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Defense Policy / Programs

• President Says Military Recruiting Up, So Too Will be American Shipbuilding, 'Golden Dome' DoD News 05 Mar 2025 -- During his first address to a joint session of Congress, March 4, 2025, President Donald J. Trump said that the changes he's made since his inauguration in January have enhanced recruiting within the U.S. military in ways that haven't been seen in years.
• In Address To Congress, Trump Says Zelenskyy Offered To Sign Minerals Deal 'At Any Time' RFE/RL 05 Mar 2025 -- US President Donald Trump said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has informed him that he's ready for talks with Russia to end the war in his country and offered to sign a deal on Ukraine's mineral resources "at any time."
• Trump declares 'America is back,' defends tariffs, other policies in address to Congress VOA 05 Mar 2025 -- U.S. President Donald Trump in a Tuesday night speech to a joint session of Congress defended his new tariffs on U.S. trading partners and pledged that more are coming.
• In response to Trump, Democrat calls for responsible changes to government VOA 05 Mar 2025 -- U.S. Senator Elissa Slotkin said Tuesday the country needs responsible changes and should be an engaged leader in an interconnected world, as she gave the Democratic response to President Donald Trump's address to a joint session of Congress.
• Trump hails retaliatory tariffs in defense of America's jobs and its soul Radio Free Asia 05 Mar 2025 -- U.S. President Donald Trump defended on Tuesday his policy on tariffs saying reciprocal duties to be imposed across the board from April 2 would not only protect U.S. jobs but would defend the soul of the country.
• Defense Pricing, Contracting, and Acquisition Policy Office Issued Class Deviation 2025-O0003 DoD 05 Mar 2025
• Air Combat Command General Discusses Next-Generation Air Superiority DoD News 05 Mar 2025 -- The U.S. Air Force's fundamental role is to secure dominance in the skies, a mission that grows more urgent as adversaries like China unveil advanced stealth platforms.
• Generals Discuss Recent Battlefield Lessons Learned, Power Projection DoD News 05 Mar 2025 -- The Ukraine-Russia conflict and Iran's missile attacks on Israel last year show a need for new U.S. military capabilities, said Air Force Gen. James B. Hecker, commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa.
• Next-Gen Tactical Decision Aid: A Naval System-of-Systems Approach USMC News 05 Mar 2025 -- The U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Engineering and Research Development Center (ERDC) demonstrated the Marine Corps Surf Observation (SUROB) Tool for Littoral Expeditionary Operations during the Office of Naval Research's Technical Concept Experiment 24.2 (TCE 24.2) at Camp Pendleton in Oceanside, Calif., Aug. 20-23.
• Air Force leaders discuss future force design US Air Force 05 Mar 2025 -- U.S. Air Force leaders discussed force modernization and strategic planning, emphasizing the priorities for future capabilities, deterrence and joint force integration during a panel at the Air and Space Force Association Warfare Symposium March 4.
• Senior leaders discuss intelligence driving unified action US Air Force 05 Mar 2025 -- Air Force Lt. Gen. Leah Lauderback, deputy chief of Staff, ISR and Cyber Effects Operations, and Space Force Maj. Gen. Gregory Gagnon, deputy chief of Space Operations for Intelligence, joined a panel discussion with Mr. Greg Ryckman, Defense Intelligence Agency deputy director for Global Integration, during the Air and Space Force Association Warfare Symposium in Aurora, Colorado, March 4.
• Space Force's Fundamental Role: Space Superiority DoD News 05 Mar 2025 -- The U.S. Space Force's primary function is to ensure control in, from and to the space domain.
• USSF senior leaders discuss future objectives, international partnerships at AFA United States Space Force 05 Mar 2025 -- During the Air and Space Forces Association's Warfare Symposium, three Space Force senior leaders met center stage in Aurora, March 4, to discuss the future of space operations with an emphasis on the need for technological advancements, international partnerships and scalable capabilities to counter evolving global threats.
• We'll Find You, Hold You Accountable: Exercise Proves U.S. Can Find Nuclear Event Perpetrators DoD News 05 Mar 2025 -- The Defense Department and a team of interagency partners led by the FBI engaged in an iteration of the Prominent Hunt exercise to validate the team's ability to gather evidence to support presidential decision-making during a nuclear attack scenario.
• Defense Secretary Discusses Security at Home, Abroad Ahead of Border Visit DoD News 05 Mar 2025 -- During a media interview today, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth discussed security at the southern border and how the Defense Department is handling the threat of a potential future conflict with China.
• Upgraded vehicles arrive for 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team Army News 05 Mar 2025 -- The first of more than 600 new or upgraded vehicles coming to the 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team have begun arriving in Pennsylvania.
• Top Space Force, Air Force enlisted leaders discuss readiness, leadership US Air Force 05 Mar 2025 -- Senior enlisted leaders from the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force discussed the evolving role of enlisted personnel in force development, mission readiness and leadership at the Air and Space Forces Association Warfare Symposium, March 5.
• Marines Storm Ashore in South Korea, Showcasing Rapid Deployment Capabilities USMC News 05 Mar 2025 -- U.S. Marines stormed ashore Feb. 28 to offload tactical vehicles and equipment from the USNS Dahl during an exercise at the Republic of Korea Marine Corps Base Pohang in South Korea.
• Russian Defence Minister holds talks with Prime Minister / Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar Russia MoD 05 Mar 2025
• US cuts off intelligence-sharing with Ukraine amid push for peace talks VOA 05 Mar 2025 -- The United States says it has cut off intelligence-sharing with Ukraine, which could seriously curtail Kyiv's ability to continue its three-year fight with Russia, even as Washington is quickly pushing the two countries toward peace talks to end the conflict.
• US Hits Pause On Intelligence-Sharing With Ukraine RFE/RL 05 Mar 2025 -- The United States has restricted intelligence-sharing with Ukraine in addition to enforcing a pause in U.S military assistance to the country trying to stave off Russia's three-year full-scale invasion, the director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) confirmed.
• The U.S. halts intelligence sharing with Ukraine after the White House blowup IRNA 05 Mar 2025 -- C.I.A. Director John Ratcliffe says the United States has paused intelligence sharing with and weapons shipments to Ukraine amid diplomatic tensions between the two countries.
• US halts intelligence support to Ukraine amid Trump-Zelensky row: Officials Press TV 05 Mar 2025 -- The administration of US President Donald Trump has suspended Washington's intelligence support to Kiev, amid tensions with President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine over a proposed peace deal with Russia.
• Russia's War In Ukraine Fuels Wild Week Of Diplomacy RFE/RL 05 Mar 2025 -- In Ukrainian and Russian, the term for rollercoaster is "American hills." That's an apt description of the whiplash diplomacy this past week over Russia's war against Ukraine, particularly when it comes to the rocky relations between Washington and Kyiv.
• European Leaders Look To Seize Opportunity After Trump Cites Zelenskyy Letter On Minerals Deal RFE/RL 05 Mar 2025 -- European leaders jumped to renew a push for an end to Russia's invasion of Ukraine after US President Donald Trump said President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote a letter stating he's ready for talks with Moscow while also offering to sign a deal on Ukraine's mineral resources "at any time."
• Can Europe arm Ukraine now that US has halted military aid? VOA 05 Mar 2025 -- Ukrainians reacted with alarm on Tuesday to Washington's announcement that it is halting military aid shipments to the country with immediate effect, a move that the Trump administration said was aimed at forcing all sides to the negotiating table.
• Who Spends More On Ukraine Aid: US Or EU? RFE/RL 05 Mar 2025 -- The US, EU, and other allies have spent over $287 billion, in total, on supporting Ukraine since just before Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022, according to the Kiel Institute for the World Economy think tank.
• China announces 7.2% defense budget hike, reaffirms opposition to Taiwan independence Radio Free Asia 05 Mar 2025 -- China is increasing its 2025 defense budget by 7.2% to US$246 billion amid growing rivalry with the United States and tensions over Taiwan, marking the fourth consecutive year of more than 7% growth in defense spending.
• China plans 7.2% defense budget rise, marking 10th consecutive year of single-digit growth Global Times 05 Mar 2025 -- China on Wednesday announced a 7.2-percent increase in its 2025 national defense budget. The planned defense expenditure of the country will be 1.784665 trillion yuan ($249 billion) this year, the Xinhua News Agency reported.
• People's Liberation Army-Navy vessels operating near Australia Australia DOD 05 Mar 2025 -- People's Liberation Army-Navy (PLA-N) Task Group 107, comprised of the Jiangkai-class frigate Hengyang, the Renhai-class Cruiser Zunyi, and the Fuchi-class replenishment vessel Weishanhu, is operating 300 nautical miles (556 kilometres) north west of Perth.
• Taiwan should raise defense spending to 10% of GDP: Top Pentagon pick CNA 05 Mar 2025 -- Taiwan needs to increase its defense spending to around 10 percent of gross domestic product -- about four times what it currently spends -- to deter a war with China, U.S. President Donald Trump's nominee for a top Pentagon post said Tuesday.
• Weeks after crash, Air Force lifts Brave Eagle jet trainer flight ban CNA 05 Mar 2025 -- Taiwan's Air Force lifted a flight ban on its advanced jet trainer (AJT) Brave Eagle fleet on Wednesday that had been imposed in mid-February after an AJT crashed in waters off Taitung County during a training session due to engine failure.
• Tainan to hold civil defense drill in late March CNA 05 Mar 2025 -- The government is planning to hold a small-scale exercise in Tainan on March 27 to assess Taiwan's civil defense and disaster prevention preparedness, according to a national security official.
• American senators question Taiwan opposition's defense budget stance CNA 05 Mar 2025 -- Two American senators have questioned the efforts of Taiwan's opposition-controlled legislature to cut the country's defense spending, with one accusing Taiwan's opposition of "playing a dangerous game."
• Last truck load delivered Australia DOD 05 Mar 2025 -- The Land 121 medium heavy truck program, which has been running for more than a decade, has delivered its final batch of Rheinmetall MAN military vehicles.
• Air-to-air refuellers keep Operation Okra flying Australia DOD 05 Mar 2025 -- Flying a Classic Hornet loaded with bombs over Iraq in 2016, Air Commodore Philip Gordon had a problem.
• Places to go, counterparts to see Australia DOD 05 Mar 2025 -- The first regional presence deployment (RPD) for 2025 has opened HMAS Hobartto a number of training opportunities with counterparts from across the Indo-Pacific region.
• Major milestone for South Australia's skills and training academy Australia DOD 05 Mar 2025 -- The Albanese Government is investing $480 million in our naval shipbuilding and submarine construction workforce with the build of the Skills and Training Academy at Osborne in South Australia.
• DRDO conducts high-altitude trials of Indigenous Integrated Life Support System for LCA Tejas India PIB 05 Mar 2025 -- The Defence Bio-Engineering & Electro Medical Laboratory (DEBEL), a Bengaluru-based lab under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), successfully conducted high-altitude trials of the Indigenous On-Board Oxygen Generating System (OBOGS)-based Integrated Life Support System (ILSS) for the LCA Tejas aircraft, on March 04, 2025
• Why Did Russian Weapons Experts Visit Iran? RFE/RL 05 Mar 2025 -- Senior Russian missile and air-defense specialists traveled to Iran last year as the Islamic republic expanded its military cooperation with Moscow.
• Iran wraps up 'unprecedented' military exercises highlighting strengths, weaknesses, researchers say VOA 05 Mar 2025 -- Iran is wrapping up two months of its most intense military exercises in decades as it tries to deter potential attacks from its archrivals Israel and the United States, security researchers tell VOA.
• Deepening UK-US defence relations and peace in Ukraine to top agenda for Defence Secretary's Washington visit UK MOD 05 Mar 2025 -- During meetings, the Defence Secretary will hail the unparalleled depth of the UK-US relationship, which bolsters security and supports economic growth
• The Royal Netherlands Air Force F-35 Fighter Jets Practice Drone Defense on the Coast of Rutja Estonia Defence Forces 05 Mar 2025 -- On Tuesday, March 4th, the Royal Netherlands Air Force F-35 fighter jets participating in the Baltic Air Policing mission in Estonia practiced shooting down training drones off the coast of Rutja.
• Foreign Ministry's Undersecretary Kerli Veski was in Ankara for talks on defending submarine infrastructure and fighting impunity Estonia MFA 05 Mar 2025 -- On 4 March, Undersecretary for Legal and Consular Affairs Kerli Veski was in Ankara, Türkiye, where she met with Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Levent Gümrükçü and Director General for International Law Kaan Esener to discuss the bilateral relations of Estonia and Türkiye, including the fight against impunity, sanctions policy, and legal issues related to the defence of critical submarine infrastructure.
• Foreign Minister Baiba Braže and the Danish European Affairs Minister Marie Bjerre: our priority is a safe, resilient and economically strong Europe Latvia MFA 05 Mar 2025 -- The EU's next Multiannual Financial Framework (2028-2034) and funding for defence and security, strengthening the EU's competitiveness by balancing the transition to the Green Deal with support for businesses, support to Ukraine, including for its path to the EU membership, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia, Baiba Braže, the priorities of the Danish EU presidency, to be taken over from Poland on 1 July - those were the main topics discussed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Baiba Braže, with the Minister for European Affairs of the Kingdom of Denmark, Marie Bjerre.
• A look at the Defence news 24 February - 2 March 2025 Netherlands Ministry of Defence 05 Mar 2025
• Minister Radosław Sikorski meets with South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul Poland - Ministry of Foreign Affairs 05 Mar 2025 -- The talks between the top diplomats of Poland and the Republic of Korea focused on bilateral relations, including in the field of defence and economic cooperation.
• 11 PAF jet fighters grounded as wreckage of missing aircraft located Philippine News Agency 05 Mar 2025 -- The Philippine Air Force (PAF) on Wednesday announced that its 11 remaining FA-50PH jet fighters have been ordered grounded following the crash of the South Korean-made aircraft that killed two pilots on Tuesday.
• PH improving defense capabilities, not only relying on allies: Palace Philippine News Agency 05 Mar 2025 -- Malacañang on Wednesday reaffirmed the government's focus on enhancing the Philippines' self-reliant defense capabilities.
• Ex-PSC chief given another gov't post, says Palace Philippine News Agency 05 Mar 2025 -- Former Presidential Security Command (PSC) commander Maj. Gen. Jesus Nelson Morales will be transferred to another government office, Malacañang said Wednesday.
• Search for missing PAF jet fighter, crew still ongoing Philippine News Agency 05 Mar 2025 -- The Philippine Air Force (PAF) on Wednesday said the search for the South Korean-made FA-50PH jet fighter that went missing Tuesday is still ongoing.
• Secretary-General's message on the International Day for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Awareness UN Secretary-General 05 Mar 2025
• Trump vows again to take Panama Canal, Greenland People's Daily 05 Mar 2025 -- U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday repeated his pledge to take both the Panama Canal and Greenland.
• Secretary of State Marco Rubio With Sean Hannity of Fox News US Dept. of State 05 Mar 2025
• Secretary Rubio's Call with Paraguayan President Peña US Dept. of State 05 Mar 2025
• Secretary Rubio's Call with Singaporean Foreign Minister Balakrishnan US Dept. of State 05 Mar 2025
• Secretary Rubio's Call with Republic of Cyprus Foreign Minister Kombos US Dept. of State 05 Mar 2025
• Secretary Rubio's Call with Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs Mélanie Joly US Dept. of State 05 Mar 2025

Defense Industry

• Contracts For March 5, 2025

Other Conflicts

Ukraine Conflict News


• 5 March 2025 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 05 Mar 2025
• 'Humanity's future depends on investing in the machinery of peace': UN chief UN News 05 Mar 2025 -- "Humanity's future depends on investing in the machinery of peace, not the machinery of war," said Secretary-General António Guterres in a message marking the International Day for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Awareness.

Operation Iron Swords / Operation Al-Aqsa Flood

• Israel set to approve construction of over 1,000 new settler units in al-Quds Press TV 05 Mar 2025 -- Israel will approve plans for the construction of more than 1,000 new settler units in occupied al-Quds.
• New Israeli military chief hints at resumption of war on Gaza Press TV 05 Mar 2025 -- The Israeli military's new chief of staff, Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, has acknowledged that the regime has failed to defeat the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas as he hinted at the possibility of resuming the war on Gaza.
• Israel's Shin Bet acknowledges failure to prevent al-Aqsa Storm Press TV 05 Mar 2025 -- The Israeli regime's internal spy agency Shin Bet has admitted its shortcomings in preventing a historic October 7, 2023 resistance operation, marking a significant acknowledgment of lapses that led to one of the most significant defeats for Tel Aviv.
• Hamas welcomes Gaza reconstruction plan adopted at Arab summit in Cairo Press TV 05 Mar 2025 -- The Palestinian Hamas resistance movement has welcomed Egypt's Gaza reconstruction plan adopted at an emergency Arab summit in Cairo, which aims to avoid displacing Palestinians from the devastated coastal sliver.
• Spokesperson: Hamas will not allow foreign powers to interfere in Gaza affairs IRNA 05 Mar 2025 -- The Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem has stressed that any arrangement for the future of Gaza after the end of the war must be made through a national agreement and that this movement will not allow any foreign power to interfere.
• Gaza: Israeli aid cut threatens care for most vulnerable, warns UNICEF UN News 05 Mar 2025 -- The unilateral halt to aid deliveries entering Gaza announced by the Israeli authorities on Sunday has left Gazans afraid of a return to violence and lifesaving healthcare services under threat, the UN Children's Fund, UNICEF, has warned.
• US, Israel reject Gaza reconstruction plan proposed by Arab leaders that allows Palestinians to stay Press TV 05 Mar 2025 -- The United States and Israel have rejected a long-awaited Arab plan for the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip that would allow the territory's roughly two million residents to stay in their homeland.
• The U.S. and Israel reject Arab alternative to Trump's Gaza plan IRNA 05 Mar 2025 -- The United States and Israel have rejected an Arab initiative for the post-war reconstruction of the Gaza Strip, which would allow the 2.1 million Palestinians living there to remain in their homeland.
• US engaged in direct talks with Hamas: White House Press TV 05 Mar 2025 -- The White House has confirmed a report alleging that the United States has engaged in direct negotiations with the Gaza Strip-based Palestinian resistance movement Hamas.
• China supports Arab countries' efforts in promoting ceasefire in Gaza, says FM on Egypt's Gaza plan Global Times 05 Mar 2025 -- In response to media reports that Arab countries on Tuesday held a summit in Cairo, Egypt, on the Palestinian issue and proposed a Gaza post-war recovery and reconstruction plan, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Wednesday that China supports the efforts of Egypt and other Arab countries to promote the continuous and effective implementation of the Gaza ceasefire agreement, advance humanitarian rescue in Gaza, and restore security and stability in the region.
• E3 Foreign Ministers' Statement: Humanitarian Access to Gaza Germany Federal Foreign Office 05 Mar 2025
• Humanitarian access in Gaza: E3 foreign ministers' statement, 5 March 2025 UK FCDO 05 Mar 2025 -- Statement from the foreign ministers of the UK, France and Germany (E3) on humanitarian access in Gaza.
• Foreign Minister Eide: The Arab plan for Gaza's reconstruction should receive broad international support Government of Norway 05 Mar 2025 -- The Gaza reconstruction plan was presented during an extraordinary Arab summit in Cairo on Tuesday, 4 March.
• South Africa condemns Israel's use of 'starvation as a weapon of war' in Gaza IRNA 05 Mar 2025 -- South Africa has denounced Israel for using "starvation as a weapon of war" in Gaza, after the occupying regime blocked the entry of humanitarian aid.
• No: 44, 5 March 2025, Regarding the Plan Adopted on Gaza at the Extraordinary Arab League Summit Republic of Turkey Ministry of Foreign Affairs 05 Mar 2025

Other Conflicts

• UN Human Rights Council 58: UK Statement at the Panel on Early Warning and Genocide Prevention UK FCDO 05 Mar 2025 -- UK Statement at the Panel on Early Warning and Genocide Prevention. Delivered by UK Ambassador for Human Rights to the UN, Eleanor Sanders.
• AFP safely conducts resupply mission for BRP Sierra Madre in WPS Philippine News Agency 05 Mar 2025 -- The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Wednesday announced that it was able to conduct another routine rotation and resupply (RORE) mission for the contingent manning the BRP Sierra Madre in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) without any untoward incident on March 4.
• CCG permits and monitors delivery of essential supplies to illegally 'grounded' Philippine warship at Ren'ai Jiao Global Times 05 Mar 2025 -- On Tuesday, with China's permission, the Philippines dispatched a civilian ship to deliver essential supplies to an illegally "grounded" warship at Ren'ai Jiao. The China Coast Guard (CCG) monitored and verified the entire process, CCG spokesperson Liu Dejun said in a statement on Wednesday.
• Sanctioning Houthi Leaders for Weapons Procurement and Destabilizing Violence US Dept. of State 05 Mar 2025 -- The United States is today sanctioning seven senior members of Ansarallah, commonly known as the Houthis, for their role in smuggling weapons to Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen and negotiating weapons procurement deals.
• Treasury Targets Houthi Leaders Involved in Smuggling and Procuring Weapons US Treasury 05 Mar 2025 -- Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is taking action against seven high-ranking members of Ansarallah, commonly known as the Houthis. These individuals have smuggled military-grade items and weapon systems into Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen and also negotiated Houthi weapons procurements from Russia. OFAC is also designating one Houthi-affiliated operative and his company that have recruited Yemeni civilians to fight on behalf of Russia in Ukraine and generated revenue to support the Houthis' militant operations.
• US imposes sanctions against seven leaders of Yemen's Ansarullah Press TV 05 Mar 2025 -- The administration of US President Donald Trump has imposed sanctions against seven leaders of Yemen's Ansarullah resistance movement.
• Pakistan confirms 5 soldiers, 13 civilians killed in twin suicide bombings targeting military compound VOA 05 Mar 2025 -- Five soldiers and at least 13 civilians, including women and children, were killed in a twin suicide bombing Tuesday that targeted a military compound in northwestern Pakistan, according to the military.
• Syrians' hopes for a better future depend on justice for the disappeared, Human Rights Council hears UN News 05 Mar 2025 -- The people of Syria's painful search for a peaceful future took centre stage at the UN on Wednesday as one leading representative of the families of the country's forcibly disappeared spoke of the continuing pain of not knowing their fate.
• Myanmar's military recaptures camps from rebels in Shan state Radio Free Asia 05 Mar 2025 -- Myanmar's military has recaptured some camps previously controlled by ethnic rebels in northeastern Shan state nearly eight months of fighting, sources familiar with the situation said Wednesday.
• Myanmar army tries to clear fighters from road, 20,000 villagers flee, rebels say Radio Free Asia 05 Mar 2025 -- Myanmar's military has launched air and artillery strikes as it tries to clear pro-democracy fighters from the vicinity of a major north-south road and nearly 20,000 villagers have fled from their homes to escape the violence, an insurgent fighter told Radio Free Asia on Wednesday.
• Myanmar childhoods upended by civil war Radio Free Asia 05 Mar 2025 -- It was just over a year ago that 8-year-old Chit Zaw was playing at his home in northern Myanmar when the junta jet fighter roared overhead.
• Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's meeting with Deputy Prime Minister - Foreign Minister of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, U Than Swe Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 05 Mar 2025
• Analysts warn of China advances in Myanmar, see Rubio as key to US response VOA 05 Mar 2025 -- U.S. engagement in Southeast Asia, especially Myanmar, can advance America's national security, economic interests and broader strategic goals in countering China's expanding influence, foreign policy analysts say.
• Minister Joly announces additional sanctions in response to ongoing conflict in Sudan Canada 05 Mar 2025 -- Today, the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, announced that Canada is imposing new sanctions under the Special Economic Measures Act against seven individuals and three entities associated with the ongoing conflict in Sudan.
• Backgrounder: Additional sanctions in response to ongoing conflict in Sudan Canada 05 Mar 2025
• Meeting with President-elect of Abkhazia Badra Gunba President of Russia 05 Mar 2025 -- Vladimir Putin met with the newly elected President of Abkhazia Badra Gunba in the Kremlin.
• UN expert expresses extreme concern for safety of human rights defenders in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo OHCHR 05 Mar 2025 -- As the situation continues to deteriorate in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, a UN expert today called for urgent, practical support for human rights defenders in the region.
• UN report reveals brutal attacks targeting Muslims, refugees in Central African Republic UN News 05 Mar 2025 -- A UN report released on Wednesday has uncovered a pattern of grave human rights violations committed by armed groups in southeast Central African Republic (CAR), targeting Muslim communities and Sudanese refugees.
• Central African Republic: UN report calls for accountability for attacks by armed groups active in Haut Oubangui OHCHR 05 Mar 2025 -- Armed groups, including one affiliated with the armed forces of the Central African Republic, committed grave human rights violations in the Haut Oubangui Region, in the southeastern part of the country, mainly against Muslim communities and Sudanese refugees and asylum-seekers, a UN report has found.
• Islamic State in retreat after offensive in Somalia's Puntland VOA 05 Mar 2025 -- One month ago, on the morning of Feb. 4, forces from Somalia's Puntland region attacked Islamic State terror group fighters, who responded with drones, suicide attacks and infantry charges.
• Cambodia's king approves law allowing criminal charges for Khmer Rouge denial Radio Free Asia 05 Mar 2025 -- King Norodom Sihamoni has approved a law that allows prosecutors to bring criminal charges for denying the existence of crimes committed during Cambodia's Khmer Rouge period.

News Reports

• Trump delays 25% tariff on vehicle imports from Mexico, Canada VOA 05 Mar 2025 -- U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday delayed a new 25% tariff on vehicle imports from Mexico and Canada for a month, amid fears that a trade war between the neighboring countries could hurt the "Big 3" U.S. automakers.
• Canada announces detailed counter tariff package against U.S. People's Daily 05 Mar 2025 -- The Canadian federal government on Tuesday announced a detailed tariff package after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau vowed that Canada will not back down from a fight against the trade war initiated by U.S. President Donald Trump.
• Justice Department Charges 12 Chinese Contract Hackers and Law Enforcement Officers in Global Computer Intrusion Campaigns US Dept. of Justice 05 Mar 2025 -- The Justice Department, FBI, Naval Criminal Investigative Service, and Departments of State and the Treasury announced today their coordinated efforts to disrupt and deter the malicious cyber activities of 12 Chinese nationals, including two officers of the People's Republic of China's (PRC) Ministry of Public Security (MPS), employees of an ostensibly private PRC company, Anxun Information Technology Co. Ltd. (安洵信息技术有限公司) also known as "i-Soon," and members of Advanced Persistent Threat 27 (APT27).
• US charges 12 Chinese hackers and officials, offers $10M in rewards Radio Free Asia 05 Mar 2025 -- The United States on Wednesday charged 12 alleged state-backed Chinese hackers and state officials with offenses related to accessing the email accounts of Chinese dissidents and foreign governments agencies, including the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
• US indicts 12 Chinese nationals in hacking-for-hire scheme VOA 05 Mar 2025 -- The U.S. Justice Department announced indictments Wednesday against 12 Chinese nationals accused in a global hacking campaign targeting U.S.-based dissidents, news organizations, government agencies and a large religious organization.
• Chinese Nationals with Ties to the PRC Government and "APT27" Charged in a Computer Hacking Campaign for Profit, Targeting Numerous U.S. Companies, Institutions, and Municipalities United States Attorney for the District of Columbia 05 Mar 2025 -- A federal judge in Washington, D.C., today, unsealed two separate indictments that allege Chinese nationals Yin Kecheng, 38, (尹 可成) a/k/a "YKC" ("YIN") and Zhou Shuai, 45, (周帅) a/k/a "Coldface" ("ZHOU") violated various federal statutes by participating in years-long, sophisticated computer hacking conspiracies that successfully targeted a wide variety of U.S.-based victims from 2011 to the present-day.
• Sanctions on China-Based Hacker and Data Broker US Dept. of State 05 Mar 2025 -- The Department of Justice today unsealed indictments charging Zhou Shuai and Yin Kecheng, eight employees of i-Soon, a Chinese technology company, and two officers of China's Ministry of Public Security (MPS) with a variety of hacking-related offenses.
• Treasury Sanctions China-based Hacker Involved in the Compromise of Sensitive U.S. Victim Networks US Treasury 05 Mar 2025 -- Today, the Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is designating Zhou Shuai, a Shanghai-based malicious cyber actor and data broker, and his company, Shanghai Heiying Information Technology Company, Limited (Shanghai Heiying). In collaboration with another malicious cyber actor, U.S.-sanctioned Yin Kecheng, Zhou Shuai illegally acquired, brokered, and sold data from highly sensitive U.S. critical infrastructure networks.
• Up to $2 Million Reward Offers Each for Information Leading to Arrests and/or Convictions of Malicious Cyber Actors from China US Dept. of State 05 Mar 2025 -- Today, the Department of State's Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs is announcing two reward offers under the Transnational Organized Crime Rewards Program (TOCRP) of up to $2 million each for information leading to the arrests and/or convictions, in any country, of malicious cyber actors Yin KeCheng and Zhou Shuai, both Chinese nationals residing in China.
• Beijing Leveraging Freelance Hackers and Information Security Companies to Compromise Computer Networks Worldwide FBI 05 Mar 2025 -- is releasing this Public Service Announcement to highlight that the Chinese government is using formal and informal connections with freelance hackers and information security () companies to compromise computer networks worldwide.
• Vance visits Mexico border, says US won't invade Mexico VOA 05 Mar 2025 -- U.S. Vice President JD Vance led a trio of White House officials on a visit Wednesday to a key crossing point on the Texas-Mexico border, where he echoed President Donald Trump's hard-line immigration push and assured Americans that U.S. forces don't plan to invade Mexico.
• Announcement of a Visa Restriction Policy Targeting Foreign Officials and Others Facilitating Illegal Migration into the United States US Dept. of State 05 Mar 2025 -- "Securing our nation's borders is critically important to making America safer, stronger, and more prosperous. Countries along migratory routes must do their part to prevent and deter the transit of aliens seeking to illegally enter the United States"
• Alleged International Leader of MS-13 Extradited on RICO Charge US Dept. of Justice 05 Mar 2025 -- Moises Humberto Rivera-Luna, also known as Santos and Viejo Santos, 55, an alleged international leader of the violent MS-13 drug gang, made an initial appearance today in the District of Columbia following his extradition from Guatemala to the United States to face racketeering conspiracy charges.
• United States Arrests ISIS-K Attack Planner for Role in Killing of U.S. Military Service Members at Abbey Gate, Afghanistan US Dept. of Justice 05 Mar 2025 -- On March 2, 2025, the United States charged Mohammad Sharifullah, also known as "Jafar," a member of the terrorist organization the Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham-Khorasan Province (ISIS-K), with providing and conspiring to provide material support and resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization resulting in death, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2339B.
• Meeting with Government members President of Russia 05 Mar 2025 -- The President held a meeting with Government members, via videoconference.
• Expanded meeting of the Interior Ministry Board President of Russia 05 Mar 2025 -- Vladimir Putin addressed the annual expanded meeting of the Interior Ministry Board.
• Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's remarks at a meeting of the Supervisory Board and the Board of Trustees of Russian Foreign Ministry's MGIMO University, Moscow, March 5, 2025 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 05 Mar 2025
• Moscow aims to exploit US-Europe rift, experts warn VOA 05 Mar 2025 -- As European Union leaders prepare for emergency talks to ramp up military spending after the Trump administration suspended aid to Ukraine, several Russia experts say Moscow is trying to capitalize on fragmenting Western cohesion.
• Iran to increase aviation industry services to Russia IRNA 05 Mar 2025 -- President of the Civil Aviation Organization Hossein Pourfarzaneh and Head of the Federal Agency for Air Transport of the Russian Federation Dmitry Yadrov have agreed for Iran to expand its aviation industry exports to Russia.
• Russia Smuggling US Plane Parts As Sanctions Ground Airliners, Jeopardizing Civil Aviation RFE/RL 05 Mar 2025 -- On February 13, two weeks before Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine reached the three-year mark, the US Department of Justice announced it had arrested three people linked to an Ohio company on charges of exporting $2 million worth of civilian aircraft parts and components to Russia in circumvention of US export laws.
• China's national legislature opens annual session, inspires confidence amid complex environment Global Times 05 Mar 2025 -- The 14th National People's Congress (NPC), China's national legislature, opened its third session on Wednesday morning at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.
• China's national legislature opens annual session People's Daily 05 Mar 2025 -- China's national legislature on Wednesday started its annual session, with a string of confidence-boosting development goals unveiled, including an economic growth target of around 5 percent for 2025.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian's Regular Press Conference on March 5, 2025 PRC MofA 05 Mar 2025
• NPC spokesperson responds to question on impact of Trump's re-inauguration on China-EU relations Global Times 05 Mar 2025 -- When asked how China believes US President Donald Trump's re-inauguration will affect China-Europe diplomatic and trade relations, Lou Qinjian, spokesperson for the third session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC), said China attaches high importance to relations with the EU. China and Europe are two major constructive forces for peace, a sound and stable China-EU relationship serves the fundamental and long-term interests of both sides and meets the common expectations of the international community, he said.
• Chinese FM responds to question on multiple claims of Trump in address to US Congress Global Times 05 Mar 2025 -- At a regular press briefing on Wednesday, a journalist asked Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson for comment on US President Donald Trump's address to Congress, during which Trump said that he had received a message from President Zelensky to help end the war in Ukraine, and also repeating that he hopes to see greater US control over the Panama Canal and Greenland, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian stated that "we noted relevant reports." China' s position on the Ukraine crisis is consistent and clear, he said, adding that dialogue and negotiation are the only viable solution to the crisis.
• China vows to fight US 'till the end' amid escalating trade war Press TV 05 Mar 2025 -- Beijing says the United States is using the fentanyl issue as a "flimsy excuse" to raise tariffs on Chinese imports, vowing to fight "till the end" if Washington is hell-bent on waging a trade war.
• Chinese FM responds to potential acquisition related to Panama Canal, opposes coercion in international trade Global Times 05 Mar 2025 -- In response to media inquiries regarding a consortium led by US investment firm BlackRock potentially acquiring a Hong Kong company with the aim of taking control of Hong Kong company's stake in the Panama Canal, saying the move is under pressure of the White House, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian stated that we don't comment on the relevant business transaction.
• Letters call on UK residents to hand Hong Kongers over to China for reward Radio Free Asia 05 Mar 2025 -- Calls are growing for the British government to take action to protect Hong Kongers in the country from the China's "long-arm" law enforcement after the neighbors of two wanted pro-democracy activists received anonymous letters urging them to bring the activists to the Chinese Embassy in London.
• Thailand had offers to take Uyghurs but deported them to China anyway: MP Radio Free Asia 05 Mar 2025 -- Thailand had received offers from three countries, including the United States, to accept 48 detained Uyghurs for resettlement but it instead deported most of them to China last week, at Beijing's request, a Thai opposition member of parliament said on Wednesday.
• China's crackdown on dissent: over 1,500 convicted in six years, report finds Radio Free Asia 05 Mar 2025 -- Chinese authorities have arbitrarily detained thousands of people for peacefully defending or exercising their rights over the past six years and convicted 1,545 prisoners of conscience, a rights group said on Wednesday.
• China sets moderate economic growth target amid looming trade war VOA 05 Mar 2025 -- China set the economic growth target for 2025 at 5% on Wednesday, vowing to "rise to the challenge and strive for success" amid a lack of domestic demand and a challenging external environment.
• China releases white paper on fentanyl-related substances, stresses rigorous control People's Daily 05 Mar 2025 -- China's State Council Information Office on Tuesday released a white paper, titled "Controlling Fentanyl-Related Substances -- China's Contribution," highlighting the country's rigorous control over the chemicals.
• China's national legislature opens annual session Global Times 05 Mar 2025 -- The 14th National People's Congress (NPC), China's national legislature, opened its third session on Wednesday morning at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.
• Presidium elected, agenda set for China's annual legislative session Global Times 05 Mar 2025 -- Deputies to the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) gathered in Beijing on Tuesday at a preparatory meeting to elect the presidium and set the agenda for the third session of the 14th NPC, scheduled to begin on Wednesday.
• China opens 'two sessions' with commitment to high-quality development amid challenges Global Times 05 Mar 2025 -- The annual "two sessions," a highly anticipated event on China's political calendar, began on Tuesday with the opening of the annual session of the country's top political advisory body.
• China sets 2025 GDP growth target at around 5%, projecting confidence in economy Global Times 05 Mar 2025 -- China on Wednesday set a growth target of around 5 percent for its economy in 2025, which remains the same as last year's goal, indicating top policymakers' solid confidence in the stable growth of the world's second-largest economy despite rising global risks and challenges.
• China to boost consumption in 2025 with ultra-long special treasury bonds of 300 billion yuan: Government Work Report Global Times 05 Mar 2025 -- China will launch special initiatives to boost consumption in 2025, including issuing ultra-long special treasury bonds of 300 billion yuan ($42 billion) to support consumer goods trade-in programs, according to the Government Work Report submitted Wednesday to the national legislature for deliberation.
• China targets economic growth of around 5 pct in 2025 People's Daily 05 Mar 2025 -- China targets an economic growth rate of around 5 percent in 2025, according to a government work report submitted Wednesday to the national legislature for deliberation.
• China's 'Two Sessions' places greater emphasis on Taiwan integration: Experts CNA 05 Mar 2025 -- The Taiwan-related section in China's government work report, presented during the "Two Sessions" on Wednesday, placed greater emphasis on the promotion of integration and unification of Taiwan with China, experts told CNA.
• PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan ROC MND 05 Mar 2025
• China to firmly advance cause of reunification People's Daily 05 Mar 2025 -- China will firmly advance the cause of reunification, according to a government work report submitted Wednesday to the national legislature for deliberation.
• Russia to Europe: Stop snapback threats against Iran, move past 'phantom pains' IRNA 05 Mar 2025 -- Russia has slammed the threats by Britain, France, and Germany to trigger the snapback of sanctions against Iran as an "irresponsible" and "unlawful" rhetoric, urging the trio to focus their efforts on finding a solution to the situation they themselves created.
• Kremlin confirms Russia, U.S. discussed Iran in Riyadh talks; rejects rumors on Putin's mediation IRNA 05 Mar 2025 -- An aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin has confirmed news reports published in the Western media that the issue of Iran was raised in the negotiations between Russia and the United States, and saying this issue was discussed during the negotiations in Riyadh on February 18.
• Iran rejects the U.K.'s claims as 'baseless' IRNA 05 Mar 2025 -- Foreign Ministry spokeperson Esma'eel Baqayi has rejected the British officials' allegations that Iran is trying to threaten the European country's national security as "baseless".
• Iran dismisses UK accusation of threatening Britain's national security Press TV 05 Mar 2025 -- Iran has dismissed as baseless Britain's claim that Tehran threatens British national security, urging London to abandon its unconstructive approach toward Iran and the broader West Asia region.
• NPT Safeguards Agreement with Iran: Quad statement to the IAEA Board, March 2025 UK FCDO 05 Mar 2025 -- UK Ambassador Corinne Kitsell's statement on behalf of France, Germany, the UK and United States (the Quad) to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board meeting about Iran's implementation of its obligations under its Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Safeguards Agreement
• IAEA Board of Governors on the JCPoA, March 2025: E3 statement UK FCDO 05 Mar 2025 -- France, Germany and the UK (E3) gave a joint statement to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors on Iran's implementation of its nuclear commitments under the JCPoA
• Iran rejects Western pressure tactic, calls on the IAEA to be impartial IRNA 05 Mar 2025 -- Iran's ambassador to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has called for the verifiable lifting of U.S. sanctions, stressing that a pressure campaign to force the Islamic Republic to unilaterally implement nuclear-related commitments is both ineffective and counterproductive.
• Iran's IAEA envoy: West's 'ineffective' pressure campaign to backfire Press TV 05 Mar 2025 -- The Western strategy of exerting pressure on Tehran to force its unilateral compliance with nuclear obligations is "not only ineffective but also counterproductive," Iran's envoy to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has warned.
• Iran's largest oil producer reports increase in output Press TV 05 Mar 2025 -- Iran's largest oil production company has reported a major increase in its daily output, a fresh sign the country's petroleum industry is making progress despite the continued pressure on its sales and technology imports due to US sanctions.
• Turkmenistan begins shipping gas to Turkey via Iran: Minister IRNA 05 Mar 2025 -- Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad has announced that natural gas is now flowing from Turkmenistan to Turkey through Iran.
• Iran confirms it has started transiting Turkmen gas to Turkey Press TV 05 Mar 2025 -- Iran's oil minister says the country has started receiving gas from Turkmenistan in its northeast and delivering the same amount to its northwestern neighbor Turkey as part of a swap agreement.
• "Türkiye and Azerbaijan favor peace and prosperity" Presidency of The Republic of Turkey 05 Mar 2025 -- Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Iğdır-Nakhchivan Natural Gas Pipeline, President Erdoğan said: "Türkiye and Azerbaijan favor peace, calm and prosperity. We want only peace and cooperation, and to develop all together in our region."
• Deputy Prime Minister/ Foreign Minister Received a Call from the US National Security Advisor Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs 05 Mar 2025 -- The Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, received a call from the US National Security Advisor, Michael Waltz on 4th March 2025. The NSA conveyed President Trump's appreciation and thanks for Government of Pakistan's efforts in countering terrorism.
• Pakistan's Arrest Of Islamic State Operative Signals Renewed U.S. Cooperation RFE/RL 05 Mar 2025 -- Pakistan's arrest of a suspected Islamic State-Khorasan (IS-K) operative and his extradition to the United States signals renewed counterterrorism cooperation between the two countries, experts said.
• US-Pakistan capture of 'top terrorist' signals deep counterterrorism cooperation despite cold ties, experts say VOA 05 Mar 2025 -- The U.S. Justice Department presented in a federal court in Virginia the alleged mastermind of the August 2021 bombing that killed 13 U.S. troops in Afghanistan.
• Prime Minister's remarks at UK-Ireland Summit: 5 March 2025 Gov.UK 05 Mar 2025
• Colombian National Sentenced to Prison and Another Pleads Guilty for Roles in Conspiracy to Kidnap and Assault U.S. Army Soldiers in Colombia US Dept. of Justice 05 Mar 2025 -- A Colombian national was sentenced and another pleaded guilty in separate hearings today in the Southern District of Florida for their respective roles in kidnapping and assaulting two members of the U.S. military who were on temporary duty in Bogotá, Colombia.
• Joint Statement from U.S Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent and Israeli Minister of Finance Bezalel Smotrich US Treasury 05 Mar 2025 -- Today, March 5th 2025, U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent and Israel's Minister of Finance Bezalel Smotrich held a highly impactful meeting to discuss the ongoing economic partnership between the United States and Israel.
• Serbia: Statement by the Spokesperson on recent developments European External Action Service (EEAS) 05 Mar 2025 -- We are very concerned by the disruptions of parliamentary work and the violence in the Parliament. The Parliament must be the place for democratic debate in the interest of all citizens, and must fully play its role.
• Azerbaijan 2024 early presidential and parliamentary elections: ODIHR observation missions final reports OSCE 05 Mar 2025 -- Azerbaijan's 2024 early presidential and early parliamentary elections took place in a restrictive environment marred by the absence of genuine political alternatives and a lack of political will to bring the country's elections closer in line with international standards and OSCE commitments.
• China doubles estimate for people affected in Tibet quake to 120,000 Radio Free Asia 05 Mar 2025 -- Chinese authorities are now reporting that more than 120,000 people -- twice their previous estimate -- were affected in the deadly earthquake that shook the region in January and killed at least 126 people.
• World News in Brief: Guterres convenes Cyprus summit, violence continues in southern Lebanon, UN aid hub in Chad expands UN News 05 Mar 2025 -- The UN Secretary-General on Wednesday announced a fresh bid to end the decades-long hostilities over the division of Cyprus through informal talks scheduled to take place over two days from 17 March.