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Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Navy Seize Nearly 1,300 Pounds of Cocaine in Eastern Pacific US Navy 19 Aug 2025 -- A U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment (LEDET), embarked aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Sampson (DDG 102), interdicted a suspected drug smuggling vessel and seized approximately 1,296 pounds of cocaine in international waters Aug. 11.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Energy partnerships sustain Army fight Army News 19 Aug 2025 -- Fort Benning participated in the Disaster Resilience Across the Chattahoochee Valley Conference in Columbus, Georgia, July 15-16. Hosted by the Georgia-Alabama Partnership for Sustainability, the conference provided a space for collaboration among local, state, and federal partners to address disaster preparedness and response for the region.
• U.S., Allied aircraft fly together over Riga, Latvia - demonstrate readiness and unity USSTRATCOM 19 Aug 2025 -- U.S. Air Force B-1B bombers and Allied fighter jets flew in formation over the Monument of Freedom in Riga, Latvia, Aug. 19, 2025, as part of Bomber Task Force Europe, demonstrating NATO air forces' ability to operate together anywhere, anytime.
• Forging the fight together: Synchronizing joint operations in Bamboo Eagle 25-3 US Air Force 19 Aug 2025 -- Bamboo Eagle 25-3 pushed the boundaries of 21st-century mission command, leveraging the Distributed Mission Operations Center, or DMOC, to forge agile, resilient leaders. In a synthetic battlespace, the joint force rehearsed decentralized execution and empowered decision-making to achieve decision advantage, July 22 - Aug. 8.
• Coast Guard establishes new Program Executive Office dedicated to robotics and autonomous systems US Coast Guard 19 Aug 2025 -- The U.S. Coast Guard announced Tuesday the Initial Operating Capability of the Robotics and Autonomous Systems (RAS) Program Executive Office (PEO).
• Northern Edge 2025 kicks off across Alaska US Navy 19 Aug 2025 -- More than 6,400 service members, 100 aircraft, and 7 U.S. and Canadian vessels began participation in exercise Northern Edge 2025, a joint field-training exercise at various locations in-and-around Alaska, on Aug. 17.
• New Jersey National Guard Trains With State Police for World Cup Security DoD News 19 Aug 2025 -- Airmen assigned to the New Jersey Air National Guard's 177th Civil Engineer Squadron participated in a training exercise July 31 with the New Jersey Army National Guard's 21st Weapons of Mass Destruction-Civil Support Team and the New Jersey State Police hazmat response team in preparation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
• Maryland Army Guard Cyber Soldiers Lead Certification Exercise Army News 19 Aug 2025 -- The Maryland Army National Guard's Cyber Protection Team 169 led a certification exercise for other Army Guard cyber protection teams at the Virginia National Guard's State Military Reservation, Aug. 3-16.
• Nevada National Guard Aerial Firefighters Mark Busy August Army News 19 Aug 2025 -- Nevada National Guard aerial firefighting efforts have intensified this month as temperatures rise.
• Forging the Fight Together: Synchronizing Joint Operations in Bamboo Eagle 25-3 USMC News 19 Aug 2025 -- Bamboo Eagle 25-3 pushed the boundaries of 21st-century mission command, leveraging the Distributed Mission Operations Center, or DMOC, to forge agile, resilient leaders. In a synthetic battlespace, the joint force rehearsed decentralized execution and empowered decision-making to achieve decision advantage, July 22 - Aug. 8.
• Hungarian and Swedish Gripens integrate with United States B-1B Lancer Bombers over Latvia NATO Allied Air Command 19 Aug 2025 -- In a demonstration of Allied air power and interoperability, Hungarian and Swedish Air Force JAS‑39 Gripens joined the U.S. Air Force's B‑1B Lancer bombers for a fly past over Riga.
• NATO Allies practise beach landings to enhance Agile Combat Employment NATO Allied Air Command 19 Aug 2025 -- On 14 August 2025, a Norwegian C-130J Super Hercules landed on Denmark's Lakolk Beach for the first time, highlighting the Royal Norwegian Air Force's Agile Combat Employment (ACE) efforts.
• Belgium Air Force take over NATO's Air Policing mission in Iceland NATO Allied Air Command 19 Aug 2025 -- The Belgium Air Force take over NATO's Air Policing mission in Iceland, replacing the Spanish Air and Space Force.
• NATO and Allies responded overnight to alert NATO SHAPE 19 Aug 2025 -- An overnight alert prompted NATO and Allied air forces to rapidly respond in efforts to ensure the defence of NATO territories.
• Türkiye to host 2026 NATO Summit in Ankara NATO 19 Aug 2025 -- NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte announced today (19 August 2025) that the 2026 NATO Summit will be held on 7 and 8 July 2026 at the Beştepe Presidential Compound (Külliye) in Ankara, Türkiye.
• Coordination with NATO: Taras Kachka meets with NATO Senior Representative in Ukraine Ukraine Government 19 Aug 2025 -- On 19 August, Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine Taras Kachka met with NATO Senior Representative in Ukraine Patrick Turner.
• Denys Shmyhal and the Ambassador of Japan to Ukraine discussed expanding cooperation Ukraine MOD 19 Aug 2025
• Chinese tiltrotor aircraft draws foreign media attention amid test flight speculation Global Times 19 Aug 2025 -- A Chinese tiltrotor aircraft, previously displayed as a model at exhibitions, has once again attracted foreign media attention amid test flight speculations. Chinese expert said on Tuesday that a tiltrotor aircraft can vertically take off and land like a helicopter but has much faster speed, providing greater flexibility and mission efficiency.
• Chinese Defense Minister Meets Permanent Secretary of Singaporean Defense Ministry in Beijing PRC MND 19 Aug 2025 -- Chinese Defense Minister Admiral Dong Jun met with the Permanent Secretary of Singaporean Defense Ministry Chan Heng Kee in Beijing on Tuesday.
• Unmanned surface vessel, drones used in annual precision strike drills CNA 19 Aug 2025 -- Taiwan's annual "Sea and Air Precision Ammunition Firing Exercise" began Tuesday, during which an innovative attack model involving drones launched from unmanned surface vessels was successfully employed against a maritime target.
• A high-level defence delegation led by Mr. Agil Gurbanov, Deputy Minister & Director General of Defence, Azerbaijan called on Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force at Air Headquarters, Islamabad. ISPR Pakistan 19 Aug 2025
• Growing sovereign industrial base with 300 drones delivered to Defence Australia DOD 19 Aug 2025 -- The Australian Defence Force is enhancing its sovereign uncrewed aerial system (UAS) capability with the acquisition of more than $1.5 million worth of Australian-manufactured drones.
• US joins air and missile defence trials off NSW Australia DOD 19 Aug 2025 -- Australian and United States naval and air forces have completed live missile firing and advanced target trials off the NSW coast on Exercise Archer 2025.
• Australia - Javelin Lightweight Command Launch Unit DSCA 19 Aug 2025 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Australia of Javelin Lightweight Command Launch Unit and related equipment for an estimated cost of $97.3 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress.
• From New Mexico to Exmouth: Space surveillance telescope reaches crucial milestone Australia DOD 19 Aug 2025 -- Australia and its allies now have greater awareness of artificial objects orbiting Earth with the Space Surveillance Telescope (SST) reaching Final Operational Capability (FOC).
• Canada and Finland joint statement on foreign and security policy strategic partnership Canada 19 Aug 2025
• RNZAF deploys King Air to Fiji for international surveillance work for first time New Zealand Defence Force 19 Aug 2025 -- The Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) for the first time deployed its MC-12K King Air aircraft to Fiji to conduct maritime surveillance patrols.
• PH, US OK 500 joint military activities for 2026 Philippine News Agency 19 Aug 2025 -- The Philippines and the United States have approved more than 500 joint military activities for 2026 during the recent Mutual Defense Board-Security Engagement Board (MDB-SEB).
• PH, Australia conduct naval drills off Mindoro Philippine News Agency 19 Aug 2025 -- Naval units from the Philippines and Australia conducted a series coordinated maritime activities off Lubang Island, Mindoro on Tuesday as part of Exercise "ALON" 2025.
• PH Navy: More maritime activities with allies set this year Philippine News Agency 19 Aug 2025 -- The Philippines will have more maritime cooperative activities (MCAs) with other countries this year, a ranking Philippine Navy (PN) official said Tuesday.
• Japan to make 'Salaknib' drills debut in 2026 Philippine News Agency 19 Aug 2025 -- Japan will be participating in next year's "Salaknib" military exercises between Filipino and American soldiers, a Philippine Army (PA) official said Tuesday.
• U.S. Department of State Debars Seventeen Persons for Violating or Conspiring to Violate the Arms Export Control Act US Dept. of State 19 Aug 2025 -- On August 19, 2025, the U.S. Department of State published in the Federal Register a notice of 17 persons statutorily debarred for having been convicted of violating, or conspiring to violate, the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2751, et seq.).
• Secretary Rubio's Call with Kenyan President Ruto US Dept. of State 19 Aug 2025
• Secretary Rubio's Call with Foreign Minister Fidan US Dept. of State 19 Aug 2025

Defense Industry

• Contracts For Aug. 19, 2025

Other Conflicts

Ukraine Conflict News
• 19 August 2025 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 19 Aug 2025
• UN honours fallen aid workers on World Humanitarian Day UN News 19 Aug 2025 -- This Tuesday, the UN honoured fallen colleagues and reminded the world that aid workers should never be a target, as 2024 saw a shocking new record of 383 aid workers killed.
• World Humanitarian Day 2025: Aid workers mull record toll of their own UN News 19 Aug 2025 -- With the news on Tuesday that a record 383 aid workers were confirmed killed in the line of duty last year, one veteran UN aid worker based in Gaza reaffirmed the resolve of humanitarians everywhere to save lives and relieve suffering, no matter how challenging the situation.
• World Humanitarian Day: Attacks on aid workers hit another record, humanitarians call for urgent action UNOCHA 19 Aug 2025 -- A shocking new record of 383 aid workers killed in 2024 must be a wake-up call to protect all civilians in conflict and crisis and call time on impunity, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said today, on World Humanitarian Day.
• Mr. Ramesh Rajasingham, Head and Representative of OCHA Geneva and Director of the Coordination Division - Remarks at the commemoration service for fallen humanitarian workers on World Humanitarian Day 2025 UNOCHA 19 Aug 2025
• Mr. Tom Fletcher, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator - Remarks at World Humanitarian Day 2025 Commemoration Ceremony (19 Aug 2025) UNOCHA 19 Aug 2025
• Security Council Holds Open Debate on Conflict-Related Sexual Violence UN Security Council 19 Aug 2025 -- The Council holds an open debate today on conflict-related sexual violence under its agenda item on women, peace and security, hearing from over 70 speakers.
• Security Council hears about rising conflict-related sexual violence amid falling resources UN News 19 Aug 2025 -- Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Pramila Patten, briefed the Security Council's open debate on conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) on Tuesday, presenting the Secretary-General's annual report and stressing the need to support survivors in conflict zones where services are increasingly inaccessible.
• The UK remains determined to work with partners to end conflict-related sexual violence: UK statement at the UN Security Council UK FCDO 19 Aug 2025 -- Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki, UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on Women, Peace and Security.

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

• Israel is in talks to send Gazans to South Sudan: NYT Press TV 19 Aug 2025 -- Israel is currently engaged in negotiations with war-torn South Sudan regarding the forced transfer of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip, according to a report by The New York Times.
• Israel yet to respond as mediators push for Gaza ceasefire Press TV 19 Aug 2025 -- Mediators were awaiting a response from the Israeli regime on Tuesday to a fresh Gaza ceasefire plan, a day after Hamas accepted the proposal and signaled its readiness for a new round of talks aimed at ending the genocidal war in Gaza.
• Israel receives Hamas' response on Gaza ceasefire proposal, no formal reply made People's Daily 19 Aug 2025 -- An anonymous Israeli official told Xinhua on Monday that Israel has received Hamas' response to a Gaza ceasefire proposal, which includes provisions on the release of hostages, but a formal reply to the response has not yet been issued.
• Everything You Need to Know About the Humanitarian Aid Situation in Gaza Israel Defense Forces 19 Aug 2025
• US-Israeli genocide in Gaza: Death toll reaches 62,004 Press TV 19 Aug 2025 -- The death toll in Gaza has risen to 62,004 as Israel continues its brutal military offensive, targeting civilians across the besieged territory.
• Hamas approves Qatari-Egyptian truce proposal to end Israeli war on Gaza IRNA 19 Aug 2025 -- The Palestinian resistance movement, Hamas, says it has approved the latest Gaza truce proposal put forward by Qatar and Egypt to end the Israeli regime's genocidal war on Gaza.
• Hamas presses for international action to end Gaza genocide Press TV 19 Aug 2025 -- The Palestinian resistance movement has urged maximum international pressure on Israel to reopen the crossings and end the ongoing genocide and starvation affecting more than two million Palestinians in the besieged Gaza Strip.
• 3 more Palestinians die of starvation in Gaza, death toll rises to 266 Press TV 19 Aug 2025 -- The Gaza Health Ministry has reported that three more Palestinians have died of malnutrition and starvation in the Gaza Strip, as Israel maintains a brutal blockade on the besieged territory.
• Gaza: Looming offensive and restrictions on humanitarians UN News 19 Aug 2025 -- Hostilities between Israeli forces and Palestinian armed groups in Gaza are intensifying as a devastating ground offensive looms, creating a limited opportunity for humanitarians to bring in shelter items, the UN aid coordination office, OCHA, reported on Tuesday.
• Gaza: Aid insufficient to avert 'widespread starvation' as Israeli military ramp-up forces more people to flee UN News 19 Aug 2025 -- The small trickle of aid entering Gaza is totally insufficient to alleviate starvation and displacement in the Strip, UN humanitarians said on Tuesday.
• UNRWA Commissioner-General on Gaza: As we mark World Humanitarian Day, I pay tribute to our front line staff in Gaza UNRWA 19 Aug 2025
• UN: 86% of Gaza either evacuated or turned into military zones IRNA 19 Aug 2025 -- The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) says approximately 86% of the Gaza Strip has now been either evacuated or turned into military zones.
• Occupied Palestinian territory: Marwan Barghouthi, and human rights situation in Gaza OHCHR 19 Aug 2025 -- Video footage showing Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir berating and taunting Palestinian leader Marwan Barghouthi face-to-face inside an Israeli jail is unacceptable. The minister's behaviour and the publication of the footage constitute an attack on Barghouthi's dignity.
• Israel killing over 500 Palestinian children monthly in Gaza: UN Press TV 19 Aug 2025 -- The United Nations has reported that more than 500 Palestinian children have been killed each month since Israel escalated its bombardment of UN shelters across the besieged Gaza Strip in March.
• UN slams Israeli minister for verbal assault on Palestinian prisoner Barghouti Press TV 19 Aug 2025 -- The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has condemned Israeli far-right minister Itamar Ben-Gvir for verbally assaulting Marwan Barghouti, a prominent Palestinian political leader imprisoned by Israel since 2002.
• UNRWA says 360 staff killed in Gaza genocide, honors teams working 'despite the hell' Press TV 19 Aug 2025 -- The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) has paid tribute to the agency's frontline workers in the Gaza Strip, revealing that nearly 360 UNRWA staff members have been killed during the Israeli regime's genocide in the besieged territory.
• Joint Statement by UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinators in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT), Syria, Yemen and Lebanon, 19 August 2025 UNOCHA 19 Aug 2025
• Israel's war on Gaza deadliest ever for humanitarian workers: PRCS Press TV 19 Aug 2025 -- The Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) has stated that Israeli forces have deliberately targeted humanitarian missions and aid workers in Gaza on a scale unprecedented in any other war.
• Statement by the Spokesperson on Israeli demolitions and settlement policy in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem European External Action Service (EEAS) 19 Aug 2025 -- The EU is appalled by Israel's demolition of an EU and French funded school in al-Aqaba. Education is a fundamental right and the school was to serve hundreds of Palestinian students from several communities in Area C.
• A full-fledged Israeli war crime: preventing food from entering, killing its guards, and obstructing its access to Gaza -----Settlers launched 437 attacks in the West Bank in July and 4,703 since October 7 Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) 19 Aug 2025
• Norway wealth fund excludes six Israeli firms tied to illegal settlements, Gaza genocide Press TV 19 Aug 2025 -- Norway's gigantic sovereign wealth fund says it has decided to exclude another six companies linked to the development of illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank and the ongoing Gaza carnage from its portfolio, following an ethics review.
• 'Unjustified': Australia rebukes Israel over visa revocations Press TV 19 Aug 2025 -- Australia has condemned the Israeli regime for revoking visas held by its diplomats to the Palestinian Authority, a retaliatory move triggered by Canberra's refusal to admit a far-right Israeli politician.

Other Conflicts

• Today's top news: World Humanitarian Day, Occupied Palestinian Territory UNOCHA 19 Aug 2025
• Japan reportedly deploys large drones to 'monitor' Diaoyu Islands; expert says move may provoke corresponding countermeasures Global Times 19 Aug 2025 -- Japan is using a large coast guard drone, the SeaGuardian, to monitor the Diaoyu Islands in the East China Sea, according to Kyodo News on Tuesday. A Chinese military expert said that if Japan's military drones intrude into the airspace of China's Diaoyu Islands, such new illegal activities will further complicate the situation, and China will take corresponding countermeasures.
• EU supports WFP's emergency response for half a million people in Afghanistan WFP 19 Aug 2025 -- The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) in Afghanistan welcomes a critical €13 million contribution (US$15 million) from the European Union to support half a million vulnerable people for three months with emergency assistance.
• China and India Hold Special Representatives' Talks on the Boundary Question PRC MofA 19 Aug 2025 -- On August 19, 2025 local time, the 24th Round of Talks Between the Special Representatives of China and India on the Boundary Question was held in New Delhi. 
• Visit of China's Foreign Minister and Special Representative on the India-China boundary question India MEA 19 Aug 2025 -- At the invitation of the Special Representative and the National Security Advisor Shri Ajit Doval, the Member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China Mr. Wang Yi paid an official visit to India from 18-19 August 2025.
• China, India hold 'in-depth and productive' boundary talks Global Times 19 Aug 2025 -- The Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval had comprehensive, in-depth, and productive communication on the boundary question and bilateral relations on Tuesday as the two sides held the 24th Round of Talks between the Special Representatives of China and India on the Boundary Question, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday.
• China hopes India, Pakistan will find proper solution to issues, willing to play positive role based on both sides' willingness: FM Global Times 19 Aug 2025 -- When asked about how China would mediate future India-Pakistan relations given their strained history and the current situation, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Tuesday that as a principle, since both India and Pakistan are China's important neighbors, China is willing to develop friendly and cooperative relations with both. Regarding issues between India and Pakistan, the spokesperson said that China hopes the two countries will be able to find a proper solution, adding that China is willing to play a positive role in this process based on the willingness of both sides.
• Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi calls-on PM Narendra Modi India MEA 19 Aug 2025 -- Today, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi received Mr Wang Yi, Member of the Politburo of the Communist Party and Foreign Minister of China.
• Wang Yi Holds Talks with Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar PRC MofA 19 Aug 2025 -- On August 18, 2025 local time, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks with Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar in New Delhi.
• China and India should regard each other as partners rather than rivals or threats: Chinese Foreign Minister Global Times 19 Aug 2025 -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks with Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar on Monday in New Delhi. Wang emphasized that both sides should earnestly draw lessons from the past 75 years, foster a correct strategic perception and regard each other as partners and opportunities rather than rivals or threats.
• China, India agree to maintain momentum of bilateral ties People's Daily 19 Aug 2025 -- China and India on Monday agreed to maintain momentum of bilateral ties.
• Malaysia hopes for sustained PH-MILF talks amid decommissioning halt Philippine News Agency 19 Aug 2025 -- Malaysia is hoping for sustained coordination between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) following the latter's decision to suspend the decommissioning of the final batch of its combatants.
• Comelec monitoring BARMM situation as MILF suspends decommissioning Philippine News Agency 19 Aug 2025 -- The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is monitoring the recent developments in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) as the Oct. 13 Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections (BPE) draw near.
• 'Open, sincere dialogue' with MILF best way to break impasse - OPAPRU Philippine News Agency 19 Aug 2025 -- An "open and sincere" dialogue is the best way to address the current impasse between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), Presidential Peace Adviser Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. said Tuesday.
• 27 Muslims murdered in Nigeria mosque massacre Press TV 19 Aug 2025 -- Armed assailants have stormed a mosque in north-central Nigeria as Muslims had gathered for dawn prayers, gunning down as many as 27 of the worshippers.
• DR Congo: UN deplores deadly attacks in the east of the country UN News 19 Aug 2025 -- The UN has strongly condemned recent attacks carried out by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) armed group in several locations in North Kivu province in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
• World Humanitarian Day 2025: South Sudan is one of the most dangerous countries for humanitarian workers UNOCHA 19 Aug 2025 -- South Sudan remains one of the most dangerous places in the world to be a humanitarian worker, ranking as number two so far this year, according to Aid Worker Security Database.
• Statement by the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator a.i. in Sudan, Luca Renda (19 August 2025) UNOCHA 19 Aug 2025
• WFP warns of major cuts to food aid in Cameroon as resources risk running out WFP 19 Aug 2025 -- Half a million refugees and the most vulnerable Cameroonians risk being cut off from humanitarian food assistance in the coming weeks as resources reach critically low levels, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) warned today.
• PRESS RELEASE: Nigeria's Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction and United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator sign joint communiqué signaling strengthened commitment towards a locally led humanitarian response - 19 August 2025 UNOCHA 19 Aug 2025 -- Nigeria's Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction and United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator sign joint communiqué signalling strengthened commitment towards a locally led humanitarian response

News Reports

• ODNI Releases February 2025 FISC Certification D Opinion and April 2025 FISC Amended Certification D Opinion and Agency Procedures Director of National Intelligence 19 Aug 2025 -- Today, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), in consultation with the Department of Justice (DOJ), is publicly releasing, in redacted form, two Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISC) opinions and associated targeting, minimization, and querying procedures related to a new certification permitted by recent Congressional legislation and issued under Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA).
• Governor Newsom's office reminds Bondi of ethical obligations for U.S. Department of Justice lawyers California Governor - Gavin Newsom 19 Aug 2025 -- Governor Newsom's office responds to U.S. Attorney General Bondi's letter on sanctuary policies. California's Rules of Professional Conduct generally prohibit lawyers from bringing a claim or a position in litigation without probable cause and for the purpose of harassing or injuring a person.
• Meeting with Acting Head of Komi Republic Rostislav Goldshtein President of Russia 19 Aug 2025 -- Acting Head of the Komi Republic Rostislav Goldshtein reported on the socioeconomic situation in the region to the President.
• Commentary by Aide to the President of Russia Yury Ushakov following a telephone conversation between Vladimir Putin and President of the United States Donald Trump President of Russia 19 Aug 2025
• Trump Invited to Visit Russia, FM Lavrov Confirms Sputnik 19 Aug 2025 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov announced on Tuesday that US President Donald Trump has been invited to visit Russia.
• Press release on the upcoming visit by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of Jordan Ayman Safadi Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 19 Aug 2025
• Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's interview with VGTRK, Moscow, August 19, 2025 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 19 Aug 2025
• Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's telephone conversation with Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates Badr Abdelatty Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 19 Aug 2025
• Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's telephone conversation with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federative Republic of Brazil Mauro Vieira Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 19 Aug 2025
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning's Regular Press Conference on August 19, 2025 PRC MofA 19 Aug 2025
• China to Resume Fertilizer, Rare Earths Exports to India: Govt Source Sputnik 19 Aug 2025 -- China is ready to resume shipments of fertilizers, rare-earth metals, and tunnel-boring machines to India, an Indian government source told reporters in New Delhi.
• Hong Kong activists granted asylum in U.K., Australia Radio Free Asia 19 Aug 2025 -- Two Hong Kong pro-democracy advocates have announced that they have been granted asylum: former lawmaker Ted Hui in Australia and activist Tony Chung in the U.K.
• PetroChina's Dagang Oilfield hits annual gas storage capacity of 3 billion cubic meters Global Times 19 Aug 2025 -- PetroChina's Dagang Oilfield Co in North China's Tianjin Municipality, a subsidiary of China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation (PetroChina), announced that the oil field's underground gas storage cluster, the largest in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, has reached an annual capacity of 3 billion cubic meters, the state broadcaster CCTV News reported on Tuesday.
• Monetary easing to persist in near term People's Daily 19 Aug 2025 -- China's monetary conditions are likely to remain reasonably accommodative in the coming months, continuing to support credit expansion while contributing to steadier capital market expectations, analysts said on Monday.
• S. China's Guangdong reveals action plan to foster an integrated commercial space ecosystem Global Times 19 Aug 2025 -- South China's Guangdong Province on Tuesday revealed a 21-point action plan to promote high-quality development of the province's commercial space industry from 2025 to 2028, aiming to foster a fully integrated commercial space ecosystem covering launch, satellite-rocket synergy, and space-to-ground services.
• Taiwan confirms signing MOU with Japan on border information sharing CNA 19 Aug 2025 -- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) confirmed Tuesday that Taiwan and Japan have previously signed an agreement to promote information exchange and cooperation on border management with Japan, though it did not disclose more details on the pact.
• South Korean FM signals USFK involvement in Taiwan won't be summit agenda; remarks show pragmatic diplomacy: expert Global Times 19 Aug 2025 -- South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun signaled Monday that the possibility of US Forces Korea (USFK) intervening in an emergency over the island of Taiwan should not be placed on the agenda of Seoul-Washington summit talks, Yonhap News Agency reported. Chinese expert said Cho's remarks reflect the pragmatic diplomacy of the Lee Jae-myung administration.
• PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan ROC MND 19 Aug 2025
• China reaffirms sovereignty over Taiwan, says complete reunification unstoppable People's Daily 19 Aug 2025 -- Beijing said on Monday that the so-called Treaty of San Francisco is illegal and invalid, and cannot alter the fact that Taiwan is part of China.
• Ex-lawmaker's son sentenced for selling fuel to North Korea CNA 19 Aug 2025 -- The son of a former Democratic Progressive Party legislator has been sentenced to 28 months in prison for selling thousands of tons of fuel to North Korea in collaboration with a Singaporean businessman wanted by the United States.
• Chinese National Sentenced for Acting at North Korea's Direction to Export Firearms, Ammo, Tech to N. Korea US Dept. of Justice 19 Aug 2025 -- An illegal alien from China was sentenced yesterday to 96 months in prison for illegally exporting firearms, ammunition, and other military items to North Korea by concealing them inside shipping containers that departed from the Port of Long Beach, and for committing this crime at the direction of North Korean government officials, who wired him approximately $2 million for his efforts.
• North Korea's leader calls for rapid nuclear buildup amid US-South Korea war games Press TV 19 Aug 2025 -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has called for the rapid expansion of his country's nuclear armament amid "obvious" provocations of war by the US-South Korea military exercises.
• Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un Visits Destroyer Choe Hyon and Learns about Training and Life of Sailors KCNA 19 Aug 2025 -- Kim Jong Un , general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, visited the destroyer Choe Hyon on August 18 and acquainted himself with the course of the integrated operation test of the weapon system of the destroyer and the training and life of the sailors of the destroyer.
• Iran, China and Russia insist on the expiry of Resolution 2231 on time: Deputy foreign minister IRNA 19 Aug 2025 -- The Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs says that Iran, Russia, and China believe that Resolution 2231 should expire on its due date, and that the three European countries do not have the legal right to snap back.
• Foreign Minister Araghchi meets his Armenian counterpart in Yerevan IRNA 19 Aug 2025 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met and held talks with his Armenian counterpart Ararat Mirzoyan in Yerevan on Tuesday on the sidelines of President Pezeshkian's visit to Armenia.
• Iran says Armenia gave assurances on transit, security in high-level talks IRNA 19 Aug 2025 -- Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi says Armenia has provided detailed explanations and assurances regarding regional transit routes, as well as a recent trilateral meeting in Washington between the leaders of Armenia, Azerbaijan, and the United States.
• Iran, Armenia agree to expand cross-border trade, energy exchanges Press TV 19 Aug 2025 -- Iran and Armenia have agreed to significantly expand their cross-border trade and energy exchanges more than a week after the United States secured a contract to set up a transport corridor passing through the Armenian territory near the border with Iran.
• Iran cuts diesel imports to zero with tighter controls on domestic use Press TV 19 Aug 2025 -- Iran's Oil Ministry has cut its imports of diesel to zero thanks to tighter controls on domestic demand for the fuel.
• Explainer: How MGT-75 marks Iran's entry into elite club of F-class gas turbines Press TV 19 Aug 2025 -- Iran has unveiled its first indigenously developed MGT-75 class-F gas turbine, a remarkable technological achievement engineered by MAPNA Group, an Iranian conglomerate working in the areas of power, oil and gas, and railroad projects.
• Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister of Pakistan's Meeting with the Deputy Prime Minister of the UK Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs 19 Aug 2025 -- Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, held a productive meeting today with the Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Angela Rayner, in London.
• Pakistan and China hold consultations on Arms Control, Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs 19 Aug 2025 -- The 10th Round of Pakistan-China Bilateral Consultations on Arms Control, Non-Proliferation, and Disarmament was held on 18 August 2025 in Beijing. Ambassador Tahir Andrabi, Additional Secretary of the Arms Control, Disarmament, and International Security Division at Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Mr. Sun Xiaobo, Director General of the Department of Arms Control at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China, led their respective delegations.
• Opening remarks - Canberra Prime Minister of Australia 19 Aug 2025
• Courtesy Call on Chief Cabinet Secretary HAYASHI Yoshimasa by Mr. Jean-Pierre Lacroix., Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, the United Nations Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan 19 Aug 2025
• The First Japan-Brazil Foreign Affairs and Defense Dialogue Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan 19 Aug 2025
• Telephone conversation with Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud President of Russia 19 Aug 2025
• HRH the Crown Prince, Russian President Discuss Peace Efforts and Bilateral Cooperation SPA 19 Aug 2025 -- His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, spoke by phone today with Russian Federation President Vladimir Putin
• Prime Minister Rossen Jeliazkov assures Igor Grosu, Speaker of Moldova's Parliament: Bulgaria wishes to share its experience in EU negotiation process Council of Ministers of the Republic of Bulgaria 19 Aug 2025
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs updates travel advisory for Russia Estonia MFA 19 Aug 2025 -- In its travel advisory for Russia, which was updated on 18 August, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs continues to strongly advise against all travel to Russia. The new advisory highlights the specific risks that Estonian citizens travelling to Russia have actually been more exposed to.
• Foreign Minister Valtonen and Canadian Foreign Minister Anand launch a joint statement on the Strategic Partnership Between Finland and Canada Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland 19 Aug 2025 -- On August 19, Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen met with Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand during her visit to Finland.
• New power transmission line between Armenia and Iran in final phase of construction: Armenian minister IRNA 19 Aug 2025 -- The new electricity transmission line will allow to double the Armenian electricity exports to Iran, Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructures Davit Khudatyan told reporters.
• In a meeting with U.S. Congressman, Foreign Minister Baiba Braže highlights Latvia's strategic security partnership with the U.S. Latvia MFA 19 Aug 2025 -- On 19 August 2025, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Baiba Braže, met with the United States Congressman Andy Harris, who is in Latvia for a visit. During their meeting, the officials focused on military cooperation between Latvia and the U.S., and efforts by the U.S. and the European Allies to achieve peace in Ukraine.