have no right to intervene.
• Controversy over boat tragedy escalates as senior DPP official faces criticism Global Times 28 Feb 2024 -- As controversy grows over the recent tragic boat incident, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has been met with a backlash in the island of Taiwan for not only failing to disclose the investigation results and handle the situation properly but also for making up lies and hyping erroneous claims only to serve secessionist aims.
• PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan Feb. 28, 2024 ROC MND 28 Feb 2024
• Iran to launch domestically-built Pars 1 research satellite into orbit Press TV 28 Feb 2024 -- Iran's Minister of Communications and Information Technology Issa Zarepour has announced that the homegrown Pars 1 research satellite is set to be launched into space on Thursday.
• Not going to lift anti-Iran sanctions: Biden admin IRNA 28 Feb 2024 -- US National Security Council spokesman, John Kirby on Tuesday proudly talked about anti-Iran sanctions the administration of President Joe Biden has come up since taking over the White House.
• No resolution against Iran on IAEA board of governors ISNA 28 Feb 2024 -- A source told ISNA that there would be no resolution against Iran nuclear activities in upcoming IAEA board of governors meeting.
• Iran, US still exchanging messages: Amirabdollahian IRNA 28 Feb 2024 -- Iran's Foreign Minister, Hossein Amirabdollahian, in an exclusive interview with Lebanon's Al-Mayadeen channel confirmed that the Islamic Republic and the United States keep exchanging messages on various topics, including the 2015 nuclear deal.
• Iran FM: US military support from Israel have been active round-the-clock ISNA 28 Feb 2024 -- In an interview with Al Mayadeen, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian gives insight on regional and international issues, ranging from the Gaza genocide to the nuclear agreement.
• President Raeisi due in Algeria in 1st presidential visit in 14 years Press TV 28 Feb 2024 -- President Ebrahim Raeisi of Iran is to visit Algeria over the weekend in a first trip by an Iranian president to the North African country in 14 years.
• Leader: Iran will advance if world sees Iranian nation's presence in 'decisive scenes' Press TV 28 Feb 2024 -- Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei says if the Iranian nation shows the world that they are present in 'decisive scenes', they will save the country and contribute to Iran's progress.
• US sanctions 'may not apply' to gas pipeline project with Iran: Pakistan energy minister Press TV 28 Feb 2024 -- Pakistan's caretaker energy minister says the sanctions the United States has imposed on Iran over its civilian nuclear program may not apply to the gas pipeline as Islamabad was going to start work on the project within its territory and connect to neighboring Iran.
• Khan Formally Asks IMF to Link Future Lending to Audit of Pakistan's Disputed Vote VOA 28 Feb 2024 -- The political party of Pakistan's jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan wrote Wednesday to the International Monetary Fund, asking that lending to the cash-strapped country be tied to an independent audit of the disputed Feb. 8 elections.
• Speech by President von der Leyen at the European Parliament Plenary on strengthening European defence in a volatile geopolitical landscape European Commission 28 Feb 2024
• Tuvalu reaffirms ties with Taiwan, signals review of Australia security treaty Radio Free Asia 28 Feb 2024 -- Tuvalu has reaffirmed its recognition of Taiwan following an election last month that had triggered speculation the Pacific island country could sever ties and recognize Beijing.
• Tuvalu Reaffirms Taiwan Relations as China Works to Increase Influence in Pacific VOA 28 Feb 2024 -- Tuvalu's new government released a statement of priorities Wednesday, reiterating the Pacific island nation's intent to maintain its "long-term and lasting special relationship" with Taiwan, while vowing to review a security pact that the previous administration signed with Australia in November.
• China poised to become top trading partner of Laos in 2024 Radio Free Asia 28 Feb 2024 -- Chinese companies invested in 17 projects worth US$986 million in Laos in 2023, positioning China to soon become the landlocked country's top trading partner, replacing neighboring Thailand, according to the Lao Ministry of Planning and Investment.
• Kyrgyz Lawmaker Proposes Stripping Jeenbekov Of Ex-President Status RFE/RL 28 Feb 2024 -- A Kyrgyz lawmaker proposed on February 28 stripping former leader Sooronbai Jeenbekov of his status of ex-president over his alleged links to the fugitive former deputy chief of the Customs Service, Raimbek Matraimov.
• U.S. Semiconductor Firms, Having Outsourced Production Overseas, Struggle To Trace Evasion RFE/RL 28 Feb 2024 -- U.S. semiconductor firms must strengthen oversight of their foreign partners and work more closely with the government and investigative groups, a group of experts told the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, saying the outsourcing of production overseas has made tracking chip sales more difficult, enabling sanctions evasion by Russia and other adversaries.
• Humanitarians launch $674 million appeal urging 'increased solidarity' with Haiti UN News 28 Feb 2024 -- Humanitarians are hoping that donors will robustly support a $674 million appeal for Haiti, where armed gangs continue to terrorize the population, a senior UN official said on Wednesday during a briefing to journalists in New York.
• World News in Brief: Air travel boom erases COVID dip, 'disturbing' new anti-LGBT bill in Ghana, rights abuses in Crimea UN News 28 Feb 2024 -- The UN aviation agency on Wednesday announced that air traffic levels are operating at around two per cent above their high in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic grounded much of the world's population in lockdown.
• Chad Sets Presidential Election for May 6, Months Earlier Than Planned VOA 28 Feb 2024 -- Chad's electoral commission made a surprise announcement Tuesday that presidential elections to end three years of military rule in the central African country will take place May 6, several months earlier than planned.