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...
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Category: Geopolitical Issues
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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Sweden to Provide Funding for Czech Republic’s Effort to Supply Ukraine With Ammunition
Sweden has joined the Czech Republic’s effort to boost the ammunition supply of the Ukrainian Armed Forces amid Kyiv’s battle with Russia. The new NATO member has pledged to provide $32 million to the initiative. “Czechia has identified possibilities for purchasing large amounts of ammunition in the global market for donation to Ukraine,” said Pal...
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US, Finland Sign MoU to Exchange Data, Best Practices on Cybersecurity
The United States and Finland have agreed to exchange cybersecurity information to strengthen both nations’ resilience against current and emerging threats. On March 13, representatives from the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Finnish Ministry of Finance signed a cybersecurity cooperation memorandum of understanding. “This partnership will help Treasury protect the financial sector from...
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US Sanctions Iran-Based Al-Ashtar Brigades Members
The Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control, in coordination with Bahrain, has designated four Iran-based Al-Ashtar Brigades members. Sanctions were imposed on Hussein Ahmad ‘Abdallah Ahmad Hussein Al-Dammami, Ali Abdulnabi Ahmed Ebrahim M Alshofa, Hasan Ahmed Radhi Husain Sarhan and Isa Saleh Isa Mohamed Salman for supporting AAB, including by facilitating lethal,...
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US Constantly Assesses Chip Export Restrictions to China
The United States constantly evaluates if it should expand export control of advanced semiconductors to China. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo told reporters on Monday that officials consider the issue of chip export to China “every single day.” “Technology is changing faster than ever, which means we have to wake up every day and ask ourselves,...
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Japan Prepares Implementation Road Map for $6.7B Space Strategic Fund
Japan is working on the basic principles and implementation road map for the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency’s $6.7 billion, 10-year Space Strategic Fund and is expected to release the document soon, SpaceNews reported Tuesday. Japan’s cabinet approved the bill in November that created the fund to support JAXA’s development, technology demonstration and commercialization of advanced...