The Romanian Army, along with allied and partner forces, will conduct a series of military exercises called Steadfast Dart (STDT 25) from February 10-21. Led by the Joint Force Command Naples, the exercise aims to test NATO's reaction and response capacity in crisis situations through specific peacetime alerting, deployment, and integration activities. The goal is to increase Romania's defense capabilities, deterrence, coordination, and reaction time, as well as enhance military interoperability and mobility with NATO and the US strategic partnership.
https://www.actmedia.eu/daily/mapn-approximately-15-000-military-will-take-part-in-international-exercises-in-the-first-half-of-the-year/111982The US plans to send additional military reinforcements, including soldiers, weapons, and equipment, to Syria, which could strain its relations with Turkey and exacerbate the conflict between rival rebel factions. The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), backed by the US, control the northeast region, while the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA) controls northern Syria. The SNA recently captured the city of Manbij from the SDF, with support from Turkish war jets and artillery. This development has highlighted the complex dynamics in Syria, where different groups are vying for power, including the SDF, which is led by the YPG, a Syrian branch of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), designated as a terrorist organization by Turkey and the US.
https://www.firstpost.com/opinion/how-americas-iraq-oil-saga-might-be-replayed-in-syria-13850939.htmlThe US Department of Defense has added Chinese tech giant Tencent Holdings Ltd., known for its WeChat messaging app, to a list of companies it believes are working with China's military. The list also includes Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. (CATL), the world's largest battery manufacturer for electric vehicles, and ChangXin Memory Technologies Inc. The move is part of US efforts to limit China's development of advanced technologies for military use under its "military-civil fusion strategy", which has helped modernize the People's Liberation Army.
https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20250107/p2g/00m/0in/009000cTaiwan's Ministry of Defence detected five Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft and six People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) vessels near its territory on January 5, 2025. The aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait into Taiwan's northern and southwester Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ).
https://www.lokmattimes.com/international/taiwans-defence-ministry-detects-five-chinese-aircraft-six-naval-vessels-in-its-territory/The controversy surrounding the extradition of Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has created a tense situation on the streets. The call to do away with the 1972 Constitution, which was made by some leaders, was met with opposition from prominent figures in the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, who described it as "fascist". Meanwhile, General Waker-uz-Zaman, the Army chief, has attempted to calm down anti-India rhetoric and emphasized the importance of maintaining a positive relationship between the two countries. He stated that both nations depend on each other for security needs, economic activities, and medical requirements, and that Bangladesh expects India to stop border killings and provide its "fair share" of water. General Waker-uz-Zaman also expressed support for the interim government led by Chief Adviser Mohammad Yunus, but emphasized that the restoration of institutions in the country would depend on a politically empowered government.
https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/bangladesh-army-chief-calls-for-national-consensus-political-government-tones-down-anti-india-rhetoric/article69051142.eceTaiwan's Ministry of National Defense reported that two Chinese People's Liberation Army aircraft and seven People's Liberation Army Navy vessels were detected near the island's shores on January 1, 2025. One of the aircraft crossed into Taiwan's Air Defense Identification Zone, sparking concern about potential military activity in the region.
https://www.lokmattimes.com/international/taiwan-detects-2-chinese-aircraft-7-naval-vessels-near-its-shores/