Category: Intelligence

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Readout of Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr.’s Meetings with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, Minister of Defense Gen. Abd-al-Majid Ahmad Saqr and Armed Forces Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Ahmad Khalifa

Source: US Defense Joint Chiefs of Staff

Office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Public Affairs

August 25, 2024

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Joint Staff Spokesperson Navy Capt. Jereal Dorsey provided the following readout:

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr., met with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and Minister of Defense and Military Production Gen. Abd-al-Majid Ahmad Saqr in Al Alamein, Egypt and later with Armed Forces Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Ahmad Khalifa in Cairo today.

The engagements included discussions on regional security issues to include on-going tensions in the Middle East and ways to deter the conflict from broadening.

In reference to Gaza, Gen. Brown thanked the Egyptian leaders for their roles in the Israeli-Hamas ceasefire and hostage negotiations. Additionally, Gen. Brown reiterated that the delivery of humanitarian assistance into Gaza remains a top priority for the U.S., and the reopening of the Rafah crossing is an important step toward this objective.

Egypt is a critical strategic partner to the U.S. and plays an important role in deescalating tensions in the region.

For more Joint Staff news, visit: www.jcs.mil.
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Readout of Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr.’s Meeting with Jordanian Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Maj. Gen. Yousef Al-Huneiti

Source: US Defense Joint Chiefs of Staff

Office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Public Affairs

August 25, 2024

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Joint Staff Spokesperson Navy Capt. Jereal Dorsey provided the following readout:

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr., met with Jordanian Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Maj. Gen. Yousef Al-Huneiti yesterday in Amman.

The two military leaders discussed regional tensions and efforts to deescalate them, the urgency of bringing the Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal to closure, and the critical importance of continuing to deliver humanitarian assistance into Gaza. The Chairman also reaffirmed the importance of the close partnership between the U.S. and Jordan.

The U.S. and Jordan share a strong military-to-military relationship as key partners committed to security and stability in the Middle East region.  

For more Joint Staff news, visit: www.jcs.mil.
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Announcement of Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr.’s Trip to the Middle East

Source: US Defense Joint Chiefs of Staff

August 24, 2024

Joint Staff Spokesperson Navy Capt. Jereal Dorsey provided the following statement:

“Since the beginning of the conflict in Gaza, U.S. objectives have been clear: to protect our forces, ensure Israel has what it needs to defend itself, and to deter a broader conflict. As part of a whole-of-government approach to achieve these objectives, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr., has routinely engaged with allies and partners in the Middle East to include a recent phone call with the Commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces and hosting an official counterpart visit for the United Arab Emirates Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces.

Over the next few days, the Chairman will visit key allies and partners in the region, Egypt, Jordan and Israel, as a display of the long-term U.S. commitment to the Middle East and to further his understanding of the various perspectives of on-going tensions. In each country, the Chairman is scheduled to meet with his counterparts and other officials for discussions. Gen. Brown will continue to stress the importance of deterring further escalation of hostilities, protecting U.S. forces in the region, U.S. support of Israel’s self-defense, and a coordinated effort in providing humanitarian assistance to the civilians. 

As ceasefire negotiations continue, the Chairman’s visit is reflective of the importance of reaching an agreement that returns the hostages, ends the violence, and allows the entire region to focus on the next steps toward a more secure, stable Middle East.”

For more Joint Staff news, visit: www.jcs.mil.
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Readout of Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr.’s Phone Call with Kenyan Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Charles Kahariri

Source: US Defense Joint Chiefs of Staff

Office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Public Affairs

August 23, 2024

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Joint Staff Spokesperson Navy Capt. Jereal Dorsey provided the following readout:

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr., spoke with Kenyan Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Charles Kahariri today by phone.

The two military leaders discussed regional security issues, including the violent and destabilizing conflicts in Somalia, Ethiopia, Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Additionally, Gen. Brown praised Kenya as a steadfast military partner and expressed appreciation for its defense partnership—both regionally and globally.

The U.S. and Kenya share a bilateral defense relationship, and continue to work together to counter the threat of violent extremist organizations.

For more Joint Staff news, visit: www.jcs.mil.
Connect with the Joint Staff on social media: 
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NATO Through Time podcast – NATO’s open door (2004) with former President of Latvia Dr Vaira Vīķe-Freiberga

Source: NATO

The NATO Through Time podcast dives deep into NATO’s history, reflecting on how the past influences the present – and future – of the longest-lasting alliance in history. This episode features former President of Latvia Dr Vaira Vīķe-Freiberga, who helped lead her country into NATO in 2004.

Why did the Baltic States and other countries of Central and Eastern Europe choose to join NATO after the end of the Cold War? 
Why was the 2004 enlargement of NATO known as the “Big Bang” enlargement?  
How do NATO’s smaller member countries contribute to the Alliance? 

In this episode, former President of Latvia Dr Vaira Vīķe-Freiberga shares her extraordinary life story – from fleeing Latvia as a child at the end of the Second World War, to building a life in Canada for 50 years, to becoming President of Latvia after the country re-established its independence in 1991. Dr Vīķe-Freiberga reflects on her personal experiences, her country’s journey to becoming a NATO member in 2004 (alongside Bulgaria, Estonia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia), and on the future of NATO.

The podcast is available on YouTube, and on all major podcast platforms, including:

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Readout of Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr.’s Meeting with United Arab Emirates Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces Lt. Gen. Issa Al Mazrouei

Source: US Defense Joint Chiefs of Staff

Office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Public Affairs

August 22, 2024

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Joint Staff Spokesperson Navy Capt. Jereal Dorsey provided the following readout:

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr., met with United Arab Emirates Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces Lt. Gen. Issa Al Mazrouei today at the Pentagon.

Gen. Brown and Lt. Gen. Al Mazrouei exchanged views regarding the security environments in the Middle East and Africa, and ways to alleviate conflict and suffering in both regions. Additionally, the military leaders discussed recent attacks by the Houthis on commercial vessels operating in international waters in the southern Red Sea, the Persian Gulf and the shared strategic objective of a stable, secure Gaza.

The U.S. and UAE share a vital relationship, and the U.S. continues to stand with our UAE partners in defending against threats to their people and territory.

For more Joint Staff news, visit: www.jcs.mil.
Connect with the Joint Staff on social media: 
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NATO reaffirms commitment to regional stability as Assistant Secretary General Ruge wraps up trip to Western Balkans

Source: NATO

NATO Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs and Security Policy, Ambassador Boris Ruge, held high-level consultations in Sarajevo, Pristina and Belgrade from 16 to 22 August 2024. Ambassador Ruge highlighted that the Western Balkans is a region of strategic importance for the Alliance and reiterated NATO Allies’ steadfast commitment to lasting security. He noted the continued, long-standing cooperation between NATO, the European Union and other international organisations to consolidate regional stability.

During meetings with the Presidency and other senior officials in Bosnia and Herzegovina, including Minister of Foreign Affairs Elmedin Konakovic and the High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina Christian Schmidt, Ruge affirmed that: “NATO has been engaged in Bosnia and Herzegovina for 3 decades; we remain strongly committed to the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and we will not allow any type of security vacuum to emerge.”

In Pristina, Ruge met with Ms. Vjosa Osmani and senior officials from the EU, OSCE, QUINT group (represented by France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom and the United States), and the NATO-led KFOR mission. Concerning the re-opening of the Austerlitz bridge over the Ibar river in Mitrovica, the Assistant Secretary General underlined NATO’s position that “decisions must be taken through dialogue and in a coordinated manner.” He also emphasised NATO’s full support to the EU-facilitated dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, as the framework for resolving pending political issues.

In Belgrade, Ruge met with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, Foreign Minister Marko Djuric, and representatives of the international community. “We had good exchanges on the various aspects of NATO-Serbia partnership, which we hope to deepen, and on the Alliance’s efforts across the region,” he said. “We look to Serbia to help ensure full accountability for the violent acts perpetrated in Kosovo in May and September 2023 and to play a positive role, based on good neighbourly relations, with all states in the region,” he said. 

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Fugitive Italian crime leader arrested in Slovenia

Source: Eurojust

A fast and coordinated action by Italian and Slovenian authorities, supported by Eurojust, has led to the arrest of a dangerous criminal hiding in Koper, Slovenia. The leader of an Italian organised crime group (OCG) was on the run from a 21-year prison sentence. He had been convicted of several crimes including drug trafficking, extortion and kidnapping.

The Italian OCG leader, of Calabrian origin, fled on the eve of his conviction in February this year. A national and European Arrest Warrant was issued for the 40-year-old fugitive. Complex investigations lasting several months were launched. The fugitive was finally located in Slovenia through a phone tapping and surveillance operation.

It was at this point that Eurojust became involved in the operation by executing a European Investigation Order (EIO). The EIO enabled surveillance activities in Slovenia, including phone tracking and physical tailing. In just 10 days, the EIO was executed and the Slovenian and Italian authorities were able to pinpoint the fugitive’s precise location in Koper, leading to his arrest on 20 August.

In February, the OCG leader was sentenced to 21 years in prison. The Italian was the leader of a criminal organisation that trafficked cocaine throughout Italy. He was also convicted of other crimes such as robbery, fraud, embezzlement, extortion, kidnapping and the illegal possession of weapons. In a separate trial, he was found guilty of mafia-related offences.

The following authorities were involved in the actions:

  • Italy: General Prosecution Office at the Court of Appeal of Perugia; Carabinieri – ROS (Special Operational Department); Anti-crime Section of Ancona and Investigation Unit of Fermo; SIRENE Office at the Italian Ministry of Internal Affairs.
  • Slovenia: Public Prosecution Office of Koper; Police Directorate in Koper.
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Four High Value Targets leading migrant smuggling ring arrested in Bulgaria

Source: Europol

On 19 August, Bulgarian law enforcement authorities arrested eight suspected members of a gang involved in smuggling migrants into Europe. Four of the suspects arrested during the action day had already been identified as High Value Targets who played a leading role in the criminal activities. The gang charged up to EUR 6 000 per person and smuggled more than…

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Request for assistance by Ukraine: emergency response

Source: NATO

The State Emergency Service of Ukraine has issued a request for international assistance via NATO’s emergency response mechanism, the Euro-Atlantic Disaster Response Coordination Centre. The request is for heavy equipment to support civilian emergency responders dealing with the consequences of Russia’s daily attacks on civilian infrastructure in Ukraine.