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393: IDF Releases Details from September 2024 Commando Raid in Syria + Senegal to Remove Foreign Military Presence in 2025 + Russian Navy Accepts 5th Yasen-class Nuclear Attack Sub + More Jan 02, 2025

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For review:
1. Israel to send Team to Qatar for Hostage Negotiations.
The Prime Minister’s Office said that “Netanyahu authorized a working-level delegation from the Mossad, Shin Bet and IDF to continue negotiations in Doha.”
2. IDF Releases Details from September 2024 Commando Raid in Syria.
The raid — dubbed internally by the Israel Defense Forces “Operation Many Ways” — was aimed at destroying an underground facility used by Iranian forces to manufacture precision missiles for Hezbollah in Lebanon and for the Assad regime in Syria.
3. Senegal to Remove Foreign Military Presence in 2025.
Senegal's President (Bassirou Dioumaye Faye): “I have instructed the minister for the armed forces to propose a new doctrine for cooperation in defence and security, involving, among other consequences, the end of all foreign military presences in Senegal from 2025.”
4. Russian Navy Accepts 5th Yasen-class Nuclear Attack Sub.
The Attack boat Arkhangelsk was turned over to the Russian Navy on Dec. 27 in a ceremony at the Sevmash shipyard on the White Sea just south of the Arctic Circle. The 13,800-ton Yasen-Ms can field the 1,000-mile range 3M-54 Kalibir NK land attack cruise missile, the P-800 Oniks anti-ship missile, and the 3M-22 Zircon hypersonic anti-ship cruise missiles.
5. China sanctions US Defense companies over arms sales to Taiwan.
They will be prohibited from import and export activities or making new investments in China, while their senior managers will be banned from entering the country, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce said Tuesday.

392: US CENTCOM Forces Strike Houthi Rebel Targets + Israeli Ambassador to UN Gives Last Warning to Houthis + Latest US Security Assistance Package to Ukraine worth $1.25 Billion + More Dec 31, 2024

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For review:
1. US CENTCOM Forces Strike Houthi Rebel Targets.
On Dec. 30 and 31, US Navy ships and aircraft targeted a Houthi command and control facility and advanced conventional weapon (ACW) production and storage facilities that included missiles and uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs).
2. Israeli Ambassador (Danny Danon) to UN Gives Last Warning to Houthis.
“To the Houthis, perhaps you have not been paying attention to what has happened to the Middle East over the past year. Well, allow me to remind you what has happened to Hamas, to Hezbollah, to Assad, to all those who have attempted to destroy us. Let this be your final warning,” Danon told the UN Security Council.
3. Latest in Israel - Hamas Hostage Negotiations. Israel & Hamas disagree on number of living Hostages to be released.
4. Latest US Security Assistance Package to Ukraine worth $1.25 Billion.
In addition, the US Treasury Department meanwhile announced the disbursement of $3.4 billion in direct budgetary support for Ukraine.
5. Greece to provide 24 x Sea Sparrow Missiles to Ukraine.
The missiles are part of a broader defense package for Ukraine, including artillery shells, weaponry, and ammunition.
6. Russian Foreign Minister (Sergei Lavrov) on President-elect Trump Peace proposal: “Of course, we are not satisfied with the proposals being voiced by representatives of the president-elect to postpone Ukrainian NATO membership for 20 years and to send to Ukraine a peacekeeping contingent of ‘British and European forces,'” Lavrov said.
7. Turkish Drone Maker Baykar purchases Italian aviation firm Piaggio Aerospace.

391: Details Released on the Haniyeh Assassination + IDF Operations from Neztarim Corridor + Finland Seizes Tanker from Undersea Cable Incident + China's Amphib Assault Ship Can Launch & Recover Fighters + More Dec 29, 2024

Show notes

For Review:
1. Details Released on the Haniyeh Assassination.
2. IDF Operations from Neztarim Corridor.
3. Finland Seizes Tanker from Undersea Cable Incident.
4. Finland to increase defense spending to 3.3% GDP by 2032. Currently, Finland spends 2.4% of GDP on defense- well above the NATO mark of 2%.
5. China's Amphib Assault Ship Can Launch & Recover Fighters.

390: Another Round of IDF Strikes on Houthi Targets + Mossad Chief: We Need to Go Head to Head with Iran + Slovakia to Procure Barak Air Defense Systems + Australian Air Force Receives Final Batch of F-35A Warplanes + More Dec 26, 2024

Show notes

For review:
1. Another Round of IDF Strikes on Houthi Targets.
The targets included “infrastructure used by the Houthi terror regime for its military activities” at Sanaa International Airport, and the Hezyaz power plant just outside the Houthi-controlled capital.
2. Mossad Chief: We Need to Go Head to Head with Iran.
3. Slovakia to Procure Barak Air Defense Systems.
4. Report: Russian Naval Vessels departing Syria for Libya. Italy concerned.
5. Netherlands to procure anti-drone systems to defeat small unmanned aircraft systems.
6. Australian Air Force Receives Final Batch of F-35A Warplanes.

389: Israel Opposition Leader: Target Iran Directly + Philippines Wants to Acquire US Army Mid-Range Fires Capability + US & Japanese V-22 Ospreys Cleared to Fly After Required Inspections + More Dec 23, 2024

Show notes

For review:
1. Israel Opposition Leader: Target Iran Directly.
Faced with Houthi attacks from Yemen and dangers posed by other Iranian proxies, Israel “must target Iran directly,” opposition politician Benny Gantz declared on Monday. Mr. Gantz stated that “the solution to putting an end to the attacks lies in Tehran.”
2. US President-elect Donald Trump stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin wants a meeting to discuss Ukraine conflict soon after his (Trump) return to office.
3. Italy to procure 24 x Eurofighter Typhoons.
The new jets will be equipped with advanced avionics and enhanced weapon systems capable of operating Brimstone III and Meteor missiles.
4. Philippines Wants to Acquire US Army Mid-Range Fires Capability.
The system is intended to hit targets at ranges between the Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) – and the developmental Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW) system.
5. US & Japanese V-22 Ospreys Cleared to Fly After Required Inspections.

388: Israel Turns Attention Toward Houthis + US Authorizes $571 Million in Military Assistance to Taiwan + US Army Self-Propelled Howitzer (155mm) Modernization + More Dec 22, 2024

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For review:
1. US Strikes Houthi Targets in Yemen.
2. US Navy F/A 18F Super Hornet Downed by friendly fire over the Red Sea.
The Super Hornet, assigned to aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75), was flying over the Red Sea when guided-missile cruiser USS Gettysburg (CG-64) fired upon it, according to the CENTCOM statement. The two pilots ejected safely, and were recovered.
3. Israel Turns Attention Toward Houthis.
The Houthis have launched more than 200 missiles and 170 drones at Israel in the past year.
4. US Authorizes $571 Million in Military Assistance to Taiwan.
The White House said in a brief statement that President Biden had authorized the drawdown "of up to $571.3 million in defense articles and services of the Department of Defense, and military education and training, to provide assistance to Taiwan."
5. USAF study supports manned-6th Generation fighter- potentially in support of the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program.
6. US Army Self-Propelled Howitzer (155mm) Modernization.

387: Israel Strikes Houthi Ports, Depots, & Power Stations + UK Troops in Ukraine for Training Mission? + Hanwha (S. Korea) Purchases Controlling Stake in Philly Shipyard + More Dec 19, 2024

Show notes

For review:
1. Israel Strikes Houthi Ports, Depots, & Power Stations.
Fourteen fighter jets, alongside refuelers and spy planes, flew some 2,000 kilometers in the early hours of Thursday morning and dropped over 60 munitions on Houthi “military targets,” the IDF said.
2. Russian President Putin addresses country during four-hour news conference- with broad range of topics.
The news conference saw Mr. Putin address a possible end to the war, as he said he is "ready to compromise" in possible talks with US President-elect Donald Trump.
3. UK Troops in Ukraine for Training Mission?
UK Forces could be sent to Ukraine to directly train soldiers there, the British defense secretary (John Healey) suggested — as he unveiled a further £225 million worth of weapons and other military gear for Kyiv.
4. Slovakia to purchase 12 x UH-60 Black Hawk Helicopters.
5. Hanwha (S. Korea) Purchases Controlling Stake in Philly Shipyard.
6. USAF Secretary (Frank Kendall) has public disagreement with Elon Musk over the future of manned fighter aircraft. Secretary Kendall said Musk’s idea of a drone Air Force that can take the place of the current crewed fleet is still years away from having the necessary technology to work.
7. Senate Armed Service Committee Chairman (Senator Roger Wicker) to introduce legislation designed to streamline and improve the Department of Defense's Acquisition process.

386: IAEA Report: Iran has Enriched Uranium at Military Grade + Armor Not Dead: Lithuania to Procure Leopard 2 Tanks + US Navy & USMC LSM Program Stalled due to Cost + More Dec 17, 2024

Show notes

For review:
1. Israeli PM visits Mount Hermon on Syrian Side.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed on Tuesday that Israeli troops would remain stationed inside Syria for the foreseeable future.
2. New Syrian Leader (Abu Muhammad al-Julani) speaks with journalists- presents moderate proposals and ideas for new Syrian State.
Speaking to journalists at the prime ministerial headquarters in Damascus, Julani said rebel factions in Syria would be disbanded, and their fighters placed under the defense ministry. He played down the prospect of a Syria run by Islamic law, and vowed to protect minority rights. He also called for sanctions to be lifted so refugees can return.
3. International Atomic Energy Agency: Iran has Enriched Uranium at Military Grade.
According to an IAEA report, Iran has begun dramatically expanding its production of uranium enriched to near-weapons grade levels, collecting enough material for several bombs already.
4. Top Russian General Killed by Explosive in Moscow.
Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, Chief of Russia’s Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Protection Troops, was killed outside an apartment building on along with his assistant.
5. Armor Not Dead: Lithuania to procure 44 x Leopard 2 Tanks- with the goal is to have the tanks by 2030. The Lithuanian government is calling the procurement, the single largest defense acquisition project in the country’s history.
6. Portugal to procure 12x A-29N Super Tucano Aircraft in a deal worth $210 million.
7. US Navy & USMC LSM Program Stalled due to Cost.
After receiving bids from industry, the Navy canceled the request for proposals for the Landing Ship Medium. While the USMC has pushed for a more affordable ship- built to commercial standards- the Navy’s requirements for improved survivability have increased the cost.

385: Israel - Hamas Potential Hostage Deal in Two Weeks + Japan to Purchase T-6 Texan Trainer Aircraft + Australia Test Fires Tomahawk Cruise Missile from Destroyer + More Dec 15, 2024

Show notes

For review:
1. Israel - Hamas Potential Hostage Deal in Two Weeks.
An unnamed Israeli official told the Israel Hayom daily on Sunday that a ceasefire-hostage deal will likely be completed by Hanukkah, which begins this year on the evening of December 25.
2. Hezbollah leader (Naim Qassem) acknowledges that the supply route from Iran- through Syria- to Lebanon, has been cut. “Yes, Hezbollah has lost the military supply route through Syria at this stage, but this loss is a detail in the resistance’s work,” Qassem said.
3. Kurdish-led forces in Syria (allied with the United States), accidently shot down a US MQ-9 Drone on Monday. Troops from the Syrian Democratic Forces were conducting operations when they downed the MQ-9, a U.S. official familiar with the situation confirmed to Defense News.
4. Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to procure more Avante 2200 Corvettes from Spanish-firm Navantia.
5. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte warns European countries to prepare for war with a volatile Russia. Rutte listed a series of recent “hostile actions” by Russia against NATO allies, including cyber-attacks, assassinations, an explosion at a Czech ammunition depot, the jamming of radars in the Baltic region to disrupt air traffic, and the “weaponization” of migrants to destabilize Europe.
6. Japan to Purchase T-6 Texan Trainer Aircraft.
The Japanese government has selected the US-built basic trainer aircraft and associated ground equipment for its air force’s pilot training program.
7. Australia Test Fires Tomahawk Cruise Missile from Destroyer.
On Tuesday, Australia announced that destroyer HMAS Brisbane (DDG-41) conducted a successful first firing of an RGM-109E Tomahawk cruise missile off the US West Coast.

384: IDF Will Remain on the Syrian Side of Mount Hermon During Winter + Israel - Hamas Negotiations Show Encouraging Signs + Poland Establishes Drone Force + US Army Successful Hypersonic Missile Test + More Dec 13, 2024

Show notes

For review:
1. With lowered air defense threat in Syria, "air road" to Tehran less dangerous to Israeli Air Force. According to the IDF, the IAF destroyed 86% of the former Assad regime’s air defense systems across Syria, totaling 107 separate air defense components and another 47 radars.
2. IDF Will Remain on the Syrian Side of Mount Hermon During Winter.
Defense Minister Israel Katz said Friday that he had ordered the military to prepare to stay atop the Syrian side of Mount Hermon during the coming winter months as Israel aims to prevent the border region from falling into the wrong hands following the ouster of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad.
3. Israel - Hamas Negotiations Show Encouraging Signs.
4. US President-elect Trump's national security team is meeting with Biden Administration as negotiations between Ukraine and Russia potentially appear on the horizon. President Biden’s national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, has held several conversations with his named successor, Rep. Mike Waltz, R-Fla.
5. Trilateral Nations- Japan, UK, and Italy- establish Joint Venture to manage and develop the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP).
GCAP aims to replace UK Royal Air Force and Italian Air Force Eurofighter Typhoons and the Japanese Air Self-Defense Force F-2 combat jets. It is slated for entry to service in 2035.
6. Poland Establishes Drone Force.
Starting on 01 January 2025, the Drone Force will comprise aerial, land, naval surface, and underwater unmanned systems.
7. US Army Successful Hypersonic Missile Test.
On Thursday evening, Army released two announcements:
- It successfully tested a conventional hypersonic missile (in partnership with the Navy).
- It successfully launched a pair of Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) Increment 1 weapons from a HIMARS launcher.

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