• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• Aug 18 U.S. Central Command Update CENTCOM 18 Aug 2024 -- In the past 24 hours, U.S. Central Command forces successfully destroyed one Iranian-backed Houthi uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) in a Houthi-controlled area of Yemen.

Defense Policy / Programs

• South Korea, US Begin Annual Major Joint Military Exercises Sputnik 18 Aug 2024 -- South Korea and the United States are beginning the annual major joint military exercises Ulchi Freedom Shield (UFS) to strengthen their joint defense readiness and ability to counter "threats from North Korea."
• US, Allies Execute Pacific Dragon 2024 Exercise US Navy 18 Aug 2024 -- Allied navies joined the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Missile Defense Agency to conduct the Pacific Dragon 2024 (PD24) ballistic missile defense exercise from July 29-Aug. 13, 2024, in waters around the Hawaiian Islands.
• Belarusian Leader Says One-Third Of Army Deployed To Ukraine Border RFE/RL 18 Aug 2024 -- Belarus has deployed nearly one-third of its troops to the border with Ukraine, the country's authoritarian leader Alyaksandr Lukashenka told Russia's state-run Rossia-1 television channel on August 18.
• China deploys advanced warplanes to Thailand for joint military drill Global Times 18 Aug 2024 -- The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) has sent some of its main combat aircraft to Thailand as the two countries' air forces ready to kick off a joint exercise on Sunday, with experts saying that friendly and confrontational exchanges between pilots from the two sides will boost military mutual trust as well as enhance skills.
• INDIAN NAVAL SHIP TABAR REACHES ESBJERG, DENMARK FOR A TWO DAY VISIT India PIB 18 Aug 2024 -- Indian Navy's frontline stealth frigate, INS Tabar commanded by Captain MR Harish arrived at Esbjerg, Denmark for a two-day visit
• Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh inaugurates new state-of-the-art ICG Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre building in Chennai India PIB 18 Aug 2024 -- Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh inaugurated the newly-constructed state-of-the-art Indian Coast Guard (ICG) Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre building in Chennai, Tamil Nadu on August 18, 2024
• House to allocate P50-B for AFP modernization program in 2025 Philippine News Agency 18 Aug 2024 -- The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will receive a record-high PHP50 billion budget for its modernization program in 2025, meant to build up the national defense capabilities amid continued tension in the West Philippine Sea.
• Secretary Blinken's Call with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud US Dept. of State 18 Aug 2024

Defense Industry

Other Conflicts

Ukraine Conflict News

Operation Iron Swords / Operation Al-Aqsa Flood

• Prime Minister's Office Statement Israel - Prime Minister 18 Aug 2024 -- "The hostage negotiation team updated the Prime Minister today on the status of the talks that took place in Doha."
• PM Netanyahu at the Start of the Government Meeting Israel - Prime Minister 18 Aug 2024 -- ""Israel is prepared for any threat - both defensively and offensively. We are determined to defend ourselves and to exact a very high price from any enemy who dares to attack us - from any arena whatsoever. At the same time, we are engaged in negotiations for the release of our hostages."
• Israeli president calls for removal of extremists from Netanyahu's cabinet over Gaza war Press TV 18 Aug 2024 -- The Israeli president, pressed by protesters who confronted him for not taking measures to return captives held in Gaza, called for the removal of minister Itamar Ben-Gvir from prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu's cabinet.
• Netanyahu turned down meeting with UK FM over London's ICC position: Report Press TV 18 Aug 2024 -- Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reportedly refused to meet with visiting British Foreign Secretary David Lammy, after the new Labour government decided to allow the warrants at the International Criminal Court (ICC) against senior Israeli officials to go ahead.
• Aug 17: 'Axis of Resistance' operations against Israeli occupation Press TV 18 Aug 2024
• 80 percent of Gaza infrastructure destroyed since Oct. 7 IRNA 18 Aug 2024 -- The Palestine Relief and Rescue Organization has reported that 80 percent of the Gaza Strip's infrastructure has been destroyed by the Zionist regime since October 7, 2023.
• Israeli fresh attacks martyr 48 Palestinians in Gaza IRNA 18 Aug 2024 -- Some 48 Palestinians were martyred in the Zionist regime's attacks on different areas of Gaza in the last 24 hours.
• Two more Israeli soldiers killed in Gaza IRNA 18 Aug 2024 -- The Israeli military has confirmed the death of two more soldiers during the offensive in the Gaza Strip.
• Israel reduces humanitarian safe zone in Gaza to only 11 percent: UNRWA Press TV 18 Aug 2024 -- The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees says Israel's new evacuation orders in the Gaza Strip have shrunk to only 11 percent of the so-called humanitarian zone for Palestinians in the besieged territory.
• Blinken renews push for Gaza cease-fire as Israeli attacks kill 28 VOA 18 Aug 2024 -- Israeli strikes killed 28 Palestinian civilians in new fighting in Gaza, including a woman and her six children, Palestinian health officials said.
• It's never too late for peace in the Middle East - we must break the cycle of violence UK FCDO 18 Aug 2024 -- David Lammy and Stéphane Séjourné write for The Observer on how a ceasefire could enable progress towards a two-state solution - the only long-term route to safety and security.
• Colombia officially approves ban on coal exports to Israel over its genocidal war Press TV 18 Aug 2024 -- Colombia has officially approved a ban on coal exports to Israel as punishment for its ten-month-long genocidal war against the Palestinians in Gaza.
• Colombia Halts Coal Exports to Israel - Decree Sputnik 18 Aug 2024 -- Colombia has suspended coal exports to Israel, according to a decree issued Sunday.
• Colombian president signs decree cutting coal exports to Israel IRNA 18 Aug 2024 -- Colombia's President Gustavo Petro has signed a decree banning coal exports to Israel over its genocidal war on Gaza.
• 'Israeli escalation in West Bank strengthens resistance' IRNA 18 Aug 2024 -- The Palestinian Islamic Jihad resistance movement says the Israeli escalation in the occupied West Bank will only strengthen the commitment of the Palestinian nation to stand firmly against the Zionist regime and its occupation.
• Forced displacement of Bedouins by Israel amounts to 'ethnic cleansing': Palestine Press TV 18 Aug 2024 -- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of the State of Palestine has said that the forced displacement of the Bedouin communities by the Israeli regime throughout the occupied Palestinian territory amounts to ethnic cleansing.
• Hamas rejects latest Gaza truce proposal, says Israel sets new conditions IRNA 18 Aug 2024 -- Palestinian resistance movement Hamas has rejected the latest Gaza ceasefire proposal discussed in Qatar, blaming the failure of talks on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for imposing new conditions and creating obstacles to reach a deal.
• Hamas responds to Doha proposal, says Netanyahu 'obstructing' ceasefire deal Press TV 18 Aug 2024 -- Hamas has squarely blamed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the failure to reach a ceasefire agreement in Gaza, following two days of talks in Doha that concluded on Friday, in which the Palestinian resistance movement did not participate
• US not really determined to establish ceasefire in Gaza: Hamas IRNA 18 Aug 2024 -- A senior official of the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas said in a statement that there is no real will on the part of the United States to establish a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.
• Israeli massacres won't douse flames of resistance: Hamas IRNA 18 Aug 2024 -- A spokesman for the Palestinian resistance movement Hama has said that the actions of the Zionist cabinet under Benjamin Netanyahu in the occupied territories and Gaza have reached the edge of mass massacres.
• US not really determined to achieve ceasefire in Gaza, says senior Hamas official Press TV 18 Aug 2024 -- A senior member of the Palestinian Hamas resistance movement says there is no real will on the part of the United States to establish a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.
• Hamas vows 'torrent of blood' after Israel assassinates 2 commanders in Jenin Press TV 18 Aug 2024 -- The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas' armed wing has vowed to face the Israeli regime with strong revenge following the latter's assassination of two of the unit's commanders in the occupied West Bank.
• Revised Gaza Ceasefire Proposal Includes New Israeli Conditions on Prisoner Swap - Hamas Sputnik 18 Aug 2024 -- The revised Gaza ceasefire proposal includes Israel's new conditions for the hostage swap and withdrawal from a number of clauses, Palestinian movement Hamas said on Sunday.
• Hamas Sees No Progress in Hostage Talks With Israel - Spokesperson Sputnik 18 Aug 2024 -- A spokesperson for Palestinian movement Hamas in Lebanon, Ahmad Abdul Hadi, said on Sunday that the first stage of the hostage talks had not shown any progress.
• Al Quds Brigades fire rockets at Zionist command base in Khan Yunis IRNA 18 Aug 2024 -- Al Quds Brigades, the armed wing of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), has carried out a rocket attack on a Zionist command base in Khan Yunis, southern Gaza.
• Hezbollah conducts fresh rocket, missile attacks on Zionist positions IRNA 18 Aug 2024 -- The Lebanese Hezbollah Resistance Movement has targeted the Israeli positions in northern occupied Palestinian territories with rockets and missiles.
• WSJ report on Fuad Shukr's assassination 'fabricated': Hezbollah IRNA 18 Aug 2024 -- Hezbollah has issued a strong rebuttal to a recent article by The Wall Street Journal offering a "fabricated" narrative on the assassination of senior military commander Fuad Shukr in an Israeli strike on Beirut last month.
• Hezbollah strikes making life difficult for Zionists in north Palestine: Report IRNA 18 Aug 2024 -- Life for thousands of Zionist settlers who have not evacuated from northern occupied territories has become increasingly challenging due to the ongoing cross-border attacks by Hezbollah in Lebanon, an Israeli media report said.
• Israel defense system alarmed by Hezbollah UAV near Netanyahu's house IRNA 18 Aug 2024 -- The Zionist regime's defense system issued a warning message on the presence of a reconnaissance drone belonging to the Lebanese resistance movement Hezbollah filming the private villa of Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
• Hezbollah rejects 'fabricated' WSJ report about Fuad Shukr's assassination Press TV 18 Aug 2024 -- Lebanon's Hezbollah has vehemently denied a "fabricated" story by the Wall Street Journal that claimed the assassination on July 30 of the resistance movement's high-ranking commander Fuad Shukr came as a result of "a major security breach in Hezbollah's internal communications network."
• Minister assures fuel shipment as Lebanon faces mass power outage IRNA 18 Aug 2024 -- Lebanon's Energy Minister Walid Fayyaz announced that new gas shipments from Egypt will soon arrive in this country to supply the fuel required for power plants. That after the country's power utility provider confirmed on Saturday a national power outage, affecting critical infrastructure.
• Israeli military alarmed by Hezbollah drone filming Netanyahu's home Press TV 18 Aug 2024 -- A reconnaissance drone belonging to the Lebanese resistance movement Hezbollah has infiltrated the northern part of the occupied territories, filming the private villa of the Israeli regime's prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu.

Other Conflicts

• PH ship in Escoda Shoal to protect sovereignty, go after poachers Philippine News Agency 18 Aug 2024 -- The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessel BRP Teresa Magbanua was deployed to Escoda Shoal solely to protect the country's sovereign rights and run after illegal fishing activities, not to provoke or escalate tension in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
• Taliban-Led Government Celebrates 105th Anniversary Of Afghan Independence RFE/RL 18 Aug 2024 -- Top officials of the Taliban-led government in Afghanistan marked 105 years of of the country's independence on August 18 by demanding mutual respect from the international community.
• Iranian cmdr. says border blocking will ensure sustainable security at joint border with Afghanistan IRNA 18 Aug 2024 -- An Iranian local Army commander at the country's northeast has hailed a plan for blocking the joint border with Afghanistan as ensuring sustainable security along the Iranian eastern borders.
• UN and partners report acute malnutrition surge in Government-controlled areas of Yemen UN News 18 Aug 2024 -- Acute malnutrition is escalating among children in Government-controlled areas in Yemen, UN agencies and partners said in a report published on Sunday.
• Acute malnutrition surges in Government of Yemen-controlled areas with extremely critical conditions reported in West Coast areas UNICEF 18 Aug 2024 -- Acute malnutrition is rapidly increasing in Government of Yemen (GoY)-controlled areas, with the West Coast experiencing "extremely critical" levels for the first time, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) Technical Working Group in Yemen said today.
• Putin, Aliyev to Discuss Azerbaijani-Armenian Settlement in Baku - Kremlin Sputnik 18 Aug 2024 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Azerbaijani counterpart, Ilham Aliyev, will discuss the Azerbaijani-Armenian settlement in Baku during the Russian leader's state visit and exchange views on several other issues, the Kremlin said on Sunday.
• Somali Leader Refuses to Negotiate With Ethiopia Until Recognition of Somalia Sovereignty Sputnik 18 Aug 2024 -- Somalian President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said on Saturday that the country refused to negotiate with Ethiopia until it recognized Somalia as an independent and sovereign state.
• WFP welcomes Adre Border opening as the food agency races to save lives in war-torn Sudan WFP 18 Aug 2024 -- The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) welcomes the news that the Adre border crossing from Chad into Sudan will be opened, as the aid agency is in a race against time to save lives in war-torn Sudan. Across the country, WFP is scaling up assistance to 14 areas either in famine or at risk of famine, largely located in Darfur, Kordofan, Khartoum, and Gezira, with the aim to support up to 8.4 million people by the end of the year.

News Reports

• Putin Arrives In Azerbaijan On Visit To Shore Up Kremlin's Ties With Baku Amid Souring Relations With Armenia RFE/RL 18 Aug 2024 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has arrived in Azerbaijan for a two-day state visit, the Kremlin's press service said on August 18.
• China's state security ministry unveils espionage disguised as wind measurement tower construction Global Times 18 Aug 2024 -- A few individual companies with ties to foreign intelligence agencies have quietly infiltrated areas around China's important confidential sites under the guise of building anemometer towers for wind measurement, and have illegally collected and secretly transmitted sensitive data overseas, posing a threat to China's state security, China's Ministry of State Security (MSS) revealed on Sunday.
• Wang Yi urges stronger cooperation to combat cross-border crime Global Times 18 Aug 2024 -- Chinese observers on Sunday hailed the significance of a proposal made by China's top diplomat Wang Yi, who underscored the urgent need for intensified regional cooperation to combat the growing threat of cross-border crime, including online gambling and telecom fraud, during a recent informal meeting with foreign ministers from Laos, Myanmar, and Thailand in Chiang Mai. Experts said that Wang's proposal embodies pragmatic cooperation in the region, with China's initiatives and leadership playing a crucial role.
• China digs up the past to shore up official version of history Radio Free Asia 18 Aug 2024 -- China is working on major archaeological projects with its neighbors in Central Asia in a bid to dig up fresh finds to shore up its official historical narrative and extend its regional soft power, experts told RFA Mandarin in recent interviews.
• Taiwan 'open' to restoring Honduras ties CNA 18 Aug 2024 -- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said on Sunday that Taiwan is open to "any opportunity" to enhance ties with Honduras, after an Honduran opposition leader suggested re-establishing ties with Taipei if elected president next year.
• Coast Guard boosting efforts to block Chinese fishing violations CNA 18 Aug 2024 -- Taiwan's Coast Guard Administration (CGA) officials said Sunday they are ramping up efforts to prevent Chinese fishing boats from operating across borders, noting that only sporadic violations have been reported so far.
• Mainland holds patrol in Taiwan Straits Global Times 18 Aug 2024 -- Fujian Maritime Safety Administration and Donghai Rescue Bureau, both under the Chinese Ministry of Transport, jointly conducted maritime patrol and law enforcement operations in the Taiwan Straits from Saturday to Sunday, with a total duration of 30.5 hours and a total cruising distance of 413 nautical miles.
• PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan ROC MND 18 Aug 2024
• Press Statement of Institute for American Studies of DPRK Foreign Ministry KCNA 18 Aug 2024 -- The Institute for American Studies of the Foreign Ministry of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea released the following press statement "To bolster up self-defensive power for defending security environment of Korean peninsula and region is urgent requirement of times" on August 18:
• Press Statement of Spokesman for DPRK Foreign Ministry KCNA 18 Aug 2024 -- A spokesman for the Foreign Ministry of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea released the following press statement titled "U.S. and its following forces will be made to pay dear price for their irresponsible act" on August 18:
• WPK Central Committee Sends Reply Message to General Council of United Russia Party KCNA 18 Aug 2024 -- The Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea sent a reply message to the General Council of the United Russia Party on August 17.
• Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un Receives Greetings from President of United Russia Party KCNA 18 Aug 2024 -- Kim Jong Un , general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, received a message of greeting from Dmitri Anatoliyevich Medvedev, president of the United Russia Party, on the occasion of the 79th anniversary of Korea's liberation.
• New Iranian admin. to prioritize relations with China, Russia, newly-emerged powers: Araqchi IRNA 18 Aug 2024 -- Abbas Araqchi, the foreign minister proposed by Iran's new president Masoud Pezeshkian, has said that China and Russia along with newly-emerged powers across the world will be top priorities in the Islamic Republic's foreign relations under the upcoming administration.
• Iran's natural gas grid expanded by 53,000 km since 2021 Press TV 18 Aug 2024 -- CEO of the National Iranian Gas Company (NIGC) says the gas grid in the country has expanded by 53,000 kilometers in the past three years.
• Abbas Araqchi, a former nuclear negotiator, vows to pursue removal of sanctions Press TV 18 Aug 2024 -- Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian's pick for foreign minister, Abbas Araqchi, says pursuing the "dignified and honorable" removal of sanctions will be a priority of the Foreign Ministry if his appointment is approved by the Parliament.
• Intelligence apparatuses of 53 states have Iran desk: Proposed min. IRNA 18 Aug 2024 -- The proposed minister of intelligence of the Islamic Republic of Iran has emphasized that the intelligence services of 53 countries have Iran sections, and many sabotage acts are carried out with the participation of different actors.
• Hungary Says Worries Over Loosened Entry Restrictions For Belarusians And Russians Unfounded RFE/RL 18 Aug 2024 -- Hungary has responded to a letter sent by Nordic and Baltic countries expressing concern about Budapest's decision to make it easier for Russian and Belarusian citizens to enter Hungary.
• Selection of Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra US Dept. of State 18 Aug 2024 -- On behalf of the United States, I congratulate Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra on her selection as Thailand's next prime minister.
• Thailand's newest pro-democracy party faces early legal challenge VOA 18 Aug 2024 -- Leaders of Thailand's newest pro-democracy party are under an ethics investigation that could see them cast out of the National Assembly over allegations echoing those that saw the party's predecessor dissolved by court order earlier this month.
• Minister assures fuel shipment as Lebanon faces mass power outage IRNA 18 Aug 2024 -- Lebanon's Energy Minister Walid Fayyaz announced that new gas shipments from Egypt will soon arrive in this country to supply the fuel required for power plants. That after the country's power utility provider confirmed on Saturday a national power outage, affecting critical infrastructure.