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News Reports

Current Operations

• U.S.-British coalition launches 3 air strikes on Yemen's Red Sea port city: Houthi TV People's Daily 09 Aug 2024 -- The U.S.-British coalition launched three air strikes late Thursday on the Ras Issa area in Yemen's Red Sea port city of Hodeidah, Houthi-run al-Masirah TV reported early Friday.
• Alaska Guard Assists Juneau Following Glacial Flooding Army News 09 Aug 2024 -- The Alaska National Guard activated Juneau Guardsmen Aug. 7 to assist with recovery and cleanup following recent flooding after the Mendenhall Glacier's Suicide Basin released.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Statement by Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks on Blast Overpressure Risk-Management Policy Memorandum DoD 09 Aug 2024
• OUSD R&E Accelerating Capability Transition Through Experimentation of Select Emerging Technologies DoD 09 Aug 2024 -- The Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD (R&E)) and the Indiana National Guard will host the second 2024 Technology Readiness Experimentation event (T-REX 24-2) to mature and assess promising capability prototypes.
• DOD Needs Solutions for the Proliferation of Autonomous Vehicles, Defense Official Says DoD News 09 Aug 2024 -- For several decades now, autonomous systems including aircraft, ground vehicles and waterborne craft have proliferated. While there hasn't been a direct assault on a U.S. military base yet, autonomous systems remain a threat and something the Defense Department is seeking solutions for.
• DOD Integrates Its Industrial Base With Allies, Partners DoD News 09 Aug 2024 -- The strength of the Defense Department and international security lies with defense industrial base cooperation with allies, partners, industry and academia, said Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Navy Adm. Christopher W. Grady.
• DOD Official Lauds New Program to Streamline Acquisition Process DoD News 09 Aug 2024 -- William A. LaPlante, undersecretary of defense for acquisition and sustainment, on Wednesday praised a new Defense Department pilot program designed to streamline DOD's process for procuring new military technology by making what has been a sequential process for onboarding new military capabilities more simultaneous.
• U.S. Army NATO focuses on convergence challenges Army News 09 Aug 2024 -- The U.S. Army NATO hosted its 23rd annual Senior Army Leaders Meeting July 29 to August 1 to give leaders from 82 locations in 22 countries the opportunity to meet face-to-face and share knowledge and ideas on NATO operations and how best to support the roughly 1,100 Soldiers serving within NATO organizations.
• An unmatched force: U.S. industry, military leaders tackle current, future battlefield needs EUCOM 09 Aug 2024 -- Government leaders discussed how the U.S. Defense Department and industry can partner to transition critical technologies into production to meet current and future operational challenges.
• US Air Force reaches price agreement for E-7A rapid prototype program with Boeing US Air Force 09 Aug 2024 -- The U.S. Department of the Air Force has successfully negotiated a price agreement with Boeing for the E-7A Wedgetail weapon system rapid prototype program. This paves the way for the delivery of two operationally representative prototype E-7A weapons systems.
• NRL, ONR-Global TechSolutions Provide Marines Littoral Operations Tactical Decision Aid at Modern Day Marine Expo US Navy 09 Aug 2024 -- U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) and Office of Naval Research-Global (ONR-Global) TechSolutions showcased the NRL-developed LittoralLens imaging system during the Modern Day Marine Expo held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C., May 1.
• Naval War College Hosts Symposium on Innovation and Future of Warfare US Navy 09 Aug 2024 -- The U.S. Naval War College (NWC) held its eighth annual Future Warfighting Symposium (FWS) focused on the future of warfare, onboard Naval Station Newport, Aug. 7 - 8.
• PANAMAX 2024 Kicks Off at Naval Station Mayport US Navy 09 Aug 2024 -- U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet (USNAVSO/FOURTHFLT) hosts the Combined Force Maritime Component Command (CFMCC) portion of the annual exercise PANAMAX from Aug. 8 through Aug. 16.
• MSC Ships Provide Logistics Support During RIMPAC 2024 US Navy 09 Aug 2024 -- Military Sealift Command (MSC) combat logistic fleet (CLF) ships have completed their support to the world's largest, international maritime exercise, Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2024, in Hawaii.
• US, ROK Test Unmanned Vehicles in Live Fire Exercise During RIMPAC 2024 US Navy 09 Aug 2024 -- The U.S. Navy and Republic of Korea (ROK) Navy successfully held a live-fire exercise using a common unmanned surface vessel (CUSV) during Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2024, July 12. The CUSV, equipped with six Poniard rockets, successfully engaged a target.
• Chief of Naval Operations Hosts Chief of the Royal Norwegian Navy for Counterpart Visit US Navy Press Release 09 Aug 2024 -- Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti hosted Rear Adm. Oliver Berdal, Chief of the Royal Norwegian Navy for an official counterpart visit, Aug. 5 - 6 in Washington D.C.
• U.S Navy to Christen Expeditionary Fast Transport Future USNS Point Loma US Navy Press Release 09 Aug 2024 -- The Navy will christen the future USNS Point Loma (EPF 15), the second of the Spearhead-class Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) Flight II configurations, during a 10:00 a.m. EDT ceremony on Saturday, August 10, in Mobile, Alabama.
• US election looms over US-South Korea-Japan security cooperation VOA 09 Aug 2024 -- Experts in Washington are split on their perspectives of the durability of the recently elevated U.S.-South Korea-Japan security cooperation in the event of former President Donald Trump winning the November U.S. presidential election, given his critical stance toward U.S. alliances in the past.
• Training ship Smolniy finishes call at port of La Guaira of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela Russia MoD 09 Aug 2024 -- The Baltic Fleet's training ship Smolniy, performing a long-distance sea voyage to conduct maritime practice of cadets of naval training institutions of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation, completed an unofficial call to the port of La Guaira of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.
• Pacific Fleet ships leave Indian port of Cochin Russia MoD 09 Aug 2024 -- A detachment of ships of the Pacific Fleet made up of the missile cruiser Guards Order of Nakhimov Varyag and frigate Marshal Shaposhnikov finished a business call and left the Indian port of Cochin.
• Fact Sheet on U.S. Security Assistance to Ukraine - August 09, 2024 DOD
• Memorandum on the Delegation of Authority Under Section 506(a)(1) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 The White House 09 Aug 2024
• Biden Administration Announces Additional Security Assistance for Ukraine DoD 09 Aug 2024 -- Today, the Department of Defense (DoD) announced additional security assistance to meet Ukraine's critical security and defense needs.
• United States Announces Significant New Military Assistance for Ukraine US Dept. of State 09 Aug 2024 -- The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation are repelling an attack of the Armed Forces of Ukraine against the territory of the Russian Federation.
• US announces $125M military aid package for Ukraine VOA 09 Aug 2024 -- The United States announced on Friday that it would be sending a $125 million military aid package that includes Stinger missiles and anti-armor systems to Ukraine following multiple civilian deaths from a fresh Russian attack.
• Statement of the Group of Creditors of Ukraine US Treasury 09 Aug 2024 -- The Group of Creditors of Ukraine (GCU) welcomes the agreement in principle reached between Ukraine and its bondholders (ad hoc creditor committee) on Eurobond Debt Restructuring Terms.
• Ukraine War Illustrates Need for Robust Defense Industry, Eucom Commander Says DoD News 09 Aug 2024 -- The sheer size and scale of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine necessitates that the U.S. defense industrial base continues to evolve to meet potential future challenges of similar proportion, U.S. European Command's top official explained yesterday during keynote remarks at the Emerging Technologies for Defense Conference & Exhibition in downtown Washington.
• US Unveils $125Mln Ukraine Aid Package, Includes Stingers, Artillery Shells - White House Sputnik 09 Aug 2024 -- The United States is providing Ukraine a new $125 million aid package that includes additional Stinger missiles and artillery shells, White House National Security Communications Adviser John Kirby said on Friday.
• Lithuania to transfer a robust assistance package to Ukraine Lithuania MND 09 Aug 2024 -- The IAEA has been monitoring the situation on the reported military activities taking place in the vicinity of the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant (NPP).
• AUKUS Pillar II Milestones Hint at Future Integrated Autonomous, Artificial Intelligence Operations DoD 09 Aug 2024 -- In March 2024 AUKUS experts successfully deployed autonomous and artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled sensing systems during the Resilient and Autonomous Artificial Intelligence Technology (RAAIT) trials as part of the AUKUS advanced capabilities line of effort, or Pillar II.
• Australia strikes 'landmark' nuclear defense agreement with AUKUS allies VOA 09 Aug 2024 -- Australia Friday called a new nuclear technology agreement with the United States and Britain a "very significant step down the ... path" toward a nuclear-powered fleet of submarines. Australia struck the deal Monday, aimed at allowing transfer of nuclear equipment and technology for the country's proposed fleet. It is the latest advance in the 2021 AUKUS security pact linking the three countries.
• AUKUS Tests 'Landmark' AI-Enabled Drones in Military Exercise Sputnik 09 Aug 2024 -- The AUKUS trilateral defense partnership has successfully tested AI-enabled unmanned aerial vehicles in a real-time military environment for the first time, the UK government revealed on Friday.
• HINDUSTAN AERONAUTICS LIMITED India PIB 09 Aug 2024 -- The Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has grown by 13 percent by March 2024.
• LIGHT BULLET-PROOF JACKET DEVELOPED BY DRDO India PIB 09 Aug 2024 -- DRDO has developed the Bullet Proof Jacket (BPJ) consisting of lightest Front Hard Armour Panel (FHAP)
• IRGC releases footage of surveilling US warships at Strait of Hormuz Press TV 09 Aug 2024 -- Iran's IRGC Navy has released new footage showing surveillance of US and allied navy vessels in the Persian Gulf.
• IRGC Navy says new AI-based equipment enhances precision in pinpoint operations Press TV 09 Aug 2024 -- The commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy has hailed the enhanced level of precision and surgical strike capabilities that have been incorporated into the force's new equipment.
• IRGC Navy takes delivery of new cruise missiles with highly explosive warheads Press TV 09 Aug 2024 -- The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy has received new domestically-made equipment, including cruise missiles equipped with highly explosive warheads capable of evading current missile systems.
• Iran's IRGC Enhances Naval Capabilities With 'Untrackable' Anti-Ship Missiles Amid Rising Tensions Sputnik 09 Aug 2024 -- The navy of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has expanded its arsenal with high-explosive anti-ship cruise missiles that cannot be tracked, Iranian news agency Tasnim reported on Friday.
• Islamabad dismisses allegations of secret Iran-Pakistan military activity as 'baseless' Press TV 09 Aug 2024 -- Pakistan's Foreign Ministry spokesperson has dismissed as "groundless" a report by an Israeli media outlet, calling it an attempt to "disturb public opinion with false information."
• Poland to Produce Patriot Air Defense Missile Launchers - Defense Ministry Sputnik 09 Aug 2024 -- Poland will manufacture missile launchers for US Patriot air defense systems, the Polish Defense Ministry said on Friday, adding that the correspondent agreement will be signed on August 12.
• UK shows commitment to Indo-Pacific following major exercises UK MOD 09 Aug 2024 -- The UK has demonstrated it's commitment to the Indo-Pacific as a series of major multinational military exercises conclude
• Norway - M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems DSCA 09 Aug 2024 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Norway of M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems and related equipment for an estimated cost of $580 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.
• Philippines, Vietnam conduct 1st joint drills amid South China Sea tensions VOA 09 Aug 2024 -- The Philippines and Vietnamese coast guards conducted their first joint drills Friday in firefighting, rescue, and medical response in Manila Bay, off the west coast of Luzon, the Philippines' main island, leading into the South China Sea.
• Philippine, Vietnamese coast guards sail together to bolster nautical cooperation Radio Free Asia 09 Aug 2024 -- The Philippine and Vietnamese coast guards sailed together for the first time in disputed South China Sea waters Friday in an exercise aimed at bolstering cooperation in a sea region where both nations have claims to the waterway.
• First joint drills of Vietnam, Philippines 'should not be over-interpreted' Global Times 09 Aug 2024 -- The Philippines and Vietnam are reportedly set to hold their first joint maritime drills on Friday, a move that some Western media have interpreted as "historic" and aimed at China. However, experts argue that these reports overlook the fact that a Vietnamese vessel is currently on a friendly visit to China, and the drills between the Philippines and Vietnam are normal cooperation between sovereign nations and not directly related to maritime disputes.
• Secretary Blinken's Call with Jordanian Foreign Minister Safadi US Dept. of State 09 Aug 2024

Defense Industry

• Contracts For Aug. 9, 2024

Other Conflicts

Ukraine Conflict News
• 9 August 2024 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 09 Aug 2024

Operation Iron Swords / Operation Al-Aqsa Flood

• PM's Office Statement Israel - Prime Minister 09 Aug 2024 -- Pursuant to the proposal by the US and the mediators, Israel will - on 15 August - send the negotiations team to a place to be determined in order to finalize the details of the implementation of the framework agreement.
• Israel agrees to resume Gaza cease-fire talks next week VOA 09 Aug 2024 -- Israel agreed Thursday to resume talks on a cease-fire in the war in Gaza, following a demand by the United States, Qatar and Egypt to come to an agreement to end the fighting and release the remaining hostages and detainees.
• Israel says it agrees to resume ceasefire talks People's Daily 09 Aug 2024 -- Israel replied to Qatari, Egyptian and U.S. mediators early Friday, saying that it will send a delegation to resume talks on a Gaza ceasefire deal on Aug. 15.
• Israeli military launches new offensive on Gaza's Khan Younis amid mass displacement Press TV 09 Aug 2024 -- The Israeli military has launched a new ground offensive in the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis, targeting dozens of sites after issuing new evacuation orders for exhausted Palestinians.
• Zionist regime continues to bomb Gaza IRNA 09 Aug 2024 -- News sources have reported that the Zionist regime continued to bombard various areas of the Gaza Strip.
• Israel Reports Another Hamas Commander Killed in Lebanon Amid Escalating Tensions Sputnik 09 Aug 2024 -- An Israeli drone struck a car at the entrance to the Palestinian camp of Ain Al-Hilweh near the city of Sidon in southern Lebanon, killing one of the commanders of the Hamas movement, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on Friday.
• Israel Launches 'Above, Below-Ground' Operation in Gaza's Khan Yunis Sputnik 09 Aug 2024 -- The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced on Friday that it had launched an operation in the area of the southern Gaza city of Khan Yunis in an effort to degrade Hamas' capabilities across the Gaza Strip.
• Mideast tension heightening amid looming Iranian retaliatory attack on Israel People's Daily 09 Aug 2024 -- The Middle East has been bracing for escalating tension amidst Iran and its allies' threats to avenge the killings of Hamas and Hezbollah leaders last week.
• 15 Palestinians killed in Israeli airstrike in central Gaza: sources People's Daily 09 Aug 2024 -- At least 15 Palestinians were killed on Thursday in an Israeli airstrike on a residential area in al-Bureij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip, Palestinian medical sources said.
• Geneva Palais briefing note: Unrelenting war in Gaza continues to inflict horrors on children UNICEF 09 Aug 2024 -- "The unrelenting war in Gaza continues to inflict horrors on thousands of children, keeping far too many separated from their loved ones. On Saturday, I met 8-month-old Yahya. Four days and several attempts later, after a long and dangerous drive together, through military checkpoints to the North of the Gaza Strip, Yahya met his father, Zakaria, for the first time.
• UN rights chief 'shocked and appalled' by Israeli minister's comment on starving Gazans to death UN News 09 Aug 2024 -- The UN human rights office, OHCHR, called on Friday for the Israeli authorities to monitor senior officials whose public statements on the Gaza conflict may promote war crimes.
• Evacuation orders this week affect thousands in north and south Gaza UN News 09 Aug 2024 -- At least 60,000 Palestinians have moved towards western Khan Younis in Gaza in the past 72 hours following three evacuation orders this week, the UN and humanitarian partners reported on Friday.
• UNRWA Situation Report #127 on the situation in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. All information from 2 August- 7 August 2024, is valid as of 7 August 2024 at 22:30 UNRWA 09 Aug 2024
• White House slams Israeli finance minister for opposing Gaza talks VOA 09 Aug 2024 -- The White House blasted "extremists" in the Israeli government, saying they are standing in the way of a renewed push by the United States, Qatar and Egypt for a deal to halt the fighting in Gaza and secure the release of the hostages.
• Secretary Blinken's Call with Israeli Defense Minister Gallant US Dept. of State 09 Aug 2024
• Iran FM spox rebukes Islamic countries for not supporting Palestine in practice IRNA 09 Aug 2024 -- Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nasser Kanaani has criticized the inaction of Islamic countries in defending Palestine.
• Sinwar's appointment proves path of resistance 'eternal': Leader's advisor Press TV 09 Aug 2024 -- The appointment of Yahya Sinwar as Hamas's new political leader signifies that Palestinians remain committed to resisting the Israeli regime and liberating Al-Quds, says Ali Akbar Velayati, a senior advisor to Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei.
• Iran's crushing revenge, heroic resistance to expedite Israel's annihilation: Quds Force chief Press TV 09 Aug 2024 -- Commander of the Quds Force of Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) says Iran's harsh punishment of the Israeli regime for the assassination of Hamas's political leader, Ismail Haniyeh, and anti-occupation struggle by the regional resistance front will speed up the Israeli regime's elimination.
• Regional players back Gaza cease-fire mediation VOA 09 Aug 2024 -- Several regional states added their voices Friday to a call from the three main mediators to finalize a cease-fire in Gaza and resume talks next week.
• Israel/Palestine: Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the EU in support of the call by the Leaders of the US, Egypt and Qatar to conclude ceasefire and hostages release negotiations EC/CEU 09 Aug 2024 -- The European Union fully supports the call by the Leaders of the US, Egypt and Qatar to conclude the ceasefire and hostages and detainees release deal.
• EU condemns Israel revoking Norwegian diplomats' status Press TV 09 Aug 2024 -- The European Union (EU) has strongly condemned Israel's decision to revoke the diplomatic status of Norway's envoys to the Palestinian Authority.
• The Government of Spain supports the call of the President of the United States, the President of Egypt and the Emir of Qatar to conclude and implement without further delay the ceasefire agreement in Gaza Spain MFA 09 Aug 2024
• No: 163, 9 August 2024, Regarding the Efforts to Achieve a Lasting Ceasefire in Gaza Republic of Turkey Ministry of Foreign Affairs 09 Aug 2024
• UK statement: Israel's revocation of Norwegian diplomats' status UK FCDO 09 Aug 2024 -- UK statement following Israel's decision to revoke the diplomatic status of 8 Norwegian diplomats
• Resumption of ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas: Foreign Secretary's statement UK FCDO 09 Aug 2024 -- Foreign Secretary David Lammy gave a statement on Qatar, Egypt and US calling for an immediate resumption of ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas.
• Egypt, Qatar, U.S. leaders urge Israel, Hamas to resume talks, finalize ceasefire deal People's Daily 09 Aug 2024 -- The leaders of Egypt, Qatar, and the United States on Thursday urged Israel and Hamas not to waste more time to finalize a ceasefire agreement and resume talks on Aug. 15.
• Hamas terms Israeli admission of genocide in Gaza major scandal IRNA 09 Aug 2024 -- Member of the Hamas Political Bureau Izzat Al-Rishq has described the confession of Bezalel Smotrich, Israeli far-right finance minister, regarding the genocide in the Gaza Strip as "a major scandal" for the Zionist regime.
• Hezbollah, Yemen resistance launch new operations against Israeli-linked targets IRNA 09 Aug 2024 -- The Lebanese Hezbollah Resistance Movement and Yemen's Ansarullah movement have conducted fresh operations against Israeli-linked targets.
• Hezbollah says scored 'direct hit' on Israeli troopers in 'Dovev Barracks' Press TV 09 Aug 2024 -- Lebanon's Hezbollah resistance movement has carried out yet another retaliatory strike against the Israeli forces deployed in the northern part of the occupied Palestinian territories.
• Hezbollah says targeted Israeli Iron Dome missile systems Press TV 09 Aug 2024 -- Hezbollah fighters have conducted multiple operations at the northern side of the Israeli-occupied territories, targeting various military installations in the area in retaliation for attacks on towns and villages in southern Lebanon.
• Yemeni forces, Iraqi resistance hit vital target in Israel Press TV 09 Aug 2024 -- Yemeni Armed Forces and the Islamic Resistance in Iraq carried out another joint operation against the Israeli regime in retaliation for the genocide in Gaza.

Other Conflicts

• No concern over Chinese warships tailing WPS quad drill flotilla Philippine News Agency 09 Aug 2024 -- There is no reason to be concerned over the presence of Chinese naval vessels in the first-ever multilateral maritime cooperative activity (MMCA) among the Philippines, Australia, Canada, and the United States in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
• Militants stage deadly raid on Pakistani army posts near Afghan border VOA 09 Aug 2024 -- A group of heavily armed militants launched coordinated attacks Friday on three Pakistan military posts near the border with Afghanistan, reportedly killing several security personnel and wounding many more.
• Four soldiers injured in Israeli aggression on central Syria Press TV 09 Aug 2024 -- At least four Syrian soldiers have been injured when Israeli aircraft conducted strikes on several military installations and buildings in central Syria.
• Myanmar's junta loses first regional command base since 2021 coup VOA 09 Aug 2024 -- Armed groups in Myanmar fighting the country's military regime are making major, even "historic," gains in the northeast since the breakdown of a cease-fire in June, experts tell VOA, setting up a possible push toward Mandalay, the country's second-largest city.
• Some 5,000 Rohingya who fled recent fighting waiting to cross to Bangladesh Radio Free Asia 09 Aug 2024 -- Approximately 5,000 minority Rohingya Muslims attempting to flee from this week's fighting in western Myanmar have been waiting for several days near the Naf River for an opportunity to cross into Bangladesh, residents said.
• Myanmar junta authorities prevent young adults from leaving the country by air Radio Free Asia 09 Aug 2024 -- Myanmar authorities under the ruling junta are now preventing young adults who want to get jobs abroad from leaving the country via Yangon's international airport, people with knowledge of the situation said.
• Four more killed in sweeping crackdown in Myanmar's Sagaing Radio Free Asia 09 Aug 2024 -- Myanmar junta forces shelled a village in the Sagaing region killing four people, residents said, in the latest attack in an anti-insurgent campaign in which hundreds of homes have been torched and thousands of villagers have been displaced, residents said on Friday.
• Female delegates to join Sudan peace talks, address gender violence VOA 09 Aug 2024 -- Representatives from female-led Sudanese civil society groups are planning to take part in next week's Sudan peace talks in Geneva, a significant gesture of inclusion in addressing widespread gender-based violence in the 15-month conflict.
• Sudan's displaced millions face escalating hardship amid war and floods UN News 09 Aug 2024 -- Millions of displaced people in Sudan, already suffering from the devastating impact of a nearly 16-month-long war, are now grappling with worsening conditions due to heavy seasonal rains and flooding, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said on Friday.
• Mindanao peace process a good model for strife-stricken regions: JICA Philippine News Agency 09 Aug 2024 -- The establishment of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) is a testament that even some of the most complex conflicts could be resolved through constructive dialogue, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has said.

News Reports

• Memorandum on the Continuation of U.S. Drug Interdiction Assistance to the Government of Colombia The White House 09 Aug 2024
• Russian-German National Extradited for Illegally Exporting to Russia Sensitive U.S.-Sourced Microelectronics with Military Applications in Violation of U.S. Export Controls US Dept. of Justice 09 Aug 2024 -- Arthur Petrov, 33, a dual Russian and German national, made his initial appearance in federal court today, following his extradition from the Republic of Cyprus for criminal offenses related to export control violations, smuggling, wire fraud and money laundering. Petrov allegedly participated in a scheme to procure U.S.-sourced microelectronics subject to U.S. export controls on behalf of a Russia-based supplier of critical electronics components for manufacturers supplying weaponry and other equipment to the Russian military.
• Dual Russian-German Citizen Held In U.S. For Operating Alleged 'Tech-Trafficking Syndicate' RFE/RL 09 Aug 2024 -- A dual Russian-German citizen has been ordered held without bail in New York City on charges that he conspired to smuggle U.S. microelectronics to military manufacturers in Russia to aid its war in Ukraine.
• Deadly Turning Points Over Vladimir Putin's 25 Years In Power RFE/RL 09 Aug 2024 -- A quarter-century ago, on August 9, 1999, Russian President Boris Yeltsin picked Vladimir Putin as prime minister and anointed the then little-known former KGB operative as his successor, urging Russians to vote for him in the presidential election the following year.
• Press release on the approval of a draft international convention on combating cybercrime by the United Nations Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 09 Aug 2024
• Russia, China Agree to Strengthen Coordination in Use of Space Sputnik 09 Aug 2024 -- Russia and China have agreed to strengthen coordination in the use and exploration of outer space, as well as ensuring the safety of such activities, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning's Remarks on August 9, 2024 PRC MofA 09 Aug 2024
• Australia, Canada stress cross-strait peace in defense statement CNA 09 Aug 2024 -- Australia and Canada released a joint statement on Friday regarding the strengthening of their bilateral defense relationship, which reaffirmed the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson's Remarks on Japan's Recent Detainment of Taiwan's Fishing Boats PRC MofA 09 Aug 2024
• PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan ROC MND 09 Aug 2024
• No sign of North Korean missile launchers arriving on southern border: Seoul Radio Free Asia 09 Aug 2024 -- There is no sign of North Korea deploying missile launchers toward its border with South Korea, the South's military said on Friday, casting doubt on a North Korean announcement that it was sending 250 new tactical ballistic missile launchers to the border.
• Assistant Secretary Kritenbrink Participates in Trilateral Consultations on the DPRK US Dept. of State 09 Aug 2024 -- Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel J. Kritenbrink, Republic of Korea (ROK) Vice Foreign Minister for Strategy and Intelligence Cho Koo-rae, and Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director General for Asian and Oceanian Affairs Namazu Hiroyuki, held a trilateral phone call on August 6 to discuss current developments related to the DPRK.
• Iran has no goal to accelerate cyber activities to influence US elections: UN mission Press TV 09 Aug 2024 -- Iran's permanent mission to the United Nations says the country has no goal or interest in "cyber activities" to influence the 2024 US presidential election.
• Imposing Sanctions and Visa Restrictions to Promote Accountability for the Lukashenka Regime US Dept. of State 09 Aug 2024 -- Today marks four years since the fraudulent presidential election in Belarus and the Lukashenka regime's violent repression of Belarusians living inside and outside the country.
• Joint Statement on Belarus US Dept. of State 09 Aug 2024 -- The text of the following statement was released by the Governments of the United States of America, Canada and the United Kingdom, and the European Union.
• Treasury Tightens Sanctions on Belarus's Military Support to Russia and Lukashenka Regime US Treasury 09 Aug 2024 -- Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is taking action against 19 individuals, 14 entities, and one aircraft pursuant to Belarus-related Executive Order (E.O.) 14038. This action targets persons involved in supporting Russia's war in Ukraine through military resource production and transshipment of goods to Russia, sanctions evasion on behalf of Belarusian defense entities, and revenue generation for Belarusian oligarchs in Alyaksandr Lukashenka's inner circle. OFAC is concurrently designating five of these targets—three individuals and two entities—pursuant to Russia-related E.O. 14024.
• UK announces new Belarus sanctions to mark anniversary of sham election UK FCDO 09 Aug 2024 -- The UK has sanctioned 4 individuals and 3 entities from Belarus in coordinated action with international partners.
• Minister Joly announces sanctions on fourth anniversary of fraudulent presidential elections in Belarus Canada 09 Aug 2024 -- The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced that Canada is imposing sanctions against ten individuals and six entities under the Special Economic Measures (Belarus) Regulations. These persons are sanctioned on the fourth anniversary of the fraudulent presidential elections in Belarus, in response to their involvement in ongoing and systematic human rights abuses in Belarus and support for Russia's illegal war of aggression against Ukraine.
• Backgrounder - Sanctions on fourth anniversary of fraudulent presidential elections in Belarus Canada 09 Aug 2024
• Foreign Ministry's statement on the 4th anniversary of peaceful protests of the Belarusian people against the fraudulent presidential elections Lithuania MFA 09 Aug 2024 -- On the fourth anniversary of the peaceful protests of the Belarusian people against the fraudulent presidential elections in Belarus, Lithuania expresses its solidarity with the people of Belarus in their fight for democracy and freedom.
• Astana Hosts 6th Consultative Meeting Of Central Asian Leaders RFE/RL 09 Aug 2024 -- The presidents of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan convened in the Kazakh capital, Astana, on August 9 to hold the sixth consultative meeting of the leaders of Central Asian states, the Kazakh president's office said.
• Transcript of the Press Briefing by the Spokesperson on Friday, 9 August 2024 Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs 09 Aug 2024
• Bangladesh seen heading toward political crisis VOA 09 Aug 2024 -- Nearly 80 hours after former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled Bangladesh amid violent protests that resulted in more than 300 fatalities, Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus was sworn in to lead the country's interim government.
• Statement following establishment of new interim government in Bangladesh Canada 09 Aug 2024
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson's Remarks on Bangladesh Forming an Interim Government PRC MofA 09 Aug 2024
• Jailed Cambodian opposition leader's final appeal denied Radio Free Asia 09 Aug 2024 -- Cambodia's Supreme Court on Friday upheld a three-year prison sentence handed down last year to Thach Setha, a senior leader of the country's embattled opposition, for "inciting" social chaos.
• Iran And Russia See Africa As A Land Of Opportunity RFE/RL 09 Aug 2024 -- Russia and Iran have both seen their international standing diminish in recent years. And as each seeks a way to boost their military and diplomatic influence, Africa looks like a land of opportunity.
• In Fugitive Oligarch's Long Shadow, Free Trips Recruit Hundreds Of Young Moldovans To Love Russia RFE/RL 09 Aug 2024 -- Attracted by free trips, haute cuisine, and a shot at millions of rubles in grants, hundreds of young people from Moldova have participated in a Russian outreach program with ties to Russian officials and a fugitive Moldovan oligarch that is aimed at rebranding Russia and "refriending" a new generation of politicians, journalists, and beauty queens.
• Today's Autocracies Are Networked In Efforts To Erode Democracy, Says Author Anne Applebaum RFE/RL 09 Aug 2024 -- Autocracies around the world have become increasingly mutually reinforcing in their competition with democratic societies, Pulitzer Prize winning U.S. journalist and historian Anne Applebaum said in an interview with Current Time.
• Azerbaijani Opposition Leader Faces Criminal Charges RFE/RL 09 Aug 2024 -- The chairman of the opposition Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan (AXCP), Ali Karimli, said on August 9 that a criminal case had been filed against him on charges of slander and insult, which he called "a falsification" by the authorities.
• World News in Brief: Ukraine attacks condemned, new cybercrime treaty, 'alarmingly high' executions in Iran UN News 09 Aug 2024 -- The outgoing UN senior humanitarian official in Ukraine condemned a deadly Russian attack on Friday that killed and injured dozens in the eastern town of Kostiantynivka, in the Donetsk region.
• UN: Climate change wreaks havoc through large parts of Africa VOA 09 Aug 2024 -- United Nations aid agencies warn climate change is wreaking havoc throughout large parts of eastern and southern Africa, worsening the plight of millions of people struggling to survive conflict, poverty, hunger and disease.