President Joe Biden is set to meet Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in Washington to upgrade a decades-old security alliance in response to China’s growing threat in the Pacific. The two leaders are expected to unveil a plan to restructure the U.S. military command in Japan on April 10, during Kishida’s state visit in Washington. People...
Category: Geopolitical Issues
Japan Plans to Export Future Next-Generation Fighters to Third Countries; Fumio Kishida Quoted
Japan has approved a plan to export its upcoming next-generation fighter jets to other countries. The government’s chief executive body greenlighted the proposed international arms sales on Tuesday and supported revising the country’s arms equipment and technology transfer guidelines, the Associated Press reported. The decision paves the way for Tokyo to supply partner nations and...
UK Says China-Backed Cyber Group Behind Malicious Attacks on Electoral Commission
The United Kingdom has alleged that Chinese state cyber actors are behind malicious cyber campaigns that targeted its democratic institutions. According to the National Cyber Security Centre, the U.K. Electoral Commission was “highly likely compromised” between 2021 and 2022 by the state-affiliated hacking group known as APT31. NCSC, part of the Government Communications Headquarters, also...
US, Lithuania Defense Leaders Meet to Discuss Weapons Acquisitions, Military Industry Development
Defense leaders from the United States and Lithuania have agreed to cooperate on defense industry development. Greta Monika Tuckute, Lithuania’s vice minister of national defense, met with James Hursch, director of the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency, on Thursday to discuss Vilnius’ increased defense spending. The northeastern European nation confirmed state budget guidelines last week...
US Army Partnership to Boost Canada’s Ammunition Production Capacity
The U.S. Army has inked an agreement with the Canadian Commercial Corporation to expand Canada’s domestic ammunition production capacity. Under the undefinitized contract action, the military branch will work with General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems Canada to ramp up the manufacture of 155 mm artillery rounds. CCC, Canada’s government-to-government contracting agency, said the joint...
New Defense Pact Seeks to Enhance UK-Australia Security Cooperation
Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles and U.K. Secretary of State for Defence Grant Shapps have signed a new defense and security cooperation agreement to strengthen the partnership between Canberra and London on common issues and concerns. The U.K. government said the pact was signed during the annual Australia-United Kingdom Ministerial Consultations, or AUKMIN, held Friday...
NATO Ships Visit Stockholm After Sweden’s Accession as 32nd Alliance Member
The Standing NATO Maritime Group One has conducted its initial port visit to Stockholm following Sweden’s accession as the alliance’s 32nd member. Brig. Gen. Patrik Gardesten, deputy commander of the Royal Swedish Navy, described the event as “historical,” noting that the visit underscores Sweden’s new role in the organization. “We are ready to contribute to...
US Designates Procurement Networks Supporting Iranian Defense Sector; Brian Nelson Quoted
The United States has imposed sanctions on three procurement networks for supplying designated Iranian entities with materials for the production of military weapons under Iran’s ballistic missile, nuclear and defense programs. The Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control has designated Iranian-German national Maziar Karim, his companies Mazixon GmbH and Co KG and...
US Sanctions Russia-Based Companies That Operate Fake News Websites
The United States has imposed new sanctions against entities linked to Russia’s efforts to influence elections around the world. According to the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control, Russia-based companies Social Design Agency and Company Group Structura have been orchestrating, on behalf of the Russian Presidential Administration, online operations designed to deceive and...
Germany, Poland to Lead New Armored Vehicle Coalition in Support of Ukraine
Germany and Poland are activating an armored vehicle coalition to support Ukraine‘s fight against the Russian invasion. On Monday, the defense ministers of the NATO allies announced the coalition, which will officially begin operations on March 26. “This will be one of the most important coalitions to have been created. Our two countries are the...