• 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

Defense Policy / Programs

• Innovation Lab pioneers remote start system for the KC-46 Pegasus US Air Force 19 Nov 2024 -- Airmen from the 22nd Air Refueling Wing Innovation Lab at McConnell Air Force Base invented a new remote start device for the KC-46A Pegasus called the Auxiliary Power Unit Start System this year.
• Global Unity: US, Australia, Canada and UK US Air Force 19 Nov 2024 -- In an era defined by rapid technology advancements and with a worldwide platform saturated with Great Power Competition, the Distributed Mission Operations Center on Kirtland Air Force Base, hosted its Virtual Flag: Coalition exercise, Oct. 21-Nov. 4.
• Executive Order Approving the Basic Principles of State Policy of the Russian Federation on Nuclear Deterrence President of Russia 19 Nov 2024 -- Vladimir Putin signed Executive Order Approving the Basic Principles of State Policy of the Russian Federation on Nuclear Deterrence.
• Putin Signs New Doctrine Widening Rules On Nuclear Weapons Use RFE/RL 19 Nov 2024 -- President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on November 19 updating and expanding Moscow's nuclear doctrine to allow for the use of atomic weapons in case of an attack on Russia by a nonnuclear actor that is backed by a nuclear power.
• Ukraine - Blanket Order Sustainment of U.S. Army Supplied Systems DSCA 19 Nov 2024 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Ukraine of Blanket Order Sustainment of U.S. Army Supplied Systems and related equipment for an estimated cost of $100 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress.
• Denmark Will Provide Ukraine with EUR 130 Million to Develop Its Defense Industry President of Ukraine 19 Nov 2024
• Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Mette Frederiksen Inspected Ukrainian Long-Range Drones Procured with Denmark's Support President of Ukraine 19 Nov 2024
• UK marks 1,000th day of full-scale invasion of Ukraine as training programme hits 50,000 UK MOD 19 Nov 2024 -- The UK is expanding military support for Ukraine with funding to provide new drone capabilities, on the the 1,000th day of Putin's illegal full-scale invasion.
• Taiwan to buy $2.2 bln of US weapons after Trump urged more spending Radio Free Asia 19 Nov 2024 -- Taiwan plans to spend 70.6 billion New Taiwan dollars (US$2.2 billion) on American weapons next year, confirming recent speculation that it would make big new purchases to signal its commitment to President-elect Donald Trump's suggestion that it pay more for U.S. "protection."
• EU defence cooperation: Council approves conclusions on the PESCO Strategic Review EC/CEU 19 Nov 2024 -- The Council approved conclusions on the Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) Strategic Review.
• Foreign Affairs Council (Defence): Press remarks by High Representative Josep Borrell ahead of the meeting European External Action Service (EEAS) 19 Nov 2024 -- Check against delivery!
• North Macedonia: New Security and Defence Partnership with the EU to strengthen capabilities and cooperation European External Action Service (EEAS) 19 Nov 2024 -- On 19 November, the EU and North Macedonia signed a Security and Defence Partnership.
• Norway to invite France, Germany, UK and US to discussions on strategic partnership for new frigates for the Royal Norwegian Navy Government of Norway 19 Nov 2024 -- The Norwegian Ministry of Defence today announced its intention to invite the French, German, British and US governments to begin discussions regarding a potential strategic partnership for deliveries of new frigates to replace the Royal Norwegian Navy's current Fridtjof Nansen-class.
• Republic of Korea - F-15K Aircraft Upgrade DSCA 19 Nov 2024 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Republic of Korea of F-15K Aircraft Upgrade and related elements of logistics and program support for an estimated cost of $6.2 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.
• Published Letter of Intent (LOI) between Sweden and Lithuania Government Offices of Sweden 19 Nov 2024 -- On 19 November 2024, Sweden's Minister for Defence Pål Jonson and Lithuania's Minister of Defence Laurynas Kačiūnas signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) on strengthened defence cooperation between Sweden and Lithuania.
• Sweden and Lithuania sign Letter of Intent Government Offices of Sweden 19 Nov 2024 -- On 19 November, Sweden's Minister for Defence Pål Jonson met with Lithuania's Minister of Defence Laurynas Kačiūnas. During the meeting, a Letter of Intent (LOI) on strengthened defence cooperation between Sweden and Lithuania was signed.
• Vietnam receives first US military aircraft Radio Free Asia 19 Nov 2024 -- A batch of five Beechcraft T-6C Texan II - the first military aircraft provided by the U.S. to Vietnam - has arrived in Tan Son Nhat airport in Ho Chi Minh City, witnesses told Radio Free Asia.

Defense Industry

Other Conflicts

Ukraine Conflict News

Operation Iron Swords / Operation Al-Aqsa Flood

• UNRWA Situation Report #11 on the Syria emergency response to displacement from Lebanon: All information from 11-17 November 2024, valid as of 18 November at 14:00 UNRWA 19 Nov 2024
• As Security Council Meeting on Middle East Concludes, Regional Delegations Condemn Israel's Aggression, Urge Adoption of Resolution for Immediate Ceasefire in Gaza UN Security Council 19 Nov 2024 -- As the Security Council meeting of 18 November concluded, regional delegations, condemning the horrific aggression being wrought upon the Palestinian people by Israel, along with that country's attacks against Lebanon, urged the 15‑nation organ to adopt a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza before famine consumes it and the dangerously escalating violence engulfs the entire Middle East. (For background, please see Press Release SC/15902.)
• Lebanon's Escalating Violence on Children UNICEF 19 Nov 2024 -- espite more than 200 children killed in Lebanon in less than two months, a disconcerting pattern has emerged: their deaths are met with inertia from those able to stop this violence.
• Lebanon: Increased violence is the 'horrific new normal' for children, warns UNICEF UN News 19 Nov 2024 -- Andrea Tenenti, spokesperson for the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), told reporters in Geneva that ground clashes inside Lebanon - some of them very close to UNIFIL positions - have become "more violent".
• US envoy sees 'real opportunity' to end Hezbollah-Israel conflict VOA 19 Nov 2024 -- A U.S. diplomat expressed hope Tuesday about a possible cease-fire agreement that would end fighting between Israel and the Iran-backed Lebanese militia Hezbollah.
• Treasury Targets Key Hamas Leaders and Financiers US Treasury 19 Nov 2024 -- Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is designating six senior Hamas officials, including the terrorist group's representatives abroad, a senior member of the Hamas military wing, the Izz Al-Din Al-Qassam Brigades, as well as individuals involved in supporting the terrorist group's fundraising efforts and weapons smuggling into Gaza.

Other Conflicts

• Myanmar military steps up airstrikes in Shan state, Mandalay; dozens of casualties Radio Free Asia 19 Nov 2024 -- Myanmar military airstrikes in northern Shan state and Mandalay region have killed about 30 civilians over the past week, an insurgent spokeswoman and residents said, as the military intensifies its attacks in a bid to re-capture territory lost over the past year.
• Chinese Foreign Ministry says rebel army's leader is not under house arrest Radio Free Asia 19 Nov 2024 -- China's Foreign Ministry on Tuesday denied reports that the leader of an ethnic rebel army was being held under house arrest in Yunnan province, which borders Myanmar's Shan state.
• ICC Prosecutor appeals for global support to bring Libyan war criminals to justice\ UN News 19 Nov 2024 -- The Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Tuesday called on the UN Security Council to help execute arrest warrants against suspects allegedly linked to a brutal Libyan militia blamed for committing atrocity crimes in the town of Tarhuna, where mass graves were discovered in 2020.
• Briefing Security Council, Chief Prosecutor Urges Member States' Cooperation in Executing Arrest Warrants against Those Suspected of War Crimes in Libyan Town UN Security Council 19 Nov 2024 -- In his bi-annual briefing today to the Security Council on the situation in Libya, the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) urged Member States' cooperation in executing arrest warrants against those suspected of war crimes committed in the town of Tarhuna, spotlighting the recent unsealing of arrest warrants for individuals linked to the Al Kaniyat militia, and Libyan authorities' collaboration to pursue accountability.
• Separatist Leader Of Georgia's Breakaway Abkhazia Resigns Amid Protests RFE/RL 19 Nov 2024 -- The de facto leader of Georgia's Moscow-backed breakaway Abkhazia region has signed his resignation amid ongoing protests by opposition supporters against a property deal with Russia.
• UN chief alarmed by mounting violence in Haiti UN News 19 Nov 2024 -- UN Secretary-General António Guterres is alarmed by the escalating violence in Haiti, where armed gangs are reportedly gaining ground in the capital Port-au-Prince, his Spokesperson said on Tuesday.
• Statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General - on Haiti UN Secretary-General 19 Nov 2024
• Humanitarian flights to resume in Haiti as WFP continues to deliver food assistance WFP 19 Nov 2024 -- The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) today announced that its humanitarian flights will resume on 20 November after regulatory issues were resolved following a short interruption. The WFP-run United Nations Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) provides vital passenger and light-cargo transport within Haiti for the entire humanitarian community including local and international NGOs and UN entities.

News Reports

• Europeans Probe Baltic Cable Damage As Suspicions Turn Toward Russia RFE/RL 19 Nov 2024 -- European government and the United States have accused Russia of intensifying "hybrid attacks" following reports that Baltic Sea fiber-optic communications cables were damaged by suspected sabotage, although they have not yet directly tied Moscow to the damage.
• Assistance from the Swedish Coast Guard concerning damaged cables in the Baltic Swedish Coast Guard 19 Nov 2024 -- The Swedish Police Authority has launched a preliminary investigation in response to the damaged cables in the Baltic Sea. The case is being led by a prosecutor within the Swedish Prosecution Authority.
• Statement regarding damaged communications cable by the Swedish and Lithuanian ministers for defence Government Offices of Sweden 19 Nov 2024 -- We are deeply concerned by the severed undersea cable connecting Lithuania and Sweden in the Baltic Sea. Situations like these must be assessed with the growing threat posed by Russia in our neighbourhood as a backdrop. This includes an increased number of hybrid activities in Europe. Safeguarding our shared critical infrastructure is vital to our security and the resilience of our societies."
• Statement regarding damaged communications cable by the Lithuanian and Swedish ministers for defence Lithuania MND 19 Nov 2024 -- "We are deeply concerned by the severed undersea cable connecting Lithuania and Sweden in the Baltic Sea. Situations like these must be assessed with the growing threat posed by Russia in our neighbourhood as a backdrop. This includes an increased number of hybrid activities in Europe. Safeguarding our shared critical infrastructure is vital to our security and the resilience of our societies."
• Treasury Targets Fentanyl Traffickers and Other Key Contributors to U.S. Opioid Crisis US Treasury 19 Nov 2024 -- Today, the Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned a network of nine Mexican nationals involved in fentanyl, heroin, and other deadly drug trafficking and money laundering. Individuals designated in this network also engage in human smuggling in furtherance of their drug trafficking activities. Additionally, as members of the Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generacion (CJNG), some of the individuals sanctioned today played a prominent role in the early stages of the U.S. opioid crisis, a leading factor driving the United States' modern fentanyl crisis. CJNG is a violent Mexico-based drug trafficking organization responsible for a significant proportion of fentanyl and other deadly drugs trafficked into the United States.
• Meeting with leader of New People party Alexei Nechayev President of Russia 19 Nov 2024 -- Vladimir Putin had a working meeting with Head of the New People party faction in the State Duma Alexei Nechayev at the Kremlin.
• Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's meeting with Foreign Minister of China Wang Yi Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 19 Nov 2024
• Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's opening remarks at a meeting with Foreign Minister of China Wang Yi on the sidelines of the G20 Summit, Rio de Janeiro, November 18, 2024 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 19 Nov 2024
• Joint Declaration by the Foreign Ministers of Germany, France, Poland, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom in Warsaw, 19 November UK FCDO 19 Nov 2024 -- The Foreign Ministers of the Weimar Triangle from Germany, France and Poland discussed European security with the Foreign Ministers of Italy, Spain and the UK.
• Hong Kong jails 45 democracy activists for up to 10 years Radio Free Asia 19 Nov 2024 -- A Hong Kong court jailed 45 democracy supporters for up to 10 years on Tuesday at the end of the city's biggest national security trial that has damaged its reputation as an outpost of freedom in Greater China and drawn criticism from the United States and other Western countries.
• Hong Kong: 45 activists sentenced under controversial National Security Law UN News 19 Nov 2024 -- The Human Rights Office (OHCHR) has expressed grave concern over the sentencing of 45 opposition activists in Hong Kong to up to 10 years in prison under China's National Security Law, highlighting the potential erosion of fundamental freedoms in the region.
• Hong Kong: Statement by the Spokesperson on the sentencing in the "Hong Kong 47" case European External Action Service (EEAS) 19 Nov 2024 -- The sentencing to prison terms on 19 November of 45 pro-democracy politicians and activists in the case commonly known as "Hong Kong 47" is another unprecedented blow against fundamental freedoms, democratic participation and pluralism in Hong Kong.
• Jailing of 45 Hong Kong democracy activists sparks international outcry Radio Free Asia 19 Nov 2024 -- The governments of the U.S., U.K. and Australia, and the United Nations, on Tuesday slammed the sentencing of 45 democracy activists and former lawmakers for up to 10 years for "subversion," amid growing calls for further sanctions on Hong Kong and the expansion of lifeboat visa schemes for those fleeing the ongoing political crackdown in the city.
• Iran increases its near weapons-grade uranium VOA 19 Nov 2024 -- Iran has increased its supply of uranium that has been enriched to 60% purity, according to confidential International Atomic Energy Agency reports sent to member states and seen by several news agencies.
• Sok Chenda Sophea out as Cambodia's foreign minister Radio Free Asia 19 Nov 2024 -- Cambodia's former foreign minister Prak Sokhonn will soon return to the role after the country's lawmakers vote on a cabinet reshuffle, the National Assembly said in a statement Tuesday.
• Georgian Protesters Resume Rally After Police Violently Disperse Crowds RFE/RL 19 Nov 2024 -- Georgian anti-government protesters resumed their rallies at several points in Tbilisi in the evening on November 19 hours following a violent dispersal by security forces of a tent city they had set up in the Caucasus nation's capital.
• Wider Europe Briefing: Georgia's Vanishing EU Dreams RFE/RL 19 Nov 2024
• Opposition leader wins Somaliland presidential contest VOA 19 Nov 2024 -- The Somaliland electoral commission announced Tuesday that opposition leader Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi "Irro" defeated incumbent Muse Bihi Abdi for the presidency of the breakaway region located on the Horn of Africa.
• Qataris say no to popular elections for legislature VOA 19 Nov 2024 -- Qataris have voted away the right to elect their own legislators, ending a short-lived experiment with participatory democracy in a region where authoritarian leadership is the norm.