The U.S. Department of the Treasury has blocked the assets and stateside transactions of three companies and an individual based in Lebanon and Turkey for their association with Iranian and Hezbollah-affiliated terror groups. The entities generate funds from selling Iranian commodities, including sales to the Syrian government. Their revenues provide key opportunities for “hundreds of...
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Category: Geopolitical Issues
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UK, Canada Sign New Agreements to Promote Joint R&D Efforts on AI
The United Kingdom and Canada have struck new agreements to jointly conduct research and development on artificial intelligence and other technologies. Michelle Donelan, U.K. technology secretary, and Francois-Phillippe Champagne, Canada’s minister for innovation, science and industry, signed a dual set of agreements in Ottawa on Wednesday. The agreement follows a larger partnership on science and...
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Germany, Poland and Netherlands Aim for Rapid Military Deployment to NATO’s Eastern Flank
Germany, the Netherlands and Poland have agreed to accelerate the deployment of troops and weapons to NATO’s eastern flank in the event of a conflict with Russia. The three NATO members signed a letter of intent for closer cooperation on Tuesday to establish a condition that supports swift military maneuver across Europe. The deal would...
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US Sanctions Egyptian, Turkish Nationals for Providing Cybersecurity Training, Funding for ISIS
The United States has sanctioned two Egyptian nationals for allegedly providing cybersecurity training to members of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria and facilitating funding efforts in support of the terrorist organization. In a press release, the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control named Mu’min Al-Mawji Mahmud Salim and Sarah Jamal Muhammad...
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Iran’s Latest Simorgh Rocket Launch Deploys Three Satellites to LEO
Iran has launched three satellites atop its Simorgh rocket. The trio of satellites reached low-Earth orbit, with an altitude ranging from 280 miles to 680 miles, according to the Middle Eastern nation’s Secretariat of the Government Information Council. Keihan 2 and Hatef 1, two of the newly launched satellites, were for communications and navigation. The third...
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Sen. Ben Cardin Lauds Turkey’s Approval of Sweden’s NATO Bid
Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Md., has welcomed Turkey’s decision to ratify Sweden’s bid to join NATO. Cardin, who chairs the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, praised the Turkish Parliament for voting in favor of Sweden’s accession protocol and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who signed the legislation on Thursday. “My approval of Turkey’s request to purchase F-16 aircraft...
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US Approves Sale of F-16 Fighting Falcons to Turkey for $23B
The administration of President Joe Biden has approved the sale of F-16 aircraft and related equipment to Turkey. In a Friday press release, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said it notified Congress about the potential foreign military sale of 40 new F-16 aircraft and the modernization of Turkey’s 79 existing fighters for $23 billion. Lockheed Martin...
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US OKs Potential $500M Deal to Provide Croatia With 8 Black Hawk Helicopters
The Department of State has approved a proposed sale of eight UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters to Croatia. According to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, the potential Foreign Military Sale has an estimated cost of $500 million. The FMS deal will boost Croatia’s ability to deter current and future threats, support coalition operations, and promote interoperability...
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Australia, Japan To Explore New Robotic, Autonomous Capabilities for Undersea Warfare
Australia said it will work with Japan on a research project to advance the two nations’ capabilities in robotic and autonomous systems for undersea warfare. Australia’s Defence Science and Technology Group and Japan’s Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Agency will spearhead the inaugural research project to enhance undersea communication and interoperability under a signed collaboration agreement....
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US, Partner Nations Unveil New Programs to Boost Ukraine’s Armor, Drone Capabilities
The U.S.-led Ukraine Defense Contact Group has launched new projects to further build up Ukraine’s armor and drone capabilities. At a news briefing on Tuesday, Celeste Wallander, assistant secretary for international security affairs at the Pentagon, said the capability coalition will advance efforts by the UDCG to build a Ukrainian force that can repel Russia’s...