Geostrategic Diary – June 8, 2022 a.m.

First published in The Science of Where Magazine

FOCUS

• June 7, 2022. By Andrew Chuter, Defense News. Britain’s Ministry of Defence has identified a series of key future technologies in which it plans to invest $2.5 billion over the next four years, officials announced on June 7. The program, called the Science & Technology Portfolio, will aim to underpin development of essential future military capabilities beyond the next generation, the MoD said in a statement. Efforts include the development of a hypersonic weapon demonstrator, new space capabilities, expanded research into artificial intelligence, advanced materials and nuclear submarine systems. British $2.5 billion research push targets space sensors, hypersonic tech

THE SCIENCE OF WHERE

• June 7, 2022. By David Gadsden, Esri. Ninety-one percent of South Africa’s land is at risk of becoming desert. The sense of urgency is palpable among conservationists working to improve water management practices in the diverse and majestic Kruger to Canyons Biosphere Region. The biosphere comprises 10 percent of  the republic’s land yet provides more than half of its water. In Kruger National Park, Smart Maps Protect Water Sources
• June 7, 2022. By Alexa Vlahakis, Raquel Perez, Esri. The National Audubon Society is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the conservation of birds and bird habitats. Since 1905, Audubon’s important work has focused on reaching millions of people to educate, motivate, and connect diverse communities across the United States. Meet the Dangermond Fellows Using GIS for Conservation

THINK TANKS & GLOBAL NEWS

TECH, DIGITAL, CYBER

• June 8, 2022. By Global Times. China’s Ministry of State Security (MSS) on Monday released a regulation on rewards for citizens reporting activities that endanger national security who will be given an incentive based on the effectiveness and contribution of their reports, with the maximum amount exceeding 100,000 yuan ($15,000). China’s top security authority institutionalizes rewarding citizens for reporting activities that endanger national security
• June 8, 2022. By ESA. Engineers have connected Japan and Europe via space-enabled next-generation 5G telecommunication links. It is the first time that such an intercontinental connection has been established between Europe and Japan. Space-enabled 5G links Japan and Europe
• June 8, 2022. By Ukrinform. Senior U.S. cyber officials urged companies to remain on high alert for cyberattacks as a consequence of Russia’s war in Ukraine, saying the warnings are based on intelligence assessments of potential strikes. U.S. intelligence warns private companies of potential Russian cyberattacks

AROUND THE WORLD

Afghanistan

• June 7, 2022. By Heather Barr, HRW. When the Taliban announced on May 7 that women and girls should not leave their homes unless necessary and should do so only with their whole bodies including their faces covered, some people were surprised. Others were not. Speak Up on Behalf of Afghan Women

Americas

• June 8, 2022. By Dave Graham, Matt Spetalnick and Daina Beth Solomon, Reuters. President Joe Biden kicks off a summit on Wednesday that was conceived as a platform to showcase U.S. leadership in reviving Latin American economies and tackling migratory pressures, but has instead been undermined by discord over the guest list. Biden’s plan to pitch Latin America reboot at summit dogged by dispute and dissent
• June 8, 2022. By Humeyra Pamuk, Reuters. U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken on Tuesday criticized efforts to suppress press freedom in several Latin American countries and said the United States seeks to increase media protection in the region with the most murders of journalists. U.S.’s Blinken warns of threats to media freedom in Americas

China

• June 2, 2022. By Zhu Zhiqun, Think China. At the Boao Forum, Chinese President Xi Jinping put forth the Global Security Initiative which has the concept of “indivisible security” at its core. Is this China’s answer to breaking up “small cliques” in international relations and seeking to build a community of common destiny for mankind? Global Security Initiative — China’s solution to international security?

China – Europe

• June 8, 2022. By Global Times. The Chinese Mission to the EU on Wednesday slammed a report adopted by the European Union concerning issues related to China’s Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macao and Xinjiang as well as China’s position on Ukraine, saying it is based on ideological bias. European Parliament’s latest report concerning China is politically biased: Chinese Mission to the EU

China – Guinea 

• June 7, 2022. By Briana Boland, Lauren Maranto, CSIS. This CCP Inc. case study explores how Chinese diplomatic, regulatory, financial, and commercial actors work in concert to secure critical minerals in the West African nation of Guinea. Efforts in Guinea to mine bauxite and iron ore, the primary inputs for aluminum and steel, illuminate Beijing’s conduits for influencing and supporting its geo-economic objectives. Examining one key Chinese player in Guinea’s mining sector, this study highlights state actors’ connections with nominally private Chinese companies and the importance of partnerships with state-owned enterprises for building costly infrastructure. Across multiple bauxite and iron ore mining ventures, Chinese diplomatic support and state financing provided conduits to help further favored projects and increase Chinese companies’ access to Guinea’s mining industries. CCP Inc. in West Africa

Hong Kong

• June 7, 2022. By Tai Hing Shing, Think China. After the political and societal changes that have taken place in Hong Kong in the 25 years since the handover, what’s left in the aftermath? Zaobao journalist Tai Hing Shing ponders the nostalgic, the bittersweet and the hard realities of Hong Kong’s present and future. 25 years after the handover: The ‘end for Hong Kong’ or just the beginning?

Horn of Africa

• June 7, 2022. By Jacob Kurtzer, Sierra Ballard, CSIS. The greater Horn of Africa, stretching from southern Ethiopia to northern Kenya and Somalia, is experiencing its worst drought in four decades. A fourth consecutive failed rainy season caused by the La Niña weather phenomenon has generated extreme drought conditions that have curtailed agricultural production, destroyed crops, and killed more than 3 million livestock, threatening the livelihoods and lives of millions of farmers and pastoralists. Across the region, more than 20 million people currently face starvation, and nearly 6 million children under the age of five are acutely malnourished. The number of individuals impacted by acute food insecurity will likely increase to over 25 million by mid-2022, hitting conflict-affected Ethiopia and Somalia the hardest, potentially leading to widespread malnutrition and starvation. Concurrent Crises in the Horn of Africa

Iran

• June 8, 2022. By HRW. In 1988, Iranian authorities, acting on the orders of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khomeini, summarily and extrajudicially executed thousands of political prisoners across the country. The number of executions is not definitively known, but according to estimates from former Iranian officials and lists compiled by human rights and opposition groups, Iranian authorities executed between 2,800 and 5,000 prisoners in at least 32 cities in the country. Iran’s 1988 Mass Executions

Kazakhstan

• June 8, 2022. By Interfax. The Kazakh Central Elections Commission (CEC) published official results of the constitutional referendum in national media outlets on Wednesday. Constitutional amendments, approved at referendum in Kazakhstan, take effect

Koreas

• June 8, 2022. By Joori Roh and Hyonhee Shin, Reuters. North Korea’s recent missile tests were “serious, unlawful” provocations, senior officials from South Korea, the United States and Japan said on Wednesday, urging Pyongyang to return to dialogue and accept offers of COVID-19 aid. S.Korea, U.S., Japan lambaste N.Korea missile tests, urge return to talks

Mali 

• June 7, 2022. By  Marie Jourdain and Petr Tůma, Atlantic Council. When Mali’s government saw Tuareg separatists and jihadists storming from the north toward the capital Bamako in 2012, it turned to France—a former colonial power—for help. Operation Serval stopped the advance and was later transformed into a regional counterterrorism operation, dubbed Barkhane. France was gradually joined by other European countries, and the Sahel region had come to host the largest deployment of European forces abroad—with around eight thousand troops. As Europe withdraws from Mali, Russia gets the upper hand

Myanmar

• June 7, 2022. By HRW.  Myanmar’s military junta announced on June 3, 2022, that it would execute four people whose appeals were rejected following grossly unjust closed-door trials, Human Rights Watch said today. The activist Kyaw Min Yu, known as “Ko Jimmy,” and the opposition lawmaker Phyo Zeya Thaw were sentenced to death on January 21 by a military tribunal under Myanmar’s overbroad Counterterrorism Law of 2014. Myanmar: Junta Vows to Enforce Death Sentences

Nigeria

• June 7, 2022. By Jonathan Lain and Tara Vishwanath, Brookings. Nigeria’s ambitious poverty-reduction targets hinge on developing human capital. Many of the drivers of poverty are considered in detail in a new report, “A Better Future for All Nigerians: Nigeria Poverty Assessment 2022.” Health, nutrition, and education are among the most critical for building human capital. COVID-19 and Nigeria’s human capital crisis

Russia

• June 8, 2022. By Interfax. Aeroflot and United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) , a division of state corporation Rostec, plan to sign a framework agreement for the delivery of 300 aircraft, business daily Vedomosti said on Wednesday, citing two sources familiar with the airline’s plans. Aeroflot, UAC to sign agreement for delivery of 300 aircraft – paper
• June 8, 2022. By Interfax. Large companies with foreign shareholders have asked the Russian government to support changes to the criteria for inclusion in the registry of domestic software, under which developers must be more than 50% owned by Russian individuals or entities, RBC reported, citing a letter they sent to the authorities. Large Russian cos with foreign owners seek to qualify for tech industry tax breaks – media
• June 8, 2022. By Interfax. Rosatom does not see any lag in the construction of nuclear power plants in foreign countries, Rosatom head Alexei Likhachev said at a meeting in Usolye-Sibrskoye, Irkutsk region on Wednesday. NPP construction in Turkey, China ahead of schedule – Rosatom head
• June 8, 2022. By Interfax. Wildberries, Russia’s largest online marketplace, has switched to settlements with business partners in other countries in their national currencies. Wildberries switches to payments in national currencies with foreign partners

Russia – Shanghai Cooperation Organization

• June 8, 2022. By Interfax. Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko has proposed that a medical association be set up in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). Russian health minister proposes that SCO set up medical association

Russia – Ukraine

• June 8, 2022. By Ukrinform. The Ukrainian Armed Forces have already killed about 31,500 Russian soldiers between February 24 and June 8, including 140 on June 7. About 31,500 Russian soldiers killed in Ukraine – General Staff
• June 8, 2022. By Pavel Polityuk, Reuters. Ukrainian troops holding out in the ruins of Sievierodonetsk came under renewed heavy assault on Wednesday from Russian forces who see the capture of the industrial city as key to control of the surrounding Luhansk region. Ukrainian forces come under renewed Russian attack in key eastern city
• June 8, 2022. By Interfax. Ukraine’s Gas Transport System Operator (OGTSU) has accepted a booking from Gazprom for Wednesday to transport 41.4 million cubic meters of gas through the country compared to 40.9 mcm on Tuesday, data from OGTSU indicate, with capacity pumping through only the Sudzha metering station, one of two entry points into Ukraine’s Gas Transport System, and no pumping via the Sokhranivka metering station. Gazprom continuing to pump around 40 mcm of gas via Ukraine as per Wednesday’s booking, only Sudzha entry point accepting volumes
• June 8, 2022. By Ukrinform. Ukrainian defenders are not going to surrender the city of Sievierodonetsk in the Luhansk region, with fierce fighting taking place in the city. Ukraine Army not going to surrender Sievierodonetsk – Haidai
• June 8, 2022. By Ukrinform. The Norwegian government has donated 22 M109 155mm tracked self-propelled howitzers to Ukraine to help the country repel Russian attacks. Norway donates 22 M109 howitzers to Ukraine
• June 7, 2022. By Dennis Soltys, Atlantic Council. With Russia’s invasion of Ukraine now in its fourth month and encountering serious military setbacks, there is a growing debate over what a potential Ukrainian victory might look like. Only total defeat in Ukraine can cure Russia of its imperialism
• June 7, 2022. By  Rich Outzen, Atlantic Council. When Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov visits his Turkish counterpart, Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, in Ankara this week, Turkey’s proposal to establish a safe transport corridor for Ukrainian grain exports will be a top agenda item. If realized, the Black Sea corridor would require a naval escort, mine-clearing, and inspections to ensure that grain ships do not transport weapons—delicate tasks that necessitate a Turkish role because of the country’s geography. There is plenty at stake: The United Nations and economists are warning that continued blockage of Ukrainian grain exports could lead to famine and instability in Africa and privation elsewhere. Meanwhile, Ukraine has accused Russia of looting its grain. With Lavrov in Turkey, a different war may dominate talks
• June 8, 2022. By Pavel Polityuk, Reuters. Ukrainian forces were successfully holding out against the assault in Sievierodonetsk, the general staff said on Wednesday, while Russian troops were bringing in new resources towards Donbas in an intense battle for control of the eastern region. Ukraine says it is holding off Russian assault in key eastern city
• June 8, 2022. By Ukrinform. Ukrainian troops have achieved some success by counter-attacking in the south-western part of the Kherson region. Ukraine Army regains foothold on eastern bank of Inhulets River in Kherson region
• June 8, 2022. By Ukrinform. Former Foreign Minister of Ukraine Pavlo Klimkin considers the ban on the overflight of Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov’s plane through the airspace of Serbia’s neighboring countries to be the beginning of Europe cleansing itself of Russia. Ukraine’s ex-FM on Lavrov’s canceled trip to Serbia: “This is the beginning of Russia purge in Europe”
• June 8, 2022. By Ukrinform. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has said he is doing no less than the British government to support Ukraine in the wake of Russian invasion. Scholz says Germany helping Ukraine more than Britain
• June 8, 2022. By Ukrinform. In Kyiv region, more than a hundred enterprises were affected by Russian invasion. Forty-four of them were completely destroyed. Forty-four enterprises in Kyiv region completely destroyed – administration chief
• June 8, 2022. By Jen Judson, Defense News.  Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has drawn new attention to the cruise and ballistic missile threat in the European theater, prompting House lawmakers to push for a fresh look at U.S. Army requirements for Patriot air-and-missile defense systems. Ukraine invasion prompts congressional push for a new look at Patriot missile defense needs
• June 8, 2022. By Pavel Polityuk, Reuters. Ukrainian forces struggled to hold their ground in bloody street-to-street fighting in the eastern frontline city of Sievierodonetsk as President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said the situation was difficult, also pledging to retake Russia’s gains. Battle in Ukraine’s east rages, Zelenskiy vows to retake territory
• June 8, 2022. By Ukrinform. Russian aggressors are currently fighting their fiercest battles in Donetsk and Kherson regions to curb the advance of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Invaders deploying more units in Donetsk, Kherson regions – Zelensky
• June 8, 2022. By Ukrinform. U.S. President Joe Biden’s administration is working with international partners to provide Ukraine with effective anti-ship missiles to protect its maritime borders in the face of Russian aggression. U.S. working with partners on supply of anti-ship missiles to Ukraine
• June 7, 2022. By ISW, Kateryna Stepanenko, Karolina Hird, Mason Clark, and George Barros. Russian forces continued offensive operations in several locations in eastern Ukraine but did not secure any confirmed gains in ground assaults on June 7.Russian forces have likely captured most of Severodonetsk, but ISW cannot confirm the exact control of terrain within the city. Russian forces additionally redeployed troops east of Bakhmut to renew offensives to secure access to highways northeast of Bakhmut and threaten Ukrainian lines of communication. Russian troops north of Slovyansk will likely seek to advance toward Slovyansk and Kramatorsk from positions north of the city. Russian forces on the Southern Axis are reportedly redeploying away from Zaporizhia Oblast toward Kherson Oblast, likely in order to support Russian defensive positions that have been threatened by Ukrainian counterattacks along the Mykolaiv-Kherson Oblast border south of Davydiv Brid. Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, June 7
• June 7, 2022. By Interfax. The United States has supplied Ukraine with over $4 billion in weapons and equipment since February 24, when Russia’s special military operation began, according to data from the U.S. Congress. U.S. delivers $4 bln worth of weapons and equipment to Ukraine – Congress

Singapore

• June 6, 2022. By Ben Charoenwong, Think China. Amid US-China tensions, mainland China companies blacklisted by the US are expected to expand their presence in Hong Kong. While it may seem that the special autonomous region will reap the benefits, NUS academic Ben Charoenwong says investors are in fact wary of the costs involved and may look to other financial hubs like Singapore. But is Singapore ready to fill that role? Geopolitics affecting HK’s financial market. Can Singapore benefit?

Syria

• June 8, 2022. By The Syrian Observer. In a press briefing on Tuesday, the spokesman for the U.S. Department of State, Ned Price, renewed his country’s concerns about a breach of the 2019 ceasefire agreement in northeast Syria and said that any escalation by Turkey would affect the battle against the Islamic State Organization (ISIS). Washington Warns of “Costly Setbacks” in Northern Syria if Turkey Attacks
• June 8, 2022. By The Syrian Observer. The Syrian–Venezuelan Friendship Committee at the People’s Assembly discussed on Tuesday with the Chargé d’affaires of the Venezuelan Embassy in Damascus, Joaquín Gómez, ways of enhancing and developing mutual parliamentary relations. Syria, Venezuela Discuss Ways of Enhancing Parliamentary Relations
• June 8, 2022. By The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Center for Press Freedoms, in the Journalists Association (opposition), documented three new violations committed against the media in Syria during the month of May 2022. Therefore, May witnessed a decrease in the number of documented violations, compared to February, in which the center documented nine violations. Three Violations Against the Media in Syria During May 2022
• June 8, 2022. By The Syrian Observer. The Prime Minister of the Syrian Interim Government, Abdul Rahman Mustafa, made an official visit to the United States. This visit is the first of its kind since he took office.  Interim Government Prime Minister Visits Washington
• June 8, 2022. By The Syrian Observer. The decline in economic activity and income in the Syrian coastal region has forced young people to go towards recruitment with the military, joining pro-government militias, or smuggling. These jobs offer better income than traditional ones, amid the regime’s lack of support for industrial and agricultural activity in the region. No Jobs for Young Men on Syrian Coast: Only Fighting or Smuggling
• June 8, 2022. By The Syrian Observer. Russia and Syrian government forces have been bolstered in northern Syria where Turkey may soon launch an offensive against Kurdish fighters, Turkish and opposition Syrian officials said, as Ankara prepares for talks with Moscow. Syrian, Russian Forces Boosted after Turkey Signals Operation
• June 8, 2022. By The Syrian Observer. The Syrian air defences confronted on Monday evening an Israeli missile aggression that targeted some sites in Damascus’ southern countryside and downed most of the hostile missiles. Syrian Air Defenses Repel Israeli Aggression on Damascus Countryside
• June 8, 2022. By The Syrian Observatory. Kurdish political and academic activist, Farid Saadoun, said that confronting the attempt to invade Syrian territory by the Turkish regime and its militias, needs “strengthening of the home front” through an “agreement” between the Syrian army and SDF militias. He warned that the regime of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan could launch limited aggression in order to save himself from humiliation and succeed in the corresponding elections.  Kurdish Politician Demands Agreement Between Army and SDF: Russian Action not as Should be

Turkey

• June 7, 2022. By HRW. The prolonged and unlawful detention of Selahattin Demirtaş constitutes a serious breach of his human rights and represents a deepening of the rule of law crisis in Turkey. The Turkish authorities should release him from detention, drop the abusive criminal proceedings against him and refrain from weaponizing the law to stifle the exercise of free expression in public debate. Turkey: End abuse of criminal proceedings against Selahattin Demirtaş

UK 

• June 7, 2022. By Aruna Kashyap, HRW. The U.K. is using its power at the World Trade Organization to block measures to improve equitable access to lifesaving COVID-19 tests, treatments, and vaccines in the lead up to the June 12 WTO Ministerial Conference. For over 20 months, the U.K. and a handful of other high-income countries, have obstructed India and South Africa’s October 2020 proposal at WTO, co-sponsored by over 60 other countries, for a temporary waiver of some provisions of the Agreement on Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights, or TRIPS. Urgent message to the UK — COVID isn’t over

Ukraine

• June 8, 2022. By Interfax. The Metinvest mining and metallurgical group has reduced the use of its production facilities by more than 40% due to damage, logistic problems and other restrictions caused by the situation in Ukraine, Metinvest General Director Yuryi Ryzhenkov said in his virtual speech at the Steel Success Strategies 2022 conference in the United States. Metinvest reduces use of its facilities by more than 40%
• June 8, 2022. By Ukrinform. Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal has said that the Cabinet of Ministers is beginning preparations for the harvesting campaign, taking into account the challenges facing farmers. Government preparing for harvest after most difficult sowing campaign in history – Shmyhal
• June 8, 2022. By Interfax. Ukraine’s government has instructed Naftogaz, the national oil and gas company, to boost gas stocks in underground storage facilities to 19 billion cubic meters by the start of the 2022-2023 heating season. Ukrainian govt instructs Naftogaz to double gas stocks by start of heating season

Ukraine – Britain – Poland

• June 8, 2022. By Ukrinform. Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Oleksiy Danilov stands for the Britain-Poland-Ukraine alliance to be formed as soon as possible, believing that the bloc should be further expanded. Ukraine, Britain, Poland should create own bloc ASAP – Ukraine’s NSDC secretary

Ukraine – Europe

• June 8, 2022. By Interfax. Ukrainian Verkhovna Rada Speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk is hopeful that Ukraine will be granted European Union candidate country status on June 24, during the French presidency of the Council of the EU. Verkhovna Rada speaker hopes Ukraine will get EU candidate country status on June 24
• June 8, 2022. By Ukrinform. Ukraine has done all the necessary work to obtain the status of a candidate for EU membership. Now it’s up to the EU member states to have their say. Zelensky on application for EU membership: Ukraine’s done all necessary work
• June 8, 2022. By Ukrinform. The European Parliament will recommend that the EU Heads of State or Government, who will meet at the summit on June 23-24, 2022, grant EU candidate status to Ukraine and provide weapons in line with the needs expressed by the Ukrainian authorities. European Parliament to recommend that EU leaders grant candidate status to Ukraine

Ukraine – Poland

• June 8, 2022. By Ukrinform. The signing of a defense contract between Ukraine and Poland will strengthen the capabilities of the Ukrainian army. Defense contract with Poland will strengthen capabilities of Ukrainian army – Yermak
• June 8, 2022. By Interfax. The Ukrainian company HF Agro LLC has launched production lines in southern Poland, having established a full cycle of production of Gekon disc harrows, the company said in a statement on its website. Ukrainian manufacturer of agricultural machinery begins production in Poland
• June 8, 2022. By Interfax.  Poland is signing a contract on the delivery of weapons to Ukraine, which will become one of the biggest deals of its type in the past 30 years, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said on Tuesday. Poland sells arms to Ukraine in one of biggest such deals in 30 years – Polish PM

Ukraine – USA

• June 8, 2022. By Ukrinform. Ukraine’s Deputy Foreign Minister Dmytro Senik and U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman have discussed Ukrainian grain exports in Seoul (South Korea). Ukrainian, U.S. deputy foreign ministers discuss Ukrainian grain exports

Ukraine – World Bank 

• June 8, 2022. By Ukrinform. The World Bank’s executive board approved $1.49 billion of additional financing for Ukraine on Tuesday.  World Bank approves $1.45B in new funds for Ukraine

USA

• June 7, 2022. By Alison Leal Parker, HRW. California has a chance to prevent unjustly deporting people with deep ties to the United States. The VISION Act, currently before the state senate, which Human Rights Watch co-sponsors, would prohibit California from transferring people eligible for release from the state’s jails and prisons to immigration detention. As a practical matter, the law will provide immigrants subject to deportation a better opportunity to secure legal representation, have better access to community support, and obtain witnesses and evidence – all of which could assist their legal defense against deportation. Bill Could Protect California Immigrants from Deportation

USA – Pacific

• June 8, 2022. By Michael Martina and David Brunnstrom, Reuters. President Joe Biden’s special envoy for talks with three tiny but strategically important Pacific island nations will lead a delegation to the Marshall Islands next week amid growing U.S. worries about China’s efforts to expand its influence in the region. Biden envoy to visit Marshall Islands as U.S. concerns grow about China’s Pacific push

Vietnam

• June 7, 2022. By World Nuclear News. A joint study by Vietnamese power engineering consultancy PECC2, Denmark’s Seaborg, designer of power barges using compact molten salt reactors (CMSRs) and manufacturer Siemens Energy looked at the case for floating nuclear power plants to provide electricity as well as hydrogen and ammonia production. Study examines option for floating nuclear power in Vietnam : New Nuclear

DEFENSE, MILITARY

• June 7, 2022. By Liu Xuanzun, Global Times. With the participation of Australia and Canada, the US-led Five Eyes alliance has conducted a new trick to provoke China and test the resolve of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) by carrying out aerial close-in reconnaissance near China, analysts said on Tuesday, with data showing dozens of such flights were conducted in the East China Sea and the South China Sea recently. US rallies Canada, Australia for close-in recon on China; ‘PLA could do similar to them’ as countermeasure
• June 7, 2022. By Naval News. Lee Jeong-sup, South Korea’s Minister of National Defense, met his Philippine counterpart, Delfin Lorenzana on June 3rd. Foremost on the meeting’s agenda was cooperation between the two countries on naval issues. South Korean and Philippine Defense Ministers Discuss Naval Cooperation
• June 7, 2022. By Naval News. Textron Systems was awarded a contract worth up to $18.3 million, including all options, by NAVAIR for continued support of UAS operations on the USS Hershel “Woody” Williams (ESB-4). Textron Systems to keep supporting UAS ops of the U.S. Navy’s ESB-4
• June 7, 2022. By Tayfun Ozberk, Naval News. Following the call of the Prime Minister of India, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) of India, in a meeting held on June 06, 2022, acknowledged the need for procurement proposals of the Armed Forces amounting to Rs. 76,390 crore (~ USD 9.8 billion). Indian government turns on green light for NGC (Next-Gen corvette)
• June 7, 2022. By Theresa Hitchens, Breaking Defense. The historic first space launch from British territory slated for this summer will carry two experimental satellites built jointly by the Naval Research Laboratory and the UK Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, the Navy announced today. Joint US-UK experimental satellites will launch this summer from Cornwall
• June 7, 2022. By Jaspreet Gill, Breaking Defense. Concerned with the Pentagon’s progress on implementing it’s Joint All-Domain Command and Control concept — an effort to connect sensors to shooters across land, sea, air, space and cyberspace domains — lawmakers are directing the defense secretary to submit a report by the end of this year on exactly what capabilities will be delivered to warfighters and when. Lawmakers want clarity on JADC2 efforts: Who’s getting what, when?
• June 7, 2022. By Theresa Hitchens, Breaking Defense. The House Armed Services strategic forces subcommittee is calling on the National Reconnaissance Office to both expand and accelerate its current pilot program to acquire imagery from commercial operators of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) sats. House lawmakers urge spy satellite agency to beef up commercial SAR acquisition
• June 7, 2022. By Andrew Eversden, Breaking Defense. A House Armed Service Committee panel wants the Defense Department to submit a new assessment detailing the Pentagon’s ability to defend against incoming missile threats, according to draft legislation released today. With hypersonic worries, lawmakers request reports on US missile defense
• June 7, 2022. By Elisabeth Braw, Defense One. Sweden’s and Finland’s NATO bids seemed like a mere formality. Nothing, it seemed, could stop the two Nordic neighbors from joining the alliance–indeed, they were even promised a fast lane to membership. But then Turkey proceeded to block the countries’ applications over concerns for their support of Kurds—a dig primarily directed at Sweden. And Sweden’s opposition parties organized a no-confidence vote against a bungling justice minister. In a remarkable turn of events, this caused Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson to make concessions to a Kurdish member of parliament. Sweden’s NATO application seems close to derailing, at least for the time being. Sweden’s NATO Bid Is in Trouble
• June 7, 2022. By Courtney Albon, Defense News. House lawmakers called for an independent review of the Pentagon’s test and evaluation resourcing strategy in light of a growing infrastructure and equipment shortfall. House panel wants independent look at how Pentagon funds testing
• June 7, 2022. By Colin Demarest, Defense News. The Pentagon’s new chief digital and artificial intelligence officer said the gravity of the situation and the need to get things right motivated him to leave ride-hailing company Lyft Inc. for government work.  Why Martell left Lyft for Pentagon’s top AI job
• June 7, 2022. By  Stephen Losey, Defense News. The Air Force would be allowed to cut aerial refueling tankers in the initial draft of the National Defense Authorization Act that a House Armed Services subcommittee will consider this week — though not as many as the service had hoped. Air Force tanker fleet cut on the table in proposed authorization bill
• June 7, 2022. By  Megan Eckstein, Defense News. A House panel wants to protect the amphibious fleet from cuts the Navy planned to make and bolster the sealift fleet in its proposal for the fiscal 2023 defense authorization bill. House panel sides with Marine Corps in protecting amphibious fleet size
• June 7, 2022. By Tom Kington, Defense News. As armored vehicles grab the limelight amid the war in Ukraine, Italy is working on a three-for-one deal that could see a common platform used for tracked, wheeled and amphibious vehicles. Backed by the European Union and the brainchild of the Italian Army, the program to build a common platform for an armored infantry fighting vehicle, amphibious assault vehicle and light-armored vehicle could be delivered by 2030. Italy nurses EU plans for a common armored fighting vehicle
• June 7, 2022. By Burak Ege Bekdil, Defense News. A Turkish government research agency has started to mass-produce a new miniature munition to be fitted into the Bayraktar TB2 drone, made by a Turkish company Baykar Makina. Turkey starts mass production of miniature drone missile