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Current Operations

Defense Policy / Programs

• Hegseth Addresses Strengthening Military by Cutting Excess, Refocusing DOD Budget DoD News 20 Feb 2025 -- During a recorded, on-camera address from the Pentagon today, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth discussed his priorities of strengthening the military by cutting fiscal fraud, waste and abuse at DOD while also finding ways to refocus the department's budget.
• CENTCOM Conducts Second Bomber Task Force Mission in Two Days CENTCOM 20 Feb 2025 -- For the second time within 48 hours, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) conducted another Bomber Task Force Mission in the Middle East, Feb. 20, demonstrating force projection capabilities and partner nation integration in the region.
• Minnesota National Guard, Norway Strengthen Training Ties Army News 20 Feb 2025 -- The Minnesota National Guard and the Heimevernet, the Norwegian Home Guard, joined forces for the 52nd Annual Norwegian Reciprocal Troop Exchange Feb. 5-19, continuing a tradition of military cooperation and cultural exchange.
• Louisiana Guard 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team to Deploy Army News 20 Feb 2025 -- Approximately 600 Soldiers from the Louisiana National Guard's 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team conducted annual training to prepare to deploy to Europe and Africa.
• 3rd MLG to Support Multiple US/ROK Military Exercises USMC News 20 Feb 2025 -- Hundreds of U.S. and Republic of Korea Marines are set to launch a nearly two-month series of bilateral training exercises across the South Korean Peninsula from February to April 2025.
• C3BM adopts Integrated Product Team construct to enhance collaboration, efficiency US Air Force 20 Feb 2025 -- The Department of the Air Force's Program Executive Office for Command, Control, Communications and Battle Management is enhancing its approach to delivering the DAF BATTLE NETWORK with the adoption of an Integrated Product Team construct.
• International Maritime Exercise 2025 concludes US Navy 20 Feb 2025 -- The Middle East region's largest maritime exercise, International Maritime Exercise (IMX) 2025, concluded during a closing ceremony here, Feb 20.
• Chief of Naval Operations Visits New England Bases, Stresses Lethality and Readiness US Navy Press Release 20 Feb 2025 -- Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Lisa Franchetti traveled to New England to meet with area Sailors, civilians, and leadership, tour General Dynamics Bath Iron Works (BIW) and Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (PNSY), and meet with students and faculty at Navy school houses and the Naval War College in Newport, R.I., Feb. 18-19.
• Deep Space Advanced Radar Capability makes tremendous progress in first year United States Space Force 20 Feb 2025 -- Just one year after signing a ground-breaking trilateral agreement, the Deep Space Advanced Radar Capability partnership is completing facilities construction at the first of three sites that will host a global network of advanced ground-based sensors.
• NATO Secretary General visits Slovakia NATO 20 Feb 2025 -- NATO Secretary General, Mark Rutte travelled to Slovakia on Thursday (20 February 2025) for meetings with President Peter Pellegrini, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, Mr Robert Kaliňák, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Mr Juraj Blanár and Minister of Finance Mr Ladislav Kamenický. While in Slovakia Mr Rutte also visited troops from NATO's multinational Forward Land Forces stationed in Lešť and gave a speech to students at the Comenius University, in Bratislava.
• NATO Conducts Unmanned Surface Vehicle Demonstration in Baltic Sea NATO Allied Maritime Command 20 Feb 2025 -- NATO's Standing Naval Forces conducted a capabilities demonstration of unmanned surface vessels (USVs) in the Baltic Sea in waters near Denmark Feb 17-20 advancing the integration of innovative unmanned technology for the Alliance.
• How Norway Fed Russia's War Machine Despite EU Sanctions RFE/RL 20 Feb 2025 -- The Kremlin's war on Ukraine has dented the vehicle stocks of the Russian military, which has increasingly relied on civilian trucks since its full-scale invasion three years ago this month -- including for the transport of equipment and personnel.
• Budrys in Stockholm: we need to act together to strengthen Ukraine and Europe's security Lithuania MFA 20 Feb 2025 -- On 19 February, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, Kęstutis Budrys, met with Peter Hultqvist, the Chair of the Riksdag's Committee on Defence, in Stockholm to discuss security and defence cooperation and support for Ukraine in its fight against Russia's brutal aggression.
• The 11th meeting of the Demining Capability Coalition for Ukraine takes place in a Vilnius Lithuania MND 20 Feb 2025 -- Representatives of the 22 nations that currently form the Demining Capability Coalition a year ago established and now co-coordinated by Lithuania and Iceland met in Vilnius for the 11th time. A year ago, the Coalition Partners met for the first time on January 11.
• France pulls out from sole military base in Ivory Coast Press TV 20 Feb 2025 -- France has pulled out from its sole military base in Ivory Coast, ending decades of its military presence in the West African nation.
• STEEL CUTTING OF THIRD FLEET SUPPORT SHIP FOR INDIAN NAVY India PIB 20 Feb 2025 -- Steel Cutting ceremony of third of the five Fleet Support Ships (FSS) was held at M/s L&T Shipyard, Kattupalli on 20 Feb 25, in the presence of R Adm Satish Shenai, Flag Officer Commanding Tamil Nadu and Puducherry Naval Area and senior officials from Indian Navy, Hindustan Ship Yard Limited (HSL) and M/s L&T
• Ministry of Defence signs ₹697.35 Cr contracts with ACE Ltd & JCB India Ltd for procurement of 1868 Rough Terrain Fork Lift Truck for Armed Forces India PIB 20 Feb 2025 -- The Ministry of Defence has signed contracts with M/s ACE Limited and M/s JCB India Limited in presence of Defence Secretary Shri R K Singh for procurement of quantity 1868 Rough Terrain Fork Lift Truck (RTFLT) at a total cost of ₹697
• Ministry of Defence inks a contract worth ₹1220.12 Cr with Bharat Electronics Limited for procurement of 149 Software Defined Radios for Indian Coast Guard India PIB 20 Feb 2025 -- The Ministry of Defence has signed a contract with M/s Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), Bengaluru on 20th February, 2025, for procurement of 149 Software Defined Radios for Indian Coast Guard at a total cost of ₹1220
• IRGC begins major Eqtedar drill in eastern Iran Press TV 20 Feb 2025 -- As part of efforts to maintain full preparedness, Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has kicked off a major drill in the eastern province of South Khorasan.
• South Korea and US hold first joint aerial exercise of 2nd Trump administration Radio Free Asia 20 Feb 2025 -- South Korea and the United States on Thursday conducted the first joint aerial drills of the current Trump administration, completing a "simulated precision strike," according the U.S. Air Force.
• Joint Statement on Enhanced Defence Cooperation between Norway and the United Kingdom Government of Norway 20 Feb 2025 -- "The UK and Norway are the closest of Allies with a deep history and a powerful defence and security relationship, built upon a shared strategic position and common outlook. We share the same security challenges, increasing threats, and commitment to democracy and the rule of law. We are tied together culturally, historically, economically, and strategically; our defence and security interests are, and will remain, intrinsically linked in the years ahead."
• UK and Norway kickstart new defence agreement in boost for European security UK MOD 20 Feb 2025 -- UK continues to step up on European security in move to deepen defence ties with Norway
• Collective defence of North Atlantic Treaty Organization to become statutory duty of Finnish Defence Forces Finnish MoD 20 Feb 2025 -- At its session on 20 February 2025, the Finnish Government approved the government proposal for amending the Act on the Defence Forces based on Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen's presentation. The Finnish Defence Forces would be given a new statutory duty, the collective defence of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
• A. Sprūds: Next year's Defence funding must be increased to 4% of GDP Latvia MOD 20 Feb 2025 -- On Tuesday, 18 February, the Cabinet of Ministers reviewed the Defence Ministry's report "On the Initial Assessment of NATO Requirements for the Development of Defence Capabilities", which informs about the NATO capability objectives for Latvia and provides an initial assessment of their implementation.
• NATO appreciates the work of Hungary, Slovakia and Croatia as Headquarters Multinational Division Centre declares Full Operational Capability Ministry of Defence of The Slovak Republic 20 Feb 2025 -- n his official visit to Slovakia, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte along with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Robert Kaliňák paid a visit to NATO's multinational Forward Land Forces (FLF) stationed at the Training Centre (TC) Lešť on Thursday 20 February 2025.
• Operation Resolution New Zealand Defence Force 20 Feb 2025
• PH, Czech defense chiefs reaffirm 'enduring ties' Philippine News Agency 20 Feb 2025 -- The Philippines and the Czech Republic reaffirmed their growing defense ties as Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. met with Czech Defense Minister Jana Černochová at the Makati Shangri-La on Thursday.
• PH, New Zealand conclude visiting forces pact negotiations Philippine News Agency 20 Feb 2025 -- The Department of National Defense (DND) on Thursday announced that the Philippines and New Zealand have concluded negotiations for a Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA).
• PBBM eyes expanded PH-Czech Republic ties Philippine News Agency 20 Feb 2025 -- President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday expressed his intent to further deepen the Philippines' economic, defense, and diplomatic ties with the Czech Republic.
• Greek PM: Europe should 'wake up,' reduce reliance on US Press TV 20 Feb 2025 -- Greece has suggested that Europe must set up a defense policy and develop an intrinsic deterrent power to reduce reliance on the United States.
• PRESS BRIEFING BY PRESS SECRETARY KAROLINE LEAVITT, DEPUTY CHIEF OF STAFF STEPHEN MILLER, NATIONAL ECONOMIC COUNCIL DIRECTOR KEVIN HASSETT, AND NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR MIKE WALTZ The White House 20 Feb 2025
• Secretary Marco Rubio With Catherine Herridge of Catherine Herridge Reports US Dept. of State 20 Feb 2025

Defense Industry

• Contracts For Feb. 20, 2025

Other Conflicts

Ukraine Conflict News


• 20 February 2025 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 20 Feb 2025
• Post-war order facing 'greatest test since its creation': UN relief chief UN News 20 Feb 2025 -- The international system set up among the ashes of the Second World War which established the United Nations and other multilateral institutions is now facing the "greatest test since its creation," the UN Emergency Relief Coordinator said on Thursday.

Operation Iron Swords / Operation Al-Aqsa Flood

• PM's Office Announcement Israel - Prime Minister 20 Feb 2025
• PM's Office Announcement Israel - Prime Minister 20 Feb 2025
• Statement by PM Netanyahu Israel - Prime Minister 20 Feb 2025
• Prime Minister's Office Announcement Israel - Prime Minister 20 Feb 2025 -- "Israel has - through the Red Cross - received the coffins of four deceased hostages"
• Hamas releases bodies of 3 hostages, unidentified fourth VOA 20 Feb 2025 -- The bodies of three Israeli hostages and the body of a fourth, unidentified woman, were returned to Israel on Thursday in the latest release under a ceasefire between Israel and the militant group Hamas.
• Multiple bus explosions rock Tel Aviv, instilling fear in settlers and bringing city to halt Press TV 20 Feb 2025 -- Multiple bus explosions have rocked the town of Bat Yam near Tel Aviv, instilling fear in settlers and bringing the city to a halt.
• UN chief condemns 'abhorrent and appalling' treatment of hostages' remains by Hamas UN News 20 Feb 2025 -- The UN Secretary-General on Thursday condemned the "parading" of coffins earlier in the day containing the bodies of dead Israeli hostages by their Hamas captors, describing the manner of the handover in Gaza as abhorrent.
• Trump says he has not seen Egyptian counter to his plan for Gaza VOA 20 Feb 2025 -- U.S. President Donald Trump said Wednesday evening he has not seen the proposal being discussed by Arab leaders as an alternative to his plan to take over Gaza once the war between Hamas and Israel ends.
• Islamic Jihad chief: Victories in Palestine, Lebanon indebted to Iran Press TV 20 Feb 2025 -- The head of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad says victories in Palestine and Lebanon are owed to Iran's support and effective role, describing the Islamic Republic as the house of the Axis of Resistance.
• Statement by High Representative / Vice President Kallas and Commissioner Šuica on the issuance of a decree-law restructuring the social welfare system by the Palestinian Authority's President Abbas European Commission 20 Feb 2025
• PM statement in response to the release of deceased hostages held in Gaza Gov.UK 20 Feb 2025
• The Government of Spain expresses its consternation at the deaths in captivity of the hostages of the 7 October attacks Spain MFA 20 Feb 2025

Other Conflicts

• PBBM's balance of power strategy effective vs. WPS threats - Lacson Philippine News Agency 20 Feb 2025 -- The balance of power that the Marcos administration adopted has been effective so far in fending off threats in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), former Senator Panfilo Lacson said Thursday.
• Ex-PRRD failed to protect WPS, China interested in PH Rise - JPE Philippine News Agency 20 Feb 2025 -- The West Philippine Sea (WPS) issue remains a problem because of former president Rodrigo Duterte's failure to protect the Philippines' interest, Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile said Thursday, as he cautioned against China's interest over the Philippine Rise.
• US State Dept. hits China over chopper incident; vows support to PH Philippine News Agency 20 Feb 2025 -- The United States Department of State on Thursday described China's recent dangerous flight maneuvers against a Filipino aircraft as "reckless" and a "threat" to navigation and overflight in the South China Sea.
• The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus had a meeting with the interim leader and the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of the Syrian Arab Republic, in Damascus Press and Information Office, Ministry of Interior, Republic of Cyprus 20 Feb 2025 -- The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr Constantinos Kombos, paid a visit today Thursday, 20 February 2025, to Damascus.
• UNDP calls for long-term investment to support recovery in Syria UN News 20 Feb 2025 -- Accelerating economic recovery is critical to reverse Syria's decline and restore stability, the UN Development Programme (UNDP) said in a report published on Thursday.
• 3 Naxals killed in India's Madhya Pradesh People's Daily 20 Feb 2025 -- Three women Naxals were killed Wednesday in a fierce gunfight with government forces in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, police said.
• Taliban withdraw Afghanistan from International Criminal Court VOA 20 Feb 2025 -- Afghanistan's radical Taliban leaders on Thursday rejected the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court (ICC) over their country, declaring as 'unlawful' the decision in 2003 by their predecessors to join the Hague-based court's founding treaty.
• DR Congo violence has pushed 35,000 to Burundi, says UN refugee agency UN News 20 Feb 2025 -- Escalating violence in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has continued to uproot thousands more people to neighbouring countries where they face dire conditions without many basic necessities, UN humanitarians said on Thursday.
• Children in DRC endure grave violations under siege, UN Committee warns OHCHR 20 Feb 2025 -- Children in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) are facing an unprecedented catastrophe, enduring grave violations, including summary executions, sexual violence, recruitment and abduction of children by parties to the conflict, the UN Child Rights Committee warned today.
• WFP alarmed at soaring hunger as more flee displacement camps in eastern DRC WFP 20 Feb 2025 -- The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has partially resumed food assistance in parts of Goma, eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) delivering vital nutrition supplies for the treatment of moderate acute malnutrition in children aged 6 to 59 months as three weeks of fighting continues to worsen access to food for the most vulnerable.
• Sanctioning Drivers of Violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo US Dept. of State 20 Feb 2025 -- The United States is sanctioning today two individuals and two entities linked to violence and human rights abuses in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
• Treasury Sanctions Rwandan Minister and Senior Militant for Conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo US Treasury 20 Feb 2025 -- Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) imposed sanctions on James Kabarebe (Kabarebe), Rwanda's Minister of State for Regional Integration. Kabarebe is central to Rwanda's support for the March 23 Movement (M23), a U.S.- and United Nations (UN)-designated armed group that has rapidly expanded its territorial control in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and is responsible for human rights abuses. OFAC is also sanctioning Lawrence Kanyuka Kingston (Kanyuka), an M23 and Congo River Alliance senior member and spokesperson, alongside two of Kanyuka's companies registered in the U.K. and France.
• UK Chair statement: Ministerial Roundtable on Sudan UK FCDO 20 Feb 2025 -- Statement highlighting UK Minister for Development, Anneliese Dodds' convening of a ministerial roundtable to urgently address the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian crisis in Sudan.
• Signs of 'Historic Progress' towards Peace Emerge, Central African Republic's Delegate Tells Security Council, Requesting Donor Support for 2025 Elections UN Security Council 20 Feb 2025 -- The Central African Republic has made significant progress towards the 2025 elections, the head of the United Nations peacekeeping mission in the country told the Security Council today, while also noting overall security improvements and persistent fragility in border areas.
• Central African Republic faces ongoing challenges ahead of elections UN News 20 Feb 2025 -- The recent attack on a UN patrol in the Central African Republic (CAR) which resulted in the death of a Tunisian peacekeeper, underlines the constant dangers facing peacekeepers from armed groups there, the head of the UN mission (MINUSCA) told the Security Council on Thursday.
• The UK has information that Proxies directed by the Russian state have plans to interfere with CAR elections: UK statement at the UN Security Council UK FCDO 20 Feb 2025 -- Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki, UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on the Central African Republic.
• Somali government says attacks on bases repulsed, 130 militants killed VOA 20 Feb 2025 -- Officials in Somalia say 130 militants were killed Thursday as Somali National Army troops "repulsed" attacks on four government military bases in the center of the country.

News Reports

• Trump loyalist Kash Patel takes helm of FBI VOA 20 Feb 2025 -- The Trump administration's makeover of the United States' national security and law enforcement agencies took a major step forward Thursday, with Senate lawmakers voting 51-49 to confirm Kash Patel as the director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
• ICYMI: Secretary Noem Deputized State Department Officials as Immigration Officers DHS 20 Feb 2025 -- On Tuesday, Secretary Noem signed a memorandum deputizing up to 600 special agents within the State Department's Diplomatic Security Service across the country to help with arresting and deporting illegal immigrants.
• President: Mexico won't accept US 'invasion' in fight against cartels Press TV 20 Feb 2025 -- Mexico has said it shall never tolerate an "invasion" of its national sovereignty by the United States under the pretense of fighting drug cartels.
• Law Enforcement Cooperation Between United States and Mexico Results in Mexican Takedown of Cartel-Linked Alien Smugglers US Dept. of Justice 20 Feb 2025 -- Last night, extensive bilateral cooperation between the United States and Mexico resulted in the Mexico Attorney General's Office "Fiscalía General de la República" (FGR) conducting a significant enforcement operation to dismantle a prolific transnational alien smuggling organization operating in Juarez, Chihuahua, along the U.S.-Mexico border.
• Terrorist Designations of International Cartels US Dept. of State 20 Feb 2025 -- Today, the State Department is fulfilling one of President Trump's first promises since he took office. I'm pleased to announce the Department's designation of eight organizations as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) and Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGTs).
• Designation of International Cartels US Dept. of State 20 Feb 2025 -- The United States remains committed to protecting our nation, the American people, and our hemisphere by stopping the campaigns of violence and terror committed by international cartels and transnational organizations.
• Pakistan-EU Hold Counter Terrorism Dialogue Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs 20 Feb 2025 -- Pakistan and the European Union held their ninth Counter-Terrorism Dialogue in Brussels, on 20 February 2025. The two delegations discussed cooperation on counter-terrorism, as part of their wider engagement on Security matters in the framework of the 2019 Strategic Engagement Plan.
• Meeting of judges of courts of general jurisdiction, military and arbitration courts President of Russia 20 Feb 2025 -- The President took part in an annual meeting of judges of courts of general jurisdiction, military and arbitration courts of the Russian Federation.
• European shipyards sustain Russia's Arctic gas trade VOA 20 Feb 2025 -- European shipyards are providing vital servicing contracts to vessels carrying Russian liquefied natural gas, sustaining a trade that Kyiv says is funding the Kremlin's war on Ukraine.
• Explainer: What to know about landmark U.S.-Russia talks? People's Daily 20 Feb 2025 -- High-level delegations from the United States and Russia met in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Tuesday, agreeing to work toward ending the three-year Russia-Ukraine conflict and restoring bilateral relations.
• Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's remarks on the Global Geopolitical Situation at the G20 Foreign Ministers' Meeting, Johannesburg, February 20, 2025 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 20 Feb 2025
• Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's meeting with Algerian Minister of State, Minister of Foreign Affairs, National Community Abroad and African Affairs Ahmed Attaf Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 20 Feb 2025
• Telephone conversation with Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud President of Russia 20 Feb 2025
• In a Phone Call with HRH the Crown Prince, Russian President Thanks Saudi Arabia for Hosting Fruitful Russia-U.S. Talks in Riyadh SPA 20 Feb 2025 -- His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, received a telephone call today from Russian Federation President Vladimir Putin.
• Chinese FM calls for true multilateralism, more equitable global governance system People's Daily 20 Feb 2025 -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Tuesday called for reinvigorating true multilateralism and speeding up the efforts to build a more just and equitable global governance system.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo Jiakun's Regular Press Conference on February 20, 2025 PRC MofA 20 Feb 2025
• US State Department tweaks online fact sheet on China VOA 20 Feb 2025 -- PRC is out. China is in. That is among the significant modifications to the U.S. State Department's online fact sheet on China, which drops the country's official name, the People's Republic of China (PRC), in favor of just China.
• China strongly opposes US revision of US-China relations page and the US-China fact sheet: FM Global Times 20 Feb 2025 -- Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun on Thursday stated that China strongly expresses its dissatisfaction and firmly opposes the US State Department's revision of the US-China relations page and the US-China fact sheet. The revision distorts the truth, slanders China's foreign policy, and incites the so-called Us-China strategic competition, Guo noted.
• Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's meeting with Foreign Minister of China Wang Yi Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 20 Feb 2025
• Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's opening remarks at the meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the sidelines of the G20 Ministerial Council, Johannesburg, February 20, 2025 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 20 Feb 2025
• China's homegrown tech boosts global surveillance, social controls: report Radio Free Asia 20 Feb 2025 -- Homegrown AI and other cutting-edge technology is boosting internal surveillance by the ruling Chinese Communist Party and expanding its overseas influence and infiltration operations, and is already in use far beyond its borders, according to a recent report.
• Hong Kong's Democratic Party to discuss disbanding: leader Radio Free Asia 20 Feb 2025 -- Hong Kong's Democratic Party, which was once the largest party in an active opposition camp, held a meeting on Thursday at which it said it would discuss its own dissolution, amid an ongoing crackdown on all forms of public dissent under two national security laws.
• China's central bank to take effective measures to ramp up real estate market by fine-tuning financial policy in 2025 Global Times 20 Feb 2025 -- China's central bank has vowed to improve real estate financial management to help stabilize the country's property market in 2025, and to support the establishment of a new model for real estate development, according to a statement released by the central bank on Thursday.
• Taiwan official denies Trump's chip theft accusation CNA 20 Feb 2025 -- Taiwan's National Security Council (NSC) chief Joseph Wu (吳釗燮) on Thursday rebutted U.S. President Donald Trump's recent remarks suggesting Taiwan had stolen the semiconductor business from the United States.
• Lai urges democratic chip alliance amid global security challenges CNA 20 Feb 2025 -- President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) on Thursday expressed Taiwan's openness to collaborate with other democratic countries on semiconductors, contending that such an alliance would enhance the country's deterrence.
• 29 Chinese aircraft cross Taiwan Strait median line: MND CNA 20 Feb 2025 -- A total of 29 Chinese warplanes and drones crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait between Wednesday afternoon and Thursday morning, according to Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense (MND).
• PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan ROC MND 20 Feb 2025
• Joint Statement on the Multilateral Sanctions Monitoring Team (MSMT) Steering Committee Inaugural Meeting US Dept. of State 20 Feb 2025 -- The Governments of Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America held the inaugural meeting of the Multilateral Sanctions Monitoring Team (MSMT) Steering Committee in Washington, DC on February 19, 2025 and released the following statement.
• U.S. Nuclear Stick Can Never Work in Asia-Pacific Region: KCNA Commentary KCNA 20 Feb 2025 -- The U.S., which recently received hundreds of millions of U.S. dollars from Australia according to the AUKUS nuclear submarine agreement, showed its moves to provide Virginia-class nuclear submarines to Australia.
• North Korea rights groups face collapse amid US funding halt VOA 20 Feb 2025 -- The vast majority of human rights groups focused on North Korea face an existential crisis after receiving notices from the U.S. government that their grant funds have been frozen, according to several sources among the predominantly Seoul-based NGOs.
• South Korea's Yoon makes 2 court appearances VOA 20 Feb 2025 -- Impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol appeared in two Seoul courtrooms Thursday, first to hear criminal insurrection charges and then to face a Constitutional Court impeachment trial, both in connection with his short-lived, Dec. 3 imposition of martial law.
• Deputy minister apologizes for power outages IRNA 20 Feb 2025 -- Deputy Minister of Industry, Mine, and Trade Hossein Farhidzadeh has apologized to Iranian manufacturers for energy imbalances and resultant power outages earlier this year, which inflicted losses on the industrial sector.
• Iran warns IAEA chief's remarks are increasingly tainted by politics IRNA 20 Feb 2025 -- The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) says Rafael Grossi, the world's atomic agency chief, has been making politically-tainted comments about Iran recently.
• Iran slams IAEA chief's 'political' remarks serving pretext to pressure Tehran Press TV 20 Feb 2025 -- Iran has warned that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) may risk losing credibility by straying from the path of "neutrality and professionalism," after its head made controversial remarks about the Islamic Republic's peaceful nuclear program.
• Pezeshkian: We should not fear threat of military action, sanctions Press TV 20 Feb 2025 -- President Masoud Pezeshkian has called on the Iranian nation to stay put in the face of the enemies' economic sanctions and threats of military aggression.
• Can Saudi Arabia Mediate A Deal Between U.S. And Iran? RFE/RL 20 Feb 2025 -- After facilitating the first high-level talks between U.S. and Russian officials since the Ukraine war began, Saudi Arabia is now reportedly positioning itself as a mediator in another high-stakes negotiation - this time between the United States and Iran.
• China repatriates 200 citizens from Myanmar scam centers amid crackdown Radio Free Asia 20 Feb 2025 -- Two hundred Chinese nationals were due to be flown to their homeland on Thursday in aircraft laid on by their government after leaving online fraud centers in an eastern Myanmar district on the border with Thailand, Thai officials said.
• The Global Geopolitical Situation: Foreign Secretary speech at G20 South Africa UK FCDO 20 Feb 2025 -- Foreign Secretary David Lammy's intervention on Discussions on the Global Geopolitical Situation at the G20 Foreign Ministerial Meeting, South Africa
• Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks with Prime Minister of Italy Giorgia Meloni Prime Minister of Canada 20 Feb 2025 -- Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke with the Prime Minister of Italy, Giorgia Meloni.
• Prime Minister Justin Trudeau meets with premiers to discuss Canada-U.S. relations and Arctic security Prime Minister of Canada 20 Feb 2025 -- Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, the Minister of National Defence, Bill Blair, Canada's Ambassador to the United States, Kirsten Hillman, and Canada's Fentanyl Czar, Kevin Brosseau, met virtually with Canada's premiers to discuss Canada-U.S. relations and Arctic security.
• Doorstop interview - Whyalla Prime Minister of Australia 20 Feb 2025
• Mexico's president calls for constitutional reform to protect nation's sovereignty VOA 20 Feb 2025 -- Mexico's president said Thursday that she would propose constitutional reforms to protect her country's sovereignty, after the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump designated eight Mexican drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations.