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12 Sept 24. US imposes sanctions on Chinese suppliers to Pakistan’s ballistic missile program. The U.S. State Department on Thursday imposed sanctions on a Chinese research institute and several companies it said have been involved in supplying Pakistan’s ballistic missile program.
Washington similarly targeted three China-based companies with sanctions in October 2023 for supplying missile-applicable items to Pakistan.
Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a statement that the Beijing Research Institute of Automation for Machine Building Industry had worked with Pakistan to procure equipment for testing rocket motors for the Shaheen-3 and Ababeel systems and potentially for larger systems.
The sanctions also targeted China-based firms Hubei Huachangda Intelligent Equipment Co, Universal Enterprise, and Xi’an Longde Technology Development Co, alongside Pakistan-based Innovative Equipment and a Chinese national, for knowingly transferring equipment under missile technology restrictions, Miller said.
“As today’s actions demonstrate, the United States will continue to act against proliferation and associated procurement activities of concern, wherever they occur,” Miller said.
Liu Pengyu, spokesperson for China’s embassy in Washington, said: “China firmly opposes unilateral sanctions and long-arm jurisdiction that have no basis in international law or authorization of the UN Security Council.”
China will “firmly protect” Chinese companies’ and individuals’ rights and interests, Liu said.
Pakistan’s embassy did not immediately respond to a request for comment. (Source: Reuters)
12 Sept 24. DOD Delegation to Hold Talks With Chinese Counterparts in Beijing. A Defense Department delegation will reaffirm the United States’ commitment to peace and security in the Indo-Pacific while in Beijing this week to attend an international security forum and hold high-level talks with Chinese military officials.
Michael S. Chase, deputy assistant secretary of defense for China, Taiwan and Mongolia, will lead the U.S. delegation attending this year’s Xiangshan security forum and participate in the 18th iteration of the Defense Policy Coordination Talks between the U.S. and China after the countries reopened their military-to-military dialogue last year.
Officials said the delegation will engage with regional allies and partners on the sidelines of the Xiangshan Forum to underscore the United States’ shared vision for the region “underpinned by a set of enduring beliefs.”
“Those include respect for sovereignty, adherence to international law, belief in transparency and openness, freedom of commerce and navigation, equal rights for all states and resolution of disputes through peaceful means, not through coercion or conflict,” a senior defense official said yesterday. “This is not a vision for the region that you’re going to hear by and some of its friends who will be in attendance.”
The official said the U.S. remains concerned about China’s increasingly coercive behavior in the region.
“That is why the department is doing more than ever with our allies and partners, including some of those who are in attendance at this week’s Xiangshan Forum, to work together to strengthen peace, stability and deterrence across the Indo-Pacific,” the official said.
Following the forum, Chase will lead the U.S. delegation in attending the defense coordination talks. President Joe Biden secured China’s agreement to return to military-to-military talks last November after meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in Woodside, California.
In January, senior U.S. and Chinese military officials resumed the U.S.-China Defense Policy Coordination Talks at the Pentagon. Prior to that, the high-level talks were last held in September 2021.
Speaking to reporters yesterday, the senior U.S. defense official said the discussions are an opportunity for candid discussion about U.S. concerns over issues affecting the countries’ relationship.
“U.S. diplomacy and channels of communication do not indicate any change in our approach to,” the official said. “This is an intensely competitive relationship, but we are committed to managing that competition responsibly and preventing it from veering into conflict,” the official said. (Source: U.S. DoD)
13 Sept 24. North Korea shows first photos of banned uranium enrichment site.
- Summary
- North Korea shows photos of Kim touring centrifuges
- N. Korea nuclear programme banned by U.N. Security Council
- Kim calls for increase in materials for tactical nuclear bombs
- Leader also oversees missile test and commando drills
North Korea for the first time showed images of the centrifuges that produce fuel for its nuclear bombs on Friday, as leader Kim Jong Un visited a uranium enrichment facility and called for more weapons-grade material to boost the arsenal.
The state media report on Kim’s visit to the Nuclear Weapons Institute and a production base for weapon-grade nuclear materials was accompanied by the first photos of the centrifuges, providing a rare look inside North Korea’s nuclear programme, which is banned under multiple United Nations Security Council resolutions.
The photos showed Kim walking between long rows of metal centrifuges, the machines that enrich uranium. The report did not make clear when the visit occurred nor the facility’s location.
Kim urged workers to produce more materials for tactical nuclear weapons, saying the country’s nuclear arsenal is vital for confronting threats from the United States and its allies.
The weapons are needed for “self-defence and the capability for a preemptive attack,” he said.
The North Korean leader said “anti-DPRK nuclear threats” from the “U.S. imperialists-led vassal forces” have crossed the red-line, according to the report.
South Korea condemned North Korea’s unveiling of its uranium enrichment facility and will never accept Pyongyang’s possession of nuclear weapons, the South’s unification ministry said.
North Korea is believed to have several sites for enriching uranium. Analysts say commercial satellite imagery has shown construction in recent years at the main Yongbyon Nuclear Scientific Research Center, including its uranium enrichment plant, suggesting possible expansion.
Uranium is a radioactive element that exists naturally. To make nuclear fuel, raw uranium undergoes processes that result in a material with an increased concentration of the isotope uranium-235.
International Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Grossi said on Monday that the U.N. nuclear watchdog had observed activity consistent with the operation of a reactor and the reported centrifuge enrichment facility at Yongbyon.
NEW CENTRIFUGES
Kim stressed the need to boost the number of centrifuges so as to “exponentially increase” North Korea’s nuclear arsenal, and expand the use of a new type of centrifuge to strengthen the production of weapon-grade nuclear materials.
The centrifuges seen in the photos appear smaller and shorter than the types previously believed to be used by North Korea, suggesting it had developed its own centrifuges to enhance separation capabilities, said Lee Sang-kyu, a nuclear engineering expert at South Korea’s Korea Institute for Defense Analysis.
The photos also confirmed that the North is using a cascade system where large numbers of centrifuges are interconnected to achieve highly enriched uranium, he added.
The new type of centrifuge shows North Korea is advancing its fuel cycle capabilities, said Ankit Panda of the U.S.-based Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.
“Kim also appears to suggest that North Korean tactical nuclear weapons designs may primarily rely on uranium for their cores,” he said.
This is notable because North Korea is more able to scale up its highly enriched uranium stockpiles, Panda said, compared to the more complicated process for plutonium. (Source: Reuters)
12 Sept 24. Beijing kicks off annual defence forum amid multiple regional disputes. China will kick off its biggest annual military diplomacy event on Thursday, seeking to expand the country’s outreach to the Global South amid simmering regional tensions in the South China Sea and around Taiwan.
More than 90 countries and international organisations will send representatives and academics to the highly choreographed Xiangshan Forum, taking place Sept. 12-14 in Beijing.
Beijing is eager to promote itself as a responsible security player in international conflicts, despite being entangled in several territorial spats in its regional back yard. This year’s forum is themed “Promoting Peace for a Shared Future”.
The Philippines and China have exchanged accusations of intentionally ramming coast guard vessels in the South China Sea in recent months, while China made at least two territorial incursions into Japanese airspace and waters in August.
Beijing continues to send warplanes and ships into areas surrounding democratically governed Taiwan, which China considers its own territory, ignoring the objections of the government in Taipei.
Meanwhile, Western countries have expressed concerns over China’s growing military cooperation with Russia and “dangerous actions” in the South China Sea. In July, China and Belarus held joint military drills just a few kilometres from the border of NATO member Poland.
The U.S. plans to send Michael Chase, the deputy assistant secretary of defence for China, Taiwan and Mongolia, to the forum. Chase is more senior than the U.S. official who attended last year, though his rank is in line with historical norms.
U.S.-China military tensions have somewhat stabilised in recent months because regular communications channels have reopened after an almost two-year hiatus, though nuclear talks were halted by Beijing in July.
There is some hope that Chase’s attendance could signal deeper working-level engagement with China amid regional disputes.
Most Western countries will send small, low-level delegations, preferring to discuss international security issues at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore. (Source: Reuters)
12 Sept 24. North Korea ballistic missile launches on 12 September 2024: FCDO statement. Following North Korea’s ballistic missile launches on 12 September, a Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) spokesperson gave a statement. An FCDO spokesperson said: North Korea’s ballistic missile launches on 12 September are another breach of multiple UN Security Council resolutions (UNSCRs). Unlawful ballistic missile launches continue to destabilise the peace and security of the Korean Peninsula. The UK strongly urges North Korea to stop such provocations, to engage in meaningful diplomacy and accept offers of dialogue. (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)
11 Sept 24. South African Navy calls for regional maritime security cooperation. Rear Admiral (JG) Lisa Hendricks, Chief of Fleet Staff of the South African Navy, has emphasised the urgent need for increased regional cooperation to address the growing maritime security challenges in the Gulf of Guinea and the Red Sea. Speaking at the recent Maritime Security Conference in Stellenbosch, she highlighted the impact of recent events on South Africa’s coastal waters and the importance of a coordinated approach to ensure safety and stability.
The Red Sea crisis has led to a significant surge in shipping traffic around the Cape of Good Hope of 74%, placing strain on South Africa’s maritime resources. Hendricks noted that the South African Navy has witnessed a substantial increase in vessel activity and has been actively involved in search and rescue operations due to accidents, container spills and other maritime incidents, she told the third international Conference on Maritime Security in the Gulf of Guinea and the Red Sea.
She pointed to the recent incidents of ships losing containers and running aground as an alarming trend. For instance, two vessels, the MV Ultra Galaxy and the CMA CGN Benjamin Franklin, suffered accidents in July, the former going aground on the West Coast and the latter losing 40 containers. These accidents illustrate the hazards posed by increased traffic and poor weather conditions, necessitating greater focus on navigational safety.
Hendricks also underscored the importance of strengthening regional maritime security cooperation within the Southern African Development Community (SADC). Despite criticism over perceived inaction, she emphasised the achievements of the Standing Maritime Committee (SMC), a subcommittee of the Interstate Defence and Security Committee.
The Integrated Maritime Security Strategy was approved in 2022, which is a major step forward. “It’s no longer just about anti-piracy,” Hendricks remarked. The strategy now focuses on broader aspects of maritime governance, environmental management, and economic optimisation.
“We no longer just focus on anti-piracy in the region,” she explained. “We recognise that maritime security is more than just anti-piracy.”
However, she stressed the need for more effective implementation of the strategy and its accompanying action plan. “A lot more work needs to be done there. But on the positive side, at least we have an architecture from which to work going forward.”
To enhance regional cooperation, Hendricks proposed several initiatives, including joint naval exercises, information sharing, and capacity building. She highlighted the importance of confidence-building measures and the benefits of learning from other navies.
“These exercises are so important because they improve interoperability between not just navies, but other participants as well,” she said. “It builds relations between the various navies.”
Hendricks announced that “the SADC has decided that we need to have a maritime exercise,” with planning already advanced for later this year.
She explained that joint exercises “are absolutely crucial for a Navy such as ourselves and many navies within SADC, even further up the coast.”
Noting that the SA Navy has capacity, resourcing and budget issues, she said “this (exercise) is almost like a force multiplier for us.”
Hendricks also emphasized the need for increased investment in maritime security infrastructure and technology. She called for improved surveillance capabilities, better communication systems and enhanced response mechanisms.
Acknowledging that militaries generally do not like to share information, Hendricks proposed that further progress can be made in sharing shipping information.
She also proposed increased cooperation in naval coordination and guidance of shipping.
“We’ve been doing that for some time and I do believe that South Africa has the capability to even provide training in SADC,” she said, “that’s something we can leverage to strengthen capacity within the region.”
(Source: https://www.defenceweb.co.za/)
10 Sept 24. Iran Gives Russia Short-Range Missiles, While U.S., Partners Expect to Keep Bolstering Ukrainian Air Defense. The United States has confirmed that Iran has given a number of close-range ballistic missiles to Russia. But a U.S. official said from the beginning of the Russian invasion, support to Ukraine has focused on air defense, and that this will continue — including with a focus on the threat posed by the new missiles.
“The United States has confirmed reports that Iran has transferred shipments of Fath 360 close-range ballistic missiles to Russia, which we assess could employ them within weeks against Ukraine, leading to the deaths of even more Ukrainian civilians,” said Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder during a briefing today. He added that right now, the department can’t say how many missiles are involved.
The Fath 360 missiles, Ryder said, are believed to have a range of about 75 miles and would allow Russians to reserve more advanced missiles with longer ranges for other uses.
“It is a short-range or close-range ballistic missile system,” he said. “What this does is it would enable Russia to employ this capability while preserving its longer-range capabilities for use throughout the battlefield, thus deepening Russia’s arsenal and also, again, giving it the ability to strike the kinds of targets that we’ve seen them striking, to include civilian targets.”
Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, and since then, through a variety of security arrangements, including with the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, the U.S. and partner nations have provided military support to Ukraine. A large focus has been on air defense, which Ryder said would continue.
“Air defense has been something that we’ve been very focused on for a long time now when it comes to Ukraine,” he said. “That has been a priority for the Ukrainians, and therefore it’s been a priority for us. I point you back to UDCG, almost a year and a half ago, where highlighted how critical this was.”
Since that time, Ryder said, U.S. and partner nations have been working to provide the Ukrainians with a variety of air defense systems meant to address both short-range and long-range missile threats.
“Building that integrated air defense capability for Ukraine has been going on for a while now, and so we’re not going to let up,” Ryder said. “And these missiles, while they certainly are going to present a threat, we’re going to work with Ukraine to ensure … that they have the capabilities needed to defend against these missiles and other missiles that Russia is using, to include drones.”
The United States has committed more than $55.9 bn in security assistance to Ukraine since the beginning of Russia’s invasion in February 2022. Air defense systems are featured heavily in that security assistance. Among the air defense systems provided are Patriot air defense batteries; National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems, also called NASAMS; HAWK air defense systems; Stinger anti-aircraft missiles; and Avenger air defense systems.
In the same way the U.S. and partner nations have been training Ukrainian service members on the use of equipment such as howitzers and the F-16 Falcon aircraft, the Iranians have trained Russians on the use of the Fath 360. Ryder said the department believes “dozens” of Russian military personnel were trained in Iran to use the missile system.
While it’s not known what the Iranians received in exchange for providing the missiles. Ryder said officials speculate intelligence information might have been part of the arrangement.
“Without being able to go into specifics, we see them sharing information as it relates to nuclear programs, space and other technological capabilities that Russia has that countries like Iran want,” he said.
Ryder also said given Russia’s growing relationships with other bad-faith actors on the global stage, including North Korea, there is a reasonable expectation that there will be continued delivery of missiles from Iran.
“The concerning aspect of this … is the developing relationship between Russia and Iran,” he said. “And you also see Russia developing a relationship with , where they become essentially a supplier of capability. So, one has to assume that if Iran is providing Russia with these types of missiles, that it’s very likely it would not be a one-time good deal, that this would be a source of capability that Russia would seek to tap in the future.” (Source: U.S. DoD)
10 Sept 24. The US has warned that Russia is helping China develop submarine, aeronautic and missile technologies in exchange for Beijing’s support for Moscow’s war against Ukraine. Russia’s deepening sharing of military knowhow in areas such as stealth and surveillance would have a “negative and concerning impact” on the security of the US and its allies, Kurt Campbell, US deputy secretary of state, said on Tuesday. “These new areas of collaboration between Russia and China are in the areas of design and . . . application. They are significant,” Campbell told reporters during a visit to Brussels to meet EU, Nato and Belgian officials. The collaboration could have a “very significant impact on Chinese capabilities and deployments in the western Pacific”, he added. Russia has historically been cautious about co-operating with China on military technology out of concern about giving too much assistance to the development of the large and highly capable forces in its neighbouring country and a desire to protect its intellectual property. But Campbell said Russian support, provided in exchange for Chinese supplies of items such as parts used to build Russian weapons, was “orchestrated at the highest levels” in Moscow and Beijing. The co-operation was “not a tactical alliance, this is a fundamental alignment”, he said. The Chinese embassy to the EU in Brussels did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Campbell’s comments. Beijing has previously denounced accusations it is supporting Russia’s war effort as “biased, slanderous, and provocative”, insisting it has taken a “constructive role” on the war in Ukraine and has not provided lethal weapons to either side. Alexander Gabuev, director of the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center in Berlin, said Moscow had become more willing to collaborate with Beijing on military technology after its annexation of Crimea in 2014 and the process had accelerated since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. “Russia realised that China is pumping tens of bns of dollars into defence research and production, annually,” Gabuev said. “Russia realised that . . . in certain limited areas, where Russia still has superiority, it has a window of opportunity right now to grow into the Chinese market, earn money, and in the best-case scenario, create a joint value chain.” (Source: FT.com)
10 Sep 24. China-US: Military leaders’ exchange signals willingness to stabilise relations. On 9 September, Admiral Samuel Paparo, the commander of US Indo-Pacific forces, held a video call with Chinese General Wu Yanan, the head of the PLA’s Southern Theater Command. The call marks the first direct communication between these two military leaders. Presidents Joe Biden and Xi Jinping agreed in November 2022 to re-establish military-to-military channels. China severed these channels in 2022 after then US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan. The latest exchange follows the US’ and China’s joint participation (alongside other countries) in Brazil’s Operation Formosa for the first time. This annual military exercise runs from 4 to 17 September and involves approximately 3,000 personnel from various nations, including 33 Chinese and 54 US naval personnel. Despite recent trade tensions and China’s increasing confrontations with US allies in the South China Sea, we assess these developments demonstrate both countries’ willingness to stabilise relations and to keep communication channels open. However, we also assess that the relationship will remain fragile as strategic competition becomes increasingly entrenched. (Source: Sibylline)
10 Sep 24. Slovakia: Increasingly likely EU sanctions will negatively impact investment climate. On 9 September, the media reported that EU officials are considering enforcing sanctions on Slovakia over rule-of-law concerns. Reportedly, the EU Commission is in the process of issuing Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico an official last warning. The EU is specifically worried about Slovakia’s alleged clampdown on the judiciary, including the closure of an anti-corruption office and the decrease in sentences for offences like fraud and corruption. The government has also been accused of politically curtailing the media and cracking down on NGOs. This year the EU is set to allocate Slovakia EUR 12.8 bn (USD 14.1 bn) in cohesion funds and an additional EUR 2.3 bn (USD 2.5 bn) in Covid-19 recovery funds. The EU can block parts of these payments, especially as the Covid-19 recovery funds are to be handed out on the condition of maintaining the (now closed) anti-corruption office. We assess that targeted sanctions are likely to ensue, as Fico is unlikely to change his policy. This will likely negatively impact Slovakia’s investment climate. (Source: Sibylline)
10 Sep 24. Armenia-Azerbaijan: Short-term peace treaty is uncertain despite Kazakhstan-hosted peace talks. On 9 September, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev stated that a proposal to hold peace talks with Armenia in Astana (Kazakhstan) is ‘acceptable’ for Baku. The foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan previously met in Almaty (Kazakhstan) in May for peace treaty negotiations. The latest remarks provide cautious optimism that Azerbaijan is open to engaging in discussions with Armenia. However, Aliyev possibly made these comments to create the impression that Baku remains committed to the peace process in order to gain international support before Azerbaijan hosts the UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) in November. Given Azerbaijan has increased its (unconfirmed) allegations of Armenian cross-border provocations in recent weeks, it is ultimately uncertain whether any such negotiations in Kazakhstan would lead to a peace treaty. We assess that frequently reported border incidents (either genuine or false) will likely undermine progress towards a peace treaty, though dialogue between the two countries would possibly aid in stabilising tensions in the medium term. (Source: Sibylline)
13 Sep 24. Egypt-US: Authorisation of military aid will sustain human rights risks. On 11 September, the United States announced it would award Egypt its full military aid of USD 1.3 bn, which it previously partially withheld due to human rights concerns. The authorisation comes despite Egypt not complying with US conditions for improving human rights in the country. There is a realistic possibility the decision was influenced by Egypt’s role as a mediator in ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas. The US is likely using aid authorisation to soften Egypt’s stance on the prospect of a persistent IDF presence in the Philadelphi Corridor and other key sticking points. As such, elevated human rights risks will persist, including the repression of free speech of which there will possibly be a slight uptick in the coming month. We assess that this will moderately drive risks of arbitrary detention to journalists and state critics, possibly impacting politically active local staff and NGOs. (Source: Sibylline)
10 Sept 24. Taiwan’s defence spending soaring to $23.4bn by 2029. Taiwan’s defence budget is growing in response to territorial aggression from China with a CAGR go 12.7% through to 2029.
Taiwan is enhancing its defence capabilities in response to increasing intrusions by China’s PLA. Source: JENG BO YUAN/Shutterstock
Taiwan is projected to increase its defence budget to $23.4bn (T$752.5bn) by 2029 in response to escalating military pressure from China.
This increase is part of a broader effort to modernise Taiwan’s military capabilities and prepare for potential aggression.
As recently as 29 August 2024, the China’s Ministry of National Defence has reaffirmed its claim that Taiwan is a part of its territory, and China continues to apply military pressure through missile tests and the deployment of aircraft and naval vessels near Taiwan’s borders. In response, Taiwan is focusing on building a battle-ready armed force to defend itself.
According to a report by GlobalData, ‘Taiwan Defense Market Size, Trends, Budget Allocation, Regulations, Acquisitions, Competitive Landscape and Forecast to 2029’, Taiwan’s defence expenditure, including additional special budgets, grew from $12bn in 2020 to $19.4bn by 2024. This reflects a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.7%, driven by the need to fund key arms acquisition programmes.
The report highlights that between 2020 and 2024, Taiwan’s cumulative defence spending reached $79.5bn, with $10.5bn allocated to acquisition programmes. These funds supported the procurement of key military assets, including Hai Kun-class submarines, F-16V aircraft, and 2,500-ton light frigates.
Taiwan’s evolving defence strategy includes a focus on asymmetric warfare, often referred to as the “porcupine doctrine.” This strategy relies on intelligence gathering, reconnaissance, and leveraging geographic advantages to defend against potential Chinese aggression.
“To build its arsenal of weapons and military fleet, Taiwan relies on US assistance to procure advanced defence technologies,” noted Akash Pratim Debbarma, an aerospace and defence analyst at GlobalData.
“For instance, Taiwan’s ongoing procurement of the RGM-84L-4 Harpoon Block-II Coastal Defence Systems and the planned procurement of the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS) from the US will help in securing its coast and establish a long-range and multi-domain deterrence mechanism against China,” continued Debbarma.
A critical part of Taiwan’s defence planning involves advanced early-warning systems and sophisticated weaponry, alongside a reserve force that is ready to be mobilised. This approach highlights the emphasis on a robust defensive posture amid regional tensions.
Looking ahead, Taiwan is likely to seek more indigenous defence solutions. This shift is partly driven by a perceived reduction in US focus on Asia, as attention shifts towards Europe due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. (Source: army-technology.com)
09 Sept 24. U.S.-Iraq Higher Military Commission Continues Talks on Security Cooperation. Plans for the future of U.S. security cooperation with Iraq, including the role of U.S. service members on the ground there, are still being discussed by the U.S.-Iraq Higher Military Commission, or HMC, said the Pentagon press secretary.
“The nature of these conversations are focused on transitioning from the global coalition for the enduring defeat of ISIS, the current structure, to what does a longer-term U.S-Iraqi bilateral security relationship look like,” said Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder during a meeting today with members of the civilian news media.
“We highly value Iraq as a partner,” Ryder said. “They play a very important role in the region when it comes to security and stability, particularly on the counterterrorism front, and, so, we need to allow the HMC the time and space to have those conversations.”
The HMC began working group meetings earlier this year to plan how the existing security relationship between the partner nations will transition going forward. It was during the August 2023 U.S.-Iraq Joint Security Cooperation Dialogue that the U.S. and Iraq agreed to convene the HMC.
“As part of the U.S.-Iraq Joint Security Cooperation Dialogue, we established the Higher Military Commission that will look at the transition of the global coalition into a long-term U.S.-Iraq bilateral security cooperation relationship,” Ryder said. “Those conversations are ongoing.”
Discussions within the HMC are expected to shape the role of U.S. forces in Iraq and the defeat-ISIS mission. In determining how the U.S. role in that mission will change, the HMC will consider the current nature of the threat from ISIS, operational and environmental requirements, and Iraqi security forces’ capability levels.
The U.S. currently has a military presence of about 2,500 personnel in Iraq as part of the Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve effort. The mission is to advise, assist and enable partner forces in the defeat of ISIS in designated areas of Iraq and Syria. Inside Iraq, the U.S. works in partnership with both the Iraqi security forces and the Kurdish security forces to carry out that mission.
Ryder also said Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III is involved in any discussions concerning U.S. force posture, and HMC outcomes are important in informing decisions by U.S. and Iraqi political leadership.
“The secretary is certainly very engaged on anything when it comes to U.S. force posture around the world,” Ryder said. “We value the work that’s being done via the Higher Military Commission process. Those conversations inform senior leader decisions, ultimately, which rests at the seat of government … the president and the Iraqi leadership.” (Source: U.S. DoD)
09 Sept 24. Austin Hosts Vietnamese Counterpart, Builds on Momentum of U.S.-Vietnam Ties. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to continue strengthening ties with Vietnam as he met with Vietnamese Minister of Defense Gen. Phan Van Giang at the Pentagon today.
Austin said the U.S. remains focused on overcoming the legacies of war as the two countries continue to build on the recent elevation of U.S.-Vietnam relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership.
The secretary also expressed his condolences for the lives lost after Typhoon Yagi made landfall on Vietnam’s northern coast over the weekend.
“We commend you for the excellent job Vietnam has done responding to this terrible tragedy,” Austin said. “Please let us know if the United States can assist in any way.”
The meeting comes nearly one year after President Joe Biden’s visit to Vietnam where the two countries took steps to elevate relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership encompassing cooperation across a range of diplomatic, economic and defense industrial endeavors, among others.
The step marked what the White House hailed as a “new phase of bilateral cooperation and friendship” between the two countries.
Today, Austin noted the increased military cooperation between the U.S. and Vietnam throughout the past year including a port visit by the U.S. Navy’s 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge and U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Waesche at Cam Ranh, Vietnam in July. Vietnam also hosted a multilateral Pacific Partnership mission and a Pacific Angel humanitarian response mission in August.
Austin also addressed the United States’ commitment to account for those lost during the Vietnam War and to assist Vietnam in its search for its fallen service members.
“A key part of our cooperation is overcoming the legacies of war, and we remain committed to the fullest extent possible, accounting for those lost during the war, and we appreciate Vietnam’s longstanding support to help bring home missing U.S. service members,” Austin said. “Through the Vietnam Wartime Accountability Initiative, we’re helping Vietnam search for its fallen service members as well.”
During the meeting, the two sides exchanged information and artifacts related to those efforts.
The secretary also highlighted the Defense Department’s efforts alongside the U.S. Agency for International Development to remediate dioxin contamination at Bien Hoa Air Base in Vietnam.
“We’re working more closely than ever, and that’s more important than ever as we promote our shared goals of regional peace and prosperity,” Austin said. (Source: U.S. DoD)
09 Sept 24. Joint Statement of the 15th Republic of Korea-United States-Japan Defense Trilateral Talks. Republic of Korea (ROK) Deputy Minister for National Defense Policy Cho Chang-rae, U.S. Acting Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Cara Abercrombie, and Japan Director General for Defense Policy YAMATO Taro convened the 15th Defense Trilateral Talks in Seoul on September 10, 2024. They discussed shared regional security concerns and renewed their commitment to strengthening trilateral security cooperation following the Japan-ROK-U.S. Summits at Phnom Penh and Camp David and Trilateral Ministerial Meetings in Singapore and Tokyo this year.
The three defense officials acknowledged the progress made by the national defense authorities of the three countries over the past year since the historic Camp David Summit, and pledged to continue working closely together to strengthen trilateral security cooperation.
The three sides shared their views that the Memorandum of Cooperation on the Trilateral Security Cooperation Framework (TSCF), signed by the Ministers and the Secretary of the three countries in July, institutionalizes progress made in the relationship thus far and will serve as a foundation to pursue trilateral security cooperation in a systematic and stable manner.
The three defense officials highlighted the successful efforts of their three countries in systematically conducting trilateral exercises in accordance with the multi-year trilateral exercise plan approved last year. They pledged to continue seeking various opportunities for future trilateral exercises and committed to updating the multi-year trilateral exercise plan by the end of this year.
The officials acknowledged that the first execution of the multi-domain trilateral exercise FREEDOM EDGE in June contributed to enhancing interoperability among the three countries and safeguarding freedom, peace, and stability in the Indo-Pacific region, including the Korean Peninsula. They also concurred to conduct the second FREEDOM EDGE exercise in the near term.
The three sides reaffirmed their enduring commitment to strengthening trilateral cooperation to contribute to peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, in the Indo-Pacific region, and beyond, including by deterring the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s (DPRK) advancing nuclear and missile threats.
They expressed grave concern over the increasing military cooperation commitment between the Russian Federation and the DPRK, as highlighted by the signing of the “Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership,” which is contrary to multiple UN Security Council resolutions and is a concerning development for many countries in the region. The three defense officials pledged to strengthen cooperation with the international community to fulfill the implementation of the related UN Security Council resolutions.
In addition, they condemned the DPRK’s recent diversification of nuclear delivery systems, tests and launches of multiple ballistic missiles, and other related activities, and urged the DPRK to immediately cease all actions that destabilize security of the Korean Peninsula and the region.
The United States reaffirmed its ironclad commitment to the defense of the ROK and Japan, emphasizing that this commitment is backed by the full range of U.S. capabilities, including nuclear capabilities.
All three sides reaffirmed strong opposition to any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion in the region.
The three defense officials shared assessments on recent maritime and air military activities in the Indo-Pacific region, including the South China Sea. They also recalled their respective positions regarding the dangerous and aggressive behavior by the People’s Republic of China (PRC) supporting unlawful maritime claims in the area. Furthermore, they shared concerns about actions that are inconsistent with international law as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and stressed the importance of fully respecting freedom of navigation and overflight.
The three sides recognized that there is no change in their basic positions on Taiwan and emphasized the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait as an indispensable element of security and prosperity in the international community. They called for the peaceful resolution of cross-Strait issues.
The three officials welcomed holding the 16th Defense Trilateral Talks in the first half of next year in Japan. (Source: U.S. DoD)
06 Sep 24. Haiti-US: US calls for renewal of security mission mandate underscore long-term violence risks. On 5 September, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called for the renewal of the UN’s mandate for an international security mission in Haiti. The UN’s 12-month security mission mandate will expire in October. So far, only 400 of the 2,900 troops pledged to the Kenyan-led Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission have arrived in Haiti. Furthermore, the UN MSS trust fund has received only USD 63m in funding despite countries worldwide pledging hundreds of millions of USD. The MSS and the Haitian National Police have so far achieved mixed results in combatting widespread gang violence. On 4 September, the Haitian government expanded its state of emergency to cover the entire country, instead of just the capital Port-au-Prince (Ouest department). The UN will likely renew the MSS’ mandate in the coming months. However, we assess that the MSS is unlikely to significantly reduce violence in the long term, sustaining attacks, security forces, human rights and violent crime risks. (Source: Sibylline)
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Founded in 1987, Exensor Technology is a world leading supplier of Networked Unattended Ground Sensor (UGS) Systems providing tailored sensor solutions to customers all over the world. From our Headquarters in Lund Sweden, our centre of expertise in Network Communications at Communications Research Lab in Kalmar Sweden and our Production site outside of Basingstoke UK, we design, develop and produce latest state of the art rugged UGS solutions at the highest quality to meet the most stringent demands of our customers. Our systems are in operation and used in a wide number of Military as well as Homeland Security applications worldwide. The modular nature of the system ensures any external sensor can be integrated, providing the user with a fully meshed “silent” network capable of self-healing. Exensor Technology will continue to lead the field in UGS technology, provide our customers with excellent customer service and a bespoke package able to meet every need.
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