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  • MIL-OSI Russia: Report “Development of the “Central Asia-China Spirit”: achievements, opportunities and prospects for regional cooperation” /2/

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    Chapter 2. Opportunities and Challenges in China-Central Asia Cooperation

    At present, China is comprehensively promoting the building of a strong country and the great cause of national rejuvenation through Chinese-style modernization. Regardless of the changes in the international situation, China will unswervingly adhere to the policy of opening up to the outside world.

    — Chairman of the People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping

    2.1 New Opportunities as a Result of China’s Opening Up

    With global economic growth slowing, especially since the beginning of this year, the international situation is characterized by growing instability and mounting contradictions. The strengthening of unilateral actions and trade protectionism, as well as the destruction of international production and logistics chains, are seriously undermining the stability of world trade and calling into question the prospects for further global economic cooperation.

    In the face of a complex and tense external environment, China is relentlessly focused on its own development and firmly promotes a high level of openness to the outside world. In this process, China has always regarded the Central Asian region as an important area of its good-neighborly diplomacy, striving to expand mutually beneficial cooperation with countries in the region. This not only brings stability to the Central Asian economy, but also serves as a model of peaceful coexistence and mutually beneficial cooperation for the world.

    China is a major developing country that has made a major contribution to global economic growth for many years. China’s gross domestic product exceeded RMB 130 trillion in 2024, and its contribution to global economic growth remained at around 30%, the highest among the world’s major economies. As the world’s second-largest economy and one of the largest sources of investment, China has enormous market potential. In steadily advancing the Chinese model of modernization, China not only shares the fruits of its development with countries in the region and around the world to boost the global economy, but also provides new theoretical guidelines and practical models for the modernization of developing and emerging economies.

    China’s modernization model emphasizes high-quality growth based on innovation, green transition, and balanced development. China has steadily increased investment in scientific research and technological innovation, demonstrating impressive results that open up new opportunities for Central Asia. For example, the Chinese company Huawei has established a digital hub in Kazakhstan, introducing advanced ICT infrastructure. This has laid a solid foundation for the development of new forms of business such as e-commerce and mobile payments. China’s experience in renewable energy, combating desertification, reclaiming saline and degraded lands, and water-saving irrigation is no less valuable for the countries of the region. Following the principle of “teaching how to fish, not just giving it to”, China is ready to continue to facilitate the construction of large solar and wind power plants in Central Asia, thereby contributing to the optimization of the energy structure, ecological restoration, and sustainable green development of the region.

    Against the backdrop of increasing global protectionism, China has firmly maintained its high-level opening-up policy, serving as a “stabilizing anchor” and “driving force” of the global economy. The negative list for foreign investment has been reduced from the original 190 items to 29 at the national level and 27 in pilot free trade zones. In the manufacturing sector, restrictions have been completely lifted, creating favorable conditions for multinational companies investing in China. Enterprises from Central Asian countries are actively taking advantage of these opportunities. They are opening production facilities in China or entering into trade cooperation, gaining access to the huge Chinese market and developing economies of scale. The China International Import Expo, China Export and Import Fair (Canton Fair), International Silk Road Expo and other major events provide companies from Central Asian countries with high-quality platforms to showcase their products and enter new markets. For example, through these platforms, Uzbek hand-woven carpets, nuts and dried fruits from Kyrgyzstan and other Central Asian products can be offered directly to global buyers, which will help increase the recognition of these products and expand their share in international markets. In addition, this strengthens the integration of Central Asian countries into international production and logistics chains.

    The Chinese economy maintains a solid foundation, has many competitive advantages, is highly resilient, and has significant domestic potential. The trend toward long-term sustainable growth remains unchanged. China has all the industries included in the United Nations classification, and its production system is complete, flexible, and developed. This allows it to meet a wide range of production and cooperation needs. In addition, the economic structures of China and Central Asian countries are largely complementary, which creates broad opportunities for coordination in industry, logistics, and the development of supply chains between the two sides.

    In the energy sector, Central Asian countries are important suppliers of resources, and China has significant advantages in the exploration and development of deposits, the production of energy equipment and the processing of energy resources. The parties have all the necessary conditions for deepening cooperation at all stages of the energy cycle: from the exploration and production of oil and gas to the construction and operation of pipelines, the processing of raw materials and the production of petrochemical products. Such a comprehensive partnership will make it possible to form a complete and efficient energy chain.

    2.2 Potential for cooperation in the field of green economy and digital technologies

    Against the backdrop of the accelerating new scientific and technological revolution, industrial transformation and deepening regional interaction mechanisms, China and the Central Asian countries are actively developing cooperation in new promising areas.

    Green cooperation as a key to sustainable development. China and the five Central Asian countries have similar approaches and share common goals in the field of green development. In recent years, stable political ties, active economic interaction and a strong partnership in the traditional energy sector have created a solid foundation for in-depth cooperation in the field of ecological transition. Central Asia is rich in water resources, which are mainly concentrated in Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan. In Tajikistan alone, the technical hydropower potential is estimated at about 55 gigawatts, which is more than half of the total potential of all of Central Asia. Significant wind energy resources are concentrated in Kazakhstan, but their development is still at an early stage, with an installed capacity of only about 1.2 GW. This indicates enormous potential for further development of the sector. In addition, the region has extensive reserves of strategically important minerals: cobalt, lithium, silicon, tungsten and other elements necessary for the production of clean energy. These resources have significant potential and can form a solid foundation for the formation of new green value chains.

    Against the background of the growing support of the green transition from the countries of Central Asia, the increasing demand for electricity and the growth of the need for the so -called “transitional minerals”, China is ready to provide the region with the necessary investments, technologies and infrastructure solutions. For many years, China has retained leading positions in the world in the established capacities in the field of renewable energy – in hydropower, solar and wind generation. At the same time, the country is actively promoting the modernization of the economy, based on high environmental standards. The China Energy International Group Corporation in 2024 commissioned a solar power plant with a capacity of 1 GW in Uzbekistan, the project was completely connected to energy networks. In Kazakhstan, China implements projects in the field of hydraulic and wind energy with a total installed capacity of more than 1000 MW. China has not only rich practical experience in the field of renewable energy, but also advanced technologies, competitive equipment, as well as a full -functional industry chain in the field of clean generation. This enables the Chinese side to provide the Central Asian countries with comprehensive technical and engineering solutions. Both sides can expand cooperation at all stages of the energy chain: from design and supply to the construction and operation of facilities. It is also important to develop new forms of partnership, combining investment and industrial interaction. This will contribute to the modernization and intellectualization of the “green” infrastructure of Central Asian countries, and will also bring Sino-Central Asian cooperation in the environmental sphere to a deeper, stable level.

    In the area of humanitarian ties, the number of sister city pairs between China and the five Central Asian countries has exceeded 100. Thanks to the simplification of the visa regime and the increase in the number of direct flights between China and the Central Asian countries, new opportunities are opening up for deepening ties between peoples. China and the countries of the region have a rich historical heritage and unique cultural environment, and their tourism resources complement each other. This creates the preconditions for expanding the joint tourism market. With the deepening and practical development of cooperation in the field of education, students from Central Asia are getting more and more opportunities to study at Chinese universities. In accordance with the current development needs of the countries of the region and the areas of bilateral cooperation, new “Lu Ban Workshops” will be opened in Central Asia – sites specializing in the training of technical specialists. Such cooperation in the field of vocational education will help bring bilateral relations to a new level, deepen cultural exchanges and strengthen mutual understanding between peoples.

    Digital cooperation as a driver of economic development in Central Asia. In recent years, the Central Asian countries have been consistently promoting digital development strategies, focusing on expanding the coverage of mobile payments, actively developing e-commerce and digital finance, as well as comprehensive economic diversification. Against the backdrop of steady growth in GDP per capita and a high proportion of youth (over 60%) in the Central Asian countries, consumer demand is growing rapidly. The regional market is confidently moving from satisfying basic needs to focusing on higher-quality consumption. The digital economy is demonstrating rapid growth. In particular, the Kazakhstani platform Kaspi has about 13.5 million active users per month, covering up to 70% of the country’s population. In Uzbekistan, the penetration of mobile payments has increased from 12% to 58% in three years. These dynamics confirm the accelerated digital transformation. It is estimated that over the next five years, the e-commerce market in Central Asia will exceed US$30 billion, with an average annual growth rate of about 28%, which clearly demonstrates the high potential of the region’s digital sector.

    Against the background of digital modernization of the China -Europe route, expanding foreign warehouse capacities and logistics networks, as well as as part of the joint initiative of the “digital silk road of the 21st century”, the “China -Central Asia” mechanism and the Shanghai organization of cooperation are actively developing the joint activities of China and Central Asia in the field of cross -border electronic commerce and digital economy. Today, almost 300 companies from Central Asia have already entered Chinese electronic trade platforms, and Chinese enterprises are actively entering regional platforms, including Kaspi in Kazakhstan. On the rise, a new form of business activity is the “Electronic commerce + cross-border Livestream” model, the volume of annual transactions of which has already exceeded 1 billion yuan. According to data for 2022, the volume of cross -border electronic trade between China and Central Asian countries increased by 95%. Both sides accelerated the exit of high -quality goods into each other’s markets. However, despite the rapidly growing demand for digital services, the regions of Central Asia are faced with a number of restrictions, including the uneven level of digitalization, insufficient development of digital infrastructure and logistics, and a lag in the regulation of digital technologies and finance. Under these conditions, China and Central Asia countries have broad prospects for cooperation in the following key areas: coordination of the standards of cross-border data exchange, improving the digital business environment, joint construction of regional calculation and payment networks, optimizing payment processes, accelerating the creation of digital infrastructure and international logistics components. The complex promotion of these initiatives will contribute to the rapid growth of cross -border electronic trade and the long -term development of the digital economy in the region.

    Agricultural cooperation: a path to mutual benefit. Agriculture is a key industry for both China and the Central Asian countries. It also occupies an important place in the structure of the China-Central Asia partnership. At a video summit dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the five Central Asian countries, Chinese President Xi Jinping said: “China is ready to open its super-large market to Central Asian countries, increase the import of high-quality goods and agricultural products from the region, continue to hold the China-Central Asia Economic and Trade Cooperation Forum, and strive to ensure that bilateral trade turnover reaches 70 billion US dollars by 2030.” There is a high degree of complementarity between China and the countries of the region in the structure of agricultural production and broad prospects for market interaction. Thus, the volume of agricultural trade between China and the five Central Asian countries grew from $69 million in 2001 to $2.875 billion in 2023, an increase of more than 40 times.

    Against the backdrop of the change of economic drivers and the new wave of the scientific and technical revolution, China and Central Asian countries, based on a strong base of previous interaction, are actively exploring ways to build a new model of agrarian partnership and seek to reveal its new development potential. The development of green agricultural production on technology opens up broad prospects. China and the countries of the region have already created a number of key cooperation platforms, including the agricultural base of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the Central Asian Center for Agrarian Research of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences. These initiatives are the basis for deepening scientific and technological cooperation in the field of agriculture. China has a developed agrarian scientific base and obvious technological advantages in dry agriculture, modern methods of soil processing, sphere of water -saving irrigation systems, landfilling of salt marshes, protecting plants from diseases and pests. All these technologies can significantly increase the productivity and stability of the agricultural sector in Central Asia, as well as contribute to the energy transition in agriculture. In addition, with accelerating penetration of digital solutions in the region, new horizons are opened for “smart” agriculture. According to forecasts, by 2025, more than 2 million devices of the Internet of things will be used in the agricultural sector of Central Asia, and the digital agricultural market will reach 3 billion US dollars. The development of cross -border electronic trade in agricultural products, as well as the use of large data technologies, cloud computing and other digital tools for building digital agrarian trade and relevant applications, opens up new opportunities for regional agricultural food chains, creating added cost and agricultural trade. This will increase the stability of food supplies in the region and significantly increase income from the agricultural sector. In the future, further strengthening of agricultural cooperation between China and Central Asian countries will not only become an effective tool for increasing the level of agricultural technologies, transition from traditional to modern agriculture and ensure national food security, but also a key step towards activating transboundary exchange of scientific and technical resources and achieving sustainable development goals.

    The potential of the cultural and tourist industry requires further implementation. Humanitarian exchanges have always been an integral part of cooperation between China and the countries of Central Asia. They serve as a strong social basis for the development of bilateral relations. Currently, interaction in the field of tourism enters into a new stage, a set of favorable factors opens up additional opportunities for expanding partnerships in the cultural and tourist sphere. Political incentives are gradually bringing results, China and five countries of Central Asia in stages are in stages visa -free regime, which significantly reduces barriers for mutual trips. Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and other states of the region also activate efforts to simplify tourism procedures and increase investments in the tourism infrastructure, increasing the attractiveness of their directions. The mechanisms of cross -border cooperation are becoming more mature. At the first summit “China -Central Asia”, initiative to strengthen the institutional basis of tourist interaction, to jointly develop cross -border routes and create an “Alliance on tourist cooperation between Xinjiang and Central Asia” to integrate regional resources and combine efforts. In parallel, both “soft” and “tough” interconnectedness are strengthened. Chinese airlines are actively developing a route network in the direction of Central Asia, flights from Urumchi, Beijing, Sian and Cunde are already connecting large Chinese cities with the capitals of the countries of the region. The launch of humanitarian and tourist railway routes focused on traveling to Central Asia is also being promoted. Tourist cooperation between China and Central Asia is distinguished by pronounced specificity and a high degree of complementarity. The parties together contribute to the revival and prosperity of the silk path, relying on deep historical ties and cultural kinship. Rich nature and a unique cultural landscape are made by China and Central Asia countries with mutually attractive tourist destinations. The growth of market demand and innovation in cultural and tourist products also contribute to strengthening interaction. Electronic trading floors and social networks become key channels for promoting tourism services and cultural initiatives, more and more involving the young generation in participation in international music festivals, gastronomic forums and cross-border shopping and entertainment centers, thereby contributing to the expansion of humanitarian ties and folk diplomacy.

    2.3 Regional cooperation as a factor of geo-economic expansion

    Central Asia is located at the strategic center of the Eurasian continent and has historically served as a hub of the Silk Road, connecting trade and cultural flows between the East and West. In the new era, regional cooperation between China and Central Asian countries has continued to deepen through the China-Central Asia mechanism, the Belt and Road Initiative and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. This has greatly enhanced the geo-economic advantages of Central Asian countries and, through improved connectivity, industrial coordination and multilateral cooperation, has impacted regions such as the Caspian Sea, the Black Sea, the Middle East, South Asia and the Balkans, forming a vast economic network connecting the Eurasian continent. This spatial extension effect is transforming the economic geography of the region and providing Central Asian countries with a strategic opportunity to integrate into the global economy, bringing a new driving force to the prosperity of Eurasia.

    Expanding the Geography of Interconnectivity. Cooperation between China and Central Asian countries through infrastructure development and the modernization of logistics networks has significantly strengthened Central Asia’s position as a key transportation hub on the Eurasian continent, extending this advantage to the wider region. The launch of the direct multimodal China-Europe express route across the Caspian Sea marked the transition of China-Central Asian cooperation from a traditional bilateral trade corridor to a multi-format transportation network covering the Caspian and Black Seas, as well as the Balkans. This turns Central Asia into an important transit hub for Chinese goods to reach the markets of Europe and the Middle East. The start of construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway, connecting Kashgar, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, helps reduce logistics costs for Central Asian countries and opens up the prospect of integration with the logistics networks of the Middle East and South Asia, forming a transportation corridor linking West Asia, South Asia and Central Asia.

    Interregional coordination within the framework of industry networks. The cooperation between China and the countries of Central Asia in the format of industry coordination is gradually building a large -scale economic network covering the entire Eurasian continent. This interaction brings to the states of the region significant geo -economic dividends, strengthening their positions in the global economy. In the energy sector, key projects were the construction of the China -Central Asia gas pipeline and the China -Kazakhstan oil pipeline. These infrastructure initiatives not only contribute to the diversification of export routes for the countries of Central Asia, but thanks to the transfer of technologies and expanding the production and logistics chains, they also bring benefits to the Caspian region and the Middle East. An indicative example is the modernization of the oil refinery in Shymkent, which made it possible to establish the production of high -octane fuel. This product not only covers internal needs, but is also exported through the Transkaspian transport corridor to the countries of the Black Sea region and to the Balkans. The expansion of the energy chain increases the export potential of Central Asia and allows it to strengthen her position in the global energy market. The increasing importance of the digital economy and cross -border electronic commerce also helps to expand the geography of industry interaction. Such formats open up new sales channels, including the release of high -quality agricultural products from Central Asia into the markets of South Asia and the Middle East using Chinese electronic trading platforms.

    Global Significance of the Region’s Geoeconomic Transformation. China-Central Asia cooperation, which spans the entire Eurasian space, gives the Central Asian countries a new, more significant global geoeconomic significance. First of all, this partnership brings qualitative changes to the economic geography of central Eurasia. Thanks to deepening interaction, the countries of the region are gradually transforming from a traditional geopolitical “buffer zone” into a strategic hub of global production and logistics chains. Central Asia has the potential to become a key logistics hub connecting China, Europe, the Middle East and South Asia, as well as gain broad opportunities for industrial modernization and the development of new industries oriented towards foreign markets.

    Secondly, this cooperation will significantly strengthen the economic resilience and international influence of the Central Asian countries. Thanks to diversified development in the energy, agriculture and digital economy sectors, the countries of the region will be able to expand their presence in various sectors of foreign trade, reduce dependence on individual markets or raw material exports and thereby increase resilience to foreign economic risks.

    Third, this cooperation opens up new opportunities for the broader involvement of the countries of the Global South in geo-economic processes. In particular, the development of the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor creates favorable conditions for states such as Turkey and Azerbaijan, allowing them to integrate more closely into the Chinese-Central Asian economic space. At the same time, Pakistan and Afghanistan can take advantage of the expanding logistics network formed within the framework of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway project to gain access to Central Asian markets. The geo-economic spread effect of such initiatives not only strengthens the positions of the Central Asian countries, but also gives new impetus to the development of interconnectedness and common prosperity of the entire Eurasian space. Thus, the global significance of the formation of a community of common destiny of China and Central Asia is realized.

    2.4 Risks and challenges in the areas of development and security

    Despite notable achievements in cooperation between China and Central Asian countries, this process faces a number of serious risks and challenges. In the development sphere, these are primarily external threats associated with the strengthening of unilateral actions and trade protectionism. In the security sphere, non-traditional threats are of particular concern.

    2.4.1 Growing risks of unilateral actions and protectionism amid weak global economic recovery

    The rise of unilateralism and trade protectionism poses serious challenges to the economic stability of Central Asian countries and the sustainability of the China-Central Asian partnership. The introduction of higher customs duties, the creation of trade barriers and the use of technological sanctions by individual states undermine the stability of the global economy and disrupt the normal functioning of international production and supply chains. Although the volume of direct trade between the five Central Asian countries and leading Western economies remains relatively low, the impact of global economic fluctuations on the region is difficult to overestimate. According to Thanos Arvanitis, Deputy Director of the Middle East and Central Asia Department at the International Monetary Fund, a further escalation of international trade tensions could lead to a slowdown in the GDP growth rates of the Central Asian countries.

    Fluctuations in international markets have a direct impact on the export-oriented economies of Central Asian countries, especially in the energy, mining and agriculture sectors. In the context of the global economic downturn and declining demand for raw materials, the countries of the region may face a significant reduction in export revenues, especially from oil and cotton supplies. This, in turn, will limit the opportunities for reinvestment of export earnings in national production chains and limit the potential for domestic economic reproduction.

    Trade wars and unilateral sanctions pose a serious threat to the investment climate of Central Asian countries. Some states resort to the practice of secondary sanctions, seeking to limit normal mechanisms of economic and trade interaction between countries and their partners. At the same time, the volatility of global financial markets puts pressure on the exchange rates of the countries in the region. The devaluation of national currencies leads to higher import prices, a decrease in solvency and, as a result, limits opportunities for foreign economic cooperation in such priority areas as infrastructure and energy.

    The restructuring of global supply chains caused by unilateral actions has a negative impact on the logistics and trade network of Central Asian countries. Connectivity projects such as the China-Europe Railway Express and the Trans-Caspian International Transport Corridor have contributed to the transformation of Central Asia into a key logistics hub in Eurasia. However, some countries, by introducing barriers in the form of technical standards and restrictions in logistics, seek to weaken this advantage, increasing the logistics costs of China-Central Asia cooperation. Such economic risks threaten the export potential and investment climate of Central Asian countries and pose challenges to the stable operation of joint projects between China and Central Asia.

    2.4.2 Increase in non-traditional threats

    Central Asia has long been vulnerable to a wide range of non-traditional security threats, including terrorism and extremism, drug trafficking and transnational crime, cyber risks, and environmental challenges related to climate change. In the context of growing interdependence and regional connectivity, China and Central Asian countries should step up joint efforts to develop coordinated responses to effectively address emerging threats and enhance security and stability in the region.

    Combating the threats of terrorism and extremism. Central Asia borders Afghanistan, where the terrorist groups Islamic State, Al-Qaeda and the East Turkestan Movement are currently actively operating in close cooperation with each other. Individual terrorists have infiltrated or “returned” to Central Asian countries, posing a serious threat to regional peace and security. At the sixth China-Central Asian Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held in April 2025, the two sides jointly reaffirmed their determination to strengthen regional and international security and jointly combat the “three evil forces”. China expressed support for the Central Asian countries’ aspiration to deepen cooperation with Afghanistan, jointly counter terrorist threats, and promote Afghanistan’s integration into the regional economic space in order to eliminate the conditions conducive to terrorism.

    Combating drug trafficking, transnational crime and ensuring cybersecurity. Central Asia remains an important transit hub for transnational drug smuggling. In recent years, large consignments of illegally transported narcotics have been repeatedly detected in the region. Within the framework of the mechanisms of meetings of the ministers of foreign affairs, internal affairs and public security, China and the Central Asian countries have repeatedly confirmed their firm position and readiness to cooperate in the fight against drugs. The establishment of the Regional Center for Combating Drugs of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Dushanbe was an important step towards deepening joint efforts to counter this threat and significantly strengthened multilateral cooperation. In the field of cybersecurity, against the backdrop of the rapid development of the digital economy, the region has seen an increase in cybercrime. In Kazakhstan and other countries, there are cases of data leaks from electronic trading platforms and phishing attacks, which indicates the need to further strengthen the cybersecurity infrastructure and improve digital regulation mechanisms.

    Combating climate change and environmental threats. The Central Asian countries face protracted and complex environmental challenges. The Aral Sea environmental crisis has led to large-scale land degradation, which has imposed a double constraint on agriculture in Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan in the form of progressive desertification and soil salinization. Climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events. Mudflows and floods are increasingly common in the mountainous regions of Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, and recurrent droughts are observed in the transboundary Ili River basin. These circumstances require greater investment by the countries of the region in climate regulation, environmental protection, and the transfer and implementation of appropriate technologies. At the same time, active work is needed to create both physical and institutional infrastructure for the efficient allocation of transboundary water resources, which will increase the resilience of the region to climate and environmental risks. /follows/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UK invites British nationals to complete booking portal for government-organised flight out of Israel and OPTs

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 3

    Press release

    UK invites British nationals to complete booking portal for government-organised flight out of Israel and OPTs

    The Foreign Office has invited vulnerable British Nationals in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs) to register their interest in a flight to help them depart.

    • The UK is preparing a flight to transport vulnerable British nationals and their dependants out of Israel and the OPTs early next week.
    • The UK government has today launched a flight registration form for British nationals to register their details and interest in the flight.
    • Further flights will be considered depending on demand, and the latest security situation.

    The Foreign Office has invited British Nationals in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs) to register their interest in a flight to help them depart.

    All British Nationals who have already registered via the Register Your Presence portal will automatically be contacted and provided with a link to the booking portal. The FCDO is urging all those interested in flights back to the UK to register their presence now, if not done so already, so that they can receive details.

    Those with greatest need will be prioritised for flights. British nationals plus their non-British immediate family members travelling with them are eligible. All passengers must hold a valid travel document. Non-British immediate family members will require valid visas/permission to enter or remain that was granted for more than six months.

    The FCDO will contact those who are allocated a seat on the flight directly and British Nationals should not make their way to the airport unless they are contacted.

    An FCDO spokesperson said: 

    This is a perilous and volatile moment for the Middle East.

    The safety of British Nationals in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories continues to be our utmost priority – that’s why the UK government is preparing flights to help those wanting to leave.

    Working closely with the Israeli authorities, our staff are continuing to work at pace to assist British Nationals on the ground and ensure they receive the support they need”.

    Those eligible for the flights will be expected to pay for their seat – and payment will be taken on registration via the flight booking form. This fee will be refunded to those who are not allocated a seat. This is in line with our approach to previous charter flights from the region.

    Commercial flights are continuing to operate from Egypt and Jordan, and international land border crossings to these countries remain open.

    The situation remains volatile and the government’s ability to run flights out of Israel and the OPTs could change at short notice.

    Media enquiries

    Email newsdesk@fcdo.gov.uk

    Telephone 020 7008 3100

    Email the FCDO Newsdesk (monitored 24 hours a day) in the first instance, and we will respond as soon as possible.

    Updates to this page

    Published 22 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: HK wine trade promoted in Bordeaux

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Algernon Yau continued his visit to Bordeaux in France to promote Hong Kong’s advantages as a wine and liquor trading hub to the trade.

    Mr Yau held a business roundtable with representatives of the trade of Bordeaux wine, Cognac and Armagnac to discuss the latest developments of the trade and enhance co-operation on promoting wine and liquor trading.

    He highlighted the business opportunities brought about by the strong growth in the demand of wine in the vast Asia-Pacific market, noting that market research revealed China’s wine market generated approximately US$31 billion in revenue in 2024 and is projected to reach US$54 billion in 2030, an annual growth rate of almost 10%.

    With Hong Kong’s wine duty abolished in 2008, the city is now an international wine trading hub and one of the world’s top three wine auction centres, Mr Yau added.

    As regards liquor, the commerce chief said that France remains one of Hong Kong’s top liquor trading partners.

    In 2024, Hong Kong imported US$831 million worth of liquor, and France was its second-largest import market, accounting for 30% of the total. Brandy continued to be a leading category, particularly through high-end retail channels catering to the Mainland market.

    Mr Yau outlined that Hong Kong took introduced a two-tier liquor duty system last October, under which the duty rate was reduced from 100% to 10% for the portion above $200.

    “As a ‘super connector’, linking the East and West, Hong Kong with its strategic location and unique advantages plays a pivotal role in the global liquor trade as a gateway to the fast-growing Asia and Mainland markets.”

    Between 2013 and 2023, imports of spirits in Asia grew 79.3%, a significantly faster rate than the global increase of 42% in the same period. The Mainland is now the third-largest importer of Cognac.

    Mr Yau pointed out that Hong Kong’s signature events such as the Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Fair and the Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival, along with biennial events such as ProWine Hong Kong and Vinexpo Asia, provide French producers with unparalleled platforms to promote their brands to international buyers, distributors and liquor enthusiasts.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Reed Statement on Trump Ordering U.S. Airstrike Attacks on Iran

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Rhode Island Jack Reed

    PROVIDENCE, RI — Tonight, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), the Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, issued the following statement on President Trump’s decision to order U.S. airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities:

    “Tonight, President Trump ordered airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, directly involving U.S. forces in this conflict.  This was a massive gamble by President Trump, and nobody knows yet whether it will pay off.  President Trump declared: “Iran’s nuclear facilities have been completely and totally obliterated.”  But there is a lot we still don’t know and we need an accurate, factual damage assessment.

    “What we do know is that the United States of America has the strongest military in the world powered by brave men and women who expertly supported and executed this mission.  We are grateful for their service and we must be prepared for retaliation — both in the short and long-term, on the battlefield and asymmetrically.   

    “Congress needs to be briefed in a classified setting.  And I will work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to ensure the American people get the facts and answers they deserve.  

    “It’s easier to start wars than end them.  Even though the U.S. maintains military dominance, we are in a dangerous stage that could lead to significant instability in the region and beyond.  We must be prepared for contingencies going forward. 

    “I strongly urge the Trump Administration to immediately pursue restraint, diplomacy, and international engagement to prevent further bloodshed.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • Over 1,000 Participate in 11th International Day of Yoga Celebrations in Qatar

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The 11th International Day of Yoga was celebrated in Qatar with enthusiastic participation from over 1,000 people, bringing together members of the Indian community and yoga practitioners in a vibrant display of unity and well-being. Organized by the Indian Embassy in collaboration with the Indian Sports Centre, the event took place at Ideal Indian School in Doha. The program featured a rhythmic yoga display by children, a yoga quiz, a challenge session, guided meditation, and a mass yoga practice based on the Common Yoga Protocol. The event highlighted yoga’s growing global appeal and reinforced its role in fostering physical, mental, and cultural harmony.

  • MIL-OSI: BTC News: Bitcoin Solaris Presale Enters Final Phase Ahead of Mainnet Launch

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TALLINN, Estonia, June 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bitcoin Solaris (BTC-S), the fast-rising blockchain project known for mobile-first mining and liquid staking, has officially entered the final stage of its presale. With the launch price confirmed and major milestones on the horizon, early adopters are rapidly securing their positions in anticipation of the upcoming mainnet rollout.

    The Bitcoin Solaris presale is now in Phase 8, with the token priced at $8. With just one tier remaining before the launch price of $20, momentum is building fast. Over 11,500 users have already participated, pushing total funds raised past $4.5 million. With fewer than seven weeks remaining in the presale window, interest is surging across the crypto community.

    What Sets Bitcoin Solaris Apart

    Its multi-layered architecture is at the center of BTC-S. The Base Layer employs a modified Proof-of-Work (PoW) model, ensuring decentralized security. Sitting above it is the Solaris Layer, a Delegated Proof-of-Stake (DPoS) environment enabling smart contracts and blazing speeds.

    • 10,000+ TPS with 2-second finality
    • 99.95% less energy than traditional mining
    • Cross-chain bridge compatibility
    • Smart contracts in Rust for maximum flexibility
    • Helios Consensus Mechanism optimizing validator rotation and fork resolution

    This isn’t theoretical. It’s live, audited, and backed by community trust. Both the Cyberscope Audit and Freshcoins Audit confirm the system’s strength while user activity grows daily.

    Mining Reimagined Through the Solaris Nova Ecosystem

    BTC-S completely redefines what mining looks like in Web3. The upcoming Solaris Nova App enables true mobile-first, hardware-optional mining across phones, laptops, GPUs even ASICs. It eliminates the complexity that locked millions out of the original Bitcoin boom.

    Key highlights include:

    • One-click mining through adaptive algorithms
    • In-app wallet, mining tutorials, and performance tracking
    • Decentralized marketplace for renting or selling hashpower
    • Biometric security, energy-saving tools, and remote wipe
    • Cross-platform compatibility on mobile, desktop, and browser

    This is crypto mining for everyone, not just whales and tech elites. Whether you’re using a smartphone or a high-end rig, Bitcoin Solaris gives you a way to earn.

    The Mobile-First Blockchain That Pays You Back Meet BTC-S

    Staking with Full Flexibility

    Another standout feature is liquid staking, letting users stake BTC-S without sacrificing access or utility. Through automatic conversion to sBTC-S, holders can participate in lending, governance, and trading while earning passive income. It’s seamless, secure, and fully integrated into the Solaris Nova App.

    Users interested in this game-changing model can explore more in this detailed breakdown of how Bitcoin Solaris is revolutionizing staking in the Bitcoin ecosystem.

    Influencers Are Talking, And the Presale Numbers Prove Why

    Crypto influencers aren’t ignoring the BTC-S momentum. A deep dive by Ben Crypto outlines the reasons behind its meteoric rise, especially the mining model and dual-layer design. Likewise, 2Bit Crypto highlighted BTC-S as a rare project combining utility with hype.

    Investors seem to agree. The BTC-S presale is now in Phase 8 with a price of $8, just one step away from the next $9 tier. With a launch price set at $20, the potential 150% return has triggered a wave of new entries. Over 11,500 unique users have already joined.

    This isn’t just one of the fastest-growing presales in 2025; it’s one of the shortest too, with less than 7 weeks left before the window closes. The Bitcoin Solaris presale has already raised over $4.5 million and continues climbing.

    Roadmap: What Comes Next

    BTC-S isn’t slowing post-launch. The roadmap is packed with real milestones, not vague promises.

    • Mainnet Launch (Q3 2025)
    • Full release of Solaris Nova App
    • Integration of multi-chain bridges
    • Decentralized voting for protocol upgrades
    • Enterprise API suite for institutions and developers

    Presale Access and Details

    The BTC-S token is currently available through the official Bitcoin Solaris presale portal. With the price approaching its final increase and the presale window closing soon, new investors are encouraged to join before the official launch.

    For more information on Bitcoin Solaris:
    Website: https://www.bitcoinsolaris.com/
     Telegram: https://t.me/Bitcoinsolaris
     X: https://x.com/BitcoinSolaris

    Media Contact:
    Xander Levine
    press@bitcoinsolaris.com
    Press Kit: Available upon request

    Disclaimer: This is a paid post and is provided by Bitcoin Solaris. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. We do not guarantee any claims, statements, or promises made in this article. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice. Investing in crypto and mining-related opportunities involves significant risks, including the potential loss of capital. It is possible to lose all your capital. These products may not be suitable for everyone, and you should ensure that you understand the risks involved. Seek independent advice if necessary. Speculate only with funds that you can afford to lose. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. However, due to the inherently speculative nature of the blockchain sector—including cryptocurrency, NFTs, and mining—complete accuracy cannot always be guaranteed. Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release. In the event of any legal claims or charges against this article, we accept no liability or responsibility. Globenewswire does not endorse any content on this page.

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    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Qatar Regrets the Deterioration of the Situation with the Strikes on Iranian Nuclear Facilities

    Source: Government of Qatar

    Doha | 22 June 2025

    The State of Qatar regrets the deterioration of the situation with the strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. Qatar is following with grave concern the developments following the recent attacks on the sisterly Islamic Republic of Iran, which targeted its nuclear infrastructure. In this context, Qatar underscores the urgent need to halt all military operations and to immediately return to dialogue and diplomatic channels to resolve outstanding issues.

    The Ministry of Foreign Affairs warns that the current dangerous tension in the region could lead to catastrophic consequences at both the regional and international levels. Qatar hopes all parties will exercise wisdom, restraint, and to avoid further escalation, which the peoples of the region—already burdened by conflict and its tragic humanitarian toll—cannot endure.

    The Ministry also reaffirms Qatar’s full support for all regional and international efforts aimed at resolving disputes and defusing crises through peaceful means, in order to consolidate peace and stability in the region.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • Iran Launches True Promise 3 Wave 20 Missile Strike on Israel, Targeting Ben Gurion Airport and Military Facilities

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Iran executed its most significant missile barrage of the year against Israel early Sunday morning as part of Operation “True Promise 3,” with Wave 20 targeting Ben Gurion Airport, biological research centers, and command and control facilities. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps confirmed the strikes were launched in response to recent U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iranian territory, marking a dangerous escalation in the ongoing West Asian conflict that has now entered its second week.

    At least 23 people were wounded by Iranian missiles in Haifa, with three seriously injured including a teenager, while a woman died of a heart attack in Karmiel. Israeli officials report at least 18 Iranian missiles penetrated Israel’s missile defense system overnight, representing what sources describe as the highest percentage of successful hits this year. The Iranian missile barrage consisted of approximately 30 ballistic missiles, according to Israeli defense sources, with precision-guided solid and liquid fuel missiles alongside Shahed 136 suicide drones targeting central occupied Palestine and Ben Gurion Airport.

    The risk of a full-scale regional war in West Asia is growing rapidly as tensions between Iran, Israel, and the United States threaten to spiral out of control.

    The fallout would not be limited to the battlefield. Economic disruption on a global scale is seen as a near certainty if hostilities escalate.

    Iran’s extensive network of allied proxy groups, including Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen, and various militias in Iraq, are expected to intensify attacks on U.S. allies and strategic interests, potentially expanding the conflict into Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and beyond.

    The Strait of Hormuz, a vital artery for the world’s oil and natural gas, could be closed or partially blocked, causing oil prices to surge dramatically and triggering inflation across major economies. Global supply chains would also suffer, with shipping routes through the Red Sea and Persian Gulf rendered unsafe. Rerouting via alternative paths, such as around the Cape of Good Hope, would significantly increase freight costs and delivery times, hitting global trade hard. Foreign investment in the region would likely collapse, with capital flight halting key development initiatives and crippling already fragile economies.

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Police operations nab 67 suspects 

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    Sunday, June 22, 2025

    Western Cape police have arrested 67 suspects wanted for murder and attempted murder as part of continued efforts to fight crime.

    In a statement on Sunday, the South African Police Service (SAPS) in the Western Cape said crime prevention operations led to the confiscation of 24 firearms with a total of 371 rounds of ammunition which included an AK47 assault rifle and a shotgun. 

    “SAPS detectives arrested 67 suspects wanted for murder and attempted murder during tracing operations. Crime prevention initiatives will continue as police are clamping down on suspects who are threatening the safety and security of our communities. The recovery of these firearms is a result of proactive efforts which includes patrols, targeted operations and searches,” said the police.

    The Provincial Commissioner of the Western Cape police Lieutenant General (Advocate) Thembisile Patekile appreciated the efforts of the members on the ground and appealed to the public to work together with the police to fight crime in their communities. – SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Sibaya precinct set to transform KwaZulu-Natal investment landscape 

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    The Sibaya Coastal Precinct is set to be a game-changer for investment and job creation in KwaZulu-Natal.

    The landmark R6 billion development is situated on the North Coast of the province. 

    The precinct is expected to serve as a blueprint for future coastal developments, embodying a bold vision of progress, sustainability, and socio-economic transformation in KwaZulu-Natal.

    “This development is not just a construction project—it is a statement that KwaZulu-Natal is open for business. It demonstrates what can be achieved when the public and private sectors come together with a shared purpose of creating opportunity and prosperity for our people,” KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli said at a ceremony to unveil the development on Friday.

    The project is expected to generate over 70 000 jobs within the next five years.

    Strategically located between Umhlanga and Umdloti along the North Coast, the Sibaya Coastal Precinct is set to become one of South Africa’s premier mixed-use developments.

    The project includes residential, commercial, hospitality, and green space components, designed to integrate luxury living with sustainable urban planning.

    Once completed, the development is expected to attract significant domestic and international investment, boost tourism, and support local economic development.

    Ntuli commended the developers for their long-term vision and commitment to the province’s growth, noting that the investment marks a significant vote of confidence in the province’s economic resilience and potential.

    The Premier emphasised that the provincial government is actively working to create an enabling environment for investment through intensified efforts to combat crime, improve infrastructure, and streamline development approvals.

    “We are strengthening our partnerships with law enforcement and community safety structures to ensure this is a province where investors feel secure, and communities thrive. Fighting crime and lawlessness is not just a safety issue—it’s an economic priority,” the Premier said.

    In addition to job creation, the precinct is expected to provide a substantial boost to the construction, property, retail, and tourism sectors.

    The project will also support emerging businesses and contractors with dedicated efforts to include local small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs), and empower historically disadvantaged communities through enterprise development programmes.

    The unveiling forms part of the province’s broader vision to reposition KwaZulu-Natal as South Africa’s leading coastal investment destination, driven by smart infrastructure, inclusive economic growth, and strategic partnerships.

    Ntuli also used the occasion to thank all partners involved in the development, including the eThekwini Municipality, investors, contractors, and community stakeholders.

    He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to working closely with the private sector to fast-track high-impact investments across the province. – SAnews.gov.za
     

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: KwaZulu-Natal tackles illegal employment practices

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    Sunday, June 22, 2025

    KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli has issued a stern warning to employers who flout labour laws.

    Ntuli sent the warning during an inspection at a truck depot near Durban Station, as part of a targeted provincial intervention aimed at enforcing labour laws.

    Ntuli led an unannounced inspection following mounting complaints from local truck drivers alleging that some employers are hiring undocumented foreign nationals and paying them exploitative wages, undermining fair labour standards and sidelining local workers in a sector already under economic strain.

    The operation coordinated in partnership with the Department of Home Affairs, South African Police Service and local law enforcement, forms part of the Premier’s broader commitment to confronting illegal employment practices.

    The Premier also highlighted that over the past two days, more than 135 undocumented individuals were arrested during police enforcement blitzes in Hammarsdale and Chatsworth.

    He reiterated that the provincial government is intensifying its crackdown on lawless employers while ensuring that legitimate businesses are supported.

    “KwaZulu-Natal must become a province where the rule of law is respected, where fairness governs our labour practices, and where no employer gets away with exploiting desperation,” the Premier said.

    The province is also expanding training, support, and placement programmes to ensure that local workers, especially young people, are equipped for sustainable employment. – SAnews.gov.za
     

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Green Party respond to US strikes on Iran

    Source: Green Party of England and Wales

    / by Green Party

    Responding to news of US attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities, Green Party co-leader Adrian Ramsay MP said:

    “We utterly condemn the reckless attacks on Iran by the United States that can only lead to further dangerous conflict in an already volatile region. There is no international legal basis for this unilateral action that poses a serious threat to international peace and security.

    “Our prime minister has shamefully decided to echo the rhetoric of Trump and Netanyahu rather than condemn the indefensible aggression of both Israel and the US. Keir Starmer has further implied that it is justifiable for the Iranian regime to be bombed back to the negotiating table. I fully recognise the brutal nature of the Iranian regime but this unilateral action is no way to build peace and risks making the UK once again complicit in escalating a Middle East crisis.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Paul Chan to visit Tianjin, Beijing

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    Financial Secretary Paul Chan will depart tomorrow for visits to Tianjin and Beijing, and return to Hong Kong on Thursday.

    Mr Chan will lead a delegation from the innovation and technology sector to attend the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting of the New Champions 2025 in Tianjin. He will participate in several thematic sessions to deliver speeches and engage in discussions.

    The delegation includes senior executives from the Science & Technology Parks Corporation, Cyberport and the Hong Kong Investment Corporation as well as leaders of startups under their umbrella specialising in artificial intelligence, biomedicine technologies, green and new energy technologies and aerospace technologies.

    The Annual Meeting of the New Champions gathers leaders from governments, businesses, think tanks, academia and representatives from international organisations. Around 1,700 participants from over 90 countries and regions will discuss how entrepreneurship and innovation can drive economic growth in rapidly changing geopolitical and economic landscapes.

    Mr Chan will also meet officials from relevant central authorities, leaders of Tianjin as well as political and business leaders from other regions to brief them on Hong Kong’s latest developments and its new advantages and opportunities.

    In Beijing, the Financial Secretary will attend the 10th annual meeting of the Board of Governors of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and meet other governors in addition to officials from relevant central authorities.

    Meanwhile, Secretary for Financial Services & the Treasury Christopher Hui will depart for Beijing today. He will attend some activities of the AIIB’s Board of Governors annual meeting.

    During Mr Chan and Mr Hui’s absence, Deputy Financial Secretary Michael Wong and Under Secretary for Financial Services & the Treasury Joseph Chan will be acting secretaries respectively.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Pacific Partnership 2025 Commences Mission Stop in the Kingdom of Tonga, June 18, 2025

    Source: United States Navy (Logistics Group Western Pacific)

    NUKU’ALOFA, Tonga – Pacific Partnership has returned to the Kingdom of Tonga to conduct the largest annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster response readiness mission present in the Indo-Pacific region, June 18, 2025.

    Pacific Partnership brings together U.S. and Tongan personnel to collaborate on engineering projects and medical engagements, strengthening the host-nation’s capacities and forging new, enduring partnerships in the region.

    “The various medical and engineering endeavors the United States and the Kingdom of Tonga are scheduled to accomplish together are a reflection of our various shared values, with an emphasis on strong cooperation and adaptability,” said U.S. Navy Capt. Mark B. Stefanik, mission commander of Pacific Partnership. “The U.S., our Navy and our partners stand proud in our prevailing commitment to the Kingdom of Tonga and its more than 100,000 residents.”

    During their stop in the Kingdom of Tonga, the Pacific Partnership medical team is scheduled to lead community health engagements in the fields of ophthalmology, nursing, nutrition, environmental health and healthcare.

    “This is another example of our enduring commitment to engage with the Tongan people,” said Marcus Jackson, Chargé d’affaires a.i. of United States Embassy Nukuʻalofa. “His Majesty’s Armed Forces and U.S. forces have historically trained together, deployed together and, through Pacific Partnership, build together.”

    These engagements are tailored to the individual needs of the local Tongan citizens, repeating and expanding on the trust and rapport developed between the two groups through past iterations of the annual exercise.

    The Pacific Partnership 2025 engineering team plans to accomplish numerous engineering repairs on a Technical School Building in Ha’ateiho. The U.S. and Tongan-formed team is also on track to finish multiple repairs on a Mobile Utilities Support Equipment generator, and conduct several subject matter expert exchanges throughout the mission.

    “It is an honor to be here in the Kingdom of Tonga and have a role in continuing this partnership,” said Lt. Cmdr. Benjamin Carrington, Pacific Partnership Tonga mission lead. “By working alongside our host Tongans, either through repairing important infrastructure or sharing medical expertise, we are building lasting capacity and enhancing interoperability. So, when disaster strikes, our nations stand readier than ever to work together.”

    Now in its 21st iteration, Pacific Partnership series is the largest annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster management preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Pacific. Pacific Partnership works collaboratively with host and partner nations to enhance regional interoperability and disaster response capabilities, increase security and stability in the region, and foster new and enduring friendships in the Indo-Pacific.

    Date Taken: 06.18.2025
    Date Posted: 06.22.2025 04:39
    Story ID: 501189
    Location: NUKU’ALOFA, TO
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    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Global: The US has entered the Israel-Iran war. Here are 3 scenarios for what might happen next

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Ian Parmeter, Research Scholar, Middle East Studies, Australian National University

    After prevaricating about whether the United States would enter Israel’s war on Iran, President Donald Trump finally made a decision.

    Early Sunday, US warplanes and submarines struck three of Iran’s nuclear sites at Natanz, Isfahan and Fordow, where the Iranians have a uranium enrichment plant buried about 80 metres beneath a mountain.

    These strikes have to be viewed as part of an overall continuum that began with the Gaza war following Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, and then continued with Israel’s attacks on Hezbollah (the Iran-backed militant group in Lebanon) and the fall of the Iran-backed Assad regime in Syria.

    Iran has never been weaker than it is now. And when Trump said it may take two weeks for him to decide whether to bomb Iran, the Israelis likely pushed him to act sooner.

    We can assume there was a lot of Israeli pressure on Trump to use the massive ordnance penetrators, the 30,000-pound (13,600-kilogram) “bunker buster” bombs that only the US can deploy with its B2 bombers.

    Now that Trump has taken the significant step of entering the US in yet another Middle East war, where could things go from here? There are a few possible scenarios.

    Iran strikes back

    The Iranians know they don’t have the strength to take on the US, and that the Americans can do enormous damage to their country and even put the Iranian regime’s stability at risk.

    This is always the prime consideration of the clerical regime led by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei – everything else is subordinate to that.

    To gauge Iran’s possible reaction, we can look at the how it responded to the first Trump administration’s assassination of the head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ elite Quds Force, Qassem Soleimani, in January 2020.

    Iran said there would be a major reaction, but all it did was launch a barrage of missiles at two American bases in Iraq, which caused no US fatalities and very little damage. After that token retaliation, Iran said the matter was closed.

    Iran’s reaction to the new US strikes will likely be along these lines. It probably won’t want to get into a tit-for-tat with the US by launching attacks against American facilities in the region. Trump has promised to respond with force:

    Iran, a bully of the Middle East, must now make peace. If they do not, future attacks will be far greater and a lot easier.

    It’s also unclear how long Iran will be able to prosecute this war. This depends largely on how many ballistic missiles and launchers it has left.

    There are various estimates as to how many ballistic missiles Iran may have remaining in its stockpiles. It was believed to have about 2,000 missiles capable of reaching Israel at the start of the war. Some estimates say Iran has fired 700 of them; others say around 400. Whatever the number is, its stockpiles are dwindling quickly.

    Israel has also destroyed about a third of Iran’s ballistic missile launchers. If Israel is able to destroy all of them, Iran would have very limited ability to fight back.

    Iran backs down

    Before the US got involved in the conflict, Iran said it was prepared to negotiate, but it wouldn’t do so while Israel was still attacking.

    So, one scenario is that some sort of compromise can now be worked out, in which Israel announces a ceasefire and Iran and the US agree to resume negotiations on Tehran’s nuclear program.

    The big problem is that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said he doesn’t trust the negotiating process and he doesn’t want to stop Israel’s military actions until all of Iran’s nuclear facilities have been completely destroyed. He’s also been bombing Iran’s oil terminals and gas facilities to put even more pressure on the regime.

    But the regime has shown itself to be incredibly determined not to lose face. It was under great pressure at different times during the Iran-Iraq war in the 1980s and never considered surrendering until a US missile mistakenly took down an Iranian passenger jet, killing 290 people.

    Iran then agreed to a UN-brokered ceasefire. But the Iran-Iraq war lasted eight years, causing an estimated one million deaths. And when the then-supreme leader, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, agreed to the ceasefire, he said it was “worse than drinking poison”.

    Given the state of Iran’s military capabilities, Khamenei, the current supreme leader, might surrender simply to try to preserve the regime. But this would be quite a climbdown as far as he’s concerned, and he has been very obstinate in the past.

    The regime is very unpopular, but the Iranian people, in my experience, are strongly patriotic – loyal to their country, if not the regime. Though it’s difficult to gauge opinion in a country of 90 million people, a lot of Iranians would not want to be ordered to do anything by the US or Israel, and would rather fight on.

    Netanyahu has said he wants to create the conditions for the Iranian people to rise up against the regime.

    But it’s worth bearing in mind that the opposite of autocracy is not necessarily democracy. It could possibly be chaos. Iran has a number of different ethnic groups and there may be huge disagreements over what should take the place of the clerical regime, were it to fall.

    At this stage, the regime will probably be able to hold together. And even if Khameini were to die suddenly, the regime will likely be able to quickly replace him.

    Though we don’t know his probable successor, the regime has had plenty of time to plan for this. Those in senior positions will also know that a post-Khamenei succession struggle really would put the regime at risk.

    The US engagement is limited

    According to the new polling by The Economist and YouGov, released on June 17, 60% of Americans were opposed to joining the conflict between Israel and Iran, with just 16% in favour. Among Republicans, 53% opposed military action.

    So, these strikes were not an obviously popular move among Americans at this stage. However, if this is an isolated event and succeeds in bringing a swift end to the war, Trump will probably be applauded by a majority of Americans.

    If the US has to go back with more bombers – or there are serious attacks on US interests in the region – there could be more adverse reactions among Americans.

    Another question is whether Iran’s 400 kilograms of 60% enriched uranium have been destroyed in the US attack.

    If it hasn’t been destroyed, and depending how much damage has been done to its centrifuges, Iran may be able to reconstruct its nuclear program relatively quickly. And it could have more incentive to further enrich this uranium to 90% purity, or weapons-grade level, to build a nuclear device.

    Ian Parmeter does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. The US has entered the Israel-Iran war. Here are 3 scenarios for what might happen next – https://theconversation.com/the-us-has-entered-the-israel-iran-war-here-are-3-scenarios-for-what-might-happen-next-259509

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: What is a ‘bunker buster’? An expert explains what the US dropped on Iran

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By James Dwyer, Lecturer, School of Social Sciences, University of Tasmania

    The jagged silhouette of a B2 stealth bomber seen during a 2015 flyover in the US. Jonathan Daniel / Getty Images

    Late on Saturday night, local time, the United States carried out strikes against Iranian nuclear enrichment sites at Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan, marking its open participation in the conflict between Iran and Israel.

    The US says it fired 30 submarine-launched missiles at the sites in Natanz and Isfahan, as well as dropping more than a dozen “bunker buster” bombs at Fordow and Natanz.

    The kind of bomb in question is the extremely destructive GBU-57 Massive Ordance Penetrator, or MOP, which weighs around 13.5 tonnes.

    The attacks raise a lot of questions. What are these enormous bombs? Why did the US feel it had to get involved in the conflict? And, going forward, what does it mean for Iran’s nuclear ambitions?

    What are ‘bunker busters’, and why are they used?

    Bunker busters are weapons designed to destroy heavily protected facilities such as bunkers deep underground, beyond the reach of normal bombs.

    Bunker busters are designed to bury themselves into the ground before detonating. This allows more of the explosive force to penetrate into the ground, rather than travelling through the air or across the surface.

    Iran’s nuclear enrichment sites at Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan are built deep underground. Estimates suggest that Fordow for example could be 80m beneath the surface, and capped with layers of reinforced concrete and soil.

    What is the MOP?

    The bunker buster used in this particular operation is the largest in the US arsenal. Leaving aside nuclear weapons, the MOP is the largest known buster buster in the world.

    Weighing some 13.5 tonnes, the MOP is believed to be able to penetrate up to 60 metres below ground in the right conditions. It is not known how many the US possesses, but the numbers are thought to be small (perhaps 20 or so in total).

    We also don’t know exactly how many were used in Iran, though some reports say it was 14. However, it is likely to be a significant portion of the US MOP arsenal.

    Why does only the US possess this capability?

    The US is not the only state with bunker-busting weaponry. However, the size of MOP means it requires very specialised bombers to carry and drop it.

    Only the B2 stealth bomber is currently able to deploy the MOP. Each B2 can carry at most two MOPs at a time. Around seven of America’s 19 operational B2s were used in the Iran operation.

    There has been some consideration whether large transport aircraft such as the C-130 Hercules could be modified to carry and drop the MOP from its rear cargo doors. While this would allow other countries (including Israel) to deploy the MOP, it is for now purely hypothetical.

    Why has the US (apparently) used them in Iran

    The Trump administration claims Iran may be only a few weeks from possessing a nuclear weapon, and that it needed to act now to destroy Iranian nuclear enrichment sites. This claim is notably at odds with published assessments from the US intelligence community.

    However, Israel lacks bunker busting weaponry sufficient to damage the deeply buried and fortified enrichment sites at Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan.

    An F-15E Strike Eagle releases a GBU-28 ‘bunker buster’ laser-guided bomb, a smaller equivalewnt of the 13,600 kg GBU-57 ‘Massive Ordnance Penetrator’ believed to have been used in Iran.
    Michael Ammons / US Air Force

    Only the MOP could do the job (short of using nuclear weapons). Even then, multiple MOPs would have been required to ensure sufficient damage to the underground facilities.

    The US has claimed that these sites have been utterly destroyed. We cannot conclusively say whether this is true.

    Iran may also have other, undeclared nuclear sites elsewhere in the country.

    Iran’s reaction

    The US has reportedly reached out to Iran via diplomatic channels to emphasise that this attack was a one-off, not part of a larger project of regime change. It is hard to say what will happen in the next few weeks.

    Iran may retaliate with large strikes against Israel or against US forces in the region. It could also interrupt shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, which would affect a large portion of global oil shipments, with profound economic implications.

    Alternatively, Iran could capitulate and take steps to demonstrate it is ending its nuclear program. However, capitulation would not necessarily mean the end of Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

    The value of nuclear weapons

    Perhaps a greater concern is that the attack will reinforce Iran’s desire to go nuclear. Without nuclear weapons, Iran was unable to threaten the US enough to deter today’s attack.

    Iran may take lessons from the fate of other states. Ukraine (in)famously surrendered its stockpile of former Soviet nuclear weapons in the early 1990s. Russia has since felt emboldened to annex Crimea in 2014 and launch an ongoing invasion in 2022. Other potential nuclear states, such as Iraq and Gadaffi’s regime in Libya, also suffered from military intervention.

    By contrast, North Korea successfully tested its first nuclear weapon in 2006. Since then there has been no serious consideration of military intervention in North Korea.

    Iran may yet have the ability to produce useful amounts of weapons-grade uranium. It may now aim to buy itself time to assemble a relatively small nuclear device, similar in scale to the bombs used in Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

    Depending on what facilities and resources have survive the US strikes, the attack has likely reinforced that the only way the Iranian regime can guarantee its survival is to possess nuclear weapons.

    James Dwyer does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. What is a ‘bunker buster’? An expert explains what the US dropped on Iran – https://theconversation.com/what-is-a-bunker-buster-an-expert-explains-what-the-us-dropped-on-iran-259508

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • Indian Navy to commission stealth frigate ‘Tamal’ in Russia on July 1

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Indian Navy is set to commission its latest stealth multi-role frigate, INS Tamal, on July 1 at the Yantar Shipyard in Kaliningrad, Russia. The commissioning ceremony will be presided over by Vice Admiral Sanjay J Singh, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command, in the presence of senior Indian and Russian defence officials.

    INS Tamal is the eighth Krivak-class frigate to be inducted from Russia and the second ship of the upgraded Tushil class, following the Talwar and Teg-class series. Built with advanced stealth features and combat capabilities, Tamal marks the end of foreign-built warships for India, aligning with the government’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives.

    The frigate features 26% indigenous components, including the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, and is fitted with a range of modern weapons and systems such as vertically launched surface-to-air missiles, anti-submarine rockets, 100 mm improved naval gun, EO/IR systems, and heavyweight torpedoes. It also supports Air Early Warning and Multi-Role helicopters, and boasts high-end Network Centric Warfare capabilities.

    Measuring 125 metres in length and displacing 3,900 tonnes, Tamal can reach speeds of over 30 knots and has undergone extensive sea trials over three months in challenging Russian winter conditions.

    Designed in collaboration with the Severnoye Design Bureau and overseen by Indian specialists in Kaliningrad under the aegis of the Indian Embassy in Moscow, Tamal represents a deep Indo-Russian defence collaboration. Two more frigates under the same class are being built in India by Goa Shipyard Limited, with Russian technology support.

    Symbolically, “Tamal” draws its name from the mythical sword of Indra, the King of the Gods. Its mascot combines India’s Jambavant and Russia’s Eurasian Brown Bear, with the crew proudly identifying themselves as ‘The Great Bears’. The ship’s motto, ‘Sarvada Sarvatra Vijaya’ (Victorious Always, Everytime), reflects its operational readiness and the Navy’s commitment to maritime security.

    Upon commissioning, INS Tamal will join the Western Fleet, also known as the ‘Sword Arm’ of the Indian Navy, further strengthening India’s naval power in the Indian Ocean region.

  • MIL-OSI Russia: /China in Focus/ The Labubu Hype or China’s Rise as a Global Intellectual Property Power

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    HANGZHOU, June 22 (Xinhua) — A pajama factory in east China’s Jiangsu Province was idle for a while but was brought back to life by one plush toy.

    “I didn’t like Labubu at first, but now I find it charming,” said Qiu Zunjun, general manager of Suzhou-based Shuofeng, a consumer goods company, with a smile.

    Labubu took the world by storm with its signature mischievous smile and sharp teeth. Noticing the excitement, Qiu Zunjun saw a gap in the market – clothes for collectors to dress up their plush friends. He bought samples of the toys and fabric, and by the end of May, the factory was churning out clothes for the little rascal.

    “In less than 20 days, we produced more than 80 types of doll clothes, earning about 170,000 yuan (approximately $23,643).” Qiu Zunjun estimates that monthly revenue could reach 1 million yuan if orders continue to increase.

    Cool, cute, with bunny ears, this character from China has inspired people around the world to line up for a chance to own it. It is the latest example of the globalization of Chinese intellectual property (IP), marking China’s transition from being a manufacturing hub to a source of original cultural exports that are breathing life into traditional industries.

    CHINESE IS CONQUERING THE WORLD

    Maraid Vintena of Sydney, Australia, queued for an hour at a Pop Mart Labubu machine in her local area this week. “There are four Pop Mart machines near my house,” she said. “But most of the time they’re empty. I check the site about 10 times a day… I feel like I’m addicted, but it’s fun.”

    “As you get older, life becomes a little mundane. A little joy like Labubu or a blind box is like a breath of fresh air,” Vintena explained her love for the doll.

    Amid growing excitement, clothing brand Uniqlo has announced a collaboration with Pop Mart to release a new collection, The Monsters.

    It is not the only IP from China to gain global recognition. From last year’s hit video game “Black Myth: Wukong,” which attracted 1.04 million concurrent players within an hour of its release, to the blockbuster “Nezha 2,” which has risen to fifth place in the history of the global box office, the success of Chinese IP demonstrates the growing cultural confidence and strength of the country’s industrial system, said Wang Ruotong, a researcher at Tianjin Foreign Studies University.

    Beyond culture, a number of Chinese brands have also made it into the global top tier of IP, from artificial intelligence (AI) to electric vehicles and consumer electronics.

    China maintained its growth momentum in new energy vehicle exports, with pure electric vehicle exports set to exceed 2 million units for the first time in 2024, according to the General Administration of Customs.

    Chinese automaker BYD is building factories in Thailand and Mexico, integrating Chinese aesthetics into car design.

    In the field of AI, China has made comprehensive progress, forming a thriving industrial ecosystem. The country is home to more than 400 “little giants” – small and medium-sized enterprises leading niche segments of the AI market, including innovator DeepSeek.

    The dynamic growth of China’s creative IP is driven by China’s booming domestic cultural consumption and strong industrial manufacturing base. As China moves from mass production to high-tech, intelligent manufacturing, the synthesis of aesthetics and craftsmanship is helping propel the country’s manufacturing industry up the global value chain.

    According to the National Bureau of Statistics of the People’s Republic of China (NBS), the average per capita expenditure on education, culture and entertainment in China was 3,189 yuan in 2024, up 9.8 percent year on year and accounting for 11.3 percent of total per capita consumption expenditure. The ever-expanding cultural services consumption market is becoming a powerful driver for the development of China’s intellectual property industry.

    REVIVAL OF TRADITIONAL INDUSTRIES

    At a market in Yiwu, east China’s Zhejiang Province, shoppers with black bags wander from stall to stall asking, “Are there any clothes for Labubu?” The global buzz around the doll has opened up business opportunities for China’s “global supermarket.”

    Zhu Hui’s shop not only sells shirts, pants, and skirts for Labubu, but also accessories like glasses and hats. “Our clothes are 7-15 yuan each, and accessories are 1-2 yuan,” she said.

    Zhu Hui’s shop opened just half a month ago, but the number of orders is growing rapidly. “At first, we received orders for tens or hundreds of pieces a day, but now we have more than 10,000 pieces.” Her factory has about 50 workers, all of whom have recently had to work overtime.

    Inspired by Labubu, other toy manufacturers are also looking to make their products more appealing.

    Sun Lijuan is the manager of Yiwu Hongsheng Toy Factory, which exports dolls to more than 80 countries and regions in South America, the Middle East, Central Asia, Europe and Africa.

    “Our dolls can talk, sing and tell stories,” she said. They are now implementing AI technologies to create products that meet different consumer needs.

    According to Sun Lijuan, in recent years they have seen the development of new technologies, which have strengthened their business and helped them avoid homogeneous competition. Their factory is 13 years old, but its turnover has been growing steadily in recent years.

    “The main potential of the globalization of IP in the future lies in the continuous development of content and its deep integration with technology,” said Wang Ruotong. “With the maturation of technologies such as AI and virtual reality, IP display will move toward immersive and interactive experiences.”

    “China has a strong manufacturing base,” she continued. “So the current popularity of Labubu has opened up a huge opportunity for the industry. I’m sure there will be many more Labubu in the future.” -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Seminar on Educational Institution Management for SCO Countries Opens in Shenyang

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    SHENYANG, June 22 (Xinhua) — The opening ceremony of a seminar on educational institution management for SCO countries was held in Shenyang, capital of northeast China’s Liaoning Province, on June 20.

    The seminar is organized by the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China and Shenyang Normal University (SNU). The event is supported by Liaoning Heshi Ophthalmology Hospital.

    The SCO Educational Institution Management Seminar is a project of China’s overseas aid training program. It aims to enable students to gain a more comprehensive understanding of Chinese universities’ research and experience in talent cultivation, integration of industry, universities and scientific research, and digital medical service through training activities.

    Wang Xin, head of the International Relations Department of Shenyang Normal University, said that SHNU has successfully carried out 29 training projects since 2012, involving 756 students from 62 countries such as Russia, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan.

    “The current seminar will become a platform for exchanges in medical universities. The students will be able not only to gain professional knowledge, but also to strengthen their friendship,” she said.

    The seminar lasts 14 days and is attended by 13 students from Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.

    Fathulloh Abdullaev from Uzbekistan said that China’s experience in medical education and health care is worth emulating. “This seminar not only created a platform for academic exchanges, but also became a clear evidence of fruitful cooperation between Uzbekistan and China,” he added. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Man charged in relation to Pakuranga stabbing

    Source: New Zealand Police

    A man is expected in Manukau District Court tomorrow [Monday] in relation to the stabbing at the Pakuranga Night Markets yesterday.

    Following enquiries by staff, the 23-year-old handed himself in to Police at the Manukau Police Station this evening.

    He faces two charges of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

    Police are not seeking anyone else in relation to the incident.

    ENDS

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Pacific Partnership 2025 Conducts Mission Stop in Nuku’Alofa, Tonga, June 18, 2025 [Image 1 of 4]

    Source: United States Navy (Logistics Group Western Pacific)

    Issued by: on

    NUKU’ALOFA, Tonga (June 18, 2025) Capt. Mark B. Stefanik, left, mission commander of Pacific Partnership 2025 (PP-25), and Chief Sonar Technician Timothy Darcy, assistant officer in charge of PP-25, survey the Tonga College ‘Atele campus ahead of construction repairs as part of PP-25 in Nuku’Alofa, Tonga, June 18, 2025. Now in its 21st iteration, the Pacific Partnership series is the largest annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster management preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Pacific. Pacific Partnership works collaboratively with host and partner nations to enhance regional interoperability and disaster response capabilities, increase security and stability in the region, and foster new and enduring friendships in the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Moises Sandoval/Released)

    Date Taken: 06.18.2025
    Date Posted: 06.22.2025 04:23
    Photo ID: 9125902
    VIRIN: 250618-N-ED646-4662
    Resolution: 8396×5599
    Size: 8.2 MB
    Location: NUKU’ALOFA, TO
    Web Views: 1
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    PUBLIC DOMAIN  

    This work, Pacific Partnership 2025 Conducts Mission Stop in Nuku’Alofa, Tonga, June 18, 2025 [Image 4 of 4], by PO2 Moises Sandoval, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Pacific Partnership 2025 Conducts Mission Stop in Nuku’Alofa, Tonga, June 19, 2025 [Image 1 of 3]

    Source: United States Navy (Logistics Group Western Pacific)

    Issued by: on

    NUKU’ALOFA, Tonga (June 19, 2025) U.S. Navy Capt. Mark B. Stefanik, left, mission commander of Pacific Partnership 2025 (PP-25), and Mr. Marcus R. Jackson, Chargé d’Affaires, a.i. of the U.S. Embassy in Nuku’Alofa, receive ceremonial Tongan garlands during a groundbreaking ceremony at the Tonga College ‘Atele campus as part of PP-25 in Nuku’Alofa, Tonga, June 19, 2025. Now in its 21st iteration, the Pacific Partnership series is the largest annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster management preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Pacific. Pacific Partnership works collaboratively with host and partner nations to enhance regional interoperability and disaster response capabilities, increase security and stability in the region, and foster new and enduring friendships in the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Moises Sandoval/Released)

    Date Taken: 06.19.2025
    Date Posted: 06.22.2025 04:30
    Photo ID: 9125906
    VIRIN: 250619-N-ED646-2506
    Resolution: 8640×5760
    Size: 8.39 MB
    Location: NUKU’ALOFA, TO
    Web Views: 0
    Downloads: 0

    PUBLIC DOMAIN  

    This work, Pacific Partnership 2025 Conducts Mission Stop in Nuku’Alofa, Tonga, June 19, 2025 [Image 3 of 3], by PO2 Moises Sandoval, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.

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  • Israel under missile attack, Iran says all options open after US strikes

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Israel faced a missile attack on Sunday as Iran said it reserved all options to defend itself after unprecedented U.S. strikes that President Donald Trump said had “obliterated” its key nuclear facilities.

    Hours after Trump dramatically escalated Middle East tensions by sending B-2 bombers to Iran, the Israeli military warned people to seek cover from a barrage that appeared heavier than the Iranian salvoes fired in the past few days.

    “The events this morning are outrageous and will have everlasting consequences,” said Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas, calling the U.S. strikes a “grave violation” of the U.N. charter, international law and the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

    “Iran reserves all options to defend its sovereignty, interest, and people,” Araqchi posted on X.

    Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization said it would not allow development of its “national industry” to be stopped, and an Iranian state television commentator said every U.S. citizen or military member in the region would be legitimate targets.

    Israel’s ambulance service said at least 16 people were hurt in the morning barrage.

    Air raid sirens sounded across most of the country, sending millions of people to safe rooms and bomb shelters as explosions rang out and missile interceptions were seen above Jerusalem and in other parts of the country.

    It was not immediately clear how many missiles had pierced Israel’s air defence systems, but police confirmed at least three impact sites in residential areas in central and northern Israel.

    Video from Israel’s commercial hub Tel Aviv and the port city of Haifa further north showed rescue teams combing through debris, apartments reduced to rubble, mangled cars along a street filled with debris and medics evacuating injured people from a row of blown out houses.

    Most airlines continued to avoid large parts of the Middle East after the U.S. strikes, according to flight tracking website FlightRadar24, with traffic already skirting airspace in the region due to recent missile exchanges.

    TRUMP SAYS IRAN FACES ‘PEACE OR TRAGEDY’

    Trump, in a televised address to the U.S. people, flanked by Vice President JD Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, called the strikes a “spectacular military success” that had taken out Iran’s three principal nuclear sites: Natanz, Isfahan and Fordow.

    He warned Tehran it would face more devastating attacks if it does not agree to peace.

    After days of deliberation and long before his self-imposed two-week deadline, Trump’s decision to join Israel’s military campaign against its major rival Iran is the biggest foreign policy gamble of his two presidencies and one fraught with risks and unknowns.

    The major escalation of armed conflict in the Middle East risks opening a new era of instability in the Middle East.

    Trump said Iran’s future held “either peace or tragedy,” and there were many other targets that could be hit by the U.S. military. “If peace does not come quickly, we will go after those other targets with precision, speed and skill.”

    The U.S. contacted Iran diplomatically on Saturday to say the strikes are all the U.S. plans and it does not aim for regime change, CBS News reported.

    Trump told Fox News’ Sean Hannity show that six “bunker-buster” bombs were dropped on the deep-underground Fordow facility, while 30 Tomahawk missiles were fired against other nuclear sites. U.S. B-2 bombers were involved in the strikes, a U.S. official told Reuters, speaking on condition of anonymity.

    Reuters had reported the movement of the B-2 bombers, which can be equipped to carry the massive bombs that experts say would be needed to strike Fordow, which is buried beneath a mountain south of Tehran. Given its fortification, it will likely be days, if not longer, before the impact of the strikes is known.

    An Iranian official, cited by Tasnim news agency, confirmed part of the Fordow site was attacked by “enemy airstrikes.” However, Mohammad Manan Raisi, a lawmaker for Qom, near Fordow, told the semi-official Fars news agency the facility had not been seriously damaged.

    A reporter from Iranian state media IRNA reporter said he had arrived near the Fordow site at 3 a.m. (2330 GMT on Saturday) and saw smoke that “seems to be related to air defences”. He quoted a nearby witness as reporting “six explosions were heard, but they said it wasn’t very loud.”

    DIPLOMATIC FAILURE

    The U.N. nuclear watchdog said no increases in off-site radiation levels had been reported after the U.S. strikes.

    Hassan Abedini, deputy political head of Iran’s state broadcaster, said Iran had evacuated the three sites some time ago.

    “The enriched uranium reserves had been transferred from the nuclear centres and there are no materials left there that, if targeted, would cause radiation and be harmful to our compatriots,” he told the channel.

    Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu congratulated Trump on his “bold decision”, saying, “History will record that President Trump acted to deny the world’s most dangerous regime, the world’s most dangerous weapons.”

    Israel and Iran have been engaged in more than a week of aerial combat that has resulted in deaths and injuries in both countries. Israel launched its attacks on June 13, saying Iran was on the verge of developing nuclear weapons.

    Iran says its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes only. Israel is widely assumed to possess nuclear weapons, which it neither confirms nor denies.

    Diplomatic efforts by Western nations to stop the hostilities have so far failed. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called the U.S. strikes a “dangerous escalation in a region already on the edge – and a direct threat to international peace and security.”

    In the U.S., Democratic lawmakers and some from Trump’s Republican Party have argued that he must receive permission from Congress before committing the U.S. military to any combat against Iran.

    At least 430 people have been killed and 3,500 injured in Iran since Israel began its attacks, Iranian state-run Nour News said, citing the health ministry.

    In Israel, 24 civilians have been killed and 1,272 people injured, according to local authorities.

    (Reuters)

  • MIL-Evening Report: NZ group slams Israeli ‘hoodwinking’ of US over nuclear strikes – Peters calls for talks

    Asia Pacific Report

    The Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa has called on New Zealanders to condemn the US bombing of Iran.

    PSNA co-chair Maher Nazzal said in a statement that he hoped the New Zealand government would be critical of the US for its war escalation.

    “Israel has once again hoodwinked the United States into fighting Israel’s wars,” he said.

    “Israel’s Prime Minister has [been declaring] Iran to be on the point of producing nuclear weapons since the 1990s.

    “It’s all part of his big plan for expulsion of Palestinians from Palestine to create a Greater Israel, and regime change for the entire region.”

    Israel knew that Arab and European countries would “fall in behind these plans” and in many cases actually help implement them.

    “It is a dreadful day for the Palestinians. Netanyahu’s forces will be turned back onto them in Gaza and the West Bank.”

    ‘Dreadful day’ for Middle East
    “It is just as dreadful day for the whole Middle East.

    “Trump has tried to add Iran to the disasters of US foreign policy in Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan. The US simply doesn’t care how many people will die.”

    New Zealand’s Foreign Minister Winston Peters “acknowledged the development in the past 24 hours”, including President Trump’s announcement of the US strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities.

    He described it as “extremely worrying” military action in the Middle East, and it was critical further escalation was avoided.

    “New Zealand strongly supports efforts towards diplomacy. We urge all parties to return to talks,” he said.

    “Diplomacy will deliver a more enduring resolution than further military action.”

    The Australian government said in a statement that Canberra had been clear that Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programme had been a “threat to international peace and security”.

    It also noted that the US President had declared that “now is the time for peace”.

    “The security situation in the region is highly volatile,” said the statement. “We continue to call for de-escalation, dialogue and diplomacy.”

    Iran calls attack ‘outrageous’
    However, the Iranian Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, said the “outrageous” US attacks on Iran’s “peaceful nuclear installations” would have “everlasting consequences”.

    His comments come as an Iranian missile attack on central and northern Israel wounded at least 23 people.

    In an interview with Al Jazeera, Dr Mehran Kamrava, a professor of government at Georgetown University in Qatar, said the people of Iran feared that Israel’s goals stretched far beyond its stated goal of destroying the country’s nuclear and missile programmes.

    “Many in Iran believe that Israel’s end game, really, is to turn Iran into Libya, into Iraq, what it was after the US invasion in 2003, and/or Afghanistan.

    “And so the dismemberment of Iran is what Netanyahu has in mind, at least as far as Tehran is concerned,” he said.

    US attack ‘more or less guarantees’ Iran will be nuclear-armed within decade

    ‘No evidence’ of Iran ‘threat’
    Trita Parsi, the executive vice president of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, said there had been “absolutely no evidence” that Iran posed a threat.

    “Neither was it existential, nor imminent,” he told Al Jazeera.

    “We have to keep in mind the reality of the situation, which is that two nuclear-equipped countries attacked a non-nuclear weapons state without having gotten attacked first.

    “Israel was not attacked by Iran — it started that war; the United States was not attacked by Iran — it started this confrontation at this point.”

    Dr Parsi added that the attacks on Iran would “send shockwaves” throughout the world.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: NZ group slams Israeli ‘hoodwinking’ of US over nuclear strikes – Peters calls for talks

    Asia Pacific Report

    The Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa has called on New Zealanders to condemn the US bombing of Iran.

    PSNA co-chair Maher Nazzal said in a statement that he hoped the New Zealand government would be critical of the US for its war escalation.

    “Israel has once again hoodwinked the United States into fighting Israel’s wars,” he said.

    “Israel’s Prime Minister has [been declaring] Iran to be on the point of producing nuclear weapons since the 1990s.

    “It’s all part of his big plan for expulsion of Palestinians from Palestine to create a Greater Israel, and regime change for the entire region.”

    Israel knew that Arab and European countries would “fall in behind these plans” and in many cases actually help implement them.

    “It is a dreadful day for the Palestinians. Netanyahu’s forces will be turned back onto them in Gaza and the West Bank.”

    ‘Dreadful day’ for Middle East
    “It is just as dreadful day for the whole Middle East.

    “Trump has tried to add Iran to the disasters of US foreign policy in Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan. The US simply doesn’t care how many people will die.”

    New Zealand’s Foreign Minister Winston Peters “acknowledged the development in the past 24 hours”, including President Trump’s announcement of the US strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities.

    He described it as “extremely worrying” military action in the Middle East, and it was critical further escalation was avoided.

    “New Zealand strongly supports efforts towards diplomacy. We urge all parties to return to talks,” he said.

    “Diplomacy will deliver a more enduring resolution than further military action.”

    The Australian government said in a statement that Canberra had been clear that Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programme had been a “threat to international peace and security”.

    It also noted that the US President had declared that “now is the time for peace”.

    “The security situation in the region is highly volatile,” said the statement. “We continue to call for de-escalation, dialogue and diplomacy.”

    Iran calls attack ‘outrageous’
    However, the Iranian Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, said the “outrageous” US attacks on Iran’s “peaceful nuclear installations” would have “everlasting consequences”.

    His comments come as an Iranian missile attack on central and northern Israel wounded at least 23 people.

    In an interview with Al Jazeera, Dr Mehran Kamrava, a professor of government at Georgetown University in Qatar, said the people of Iran feared that Israel’s goals stretched far beyond its stated goal of destroying the country’s nuclear and missile programmes.

    “Many in Iran believe that Israel’s end game, really, is to turn Iran into Libya, into Iraq, what it was after the US invasion in 2003, and/or Afghanistan.

    “And so the dismemberment of Iran is what Netanyahu has in mind, at least as far as Tehran is concerned,” he said.

    US attack ‘more or less guarantees’ Iran will be nuclear-armed within decade

    ‘No evidence’ of Iran ‘threat’
    Trita Parsi, the executive vice president of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, said there had been “absolutely no evidence” that Iran posed a threat.

    “Neither was it existential, nor imminent,” he told Al Jazeera.

    “We have to keep in mind the reality of the situation, which is that two nuclear-equipped countries attacked a non-nuclear weapons state without having gotten attacked first.

    “Israel was not attacked by Iran — it started that war; the United States was not attacked by Iran — it started this confrontation at this point.”

    Dr Parsi added that the attacks on Iran would “send shockwaves” throughout the world.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MoS Defence Sanjay Seth to visit Kenya, Madagascar to strengthen defence ties

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Minister of State for Defence, Sanjay Seth, will lead an Indian delegation on a four-day official visit to Kenya and Madagascar from June 23 to 26, aimed at bolstering bilateral defence and diplomatic relations.

    In the first leg of the visit, MoS Sanjay Seth will travel to Kenya for the joint unveiling of a Commemorative Pillar on June 23 at Taita-Taveta County. The war memorial honours the shared sacrifices of Indian and Kenyan soldiers.

    On June 26, the Minister will attend the 65th Independence Day celebrations of Madagascar and the founding anniversary of the Malagasy Armed Forces in Antananarivo.

    India shares strong historical and maritime ties with both Kenya and Madagascar. The visit underscores India’s commitment to deepening defence cooperation and fostering strategic partnerships in the Indian Ocean Region.

    The visit is being undertaken at the invitation of Cabinet Secretary, Kenyan Defence Ministry and Madagascar Minister of Armed Forces.

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Te Kuaka Condemns Illegal US Strike on Iran and calls on NZ to pledge non-participation in a US-led war on Iran

    Source: Te Kuaka Spokesperson, Dr Arama Rata

    Te Kuaka, an independent organisation advocating for a progressive and principled New Zealand foreign policy, expresses grave concern over the United States’ unprovoked bombing of Iranian nuclear facilities. This attack constitutes a clear violation of international law and the sovereignty of states.

    This act of aggression was conducted without United Nations authorisation or credible justification under international law and risks catastrophic regional escalation. Furthermore, the US Constitution reserves war powers to Congress, making this attack an alarming breach of US democratic process.

    New Zealand can play a role in the world by upholding peace, multilateralism, and international law. We call on the New Zealand government to take the following actions:

    1. Publicly condemn this unlawful military strike and demand an immediate de-escalation.

    2. Commit to no involvement, whether direct or indirect, in US military action against Iran.

    3. Immediately withdraw NZDF personnel from the US-led Red Sea operation.

    4. Pursue diplomatic solutions through the UN rather than unilateral aggression.

    5. Call for other states to denounce these acts as a violation of international law and a challenge to fundamental principles of state conduct within the UN system.

    New Zealand demonstrated moral leadership when it refused to join the illegal 2003 invasion of Iraq. This principled stand upheld our nation’s commitment to international law and independent foreign policy. Today, we face a similar test of our values. Just as we rejected participation in that disastrous war, New Zealand must again resist pressure to support unlawful US military action.

    Te Kuaka urges the government to uphold an independent foreign policy that prioritises peace, human rights, and international law over militarism and aggression.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Flag raising marks NSL promulgation

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    The Security Bureau today held a flag-raising ceremony at the Fire & Ambulance Services Academy to mark the fifth anniversary of the promulgation and implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law.

    The bureau led the disciplined services, the auxiliary services and disciplined services youth groups, and collaborated with youth uniformed groups subvented by the Home & Youth Affairs Bureau for the first time, to hold the ceremony.

    The Police Band, disciplined services ceremonial guard and youth uniformed groups marched in with Chinese-style foot drill. The Fire Services Department’s flag party conducted the ceremony during the playing and singing of the national anthem, accompanied by a fly-past by a Government Flying Service helicopter, and concluded with a performance by the Police Band.

    Officiating at the event, Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki said the promulgation and implementation of the National Security Law have laid a solid legal foundation for safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests.

    The security law is a solid shield protecting Hong Kong, safeguarding the steadfast and successful implementation of “one country, two systems”, and protecting the fundamental well-being of Hong Kong people, he added.

    Mr Chan also officiated at the award presentation for the literature and art creation competition to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the security law. The competition encouraged colleagues of the bureau and disciplined and auxiliary services to create artistic works on how the National Security Law fortifies national security and protects social stability.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Seven charged following Iranian Embassy disorder

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    Seven men have been charged following disorder outside the Embassy of Iran.

    At 09:54hrs on Friday, 20 June officers on duty outside the embassy in Prince’s Gate, SW7 were alerted to what appeared to be a fight in progress.

    They intervened, assisted by additional officers who were deployed to the scene.

    Two men, aged 37 and 39, were taken to hospital with serious but non-life threatening injuries.

    Eight people were arrested in connection with the incident, including the 39-year-old who had been taken to hospital.

    On Saturday, 21 June, seven of those arrested were charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent contrary to Section 18 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861. All are Iranian nationals.

    They have been remanded in custody to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 23 June.

    · Mohammad Nadiri, 30 (05.07.94) of Central Street, Islington

    · Pourrezaei Vahid, 41 (08.08.83) of Hamlet Square, Cricklewood

    · Armin Hasanlov, 35 (14.05.90) of Prescot Road, Liverpool

    · Esmaeil Balouchy, 50 (14.09.74) of Brent Lea, Brentford

    · Saeed Hosseingholipoor, 34 (16.06.91) of Wilkins Close, Mitcham

    · Farzin Suleimani, 31 (05.10.93) of Selsey Road, Birmingham

    · Aref Yazdan Parast, 31 (19.02.94) of Worton Road, Isleworth

    The eighth person arrested remains in hospital and has been bailed.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UK Launches Global Talent Drive to Attract World-Leading Researchers and Innovators

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    UK Launches Global Talent Drive to Attract World-Leading Researchers and Innovators

    New taskforce and £54m fund will attract world-class researchers and their teams to the UK and comes ahead of the launch of government’s modern Industrial Strategy

    • Global talent taskforce launched to attract world’s exceptional talent to relocate to the UK, supporting the success of our Industrial Strategy sectors.
    • New Industrial Strategy coordinated taskforce will hunt for top talent to relocate to grow UK economy and boost public services as part of Plan for Change.
    • £54 million talent scheme to attract world-class researchers to the UK confirmed, on top of recent £25m backing to attract top AI talent.

    The brightest minds in the world will be welcomed to bring their talents the UK, the Government has announced today [Sunday 22 June], supported by £54 million in fresh backing to bring the world’s top science and tech talent here.     

    As the UK competes for the highest skilled individuals in priority industries, the launch of the government’s Global Talent Taskforce signals a greater focus on targeting and attracting the brightest and best talent to supercharge growth, delivering on the government’s Plan for Change.   

    The Global Talent Taskforce will support researchers, entrepreneurs, investors, top tier managerial and engineering talent and high-calibre creatives to relocate and work closely with the UK’s international presence to network and build a pipeline of talent who want to come to Britain. 

    The move comes ahead of the launch of government’s modern Industrial Strategy tomorrow, and intends to bolster homegrown talent with cutting edge, highly skilled expertise from around the world to work in the key sectors identified in the Strategy.   

    It will also build on commitments in the recent Immigration White Paper to expand eligible institutions for the High Potential Individual visa and fast-track the brightest and best talent into UK high growth and strategic industries, such as in the science and technology sectors.

    The launch of the Taskforce and £54m Global Talent Fund, which will attract world-class researchers and their teams to the UK, covering relocation and research costs over five years starting this year, sends a clear signal to exceptional talent and businesses that the UK seeks to continue its global leadership in growth-driving sectors.

    The Global Talent Fund will be allocated over the coming weeks, via UKRI, to leading universities and other research organisations. These organisations will use their expertise to select and target the researchers, aligned to the overarching objectives of the scheme and in support of our industrial strategy priorities.

    These initiatives will support the Government’s Plan for Change to deliver increased investment and more secure, skilled jobs for working people across the country, alongside an immigration system which restores control of the UK’s borders.   

    Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said:    

    “A key part of our Plan for Change is making sure Britain is the best place in the world to do business – we are a strong, connected market and have a lot to offer the best and the most inventive minds.

    “Competition for elite global talent is high, and by establishing this Taskforce we are solidifying our position as the first choice for the world’s brightest sparks, as well as turbocharging innovation in medicines and inventions of the future, boosting British business and putting money in working people’s pockets.” 

    Science and Technology Secretary Peter Kyle said:  

    “Genius is not bound by geography. But the UK is one of the few places blessed with the infrastructure, skills base, world-class institutions and international ties needed to fertilise brilliant ideas, and turn them into new medicines that save lives, new products that make our lives easier, and even entirely new jobs and industries. These endeavours are the Plan for Change writ large.   

    “My message to those who are advancing new ideas, wherever they are, is simple. We want to work with you, to support you, and to give you a home where you can make your ideas a reality we all benefit from.”    

    Reporting directly to the Prime Minister and Chancellor, the Global Talent Taskforce will: 

    • Facilitate support researchers, entrepreneurs, investors, top tier managerial and engineering talent and high-calibre creatives to relocate. 
    • Work to identify and approach top talent to move to the UK.  
    • Work closely with the UK’s international presence to network and build a pipeline of talent who want to come to Britain. 

    Alongside this Government-backed work, two new fast-track research grant routes have been announced by the National Academies – including £30m from the Royal Society for a Faraday Discovery Fellowship accelerated international route, part-funded by their £250 million DSIT endowment. The Royal Academy of Engineering has announced a similar fast track international route, as part of its £150 million Green Future Fellowships endowment from DSIT – this funding will ensure the UK competes for the best global talent in science and research.

    This announcement also comes hot on the heels of the launch of two sets of fellowships directed towards attracting top talent to the UK:

    • Turing AI ‘Global’ Fellowships, which will provide £25m of funding for world-leading academics to build a team and conduct groundbreaking AI research at a UK organisation.
    • Implementing a UK-based expansion of the Encode: AI for Science Fellowship – which embeds world-class AI researchers into cutting-edge scientific labs, accelerating the pathway to industry, and enabling talent to spend one year immersed in intensive exploration, feedback, and development cycles. New talent are expected to arrive in the UK on this scheme by Autum 2025.

    Taken together, this means over £115m of funding dedicated to attracting top talent to the UK. 

    Editors Notes

    • This announcement will have no impact on net migration.
    • The new Taskforce will showcase the UK’s strong business environment offer, including our R&D base, business ecosystem, political stability, standard of living, and diversity to ensure the most talented individuals choose the UK to live, work and create wealth.  The Global Talent Taskforce will be located in DBT with support from other departments.
    • The £25 million Turing AI Global Fellowships will be delivered by UKRI and are an expansion of their prestigious Turing AI Fellowship programme. Fellows can receive up to £5 million in fellowship funding over five years. 
    • The £54 million Global Talent Fund comes over five years, starting in 2025/26. The fund, administered by UKRI and delivered by research organisations, will cover 100% of eligible costs, including both relocation and research expenses, with no requirement for match funding from research organisations. The initiative also includes full visa costs for researchers and their dependants, removing significant financial and administrative barriers to relocation. 
    • The UK’s association to Horizon Europe has opened more opportunities for British scientists and researchers, providing access to extensive funding streams. The government welcomes the EU’s recent announcement of a €500 million package of new funding to attract the world’s top talent and the news that researchers will be able to apply via the Choose Europe grants to come and work in the UK.  

    Supportive Stakeholder Quotes:

    Vivienne Stern MBE, Universities UK Chief Executive, said:

    “The government’s Global Talent Taskforce and Fund will play a vital role in supporting the delivery of the industrial strategy. These initiatives will attract the best and brightest from around the world to accelerate growth across the UK’s key sectors, which are underpinned by our great universities.

    “UK universities are already pivotal players in attracting global talent and the creation of the Taskforce and Fund will further leverage their role in building our future technologies and driving long-term growth.

    “Attracting global talent is a goal that ultimately benefits communities across the country, making us all better off. We look forward to working closely with government to deliver these important initiatives and to help realise the full ambition of the UK’s industrial strategy.”

    Sir Adrian Smith, President of the Royal Society, said:

    “These are positive steps to position the UK as an open and attractive destination for research and innovation talent.

    “Together, the funding schemes announced today offer a bridge for some of the world’s most exciting researchers to come to the UK, develop their work and build close collaborations that benefit the whole country.

    “The new combined Global Talent Taskforce is another welcome sign that Government is looking seriously at the barriers faced by skilled scientists and researchers seeking to relocate. The Society has long called for a coordinated approach across Whitehall for attracting and retaining international talent. Addressing the sky-high upfront costs of the visa system should be the top priority.”

    Dr Andrew Clark, Executive Director, Product, at the Royal Academy of Engineering, said:

    “The Academy’s role is to create and lead a community of outstanding experts and innovators to engineer better lives. The first round of our Green Future Fellowships attracted enormous interest from engineers, scientists, innovators and entrepreneurs around the world, all seeking to develop and scale long-term solutions to the climate crisis. Adding a fast-track route for international applicants will ensure that the Green Future Fellowships programme is always open to the best global talent. We are pleased to be part of a growing, joined-up effort to attract such talent to the UK.”

    Updates to this page

    Published 22 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –