Strategic Command News Archive | STRATCOM Or USSTRATCOM Alerts

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May 31st, 2023 - Biden Administration Announces Additional Security Assistance for Ukraine. This authorization is the Biden Administration's thirty-ninth drawdown of equipment from DoD inventories for Ukraine since August 2021. Read more

May 31, 2023 - Statement by NSC Spokesperson Adam Hodge on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s Space Launch. Read more

May 31, 2023 - North Korea launched a ballistic missile that it says is a “space launch vehicle” after having announced that it planned to deploy a reconnaissance satellite between May 31st and June 11th. Read more

May 30, 2023 - Video shows what Indo-Pacific Command says is an "unnecessarily aggressive move" by a Chinese Shenyang J-16 multi-role strike aircraft. Read more

May 30, 2023 - NATO-led KFOR: 30 KFOR peace-keepers wounded during yesterday's attack in the municipality of Zvecan. Read more

May 29, 2023 - After South Korea notified Japan of an upcoming satellite launch, South Korea “strongly” warned against the launch, while Japan said that the country would shoot down any projectiles that threaten its territory. Read more

May 29, 2023 - Syrian state media reported that Israel targeted the Syrian capital of Damascus with airstrikes, citing a military source. Read more

May 28th, 2023 - Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov has called Poland "hostile" and addressed claims by Polish media, Russian and Belarusian officials that Poland is planning a coup in Belarus, and says that if this happens, Russia will step in and intervene. We have found that Russian state-run media has taken Polish media out of context. Read more

May 28, 2023 - The United States has carried out an airstrike in Somalia, and engaged insurgents in support of the Somalian government, according to a statement released by the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM). Read more

May 25th, 2023 - President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko has said that Russia has begun its movement of tactical nuclear warheads into Belarus. Read more

May 24, 2023 - A Chinese hacker group named "Volt Typhoon" injected malware code into telecommunications infrastructure in Guam and other locations within the United States. Read more

May 23rd, 2023 - The Russian Ministry of Defense has claimed that it intercepted two United States B-1B strategic bombers flying over the Baltic Sea approaching the Russian border. Read more

May 17th, 2023 - The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) detected and tracked a Russian military aircraft operating in the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ). Read more

May 15th, 2023 - The Russian Ministry of Defense claims that it detected and intercepted two aircraft approaching the Russian border over the Baltic Sea and turned the military aircraft "away to its home airfield". Read more

May 14th, 2023 - The Alaskan Region of North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) detected, tracked, positively identified and intercepted six Russian aircraft operating in and near the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) on May 11, 2023. Read more

May 14, 2023 - A ceasefire agreement has been reached between Israel and Gaza in order to bring an end to the hostilities in the region. Washington released a statement sending their "condolences to the families of civilians who were killed and those who were injured in the violence". Read more

May 11, 2023 - Israel Defense Forces (IDF): "The IDF attacked a position for launching mortar bombs of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorist organization". A total of 507 launches toward Israel from the Gaza Strip. Read more

May 9, 2023 - Sudanese Armed Forces statement: "A summary of today's situation: The operational situation is stable in all states of the country, except for some clashes with rebel militia groups in some parts of the capital. Read more

May 9, 2023 - Israel Defense Forces (IDF): "IDF warplanes attacked and thwarted a number of senior members of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorist organization". Read more

May 3rd, 2023 - The Energotom National Nuclear Power Company State Enterprise claims that Russia has "placed another batch of military equipment, weapons, and explosives in the premises of the turbine department of the 4th power unit of the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant". Read more

May 2, 2023 - After the death of the leader of the Islamic Jihad, Hader Adnan in an Israeli prison, reportedly due to an 86 day hunger strike, three rockets were fired from Gaza, Islamic Jihad terrorist group raised alertness. Read more

April 28, 2023 - The attack reported by Britain's Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) on position 1531.838N 05213.688 18 nautical miles south of Nishtun, Yemen has been downgraded from "attack" to "incident" Read more

April 28, 2023 - Britain's Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) has reported that a vessel has come under attack 18 nautical miles south of Nishtun, Yemen. Read more

April 22, 2023 - Although the Pentagon has deployed forces and is reported to be coming up with options to assist in an evacuation of U.S. citizens located in the African country of Sudan, the White House said on Friday that it has no plans for a country-wide pullout of Americans from the country at this time Read more

April 22, 2023 - Operation Inherent Resolve: "BAGHDAD - On the morning of April 22, 2023, a Coalition Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), in direct support of Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) operations, experienced a mechanical failure and crashed south of Kirkuk, Iraq. Read more

April 17th, 2023 - U.S. Central Command: "CENTCOM confirms an ISIS Senior Leader was killed in a helicopter raid in northern Syria this morning. Read more

April 17th, 2023 - Two residents of New York have been arrested for allegedly operating a Chinese "secret police station" in Chinatown, and are expected to appear before the Brooklyn federal court on Monday. Read more

April 17th, 2023 - CENTCOM: "US Central Command forces conducted a unilateral helicopter raid in northern Syria in the early morning of April 17th targeting a Senior ISIS Syria Leader and Operational Planner responsible for planning terror attacks in the Middle East and Europe. Read more

April 15, 2023 - April 15, 2023 - BEIJING - China has revised its rules for the recruitment of soldiers and expanded its draft, which includes the conscription of veterans and college students at the top of the draft list. Read more

April 13, 2023 - South Korea has issued a "strong complaint" through diplomatic channels after an intermediate or long-range ballistic missile launch by North Korea was detected which triggered a "shelter in place" alert to be declared by the Japanese government. Read more

April 10, 2023 - April 10, 2023 - Chinese government officials claimed that the PLA Southern Theater Command tracked a United States Navy destroyer USS Milius, saying that it "illegally trespassed" into waters near Meiji Reef (Mischief Reef). Read more

April 10, 2023 - 70 Chinese military aircraft and 11 PLA Navy (PLAN) vessels were spotted on April 9-10th, 2023 according to Taiwan's Ministry of Defense. Four of the aircraft were J-15 carrier based fighter jets. Read more

April 9, 2023 - 71 Chinese military aircraft and 9 PLA Navy (PLAN) vessels were spotted around the island of Taiwan between April 8th and April 9th, 2023 according to Taiwan's Ministry of Defense. Read more

April 9th, 2023 - Israel: The IDF is increasing its forces in Judea and Samaria, and alerts have been activated in Netor, and Avni Eitan, Israel. The IDF is now attacking locations where launches were carried out in Syria. Read more

April 7th, 2023 - IDF spokesperson (translated): The IDF attacked targets of the terrorist organization Hamas in southern Lebanon. Alerts activated in Israeli settlement locations. Read more

April 7th, 2023 - Rockets fired into Israel, mortar fire towards Metula, Israel from Lebanese border. Israel responds with attacks in Gaza Strip. Read more

April 4th, 2023 - US Central Command: "TAMPA, Fla. – U.S. Central Command forces conducted a unilateral strike in Syria today killing Khalid ‘Aydd Ahmad al-Jabouri, an ISIS senior leader. Khalid ‘Aydd Ahmad al-Jabouri was responsible for planning ISIS attacks in Türkiye and Europe and developed the leadership structure for ISIS in Türkiye. Read more

April 4th, 2023 - US Central Command: TAMPA, Fla. – During the month of March 2023, U.S. Central Command, along with coalition and other partners, conducted a total of 37 D-ISIS operations, resulting in 9 ISIS operatives killed and 18 detained. Read more

April 2nd, 2023 - A statement by the Iranian Navy said that it warned a U.S. Navy Lockheed EP-3E land-based Multi-Intelligence reconnaissance aircraft away from its airspace. Read more

April 2nd, 2023 - A newly declassified report on Havana Syndrome by the director of national intelligence has been released that contradicts another recent report saying that it was very unlikely that the illness was caused by an energy weapon. Read more

April 2nd, 2023 - IDF fighter jets and helicopters were launched after an aircraft entered Israeli airspace from Syria. The aircraft was shot down by Israeli aircraft, according to the Israeli military. Read more

March 28, 2023 - North Korean state media reports Kim Jong Un guided the mounting of nuclear warheads on ballistic missiles on March 27th. The North's Academy of Defense Science conducted another test of underwater strategic weapon system from March 25th to 27th. Read more

March 27, 2023 - UPDATES (1) North Korea has launched a suspected ballistic missile, according to the Japanese Prime Minister's office. Read more

March 25th, 2023 - SYRIA - The death toll resulting from US airstrikes on Iranian-backed militias in Syria has risen to 19, according to the UK-based war monitor Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Read more

March 24, 2023 - PYONGYANG - North Korea has claimed that it tested a nuclear-capable underwater attack drone with the ability to create a radioactive wave, or "tsunami" capable of taking out naval strike groups and ports. Read more

March 24th, 2023 - Department of Defense: "The U.S. response to the attack on a coalition base in Syria that killed a U.S. contractor and wounded six others highlighted that the U.S. military will do what it must to protect its personnel. Read more

March 24th, 2023 - Central Command: On the morning of March 24th, at approximately 8:05 a.m. Syrian local time, 10 rockets targeted coalition forces at the Green Village in northeast Syria. Read more

March 24th, 2023 - AL-OMAR - A second U.S. base, Green Village in Syria located in the Al-Omar gas field in northeastern Syria was targeted by rockets after retaliatory strikes were carried out by the United States in response to another attack that killed an American contractor and wounded another contractor and four other service members. Read more

March 24th, 2023 - Central Command: "This evening, we responded to an attack on our forces that killed an American contractor and wounded our troops and another American contractor by striking facilities used by groups affiliated with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps. Read more

March 22, 2023 - March 22, 2023 - North Korea fired multiple cruise missiles toward the East Sea on Wednesday from the Hamhung region of North Korea's east coast, according to the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS). Read more

March 19, 2023 - North Korea launched a short-range ballistic missile on Sunday as the United States and South Korea carry out joint military drills. Read more

March 17, 2023 - The International Criminal Court (ICC) released a statement on Friday that it has issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin for war crimes, including the abduction of children from Ukraine during Russia's war on the country. Read more

March 16, 2023 - North Korean state media claims that the intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) test that the country carried out on Thursday was a Hwasong-17. Read more

March 16, 2023 - The Japanese Ministry of Defense now says that the missile launched by North Korea was a long-range intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) and that the details are "currently under analysis". Read more

March 16, 2023 - Inspections carried out by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have found that 2.5 tons of natural uranium are missing from an unnamed Libyan site that is not under the control of the Libyan government. Read more

March 15, 2023 - The Japanese Prime Minister's office released a statement that said that North Korea has launched a "suspected ballistic missile". The Japanese Ministry of Defense then released a statement confirming that a ballistic missile was launched from the west coast of North Korea, toward the east. Read more

March 15, 2023 - The Russian ambassador to the United States Anatoly Antonov said that Russia views the U.S. drone flight in the Black Sea as a "real provocation" and said that it was flying with its "transponders off" and "entered into the zone of the special military operation" which is the term Russia uses for its war in Ukraine. Read more

March 14, 2023 - Two Russian Su-27 aircraft conducted an unsafe and unprofessional intercept with a U.S. Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance unmanned MQ-9 aircraft that was operating within international airspace over the Black Sea today. Read more

March 14, 2023 - North Korea has fired two short-range ballistic missiles toward the East Sea a day after the United States and South Korea began carrying out a combined military exercise. Read more

March 14, 2023 - The United States and South Korea began carrying out another combined military exercise in the Indo-Pacific called "Freedom Shield" that was announced on March 2nd by the United States Forces Korea after North Korea launched two cruise missiles from a submarine the day before. Read more

March 13, 2023 - North Korea announced that they launched two strategic cruise missiles from a submarine underwater on Sunday. The missiles flew about 1,500 kilometers (932 miles) for about 125 minutes (7,563 to 7,575 seconds). Read more

March 09, 2023 - DOD: Russia Reportedly Supplying Enriched Plutonium to China: Various open-source outlets reported how Rosatom is providing highly enriched uranium for Chinese fast breeder reactors. Read more

March 09, 2023 - SEOUL - North Korea has fired a short-range ballistic missile toward the Yellow Sea, according to the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS). Read more

March 08, 2023 - A U.S. intelligence report on Wednesday reiterated earlier warnings, as well as a warning in the 2023 Annual Threat Assessment that North Korea is expected to carry out its seventh nuclear test. South Korea has said that it could be carried out at any time. Read more

March 06, 2023 - A statement released by the North Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs claimed that the United States and South Korea are carrying out simulations of nuclear strikes and are planning a "surprise strike" against "major deep strategic [North Korean] bases". Read more

March 06, 2023 - BLACK SEA - Ukrainian Defense Forces have reported that there are currently 16 Russian vessels in the Black Sea, including four missile carriers. Read more

March 06, 2023 - The North Korean National Aerospace Development Administration (NADA) said that it has made "steady progress" regarding the development of its satellite program, and has "succeeded" in developing a high-thrust engine carrier rocket in order to launch it into space. Read more

February 28, 2023 - Two years ago a Chinese-linked company purchased 51% of the land on the uninhabited Japanese Okinawan island of Yanaha located a little over 15 miles from the U.S. military's Iejima auxiliary airfield according to a report by Japanese news agency Yomiuri Shimbun citing officials in the village of Izena administering the island. Read more

February 26, 2023 - Kwon Jeong-geun, Director-General for US Affairs and North Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement posted by North Korean state-run news agency KCNA that said if the US continued its "hostile and provocative practices" against North Korea, it could be regarded as a "declaration of war" against the country. Read more

February 26, 2023 - A Chinese J-11 fighter jet shadowed a U.S. P-8 Poseidon patrol aircraft from a few hundred feet away and issued a warning to stop approaching or "pay full responsibility" while it was in international airspace. Read more

February 25, 2023 - Chinese fishing vessels have been linked to the severing of multiple Taiwanese undersea cables in February according to Chunghwa Telecom, a telecommunications firm that handles Taiwan's undersea cables. Read more

February 24, 2023 - Chinese state-affiliated media Global Times has responded to reports that the United States is expanding their troop presence in Taiwan by saying that it is "illegal" for the soldiers to go to Taiwan, and that the Chinese mainland "won't take any responsibility for their safety" and that they will be "wiped out" together with the "resisting Taiwan troops" if China takes "military action". Read more

February 24, 2023 - 37 Chinese military aircraft and 6 PLA Navy (PLAN) vessels were spotted around the island of Taiwan on February 24th, 2023 according to Taiwan's Ministry of Defense. Read more

February 24, 2023 - North Korea launched "four strategic" Arrow-2 type cruise missiles from the area of Kimchaek City, North Hamgyong Province to the East Sea of Korea, according to North Korean state news agency KCNA. Read more

February 24, 2023 - Though only 30 U.S. Soldiers were located in Taiwan one year ago, the United States is now sending 100 to 200 more soldiers to the island for training (potentially more than quadrupling the number) amidst increasing tensions with China. Read more

February 22, 2023 - Russia suspends the New START nuclear treaty, which is the only nuclear treaty in effect between the US and #Russia, saying that the U.S. is "weakening" the security of the Russian Federation. Read more

February 20, 2023 - Russian Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov said that Putin will be reading out a message to the Russian Federal Assembly on February 21st in Gostiny Dvor that will focus on "the current situation" - the "special operation" and the "economy", as well as "the social sphere". Read more

February 20, 2023 - North Korea fired two short-range ballistic missiles (SRBMs) into the East Sea in response to the joint "flight training" by the United States and South Korea the previous day. Read more

February 20, 2023 - International nuclear inspectors have detected 84% enriched uranium in Iran, "just below" the level needed to manufacture a nuclear weapon. Read more

February 19, 2023 - An Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) launched by North Korea landed in Japan's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEC), near Hokkaido according to Japan's Prime Minister, and the NHK news agency. Read more

February 18, 2023 - CENTCOM: TAMPA, Fla. - "Last night, during a partnered U.S. and Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) helicopter raid in northeastern Syria, an explosion on target resulted in four U.S. servicemembers and one working dog wounded". Read more

February 15, 2023 - Central Command (CENTCOM) has released a statement regarding a "D-ISIS" raid that was carried out on February 10th, 2023 in which an ISIS leader was killed. Read more

February 15, 2023 - The U.S. military had been tracking the first balloon that it shot down for about a week as it left China on a heading toward Guam and Hawaii, before making a sharp turn north towards Alaska. Read more

February 15, 2023 - United States Central Command reports shooting down Iranian-man unmanned aerial vehicle conducting a reconnaissance of Mission Support Site Conoco in Northeast Syria. Read more

February 13, 2023 - AFRICOM: A U.S. Airstrike has killed at least 12 al-Shabaab fighters in Somalia. The airstrike was carried out around 28 miles from northeast Mogadishu, according to U.S. Africa Command. Read more

February 13, 2023 - Statement by the Department of Defense on the "successful" shoot down of an "airborne object" flying at about 20,000 feet in altitude in U.S. airspace over Lake Huron in the state of Michigan. Read more

February 13, 2023 - WASHINGTON - The latest "object" that was shot down on Sunday over Lake Huron, which is located close to the Canadian border was "octagonal shape" with "no discernable payload". Read more

February 13, 2023 - The Michigan state representative Jack Bergman released a statement saying that he has been in contact with the Department of Defense, and that the U.S. military has "decommissioned" another "object" over Lake Huron. Read more

February 12, 2023 - NORAD And NORTHCOM Statement: "With the cooperation of the Federal Aviation Administration, North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) implemented a temporary flight restriction airspace in central Montana on Feb. 11, 2023, to ensure the safety of air traffic in the area during NORAD operations. Read more

February 12, 2023 - NORAD: “NORAD detected a radar anomaly and sent fighter aircraft to investigate. Those aircraft did not identify any object to correlate to the radar hits. NORAD will continue to monitor the situation.” Read more

February 12, 2023 - Representative Matt Rosendale statement: "Airspace is reopened – I will remain in contact with defense officials and share more information as it becomes available. Montanans deserve answers". Read more

February 12, 2023 - The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a NOTAM over Havre, Montana, near the Canadian border, and declared the region “National Defense Airspace”. Read more

February 12, 2023 - NORAD shoots down an unidentified object violating Canadian airspace over the Yukon with an F-22. Read more

February 12, 2023 - NORAD Statement on Alaskan high-altitude airborne object Shootdown: "February 11, 2023 U.S. Northern Command Update on Recovery Operations At the direction of the President of the United States, fighter aircraft assigned to U.S. Norther Command successfully took down a high altitude airborne object off the northern coast of Alaska. Read more

February 12, 2023 - NORAD is monitoring "what appear to be" one or two objects that "appear to be spy balloons" over Canada according to a report by the Canadian Global Television Network. Read more

February 11, 2023 - Department of Defense Press Secretary brigadier general Pat Ryder releases a statement regarding the object shot down over Alaska. Read more

February 11, 2023 - The U.S. just shot down an object that was flying around Alaska around one hour ago, according to John Kirby. Read more

February 11, 2023 - Brazil has declined the two Iranian warships from docking at Rio de Janeiro as the Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula sa Silva prepared to visit Washington for a meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden. Read more

February 10, 2023 - Romania releases a statement regarding the Missile Launched By Russia, Crossing Into Moldova. Read more

February 10, 2023 - The Moldovan Ministry of Defense released the following statement on their official Facebook account regarding the "rocket" that flew over its territory and "strongly condemned" the "violation" of its airspace. Read more

February 10, 2023 - General Valery Zaluzhnyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine put out a statement claiming that Russian missiles flew over Romania and Moldova during a missile strike on Ukraine, crossing into NATO-allied airspace. Read more

February 09, 2023 - Pentagon Press Secretary Pat Ryder says that the Pentagon is aware of four previous balloons having gone over the United States, and that they are a part of a "larger Chinese surveillance balloon program". Read more

February 05, 2023 - After the United States Air Force carried out the operation to shoot down the Chinese surveillance balloon, efforts are underway to study and scrutinize both the balloon and its payload. Read more

February 05, 2023 - Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement regarding the "US claim" that it shot down a Chinese unmanned airship. Read more

February 04, 2023 - DoD: "An F-22 Raptor fighter from the 1st Fighter Wing at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia, fired one AIM-9X Sidewinder missile at the balloon.The balloon fell approximately six miles off the coast in about 47 feet of water. No one was hurt". Read more

February 04, 2023 - Department of Defense: A U.S. fighter aircraft assigned to U.S. Northern Command successfully brought down the Chinese high altitude surveillance balloon over the water off the coast of South Carolina in U.S. airspace. Read more

February 04, 2023 - CIA Director William Burns said that Chinese President Xi Jinping has ordered China's military to "be ready by 2027 to conduct a successful invasion" of the island of Taiwan. Read more

February 04, 2023 - Statement by the Chinese Foreign Ministry regarding the balloon spotted above mainland United States. Read more

February 04, 2023 - A strategicist in surveillance balloons says that balloons are difficult to shoot down and that the one over the United States flying over U.S. military sites looks to have been equipped with an advanced AI guidance system. Read more

February 04, 2023 - EDITS (1) An explosion has been reported over Billings, Montana. The city of Billings, Montana says PD fire and airport have not been called to any incidents". Read more

February 04, 2023 - The Chinese "spy balloon" has altered its flight path and is now moving east at about 60,000 feet over the "central" United States, which demonstrates its ability to maneuver, according to a statement by the U.S. military Friday. Read more

February 03, 2023 - Canadian Ministry of Defense: "A high-altitude surveillance balloon was detected and its movements are being actively tracked by NORAD. Canadians are safe and Canada is taking steps to ensure the security of its airspace, including the monitoring of a potential second incident". Read more

February 03, 2023 - DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE transcript of a background briefing regarding the high-altitude surveillance balloon spotted hovering over mainland United States, having come from Alaska, through Canada and into the northern United States from Canada. Read more

February 03, 2023 - NORAD: "NORAD and U.S. Northern Command statement on the high-altitude surveillance balloon. The United States government has detected and is tracking a high altitude surveillance balloon that is over the continental United States right now. Read more

February 03, 2023 - UPDATED (1) DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE: "The United States Government has detected and is tracking a high altitude surveillance balloon that is over the continental United States right now". Read more

February 02, 2023 - The U.S. government is currently tracking a balloon that has been in northern U.S. airspace for a few days now, and U.S. officials say they are confident it is a Chinese high-altitude surveillance balloon. Read more

February 01, 2023 - BAGHDAD - At least 8, some reports say 20 rockets were fired at a Turkish Zilkan military base in northern Iraq Wednesday. Two of the rockets that were fired landed on the inside of the base, wounding an Iraqi contractor. Read more

February 01, 2023 - 34 Chinese military aircraft and 9 PLA Navy (PLAN) vessels were spotted around the island of Taiwan on February 1st, 2023 according to Taiwan's Ministry of Defense. Read more

February 01, 2023 - A U.S. drone strike using blade-based AGM-114 R9X Hellfire missile is suspected to have killed three suspected al-Qaeda militants in Yemen’s Marib province. Read more

February 01, 2023 - The United States is preparing a $2.2 billion package worth of military aid to Ukraine, and is expected to contain longer-range rockets than the United States has previously been willing to give to Ukraine, as well as other weapons and ammunition. Read more

January 30, 2023 - An airstrike targeted a truck convoy on the Syria-Iraq border that consisted of 25 trucks crossing over the border from Iraq into Syria via a crossing that the Hezbollah currently controls. Read more

January 29, 2023 - Israel reported to be behind the attack on the Iranian weapons factory. The Pentagon has stated that no U.S. military forces were involved in strikes, despite claims by Saudi media that the United States Air Force was involved. Read more

January 29, 2023 - Netblocks Internet Observatory: "Confirmed: Network data show a disruption to internet connectivity in Iran with high impact to Mazandaran Province; authorities are attributing the incident to fiber optic cuts on the path between Babol and Sari". Read more

January 28, 2023 - An Admiral serving as the Chair of the NATO Military Committee says that the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is ready for a direct confrontation with Russia. Read more

January 28, 2023 - General Mike Minihan, who heads the United States Air Force's Air Mobility Command has warned that he believes the United States will be at war with China in 2025. Read more

January 27, 2023 - ISRAEL - Two rockets were launched from the Gaza Strip into Israel. Both were intercepted by Israel's Iron Dome missile defense system. Israel has carried out an airstrike within Gaza following the rocket launches. Read more

January 27, 2023 - DOD: "Today marks the conclusion of exercise Juniper Oak 23.2. This exercise was the largest U.S-Israel partnered exercise in history, said Deputy Pentagon Spokesperson Sabrina Singh, who held a news conference today. Read more

January 27, 2023 - Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Operations, Plans and Strategy, Vice Adm. Gene Black, traveled to Japan to meet with his Japanese counterpart, Rear Adm. Nobuyuki Takenaka for a bilateral strategic dialogue at the Japanese Ministry of Defense in Tokyo. Read more

January 27, 2023 - US INDO-PACIFIC COMMAND: "KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- U.S. Airmen and Sailors from Kadena Air Base teamed up in the skies near Okinawa with Japan Air Self Defense Force personnel during the latest iteration of the bilateral Southern Beach exercise. Read more

January 27, 2023 - US INDO-PACIFIC COMMAND: "PHILIPPINE SEA -- The forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) fired a RIM-116 rolling airframe missile, during routine operations, while underway in the Philippine Sea, Jan. 24. Read more

January 27, 2023 - U.S. and Albanian defense leaders met today at the Pentagon to make a strong bilateral alliance even stronger. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE - "Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III met with Defense Minister Niko Peleshi met as the two nations marked the 30th year of their nations' defense relationship. Read more

January 27, 2023 - Russian Foreign Minister has put out a warning and sent a note to members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) that any shipments that contain military equipment will become a legitimate target for Russian Aerospace Forces. Read more

January 27, 2023 - Russia’s Ambassador to Germany Sergei Nechayev released a statement after the United States and Germany announced sending tanks to Ukraine that called the decision an "extremely dangerous decision" that "takes the conflict to a new level of confrontation". Read more

January 27, 2023 - The delivery of Western-made uranium shells to Ukraine will be regarded by Russia as "the use of dirty nuclear bombs" and said that the depleted uranium shells used for the Leopard 2 tanks lead to "contamination of the area" and outbreaks of cancer. Read more

January 27, 2023 - DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE: "The Department of Defense (DoD) announces the procurement of Abrams tanks for Ukraine via the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI). Read more

January 27, 2023 - RUSSIAN MINISTRY OF DEFENSE: "The crew of Admiral Flota Sovetskogo Soyuza Gorshkov's frigate, operating in areas of the western part of the Atlantic Ocean, conducted computer simulation exercises with hypersonic missile weapons. Read more

January 27, 2023 - Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman, and former president Dmitry Medvedev said that Russia may be nationalizing the property of people who are registered in the United States, European Union, and other "unfriendly" jurisdictions in the midst of new "anti-Russian" sanctions. Read more

January 27, 2023 - The aircraft carrier USS George H. W. Bush (CVN-77) carrier strike group joined the joint US/Israel Juniper Oak drills in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea as the exercise wrapped up. Read more

January 26, 2023 - US Military: "CAMP NOVO SELO, Kosovo — Kosovo Force, Regional Command-East recently conducted exercise Cavalry Guardian, an emergency response training exercise, geared toward testing team cohesion, resilience under stress and job proficiency Read more

January 26, 2023 - US Army: "ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Almost 400 New York Army National Guard Soldiers will soon leave for a deployment to Kuwait. Read more

January 26, 2023 - The Department of the Army announced the preparation of Army units for potential deployment to backfill units currently in Europe. This potential deployment would not constitute a change to current force posture levels. Read more

January 26, 2023 - CENTRAL COMMAND: U.S. Central Command and the Israel Defense Forces carry out live-fire exercise Juniper Oak 23.2 in Israel and the Eastern Mediterranean Sea. Read more

January 26, 2023 - Former Special Agent In Charge Of The New York FBI Counterintelligence Division Charged With Violating U.S. Sanctions On Russia. A Russian Court and Government Interpreter Is Also Charged with Violating U.S. Sanctions on Russia. Read more

January 26, 2023 - The Norwegian Defense Chief Eirik Kristoffersen said in an interview with Norwegian channel TV2 that Russia has approached nearly 180,000 dead or wounded soldiers in Ukraine since the start of the war, to date. Read more

January 25, 2023 - Former Russian President and current Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev said that The United States is attempting to destroy Russia and that a new global military alliance may be emerging. Read more

January 25, 2023 - The United States says that they will be making an announcement to send around 30 Abrams tanks to Ukraine as soon as Wednesday, but it could take a few months to deliver the tanks. Read more

January 24, 2023 - A new Joint Resolution has been introduced by United States Representative Dan Crenshaw that would allow for the use of military force against Mexican drug cartels in order to fight against drug trafficking into the United States. Read more

January 23, 2023 - The Russian Bologoye strategic missile division in Tver dispatched the Yars mobile surface-to-surface nuclear missile systems to "combat patrol missions," according to the Russian MOD, which says that it is scheduled training. Read more

January 23, 2023 - U.S. Ambassador to the OSCE Michael Carpenter said that he expects broad support in the United States to for the Netherlands to transfer allied F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, in an interview with Lithuanian news agency Delfi. Read more

January 23, 2023 - The White House has declared the Russian private paramilitary organization PMC Wagner group as "transnational criminal organization". Read more

January 23, 2023 - Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova said on Friday that the statements about supplying Ukraine with any weapons, including those that are able to hit Crimea will "inevitably" lead to "an escalation". Read more

January 23, 2023 - State Department: The United States is warning China against material and security assistance to Russia in Moscow’s war on Ukraine, laying out Washington’s red line ahead of U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s visit to Beijing early next month. Read more

January 23, 2023 - Israel's state-owned IAI Aerospace Industries has announced its new "Point Blank" electro-optically guided missile, capable of being stored in a soldier's backpack. It can take off and land back into the operator's hand. Read more

January 23, 2023 - The FBI Director Christopher Wray stated Thursday that he is "deeply concerned" regarding the artificial intelligence program run by the Chinese government. Read more

January 22, 2023 - Central Command forces conducted a partnered helicopter and ground assault raid in eastern Syria. Read more

January 21, 2023 - The White House has declared the Russian private paramilitary organization PMC Wagner group as "transnational criminal organization". Read more

January 21, 2023 - TAMPA, Fla. – This morning, three one-way attack drones attacked the At Tanf Garrison in Syria. Two of the drones were shot down by Coalition Forces while one struck the compound, injuring two members of the Syrian Free Army partner force who received medical treatment. No US forces were injured. Read more

January 20, 2023 - Pentagon's spokeswoman Sabrina Singh just said if Ukraine decides to carry out a military operation in Crimea, the United States would "be with Ukraine for as long as it takes". Read more

January 20, 2023 - Forces TAMPA, Fla. - U.S. Central Command forces partnered with Syrian Democratic Forces to conduct a partnered helicopter assault in eastern Syria on Jan. 18 capturing an ISIS Syrian provincial media and security operative. Read more

January 19, 2023 - While speaking of Russia's war in Ukraine, Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said that the "defeat of a nuclear power in a conventional war may trigger a nuclear war". Read more

January 19, 2023 - U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Kevin Ryan: "If the Ukrainian military was having great success in the spring, and was chopping up the Russian military and was threatening to take back Crimea, then I think that the Russian military and leadership would use a nuclear weapon". Read more

January 19, 2023 - A report released by the New York Times claims that "several anonymous US officials" spoke to the paper and told them that Washington is warming up to the idea of aiding Ukraine in strikes on Ukraine. Read more

January 19, 2023 - Saudi Finance Minister Mohammed al-Jadaan says that Saudi Arabia is "open to settling trade in other currencies" other than the US dollar. Read more

January 19, 2023 - Germany says that they will be allowing the export of its tanks to Ukraine on the condition that the United States also sends tanks to the country. If Germany decides to do so, other NATO-allied countries say they will follow suit. Read more

January 18, 2023 - US forces intercepted a drone flying near Forward Operating Site Carroll, nearby Camp Carroll in Seongju County, which is equipped with a missile defense system. The incident happened about 130 miles from Seoul, in South Korea. Read more

January 18, 2023 - Cloudflare Wins CISA Contract for Registry and Authoritative Domain Name System (DNS) Services. CISA is an operational component of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Read more

January 16, 2023 - The Chinese Navy held "confrontational drills" in the South China Sea, according to state media, including Global Times, which stated that the drills were carried out "when a US carrier strike group had entered the region".  Read more

January 16, 2023 - GEILENKIRCHEN, Germany - NATO prepares a deployment Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) surveillance planes to Bucharest, Romania.  Read more

January 16, 2023 - Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin has put out a statement calling on the United States and Japan to "Abandon" their "Cold War" mentality and "ideological bias" against China. Read more

January 16, 2023 - Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev told Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to disembowel himself after Kishida warned Russia any use of nuclear weapons would be an act of "hostility against humanity". Read more

January 16, 2023 - IAEA - The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has put out a Statement saying it will be boosting its presence within Ukraine in order to aid in preventing a nuclear accident from occurring during ongoing battles between Russia and Ukraine. Read more

January 16, 2023 - Israel: Iran has enough enriched uranium to produce four nuclear bombers, according to the Israeli military's outgoing Chief of Staff Aviv Kochavi. Read more

January 14, 2023 - UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak pledged Challenger 2 tanks and artillery systems to Ukraine. These are obviously "offensive" weapons now being supplied to Ukraine by NATO-allied countries. Read more

January 14, 2023 - Indonesia says that one of its warships, as well as a patrol aircraft and a drone have been monitoring a Chinese coast guard vessel in their exclusive economic zone (EEZ), a zone rich with resources that both China and Indonesia claim as their own. Read more

January 14, 2023 - Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin stated on Wednesday that he "seriously doubts" that Chinese activities around the island of Taiwan mean that China is planning an imminent invasion of the island. Read more

January 14, 2023 - China is reportedly pressuring Argentina to allow the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to build a naval base in the Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego province within the country, allowing them a military base with close access to Antarctica. Read more

January 14, 2023 - The United States has begun sending a "large number" of tanks and other military vehicles to the port of Vlissingen in the Netherlands. on Wednesday, according to a report by Reuters, which has alarmed Russia. Read more

January 14, 2023 - The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022 required the Director of National Intelligence, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, to submit an annual report to Congress on unidentified aerial phenomena.  Read more

January 14, 2023 - DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE - "Last year, U.S. Central Command conducted 313 operations in Iraq and Syria as part of the mission to defeat the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, also known as ISIS.  Read more

January 14, 2023 - The pipeline connecting Lithuania to Latvia has exploded. Although sabotage is not being ruled out, the pipeline operator said that he does not "see any malign cause" or any "potential impact from outside".   Read more

January 11, 2023 - UK MINISTRY OF DEFENSE - "HMS Portland is monitoring the Russian guided missile frigate Admiral Gorshkov and accompanying tanker Kama as they sail in international waters close to the UK.  Read more

January 11, 2023 - The British postal service company Royal mail says that it's facing a major disruption in international export services after a "cyber incident" occurred.  Read more

January 11, 2023 - Normal air traffic operations are resuming gradually across the United States following an overnight outage to the FAA’s Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) system that provides safety information to flight crews. The ground stop has been lifted. Read more

January 11, 2023 - *Updates (2)* - The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has released an alert saying that it's working to restore its Notice to Air Missions System after it failed and caused an outage. Read more

January 09, 2023 - China's military has released a statement that it carried out military exercises around the island of Taiwan practicing land and sea assaults. The exercises are the second such exercises in the region, the first having been carried out in December. Read more

January 09, 2023 - 57 Chinese military aircraft and 4 PLA Navy (PLAN) vessels were spotted around the island of Taiwan on January 8-9th, 2023 according to Taiwan's Ministry of Defense. Read more

January 09, 2023 - Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Sunday that NATO's Kosovo Force (KFOR) declined its request to send up to 1,000 police and military personnel into Kosovo in response to rising tensions between the Serbians and Kosovo authorities. Read more

January 09, 2023 - Two men, one of which is Iranian were arrested in Germany on suspicion of planning to carry out a terrorist attack with a bio-weapon. Read more

January 09, 2023 - Poland and Finland voiced support for supplying Ukraine with Leopard 2 tanks after the two countries agreed to start sending heavy weaponry to the country to fight against the ongoing Russian war. Read more

January 09, 2023 - A drone was shot down over the Ain al-Asad Air Base that hosts U.S. Forces, according to Iraqi military sources on Sunday, after which the US-led military coalition said it had carried out "an operational exercise", contradicting reports by the Iraqi military that it may have been hostile. Read more

January 08, 2023 - The Ukrainian Defense Ministry says that Russia is planning to mobilize up to 500,000 more conscripts into its military in the middle of January, a larger mobilization than the previous 300,000 Russia called up in October, 2022. Read more

January 08, 2023 - General Mark Milley, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff estimated that around 100,000 Russian and 100,000 Ukrainian soldiers have either died or been injured in the start of the fighting in Ukraine on February 24th, 2022. Read more

January 08, 2023 - The Japanese trade minister Yasutoshi Nishimura is calling for the rebuilding of a "world order" in order to counter the rise of "authoritarian regimes". Read more

January 07, 2023 - After Israeli Prime Minister said that efforts were underway to revive the JCPOA nuclear deal, the Biden Administration put out a statement saying that claims that it was engaged in talks were "false". Read more

January 07, 2023 - A Russian hacker group called Cold River targeted three different nuclear research labs in the United States between the months of August and September of 2022. Read more

January 07, 2023 - The Norwegian Armed Forces has posted a statement saying that the Russian hypersonic missile boat, the frigate Admiral Gorshkov is sailing south, along the coast of Norway, in international waters. Read more

January 07, 2023 - Former Russian President Medvedev posted a message on the Twitter account to the U.S. Embassy in Moscow that Russia should send its Zircon hypersonic missiles close to the Potomac River, which flows through Washington D.C. Read more

January 06, 2023 - Former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan says that he believes that a coming recession is the most likely outcome of the recent spate of interest rate hikes by the Federal Reserve to curb inflation. Read more

January 06, 2023 - The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Chung-Hoon transited the Taiwan Strait on January 5th, according to the U.S. Pacific Fleet, which it says was a 'routine' transit. Read more

January 06, 2023 - Alan Greenspan warned that if China invades Taiwan it could trigger an economic "Black Swan" event that could affect economies worldwide. The number of Chinese aircraft spotted around the island of Taiwan has nearly doubled each consecutive year since 2020. Read more

January 05, 2023 - Russian state media reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered a "Christmas truce" ceasefire for 36 hours from 12:00 on January 6th to 24:00 on January 7th. The offer was rejected by Ukraine, which said that it "should not be taken seriously". Read more

January 05, 2023 - China is running secret overseas police stations around the world, including unauthorized stations in the US, in order to surveil Chinese nationals in countries across the globe. Read more

January 05, 2023 - The British MI5 Security Service addressed threats to the UK posed by Iran, Russia, and China and is expected to declare the Iranian IRGC a terrorist organization in the coming weeks. Read more

January 05, 2023 - South Korea has begun considering sharing real-time radar information along with missile tracking data with Japan. The United States, South Korea and Japan have begun "technical discussions" which involve the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command. Read more

January 04, 2023 - CENTCOM: "Two rockets targeted coalition forces at Mission Support Site Conoco, northeast Syria, today at approximately 9am local time in Syria (1 am Eastern Standard Time). Read more

January 04, 2023 - The Iranian state-run news agency IRNA has reported that an Iranian Revolutionary Guard Copse officer has been assassinated in front of his residential home in Tehran after being hit by four bullets. Read more

January 03, 2023 - The number of Chinese aircraft spotted around the island of Taiwan has nearly doubled each consecutive year since 2020. Read more

January 03, 2023 - The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has reported a rocket launch, but the rocket failed. No alert was activated "in accordance with standard operating procedures". Read more

January 03, 2023 - Israel carried out a missile strike on the Damascus International Airport, killing four people while boosting cooperation with the US, and preparing for an attack on Iranian nuclear facilities. Read more

January 03, 2023 - The Hamas terrorist organization has threatened explosive violence and said that if Israeli National Security Minister Ben Gvir visits the Temple Mount, the visit would lead to violence and a declaration of war. Read more

January 01, 2023 - The Japanese embassy released a statement expressing "outrage" after Russia's New Year's Eve attack on Ukraine that it says resulted in the death and injuries of civilians, which included a Japanese journalist. Read more

January 01, 2023 - *UPDATE (2)* Syrian state news agency SANA, has reported that explosions were heard near Damascus, and reported that there were "separate indications" of Syrian air defense systems having been activated. Read more

January 01, 2023 - North Korea fired another ballistic missile toward the east sea, according to a report by South Korean news agency Yonhap. The North also ordered an "exponential expansion" of its nuclear arsenal. Read more

December 31, 2022 - The Liaoning Chinese aircraft carrier approached the U.S. territory of Guam while carrying out drills in the West Pacific from December 17th to December 27th. Read more

December 31, 2022 - Benjamin Netanyahu was sworn in as the Prime Minister of Israel after previously holding the office from 1996 to 1999 and 2009 to 2021. He says the new government's first task will be to prevent Iran from destroying Israel with an atomic bomb. Read more

December 31, 2022 - 9 Chinese military aircraft and 3 PLA Navy (PLAN) vessels were spotted around the island of Taiwan on December 30-31st, 2022 according to Taiwan's Ministry of Defense. Read more

December 31, 2022 - JAPANESE MOD - "North Korea launched three ballistic missiles toward the northeast from the suburbs of Pyongyang at 8:00 today. The details are currently under analysis, but it is estimated that they all fell near the east coast of the Korean Peninsula outside Japan's exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Read more

December 31, 2022 - USINDOPACOM: "We are aware of the ballistic missile launches and are consulting closely with our allies and partners. Read more

December 30, 2022 - 9 Chinese military aircraft and 3 PLA Navy (PLAN) vessels were spotted around the island of Taiwan on December 31st, 2022 according to Taiwan's Ministry of Defense. Read more

December 30, 2022 - North Korea has fired three ballistic missiles toward the East Sea, according to the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff. Read more

December 30, 2022 - USINDOPACOM: "Navy J-11 fighter pilot performed an unsafe maneuver during and intercept of a U.S. Air Force RC-135 aircraft, which was lawfully conducting routine operations over the South China Sea in international airspace." Read more

December 29, 2022 - The Belarusian Ministry of Defense say they intercepted and destroyed a Ukrainian S-300 anti-air missile on Thursday. Read more

December 28, 2022 - The Russian Foreign Ministry reportedly put out a statement to Russian State news agency TASS that Moscow hopes that Washington will show enough prudence and is wise enough to prevent the situation from escalating to the point of a direct confrontation. Read more

December 28, 2022 - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has put out a warning to the United States against carrying out a decapitation strike on Russian President Vladimir Putin. Read more

December 26, 2022 - The Serbian armed forces were put on the highest combat alert due to an order from Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, according to Serbian Defense Minister Milos Vucevic who spoke to the Serbian news agency Tanjug. Read more

December 26, 2022 - Ukraine called on the UN members states on Monday to remove Russia from the United Nations and to exclude it "as a whole" so that it no longer has the power veto UN Security Council resolutions. Read more

December 26, 2022 - Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said that Russia is ready to resume the gas flow to Europe through the Yamal-Europe pipeline. Read more

December 26, 2022 - The Russian military says that it shot down a Ukrainian drone that it detected was on approach to the Engels Air Base located deep within Russian territory, and reported that three servicemen were killed due to the resulting falling debris from the wreckage. Read more

December 26, 2022 - The U.S. government is aware of information that unknown individuals are possibly plotting to attack Americans at the Marriott Hotel in Islamabad sometime during the holidays. Read more

December 26, 2022 - The South Korean military says that it deployed fighter jets, helicopters "and other assets" in order to shoot down North Korean drones that it says crossed over the inter-Korean border on Monday "without South Korea's permission". Read more

December 26, 2022 - 71 Chinese military aircraft and 7 PLA Navy (PLAN) vessels were spotted around the island of Taiwan on December 25-26th, 2022 according to Taiwan's Ministry of Defense. Read more

December 25, 2022 - The Chinese military said that they carried out "strike drills" around the island of Taiwan on Sunday in response to a "provocation" from both the United States and Taiwan. Read more

December 25, 2022 - 8 Chinese military aircraft and 3 PLA Navy (PLAN) vessels were spotted around the island of Taiwan on December 24-25th, 2022 according to Taiwan's Ministry of Defense. Read more

December 23, 2022 - North Korea has fired two short-range missiles off its east coast, according to the South Korean military, days after U.S. and South Korea carried out joint military exercises involving nuclear-capable bombers and jets. Read more

December 22, 2022 - 39 Chinese military aircraft and PLAN vessels spotted around the island of Taiwan on December 21-22nd, according to Taiwan's Ministry of Defense. Rare occurrences: Z-9 ASW plane, Y-20 Aerial Refueling aircraft. Bombers were also spotted. Read more

December 21, 2022 - "Over the past 48 hours, US Central Command forces conducted three helicopter raids in eastern #Syria resulting in the detention of six ISIS operatives". Read more

December 20, 2022 - The Japanese Ministry of Defense reported that On December 19th, a Chinese Shupan-class survey ship entered into its territorial waters south of Yakushima. The MOD reported that this is the 9th time the Chinese navy has entered into Japan's territorial waters, and is a "cause for concern". Read more

December 19, 2022 - The United States has killed 15 al-Shabab militants in Somalia after carrying out airstrikes at the request of the Somalian government. Read more

December 18, 2022 - North Korea has launched two ballistic missiles off of its east coast, according to both the South Korean and Japanese Ministry of Defense. Indo-Pacific Command releases statement regarding the launch. Read more

December 15, 2022 - The Russian Embassy to the United States has condemned the possible shipment of long-range Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine by the US, saying that the move would be a provocative step. Read more

December 15, 2022 - Russia has loaded its RS-24 Yars intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) into a missile silo in the Kaluga Region in central Russia at the Kozelsk missile formation according to the Russian Defense Ministry. Read more

December 14, 2022 - The US is currently deciding on whether to send a Patriot long-range missile system to Ukraine, after receiving a request from Ukraine for more powerful and longer-range missile systems. Read more

December 14, 2022 - Poland To Deploy German Patriot Missile Systems On Border With Ukraine - Polish President Andrzej Duda announced on Monday that Poland will be working with Germany to deploy German Patriot missile systems on its border with Ukraine in the coming days. Read more

December 14, 2022 - On December 13th, China sent 18 nuclear-capable H-6 bombers around the island of Taiwan, which is highly unusual activity. It is the first time China has sent so many bombers at once. China is flying a higher number of aircraft around Taiwan recently. Check the ongoing report... Read more

December 14, 2022 - Ukraine has requested cluster bombs from the United States. Both Russia and Ukraine have used cluster munitions in the war, mostly in populated areas. Read more

December 13, 2022 - According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, a Norwegian P-3C Orion "Spy Plane" was intercepted by Russia over the Barents Sea. Read more

December 13, 2022 - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has threatened Greece with a missile strike on Athens. Both countries are members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) alliance. Read more

December 12, 2022 - 150 Indian soldiers and 300 Chinese soldiers are reported to have clashed at the Tawang Sector of Arunachal Pradesh, Northeastern India near the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China. Read more

December 12, 2022 - Belarusian army says that they have deployed tactical battalion groups on the borders between Belarus and the countries where NATO had deployed forces. Skies above Belarus Empty. Read more

December 12, 2022 - Shots were fired, and explosions were heard on the border between Serbia and Kosovo after a stun grenade was thrown. Serbia has asked NATO to deploy the Serbian army and police force. Read more

December 11, 2022 - U.S. Central Command has reported that it has conducted a successful helicopter raid against ISIS at 2:57 a.m. on December 11th, which killed two ISIS officials. Read more

December 10, 2022 - Turkey has carried out airstrikes in the Duhok province in northern Iraq, according Lebanese news agency Al-Mayadeen, targeting Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) elements in the region. Read more

December 09, 2022 - Russian President Vladimir Putin has put out a statement saying that any country that dares attack Russia with nuclear weapons will be wiped from the face of the earth, considers adding Russia to nuclear first strike strategy. Read more

December 09, 2022 - The U.S. House of Representatives has passed the $858 billion defense bill which effectively removes the vaccine mandate for U.S. military personnel. Read more

December 08, 2022 - 27 Chinese military aircraft and 4 PLAN vessels were spotted around the island of Taiwan on December 7-8th, 2022 according to Taiwan's Ministry of Defense. Read more

December 08, 2022 - Russian President Vladimir Putin said the strategic military operation in Ukraine is taking longer than expected and addressed the usage of nuclear weapons. Read more

December 06, 2022 - USCENTCOM - TAMPA, Fla. – "An Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy patrol boat interacted in an unsafe and unprofessional manner as U.S. Navy ships transited the Strait of Hormuz, the evening of Dec. 5. Read more

December 06, 2022 - 20 Chinese military aircraft and 4 PLAN vessels spotted around the island of Taiwan on December 06th, 2022 according to Taiwan's Ministry of Defense. Read more

December 06, 2022 - Russia has deployed the Bastion coastal missile system on Kuril island of Paramushir, Russia which is an island also claimed by Japan, known by the Japanese as the Northern Territories. Read more

December 06, 2022 - North Korea has fired 90 rounds of multiple rocket launchers into the buffer zone between North and South Korea, as South Korea and the United States continue to carry out joint live-fire military drills near the border. Read more

December 06, 2022 - Russia claims that Ukraine hit two of its air bases located on Russian soil before Russia carried out a large-scale missile attack on Ukraine. Read more

December 05, 2022 - RAYTHEON - The United States is currently working with countries in the Middle East to move some of the U.S. air defense systems to Ukraine. Read more

December 05, 2022 - North Korea has fired around 130 artillery shells off its east and west coasts, some of which landed in the buffer zone between the North's border with the South, according to the South Korean military. Read more

December 03, 2022 - China's semiconductor exports are on the decline amidst the United States moving microchip manufacturing in-house, possibly making an invasion of Taiwan by China more appealing. Read more

November 30, 2022 - Five vehicles that were rented by U.S. President Joe Biden's Secret Service detail went up in flames while in a parking lot on Monday a day after the President went on vacation in Nantucket, Massachusetts for Thanksgiving. Read more

November 28, 2022 - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said that the ultimate goal for North Korea is to possess the world's most powerful nuclear strategic force and eventually build the world's strongest army. Read more

November 28, 2022 - 9 Chinese military aircraft and 4 PLAN vessels were spotted around the island of Taiwan on November 27th and 28th, according to Taiwan's Ministry of Defense. Read more

November 27, 2022 - 8 Chinese military aircraft and 4 PLAN vessels were spotted around the island of Taiwan on November 26th and 27th, according to Taiwan's Ministry of Defense. Read more

November 26, 2022 - 11 Chinese military aircraft and 4 PLAN vessels were spotted around the island of Taiwan on November 25th-26th, according to Taiwan's Ministry of Defense. Read more

November 25, 2022 - Two rockets targeted coalition forces at the US patrol base in al-Shaddadi, Syria, today at approximately 10:31 p.m. local time in Syria (4:31 p.m. EST). Read more

November 25, 2022 - Turkey has told Russia that it will be continuing to respond to attacks coming from northern Syria, after Russia requested that Turkey not upgrade the conflict in Syria into a full-scale offensive. Read more

November 25, 2022 - The Japanese Ministry of Defense has reported that fighters from the Japanese Air Self-Defense force (ASDF) were scrambled from November 22nd to 23rd due to "threat of territorial infringement" over the Sea of Japan and the East China Sea. Read more

November 25, 2022 - 6 Chinese military aircraft and 4 PLAN vessels were spotted around the island of Taiwan on November 25th, 2022 (by 6am), according to Taiwan's Ministry of Defense. Read more

November 25, 2022 - The President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko attended a meeting of the CSTO Collective Security Council in Yerevan, Armenia and announced priorities for 2023. Read more

November 24, 2022 - WHITE HOUSE: "As Russia struggles on the battlefield, it is increasingly turning to horrific attacks against the Ukrainian people with punishing strikes damaging energy grid infrastructure, and deliberately doing so as winter approaches".  Read more

November 24, 2022 - 7 Chinese military aircraft and 4 PLAN vessels were spotted around the island of Taiwan on November 24th, 2022 according to Taiwan's Ministry of Defense. Read more

November 24, 2022 - The United States is expanding military presence in the Philippines in order to counter Chinese presence in the region, as well as speeding up the implementation of the 2014 defense pact between the two countries that had been stalled under the previous Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte. Read more

November 23, 2022 - US DEPARTMENT OF STATE: "The United States continues to support Ukraine with additional military assistance to help defend itself, including from the Kremlin’s relentless attacks on Ukraine’s critical energy infrastructure. Read more

November 23, 2022 - Ukraine: Russia fired 70 cruise missiles into Ukraine on November 23rd, killing six people and injuring 36. The head of the Ukrainian police Ihor Klymenko said rockets hit 16 'objects' within Ukraine. Read more

November 23, 2022 - The Mayor of Kyiv, Ukraine has reported that Russia has hit the capital's infrastructure facilities. He later reported that there were explosions in various districts in Kyiv, hitting the "residential sector" and "critical facilities". Read more

November 23, 2022 - Iran has claimed that Israel killed an Iranian military officer with a roadside bomb in Damascus, Syria according to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corp (IRGC) on Wednesday. Read more

November 23, 2022 - Iran has reached 60 percent uranium enrichment purity at its Fordow nuclear plant, according to the United Nations nuclear watchdog, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Tuesday. Read more

November 23, 2022 - 3 Chinese military aircraft, including one submarine hunting helicopter and 4 PLAN vessels were spotted around the island of Taiwan on November 22-23rd, 2022 according to Taiwan's Ministry of Defense. Read more

November 22, 2022 - 17 Chinese military aircraft and 4 PLAN vessels were spotted around the island of Taiwan on November 21-22nd, 2022 according to Taiwan's Ministry of Defense. Read more

November 21, 2022 - The South Korean military has put out a statement saying that they do not have any new information on the intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) that North Korea recently launched. The North claims that it was a Hwasong-17 missile, but thus far the South Korean military have not been able to verify the claim. Read more

November 20, 2022 - The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has put out a new report that the shelling has now stopped, and there are no radiation leaks detected as a result of the explosions. Read more

November 20, 2022 - A 2.0 earthquake hit near North Korea's Pungye-ri nuclear test site, but was found to be likely a naturally occurring earthquake, and not that of nuclear testing, according to South Korea's weather agency. Read more

November 20, 2022 - The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, which has been under Russian control has taken fire, causing explosions. Russia has blamed Ukrainian attacks for the explosions, claiming that Ukraine has carried out 12 strikes against the nuclear power plant. Read more

November 20, 2022 - Turkish air raids targeted 89 locations in Iraq and Syria, including the Iraqi locations of: Asos, Qandil, Hakurk, and Northern Syria locations of: Cizire, Tal Rifat, Kobani and Derik, according to the Turkish Defense Ministry. Read more

November 19, 2022 - The Swedish Security Service Reported on November 18th that gross sabotage on the Nord Stream gas pipelines have been confirmed. The Swedish Prosecution Authority said that traces of explosives have been found at the sites of the Nord Stream pipeline ruptures. Read more

November 19, 2022 - Syrian state news agency SANA is reporting that Israel carried out airstrikes on military positions after flying over the Mediterranean and targeting some military positions in the "central" and "coastal" regions of Syria, killing 4 soldiers. Read more

November 19, 2022 - A gas pipeline explosion occurred in Saint Petersburg, Russia (formerly known as Leningrad). Saint Petersburg Governor (Leningrad Oblast) Governor Alexander Drozdenko reported the explosion on his Telegram channel. Read more

November 19, 2022 - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un oversaw the latest ICBM test, vowed that if enemies continue to pose threats, the North Korean government will react with nukes. Read more

November 19, 2022 - The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has Reported that two Russian fighter aircraft made an "unsafe and unprofessional" approach toward the Standing NATO Maritime Group (SNMG1) that was carrying out "routine operations" in the Baltic Sea. Read more

November 19, 2022 - 17 Chinese military aircraft, 3 PLAN vessels were spotted around the island of Taiwan on November 18th/19th according to Taiwan's Ministry of Defense. Read more

November 18, 2022 - Event: U.S. Consulate General Erbil is monitoring credible open-source reports of potential Turkish military action in northern Syria and northern Iraq in the coming days. The U.S. government continues to strongly advise U.S. citizens to avoid these areas. Read more

November 18, 2022 - North Korea has fired an intercontinental ballistic missile (#ICBM) that flew 1,000 kilometers (621 miles) at an altitude of 6,100 kilometers (3790 miles) at a speed of Mach 22. Read more

November 17, 2022 - The entire North Korean internet was taken offline over a period of two and a half hours, according to a cybersecurity researcher. Read more

November 17, 2022 - Pakistan has shut down its southwestern border with Afghanistan for an indefinite period, according to both officials and local media on Monday. Read more

November 17, 2022 - The South Korean military has reported that the North launched a short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) towards its eastern waters after threatening to respond with 'fiercer military responses' to the United States as a result of efforts by the United States to increase military presence on and near the Korean Peninsula. Read more

November 16, 2022 - Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said that the missile strike in Poland only proves that the West is "approaching a world war," and that the West wants to "wage war on Russia by all means against Russia", and that talking about Russian missiles falling into Poland is a "provocation" with the intent on escalating the conflict. Read more

November 16, 2022 - NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that although the missile that landed in Poland and killed two people was "likely caused by a Ukrainian air defense missile" that it was "not Ukraine's fault". Read more

November 16, 2022 - Reuters reported that U.S. President Joe Biden told the G7 and NATO partners that "a missile blast in Poland was caused by a Ukrainian air defense missile", according to a NATO source who reportedly spoke to Reuters. Read more

November 16, 2022 - Article 5 is not automatic, it needs to be agreed upon. It is unlikely alliance members will agree on article 5 if it was accidental, which thus far it looks to be. If it is found that it was intentional, however, the likelihood of article 5 will increase tremendously. Read more

November 16, 2022 - *Ongoing Report* POLAND - The Associated Press reported that a Russian-made missile crossed into the eastern part of Poland on Wednesday, striking a grain facility near the Ukrainian border on the Polish side and killing two people. Poland is a member of the NATO alliance. Investigations have not yet concluded who manufactured the missile. Read more

November 15, 2022 - CENTCOM: "On Nov 8, CENTCOM forces intercepted a stateless dhow [sailing vessels used in the Red Sea and Indian Ocean] in the Gulf of Oman originating from Iran smuggling a massive volume of explosive material to Yemen. Read more

November 12, 2022 - British Ministry of Defense: "Russia's announced withdrawal from Kherson marks another strategic failure for them. In February, Russia failed to take any of its major objectives except Kherson. Now with that also being surrendered, ordinary people of Russia must surely ask themselves "What was it all for?". Read more

November 12, 2022 - 14 Chinese military aircraft and 3 PLAN vessels were spotted around the island of Taiwan on November 11th, 2022 according to Taiwan's Ministry of Defense. Read more

November 11, 2022 - 26 Chinese military aircraft and 4 PLAN vessels were spotted around the island of Taiwan on November 10th, 2022 according to Taiwan's Ministry of Defense. Read more

November 11, 2022 - US AFRICA COMMAND: "Federal Government of Somalia combats terrorists with support from U.S. forces: At the request of the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted a collective self-defense strike against the al-Shabaab terrorists who were attacking the Somali forces." Read more

November 11, 2022 - Chinese President Xi Jinping announced on Tuesday that China will be increasing the training of its military and preparation for war as the nation's security is increasingly unstable and uncertain. Read more

November 11, 2022 - The commander of the U.S. Strategic Command has said that the war in Ukraine is just a warm up and that the United States must be prepared for much more, around the corner, because the big one is coming. Read more

November 09, 2022 - The Japanese and South Korean Ministry of Defense reported that North Korea launched a short-range (SRBM) ballistic missile from the Sukchon area in South Pyongang Province. Read more

November 09, 2022 - Syria/Iraq - Airstrikes have been reported on the border between Syria and Iraq. Iranian-backed militia has reportedly blamed the United States for the attacks, but U.S. officials rejected the claims, saying that it wasn't them, but has confirmed that airstrikes were carried out. Al-Mayadeen has claimed that Israel carried out the drone strike. Read more

November 08, 2022 - Russia has been lamenting the sale of Alaska to the United States 155 years ago. Russian State Duma said that Russia could reclaim Alaska. Read more

November 07, 2022 - 63 Chinese military aircraft and 4 PLAN vessels were spotted around the island of Taiwan on November 7th, 2022 according to Taiwan's Ministry of Defense. Read more

November 07, 2022 - 46 Chinese military aircraft and 4 PLAN vessels were spotted around the island of Taiwan on November 6th, 2022 according to Taiwan's Ministry of Defense. Read more

November 07, 2022 - The United States is able to respond quickly to a North Korean nuclear test if necessary, a spokesperson for the Pentagon said on Friday. Read more

November 07, 2022 - Ties between North Korea and both Russia and China have been deepening as Russia and China stand in the way of holding North Korea responsible for continued provocations at the U.N. Security Council. Read more

November 07, 2022 - On Saturday, November 5th the Iranian Revolutionary Guard tested a satellite launch vehicle that Washington has speculated could also launch nuclear warheads. Read more

November 07, 2022 - The United States and South Korea have finished conducting large-scale bilateral air exercises called "Vigilant Storm" that was held from October 31st, 2022 to November 4th, 2022. Read more

November 06, 2022 - DoD authorizes the Presidential Drawdown of security assistance valued at up to $600 million to Ukraine. This authorization is the Biden Administration’s twenty-first drawdown since August 2021. Read more

November 06, 2022 - Russian ambassador to the United Kingdom Andrey Kelin spoke to Sky News and told them that Russia has "evidence" that the strategic forces in the UK was involved in the attack on Russia's Black Sea fleet, and claimed that he has proof, although as of yet no proof has surfaced. Read more

November 06, 2022 - China launched its third and last component for its Tiangong space station on October 31st, completing construction of the station. Read more

November 06, 2022 - Both Finland and Sweden say they will be deciding issues on nuclear weapons only after they are officially accepted into the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, but that they do not seek any opt-outs or preconditions for joining the alliance, they said at a press briefing in Helsinki. Read more

November 06, 2022 - The US military carried out onsite weapons inspections in Ukraine in order to make sure that weapons provided to Ukraine by the United States are not being diverted. Finnish news is reporting the weapons are ending up in the hands of criminals in European countries. Read more

November 06, 2022 - 9 Chinese military aircraft and 2 PLAN vessels were spotted around the island of Taiwan on November 5th, 2022 according to Taiwan's Ministry of Defense. Read more

November 05, 2022 - 27 Chinese military aircraft and 4 PLAN vessels were spotted around the island of Taiwan on November 4th, 2022 according to Taiwan's Ministry of Defense. Read more

November 05, 2022 - SEOUL - North Korea fired four short-range missiles into the western sea on Saturday, according to the South Korean military. Read more

November 03, 2022 - November 3, 2022 - The FBI has put out a warning of a "broad threat" to synagogues in the state of New Jersey. Read more

November 03, 2022 - Russian ambassador to the United Kingdom Andrey Kelin spoke to Sky News and told them that Russia has "evidence" that the strategic forces in the UK was involved in the attack on Russia's Black Sea fleet, and claimed that he has proof. Read more

November 03, 2022 - North Korea launched at least four more ballistic missiles into the sea today, after launching at least 26 ballistic missiles including one ICBM the day before that triggered Japan's J-alert system and stopped trains from running in northern Japan. Read more

November 03, 2022 - North Korea launched at least 26 ballistic missiles and 100 shells over the last 24 hours, according to South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the Japanese Coast Guard, including one suspected intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). One missile is reported to have flown over Japan, activating Japan's J-alert system. Read more

November 02, 2022 - Norway has reportedly raised its military alert level after unmanned aerial (UAV) drones were sighted over the last few weeks around Norway's oil and gas fields and airports, which has led to at least seven arrests of Russian citizens. Read more

November 02, 2022 - Nord Stream AG has completed "initial data gathering" on the section of the Nord Stream pipeline that was damaged and concluded that there are 'technogenic craters' with a depth of 3 to 5 meters on the seabed located under the damaged section of the pipeline. Read more

November 02, 2022 - North Korea launched at least 23 ballistic missiles and 100 shells over a 6-hour period of time, according to South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the Japanese Coast Guard. Read more

November 01, 2022 - Saudi Arabia has reportedly shared intelligence with the United States and warned of an impending imminent Iranian attack targeting both Saudi Arabia and Iraq, including Erbil, Iraq where US forces are stationed. Read more

November 01, 2022 - North Korea on Monday called on the United States and South Korea to stop carrying out joint military exercises, calling the drills a provocation that might cause "more powerful follow-up measures" from the North in response. Read more

October 31, 2022 - Three PLAN vessels were spotted around the island of Taiwan on October 31st, 2022 according to Taiwan's Ministry of Defense. Read more

October 31, 2022 - Both Poland and Finland may be interested in participating in NATO's nuclear sharing program, which would give both countries access to deploying nuclear weapons in their territory, and allow NATO to establish bases within their borders. Poland interested, Finland more reserved on the matter. Read more

October 30, 2022 - 8 Chinese aircraft and 3 PLAN vessels were spotted around the island of Taiwan on October 30th, 2022 according to Taiwan's Ministry of Defense. Read more

October 30, 2022 - The Pentagon said that although Russia is an "acute threat", China "is the only competitor out there with both the intent to reshape the international order, and increasingly the power to do so". Read more

October 29, 2022 - 25 Chinese military aircraft and 3 PLAN vessels were spotted around the island of Taiwan on October 29th, 2022 according to Taiwan's Ministry of Defense. Read more

October 29, 2022 - KYIV - The Russian Defense Ministry put out a statement on Saturday saying that they are suspending the grain deal brokered by the United Nations allowing grain to be exported out of Ukraine after accusing Britain of aiding Ukraine in attacking its vessels in the Black Sea with drones. Read more

October 29, 2022 - *UPDATES* The United States said during a closed meeting with NATO that it will be accelerating the deployment of an upgraded version of the B61-12 air-dropped thermonuclear "gravity bomb" to European bases in December, which is a few months earlier than was originally planned. Read more

October 29, 2022 - MOSCOW - Russia is claiming that the British Navy was involved in what the country calls a "terrorist attack" on the Nord Stream pipeline. The Russian Ministry of Defense claimed on Saturday that the British Navy had a part in orchestrating and staging a sabotage of the Nord Stream gas pipeline. The British Ministry of Defense released a statement saying that Russia is "resorting to peddling false claims of an epic scale". Read more

October 28, 2022 - 13 Chinese military aircraft and 3 PLAN vessels were spotted around the island of Taiwan on October 28th, 2022 according to Taiwan's Ministry of Defense. Read more

October 28, 2022 - US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman said on October 26th that the United States will be cooperating with South Korea and Japan in order to ensure Taiwan's self-defense. Read more

October 28, 2022 - SEOUL - The United States and South Korea have vowed that there would be an unparalleled response if North Korea carries out an expected 7th nuclear test, and have urged North Korea to refrain from provocations. Read more

October 28, 2022 - North Korea has fired two short-range ballistic missiles from the location of the Tongchon, Kangwon province, according to the South Korean military. The US Indo-Pacific Command put out a statement saying that they are aware of the missile launches. Read more

October 27, 2022 - 20 Chinese military aircraft, 2 PLAN vessels were spotted around the island of Taiwan on October 27th, 2022 according to Taiwan's Ministry of Defense. Read more

October 26, 2022 - 22 Chinese military aircraft, 3 PLAN vessels, 2 reconnaissance drones were spotted around the island of Taiwan on September 26th, 2022 according to Taiwan's Ministry of Defense. Read more

October 26, 2022 - Intelligence update from the British Ministry of Defense for October 26th, 2022: "On 24 October 2022, the governor of Russia’s Belgorod region announced that an explosive device had damaged the railway near the village of Novozybkovo, approximately 15km from the Russia-Belarus border. The line is the main rail link between Russia and southern Belarus. Read more

October 26, 2022 - Russian President Vladimir Putin monitored the launches of ballistic and cruise missiles on Wednesday as part of Russia's yearly "Grom" nuclear exercises, as NATO holds simultaneous nuclear exercises. Read more

October 26, 2022 - Due to U.S. forces conducting an airstrike against al-Shabaab terrorists in Somalia, the Africa regional alert has been set to 2. Read statement from Africa Command.. Read more

October 25, 2022 - Norwegian Police Security Service arrested a scientist in Tromsoe, Norway suspected of being a spy for a Russian intelligence service. The suspect was researching "hybrid threats" tied to "Arctic Norway", according to Deputy PST chief Hedvig Moe. Read more

October 25, 2022 - Iran claims that it has arrested 10 agents allegedly working for Israel in West Azerbaijan province as part of an espionage network, according to Iranian state news agency Fars. Israeli officials claim to have struck 90% of Iran's military operations in Syria, targeting a drone assembly factory near Damascus. Read more

October 25, 2022 - The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has put out a statement saying that emergency preparedness exercises of the Home Front Command will be taking place during the coming week. "alerts will be heard as part of practicing the emergency system in the localities and practicing behavior guidelines". Read more

October 25, 2022 - 16 Chinese military aircraft and 3 PLAN vessels were spotted around the island of Taiwan on October 25th, 2022, according to Taiwan's Ministry of Defense. Read more

October 25, 2022 - *New Information* - Russia has claimed that Ukraine is preparing a possible 'provocation' involving the use of a 'dirty bomb', while the US and Ukraine claim that this might be a pretext for a Russian 'false flag' operation. Read more

October 24, 2022 - 10 Chinese military aircraft, 3 PLAN vessels were spotted around the island of Taiwan on October 24th, 2022, according to Taiwan's Ministry of Defense. Read more

October 24, 2022 - Russia has claimed that Ukraine is preparing a possible 'provocation' involving the use of a 'dirty bomb', while the United States and Ukraine claim that this might be a pretext for a Russian 'false flag' operation. Read more

October 24, 2022 - South Korea Fires Warning Shots At North Korean Vessel After NLL Intrusion: South Korea has fired warning shots at a North Korean vessel after the South accused the North of crossing the Northern Limit Line in the Yellow Sea, which the South calls the "de facto maritime border, according to South Korean news agency Yonhap. Read more

October 23, 2022 - 9 Chinese military aircraft, 3 PLAN vessels were spotted around the island of Taiwan on October 23rd, 2022 according to Taiwan's Ministry of Defense. Read more

October 22, 2022 - The US Army's 101st Airborne Division which consists of about 4,700 soldiers has been deployed to Europe, on the border of Romania and Ukraine, for the first time since World War 2 (80 years ago). Read more

October 22, 2022 - 9 Chinese military aircraft and 3 PLAN vessels were spotted around the island of Taiwan on October 22nd, 2022 according to Taiwan's Ministry of Defense. Read more

October 22, 2022 - The Ukrainian National Resistance Center has claimed that three Russian aircraft capable of equipping and launching hypersonic missiles were spotted over Minsk, Belarus on Sunday. Read more

October 22, 2022 - Iran has released an advisory to all of its citizens strongly advising them not to travel to Ukraine, and told Iranians currently living in the country to leave the country "for their own safety". Read more

October 21, 2022 - Syrian state media has claimed that Syria has shot down missiles fired by Israel at Damascus late on Friday. It said that they were intercepted and shot down in an area over Damascus close to Syria's shared border with Israel. Read more

October 21, 2022 - UKRAINE - Russia has declared martial law in the four regions that it has annexed in Ukraine, which include: Kherson, Luhansk, Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia. Read more

October 21, 2022 - The Pentagon has confirmed that the B-1B supersonic bombers that arrived in Guam this week is a show of strength in order to deter "potential provocations," after North Korea carried out a series of ballistic missile tests, and fired into the buffer zone with the South. Read more

October 21, 2022 - According to the White House, Iranian troops were sent to Ukraine to help assist Russia in operating Iranian-made drones that Russia had reportedly purchased from the country. Read more

October 21, 2022 - "North Korea may be preparing to hold a large-scale event, as planes appeared to be parked in front of the Pyongyang International Airport terminal on Oct. 19th-20". Read more

October 20, 2022 - 20 Chinese military aircraft and 3 PLAN vessels were spotted around the island of Taiwan on October 20th, 2022 according to Taiwan's Ministry of Defense. Read more

October 20, 2022 - "On October 19th, General Michael "Erik” Kurilla, commander of CENTCOM, conducted a visit aboard the USS West Virginia, a U.S. Navy Ohio-class nuclear powered ballistic missile submarine at an undisclosed location at sea in international waters in the Arabian Sea. Read more

October 20, 2022 - Russia has declared martial law in the four regions that it has annexed in Ukraine, which include: Kherson, Luhansk, Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia. Read more

October 20, 2022 - The United States deployed four bombers from South Dakota to the Andersen AFB, in Guam ahead of North Korea's expected nuclear test, as well as recent provocations. Read more

October 20, 2022 - EUROPE - Expressen has used an underwater drone to film the damage to the ruptured Nordstream pipeline 262 feet below the ocean's surface. The following report is based on a translation of Expressen's findings. Read more

October 20, 2022 - 11 Chinese military aircraft and 2 PLAN vessels were spotted around the island of Taiwan on October 19th, 2022 according to Taiwan's Ministry of Defense. Read more

October 19, 2022 - 11 Chinese military aircraft and 2 PLAN vessels were spotted around the island of Taiwan on October 18th, 2022 according to Taiwan's Ministry of Defense. Read more

October 19, 2022 - SEOUL - North Korea has fired at least 250 artillery rounds into the buffer zone with South Korea on Tuesday from 10 p.m. to 11 p.m. according to the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff on Wednesday. Read more

October 18, 2022 - NORAD - Russian Tu-95 bombers capable of being equipped with nuclear weapons were intercepted on October 18th (local time) after "entering and operating within the Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone". Read more

October 17, 2022 - Ongoing Report: Chinese military aircraft have been spotted every day of the month of August, September, and October since Pelosi's visit to the island on August 2nd, 2022. PLAN vessels have also been spotted around the island of Taiwan every day since August 6th. Read more

October 17, 2022 - 5 Chinese military aircraft, and 5 PLAN vessels were spotted around the island of Taiwan on October 16th, 2022 according to Taiwan's Ministry of Defense. Read more

October 17, 2022 - SEOUL - The office of President Yoon Suk-yeol has been on "24-hour standby" as North Korea is expected to carry out its seventh nuclear test "at any time," according to South Korean officials. The following is a situation overview on North and South Korea over the last 7 months. Read more

October 16, 2022 - The following countries have urged their citizens to leave Ukraine immediately: China, Egypt, Kazakhstan. There are alerts for other countries embassy's floating around social media, but many of those look to be older, previously issued embassy alerts. Read more

October 16, 2022 - Sun Yeli, a spokesperson for the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China has reiterated China's stance that while China does not promise to renounce the use of force, they will do their best to achieve "peaceful reunification". Read more

October 16, 2022 - South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol said on Thursday that he is looking carefully at "extended deterrence" options as North Korea tests ballistic missiles that it says were intended to simulate a tactical nuclear weapon strike on South Korea. Read more

October 16, 2022 - Russia is transferring dual-equipped Iskander-M missile systems with conventional missiles to Belarus, and converting Belarusian SU-25 jets with the ability to carry nuclear weapons, but it is 'not planned' to equip Belarus with actual nuclear warheads. Read more

October 16, 2022 - On Thursday NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that the alliance will be giving Ukraine "hundreds of drone jammers" to counter the Iranian Shahed-136 kamikaze drones that Russia is using. Read more

October 15, 2022 - DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE - "Today, the Department of Defense (DoD) announces the authorization of a Presidential Drawdown of security assistance valued at up to $725 million to meet Ukraine's critical security and defense needs". Read more

October 15, 2022 - EUROPE - NATO put out a statement on Friday saying that it would be launching its annual nuclear exercises "Steadfast Noon". NATO also said that it will be monitoring Russia's own upcoming nuclear exercise very closely. Read more

October 15, 2022 - Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Meeting With Ministers of Defense for Finland and Sweden, Antti Kaikkonen and Peter Hultqvist. Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder provided the following readout.. Read more

October 15, 2022 - 23 Chinese military aircraft, 5 PLAN vessels were spotted around the island of Taiwan on October 14th, 2022 according to Taiwan's Ministry of Defense. Read more

October 15, 2022 - South Korea put their military on high alert after the latest ballistic missile launch by the South. The move also followed North Korea sending aircraft near the shared border with the South and firing around 80 artillery shells. Read more

October 14, 2022 - JAPANESE MOD - At around 1:47 today, North Korea launched at least one ballistic missile toward the east from the suburbs of Pyongyang Read more

October 14, 2022 - UK Government: British Air Strikes Against Daesh: "The RAF are continuing to take the fight to Daesh in Iraq and Syria." Read more

October 14, 2022 - DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE - "I am pleased that the Governments of Israel and Lebanon have agreed to establish a permanent maritime boundary between their two countries." Read more

October 14, 2022 - FRANCE - During a live interview on France 2 Wednesday, France's President Emmanuel Macron said that if Russia chooses to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine, France would not be responding with nuclear weapons. Read more

October 13, 2022 - 13 Chinese military aircraft, and 4 PLAN vessels were spotted around the island of Taiwan on October 13th, 2022 according to Taiwan's Ministry of Defense. Read more

October 13, 2022 - *Updated* South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff has reported that North Korea has launched another ballistic missile toward its eastern waters and flown military aircraft toward the South Korean border. Read more

October 13, 2022 - SEOUL - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un oversaw the launch of two long-range strategic cruise missiles Thursday, according to the country's state media, saying that it was a test in order to confirm reliability and operation of nuclear-capable missiles. Read more

October 12, 2022 - The UN General Assembly has adopted a resolution condemning Russia's annexation of the territories of Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia in Ukraine, as well as the DPR and LPR regions. Read more

October 12, 2022 - The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) has accused Ukraine's military spy Chief of being a part of carrying out the attack on the Crimean Bridge. Russia has taken eight out of twelve suspects of the bombing into custody according to the FSB. Read more

October 12, 2022 - Department of Defense: "Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III meets with allies at NATO headquarters in Belgium this week to discuss the continued support for the defense of Ukraine, amid Russia's unprovoked invasion and recent attacks against civilian targets and infrastructure, according to a defense official. Read more

October 12, 2022 - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Tuesday that Russia has ordered 2,400 Iranian-made Shahed drones from the Islamic Republic, and asked leaders of the G7 countries to give medium and long-range missile defense systems to protect against the them. Read more

October 12, 2022 - U.S. Department Of State: "Following years of mediation by the United States, the Governments of Israel and Lebanon today announced consensus on an historic agreement to establish a permanent maritime boundary between the two countries". Read more

October 12, 2022 - DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE - The 16th annual Garuda Shield exercise started Aug. 3, this year expanding from a bilateral training event between the Indonesian and U.S. militaries to 14 participant nations Read more

October 12, 2022 - The United States has begun restricting visas from being issued to both current, and former members of the Taliban, as well as others over the repression of women and girls in Afghanistan, according to a statement by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday." Read more

October 12, 2022 - Israel Defense Forces (IDF) statement earlier: "Our soldiers spotted a Hamas terrorist drone attempting to cross into Israeli territory from the Gaza Strip a short while ago. Read more

October 12, 2022 - Taiwan's Ministry of Defense has reported that 15 Chinese military aircraft, 4 PLAN vessels were spotted in the "surrounding region" around the island of Taiwan on October 12th, 2022. Read more

October 12, 2022 - Statement by Ukrainian intelligence regarding the current situation at the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant (translated). "All six units are disconnected at the ZNPP, the occupiers are forcing employees to sign contracts with Rosatom. Read more

October 12, 2022 - Ukraine claims that Russia has been transferring Shahed-136 kamikaze drones to Belarus territory Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine reported. Read more

October 12, 2022 - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un released a statement on the 77th anniversary of its ruling Worker's Party that said that the North's recent ballistic missile launches have been to simulate the use of tactical nuclear weapons for "hit and wipe out" potential. Read more

October 11, 2022 - NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg: "Stoltenberg: "hybrid and cyber attacks can trigger Article 5," and, "We are closely monitoring every incident that may constitute a hybrid or cyber attack against the NATO Allies and we are ready to take the necessary measures if needed." Read more

October 11, 2022 - 11 Chinese military aircraft, and 4 PLAN vessels were spotted around the island of Taiwan on October 11th, 2022 according to Taiwan's Ministry of Defense. Read more

October 11, 2022 - Official spokesman for the Russian energy giant Gazprom Sergey Kupriyanov said Monday that a NATO mine destroyer, which is an explosive device was discovered near the Nord Stream 1 pipeline in 2015, according to the official Nord Stream company. Read more

October 11, 2022 - A drone strike in northeastern Syria led by the U.S.-led coalition was carried out on Monday, according to The Associated Press, which cited a Syrian official who spoke on the condition of anonymity. Read more

October 11, 2022 - *Updates* The President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko has ordered Belarusian soldiers to deploy along with Russian forces near Ukraine as a response to what he called a clear threat from Ukraine and the West. Read more

October 11, 2022 - Germany's Foreign Ministry has reported that the German visa office located in Ukraine was damaged by rocket fire during Russia's attack on Kyiv in the morning. Read more

October 11, 2022 - Poland has put out an advisory recommending its citizens to leave Belarus territory as tensions increase between the two countries due to the conflict in Ukraine. Read more

October 11, 2022 - Poland is now checking the condition of its bomb shelters and taking inventory in light of recent developments, according to a Polish deputy minister Reuters reports. Read more

October 10, 2022 - U.S. Embassy In Ukraine: Security Alert. Event: Russia has launched attacks against Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure as well as government facilities in Kyiv and elsewhere. Russia’s continued strikes in Ukraine pose a direct threat to civilians and civilian infrastructure. Read more

October 10, 2022 - 26 Chinese military aircraft, 4 PLAN vessels were spotted around the island of Taiwan on October 10th, 2022 according to Taiwan's Ministry of Defense. Read more

October 10, 2022 - White House national security spokesman John Kirby addressed U.S. President Joe Biden's comments regarding the "prospect of Armageddon" on Sunday, saying that the President's statement reflects "the very high stakes that are in play”, in relation to Russian President Vladimir Putin's nuclear threats. Read more

October 10, 2022 - The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has claimed that Russia has lost 62,500 Russian soldiers from the beginning of Russia's invasion of Ukraine on February 24th, 2022 to October 9th, 2022. Read more

October 10, 2022 - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has inspected the military training of tactical nuclear weapon units, according to the country's state media KCNA. Read more

October 10, 2022 - Russian President Vladimir Putin held a meeting with the chairman of the Investigative Committee Alexander Bastrykin regarding the explosion on the Crimean bridge and said stated that the bombing, which he called a "terrorist attack" was staged by Ukrainian strategic services and that both the Ukrainian strategic services and citizens of Russia and foreign countries participated in the bombing. Read more

October 09, 2022 - The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has put out a statement saying that although recent shelling took out the power at Zaporizhzhya , Ukrainian engineers have restored the external power supply to the currently Russian-occupied nuclear power plant. Read more

October 09, 2022 - Armenia and Azerbaijan Trade Accusations Regarding Being Fired Upon By The OtherStatements from the Armenia and Azerbaijan Ministry of Defense pages (statements translated from original languages).. Read more

October 09, 2022 - 12 Chinese military aircraft (1 UAV), and 4 PLAN vessels were spotted around the island of Taiwan on October 9th, 2022 according to Taiwan's Ministry of Defense. Read more

October 09, 2022 - Ukrainian intelligence claims that Russia is attempting to draw Belarus into an open war with Ukraine. Read more

October 09, 2022 - TEHRAN - Two Iranian hackers from a group called "al-Tahara" hacked into the websites for two natural gas companies: Energean, and Israel Natural Gas Lines. Read more

October 09, 2022 - British Ministry of Defense Intelligence update for Ukraine, October 9th, 2022: "Early on 08 October 2022, an explosion damaged the Kerch Strait Bridge, the road and rail crossing which links Russian-occupied Crimea and the Krasnodar region of Russia. Read more

October 09, 2022 - Statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine regarding alleged provocation by Belarus (accusations by Belarus that Ukraine was planning an attack on Belarus territory) Read more

October 09, 2022 - NORD STREAM PIPELINE - A U.S. Navy reconnaissance plane (P-8A Poseidon) was spotted flying across the Baltic Sea just hours after the Nord Stream pipeline began leaking into the ocean on September 26th, 2022. Read more

October 09, 2022 - Sergei Sorobikin, former commander of Russia in Syria has reportedly been appointed the new senior commander of Russia's "strategic military operation" in Ukraine. Read more

October 09, 2022 - There have been unverified rumors floating around Twitter stating that a Nord Stream sabotage investigator was found dead. We have not seen any evidence supporting these claims. If this can be verified, we'll post any information that we find on the matter. Read more

October 09, 2022 - According to the ASPR government website, The U.S. Government has purchased $290 million worth of Nplate, from Amgen USA Inc. "as part of long-standing, ongoing efforts to be better prepared to save lives following radiological and nuclear emergencies." Read more

October 09, 2022 - A U.S. Navy reconnaissance plane (P-8A Poseidon) was spotted flying across the Baltic Sea just hours after the Nord Stream pipeline began leaking into the ocean on September 26th, 2022. Read more

October 09, 2022 - Translated statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine regarding alleged provocation by Belarus (accusations by Belarus that Ukraine was planning an attack on Belarus territory). Read more

October 09, 2022 - JAPANESE MOD (Translated from Japanese)- "North Korea launched two ballistic missiles toward the east from near the east coast of North Korea at 1:00 today. We are currently analyzing the details, but it is estimated that it fell in the Sea of ​​Japan.." Read more

October 09, 2022 - US Indo-Pacific Command Statement On North Korean Launches: We are aware of the two ballistic missile launches and are consulting closely with our allies and partners. Read more

October 09, 2022 - North Korea has fired two more short-range missiles toward the East Sea on Sunday, according to the South Korean military. Read more

October 08, 2022 - RIA Novosti has reported that three people died in the bridge explosion, according to Russia's investigative committee. Read more

October 08, 2022 - 6 Chinese military aircraft, and 4 PLAN vessels were spotted around the island of Taiwan on October 8th, 2022 according to Taiwan's Ministry of Defense. Read more

October 08, 2022 - A 12 mile long bridge linking Russia-annexed Crimea with Russia across the Kerch Strait has been severely damaged by a bomb. Read more

October 07, 2022 - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky put out a video address on Friday announcing that Ukraine has liberated 2,434 square kilometers (940 square miles), as well as 96 settlements in Ukraine's east in their recent offensive against Russian positions. Read more

October 07, 2022 - A U.N. Panel stated Friday that North Korea spent the first half of 2022 advancing its missile programs, and preparing for a possible nuclear test. Read more

October 07, 2022 - Posted by official International Atomic Energy Agency account (IAEA): "Yesterday, an industrial zone outside the #Zaporizhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine was shelled, damaging the power transmission line that supplies power to the No. 6 reactor unit, which had to temporarily rely on emergency diesel generators for power." Read more

October 07, 2022 - CENTCOM statement: U.S. forces conducted a successful airstrike in northern Syria, killing both Abu-Hashum al-Umawi, a deputy Wali of Syria, and another senior ISIS official associated with him. Read more

October 07, 2022 - Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko: Moscow and Minsk will think about the response to the nuclear threat in Poland. Read more

October 07, 2022 - U.S. President Joe Biden said on Thursday that the threat of nuclear Armageddon is at the highest level since the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962. Read more

October 06, 2022 - U.S. strategic forces have reportedly carried out a helicopter raid in Assad-controlled territory in Syria, south of Qamishli in Northeast Syria overnight. Read more

October 06, 2022 - Swedish security service concluded its investigation on the four Nord stream pipeline leaks and stated: "There have been detonations at Nord Stream 1 and 2 in the Swedish economic zone, which have caused extensive damage to the gas pipelines." Read more

October 06, 2022 - 9 Chinese military aircraft, 4 PLAN vessels spotted around the island of Taiwan on October 6th, 2022 according to Taiwan's Ministry of Defense. Read more

October 06, 2022 - North Korea conducted firing drills with fighter jets and bombers on Thursday, flying aircraft near the South Korean border. Read more

October 05, 2022 - North Korea has reportedly fired another "unspecified" ballistic missile toward the East Sea, according to Japan's Coast Guard, the South Korean military and South Korea's news agency Yonhap, which is reporting multiple ballistic missiles. Read more

October 05, 2022 - After North Korea sent a missile flying over Japan, the US and South Korea held live-fire missile drills, during which one missile malfunctioned and crashed down inside the Air Force base in Gangneung. Read more

October 05, 2022 - After North Korea sent a missile flying over Japan, the United States has not only commenced joint live-fire missile drills with South Korea in the region, but is now sending nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, the USS Ronald Reagan back to waters near the Korean Peninsula, according to officials at the U.S. Defense Department. Read more

October 05, 2022 - 33 Chinese military aircraft, and 4 PLAN vessels were spotted around the island of Taiwan on October 5th, 2022 according to Taiwan's Ministry of Defense. Read more

October 05, 2022 - A malfunctioned Hyumoo-2 ballistic missile fired by South Korea crashed inside the ground of an air force base in Gangneung on Wednesday during live-fire missile drills with the United States Read more

October 3, 2022 - The Japanese government has issued a warning saying that North Korea appears to have launched at least one ballistic missile toward Japan Read more

October 3, 2022 - "In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted an airstrike against the al-Shabaab militant network in Somalia on October 1. The strike occurred near Jilib, about 370 kilometers southwest of Mogadishu. Read more

October 3, 2022 - If Russian President Vladimir Putin uses nuclear weapons, the US and its allies "would destroy Russia’s troops and equipment in Ukraine and will sink its Black Sea fleet," former CIA director and retired four-star general for the United States Army David Petraeus stated in an interview Sunday. Read more

October 3, 2022 - EUROPE - The Nord Stream 2 pipeline in the Baltic Sea is no longer leaking, according to a Nord Stream 2 spokesman. Read more

October 03, 2022 - 14 Chinese military aircraft, and 4 PLAN vessels were spotted around the island of Taiwan on October 3rd, 2022 according to Taiwan's Ministry of Defense. Read more

October 02, 2022 - 22 Chinese military aircraft, and 4 PLAN vessels were spotted around the island of Taiwan on October 2nd, 2022 according to Taiwan's Ministry of Defense. Read more

October 01, 2022 - 8 Chinese military aircraft, and 4 PLAN vessels were spotted around the island of Taiwan on October 1st, 2022 according to Taiwan's Ministry of Defense. Read more

October 01, 2022 - North Korea has fired a four rounds of ballistic missiles in less than a week, according to the South Korean military. Read more

September 30, 2022 - North Korea has fired another two ballistic missiles, in their fourth round of missile tests in a week, according to the South Korean military. Read more

September 30, 2022 - White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan says the US military in Europe is ready for "any contingency" and says that multiple reinforcements have been sent to bolster US forces in Europe. Read more

September 30, 2022 - The Israeli intelligence firm called ImageSat International (ISI) has spotted an "irregular presence" of Russian TU-160 and TU-95 strategic bomber aircraft at the Olenya Airbase, which is located close to Finland on the Kola Peninsula near Murmansk. Read more

September 30, 2022 - 8 Chinese military aircraft, and 4 PLAN vessels were spotted around the island of Taiwan on September 30th, 2022 according to Taiwan's Ministry of Defense. Read more

September 30, 2022 - Ukraine has said that they are officially submitting an application for membership to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Read more

September 29, 2022 - North Korea has fired at least one more short-range ballistic missiles from the Sunchon region, according to the South Korean military. Read more

September 29, 2022 - Multiple reports that the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant was on fire and that power unit Number 6 was damaged. Energodar's official channel, and Russian state media says that these reports are false. Read more

September 29, 2022 - 11 Chinese military aircraft, and 4 PLAN vessels were spotted around the island of Taiwan on September 11th, 2022 according to Taiwan's Ministry of Defense. Read more

September 29, 2022 - 31 Chinese military aircraft, and 4 PLAN vessels were spotted around the island of Taiwan on September 28th, 2022, according to Taiwan's Ministry of Defense. Read more

September 28, 2022 - ERBIL, IRAQ - The United States has shot down an Iranian Mojer-6 Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) headed in the direction of U.S. forces in Erbil, Iraq. Read more

September 27, 2022 - Poland has issued a new travel alert advising against any travel to the Russian Federation in connection with the war in Ukraine and the recognition of Poland by the authorities of the Russian Federation as an "unfriendly state". Read more

September 27, 2022 - German authorities say that a pressure drop of both the Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 pipelines look to be a "targeted attack". Explosions have been recorded in the area before the leaks were detected. Read more

September 27, 2022 - Russian official Medvedev said that the United States would not intervene even if Russia uses the "most formidable weapon," and said the country has the right to use nuclear weapons "if necessary," and said that it is "certainly not a bluff". Read more

September 27, 2022 - 11 Chinese military aircraft, and 4 PLAN vessels were spotted around the island of Taiwan on September 27th, 2022 according to Taiwan's Ministry of Defense. Read more

September 27, 2022 - 12 Chinese military aircraft, and 4 PLAN vessels were spotted around the island of Taiwan on September 26th, 2022 according to Taiwan's Ministry of Defense. Read more

September 25, 2022 - 15 Chinese military aircraft, and 4 PLAN vessels were spotted around the island of Taiwan on September 25th, 2022 according to Taiwan's Ministry of Defense. Read more

September 25, 2022 - Conflict With Nuclear Peer Possible, As Russia Uses Dangerous Nuclear Rhetoric. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg responded to Russian President Vladimir Putin's announcement of a "partial mobilization", as well as Putin's threats to use "all means" at Russia's disposal to protect the country, saying that Putin's speech used "dangerous and reckless nuclear rhetoric". Read more

September 24, 2022 - North Korea has reportedly fired an unidentified ballistic missile into the East Sea, according to the South Korean military. Read more

September 23, 2022 - There is a rumor going around regarding a coup in China. We see no evidence of any coup in China. If we do see some solid evidence, we'll put out an update. Read more

September 22, 2022 - AFRICOM - At the request of the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted an airstrike against al-Shabaab terrorists who were attacking Somali National Army forces near Buulobarde, Somalia, on Sept. 18. Read more

September 22, 2022 - Statement from Colonel Joe Buccino, CENTCOM communications director: "At approximately 12:25 am on Sept. 20th, seven ISIS fighters in two vehicles headed in the direction of the Internally Displaced Persons camp at al-Hol were interdicted by U.S. partnered Syrian Democratic Forces. Read more

September 21, 2022 - North Korean state media has reported that the country is not exporting weapons to Russia, and does not have any plans at all to do so. Read more

September 21, 2022 - MOSCOW - Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu has announced that Russia will be drafting 300,000 reservists, and says that mobilization is necessary in order to "consolidate" Ukrainian territory that the country has occupied. Read more

September 21, 2022 - 38 Chinese military aircraft, and 6 PLAN vessels were spotted around the island of Taiwan on September 21st, 2022, according to Taiwan's Ministry of Defense. Read more

September 20, 2022 - US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan says that President Putin appears to be on the brink of proceeding with plans to hold "sham referenda" in areas of Ukraine and potentially preparing for potential mobilization measures. Russia says, "there will be no general mobilization" but may be martial law. Read more

September 19, 2022 - The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense has accused Russia of attempting to shell a second nuclear power plant in the Mykolaiv region. The defense ministry posted a video allegedly showing the shelling taking place. Read more

September 19, 2022 - 9 Chinese military aircraft, and 5 PLAN vessels were spotted around the island of Taiwan on September 19th, 2022, according to Taiwan's Ministry of Defense. Read more

September 19, 2022 - Biden on 60 Minutes: US would defend Taiwan if invaded by China. Officially, aside from comments made by U.S. President Joe Biden, the United States government hasn't made any declarations that they will be defending Taiwan in the event of a Chinese invasion. Read more

September 19, 2022 - CENTCOM - TAMPA, Fla. – "At approximately 7:05 pm in Syria on September 18th, a rocket attack targeting the Green Village base in northeast Syria failed to strike US or Coalition forces or equipment. Read more

September 18, 2022 - 8 Chinese military aircraft, and 5 PLAN vessels were spotted around the island of Taiwan on September 18th, 2022 according to Taiwan's Ministry of Defense. Read more

September 17, 2022 - After a ceasefire agreement was reached between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, the countries Ministry of Defense is reporting no new activity, indicating that the ceasefire between the two countries is holding up thus far. Read more

September 17, 2022 - 20 Chinese military aircraft, and 5 PLAN vessels were spotted around the island of Taiwan on September 17th, 2022, according to Taiwan's Ministry of Defense. Read more

September 17, 2022 - Germany has taken control of three Russian oil refineries, it said on Friday, September 16th. Rosneft Deutschland GmbH and RN Refining & Marketing GmbH, it announced will be placed under Germany's Federal Network Agency. Read more

September 17, 2022 - CIA Deputy Director David Cohen said that although we should not underestimate Putin's adherence to his original plan to control Ukraine, the CIA has no concrete evidence that Russia is planning to use "weapons of mass destruction". Read more

September 16, 2022 - SYRIA - The Syrian Ministry of Defense has reported an airstrike "with missile bursts" from the northeastern direction of Lake Tiberias, targeting Damascus International Airport, and some points south of Damascus, with "some material losses". Read more

September 16, 2022 - Fighting has been reported between Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan, in which both countries have blamed each other for violating the ceasefire agreement. Read more

September 16, 2022 - DoD authorizes the Presidential Drawdown of security assistance valued at up to $600 million to Ukraine. This authorization is the Biden Administration’s twenty-first drawdown since August 2021. Read more

September 16, 2022 - 43 Chinese military aircraft, and 5 PLAN vessels have been spotted around the island of Taiwan on September 16th, 2022 according to Taiwan's Ministry of Defense. Read more

September 15, 2022 - 26 Chinese military aircraft, and 5 PLAN vessels were spotted around the island of Taiwan on September 15th, 2022, according to Taiwan's Ministry of Defense. Read more

September 14, 2022 - WASHINGTON – Pentagon leaders held a top-secret conference at the Pentagon on September 6th, and 7th, to discuss China and Russia's potential to develop unique space weapons, giving to a publicly posted dossier. The meetings also centered around protecting the US-owned assets currently in orbit around the earth. Read more

September 14, 2022 - Ongoing Report: Azerbaijan and Armenia exchanged fire, with each side's Ministry of Defense putting out a version of events that conflicts with the other's. The below statements from each respective Ministry of Defense has been translated to English. Updated September 14th, 2022. Read more

September 14, 2022 - 24 Chinese military aircraft, and 5 PLAN vessels were spotted around the island of Taiwan on September 14th, 2022, according to Taiwan's Ministry of Defense. Read more

September 13, 2022 - 11 Chinese military aircraft, and 4 PLAN vessels were spotted around the island of Taiwan on September 13th, 2022, according to Taiwan's Ministry of Defense. Read more

September 13, 2022 - EUROPE - Azerbaijan and Armenia exchanged fire, with each side's Ministry of Defense putting out a version of events that conflicts with the other's. The below statements from each respective Ministry of Defense has been translated to English. Read more

September 12, 2022 - 7 Chinese military aircraft, and 3 PLAN vessels were spotted around the island of Taiwan on September 12th, 2022, according to Taiwan's Ministry of Defense, which included a BZK-005 reconnaissance drone. Read more

September 12, 2022 - Greece has fired on a Turkish vessel and said that it entered territorial waters. Turkey, on the other hand, says that the incident happened in international waters, and that Greece shot at it with 'harassment fire'. Read more

September 12, 2022 - UKRAINE - After the six-reactor Zaporizhzhia nuclear reactor, the largest nuclear reactor in Europe, and one of the top 10 largest in the world had been disconnected from power for around a weeks time, it has now had its connection to Ukraine's power grid reestablished. Read more

September 12, 2022 - Additions to North Korea's nuclear force policy say that a nuclear attack could commence "automatically and immediately" if the leader Kim Jong Un is either killed or incapacitated by an attack. Read more

September 10, 2022 - After U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taipei on September 2nd, 2022, both Chinese military aircraft and PLAN vessels have been spotted around the island of Taiwan on a daily basis. Read more

September 10, 2022 - 43 Chinese military aircraft, and 9 PLAN vessels were spotted around the island of Taiwan on September 10th, 2022 according to Taiwan's Ministry of Defense. Read more

September 10, 2022 - 12 Chinese military aircraft, 5 PLAN vessels were spotted around Taiwan on September 9th, 2022, according to Taiwan's Ministry of Defense. Read more

September 08, 2022 - TAIWAN - 45 Chinese military aircraft and 7 PLAN vessels were spotted around the island of Taiwan on September 8th, 2022, according to Taiwan's Ministry of Defense. Read more

September 08, 2022 - DOD - The Defense Department has put out a statement saying that the Biden administration has approved another assistance package valued at $675 million in "U.S. assistance to Ukraine", along with another $2 Billion in long-term military financing to "European countries threatened by Russia". Read more

September 08, 2022 - Gas supplies to Europe won't be resumed until the West lifts sanctions against Moscow, according to Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, who said that Western sanctions against Russia are to blame for the Nord Stream pipeline being taken offline. Read more

September 08, 2022 - MOSCOW - Russian President Vladimir Putin said that he is "confident" that Russia hasn't lost a thing during Russia's ongoing conflict with Ukraine. Brief overview on what started the conflict in 2014. Brief conflict overview.. Read more

September 08, 2022 - The Pentagon has suspended deliveries of new Lockheed Martin's F-35 aircraft to the army after finding that a component of the jet uses an alloy made in China, which, according to a CNN report, and Interfax, violates federal defense procurement policies. Read more

September 08, 2022 - Japan's Ministry of Defense has released another update on Taiwan's defense strategy "to prevent an invasion by China at the furthest distance possible". Read more

September 08, 2022 - China has been increasingly aggressive about controlling the microchip industry and emboldened in its aggressive stance towards Taiwan since the U.S. pullout of Afghanistan, and the lack of direct involvement in the Ukraine conflict by the United States. Read more

September 08, 2022 - The Biden administration has announced plans to invest $50 billion in the US semiconductor industry, in order to "revitalize the domestic semiconductor industry and spur innovation while creating good-paying jobs in communities across the country," according to U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo. Read more

September 08, 2022 - Russian energy giant Gazprom has said that it has signed a deal with China to pay for Russian gas in the Chinese yuan and Russian ruble, rather than paying with the U.S. dollar. Read more

September 07, 2022 - According to a newly declassified U.S. Intelligence, Russia could be purchasing millions of rockets and artillery shells from North Korea. The White House has indicated that Moscow looking to purchase arms from North Korea and claims that it is further evidence that Russia is desperate, and that its ammunition supplies are running low as its "strategic operation" on Ukraine passes its six and a half month mark. Read more

September 07, 2022 - PYONGYANG - North Korean state news agency, Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) has said that military drills by the United States and South Korea have increased the possibility of "nuclear war" on the "Korean Peninsula". Read more

September 07, 2022 - 12 Chinese military aircraft, and 5 PLAN vessels were spotted around the island of Taiwan on September 7th, 2022, according to Taiwan's Ministry of Defense. Of the military aircraft, three were SU-30 multirole aircraft. Read more

September 06, 2022 - Eight Chinese military aircraft and 5 PLAN vessels were spotted around the island of Taiwan on September 6th, 2022, according to Taiwan's Ministry of Defense. Read more

September 05, 2022 - 17 Chinese military aircraft, and 4 PLAN vessels were spotted around the island of Taiwan on September 5th, 2022, according to Taiwan's Ministry of Defense. Read more

September 04, 2022 - Seven Chinese military aircraft, one UAV, and 5 PLAN vessels were spotted around Taiwan on September 4th, 2022, according to Taiwan's Ministry of Defense. Read more

September 04, 2022 - Taiwan's Ministry of Defense has put out a statement saying that "unidentified drones" from PRC (People's Republic of China) have been reported "hovering over the barracks in Kinmen". Read more

September 04, 2022 - ZAPORIZHZHIA - One day after a visit by the International Atomic Energy Association (IAEA) team, the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) was forced offline after an artillery shell fell between two reactors, damaging the main power line on Saturday morning, September 3rd. Read more

September 04, 2022 - RUSSIA - Siemens Energy corporation has put out a statement saying that an engine oil leak is no reason to stop the Nord Stream gas pipeline, and said that the leak should have been able to be sealed on site. Read more

September 03, 2022 - The U.S. was threatened by China with a delay of a new product launch from Nvidia if it did not stop with the tech export reduction, and stated that some products might have to leave Chinese manufacturing lines. Read more

September 03, 2022 - After a full month of straight Chinese incursions around the island of Taiwan following the visit by U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on August 2nd, 2022, the Biden administration has announced a $1.1 Billion arms sale to Taipei, angering China. Read more

September 03, 2022 - Four Chinese military aircraft and 5 PLA vessels have been spotted in waters surrounding Taiwan on September 3rd, 2022, according to Taiwan's Ministry of Defense. Read more

September 02, 2022 - 19 Chinese military aircraft, and 3 PLAN vessels were spotted around the island of Taiwan on September 2nd, 2022, according to Taiwan's Ministry of Defense. Read more

September 02, 2022 - The Taiwanese military have shot down an unidentified unmanned "civilian drone" near Kinmen, Taiwan on Thursday, September 1st. Japan's Ministry of Defense has also put out a statement, along with a map showing Taiwan's defensive strategy, meant to deter "Chinese aggression". The United States is also strengthening "alliance" with the Philippines. Read more

September 02, 2022 - UNITED STATES - Law enforcement agencies across the country are using a mysterious cellphone tracking tool that lies in an unregulated gray zone in regard to personal rights. Read more

September 01, 2022 - The Taiwanese military says they have shot down an unidentified unmanned "civilian drone" near Kinmen, Taiwan on Thursday, September 1st. Read more

September 01, 2022 - 53 Chinese military aircraft and 8 PLAN vessels were spotted around the island of Taiwan on September 1st, 2022, according to Taiwan's Ministry of Defense. Read more

September 01, 2022 - The Chair of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom said that if China successfully invades the island of Taiwan, the Taiwanese people may suffer a similar fate as the Uyghurs in western China’s Xinjiang region. Read more

August 31, 2022 - KYIV - On Wednesday, August 31st, The United Nations International Atomic Energy Association (IAEA) dispatched its team to the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), amid rising tensions between The Russian Federation and the sovereign state of Ukraine. Read more

August 31, 2022 - The crude oil tanker "Affinity V", which is 826 feet long, and 147 feet wide ran aground in the Suez Canal, backing up Maritime traffic, according to local media and analysis of the ship's location in vessel tracking software. It has been released and is now back on course. Read more

August 31, 2022 - Israel has allegedly fired several missiles at the Aleppo International Airport, with "several missiles, causing material damage". This, on the same day that U.S. President Joe Biden spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid, in order to "consult on global and regional security challenges, including threats posed by Iran". Read more

August 30, 2022 - The U.S. Navy prevented a support ship from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy (IRGCN) from capturing an unmanned surface vessel operated by the U.S. 5th Fleet in the Arabian Gulf, Aug. 29-30. Read more

August 30, 2022 - BAGHDAD - Following the resignation of the Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr on Monday, August 29th, followers who supported him, stormed the green zone with rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs) and automatic rifle fire as Iraqi security forces fought back, sparking a major escalation in the political deadlock that has gripped the nation. Read more

August 30, 2022 - Location: Iraq (countrywide). Event: Ongoing demonstrations within and around the International Zone in Baghdad have turned violent and resulted in deaths and injuries. Read more

August 30, 2022 - Taiwan has fired live ammunition at a Chinese drone that had intruded over one of Taiwan's outer islands for the first time, on Tuesday, August 30th. Read more

August 30, 2022 - 783 Chinese military aircraft (spotted every day of the month so far), and 179 People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) vessels have been spotted around the island of Taiwan every day since August 6th. Read more

August 29, 2022 - Amid renewed shelling at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, the UN's IAEA has decided to go ahead and visit the plant and has dispatched a team of nuclear strategicists. The facility, which has a total of six nuclear reactors, has already been taken completely offline during shelling the previous week, according to the IAEA website. Read more

August 29, 2022 - 759 Chinese military aircraft (spotted every day of the month so far), and 168 People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) vessels have been spotted around the island of Taiwan every day since August 6th. Read more

August 29, 2022 - A security alert has been released by the U.S. Embassy in Montenegro, which is located near Kosovo. Event: A persistent and ongoing cyber-attack is in process in Montenegro. Read more

August 29, 2022 - 23 Chinese military aircraft and 8 PLAN vessels were spotted around Taiwan on August 28th, 2022, making the total military aircraft spotted this month around the island: 722, and vessels: 160. Read more

August 28, 2022 - The president of the BRICS International Forum, Purnima Anand told reporters on Thursday that both Russia and India no longer need the U.S. dollar, as they have turned to national currencies to conduct mutual settlements. Read more

August 28, 2022 - Final review and agreement of the U.N. Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, which is its foundation for nuclear disarmament, was blocked by Russia due to its critical statements regarding Russia's invasion in nation of Ukraine. Read more

August 27, 2022 - After completing an international patrol mission on August 26th, the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter, Oliver Henry, was denied clearance for a pre-scheduled resupply port call from the Solomon Islands, a country that has been strengthening ties in the Pacific with China. Read more

August 27, 2022 - 21 Chinese military aircraft and 5 PLAN vessels were spotted around the surrounding region of Taiwan on August 27th, 2022 according to Taiwan's Ministry of Defense. Read more

August 26, 2022 - WASHINGTON - Senator Rob Portman of Ohio, along with the Senate Homeland Security Governmental Affairs Committee has stated that China is attempting to recruit individuals, which are already employed inside the Federal Reserve (FED), as agents of international espionage. Read more

August 26, 2022 - The United States Treasury Department has issued a letter that contains a threat of possible sanctions for Turkey's leading business organization on the grounds of Russian Collaboration. Read more

August 26, 2022 - 35 Chinese military aircraft and 8 PLAN vessels have been spotted in the 'surrounding region' around Taiwan on August 26th, 2022 according to Taiwan's Ministry of Defense. Read more

August 25, 2022 - 653 Chinese military aircraft have been spotted around Taiwan every day so far for the month of August, and 139 People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) vessels have been spotted around the island every day since August 6th. Read more

August 25, 2022 - Israel is reportedly striking targets located in Syria. Explosions have been reported in Tartus, and Syrian state media says that its air defenses are engaging "hostile targets" over the Masyaf region in northwestern Syria. Read more

August 25, 2022 - On Ukraine's Independence Day, Wednesday, August 24th, A Russian missile strike hit a civilian train station in the small town of Chaplyne, which is in the central Dnipropetrovsk region. Originally it was reported that 15 were deceased and 50 were wounded. The death toll has risen to 22. Read more

August 25, 2022 - CENTCOM: forces respond to attempted coordinated rocket attacks at Conoco, Green Village bases in northeast Syria. "U.S. forces responded today to rocket attacks at two sites in Syria, destroying three vehicles and equipment used to launch some of the rockets. Read more

August 24, 2022 - At U.S. President Biden’s direction, U.S. military forces conducted precision airstrikes in Deir ez-Zor Syria today. These precision strikes are intended to defend and protect U.S. forces from attacks like the ones on August 15 against U.S. personnel by Iran-backed groups. Read more

August 24, 2022 - Taiwan's Ministry of Defense has reported 13 Chinese military aircraft, and 4 PLAN vessels in the surrounding region of Taiwan on August 24th, 2022. Read more

August 23, 2022 - Gas flow from Nord Stream will be stopped for three days, from August 31st to September 2nd, according to Russian state news agency TASS, who says that the downtime is needed in order to repair the only fuel compressor unit that currently remains in operation. Read more

August 23, 2022 - Three foreign citizens, 2 from Russia and 1 from Ukraine, have been arrested while trying to enter an Albanian Military Plant, with 2 Albanian soldiers injured in the event. Read more

August 23, 2022 - KYIV - Wednesday, August 24th, will mark 31 years free from Soviet rule in Ukraine, but the date will come and go, without celebration, in fears of safety concerns, due to Russia's "strategic military operation." Read more

August 23, 2022 - 20 Chinese military aircraft and four PLAN vessels were spotted in waters surrounding Taiwan on August 23rd, 2022, according to Taiwan's Ministry of Defense. Read more

August 22, 2022 - 15 Chinese military aircraft and 5 PLAN vessels have been spotted in the region surrounding the island of Taiwan, according to Taiwan's Ministry of Defense. Read more

August 22, 2022 - 12 Chinese military aircraft and 5 PLAN vessels were spotted in the 'surrounding region' near the island of Taiwan on August 21st, 2022. Read more

August 22, 2022 - The US Embassy in North Macedonia put out a message saying, "Look up! Today at 2:30 pm there will be a low-altitude flyover of two B-52s in Skopje". Read more

August 22, 2022 - The U.S. State Department said on Thursday that they are deeply concerned about increasing tensions in Northeastern Syria regarding a suspected Turkish drone attack that killed four teenage girls and injured 11 other people who were playing volleyball at a girl's center in Hasakah, Syria. Read more

August 21, 2022 - The daughter of famous Russian public figure and political scientist Alexander Dugin was killed in a vehicle explosion near on a highway near Moscow according to authorities and Russian state media. Read more

August 21, 2022 - On August 18th US military B-52 nuclear-capable bombers returned to the 'RAF' Fairford US Air Force base in Gloucestershire, United Kingdom from the Minot Air Base in North Dakota. Read more

August 20, 2022 - Security Alert for the United States embassy in Mogadishu, Somalia in Africa. The U.S. Embassy in Somalia reminds U.S. citizens that terrorists continue to plot kidnappings, bombings, and other attacks in Somalia. Read more

August 20, 2022 - *Update* Ukraine's Mykolaiv Regional State Administration has put out a radiation exposure notice on its official Facebook page for the Ukrainian population outside of the NPP surveillance zone. Read more

August 20, 2022 - On August 18th, 2022 the Department of Defense released a statement on Deputy Secretary of Defense Dr. Kathleen Hicks visit U.S. to Transportation Command (TRANSCOM) at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois; and Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. Read more

August 20, 2022 - The United States Department of Defense has released a statement regarding another major security assistance package to be sent to Ukraine valued at $775 million. Read more

August 20, 2022 - Ukraine's Mykolaiv Regional State Administration has put out a radiation exposure notice on its official Facebook page. Mykolaiv is located near the Black Sea in southern Ukraine. Read more

August 19, 2022 - 51 Chinese military aircraft and 6 vessels were spotted around Taiwan on August 18th, 2022. Taiwan responded by monitoring the situation, deploying aircraft in CAP, naval vessels and land-based missile systems, according to Taiwan's Ministry of Defense. Read more

August 19, 2022 - During a press briefing in Singapore, the U.S. Navy’s 7th Fleet stated that the amount of unsafe interceptions by Chinese aircraft has increased over the last few months. The United States had carried out wargames simulating an attack by China in 2021, but failed miserably. Read more

August 19, 2022 - CHINA - After post-Taiwan tensions, including live-fire exercises around Taiwan and Chinese missiles falling in Japan's economic exclusion zone (EEC), Akiba Takeo, Japan's National Security Secretariat, and Yang Jiechi, Senior Foreign Affairs Advisor, have met in northern China. Read more

August 18, 2022 - The Chinese Ministry of Defense has reported that their military is carrying out joint military exercises that are co-hosted by 12 countries, with 37 countries in total participating. Read more

August 17, 2022 - Gazprom, Russia's state-owned energy corporation says that gas prices in Europe could go over $4,000 per 1,000 cubic meters for the first time in history on Tuesday. Read more

August 17, 2022 - 21 Chinese military aircraft and 5 PLAN vessels were spotted around the island of Taiwan August 17th, 2022. Five of the Chinese military aircraft included two SU-30 and one Y-8 antisubmarine warfare (ASW) aircraft. Read more

August 17, 2022 - Air Force Global Strike Command Airmen launched an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile equipped with a test re-entry vehicle from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California on August 16th. Read more

August 15, 2022 - 30 Chinese military aircraft and 5 PLAN vessels were spotted on the "east part of the median line" of the Taiwan Strait August 15th, 2022. Read more

August 14, 2022 - UNITED KINGDOM - There are major elections being held this fall around the world. In countries such as Australia, Israel, the UK, the United States, and Estonia, political campaigns are ongoing. Due to current price hikes on staple products and commodities, terms like recession and inflation are going around, but a new trend in UK campaigns has been mentioning The China Threat. Read more

August 14, 2022 - Henry Kissinger, former U.S. Secretary of State, in an analytical statement of world events, states that the U.S. is "Teetering on the brink of war" with China and Russia and owns some responsibility for its manifestation. Read more

August 14, 2022 - A five-member delegation, led by Senator Ed Markey (D) of Massachusetts, meeting in Taiwan to discuss security, economical, and trade topics, according to the American Institute in Taiwan. Read more

August 14, 2022 - White House teleconference press release: On call with Kurt Campbell regarding China and Taiwan and the recent tensions that have arisen in the Taiwan Strait. Read more

August 14, 2022 - TAIWAN - The Foreign Ministry of Taiwan expressed with sincerity, its gratefulness to the United States for its constant presence around Taiwan and for taking specific action to safeguard the region and the Taiwan Strait. Read more

August 14, 2022 - CRIMEA - Approximately 24 Su-35 aircraft have been lost during the strategic military operation in Ukraine, resulting in the Russian Federation resurrecting old and outdated fighter jets, according to a social media post from the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Read more

August 13, 2022 - China is sending bombers and fighter jets to Thailand for joint exercises with Thailand's military on Sunday, August 14th, 2022. Read more

August 13, 2022 - NEW YORK CITY - In another escalation due to rising tensions, 5 Chinese state-run global companies have announced their decision to de-list from the New York Stock Exchange. Read more

August 11, 2022 - From the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), For the last two days, there have been two known incursions into the Alaskan Air Defense Zone, a buffer zone that sits between the airspace of Alaska and international air space, by Russian surveillance aircraft, which were detected, identified, and tracked off the coast. Read more

August 11, 2022 - SOUTHERN UKRAINE - Caught in crossfire, the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in southern Ukraine, on the Dnieper River, near the town of Enerhodar, is being watched very closely by international eyes as the power plant receives heavy artillery rounds, causing fears of a Chernobyl-like nuclear incident. Read more

August 10, 2022 - On August 9th at 3:20 pm local time, a very powerful explosion shook Crimea, as the Saky Russian air base in the annexed region explodes into flames, marking a major escalation in the war in Ukraine. Plumes of smoke filled the sky, causing residents and tourists to flee the city as first responders raced towards the blast. Read more

August 09, 2022 - Russia stated on Monday, August 8th that they would no longer allow inspection of weapons under the New START Nuclear Arms Control Treaty for an unspecified time due to restrictions on travel implemented by the United States and the west. Read more

August 09, 2022 - The Chinese military has said that they would be continuing their live-fire military drills Monday, August 8th, 2022 in the waters and skies around the island of Taiwan, focusing on anti-submarine and air-to-ship strikes. Read more

August 08, 2022 - US ARMED FORCES long-range missile support strategicists have selected Northrop Grumman Corporation to attend to the next Ground-Based Midcourse Defense Weapons system process to shield the Continental US from nuclear long-range missile assaults. Read more

August 08, 2022 - The Group of Seven (G7) Foreign ministers released a joint statement regarding Taiwan calling an end to China's provocative exercises around the island of Taiwan, after which the Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (王毅) condemned the statement and called it scrap paper. Read more

August 07, 2022 - According to multiple Israeli sources around 935 rockets have been fired into Israel from the Gaza Strip. Rockets were also fired into Israel just minutes after the ceasefire deadline had been reached. Read more

August 07, 2022 - 66 Chinese military aircraft and 14 vessels were detected around Taiwan on August 7th, 2022. 22 of the aircraft had flown on the east part of the median line of the Taiwan Strait and the southwest ADIZ according to Taiwan's MOD. Read more

August 07, 2022 - 20 Chinese military aircraft and 14 Chinese vessels conducted an air-sea operation on the surrounding area of Taiwan on August 6th, 2022. Chinese state-run television also says that China will be carrying out regular drills from now on. Read more

August 07, 2022 - GAZA - Another airstrike has claimed the life of another PIJ Top Commander, Khaled Mansour, targeted at an apartment building in the crowded Rafah refugee camp in southern Gaza, as the Israeli Defense Force continues their offensive against the Palestinian Islamic Jihad. Read more

August 07, 2022 - SOCHI, RUSSIA - Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation, and Recep Tayyip Erdogan, President of Turkey, met today to secure an end to the global food crisis and resume exporting Ukrainian grain. Read more

August 06, 2022 - TAIWAN - (From Taiwanese Translation) Taiwanese official Ou Yang Li-hsing, who was the vice president of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and led missile production has died of a "sudden heart attack" at 57 years old in the hotel that he was saying in. Read more

August 05, 2022 - Rockets are now firing at Israel from Gaza. The IDF stated, "More sirens are now sounding in cities across central Israel. Read more

August 05, 2022 - The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs have announced a list of "countermeasures" in response to Nancy Pelosi's visit to the island of Taiwan. Read more

August 05, 2022 - Taiwan's Ministry of Defense has reported that 49 Chinese aircraft flew into the east part of the median line of the Taiwan Strait on August 5th, 2022. Read more

August 05, 2022 - *NEW UPDATES* Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have announced that they are currently carrying out strikes on the Gaza Strip after "direct threats" posed by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad in Gaza. Read more

August 05, 2022 - Russia has kicked 14 Bulgarian diplomats from the country and declared them persona non grata, in what looks to be a response to Bulgaria expelling 70 Russian diplomats over the summer. Read more

August 05, 2022 - U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi, after having visited the island of Taiwan visiting the heavily fortified Korean demilitarized zone (DMZ) that sits between the North and South Korean border on her way to Seoul, the Capital of South Korea. Read more

August 04, 2022 - Chinese state-affiliated media announced live fire exercises in the Taiwan Strait. The Japanese Ministry of Defense reported that five Chinese missiles are 'presumed' to have landed in Japan's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Read more

August 04, 2022 - The U.S. Department of State has put out a worldwide travel alert, advising against traveling abroad after Sunday's drone strike where two R9X Hellfire missiles killed al-Qaeda leader, and Osama bin Laden successor, Ayman al-Zawahri. Read more

August 04, 2022 - White House Statement On Senate Ratification of the NATO Accession Protocols for Sweden and Finland. "Today, the Senate overwhelmingly endorsed our close partners Finland and Sweden joining NATO. This historic vote sends an important signal of the sustained, bipartisan U.S. commitment to NATO, and to ensuring our Alliance is prepared to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow"... Read more

August 04, 2022 - At the United Nations, Russia said that although the conflict in Ukraine does not require the use of nuclear weapons, Moscow might decide to resort to a nuclear response as a result of what it says is direct involvement in its conflict with Ukraine by the United States. Read more

August 03, 2022 - 27 Chinese military aircraft entered into the surrounding area of Taiwan on August 3rd, 2022, and 21 Chinese military aircraft violated Taiwan's ADIZ just one day before that, after Pelosi's visit to the island according to the country's MOD. Read more

August 03, 2022 - 21 Chinese military aircraft entered into Taiwan's Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) on August 2nd, 2022 after U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi touched down in Taiwan. Read more

August 02, 2022 - U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was confirmed to have been on the aircraft heading toward the Island of Taiwan and has now landed safely. The U.S. air force had been authorized to open fire in case there was any interference from the Chinese on the plane that carried Pelosi. Read more

August 02, 2022 - There have been many reports, and sightings of Chinese military vehicles, equipment and tanks in the Chinese city of Xiamen and the province of Fujian, which sits straight across from the island of Taiwan. Read more

August 02, 2022 - According to Taiwan's official state news The Central News Agency (CNA) and the Xiamen Airlines website, China's Fujian region has announced August 2nd that airspace flow control will be implemented, and a "large number of flights have been canceled". Read more

August 02, 2022 - US Speaker Nancy Pelosi is set to travel to Taipei on Tuesday. Chinese military vessels and aircraft have been spotted carrying out tactical moves by touching the median line in the Taiwan Strait. Read more

August 02, 2022 - The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has carried out a successful drone strike in Afghanistan against al Qaeda leader al-Zawahiri. Read more

August 02, 2022 - The first shipment of grain left Odessa, Ukraine on Monday, August 1st, at 5:30 GMT, according to the Turkish Defense Ministry. Read more

August 01, 2022 - Satellite photos obtained from Planet Labs from the location of Lop Nur nuclear test site in China show what looks to be upgraded and expanded facilities, indicating that China may be preparing for nuclear tests for the first time in 26 years. Read more

August 01, 2022 - An Iranian IRGC-affiliated Telegram channel has posted a video openly declaring that Iran can move its peaceful nuclear program to a nuclear weapons program very quickly, and said that Iran's ballistic missiles are capable of turning New York into ruins. Read more

August 01, 2022 - As Pelosi is expected to arrive in the Asia Pacific, growing concerns come from other countries who are in support of China instead of the United States and an independent Taiwan. Read more

July 31, 2022 - U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has put out a statement outlining her trip to the Indo-Pacific region. The outline indicates that the Speaker will be visiting Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea and Japan, but does not mention visiting Taiwan. Read more

July 31, 2022 - Morgan Ortagus, who is a former State Department spokesperson said that she believes that China is going to be getting more aggressive in both rhetoric and action in the foreseeable future as it is incredibly important for them to have control. Read more

July 30, 2022 - In the event China invades Taiwan, the director of the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs expects Switzerland to adopt any measures that are implemented by the European Union against China. Read more

July 30, 2022 - A message posted by China's official People's Liberation Army (PLA) 80th Group over Pelosi's possible visit to Taiwan stated on the Chinese social media website Weibo said: Get ready for war, over Pelosi's visit to Taiwan. Read more

July 30, 2022 - High-level officials, who previously held defense ministry positions in Japan, have visited Taiwan to discuss possible ways to prepare for possible conflict with Beijing and shore up Asia-Pacific defenses in the region. Read more

July 30, 2022 - The Chinese Navy will be holding live fire military exercises "in waters west of the Qiongzhou Strait" in the South China Sea on Friday and Saturday. Read more

July 30, 2022 - North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has warned South Korea's leader Yoon Suk-yeol and his government of military gangsters will be wiped out if it makes any dangerous attempt, such as a preemptive strike. Read more

July 30, 2022 - In response to the latest blasts from the east regarding Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan, the United States military has decided to send the largest ship in the fleet, the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan, along with its battle group to the South China Sea. Read more

July 29, 2022 - Chinese President Xi Jinping alerted US President Joe Biden against playing with fire over Taiwan, as Beijing's disputes are accelerating over a conceivable visit to Taiwan by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Read more

July 28, 2022 - The Turkish consulate in Mosul, Iraq was targeted by missiles on Wednesday, after the Iraqi government claimed that Turkey had carried out artillery strikes in the Zakho District, in the Duhok Governorate that killed eight people, which Turkey has denied involvement in. Read more

July 28, 2022 - The U.S. Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) has announced that they have offloaded 2,700 pieces of U.S. Army equipment at the port Antwep-Bruges, Belgium, for onward movement by rail, commercial line-haul and barge in "response to Russia's aggression" in Ukraine. Read more

July 27, 2022 - Russian state owned energy corporation Gazprom had stated that it will reduce gas flows through the Nord Stream to 20% of its normal capacity on July 27th, 2022, taking injection down to 33 mln cubic meters of gas per day. Read more

July 26, 2022 - Three Chinese military aircraft entered Taiwan's southwest Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) on July 26th, 2022. Read more

July 26, 2022 - China has dispatched stricter admonishments to U.S. Functionaries about Speaker Nancy Pelosi's probable visit to Taiwan a foreign ministry representative said on Monday. Read more

July 26, 2022 - MOSCOW - Alexander Bastrykin, Russian investigative committee head, has told the government news site Rossiiskaya Gazeta, that over 1,300 criminal investigations have begun, regarding war crimes in Ukraine. Ukraine also said it was examining more than 21,000 war crimes which it alleges were carried out by Russian forces. Read more

July 26, 2022 - The Tiangong space station has received a new module, the Wentian science laboratory, which was docked with the Tianhe living module at around 3:13 AM local time on Monday. Read more

July 26, 2022 - SYRIA/IRAQ - IRAQ - An ongoing military operation by the Turkish Armed Forces in northern Iraq, against the Kurdistan Workers' Party ( PKK ) in the Duhok Governorate, is the next phase of many operations utilizing the code word 'claw' aimed at the PKK. Other operations, beginning in 2019, prior to Claw-Lock include the following: Claw-Eagle, Claw-Tiger, Claw-Lightening, & Claw-Thunderbolt. Read more

July 25, 2022 - A U.S. House Intelligence Committee member has put out a warning to Americans not to so easily share their genetic information to websites like the Biotechnology company 23andMe, as there are bio-weapons being developed that can target an individual's DNA and potentially kill them. Read more

July 25, 2022 - Two Chinese military aircraft entered into Taiwan's southwest Air Defense Identification Zone on July 25th, 2022. The Chinese aircraft included a Y-8 RECCE reconnaissance aircraft and J-11 fighter jet. Read more

July 24, 2022 - Four Chinese military aircraft entered Taiwan's Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) on July 24th, 2022. The aircraft included a reconnaissance plane and flew through the Taiwan Strait, as well as the northwestern part of the Philippine Sea. Read more

July 23, 2022 - Sergei Lavrov, Russia's Foreign Minister is setting out on a trip to Egypt where he will meet with officials and solidify their relationship with Russia. Rosatom, a Russian state-owned energy corporation began construction on Egypt's first nuclear power plant. Read more

July 23, 2022 - White House Spokesperson John Kirby has announced $270 million in defense aid to Ukraine, including rocket systems, which will bring the total of US military assistance to Ukraine to $8.2 billion USD. Read more

July 22, 2022 - DOD: $270 Million in Additional Security Assistance for Ukraine. Immediate release from the Department of Defense. Included: 20 Soviet designed Mi-17 helicopters originally purchased by the US military to aid the Afghan military. Read more

July 22, 2022 - U.S. Depeartment of State - Quadrilateral Deal for Safe Passage of Agricultural Goods on the Black Sea. The United Nations, the Republic of Turkey, Ukraine, and Russia have committed to a plan for resuming Ukrainian exports through the Black Sea. Read more

July 22, 2022 - Pelosi would not confirm whether or not she will be following through with her plans to travel to the island of Taiwan in August, but did say that she believes that the military may be afraid her plane would be shot down by Chinese forces as they neared Taiwanese airspace. Read more

July 22, 2022 - Chinese state media says that China might try to impose a no-fly zone over the island of Taiwan ahead of Nancy Pelosi's visit in order to prevent the U.S. speaker of the House from being successful. Read more

July 22, 2022 - CIA Director William Burns stated that Xi Jinping has the intention to take control of the Island of Taiwan, but has been studying the Russian invasion of Ukraine Read more

July 22, 2022 - Former U.S. national security advisor John Bolton publicly admitted that he has helped plan coups abroad. China took note of the interview and reported about it on their military website. Read more

July 21, 2022 - Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin repeated on Thursday that China will act strongly to respond to U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's planned trip to Taiwan and take countermeasures if the United States insists on making the visit. Read more

July 21, 2022 - CIA Director William Burns stated on Wednesday that the United States intelligence community estimates that around 15,000 Russian forces have been killed in Ukraine during the Russian invasion on the country since the war began. Read more

July 21, 2022 - Biden is now urging Pelosi to cancel her visit to the Island of Taiwan after China put out a warning about forceful measures being taken if Pelosi made the trip to the region. Read more

July 20, 2022 - TAIWAN STRAIT - A US guided-missile destroyer USS Benfold sailed through the Taiwan Strait on July 19th, 2022 with the Chinese military following and monitoring its transit; after which China claims the United States 'hyped' the transit up publicly and slammed the US as a 'maker of security risks'. Read more

July 20, 2022 - TEHRAN - Today there was a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin, Turkish President Recep Tayhip Erdogan, and the Supreme Leader of Iran, Ali Khamenei. The topics of discussion were Ukrainian grain exports as well as peace in Syria. Read more

July 19, 2022 - China: if U.S. Speaker of the United States House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi visits the Taiwan Region, there will be consequences. Read more

July 19, 2022 - The United States military has put out a statement saying that it carried out an airstrike in Somalia on Sunday, killing two Al-Shabab fighters. The airstrike was carried out in southern Jubaland, near Libikus in the Lower Juba region, according to AFRICOM on Monday. Read more

July 19, 2022 - The New York National Guard are deploying to train Ukrainian soldiers. 140 troops Syracuse-situated 27th Infantry Brigade Combat squad deployed to Germany on Friday to assist Ukrainian military members. Read more

July 17, 2022 - Capital police in Islamabad, Pakistan have put security on high alert for the next 48 hours across the district, with "no unnecessary movement" allowed. Read more

July 17, 2022 - A Ukrainian owned, soviet made Antonov-12 (An-12Bk) plane carrying 8 crew members is reported to have crashed in Kavala, Northern Greece while flying from Serbia to Jordan, carrying 12 tons of dangerous material. Read more

July 17, 2022 - The Russian offensive in Ukraine intensified overnight following instruction from Russian Defense Minister, Sergey Shoigu announcing an intensified effort on all fronts in Ukraine to shore up military groups in the south and center. Read more

July 16, 2022 - Saudi Arabia on Friday made an announcement that it is lifting restrictions on all [Israeli] carriers, allowing them to use airspace over the country after a decades-long ban. Read more

July 16, 2022 - Former U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper says that South Korea will have no choice but to intervene with the United States in the Taiwan Strait if conflict breaks out between China and Taiwan. Read more

July 16, 2022 - The Russian state gas giant Gazprom says that it can't guarantee that the Nord Stream pipeline will go back online after the major maintenance that is currently being done on it, according to Dutch daily newspaper Trouw. Read more

July 15, 2022 - The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) carried out airstrikes in Gaza after rockets were fired from the Gaza Strip into Israel on Saturday. The IDF reported four rockets being fired into Israel from Gaza, two of which fell in "open areas" according to the IDF. Read more

July 15, 2022 - Ukraine's Foreign Ministry says that they have cut ties with North Korea as a result of North Korea recognizing the "independence" of Ukrainian territories under the occupation of Russia. Read more

July 15, 2022 - The European Commission has released new guidelines that state sanctions against Russia do not apply to rail transit through Lithuania to Kaliningrad, Russia and that rail transit can only be used for essential goods. Read more

July 14, 2022 - In light of global disputes, regarding the nuclear capacity of Iran, a decision was made, and on Thursday, United States President Joe Biden will sign a joint agreement with the Israeli Prime Minister, Yair Lapid, denying nuclear weapons capabilities to Iran. Read more

July 14, 2022 - Aerospace company Lockheed Martin has put out a statement saying that they have successfully conducted the "second consecutive" hypersonic boosted test of the Air-Launched Rapid Response Weapon (ARRW) with the United States Air Force. Read more

July 14, 2022 - SOUTH CHINA SEA - Chinese military is claiming that it drove a U.S. destroyer, the USS Benfold, away from the disputed Paracel Islands in the South China Sea on Wednesday, after claiming the ship had entered its territorial waters illegally, according to Reuters. Read more

July 13, 2022 - U.S. Central Command has put out a release saying that they carried out a "UAS strike" outside of Jindayris, in northwest Syria that targeted "two senior ISIS officials" on July 12th, 2022. Read more

July 12, 2022 - The White House has said that the U.S. has "information" that indicates Iran is preparing, or already has given Russia "hundreds" unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and said that Iran plans to train Russian forces on using the drones as early as this month. Read more

July 12, 2022 - The lower tier of the Russian parliament will assemble on July 15 for an unaccustomed meeting, its convention decided on Monday, just days after President Vladimir Putin warned that he had not even started to get serious about the conflict in Ukraine. Read more

July 11, 2022 - Russian gas to Germany from the Nord Stream 1 pipeline has been completely stopped for the next 10 days, and shipments from the pipeline to .Europe are due to stop today. The West fears the gas flow may never come back. Read more

July 10, 2022 - The South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) put out a statement that it detected "trajectories" that were believed to be artillery shots off North Korea's coast. Read more

July 09, 2022 - The Pentagon is considering sending weapons inspectors to Ukraine in order to monitor the U.S. weaponry being sent to the country, according to Jed Royal, deputy director of the Defense Security Cooperation Agency. Read more

July 09, 2022 - Increased number of young Russian men are looking to avoid nations' obligatory military service since the conflict began in February. Read more

July 08, 2022 - China sent military aircraft into the Taiwan Strait on Friday, a move that Taiwan is calling "provocative", as U.S. senator Rick Scott visited the island in order to meet with Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen, which China has openly criticized. Read more

July 08, 2022 - Belarus has given Russia full control of the Zyabrovka air field located about 19 miles from the Belarusian border with Ukraine in the Gomel region, according to Oleksiy Gromov, deputy chief of the Main Operative Department of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Read more

July 08, 2022 - Russian President Vladimir Putin says that the "special military operation" in Ukraine "has not started anything in earnest," and said that the "war in Ukraine just beginning; hints that peace talks will become more difficult with time." Read more

July 08, 2022 - TURKEY - After a cabinet meeting on Monday, the President of Turkey announced that a new military operation would be underway in Syria, to stabilize logistics between 2 already Turkish-controlled areas. The operation will target Turkish efforts at resuming a 20-mile (30km) safe zone along the Turkish-Syrian border. Read more

July 07, 2022 - A U.S. flight test of the reentry vehicle for the new Minotaur II+ Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) rocket failed when it exploded 11 seconds after launching from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. Read more

July 07, 2022 - A British Royal Navy vessel had seized a shipment of Iranian missiles in the Gulf of Oman earlier this year. British officials also said that the seizure is proof that Iran is supporting Yemen's Houthi rebels. Read more

July 07, 2022 - Ukraine cited an "unacceptable situation" as they summoned the ambassador of Turkey, after Turkish authorities released the Zhibek Zholy, a Russian vessel which Ukraine has accused of smuggling stolen Ukrainian grain. Read more

July 07, 2022 - A militant, who was reportedly affiliated with both the Syrian military and the Hezbollah terrorist organization has been killed by an alleged Israeli drone strike in Quneitra. Read more

July 07, 2022 - The Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has announced that they arrested several foreigners, including the British deputy ambassador to Iran Giles Whitaker for spying. The UK says that the reports are "completely false". Read more

July 07, 2022 - A newly constructed nuclear facility in Russia, which opened on the 1st of June, 2022, has begun constant nuclear explosion detection, says The 12th Chief Directorate of the Russian Defense Ministry as of the 1st of July 2022. Read more

July 05, 2022 - Kaliningrad's Region Governor said that Russia could take out "half of the Lithuanian economy" if Russia implements counter-sanctions on goods coming in and out of the Baltic states. Read more

July 05, 2022 - Russia's oil company, Rosneft has announced that they have discovered a 'huge oil deposit' in the Pechora sea, containing around 82 million tons of oil. Read more

July 04, 2022 - Kurdistan 24 news has reported that the Erbil International Airport (EIA) in Iraq has "prevented an unauthorized Iranian Pouya Air Cargo plane from landing, citing the EIA Director Ahmed Hoshyar. Read more

July 04, 2022 - Multiple explosions have been reported at a U.S. base on the Syrian-Iraqi border in the Al-Omar oil field in Deir Ez-Zur in Eastern Syria. Read more

July 04, 2022 - After fully capturing the city of Lysychansk, which was Ukraine's last stronghold, Russia is claiming full control of the Luhansk region in eastern Ukraine, after intense fighting and resistance from Ukrainian forces. Russian Defense Minister, Sergei Shoigu has informed Russian President Vladimir Putin, that the Luhansk region has now been "liberated." Read more

July 04, 2022 - The United States and Western allies have been giving Ukraine Soviet-era military equipment due to the fact that Ukraine's military was once part of the Soviet Union and Soviet-era weapons are not interchangeable with those of the West. Western stocks of Soviet-era weapons however are running out. Read more

July 04, 2022 - The United States commerce department says that China has not been seen evading sanctions, or providing military equipment to Russia and said that enforcement measures that were taken earlier in the week were targeting Chinese companies, not the government. Read more

July 04, 2022 - Russian state media Channel 1 talks of world war 3 which it calls Russia's Second Great Patriotic War and said that countries that decided to play with Westernness neutrality are next, once the special military operation in Ukraine concludes. Read more

July 04, 2022 - Russian state news Gazeta and the Russian Ministry of Defense have put out a statement regarding explosions captured on video from Belgorod saying that three people died and four were injured in the explosions. Read more

July 04, 2022 - Russian and Syrian vessels have been turning off their transponders and have been accused of deceptive shipping practices in order to sell crude oil and stolen Ukrainian grain while evading the heavy sanctions placed on Russia due to its war on Ukraine. Read more

July 03, 2022 - The Iranian Sponsored, Lebanese terrorist group Hezbollah stated that it had flown 3 drones, which were unarmed, towards a natural gas rig operated by Israel in the Mediterranean, and the Israeli military has intercepted them. Read more

July 03, 2022 - BELARUS - On Saturday, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko stated that 3 days ago, Ukraine attempted a missile strike on Belarusian military installations, but said that the missiles had been intercepted, through the Belarusian state-run media Belta news. Read more

July 2, 2022 - The Syrian military on Saturday accused Israel of carrying out daytime airstrikes near Tartus, Syria that they say wounded two civilians. Read more

July 01, 2022 - Russian President Vladimir Putin said Friday that sanctions and political pressure on Russia from the West is pushing Russia and Belarus towards "unification". Read more

July 01, 2022 - Russia's Deputy Security Council Chairman and former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev stated on the Thursday that 'under certain circumstances' such 'hostile measures' as the sanctions placed on the country could be seen as an act of international aggression, or even as a casus belli [a provocation that is a justification for war] and said that Russia has a right to defend itself. Read more

July 01, 2022 - The United States, South Korea, and Japan have vowed a response to any North Korean nuclear test and said that the response would be in the form of joint military drills, according to Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Wednesday. Read more

July 01, 2022 - The United States has failed the flight test of a new US hypersonic missile system in Hawaii, called "Conventional Prompt Strike". The failure was said to be most likely due to a problem that happened after ignition took place, according to a statement by the US Department of Defense. Read more

July 01, 2022 - Australian bank, Volt has collapsed in the midst of rising inflation and the bank has urged their customers to pull their funds from their accounts before it closes them on Tuesday. Inflation in Australia and US on the rise. Read more

July 01, 2022 - U.S. President Joe Biden has announced another $800 million military aid package to Ukraine, which will be including modern air defense systems, HIMARS missile systems and ammunition, and other "offensive weapons". Read more

July 01, 2022 - Russian President Vladimir Putin says that the "special military operation" in Ukraine is going according to plan, and that there is no need to meet any deadlines to end it. Read more

July 01, 2022 - The Japanese defense ministry reported around 10 Russian Chinese navy vessels earlier this month in Waters Near Japan, leaving analysts to believe that the two countries are sending a message to Japan, the United States as well as Taiwan. Read more

July 01, 2022 - Russian state news Izvestia, and TASS have confirmed reports that Russia plans to send Belarus nuclear capable Iskander-M missile systems, capable of carrying "a nuclear warhead" and promised to "retrofit Belarusian Su-25s in order to upgrade them to "carry nuclear charges". Read more

July 01, 2022 - Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Zhao Lijian on Thursday expressed "serious concern" and "resolute protest" on behalf of the CCP regarding the NATO's new 'Strategic Concept', saying that it ignores facts, distorts the truth and vilifies China's foreign policy. Read more

July 01, 2022 - In an address to the 10th St. Petersburg International Legal Forum (SPBILF), Putin stated that a multi polar world order is "evolving globally", and said that the process is "irreversible". He also said that it should be built upon "international law" and the "UN charter". Read more

July 01, 2022 - NATO leaders have declared that the Russian Federation is the most significant "direct threat" to the security of North Atlantic Treaty Organization allies. According to the Lithuanian ministry of defense, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization leaders at the NATO summit agreed that "Russia is a direct threat to NATO", on "new strategic concept" being adopted, reinforcement of NATO's eastern flank with Forward Presence Brigades, increased support for Ukraine, as well as other "security enhancement" measures. Read more

June 30, 2022 - Russian President Vladimir Putin said on June 21st that the BRICS countries, which include Russia, China, Brazil, and South Africa (Iran and Argentina have applied but not yet accepted) are currently working on setting up a global reserve currency to cut their financial reliance on the West. Read more

June 30, 2022 - Member of the Russian state Duma Leonid Slutsky said that while Sweden and Finland's choice to join NATO is their choice, it will have consequences on their relationship with Russia, and on the general security architecture in Europe which is already in deep crisis. Read more

June 30, 2022 - Due to Syria's recognition of independence of the two separatist regions in Eastern Ukraine, Donetsk and Lugansk, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has declared that all relations between Ukraine and Syria are now cut off. Read more

June 30, 2022 - Britain, who already has 2,000 soldiers stationed in Estonia has committed to add 1,000 more service members to the country, as well as sending one of its new aircraft carriers to defend NATO's eastern flank. Read more

June 29, 2022 - Washington has shown support toward the sale of F-16 fighter jets to Turkey just one day after Turkey withdrew its objections regarding Sweden and Finland joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Read more

June 29, 2022 - In an intelligence update, the British Ministry of Defense has agreed that the strike on the Kremenchuk shopping center may have been an accident, and that the intended target may have been, as Russia says a nearby infrastructure target. Read more

June 29, 2022 - China has claimed that two U.S. military aircraft flew through the Taiwan Strait on Tuesday, Jun 28th, according to the SCS Probing Initiative (SCSPI). Read more

June 29, 2022 - Metal Shark, an American company that developer and builder of aluminum-hull vessels have put out a statement saying that they are providing six maritime combat vessels to Ukraine. Read more

June 29, 2022 - The Russian Space Agency, Roscosmos has Published Satellite Photos and coordinates of Western decision making centers, all publicly known locations in an apparent statement to the West. Read more

June 28, 2022 - South Korea’s unification minister Kwon Young-se says that North Korean nuclear weapons are not just targeting the United States, but also targeting South Korea, pointing to a March test of a multiple rocket launcher system (MRLS). Read more

June 28, 2022 - The North Korean government has accused the United States of creating an "Asia-Style NATO" in order to overthrow the North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un on Sunday pointing to the military cooperation between the US, Japan and South Korea. Read more

June 28, 2022 - Secretary-General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Jens Stoltenberg has announced that Turkey has agreed to support both Finland and Sweden in joining the NATO alliance. Read more

June 27, 2022 - CENTCOM Statement Regarding Strike Carried Out In Syria. "CENTCOM Forces conducted a kinetic strike in Idlib province, Syria, June 27, targeting Abu Hamzah al Yemeni, a senior leader of Hurras al-Din, an Al Qaeda-aligned terrorist organization. Read more

June 27, 2022 - The US Military has carried out a strike on a vehicle on the Idlib-Binnish road in the Idlib province in Syria on Monday, targeting a senior leader of the Al-Qaeda aligned militant group, Hurras al-Din. Read more

June 27, 2022 - The United States now has over 100,000 troops stationed in Europe, which has increased from the 70,000 U.S. troops that were stationed in Europe when Russia's invasion on Ukraine began at the end of February. Read more

June 27, 2022 - The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is increasing the number of its NATO Response Force troops at high readiness from 40,000 to "well over 300,000", according to NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg on Monday. Read more

June 27, 2022 - Russian state media Channel 1 talks about Lithuania, NATO Article 5, military presence being established on the Belarusian border and targeting oil tankers in the Netherlands. Read more

June 27, 2022 - Russian President Vladimir Putin told the President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko that Russia will be providing Belarus nuclear capable Iskander missile systems in the "next few months". Read more

June 27, 2022 - Germany's Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection (BMWK) has announced the second stage of the gas emergency plan, or alert stage, according to the ministry, putting the gas emergency plan 'on alert'. Read more

June 27, 2022 - Chinese Ambassador to Moscow Zhang Hanhui told Russian state news TASS that they are ready to supply aircraft components to Russia, noting that there are no restrictions from the Chinese side. Read more

June 26, 2022 - Russian President Vladimir Putin and the President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko met at the Constantine Palace and talked about issues such as the economy, the situation with Poland and Lithuania, and NATO training and nuclear weapons in Europe. Read more

June 26, 2022 - Iran Expanding Nuclear Program While Expanding Cooperation With Russia. Iran’s top security official Ali Shamkhani stated during a meeting with a top diplomat from the European Union that Iran will continue developing its nuclear program until the West changes what it calls "illegal behavior" according to Iranian state news IRNA. Read more

June 26, 2022 - Chinese state media, Global Times claims that the United States sent a destroyer to the South China Sea just one day after sending a P-8A anti-submarine aircraft 'spy plane' over the Taiwan Straits. Read more

June 26, 2022 - Iran has carried out its second test of the Zuljanah satellite launcher, according to an Iranian state TV spokesperson. Read more

June 26, 2022 - (Based on translation) On June 26th, a Japan Coast Guard boat confirmed that the Chinese Coast Guard was navigating in the 'contiguous waters' on the 'overseas side' of the territorial waters around the Senkaku Islands administered by Japan, in the Okinawa Prefecture, according to Japanese The Sankei News. Read more

June 26, 2022 - China says that they "can't leave Taiwan independent" and that they will "retake Taiwan by all means, including military ones" if they can't reunify the island using peaceful methods. They also said that the United States wants two wars, one in Europe and one in Asia. Read more

June 26, 2022 - The President of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko said that what Russia calls the 'blockade' against Kaliningrad by Lithuania is akin to a declaration of war on Russia. Read more

June 25, 2022 - Russia has fired rockets directly from Belarus into Ukraine, according to the Ukrainian Main Directorate of Intelligence, and the New York Times who says that over 40 missiles were launched from Belarus into Ukraine. Read more

June 25, 2022 - China says that their military went on high alert and they mobilized ground and air forces after a U.S. maritime plane flew through the Taiwan Strait. Furthermore, China says that their forces now remain on high alert. Read more

June 25, 2022 - A Russian state television Channel 1 speakers indicates that conflict in Europe will never end, and that the struggle is against the West, not just Ukraine, saying that there will be other 'special operations' elsewhere, aside from the one in Ukraine. Read more

June 25, 2022 - June 25, 2022 - There have been three rocket attacks on gas complexes in northern Iraq owned by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) over the last four days. The last attack was on a gas complex owned by the Dana Gas Energy Company. Read more

June 25, 2022 - Andrey Gurulyov, who is a member of the Russian defense committee spoke on Russian state television Channel 1, and said that if world war 3 breaks out, London will be the first city that Russia Will Bomb, and that all power sites in Western Europe will be destroyed. Read more

June 25, 2022 - U.S. lawmakers from both political parties have been coming out with a flurry of bills and resolutions aimed at expanding America's involvement in the Indo-Pacific region, including strengthening ties with nations in the region and increasing support for Taiwan. Read more

June 25, 2022 - Japan's Ministry of Defense reported that three Chinese PLAAF H-6 strategic bombers were spotted over international waters between the islands of Okinawa and Miyako-Jima on their way to the Pacific Ocean, then returned using the same route to the East China Sea. Read more

June 25, 2022 - Andrey Gurulyov, who is a member of the Russian defense committee spoke on Russian state television Channel 1, and said that if world war 3 breaks out, London will be the first city that Russia will bomb and that all power sites in Western Europe will be destroyed. Read more

June 24, 2022 - Ukraine and Moldova has now formally been recognized as candidates for EU membership, while the EU is ready to grant candidate status to Georgia "once priorities will be addressed". Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has compared the EU and NATO to Hitler, and said they are building a coalition to fight Russia. Read more

June 23, 2022 - Release from the Belarus ministry of defense regarding the pre-planned military mobilization exercises in the Gomel region that will last until July 1st, 2022. Read more

June 23, 2022 - 22 Chinese military aircraft have entered Taiwan's Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) today, June 23rd, 2022. Read more

June 23, 2022 - Secretary-General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Jens Stoltenberg says that he "aims" to get both Finland and Sweden into the alliance "soon" regardless of objections by Turkey, but said that he "cannot guarantee" that it will be done swiftly. Read more

June 23, 2022 - Finnish Armed Forces Chief of Defense, General Timo Kivinen says that Finland has been preparing for a Russian attack for decades and says that Finland would be a "tough bite to chew" for Russia if they decided to attack the country. Read more

June 22, 2022 - Six Chinese military aircraft entered Taiwan's southwest Air Defense Identification Zone on June 22nd, 2022. The military aircraft included four J-16 fighter jets, one Y-8 antisubmarine-warfare aircraft and one Y-8 electronic warfare (EW) aircraft. Read more

June 22, 2022 - Russian state news TASS reported that the Kaliningrad Region Governor Anton Alikhanov stated restrictions put in place on freight transit by Lithuania "looked like a mistake at first" but then said, "it's now clear that it's deliberate policy". Read more

June 22, 2022 - Mexican drug cartels are using online games to recruit teenagers, paying them, often with a monthly income to act as full-time lookouts at the southern border, notifying the cartel of the presence of law enforcement, and promising to teach them how to move drugs and carry out hits for more cash. Read more

June 22, 2022 - An airman, who has not yet been identified has been arrested in connection with the explosives attack that had been carried out on a United States military base in Syria on April 7th, 2022, according to the Air Force. Read more

June 22, 2022 - Denmark's Ministry of Defense says that they have credible information that attributes a cyberattack on satellite equipment operated by the Viasat satellite company to Russia prior to the invasion of Ukraine on February 24th, 2022. Read more

June 22, 2022 - Estonia, Lithuania, and Denmark which are all members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) alliance have reported incursions into their airspace by Russian forces who filed no flight plan and turned off their transponder. Read more

June 21, 2022 - 29 Chinese military aircraft has entered Taiwan's southwest Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) on June 21st, 2022 according to Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense. Read more

June 21, 2022 - Russian scientist, political writer, and analyst Andrey Andreyevich Piontkovsky said that Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko would never dare to give the order for his troops to go to war with Ukraine. Read more

June 21, 2022 - NATO member, Lithuania has banned some goods from traveling to the Kaliningrad, Russia enclave from Lithuania which has angered Russia who said the move was unprecedented and unlawful as well as threatening to respond saying the situation is more than serious. Read more

June 21, 2022 - In the Persian Gulf, three Iranian IRGC warships came within 50 yards of the United States patrol vessel USS Sirocco and fast transport vessel USNS Choctaw County at high speeds and nearly collided, only diverting when the Sirocco gave an audible warning and deployed a warning flare. Read more

June 20, 2022 - 10 Chinese military aircraft entered Taiwan's Air Defense Identification Zone in the southwest corner on June 19th, 2022, making it the 8th day of intrusions into Taiwan's ADIZ so far this month. Read more

June 20, 2022 - China has carried out a land-based missile interception test that it said "achieved its expected purpose," according to the Chinese defense ministry who said that the test was purely defensive and not aimed at any country in particular. Read more

June 20, 2022 - Two Chinese Coast Guard vessels intruded and then left Japanese territorial waters around the Senkaku Islands, leaving the territory on Sunday morning after having intruded the day before, according to Japan Times. Read more

June 20, 2022 - Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz stated during an interview with Channel 12 News that Israel is preparing for offensive options against Iran "if and when" they are needed and warned Iran "I suggest that the Iranians not test these capabilities". Read more

June 20, 2022 - Kuwaiti newspaper Al-Qabs put out a report Sunday saying that there was a mysterious explosion in western Tehran on Saturday night after a drone attack on an Iranian military ballistic development base. Read more

June 19, 2022 - June 19, 2022 - British MOD intelligence update for June 19th, 2022 reports that entire Russian units are refusing orders and having armed standoffs with their own officers and troops. Read more

June 19, 2022 - June 19, 2022 - Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has said that Iran will pay a painful price for hunting down Israeli citizens in Turkey to capture and kill them. Read more

June 19, 2022 - June 19, 2022 - NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg told a German newspaper that Russia's war on Ukraine could take years, but that 'we must not let up in supporting Ukraine' he said. Even if the costs are high. The head of the British army also told troops they must prepare to fight in Europe. Read more

June 19, 2022 - June 19, 2022 - Israel has carried out strikes with aircraft and tanks on Gaza with aircraft and tanks after a two-month calm after a rocket was fired into Israel from the Gaza Strip. Thousands of Gazan entry permits have been suspended. Read more

June 19, 2022 - June 19, 2022 - WASHINGTON - A US Senate bill seeks to pave the way for a training program in order to increase armed forces interoperability between the United States and Taiwan, while significantly increasing support for the island, including billions of dollars in security assistance and making Taiwan a 'major non-NATO ally'. China has warned, however, against what they call a 'dangerous' policy overhaul. Read more

June 19, 2022 - So far this year there have been 50 people from the FBI terror watchlist arrested at the U.S. border with Mexico, which amounts to more than the last five years combined. There have also been more than 440,000 known 'gotaways'. Read more

June 19, 2022 - On June 15, the Department of Defense (DoD) announced $1 billion in additional security assistance for Ukraine. This includes an authorization of a Presidential Drawdown of security assistance valued at up to $350 million, as well as $650 million in Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI) funds. This authorization is the twelfth drawdown of equipment from DoD inventories for Ukraine since August 2021. Read more

June 19, 2022 - Ukrainian Pravda has claimed that Russia launched three cruise missiles at an oil depot in the Novomoskovsk district of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast which wounded 11 people, one of whom is reported to be in "serious condition" with seven others suffering "minor injuries". Read more

June 19, 2022 - Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that he believes the United States sees itself as a "messenger of God on Earth", who has "no interests" but "no responsibility". Read more

June 19, 2022 - The President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko says that his country will have to react to Poland's "desire to take Western Ukraine" because it poses a "threat to the security of the republic" on Friday. Read more

June 19, 2022 - Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has stated that it is no longer possible for Ukraine to return to its previous borders, and added that "this is obvious". Read more

June 19, 2022 - Two Russian Project 22160 missile frigates were spotted patrolling off of Romania's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) near the country's natural gas platforms around 140 km (87 miles) from Romania's coastline. Read more

June 18, 2022 - After reducing energy output to Germany by over half the previous output, Russian energy giant Gazprom was accused of artificially pushing up energy prices by cutting off supplies. Read more

June 18, 2022 - Iranian terror cells have been activated in Turkey and are roaming the streets of Istanbul "looking for Israelis" after having been given an order to carry out attacks against Israelis located in the country, according to an Israeli official who spoke to Ynet on Friday. Read more

June 18, 2022 - U.S. Satellite images have spotted Russian-flagged vessels carrying grain from Ukraine to Syria, according to the satellite imagery company Maxar. Read more

June 18, 2022 - According to both U.S. and Israeli intelligence, Iran is building a vast underground nuclear facility underneath a mountain located south of the Natanz nuclear complex, a report by the New York Times stated on Friday. Read more

June 18, 2022 - A mourning poster posted on social media has revealed that a lieutenant in the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has died in Iran on June 15th, making it the third officer in Iran's IRGC having died in the last week. Read more

June 18, 2022 - Russia carried out airstrikes at the al-Tanf garrison U.S. military base on Wednesday after first notifying the United States of their intentions. The base is located near Syria's border with Jordan in southeast Syria. Read more

June 17, 2022 - China has launched its third aircraft carrier, manufactured by the China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) shipyard in Shanghai and named it Fujian which is named after a province located directly facing the island of Taiwan in an apparent statement to the island. Read more

June 17, 2022 - The U.S. military captured a senior Islamic State leader during the night raid in northern Syria on Wednesday night who the coalition stated was an experienced bomb maker and operational facilitator. Read more

June 17, 2022 - According to the Dutch intelligence service, a Russian spy tried to infiltrate the International Criminal Court (ICC) that was investigating allegations of war crimes carried out in Ukraine by Russia using fake identification and spent over a decade building up his cover story. Read more

June 17, 2022 - Russian State Television Channel 1 Talks Of NATO Sending Weapons To Ukraine And Nuclear Strike. Read more

June 17, 2022 - A fire has started at a 1400mm pipeline in Russia. The Urengoy is the largest gas extraction facility in the country, and the second-largest natural gas field in the world, after South Pars/North Dome Gas-Condensate field in the Persian Gulf which is shared between Iran and Qatar. Read more

June 17, 2022 - A Spokesperson for the Iranian Defense Ministry stated on Wednesday that Iran is preparing to test-launch a Zuljanah solid-fuel satellite carrier rocket just days after satellite photos were revealed showing possible preparations for a launch at Imam Khomeini. Read more

June 17, 2022 - The Mikolavska District Administration of Ukraine has claimed that on June 15th the Russian military burned down a wheat field and destroyed houses and warehouses in Nikolaev, Ukraine. Read more

June 16, 2022 - The Center for Strategic and International Studies has put out a report that says that North Korea appears to be expanding work at its nuclear test site and adding a second tunnel. Meanwhile, U.S. and South Korean officials say that North Korea is ready to conduct a nuclear test any day. Read more

June 16, 2022 - The U.S. government is releasing another 45 million barrels of oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve within the next few months in order to try to alleviate fuel supply shortages and address disruptions in the global supply of oil. Read more

June 16, 2022 - Coalition forces detained a senior Daesh leader during an operation in Syria June 16. The detained individual was assessed to be an experienced bomb maker and facilitator who became one of the group’s top leaders in Syria. Read more

June 16, 2022 - The U.S. Apache and Chinook helicopters that were spotted flying over Jarablus, Northern Aleppo, Syria were reportedly a part of a night raid by U.S. Led coalition forces to capture a 'Senior Daesh [ISIS] leader'. Read more

June 16, 2022 - Chinese President Xi Jinping told Russian President Vladimir Putin in a phone call on Wednesday that Beijing will keep backing Moscow on "Sovereignty and security", according to Chinese state media. Read more

June 16, 2022 - Two Alabama residents have gone missing within the last few days near Kharkiv, Ukraine which is located near the Russian border, according to their families. U.S. State Department has reported that two Americans have been captured and advised Americans not to travel to Ukraine. Read more

June 16, 2022 - Washington is sending another $1 billion in military aid to Ukraine, including howitzers, High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) ammunition and harpoon coastal defense systems. Germany is also sending MLRS systems. Read more

June 16, 2022 - China has notified the United States that the Taiwan Strait is a part of their maritime exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and not international waters, opposing the U.S. view that the strait is part of international waters. They have also given a warning to the U.S. to stay out of the Strait saying that they have sovereign rights over it. Read more

June 15, 2022 - Former Taiwanese minister of former affairs John Deng said on Tuesday that a Chinese invasion of Taiwan would do more damage to the global economy than the Russian invasion on Ukraine has. Read more

June 15, 2022 - South Korea's unification ministry stated on Tuesday that North Korea is ready to carry out a nuclear test at any time, South Korean news agency Yonhap quoted an anonymous official from the ministry as saying. Read more

June 14, 2022 - Mikhail Kasyanov, who served as Russia's Prime Minister from 2000 to 2004 stated during an interview with Agence France-Presse that the war in Ukraine could last two years, and if Ukraine falls, the Baltic states will be next. Read more

June 14, 2022 - According to the Iranian state's shipping company, Iran has commenced its first shipment of Russian goods to India using a new trade route that uses Iran to link Russia to Asian export markets. Read more

June 14, 2022 - SOLOMON ISLANDS - Chinese police have begun training Solomon Islands police officers, with the first batch of exercises taking place at the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) in Rove, which is a suburb of Honiara, the capital of the Solomon Islands. Read more

June 13, 2022 - South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) released a statement on Sunday night saying that they have observed "several trails" that it assumes were created by North Korean multiple rocket launchers (MRLs) on Sunday morning. Read more

June 12, 2022 - Russia and China have finished building and opening up a cross-border bridge that they stated in February will bring the two countries closer together in their "no limits' partnership, before Russian President Vladimir Putin began his invasion of Ukraine. Read more

June 12, 2022 - South Korean defense minister Lee Jong-sup said during a speech at the Shangri-La Dialogue on Sunday that South Korea is ready to engage in talks with Japan in order to strengthen their cooperation and three-way alliance with the United States to counter North Korea. Read more

June 11, 2022 - After Russia withdrew a large number of troops from Syria in order to re-focus them on its war in Ukraine, Turkey has announced that it will be carrying out a military operation in northern Syria. Read more

June 11, 2022 - U.S. inflation hit a 40-year high of 8.6 percent in the month of May according to data given by the U.S. government on Friday. This makes it the 12th month in a row that the inflation percentage has been above 5%. Food and fuel prices are also soaring up, while China, India and other countries benefit from Cheap Russian Oil at discounted prices. Read more

June 11, 2022 - Both India and China have drastically increased their imports of Russian oil at greatly discounted prices, with Indian purchases of Russian oil up by 400%, while countries buying from Russia benefit from discounted prices, the price for oil for the rest of the world is surging. Read more

June 11, 2022 - While at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said on Saturday that China is continuing to harden the position along the border it shares with India, and that the United States stands by its mutual defense commitments. Read more

June 11, 2022 - Alexander Lukashenko, the President of Belarus has said that he believes Belarus may have to fight for "Western Ukraine so that it is not cut off [or pulled away] by the West". Read more

June 11, 2022 - Chinese defense minister Wei Fenghe has said that they will "not hesitate to start a war" if Taiwan declares independence during face to face talks with U.S. defense minister Lloyd Austin on Friday in Singapore, according to China’s defense spokesman Wu Qian. Read more

June 10, 2022 - The United States, South Korea and Japan are working together closely in order to prepare 'for all contingencies' ahead of expected seventh nuclear test by North Korea a diplomatic envoy stated in South Korea. Read more

June 10, 2022 - NATO forces conduct live-fire exercises in Poland in order to test their readiness and ability to respond to missile attacks from enemy drones and aircraft. Read more

June 10, 2022 - Russia has begun naval exercises in the Baltic Sea with around 60 warships. The Russian Ministry of Defense (MOD) said that the exercises are "planned operational exercise with groups of the Baltic". Read more

June 9, 2022 - Iran notified the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that it has plans to disconnect 27 IAEA surveillance cameras as well as other equipment used to monitor their nuclear activity according to IAEA chief Rafael Grossi. Read more

June 9, 2022 - The Japanese Joint Staff put out a statement saying "Yesterday, JASDF’s fighters scrambled to cope with a suspected intrusion into Japan’s airspace over the East China Sea, the Sea of Japan and the Sea of Okhotsk. JSDF continues to responding to protect our territory and peace for the people of Japan 24/7". Read more

June 9, 2022 - White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said that the United States is 'watching very closely' for a possible nuclear test by North Korea, which Washington believes is preparing for its seventh nuclear test. Read more

June 9, 2022 - The U.S. military is training one platoon of Ukrainian soldiers at a time how to use the multiple-launch rocket artillery systems, paving the way for possibly more of the systems to be sent to Ukraine. Read more

June 9, 2022 - The U.S. has deployed B-1B bombers to Guam ahead of a nuclear test expected by Washington by North Korea, though one expert says that the deployment appears to just be part of a regular, rotational plan and could be related to the biennial field training exercise Valiant Shield taking place in Guam this month. Read more

June 9, 2022 - A Russian senator has proposed that Russia carry out missile strikes on U.S. military bases located in Europe in response to the decision by the United States to go ahead and send longer ranged rocket systems to Ukraine. Read more

June 8, 2022 - Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar spoke to Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu in a phone call, and said that Turkey would be responding to actions meant to destabilize northern Syria. Read more

June 8, 2022 - June 8, 2022 - Japanese Joint Staff statement (translated from Japanese): "Yesterday, the JASDF Western Air Defense Force’s fighters scrambled to cope with a suspected intrusion into Japan’s airspace over the East China Sea. JSDF continues to responding to protect our territory and peace for the people of Japan 24/7". Read more

June 7, 2022 - US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman warned North Korea of a forceful response if the country decides to carry out a nuclear test, as both U.S. and South Korean officials say that the North is preparing it's first nuclear test in five years. Read more

June 7, 2022 - China is secretly building a naval base in Cambodia for the use of its military, according to statements from both Western officials and a Chinese official who partially confirmed an exclusive report from the Washington Post regarding the secret facility". Read more

June 7, 2022 - Japanese Joint Staff statement (translated from Japanese): "Yesterday, the JASDF Western Air Defense Force’s fighters scrambled to cope with a suspected intrusion into Japan’s airspace over the East China Sea. JSDF continues to responding to protect our territory and peace for the people of Japan 24/7". Read more

June 7, 2022 - The United States and South Korea have conducted a joint air power demonstration in 'a show of readiness' on Tuesday a day after North Korea had fired off eight short-range missiles (SRBMs) on Sunday according to South Korean news agency Yonhap. Read more

June 6, 2022 - Britain is sending Ukraine M270 multiple-launch rocket systems to Ukraine a week after U.S. President Joe Biden authorized sending M142 High Mobility Artillery rocket systems (HIMARS) after Kyiv gave assurances that they would not be used to strike Russian territory. Read more

June 6, 2022 - The United States and South Korea has test launched 8 surface-to-surface missiles from Army Tactic Missile Systems (ATACMS) toward the East Sea in response to the 8 missiles that North Korea had test fired over the weekend, according to the South Korean military. Read more

June 6, 2022 - Thailand's Royal Thai Police (RTP) issued a 'secret order' to police the country's police force on the lookout for spies from Iran, after an Iranian spy was arrested in Indonesia, according to the country's police force, who spoke to Bangkok Post. Read more

June 5, 2022 - The Australian defense department revealed on Sunday that a Chinese fighter aircraft had intercepted one of its Royal Australian Air Force planes in May, which resulted in a dangerous maneuver where it released a bundle of chaff which posed a threat to both the aircraft and its crew. Read more

June 5, 2022 - *UPDATED* North Korea launches 8 short-ranged ballistic missiles toward the East Sea off of its east coast according to the Japanese Coast Guard and South Korean military. Read more

June 4, 2022 - MOSCOW - Former Russian President and current head of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev has warned that if Ukraine uses any of the missiles given to them by the United States to strike Russian territory, Russia will have 'no choice' but to strike 'decision making centers' which are 'not even located on the territory of Kyiv'. Read more

June 4, 2022 - A U.S. drone strike carried out on Friday has killed five members of the Al-Shabaab terrorist organization. The drone strike was coordinated with the Somali government according to a press release from the Somali Ministry of Information. Read more

June 3, 2022 - According to a report by the Persian Iran International news agency there has been another death of an Islamic Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) Quds Force unit 840 commander, who has died under 'suspicious circumstances' on Monday, May 30th. Read more

June 3, 2022 - Taiwan has banned all exports of 'modern' microchips to both Russia and Belarus, according to Taiwan News. The ban limits sales of all CPUs to chips with a frequency of less than 25 MHz to the two countries in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Read more

June 3, 2022 - According to a classified U.S. intelligence report, Russian President Vladimir Putin was treated for advanced cancer in April 2022, Newsweek said that they were privy to the information given by U.S. intelligence leaders reported. Read more

June 2, 2022 - Alexei Zhuravlev, who is a lawmaker and a member of the Russian parliament has threatened the United States with Satan-2 nuclear missiles over U.S. support for Ukraine. Read more

June 2, 2022 - The Biden administration has authorized another $700 million to go to Ukraine, along with MQ-1C Gray Eagle Drones. Read more

June 2, 2022 - Around 1,000 servicemen of the Russian nuclear forces began exercises with over 100 vehicles in the Ivanovo province northeast of Moscow, Russia, according to the Russian defense ministry. Read more

June 1, 2022 - Russian state television Channel 1 said that world war 3 has already started, and that the war in Ukraine, which was a rehearsal for a 'bigger conflict' in the future. Read more

May 30, 2022 - China has sent 30 military aircraft into Taiwan's Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) on Monday, which is the largest incursion on the island's ADIZ since January and caused Taiwan to scramble their fighter own fighter jets. Read more

May 28, 2022 - Two Russian lawmakers who acted as regional officials have been branded as traitors and ordered out of a legislation meeting after they called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the invasion on Ukraine. Read more

May 28, 2022 - Israel has said no to a request by the United States to allow Germany to supply Ukraine with anti-tank missiles manufactured in Germany using Israeli technology, according to an Israeli official, and two U.S. officials. Read more

May 28, 2022 - Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a new law that abolishes the age limit of those allowed to join its military. The age limit to serve in the Russian military has now been extended to up to 65 years of age for men and 60 years of age for women, which is the age of retirement. Read more

May 28, 2022 - Russia has successfully tested a hypersonic nuclear capable Zircon cruise missile which was fired from the Admiral Gorshkov frigate, according to the Russian Ministry of Defense on Saturday. Read more

May 28, 2022 - Russia loaded two of their six Varshavyanka submarines anchored in the South Bay of Sevastopol with Kaliber class cruise missiles. Ukraine says they will be used to strike targets within Ukrainian territory. Read more

May 26, 2022 - U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken made a statement Thursday saying that the Chinese threat will 'test U.S. diplomacy like nothing we've ever seen before' but said that the United States does not want another Cold War, and made it very clear that America does not support an independent Taiwan. Read more

May 26, 2022 - Israel has informed the United States that it was in fact responsible for the killing of the Iranian IRGC Colonel Sayad Khodayee, who was involved in the abduction and killing of Israelis, as well as other foreigners globally. Read more

May 26, 2022 - According to a South Korean official, North Korea has been testing a 'nuclear detonation device' for weeks, likely in preparation for a nuclear test, but that it is unlikely to conduct a nuclear test in the next couple of days, according to Kim Tae-hyo, who is the deputy director of the National Security Office (NSO), according to NK News. Read more

May 25, 2022 - DAVOS, SWITZERLAND - Hungarian-American billionaire George Soros said on Tuesday that the Russian invasion on Ukraine may have been the beginning of World War Three, and that the best way to preserve free civilization was for the West to defeat Russia. Read more

May 25, 2022 - On Monday, Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said that Russia must cease being dependent upon the West, and that the 'dictator's position' of the West will lead economic ties with China to grow 'even faster'. Read more

May 24, 2022 - Japan scrambled fighter jets after warplanes from both Russia and China approached its airspace on Tuesday. Japan called the action a "provocation" that was likely planned while it hosted an informal gathering of Quad nations. Read more

May 24, 2022 - South Korea has scrambled fighter jets after at least four Russian warplanes and four Chinese warplanes entered the country's Air Defense Identification Zone without giving notice. Read more

May 24, 2022 - Russia and China have held the first joint exercise since Russia's war on Ukraine began as a part of the two countries "annual military cooperation plan" over the Sea of Japan, East China Sea and Western Pacific, according to the Chinese Defense Ministry. Read more

May 24, 2022 - General Mark Milley, who is the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff stated on Monday that although there is low-level planning currently underway, the United States is still "a ways away" from re-introducing U.S. troops back into Ukraine. Read more

May 23, 2022 - U.S. President Joe Biden has announced on Monday 13 countries that will be 'initial partners' of a US led Indo-Pacific Economic Framework in order to pushback on Chinese expansion in the Indo-Pacific region. Read more

May 23, 2022 - The Pentagon has said that the claim by a Ukrainian official that the United States has plans to attack the Russian naval fleet in the Black Sea is not true and said that there has been no change in maritime posture in the Black Sea. Read more

May 22, 2022 - Taiwan is moving its Indigenous Defense Fighters and Mirage 2000 jets to Penghu in the Taiwan Strait, and Taitung on the east coast in response to the constant incursions by Chinese military aircraft. Read more

May 21, 2022 - WASHINGTON - U.S. President Joe Biden signed a $40 billion dollar aid package to Ukraine during his visit to Seoul, the capital of South Korea after the Senate passed the package with an 86-11 vote, while inflation in the United States sits at a 40-year high. Read more

May 20, 2022 - According to The National Intelligence Service, South Korea's spy agency on Thursday, North Korea has been weighing out the timing to conduct its seventh nuclear test and has completed its preparations for such a test. Read more

May 19, 2022 - U.S. National security advisor Jake Sullivan stated on Wednesday that U.S. intelligence indicates that North Korea may carry out a nuclear test, a missile test or both either before, during or after U.S. President Joe Biden takes his trip to South Korea and Japan this week. Read more

May 18, 2022 - The United States Air Force reported on Monday that it had successfully tested an Air-Launched Hypersonic Rapid Response Weapon (ARRW), which reached speeds up to five times the speed of sound. Read more

May 17, 2022 - Four NATO warships that had departed from Hamburg, Germany were spotted traveling through the English Channel just off the Kent coast on May 17th. Read more

May 15, 2022 - MOSCOW - Top member of Russia's Kremlin party "United Russia's Superior Council" and Duma deputy Oleg Morozov stated that "Poland should be the next in the line for denazification process after Ukraine". Read more

May 14, 2022 - White House says North Korea may be ready to conduct a nuclear test by the end of the month, just a week after a state department spokesman said that North Korea is set to possibly resume nuclear tests in the near future. Read more

May 14, 2022 - SOUTH CHINA SEA - The Chinese Liaoning aircraft carrier was spotted by satellite images off Taiwan, while Japan stated that they had to scramble fighter jets after a suspected intrusion into its own airspace in the East China Sea. Read more

May 4, 2022 - The South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff has confirmed North Korea's launch of a ballistic missile that was launched from Sunan, Pyongyang at 12:03 pm on May 4th and landed into the East Sea. Read more

May 4, 2022 - North Korea has reportedly fired an unidentified projectile toward the East Sea just days after North Korean leader Kim Jong-un vowed to bolster its nuclear arsenal "at the fastest possible pace" and threatened to use them against rivals. Read more

May 1, 2022 - U.S. Congressman Adam Kinzinger has announced the introduction of a joint resolution that would authorize the United States Armed Forces to defend Ukraine if Russian President Vladimir Putin escalates the war on Ukraine by using chemical, biological or nuclear weapons against the country. Read more

April 29, 2022 - Russian President Vladimir Putin threatened "lightning-fast" retaliatory strikes on any country that intervenes in what Russia calls their "special military operation' in Ukraine. Read more

April 29, 2022 - North Korea said Monday that not only is the country going to be boosting its nuclear weapons program, but said that its nuclear weapons could be used "in any situations of warfare". Read more

April 27, 2022 - In a major policy shift, Germany has reportedly now allowed the transfer of Gepard anti-aircraft cannon tanks to Ukraine to aid in their efforts to fight the Russian invasion of the country. Read more

April 27, 2022 - US officials say they have given coordinates to Russian targets to the Ukrainian military which has aided Ukraine not only in moving their forces out of the way from Russian strikes but also allegedly led to Ukraine shooting down a transport plane. Read more

April 27, 2022 - The United States Navy destroyed a drone with an electric laser for the first time in February of this year. The laser can carry out both lethal and non-lethal attacks to either disable or destroy targets. Read more

April 26, 2022 - Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told the West Monday not to underestimate the risk of a nuclear conflict over Ukraine and also stated that he views the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) as currently being 'in essence' engaged in a proxy war with Russia because it is supplying Ukraine with weapons. Read more

April 24, 2022 - Russian military official has claimed that the United States is preparing 'provocations' so that it can accuse Russia of using weapons of mass destruction.Russian state news TASS said that Igor Kirlov alleged that the U.S. plan was in response to the "successes" that Russian troops have had during their 'special operation' in Ukraine. Read more

April 12, 2022 - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov claimed on Monday that the 'Special Military Operation' by Russia was meant to put an end to the United States quest for world domination and the expansion of NATO. Read more

April 11, 2022 - Spokesman for the Kremlin Dmitry Peskov spoke to reporters and said that the NATO "alliance remains a tool geared towards confrontation" as US officials have stated that they expect both Finland and Sweden will apply for membership of the alliance as early as June. Read more

April 11, 2022 - Russian Ambassador to the U.S. Anatoly Antonov has warned that the West giving Ukraine weapons and ammunition may lead to direct military confrontation between Russia and the United States and claimed that the invasion was a result of Ukraine carrying out genocide of Russians. Read more

April 6, 2022 - Expert says he believes China is preparing for a war with the United States, as well as its neighboring Asian countries. NATO to expand cooperation with partners in Indo-Pacific. Read more

March 28, 2022 - China has accused the United States of increasing spy activity in the South China Sea after the US deployed three surveillance vessels and the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln in the region ahead of joint exercises with the Philippines. Read more

March 24, 2022 - Shortly after North Korea launched its ICBM, South Korea launched multiple missiles in response to the launch with some of its 'key missiles' including a ground to ground missile, an Army Tactical Missile, a ship to ground missile and two air to surface missiles. *Note* the South Korean Launches were not aimed at North Korea*, which is clearly stated in the article. Read more

March 24, 2022 - South Korea says that North Korea has tested what is suspected to be an ICBM. There had been reports yesterday that they were planning to test the Hwasong 17 which is reportedly North Korea's largest ICBM and can reach any U.S. city. Read more

March 23, 2022 - The following is a report put out by the State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate of Ukraine about the current situation regarding the current situation at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine Read more

March 15, 2022 - The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) alliance has sent 35,000 troops, 50 ships, including a nuclear attack submarine and 200 aircraft to Norway, which borders Russia for military drills. Read more

March 13, 2022 - A Soviet-era Tu-141 military drone carrying a 265-pound bomb flew across three NATO member states before finally crashing down in Croatia, in an urban area according to the Croatian defense minister on Sunday. Read more

March 13, 2022 - According to the Financial Times, US officials stated that Russia has requested military aid from China since the beginning of the invasion of Ukraine in the form of military equipment and other assistance, but declined to give any further details. Read more

March 10, 2022 - The Russian Defense Ministry has claimed that the United States has been carrying out experimentation on bat coronavirus samples in U.S. established and U.S. funded bio-labs in Ukraine and that it was first revealed during Russia's 'special operation' in Ukraine. According to Turkish news, China has 'demanded answers' from the United States regarding the '26 bio-labs in Ukraine'. Read more

February 13, 2022 - Senior U.S. officials stated on Sunday that they can't confirm reports by mainstream sources that Russia is planning on invading Ukraine on Wednesday. They did however say that they will attempt to prevent any 'surprise attack' that might happen by sharing what they know about Russia's plans. Read more

February 13, 2022 - *Based On Translated Ukrainian News* Ukraine has reportedly classified the airspace over the Black Sea as dangerous and has put out a warning telling airlines not to fly over airspace above the Black Sea. Read more

February 13, 2022 - U.S. National Security Advisor has reiterated Washington's stance that the United States won't be sending any forces to battle the Russians in the event that Russia invades Ukraine. Read more

February 13, 2022 - Ukraine has reportedly stated that they see no point in closing airspace amid Russian tensions. But, "If particular air carriers decide to reconfigure the flight schedule, this certainly has nothing to do with the decisions or policies of our state". Read more

February 13, 2022 - Russia has reportedly begun the process of evacuating diplomats from Ukraine according to RIA Novosti which stated (translation): "Russian Diplomats begin to leave Ukraine, a source said". Read more

February 12, 2022 - *NEW INFORMATION* Russia claimed that the U.S. submarine refused orders to leave their territorial waters, but then left back into international waters after the Russian Navy used 'appropriate means'. The US has rejected Russia's claims that Russia warned off the U.S. Navy nuclear submarine. Read more

February 12, 2022 - Russia is looking to attack on Wednesday as a target date a U.S. official reportedly told AP. Why Wednesday? We don't know. The mainstream media has been in a state of confusion, and it only seems to be getting worse the closer the world gets to a possible war. Read more

February 12, 2022 - More than 30 ships from the Russian Black Sea Fleet moved out for exercises From from Novorossiysk and Sevastopol with subdivisions of the coastal troops of the fleet 'also entering combat training grounds' according to Russian state news Zvezda by Russia's Ministry of Defense. Read more

February 11, 2022 - The United States has deployed B-52 Stratofortress nuclear bombers belonging to the 5th Bomb Wing at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota to the United Kingdom. Read more

February 11, 2022 - The Central Intelligence Agency (#CIA) has a secret, hidden and undisclosed massive data center that is currently storing information collected from U.S. citizens according to two Democrats on the Senate Intelligence Committee who revealed the information on Thursday. Read more

February 9, 2022 - A new video in Russian that was posted on Telegram show what looks to be a Russian MiG-31K Foxhound (MiG-31I) carrying what appears to be a Kinzhal hypersonic missile to the Chkalovsk air base near Kaliningrad, which is a Russian territory that closely borders both Poland and Lithuania, both which are members of NATO. Read more

February 8, 2022 - A new report by the United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations released an exhaustive report in February, 2022 about the evacuation from Afghanistan on August 31st, 2021 indicates that 9,000 of Americans were left behind in Afghanistan, as opposed to the estimate of 100 to 150 that had been released to the public. Read more

February 8, 2022 - Air Force Major General Ferdinand B. Stoss, STRATCOM director of plans and policy issued a warning at the 2022 virtual Nuclear Deterrence Summit saying that the US and allies have not 'faced this type of threat in over 30 years' and that 'we have no history of this' regarding a nuclear China and Russia and a 'three-party nuclear peer dynamic'. Read more

February 6, 2022 - Around 80 members of the Main National Guard is set to be deployed to Eastern Europe in the Spring for a one year deployment to Poland. 120th Regional Support Group will be one of two brigade units in Maine that will be carrying out base support operations for American allies in Europe for 'Operation Atlantic Resolve' under the United States European Command. Read more

February 5, 2022 - Number Of Russian Battalion Tactical Groups Near Ukraine Increased From 60 To 83 In Two Weeks. National Security Correspondent Jennifer Griffin has reported that Putin has in place 70% of necessary forces needed for a Ukraine invasion, and battalion tactical groups have increased from 60 to 83 in two weeks with 14 more in transit. Read more

February 5, 2022 - United States and NATO fighter jets, which included British and Norwegian aircraft intercepted Russian planes over the North Atlantic on Thursday according to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Read more

February 5, 2022 - Russian state propaganda machine and Kremlin mouthpiece Provda news claims that Russian nuclear submarines are currently on duty off the U.S. coasts, citing two 'unconfirmed' reports which included one submarine located near the east coast of the United States and one off the west coast, and also another 'presumably' in the Arctic. Read more

February 5, 2022 - Unclassified report on U.S. Forces at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Afghanistan showing the events that occurred at the airport between August 10th, 2021 to August 31st, 2021. Read more

February 3, 2022 - Full report from the U.S. Department of Defense regarding the US raid on Northern Syria and elimination of ISIS leader. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III said today that the United States and its citizens are safer after the death of the leader of ISIS in northwest Syria. Read more

February 3, 2022 - More details have been given about the mission in northern Syria. The Pentagon has put out a statement saying that the operation that was carried out in Northwest Syria to eliminate or capture Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurayshi who the Pentagon says is the leader of ISIS was a complete success, but stated that the terrorist blew up a bomb that killed civilians, including his family. Read more

February 3, 2022 - The Pentagon has said that the U.S. Military has carried out a 'successful' counterterrorism mission in northwest Syria, but did not provide much in the way of details, though earlier reports of the raid piece together what happened. Read more

February 3, 2022 - Reports earlier of U.S. gunship helicopters firing on targets in Idlib Syria have been confirmed. There has been a U.S. led raid in northern Syria in the town of Atmeh, Idlib that resulted in several civilian casualties and leaving at least 12 dead. Read more

January 18, 2022 - WarshipCam is showing a significant movement of Navy warships around the globe. Read more

January 18, 2022 - North Korea is using Russian made navigation systems instead of American made GPS system for its ballistic missiles according to a South China Morning Post news source allegedly close to the Chinese military. Read more

January 14, 2022 - China says they have developed heat seeking hypersonic missiles. Technology that the United States might not have until around 2025. Read more

January 14, 2022 - Attention USSTRATCOM HQ Personnel: Delayed Report: "Due to forecasted severe weather, only designated/mission essential personnel will report for duty at their scheduled time (flying operations at Lincoln will continue as scheduled)". Read more

December 29, 2021 - A new report that has been released by an Israeli based Alma Research Center says that the Hezbollah which is a terrorist group based in Lebanon now has around 2,000 unmanned aerial vehicles or UAVs which it has amassed over the last 15 years. Read more

December 18, 2021 - The US Air Force conducted another hypersonic missile test for the rocket booster, but like the two other hypersonic tests this one failed as well. The prototype missile never even left the wing of the B-52H bomber that was carrying it. Read more

December 15, 2021 - The US Navy's USS Portland (LPD 27) carried out a high energy laser weapon system demonstration on December 14th in the Gulf of Aden. Read more

December 11, 2021 - The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) is doing an overhaul on its training and management of its spy network and shifting focus on adversaries such as Russia and China after 20 years of focusing on counterterrorism. Read more

December 7, 2021 - The Missile Defense AGency (MDA) has announced that it has built a new radar that detects both ballistic and hypersonic missiles in the Indo-Pacific region called LRDR, or Long Range Discrimination Radar. Read more

December 1, 2021 - Vice Admiral Karl Thomas is calling for more aircraft carriers in the Pacific to deter and intimidate China and Russia so that they understand that 'today is not the day' to initiate a conflict in the region. Read more

November 29, 2021 - The US Defense Department says that they will be expanding deployments and bases in the Indo-Pacific to deal with Russian and Chinese threats while maintaining enough forces in the middle east to deal with Iran and Jihadist groups. Read more

November 21, 2021 - US Space Force General David Thompson spoke at a security forum and said that the United States is not as advanced as the Chinese or Russians when it comes to Hypersonic missiles. Read more

October 21, 2021 - Another US test of a hypersonic rocket which took place on Thursday has ended in failure when the booster stack, which is used to accelerate the rocket to hypersonic speeds failed, preventing the glide body from being tested further. Read more

October 21, 2021 - The United States Army and Navy has tested hypersonic weapon component prototypes. Read more

October 9, 2021 - The CIA has sent a top secret cable to all of its stations and bases reminding agents to be more careful as adversaries counterintelligence have become more successful which has lead to an increased number of operatives killed in the field. Read more

September 21, 2021 - The U.S. Navy has conducted a successful two missile flight test of the unarmed life extended Trident II (D5LE) missile from aboard the Ohio class submarine, USS Wyoming (SSBN-742). Read more

September 18, 2021 - CENTCOM has announced that no ISIS-K terrorists were likely killed in the U.S. drone strike on August 29th, but that 10 civilians, including 7 children were killed in the strike on the aid worker's vehicle. Read more

September 13, 2021 - An investigation carried out by the New York Times says that there was no ISIS-K bomb being loaded into a vehicle that was targeted and blown up by a US drone based on 'evidence' that it was loaded with explosives. The report also shows that the US drone strike killed 10 civilians, 7 of which were children. Read more

August 31, 2021 - Chris Miller, Trump's final Defense Secretary says that Trump's talk of a full withdrawal was a ruse, a play to convince the Taliban-led government to keep U.S. counterterrorism forces. Read more

July 28, 2021 - The US Air Force is currently developing the AGM-183A, or hypersonic Air Launched Rapid Response Weapon capable of going mach 7 speeds which is seven times the speed of sound, or over 5,370 miles per hour. Read more

July 20, 2021 - The Pentagon has estimated that the total cost to develop and maintain nuclear cruise missiles will cost $29 billion Read more

July 20, 2021 - The US Navy set off a magnitude 3.9 earthquake during shock trial tests of its newest aircraft carrier 100 miles off Flagler Beach, Florida. Read more

June 26, 2021 - Declassified Preliminary assessment of unidentified aerial phenomena from the Office Of The Director Of National Intelligence. Read more

June 18, 2021 - The Pentagon is currently devising a plan to establish a permanent naval task force in the Pacific near China, in light of China's expanding military and 'assertive' behavior as NATO declares China a security threat for the first time. Read more

June 12, 2021 - The United States Navy is adding Mach-5 hypersonic missiles that have been in development to three of its warships boosting their ability to attack land targets considerably, as well as their range. Full story

June 12, 2021 - Declassified copy of the MK-Ultra mind control experiments between 1953 and 1964. Read more

May 28, 2021 - The United States Air Force is working towards putting lasers on their aircraft by 2025. The laser system would be called 'SHiELD', or Self-Protect High Energy Laser Demonstrator. Full story

May 23, 2021 - Declassified top secret documents that were posted on the internet by Daniel Ellsberg from the "Pentagon Papers" show reveal that the United States considered a nuclear strike on China in 1958 to prevent an invasion of Taiwan. Full story

May 10, 2021 - According to the U.S. State Department, a paper written by Chinese scientists six years ago that has recently been uncovered indicate that China has been preparing for a third world war using Coronavirus and other biological and genetic weapons. Read more

Biden Administration Announces Additional Security Assistance for Ukraine -This authorization is the Biden Administration's thirty-ninth drawdown of equipment from DoD inventories for Ukraine since August 2021. Subscribe To Full Alert

Department of Defense: “Today, the Department of Defense (DoD) announced additional security assistance to meet Ukraine's critical security and defense needs.

This authorization is the Biden Administration's thirty-ninth drawdown of equipment from DoD inventories for Ukraine since August 2021.

It includes key capabilities to support Ukraine's air defenders as they bravely protect Ukraine's soldiers, civilians, and critical infrastructure amid Russia's continuing air strikes killing civilians across Ukraine.

This security assistance package also contains artillery, anti-armor capabilities, and ammunition, including tens of millions of rounds of small arms ammunition, valued at up to $300 million to help Ukraine continue to defend its sovereign territory.

The United States will continue to work with its Allies and partners to provide Ukraine with capabilities to meet its immediate battlefield needs and longer-term security assistance requirements.”

Statement by NSC Spokesperson Adam Hodge on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s Space Launch - "The United States strongly condemns the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) for its launch using ballistic missile technology". Read More | Read On Defcon Alerts.

Full White House Statement On North Korean Missile Launch

White House: "The United States strongly condemns the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) for its launch using ballistic missile technology, which is a brazen violation of multiple UN Security Council resolutions, raises tensions, and risks destabilizing the security situation in the region and beyond.

This claimed space launch involved technologies that are directly related to the DPRK intercontinental ballistic missile program.

The President and his national security team are assessing the situation in close coordination with our allies and partners. We urge all countries to condemn this launch and call on the DPRK to come to the table for serious negotiations.

The door has not closed on diplomacy but Pyongyang must immediately cease its provocative actions and instead choose engagement.

The United States will take all necessary measures to ensure the security of the American homeland and the defense of our Republic of Korea and Japanese allies".

North Korea Launches Missile After Announcing Plans To Launch Satellite, Missile Falls Into Yellow Sea - SEOUL - North Korea launched a ballistic missile that it says is a “space launch vehicle” after having announced and sent out notifications to Japan and the International Maritime Organization that it planned to deploy a reconnaissance satellite between May 31st and June 11th. Read More | Read On Defcon Alerts.

A statement by North Korean state news said that their scientists are now examining why the failure of the rocket occurred.

The launch was detected by the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) as having come from Tongchang-ri, which is where the North’s Sohae Satellite Launching Ground spaceport is located, on the North Korean west coast.

USINDOPACOM Statement on Unprofessional Intercept of U.S. Aircraft over South China Sea - Video shows what Indo-Pacific Command says is an "unnecessarily aggressive move" by a Chinese Shenyang J-16 multi-role strike aircraft. Read On Patreon | Read On Defcon Alerts.

Indo-Pacific Command: "SOUTH CHINA SEA –A People's Republic of China J-16 fighter pilot performed an unnecessarily aggressive maneuver during the intercept of a U.S. Air Force RC-135 aircraft, May 26, 2023.

The PRC pilot flew directly in front of the nose of the RC-135, forcing the U.S. aircraft to fly through its wake turbulence. The RC-135 was conducting safe and routine operations over the South China Sea in international airspace, in accordance with international law.

The United States will continue to fly, sail, and operate – safely and responsibly – wherever international law allows, and the U.S. Indo-Pacific Joint Force will continue to fly in international airspace with due regard for the safety of all vessels and aircraft under international law. We expect all countries in the Indo-Pacific region to use international airspace safely and in accordance with international law".

KFOR Update On Zvecan Attacks May 30th, 2023 - NATO-led KFOR statement: “The number of peace-keepers wounded during yesterday's unprovoked violence in the municipality of Zvecan is 30. Read More On Defcon Alerts Platform.

11 soldiers from the Italian contingent and 19 from the Hungarian contingent sustained multiple injuries, including fractures and burns from improvised explosive incendiary devices.

North Korea Notifies Japan Of Satellite Launch, South Korea "Strongly Warns" Against It - PYONGYANG - After South Korea notified Japan of an upcoming satellite launch, South Korea “strongly” warned against the launch, while Japan said that the country would shoot down any projectiles that threaten its territory. Read On SJ (News) | Read On Patreon (Intel/Alerts).

Japan warns it will shoot down any projectiles that threaten its territory, says that it recognizes there is a possibility it could pass through Japanese airspace.

Syria Claims Israel Targeted Damascus With Air Strikes - DAMASCUS - Syrian state media reported that Israel targeted the Syrian capital of Damascus with airstrikes, citing a military source. Read On SJ (News) | Read On Patreon (Intel/Alerts).

While Israel rarely acknowledges strikes in Syria, it has admitted to carrying out hundreds of strikes in the past targeting militias in the region.

Russia Calls Poland "Hostile", Warns Of Intervention In Belarus In Event Of Coup - MOSCOW - Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov has called Poland "hostile" and addressed claims by Polish media, Russian and Belarusian officials that Poland is planning a coup in Belarus, and says that if this happens, Russia will step in and intervene. Read On SJ (News) | Read On Patreon (Intel/Alerts).

The claim that Poland plans to initiate a coup in Belarus originated from a Polish media outlet Polsat, which cited the former commander of the Land Forces General Waldemar Skrzypczak as saying "Let's prepare for an uprising in Belarus because it will happen. The point is that we do not oversleep this moment”.

Russian state-run media has taken Polish media out of context, claimed Poland intends to carry out a coup in Belarus. Read our news report on either our intel platform, or news platform for more information on this. [Links provided above to both].

U.S. Forces Engage Insurgents In Support Of The Federal Government of Somalia, Carries Out Airstrike - United States Africa Command: "In support of the Federal Government of Somalia and the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia operations against al Shabaab, U.S. Africa Command conducted an airstrike against militants in the vicinity of the ATMIS forward operating base, FOB Bulo Marer on May 26." Read On SJ (News) | Read On Patreon (Intel/Alerts).

AFRICOM: "The command’s initial assessment is that no civilians were injured or killed. U.S. Africa Command takes great measures to prevent civilian casualties. Protecting civilians remains a vital part of the command’s operations to promote a more secure and stable Africa".

Belarusian President: Russian Tactical Nukes On On The Move To Belarus From Russia - MINSK - President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko has said that Russia has begun its movement of tactical nuclear warheads into Belarus, saying that the nuclear weapons are currently in transit to the country. Read On Substack | Read On Patreon.

Lukashenko spoke to reporters and said, "The movement of the nuclear weapons has already begun". He was then asked whether the nuclear weapons have already arrived in Belarus, and he replied, "Possibly. When I get back I will check".

Chinese "Web Shell" Malware From "Volt Typhoon" Hacker Group Detected In US Infrastructure In Guam And US - GUAM/US - A Chinese hacker group named "Volt Typhoon" injected malware code into telecommunications infrastructure in Guam and other locations within the United States. Read On Patreon | Read On Substack

Volt Typhoon targeted organizations involved in: communications, manufacturing, utility, transportation, construction, maritime, government, information technology, as well as education.

Russia: Two US B-1B Strategic Bombers Intercepted Over Black Sea Approaching Border - MOSCOW - The Russian Ministry of Defense has claimed that it intercepted two United States B-1B strategic bombers flying over the Baltic Sea approaching the Russian border. Sign Up For All Alerts And Intel

A statement released by the Russian Ministry of Defense said that Russia intercepted the bombers with Su-27 fighter jets in order to "prevent the violation of the Russian border".

Russian Ministry of Defense Statement

"On May 23, 2023, Russian airspace control measures detected two air targets approaching the state border of the Russian Federation over the Baltic Sea.

Su-27 fighter jet of the Baltic Fleet air defence forces on duty was taken into the air to prevent the violation of the Russian border.

The crew of the Russian fighter classified the aerial targets as two B-1B strategic bombers of the US Air Force and occupied the designated airborne duty zone.

After the removal of the foreign combat aircraft from the state border of the Russian Federation, the Russian fighter returned to the airfield of departure.

The flight of the Russian fighter was carried out in strict compliance with international airspace regulations.

There was no violation of the Russian Federation state border.

The National Defence Management Center".

NORAD detects Russian aircraft operating in Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone - Northern American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD): "COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) detected and tracked a Russian military aircraft operating in the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) on May 15, 2023. (Intel delayed, governments don't always release information to public right away). Sign Up For All Alerts

The Russian aircraft remained in international airspace and did not enter American or Canadian sovereign airspace.

This flight occurred as several planned large-scale military training exercises are ongoing in and around Alaska. This Russian activity in the Alaska ADIZ occurs regularly and is not seen as a threat.

An ADIZ begins where sovereign airspace ends and is a defined stretch of international airspace that requires the ready identification, location and control of all aircraft in the interest of national security.

NORAD employs a layered defense network of satellites, ground-based and airborne radars and fighter aircraft to track and identify aircraft and inform appropriate actions.

NORAD remains ready to employ a number of response options in defense of North America."

Russia Claims It Intercepted German And French Aircraft Approaching Its Border - MOSCOW - The Russian Ministry of Defense claims that it detected and intercepted two aircraft approaching the Russian border over the Baltic Sea and turned the military aircraft "away to its home airfield". See All Alerts

The Russian Ministry of Defense reported that one of the aircraft was German and one French.

Russian Ministry of Defense statement: "On 15 May 2023, Russian airspace control systems detected two aerial targets approaching the State border of the Russian Federation over the Baltic Sea. The crew of the Russian fighter jet identified the aerial targets as an R-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft of the German Navy and an Atlantique-2 maritime patrol aircraft of the French Navy".

Russian Ministry of Defense: National Center for State Defense Control of the Russian Federation: "On 15 May 2023, Russian airspace control systems detected two aerial targets approaching the State border of the Russian Federation over the Baltic Sea.

A Su-27 fighter jet of the Baltic Fleet scrambled to identify the aerial targets and prevent violations of the State border of the Russian Federation.

The crew of the Russian fighter jet identified the aerial targets as an R-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft of the German Navy and an Atlantique-2 maritime patrol aircraft of the French Navy.

After turning the foreign military aircraft away from the State Border of the Russian Federation, the Russian fighter returned safely to its home airfield. There was no violation of the state border of the Russian Federation.

The flight of the Russian fighter aircraft was carried out in strict compliance with the international rules for the use of airspace over international waters without crossing any air routes or coming dangerously close to an aircraft of a foreign State."

NORAD Intercepts Six Russian Aircraft In And Near Alaska's ADIZ - NORTH AMERICAN AEROSPACE DEFENSE COMMAND - COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - The Alaskan Region of North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) detected, tracked, positively identified and intercepted six Russian aircraft operating in and near the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) on May 11, 2023. See All Alerts

Russian aircraft remained in international airspace and did not enter American or Canadian sovereign airspace. These flights occurred as several planned large-scale U.S. military training exercises are ongoing within Alaska.

The Russian aircraft were TU-95 bombers, IL-78 tankers and SU-35 fighter aircraft. NORAD aircraft, including F-16 fighters, F-22 fighters, KC-135 Stratotankers, and E-3 AWACS, conducted the mission.

This Russian activity in the North American ADIZ occurs regularly and is not seen as a threat. NORAD tracks and positively identifies all military aircraft that enter the ADIZ, routinely monitors aircraft movements and as necessary, escorts them from the ADIZ.

Since Russia resumed out of area Long Range Aviation activity in 2007, NORAD has seen a yearly average of approximately six to seven intercepts of Russian military aircraft in the ADIZ.

These numbers have varied each year from as high as 15 to as low as zero. NORAD employs a layered defense network of satellites, ground-based radars, airborne radar and fighter aircraft to track and identify aircraft and inform appropriate actions.

We remain ready to employ a number of response options in defense of North America and Arctic sovereignty.

Ceasefire Agreement Reached Between Israel And Gaza - ISRAEL - A ceasefire agreement has been reached between Israel and Gaza in order to bring an end to the hostilities in the region. Washington released a statement sending their "condolences to the families of civilians who were killed and those who were injured in the violence". Read More Alerts

The U.S. State Department said that the United States will "continue our efforts to improve quality of life for Palestinians and we urge the swift delivery of fuel and other critical supplies into Gaza".

Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Statement (translated)

IDF spokesperson: "Update regarding instructions for the home front: "In accordance with the assessment of the situation in the IDF, it was decided to gradually remove the restrictions. These instructions may change subject to and in accordance with the assessment of the situation.

As a first step, at 6:00 a.m. (Sun), the restrictions will be lifted in the settlements that belong to the West Negev, Central Negev, West Lakish and Lakish guideline areas.

At 12:00 the restrictions will be lifted in localities that belong to the guidelines area surrounding Gaza. The IDF wishes to obey the directives of the Home Front Command."

IDF spokesperson: "At the end of the assessment of the situation in the IDF, it was decided to open all road blockades in the area surrounding Gaza starting at 06:00".

State Department Statement Welcoming Ceasefire Agreement in Israel and Gaza

US State Department: "The United States welcomes the agreement today for a ceasefire to bring an end to the hostilities in Israel and Gaza. We express our condolences to the families of civilians who were killed and those who were injured in the violence.

The United States commends Egypt’s crucial role in mediating the ceasefire agreement, which will prevent the further loss of civilian lives. We also recognize Qatar’s robust efforts to de-escalate the situation and end the hostilities, as well as the international community’s support for the ceasefire. Our team worked tirelessly in cooperation with our partners to support these efforts.

The United States reaffirms our ironclad commitment to Israel’s security, as reflected in our ongoing support for Iron Dome and other Israeli missile defense systems.

We will remain engaged with our partners to promote calm in the weeks and months ahead. We also will continue our efforts to improve quality of life for Palestinians and we urge the swift delivery of fuel and other critical supplies into Gaza.

The United States believes that Israelis and Palestinians both deserve to live safely and securely and to enjoy equal measures of freedom, prosperity, and democracy."

IDF Continues To Launch Mortar And Rocket Launching Positions In Gaza Strip - Israel Defense Forces (IDF): Operation "Shield and Arrow" - IDF spokesperson: "The IDF attacked a position for launching mortar bombs of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorist organization". Read More Alerts

IDF Statement: "An IDF aircraft recently attacked a mortar bomb launching position of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorist organization in the northern Gaza Strip."

IDF Statement: "A total of 507 launches. Of these, 368 crossed into Israel and 110 failed. About 1 out of 5 launched fell in the Gaza Strip. About 154 interceptions were made. About 147 targets were attacked."

IDF Said The Operation Against Islamic Jihad In Gaza Strip "Achieved", But Not Without Civilian Deaths

JERUSALEM - A spokesman for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spoke to Fox News and said that the "operation" against Islamic Jihad forces in the Gaza Strip was "achieved" and was successful.

Israeli Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said, "We targeted Islamic Jihad terrorist members, specifically the ones that were unstabilizing the area. We have killed them in the [first] minutes of the operation. They're all dead".

He added, "The goals of this operation have been achieved in the first early seconds of the operation. We are targeting Islamic Jihad and they have paid a big price on their actions, and they will keep on paying the price for their actions".

"Islamic Jihad is a terrorist organization founded 100% by Iran. Iran is a negative actor in the region, but we have targeted Islamic Jihad in the Gaza Strip in this operation because of the stability of the area".

In total, 15 people were killed in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday through a number of airstrikes on the region, including Khalil Bahitini, the commanding officer of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad terror organization’s Northern Gaza Division; Jahed Ahnam, the secretary of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad military council; and Tareq Izzeldeen, the Islamic Jihad's intermediary between its the Gaza Strip and West Bank, according to the report.

Although the strikes resulted in terrorist casualties, they also resulted in civilian casualties, due to the fact that the terrorists "act in very crowded civilian populations," such as the highly-populated Gaza Strip.

Hagari told Fox News that "Gaza is one of the crowded urban areas in the world, and it makes it harder. But we keep on doing it the best accurate way that we can and the best moral way that we can. But we have to protect our own civilians".

Terrorist organizations located within the Gaza Strip are known to both hide, and operate out of densely populated areas, as well as civilian facilities such as schools and hospitals to limit the Israeli military's ability to target their locations without also taking out civilians in the process.

"we have no other way to fight against terror, especially Islamic jihad that is hiding and hiding with women and children and is acting around popular population areas," he added.

The attached video shows a case where the IDF identified children in the vicinity of Israeli strikes, after which the aircraft ceased its fire once it identified children within the attack zone.

"There's a boy outside here, 40 meters - stop stop," reads a translated transcript of the video dialogue.

An IDF statement said regarding the video, "The moment an IAF pilot cancels a strike against Islamic Jihad terrorists because of the presence of children near the target".

Another statement by the IDF said, "During an attack on targets of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorist organization in the last day by IDF aircraft, two children who were not involved in the attack range were identified. Following the identification, the plane stopped the attack".

Hagari said that until there is a "formal" ceasefire declared, Israel will respond to any attacks originating from the Gaza Strip.

"Until there's a formal declaration of a cease-fire. It's not formal," he said.

Sudanese Armed Forces: Operational Situation "Stable" In All States Of Country Except Some Clashes With Rebel Militia Groups In "Some Parts Of The Capital" - Sudanese Armed Forces statement: "A summary of today's situation: The operational situation is stable in all states of the country, except for some clashes with rebel militia groups in some parts of the capital. Read More Alerts

Our forces clashed with a group of rebel militias in a maritime area and destroyed four armed vehicles and the enemy fled.

The rebel militia is still going on looting banks and shops, and stealing citizens' property in their headquarters amid residential neighborhoods in the capital.

Rebels today stormed a container customs station in Supa and looted a large number of its contents. Also the UNICEF warehouses were looted

Your armed forces are monitoring movements of rebel militia groups and our forces are fully prepared to deal with whatever plans the insurgents intend to make.

We urge our citizens to stay away from clash areas and avoid approaching any unknown metal objects until technical teams arrive to deal with them.

Armed forces affirms its bound by conflict rules and international humanitarian law and condemns continued violations by rebel militias.

The armed forces renew the call of rebel militia members to stop prolonging in the failed rebellion plot, to benefit from the pardon of the Commander-in-Chief and to inform the nearest military unit, and points to readiness to facilitate the deportation of foreign mercenaries to their countries in case of extradition.

- Office of the Spokesman of the Armed Forces"

IDF: Warplanes Attacked, Thwarted Islamic Jihad Terrorist Organization, Continues To Attack Targets In Gaza Strip - Israel Defense Forces (IDF): "IDF warplanes attacked and thwarted a number of senior members of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorist organization". Read More

The Israel Defense Forces continue to attack more Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorist organization targets in the Gaza Strip.

IDF spokesperson: "The IDF is currently attacking additional terrorist targets of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorist organization in the Gaza Strip".

Israeli Home Front Command: Due to the security situation, the Home Front Command established the following guidelines

Israeli Home Front Command: "Due to the security situation, the Home Front Command established the following guidelines effective tuesday, May 9, 2023, at 02:30, until wednesday, May 10, 2023, at 18:00:Gaza Envelope, Western Lachish, Western Negev, and some of the towns in Lachish - Limited Activity

Educational Activities - do not hold educational activities. Gatherings and Services - can be held with a limit of up to 10 people outdoors and up to 100 people indoors.

The beaches are closed to the public. Workplaces - it is possible to carry out an activity in a place from which a standard protected space can be reached within the time available to reach shelter. The rest of the country - Full Activity

There are no restrictions on holding educational activities, activities at workplaces and gatherings and services.Each and every one of us must make sure that we are prepared and know how to act to protect our lives and the lives of our loved ones.

Upon receiving an alert, you must enter the protected space and stay there for 10 minutes. You must continue to follow the guidelines published by the Home Front Command in the official distribution channels."

Israeli IDF: The IDF and Shin Bet thwarted three senior members of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorist organization - Israel Defense Forces (IDF): IDF warplanes attacked and thwarted a senior member of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorist organization, Khalil Bahitini, who is responsible for the rocket fire into the area surrounding Gaza in the last month. Read More

IDF warplanes attacked and thwarted a number of senior members of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorist organization - Khalil Bahitini, Tarek Ezz Al-Din and Jihad A'nam.

In a joint operation by the IDF and the Shin Bet, the commander of the northern Gaza Strip was foiled by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorist organization responsible for the rocket fire into Otef last month

Khalil Bahitini is the senior operational commander of the organization and the commander of the northern Gaza Strip region. In addition, Bahitini was responsible for approving and carrying out All of the terrorist activities from the area of ​​the northern Gaza Strip. Behitini was engaged in directing and planning attacks in the rear of the State of Israel and planned to shoot at Israeli territory in the near future.

Bhaitini, 44 years old, a resident of Gaza City, began his activities in the GAP organization in the late 1990s and over the years was involved in many terrorist acts against Israel - including promoting suicide attacks, explosives, rocket fire and directing terrorist activity in Israel.

After the defeat of Taysir Jabari in August 2022 as part of the 'Dawn' operation, Behitini stepped in as his replacement. Bahitini is a member of the GAP military council in the Gaza Strip and has direct and active contact with senior officials in the GAP political bureau.

Its failure is added to the attack on the heads of the military wing of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorist organization in recent years - Baha'i Abu-Alata, Taysir Jabri and Khaled Mansour, this as part of an attack on the GAP organization in the Gaza Strip.

The IDF and Shin Bet will continue to act in order to preserve the insurance of the residents of the State of Israel

Israel: IDF Striking Islamic Jihad Targets In Gaza - Israel Defense Forces (IDF) released a statement: "The IDF is now attacking targets of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad in the Gaza Strip". Read More

IDF spokesperson (image/statement translated): "In accordance with the assessment of the situation, the Home Front Command instructs the residents of the surrounding settlements of the Gaza Strip to stay near a protected area.

Special instructions on the home front within a range of 40 km from the Gaza Strip are published on the national emergency portal, the instructions are valid from Tuesday, 05.09.2023 at 02:30 until Wednesday, 05.10.2023 at 18:00".

Additional statement: "Following a situational assessment, the Home Front Command is instructing civilians in the area surrounding Gaza to remain in the vicinity of a designated shelter until Wednesday."

Israeli IDF: Changes in the traffic arrangements on the roads encircling Gaza

IDF spokesperson: "Defense Minister Yoav Galant confirmed a special situation on the home front; In light of the assessment of the situation - changes in the traffic arrangements on the roads surrounding Gaza

In light of the assessment of the situation, it was decided to close roads and sites, and to switch to traveling on alternative roads in the areas near the perimeter fence in the Gaza Strip".

Changes in the traffic arrangements on the roads encircling Gaza (translated)

IDF: "In light of the assessment of the situation, it was decided to close roads and sites, and to switch to traveling on alternative roads in the areas near the perimeter fence in the Gaza Strip.

The areas that will be blocked are all the agricultural access roads west of road 232. In addition, the following branches will also be closed: Road number 4 - from the Zikim junction to Netiv Hatara. Road number 34 - from the Yad Mordechai intersection to the Nir Am intersection. Road number 232 - in sections from Melslim to Saad and Menir Yitzhak to Kerem Shalom.

will also be closed - Mbari road to the south until the connection with road 232, road 25 Mased to the west, road number 2428 Monir Oz to road 2410 and road 242 to the Gama junction and to the Hisufim junction.

Access to Kibbutz Zikim will be possible on the road south of road 3411, access to Moshav Nativ Hathara will be possible on the road from road 3411 to road 4, access to Kibbutz Yad Mordechai will be possible on the road from road 3411 heading south to near Mordechai, access to Kibbutz Nahal Oz will be possible on a bypass road from road 25, access to kibbutz Nir Oz will be possible via a bypass road leaving from Highway 2410, access to Kibbutz Kerem Shalom will be possible via the eastern road to Highway 232 from Nir Yitzhak to Kerem Shalom, access to Kibbutz Sofa and Kibbutz Hulit will be possible via the western road to Highway 232 from Nir Yitzhak.

Also, entry to Givat "Kobi" ("The Four Monuments") in Sderot, to the "Black Arrow" monument, to Givat Ha'Pemoni in the name of the late Asaf Siboni, to Givat Nazmit and to Givat "The Lonely Horseman" will be prohibited.

In addition, it was decided to close Zikim Beach to visitors and to stop train traffic between Ashkelon and Sderot.

It will be emphasized that the space will be closed to traffic in order to maintain the safety of the residents."

Energoatom: Russia continues To Turn The Temporarily Occupied Zaporizhzhya NPP Into A Military Base - The Energotom National Nuclear Power Company State Enterprise claims that Russia has "placed another batch of military equipment, weapons, and explosives in the premises of the turbine department of the 4th power unit of the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant". See All Alerts

It also reported, "the storage of military equipment with ammunition, weapons and explosives in other production premises of the ZNPP, in particular in repair and mechanical workshops and on the roofs of power units".

The statement added, "We will remind you that earlier the occupiers placed such "treasures" in the engine rooms of the first, and later the second power units of the station".

Ukraine Claims Russia Placed Explosives On Turbine Section Of ZNPP Nuclear Power Plant - The State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate of Ukraine has claimed that Russia loaded explosives "in the premise" of the turbine section of the power unit number 4 in the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) See All Alerts

The Ukrainian agency also said, "We will remind that at the end of July 2022, the Russian military placed heavy military equipment with ammunition, as well as weapons and explosives, in the engine room of power unit No. 1 of the ZANP," and added, "At the beginning of August 2022, information was received regarding the placement of military equipment also in the engine room of power unit No. 2 of the ZNPP".

The agency added that, "Also, through unofficial channels, the State Atomic Energy Regulatory Commission receives information about the storage of equipment, weapons and explosives in other production premises of the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant, including in repair and mechanical workshops and on the roofs of power units".

"We emphasize once again that in the event of an emergency situation at the ZNPP with a potentially possible release of radioactive substances into the environment, the consequences will be felt not only by Ukraine - they will have a cross-border nature," the statement added.

The Regulatory Inspectorate called on the international community for a "consolidated and decisive response to the actions of the aggressor country, the application of tough sanctions against Russian nuclear industry enterprises and persons affiliated with them".

They added, "We emphasize that the Russian Federation should be deprived of all rights and privileges in the IAEA and other international institutions in the field of nuclear energy use".

After Senior Jihad Member Dies In Israeli Prison, Rockets Fired From Gaza, Jihad Group Raises Alertness - JERUSALEM - After the death of the leader of the Islamic Jihad, Hader Adnan in an Israeli prison, reportedly due to an 86 day hunger strike, three rockets were fired from Gaza, and the Islamic Jihad terrorist group raised the "alertness in the ranks of the organization," according to a translated report from the national Israeli broadcaster KAN. Read More Alerts

The Israeli broadcaster said that red alert alarms were heard on Tuesday morning in the area of Kibbutz Sa'ad in the Gaza Strip, hours after the death of the Israeli prisoner was announced.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Had Reported that "three launches from Gaza towards Israel were identified, which fell in an open area. No interceptors were launched according to policy".

KAN reported that Hader Adnan had been one of the leaders of the Islamic Jihad in Judea and Samaria, and that he had undergone a hunger strike that lasted 86 days after an "indictment was filed against Adnan for terrorist offenses". The report said that the prisoner refused medical treatment.

A spokesman for the Islamic Jihad commented on Adnan's death on the Palestinian website "Sawa" where he said, "His death will be a lesson for generations, we will not leave this path as long as Palestine remains under occupation".

The Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh claimed that Adnan's death was a "premeditated assassination".

An IDF Spokesman also said regarding another incident, "A mortar launch was detected earlier today from the Gaza Strip that fell within the area of the perimeter fence in Israeli territory. No policy alert was triggered."

Updated Report On Vessel Reported Under Fire Off Nishtun, Yemen - YEMEN - The attack reported by Britain's Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) on position 1531.838N 05213.688 18 nautical miles south of Nishtun, Yemen has been downgraded from "attack" to "incident", with the situation "ongoing". Read More Alerts

A report by AP news said that authorities reported that a yacht opened fire on the Yemeni Coast Guard on Friday after mistaking them for pirates, which led to a gun battle.

British Maritime Trade Operations Reports Vessel Has Come Under Fire - Britain's Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) has reported that a vessel has come under attack at the location 1531.838N 05213.688 (18 nautical miles south of Nishtun, Yemen) and that shots were fired at the vessel. Read More Alerts

The statement added that there were three boats with 3 to 4 people on board each vessel (POB) but did not indicate who was responsible for the attack taking place.

White House Says No Plans To Evacuate Americans In Sudan - Although the Pentagon has deployed forces and is reported to be coming up with options to assist in an evacuation of U.S. citizens located in the African country of Sudan, the White House said on Friday that it has no plans for a country-wide pullout of Americans from the country at this time Read More Alerts

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said that the troop movement by the United States military in the region are "to ensure that we provide as many options as possible, if we are called on to do something. We haven’t been called on to do anything yet".

A report by Military.com says that there are around 16,000 U.S. citizens registered with the United States Embassy in Khartoum, Sudan, but the State Department says that the number is likely not accurate due to the fact that there is not any requirement for citizens to become registered, or to notify the U.S. Embassy in the country when they decide to leave.

White House National Security Spokesman John Kirby said while in Washington that "It’s absolutely imperative that U.S. citizens in Sudan make their own arrangements to stay safe in these difficult circumstances".

He added that, "Americans should have no expectation of a U.S. government coordinated evacuation at this time. And we expect that that’s going to remain the case".

The report says that a small number of American troops have entered into the country of Djibouti in order to position forces and equipment to aid in a potential evacuation, citing an official who said that the Army is tapping soldiers for the task.

It also said that American troops are being transported to Camp Lemonnier in Djibouti. Planning for an evacuation began after a U.S. convoy was attacked in Khartoum by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group, as reported by the U.S. State Department.

On Friday, the White House said that no decision had yet been made to carry out any evacuation from the country.

State Department deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel spoke to reporters and said, “A decision has not been made, but I would push back on the notion that we are acting too late,”

“We have been clear-eyed about how American citizens should not travel to Sudan for months now,” Patel said, and indicated that the State Department had released a Level 4: “Do Not Travel” advisory for Sudan.

"We have not parsed our words or been ignorant or naive about the delicate and fragile security situation in Sudan," he added.

Sudanese Army Facilitates International Evacuation Efforts

SUDAN - The Sudanese military has agreed to both facilitate and secure an evacuation for citizens from the United States, United Kingdom, China, and France "in the coming hours," according to a statement by the Sudanese military as the Sudanese army continues to battle the paramilitary faction Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

The statement by the Sudanese military said that nationals from Britain, the United States, France, and China, which include diplomats will be evacuated by air on board military transport aircraft from Sudan's capital Khartoum.

Saudi Arabia has released a statement saying it had evacuated 150 people from Sudan on Saturday, which included diplomats and international officials who were evacuated to the Saudi Arabian port city of Jeddah.

91 of those evacuated by Saudi Arabia were Saudi Arabian citizens, and 66 others were from other countries, such as Pakistan, Qatar, Canada, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

In addition, the government of the United Kingdom says that they are preparing for a "number of contingencies" and said that they were "doing everything possible to support British nationals and diplomatic staff in Khartoum".

Saudi Foreign Ministry On Evacuation Of Its Citizens From Sudan

Saudi Arabian Foreign Ministry: "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announces the start of the arrangement for the evacuation of Saudi citizens and several nationals of brotherly and friendly countries from the Republic of Sudan to the Kingdom".

"In the implementation of the directives of the Kingdom's Leadership, we are pleased to announce the safe arrival of the evacuated citizens of the Kingdom from Sudan and several nationals of brotherly & friendly countries, including diplomats & international officials".

Coalition Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Crashes Outside Kirkuk - Operation Inherent Resolve: "BAGHDAD - On the morning of April 22, 2023, a Coalition Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), in direct support of Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) operations, experienced a mechanical failure and crashed south of Kirkuk, Iraq. Read More Alerts

The ISF quickly secured the crash site, while Coalition service members cleared the area with a controlled detonation. There were no injuries and no damage to civilian infrastructure.

Coalition UAVs provide vital intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities to the ISF, enabling Defeat-ISIS operations throughout the region.

Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve advises, assists, and enables partner forces in Iraq and Syria to ensure the enduring defeat of ISIS."

CENTCOM Confirms ISIS Senior Leader Killed In Helicopter Raid In Northern Syria This Morning - U.S. Central Command: "CENTCOM confirms an ISIS Senior Leader was killed in a helicopter raid in northern Syria this morning. Read More Alerts

CENTCOM Confirms ISIS Senior Leader killed in a Helicopter Raid in Northern Syria Early this morning, April 17, U.S. Central Command forces killed Abd-al-Hadi Mahmud al-Haji Ali, a senior ISIS Syria leader and operational planner responsible for planning terror attacks in the Middle East and Europe.

This was the ISIS leader who was killed in a unilateral helicopter raid in northern Syria today that was announced this morning. Abd-al-Hadi Mahmud al-Haji Ali was the primary target of the raid.

Two other ISIS operatives were killed in the raid. This operation was launched after intelligence revealed an ISIS plot to kidnap officials abroad as leverage for ISIS initiatives.

"We know ISIS retains the desire to strike beyond the Middle East, said Col. Joe Buccino, a CENTCOM spokesperson. "We are therefore committed to the enduring defeat of ISIS."

2 New York Residents Allegedly Operating "Secret Police Station" Arrested - NEW YORK - Two residents of New York have been arrested for allegedly operating a Chinese "secret police station" in Chinatown, and are expected to appear before the Brooklyn federal court on Monday. See More On this

The two New York residents, Chen Jinping, who is 59 and Liu Jianwang, who is 61 have been arrested and face charges for conspiring to act as an agent for the Chinese government without notifying authorities, as well as for obstructing justice, according to a Brooklyn federal prosecutor.

Earlier this year, the FBI reported that China is running secret overseas police stations around the world, including unauthorized stations in the US, in order to surveil Chinese nationals in countries across the globe, according to reports by the FBI, a former U.S. Deputy National Security Advisor, and a human rights group.

The human rights group Safeguard Defenders had also released an investigative report on the Chinese overseas police stations before the FBI released their own statement on it. At the time the report was written there were 110 such locations known to exist in over 53 countries worldwide.

Breon Peace, who is the top federal prosecutor in Brooklyn released a statement on the arrest of the two New Yorkers that said, "This prosecution reveals the Chinese government's flagrant violation of our nation's sovereignty by establishing a secret police station in the middle of New York City".

Helicopter Raid in Northern Syria Targets Senior ISIS Leader - CENTCOM: "US Central Command forces conducted a unilateral helicopter raid in northern Syria in the early morning of April 17th targeting a Senior ISIS Syria Leader and Operational Planner responsible for planning terror attacks in the Middle East and Europe. See More On this

The raid resulted in the probable death of the targeted individual. Two other armed individuals were killed on the target.

Extensive planning went into this operation to ensure its successful execution. No US troops were wounded. No US helicopters were damaged. We assess no civilians were killed or injured.

"Though degraded, ISIS remains able to conduct operations within the region with a desire to strike beyond the Middle East," said General Michael "Erik" Kurilla, CENTCOM Commander.

"We will continue the relentless campaign against ISIS." "This operation reaffirms CENTCOM's steadfast commitment to the region and the enduring defeat of ISIS," said Joe Buccino, a CENTCOM spokesman. "We will provide additional details soon."

China Revises Rules For Military Recruitment, Expanding Draft - BEIJING - China has revised its rules for the recruitment of soldiers and expanded its draft, which includes the conscription of veterans and college students at the top of the draft list in the event of a wartime situation in order to optimize conscription procedures, a move that could be seen as possible preparation for a conflict. See More

South Korea Issues "Strong Complaint" Over Intermediate Or Long-Range Missile Launch By North Korea - SEOUL - *Developing* South Korea has issued a "strong complaint" through diplomatic channels after an intermediate or long-range ballistic missile launch by North Korea was detected which triggered a "shelter in place" alert to be declared by the Japanese government. See All Alerts

The South Korean military said that the missile was either an intermediate or long-range missile launched from near Pyongyang that flew for "around 1,000 kilometers" [about 621 miles] before landing in the Sea of Japan, west of the Japanese islands.

As the missile was falling it triggered an alert for the residents living in the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido.

South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said that a single "intermediate- or longer-range ballistic missile” was launched at a "vertical angle" from the "Pyongyang area" at around 7:23 in the morning local time.

The Japanese government released a "correction" statement to the evacuation order that they had declared at around 8:20 in the morning which said that the missile did not appear to pose a danger to Japanese citizens. The Japanese evacuation that was in place has been lifted.

The United States released an alert to U.S. citizens living in Japan as the missile was falling that said, "ALERT: The Japanese government is warning that North Korea appears to have launched at least one ballistic missile. The government is urging everyone in Hokkaido to seek shelter. Follow local media for guidance".

China Tracks US Navy Destroyer Near Mischief Reef, Claims It "Illegally Trespassed" - BEIJING - Chinese government officials claimed that the PLA Southern Theater Command tracked a United States Navy destroyer USS Milius, saying that it "illegally trespassed" into waters near Meiji Reef (Mischief Reef) in the Nansha Islands in the South China Sea on Monday. Mischief Reef is disputed territory claimed by China, Vietnam and Taiwan. See All Alerts

A statement by Chinese government offiicial Zhang Meifang said, "PLA Southern Theater Command organized naval and air forces to track and monitor the US Navy destroyer USS Milius when it illegally trespassed into waters near China's Meiji Reef in the Nansha Islands in the South China Sea on Monday: spokesperson".

The U.S. 7th Fleet also released a statement that said, "On April 10, the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Milius (DDG 69) asserted navigational rights and freedoms in the South China Sea near the Spratly Islands, consistent with international law".

It continued by saying, "At the conclusion of the operation, USS Milius exited the excessive claim area and continued operations in the South China Sea. This freedom of navigation operation (“FONOP”) upheld the rights, freedoms, and lawful uses of the sea. USS Milius demonstrated that Mischief Reef, a low-tide elevation in it its natural state, is not entitled to a territorial sea under international law".

70 Chinese Military Aircraft, 11 PLAN Vessels Spotted April 9-10th, 2023 - 70 Chinese military aircraft and 11 PLA Navy (PLAN) vessels were spotted on April 9-10th, 2023 according to Taiwan's Ministry of Defense. Four of the aircraft were J-15 carrier based fighter jets. See All Alerts

Of the military aircraft spotted, eight were SU-30 multirole aircraft, eight were J-16 fighter jets, six were J-10 fighter jets, four were J-15 carrier based fighter jets, one TB-001 reconnaissance (RECCE) UCAV drone, one was a Y-9 electronic warfare (EW) aircraft, one was a Y-8 antisubmarine warfare (ASW) aircraft, one was a CH-4 reconnaissance (RECCE) UCAV drone, and one was a KJ-500 airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft.

35 of the detected aircraft (35 of the detected aircraft(SU-30*8, J-11*4, J-10*6, J-16*8, TB-001 UCAV, Y-9EW, Y-8 ASW, J-15*4, CH-4 UCAV, KJ-500 AEW&C) crossed over the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered into Taiwan's southwest and southeast Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ).

Taiwan tasked CAP aircraft, Navy vessels and land based missile systems in order to respond to the Chinese activities around the island.

The statement by Taiwan's Ministry of Defense read, "70 PLA aircraft and 11 PLAN vessels around Taiwan were detected by 6 a.m.(UTC+8) today. R.O.C. Armed Forces have monitored the situation and tasked CAP aircraft, Navy vessels, and land-based missile systems to respond these activities".

A second statement by the MOD said, "35 of the detected aircraft(SU-30*8, J-11*4, J-10*6, J-16*8, TB-001 UCAV, Y-9EW, Y-8 ASW, J-15*4, CH-4 UCAV, KJ-500 AEW&C) had crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan’s southwest and southeast ADIZ, flight paths as illustrated".

71 Chinese Military Aircraft, 9 PLAN Vessels Spotted Around Taiwan April 8-9th, 2023 - 71 Chinese military aircraft and 9 PLA Navy (PLAN) vessels were spotted around the island of Taiwan between April 8th and April 9th, 2023 according to Taiwan's Ministry of Defense. See All Alerts

Of the military aircraft spotted, 16 were J-10 fighter jets, 10 were J-16 fighter jets, 8 were SU-30 multirole aircraft, 4 were J-11 fighter jets, 2 were H-6K Strategic Bombers, one was a Y-9 electronic warfare (EW) aircraft, one was a TB-001 reconnaissance (RECCE) UCAV drone, one was a Y-8 antisubmarine warfare (ASW) aircraft, one was a Y-20 Aerial Refueling aircraft, and one was a KJ-500 airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft.

45 of the military aircraft that was spotted (SU-30*8, J-11*4, J-10*16, J-16*10, TB-001 UCAV, Y-9EW, Y-8 ASW, H-6K*2, Y-20, KJ-500) crossed over the median line of the Taiwan Strait and enterd into Taiwan's southwest air defense identification zone (ADIZ).

Taiwan tasked CAP aircraft, Navy vessels and land based missile systems in order to respond to the Chinese activities around the island.

Taiwan's Ministry of Defense released a statement that said, "71 PLA aircraft and 9 PLAN vessels around Taiwan were detected by 6 a.m.(UTC+8) today. R.O.C. Armed Forces have monitored the situation and tasked CAP aircraft, Navy vessels, and land-based missile systems to respond these activities".

A second statement by the MOD said, "45 of the detected aircraft(SU-30*8, J-11*4, J-10*16, J-16*10, TB-001 UCAV, Y-9EW, Y-8 ASW, H-6K*2, Y-20, KJ-500) had crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan’s southwest ADIZ, flight paths as illustrated".

IDF Increases Forces In Judea And Samaria, Alerts Activated In Netor, Avni Eitan, Israel, Israel Attacks Syrian Locations Where Launches Carried Out - Israel: The IDF is increasing its forces in Judea and Samaria, and alerts have been activated in Netor, and Avni Eitan, Israel. The IDF is now attacking locations where launches were carried out in Syria. Read More Alerts

IDF statements On Recent Actions

- The IDF increases forces in the Central Command. In accordance with the instructions of the Minister of Defense and the assessment of the situation in the IDF, it was decided to reinforce additional forces in the Judea and Samaria Division, in the Seam area and in the Bekaa and Valleys Brigade. The forces will increase starting tomorrow (Sunday).

Also, in coordination with the Israel Police, the IDF will increase in the area of Tel Aviv district only according to need.

- Initial report: An alert was activated in the Home Front Command application in open areas near Moshav Mitzer. The details are under review.

Further to the report, three launches were detected from Syrian territory towards Israel, one of them crossed into Israeli territory and fell in an open area in the southern Golan Heights. No interceptors were launched according to policy.

- Further to the report, three launches from Syrian territory towards Israel were detected, two of which crossed into Israeli territory, one was intercepted by air defense fighters and the other fell in an open area.

- The IDF is now attacking the firing range from Syria. Artillery forces of the IDF are now firing at the area from which the firing was carried out from Syria, following the launches into Israeli territory that were carried out earlier.

IDF: IDF Attacks Lebanon, Gaza Strip - IDF spokesperson (translated): The IDF attacked targets of the terrorist organization Hamas in southern Lebanon. Read More Alerts

The IDF attacked infrastructure targets and targets of the terrorist organization Hamas to operate from Lebanon and considers the state of Lebanon responsible for all fire on its territory.

The IDF is now attacking the Gaza Strip.

Alert activated in the settlement of Yad, Israel.

IDF: Mortar Fire Towards Metula From Lebanese Border - IDF spokesperson (translated): A report was received of mortar fire towards the Metula area from the Lebanese border, after searches in the area, casualties were found. Read More Alerts

IDF is reporting they are "now attacking Gaza Strip".

Israel: The IDF attacked two terrorist tunnel routes and two weapons production sites of the terrorist organization Hamas - IDF spokesperson (translated): "Fighter jets attacked a short time ago the route of a terrorist tunnel coming out of the Beit Hanun area and the route of another tunnel coming out of the Khan Yunis area, which was attacked during the "Guardian of the Walls" operation, since then efforts to restore it have been identified. Read More Alerts

"The two tunnels did not cross into Israeli territory and did not pose a threat to Israeli residents."

"In addition, two sites for the production of weapons used by the terrorist organization Hamas in the north and center of the Gaza Strip were attacked."

"The attack was carried out in response to Hamas' security violations in recent days."

"The terrorist organization Hamas bears responsibility for what happened and is the one who will pay the price for the security violations against the State of Israel".

More Alerts (translated): "Initial report: An alert was activated in the city of Sderot and in the settlements of Iv and Nir Am. The details are under review

Initial report: An alert was activated in the settlements of Sderot, Ivs and Nir Am. The details are under review

Initial report: An alert has been activated in the settlements of Karmia and Nativ Hathara. The details are under review.

Initial Report: An alert has been activated in Nirim, the details are under review.

The IDF attacked a heavy machine gun in the north of the Gaza Strip. The IDF attacked tonight using a remotely manned aircraft from a heavy machine gun, from which projectiles were fired at IDF aircraft and Israeli territory."

IDF: 34 Rockets Fired From Lebanon Into Israel, 25 Rockets Intercepted By Israel - Israel Defense Forces: "An initial inquiry identified 34 rockets that were fired from Lebanon into Israel. 25 rockets were intercepted by the IDF Aerial Defense Array, while 5 landed in Israeli territory. 4 additional launches are under review." Read More Alerts

Translated Statement By IDF: out of 34 launches from Lebanese territory were intercepted.

"Further to the reports of alerts being activated in the Western Galilee area, after a preliminary investigation, 34 launches from Lebanese territory to Israeli territory were identified.

25 of the launches were intercepted by the air defense fighters, five launches fell on Israeli territory, and as for four more launches - information on their location is under investigation. These are non-final data, more details below. There are no special instructions for the home front."

IDF: Seven Air-To-Ground Rockets Fired, 5 Towards Israel, 2 Towards Sea In Gaza Strip - JERUSALEM - Reports from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) regarding alerts being activated in Israel and seven air-to-ground rockets being fired towards the state of Israel on April 6th, 2023. Read More Alerts

Five rockets were fired toward Israel, two were fired toward the Sea in the Gaza Strip. Two of the rockets "exploded in the air". No interceptors were activated, according to the statements by the IDF

Five rockets were fired toward Israel, two were fired toward the Sea in the Gaza Strip. Two of the rockets "exploded in the air". No interceptors were activated, according to the statements by the IDF.

IDF statement on the launches: "five launches from the Gaza Strip into Israel were detected. Four were intercepted by air defense fighters. Also, following the report of an alert being activated in the area surrounding Gaza, four additional launches from the Gaza Strip into Israel were identified that fell in an open area. No interceptors were launched according to policy".

CENTCOM Month in Review, March 2023: The Fight Against ISIS in Iraq and Syria - US Central Command: TAMPA, Fla. – During the month of March 2023, U.S. Central Command, along with coalition and other partners, conducted a total of 37 D-ISIS operations, resulting in 9 ISIS operatives killed and 18 detained. Read More Alerts

The following is a breakdown of D-ISIS operations for March 2023 by country:

In Iraq: 28 partnered operations, 0 U.S. only operations, 7 ISIS operatives killed, 7 ISIS operatives detained.

In Syria: 9 partnered operations. 0 U.S. only operations. 2 ISIS operatives killed, 11 ISIS operatives detained.

These operations targeted ISIS members responsible for planning attacks inside Iraq and Syria, including plans for attacks on ISIS detention facilities in Syria. At least 8 detained ISIS militants were involved in those plans.

These operations were conducted under the authority of the CENTCOM commander who retains authority for operations against ISIS in Iraq and Syria, and under the command of Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve. Our local partners play a critical role in this fight. Their competence, professionalism, and dedication to the enduring defeat of ISIS allow continued pressure against the terror group.

In Iraq, CENTCOM troops advise, assist and enable Iraqi Security Forces, including the Kurdish Peshmerga, who lead our shared fight against ISIS in Iraq.

In Syria, CENTCOM partners with the Syrian Democratic Forces to continue the fight against ISIS.

“The fight against ISIS continues,” said Col. Joe Buccino, a CENTCOM spokesperson. “Though its capability is degraded, ISIS retains the ability to direct and inspire attacks in the region and abroad.”

CENTCOM: Strike Kills ISIS Leader in Syria - US Central Command: "TAMPA, Fla. – U.S. Central Command forces conducted a unilateral strike in Syria today killing Khalid ‘Aydd Ahmad al-Jabouri, an ISIS senior leader. Khalid ‘Aydd Ahmad al-Jabouri was responsible for planning ISIS attacks in Türkiye and Europe and developed the leadership structure for ISIS in Türkiye. Read More Alerts

“ISIS continues to represent a threat to the region and beyond,” said Gen. Michael “Erik” Kurilla, the CENTCOM commander. “Though degraded, the group remains able to conduct operations within the region with a desire to strike beyond the Middle East.”

No civilians were killed or injured in this strike.

The death of Khalid ‘Aydd Ahmad al-Jabouri will temporarily disrupt the organization’s ability to plot external attacks. CENTCOM’s operations against ISIS, alongside partner forces in Iraq and Syria, continues. CENTCOM remains committed to the enduring defeat of ISIS."

Iran Claims It Warned Off US Navy Aircraft Near Gulf Of Oman - DUBAI - A statement by the Iranian Navy said that it warned a U.S. Navy Lockheed EP-3E land-based Multi-Intelligence reconnaissance aircraft away from its airspace. Read More Alerts

The statement given by the Iranian Navy said, "After the warning, the plane was prevented from entering the country's skies without authorization".

A report by Tasnim, the semi-official news agency in Iran said that Iranian naval forces detected the aircraft over the Sea of Oman and "forced it to avoid the country's airspace after issuing a warning," citing the Iranian Navy.

Tasnim said that the U.S. reconnaissance aircraft "heeded the warning" and stayed away from the Iranian Aerial border, returning to the "international routes".

A report by Reuters said that the opening line of the Tasnim report said that the aircraft "crossed into Iranian airspace" but then contradicted itself later in the report by saying it had not entered Iranian skies after the warning.

I reviewed the Tasnim report and there is no such line in the current report regarding the incident, which could mean that Tasnim altered their report after Reuters had reviewed it.

Newly Declassified Report On Havana Syndrome Contradicts Another Recent Report On The Illness - WASHINGTON - A newly declassified report on Havana Syndrome by the director of national intelligence has been released that contradicts another recent report saying that it was very unlikely that the illness was caused by an energy weapon. The new report said an energy weapon remains a plausible explanation. This Report And More | Read Declassified Report

IDF Helicopters, Fighter Jets Shoot Down Aircraft Entering Its Airspace From Syria - JERUSALEM - Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) fighter jets and helicopters were launched after an aircraft entered Israeli airspace from Syria. The aircraft was shot down by Israeli aircraft, according to the Israeli military. Read More Alerts

The aircraft was shot down after being tracked by the IDF fighter jets and helicopters, according to the statement. The statement by the Israeli Defense Forces was as follows (translated):

IDF Statement: "IDF helicopters and fighter jets were launched following an unidentified aircraft that apparently entered Israeli territory from the direction of Syria. The vehicle was under surveillance by the Air Force's control unit, was shot down in an open area and did not pose a danger at any stage. No warning was activated according to policy. The details of the incident are under investigation".

North Korean Statement: Leader Guides Mounting Nuclear Warheads on Ballistic Missiles, Underwater Strategic Weapon System Test Held - North Korean state media reports Kim Jong Un guided the mounting of nuclear warheads on ballistic missiles on March 27th. The North's Academy of Defense Science conducted another test of underwater strategic weapon system from March 25 to 27. See All Alerts

North Korean state media KCNA: "Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), guided the work for mounting nuclear warheads on ballistic missiles on March 27".

North Korean state media statement regarding underwater strategic weapon system test: "The Academy of Defence Science of the DPRK [North Korea] conducted another test of underwater strategic weapon system from March 25 to 27.

The underwater nuclear attack drone "Haeil-1", deployed for the test in Wonsan Bay on the afternoon of March 25, reached the target point in the waters off Hwadae County of North Hamgyong Province on the morning of March 27 after cruising along an jagged and oval course simulating the distance of the 600 kilometers in the East Sea of Korea for 41 hours and 27 minutes and correctly set off the test warhead underwater.

Through the test, all tactical and technical specifications and underwater navigational and technical indices were correctly estimated and the reliability and safety of the weapon system were verified."

North Korea Launches 2 Short-Range Ballistic Missile Into The East Sea - PYONGYANG - Initial Report: North Korea has launched 2 short-range ballistic missiles, according to the South Korean military. The Japanese Prime Minister's office also reported a launch from the North. See All Alerts

Both missiles are believed to have fallen outside of Japan's exclusive economic zone (EEZ) according to Japan's Ministry of Defense.

South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff confirmed that a ballistic missile was launched by the North "into the East Sea", according to a report by South Korean news agency Yonhap.

The two ballistic missiles were launched from near the west coast of North Korea and fell outside of Japan's exclusive economic zone, according to a statement by the Japanese Ministry of Defense.

The missiles flew at an irregular trajectory and were launched at around 7:47 am and 7:57 am with the analysis by the Japanese military still ongoing.

Each missile reached a maximum altitude of 50 kilometers (31 miles) and flew a distance of around 350 kilometers (217 miles).

The Defense Ministry said that this is the 8th time that North Korea has launched a ballistic missile this month, and the 11th time this year, including the cruise missiles announced by both North Korea and South Korea.

Japanese Prime Minister's Office Statement

PM’s instructions (07:50): 1. Dedicate maximum effort to gather & analyze information, & provide the public speedy & adequate information. 2. Ensure the safety of aircraft, vessels, & other assets. 3. Take all possible measures for precaution, incl. readiness for contingencies.

Retaliatory Strikes In Syria Against Iranian-Backed Militias Result In 19 Deaths - SYRIA - The death toll resulting from US airstrikes on Iranian-backed militias in Syria has risen to 19, according to the UK-based war monitor Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Read More Alerts

The SOHR said that air raids killed three Syrian soldiers and 11 Syrians working for Iran-backed militias, five non-Syrian fighters aligned with the government.

Four of the killed are reported by the war monitor as having identities that "remain unknown".

The war monitor reported that the airstrikes "Were executed by US fighter jets and unidentified aircraft on positions of Iranian-backed militias in Deir Ezzor in the early hours of Friday".

After the first response to the attack that killed a U.S. contractor and wounded six others, a series of retaliatory strikes occurred which resulted in another United States service member being wounded, officials said.

The SOHR said that after the attacks, Iranian-backed militias in "Al-Mayadeen, Al-Bokamal and Deir Ezzor cities amassed their troops and were put on high alert, in preparation for new attacks".

North Korea Claims It Tested Underwater Nuclear Capable "Tsunami" Drone - PYONGYANG - North Korea has claimed that it tested a nuclear-capable underwater attack drone with the ability to create a radioactive wave, or "tsunami" capable of taking out naval strike groups and ports. See All Alerts

A translated statement released by North Korean state news agency KCNA said that the test was due to the "intentional, persistent and provocative" joint "war drills" between the United States and South Korea around the Korean Peninsula, which it says has driven the "military and political situation" of the region to an "irreversibly dangerous point".

The statement added that the "dangerous nature" of the "confrontational hysteria" of the United States and South Korea is "unprecedented in history", and reiterated its stance that the joint exercise is actually a drill for "occupying" North Korea.

It went on to say that the exercises being carried out are in defiance of the "repeated stern warnings by the DPRK [North Korean] government, army and its people.

It also said that the "war scenario" being played out in the joint exercise are based on the deployment of "huge nuclear strategic assets" which "urgently require" that North Korea make its entire armed forces gird themselves for an "all out war" and bolster up its nuclear force.

In response, the statement said, The Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) is "energetically" bolstering its war deterrence for "self-defense" in order to strengthen the country's "defense posture" in every way and "promptly counter" and "thoroughly control and manage" any nuclear war threats and challenges "by the enemy".

The WPK organized a combined tactical drill simulating a nuclear counterattack, it continued, and commanded drills from March 21st to March 23rd, 2023 to serve "as a demonstration" of its military attack capability to "alert the enemy" of an actual nuclear crisis and verify the reliability of its nuclear force for "self-defense".

It then said that a new underwater attack weapon system test was carried out from March 21st to March 23rd with a weapon that the country's "scientific research institute" has been developing since 2012.

It said that the "secret" weapon it tested is an "underwater nuclear strategic attack weapon system based on a new operational concept, studying warfare in the new era and defining the orientation of the development of the self-defense capabilities to outpace the military and technical superiority of the imperialist aggressor forces".

"The mission of the underwater nuclear strategic weapon is to stealthily infiltrate into operational waters and make a super-scale radioactive tsunami through underwater explosion to destroy naval striker groups and major operational ports of the enemy," the statement read.

"This nuclear underwater attack drone can be deployed at any coast and port or towed by a surface ship for operation," it added.

The statement went on to say, "The underwater nuclear attack drone, which was deployed for a drill off the coast of Riwon County of South Hamgyong Province on Tuesday, reached the target point in the waters off Hongwon Bay set as a mock enemy port with its test warhead detonating underwater on Thursday afternoon after cruising along an oval and pattern-8 course at an underwater depth of 80 to 150 meters in the East Sea of Korea for 59 hours and 12 minutes".

It said on March 22nd, a launching drill was carried out where the strategic cruise missile was tipped with a test warhead simulating a nuclear warhead.

"Two "Hwasal-1"-type strategic cruise missiles and two "Hwasal-2"-type strategic cruise missiles, launched in Jakdo-dong, Hungnam District, Hamhung City, South Hamgyong Province, accurately hit the target set in the East Sea of Korea after flying on their programmed 1 500km- and 1 800km-long oval and pattern-8 orbits for 7 557 to 7 567 seconds and 9 118 to 9 129 seconds respectively," the statement said.

U.S. Responds to Attack That Killed U.S. Contractor in Syria - DOD: "The U.S. response to the attack on a coalition base in Syria that killed a U.S. contractor and wounded six others highlighted that the U.S. military will do what it must to protect its personnel. Read More Alerts

Iranian-backed militias in Syria were responsible for the drone attack on the coalition base near Hasakah in northeastern Syria. The coalition base houses personnel working to ensure the lasting defeat of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria.

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III, at the direction of President Joe Biden, authorized U.S. Central Command forces to conduct precision strikes into eastern Syria against facilities used by groups affiliated with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, said Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder during a news conference today. "The airstrikes were conducted in response to yesterday's attack, as well as a series of recent attacks against coalition forces in Syria by groups affiliated with the IRGC," he said.

F-15E fighters assigned in Centcom launched the attack at approximately 2:40 a.m. local time. "We're continuing to assess the outcome of the strikes," Ryder said. "Initial indications are that the facilities were destroyed. These precision strikes were intended to protect and defend U.S. personnel, and the U.S. took proportionate and deliberate action intended to limit the risk of escalation and minimize casualties."

This morning, Iranian-backed groups launched 10 rockets that targeted coalition forces at the Green Village in northeast Syria. The attack resulted in no injuries to U.S. or coalition personnel and no damage to U.S. equipment or facilities, Ryder said.

"Our current assessment is that this these rocket attacks were conducted by IRGC-affiliated groups, that this rocket attack was done in an effort to retaliate for last night's attacks," the press secretary said. "Again, they did not cause any damage at the coalition facility. As far as any type of future action, I'm not going to talk about or preview potential future operations other than to say we will always reserve the right to respond appropriately if our forces are threatened."

Iran is a source of instability all around the region. Ryder noted Iranian proxies operate in Yemen, the Strait of Hormuz and Persian Gulf, and Lebanon. The Iranians have been supplying the drones that Russia is using to attack innocents in Ukraine, he said.

"The United States and our coalition allies and partners … are focused on trying to ensure stability, security in these regions," Ryder said. "And that will continue to be our focus. We do not seek a wider conflict. With that said, if our people are threatened, we will continue to respond appropriately and proportionately."

CENTCOM Statement On Rocket Attack on Green Village, Northeast Syria - TAMPA, Fla. – On the morning of March 24th, at approximately 8:05 a.m. Syrian local time, 10 rockets targeted coalition forces at the Green Village in northeast Syria. Read More Alerts

The attack resulted in no injuries to U.S. or coalition personnel and no damage to U.S. equipment or facilities.

One of the rockets missed the facility by almost five kilometers, striking a civilian house, causing significant damage and causing minor injuries to two women and two children.

“This kind of indiscriminate rocket attack places not only our forces and coalition forces at risk, but also jeopardizes the local civilian population as well as the security and stability of Syria and the entire region,” said Col. Joe Buccino, a spokesperson for U.S. Central Command.

“As President Biden has made clear, we will take all necessary measures to defend our people and will always respond at a time and place of our choosing,” continued Buccino.

Second US Base Hit In Syria After US Retaliatory Strikes - AL-OMAR - A second U.S. base, Green Village in Syria located in the Al-Omar gas field in northeastern Syria was targeted by rockets after retaliatory strikes were carried out by the United States in response to another attack that killed an American contractor and wounded another contractor and four other service members. Read More Alerts

In the latest attack, the rockets were fired at the Green Village base but did not result in any casualties according to Major John Moore, who is a spokesperson for the United States Central Command (CENTCOM).

ABC News reporter Luis Martinez reported that 10 rockets were fired at the Green Village base.

The retaliatory strikes by the United States before the second attack on a US base were carried out after a drone strike by militant groups affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), according to a statement by the Pentagon.

The drone strike occurred at a US coalition base coalition base near Hasakah in northeast Syria at about 1:38 p.m. local time Thursday.

The statement by Central Command said "Our troops remain in Syria to ensure the enduring defeat of ISIS, which benefits the security and stability of not only Syria, but the entire region".

CENTCOM: Attack On Forces Killed American Contractor In Syria, Wounded Troops And Another Contractor - Central Command: "This evening, we responded to an attack on our forces that killed an American contractor and wounded our troops and another American contractor by striking facilities used by groups affiliated with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps. Read More Alerts

"We will always take all necessary measures to defend our people and will always respond at a time and place of our choosing. We are postured for scalable options in the face of any additional Iranian attacks.

"The thoughts and prayers of US Central Command are with the Family of our contractor killed and with our wounded servicemembers and contractor.

"Our troops remain in Syria to ensure the enduring defeat of ISIS, which benefits the security and stability of not only Syria, but the entire region."

DOD: Attack On Forces Killed American Contractor In Syria, Wounded Troops And Another Contractor - Department of Defense:" Earlier today, a U.S. contractor was killed and five U.S. service members and one additional U.S. contractor were wounded after a one-way unmanned aerial vehicle struck a maintenance facility on a Coalition base near Hasakah in northeast Syria at approximately 1:38 p.m. local time. Read More Alerts

The intelligence community assess the UAV to be of Iranian origin.

"At the direction of President Biden, I authorized U.S. Central Command forces to conduct precision airstrikes tonight in eastern Syria against facilities used by groups affiliated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC)," said Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III. "The airstrikes were conducted in response to today’s attack as well as a series of recent attacks against Coalition forces in Syria by groups affiliated with the IRGC."

These precision strikes are intended to protect and defend U.S. personnel. The United States took proportionate and deliberate action intended to limit the risk of escalation and minimize casualties.

"As President Biden has made clear, we will take all necessary measures to defend our people and will always respond at a time and place of our choosing," said Secretary Austin. "No group will strike our troops with impunity."

"Our thoughts are with the family and colleagues of the contractor who was killed and with those who were wounded in the attack earlier today," said the Secretary.

Two of the wounded service members were treated on site, while three additional service members and the U.S. contractor were medically evacuated to Coalition medical facilities in Iraq."

North Korea Fires Multiple Cruise Missiles Toward East Sea - North Korea fired multiple cruise missiles toward the East Sea on Wednesday from the Hamhung region of North Korea's east coast, according to the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS). See All Alerts

The missile firing comes as the United States and South Korea continue the 11-day long Freedom Shield joint military exercise that North Korea claims is preparation for an invasion on the North.

In a press release regarding the Warrior Shield exercise, the JCS said, "Under the firm combined defense posture, our military will successfully wrap up the FS and continue to carry out the ongoing Warrior Shield in a high-intensity manner".

Japan: North Korea Has Launched A Short-Range Ballistic Missile - The Japanese Prime Minister's Office has reported that North Korea launched a suspected ballistic missile on Sunday as the United States and South Korea carry out joint military drills that North Korea claims is a rehearsal for an invasion on the country. See More Alerts

The South Korean military has confirmed that a ballistic missile was fired from North Korea toward the East Sea.

South Korean news agency Yonhap has cited the South Korean military as stating that the missile flew around 800 kilometers (497 miles).

North Korean state news agency KCNA released a statement entitled: "March 18 Revolution" on March 19th that said, "The untiring efforts and devotion of the respected General Secretary Kim Jong Un, who energetically led the development of Juche-oriented strategic weapons under the uplifted banner of the great line of simultaneously developing the two fronts, brought about the "March 18 revolution" - the accomplishment of the historic great cause of completing the state nuclear forces".

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International Criminal Court Issues Arrest Warrant For Vladimir Putin And Maria Lvova-Belova - ICC - The International Criminal Court (ICC) released a statement on Friday that it has issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin for war crimes, including the abduction of children from Ukraine during Russia's war on the country. See More Alerts

The statement by Prosecutor Karim A. A. Khan KC said that the ICC issued arrested warrants for both Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation, and Maria Lvova-Belova, Commissioner for Children's Rights "in the Office of the President of the Russian Federation".

The statement said the arrest warrants were issued "on the basis of evidence and analyzed by my Office pursuant to its independent investigations".

It went on to say that "the Pre-Trial Chamber has confirmed that there are reasonable grounds to believe that President Putin and Ms Lvova-Belova bear criminal responsibility for the unlawful deportation and transfer of Ukrainian children from occupied areas of Ukraine to the Russian Federation, contrary to article 8(2)(a)(vii) and article 8(2)(b)(viii) of the Rome Statute".

In response to the announcements of the arrest warrants, Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters that Russia does not recognize the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court (ICC) and considers any decisions that the court makes null and void.

AP news cited Adil Ahmad Haque, who is "an expert" with international law as saying, "So Putin might go to China, Syria, Iran, his ... few allies, but he just won’t travel to the rest of the world and won’t travel to ICC member states who he believes would ... arrest him".

North Korea Claims Thursday's ICBM Test Was A Hwasong-17 - North Korean state media claims that the intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) test that the country carried out on Thursday was a Hwasong-17. Photos of the launch posted by KCNA show the North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's daughter with him watching the test launch. See All Alerts

The state media also claimed that the missile launch was a direct response to the "provocative and invasive large-scale drills by the United States and South Korea" that began this week.

South Korea: North Korea Fired Long-Range ICBM - SEOUL - The Japanese Ministry of Defense now says that the missile launched by North Korea was a long-range intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) and that the details are "currently under analysis". See All Alerts

The South Korean military has released their own assessment on the missile fired by North Korea, saying that it was a long-range ballistic missile and was fired toward the East Sea, which was fired just hours before leaders of South Korea and Japan were set to meet in order to discuss the regional threat posed by North Korea.

The South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said that it detected the missile as launching from the Sunan area in Pyongyang at 7:10 in the morning.

The JCS put out a statement that said, "While strengthening its monitoring and vigilance, our military is maintaining a full readiness posture in close cooperation with the United States".

The South Korean military said that the long-range missile flew at a lofted angle for about 1,000 kilometers (621 miles) according to a report by South Korean news agency Yonhap.

Yonhap put out a statement that said, "There will be a price to pay for North Korea's provocation... Intensive ROK-US joint training," and in another article said that the South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol warned North Korea of consequences for the provocations.

IAEA: 2.5 Tons Of Uranium Missing From Libyan Nuclear Site - LIBYA - Inspections carried out by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have found that 2.5 tons of natural uranium are missing from an unnamed Libyan site that is not under the control of the Libyan government. See All Alerts & News

The IAEA chief Rafael Grossi released a confidential statement to member states that Reuters reports to have seen that talk of the findings of an inspection that was originally planned for the previous year, but "had to be postponed because of the security situation in the region," according to the Reuters report.

The postponed inspection was finally carried out on Tuesday, according to the IAEA statement, which was one page long according to Reuters.

The statement said that inspectors, "found that 10 drums containing approximately 2.5 tons of natural uranium in the form of UOC (uranium ore concentrate) previously declared by (Libya) ... as being stored at that location were not present at the location".

The IAEA said that they would be carrying out "further activities" in order to determine how and why the uranium was taken from the site, but the statement reportedly did not state what site the uranium had been taken from.

"The loss of knowledge about the present location of nuclear material may present a radiological risk, as well as nuclear security concerns," the statement said.

Japan: North Korea Launched Ballistic Missile - JAPAN - Initial Report: The Japanese Prime Minister's office released a statement that said that North Korea has launched a "suspected ballistic missile". The Japanese Ministry of Defense then released a statement confirming that a ballistic missile was launched from the west coast of North Korea, toward the east. See All Alerts & News

The Japanese Ministry of Defense statement estimated that the missile will fall outside of Japan's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), about 550 kilometers (342 miles) east of the Korean Peninsula at around 8:18 local time.

The Japanese Ministry of Defense released the following statement regarding the launch (message has been translated):[Translation] "At around 7:09 today, a single ballistic missile was launched from the west coast of North Korea toward the east. As it is currently in flight, it may change in the future, but at this time, it is estimated that it will fall outside Japan's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), about 550 km east of the Korean Peninsula, at around 8:18".

The office also released the following Prime Minister's instructions:

1. Dedicate maximum effort to gather & analyze information, & provide the public speedy & adequate information. 2. Ensure the safety of aircraft, vessels, & other assets. 3. Take all possible measures for precaution, incl. readiness for contingencies.

Russia: We View US Drone's Black Sea Flight As Provocation And It Had No Business Being Near Russia - MOSCOW - The Russian ambassador to the United States Anatoly Antonov said that Russia views the U.S. drone flight in the Black Sea as a "real provocation" and said that it was flying with its "transponders off" and "entered into the zone of the special military operation" which is the term Russia uses for its war in Ukraine. Get All Alerts

Antonov spoke to reporters after speaking to the U.S. Department of State, after being summoned regarding the incident, saying that the United States "provoked" Russia to "take a certain action" so that the US could accuse Moscow and Russia's military of being "non-professional".

"The aircraft was flying with its transponders off, and it entered the zone of the special military operation. It [the information about the zone] was made public via international channels. We, Russia, have warned everyone about it. I think this was a real provocation," he said.

He also added, "We consider this incident a provocation".

Russian aircraft collides into US unmanned system in international waters - "Two Russian Su-27 aircraft conducted an unsafe and unprofessional intercept with a U.S. Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance unmanned MQ-9 aircraft that was operating within international airspace over the Black Sea today. See All Alerts

At approximately 7:03 AM (CET), one of the Russian Su-27 aircraft struck the propeller of the MQ-9, causing U.S. forces to have to bring the MQ-9 down in international waters. Several times before the collision, the Su-27s dumped fuel on and flew in front of the MQ-9 in a reckless, environmentally unsound and unprofessional manner. This incident demonstrates a lack of competence in addition to being unsafe and unprofessional.

“Our MQ-9 aircraft was conducting routine operations in international airspace when it was intercepted and hit by a Russian aircraft, resulting in a crash and complete loss of the MQ-9,” said U.S. Air Force Gen. James B. Hecker, commander, U.S. Air Forces Europe and Air Forces Africa. “In fact, this unsafe and unprofessional act by the Russians nearly caused both aircraft to crash.”

“U.S. and Allied aircraft will continue to operate in international airspace and we call on the Russians to conduct themselves professionally and safely,” Hecker added.

This incident follows a pattern of dangerous actions by Russian pilots while interacting with U.S. and Allied aircraft over international airspace, including over the Black Sea. These aggressive actions by Russian aircrew are dangerous and could lead to miscalculation and unintended escalation.

U.S. Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa routinely fly aircraft throughout Europe over sovereign territory and throughout international airspace in coordination with applicable host nation and international laws. In order to bolster collective European defense and security, these missions support Allied, partner, and U.S. national objectives."

North Korea Fires 2 Short-Range Ballistic Missile Toward East Sea - SOUL - North Korea has fired two short-range ballistic missiles toward the East Sea a day after the United States and South Korea began carrying out a combined military exercise, according to South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff. Subscribe To All Alerts And Intel

The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said that the short-range ballistic missiles were launched from the Jangyon region in the Hwanghae Province between 7:41 in the morning to 7:51 in the morning.

In a text message sent to South Korean reporters, the JCS said, "While strengthening its monitoring and vigilance in preparation against the possibility of additional launches, our military is maintaining a full readiness posture in close cooperation with the United States".

US And South Korea Carry Out Combined Exercise After North Fires Two Cruise Missiles From Submarine - SEOUL - The United States and South Korea began carrying out another combined military exercise in the Indo-Pacific called "Freedom Shield" that was announced on March 2nd by the United States Forces Korea after North Korea launched two cruise missiles from a submarine the day before. Subscribe To All Alerts And Intel

The statement from United States Forces Korea posted early in March said that Freedom Shield was set to begin on March 13th, 2023, and would be conducted "over an 11-day period" which will involve integrating elements of "live exercises" with "constructive simulations".

South Korean news agency Yonhap cited Seoul officials as saying that the simulations will consist of "realistic scenarios reflective of the North's evolving nuclear and missile threats" in the region, and is to "proceed with the concurrent field training exercise, called the Warrior Shield".

A statement released by the South Korean Joint Chiefs of staff said, "The combined exercise is a defensive one based on a combined operational plan designed to defend the ROK from potential North Korean aggression".

Regarding Warrior Shield, the statement by US Forces Korea said, "In addition to FS23, several combined field training exercises (FTX), collectively called Warrior Shield FTX, will also be taking place around the Korean Peninsula".

The purpose of the Warrior Shield training, according to the statement, is to "further enhance the ROK and U.S. militaries’ cooperation through air, land, sea, space, cyber and special operations, and improve upon tactics, techniques and procedures".

U.S. strategic bombers and ROK fighters conduct combined air training

USAG Humphreys, Republic of Korea - U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys - The Republic of Korea Air Force and the United States Air Force conducted a combined air training event with the redeployment of the U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress over the Korean Peninsula today.

In the latest U.S.-ROK combined air training event, ROK Air Force F-15s and F-16s escorted the U.S. B-52 strategic bomber as it entered the Korean Air Defense Identification Zone and conducted combined flight operations.

The training offered the alliance an opportunity to improve interoperability between the ROK and the U.S. by demonstrating a combined defense capability and providing extended deterrence in the defense of the Korean Peninsula.

The U.S. remains committed to peace and prosperity through the region to secure a free and open Indo-Pacific, and our commitment to the defense of the Republic of Korea remains ironclad.

U.S. strategic bombers and ROK fighters conduct combined air training

(FS23) March 13, 2023. The word 'Freedom' in the name refers to the strong will in protecting freedom as an immutable value of the ROK-U.S. Alliance, and 'Shield' symbolizes the defensive nature of the exercise.

The exercise will be conducted over an 11-day period and will integrate elements of "live exercises" with constructive simulations.

Participating units will include personnel from the ROK Military, United States Forces Korea (USFK), United Nations Command (UNC), and subordinate component commands under CFC, along with augmented, civilian personnel and representatives of the United Nations sending states.

The exercise will include but not be limited to lessons learned from current and ongoing conflicts to increase the units’ combat readiness and combined defense posture, as well as strengthen the security and stability on the Korean peninsula and across Northeast Asia.

In addition to FS23, several combined field training exercises (FTX), collectively called Warrior Shield FTX, will also be taking place around the Korean Peninsula. The name Warrior Shield stands for the ROK-US Alliance's ability and resolution to solidify their combined defense posture to defend the ROK.

The purpose of the training for Warrior Shield FTX is to further enhance the ROK and U.S. militaries’ cooperation through air, land, sea, space, cyber and special operations, and improve upon tactics, techniques, and procedures.

The ROK-U.S. Alliance remains at a high level of readiness and continues to maintain a robust combined defense posture. All professional militaries train using routine and continuously executed events to maintain proficiency, credibility, and trust.

Freedom Shield 23 is the latest example of that training and the ironclad commitment to support and defend the ROK sovereignty from any threat or adversary.

North Korea Launched Two Strategic Cruise Missiles From Submarine - PYONGYANG - North Korea announced that they launched two strategic cruise missiles from a submarine underwater on Sunday. The missiles flew about 1,500 kilometers (932 miles) for about 125 minutes (7,563 to 7,575 seconds). See All Alerts

According to a translated version of the article by Voice of Korea, the submarine that launched the missile was called "August 24 Hero Warship" and was mobilized for a drill before launching two strategic cruise missiles "at the waters off the Kyongpho Bay off the East Sea of Korea".

A translated report by South Korean news agency Yonhap said: "N. Korea says it fired two 'strategic cruise missiles' from submarine Sunday," along a "figure-8 shaped flight orbit simulating the distance of 1,500 kilometers set on the East Sea of Korea and hit the target".

South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff released a statement on Monday that said it had detected the missile launch from a North Korean submarine near the country's eastern port city of Sinpo on Sunday.

South Korean and United States intelligence agencies are analyzing the details of the missile launch, according to South Korean authorities.

Voice of Korea said that the drill "confirmed the reliability of the weapon system" and "inspected and judged the operational posture of the underwater-to-ground attack of the submarine units," and said that the submarine launch "served its purpose".

DOD: Russia Reportedly Supplying Enriched Plutonium to China - Department of Defense: Various open-source outlets reported how Rosatom is providing highly enriched uranium for Chinese fast breeder reactors, said a U.S official during a posture hearing today at the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Strategic Forces. See All Alerts

North Korea Fires Short-range Ballistic Missile Toward Yellow Sea - SEOUL - North Korea has fired a short-range ballistic missile toward the Yellow Sea, according to the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS). See All Alerts

The JCS said that they detected that a short-range missile was launched from North Korea's port city of Nampo at 6:20 pm local time.

In a text message sent to reporters, the JCS said, "While strengthening its monitoring and vigilance, our military is maintaining a full readiness posture in close cooperation with the United States".

US Intelligence Repeats Warning That North Korea Likely To Conduct Nuclear Test - A U.S. intelligence report on Wednesday reiterated earlier warnings, as well as a warning in the 2023 Annual Threat Assessment that North Korea is expected to carry out its seventh nuclear test. South Korea has said that it could be carried out at any time. See All Alerts

The report, which was released by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence said, "Kim almost certainly views nuclear weapons and ICBMs as the ultimate guarantor of his autocratic rule and has no intention of abandoning those programs, believing that over time he will gain international acceptance as a nuclear power".

It added that "North Korea is using its nuclear-capable missile program to try to establish strategic dominance over South Korea and U.S. forces in the region by pursuing missiles probably aimed at defeating missile defenses on the peninsula and the region and issuing threats to militarily respond to any perceived attacks against its sovereignty".

North Korea Claims US, South Korea Simulating Nuclear Strikes So It Can Strike Its Bases - PYONGYANG - A statement released by the North Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs claimed that the United States and South Korea are carrying out simulations of nuclear strikes and are planning a "surprise strike" against "major deep strategic [North Korean] bases". See All Alerts

The statement said: "Recently, the United States and south Korea are heating up the situation on the Korean peninsula to an extremely dangerous level with threatening rhetoric and military demonstrations against the DPRK.

"According to reports, on the 3rd, the United States and South Korea mobilized various strategic equipment that they claim to be superior, such as the strategic bomber "B-1B" and unmanned combat aircraft "MQ-9 Reaper", and conducted the fourth joint air strike over the West Sea of ​​Korea this year. training was extended.

Prior to this, the US and the south Korean military department held a “exercise on the operation of extended deterrence measures” simulating the use of nuclear weapons against the DPRK and even announced a press release mentioning the “end of the regime” in the DPRK.

Even now, the US does not hide the fact that it is carrying out special operations training for the purpose of a surprise strike against major deep strategic bases in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea in alliance with south Korea."

Ukraine: Currently 16 Russian Vessels In Black Sea - BLACK SEA - Ukrainian Defense Forces have reported that there are currently 16 Russian vessels in the Black Sea, including four missile carriers. See All Alerts

Natalya Gumenyuk, who is the spokeswoman for the Joint Coordinating Press Center of the Defense Forces of the South of Ukraine was cited by Ukrainian Interfax as saying that the number of missiles in the Black Sea are a powerful potential and that there could be a strike at "any moment".

"The enemy ship grouping consists of 16 ships, among which 4 missile carriers remain: 2 surface and 2 underwater. This means that more than 20 Caliber missiles can be ready for a salvo," Gumenyuk was cited as saying.

"As a rule, the readiness of such a number of launch vehicles on combat duty, including underwater ones, indicates preparation for a missile attack. What it will be depends on the tactics chosen by the enemy command. They have already understood that massive missile attacks give not the result they expect. These are high costs and low returns. Therefore, most likely they will use targeted missile attacks," she added.

"Missile launches can be at any moment"

North Korea: Development of Satellites Propelled in DPRK - PYONGYANG - On March 6th, the North Korean National Aerospace Development Administration (NADA) said that it has made "steady progress" regarding the development of its satellite program, and has "succeeded" in developing a high-thrust engine carrier rocket in order to launch it into space. See All Alerts

The statement released by North Korean state news agency KCNA said, "The DPRK has made steady progress in the work to put the satellite on a multi-functional and high-performance basis and improve its reliability. It succeeded in developing high-thrust engine for carrier rocket and thus provided a sure guarantee for launching various kinds of satellites into relevant orbits."

It added, "The work to introduce the space sci-tech achievements into various fields including agriculture, fishery, meteorological observation, communication, natural resources exploration, land management and disaster prevention is getting brisk to give a strong impetus to the comprehensive development of socialist construction."

"All these successes foretell the bright future of the DPRK's space development."

Chinese Linked Company Purchases 51% Of Japanese Island - JAPAN - Two years ago a Chinese-linked company purchased 51% of the land on the uninhabited Japanese Okinawan island of Yanaha located a little over 15 miles from the U.S. military's Iejima auxiliary airfield according to a report by Japanese news agency Yomiuri Shimbun citing officials in the village of Izena administering the island. See All Alerts

North Korean MFA: If US Continues "Hostile" And "Provocative" Practices, It Could Be Regarded As Declaration Of War - PYONGYANG - [North Korean statements translated] Kwon Jeong-geun, Director-General for US Affairs and North Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement posted by North Korean state-run news agency KCNA that said if the US continued its "hostile and provocative practices" against North Korea, it could be regarded as a "declaration of war" against the country. See All Alerts

Chinese Jet Shadows US P-8 Poseidon, Gives Warning - SOUTH CHINA SEA - A Chinese J-11 fighter jet shadowed a U.S. P-8 Poseidon patrol aircraft from a few hundred feet away and issued a warning to stop approaching or "pay full responsibility" while it was in international airspace, a near-daily occurrence now, according to U.S. officials. See All Alerts

Chinese Vessels Sever Multiple Undersea Cables Linking Taiwan To Malaysia - TAIWAN - Chinese fishing vessels have been linked to the severing of multiple Taiwanese undersea cables in February according to Chunghwa Telecom, a telecommunications firm that handles Taiwan's undersea cables. See All Alerts

Over the past five years, damage to cables between Taiwan and the Matsu islands has been reported over 20 times. It should be noted that it is not known whether the cables are being severed by the Chinese vessels by accident, or deliberately.

Deputy head of Taiwan’s National Communications Commission Wong Po-tsung (翁柏宗) said that on February 2nd, one cable was reported to have been severed by a Chinese fishing vessel. On February 8th damage to the Taima 3 submarine cable was reported to have been linked to a Chinese cargo ship identified by MMSI.

Chunghwa Telecom has filed incident reports with the Taiwanese Coast Guard Administration, according to Central News Agency (CNA) Taiwan.

This is the second time in the last year that two Taiwanese undersea cables were severed at the same time. Last year another incident occurred which resulted in multiple damaged cables.

Vessels are expected to arrive at the location to repair the damaged cables but aren't expected to begin repairs until April 20th, which is the earliest possible date to begin repairs, which will cost between $329,000 and $658,000. See All Alerts

Chinese State Media Responds To News US Expanding Troop Presence In Taiwan - BEIJING - Chinese state-affiliated media Global Times has responded to reports that the United States is expanding their troop presence in Taiwan by saying that it is "illegal" for the soldiers to go to Taiwan, and that the Chinese mainland "won't take any responsibility for their safety" and that they will be "wiped out" together with the "resisting Taiwan troops" if China takes "military action". See All Alerts

Global Times commentator Hu Xijin 胡锡进 said, "It’s illegal for these US soldiers to go to Taiwan,and Chinese mainland won’t take any responsibility for their safety. If we take military action when necessary,they’ll be wiped out together with the resisting Taiwan troops.They can also be eliminated first as the invading army."

37 Chinese Military Aircraft, 6 PLAN Vessels Spotted Around Taiwan On February 24th, 2023 - 37 Chinese military aircraft and 6 PLA Navy (PLAN) vessels were spotted around the island of Taiwan on February 24th, 2023 according to Taiwan's Ministry of Defense.

Of the Chinese military aircraft spotted, four were J-16 fighter jets, two were J-11 fighter jets, two were J-10 fighter jets, one was a TB-001 reconnaissance (RECCE) UCAV drone, one was a CH-4 reconnaissance (RECCE) UCAV drone, one was a Y-8 antisubmarine warfare (ASW) aircraft and one was a BZK-005 reconnaissance (RECCE) UAV drone.

12 of the detected military aircraft crossed over the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered into Taiwan's air defense identification zone (ADIZ).

Taiwan tasked CAP aircraft, issued radio warnings and deployed air defense missile systems in order to monitor the activities of the Chinese forces.

Taiwan's Ministry of Defense released the following statement: "37 PLA aircraft and 6 PLAN vessels around Taiwan were detected by 6 a.m.(UTC+8) today. R.O.C. Armed Forces have monitored the situation and tasked CAP aircraft, Navy vessels, and land-based missile systems to respond these activities".

The MOD added, "12 of the detected aircraft (J-11*2, J-10*2, TB-001 UCAV RECCE, J-16*4, CH-4 UCAV RECCE, Y-8 ASW, BZK-005 UAV RECCE) had crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan’s southwest ADIZ, flight paths as illustrated".

North Korea Strategic Cruise Missile Firing Exercise - PYONGYANG - North Korea launched "four strategic" Arrow-2 type cruise missiles from the area of Kimchaek City, North Hamgyong Province to the East Sea of Korea, according to North Korean state news agency KCNA. Get More Alerts (And Earlier)

"A strategic cruise missile firing exercise was conducted at dawn on February 23," KCNA reported, adding that "the launch training successfully achieved its purpose".

The news agency reported that the four strategic cruise missiles flew in an "elliptical and 8 shaped flight trajectory" for 10.2 seconds, "simulating the distance line set in the EAst Sea of Korea".

"The Republic's nuclear combat force, which is strengthening its lethal nuclear counterattack capability against the hostile forces in every way, clearly demonstrated once again the state of war," KCNA stated. Read Full Statement

US Sending 200 Additional Soldiers To Taiwan - TAIPEI - Though only 30 U.S. Soldiers were located in Taiwan one year ago, the United States is now sending 100 to 200 more soldiers to the island for training (potentially more than quadrupling the number) amidst increasing tensions with China. Get More Alerts (And Earlier)

The additional soldiers will be added to the smaller training program that has already existed on the island consisting of personnel from the U.S. National Guard, U.S. Marines, and Special Operations.

In addition, the Michigan National Guard will be training Taiwanese soldiers, which will include some training within the United States.

Tensions have been on the increase in the region as China sends military aircraft into the country's air defense identification zone (ADIZ) on a near daily basis since U.S. officials such as former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited the island on August 2nd, 2022.

In addition, there are now reports that Chinese vessels are Severing Undersea Cables linking Taiwan to Malaysia. Australian General: China Would Take Out Taiwanese Cables On Ocean Floor At Start Of Invasion

Russia Suspends START Nuclear Treaty With United States - MOSCOW - The Russian Foreign Ministry has released a statement declaring that the START nuclear treaty, which is the only nuclear treaty in effect between the United States and Russia, suspended, saying that the U.S. is "weakening" the security of the Russian Federation, and causing a political and economic "suffocation" of Russia.Subscribe To All Alerts

The Foreign Ministry said however,, "At the same time, in order to maintain a sufficient degree of predictability and stability in the nuclear missile sphere, Russia intends to adhere to a responsible approach and will continue to strictly comply with the quantitative restrictions on strategic offensive arms stipulated by it within the life cycle of the Treaty".

"In addition, the Russian side will continue to participate in the exchange of notifications with the American side on launches of ICBMs and SLBMs on the basis of the relevant agreement between the USSR and the USA in 1988."

"The decision to suspend the START may be reversible. To do this, Washington must show political will, make conscientious efforts for a general de-escalation and create conditions for the resumption of the full functioning of the Treaty and, accordingly, comprehensively ensuring its viability. We urge the American side to do just that. Until then, any steps we take towards Washington in the context of START are absolutely out of the question".

Putin To Give Message To Federal Assembly On February 21st - [Posted in Patreon 4 days ago] MOSCOW - Russian Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov said that Putin will be reading out a message to the Russian Federal Assembly on February 21st in Gostiny Dvor that will focus on "the current situation" - the "special operation" and the "economy", as well as "the social sphere". Get Alerts Early

Russian state news agency RIA Novosti [From translation] reported that the streets in the Gostiny Dvor "will be blocked" in the center of Moscow "on the day of the announcement of the message of Russian President Vladimir Putin".

The Telegram channel of the Moscow Department of Transport said: "On the twenty-first of February, from 00.01 until the end of the event, sections from Novaya Square to Red Square, from Kitaigorodsky Proyezd to Bolshoy Moskvoretsky Bridge and from Ilyinka Street to Varvarka Street in the area of ​​house 5 on Red Square will be unavailable for travel. Parking in the area will also be unavailable ceilings".

Novosti reported that Putin's message will be covering "security and defense", the economy in the "new military-political realities", and address what Moscow calls "gangster methods" to seize the hydrocarbon market and establish a "political and economic protectorate" overall of Europe.

RIA Novosti cited the first deputy head of the international committee of the Federation Council, FSB General Vladimir Dzhabarov as saying that the "first issue could be" to increase defense capabilities and, "The fight against terrorists, the fight against saboteurs, against agents of foreign special services".

Slutsky said that Putin's speech will "set priorities" that will "leave no hope for our enemies to defeat Russia, weaken or try to subdue it to its neo-colonial dictate."

Alexei Didenko, deputy head of the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia (LDPR) faction in the Russian Duma said, "Surely the president will focus on the work of the military-industrial complex, which is now functioning on a forced basis, on combat capabilities and the latest weapons technologies".

The Russian news agency said that "Almost all parliamentarians" are also assuming that Putin will speak on the economy, sanctions, and "overcoming pressure from the West in one way or another".

South Korea: North Fired Two Short-Range Ballistic Missiles In East Sea - SEOUL - South Korean news agency Yonhap has reported (translated) that North Korea fired two short-range ballistic missiles (SRBMs) into the East Sea in response to the joint "flight training" by the United States and South Korea the previous day. Get Alerts Earlier

North Korea has claimed that the SRBM is a 600mm super-large multiple rocket launcher capable of a nuclear attack and threatens to devastate the enemy's operational airfield with four projectiles.

North Korean news agency KCNA stated, "The corresponding radiation artillery division of the long-range artillery unit of the Western Front of the Korean People's Army conducted a radiation firing drill at 7:00 in the morning of the 20th." , and fired two projectiles into the East Sea".

KCNA said that the rocket launcher is, "the latest multiple-shot precision attack weapon system of our military, and is a tactical nuclear strike tool that boasts formidable power enough to allocate 1 to 4 shots per enemy's operational airfield."

“At the presentation ceremony held at the end of December of last year, the Academy of Defense Sciences and the Nuclear Weapons Research Institute expressed a firm view that, against the power of multiple rocket launchers, the explosive power of four rounds could devastate the enemy’s operational airfield to paralyze it."

"Through today's shooting exercise using super-large multiple rocket launchers, a means of tactical nuclear attack, the Korean People's Army's thorough deterrence readiness and will to respond to the combined air force capabilities of the United States and South Korea, which pride themselves on air supremacy, were fully demonstrated."

The South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff said that it had "captured" two short-range ballistic missiles that had been launched into the East Sea from around Sukcheon, South Pyongan Province at around 7:00 am to 7:11 am local time.

The South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff said, ""Our military is maintaining a full readiness posture while closely cooperating with the United States while strengthening surveillance and vigilance".

Yonhap said that the "super-large" launcher is a weapon that belongs to the category of short-range ballistic missiles because it "has a guidance function" and flies in a trajectory similar to that of a ballistic missile.

Nuclear Inspectors Detect 84% Purity Enriched Uranium In Iran - TEHRAN - International nuclear inspectors have detected 84% enriched uranium in Iran, "just below" the level needed to manufacture a nuclear weapon. Get All Alerts

Iran had told the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that its centrifuges were only configured to reach a purity of 60%, conflicting with the recent findings.

The level of enriched uranium needed to manufacture a nuclear warhead is around 90% enrichment purity.

In January of 2023, Israeli military's outgoing Chief of Staff Aviv Kochavi had said that Iran had enough enriched uranium to produce four nuclear bombs.

In November of 2022, the IAEA said that Iran had reached 60% uranium enrichment purity at its Fordow nuclear plant.

In July of 2022, an IRGC affiliated Telegram channel had posted a video declaring that Iran can move its "peaceful nuclear program to a nuclear weapons program" very quickly, and said that Iran's ballistic missiles are capable of "turning New York into hellish ruins".

North Korean ICBM Lands In Japan's EEC, Near Hokkaido - JAPAN - An Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) launched by North Korea landed in Japan's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEC), near Hokkaido according to Japan's Prime Minister, and the NHK news agency. For Live Alerts

Japanese officials say the North Korean missile was launched towards the east at 5:21 pm on Saturday, and landed in the ocean at about 6:27 pm west of Oshima-oshima in Hokkaido.

USINDOPACOM Statement on DPRK Missile Launch

"We are aware of the DPRK’s ballistic missile launch and are consulting closely with the Republic of Korea (ROK) and Japan, as well as other regional allies and partners.

The United States condemns these actions and calls on the DPRK to refrain from any further unlawful and destabilizing acts.

While we have assessed that this event does not pose an immediate threat to U.S. personnel, or territory, or to our allies, we will continue to monitor the situation.

The U.S. commitments to the defense of the ROK and Japan remain ironclad."

CENTCOM: ISIS Senior Leader Killed and Four U.S. Servicemembers Wounded in Helicopter Raid in Northeastern Syria - CENTRAL COMMAND: "TAMPA, Fla. - Last night, during a partnered U.S. and Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) helicopter raid in northeastern Syria, an explosion on target resulted in four U.S. servicemembers and one working dog wounded. The targeted ISIS senior leader, Hamza al- Homsi, was killed. The U.S. servicemembers and working dog are receiving treatment in a U.S. medical facility in Iraq."Get All Alerts & News

A second statement said, "ISIS Senior Leader Killed and Four U.S. Servicemembers Wounded in Helicopter Raid in Northeastern Syria".

Central Command Carries Out D-ISIS Raid On February 10th, 2023 - Central Command (CENTCOM) has released a statement regarding a "D-ISIS" raid that was carried out on February 10th, 2023 in which an ISIS leader was killed. Get Alerts Early

CENTCOM Statement: "A partnered D-ISIS raid on Feb 10th resulted in the seizure of multiple weapons, ammo, and a suicide belt. We can confirm Ibrahim Al Qahtani, an ISIS official associated with planning ISIS detention center attacks, was killed in the raid. 10,000+ ISIS detainees are held in Syria".

Central Command: US Forces Shoot Down Iranian-Manufactured UAV In Syria - US CENTRAL COMMAND: "On February 14th, at approximately 2:30 PM local time, US forces in Syria engaged and shot down an Iranian-manufactured UAV attempting to conduct reconnaissance of Mission Support Site Conoco, a patrol base in northeast Syria." See Photos & Get All Alerts

US Airstrike Kills 12 al-Shabaab Fighters In Somalia - AFRICOM: A U.S. Airstrike has killed at least 12 al-Shabaab fighters in Somalia. The airstrike was carried out around 28 miles from northeast Mogadishu, according to U.S. Africa Command. Sign up for Live News Alerts.

The Statement By AFRICOM said, "At the request of the Federal Government of Somalia and in support of Somali National Army engagements against al-Shabaab, U.S. Africa Command conducted a collective self-defense strike Feb 10, 2023.

“The initial assessment is the strike killed 12 al Shabaab fighters. Given the remote location of the operation, the command assesses that no civilians were injured or killed," the statement added.

It also said that the airstrike was carried out at the request of the Federal Government of Somalia, and in support of the Somali National Army.

General Michael Langley, the AFRICOM commander said, "U.S. Africa Command provides support to the Somali government to address terrorist threats, but we are only part of the U.S. efforts there".

He added, “Our Department of State and U.S. Agency for International Development colleagues have programs that help build resilience through education and training; develop agricultural diversity; improve markets and trade; and strengthen democracy and good governance".

Live Pentagon Update On Latest Objects Shot Down Over United States - Watch Live Pentagon update on the latest objects shot down over North America by the United States Air Force. Watch Now.

DoD Statement On Shoot-Down Of Airborne Object Over Lake Huron, Michigan - The following is a statement by the Department of Defense on the "successful" shoot down of an "airborne object" flying at about 20,000 feet in altitude in U.S. airspace over Lake Huron in the state of Michigan.

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE: "Today at 2:42 p.m., at the direction of President Biden, and based on the recommendations of Secretary Austin and military leadership, an F-16 fired an AIM9x to successfully shoot down an airborne object flying at approximately 20,000 feet altitude in U.S. airspace over Lake Huron in the State of Michigan. Its path and altitude raised concerns, including that it could be a hazard to civil aviation.

The location chosen for this shoot down afforded us the opportunity to avoid impact to people on the ground while improving chances for debris recovery. There are no indications of any civilians hurt or otherwise affected.

North American Aerospace Defense Command detected the object Sunday morning and has maintained visual and radar tracking of it. Based on its flight path and data we can reasonably connect this object to the radar signal picked up over Montana, which flew in proximity to sensitive DOD sites.

We did not assess it to be a kinetic military threat to anything on the ground, but assess it was a safety flight hazard and a threat due to its potential surveillance capabilities. Our team will now work to recover the object in an effort to learn more."

Latest Object Shot Down Was "Octagonal" In Shape - WASHINGTON - The latest "object" that was shot down on Sunday over Lake Huron, which is located close to the Canadian border was "octagonal shape" with "no discernable payload", Reuters cited a senior official as saying.

The report also said that the United States had "no indication" that the object shot down over Lake Huron posed a military threat, or that it had any surveillance capabilities to speak of.

Although some reports say three objects have been shot down over North America, Reuters reports that four objects have actually been downed in total.

U.S. Military Decommissioned Another "Object" Over Lake Huron - LAKE HURON - The Michigan state representative Jack Bergman released a statement saying that he has been in contact with the Department of Defense, and that the U.S. military has "decommissioned" another "object" over Lake Huron. Read Full Article

Michigan Representative Jack Bergman: "I’ve been in contact with DOD regarding operations across the Great Lakes region today. The US military has decommissioned another “object” over Lake Huron. I appreciate the decisive action by our fighter pilots. The American people deserve far more answers than we have."

FAA - The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has reopened airspace over Lake Michigan after declaring "potential contact" with an unidentified object over the region, which NORAD declared a "radar anomaly" and deployed fighter jets to investigate.

The FAA reported that it had closed the airspace over Lake Michigan so that they could examine the "potential contact" and later determined that it posed no threat.

The FAA announced on Sunday, "Pilots who do not adhere to the following [procedure] may be intercepted, detained and interview by law enforcement or security personnel".

In another statement to Fox News Digital, the FAA said, "The FAA briefly closed some airspace over Lake Michigan to support Department of Defense activities. The airspace has been reopened".

Montana Representative Matt Rosendale released a statement that said, "I am in constant communication with NORCOM and they have just advised me that they have confidence there IS an object and it WAS NOT an anomaly. I am waiting now to receive visual confirmation. Our nation’s security is my priority".

NOTAM Activated Over Canada Due To "Active Air Defense Operation - CANADA - A NOTAM has been activated over Toronto, Canada to to an "active air defense operation".

Official NORAD Statement: About Temporary Flight Restriction In Montana - NORAD And NORTHCOM Statement: "With the cooperation of the Federal Aviation Administration, North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) implemented a temporary flight restriction airspace in central Montana on Feb. 11, 2023, to ensure the safety of air traffic in the area during NORAD operations.

The restriction has been lifted. NORAD detected a radar anomaly and sent fighter aircraft to investigate.

Those aircraft did not identify any object to correlate to the radar hits. NORAD will continue to monitor the situation."

NORAD: Detected Radar Anomaly, Sent Fighter Aircraft To Investigate - National Security Reporter Natasha Bertrand: "This appears to have been a false alarm: New NORAD statement says “NORAD detected a radar anomaly and sent fighter aircraft to investigate. Those aircraft did not identify any object to correlate to the radar hits. NORAD will continue to monitor the situation.”

Representative Rosendale: Airspace Above Montana Reopened- Representative Matt Rosendale statement: "Airspace is reopened – I will remain in contact with defense officials and share more information as it becomes available. Montanans deserve answers". FAA Notice And Map

FAA Issues NOTAM over Havre, Montana Near Canadian Border - The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a NOTAM over Havre, Montana, near the Canadian border, and declared the region “National Defense Airspace”. FAA Notice And Map

NORAD shoots down an unidentified object violating Canadian airspace over the Yukon with an F-22. - NORAD shoots down an unidentified object violating Canadian airspace over the Yukon with an F-22. Tweet 2

NORAD Statement on Alaskan high-altitude airborne object Shootdown: - NORAD: "February 11, 2023 U.S. Northern Command Update on Recovery Operations At the direction of the President of the United States, fighter aircraft assigned to U.S. Norther Command successfully took down a high altitude airborne object off the northern coast of Alaska at 1:45 pm Eastern Standard Time Feb. 10 within U.S. sovereign airspace over U.S. territorial water. Tweet 2

Recovery operations continue today near Deadhorse, Alaska. U.S. Northern Command's Alaska Command and the Alaska National Guard, in close coordination with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and local law enforcement, are conducting search and recovery activities.

Arctic weather conditions, including wind chill, snow, and limited daylight, are a factor in this operation, and personnel will adjust recovery operations to maintain safety. Recovery activities are occurring on sea ice.

We have no further details at this time about the object, including its capabilities, purpose, or origin.

U.S. Northern Command also continues to conduct recovery operations off the coast of South Carolina following the takedown of the high-altitude surveillance balloon on Feb. 4. U.S. Northern Command's U.S. Navy component continues to conduct survey and recovery activities, and the U.S. Coast Guard continues to support site security.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation continues to assist recovery on site and take custody of debris arriving at on-shore locations. Sea states Feb. 10 permitted dive and underwater unmanned vehicle (UUV) activities and the retrieval of additional debris from the sea floor.

The public may see U.S. Navy vessels moving to and from the site as they conduct offload and resupply activities. Operations will continue as weather permits."

Norad Tracks One Or Two More High-Altitude Objects Over Northern Canada - North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) is monitoring "what appear to be" one or two objects over Canada according to a report by the Canadian Global Television Network. National security reporter Natasha Bertrand reported a high-altitude airborne object over Northern Canada. Tweet 1 | Tweet 2

Global News reported that "three security sources" told them of one or two more potential spy balloons exist, but the news agency said that they have no information on where the objects are located, or whether any decision has been made whether or not to shoot them down.

The "high-altitude" object that was taken down on Friday over the Atlantic Ocean in Alaska by the U.S. Air Force did not enter Canadian airspace, the country's Defense Minister Anita Anand said Friday in a statement.

Global News journalist Mercedes Stephenson posted a statement that said, "exclusive reporting that they have spotted another potential spy balloon. This time over Canada. The command says NORAD aircraft are in the area. “we have positively identified a high-altitude airborne object over Northern Canada”#BREAKING NORAD confirms@globalnews".

DoD Releases Statement About Object Shot Down Over Alaska - Department of Defense Press Secretary brigadier general Pat Ryder released a statement regarding the object shot down over Alaska, as well as further details about the balloon shot down on February 4th.

He said that the object was the size of a "small car" and not similar in "size or shape to the high-altitude surveillance balloon that was taken down off the coast of South Carolina on February 4th".

"Debris that's been recovered so far is being loaded on to vessels taken ashore, cataloged, and then moved onwards to labs for subsequent analysis. And while I won't go into specifics due to classification reasons, I can say that we have located a significant amount of debris so far that will prove helpful to our further understanding of this balloon and its surveillance capabilities," Ryder said

"We have no further details about the object at this time, including any description of its capabilities, purpose or origin," Ryder added.

Statement By DoD Press Secretary

"At the direction of the President of the United States fighter aircraft assigned to the U.S. Northern Command successfully took down a high-altitude airborne object off the northern coast of Alaska at 1:45pm Eastern Standard Time today within U.S. sovereign airspace over U.S. territorial water.

On February 9th, North American Aerospace Command detected an object on ground radar and further investigated and identified the object using fighter aircraft.

The object was flying at an altitude of 40,000 feet and posed a reasonable threat to the safety of civilian flight. U.S. Northern command is beginning recovery operations now.

U.S. Northern Command's Alaska Command coordinated the operation with assistance from the Alaska international guard, Federal Aviation Administration and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

We have no further details about the object at this time, including any description of its capabilities, purpose or origin.

The object was about the size of a small car so not similar in size or shape to the high-altitude surveillance balloon that was taken down off the coast of South Carolina on February 4th".

Another Object Posing A "Reasonable Threat" Shot Out Of The Sky Over Alaska - WHITE HOUSE - The U.S. just shot down an object that was flying around Alaska around one hour ago, according to John Kirby. White House Video Statement

Kirby said, "a high altitude object over Alaska air space...within the last hour" that we had been tracking for "the last 24 hours," and stated, "the object posed a reasonable threat".

"I can confirm that the Department of Defense was tracking a high altitude object over Alaska airspace in the last 24 hours out. The object was flying at an altitude of 40,000 feet and posed a reasonable threat to the safety of civilian flight. Out of an abundance of caution and the recommendation of the Pentagon, President Biden ordered the military to down the object. And they did. And it came in inside our territorial waters," Kirby stated.

Kirby also said, "The way it was described to me was roughly the size of a small car as opposed to a payload that was like two or three buses sized," Kirby said.

"We do not know who owns it, whether it's state owned or corporate owned or privately owned".

Brazil Declines Iranian Warships From Docking At Its Port - RIO DE JANEIRO - Brazil has declined the two Iranian warships from docking at Rio de Janeiro as the Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula sa Silva prepared to visit Washington for a meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden. Location Maps

The Iranian Navy had begun to operate in South American waters as two Iranian warships had the intention to dock at the port in the seaside city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil for a stay of one week, on a mission to the Panama Canal.

The refusal to allow the Iranian warships to dock at the port has been seen as a gesture by Brazil seeking closer ties with the United States.

The Financial Post cited a Brazilian military source as saying, “It’s true that there was a veto (from the government). The Iranian ships could not come during this period".

January 29th, 2023: Iranian Navy Begins Operations In South American Waters

TEHRAN - The Iranian Navy has begun to operate in South American waters as two Iranian warships sought to dock at the port in the seaside city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil for a stay of one week, on a mission to the Panama Canal.

Although there were initial reports that the Iranian vessels had docked at the port, reports came in later that they had not yet been allowed to dock, and that their docking was delayed by Brazil.

According to a Report by the Tehran Times and Fars News, Navy Commander Rear Admiral Shahram Irani said, "Today, we have a great opportunity in the sea area for the development of the country, and we can turn this gift from an economic capacity into a civilizational capacity by using the maritime capacity properly. Today, the use of the sea is a geopolitical advantage for us, and those who do not have this capacity are suffering from geopolitical suffocation.”

He said that the Iranian Navy is planning on expanding its scope of operations.

“So far, we have been present in all the strategic straits of the world and we have not been present in only two straits, in one of which we will be present this year and we are planning to be present in the Panama Canal,” he said.

He added, "The actions taken today in the Navy would not have been possible without the support of the elite society, knowledge-based companies, and the Ministry of Defense. Today, this capacity is at the service of the country's progress".

“We started seafaring much earlier than the Europeans, and this maritime civilization can be revived. Today we need to strengthen our maritime presence and today we can say that there is no problem in the scientific field to grow in this field. But most of this capacity is used in the military field and other sectors should also make more efforts in this field."

“Today, if my comrades are approaching the shores of the American continent, they are showing signs of the authority of dear Iran. As a showcase for the dear people of our country, we appeared in the Pacific Ocean for the first time. Of course, along this route, Australia and the French created threats for us and tried to violate the laws they had approved to cross their coasts. But we answered them with authority and according to the law.”

He also said that Iran now has command centers in the Indian, Atlantic, and Pacific oceans.

“We have formed three oceanic commands, including the Indian Ocean Command, the Pacific Ocean Command, and the Atlantic Ocean Command. Today we are present in the Indian and Atlantic oceans and soon we will be present in the Pacific Ocean. The equipment that will join the Navy in the future is in line with the mission of these three commands,”

The two vessels that docked at the Brazilian port were the Iranian frigate Dena and the warship IRIS Makran,.

The IRIS Makran is Iran's only forward base ship of the Iranian Navy. It was converted from being an oil tanker and is Iran's largest warship.

Makran had been on its way to Venezuela in 2021 carrying seven missile boats onboard but was denied entry by Venezuela after intense diplomatic pressure at the time.

The Dena is a Moudge-class frigate, which according to Wikipedia has:

1 × 76 mm Fajr-27 naval gun, 1 × 40 mm Fath-40 AAA or 1x 30mm Kamand CIWS, 2 × 20 mm cannons Oerlikon, 2 × 12.7 mm heavy machine guns, 4 × Mehrab SAM surface-to-air missiles, 4 × Noor or Qader anti-ship missiles, 2 × triple 324 mm torpedoes

On January 11th, 2023 Iranian Rear Admiral Shahram Irani said, "So far, we have been present in all the strategic straits of the world. This year we are planning to be present in the Panama Canal.”

Iran and Venezuela signed a 20-year strategic cooperation agreement in January 2022.

January 12th Transcript Of Ned Price Addressing Claims By Iran Of Visiting Panama Canal

QUESTION: the Islamic Republic of Iran is sending warships to the Panama Canal. Do you have any reactions to that? Do you find it provocative?

MR PRICE: We are aware of this claim by Iran’s navy. We continue to monitor Iran’s attempts or at least its statements of its intent to develop a military presence in the Western Hemisphere.

QUESTION: And also one more about exporting arms to Russia. There are reports that Iran has delayed the delivery of arms to Russia, including ballistic missiles and launchers. Are you aware of these delays and these reports, and what’s your assessment?

MR PRICE: Our overarching assessment has not changed. Iran is and remains Russia’s most important source of security assistance. This is a burgeoning partnership between Russia and Iran that has deepened in recent months but even over the longer time horizon. We’ve released significant detail regarding the provision of UAV technology from Iran to Russia. We have also detailed our concerns that Russia may also seek ballistic missiles, and ballistic missile technology, that Iran has.

We are watching very carefully. We continue to speak out against the provision of these wares, knowing that this technology, despite what we might hear from Tehran or from Moscow, is intended to do one thing: it is intended to kill Ukrainians; it is intended to inflict damage on the country of Ukraine, targeting in many cases civilian infrastructure.

Romanian Statement On Missile Launched By Russia, Crossing Into Moldova- Romania releases a statement regarding the Missile Launched By Russia, Crossing Into Moldova.

Romanian Ministry Of National Defense: "The Romanian Air Forces’ air surveillance system detected on Friday, February 10th, an aerial target launched by a Russian Federation’s ship, navigating in the Black Sea, nearby the Crimea Peninsula. The target is most likely a cruise missile, which flew over the air space of Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova and reentered the Ukrainian air space without ever infringing Romania’s air space.

The closest point of the aerial target’s trajectory from the Romanian air space was recorded by the radar systems to be at almost 35 kilometers North-East from the border.

The Romanian authorities have applied all standard procedures since the moment the target was detected until the complete clarification of this situation. Furthermore, at 10.38 a.m., two Romanian Air Forces’ MiG-21 LanceR Aircraft of the NATO-led Air Policing Service, which were executing a flight exercise at that moment, were redirected to the Northern area of Romania in order to increase the reaction options.

After approximately two minutes, the situation was clarified and the two aircraft resumed their initial mission.

The Romanian Air Forces are permanently monitoring, in cooperation with the Allied forces, the national air space and the immediate surrounding area."

Moldovan MOD Strongly Condemns Violation Of Its Airspace - MOLDOVA - The Moldovan Ministry of Defense released the following statement on their official Facebook account regarding the "rocket" that flew over its territory and "strongly condemned" the "violation" of its airspace.

Moldovan Ministry of Defense (translation): "In the context of the information about the rocket flying over the airspace of the Republic of Moldova, the Ministry of Defense communicates the following:

The responsible structures within the institution detected, at 10:18, a rocket, that crossed the airspace of the Republic of Moldova, above the locality of Mocra in the Transnistrian region and later over the locality of Cosauti in the Soroca district, with the direction to Ukraine.

We mention that the Ministry of Defense, in collaboration with the responsible structures in the country, closely monitors the situation in the region, and strongly condemns the violation of the airspace of the Republic of Moldova."

The statement comes after Ukraine claimed that Russian missiles flew into NATO-allied territory.

Ukraine Claims Russian Missile Crossed Into NATO-Allied Airspace - General Valery Zaluzhnyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine put out a statement claiming that Russian missiles flew over Romania and Moldova during a missile strike on Ukraine, crossing into NATO-allied airspace. See Images

The General's statement said, "Today, Feb 10, at 10:18 a.m., two Russian Kalibr cruise missiles crossed the state border of [Ukraine] with [Moldova] At 10:33 a.m., these missiles crossed the airspace of [Romania]. After that, the missiles again entered the airspace of [Ukraine] at the crossing point of the borders of the three states".

Pentagon: Chinese Balloons Part Of Larger Surveillance Program By China - Pentagon Press Secretary Pat Ryder says that the Pentagon is aware of four previous balloons having gone over the United States, and that they are a part of a "larger Chinese surveillance balloon program".

Pentagon: Chinese Balloons Part Of Larger Surveillance Program By China [Video Transcript]

USNORTHCOM continues their recovery operations in support of the recent takedown of the Chinese high-altitude surveillance balloon. Brigadier General Pat Ryder, Pentagon Press Secretary: [Only Statements About Balloon Added]:

GENERAL RYDER: "As of today, recovery operations of the balloon and the payload continue without issue. Sea states Tuesday permitted divers and explosives ordnance technicians to conduct underwater salvage and recovery, and underwater survey activities continue using unmanned underwater vehicles. The USS Carter Hall remains in the vicinity of the debris field and is leading the recovery efforts. US Coast Guard cutters continue to provide security, and the FBI and NCIS agents continue their work cataloguing debris and transporting it for further processing.

Again, we remind members of the public, if you come across debris, please do not handle it, but call your local law enforcement to facilitate safe recovery. Additional information on recovery operations will be forthcoming.

QUESTION: Thank you. To go back to the balloon, does the Pentagon know with certainty now that the balloon actually came from China, i.e., it was launched from China? And if so, where?

And then the DOD has said that there have been at least three other balloon incidents during the previous administration and one other incident during this administration. Can you tell us a little bit about how you were able to discern that these balloons were the same, and they were also Chinese spy balloons?

GENERAL RYDER: GEN. RYDER: Sure. So let me address your second questions - well, your second question first. So again, I'm not able to go into the intelligence. As you highlight, we are aware that there have been four previous balloons that have gone over U.S. territory. This is what we assess as part of a larger Chinese surveillance balloon program. You've heard us talk in the past about the fact that this is a program that's been operated for several years. What we do know is that in some cases whereas some of these balloons previously had not been identified, subsequent analysis, subsequent intelligence analysis did enable us to indicate that these were Chinese balloons.

In terms of where they're coming from, I can't go into the specific location other than to say China, and the last thing I'll say is that this last week provided the United States with a unique opportunity to learn a lot more about the Chinese surveillance balloon program, all information that will help us to continue to strengthen our ability to track these kinds of objects.

QUESTION: Thank you. As you said, as it's part of a wider surveillance program, if four previous ones had transited the U.S., have there been others that maybe got near international U.S. military installations, but didn't actually cross U.S. soil?

GENERAL RYDER: Yeah, so again, for classification reasons, I'm not going to be able to go into a lot of details other than these four are the ones that we assess went over U.S. soil. And I'm not going to go over specifically what they tracked other than what we've acknowledged publicly -- that we know that they were looking to surveil strategic sites, to include some of our strategic bases in the continental United States.

And so when you look at the scope of this program and the fact that we know that these balloons have been spotted, and what we now can subsequently assess to be Chinese balloons operating over at least five continents in regions like Latin America, South America, Southeast Asia, East Asia and Europe, again, it demonstrates why, for the Department of Defense, that China remains the pacing challenge, and something that we'll continue to stay focused on. Thank you.

QUESTION: Thanks, Pat. Do these Chinese surveillance balloons somehow explain the UAP, some of the unidentified aerial phenomena that were reported in that report to Congress? Have you gone back to look? And are some of those UAP incidents perhaps those Chinese surveillance balloons? And also, did you start tracking this balloon when it left China on July 21st? Were you tracking it all over -- the way over the Pacific Ocean, or did you just start tracking it when it got close to Alaska?

GENERAL RYDER: Yeah, thanks, Jennifer. So your first question, that's really a question best addressed by the Director of National Intelligence, that puts that report together. I will say, broadly speaking, that when it comes to our assessment of objects in air and space, you know, that's going to always be ongoing work, right?

So any time there's something that's unidentified, by default, we will track that information, and when new information can become available that we can apply, certainly we're going to do that, but to answer your direct question, the DNI would be the best folks to address that portion.

In terms of when we started tracking this, again, I'm not going to get into those kinds of specifics, other than to say we did see it approaching U.S. airspace. NORAD, NORTHCOM tracked it for the duration. Again, as it entered U.S. airspace, NORAD determined that it did not pose a physical or military threat, and in accordance with their procedures, monitored it.

When it did come over the continental United States, we began to develop options on how to take it down and address this threat, with the idea being that we wanted to wait until it was over water so that we could mitigate any potential civilian harm or property damage, and importantly, as I highlighted, use this as an opportunity to, again, better understand the Chinese surveillance balloon program and apply that information to increase our ability to track these kinds of objects. Thanks.

QUESTION: Can you clarify when the Chinese balloon -- the last surveillance balloon that went down near Hawaii went down? There are reports that it was four months ago and there's another report that it was in June. When did it go down?

GENERAL RYDER: Yeah, I've seen those press reports. Again, I'm not going to have any information to provide on the previous balloon flights that were out there. But again, appreciate your understanding on that.

QUESTION: Thank you. Could you just, in layman's terms, explains why there has been this -- what the General called "awareness gaps," why the U.S. was not able to detect these kinds of balloons previously?

And then given that, is there a kind of intelligence failure here? Did the military and the intelligence somehow fail to understand or grasp this threat or is it a failure of imagination? And how's that being addressed?

GENERAL RYDER: Yeah, thanks, Dan. So to answer your last question there right up front, no, it was not an intelligence failure. You know, as we learn more about this type of capability and really, what General VanHerck was referring to was previously having a domain awareness gap -- but we've learned a lot about these balloons, we've learned a lot how to track them, as evidenced by the fact that, again, we were tracking it as it approached U.S. airspace. And so we're confident that what we've learned about this program enables us to be able to monitor and be on the lookout for these kinds of capabilities.

And when you think about the wide array of activities that we monitor globally, but most importantly when it comes to defense of the homeland along our coasts and our skies, by being able to identify the characteristics of things like this or other potential threats, it all gets put into a broader library, so to speak, of information that our analysts can monitor, track, and detect, and then respond appropriately.

QUESTION: And then in terms of this global program, are the balloons that are spotted elsewhere in the world essentially similar to the one that was flying across the U.S.? And is there reason to believe that those balloons were flying near or over U.S. military bases abroad in those countries?

GENERAL RYDER: Yeah, so beyond the fact that they share the common characteristic of being surveillance balloons, right, intelligence collection assets that the PRC is employing, the only other thing I'd say is that we do know there's variation in the various sizes and capabilities of balloon, but beyond that, I'm not going to go into specifics. In other words yeah, I'll just leave it at that.

In terms of what they're monitoring and what their flight paths are going to be, I'm not going to go into that level of information, but needless to say again it calls into question why China, the PRC, feel that it's okay to violate sovereign airspace of nations in a way that is inappropriate and unacceptable -- so combining this capability with the other intelligence assets that they have at their disposal.

And so again, as I highlighted earlier, this just demonstrates why the PRC continues to remain our pacing challenge and I think that they have a lot of explaining to do when it comes to conducting these types of programs and violating nations' airspace and sovereignty. Thank you.

QUESTION: First, did you guys assess that this was a fleet after this balloon was spotted or from what you've determined in previous UAP investigations?

And with that, are you planning to declassify any information about those 163 reports of balloon and balloon-like entities so that we could understand better how they compare and don't compare?

GENERAL RYDER: Yeah, so on your second question, I'd refer you to the DNI. Clearly, within the realms of operations security and protecting intelligence sources and methods, we are trying our best to provide the public with as much information as we can on this program, recognizing that we don't want to do anything that's going to compromise our sources and methods.

In terms of your question about assessments on the overall surveillance balloon fleet, yes, we were tracking this before this particular incident. As I mentioned, our awareness and understanding of this capability has increased over the last couple of years.

You know, as General VanHerck highlighted, this wasn't information that we necessarily had previously, but again, our analysts have been able to, over time, put the pieces together and learn a lot more about this program.

And the last thing I'd say on that, again, is this was a unique opportunity for us to observe this balloon and its characteristics very closely as it traveled over the United States, and needless to say -- and I won't go into details -- we gained a lot of information on this and I believe we'll continue to gain more information on this.

QUESTION: Following up on -- following up on Tara's question, I thought you said, about the other four previous ones, that they were over strategic sites.

GENERAL RYDER: Again, I'm not going to -- they were over sites that would be of interest to the Chinese but I'm not going to go into the specifics, David. Thank you.

QUESTION: Just a quick follow-up and then a separate question. You said a moment ago the awareness and understanding of the situation has increased. When did the U.S. come to the conclusion that these were in fact surveillance balloon? Because it seems like that was an incredibly recent conclusion, based on the understanding of the situation.

And then just a short time ago in a House Intel briefing, Representative Stewart said the balloon may be the Chinese testing the American people to see their reaction, while General Philip Breedlove suggests that it was the enemy conditioning the U.S. population. Does the Pentagon believe that was China was conditioning or testing the U.S. with these balloons in some way?

GENERAL RYDER: Yes, thanks, Oren. So, you'd really need to talk to China about what its motivations were. Again, the facts are that they sent a surveillance balloon into sovereign U.S. airspace. We responded quickly and appropriately, monitored it, tracked it and took it down as soon as it was safe to do so. And I'll just leave it at that.

GENERAL RYDER: I don't have a specific date to provide you in terms of when the intelligence community developed this other than to say it's been in the last couple of years that we've been able to do the analysis and look at these objects and determine which has built the body of knowledge available to us. So again, as I mentioned, as this object approached U.S. airspace, NORAD NORTHCOM knew what it was and tracked it.

QUESTION: Thank you. You mentioned these four previous incidents. Was this the first time that the U.S. military had the capability of shooting down one of these balloons or was this a consideration in any of those previous incidences as well? And I also have a question on Ukraine.

GENERAL RYDER: Yes. So, we always maintain a variety of options on how best to respond. So, in terms of being able to shoot down any object that violates or threatens the United States, or our airspace, or our people, certainly, that is an option that's available to us. But in each case we took what we consider appropriate action. So, just leave it that.

If anything enters into our airspace whether we know what it is or not, we will monitor and we'll take appropriate action. Luis’ question was, did you have the capability to take down a balloon? Yes. We maintain the capability to take down balloons.

QUESTION: Well, kind of. It was more like, were there discussion about shooting it down --

GENERAL RYDER: Yes, I'm not going to get into those discussions.

QUESTION: Thank you for taking my question. Also wanted to touch on the hearing on the Hill this morning, the former EUCOM commander calling the delay in shooting down the balloon a miscalculation and that it could be China trying to condition the U.S. to miscalculate in the future. Was this a miscalculation? And how confident are we that we'll be able to detect these kinds of balloons in the future?

GENERAL RYDER: GEN. RYDER: Yes, so I think we are very confident that we'll be able to detect these kinds of capabilities, as evidenced by the continuing body of knowledge that we've been able to build up on this. But, obviously, that is something that our intelligence community will continue to work very closely on for this and any other potential threats.

In terms of how others may characterize it, I'm going to allow them to speak for themselves. Again, we detected this balloon, tracked it very closely. When it went into the continental United States we evaluated options on how best to bring it down. As you know, once it was safe to do so, we brought it down over water and we continue to collect the debris to be able to exploit for further intelligence.

QUESTION: And if I could ask, what did China think that they could get at 60,000 feet that they couldn't get with a satellite? What do you think they were collecting?

GENERAL RYDER: Again, that's a question that's best addressed by China. Obviously, at a high altitude you're operating above civilian air traffic. As you've heard us say before, the collection capabilities of this balloon were not of more advantage to other capabilities that we know they maintain. But regardless, we took steps to mitigate the potential collection of information. But as I also mentioned, we learned a lot about this balloon program.

And you know, the last thing I'd say on that is that I would not be surprised that the PRC starts to reevaluate its dirigible collection program. Thank you.

QUESTION: Thank you, General. Just first clarification, because I'm confused. With the previous four balloons, did you say they were not detected, but later intelligence assessment got your awareness? Would -- did this happen -- is this true, and did this happen with this administration, that assessment, or with the previous administration?

GENERAL RYDER: So what we know is that over the last several years, to include time during the previous administration, subsequent analysis determined that objects that had traversed over the United States, although not for the duration of this fifth balloon, were ultimately determined to be PRC surveillance balloons.

QUESTION: And the four previous balloons, they all happened during the last administration?

GENERAL RYDER: Three during the last administration, one during the Biden admin -- at the beginning of the Biden administration.

QUESTION: Well, this is the second balloon during the Biden administration?

GENERAL RYDER: Correct

QUESTION: Okay. And then did the technology you're able now to collect from the debris, did this lead you to think that this is actually part of a spy program, or are you leaving any room for maybe, no, actually, this was for civilian purposes?

GENERAL RYDER: I can assure you this was not for civilian purposes. We are 100 percent clear about that.

QUESTION: And are you willing in the future to share information with the public that confirms this assessment?

GENERAL RYDER: Well, what do you mean?

QUESTION: I mean, we have two narratives here, right? You referred us to the PRC before. The PRC maintains this is for civilian purposes strictly. The DOD and the administration is maintaining, no, this is actually spy balloon for military purposes, although it has no value added to what they have in terms of more than 400 satellites. So we have, as a press corps, we have two narratives here, competing narratives.

GENERAL RYDER: Okay. So I'll give you the facts. Again, based on what we know and have observed about this balloon, it is a surveillance balloon. It was an intelligence-collection capability. You know, a question that I would ask myself is if, in fact, it was a civilian balloon, a weather balloon, and it was approaching a sovereign nation, about to enter their airspace, a responsible nation would have put out some kind of public statement saying, "Hey, heads up. This is heading your way. We just want to let you know." The PRC did not do that. They didn't respond until after they were called out. I'll just leave it at that.

QUESTION: Thank you for taking my question, General. So on the balloon, I -- it -- have you shared the ID characteristics, now that we now have some better definition, with our other allies and partners so that they can watch over their own airspace and detect potential incursions?

GENERAL RYDER: So yes, so we are -- we are in the process of updating our international allies and partners. Not going to have more specifics to provide. Clearly, we maintain an intelligence-sharing relationship with many countries, and so as we have information to provide and as we currently are, we will share that information.

QUESTION: So I've heard multiple stories about the balloon in Hawaii. How exactly did it go down? Was it -- did it crash? Was it shot down? I just want to confirm.

GENERAL RYDER: Yeah, again, I'm not going to be able to talk about what we know on those previous balloons.

QUESTION Second, once we found out that it did go down, however it went down, were we able to recover any information from it?

GENERAL RYDER: Again, I'm not going to have any specifics to provide. As I highlighted earlier, broadly speaking, we've learned a lot about this surveillance balloon program, and every piece of information that we gather contributes to that body of knowledge that enables us to detect them, track them, and take appropriate action.

QUESTION -- one in Guam, anything?

GENERAL RYDER: Again, I'm not going to be able to go into more details.

QUESTION: I just had a very quick follow-up. Is the unofficial U.S. policy now that you're not going to shoot down balloons over land, only over water, or in the way that you're scrutinizing this further information that you have, is that going to change the way you respond to future balloons since it's a fleet?

GENERAL RYDER: Yeah, so I think you need to take a step back and look at our policy has not changed. If something is about to enter our airspace, we're going to track it and monitor it and determine whether or not it's a threat. And in this particular case, as the balloon approached U.S. airspace, the NORAD NORTHCOM Commander determined that it did not present an imminent physical or military threat.

So we're always going to reserve the right to take appropriate action against any foreign objects, unexplained aerial phenomenon, whatever it is, to safeguard the American public, and that's exactly what we did in this case.

QUESTION: Pat, if there were four previous incidents were Chinese spy balloons were over U.S. airspace and they weren't reported, how is this not an intelligence failure?

GENERAL RYDER: So the idea here is that we're going to be tracking all kinds of objects on any given day, both in the air, on the sea. And so as we gain information and as we see the profile of those objects determining whether or not it's a threat -- and so in terms of our ability to collect on those, as I've highlighted, we have learned a lot about their program, we've been able to learn a lot about what they're doing and their intent.

We observe a lot of things every single day in a lot of different ways, from an intelligence collection standpoint, and those are things that we're not necessarily going to talk about publicly for obvious reasons. There's also benefit in us knowing what they're doing and not publicly talking about what they're doing.

But in terms of monitoring these and collecting on them, we have been able to put together a body of knowledge that enables us to be able to detect them and act appropriately.

QUESTION: But did you know they were Chinese spy craft at the time, those four incidents?

GENERAL RYDER: They were tracked and subsequently determined to be Chinese.

QUESTION: And lastly, J-21 Chinese aircraft that came very close to the U.S. surveillance plane on December 21st, was that related to the balloon program or observation of the balloon -

GENERAL RYDER: No, completely discounted.

QUESTION: Thanks very much for doing this. One follow-up on the question of communications with China. You said that responsible nations, if it was a civilian balloon, would have notified the U.S. in advance. Does the Pentagon then assess that China is acting recklessly on purpose, in the hopes of creating some sort of bigger incident?

And then separately on the balloons, how -- is there any evidence or any assessment that some of the balloons, whether the one that was tracked just over the U.S. or the others, had capabilities other than surveillance, perhaps transmission?

And are there any other countries that may be running similar balloon programs to that being run by the PRC?

GENERAL RYDER: Yeah, thanks, Jeff. So on your last question, I mean, obviously nations around the world maintain various degrees of intelligence programs, and I'm not going to get into those from here.

In terms of what message China was trying to send with this balloon, again, I'd refer you to the PRC. I'm going to deal with the facts. The facts are that the balloon went into and violated sovereign U.S. airspace. We tracked it very closely, we developed options, and when the time was right to minimize potential civilian harm, we took a shot and took the balloon down.

And again, this is contributing to our body of knowledge on this program, which we will apply to defending our skies and protecting our citizens well into the future. And I will say also that when it comes to learning about these kinds of programs, I think we all appreciate the fact that this is not static. You're constantly learning, you're constantly applying lessons learned in order to protect the American public and our allies and our partners, and this is no different in that case.

Ladies and gentlemen, thank you very much. Appreciate your time today.

Efforts Underway To Study Chinese Surveillance Balloon After Downed - After the United States Air Force carried out the operation to shoot down the Chinese surveillance balloon, efforts are underway to study and scrutinize both the balloon and its payload. Read Full Article

The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Issues Statement Regarding "US Claim" It Shot Down Chinese Unmanned Airship - Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs: "China expresses its strong dissatisfaction and protest against the US's use of force to attack civilian unmanned airships".

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement on the US claim that it shot down the Chinese unmanned airship

"China expresses its strong dissatisfaction and protest against the US's use of force to attack civilian unmanned airships.

The Chinese side has repeatedly informed the US side after verification that the airship is for civilian use and entered the US due to force majeure, which was completely accidental. China clearly requires the US to handle it properly in a calm, professional and restrained manner.

A spokesman for the US Department of Defense also stated that the balloon will not pose a military or personal threat to ground personnel. Under such circumstances, the U.S. insists on using force, obviously overreacting and seriously violating international practice.

China will resolutely safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of relevant companies, while reserving the right to make further necessary reactions."

DoD F-22 Safely Shoots Down Chinese Spy Balloon Off South Carolina Coast - DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE: "A U.S. Air Force fighter safely shot down a Chinese high-altitude surveillance balloon today, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III said in a written statement.

President Joe Biden ordered the action on Wednesday, but it was delayed until the balloon was over water off the coast of South Carolina to ensure no Americans on the ground were harmed.

"The balloon, which was being used by the PRC in an attempt to surveil strategic sites in the continental United States, was brought down above U.S. territorial waters," Austin said.

The action was taken in coordination and support of the Canadian government. "We thank Canada for its contribution to tracking and analysis of the balloon through [North American Aerospace Defense Command] as it transited North America," Austin said.

"Today's deliberate and lawful action demonstrates that President Biden and his national security team will always put the safety and security of the American people first while responding effectively to the PRC's unacceptable violation of our sovereignty," Austin said referring to the Peoples Republic of China.

U.S. officials first detected the balloon and its payload on January 28 when it entered U.S. airspace near the Aleutian Islands. The balloon traversed Alaska, Canada and re-entered U.S. airspace over Idaho.

"President Biden asked the military to present options and on Wednesday President Biden gave his authorization to take down the Chinese surveillance balloon as soon as the mission could be accomplished without undue risk to us civilians under the balloon's path," said a senior defense official speaking on background.

"Military commanders determined that there was undue risk of debris causing harm to civilians while the balloon was overland."

An F-22 Raptor fighter from the 1st Fighter Wing at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia, fired one AIM-9X Sidewinder missile at the balloon.

The balloon fell approximately six miles off the coast in about 47 feet of water. No one was hurt.

Long before the shoot down, U.S. officials took steps to protect against the balloon's collection of sensitive information, mitigating its intelligence value to the Chinese. The senior defense official said the recovery of the balloon will enable U.S. analysts to examine sensitive Chinese equipment.

"I would also note that while we took all necessary steps to protect against the PRC surveillance balloon's collection of sensitive information, the surveillance balloon's overflight of U.S. territory was of intelligence value to us," the official said.

"I can't go into more detail, but we were able to study and scrutinize the balloon and its equipment, which has been valuable."

The balloon did not pose a military or physical threat. Still its intrusion into American airspace over several days was an unacceptable violation of U.S. sovereignty. The official said Chinese balloons briefly transited the continental United States at least three times during the prior administration.

While Chinese officials admitted that the balloon was theirs, they said it was a runaway weather balloon. "The PRC has claimed publicly that the high-altitude balloon operating above the United States is a weather balloon that was blown off course.

This is false," the official said. "This was a PRC surveillance balloon. This surveillance balloon purposely traversed the United States and Canada, and we are confident it was seeking to monitor sensitive military sites."

The mission now transitions to one of recovery. There are a number of U.S. Navy and Coast Guard vessels establishing a security perimeter around the area where the balloon came to Earth. They are searching for debris, said a senior military official also speaking on background.

There is no estimate for how long the recovery mission will take, the military official said, but the fact that it came down in such a shallow area should make recovery "fairly easy".

The military official gave some detail of the engagement. The F-22 fired the Sidewinder at the balloon from an altitude of 58,000 feet. The balloon at the time was between 60,000 and 65,000 feet.

F-15 Eagles flying from Barnes Air National Guard Base, Massachusetts, supported the F-22, as did tankers from multiple states including Oregon, Montana, South Carolina and North Carolina. Canadian forces also helped track the overflight of the balloon.

The Navy has deployed the destroyer USS Oscar Austin, the cruiser USS Philippine Sea and the USS Carter Hall, an amphibious landing ship in support of the effort."

DoD Statement: Chinese High Altitude Surveillance Balloon Successfully Shot Down - DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE: "This afternoon, at the direction of President Biden, U.S. fighter aircraft assigned to U.S. Northern Command successfully brought down the high altitude surveillance balloon launched by and belonging to the People’s Republic of China (PRC) over the water off the coast of South Carolina in U.S. airspace.

The balloon, which was being used by the PRC in an attempt to surveil strategic sites in the continental United States, was brought down above U.S. territorial waters.

On Wednesday, President Biden gave his authorization to take down the surveillance balloon as soon as the mission could be accomplished without undue risk to American lives under the balloon’s path.

After careful analysis, U.S. military commanders had determined downing the balloon while over land posed an undue risk to people across a wide area due to the size and altitude of the balloon and its surveillance payload.

In accordance with the President’s direction, the Department of Defense developed options to take down the balloon safely over our territorial waters, while closely monitoring its path and intelligence collection activities. This action was taken in coordination, and with the full support, of the Canadian government.

And we thank Canada for its contribution to tracking and analysis of the balloon through NORAD as it transited North America.

Today’s deliberate and lawful action demonstrates that President Biden and his national security team will always put the safety and security of the American people first while responding effectively to the PRC’s unacceptable violation of our sovereignty."

CIA Director: Chinese President Has Instructed Military To Be Ready By 2027 For Invasion On Taiwan - WASHINGTON - CIA Director William Burns said that Chinese President Xi Jinping has ordered China's military to "be ready by 2027 to conduct a successful invasion" of the island of Taiwan.

Burns spoke at Georgetown University on Thursday and said that Xi has been watching Russian President Vladimir Putin's drawn-out war on Ukraine.

"On Taiwan, I guess I would say our assessment at CIA is that I wouldn’t underestimate President Xi’s ambitions with regard to Taiwan. He has been pretty clear about that over the years," Burns stated.

He continued by saying, "I think he has watched very carefully – it seems to us – Putin’s experience in Ukraine and been a little bit unsettled and sobered by that as well".

"We know as a matter of intelligence he has instructed the People’s Liberation Army to be ready by 2027 to conduct a successful invasion."

He added, "Now, that does not mean that he's decided to conduct an invasion in 2027, or any other year, but it's a reminder of the seriousness of his focus and his ambition".

"Therefore, I think it’s very much in our interest as a policy matter in the United States to make clear our commitment to the status quo, to make clear we are not interested as a country in changing that status quo, that we are deeply opposed to anyone trying to change that unilaterally, especially by the use of force".

"And to continue to do all we can to help Taiwan defend itself and think through how best to do that to deter what would be a sort of deeply unfortunate conflict for everyone involved, including China as well".

Taiwan has been sending military aircraft and drones into the airspace around the island of Taiwan, some of which cross into Taiwan's air defense identification zone nearly every single day since former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited the island on August 2nd, 2022.

Before Pelosi's visit to the island, China's incursions around the island were far less frequent and were not daily occurrences.

China also began sending frequent reconnaissance drones around Taiwan, which were not generally sent around the island before Pelosi's visit occurred.

Chinese Foreign Ministry Statement On Balloon Over United States - Below is a statement by the Chinese Foreign Ministry regarding the balloon spotted above mainland United States.

Chinese Foreign Ministry Statement

"Q: On February 3, senior US State Department officials said at a briefing via teleconference that due to the entry of a Chinese unmanned airship into US airspace, US Secretary of State Blinken has decided to postpone his planned trip to China. Do you have any comment?

A: Regarding the unintended entry of a Chinese unmanned airship into US airspace due to force majeure, the Chinese side has verified it and communicated it to the US side. It is a civilian airship used for research, mainly meteorological, purposes.

Affected by the Westerlies and with limited self-steering capability, the airship deviated far from its planned course. This is entirely an unexpected situation caused by force majeure and the facts are very clear.

China always acts in strict accordance with international law and respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries.

We have no intention to violate and has never violated the territory or airspace of any sovereign country. Some politicians and media in the US have hyped it up to attack and smear China. The Chinese side is firmly opposed to that.

Maintaining contact and communication at all levels is an important common understanding reached by the Chinese and US presidents at their meeting in Bali.

One of the tasks of the diplomatic teams on both sides is to properly manage bilateral relations, particularly to manage some unexpected situations in a cool-headed and prudent manner. In fact, neither side has ever announced that there would be a visit.

It is a matter for the US to make its latest announcement, and we respect that."

Surveillance Balloon May Be Guided By Artificial Intelligence - A specialist in surveillance balloons says that balloons are difficult to shoot down and that the one over the United States flying over U.S. military sites looks to have been equipped with an advanced AI guidance system. Read Full Article

Explosion Reported Over Billings Montana - An explosion has been reported over Billings, Montana. The governor says that they are "monitoring the situation". The city of Billings, Montana says PD fire and airport have not been called to any incidents, and there have not been any plane crashes picked up on radar. View Tweet.

A Second Chinese "Spy Balloon" Hovering Over Latin America - WASHINGTON - The Chinese "spy balloon" has altered its flight path and is now moving east at about 60,000 feet over the "central" United States, which demonstrates its ability to maneuver, according to a statement by the U.S. military Friday.

A second balloon has also been spotted hovering over Latin America, according to the Pentagon.

China claimed that the balloon was merely a civilian airship that accidentally got blown off course into U.S. airspace.

Pentagon spokesperson: "we are seeing reports of a balloon transiting Latin America. We now assess it is another Chinese surveillance balloon.”

Air Force Brigadier General Patrick Ryder spoke at a news briefing and said, ""We know this is a Chinese (surveillance) balloon and that it has the ability to maneuver".

Ryder said that he expects that the balloon will continue on its path over U.S. airspace for a few more days.

He also refused to say where exactly the balloon is located currently, and when asked "Doesn't the public not have a right to know if the balloon is over their state?" he stated, "The public certainly has the ability to look up in the sky and see where the balloon is".

Ryder also said that the balloon "does not pose a physical threat to people on the ground".

Kansas Senator Roger Marshall said that the balloon is hovering over the northeastern portion of his own state, and said "I condemn any attempts the Chinese make to spy on Americans. President Biden must protect the sovereignty of the U.S.".

Ryder said, "We are seeing reports of a balloon transiting Latin America. We now assess it is another Chinese surveillance balloon".

Canadian Ministry of Defense Statement on High Altitude Surveillance Balloon - "February 2, 2023 – Ottawa, Ontario – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces: "A high-altitude surveillance balloon was detected and its movements are being actively tracked by NORAD. Canadians are safe and Canada is taking steps to ensure the security of its airspace, including the monitoring of a potential second incident.

NORAD, the Canadian Armed Forces, the Department of National Defence, and other partners have been assessing the situation and working in close coordination.

Canada’s intelligence agencies are working with American partners and continue to take all necessary measures to safeguard Canada’s sensitive information from foreign intelligence threats.

We remain in frequent contact with our American allies as the situation develops."

Senior Defense Official Holds a Background Briefing on High-Altitude Surveillance Balloon - DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE transcript of a background briefing regarding the high-altitude surveillance balloon spotted hovering over mainland United States, having come from Alaska, through Canada and into the northern United States from Canada.

DoD: "BRIGADIER GENERAL PAT RYDER: Good evening, everyone. Brigadier General Pat Ryder here, the Pentagon press secretary. So thank you very much for joining us a little bit later in the day. I'm going to go over a couple of ground rules first. I'll provide you then with an on-the-record statement. And then I'll turn it over our senior defense official.

So first, I'm going to read you an on-the-record statement. This is from Brigadier General Pat Ryder, Pentagon press secretary.

"The United States government has detected and is tracking a high-altitude surveillance balloon that is over the continental United States right now. The U.S. government, to include NORAD, continues to track and monitor it closely. The balloon is currently traveling at an altitude well above commercial air traffic, and does not present a military or physical threat to people on the ground. Instances of this kind of balloon activity have been observed previously over the past several years. Once the balloon was detected, the U.S. government acted immediately to protect against the collection of sensitive information."

STAFF: And with that, we'll go ahead now and revert to on-background. And you can attribute this to a senior defense official.

SENIOR DEFENSE OFFICIAL: Thanks, Pat.

Hey, everybody. Thanks for joining us late. So a couple of things up top, and then happy to take a few questions. I'll let Pat moderate on that. But so a few things.

First, we are confident that this high-altitude surveillance balloon belongs to the PRC. As was said at the top, instances of this activity have been observed over the past several years, including prior to this administration. In this instance, President Biden was briefed and asked for military options.

Secretary Austin convened senior DoD leadership yesterday, even as he was on the road in the Philippines. It was the strong recommendation by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, General Milley, and the commander of NORTHCOM, General VanHerck, not to take kinetic action due to the risk to safety and security of people on the ground from the possible debris field.

Currently we assess that this balloon has limited additive value from an intelligence collection perspective. But we are taking steps, nevertheless, to protect against foreign intelligence collection of sensitive information.

We are also tracking what abilities it could have in gaining insights, and continue to monitor the balloon as it is over the continental United States.

And so with that, let me pause and I'll take your questions.

Pat, you want to run the show?

STAFF: Yes, sir. Thank you.

All right, first we'll go to Tara Copp, Associated Press.

Q: Hey, thanks for doing this. A couple of questions about the balloon itself. Can you give us a sense of how big is it? Is it as big as a car? Big as a bus? Did that factor into the decision not to shoot it down? And, I guess, third on the balloon, when did you first start tracking it? Was it before it crossed into the continental United States?

SENIOR DEFENSE OFFICIAL: Yes, good questions. So how big? You know, I'm not going to go into the exact dimensions. We did assess that it was large enough to cause damage from the debris field if we downed it over an area. We had been looking at whether there was an option yesterday over some sparsely populated areas in Montana. But we just couldn't buy down the risk enough to feel comfortable recommending shooting it down yesterday.

So, beyond that, though, I can't really go into the dimensions. But there have been reports of pilots seeing this thing, even though it's pretty high up in the sky. So, you know, it's sizeable.

In terms -- and so whether it factored into the decision, it did in the sense that we had to assess what the possible debris field would look like falling from that height. We wanted to, you know, take care that somebody didn't get hurt or property wasn't destroyed.

And, I'm sorry, how long have we been tracking it. I'm not going to go into all the details because I don't want to reveal sensitive information. But I will say we have been tracking it for some time. And we have had custody of it the entire time it has been over U.S. airspace, entered the continental United States airspace a couple of days ago.

Q: And just one last, you know, Montana's one of the three homes for our siloed nuclear weapons. Was there any concern that the balloon was trying to collect intelligence on those silo fields?

SENIOR DEFENSE OFFICIAL: Yes, so clearly the intent of this balloon is for surveillance. And so the current flight path does carry it over a number of sensitive sites. I'd just say a couple of things.

First, our best assessment at the moment is that whatever the surveillance payload is on this balloon, it does not create significant value added over and above what the PRC is likely able to collect through things like satellites in Low Earth Orbit.

But out of an abundance of caution, we have taken additional mitigation steps. I'm not going to go into what those are. But we know exactly where this balloon is, exactly what it is passing over. And we are taking steps to be extra vigilant so that we can mitigate any foreign intelligence risk.

STAFF: Thank you.

Let's go to Jen Griffin, FOX.

Q: Thank you very much. What do you think the target of this balloon was? And has this ever happened before that you've seen either a Chinese surveillance balloon or another country's surveillance balloon over the United States, or is this the first time?

SENIOR DEFENSE OFFICIAL: Yes, so, I mean, it is a surveillance balloon. And not to be -- I'm not trying to be a wiseguy. But the goal is surveillance. And clearly they're trying to fly this -- this balloon over sensitive sites, one of which was just mentioned, to collect information. As I said, we do not judge that it provides significant value added over and above what they can currently collect in other means. But nevertheless, it's something we're watching closely.

Is it the first time. It is not the first time that you had a balloon of this nature cross over the continental United States. It has happened a handful of other times over the past few years, to include before this administration.

It is appearing to hang out for a long period of time this time around, more persistent than in previous instances. So that would be one distinguishing factor. Over.

STAFF: Let's go to Jeff Schogol, Task & Purpose.

Q: All right, thank you. What makes you believe this is a Chinese spy balloon? And then just for arguments sake, why not blow it up and just take the risk that it hits something on the ground?

SENIOR DEFENSE OFFICIAL: Right. No, I'm not going to go into all the ways in which we know that it's a PRC balloon. I will just say we have very high confidence that this is a PRC balloon. Very high confidence.

So we do not doubt that this is a PRC balloon. And that is an assessment shared across our intelligence and analytic community. Why not shoot it down? We have to do the risk-reward here. So the first question is does it pose a threat -- physical kinetic threat to individuals in the United States or the U.S. Homeland. Our assessment is it does not.

Does it pose a threat to civilian aviation? Our assessment is it does not. Does it pose a significantly enhanced threat on the intelligence side? Our best assessment right now is that it does not. And so given that risk, that profile, we assess that the risk of downing it, even if the probability was low in a sparsely populated area of the debris falling and hurting somebody or damaging property that it wasn't worth it and that was the recommendation of our military commanders.

That is what we recommended to the White House yesterday.

STAFF: Let's go to Idrees Ali, Reuters.

Q: Hey, just two quick questions. Firstly, have you directly brought this up with Chinese officials and what has their response been? And in terms of altitude, is this over U.S. airspace or is it sort of in the stratosphere? What's sort of the height of this right now?

SENIOR DEFENSE OFFICIAL: Yes, both good questions. Good to hear your voice, Idrees. We have engaged PRC officials with urgency through multiple channels. They've been engaged both through their embassy here in Washington and through our embassy in Beijing.

We have communicated to them the seriousness with which we take this issue. But beyond that I'm not going to go into the content of the -- of the message. But we have made clear we will do whatever is necessary to protect our people and our homeland. And so if the risk profile that I described earlier, if that changes we will have options to deal with this balloon.

In terms of the altitude, I'm not going to go into the exact altitude. What I will say is that it is significantly above where civilian air traffic is active, which is why we do not assess that it's a threat to civilian aviation. It -- but it is in the atmosphere and it is over U.S. airspace. It is not in outer space.

STAFF: OK. Let's go to Heather Mongilio, USNI.

Q: Thank you so much. You mentioned this is not the first time. Can you say when the last time a similar situation happened?

SENIOR DEFENSE OFFICIAL: I -- I'm not going to go into the details of that. It's happened a few times in recent years to include before this administration. But beyond that I'm not going to go into the details.

STAFF: Got time for just a few more. We'll go to Dan Lamothe, Washington Post.

Q: Yes, thank you. And can you walk us through how you observed it? NBC News reported that system F-22s were sent up -- I don't if scrambled would be the right terminology there but at least sent up to get a closer look. Thank you.

SENIOR DEFENSE OFFICIAL: Yes, so we've been -- we've been observing it through multiple means, including manned aircraft. You did see reports yesterday of a ground stop at billings airport and the mobilization of a number of assets including F-22s.

The context for that was it would put some things on station in the event that a decision was made to bring this down while it was over Montana. So we wanted to make sure we were coordinating with civil authorities to empty out the air space around that potential area. But even with those protective measures taken it was the judgment of our military commanders that we didn't drive the risk down low enough, so we didn't take the shot.

But that's why you saw the reports that you saw, Dan.

STAFF: And Nancy Youssef, Wall Street Journal.

Q: Thank you. (Inaudible) you mentioned earlier that the balloon stayed for a longer period of time than in the past and that it wasn't offering any significant intelligence relative to other means of ISR that the Chinese have. My question is, is there any reason to believe that the Chinese wanted this to be spotted. Is there -- is that your conclusion?

SENIOR DEFENSE OFFICIAL: You know, I can't speculate. It's probably a question better to direct to the Chinese embassy. I don't know why they did what they did. I will say that the past number of times it did not loiter over the continental United States for an extended period of time. It's different.

And precisely why they made the decision to make this different I think really is a question for them.

STAFF: And last question, Brandi Vincent, DefenseScoop.

Q: Thank you so much for doing this. Does the balloon appear to have technology that is different or more advanced than any technology that the U.S. has? Does the U.S. have a policy for dealing with balloons like this? I can't help but think of the 163 balloons that were made sense of in the UAP report. So is this something that you're developing policy on or does policy exist about how to handle these sort of sightings?

SENIOR DEFENSE OFFICIAL: Yes, you know I'm not going to go into the exact nature of the technology. I don't think that the -- that the pay load on this is -- I wouldn't characterize it as revolutionary. I think the thing that is different is the altitude and of course the willingness to put it over the continental United States for an extended period of time.

I think that's the -- that's the biggest difference here. As it relates to do we have a policy, the answer is yes, we do and most importantly we also have sufficient authority given to us to take action under Title 10 against unmanned aerial systems of which this balloon would be a part. So we think we have all the authorities we need to do anything that we need to do to protect the American people and we'll continue to do that.

Q: Thank you.

STAFF: Thank you very much ladies and gentlemen, that's all the time we have. Just as a reminder the comments are as a senior defense official on background. My comment at the top is on the record and we will post a transcript on defense.gov when it's available. Thank you for joining us.

NORAD And Northern Command Statement On Surveillance Balloon Over US - NORAD: "NORAD and U.S. Northern Command statement on the high-altitude surveillance balloon.

The United States government has detected and is tracking a high altitude surveillance balloon that is over the continental United States right now.

The North Americacn Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) continues to track and monitor it closely.

The NORAD Commander, General Glen VanHerck assesses the balloon does not present a military or physical threat to people on the ground at this time.

The balloon is currently traveling at an altitude well above commercial air traffic."

U.S. Tracking High-Altitude Surveillance Balloon - DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE: "An intelligence-gathering balloon, most certainly launched by the People's Republic of China, is currently floating above the United States, the Defense Department announced Thursday evening.

"The United States government has detected and is tracking a high-altitude surveillance balloon that is over the continental United States right now," Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder said during an impromptu briefing Thursday evening. "The U.S. government, to include NORAD, continues to track and monitor it closely."

Ryder said the balloon is well above commercial air traffic and doesn't pose a threat to civil aviation. He also said this isn't the first time such a balloon has been seen over the United States.

After the balloon was detected, Ryder said, the U.S. government "acted immediately" to protect against the collection of sensitive information, though he didn't detail what measures were taken.

A senior defense official who participated in the briefing on background only said the U.S. intelligence community has "very high confidence" the balloon belongs to the People's Republic of China, and that the United States has engaged with Chinese officials "with urgency, through multiple channels" regarding the presence of the balloon.

"We have communicated to them the seriousness with which we take this issue," the official said. "We have made clear we will do whatever is necessary to protect our people and our homeland."

Right now, the official said, following recommendations of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Army Gen. Mark A. Milley and Air Force Gen. Glen D. VanHerck, commander of U.S. Northern Command and the North American Aerospace Defense Command, the U.S. position is to allow the balloon to continue to float above the United States, rather than attempt to shoot is down.

The official said the risk of using kinetic force to take the balloon out of the sky might put civilian communities at risk, and that the threat the balloon poses now to both safety and U.S. intelligence doesn't justify such an action.

"Currently, we assess that this balloon has limited additive value from an intelligence collective collection perspective," the official said. "But we are taking steps, nevertheless, to protect against foreign intelligence collection of sensitive information."

The official said this is not the first time such a balloon has been seen above the United States, but did say this time the balloon appears to be acting differently than what has been seen in the past.

"It's happened a handful of other times over the past few years, to include before this administration," the official said. "It is appearing to hang out for a longer period of time, this time around, more persistent than in previous instances. That would be one distinguishing factor."

While the senior defense official would not say how large the balloon is, the official did say its size did figure into the calculation to not use kinetic force to take it out of the sky.

"We did assess that it was large enough to cause damage from the debris field if we downed it over an area," the official said. "I can't really go into the dimension — but there have been reports of pilots seeing this thing, even though it's pretty high up in the sky. So ... it's sizable."

As early as yesterday, the official said, the balloon was seen over Montana."

DoD Statement on High-Altitude Surveillance Balloon - DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE: "The United States Government has detected and is tracking a high altitude surveillance balloon that is over the continental United States right now.

The U.S. government, to include NORAD, continues to track and monitor it closely. The balloon is currently traveling at an altitude well above commercial air traffic and does not present a military or physical threat to people on the ground. Instances of this kind of balloon activity have been observed previously over the past several years. Once the balloon was detected, the U.S. government acted immediately to protect against the collection of sensitive information."

U.S. Government Tracking Suspected Chinese "Spy" Balloon Hovering Over Northern United States - UNITED STATES - The U.S. government is currently tracking a balloon that has been in northern U.S. airspace for a few days now, and U.S. officials say they are confident it is a Chinese high-altitude surveillance balloon.

Pentagon spokesperson Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder spoke to NBC news and said, “The United States government has detected and is tracking a high-altitude surveillance balloon that is over the continental United States right now".

Once the balloon was detected, the U.S. government acted immediately to protect against the collection of sensitive information,” he added.

It was detected hovering over Billings, Montana Wednesday, flying in from the Alaskan Aleutian Islands, and entering the United States through Canada.

Defense officials have been discussing shooting it down, two U.S. officials and a senior defense official told NBC.

The senior defense official said, "Currently we assess that this balloon has limited additive value from an intelligence collection perspective over and above what the PRC can do through other means".

“Nevertheless we are taking all necessary steps to protect against foreign intelligence collection of sensitive information,” he added.

Due to the altitude of the balloon is at, the official told NBC that it does not currently pose a threat to civilian aircraft.

He also said that while the balloon was hovering over Montana on Wednesday, they could have shot it out of the sky. NORAD did send aircraft, which included F-22 Raptors from the Nellis Air Force Base, but NBC says the official wouldn't speak on whether their options included taking the balloon out.

U.S. officials have contacted the Chinese government "through multiple channels both here in D.C. and in Beijing," the official reportedly told NBC.

8 Rockets Fired At Turkish Base In Northern Iraq - BAGHDAD - At least eight, some reports say 20 rockets were fired at a Turkish Zilkan military base in northern Iraq Wednesday. Two of the rockets that were fired landed on the inside of the base, wounding an Iraqi contractor.

The Iraqi Counter Terrorism Service, a security organization in Iraq’s autonomous Kurdish region reported the attack. Some sources, such as Al Mayadeen say that the base was targeted with up to 20 rockets.

A Turkish security source said that that were no damages or casualties in the base as a result of the rocket attack.

No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack, and it is not yet known who carried it out. The base hosts Turkish troops and is located in the Ninevah province.

34 Chinese Military Aircraft, 9 PLAN Vessels Spotted Around Taiwan February 1st, 2023 - 34 Chinese military aircraft and 9 PLA Navy (PLAN) vessels were spotted around the island of Taiwan on February 1st, 2023 according to Taiwan's Ministry of Defense.

Of the military aircraft spotted, six were J-16 fighter jets, four were J-10 fighter jets, two were Y-8 electronic intelligence (ELINT) aircraft, two were SU-30 multi-role aircraft, one was a BZK-005 reconnaissance (RECCE) drone, one was a BZK-007 reconnaissance (RECCE) drone, one was a Y-8 electronic warfare (EW) aircraft and one was a Y-8 antisubmarine warfare (ASW) aircraft.

20 of the detected military aircraft were reported to have crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered into Taiwan's southwest air defense identification zone (ADIZ).

Taiwan tasked CAP aircraft, issued radio warnings and deployed air defense missile systems in order to monitor the activities of the Chinese forces.

Taiwan's Ministry of Defense released a statement that said, "34 PLA aircraft and 9 PLAN vessels around Taiwan were detected by 6 a.m.(UTC+8) today. R.O.C. Armed Forces have monitored the situation and tasked CAP aircraft, Navy vessels, and land-based missile systems to respond these activities".

A second statement by the MOD said, "20 of the detected aircraft (SU-30*2, J-11*2, J-10*4, J-16*6, BZK-005 UAV RECCE, BZK-007 UAV RECCE, Y-8 EW, Y-8 ASW and Y-8 ELINT*2) had crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan’s southwest ADIZ, flight paths as illustrated".

Suspected US Drone Strike In Yemen Kills 3 Suspected al-Qaeda Militants - (Based on translations) - A U.S. drone strike is suspected to have killed three suspected al-Qaeda militants in Yemen’s Marib province, according to Yemeni media. See Photos Here

Yemeni media reported that Hassan al-Hadrami was one of the men killed in the suspected drone strike, which "was believed to be" carried out by the United States, according to a report by al Arabiya.

The Arabic news channel said that Hassan al-Hadrami was said to be with two of his companions who were with him in the vehicle that was allegedly hit by the airstrike, citing "tribal sources".

The report also says that it is noteworthy, because Hassan al-Hadrami's house was targeted by a raid in November of 2022, and is "one of the most prominent military leaders of al-Qaeda in Yemen," possessing great experience in "making mines and explosives," which reportedly put him "at the top of the list of targets" for American forces.

The report said that activists from Ma'rib governorate published a photo of al-Hadrami's vehicle which was "completely destroyed" by the strike, and had traces of blood on it.

All three men who were in the vehicle at the time of the alleged drone strike were killed.

A local government official reportedly told AFP news that “Three al-Qaeda members were killed in a strike by a drone that is believed to be American".

“The three were in a car in Wadi Obeida when they were targeted by the suspected US strike that killed them immediately," the report cited the officials as saying.

The photo of the aftermath indicates that a U.S. drone carried out the strike using an AGM-114 R9X Hellfire missile in which the explosives in the missile are replaced with metal blades to minimize collateral damage.

This type of missile is sometimes nicknamed “knife bomb” or the “flying Ginsu" due to the blades that are released at the target.

Another $2.2 Billion In Aid To Ukraine Expected To Be Announced "Very Soon" - WASHINGTON - The United States is preparing a $2.2 billion package worth of military aid to Ukraine, and is expected to contain longer-range rockets than the United States has previously been willing to give to Ukraine, as well as other weapons and ammunition.

White House spokesperson Olivia Dalton said that the United States will be announcing additional security assistance to Ukraine "very soon".

"I expect we're going to have more security assistance to announce soon," Dalton told reporters.

From the start of Russia's war on Ukraine on February 24th, 2022 to January 19th, 2023 the total dollar amount of military equipment given to Ukraine adds up to $26.7 billion.

Part of the $2.2 billion would be allocated to purchase the Ground Launched Small Diameter Bomb (GLSDB), which is manufactured by Boeing Co, according to a report by Reuters.

The Ground Launched Small Diameter Bomb has a range of about 94 miles, which is longer-ranged than other weapons given by the United States thus far, but does not reach as far as the longer-ranged guided missile system (ATACMS) requested by Ukraine, but rejected by the United States capable of a range o 185 miles. Read More

Airstrike Targets Truck Convoy On Syria-Iraq Border - SYRIA/IRAQ - An airstrike targeted a truck convoy on the Syria-Iraq border that consisted of 25 trucks crossing over the border from Iraq into Syria via a crossing that Hezbollah currently controls.

Al-Arabiya and Israel National News have reported the airstrike on the convoy, which it says belonged to a pro-Iranian militia and likely was transporting weapons.

Israel National News cited former IDF Chief of Staff Aviv Kochavi as saying, "We couldn’t have been aware of the Syrian convoy a few weeks ago".

“We couldn’t have known that it was heading from Iraq to Syria, we couldn’t have known what’s in it and we couldn’t have known that out of the 25 trucks, truck number eight was the one carrying weapons," he continued.

“We needed to send pilots to the right place and they had to evade surface-to-air missiles fired at them. They needed to attack, they needed to hit their targets and come back safely and not kill people who shouldn’t be killed. These are very advanced capabilities,” he added.

The Israeli news agency said that the strike followed the attack on the city of Isfahan, Iran, which it says that Iran "downplayed" as an "unsuccessful" drone attack.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) refused to either deny or confirm the attacks were carried out by Israel.

Israel Reportedly Behind Attack On Iranian Weapons Factory - Israel reported to be behind the attack on the Iranian weapons factory. The Pentagon has stated that no U.S. military forces were involved in strikes, despite claims by Saudi media that the United States Air Force was involved. Read Full Article

Netblocks: Iranian Internet Network Cut, Disruption In Connectivity - Netblocks Internet Observatory: "Confirmed: Network data show a disruption to internet connectivity in Iran with high impact to Mazandaran Province; authorities are attributing the incident to fiber optic cuts on the path between Babol and Sari".Read Notice

Admiral Says NATO Ready For Direct Confrontation With Russia - NATO - An Admiral serving as the Chair of the NATO Military Committee says that the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is ready for a direct confrontation with Russia.

Lieutenant admiral in the Royal Netherlands Navy Rob Bauer serving as the Chair of the NATO Military Committee since June 2021 was asked by the interviewer if we are ready for a direct confrontation with Russia, to which he responded, "We are" in an interview with DW.

During the video, he said, "They have shown us in a document, it was a concept treaty text in December 2021. They sent us a text which basically said we have to go back to the pre-1997 situation".

He added, "That's what they are aiming for, that's what is their strategic objective".

He continued, "It is about turning back to the old Soviet Union".

"Many nations in NATO thought for decades that we were owning the timelines. We were the ones that decided to go to Afghanistan, to go to Iraq, it was a decision from NATO, from the NATO nations".

"We owned the timelines, we were saying "when are we going, with how many troops, for how long, etc," and added, "Now, we are facing a threat, which is Russia that is coming to us uninvited at a moment of their choosing, so we have to be much more ready. We have no time to prepare because it is up to them when they come".

The interviewer asked, "We are ready for a direct confrontation with Russia?", to which he stated, "We are".

The interviewer then asked, "We are ready for a nuclear war, and do you believe in that possibility?"

The Admiral said, "I think that Vladimir Putin is not insane, so that's the good news. He has ideas that are not our ideas, but he's not insane. He's still a rational person, and I think that is important with regard to the use of nuclear weapons".

"I think it's extremely important that we all continue to agree on the effect that a nuclear war should not be fought, and can never be won".

USAF General Says He Believes US Will Be At War With China In 2025 - General Mike Minihan, who heads the United States Air Force's Air Mobility Command has warned that he believes the United States will be at war with China in 2025. View Documents.

The following is a memo which is dated in the future (February 1, 2023) and according to The Drive has been confirmed as authentic by a spokesperson of the Air Mobility Command (AMC).

SUBJECT: February 2023 Orders in Preparation for - The Next Fight:

1. SITUATION. I hope I am wrong. My gut tells me we will fight in 2025. Xi secured his third term and set his war council in October 2022. Taiwan's presidential elections are in 2024 and will offer Xi a reason. United States' presidential elections are in 2024 and will offer Xi a distracted America. Xi's team, reason, and opportunity are all aligned for 2025. We spent 2022 setting the foundation for victory. We will spend 2023 in crisp operational motion building on that foundation. If you want to know what the operational motion I demand looks like, look at what Total Force Team Charleston did in January.

2. COMMANDER'S INTENT. Go faster. Drive readiness, integration, and agility for ourselves and the Joint Force to deter, and if required, defeat China. This is the first of 8 monthly directives from me. You need to know I alone own the pen on these orders. My expectations are high, and these orders are not up for negotiation. Follow them. I will be tough, fair, and loving in my approach to secure victory.

3. END STATE. A fortified, ready, integrated, and agile Joint Force Maneuver Team ready to fight and win inside the first island chain. Maximize the use of the force and the tools we currently have and extract full value from things that currently exist. Close the gaps: C2, navigation, maneuver under attack, and tempo.

4. RISK. Run deliberately, not recklessly. You will be governed by the principle of calculated training risk, which you shall interpret to mean the avoidance of death, serious injury, and Class A damage to attain higher readiness, integration, and agility. If the Tactic, Technique, and Procedure you are developing increases AMC's ability to fight and win inside the first island chain ... move out. If you are comfortable in your approach to training, then you are not taking enough risk.

5. OT&E. Attached are our OT&E efforts from 2022 Fall PHOENIX Rally, which will guide our preparation but are not intended to limit creativity of approach. This is not an all- encompassing list. I expect you to move out briskly on the monthly tasks, anticipate the projected tasks and weave them eloquently into your units' training and operational battle rhythms.

6. FEBRUARY. (a) All AMC aligned personnel with weapons qualifications will fire a clip into a 7-meter target with the full understanding that unrepentant lethality matters most. Aim for the head. (b) All AMC personnel will update vRED. (c) All commanders will acknowledge this order directly to me immediately. Then, report all 2022 accomplishments preparing for the China fight, and forecast major efforts in 2023 through command chains by COB 28 February 2023.

7. MARCH (Projected). (a) All units will report progress toward established OT&E requirements for INDOPACOM Operations discussed and reviewed at Fall PHOENIX Rally. (b) All AMC personnel will consider their personal affairs and whether a visit should be scheduled with their servicing base legal office to ensure they are legally ready and prepared. (c) KC-135 units will coordinate to provide a conceptual means of air delivering 100 off-the- shelf size and type UAVs from a single aircraft.

8. APRIL (Projected). (a) All units will report their integration and operation plans for MOBILITY GUARDIAN 2023 to include all events (lead-in and concurrent) they wish to include for credit.

9. ADMIN. AMC/A3 will formalize these orders in FRAGO format. Completion, progress, reporting, reporting format, and advancement will be measured, driven, and collected by our AMC/A3 Team through ARC, NAF and EC leadership. LET'S GO!"

Israel Carries Out Airstrikes In Gaza After 2 Rockets Launched From Gaza Into Israel - ISRAEL - Two rockets were launched from the Gaza Strip into Israel. Both were intercepted by Israel's Iron Dome missile defense system. Israel has carried out an airstrike within Gaza following the rocket launches.

Statements by Israel Defense Forces: "Two rockets were fired from the Gaza Strip. The rockets were intercepted by the IDF Aerial Defense Array".

Earlier report (before the rocket attacks): "IDF & Israeli security forces operated in Jenin to apprehend an Islamic Jihad terrorist squad planning imminent terrorist attacks earlier today. Armed gunmen fired heavily at our soldiers from civilian rooftops as they carried out their critical mission".

Largest U.S.-Israeli Exercise in History Concludes - DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE: "Today marks the conclusion of exercise Juniper Oak 23.2. This exercise was the largest U.S-Israel partnered exercise in history, said Deputy Pentagon Spokesperson Sabrina Singh, who held a news conference today.

Juniper Oak integrated U.S. and Israeli fifth-generation fighter assets, which are the most advanced and capable, she said.

The USS George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group, which participated in the exercise, involved command and control elements, rescue and refueling aircraft and live fire exercises with more than 140 aircraft, and roughly 6,400 U.S. troops alongside more than 1,500 Israeli troops.

Today, the U.S.-Israel military partnership is stronger than it ever has been, and it continues to grow, stated Army Gen. Michael "Erik" Kurilla, commander of U.S. Central Command in a news release, while aboard the USS George H.W. Bush aircraft carrier today.

"I've observed our forces alongside Israeli troops firing HIMARS and MLRS rockets, conducting maritime operations, executing highly complex flight operations, coordinating close air support, operating together on land, at sea and in the air," Kurilla said, referring to the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System and Multiple Launch Rocket System.

Juniper Oak 23.2 integrated unmanned aerial vehicles, strategic bombers, jet fighters and precision fires. U.S. and Israeli forces conducted long-range strikes, suppression of enemy air defense, electronic attacks, offensive counter and air interdiction, and air operations in the maritime domain. In four days, these troops dropped more than 180,000 pounds of live munitions, Kurilla said.

Logistical support and the command nodes involving the two nations were superb, he added.

"It's remarkable that Israel's transition to and partnership with U.S. Central Command is less than 18 months old. Our shared achievement is a testament to the leadership of the Israel Defense Forces and the enduring commitment of the Department of Defense's most senior leaders to increase military cooperation. Only through a firm commitment to this partnership are we able to plan and organize such an incredibly complex high-end operation across such a large geographic area integrating all aspects of warfighting, some of which are seen and some of which are not," Kurilla said.

Separately, Singh said that this week, the Marine Corps will reactivate Camp Blaz in Guam, part of an agreement with the Japanese government to reposition Marines from Okinawa, as well as contribute to the overall integrity of integrated deterrence and bolster U.S. operational security in the Indo-Pacific region.

Camp Blaz will serve as a strategic hub and training area for joint forces, allies and partners in the region. "The Marine Corps has a deep history in Guam, and we are committed to continuing that strong relationship," she added."

U.S. Navy visits Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force, Holds Bilateral Strategic Dialogue - US PACIFIC FLEET: "WASHINGTON -- Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Operations, Plans and Strategy, Vice Adm. Gene Black, traveled to Japan to meet with his Japanese counterpart, Rear Adm. Nobuyuki Takenaka, Director General, Operations and Plans Department, Maritime Staff Office, Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF), for a bilateral strategic dialogue at the Japanese Ministry of Defense in Tokyo, Jan. 25, 2023.

The dialogue built upon the Strategic Approach Plan, originally signed by the JMSDF and the United States Navy in 2020. The Strategic Approach strengthens existing cooperation, addresses mutual strategic priorities and promotes collaborative development of defense capability.

“I am deeply grateful for the remarkable hospitality I was shown during my visit to the Japanese Ministry of Defense. It was my honor to work alongside the JMSDF to identify opportunities to strengthen our longstanding partnership,” said Black. “I believe in our shared efforts to sustain a free and open Indo-Pacific and I’m optimistic about how our combined determination will manifest in collective military advantages.”

Rear Adm. Takenaka echoed the strategic value of the partnership, reflecting on the importance of ongoing dialogue.

“The United States Navy and JMSDF exchanged views on the security environment in the Indo-Pacific region based on the newly developed National Security Strategy and National Defense Strategy of both countries, deepening our mutual understanding,” he said. “We renewed our commitment to further improving our interoperability and interchangeability in order to protect the free and open oceans and the order and values based on international law.”

The U.S. – Japan alliance is a cornerstone of peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific. The two navies routinely operate together to deepen interoperability to enable mutual action. Recent successful joint exercises, including RIMPAC and MALABAR, demonstrate the effectiveness of the bilateral framework and the mutual benefit strong partnerships deliver.

The Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Operations, Plans and Strategy (N3/N5) is the principal advisor to the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) on Navy strategies, plans and policies, including planning and coordinating the global employment of naval forces."

Image: "221009-N-DW158-1021 SEA OF JAPAN (Oct. 9, 2022) A Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force SH-60J Seahawk lands on the flight deck of the U.S. Navy’s only forward-deployed aircraft carrier, USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), in the Sea of Japan, Oct. 9. Ronald Reagan, the flagship of Carrier Strike Group 5, provides a combat-ready force that protects and defends the United States, and supports alliances, partnerships and collective maritime interests in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Gray Gibson)".

US, Japanese Forces Team Up for Exercise Southern Beach - US INDO-PACIFIC COMMAND: "KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- U.S. Airmen and Sailors from Kadena Air Base teamed up in the skies near Okinawa with Japan Air Self Defense Force personnel during the latest iteration of the bilateral Southern Beach exercise, Jan. 19.

“Southern Beach is a bilateral exercise between U.S. personnel from Kadena Air Base and the Japanese Air Self-Defense Force,” said U.S. Air Force Capt. Sebastian Coburn, 18th Operations Support Squadron dissimilar air combat-training wing chief.

Southern Beach provides U.S. and Japanese personnel the opportunity to integrate as an allied force to better understand each other’s strengths, practice fluidity and execute the mission of maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

There were a multitude of aircraft from different units coming together. Aircraft from Kadena AB included F-15C Eagles, KC-135 Stratotanker, E-3 Sentry, HH-60 Pave Hawks and U.S. Navy’s P-8A Poseidon. Japan Air Self-Defense Force aircraft included the F-2, the F-15J and the E-767.

The Southern Beach exercise involves close coordination between all forces involved, from mission planning, execution and debrief.

While U.S. Air Force and Japan Air Self-Defense Force often train together in similar Southern Beach exercises, the inclusion of the U.S. Navy’s P-8A added a unique dimension to this event."

USS America Conducted Missile Launch On January 24th, 2023 - US INDO-PACIFIC COMMAND: "PHILIPPINE SEA -- The forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) fired a RIM-116 rolling airframe missile, during routine operations, while underway in the Philippine Sea, Jan. 24.

The crew aboard the ship detected, tracked, and engaged a target to maintain proficiency of the onboard weapons systems and confirm the crew’s warfighting readiness.

"This exercise demonstrated our team's ability to work together, coordinate across multiple departments, and ultimately execute safely and effectively," said Cmdr. Avery Wilson, America's operations officer. "We demonstrated that through the hard work of our technicians and logistics support, our equipment is fully operational and our watch-standers in the Combat Information Center are trained and prepared for any threat."

USS America with Amphibious Squadron 11 and USS Green Bay (LPD 20) are sailing as the America Amphibious Ready Group to create a warfighting team committed to maintaining freedom of navigation and stability in the area of operations.

“The ship has to always be ready to deploy a lethal combat capability if necessary,” said Capt. Shockey Snyder, America’s commanding officer. This evolution reminds every Sailor aboard this ship that they, as tactical watchstanders, are the tip of the spear and we are ready to execute the nation’s defense strategy.

America, lead ship of the America Amphibious Ready Group, is operating in the 7th Fleet area of operations. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with Allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region."

U.S.-Albanian Leaders Discuss NATO, Bilateral Relations - U.S. and Albanian defense leaders met today at the Pentagon to make a strong bilateral alliance even stronger. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE - "Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III met with Defense Minister Niko Peleshi met as the two nations marked the 30th year of their nations' defense relationship.

The men last spoke during the Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting in Ramstein Air Base last week. Albania, a NATO ally, is providing aid to Ukraine as the country battles against Russian invaders.

"Over the past three decades, our relationship has only deepened," Austin said at the beginning of the meeting. "Our forces train and exercise together. They work alongside each other in coalition operations.”

Albanian troops have served alongside U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan, Kosovo, Iraq and Latvia. "More recently, we appreciate Albania[‘s] support and hosting Defender Europe '21,"Austin said.

The secretary also said he appreciated that Albania has volunteered to host Defender Europe '23

"We're meeting at a critical time for European security,"the secretary said. "Last week's contact group underscored the importance of moving urgently to strengthen Ukraine against Russian aggression and to strengthen our shared security."

Austin thanked the Albanian minister for the lethal and humanitarian aid his country is providing Ukraine. Albania is also deploying forces to bolster NATO's defense in the East.

Peleshi told Austin his country is proud to be a member of NATO and an ally of the United States. He said his country wants to do what is needed. "We have been very active in international missions, NATO missions, U.N. missions and operations because we want to deserve being an ally of the great, most powerful political alliance," he said."

Russia Says Tanks Being Sent to Ukraine By NATO Allies A "New Level Of Confrontation" - MOSCOW - Russia’s Ambassador to Germany Sergei Nechayev released a statement after the United States and Germany announced sending tanks to Ukraine that called the decision an "extremely dangerous decision" that "takes the conflict to a new level of confrontation".

While addressing Germany's decision to allow their Leopard 2 tanks to be sent to Ukraine, the ambassador said the following:

"On January 25, 2023, the German government approved the delivery of Leopard 2 heavy battle tanks to the Kyiv regime. Other countries that are armed with such equipment are allowed to re-export it to Ukraine.

This extremely dangerous decision takes the conflict to a new level of confrontation and contradicts the statements of German politicians about the unwillingness of the FRG to get involved in it. Unfortunately, this happens over and over again. Once again, we are convinced that Germany, like its closest allies, is not interested in a diplomatic solution to the Ukrainian crisis, it is set up for its permanent escalation and unlimited pumping of the Kyiv regime with more and more deadly weapons. "Red lines" are a thing of the past.

The choice of Berlin means the final refusal of the Federal Republic of Germany to recognize the historical responsibility to our people for the terrible, timeless crimes of Nazism during the Great Patriotic War, the consignment to the oblivion of the difficult path of post-war reconciliation between Russians and Germans. With the approval of the leadership of the FRG, battle tanks with German crosses will again be sent to the "eastern front", which will inevitably lead to the death of not only Russian soldiers, but also the civilian population.

Berlin adopted this decision on the 80th anniversary of the breaking of the blockade of Leningrad, in which hundreds of thousands of Soviet citizens died. It destroys the remnants of mutual trust, causes irreparable damage to the already deplorable state of Russian-German relations, and casts doubt on the possibility of their normalization in the foreseeable future."

British Challenger 2 Tanks To Be Delivered To Ukraine

British Challenger 2 tanks are also to be delivered to Ukraine by the end of March, according to British Deputy Defense Minister Alex Chuck.

“Our intention is that it will be at the end of March,” Chuck said (cited by TASS). Training of the Ukrainian military to manage and maintain British tanks should start on Monday, January 30," Chuck stated.

Russia: Shipments Will Be A Legitimate Target For Russian Aerospace Forces

Russian Foreign Minister has put out a warning and sent a note to members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) that any shipments that contain military equipment will become a legitimate target for Russian Aerospace Forces.

Russia: Delivery Of Uranium Shells To Ukraine By US Will Be Considered The Use Of Dirty Bombs - MOSCOW - The delivery of Western-made uranium shells to Ukraine will be regarded by Russia as "the use of dirty nuclear bombs" and said that the depleted uranium shells used for the Leopard 2 tanks lead to "contamination of the area" and outbreaks of cancer.

At talks in Vienna on military security and arms control, Konstantin Gavrilov, head of the Russian delegation said, "We warn Western sponsors of the Kyiv military machine from encouraging nuclear provocations and blackmail".

The Russian diplomat went on to say, "We know that the Leopard 2 tank, as well as the Bradley and Marder infantry fighting vehicles, are armed with uranium-core armor-piercing projectiles, the use of which leads to contamination of the area, as happened in Yugoslavia and Iraq" .

"If Kyiv is supplied with such shells for NATO heavy military equipment, we will consider this as the use of dirty nuclear bombs against Russia, with all the ensuing consequences," the diplomat added.

Gavrilov claimed that Western countries "forced" Germany to make the decision to transfer "armored vehicles" to Ukraine.

Gavrilov said, “First, the allies threatened Berlin with international isolation in case of refusal to transfer the Leopards. Then none other than the representative of the US State Department, Ned Price, announced “imminent news” regarding the direction of the German “beast” to Kyiv. This is how transatlantic “solidarity” is forged, — said the head of the delegation".

Russian state-run news RIA Novosti cited the diplomat as saying that Germany made a "conscious" choice in favor of "German tanks with crosses on their armor again attacking Russian soldiers," and said that the Russian army will be destroying them.

Novosti stated that a "doctor of the military sciences" named Konstantin Sivkov told the Russian news agency that the Leopard 2 ammunition load includes armor-piercing sub-caliber depleted uranium shells, which it says leads to "contamination of the area" and "outbreaks of cancer".

Biden Announces Abrams Tanks to be Delivered to Ukraine - DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE: "President Joe Biden announced today that the United States will provide Ukraine with 31 M1 Abrams tanks. That is the required number to equip an entire Ukraine tank battalion. View Fact Sheet

These tanks are needed, Biden said, because Ukrainian forces are working to defend the territory they hold and will be better prepared for additional counter-offenses.

"They need to be able to counter Russia's evolving tactics and strategy on the battlefield in the very near term. They need to improve their ability to maneuver in open terrain. And, they need an enduring capability to deter and defend against Russian aggression over the long term," the president said.

The Abrams tanks are the most capable tanks in the world. And, they're also extremely complex to operate and maintain. Along with the tanks, the U.S. will be giving Ukraine the parts and equipment necessary to effectively repair and maintain these tanks on the battlefield, he said.

Ukrainian troops will be given training on logistics and maintenance as soon as possible, as actual delivery of these tanks will take some time, he said.

This morning, Biden said he had a long conversation with NATO allies, including German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, French President Emmanuel Macron, United Kingdom Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni regarding continued close coordination and support of Ukraine.

Biden mentioned strong allied support for Ukraine, which will include German Leopard 2 tanks, a German Patriot missile battery, Challenger 2 tanks from the United Kingdom, and AMX-10 armored fighting vehicles from France.

"This is about helping Ukraine defend and protect Ukrainian land. It is not an offensive threat to Russia," he said.

"The expectation on the part of Russia is we're going to break up, we're not going to stay united. But we are fully thoroughly totally united," Biden said, speaking of the 50 nations that are part of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group.

Senior administration officials said earlier today that these Abrams tanks will be procured through Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative funding.

Unlike the presidential drawdown authority, USAI is an authority under which the United States procures capabilities from industry rather than delivering equipment that is drawn down from DOD stocks.

The officials also noted that eight M88 recovery vehicles will also be shipped to Ukraine, to accompany the 31 tanks.

Washington: $400 Million In Additional Security Assistance for Ukraine, Including Abrams Tanks - DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE: "The Department of Defense (DoD) announces the procurement of Abrams tanks for Ukraine via the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI), to support Ukraine's defense against Russian aggression. View Fact Sheet

This USAI package underscores the continued U.S. commitment to building the capacity of Ukraine's Armed Forces, now and into the future. Unlike Presidential Drawdown authority (PDA), which DoD has continued to leverage to deliver equipment to Ukraine from DoD stocks at a historic pace, USAI is an authority under which the United States procures new capabilities. This $400 million USAI package represents the beginning of a contracting process to provide additional capabilities to Ukraine.

The capabilities in this package include: 31 Abrams tanks with 120mm rounds and other ammunition; Eight Tactical Vehicles to recover equipment; Support vehicles and equipment; Funding for training, maintenance, and sustainment.

Alongside the battalion of Abrams tanks provided by the United States, a European consortium is committing to provide two battalions of Leopard tanks to Ukraine in the near term. The United States will continue to work with our Allies and partners to meet Ukraine's battlefield needs to counter Russian aggression and ensure the continued freedom and independence of the Ukrainian people.

In total, the United States has now committed more than $27.8 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since the beginning of the Biden Administration. Since 2014, the United States has committed more than $29.9 billion in security assistance to Ukraine and more than $27.1 billion since the beginning of Russia's unprovoked and brutal invasion on February 24, 2022."

US And Germany Both Agree To Send Tanks To Ukraine - WASHINGTON/BERLIN - Both the United States and Germany have agreed to send tanks to Ukraine after Germany had said it wouldn't be allowing its Leopard 2 tanks to be sent to Ukraine by NATO allies unless the United States also agreed to send tanks of its own to the country.

U.S. President Joe Biden made a statement that said, "today I'm announcing the United States will be sending 31 Abrams tanks to Ukraine, the equivalent of 1 Ukrainian battalion".

"Secretary Austin has recommended this step because it will enhance Ukraine's capacity to defend its territory and achieve its strategic objective".

The German government also confirmed that it will be sending 14 Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine from the stocks of the German Armed Forces, and will, in addition, be allowing allies to send the German-made Leopard 2 tanks.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz released a statement that said, "Ladies and gentlemen, that is the right principle. We are dealing with very effective weapons systems, and it is the right thing for us to never provide these weapons systems on their own, but always in close cooperation".

According to the German Defense Ministry, the German-made tanks could be delivered to Ukraine within the next three months.

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius spoke on air on the Die Welt TV channel and said "This (deliveries of tanks - TASS note) will not happen earlier than in three or four months".

German Spokesman Steffen Hebestrait said, "The federal government has decided to provide the Ukrainian armed forces with Leopard 2A6 battle tanks. This is the result of intensive meetings that Germany has held with European and international partners".

"Germany will issue permits to partner countries that want to send Leopard 2A6 to Ukraine from their own stocks".

Russia's Response To The Announcements

Press Secretary of the President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Peskov replied to the announcement of Abrams tanks being supplied to Ukraine by saying that it was "quite a failure" for "technological reasons," according to Russian state news agency TASS.

“I am convinced that many experts understand the absurdity of this idea too. It’s just that such a plan is quite a failure in terms of technological aspects, and most importantly, this is a clear overestimation of the potential that this will add to the Armed Forces of Ukraine,” he said to reporters Wednesday.

He added that "so far there are a lot of mutually exclusive statements, media reports, leaks and so on from Germany and the United States." and said that "It is clear that not everything is going smoothly there, and in the [North Atlantic] alliance itself, not everything is so smooth, and not everything is going smoothly with the presence of tanks".

A report by TASS estimated that Ukraine can receive around 100 modern Western tanks, and had already received 350 to 400 Soviet-made tanks, which were mainly T-72s.

Allied Tanks Ukraine Will Be Receiving'

The following countries either are sending, or are considering sending tanks to Ukraine: Germany, Poland Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Finland, Sweden, Britain, Denmark, and France.

Biden Announces Shipment Of 31 Abrams Tanks To Ukraine - WASHINGTON - U.S President Joe Biden has announced that the United States will be sending 31 Abrams tanks to Ukraine.

During a speech, Biden said "and today, today I'm announcing the the United States will be sending 31 Abrams tanks to Ukraine, the equivalent of 1 Ukrainian battalion".

"Secretary Austin has recommended this step because it will enhance Ukraine's capacity to defend its territory and achieve its strategic objective".

He added, "The Abrams tanks are the most capable tanks in the world. They are also extremely complex to operate and maintain. So we're also giving Ukraine the parts and equipment necessary to effectively sustain these tanks on the battlefield".

Russian Frigate Admiral Gorshkov conducted hypersonic missile exercises in Atlantic - RUSSIAN MINISTRY OF DEFENSE: "The crew of Admiral Flota Sovetskogo Soyuza Gorshkov's frigate, operating in areas of the western part of the Atlantic Ocean, conducted computer simulation exercises with hypersonic missile weapons.

In accordance with the training situation, the frigate practiced arranging of Tsitkon hypersonic missile strike against a maritime target at a distance over 900 kilometers away.

A series of joint exercises with the South African Navy and the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy is planned for February 2023 off the coast of the Republic of South Africa.

The Admiral Gorshkov frigate is a modern multi-purpose ship, equipped with guided missiles, and designed for operating in distant maritime and oceanic areas. Fitted with Tsirkon, the ship is capable of launching pinpoint and powerful strikes at any offshore and onshore targets. The feature of Tsirkon missiles is their ability to overcome any kinds of modern and promising air or missile defense systems."

Medvedev: Russia May Nationalize Property Of US And EU Citizens In Response To Sanctions - MOSCOW - Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman, and former president Dmitry Medvedev said that Russia may be nationalizing the property of people who are registered in the United States, European Union, and other "unfriendly" jurisdictions in the midst of new "anti-Russian" sanctions.

He said that Russia is being threatened with arrests of assets of Russian citizens, as well as companies located outside of Russia.

"just like that, without any sanctions," Medvedev said, adding "in a carpet fashion," and "out of spite," and went on to say that, "this must be responded to in a quite symmetric manner".

On his VK social media page on Saturday, he said, "With the arrest of assets of foreigners and foreign companies in Russia based on country principle. And maybe, with the nationalization of the property of people registered in unfriendly jurisdictions. Like the EU, EU member states and a number of singing-along states of the Anglo-Saxon world will take part in this".

"Thankfully, we have vast experience and we have a law on this issue. A harsh one," he said.

Russian state-run news agency TASS said that "a number of states" have announced "harsh" sanctions against Russia, including financial and technological sectorial restrictions against 64 Russian agencies enforced by the European Union.

Among the agencies were the "Presidential Administration, Russian Defense Ministry, Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) and other state structures, as well as companies of military-industrial, energy, plane building and financial sectors of Russia," the news report said.

It added that a number of Russian politicians which include Russian President Vladimir Putin, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, and other Russian citizens have also been "blacklisted".

USS George H. W. Bush Carrier Group Joins Completion Of US/Israel Juniper Oak Exercises - MEDITERRANEAN SEA - The aircraft carrier USS George H. W. Bush (CVN-77) carrier strike group joined the joint US/Israel Juniper Oak drills in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea as the exercise wrapped up.

CENTCOM Statement On The Strike Group Joining Exercise Juniper Oak 2023-2

CENTCOM: "MEDITERRANEAN SEA (Jan. 24, 2023) The George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group sails in formation with the Israeli Navy during exercise Juniper Oak 2023-2, Jan. 24, 2023. Juniper Oak 23-2 is a bilateral military exercise, led by U.S. Central Command and the Israeli Defense Force, designed to enhance interoperability between the U.S. and Israel militaries. Juniper Oak 23-2 joins the long-standing “Juniper” series that the U.S. and Israel have conducted for more than 20-years. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Novalee Manzella)".

Completion of Juniper Oak 23.2 Exercise

CENTCOM: "TAMPA, Fla. – Today, U.S. Central Command and the Israel Defense Forces concluded Juniper Oak 23.2, the largest U.S.-Israel partnered exercise in history. Juniper Oak 23.2 integrated U.S. and Israeli 5th generation fighter assets, the USS George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group, command and control elements, rescue and refueling aircraft during a long-range large force exercise that included a live fire exercise with more than 140 aircraft including B52s, F35s, F15s, F16s, FA-18s, AC-130, AH64s, 12 naval assets, High Mobility Rocket Artillery Systems, Multiple Launch Rocket Systems, a mix of jet fighters, and long-range bombers.

Juniper Oak 23.2 enhanced interoperability and the ability of CENTCOM forces to rapidly move combat power into the region. “Today the partnership between CENTCOM and the IDF is stronger and continues to grow,” said Gen. Michael “Erik” Kurilla, CENTCOM commander. “Our partnership is a key pillar of our commitment to expanding regional security cooperation.”

“We at CENTCOM will take the lessons learned from Exercise Juniper Oak and share and incorporate them with all our partners across the CENTCOM region,” Kurilla concluded.

Roughly 6,400 U.S. troops alongside more than 1,500 Israeli troops participated in the exercise. CENTCOM remains committed to strengthening partnerships and enhancing interoperability in support of a more stable, more secure region."

KFOR Soldiers emergency response evaluated during Exercise Cavalry Guardian - US Military: "CAMP NOVO SELO, Kosovo — Kosovo Force, Regional Command-East recently conducted exercise Cavalry Guardian, an emergency response training exercise, geared toward testing team cohesion, resilience under stress and job proficiency, near Camp Novo Selo on Jan. 10, 2023.

During the training, Soldiers from Austria, the U.S., and Great Britain competed to provide the best reaction to an emergency scenario involving role players and emergency response personnel from KFOR.

“This training has helped us to spread awareness amongst even the lowest level of Soldiers how to deal with complex road traffic accidents, especially when they involve multiple casualties,” said British Army Capt. Hugo Hunter, exercise director and safety coordinator.

During the exercise scenario, Soldiers had to complete a very complex iteration with a combination of an unexploded ordnance scenario, a crime scene or weapons cache, a mass casualty event with four civilians and one KFOR Soldier.

On scene, the Soldiers had to coordinate with Film City Fire and Rescue to cut out a role-playing member of KFOR who was simulating they were trapped in the crashed vehicle. Once the victim was freed, competitors requested KFOR aviation unit support to provide medical evacuation.

“[This training] is important because these guys are out patrolling every day, so this is something that they would be likely to come across,” said U.S. Army Maj. Brendan Williams, KFOR Regional Command-East Operations Officer and logistics support for the exercise. “Not to this extreme, but accidents are probably the most common thing that they are going to deal with. So knowing how to treat casualties, knowing how to get those casualties follow-on care quickly, and reporting quickly, is very important.”

The joint exercise also enhanced the interoperability of several NATO partners and allies to include the U.S., the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Slovenia, Italy, Poland, the International Military Police, Film City Fire Services and the Joint Logistics Support Group. By working together, they enhanced the readiness of both their specialties and the competitors through training and developing best practices.

“We have a pretty unique situation in Kosovo where the threat to KFOR Soldiers is not as high as many other theaters and it gives us the best opportunity to practice our training, tactics and procedures, and really learn how to develop best practices,” Hunter said. “It's only through training that we better ourselves and perform to a higher standard.”

The plan is to continue to provide this vital training to Soldiers of future rotations of KFOR. The exercise director, Hunter hopes it will expand to include many other countries with further iterations.

KFOR RC-East comprises 10 contributing NATO partner nations. Its mission is to maintain a safe and secure environment and freedom of movement for all communities in Kosovo, as mandated by the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244 of 1999."

NY Army Guard aviation Soldiers mobilize for Mideast mission - US Army: "ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Almost 400 New York Army National Guard Soldiers will soon leave for a deployment to Kuwait.

The Soldiers from Rochester, Dunkirk and Long Island will train in Pennsylvania and Texas before heading to the Middle East for 10 months.

Some 350 Soldiers are assigned to the 642nd Aviation Support Battalion, trained to provide logistics and maintenance support to the helicopter units of an Army combat aviation brigade.

Forty-five Soldiers are members of Detachment 1, Bravo Company, 3rd Battalion, 126th General Support Aviation Battalion, and fly CH-47F Chinook heavy lift helicopters.

The 642nd Aviation has elements in Rochester and Dunkirk in western New York and in Farmingdale and Ronkonkoma on Long Island. The battalion is part of the New York Army National Guard’s 42nd Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade.

The 642nd will conduct farewell ceremonies at the Army Aviation Support Facilities in Rochester and Ronkonkoma. The Soldiers from Bravo Company, 3rd Battalion, 126th General Support Aviation Battalion, will participate in the Rochester ceremony.

The 642nd will train for two weeks at Fort Indiantown Gap near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and for about two months in Fort Hood, Texas, before deploying to Kuwait.

The Soldiers from Bravo Company will also train at Fort Indiantown Gap and Fort Hood. They will be under the control of their battalion at Fort Hood and in Kuwait while they fly missions to support Army forces in the region.

The 642nd will support the Mississippi Army National Guard’s 185th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade during operations throughout the region.

The 642nd Aviation Support Battalion deployed to Kuwait in 2013 and 2014 as part of the 42nd Combat Aviation Brigade, conducting support operations across the Middle East.

In 2005, the battalion, then known as the 642nd Divisional Aviation Support Battalion, deployed to Tikrit, Iraq, as part of the 42nd Combat Aviation Brigade and the 42nd Infantry Division.

During that deployment, the battalion conducted 180 combat logistics patrols covering nearly 60,000 miles while repelling multiple attacks by insurgent forces. The unit also recovered three downed aircraft.

During the deployment, two Purple Hearts were awarded and six vehicles were lost to enemy fire, but no Soldiers were killed.

In New York, Soldiers of the battalion responded to the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the World Trade Center and supported operations after Superstorm Sandy in 2012.

Bravo Company, 3rd Battalion, 126th General Support Aviation Battalion is a New York Army National Guard aviation company that is part of an aviation battalion headquartered in Massachusetts.

The Soldiers fly the CH-47F helicopter, the largest in the Army’s inventory.

The company deployed to Afghanistan, where the heavy lift and high-altitude capabilities of the CH-47 were vital. The unit served in Afghanistan from 2007 to 2008, 2012 and 2013, and 2018.

Soldiers from the company participated in state responses to Superstorm Sandy in 2012 and the “Snowvember” Storm in 2014. Last fall, the unit deployed an aircraft and crew to Florida to help respond to Hurricane Ian.

In May, a Bravo Company CH-47 recovered a pontoon in danger of sweeping over Niagara Falls.

Currently, 1,800 New York Army National Guard Soldiers are deployed overseas.

The 369th Sustainment Brigade has deployed 260 Soldiers in Kuwait, supporting the 10,000 Army Soldiers of Task Force Spartan.

The 3rd Battalion, 142nd Aviation, a UH-60 helicopter unit based in Latham and Ronkonkoma, has 250 troops deployed in Kuwait.

The 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry, along with companies from the 2nd Squadron, 101st Cavalry, and the 2nd Battalion, 108th Infantry — 1,130 Soldiers — are operating in the Horn of Africa, securing U.S. military facilities in the area.

And in Germany, 140 Soldiers of Task Force Orion, from the 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, are training Ukrainian soldiers as part of the U.S. support for that nation’s war effort."

Army announces unit preparation for potential deployments in support of European allies and partners - WASHINGTON – The Department of the Army announced the preparation of Army units for potential deployment to backfill units currently in Europe. This potential deployment would not constitute a change to current force posture levels.

It would ensure the United States continues to be well positioned to provide a robust deterrent and defensive posture alongside our Allies across the European continent. The United States will continue to adjust its posture as needed in response to the dynamic security environment.

Elements from the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division and the 10th Mountain Division Headquarters are preparing for a potential deployment to replace units currently in Europe. Preparation for this potential deployment provides flexibility to reassess conditions and respond to a dynamic security environment.

CENTCOM and Israel Defense Forces Conduct Exercise Juniper Oak 23.2 - CENTRAL COMMAND: U.S. Central Command and the Israel Defense Forces carry out live-fire exercise Juniper Oak 23.2 in Israel and the Eastern Mediterranean Sea.

"This exercise strengthens collective U.S.-Israeli readiness and improves the interoperability of both forces, thereby contributing to regional stability. Exercises like Juniper Oak show that interoperability and integration represent the improved security in the region.

“Consistent with CENTCOM’s strategic approach of People, Partners, and Innovation, we are committed to strengthening military-to-military relations throughout the region,” said Gen. Michael “Erik” Kurilla, commander of CENTCOM. “Juniper Oak is a Combined Joint All-Domain exercise which improves our interoperability on land, in the air, at sea, in space, and in cyberspace with our partners, enhances our ability to respond to contingencies, and underscores our commitment to the Middle East.”

Juniper Oak 23.2 integrates many military assets and missions, including:

Assets And Missions: Strategic bombers, U.S. and Israeli command and control, Fighter aircraft, Air operations in maritime surface warfare, Rescue aircraft, Combat search and rescue, Refueling aircraft, Electronic attack, Naval forces, Suppression of enemy air defenses, Ground long-range precision fires, Strike coordination and reconnaissance, Air long-range precision fires, Air interdiction, Rotary wing aircraft, Space Force assets, Special Operations Forces, Infantry forces.

This exercise will include a large-scale live fire event with over 140 aircraft including B52s, F35s, F15s, F16s, FA-18s, AC-130, AH64s, 12 naval vessels, High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, and Multiple Launch Rocket Systems.

“These kinds of exercises – which CENTCOM routinely conducts with our partners – develop interoperability between military forces, increase military capabilities, and are important to the security and stability of the region. The lessons learned during these exercises are exportable to our partners across the region,” Kurilla concluded."

Former Special Agent In Charge Of The New York FBI Counterintelligence Division Charged With Violating U.S. Sanctions On Russia - Former Special Agent In Charge Of The New York FBI Counterintelligence Division Charged With Violating U.S. Sanctions On Russia. A Russian Court and Government Interpreter Is Also Charged with Violating U.S. Sanctions on Russia.

US DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE: "Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Michael J. Driscoll, Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), announced the unsealing of a five-count Indictment charging CHARLES MCGONIGAL and SERGEY SHESTAKOV with violating and conspiring to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (“IEEPA”) and with conspiring to commit money laundering and money laundering.

SHESTAKOV is also charged with making material misstatements to the FBI. The defendants were arrested on Saturday evening, and they will be presented this afternoon before Magistrate Judge Sarah L. Cave in Manhattan federal court. The case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Jennifer H. Rearden.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “As alleged, Charles McGonigal, a former high-level FBI official, and Sergey Shestakov, a Court interpreter, violated U.S. sanctions by agreeing to provide services to Oleg Deripaska, a sanctioned Russian oligarch.

They both previously worked with Deripaska to attempt to have his sanctions removed, and, as public servants, they should have known better. This Office will continue to prosecute those who violate U.S. sanctions enacted in response to Russian belligerence in Ukraine in order to line their own pockets.”

FBI Assistant Director in Charge Michael J. Driscoll said: “The FBI is committed to the enforcement of economic sanctions designed to protect the United States and our allies, especially against hostile activities of a foreign government and its actors. Russian oligarchs like Oleg Deripaska perform global malign influence on behalf of the Kremlin and are associated with acts of bribery, extortion, and violence.

As alleged, Mr. McGonigal and Mr. Shestakov, both U.S. citizens, acted on behalf of Deripaska and fraudulently used a U.S. entity to obscure their activity in violation of U.S. sanctions.

After sanctions are imposed, they must be enforced equally against all U.S. citizens in order to be successful. There are no exceptions for anyone, including a former FBI official like Mr. McGonigal. Supporting a designated threat to the United States and our allies is a crime the FBI will continue to pursue aggressively.”

According to the allegations contained in the Indictment unsealed today in Manhattan federal court:[1]

In 2014, the President issued Executive Order 13660, which declared a national emergency with respect to the situation in Ukraine.

To address this national emergency, the President blocked all property of individuals determined by the U.S. Treasury to be responsible for or complicit in actions or policies that threatened the security, sovereignty, or territorial integrity of Ukraine, or who materially assist, sponsor, or provide support to individuals or entities engaging in such activities.

Executive Order 13660 and regulations issued pursuant to it prohibit making or receiving any funds, goods, or services by, to, from, or for the benefit of any person designated by the U.S. Treasury.

On April 6, 2018, the United States Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) designated Oleg Deripaska as a Specially Designated National (“SDN”) in connection with its finding that the actions of the Government of the Russian Federation with respect to Ukraine constitute an unusual and extraordinary threat to U.S. national security and foreign policy (the “OFAC Sanctions”).

According to the U.S. Treasury, Deripaska was sanctioned for having acted or purported to act on behalf of, directly or indirectly, a senior official of the Government of the Russian Federation and for operating in the energy sector of the Russian Federation economy.

CHARLES MCGONIGAL is a former Special Agent in Charge (“SAC”) of FBI’s Counterintelligence Division in New York, who retired in 2018. While working at the FBI, MCGONIGAL supervised and participated in investigations of Russian oligarchs, including Deripaska. SERGEY SHESTAKOV is a former Soviet and Russian diplomat who later became a U.S. citizen and a Russian interpreter for courts and government offices.

In 2021, MCGONIGAL and SHESTAKOV conspired to provide services to Deripaska, in violation of U.S. sanctions imposed on Deripaska in 2018. Specifically, following their negotiations with an agent of Deripaska, MCGONIGAL and SHESTAKOV agreed to and did investigate a rival Russian oligarch in return for concealed payments from Deripaska.

As part of their negotiations with Deripaska’s agent, MCGONIGAL, SHESTAKOV, and the agent attempted to conceal Deripaska’s involvement by, among other means, not directly naming Deripaska in electronic communications, using shell companies as counterparties in the contract that outlined the services to be performed, using a forged signature on that contract, and using the same shell companies to send and receive payments from Deripaska.

MCGONIGAL and SHESTAKOV were aware that their actions violated U.S. sanctions because, among other reasons, while serving as SAC, MCGONIGAL received then-classified information that Deripaska would be added to a list of oligarchs considered for sanctions as part of the process that led to the imposition of sanctions against Deripaska.

In addition, in 2019, MCGONIGAL and SHESTAKOV worked on behalf of Deripaska in an unsuccessful effort to have the sanctions against Deripaska lifted.

In November 2021, when FBI agents questioned SHESTAKOV about the nature of his and MCGONIGAL’s relationship with Deripaska’s agent, SHESTAKOV made false statements in a recorded interview.

CHARLES MCGONIGAL, 54, of New York, New York, and SERGEY SHESTAKOV, 69, of Morris, Connecticut, are charged with one count of conspiring to violate and evade U.S. sanctions, in violation of the IEEPA, one count of violating the IEEPA, one count of conspiring to commit money laundering, and one count of money laundering, each of which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

SHESTAKOV is also charged with one count of making false statements, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.

The maximum potential sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the judge.

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding work of the FBI New York Field Office’s Counterintelligence Division and the valuable assistance from U.S. Customs and Border Protection as well as the New York City Police Department.

The case is being prosecuted by the Office’s Public Corruption Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Hagan Scotten, Rebecca T. Dell, and Derek Wikstrom are in charge of the prosecution with assistance from Trial Attorney Scott A. Claffee of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section.

The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty."

Norwegian Army: Russia Has 180,000 Solders Killed Or Wounded In Ukraine To Date - NORWAY - The Norwegian Defense Chief Eirik Kristoffersen said in an interview with Norwegian channel TV2 that Russia has approached nearly 180,000 dead or wounded soldiers in Ukraine since the start of the war, to date.

"Russian losses are beginning to approach around 180,000 dead or wounded soldiers," he stated.

"Ukrainian losses are probably over 100,000 dead or wounded. In addition Ukraine has about 30,000 civilians who died in this terrible war".

Both Ukraine and Russia give extremely low estimates regarding their own losses and possibly inflated estimates of their opponent's losses.

United States Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley had announced an estimate of 100,000 dead or wounded in November of last year for both Ukraine and Russia.

Kristoffersen said, "Russia is able to continue (this war) for quite a long time. What worries most is whether Ukraine is going to be able to keep the Russian air force out of the war," he said.

He added that they have been able to keep Russia's air force largely out of the war "thanks to Ukrainian anti-aircraft defenses".

Most of Russia's attacks on Ukraine for the last few months have been using long-range missiles on Ukrainian targets.

Regarding tanks that the Norwegian General has called for the delivery of, which has been delayed by indecisiveness by Germany, Kristoffersen said "If they're going to go on the offensive in the winter, they (Ukrainians) need it fast".

Medvedev: Alliance Of Countries "Annoyed With US" Might Appear - MOSCOW - Former Russian President and current Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev said that The United States is attempting to destroy Russia and that a new global military alliance may be emerging.

The statement was written on his Telegram channel on Sunday, where he said "The Ramstein meeting and heavy weapons supplies to Kyiv leave no doubt that our enemies will try to maul or even destroy us endlessly. And they have enough weapons for that. They could also start producing new ones if need be".

He continued saying that he came to two conclusions. First, it would be "very difficult," and second, "in the event of a prolonged conflict, a new military alliance may appear at a certain moment in time, comprising those countries who will be annoyed with the Americans," and added their allies as well.

Claiming that the world would be a stable place again when the United States abandons Europe and added, "what will be left from poor Ukrainians unless it is too late."

US To Announce Sending 30 M1 Abrams Tanks To Ukraine - WASHINGTON - The United States says that they will be making an announcement to send around 30 Abrams tanks to Ukraine as soon as Wednesday, but it could take a few months to deliver the tanks.

An AP report, as well as a report by Foreign Affairs and PBS Defense Correspondent Nick Schifrin says that U.S. officials have informed him that Washington will announce sending about 30 M1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine, in coordination with an announcement by Germany that their Leopard 2 tanks can be sent to the country.

Germany had said they would not allow the German-made Leopard 2 tanks to be sent by NATO-allied forces to Ukraine unless the United States also made the decision to send its own tanks.

Poland has been asking Germany for authorization to send the German-made Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine. An official has said that they would approve the request if it is made.

U.S. officials are still working out the details, but said that it would be under the upcoming Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative package providing "longer-range funding" for weapons and equipment to be purchased from commercial vendors, according to the AP report.

The Russian Foreign Ministry spoke to Russia's state-run news TASS and said, "Reflections about red lines are now in the past. The United States has unequivocally declared its intention to inflict a strategic defeat on Russia. It is impossible not to notice this reality."

Regarding Germany allowing their tanks to be sent to Ukraine, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, "Such shipments do not bode well for the future of [Russian-German] relations. They will, undoubtedly, leave and unavoidable mark for the future of these relations".

Peskov said that Russia's relations with Germany are "already at a rather low point," and added "We do not observe any substantial dialogue with Germany or other EU, NATO countries".

Joint Resolution Introduced To Use Military Force Against Mexican Drug Cartels - WASHINGTON - A new Joint Resolution has been introduced by United States Representative Dan Crenshaw that would allow for the use of military force against Mexican drug cartels in order to fight against drug trafficking into the United States.

The joint resolution would allow "all necessary and appropriate force" against nine Mexican drug cartels including: The Sinaloa Cartel. The Jalisco New Generation Cartel, The Gulf Cartel, The Los Zetas Cartel, The Northeast Cartel, The Juarez Cartel, The Tijuana Cartel, The Beltran-Levya Cartel, The La Familia Michoacana, or Knight Templar Cartel.

Crenshaw was interviewed by Fox News and said, "We are at a point now where their resistance is not only hurting them, it’s killing our citizens. We have to say enough is enough. … You’d better work with us, because we don’t want to do this without you, but we will.”

He added, “They’re some of the most capable, most well-funded, most dangerous organizations on the planet, and they’re right there. And Mexico is at risk of becoming a failed state. We have to work together with their government to deal with this.”

What's In The Joint Resolution?

The joint resolution that was submitted states: "To authorize the use of United States Armed Forces against those responsible for trafficking fentanyl or a fentanyl-related substance into the United States or carrying out other related activities that cause regional destabilization in the Western Hemisphere".

"Whereas armed cartels such as Sinaloa Cartel and the Jalisco New Generation Cartel are responsible for trafficking fentanyl and fentanyl-related substances into the United States;"

"Whereas fentanyl and fentanyl-related substances kill ap- proximately 80,000 Americans every year and is the lead-ing cause of death for American men between the ages of 18 and 45;"

"Whereas the Sinaloa Cartel and the Los Zetas Cartel, among others, consistently engage in violence against each other and other cartels, creating instability mere miles from the border of the United States;"

AUTHORIZATION FOR USE OF UNITED STATES1 ARMED FORCES

"IN GENERAL, The President is authorized to use all necessary and appropriate force against those foreign nations, foreign organizations, or foreign persons affiliated with foreign organizations that the President determines"

Russia Dispatches Yars Nuclear Missile Systems To "Combat Patrol Missions" - Tver - The Russian Bologoye strategic missile division in Tver dispatched the Yars mobile surface-to-surface nuclear missile systems to "combat patrol missions," according to the Russian MOD, which says that it is scheduled training.

Last Monday the Russian Ministry of Defense said, "The Bologoye missile division has dispatched autonomous launchers of the strategic mobile missile system Yars to combat patrol missions. The crews are performing assigned tasks and on-the-fly instructions, including intensive maneuvering on combat patrol routes".

Russian state news agency TASS reported that the Yars crews are carrying out 100-kilometer (62 mile) march and practicing in countering sabotage and reconnaissance groups along the way.

The report also said that the missile units are practicing stealth deployment in the forest while support units carry out extracting special equipment from zones of 'hypothetical' chemical contamination, according to the Russian Defense Ministry.

TASS said that the scheduled combat training is to check the readiness of personnel, military equipment and weapons for long-term duty on combat patrol routes.

US Expecting To Support Netherlands In Transferring F-16 Jets To Ukraine - EUROPE - U.S. Ambassador to the OSCE Michael Carpenter said that he expects broad support in the United States to for the Netherlands to transfer allied F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, in an interview with Lithuanian news agency Delfi.

In an interview with Delfi, Carpenter was asked if Washington is ready to allow the Netherlands to give F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine. He said , “We have long been of the opinion that what our allies supply is their business".

"And we support the countless contributions (to defense - delfi) that our allies have made for Ukraine. And this has been true from the very beginning of the war, when we discussed legacy Soviet systems, to the present period, when we discuss main battle tanks and more sophisticated air and missile defense capabilities and systems." he continued.

"And so I expect there will be broad support in the United States for our allies to continue to increase their contributions".

Netherlands news agency RTL reported that "like other Western countries", the Netherlands had "previously contributed" to "dozens" of old Soviet tanks that the Czech Republic has given over to Ukraine to help defend the country against Russia's ongoing invasion.

At the World Economic Forum in Davos,Switzerland defense minister Kajsa Ollongren spoke to Bloomberg and said "That is certainly something we are willing to do".

The Deputy Prime Minister of the Netherlands Wopke Hoekstra also said that there are "no taboos" in supplying Ukraine "regular equipment", RTL reported.

The German-Made Leopard Tanks Cannot Be Given Without Germany's Permission

Regarding Leopard 2 tanks, Ollongren said that it must take place within a coalition within Europe or NATO, as the Netherlands to not currently possess Leopard 2 tanks, they are renting 18 of them from Germany.

As Leopard-2 tanks are German made, authorization must be given by Germany before any NATO country will be allowed to supply them to Ukraine.

"We are waiting for Germany's position on this, but I am in favor of trying to find a solution and sending tanks to Ukraine," Ollongren said to Bloomberg at Davos.

The Foreign Ministers of Estonia, Lithuania, and Lavia have all posted the following statement on social media: "We, [Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania] Foreign Ministers, call on Germany to provide Leopard tanks to Ukraine now. This is needed to stop Russian aggression, help Ukraine and restore peace in Europe quickly. Germany as the leading European power has special responsibility in this regard".

U.S. Declares Russian Wagner Group A Transnational Criminal Organization - WASHINGTON - The White House has declared the Russian private paramilitary organization PMC Wagner group as "transnational criminal organization". The Wagner group is known to be the private army of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The White House national security council spokesman, John Kirby announced the move on Friday that the Treasury Department will be applying the new designation in the coming days, which will place the Wagner group in the same category as international mafia and organized crime groups.

The move will allow the United States to apply a broader range of sanctions on the group worldwide, as well as affiliated companies in Africa and in other countries internationally.

During Kirby's statement he said, "Wagner “is a criminal organization that is committing widespread atrocities and human rights abuses".

“We will work relentlessly to identify, disrupt, expose and target those who are assisting Wagner,” he added.

The new designation comes as the White House released evidence, including images of Russia allegedly accepting a delivery of arms from North Korea that it stated was intended to aid Wagner forces on the battlefield in Ukraine.

Washington also released images dated November 18th that it says show Russian rail cars traveling back and forth from Russia and North Korea.

“The arms transfers from are in direct violation of United Nations security council resolution,” Kirby said.

“These actions recognize the transcontinental threat that Wagner poses, including through its ongoing pattern of serious criminal activity with these actions, and there’ll be more to come,” Kirby said.

According to Kirby's statement, around 50,000 Wagner soldiers are fighting in Ukraine along side Russian soldiers, including 40,000 convicts that were recruited from various prisons, and 10,000 contractors.

“We are seeing indications, including in intelligence, that tensions between Wagner and the Russian defense ministry are increasing,” Kirby said.

“Wagner is becoming a rival power center to the Russian military and other Russian ministries. Publicly, Prigozhin and his fighters have criticized Russian generals and defense officials for their performance in Ukraine," he added.

White House: "The White House announced Friday new sanctions to be put in place by the U.S. Treasury Department next week on the Wagner Group, designating the Russian private military company as a transnational criminal organization".

"The Biden administration urged other countries to join the U.S. in targeting the group led by Yevgeny Prigozhin, Russian oligarch and confidant of Russian President Vladimir Putin, which has been playing a key role in Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine."

"The administration also released newly declassified photos taken in November of what it says are Russian rail cars delivering infantry rockets and missiles from North Korea for use by Wagner forces. It submitted the imagery to the U.N. Security Council panel charged with enforcing North Korea sanctions to push for action on what it believes is a violation of Security Council resolutions on arms transfers."

"VOA White House Bureau Chief Patsy Widakuswara spoke Friday with John Kirby, National Security Council coordinator for strategic communications, about the significance of the designation and possible further actions concerning the Wagner Group, which the administration says has recruited 40,000 convicts to fight in Ukraine."

Russia: Western Air Defense Systems And Tanks To Ukraine To Bring About Escalation - MOSCOW - Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova said on Friday that the statements about supplying Ukraine with any weapons, including those that are able to hit Crimea will "inevitably" lead to "an escalation".

She drew attention to one report in particular in by the New York Times claiming that Washington is considering supplying Ukraine with additional weapons to be used to attack Crimea.

"We regard all this as an open, provocative instigation by the West and a raising of the stakes in the conflict, which will inevitably lead to greater casualties and a dangerous escalation," Zakharova stated.

She also said the West is "plunging ever deeper into the conflict in Ukraine," and said that Ukraine is using the Dnepropetrovsk tragedy to secure more weaponry from the United States.

"A freelance adviser to the office of the President of Ukraine, Alexey Arestovich, initially admitted that the Ukrainian air defense’s actions were the cause of the tragedy, but then he began to backtrack," she stated.

"Zelensky's regime is shamelessly trying to use this tragedy to press the West for tougher anti-Russian sanctions and new arms shipments," she added.

State Department: US Warns China of Red Line in Ukraine War Ahead of Blinken Visit - VOA: "State Department: The United States is warning China against material and security assistance to Russia in Moscow’s war on Ukraine, laying out Washington’s red line ahead of U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s visit to Beijing early next month.

Tuesday, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for China Michael Chase spoke to Song Yanchao, deputy director of China’s Office for International Military Cooperation of the Central Military Commission, according to a U.S. official who spoke to VOA on condition of anonymity.

This week’s military-to-military talks come as the U.S. is monitoring closely any decisions by the People’s Republic of China (PRC) in response to Russian requests for security assistance. The U.S. official took note of reports about Multiple Visits to China by Russian transport aircraft.

“If we see the PRC taking action to systemically assist Russia evade sanctions, of course there will be costs,” said Price.

Tuesday’s two-hour talks came after China turned down a U.S. offer for military de-confliction talks between U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Chinese Defense Minister Wei Fenghe earlier this month.

During a press conference at the State Department after the U.S.-Japan 2+2 talks last week, Austin said he has asked his Chinese counterpart to meet the U.S. “halfway” and keep “open lines of communication” to avoid miscalculation.

Wei is retiring in March. Li Shangfu, a new member of the Chinese Communist Party’s Central Military Commission (CM) is widely seen as the PRC’s next minister of national defense.

Li was sanctioned by the U.S. government in 2018 due to Chinese purchases of advanced Russian fighters and missile systems. But the U.S. sanctions would not prevent Li from holding official meetings with American officials, according to a State Department official.

During Tuesday’s talks, the U.S. official told VOA that China also raised concerns about a potential visit to Taiwan by the new U.S. Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy. McCarthy said last year he would visit Taiwan if he became the house speaker, a move that would anger China.

China claims sovereignty over the self-ruled democracy, a claim rejected by Taiwan.

U.S. diplomats and military officials have pointed out that the House of Representatives operates independently from the Biden administration and cautioned China against an overreaction near the Taiwan Strait that may lead to an “unintended” military accident.

“We can’t hold our foreign policy hostage to things that China may or may not do,” said a senior State Department official."

Israel Unveils "Point Blank" Missile/Suicide Backpack Drone - JERUSALEM - Israel's state-owned IAI Aerospace Industries has announced its new "Point Blank" electro-optically guided missile, capable of being stored in a soldier's backpack. It can take off and land back into the operator's hand. Read Full Article

The IAI has been awarded a multi-million-dollar contract to develop the "ROC-X" version of the POINT BLANK system for the U.S. Department of Defense. The first prototype, as well as the accompanying training to use the device is expected to be released next year, according to an IAI statement.

The missile is a hand-launched loitering missile, also called an attack drone which can land back in a soldiers hand without exploding if it is not used against a target.

The 'loitering' missile/drone are also known as 'suicide' or 'kamikaze' drone can be both launched and operated by a single soldier alone.

The Point Blank missile weighs around 15 pounds and is 3 feet in length. The device is capable of flying at an altitude of 1,500 feet at a max speed of 178 miles per hour.

It's also capable of hovering over the target while the soldier analyzes what kind of target it is, as well as its position. It can be retracted and re-stored if the soldier decides against carrying out an attack on the target in question.

In a statement, the IAI said, “The system answers the battlefield requirement to provide tactical units ranging in size from small tactical teams to battalion level, with an independent and organic capability to increase their lethality".

FBI Director Deeply Concerned About Chinese Government's AI Program - WASHINGTON - The FBI Director Christopher Wray stated Thursday that he is "deeply concerned" regarding the artificial intelligence program run by the Chinese government.

During the panel session at the World Economic Forum held in Davos, Switzerland he said Chinese ambitions with artificial intelligence has been “built on top of massive troves of intellectual property and sensitive data that they’ve stolen over the years".

He also said that China could use the artificial intelligence technology to advance its methods regarding cyberattacks, repress people that China sees as dissidents, as well as those located overseas, use it to steal intellectual property.

“That’s something we’re deeply concerned about, and I think everyone here should be deeply concerned about,” he said.

“AI is a classic example of a technology where I have the same reaction every time. I think, ‘Wow, We can do that?’ And then I think, ‘Oh god, they can do that.'" he stated.

While speaking at the World Economic Forum panel session Wray also said that "The level of collaboration between the private sector and the government, especially the FBI, has made significant strides".

CENTCOM Conducts Ground Assault Raid In Eastern Syria - Central Command forces conducted a partnered helicopter and ground assault raid in eastern Syria.

CENTRAL COMMAND STATEMENT: "CENTCOM Conducts Partnered Helicopter and Ground Assault Raid in Syria TAMPA, Fla. - U.S. Central Command forces conducted a partnered helicopter and ground assault raid in eastern Syria, Jan. 21, capturing two ISIS-Syria members, Abdallah Hamid Muslih al-Maddad AKA Abu Hamza al-Suri, an ISIS facilitator, and Husam Hamid al-Muslih al-Maddad, al-Khayr, ISIS facilitator and logistician, and one associate.

One civilian received minor injuries. "The injured civilian was escorted by our partner forces to a nearby medical care facility along with an accompanying family member," said Colonel Joe Buccino, a CENTCOM spokesperson.

"He received care and was released back to his family." "This operation reaffirms CENTCOM's steadfast commitment to the region and the enduring defeat of ISIS," said Buccino.

"The capture will disrupt the terrorist organization's ability to further plot and carry out attacks that threaten regional security and stability."

"ISIS represents a threat to our partners and to the people of Iraq and Syria and beyond," he added. "Our mission to defeat ISIS alongside our Syrian Democratic Forces partners continues."

U.S. Declares Russian Wagner Group A Transnational Criminal Organization - WASHINGTON - The White House has declared the Russian private paramilitary organization PMC Wagner group as "transnational criminal organization". The Wagner group is known to be the private army of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The White House national security council spokesman, John Kirby announced the move on Friday that the Treasury Department will be applying the new designation in the coming days, which will place the Wagner group in the same category as international mafia and organized crime groups.

The move will allow the United States to apply a broader range of sanctions on the group worldwide, as well as affiliated companies in Africa and in other countries internationally.

During Kirby's statement he said, "Wagner “is a criminal organization that is committing widespread atrocities and human rights abuses".

“We will work relentlessly to identify, disrupt, expose and target those who are assisting Wagner,” he added.

The new designation comes as the White House released evidence, including images of Russia allegedly accepting a delivery of arms from North Korea that it stated was intended to aid Wagner forces on the battlefield in Ukraine.

Washington also released images dated November 18th that it says show Russian rail cars traveling back and forth from Russia and North Korea.

“The arms transfers from are in direct violation of United Nations security council resolution,” Kirby said.

“These actions recognize the transcontinental threat that Wagner poses, including through its ongoing pattern of serious criminal activity with these actions, and there’ll be more to come,” Kirby said.

According to Kirby's statement, around 50,000 Wagner soldiers are fighting in Ukraine along side Russian soldiers, including 40,000 convicts that were recruited from various prisons, and 10,000 contractors.

“We are seeing indications, including in intelligence, that tensions between Wagner and the Russian defense ministry are increasing,” Kirby said.

“Wagner is becoming a rival power center to the Russian military and other Russian ministries. Publicly, Prigozhin and his fighters have criticized Russian generals and defense officials for their performance in Ukraine," he added.

Multiple Drone Attack on Coalition Outpost in Syria - TAMPA, Fla. – This morning, three one-way attack drones attacked the At Tanf Garrison in Syria. Two of the drones were shot down by Coalition Forces while one struck the compound, injuring two members of the Syrian Free Army partner force who received medical treatment. No US forces were injured.

“Attacks of this kind are unacceptable – they place our troops and our partners at risk and jeopardize the fight against ISIS,” said Joe Buccino CENTCOM spokesperson.

Pentagon Says If Ukraine Carries Out Strike On Crimea US Would Be With Ukraine - Pentagon's spokeswoman Sabrina Singh just said if Ukraine decides to carry out a military operation in Crimea, the United States would "be with Ukraine for as long as it takes".

"This department has said that we will be with Ukraine for as long as it takes. That includes an operation in Crimea. That is a sovereign part of their country and they have every right to take that back".

Note: This does not necessarily mean that the United States will set soldiers down on the ground in Crimea to aid Ukraine in the fighting, but it is one of the strongest messages than have been put out thus far in regards to US support for the country.

A NYT report claimed that "several anonymous US officials" spoke to the paper and told them that Washington is warming up to the idea of aiding Ukraine in strikes on Crimea, Ukrainian territory that was annexed by Russia.

CENTCOM Conducts Partnered D-ISIS Operation With Syrian Democratic Forces - CENTRAL COMMAND - "CENTCOM Conducts a Partnered D-ISIS Operation with the Syrian Democratic Forces TAMPA, Fla. - U.S. Central Command forces partnered with Syrian Democratic Forces to conduct a partnered helicopter assault in eastern Syria on Jan. 18 capturing an ISIS Syrian provincial media and security operative.

The individual was involved in the planning and facilitation of ISIS operations in and outside of the region as well as global recruiting efforts. Extensive planning went into this operation to ensure its successful execution. Initial assessments indicate no civilians were killed or injured.

"This operation reaffirms CENTCOM's steadfast commitment to the region and the enduring defeat of ISIS," said Col. Joe Buccino, CENTCOM spokesperson.

"The capture of this ISIS operative will disrupt the terrorist organization's ability to further the plot and carry out global attacks threatening U.S. citizens, our partners, and innocent civilians. "ISIS continues to represent a threat to the U.S. and partners in the region.

CENTCOM maintains a sufficient and sustainable presence in the region and will continue to counter threats against regional security."

Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev: Defeat Of A Nuclear Power In Conventional War May Trigger Nuclear War - MOSCOW - While speaking of Russia's war in Ukraine, Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said that the "defeat of a nuclear power in a conventional war may trigger a nuclear war".

In his response, Medvedev, who is a deputy chairman of Russia's security council added that "Nuclear powers have never lost major conflicts on which their fate depends".

This, amidst a report that Washington is warming up to the idea of aiding Ukraine in strikes on Crimea, Ukrainian territory that was annexed by Russia.

When Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov was asked about the remarks by Medvedev and whether it means that Russia is escalating the crisis to another level, he said, "No, it absolutely does not mean that".

Then he added that the remarks by the former President were in line with Russia's nuclear doctrine, which states that a nuclear strike is acceptable in light of any "aggression against the Russian Federation with conventional weapons when the very existence of the state is threatened".

US May Help Ukraine In Operations In Crimea - A report released by the New York Times claims that "several anonymous US officials" spoke to the paper and told them that Washington is warming up to the idea of aiding Ukraine in strikes on Crimea, Ukrainian territory that was annexed by Russia.

A U.S. Army Brigadier General, however, spoke to Insider and said that he believes if Ukraine continues to have success on the battlefield, Russian President Vladimir Putin would resort to using a nuclear weapon. 

The paper cited the officials as saying that fears that Russia would retaliate to such an attack by using nuclear weapons have been assuaged and that the risk of assisting Ukraine in operations in Crimea might very well be worth attempting. 

NATO: Extremely Important Putin Doesn't Win The War In Ukraine

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg stated at the World Economic Forum meeting in Davos, Switzerland that it is "extremely important that Putin doesn't win this war" and said that if Russia does win, "it will be very dangerous for all of us". 

He went on to say that if Russia were to win the war in Ukraine, it would send a message to all authoritarian leaders, "not only to Putin, but also other authoritarian leaders" that "when they use brutal force, when they violate international law, they achieve what they want". 

"That would be a very bad and dangerous lesson," he added. "It would make the world more dangerous, and us more vulnerable". 

Army Brig. General: Putin Would Use Nuclear Weapon If Ukraine Continues To Succeed On Battlefield

U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Kevin Ryan said that he believes that if Ukraine continues to have successes on the battlefield, Russia, "would use a nuclear weapon before it allowed its military to be defeated in the field". 

He continued by saying that, "If the Ukrainian military was having great success in the spring, and was chopping up the Russian military and was threatening taking back Crimea, then I think that the Russian military and leadership would use a nuclear weapon"

Ryan added that using a nuclear weapon would not only "destroy Ukrainian military targets," but also "convince Ukraine that continuing to fight this war would leave Ukraine as a nuclear holocaust". 

"The level of deaths could approach Hiroshima, or it could be far less if they only intend to fire like a warning shot of a nuclear weapon," such as using it on a location that isn't heavily populated. 

Saudi Arabia: "Open To Trade In Other Currencies" Other Than The Dollar - Saudi Finance Minister Mohammed al-Jadaan says that Saudi Arabia is "open to settling trade in other currencies" other than the US dollar. 

Al-Jadaan told Bloomberg TV from the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland., “There are no issues with discussing how we settle our trade arrangements, whether it is in the US dollar, whether it is the euro, whether it is the Saudi riyal". 

He added, “I don’t think we are waving away or ruling out any discussion that will help improve the trade around the world". 

Egypt, Iran, India and Russia are also planning on dropping the US dollar, with China quietly trying to dethrone the US dollar, according to a Report by Foreign Policy last year. 

Germany Will Allow Export Of Tanks To Ukraine If US Also Sends Tanks - Germany says that they will be allowing the export of its tanks to Ukraine on the condition that the United States also sends tanks to the country. If Germany decides to do so, other NATO-allied countries say they will follow suit. Britain already plans to send them. The U.S. Coast Guard is tracking a Russian vessel off Hawaii. Read Full Article

US Forces Intercept Drone At South Korean Base With Jamming Gun - US forces intercepted a drone flying near Forward Operating Site Carroll, nearby Camp Carroll in Seongju County, which is equipped with a missile defense system. The incident happened about 130 miles from Seoul, in South Korea.

Both U.S. and South Korean soldiers detected an unmanned aerial vehicle flying near the base, according to Stars and Stripes which cited an email from Eighth Army spokesman Lt. Col. Neil Penttila. 

In the email, the spokesman said that the soldiers “swiftly acted to deny its entry" and said that the investigation is currently ongoing. 

The drone was intercepted using a jamming gun, but the base is equipped with the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system (THAAD) missile defense system which was deployed at the base in 2017 to defend against North Korean threats. 

The drone, which is presumed to be a civilian drone, was spotted by a United States soldier at 12:54 pm on Tuesday, according to a report by South Korean news agency Yonhap. 

The Yonhap report says that military officials do not believe the drone originated from North Korea, nor does it look like it was equipped with espionage equipment. 

Cloudflare Wins CISA Contract for Registry and Authoritative Domain Name System (DNS) Services - Cloudflare Wins CISA Contract for Registry and Authoritative Domain Name System (DNS) Services. CISA is an operational component of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Read Full Article

Chinese Navy Holds "Confrontational Drills" In South China Sea - BEIJING - The Chinese Navy held "confrontational drills" in the South China Sea, according to state media, including Global Times, which stated that the drills were carried out "when a US carrier strike group had entered the region".   

The report by Global Times said that the US carrier only "stirred up tensions" and had "limited military significance". 

The Chinese state media said the drills included the Shandong aircraft carrier group, several different types of warships and dozens of warplanes and that the aircraft carrier conducted realistic combat-oriented "confrontational exercises" in the South China Sea, citing the PLA Navy in a statement released on Saturday. 

It also said that the drills simulated hostile attacks by aircraft, and that J-15 fighter jets took off from the Shandong and carried out "interception training". 

The PLA Navy statement also said that the carrier group practiced "cross-service multidimensional attack and defense on the surface, in the air and underwater".

US Nimitz Carrier Strike Group Begins Operating In South China Sea

The US Navy announced on Thursday that the Nimitz carrier strike group had begun operating in the South China Sea. Global Times reported that it was being tailed by two Chinese vessels. 

Global Times said that the US carrier strike group is "attempting to threaten China" but "actually have limited military significance" and that it "will only stir up tension in the region". 

The state-run media made sure to point out the recent war game scenario run by the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies "indicated that the US would lose its aircraft carriers should they interfere in a possible conflict in the Taiwan Straits". 

Although the report by Global Times said that the US would "lose its aircraft carriers" the war game scenarios indicated only the loss of two of its aircraft carriers. 

NATO deploys AWACS surveillance jets to Romania - The following is a statement by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Allied Air Command Public Affairs Office: GEILENKIRCHEN, Germany - NATO prepares a deployment Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) surveillance planes to Bucharest, Romania. 

The aircraft are scheduled to arrive on January 17, 2023 and are going to support the Alliance’s reinforced presence in the region and monitor Russian military activity.

The NATO AWACS will start reconnaissance flights, solely over Alliance territory, in the coming days. The mission is scheduled to last several weeks. The aircraft belong to a fleet of 14 NATO surveillance aircraft usually based in Geilenkirchen, Germany. 

Around 180 military personnel will deploy the Romanian Air Force base at Otopeni near Bucharest in support of the aircraft.“

As Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine continues to threaten peace and security in Europe, there must be no doubt about NATO’s resolve to protect and defend every inch of Allied territory,” said NATO spokesperson Oana Lungescu. 

"I thank Romania for hosting the aircraft, which makes an important contribution to our early warning,” she added.

“Our AWACS can detect aircraft hundreds of kilometres away, making them a key capability for NATO’s deterrence and defence posture."

Our AWACS can detect aircraft hundreds of kilometres away, making them a key capability for NATO’s deterrence and defence posture.

In response to Russia’s war in Ukraine, NATO has increased its air presence in eastern Europe with additional fighters, surveillance aircraft, and tankers. Since February 2022, NATO AWACS have conducted regular patrols over eastern Europe and the Baltic Sea region to track Russian warplanes near NATO borders.

NATO AWACS planes will be deploying to Otopeni, Romania, conducting air surveillance missions until the end of the month. 

The scheduled deployment showcases NATO’s ability to forward deploy air power reinforcing our posture along the eastern flank. Archive photo courtesy NATO Airborne Early Warning and Control Force.

China Responds To US-Japan Joint Statement On January 11th - BEIJING - Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin has put out a statement calling on the United States and Japan to "Abandon" their "Cold War" mentality and "ideological bias" against China. 

A report by Russian Sputnik news cited the spokesperson as saying, “Countries in the region are for justice and against hegemonism. They hope to engage in cooperation, not confrontation. They aspire for true multilateralism and reject small circles that incite bloc confrontation". 

He was cited as adding the the United States and Japan should “stop creating imaginary enemies and stop trying to sow the seeds of a new Cold War in the Asia-Pacific, and not become disrupters of a stable Asia-Pacific". 

The spokesperson also addressed the joint statement hat the United States and Japan released on January 11th by the US-Japan Security Consultative Committee.

The joint statement claimed that China is attempting to “reshape the international order” and “unilaterally change the status quo by force in the East China Sea” which it says is a reason for concern. 

Wang said, “The wording on China in this joint statement smacks heavily of a zero-sum Cold War mentality and contains groundless smears and attacks on China". 

“The US and Japan claim to advance regional peace and security, but engage in finding pretexts for a military build-up and the willful use of force," he continued. 

"They claim to champion a free and open Indo-Pacific, but put up various exclusionary blocs to create division and confrontation. They claim to uphold the rules-based international order, but trample on international law and the basic norms governing international relations and grossly interfere in other countries’ internal affairs". 

Russian Official Told Japanese Prime Minister To Disembowel Himself - MOSCOW - Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev told Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to disembowel himself after Kishida warned Russia any use of nuclear weapons would be an act of "hostility against humanity".  

The Japanese Prime Minister said in a statement, "We state unequivocally that any use of a nuclear weapon by Russia in Ukraine would be an act of hostility against humanity and unjustifiable in any way. And we will continue to support Ukraine in the face of Russia's abhorrent attacks on critical infrastructure". 

On a Telegram channel, Medvedev said that Kishida "betrayed the memory of hundreds of thousands of Japanese who burned in the nuclear fires of Hiroshima and Nagasaki," referring to the two nuclear bombs that the United States dropped on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. 

Medvedev continued by saying, "He should remind the US president about this and demand repentance, even if it was not brought by the American leadership for this act of war. But no, Kysida is just a service staff for the Americans. And servants cannot have courage". 

He then said that Kishida should perform "seppuku" on himself, which is a ritualistic Japanese form of suicide once used by ancient Samarai warriors. 

"It remains to feel sorry for the Japanese. "After all, such a shame can be washed away only after committing seppuku right at the meeting of their Cabinet. Although the concept of honor of this generation of Japanese vassals is not inherent," Medvedev added. 

IAEA To Boost Presence In Ukraine To Prevent Nuclear Incident - IAEA - The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has put out a Statement saying it will be boosting its presence within Ukraine in order to aid in preventing a nuclear accident from occurring during ongoing battles between Russia and Ukraine. 

IAEA Director Grossi said that he will be visiting Ukraine next week in order to establish a "continuous presence of nuclear safety and security experts at all the country’s nuclear power facilities, significantly stepping up the efforts of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to help prevent a nuclear accident during the current military conflict". 

The Statement says the Director General will be traveling to the South Ukraine and Rivne Nuclear Power Plants (NPPs) and the Chornobyl site. It also said that the IAEA already has a presence of up to "four experts" at the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant, which is the largest in all of Europe. 

“As this tragic war enters its second year, we must continue to do everything we can to avert the danger of a serious nuclear accident that would cause even more suffering and destruction for the people of Ukraine and beyond,” Director General Grossi said.

He added, "As this tragic war enters its second year, we must continue to do everything we can to avert the danger of a serious nuclear accident that would cause even more suffering and destruction for the people of Ukraine and beyond,” Director General Grossi said". 

Israel: Iran Has Enough Enriched Uranium To Make 4 Nuclear Bombs - JERUSALEM - Iran has enough enriched uranium to produce four nuclear bombers, according to the Israeli military's outgoing Chief of Staff Aviv Kochavi. 

"Iran today has enough enriched material to produce four nuclear bombs, three at 20 per cent and one at 60 per cent," he said. 

He said that Iran has an "active weapons team," and "“has been working at a very slow pace, and this is in violation of the nuclear deal.”

He also addressed what will be targeted in Iran if Israel decides to strike the country, "If it comes to entering a major battle, military sites and additional sites will be included in the list of targets."

He added, "We have been engaged in accelerating preparations to attack Iran's nuclear facilities in recent years and many other types of targets". 

The Israeli Chief of Staff spoke to Israel Hayom and addressed plans to prevent Iran from successfully obtaining nuclear weapons. 

“These extend from a retaliatory strike on Iran that would be unrelated to the nuclear issue, to the taking out of the Iranian nuclear installations and auxiliary sites in that project, and if the situation eventually escalates into a full-fledged campaign then these plans also include the targeting of military sites and other assets,” he said. 

UK Prime Minister Pledges Battle Tanks To Ukraine - EUROPE - UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak pledged Challenger 2 tanks and artillery systems to Ukraine. These are obviously "offensive" weapons now being supplied to Ukraine by NATO-allied countries.  

Indonesia Monitoring Chinese Vessel In Its EEZ - INDONESIA - Indonesia says that one of its warships, as well as a patrol aircraft and a drone have been monitoring a Chinese coast guard vessel in their exclusive economic zone (EEZ), a zone rich with resources that both China and Indonesia claim as their own.  

Vessel monitoring data shows the CCG 5901 moving through the Natuna Sea near the Tuna Bloc gas field and the Vietnamese Chin Sao oil and gas field since December 30th, 2022, according to an Indonesian Ocean Justice Initiative that spoke to Reuters.

Laksamana Muhammad Ali told Reuters on Saturday that Indonesia had sent a maritime patrol plane, a warship and a drone to monitor the Chinese vessel. 

"The Chinese vessel has not conducted any suspicious activities. However, we need to monitor it as it has been in Indonesia's exclusive economic zone (EEZ) for some time," he was cited as saying. 

The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) does allow vessels the freedom to navigate through a country's exclusive economic zone. 

Although Indonesia claims the region as its exlusive economic zone, China rejects the claim and says that the area is within its nin-dash-line territorial claim. 

DOD "Seriously Doubts" Chinese Activities Around Taiwan Mean China Planning Imminent Invasion - DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE - Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin stated on Wednesday that he "seriously doubts" that Chinese activities around the island of Taiwan mean that China is planning an imminent invasion of the island. 

“We’ve seen increased aerial activity in the straits, we’ve seen increased surface vessel activity around Taiwan,” Austin said at a press conference that was held along with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and their Japanese counterparts. 

He added, “But whether or not that means that an invasion is imminent, you know, I seriously doubt that". 

Despite this, the United States has been bolstering ties in the Indo-Pacific, including relations with Japan. If a Chinese invasion of Taiwan did happen and the United States were to come to Taiwan's aid, U.S. bases in Japan would be vital for the U.S. to operate out of due to their close proximity to Taiwan. 

Blinken told reporters, “Both of our countries, Japan and the United States, have complex and consequential relationships with China. “And there are clearly aspects of intense competition between us". 

He continued, “We’re not looking for conflict. We’ll manage the competition responsibly, but we will compete vigorously".

“We will seek to keep these lines of communication open and do all that we can to establish guardrails, to prevent competition, as I said, from entering into conflict". 

China Trying To Establish Naval Base In Argentina, US Convincing UK To Approve F-16s To The Country - SOUTH AMERICA - China is reportedly pressuring Argentina to allow the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to build a naval base in the Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego province within the country, allowing them a military base with close access to Antarctica. 

Although quite far from America's southern border, having a base in South America would also allow its naval forces close access to the United States. 

A Report by Dialogo Americas said that a military base in that location would allow China to "control the passage between the Atlantic and Pacific," as well as "monitor communications throughout the hemisphere," citing French news agency Intelligence Online. 

On November 28th, 2022 Alberto Rojas, director of the International Affairs Observatory at Chile’s Finis Terrae University, spoke to Diálogo and said, “A possible Chinese base in Ushuaia would allow Beijing to have a permanent enclave in the Southern Hemisphere, with projection toward the South Atlantic which, depending on the conditions negotiated with Argentina, could allow for the construction of facilities, as well as the presence of naval units and military contingents in this quadrant". 

He added, “China could intercept all kinds of regional communications with a clear economic and strategic impact, in addition to gaining the potential to maintain permanent monitoring of maritime transit". 

Intelligence Online reported that Chinese Communist Party official Shuiping Tu who is based in Argentina, as well as a state-owned HydroChina Corp representative in South America is leading negotiations. 

The news site said that the Chinese Communist Party Official persuaded Tierra del Fuego Governor Gustavo Melella to change his mind on Chinese investment in Tierra del Fuego. 

Rojas said, "In the geopolitical context, the presence of a Chinese base in South America could be interpreted as an important strategic move by Beijing. “The Belt and Road [BRI] project announced by China in 2013 seeks to have a clear projection toward this area of the continent". 

He added, “And if this base in Ushuaia materializes, it could become the first of many others, both on the Atlantic and Pacific coasts or the Andean area". 

He also said that the BRI was a “global infrastructure development and international cooperation strategy” and that it allows China to increase its dominance and control over developing countries. 

China currently has three "operational enclaves" overseas, according to the report. One is located in Djibouti in East Africa, the Ream naval base in Cambodia, and a base in Tadjikistan, currently being constructed in the Gorno-Badakhshan autonomous region. 

On April 27th, U.S. Army General Laura J. Richardson, commander of U.S. Southern Command, told Miami based newspaper Infobae, “I see it like this: They are facilities of an authoritarian government, which does not let Argentines access them, except if they go there to visit". 

He added, “What are they up to? They [China] don’t have the same concerns we do in terms of freedom and a free, secure, and prosperous Western Hemisphere. I’m concerned about it. And it’s run by a state-owned enterprise and the People’s Liberation Army. What are they using that facility for?”.

US Sends Large Number Of Tanks To Europe, Allies To Send Tanks To Ukraine - EUROPE - The United States has begun sending a "large number" of tanks and other military vehicles to the port of Vlissingen in the Netherlands. on Wednesday, according to a report by Reuters, which has alarmed Russia.  

NATO allied countries are also now voicing support to send battle tanks to Ukraine in order to aid the country in the ongoing war with Russia. 

Reuters cited Col. Robert Kellam who is overseeing the operation as saying, "There's about 1,250 pieces of military equipment coming into this port". 

Included in the equipment being sent to the Dutch port are: M-1 Abrams tanks and Bradley Fighting Vehicles from the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division from Fort Hood, Texas. 

Russian state news RIA Novosti, however, cited the report by Reuters saying that the United States has been to "massively transport tanks to Eastern Europe". 

Both reports say that the transfer of weapons to Poland and Latvia is part of strengthening and reinforcing NATO's eastern flank.

RIA Novosti reported that in December the United States "had already transferred about 700 combat vehicles to Poland, including Abrams tanks" as part of the "Atlantic Resolve" program that began in 2014 in order to strengthen "American Presence in Europe" Novosti reported. 

The Russian news agency claimed that Moscow has "repeatedly noted" that the NATO alliance is "aimed at confrontation".

Allied Countries Talk Of Sending Battle Tanks To Ukraine

Although Britain has moved towards sending battle tanks to Ukraine, a Politico report says that Germany's chancellor Olaf Scholz is not likely going to be willing to send tanks to Ukraine "without taking his lead from Washington". 

Spokesperson Steffen Hebestreit spoke at a press conference in Berlin and said, “There is no change in the situation now because of the step that the British government has announced".

Britain has voiced their own willingness to send tanks to Ukraine. The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Rishi Sunak has told the UK Defense Secretary Ben Wallace to expand Britain's security assistance to Ukraine to "include the provision of tanks," according to a report by the Financial Times on January 11th. 

The report said that the United Kingdom will "work with partners" and "go further and faster with our support for Ukraine including the provision of tanks.”

The Financial Times report said, “If a deal is made for the supply of Challenger 2 tanks to Ukraine by the British Army, this will be the first time that a Western country will supply Ukraine with modern heavy battle tanks". 

A Downing Street spokesperson told the Financial Times, "“We are accelerating our support to Ukraine with the kind of next-generation military technology that will help to win this war". 

The spokesperson said, “We are accelerating our support to Ukraine with the kind of next-generation military technology that will help to win this war".

The spokesperson added, “It is clear that battle tanks could provide a game-changing capability to the Ukrainians.”

2022 Annual Report on Unidentified Aerial Phenomena - The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022 required the Director of National Intelligence, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, to submit an annual report to Congress on unidentified aerial phenomena. ODNI submitted the classified annual report to Congress and published the Unclassified Annual Report.

Statement by Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder on the Annual Report on Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) - DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE - Statement by Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder on the Annual Report on Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP). Unclassified Annual Report.

"Yesterday the Director of National Intelligence delivered to Congress the Annual Report on Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (now Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP)) as required by the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022.

Analyzing and understanding the potential threats posed by UAP is an ongoing collaborative effort involving many departments and agencies, and the Department thanks the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) for leading a collaborative effort to produce this report, as well as the other contributing departments and agencies.

The safety of our service personnel, our bases and installations, and the protection of U.S. operations security on land, in the skies, seas, and space are paramount. We take reports of incursions into our designated space, land, sea, or airspaces seriously and examine each one.

The All-Domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) is leading DOD's efforts, in coordination with ODNI and other government agencies, to document, analyze, and when possible resolve UAP reports using a rigorous scientific framework and a data-driven approach. 

DOD: U.S., Partners Find Success in Mission to Defeat ISIS - DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE - "Last year, U.S. Central Command conducted 313 operations in Iraq and Syria as part of the mission to defeat the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, also known as ISIS.

More than 95% of those operations were in partnership with either the Iraqi Security Force or the Syrian Democratic Forces.

As a result, nearly 700 ISIS fighters were killed and another 374 were detained. No U.S. service members were killed as part of the efforts.

"This really speaks to the professionalism of our men and women in uniform and also the enduring commitment of the United States—from the strategic all the way down to the tactical level—to completing this fight," said Dana Stroul, the deputy assistant secretary of defense for the Middle East.

During a conference call Wednesday, Stroul told journalists the mission to defeat ISIS in Iraq and Syria remains a key priority of the national defense strategy, and it's one senior leaders in Washington follow closely. She also said that, despite successes, ISIS remains a threat, and there is still more work to be done.

One advantage the U.S. has against ISIS is the relationships it has, not just with Iraq and the Syrian Democratic Forces, but also with partners around the world. Stroul said a recent trip to Finland to discuss the state of the fight against ISIS, demonstrated this.

"What was striking to me is the enduring commitment not only of the United States, but` of our European partners, as well as New Zealand, Australia and others," she said. "Our partners across the world recognize the importance of this mission, recognize that ISIS still remains a threat, and are committed to this coalition."

Also of value are the advancements made by Iraq since the U.S. transitioned a year ago to an advise, assist, enable and intelligence-sharing mission there, said Army Maj. Gen. Matthew McFarlane, commander of Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve. He said the U.S. continues to retain a presence in Iraq, at the invitation of the Iraqi government.

"In Iraq, things continue to improve in terms of their ability to demonstrate and actually execute independent operations as they're building capabilities, capacity and competence towards gaining an independent ability to conduct enduring operations, sustainable, enduring operations against ISIS," he said.

The general said much has changed in Iraq since the last time he was in the country in 2005. Baghdad, he said, is "alive and awake and illuminated at night," and the Iraqi military is engaged in operations that are part of the “Defeat ISIS” mission in Iraq, as well as providing security for the Arabian Gulf Cup soccer tournament being held Jan. 6-19 in Iraq for the first time in 44 years.

"So, [there is] progress and continued room to grow and build the capacity and capability, but [ also a] very capable force," he said.

Stroul said the U.S. also remains committed to the D-ISIS mission in Syria, in partnership with the Syrian Democratic Forces.

"Not only are U.S. forces continuing to prosecute unilateral operations against ISIS, but we maintain a robust pace of partnered operations with the SDF, who are the only combat-credible, capable and committed partner present in northeast Syria today willing to join us in this fight," she said.

Of importance are the number of ISIS detainees—as many as 10,000—who are in the custody of Syrian Democratic Forces in northeast Syria.

"We know that ISIS continues to have its eyes on these detainees and sees them as the path to reconstituting and resurging across the Middle East, which is why we must stay the course [and] continue to work with the coalition in supporting the SDF to maintain custody of these detainees in a secure and humane manner."

Explosion On Pipeline Connecting Lithuania To Latvia - LITHUANIA - The pipeline connecting Lithuania to Latvia has exploded. Although sabotage is not being ruled out, the pipeline operator said that he does not "see any malign cause" or any "potential impact from outside". 

The Latvian Defense Minister Artis Pabriks said that the incident will be investigated and that sabotage on the pipeline is not being ruled out. 

Natural gas transmission operator Amber Grid's chief executive Nemunas Biknius spoke to reporters and said, "According to the initial assessment, we do not see any malign cause, but the investigation will cover all possible options. We do not see the signs of any potential impact from outside".

Biknius said that the pipeline (constructed in 1978) has recently had maintenance work done on it, and that officials will be investigating whether the maintenance work on the pipeline had anything to do with the explosion. 

"All reasons will be investigated and clarified in the coming days," Biknius stated.

Flames from the explosion rose at least 160 feet into the air, and the explosion was seen for up to 11 miles away, according to a report by BBC. 

Panevėžys county Police said the pipeline caught fire at about 5pm local time on Friday, prompting an evacuation from the village Valakėliai located near the pipeline. 

Firefighters were able to get the flames under control at 9:00pm local time. Customers fuel supply has been diverted to another pipeline for the time being. 

The mayor of Pasvalys district posted photos of the explosion on Facebook and wrote (translated), "In Pasvalys district near Valakeliai, a high pressure gas pipeline exploded. This is next to the road Pasvalys - Šiauliai. Special services are at work". 

Royal Navy frigate tracking the movements of a Russian warship in the North Sea Reportedly Carrying Zircon Hypersonic Missiles. - UK MINISTRY OF DEFENSE - "HMS Portland is monitoring the Russian guided missile frigate Admiral Gorshkov and accompanying tanker Kama as they sail in international waters close to the UK.

The Type 23 frigate joined the Norwegian Coast Guard vessel Bergen, as the Russian ships transited south through the Norwegian Sea.

Portland with her specialist Merlin helicopter embarked – both equipped with cutting-edge sonars, sensors and torpedoes for specialist operations – is tracking and reporting on the movements of the Russian ships through the North Sea.

Portland’s Commanding Officer Commander Ed Moss-Ward said: “Escorting warships in UK territorial waters and the adjacent sea areas is routine activity for the Royal Navy.

“By maintaining a visible and persistent presence, the Royal Navy ensures compliance with maritime law and deters malign activity to protect our nation’s interests.

“Escorting the Russian task group alongside forces from our NATO allies has demonstrated the UK’s commitment to the alliance and to maintaining maritime security.”

HMS Portland departed her home port of Plymouth on Saturday on her latest patrol. The frigate – which underwent a major refit in 2021 – is adept at surface warfare operations as well as hunting submarines.

HMS Portland spent much of last year patrolling waters close to the UK, with visits to Norway and Sweden, and operating with NATO allies on the alliance’s submarine hunting exercise – Dynamic Mongoose – in the North Atlantic."

British Royal Mail Has "Cyber Incident" Disrupting Services - BRITAIN - The British postal service company Royal mail says that it's facing a major disruption in international export services after a "cyber incident" occurred.  

"We are temporarily unable to despatch items to overseas destinations. "Some customers may experience delay or disruption to items already shipped for export," Royal Mail stated. 

It added, "Our import operations continue to perform a full service with some minor delays."

The "cyber incident" has occurred around the same time that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the United States released an alert saying that the Notice to Air Missions System (NOTAM) failed and caused an outage resulting in grounded flights. 

It is not yet clear if that incident was related to a cyberattack. 

Federal Aviation Administration: FAA NOTAMS Statement - Normal air traffic operations are resuming gradually across the United States following an overnight outage to the FAA’s Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) system that provides safety information to flight crews. The ground stop has been lifted. 

The agency continues to look into the cause of the initial problem.

FAA STATEMENT 0815 EST

The FAA is making progress in restoring its Notice to Air Missions system following an overnight outage.

Departures are resuming at Newark Liberty (EWR) and Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson (ATL) airports due to air traffic congestion in those areas.

We expect departures to resume at other airports at 9 a.m. Eastern Time.

FAA STATEMENT 0715 EST

The FAA is still working to fully restore the Notice to Air Missions system following an outage.

The FAA has ordered airlines to pause all domestic departures until 9 a.m. Eastern Time to allow the agency to validate the integrity of flight and safety information.

FAA Releases Alert Reporting System Glitch That Caused Failure - UNITED STATES - The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has released an alert saying that it's working to restore its Notice to Air Missions System after it failed and caused an outage. *This message will be updated with further information as its released*. 

Messages by the FAA: "The United States NOTAM system failed at 2028Z. Since then no new NOTAMS or amendments have been processed. Technicians are currently working to restore the system and there is no estimate for restoration of service at this time. There is currently a hotline in effect which has NAIMES/FAA facilities/stakeholders in attendence. This hotline information is contained within ADVZY 004. This ADVZY will be updated as necessary."

FAA Message 2: "The FAA is working to restore its Notice to Air Missions System. We are performing final validation checks and reloading the system now. Operations across the National Airspace System are affected. We will provide frequent updates as we make progress."

FAA Message 3: "The FAA is still working to fully restore the Notice to Air Missions system following an outage. While some functions are beginning to come back on line, National Airspace System operations remain limited."

FAA Message 4: "Update 3: The FAA is still working to fully restore the Notice to Air Missions system following an outage. The FAA has ordered airlines to pause all domestic departures until 9 a.m. Eastern Time to allow the agency to validate the integrity of flight and safety information."

Flight Radar 24: "Flights to US airports have been groundstopped by the FAA until at least 09:30 ET (1430 UTC). This means any flight not in the air already will not be allowed to depart. Image: flights over US now compared to same time last week. About 700 fewer flights airborne now."

FAA Releases Alert Reporting System Glitch That Caused Failure - UNITED STATES - The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has released an alert saying that it's working to restore its Notice to Air Missions System after it failed and caused an outage. *This message will be updated with further information as its released*. 

Messages by the FAA: "The United States NOTAM system failed at 2028Z. Since then no new NOTAMS or amendments have been processed. Technicians are currently working to restore the system and there is no estimate for restoration of service at this time. There is currently a hotline in effect which has NAIMES/FAA facilities/stakeholders in attendence. This hotline information is contained within ADVZY 004. This ADVZY will be updated as necessary."

FAA Message 2: "The FAA is working to restore its Notice to Air Missions System. We are performing final validation checks and reloading the system now. Operations across the National Airspace System are affected. We will provide frequent updates as we make progress."

FAA Message 3: "The FAA is still working to fully restore the Notice to Air Missions system following an outage. While some functions are beginning to come back on line, National Airspace System operations remain limited."

FAA Message 4: "Update 3: The FAA is still working to fully restore the Notice to Air Missions system following an outage. The FAA has ordered airlines to pause all domestic departures until 9 a.m. Eastern Time to allow the agency to validate the integrity of flight and safety information."

Flight Radar 24: "Flights to US airports have been groundstopped by the FAA until at least 09:30 ET (1430 UTC). This means any flight not in the air already will not be allowed to depart. Image: flights over US now compared to same time last week. About 700 fewer flights airborne now."

U.S. President Joe Biden commented on the outage and said that “They don’t know what the cause is,” and said “I told them to report directly to me when they find out. Aircraft can still land safely, just not take off right now. They don’t know what the cause of it is, they expect in a couple of hours they’ll have a good sense of what caused it and will respond at that time.”

The White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said, “there is no evidence of a cyberattack at this point, but the President directed DOT to conduct a full investigation into the causes.”

China Practices Land And Sea Assaults Around Taiwan Citing Provocative Actions By External Forces And Taiwan - BEIJING - China's military has released a statement that it carried out military exercises around the island of Taiwan practicing land and sea assaults. The exercises are the second such exercises in the region, the first having been carried out in December. 

The Chinese People's Liberation Army’s Eastern Theater Command released a statement regarding the “joint combat readiness patrols and actual combat drills” in the surrounding area around Taiwan. 

On the same day Taiwan's Ministry of Defense reported 57 Chinese military aircraft and 4 PLA Navy (PLAN) vessels having been spotted around the island of Taiwan, 28 of which entered into Taiwan's air defense identification zone (ADIZ). 

The PLA Eastern Theater Command said, "The exercise focused on land strikes, sea assaults and other subjects, aiming to test the troops’ joint combat capability and resolutely counter the collusive and provocative acts of the external forces and the ‘Taiwan independence’ separatist forces".

Taiwan's Ministry of Defense said that the actions by China "“have severely disrupted the peace and stability in the Taiwan Straits and surrounding waters". 

Taiwan's Presidential Office said that China is making "groundless accusations" and strongly condemned the military drills around the island. 

The statement released by Taiwan's Presidential Office said that "The nation’s military has a close grasp of the situation in the Taiwan Strait and the surrounding area and responds calmly. Our people can rest assured".

The military exercises came after the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Chung-Hoon transited the Taiwan Strait on January 5th, according to the U.S. Pacific Fleet, which it says was a 'routine' transit.

China had notified the United States in June of 2022 that the Taiwan Strait is a part of their maritime exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and not international waters, opposing the U.S. view that the strait is part of international waters. They have also given a warning to the U.S. to stay out of the Strait saying that they have sovereign rights over it.

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said at the time, "Our policy hasn't changed, but unfortunately, that doesn't seem to be true for the PRC. We're seeing growing coercion from Beijing".

"We've witnessed a steady increase in provocative and destabilizing military activity near Taiwan. That includes PLA aircraft flying near Taiwan in record numbers in recent months — and on a nearly daily basis," he added.

US Pacific Fleet: 7th Fleet Destroyer Transits Taiwan Strait

U.S. Pacific Fleet statement: "The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Chung-Hoon (DDG 93) conducted a routine Taiwan Strait transit Jan. 5 (local time) through waters where high-seas freedoms of navigation and overflight apply in accordance with international law. The ship transited through a corridor in the Strait that is beyond the territorial sea of any coastal State".

China Says Taiwan Strait Part Of Their EEZ, Warns US To Stay Out

China notified the United States in June of 2022 that the Taiwan Strait is a part of their maritime exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and not international waters, opposing the U.S. view that the strait is part of international waters. They have also given a warning to the U.S. to stay out of the Strait saying that they have sovereign rights over it.

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said, "Our policy hasn't changed, but unfortunately, that doesn't seem to be true for the PRC. We're seeing growing coercion from Beijing".

"We've witnessed a steady increase in provocative and destabilizing military activity near Taiwan. That includes PLA aircraft flying near Taiwan in record numbers in recent months — and on a nearly daily basis," he added.

China's Minister of National Defense Wei Fenghe responded by saying that "If anyone dares to secede Taiwan from China, we will not hesitate to fight. We will fight at all costs, and we will fight to the very end. This is the only choice for China".

The ministry of foreign affairs released a statement saying "The biggest threat to peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait is the obdurate separatist activities of the “Taiwan independence” forces and the US’s connivance and endorsement of such activities".

They put out another statement saying "The US has deployed military aircraft and warships in the SCS on a regular basis and its reconnaissance aircraft have electronically impersonated the civil aircraft of other countries there many times. A US nuclear-powered submarine even hit an “uncharted seamount” there".

"Apparently, “militarization” and “endangering freedom of navigation” are more accurate when used to describe the US’ behaviors" the ministry added.

Wang Wenbin, the ministry's spokesman had also said that China "has sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction over the Taiwan Strait" and that "It is a false claim when certain countries call the Taiwan Strait 'international waters' in order to find a pretext for manipulating issues related to Taiwan and threatening China's sovereignty and security".

Pentagon spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Martin Meiners was cited by Bloomberg as saying "The United States will continue to fly, sail, and operate wherever international law allows, and that includes transiting through the Taiwan Strait".

Taiwan's Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Joanne Ou said that the comments by China were a 'fallacy' and that "The Taiwan Strait is international waters, and the waters outside our territorial waters are subject to the 'freedom of the high seas' principle of international law".

She said, "We understand and support the U.S. freedom of navigation missions' contribution to promoting regional peace and stability".

57 Chinese Military Aircraft, 4 PLAN Vessels Spotted Around Taiwan January 8-9th, 2023 - 57 Chinese military aircraft and 4 PLA Navy (PLAN) vessels were spotted around the island of Taiwan on January 8-9th, 2023 according to Taiwan's Ministry of Defense. 

Of the military aircraft spotted twelve were J-16 fighter jets, six were J-11 fighter jets, three were BZK-005 reconnaissance UAV drones, two were SU-30 multirole fighter aircraft, two were H-6 nuclear capable bombers, and one was a Shaanxi KJ-500 airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft.

28 of the aircraft spotted crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered into Taiwan's Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ). 

Taiwan tasked CAP aircraft, issued radio warnings and deployed air defense missile systems in order to monitor the activities of the Chinese forces.

Taiwan's Ministry of Defense released a statement that said, "57 PLA aircraft and 4 PLAN vessels around Taiwan were detected by 6 a.m.(UTC+8) today. R.O.C. Armed Forces have monitored the situation and tasked CAP aircraft, Navy vessels, and land-based missile systems to respond these activities".

A second statement by the MOD said, "28 of the detected aircraft(BZK-005 UAV RECCC*3, J-11*6, SU-30*2, J-10*2, J-16*12, H-6*2, and KJ-500)had crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan’s southwest ADIZ, flight paths as illustrated"

NATO Says No To Serbia About Deploying Soldiers To Kosovo - KOSOVO - Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Sunday that NATO's Kosovo Force (KFOR) declined its request to send up to 1,000 police and military personnel into Kosovo in response to rising tensions between the Serbians and Kosovo authorities.  

Vucic said, "They [NATO's KFOR] replied they consider that there is no need for the return of the Serbian army to Kosovo ... citing the United Nations resolution approving their mandate in Kosovo". 

The Serbian government requested permission from NATO to deploy up to 1,000 army and police personnel to Kosovo, according to Serbian President President Aleksandar Vucic in December.

Vucic stated, "The government will ask for the return of hundreds and no more than 1,000 army and police troops".

He also said that Serbia emailed the request that evening, and physically handed it in to the NATO mission in Kosovo KFOR, at a border crossing

Vucic said, however, at the time that he did not "expect to get a positive answer".

After the request was put in, the Commander of KFOR said in a NATO released statement that he has the military personnel and capability to provide security.

Although he did not reply to the request directly, he said "We expect all actors to closely coordinate with KFOR and refrain from provocative shows of force to ensure the safety and security of all communities."

He added, "KFOR has full capability, including personnel, to provide a safe and secure environment and freedom of movement for all communities, everywhere in Kosovo."

"Since October, we have been reinforcing our presence, including with additional troops and patrols in northern Kosovo this week".

Tensions had Continued To Rise in December after shots were fired, and explosions were heard on the border between Serbia and Kosovo after a stun grenade was thrown. Serbia has asked NATO to deploy the Serbian army, as well as the police to Kosovo.

Two Arrested In Germany, One Iranian Suspected Of Planning Bio-Weapon Attack - BERLIN - Two men, one of which is Iranian were arrested in Germany on suspicion of planning to carry out a terrorist attack with a bio-weapon. 

Authorities in Münster, Germany said that the 32-year-old Iranian man is suspected of "having procured cyanide and ricin" in order to carry out an "Islamic-motivated attack" according to a (translated) article by German news agency Bild. 

The news agency said that the Federal Criminal Police Office had been investigating the Iranian man "for days" and that a "friend of the secret service" warned the German security authorities that there was a danger of a "chemical bomb attack". 

On Sunday morning North Rhine-Westphalia's Interior Minister Herbert Reul (CDU) said, "We had a serious tip that prompted the police to intervene that night". 

Reul was cited as saying that police are investigating the matter "at high pressure" and that results of the investigating "have yet to be awaited," according to a translation of the article. 

What Is Ricin, Where Does It Come From?

Ricin, which comes from the Latin word ricinus (meaning tick) due to its resemblance to ticks, is a poison naturally found in castor beans, which can be fatal if eaten. CDC Ricin Fact Sheet.

Although the hard coating on the outer shell of the bean prevents the ricin from releasing into the body if eaten, if they are chewed or crushed the ricin is released, making them toxic. Ricin Q&A

What Is Cyanide, Where Does It Come From?

Cyanide is also found in certain foods, such as cassava, lima beans, almonds, apricot seeds, apple seeds, peach seeds, and other fruit seeds. The chemicals can be metabolized into cyanide. CDC Fact Sheet On Cyanide.

Poland And Finland Supports Sending Leopard 2 Tanks To Ukraine - EUROPE - Poland and Finland voiced support for supplying Ukraine with Leopard 2 tanks after the two countries agreed to start sending heavy weaponry to the country to fight against the ongoing Russian war.

Poland's Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki on Saturday said that Poland could transfer Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine on the condition that a Leopard-coalition was formed, according to the European news channel Visegrad24.

The Polish Prime Minister's office said on Twitter "Poland has been trying for months to ensure that modern, heavy equipment, anti-aircraft, anti-missile equipment is delivered to Ukraine". 

Polish news channel MTV cited Parliamentary Defense Committee chair Antti Häkkänen as saying that Finland should provide Ukraine with German-manufactured Leopard 2 battle tanks if other European countries also decide to do so. 

Finnish news agency YLE also reported on this, and said that Germany must approve any deployment of Leopard 2 tanks by other countries. 

YLE also cited the German Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht as saying that no other countries were supplying such tanks to Ukraine, and that Germany will not be doing so "unilaterally". 

Drone Shot Down Over Ain al-Asad Air Base Hosting US Forces - IRAQ - A drone was shot down over the Ain al-Asad Air Base that hosts U.S. Forces, according to Iraqi military sources on Sunday, after which the US-led military coalition said it had carried out "an operational exercise", contradicting reports by the Iraqi military that it may have been hostile. 

The Iraqi military said that the drone might have had hostile intent, and said it wasn't clear whether it was on a surveillance mission, or if it was carrying explosives.

The US-led coalition, in a contradicting statement said that it had carried out “an operational exercise...that involved engaging an Unmanned Aerial System”. 

There were no damages reported as a result of the shootdown, and no casualties reported. 

The attack comes as the United States marks the third anniversary of Iran's missile strike on the al-Asad Air Base in which the IRGC fired 13 ballistic missiles at the base. 

The attack three years ago marks the first time any country has directly attacked the United States since World War 2. 

Ukraine: Russia To Mobilize 500,000 more Conscripts - KYIV - The Ukrainian Defense Ministry says that Russia is planning to mobilize up to 500,000 more conscripts into its military in the middle of January, a larger mobilization than the previous 300,000 Russia called up in October, 2022.  

Andriy Cherniak, an official within the Main Military Intelligence Directorate of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry told Politico Saturday that the new mobilization will focus on large cities, as well as strategic industrial centers located within Russia. 

“This time the Kremlin will mobilize residents of big cities, including the strategic industries centers all over Russia,” Cherniak stated. 

The report contradicts a statements put out by Russia in December saying that talking about another mobilization would be "pointless" because only half of those that have already been mobilized have been actually sent to Ukraine thus far. 

Vadym Skibitsky, Ukraine’s deputy military intelligence chief said "If Russia loses this time around, then Putin will collapse,” and said that Ukraine expects the next mobilization to be announced on January 15th, after the holiday period finishes in the country. 

“They are putting their emphasis on numbers of men and equipment and hoping to overwhelm our side.” he said. 

Wednesday, however, retired Russian colonel general and Duma deputy Andrey Gurulyov, said that there are "no reasons or conditions" for Russia to announce another mobilization in the next six month time period. 

“Not everyone who was mobilized earlier has been sent to the battle,” he said. 

In a video statement released on January 5th, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said “Russia will not be able to conceal in silence its preparations for a new wave of aggression against Ukraine and the whole of Europe. The world will know in all details — how and when the aggressor is preparing a new escalation in this war".

“And every new mobilization step of Russia will be known to the world even before Russia makes it. We will ensure this," Zelensky added.

US General: 200k Killed Or Wounded In Ukraine War - WASHINGTON - General Mark Milley, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff estimated that around 100,000 Russian and 100,000 Ukrainian soldiers have either died or been injured in the start of the fighting in Ukraine on February 24th, 2022. 

Milley said, "You're looking at well over 100,000 Russian soldiers killed and wounded. Same thing probably on the Ukrainian side," and added that about 40,000 civilians have been killed so far during the conflict.

Figures released by both Ukraine and Russia, however, tell a different story. In August Valeriy Zaluzhniy, the Ukrainian armed forces chief said that Ukraine had only lost 9,000 soldiers. Russia also reported that they had only lost 5,937 solders since the start of the conflict.

Ukraine also Claimed that it has killed over 110,740 Russian Soldiers, but neither country post many updates regarding their own losses, and the losses that are posted are quite conservative compared to the number estimated by General Milley.

Milley said, "There has been a tremendous amount of suffering, human suffering," and said that the number of resulting refugees due to the war is between 15 and 30 million.

A report by the United Nations puts the figure at 7.8 million, but that number does not include those who had to evacuate their homes due to the fighting but who are still in Ukraine.

Ukraine Claims Russian Losses At 110,740 Soldiers - KYIV - The Ukrainian armed forces claim that Russian losses since the beginning of its war on Ukraine stand at 110,740 soldiers as of January 7th, 2023, and also claim that 490 Russian soldiers were killed in the past day alone.  

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported the following (I have translated the document from its original Ukrainian to English):

Total Russian losses according to the Ukrainian Defense Ministry and Ukraine's Ukrinform news agency are as follows: "3,066 tanks (+2 over the past day), 6,125 armored combat vehicles (+1), 2,062 artillery systems (+3), 431 multiple launch rocket systems, 217 air defense systems (+2), 285 aircraft 272 helicopters, 4,798 motor vehicles (+1), 16 warships/cutters, 1,844 unmanned aerial vehicles, 182 special equipment units. A total of 723 enemy cruise missiles were shot down."

Japan's Trade Minister Urges To Rebuild A "World Order" To Counter Authoritarian Regimes - JAPAN - The Japanese trade minister Yasutoshi Nishimura is calling for the rebuilding of a "world order" in order to counter the rise of "authoritarian regimes". 

During a speech made by Nishimura at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, he said "We must rebuild a world order based on the fundamental values of freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law".

There has been a "growing concern" since the beginning of the Russian war on Ukraine that China and Russia will begin to use their energy supplies and manufacturing supply chains in order to stop the West from opposing their military and diplomatic goals, according to a report by Japan Today. 

The report cited Nishimura as saying that leaders from the Group of Seven "industrialized nations" are likely to discuss how to respond to economic coercion when they hold their meeting in May in Hiroshima.

The Japanese Minister said that democracies need to protect their industrial power, and defend against the loss of technologies, in particular those technologies that can be used for military purposes. 

He also pushed for more cooperation between the United States and Japan that go beyond semiconductors, to biotechnology, quantum science and artificial intelligence. 

Nishimura said that Japan will be working more closely with the United States on export controls. 

"It is ... absolutely imperative for us to reinforce our cooperation in the area of export controls. We will implement strict export controls grounded in international cooperation while engaging closely in the exchange of views with the United States and other relevant countries," he stated. 

Washington: Claims That US In Talks To Revive Iranian Nuclear deal Are False - WASHINGTON - After Israeli Prime Minister said that efforts were underway to revive the JCPOA nuclear deal, the Biden Administration put out a statement saying that claims that it was engaged in talks were "false".

The U.S. State Department said on Wednesday that it is not in talks to revive the JCPOA nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, and said that it "hasn't been on the agenda for some months now". 

U.S. State Department Spokesman Ned Price said that the administration is currently focused on "doing everything we can to support the universal rights of the people of Iran".

"Since September especially our focus has been on standing up, … for the fundamental freedoms of the Iranian people," he told reporters Wednesday. 

He added, "and now what it is doing to its own people — the repression, the violence that it's perpetrating against the brave Iranians who are taking to the streets; and the military support, the security assistance that it's providing to Russia — all of these are compounded and represent what is undeniably one of the most difficult challenges we face". 

Russian Hacker Group Targeted Three US Nuclear Research Labs - WASHINGTON - A Russian hacker group called Cold River targeted three different nuclear research labs in the United States between the months of August and September of 2022. 

During the months the attacks were carried out, Russian President Vladimir Putin had been voicing Russia's willingness to use nuclear weapons in response to threats to its territory. 

The three nuclear research labs that were targeted were: Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) and the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratories (LLNL) according to a Reuters Report citing internet records.

The internet records that Reuters cited showed login pages that had been faked for each laboratory, as well as emails from hackers sent to nuclear scientists at each location attempting to get them to disclose their login passwords. 

The report cites Adam Meyers, senior vice president of intelligence at the cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike located in the United States that the Cold River hacking group is "directly involved in supporting Kremlin information operations". 

A report posted on a blog by the European cybersecurity SAAS company Sekoia said that Calisto, which is another name for the Cold River group was showing interest in entities showing war support for Ukraine. 

Sekoia said that the group is suspected to be a "Russian-nexus intrusion set" active since April of 2017 who's operations showed "objectives" and "victimology" closely in alignment with Russian strategic interests. 

Cold River had also Hacked Into and then leaked emails from a Proton account belonging to the head of the British MI6 intelligence agency last year. 

At the time Richard Dearlove had said, "I am well aware of a Russian operation against a Proton account which contained emails to and from me".

Methods Used To Harvest Victims Credentials

One of the methods that Sekoia says the hacker group uses to compromise systems is through the exploitation of an error in the PDF renderer engine. 

The group sends "malicious" PDF files as attachments to their victims in which the first page of the PDF file "mimics an error in the PDF renderer engine", leading the victim to open a link that brings them to a malicious web page that harvests the users credentials using EvilGinx. 

Norway Reports Position Of Russian Hypersonic Missile Boat - NORWAY - The Norwegian Armed Forces has posted a statement saying that the Russian hypersonic missile boat, the frigate Admiral Gorshkov is sailing south, along the coast of Norway, in international waters.  

The Norwegian Armed Forces that said, "Russian frigate Admiral Gorshkov is sailing southwards along the coast of Norway. She is legally in international waters – but as always, we are closely monitoring any movements and will do so as long as the frigate is in our areas. Photo taken from P-3 Orion today".

Norwegian Armed Forces Release 1

The Norwegian Defense Forces are well aware of the ship's movements and will follow the ship's sailing closely as long as it is in our immediate area. This happens, among other things, with the help of our maritime surveillance aircraft, the P-3 Orion, and vessels from the Norwegian Navy.

The Norwegian Defense Forces always have good control and follow closely what is happening in our immediate areas, also outside our coast.

The Russian frigate sails completely legally and in accordance with the "Incident at Sea Agreement". Also when the vessel sailed north at the beginning of December, the Norwegian Armed Forces followed the voyage closely .

Together with the Russian frigate, the tanker "Kama" also sails. This tends to be a normal way of operating, if a vessel is to be out for a period of time.

- Our P-3 Orion maritime surveillance aircraft, together with the Norwegian Navy and other operational departments in the Norwegian Armed Forces, contribute to daily operations. We have a good picture of the situation in our maritime vicinity, and we obtain information on an ongoing basis, so that our decision-makers will have an updated picture of the situation, says Lieutenant Colonel Lasse Andreas Vestli Berg, station group commander at Andøya air station.

Norwegian Armed Forces Release 2

Gorshkov" is probably on his way to his home base at Kola. The coast guard vessel KV "Sortland" and the frigate KNM "Fridtjof Nansen" follow the Russian voyage north.

- That the Russians sail in international waters is completely legitimate. We have a good picture of what is happening outside our coast, says flag commander Trond Gimmingsrud, head of the Navy.

The vessels accompanying the Russian frigate report a professional appearance in accordance with the bilateral "Incident at Sea Agreement". The agreement is to prevent misunderstandings, dangerous and unprofessional incidents at sea and in the air.

- We experience the Russians' behavior as professional and in accordance with our expectations. It's normal, and it's always like that, says ship commander at KNM "Fridtjof Nansen", Commander Captain Stian Schnelle.

Since "Navy Day" on 31 July, the frigate has been undergoing maintenance in St. Petersburg.

Former Russian President Says Russia Should Station Hypersonic Missiles Near Washington D.C. - MOSCOW - Former Russian President Medvedev posted a message on the Twitter account to the U.S. Embassy in Moscow that Russia should send its Zircon hypersonic missiles close to the Potomac River, which flows through Washington D.C. 

The former Russian President, and deputy chair of Russia's security council Dmitry Medvedev responded to a message of peace by the US Embassy in Moscow, saying that the main gift of the New Year was the Zircon missiles that went to the shore of NATO countries yesterday. 

The comment was in reference to the Russian hypersonic missile boat that has been spotted sailing along the coast of Norway by the Norwegian Armed Forces. 

The U.S. Embassy in Russia had released a statement that said, "Throughout history, our countries have been united by a common culture and our achievements. We believe that what is happening is not worthy of you, and we stand in solidarity with each of you who strive to create a more peaceful future". 

Medvedev responded by saying, "The main gift of the New Year was the arsenal of Zircon missiles that went yesterday to the shores of NATO countries". 

He then added that the missiles should be deployed "somewhere 100 miles from the coast [of the US], closer to the Potomac River," which is a river that flows through Washington D.C. 

Zircon hypersonic missiles have a range of between 310 to 620 miles.

Alan Greenspan Says Coming Recession Is Likely - Former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan says that he believes that a coming recession is the most likely outcome of the recent spate of interest rate hikes by the Federal Reserve to curb inflation. Read Full Article

Greenspan: Chinese Invasion Of Taiwan Could Cause Economic Black Swan Event - Alan Greenspan warned that if China invades Taiwan it could trigger an economic "Black Swan" event that could affect economies worldwide. The number of Chinese aircraft spotted around the island of Taiwan has nearly doubled each consecutive year since 2020. Read Full Article

7th Fleet Destroyer Transits Taiwan Strait Despite China's Warnings - The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Chung-Hoon transited the Taiwan Strait on January 5th, according to the U.S. Pacific Fleet, which it says was a 'routine' transit. Read Full Article

Russia Offers Christmas Truce, Ukraine Says It Should Not Be Taken Seriously - Russian state media reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered a "Christmas truce" ceasefire for 36 hours from 12:00 on January 6th to 24:00 on January 7th. The offer was rejected by Ukraine, which said that it "should not be taken seriously".  Follow Our Investigative Journalist

The Ukrainian Defense Ministry replied saying, "We welcome the «ceasefire offer». russians should celebrate Christmas and all subsequent holidays together with their families. During the regrouping of the occupiers, we promise not to shoot them in the back". 

The Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs then put out a statement saying, "President @ZelenskyyUa has proposed a clear Peace Formula of ten steps. Russia has been ignoring it and instead shelling Kherson on Christmas Eve, launching mass missile and drone strikes on New Year. Their current “unilateral ceasefire” can not and should not be taken seriously",

China Running Secret Overseas Police Stations Worldwide - China is running secret overseas police stations around the world, including unauthorized stations in the US, in order to surveil Chinese nationals in countries across the globe. Read Full Article

British MI5 Addresses Threats From Iran, Russia, And China - The British MI5 Security Service addressed threats to the UK posed by Iran, Russia, and China and is expected to declare the Iranian IRGC a terrorist organization in the coming weeks. Read Full Article

South Korea Considers Sharing Real-Time Radar Intel With Japan By End Of Year - SEOUL - (based on translation) South Korea has begun considering sharing real-time radar information along with missile tracking data with Japan, according to a report by the Japanese newspaper Yomiuri Shimbun, which cited several government officials from the United States, Japan and South Korea. 

The paper stated that if the two countries share radar intelligence and data it will "lead to improved capabilities such as missile defense and information dissemination to the public". 

The United States, South Korea and Japan have begun "technical discussions" which involve the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, according to the Japanese paper which says that the plan is to accelerate talks with the aim of realizing the deal by the end of the year at the earliest. 

Why Is It Necessary To Share Live Radar Data?

Due to the fact that the earth is spherical, radar signals used to track missiles cannot track below the horizon, so Japan cannot track missiles until they reach a specific altitude. 

Similarly, South Korea cannot track missiles that fall beyond a certain point near Japan due to this same limitation. This difference in tracking has led to both South Korea and Japan releasing different data on the same missile launches, such as the number of missiles launched and the flight distance the missiles achieved. 

If South Korea and Japan were to share their live radar data with the US Indo-Pacific Command their data would then be in sync and the issue would then be resolved. 

The South Korea is already sharing live radar data with the United States, the new proposed plan would simply plug Japan into the live-data stream as well so that missile information is shared among the three countries simultaneously.

Two Rockets Target US Base In Syria - CENTCOM - TAMPA, Fla. – "Two rockets targeted coalition forces at Mission Support Site Conoco, northeast Syria, today at approximately 9am local time in Syria (1 am Eastern Standard Time). 

The attack resulted in no injuries or damage to the base or coalition property. Syrian Democratic Forces visited the rocket origin site and found a third unfired rocket.

"Attacks of this kind place coalition forces and the civilian populace at risk and undermine the hard-earned stability and security of Syria and the region," said Col. Joe Buccino, CENTCOM spokesman."

Iran Reports IRGC Officer Assassinated In Tehran On Anniversary Of Soleimani Assassination - IRAN - The Iranian state-run news agency IRNA has reported that an Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps officer has been assassinated in front of his residential home in Tehran after being hit by four bullets, according to IRC-affiliated Tasnim News Agency. 

IRNA reported that Qasim Fathullahi, who was commander of Basij mobilization forces under the IRGC's Tharallah Headquarters command near the Imam Sajjad Mosque in Tehran was targeted in front of his home in the Mokhtari district in Tehran. 

The assassination comes as Iran remembers the assassination of IRGC Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani which was carried out by a U.S. drone strike aided by Israeli intelligence on January 3rd, 2020 at the Baghdad International Airport in Iraq. 

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi was cited by IRNA as saying that "taking revenge on the blood" of Soleimani "is certain", calling him a Martyr. 

Raisi was cited as saying that the "enemy has used all its power with various kinds of facilities, including military, cyber, media, political and economic war" and that Iran has defeated its enemies "in all wars by following insightful guidance from the revolution leader". 

The Iranian news agency said that "US terrorists assassinated General Soleimani, the commander of the Qods Force of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis,the former commander of Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Units (PMU), along with their companions by targeting their vehicles outside Baghdad International Airport on January 3 on a direct order from US President Donald Trump". 

Soleimani led the Iranian Revolutionary Guard's elite Quads Force and aided in orchestrating paramilitary groups outside of Iran. The IRGC is considered a terrorist organization in the United States.

Chinese Incursions Every Year Have Been Nearly Doubling Since 2020 - TAIPEI - The number of Chinese aircraft spotted around the island of Taiwan has nearly doubled each consecutive year since 2020 according to an AFP database using data from Taiwan's Ministry of Defense.

The following is the number of Chinese military aircraft spotted around the island in the last few years based on reports from Taiwan's Ministry of Defense:

2022: 1,727 military aircraft | Sorties: 1,241. 2021: 960 military aircraft | Sorties: 538. 2020: 380 military aircraft | 380 Sorties.

Lee Hsi-min, Taiwan’s former chief of general staff, told AFP, "They want to show their determination, their will and to coerce the United States: don’t get too close to their red lines, don’t cross their red lines".

What Is A Sortie? In air operations, a sortie is an "operational flight by one aircraft" according to the United States Department of Defense. 

Israel Reports A Failed Rocket Launch In Northern Gaza Strip - ISRAEL - The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has reported a rocket launch, but the rocket failed. No alert was activated "in accordance with standard operating procedures". 

Full Statement By The Israel Defense Forces: "A failed rocket launch that fell in the northern Gaza Strip was identified tonight. In accordance with standard operating procedures, an alert was not activated. Full routine continues on the Israeli home front."

Israel Strikes Damascus, Increases Cooperation With US, Prepares For Attack On Iran - Israel carried out a missile strike on the Damascus International Airport, killing four people while boosting cooperation with the US, and preparing for an attack on Iranian nuclear facilities. Read Full Article

Hamas And PIJ Threaten War In Response To Israeli Official Announcing Temple Mount Visit - The Hamas terrorist organization has threatened explosive violence and said that if Israeli National Security Minister Ben Gvir visits the Temple Mount, the visit would lead to violence and a declaration of war. Read Full Article

Japan Expresses Outrage After One Of Its Reporters Injured in Russian New Year Attack On Ukraine - JAPAN - The Japanese embassy released a statement expressing "outrage" after Russia's New Year's Eve attack on Ukraine that it says resulted in the death and injuries of civilians, which included a Japanese journalist. 

The statement said, “The Embassy of Japan is deeply outraged by the repeated massive attack on the civilian population and civilian objects in Ukraine on New Year’s Eve, which resulted in the death and injury of civilians, including a Japanese journalist". 

The Japanese photo journalist, 36 year old Sekita, who works for the Asahi Shimbun which is a Japanese Newspaper was injured from falling debris after a missile hit the Alfavito Hotel in Kyiv, Ukraine. 

The missile damaged multiple floors of the hotel, as well as residential buildings and 3 schools located near the hotel.

One person is reported to have been killed as a result of the attack. Sekita, who was one of the injured, was reported to have been injured in the leg but is expected to recover from the injury. 

Syrian State-Media Reports Syrian Air Defense Systems Activated Over Damascus - SYRIA - Syrian state news agency SANA, has reported that explosions were heard near Damascus, and reported that there were "separate indications" of Syrian air defense systems having been activated.

The reports come as Benjamin Netanyahu re-gains the Israeli Prime Minister's office. 

Usually reports of Syrian air defense systems being activated over Damascus indicates that Israeli airstrikes, usually on Iranian or Iranian-backed proxy targets, are taking place. This report will be updated after more information is released. 

UPDATE: Israeli based i24NEWS cited Syrian State media as saying that Israel allegedly carried out a strike on Damascus early Monday, and that Syrian air defenses responded to the alleged Israeli attack. 

*UPDATE* SANA news agency reported that two Syrian soldiers were killed and two others were wounded in the alleged Israeli strikes on the Damascus International Airport which they said brought the airport temporarily out of service. 

The Syrian news agency tweeted: "Military source: The Israeli enemy carried out an air aggression at dawn today with bursts of missiles from the direction of the northeast of Lake Tiberias, targeting Damascus International Airport and its surroundings". 

Reuters cited regional intelligence sources as saying that the alleged airstrikes hit an outpost controlled by the Iranian Quds Force and militias associated with the Quds force. 

North Korea Fires Missile, Orders "Exponential Expansion" Of Nuclear Arsenal - SEOUL - North Korea fired another ballistic missile toward the east sea, according to a report by South Korean news agency Yonhap. The North also ordered an "exponential expansion" of its nuclear arsenal. 

North Korea is moving to develop a more powerful intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), according to a report by their state media KCNA. 

The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) recently put out a statement by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un that said of the United States and South Korea, "They are now keen on isolating and stifling (North Korea), unprecedented in human history. The prevailing situation calls for making redoubled efforts to overwhelmingly beef up the military muscle.”

During a six day meeting discussing new objectives, Kim Jong Un called for "an exponential increase of the country’s nuclear arsenal” and to mass produce battlefield tactical nuclear weapons. 

He has ordered his military to develop the country's "quick nuclear counterstrike capability" and to create a weapon that is capable of striking mainland United States. He also said that the Norths first military reconnaissance satellite will be launched “at the earliest date possible". 

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol spoke to military officers in a video conference and said that "The new year started but our security situation is still very grave. Our military must resolutely punish any provocation by the enemy with a firm determination that we dare to risk fighting a battle".

Chinese Aircraft Carrier Approached Guam - GUAM - The Liaoning Chinese aircraft carrier approached the U.S. territory of Guam while carrying out drills in the West Pacific from December 17th to December 27th.   

The aircraft carrier was also spotted by the Japanese Ministry of Defense and reported in a statement on December 25th. 

The statement said that the Liaoning was spotted 416 miles southeast of Okinotorishima, about 384 miles northwest of Guam before it returned to waters around Taiwan and Japan. 

Chinese state propaganda site Global Times said that it appears that this is the first time the Liaoning aircraft carrier has ever approached Guam. 

“The U.S. is building a group of military bases in Guam, Japan and Australia targeting China, with Guam being a core forward operating base featuring all types of military services," Global Times stated. 

Netanyahu Sworn In As Israeli Prime Minister, Vows To Prevent Iran From Nuking Israel - ISRAEL - Benjamin Netanyahu was sworn in as the Prime Minister of Israel after previously holding the office from 1996 to 1999 and 2009 to 2021. He says the new government's first task will be to prevent Iran from destroying Israel with an atomic bomb. 

Netanyahu said "The first task is to make sure that Iran does not destroy us with an atom bomb". 

Outgoing Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid said, "Netanyahu just said that the first task is to halt Iran from growing stronger and I agree with that".

He continued, "Contrary to all the forecasts and prophecies of doom, our government managed to stop the resigning of the deal with Iran. It involved complex diplomatic efforts, some under the radar with the American government and Europe, the result is well known". 

"The sanctions on Iran remained enforced and were expanded," he added. 

9 Chinese Military Aircraft, 3 PLAN Vessels Spotted Around Taiwan December 30-31st, 2022 - 9 Chinese military aircraft and 3 PLA Navy (PLAN) vessels were spotted around the island of Taiwan on December 30-31st, 2022 according to Taiwan's Ministry of Defense.  

Of the military aircraft spotted one was a Y-8 antisubmarine warfare (ASW) aircraft and one was a BZK-007 reconnaissance (RECCE) UAV drone. 

Two of the spotted military aircraft entered into Taiwan's southwest air defense identification zone (ADIZ). 

Taiwan tasked CAP aircraft, issued radio warnings and deployed air defense missile systems in order to monitor the activities of the Chinese forces.

Taiwan's Ministry of Defense posted a statement that said, "9 PLA aircraft and 3 PLAN vessels around Taiwan were detected by 6 a.m.(UTC+8) today. R.O.C. Armed Forces have monitored the situation and tasked CAP aircraft, Navy vessels, and land-based missile systems to respond these activities."

A second statement by the MOD said, "2 of the detected aircraft (BZK-007 UAV RECCE and Y-8 ASW) had entered Taiwan’s southwest ADIZ, flight paths as illustrated."

Japanese MOD On 3 North Korean Missile Launches - JAPAN MINISTRY OF DEFENSE - "North Korea launched three ballistic missiles toward the northeast from the suburbs of Pyongyang at 8:00 today. The details are currently under analysis, but it is estimated that they all fell near the east coast of the Korean Peninsula outside Japan's exclusive economic zone (EEZ). 

(1) At around 8:01, the missile was launched from the suburbs of Pyongyang toward the northeast, reaching a maximum altitude of approximately 100km and flying approximately 350km. 

(2) At around 8:14, the missile was launched from the suburbs of Pyongyang toward the northeast, reaching a maximum altitude of approximately 100km and flying approximately 350km. 

③ At around 8:15, the missile was launched from the suburbs of Pyongyang toward the northeast, reaching a maximum altitude of approximately 100km and flying approximately 350km.

The government has provided information to aircraft and ships sailing in the vicinity, but no information such as damage reports has been confirmed at this time. Immediately report this matter to the Prime Minister.

(1) Make every effort to collect and analyze information, and provide the public with prompt and accurate information. ② Thorough confirmation of the safety of aircraft, ships, etc. ③ Prepare for unforeseen circumstances and take all possible measures 

There were instructions about three points. At the Prime Minister's Office, the Prime Minister's Office for the North Korean Situation, which was established in the Prime Minister's Office Crisis Management Center, gathered information from relevant ministries and agencies, convened an emergency gathering team, and discussed responses.

In the Ministry of Defense, the Minister of Defense receives instructions from the Prime Minister." 

USINDOPACOM Statement on DPRK Missile Launch - USINDOPACOM: "We are aware of the ballistic missile launches and are consulting closely with our allies and partners. 

While we have assessed that this event does not pose an immediate threat to U.S. personnel or territory, or to our allies, the missile launches highlight the destabilizing impact of the DPRK's unlawful WMD and ballistic missile programs. 

The U.S. commitments to the defense of the Republic of Korea and Japan remain ironclad."

9 Chinese Military Aircraft, 3 PLAN Vessels Spotted December 29-30, 2022 - 9 Chinese military aircraft and 3 PLA Navy (PLAN) vessels were spotted around the island of Taiwan on December 31st, 2022 according to Taiwan's Ministry of Defense. 

Taiwan tasked CAP aircraft, issued radio warnings and deployed air defense missile systems in order to monitor the activities of the Chinese forces.

Taiwan's Ministry of Defense put out a statement that said, "9 PLA aircraft and 3 PLAN vessels around Taiwan were detected in our surrounding region by 6 a.m.(UTC+8) today. R.O.C. Armed Forces have monitored the situation and tasked CAP aircraft, Navy vessels, and land-based missile systems to respond these activities."

An additional statement by the MOD said, "1 of the detected aircraft (Y-8 EW) had entered Taiwan’s southwest ADIZ, flight paths as illustrated."

North Korea Fires Ballistic Missile Toward East Sea - SEOUL - North Korea has fired three short-range ballistic missiles toward the East Sea, according to the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff.  

The JCS put out a statement that said, "While strengthening our monitoring and vigilance, our military is maintaining a full readiness posture in close cooperation with the United States".

The ballistic missile test by North Korea comes the day South Korea conducted a test flight of a solid-fuel space vehicle, according to the South Korean defense ministry.  

The solid-fuel test followed claims by North Korea that they had tested a "high-thrust, solid-fuel" rocket motor for a "new-type" of strategic weapon system. 

The South Korean defense ministry said that "This flight test is a follow-up to the test on March 30 and we will achieve progress through the development process over the next several years".

The ministry added that, "Our military will double down on efforts to reinforce defense capabilities, including for the space domain."

Chinese Aircraft Carrier Approached Guam, Japan, Taiwan - USINDOPACOM: "Navy J-11 fighter pilot performed an unsafe maneuver during and intercept of a U.S. Air Force RC-135 aircraft, which was lawfully conducting routine operations over the South China Sea in international airspace."

The aircraft carrier was also spotted by the Japanese Ministry of Defense and reported in a statement on December 25th. 

The statement said that the Liaoning was spotted 416 miles southeast of Okinotorishima, about 384 miles northwest of Guam before it returned to waters around Taiwan and Japan.

Chinese state propaganda site Global Times said that it appears that this is the first time the Liaoning aircraft carrier has ever approached Guam. 

“The U.S. is building a group of military bases in Guam, Japan and Australia targeting China, with Guam being a core forward operating base featuring all types of military services," Global Times stated. 

The Global Times continued, "Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy was recently spotted for the first time sailing close to Guam, a key US military node in the second island chain, during its ongoing exercises in the West Pacific, a move analysts said on Thursday showed that the Chinese carrier is ready to defend the country against potential US attacks launched from there, including military interference attempts over the Taiwan question".

Belarus MOD Says It Shot Down Ukrainian Missile On Its Territory - BELARUS - The Belarusian Ministry of Defense say they intercepted and destroyed a Ukrainian S-300 anti-air missile on Thursday. 

The Ministry of Defense put out a statement saying that parts of the missile fell on farmland near Gorbakha village, Ivanovo District in the southwestern region of Brest which borders Ukraine. 

The Telegram channel Belarusian Silovik posted photos of the missile, along with the message "A Ukrainian S-300 fell on the territory of Belarus in the Brest region. The photos are dropped by local residents who saw the rocket in the field."

The Belarusian Defense Ministry said that they had shot down the missile at about 10:00 am on the 29th of December. 

The President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko gave orders for a team of specialists from the Investigative Committee, as well as the Defense Ministry to the scene. 

No deaths or injuries have been reported as a result of the missile. 

Russia Says It Hopes US Wise Enough To Prevent Confrontation - The Russian Foreign Ministry reportedly put out a statement to Russian State news agency TASS that Moscow hopes that Washington will show enough prudence and is wise enough to prevent the situation from escalating to the point of a direct confrontation. Read Full Article

Russia Warns US Against Decapitation Strike Against Putin - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has put out a warning to the United States against carrying out a decapitation strike on Russian President Vladimir Putin. Read Full Article

Serbian Troops Put On Highest Level Combat Readiness - SERBIA - The Serbian armed forces were put on the highest combat alert due to an order from Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, according to Serbian Defense Minister Milos Vucevic who spoke to the Serbian news agency Tanjug. 

The Defense Minister said, "The President of Serbia, as commander-in-chief, ordered tonight that the Serbian Armed Forces be at the highest level of combat readiness, i.e. preparedness to the level of the use of armed force, i.e. the armed potential of the Serbian Armed Forces". 

The Serbian Interior Minister Bratislav Gasic stated: "In line with the order of President and Supreme Commander-in-Chief Alexandar Vucic, I have ordered to put on full combat alert all units of the Interior Ministry."

Ukraine Calls On Removal Of Russia From United Nations - KYIV - Ukraine called on the UN members states on Monday to remove Russia from the United Nations and to exclude it "as a whole" so that it no longer has the power veto UN Security Council resolutions.  

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry released a statement that said, "Ukraine calls on the member states of the UN ... to deprive the Russian Federation of its status as a permanent member of the UN Security Council and to exclude it from the UN as a whole". 

The Ministry added that Russia "illegally occupies the seat of the USSR in the UN Security Council" since the Soviet Union fell apart in 1991. 

"From a legal and political point of view, there can be only one conclusion: Russia is an usurper of the Soviet Union's seat in the UN Security Council," the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry stated. 

"Three decades of its illegal presence in the UN have been marked by wars and seizures of other countries' territories" the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry added. 

Russia Ready To Resume Gas Flow To Europe Via Yamal Pipeline - MOSCOW - Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said that Russia is ready to resume the gas flow to Europe through the Yamal-Europe pipeline.  

Russian state news TASS cited Novak as saying, "The European market remains relevant, as the gas shortage persists, and we have every opportunity to resume supplies". 

He said "For example, the Yamal-Europe pipeline, shut down over political motives, remains unused," and added, "Right now, the implementation of additional gas supply volume through Turkey after a gas hub is created there is being discussed. We actively work with the countries that will take part in this project, as well as with the consumers that require gas from Russia". 

Novak was then cited by TASS as saying, "Today, we can say with certainty that there si demand for our gas. So we continue to view Europe as a potential market for our produce. It is clear that a wide-scale campaign has been initiated against us, which ended with sabotage against the Nord Stream pipeline". 

Russian Military Says It Shot Down Ukrainian Drone Deep Within Russian Territory - MOSCOW - The Russian military says that it shot down a Ukrainian drone that it detected was on approach to the Engels Air Base located deep within Russian territory, and reported that three servicemen were killed due to the resulting falling debris from the wreckage. 

No damage was reported on the aircraft at the base, despite the personnel killed by the falling wreckage after it was shot down. 

This is the second time the Engels air base has been targeted in the last month. The air base contains Tu-95 and Tu-160 nuclear capable strategic bombers that have been actively carrying out strikes within Ukraine. 

RIA Novosti cited the Russian defense ministry as saying, “On the twenty-sixth of December, at about 01:35 Moscow time, a means of air defense of the Russian Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle was shot down at low altitude while approaching the Engels military airfield in the Saratov region by Aerospace Forces. As a result of the fall of the wreckage of the drone, three Russian servicemen of the technical staff who were at the airfield were fatally injured".

Governor of the Saratov Region Roman Busargin wrote on his Telegram channel that there were "no emergencies in residential areas of the city". 

He also said that "There is absolutely no threat to residents. All stories about the evacuation from the city are blatant lies, created far beyond the borders of the country. Civil infrastructure facilities were not affected".

The Engels airbase is located about 450 miles southeast of Moscow, Russia. 

Telegram Message By Saratov Regional Governor

The message said, "Dear fellow countrymen, information about the state of emergency in Engels is spreading on social networks and the media tonight. There were no emergencies in residential areas of the city.

There is absolutely no threat to residents.   All stories about the evacuation from the city are blatant lies, created far beyond the borders of the country.

Civil infrastructure facilities were not damaged. Information about the incident at a military facility is being checked by law enforcement agencies.

Let me remind you that criminal liability is provided for the dissemination of knowingly false information. All data on websites, media and citizens involved in this are promptly sent to law enforcement agencies.

Russia Responds To Attack On Its Airfield By Targeting 17 Ukrainian Military Facilities

The Russian Ministry of Defense responded to the attack on the Engels Air Field by dealing a "massive blow" to Ukraine's "command and control system, and related defense facilities". 

A statement by the Russian MOD said, “The military command and control system and related facilities of the defense complex, communication centers, energy and military units of Ukraine were dealt a massive blow with high-precision air and sea-based weapons. All 17 designated facilities were hit".

Security Alert – U.S. Embassy Islamabad, Pakistan - The U.S. government is aware of information that unknown individuals are possibly plotting to attack Americans at the Marriott Hotel in Islamabad sometime during the holidays. Read Embassy Alert

Effective immediately, the Embassy in Islamabad is prohibiting all American staff from visiting Islamabad’s Marriott Hotel. Furthermore, as Islamabad has been placed on a Red Alert citing security concerns while banning all public gatherings, the embassy is urging all Mission personnel to refrain from non-essential, unofficial travel in Islamabad throughout the holiday season.

Actions to Take: Exercise vigilance at events, places of worship, and avoid locations with large crowds. Review your personal security plans. Carry identification and follow requests from law enforcement. Be aware of your surroundings. Monitor local media for updates.

South Korea Attempts To Shoot Down Suspected North Korean Drones Crossing Line Separating Two Countries - SEOUL - The South Korean military says that it deployed fighter jets, helicopters "and other assets" in order to shoot down North Korean drones that it says crossed over the inter-Korean border on Monday "without South Korea's permission".

The Joint Chiefs of Staff put out a statement saying that the South Korean military detected "multiple unidentified objects" which it "presumed to be unmanned aerial vehicles", in border areas of Gyeonggi Province from 10:25 am.

It said that the vehicles traveled across the Military Demarcation Line separating North Korea from South Korea, and were spotted flying "in those areas" in Gimpo, Ganghwa Island and Paju, which led South Korea to temporarily suspend civilian flights. 

In response to the flights, South Korea sent fighter jets, helicopters and warplanes to "get rid of them" but said that it was unconfirmed whether or not "they carry any weapons". 

A report by South Korean news agency Yonhap said that the military also deployed a KA-1 light attack aircraft, but for an "unknown reason" it crashed in Hoengseong County, which is located about 140 kilometers east of the South Korean Capital of Seoul. 

71 Chinese Military Aircraft, 7 PLAN Vessels Spotted Around Taiwan December 25-26th, 2022 - 71 Chinese military aircraft and 7 PLA Navy (PLAN) vessels were spotted around the island of Taiwan on December 25-26th, 2022 according to Taiwan's Ministry of Defense. Read Ongoing Report

Of the military aircraft spotted, 18 were J-16 fighter jets, 12 were J-11 fighter jets, 6 were J-10 fighter jets, 6 were SU-30 multirole fighter aircraft, 1 was a CH-4 reconnaissance (RECCE) UCAV drone, 1 was a Y-8 electronic warfare (EW) aircraft, 1 was a KJ-500 airborne early warning and control aircraft and 1 was a WZ-7 reconnaissance (RECCE) UAV drone. 

Taiwan tasked CAP aircraft, issued radio warnings and deployed air defense missile systems in order to monitor the activities of the Chinese forces.

Taiwan's Ministry of defense released a statement that said, "71 PLA aircraft and 7 PLAN vessels around Taiwan were detected in our surrounding region by 6 a.m.(UTC+8) today. R.O.C. Armed Forces have monitored the situation and tasked CAP aircraft, Navy vessels, and land-based missile systems to respond these activities."

A second statement said, "47 of the detected aircraft (J-11*12, SU-30*6, CH-4 UCAV RECCE*1, J-10*6, J-16*18, Y-8 EW*1, Y-8 ASW*1, KJ-500*1, WZ-7 UAV RECCE*1) had crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan’s southwest ADIZ, flight paths as illustrated."

China Carried Out "Strike Drills" Around Taiwan In Response To "Provocation" - BEIJING - The Chinese military said that they carried out "strike drills" around the island of Taiwan on Sunday in response to a "provocation" from both the United States and Taiwan.  

On December 25th, the PLA Eastern Command announced live-fire exercises as well as patrols around the island of Taiwan in response to "provocations" from the United States.

Spokesman for the Eastern Theater Colonel Shi Yi said, "The PLA Eastern Command will take all necessary measures to resolutely defend national sovereignty & territorial integrity".

China has condemned the new National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) by the United States congress that authorized $10 billion in security assistance to Taiwan. 

Taiwan says that the NDAA contains provisions that "cause serious damage to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait" and its foreign ministry said "China deplores and firmly opposes this U.S. move" in a statement released on Saturday.

The new defense law also contains an amendment that restricts the U.S. government from purchasing products that contain microchips manufactured by Chinese companies. 

The Chinese foreign ministry said, "The case ignores the facts to exaggerate a 'China threat', wantonly interferes in China's internal affairs and attacks and smears the Chinese Communist Party, which are serious political provocations to China". 

Taiwan's MOD Releases Statement On Chinese "Strike Drills" Around Taiwan - Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense issued a press release explaining that the CCP held a joint combat readiness patrol and firepower strike drill in the sea and airspace around Taiwan, undermining regional peace and stability (December 25, 2011): 

Taiwan's MOD (translated): "In response to the CCP’s Eastern Theater Command holding a joint combat readiness patrol and firepower strike exercise in the sea and airspace around Taiwan today (25th), the Ministry of National Defense stated that the actions of the CCP once again highlighted its mentality of using force to resolve differences and undermine regional peace and stability.

The national army uses joint intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance methods to fully grasp the relevant developments, and in accordance with the principle of "guarding the center line, guarding the territorial sea, and guarding sovereignty", it dispatches troops to respond in a timely and appropriate manner. 

The Ministry of National Defense emphasized that the cooperation between Taiwan and the United States will help the freedom, openness, peace and stability of the Indo-Pacific region. The National Army will continue to strengthen military preparations based on enemy threats and self-defense needs. The CCP’s related “military intimidation” actions are clearly aimed at deterring Chinese people, which will not help its international image. 

The National Army is absolutely determined, capable, and confident in defending national sovereignty and ensuring national defense security."

8 Chinese Military Aircraft, 3 PLAN Vessels Spotted Around Taiwan December 24-25th, 2022 - 8 Chinese military aircraft and 3 PLA Navy (PLAN) vessels were spotted around the island of Taiwan on December 24-25th, 2022 according to Taiwan's Ministry of Defense. 

Of the military aircraft spotted, one was a BZK-005 reconnaissance (RECCE) UAV drone. One of the aircraft spotted entered Taiwan's southwest air defense identification zone (ADIZ). 

Taiwan tasked CAP aircraft, issued radio warnings and deployed air defense missile systems in order to monitor the activities of the Chinese forces.

Taiwan's Ministry of Defense put out a statement saying, "8 PLA aircraft and 3 PLAN vessels around Taiwan were detected in our surrounding region by 6 a.m.(UTC+8) today. R.O.C. Armed Forces have monitored the situation and tasked CAP aircraft, Navy vessels, and land-based missile systems to respond these activities."

Taiwan's MOD also said, "1 of the detected aircraft (BZK-005 UAV RECCE) had entered Taiwan’s southwest ADIZ, flight paths as illustrated."

North Korea Launches Two Short-Range Ballistic Missiles Off East Coast - SEOUL - North Korea has fired two short-range missiles off its east coast, according to the South Korean military, days after U.S. and South Korea carried out joint military exercises involving nuclear-capable bombers and jets. 

The missile launches were detected at 4:32 pm, according to South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff in a released statement, adding that South Korea has increased its surveillance posture and maintaining a state of readiness, closely coordinating with the United States. 

On Sunday, North Korea had also launched two medium-range ballistic missiles into the East Sea, which it said was linked to the development of a reconnaissance satellite. 

39 Chinese Military Aircraft, 3 PLAN Vessels Spotted Around Taiwan On December 21-22nd, 2022 - 39 Chinese military aircraft and PLAN vessels spotted around the island of Taiwan on December 21-22nd, according to Taiwan's Ministry of Defense. Rare occurrences: Z-9 ASW plane, Y-20 Aerial Refueling aircraft. Bombers were also spotted. Read Full Article

USCENTCOM conducts three raids in eastern Syria - CENTCOM - TAMPA, Fla. – "Over the past 48 hours, US Central Command forces conducted three helicopter raids in eastern Syria resulting in the detention of six ISIS operatives, including al-Zubaydi, an Islamic State Syria Province Senior Official involved in the planning and facilitation of ISIS attacks in Syria. 

Extensive planning went into these operations to ensure their successful execution. Initial assessments indicate no civilians were killed or injured. 

“These partnered operations reaffirm CENTCOM’s steadfast commitment to the region and the enduring defeat of ISIS,” said Gen. Michael “Erik” Kurilla, CENTCOM Commander. “The capture of these ISIS operatives will disrupt the terrorist organization’s ability to further plot and carry out destabilizing attacks.”

Japan: Chinese Vessel Entered Territorial Waters - JAPAN - The Japanese Ministry of Defense reported that On December 19th, a Chinese Shupan-class survey ship entered into its territorial waters south of Yakushima. The MOD reported that this is the 9th time the Chinese navy has entered into Japan's territorial waters, and is a "cause for concern". 

The Japanese Ministry of Defense posted the following message: (translated): "On December 19th, it was confirmed that a Chinese Navy Shupan-class survey ship had entered Japanese territorial waters south of Yakushima. This is the ninth time since November this year that the Chinese navy has entered the territorial waters, and this is a cause for concern. The Ministry of Defense and the Self-Defense Forces will resolutely protect our territory, waters and airspace."

Full Statement Released From The Japanese MOD (translated)

"On the trend of the China Maritime Supervision Paper. Reiwa 4 year 12 month 19 day (Mon) 3:20 am, Maritime Self-Defense Force, China Navy system.

1 Dupin-class survey ship (ship number "26") is about 50km southeast of Tanegashima (Kagoshima Prefecture). In the sea area, it was confirmed that it was moving westward in the sea area.Then the survey

The ship entered the connecting waters of Japan in the south of Tanegashima Island, and around 6:50 a.m. on the same day, Yakushima. It was confirmed that it entered the Japanese territorial sea in the south.

Then, around 10:30 p.m. on the same day, the survey ship was sent to Kuchinoerabujima Island (Kagoshima Prefecture).It was confirmed that it came out of the territorial sea of Japan in the west and sailed toward the southwest.

"P-1" (Kanoya) belonging to the JMSDF 1st Aviation Group collects necessary information and monitors security."

US Kills 15 al-Shabab Militants In Somalia Airstrikes - USAFRICOM - The United States has killed 15 al-Shabab militants in Somalia after carrying out airstrikes at the request of the Somalian government. 

The airstrikes were carried out on December 14th, and December 17th, and targeted militants who were fighting the Somalian government forces in multiple locations within the country, about 125 from Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia. 

USAFRICOM Statmeent On the Airstrikes

"At the request of the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted two collective self-defense strikes, one each on Dec. 14 and 17, 2022, in support of Somali National Army engagements against al-Shabaab near Cadale, Somalia.

The Dec. 14 strike took place 176 kilometers northeast of Mogadishu, in the vicinity of Cadale. The current assessment is 7 al-Shabaab terrorists were killed.

The Dec. 17 strike took place approximately 220 kilometers northeast of Mogadishu, also in the vicinity of Cadale. The command’s initial assessment is 8 al-Shabaab terrorists were killed.

U.S. Africa Command’s initial assessment is that no civilians were injured or killed in either strike.

U.S. Africa Command takes great measures to prevent civilian casualties. Protecting civilians remains a vital part of the command’s operations to promote greater security for all Africans.

Al-Shabaab is the largest and most deadly al-Qaeda network in the world and has proven both its will and capability to attack Somali, East African, and American civilians. U.S. kinetic actions against al-Shabaab in Somalia are conducted in support of the Federal Government of Somalia's ongoing campaign to disrupt terrorist operations in their country.

Somalia remains key to the stability and security in all of East Africa. U.S. Africa Command’s forces will continue training, advising, and equipping partner forces to give them the tools that they need to defeat al-Shabaab.

U.S. Africa Command will continue to assess the results of these operations and will provide additional information as appropriate. Specific details about the units involved and assets used will not be released in order to ensure operations security."

USINDOPACOM Statement on DPRK Missile Launch - U.S. Indo-Pacific Command has released a statement regarding the missile launch by North Korea saying that they are aware of the missile launch and that it poses no threat to US personnel or territory, or allies.   

Statement by INDOPACOM: "We are aware of the ballistic missile launches and are consulting closely with our allies and partners. While we have assessed that this event does not pose an immediate threat to U.S. personnel or territory, or to our allies, the missile launches highlight the destabilizing impact of the DPRK’s unlawful WMD and ballistic missile programs."

"The U.S. commitments to the defense of the Republic of Korea and Japan remain ironclad."

North Korea Launches 2 Ballistic Missiles Off East Coast - SOUTH KOREA/JAPAN - North Korea has launched two ballistic missiles off of its east coast, according to both the South Korean and Japanese Ministry of Defense.  

The South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said that it had detected the launches from the Tongchang-ri area, North Pyongan Province, between 11:13 a.m. and 12:05 p.m, according to South Korean news agency Yonhap. 

The ballistic missile tests are the first tests that North Korea has carried out in a month, and two days after North Korean state news claimed it had Carried Out A Test of a "high-thrust solid-fuel" motor at the Sohae Satellite Launching Ground.

The missiles were fired around 50 minutes apart, according to South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff, which said that it has increased its surveillance posture and maintains a state of readiness, closely coordinating with the United States .

The JCS put out a statement that said, "While strengthening our monitoring and surveillance activities, our military is maintaining a full readiness posture in close cooperation with the United States."

So far this year, North Korea has fired over 60 ballistic missiles, the largest amount ever fired in a single year by the North. 

Instructions by the Prime Minister in Response to the Missile Launch by North Korea (11:16)

The Japanese Prime Minister's office put out the following announcement:

1. Dedicate maximum effort to gather and analyze information, and provide the public speedy and adequate information.

2. Ensure the safety of aircraft, vessels, and other assets.

3. Take all possible measures for precaution, including readiness for contingencies.

Russia Condemns Possible Patriot Air Defense Systems Shipment To Ukraine - MOSCOW - The Russian Embassy to the United States has condemned the possible shipment of long-range Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine by the US, saying that the move would be a provocative step. Read Full Article

Russia Loads The RS-24 Yars ICBM Into A Silo In Central Russia - MOSCOW - Russia has loaded its RS-24 Yars intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) into a missile silo in the Kaluga Region in central Russia at the Kozelsk missile formation according to the Russian Defense Ministry. Read Full Article

US Deciding Whether To Send Patriot Missile System To Ukraine - The US is currently deciding on whether to send a Patriot long-range missile system to Ukraine, after receiving a request from Ukraine for more powerful and longer-range missile systems. Russia said in September that If Washington decides to supply longer-range missiles to Kyiv, it will be crossing a red line and will become a direct party to the conflict. Read Full Article

Poland To Deploy German Patriot Missile Systems On Border With Ukraine - Polish President Andrzej Duda announced on Monday that Poland will be working with Germany to deploy German Patriot missile systems on its border with Ukraine in the coming days. Read Full Article

11 Chinese Military Aircraft, 7 PLAN Vessels Spotted Around Taiwan On December 14th, 2022 - 11 Chinese military aircraft and 7 PLAN vessels were spotted on December 14th, 2022 according to Taiwan's Ministry of Defense. The number of Chinese vessels spotted around the island are higher than usual today.  Ongoing December Report

Of the Chinese military aircraft, one was a Y-8 reconnaissance (RECCE) aircraft. 

Taiwan tasked CAP aircraft, issued radio warnings and deployed air defense missile systems in order to monitor the activities of the Chinese forces.

Taiwan's Ministry of Defense put out a statement that said, "11 PLA aircraft and 7 PLAN vessels around Taiwan were detected by 6 a.m.(UTC+8) today. R.O.C. Armed Forces have monitored the situation and tasked CAP aircraft, Navy vessels, and land-based missile systems to respond these activities."

A second statement by the MOD said, "1 of the detected aircraft (Y-8 RECCE) had entered Taiwan’s southwest ADIZ, flight paths as illustrated."

Ukraine Requests Internationally Banned Cluster Munitions From US - Ukraine has requested cluster bombs from the United States. Both Russia and Ukraine have used cluster munitions in the war, mostly in populated areas, according to Multiple Reports, one of which is from the United Nations. Read Full Article

29 Chinese Military Aircraft, Including 18 Nuclear Capable Bombers, 3 PLAN Vessels Spotted Around Taiwan December 12-13th, 2022 - 29 Chinese military aircraft and 3 PLAN vessels were spotted around the island of Taiwan on December 12-13th, according to Taiwan's Ministry of Defense. Included in the aircraft spotted were 18 nuclear capable H-6 fighter jets. Ongoing December Report

Of the military aircraft spotted, there were 18 H-6 nuclear capable bombers, one Y-8 reconnaissance (RECCE) aircraft, one Y-8 antisubmarine warfare (ASW) aircraft and one J-11 fighter jets.

21 of the detected aircraft, including 18 nuclear capable H-6 bombers entered into Taiwan's southwest air defense identification zone (ADIZ). 

A statement released by Taiwan's Ministry of Defense said, "29 PLA aircraft and 3 PLAN vessels around Taiwan were detected by 6 a.m.(UTC+8) today. R.O.C. Armed Forces have monitored the situation and tasked CAP aircraft, Navy vessels, and land-based missile systems to respond these activities."

A second statement by the MOD said, "21 of the detected aircraft (Y-8 RECCE, Y-8 ASW, J-11 and H-6*18) had entered Taiwan’s southwest ADIZ, flight paths as illustrated". 

Russia: Norwegian P-3C Orion "Spy Plane" Intercepted By Russia Over Barents Sea - MOSCOW - According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, a Norwegian P-3C Orion "Spy Plane" was intercepted by Russia over the Barents Sea.

In response to spotting the P-3C reconnaissance plane over the Barents Sea, Russia scrambled a MiG-31 fighter jet of the Northern Fleet's air defense quick reaction alert forces to intercept the Norwegian aircraft. 

Russia’s National Defense Operations Center reported, "The Russian fighter’s crew identified the aerial target as a Norwegian Air Force P-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft and shadowed it over the Barents Sea. No violations of the state border of the Russian Federation were allowed."

The Russian Defense Ministry reported that, "The crew of the Russian fighter identified the air target as the R-3C Orion base patrol aircraft of the Royal Norwegian Air Force and escorted it over the Barents Sea. As a result of the professional actions of the fighter crew, tracking and control over the maneuvers of the foreign aircraft was ensured.”

Russian state news agency TASS cited the Center as saying that the Russian fighter jet "safely returned to its home airbase," after the Norwegian P-3C reconnaissance plane made a U-turn from Russia's state border. 

"The Russian fighter’s flight proceeded in strict compliance with international airspace usage requirements over neutral waters without crossing air routes or flying dangerously close to foreign aircraft," TASS cited them as saying. 

Turkey Threatens Greece With Missile Strike - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has threatened Greece with a missile strike on Athens. Both countries are members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) alliance. Read Full Article

Chinese, Indian Troops Clash In Tawang, India - TAWANG - 150 Indian soldiers and 300 Chinese soldiers are reported to have clashed at the Tawang Sector of Arunachal Pradesh, Northeastern India near the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China on December 9th. Read Full Article

Belarus Deploys Tactical Battalion Groups At Borders Where NATO Is Deployed - Belarusian army says that they have deployed tactical battalion groups on the borders between Belarus and the countries where NATO had deployed forces. Skies above Belarus Empty. Read Ongoing Report

Rising Tensions Between Serbia And Kosovo, Military Activity Spotted - Shots were fired, and explosions were heard on the border between Serbia and Kosovo after a stun grenade was thrown. Serbia has asked NATO to deploy the Serbian army and police force. Read Ongoing Report

8 Chinese Military Aircraft, 4 PLAN Vessels Spotted Around Taiwan December 11-12th, 2022 - 8 Chinese military aircraft and 4 PLAN vessels were spotted around the island of Taiwan on December 11-12th, 2022 according to Taiwan's Ministry of Defense. Ongoing December Report

CENTCOM: Helicopter Raid In Syria Kills 2 ISIS Officials - CENTCOM - U.S. Central Command has reported that it has conducted a successful helicopter raid against ISIS at 2:57 a.m. on December 11th, which killed two ISIS officials. 

Of the two ISIS officials, one was Anas, which was a Province Official in Syria involved in "the group's deadly plotting and facilitation operations in eastern Syria". 

Central Command reported that "initial assessments" indicated that no civilians were killed or injured as a result of the raid. 

The press release said that "The United States remains committed to countering the global threat from ISIS in partnership with local forces. ISIS continues to pursue an aggressive operational agenda, including external attacks that threaten US allies and partners in the region and beyond."

“ISIS continues to represent a threat to the security and stability of the region. This operation reaffirms CENTCOM’s steadfast commitment to ensuring the group’s enduring defeat,” said Joe Buccino, a CENTCOM spokesperson. “The death of these ISIS officials will disrupt the terrorist organization’s ability to further plot and carry out destabilizing attacks in the Middle East.”

13 Chinese Military Aircraft, 4 PLAN Vessels Spotted Around Taiwan December 10-11th, 2022 - 13 Chinese military aircraft and 4 PLAN vessels were spotted around the island of Taiwan on December 11-12th, 2022 according to Taiwan's Ministry of Defense.  Ongoing December Report

Turkey Carries Out Airstrikes In Duhok, Iraq - IRAQ - Turkey has carried out airstrikes in the Duhok province in northern Iraq, according Lebanese news agency Al-Mayadeen, targeting Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) elements in the region. 

News sources of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) report that Turkey has established 58 military bases in the mountains within the region over the last couple of years. 

11 Chinese Military Aircrfat, 4 PLAN Vessels Spotted Around Taiwan December 9-10th, 2022 - 11 Chinese military aircraft and 4 PLAN vessels were spotted around the island of Taiwan December 9-10th, 2022 according to Taiwan's Ministry of Defense. Ongoing December Report

Putin Says Russia Is Considering Adding Nuclear First Strike To Military Strategy - MOSCOW - Russian President Vladimir Putin has put out a statement saying that any country that dares attack Russia with nuclear weapons will be wiped from the face of the earth, considers adding Russia to nuclear first strike strategy. Read Full Article

House Passes $858 Billion Defense Bill Removing Vaccine Mandate For Military Personnel - WASHINGTON - The U.S. House of Representatives has passed the $858 billion defense bill which effectively removes the vaccine mandate for U.S. military personnel. Read Full Article

24 Chinese military aircraft and 4 PLAN vessels were spotted around the island of Taiwan according to Taiwan's Ministry of Defense.  - 24 Chinese Military Aircraft, 4 PLAN Vessels Spotted Around Taiwan December 8-9th, 2022 *Unusual Activity Reported* Ongoing December Report

27 Chinese Military Aircraft, 4 PLAN Vessels Spotted Around Taiwan December 7-8th, 2022 - 27 Chinese military aircraft and 4 PLAN vessels were spotted around the island of Taiwan on December 7-8th, 2022 according to Taiwan's Ministry of Defense.  

Of the military aircraft spotted, four were J-16 fighter jets, four were J-10 fighter jets, one was a Y-8 antisubmarine warfare (ASW) aircraft, one was a CH-4 UCAV reconnaissance (RECCE) drone, and one was a BZK-005 UAV reconnaissance (RECCE) drone. 

Taiwan tasked CAP aircraft, issued radio warnings and deployed air defense missile systems in order to monitor the activities of the Chinese forces.

A statement released by Taiwan's Ministry of Defense said, "27 PLA aircraft and 4 PLAN vessels around Taiwan were detected by 6 a.m.(UTC+8) today. R.O.C. Armed Forces have monitored the situation and tasked CAP aircraft, Navy vessels, and land-based missile systems to respond these activities."

Another statement by the MOD said, "11 of the detected aircraft (J-10*4, CH-4 UCAV, J-16*4, Y-8 ASW, BZK-005 UAV) had crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan’s southwest ADIZ."