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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
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Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• CENTCOM Forces Kill ISIS Operatives, Destroy Truckload of Weapons in Syria Airstrike CENTCOM 23 Dec 2024 -- On Dec. 23, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces conducted a precision airstrike in the Dayr az Zawr Province, Syria, killing two ISIS operatives and wounding one.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Department of Defense Awards $253.7 Million to Expand Facilities for Gas Turbine Engine Production DoD 23 Dec 2024 -- The Department of Defense announced today a $253.7 million award to Williams International (Williams) via the Defense Production Act (DPA).
• Statement by Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III on Congressional Passage of Another Continuing Resolution DoD 23 Dec 2024
• Department of the Air Force streamlines IT functions US Air Force 23 Dec 2024 -- The Department of the Air Force is aligning Headquarters Cyberspace Capabilities Center at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, as a Field Operating Agency to the Office of the Department of the Air Force chief information officer to streamline and consolidate information technology functions effective Dec. 20.
• USS COLE Returns From Deployment to Fifth and Sixth Fleets US Navy 23 Dec 2024 -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Cole (DDG 67) returned to Naval Station Norfolk, Dec. 23, after being deployed for more than seven months to the U.S. Naval Forces Europe - Africa and U.S. Naval Forces Central Command areas of operation
• Navy Uses First-of-Their-Kind Simulators to Train Carrier Air Wings at Sea US Navy 23 Dec 2024 -- Aviators across USS Abraham Lincoln's (CVN 72) carrier air wing now train as a joint fighting force while deployed at sea in advanced simulators thanks to aviation pros across the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) enterprise.
• Future USS Iowa Delivered to U.S. Navy US Navy Press Release 23 Dec 2024 -- The U.S. Navy Submarine Force's newest attack submarine, the future USS Iowa (SSN 797) was delivered to the Navy on Dec. 22, 2024, marking the 12th battle force ship delivered to the Navy this calendar year.
• US ship departs Cambodia after first port visit in nearly a decade VOA 23 Dec 2024 -- The USS Savannah departed from Cambodia last Friday, after the first port visit by the U.S. Navy to the Southeast Asian nation in eight years. Despite being a close partner of China, analysts say the stop in Cambodia's port city of Sihanoukville shows that the country is looking to improve its relations with the United States.
• Red Dragons Hone Sling Load Skills During Drill Weekend Army News 23 Dec 2024 -- Virginia Army National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, conducted sling load training Dec. 7at Blackstone Army Airfield.
• More than 3,000 North Koreans killed, wounded in Russia's Kursk: Zelenskyy Radio Free Asia 23 Dec 2024 -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said more than 3,000 North Korean soldiers had been killed or wounded in Russia's Kursk region, while South Korea said the North appeared to be preparing to send more troops and military equipment to Russia.
• South Korea says North Korea preparing to send more troops, weapons to Russia VOA 23 Dec 2024 -- South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said Monday there are indications that North Korea is preparing to send more troops and weapons to support Russia's war effort in Ukraine.
• The arms and military equipment Germany is sending to Ukraine Germany - Federal Government 23 Dec 2024 -- Germany provides support for Ukraine by supplying equipment and weapons, these come from supplies of the Federal Arms Forces and from deliveries from industry financed from the Federal Government's funds for security capacity building. An overview.
• Chinese defense ministry rebuts US military assistance and arms sales to Taiwan, urging US to stop fanning flames in Taiwan Straits Global Times 23 Dec 2024 -- Wu Qian, a spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, stated on Monday that US military assistance and arms sales to Taiwan seriously violate the one-China principle and the three China-US joint communiqués, particularly the August 17 Communiqué. These actions constitute blatant interference in China's internal affairs and send incorrect signals to the "Taiwan independence" separatist forces, severely undermining peace and stability in the Taiwan Straits.
• 99% of 1-year conscripts passed required tests: Executive Yuan CNA 23 Dec 2024 -- Nearly 99 percent of the 5,000-plus conscripts serving the longer one-year compulsory military service since the start of 2024 have passed required boot camp tests, a government official said Monday.
• ADV Reliant to visit Kiribati, Tonga and Solomon Islands Australia DOD 23 Dec 2024 -- Australia's Pacific Support Vessel, Australian Defence Vessel (ADV) Reliant, has departed Brisbane on its first deployment of 2025.
• IRGC says Iran's power exceeds borders, warns enemies to adjust themselves Press TV 23 Dec 2024 -- The chief commander of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) says the dimensions of Iran's might and strength exceed the Islamic Republic's borders, advising the country's enemies to set up their arrangements in line with the country's power.
• British soldiers successfully test drone killer radiowave weapon for first time UK MOD 23 Dec 2024 -- British soldiers have successful trialled for the first time a game-changing weapon that can take down a swarm of drones using radio waves for less than the cost of a pack of mince pies.
• Philippines' introduction of US Typhon mid-range missile system a provocative and dangerous move: Chinese FM Global Times 23 Dec 2024 -- In response to the Philippine military's plan to acquire the US Typhon mid-range missile system, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated at a regular press conference on Monday that the Chinese side has repeatedly elaborated its solemn stance of firm opposition on the US' deployment of mid-range missiles in the Philippines.
• PH Army eyes platforms that will allow it to defend EEZ Philippine News Agency 23 Dec 2024 -- The Philippine Army (PA) is looking for weapons systems or platforms that will give it the capability to defend the country's 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ), its chief said on Monday.
• Chinese navy steps up training for Cambodians before ship transfer Radio Free Asia 23 Dec 2024 -- Two Chinese warships stationed at Cambodia's Ream naval base have been away from port for days in a row, most likely to conduct training patrols with the Cambodian navy, according to a military expert.
• Accelerating modernisation of the Slovenian Armed Forces in line with the adopted plans, we are gradually increasing defence spending towards 2% of GDP Republic of Slovenia 23 Dec 2024 -- Slovenia continues to see positive trends in the level of defence spending, both in nominal terms and as a share of gross domestic product (GDP).
• Secretary Blinken's Call with Mauritian Prime Minister Ramgoolam US Dept. of State 23 Dec 2024
• Readout of National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan's Call with Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus of Bangladesh The White House 23 Dec 2024
• United States Welcomes Liechtenstein's Signing of the Artemis Accords US Dept. of State 23 Dec 2024 -- Liechtenstein became the 52nd signatory of the Artemis Accords at a ceremony at NASA headquarters today.

Defense Industry

• Contracts For Dec. 23, 2024

Other Conflicts

Ukraine Conflict News
• 23 December 2024 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 23 Dec 2024

Operation Iron Swords / Operation Al-Aqsa Flood

• Netanyahu: 'Some progress' in negotiating release of hostages in Gaza VOA 23 Dec 2024 -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a speech Monday in the Knesset that there has been "some progress" in the ongoing negotiations to secure the release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza.
• Dec. 22: 'Axis of Resistance' operations against Israeli occupation Press TV 23 Dec 2024
• Zionist army's armored division lost 235 soldiers in Gaza: Report IRNA 23 Dec 2024 -- The Zionist newspaper Haaretz has revealed the killing of 235 soldiers from Israel's 162nd Armored Division since the beginning of the regime's genocidal war against Palestinians in the besieged Gaza Strip.
• Qassam Brigades claims killing 3 Israeli troops in northern Gaza Press TV 23 Dec 2024 -- The Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of the Hamas resistance movement, says it has killed three Israeli soldiers during an operation in the northern Gaza Strip.
• Oxfam says only 12 trucks delivered aid in North Gaza amid Israeli siege since October Press TV 23 Dec 2024 -- The charity group Oxfam says only 12 trucks were able to distribute aid to trapped people in the besieged North Gaza governorate in the past two and a half months, amid Israel's "deliberate delays and systematic obstructions."
• Mikati demands Israel's withdrawal from south Lebanon Press TV 23 Dec 2024 -- Lebanon's Prime Minister Najib Mikati has called on the United States and France to help speed up the Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon nearly a month after the ceasefire between the Israeli regime and Lebanon took effect.
• Only 3 per cent of UN emergency food aid getting to desperate Gazans UN News 23 Dec 2024 -- Since October, when Israeli forces launched a ground offensive in northern Gaza, only three per cent of food and water deliveries organized by the UN World Food Programme (WFP) have been permitted to enter areas in northern Gaza.
• UN relief chief calls on international community to "break the cycle of violence" in Gaza - Statement by Tom Fletcher, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, on the Occupied Palestinian Territory UNOCHA 23 Dec 2024
• 'Clock ticking': UNRWA slams unjustifiable killing of children in Gaza Press TV 23 Dec 2024 -- Head of the UN's agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) Philippe Lazzarini warns that the clock was ticking for the Palestinian children in Gaza, saying the ongoing massacre in the war-torn Strip is unjustifiable.
• Hamas condemns PA's anti-resistance measures in occupied West Bank IRNA 23 Dec 2024 -- The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas has condemned measures taken by the Palestinian Authority's security forces in the Jenin refugee camp in the occupied West Bank.
• Israel regime's annexation of occupied West Bank already started: Report IRNA 23 Dec 2024 -- Israeli newspaper Haaretz says that the regime in Tel Aviv has started a gradual process to annex parts of the occupied West Bank to the occupied Palestinian territories.
• Yemeni Armed Forces launch drone attacks in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza Press TV 23 Dec 2024 -- Explosive-laden drones launched from Yemen have struck Israeli military centers within the occupied territories, as Yemeni Armed Forces continue their operations against various Israeli assets in reprisal for the Tel Aviv regime's genocide against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
• Ansarullah says 'Israeli terrorists' incapable of confronting Yemen, warns of secret weapons Press TV 23 Dec 2024 -- Yemen's Ansarullah resistance movement has called the Israeli regime "powerless" in its efforts to face up to Yemen's anti-Israeli strikes in the occupied Palestinian territories and elsewhere.

Other Conflicts

• Tel Aviv tells Damascus Israeli forces will remain in occupied territory: Report Press TV 23 Dec 2024 -- The Israeli regime reportedly informed Syria's new administration that the occupation troops will remain stationed at a so-called "buffer zone" inside the occupied Syrian Golan Heights "for now."
• Saudi delegation meets HTS leader at presidential palace in Damascus Press TV 23 Dec 2024 -- A delegation from Saudi Arabia has met and held negotiations with the leader of Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) militant group, Abu Mohammad al-Julani, in the Syrian capital Damascus.
• Turkey Replacing Iran As The Dominant Foreign Player In Syria RFE/RL 23 Dec 2024 -- The fall of Bashar al-Assad's government at the hands of rebels, including Ankara-backed factions, has effectively made Turkey the dominant foreign actor in Syria at the expense of Iran and its ally Russia.
• Syria: UN investigators call for protecting evidence amid worsening humanitarian crisis UN News 23 Dec 2024 -- The humanitarian crisis in Syria continues to escalate, with millions struggling to access basic resources as fuel shortages and damaged infrastructure hinder relief efforts, the UN reported on Monday.
• Syria: Evidence of gross human rights violations and international crimes must be preserved, say experts OHCHR 23 Dec 2024 -- Documentation and preservation of evidence of gross violations of human rights and international humanitarian law committed during years of conflict and authoritarianism are critical to ensure truth and accountability in this pivotal moment of early transition in Syria, a group of independent human rights experts* said today.
• Yemen bears world's highest cholera burden, deepening humanitarian crisis UN News 23 Dec 2024 -- Yemen has reported the highest global burden of cholera, with nearly 250,000 suspected cases and 861 associated deaths as of 1 December, accounting for 35 per cent of worldwide cholera cases and 18 per cent of related deaths this year, the UN World Health Organization (WHO) said on Monday.
• Security Council Press Statement on Haiti UN Security Council 23 Dec 2024 -- The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Linda Thomas-Greenfield (United States):
• Over 207 executed in Port-au-Prince massacre: UN report UN News 23 Dec 2024 -- A little over two weeks after a surge of violence in the Cité Soleil commune of Haiti's capital, Port-au-Prince, a UN report has concluded that more than 207 people were executed by the Wharf Jérémie gang.
• India-China frozen ties witness thaw in 2024 VOA 23 Dec 2024 -- After a four-and-a-half-year military standoff along their disputed Himalayan border, ties between India and China witnessed a thaw in 2024 with both sides withdrawing troops from two flashpoints. But analysts say mistrust remains a key hurdle to restoration of friendly ties between the Asian giants.
• Ethnic rebels claim to control up to 85% of Myanmar's Chin state Radio Free Asia 23 Dec 2024 -- Ethnic Chin and Rakhine rebels now control 85% of western Myanmar's Chin state and expect to seize control of another key township from the country's military soon, a Chin official said Monday.
• Myanmar junta chief urges peace after troops suffer setbacks Radio Free Asia 23 Dec 2024 -- Myanmar's junta chief has reiterated a call for insurgents battling to end military rule to make peace, saying his government was strengthening democracy, his latest offer of talks as his forces suffer a string of setbacks.
• Kosovo Election Authority Bans Ethnic Serbian Party From Elections RFE/RL 23 Dec 2024 -- Kosovo's Central Election Commission (CEC) has decided not to certify the main ethnic Serbian party, effectively barring it from competing in the February 9 parliamentary elections.

News Reports

• China informs relevant countries in advance on Yi Peng 3 resuming voyage, willing to maintain communication in follow-up handling: FM Global Times 23 Dec 2024 -- In response to a report by Financial Times that Sweden criticized China for refusing to allow the Nordic country's main investigator on board a Chinese vessel which likely severed Baltic Sea cables, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated on Monday that, to her knowledge, China has invited representatives from Germany, Sweden, Finland, and Denmark to participate in joint fact-finding investigations and has provided relevant data and information with them.
• US charges man with infiltrating local California politics as 'illegal' Chinese agent Radio Free Asia 23 Dec 2024 -- Investigators in the United States have accused a 64-year-old man of "acting as an illegal agent" of Beijing while serving as campaign manager for a municipal election candidate in a California city, amid mounting concern over widespread Chinese infiltration.
• Uzbek Authorities Keeping Tabs On Family Of Suspect In Russian General's Killing RFE/RL 23 Dec 2024 -- Uzbek authorities are keeping a close eye on the family of the suspect in the high-profile assassination of a Russian general in Moscow last week, neighbors and activists say.
• Kremlin Says No Plans Yet For Talks With Trump RFE/RL 23 Dec 2024 -- The Kremlin said there are currently no plans for President Vladimir Putin to meet with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump amid a rise in talk of finding a peace deal to end Russia's war against Ukraine.
• Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's telephone conversation with President of the Republic of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 23 Dec 2024
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning's Regular Press Conference on December 23, 2024 PRC MofA 23 Dec 2024
• Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa Affairs of the Foreign Ministry Xue Bing Visits Eritrea PRC MofA 23 Dec 2024 -- On December 21, 2024, Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa Affairs of the Foreign Ministry Xue Bing visited Eritrea, during which he met with Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki. Eritrean Foreign Minister Osman Saleh Mohammed and Chinese Ambassador to Eritrea Li Xiang were present.
• Canada urged to stop interfering in China's internal affairs in any way, says Chinese FM on decision to impose countermeasures on certain Canadian organizations and personnel Global Times 23 Dec 2024 -- In response to a request for background regarding the Chinese Foreign Ministry's decision announced on Saturday to impose countermeasures on certain Canadian organizations and personnel, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated on Monday that Canada had recently sanctioned Chinese individuals under the pretext of so-called "human rights violations."
• China imposes 'countermeasures' after Canada's sanctions over human rights Radio Free Asia 23 Dec 2024 -- China has announced "countermeasures" against Canadian groups and individuals two weeks after Canada imposed sanctions on senior Chinese officials in early December over human rights concerns.
• China's state security authority warns about foreign spy agencies using social media comments to steal national secrets Global Times 23 Dec 2024 -- China's Ministry of State Security (MSS) warned on Monday about foreign spy agencies using internet users' comments on Chinese social media to steal national secrets.
• Experts urge US to use Taiwan logistics pact to counter China's military coercion VOA 23 Dec 2024 -- A recently released U.S. government report details China's ongoing efforts to "erode long-standing norms in and around Taiwan" through various pressure tactics, including increased military flights crossing the Taiwan Strait median line.
• PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan ROC MND 23 Dec 2024
• S. Korean president defies CIO's 2nd request to appear for questioning People's Daily 23 Dec 2024 -- South Korea's corruption investigative body said Monday that impeached President Yoon Suk-yeol defied its second request to appear for questioning over his martial law imposition.
• Deputy Secretary Campbell's Meeting with Republic of Korea (ROK) First Vice Foreign Minister Kim Hong Kyun US Dept. of State 23 Dec 2024
• Deputy Secretary Kurt M. Campbell and ROK First Vice Foreign Minister Kim Hong Kyun Before Their Meeting US Dept. of State 23 Dec 2024
• Iran has no direct link with Syria's ruling groups: FM spox IRNA 23 Dec 2024 -- Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmail Baghaei says Tehran has not established any direct link with the ruling groups in Syria following the fall of the government of Bashar al-Assad in early December
• Iran: Syrian people will decide their future without foreign interference Press TV 23 Dec 2024 -- Iran asserts that the Syrian people hold the exclusive right to decide their fate free from foreign interference.
• Talks with Iran on JCPOA possible during Trump era: US official IRNA 23 Dec 2024 -- The US National Security Advisor has said that President-elect Donald Trump could play a key role in engaging Iran on the nuclear deal when he takes office next month.
• Iran: Experts alarmed at systematic targeting of Baha'i women OHCHR 23 Dec 2024 -- Independent human rights experts* today expressed serious concern at what appears to be an increase in systematic targeting of women belonging to the Baha'i religious minority throughout the country.
• 5 Candidates Approved For Belarus Vote Lukashenka Seen Winning Easily RFE/RL 23 Dec 2024 -- Belarus's Central Election Commission (CEC) said five candidates, including Alyaksandr Lukashenka, have been registered for a presidential election next month, the first since balloting in 2020 triggered mass unrest amid claims of victory by the 70-year-old authoritarian ruler, who has since wiped out almost all traces of opposition and dissent in the country.
• On the Sentencing of 25 Civilians in a Pakistani Military Tribunal US Dept. of State 23 Dec 2024 -- "The United States is deeply concerned that Pakistani civilians have been sentenced by a military tribunal for their involvement in protests on May 9, 2023."
• Pakistan: UK response to sentencing of civilians via military courts UK FCDO 23 Dec 2024 -- UK government response to sentencing of 25 civilians in military courts in Pakistan
• On 20th anniversary of Indian Ocean Tsunami, disaster preparedness questioned Radio Free Asia 23 Dec 2024 -- Two decades after tens of thousands were killed in the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami - considered the deadliest on record - Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia have established early warning systems, but activists say that disaster preparedness is lacking.
• "The positive effects of our economic program will become even more visible in the period ahead" Presidency of The Republic of Turkey 23 Dec 2024 -- Delivering remarks following the Presidential Cabinet Meeting, President Erdoğan said: "In 2025, we will continue to implement our strategy of high-quality growth in Türkiye through investment, employment, production, export, and current account surplus. The positive effects of our economic program will become even more visible in many areas in the period ahead."
• 'People Expect Solutions,' President Tells New Romanian Government RFE/RL 23 Dec 2024 -- The Romanian parliament has sworn in a new pro-European coalition government led by leftist Social Democrat Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu.
• Georgian President Calls For New Election Date By December 29 RFE/RL 23 Dec 2024 -- Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili has called on the ruling Moscow-friendly Georgian Dream party to set a date for new parliamentary elections by December 29 amid unrest over the last vote and the party's unilateral decision to postpone negotiations with the European Union.
• Constitutional Council Decision on Mozambican Elections US Dept. of State 23 Dec 2024 -- The United States is concerned by the December 23 announcement by the Mozambican Constitutional Council regarding the October 9 national elections.
• 2025 ASEAN chair Malaysia expected to revive bloc amid questions about neutrality Radio Free Asia 23 Dec 2024 -- Malaysia will take over as the 2025 chair of ASEAN amid regional expectations that it will restore the Southeast Asian bloc's relevance during a time of global ferment, analysts said.
• UN World Court concludes landmark hearings on States' responsibility for climate change UN News 23 Dec 2024 -- The International Court of Justice (ICJ) held historic hearings from 2 to 13 December addressing States' obligations under international law to combat climate change, a process spearheaded by small island nations facing existential threats.