ASEAN-China; Cybersecurity; Defense; Kosovo-Serbia; Malaysia; North Korea; Russia; Russia-Ukraine; Syria; Syria-Belarus; UK-Ukraine; USA; USA-Ukraine
- ASEAN-China. In attending the 9th ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting-Plus in Cambodia, China’s defense chief on Wednesday called for world solidarity and fairness instead of hegemony and division, and called on countries to practice the Global Security Initiative and work together to build a solid barrier for universal security. He also stressed that the Chinese military’s growth and strength will always be in favor of world peace but the Chinese military has the confidence and capability to defeat any intruders, reaffirming China’s bottom-line on the Taiwan question.
Analysts noted that despite efforts by the US and other external forces to internationalize the Taiwan question, China and ASEAN nations have the wisdom to prevent conflicts like that which occurred in Ukraine to happen in Asia. China’s defense chief urges unity, rejects hegemony; ‘ASEAN, China have wisdom to resist attempt to recreate Ukraine crisis in Asia’ – Global Times - Cybersecurity. The European Union Parliament adopted the Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA) on November 10, 2022. Set to be enshrined into law at the end of 2022, DORA will introduce a comprehensive set of rules for financial organizations to strengthen their digital operational resilience and prevent and mitigate cyber threats. With this new regulation in mind, along with others in North America such as the New York Department of Financial Services’ (NYDFS) upcoming amendments on their cybersecurity regulation, cybersecurity monitoring firm Panaseer launched its first guidance on security controls for organizations across all sectors in November. Panaseer Launches Guidance on Security Controls Ahead of EU’s New Legislation – Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)
- Cybersecurity. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has published an updated version of its Infrastructure Resilience Planning Framework (IRPF). The guidelines, first created last year, are designed to better help state, local, tribal and territorial (SLTT) planners protect their infrastructure by incorporating critical resilience considerations into planning activities. CISA Updates Guidelines to Increase Resilience of Infrastructure Planning – Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)
- Cybersecurity. Meta confirmed on Tuesday it took down a network of accounts and pages across Instagram and Facebook that were reportedly operated by people associated with the US military. The fake accounts had been operating under the guise of picturing the US in a favorable light in various countries in the Middle East and Central Asia. Meta Removes Pro-US Accounts in Middle East and Central Asia – Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)
- Cybersecurity. The Black Basta ransomware gang has been reportedly spotted using QakBot malware to create a first point of entry and move laterally within organizations’ networks. The findings were described in a new advisory published by the Cybereason Global SOC (GSOC) team earlier today, highlighting several Black Basta infections using QakBot beginning on November 14, 2022. Qakbot Infections Linked to Black Basta Ransomware Campaign – Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)
- Defense. Air force chiefs from around the world who flew into southern Italy this week to discuss getting the best out of their F-35s gathered in front of journalists to watch a mechanic working on an Italian jet. The scene at Amendola air base would have been unremarkable except the mechanic was from the Dutch air force, and was part of a bid to show how F-35 operators can work on each other’s aircraft to save cash, increase efficiencies and show Moscow how united they are. Users of the F-35 huddle in Italy to tout joint maintenance plans (defensenews.com)
- Kosovo-Serbia. Kosovo and Serbia reached a deal on Wednesday to end a nearly two-year dispute over car licence plates in northern Kosovo, which the West had warned could trigger ethnic violence, the European Union’s foreign policy chief said. Kosovo, Serbia reach deal to end dangerous dispute over car plates -EU | Reuters
- Malaysia. Reformist opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim edged closer to become Malaysia’s new prime minister after a political party agreed Thursday to support a unity government following inconclusive general elections. Reformist Leader Anwar Close to Becoming Malaysia’s Next PM (voanews.com)
- North Korea. North Korea on Thursday denounced Seoul’s push to impose additional sanctions on Pyongyang after its missile launches, calling South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol and his administration “idiots” parroting the United States, state media KCNA reported. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s powerful sister, Kim Yo Jong, made the remarks in a statement carried by KCNA, warning sanctions and pressure would add to the North’s “hostility and anger.”. North Korea slams South Korea’s Yoon, warns sanctions will fuel more hostility | Reuters
- Russia. A Russian shipyard producing Karakurt-class ships for the country’s Navy is facing potential financial hardship after new lawsuits from the Defence Ministry and a series of creditors. On Nov. 15, an arbitration court in Moscow held the first preliminary hearing for a lawsuit against Pella Shipyard in which the ministry is seeking 1.4 billion rubles (U.S. $23.1 million) over allegations the company was “failing to fulfill supply contacts.”. Russian shipyard and Defence Ministry tangle over ship price in court (defensenews.com)
- Russia-Ukraine. Consultations conducted by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) with representatives of Russia and Ukraine on the creation of a safety zone around the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant are continuing, there is progress, Rafael Grossi, the agency’s Director General, told CNN on Wednesday. Grossi: IAEA consultations with Russia and Ukraine on Zaporozhye NPP safety zone continue – World – TASS
- Russia-Ukraine. Regardless of the result of the investigation into a projectile that exploded in Poland and killed two civilians last week, Poland’s top general is adamant that Ukraine should not change its tactics and procedures. Instead, Russia must be made to answer for its indiscriminate barrage of missile attacks so close to the border of a NATO member — a “risky game” that Moscow is aware could ramp up tensions, Gen. Rajmund Andrzejczak, chief of staff of the Polish armed forces, said in an exclusive interview with Breaking Defense. Top Polish general: No need for Ukrainian forces to change tactics near border – Breaking Defense
- Syria. The Russian president’s envoy to Syria, Alexander Lavrentiev, stressed that we may soon see serious steps towards a Syrian-Turkish rapprochement. At the same time, he noted that Turkish attacks on Syrian territory coincided with the current Astana Process, affecting their progress. At the end of the Astana 19 meetings, Lavrentiev said: “We will see a Syrian-Turkish rapprochement soon. Moscow is receiving signals from Ankara and Damascus about their readiness to take steps towards each other.”. Russia Talks Syria-Turkey Rapprochement; Iran Calls on Turkey to Coordinate with Syria to Defend Borders – The Syrian Observer
- Syria. The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have suspended their joint operations with the international coalition forces against the Islamic State (ISIS), in protest against the U.S. position on Turkish attacks in northeastern Syria. A source close to the SDF told Syria TV that the SDF informed the coalition forces during a meeting held between the two parties on Tuesday of its decision to suspend joint military and security operations targeting ISIS cells in the region. SDF Suspends Operations Against ISIS to Protest U.S. Position on Turkish Operation – The Syrian Observer
- Syria. The Co-President of the Executive Committee of the Syrian Democratic Council (SDC), Ilham Ahmad, said on Wednesday Turkey targets infrastructures that secure livings for five million Syrians, who reject immigration and displacement despite hard living conditions. In an exclusive statement to North Press, Ahmed criticized “media outlets” for being unfair in highlighting the humanitarian side in Syria. Turkey Strikes Infrastructure of Syrians Who Chose to Stay Home – Ilham Ahmed – The Syrian Observer
- Syria-Belarus. The Prime Minister of the Republic of Belarus, Roman Golovchenko, arrived at Damascus International Airport at the head of an economic delegation on a two days visit, during which he is scheduled to discuss means of enhancing bilateral relations in various fields. Belarus Prime Minister in Damascus Airport, Heading Economic Delegation – The Syrian Observer
- UK-Ukraine. The UK today announced plans to send an additional 10,000 artillery rounds to Ukraine, while also announcing it has delivered a first second-hand search and rescue helicopter to its Eastern European partner. UK increases Ukrainian military support, delivers first helicopter – Breaking Defense
- USA. Defense agencies have until 2027 to convert their networks to architectures that continually check to make sure no one’s accessing data they shouldn’t. This shift to zero trust principles is at the core of the Pentagon’s new five-year plan to harden its information systems against cyberattacks. The strategy and roadmap were released on Tuesday. It’s Finally Here: Pentagon Releases Plan To Keep Hackers Out Of Its Networks – Defense One
- USA-Ukraine. With Ukraine’s electrical grid hobbled by Russian drone strikes, the United States is rushing 200 generators to the beleaguered country—along with thermal-sighted machine guns to shoot down the next wave of drones, Pentagon officials announced Wednesday. US Sending Ukraine 200 Generators, Anti-Drone Machine Guns – Defense One
- USA-Ukraine. The Pentagon said it will send Ukraine up to $400 million in artillery ammunition, weapons and supplies in its latest drawdown package to help the nation defend itself against Russia. The security assistance package announced Wednesday includes more ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, or HIMARS, high-speed anti-radiation missiles, or HARMs, and 200 precision-guided 155mm artillery rounds, the U.S. Department of Defense said in a statement. US to send anti-drone machine guns, air defense ammunition to Ukraine (defensenews.com)
