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Defense Policy / Programs
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Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• Iraq to end presence of US-led military coalition by September: Prime minister's aide Press TV 18 Aug 2025 -- The Iraqi government plans to end the presence of the US-led military forces in the capital Baghdad and at the Ain al-Asad airbase in the western al-Anbar province by the end of September, according to an aide to Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani.
• Guard Assisting Law Enforcement in Making D.C. Safe DoD News 18 Aug 2025 -- On Aug. 11, 2025, President Donald J. Trump declared a crime emergency in the nation's capital and vowed to make streets there safe again.
• 3 U.S. states sending National Guard troops to Washington People's Daily 18 Aug 2025 -- The governors of three U.S. states are sending National Guard troops to Washington, D.C., as President Donald Trump asserted that crime and homelessness have been out of control in the nation's capital.
• Task Force Forge Marines and Sailors Assume Southern Border Mission in Arizona DoD News 18 Aug 2025 -- Service members assigned to Combat Logistics Battalion 15, 1st Marine Logistics Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force, known as Task Force Forge, assumed operational responsibilities last month from 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division, known as Task Force Sapper, to support U.S. Northern Command's ongoing assistance to the Department of Homeland Security under Joint Task Force Southern Border.

Defense Policy / Programs

• America's Rapid Response Force Deploys for Global Operations DoD News 18 Aug 2025 -- Sailors and Marines assigned to the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group - 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) departed for a regularly scheduled deployment, Aug. 14, 2025.
• USNS Comfort Returns Home After Continuing Promise 2025 US Navy 18 Aug 2025 -- The Mercy-class hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) returned to Naval Station Norfolk (NSN), Aug. 17, 2025, marking the successful completion of Continuing Promise 2025 (CP25). Comfort returned to NSN after a 79-day deployment, providing medical care, humanitarian assistance and strengthening relationships with partner nations in the Caribbean and South and Central America.
• USS George Washington Strike Group arrives in Guam, Saipan US Navy 18 Aug 2025 -- Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73), flagship of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 5, embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, and cruiser USS Robert Smalls (CG 62) arrived in Guam for a scheduled port visit, August 17, while destroyer USS Shoup (DDG 86) visits Saipan.
• Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group Transits Strait of Dover US Navy 18 Aug 2025 -- The world's largest aircraft carrier, USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), and Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Mahan (DDG 72), USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG 81), and USS Bainbridge (DDG 96), all assigned to Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group (GRFCSG), transited the Strait of Dover into the North Sea, Aug. 17.
• SECNAV United States Naval Academy Change of Command Speech US Navy 18 Aug 2025 -- Speech by John C. Phelan
• Space Systems Command activates new Systems Delta United States Space Force 18 Aug 2025 -- Space Systems Command, the U.S. Space Force field command responsible for developing and delivering resilient space capabilities, stood up its newest Systems Delta through an activation and assumption of command ceremony at Peterson Space Force Base Aug. 8. The new Systems Delta 85 delivers integrated Space Domain Awareness, missile warning/tracking, missile defense, Command, Control and Communication, Battle Management and Space Intelligence capabilities for the U.S. Space Force and joint warfighters.
• Data on interceptions of aircraft completed near the Baltic States' borders on August 11-17, 2025 Lithuania MND 18 Aug 2025
• What Would An 'Article 5-Like' Pact Mean For Ukraine? RFE/RL 18 Aug 2025 -- Security guarantees for Kyiv are a key issue at the heart of efforts to bring an end to fighting amid Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine, and now White House special envoy Steve Witkoff has put the term "Article 5-like" center stage.
• Remarks by NATO Secretary General, Mark Rutte, at the start of the multilateral meeting hosted by the President of the United States, Donald J. Trump, with the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and other European leaders in Washington, D.C. NATO 18 Aug 2025 -- I will be very brief. I really want to thank you, President of the United States, dear Donald, for the fact that you, as I said before, broke the deadlock, basically, with President Putin by starting that dialog; and I think it was in February that you had the first phone call. And from there, we are now where we are today. And that is, I think, if we play this well, we could end this. And we have to end this. We have to stop the killing. We have to stop the destruction of Ukraine's infrastructure. It is a terrible war, so I'm really excited, and let's make the best out of today and make sure that from today onwards, we get this thing to an end as soon as possible.
• Security Guarantees for Ukraine Do Not Require Deployment of US Troops - US NATO Envoy Sputnik 18 Aug 2025 -- Potential security guarantees for Ukraine may not require the deployment of US troops and are expected to be primarily focused on a command-and-control role, US Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker stated on Monday.
• Denys Shmyhal discussed defence cooperation with the Minister of Defence of the Slovak Republic Ukraine MOD 18 Aug 2025
• Denys Shmyhal presented the Government's Program in the field of defence: New approaches to management, innovation development, and partnership Ukraine MOD 18 Aug 2025
• The Ministry of Defence has received demining equipment from the Danish Refugee Council Ukraine MOD 18 Aug 2025
• The Ministry of Defence has launched a unified service platform for weapons manufacturers in Ukraine Ukraine MOD 18 Aug 2025
• Defence signs $1.5 billion contract for ADF logistics Australia DOD 18 Aug 2025 -- Defence has signed a new $1.5 billion national logistics contract with Toll Remote Logistics Proprietary Limited to deliver vital equipment, supplies and support across Australia.
• Facing troop shortages, Israel eyes recruitment from US and France Press TV 18 Aug 2025 -- Israel's military is considering a plan to recruit young Jews from abroad as it grapples with a severe shortage of soldiers amid its ongoing genocidal war on the besieged Gaza Strip.
• New multi-million pound Army support deal for North-East firm to boost national security and growth UK MOD 18 Aug 2025 -- New agreement with Cook Defence Systems will provide vital spare parts to the British Army armoured vehicle fleet
• Upholding its legacy of responding to the nation's call during times of natural calamities, Pakistan Air Force, extended vital support to ongoing relief operations in flood-affected areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. ISPR Pakistan 18 Aug 2025
• PH Army to get 100 rounds of howitzer ammo from Israel Philippine News Agency 18 Aug 2025 -- The Philippine Army (PA) will be acquiring 100 rounds of high explosive (HE) 155mm precision-guided munition (PGM) to arm its howitzer platforms having the same caliber.
• Army chief meets with JUSMAG, US Army reps to beef up interoperability Philippine News Agency 18 Aug 2025 -- Philippine Army (PA) commander Lt. Gen. Antonio Nafarrete met with ranking officials of the Joint US Military Advisory Group (JUSMAG) and the US Army Attaché as part of efforts to sustain bilateral engagement and enhance interoperability between the two forces.
• Secretary of State Marco Rubio with Jesse Watters of Jesse Watters Primetime on Fox News US Dept. of State 18 Aug 2025

Defense Industry

• Contracts For Aug. 18, 2025

Other Conflicts

Ukraine Conflict News
• 18 August 2025 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 18 Aug 2025

Operation Iron Swords / Operation Al-Aqsa Flood | Operation Northern Arrows | Giddeon's Chariots

• Israel revokes visas of Australian diplomats to Palestine Press TV 18 Aug 2025 -- Israel has revoked the residency visas of Australia's representatives to Palestine after Canberra barred the entry of the regime's far-right figures and announced its intention to recognize Palestinian statehood.
• PM Netanyahu: "I spoke with the Defense Minister and the IDF about our plans regarding Gaza City and the completion of our missions. Hamas is under immense pressure." Israel - Prime Minister 18 Aug 2025
• Israel chief of staff approves Gaza City takeover plan IRNA 18 Aug 2025 -- Israeli Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir has officially approved a military plan for the occupation of Gaza City, located in the north of the Gaza Strip.
• Hamas accepts ceasefire proposal as Trump backs Israeli plans to occupy Gaza Press TV 18 Aug 2025 -- Hamas has reportedly accepted a proposed ceasefire and prisoner exchange deal with Israel, even as US President Donald Trump declared that Israel's captives will be freed only after Hamas is "destroyed," backing the regime's ongoing plans to occupy Gaza City.
• Hamas: Gaza occupation plan will escalate genocide and forced displacement IRNA 18 Aug 2025 -- The Palestinian Resistance Movement, Hamas, says Israel's plan to occupy Gaza City will only escalate genocide and forced displacement of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
• Gaza hunger death toll rises as Israel 'deliberately' starves Palestinians Press TV 18 Aug 2025 -- Five more Palestinians, including two children, have died of hunger over the past 24 hours in the Gaza Strip, where a rights group says Israel is enacting a "deliberate policy" of starvation against Palestinians.
• 161 aid packages airdropped into Gaza as famine toll rises People's Daily 18 Aug 2025 -- A total of 161 packages containing food were airdropped over the Gaza Strip on Sunday during an aid operation carried out by nine countries, the Israeli military said, as famine continues to spread in the enclave after nearly two years of war.
• US envoy urges Israel to withdraw forces as Lebanon takes first step Press TV 18 Aug 2025 -- US Special Envoy Tom Barrack has said that with Lebanon's government taking the first step, Israel must now reciprocate by withdrawing its forces from Lebanese territory.
• Israel's starvation of Palestinians in Gaza is a deliberate policy: Amnesty IRNA 18 Aug 2025 -- Leading international rights group Amnesty International has released a new report featuring testimonies from displaced civilians in Gaza, indicating that the Israeli regime has been deliberately starving Palestinians, systematically destroying their health, well-being and social fabric.
• Doctors Without Borders warns Gaza daily injuries triple since launch of GHF Press TV 18 Aug 2025 -- Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has warned that daily Palestinian injuries in Gaza have tripled since late May, with the launch of an Israeli and US-backed aid initiative run by the so-called Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF).
• OIC Condemns Israeli Occupation Prime Minister's Racist Remarks and Provocative Visit to Illegal Settlement in Occupied West Bank Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) 18 Aug 2025 -- The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) strongly condemns the provocative visit made by the Prime Minister of the Israeli occupation to the "Ofra" settlement illegally established in the occupied West Bank.
• In display of the constant support and tangible solidarity of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist Him, Chairman of the Al-Quds Committee, towards the brotherly Palestinian people, the Sovereign issued His Very High Instructions to dispatch additional humanitarian aid in favor of the inhabitants of Gaza. Morocco Ministry of Foreign Affairs 18 Aug 2025

Other Conflicts

• Today's top news: Occupied Palestinian Territory, Sudan, Ukraine UNOCHA 18 Aug 2025
• World Food Program Warns Of 'Unprecedented' Hunger Crisis In Afghanistan RFE/RL 18 Aug 2025 -- Kabul residents have told RFE/RL that they are begging for rice and "ready to accept death," as the World Food Program (WFP) said it was "turning hundreds of thousands of people away" from nutrition centers.
• Four Syrians wounded as Israel bombs southern Lebanon in new truce breach Press TV 18 Aug 2025 -- In yet another breach of the fragile 2024 ceasefire agreement with Lebanon, the Israeli military has launched an airstrike in the southern part of the Arab nation, injuring a number of individuals.
• Myanmar's ruling junta sets Dec. 28 election date as civil war rages Radio Free Asia 18 Aug 2025 -- The military-backed election commission in Myanmar set Dec. 28 for the initial phase of long-promised elections, the first since the 2021 coup that overthrew the country's last elected government and kicked off a still-raging civil war.
• South Sudanese 'are counting on us', top UN official tells Security Council UN News 18 Aug 2025 -- Assistant Secretary-General for Africa, Martha Pobee, briefed the Security Council on the deteriorating security and humanitarian conditions in South Sudan on Monday.
• South Sudan at 'Turning Point' Amid Worsening Violence, Humanitarian Crisis, Speakers Tell Security Council, Urging Renewed Dialogue, End to Fighting UN Security Council 18 Aug 2025 -- Escalating violence, political deadlock and a deepening humanitarian crisis puts South Sudan "at a turning point", the Security Council heard today, as several UN and regional officials urged an end to hostilities, protection of civilians, and a renewed commitment to the Revitalized Peace Agreement.
• Israel to provide urgent humanitarian aid to South Sudan Israel - Prime Minister 18 Aug 2025 -- South Sudan is currently struggling with a cholera outbreak and facing a severe shortage of resources. The aid will include essential medical supplies for treating patients, water purification equipment, gloves and face masks, as well as special hygiene kits to prevent cholera. In addition, food packages will be distributed.
• The UK calls on South Sudan's leaders to take urgent steps to end violence and restore dialogue: UK statement at the UN Security Council UK FCDO 18 Aug 2025 -- Statement by Ambassador Caroline Quinn, UK Deputy Political Coordinator, at the UN Security Council meeting on South Sudan.

News Reports

• Treasury Sanctions Notorious Costa Rican Narcotraffickers US Treasury 18 Aug 2025 -- Today, the Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated four Costa Rican nationals, as well as two Costa Rica-based entities, for their involvement in narcotics trafficking and money laundering. A key global cocaine transshipment hub, Costa Rica has become an increasingly significant waypoint for criminal groups trafficking cocaine into the United States.
• New Jersey Resident Sentenced for Role in Global Export Control and Sanctions Evasion Scheme US Dept. of Justice 18 Aug 2025 -- Today, in federal court in Brooklyn, New York, a New Jersey resident and dual U.S. and Russian national, Vadim Yermolenko, was sentenced to 30 months in prison for his role in a transnational arms dealing and money laundering network that sought to acquire ammunition and sensitive dual-use electronics for Russian military and intelligence services. In addition to the term of imprisonment Yermolenko was ordered to pay a forfeiture money judgment of $75,547.
• Meeting with Acting Governor of the Rostov Region Yury Slyusar President of Russia 18 Aug 2025
• Telephone conversation with President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov President of Russia 18 Aug 2025
• Telephone conversation with President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon President of Russia 18 Aug 2025
• Telephone conversation with President of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa President of Russia 18 Aug 2025 -- Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with President of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa.
• Telephone conversation with President of Brazil Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva President of Russia 18 Aug 2025 -- Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with President of Brazil Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning's Regular Press Conference on August 18, 2025 PRC MofA 18 Aug 2025
• China willing to work with India to manage differences, promote sustained, healthy, stable devt of bilateral relations: FM spokesperson on Wang Yi's India visit Global Times 18 Aug 2025 -- When asked about China's expectation regarding Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi's visit to India and the 24th Round of Talks Between the Special Representatives of China and India on the Boundary Question, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Monday that China is willing to take the opportunity of Wang's visit to India to work together with the Indian side in implementing the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, maintain the momentum of high-level exchanges, enhance political mutual trust, strengthen practical cooperation, properly manage differences, and promote the sustained, healthy, and stable development of China-India relations.
• China, India to start new round of consultations People's Daily 18 Aug 2025 -- China and India are preparing for a new round of high-level diplomacy aimed at easing their border issues and improving bilateral ties, as Foreign Minister Wang Yi begins a three-day visit to India on Monday, his first in more than three years.
• Chinese FM spokesperson urges relevant parties not to hype up tensions following German foreign minister's remarks on Taiwan, East and South China Seas Global Times 18 Aug 2025 -- In response to the criticism made by German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul during his visit to Japan, who claimed that China has repeatedly issued public threats in the Taiwan Straits, the East China Sea, and the South China Sea to unilaterally change the status quo, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Monday that the Taiwan question is China's internal affair. The one-China principle is the political foundation for China to establish and develop diplomatic relations with countries around the world, a basic norm of international relations, and a broad consensus within the international community.
• China urges relevant country to cease interfering in China's internal affairs: FM spokesperson on HK's anti-China disruptor granted asylum in Australia Global Times 18 Aug 2025 -- In response to a question regarding anti-China disruptor Ted Hui Chi-fung, who reportedly has been granted political asylum in Australia, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Monday that "the individual mentioned is an anti-China agitator who disrupts Hong Kong's order and is lawfully wanted by Hong Kong police. The Hong Kong SAR government has issued an official statement, strongly opposing any country sheltering criminals in any form."
• China launches low Earth orbit satellite group People's Daily 18 Aug 2025 -- China launched a new group of low Earth orbit satellites from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in northern Shanxi Province on Sunday.
• Public servants to be checked for Chinese IDs starting in 2026 CNA 18 Aug 2025 -- Taiwan's government will begin on Jan. 1, 2026 to routinely and systematically check to see if core personnel in the military, education system and civil service hold Chinese IDs, the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) announced Monday.
• Treaty of San Francisco illegal, invalid; Lai authorities completely abandon national stance, distort WWII history, which is disgraceful : Chinese FM Global Times 18 Aug 2025 -- When asked to comment on the recent claims by an official with Taiwan's so-called foreign affairs department that after World War II, the " Treaty of San Francisco " superseded political declarations such as the Cairo Declaration and the Potsdam Proclamation, stating that the treaty did not hand the island of Taiwan over to the People's Republic of China (PRC) and that the PRC has never governed Taiwan, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning said on Monday that such fallacious claims distort the truth and confuse the public, further exposing the Lai Ching-te authorities' thoroughly separatist "Taiwan independence" nature.
• Tuvalu reportedly considering pulling out of Pacific leaders' summit; 'hyping Taiwan question does not align with perception of most PICs' Global Times 18 Aug 2025 -- Prime Minister Feletei Teo of Tuvalu, which maintains so-called "diplomatic relations" with China's Taiwan region, said his country may pull out of the region's top political meeting next month, after host nation Solomon Islands moved to block all external partners from attending, The Guardian reported. Some foreign media analyses suggest that the Solomon Islands' decision aims to "exclude Taiwan from the meeting," prompting dissatisfaction from Tuvalu.
• German foreign minister calls China "aggressive" on Taiwan question ahead of trip to Japan; 'a provocative move that violates political consensus,' experts say Global Times 18 Aug 2025 -- Ahead of his first trip to Asia since taking office in May, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul claimed that "China's behavior in the Taiwan Straits is aggressive," Reuters reported on Sunday. A Chinese expert on European affairs called such a statement highly discourteous in diplomatic practice, negatively impacting China-Germany and China-EU relations.
• PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan ROC MND 18 Aug 2025
• IRGC deputy commander: Israel, US suffered miscalculation in 12-day war against Iran IRNA 18 Aug 2025 -- The deputy commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) says that Israel and the United States miscalculated in the 12-day war against Iran, believing they would have secured victory but ultimately failed. .
• IRGC deputy commander: Israel suffered miscalculation in 12-day war against Iran Press TV 18 Aug 2025 -- The deputy commander of the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) says Israel suffered miscalculation in the 12-day war it waged against Iran, even though the regime used full force against the Islamic Republic.
• Iran warns of 'endless wars' in region if Israeli expansionism goes unchecked IRNA 18 Aug 2025 -- Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei says Israel constitutes an existential threat to the security and stability of West Asia due to its boundless expansionism, warning that the region could face endless wars if the regime is not contained.
• Exclusive | Araghchi says Pezeshkian's Armenia trip aims to preserve regional geopolitics IRNA 18 Aug 2025 -- Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says President Masoud Pezeshkian's Monday trip to Armenia will focus on ensuring no alteration to the geopolitical map of the South Caucasus, stressing that Tehran remains firmly opposed to any border changes or foreign military presence in that region.
• Regional states now see true face of Israel's expansionist nature: Iran's Foreign Ministry Press TV 18 Aug 2025 -- The latest developments have unmasked the Israeli regime's "domineering and expansionist" nature for regional countries more than ever, says the spokesman for Iran's Foreign Ministry.
• Iranian technicians overhaul engine of BK 117 helicopter Press TV 18 Aug 2025 -- Iran says its local technicians have managed to carry out a complete overhaul of the engine of the BK 117 helicopter amid sanctions that restrict the country's access to aviation parts and technologies.
• Iran's Supreme Court Upholds Activist's Second Death Sentence RFE/RL 18 Aug 2025 -- Iran's top court has upheld the death sentence against imprisoned labor activist Sharifeh Mohammadi, months after overturning her first death sentence due to legal ambiguities.
• United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland-Republic of Korea Senior Economic Dialogue 2025: Joint Communiqué UK FCDO 18 Aug 2025 -- The UK and Republic of Korea held a Senior Economic Dialogue in Seoul on Monday 18 August 2025.
• PM Narendra Modi speaks with President Putin India MEA 18 Aug 2025
• Telephone conversation with Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi President of Russia 18 Aug 2025
• Space experiments conducted by Subhanshu Shukla personify India as "Vishwabandhu" Bharat India PIB 18 Aug 2025 -- Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology; Earth Sciences and Minister of State for PMO, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Dr. Jitendra Singh said here today that the Space experiments conducted by Subhanshu Shukla personify India as "Vishwabandhu" Bharat because even though these experiments were performed by an Indian using indigenous kits, their benefits would be available to the entire mankind.
• India's ruling party BJP names Radhakrishnan as candidate for country's VP post People's Daily 18 Aug 2025 -- India's ruling party, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has fielded C.P. Radhakrishnan, currently the governor of the southwestern state of Maharashtra, as the federal alliance's candidate for the post of the country's vice president, an election for which was scheduled for Sept. 9.
• Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister of Pakistan Meets the UK's Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Middle East, Afghanistan, and Pakistan Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs 18 Aug 2025 -- Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, met today with the UK's Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Middle East, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, Rt. Hon Hamish Falconer, at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) in London.
• Bolivia heads to presidential runoff after no candidate emerged clear winner Press TV 18 Aug 2025 -- Bolivia's presidential election will proceed to a runoff after no candidate met the electoral thresholds required to avoid a second round.
• Two Right-Wing Candidates Advance to Bolivian Presidential Runoff Sputnik 18 Aug 2025 -- Bolivia has "turned right", with two right-wing opposition candidates, Rodrigo Paz and Jorge Quiroga, advancing to the second round of presidential elections, according to data from the Supreme Electoral Court after over 90% of the votes have been counted.
• World News in Brief: Gaza aid crisis latest, deadly floods in India and Pakistan, funding cuts exacerbate Somalia drought UN News 18 Aug 2025 -- UN aid teams in Gaza say that they're only able to get less than half the lifesaving food support that is needed into the war-torn enclave.