China operates its third aircraft carrier, Russia continues to detain a US female journalist, and the EU establishes a cyber force.

Russia destroys Ukrainian drone, Indonesia increases defense budget, EU wants to establish a cyber force, Vice Chairman of China's Central Military Commission visits Laos and Cambodia... these are some of the prominent international events in the past 24 hours.

China has begun testing the docking position of its third domestically produced aircraft carrier. (Source: SCMP)

The World & Vietnam newspaper highlights some of the day's most prominent international news.

Asia- Pacific

*China's third aircraft carrier begins operations: On November 30, Chinese Ministry of Defense spokesperson Wu Qian announced that China's third aircraft carrier, named Fujian, is undergoing docking trials. Wu Qian stated, "We will proceed with steady development according to plan."

China unveiled its third aircraft carrier in June 2022. Named after Fujian province in eastern China, this carrier was entirely designed and built by China.

China's first aircraft carrier is the Liaoning Type 001, and its second is named Shandong. China is currently building its fourth aircraft carrier, expected to be commissioned in the mid-2030s. (SCMP)

*South Korea prepares to launch its first military reconnaissance satellite using SpaceX: The South Korean Ministry of Defense announced that it will launch its first military reconnaissance satellite using a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on the morning of December 2nd, intensifying the space race in the Korean Peninsula region after Pyongyang launched its first military satellite into orbit last month.

Speaking to reporters on December 1st, a South Korean Defense Ministry official said that a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying the country's reconnaissance satellite would be launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base in Southern California, USA, at 3:19 AM Seoul time on December 2nd.

South Korea plans to launch four more spy satellites before the end of 2025 with the aim of enhancing its surveillance capabilities over North Korea. (AFP)

*Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission of China to visit Cambodia and Laos: The Chinese Ministry of Defense announced on December 1st that He Weidong, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission, will visit Cambodia and Laos in the first half of December.

According to China's Ministry of Defense, the visit aims to strengthen "friendly contact" between the Chinese military and the two Southeast Asian countries. (Reuters)

*US and Australia impose additional sanctions on North Korea: According to a press release from the Australian Foreign Minister's Office, Canberra condemned North Korea's satellite launch on November 21, calling it a reckless act that seriously undermines security and stability in the region. The use of ballistic missile technology violates United Nations Security Council resolutions.

On December 1st, Australia imposed targeted financial sanctions and travel bans on seven more individuals and one entity linked to North Korea's weapons of mass destruction or missile programs and satellite launches.

These sanctions were imposed in conjunction with new directives announced by the United States, Japan, and South Korea. Together with its partners, Australia calls on North Korea to engage in constructive dialogue toward lasting peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.

Earlier, on November 30, the US Treasury Department announced that it had imposed additional sanctions on the KIMSUKY hacking group, which is linked to North Korea, and eight other individuals. (Yonhap)

*Indonesia increases defense budget by 20%: Indonesian President Joko Widodo has approved a 20% increase in the 2024 defense budget, from $20.75 billion to $25 billion, aimed at upgrading military equipment and responding to geopolitical developments.

In recent times, Indonesia has pushed through a series of military equipment procurement deals, including 42 Dassault Rafale fighter jets worth a total of $8.1 billion, 12 new drones worth $300 million from Turkish Aerospace, and 12 used Mirage 2000-5 fighter jets worth a total of $800 million.

Additionally, in August, Indonesia also signed an agreement to purchase 24 transport helicopters from the American arms manufacturer Lockheed Martin for an undisclosed total value. (Straits Times)

Middle East – Africa

*Israel and Hamas agree to extend ceasefire: On December 1st, the Wall Street Journal reported that Israel and the Palestinian Islamic movement Hamas had agreed to extend their temporary ceasefire for an eighth day. The agreement will include the release of more Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. Neither Israel nor Hamas has commented on this information.

Earlier, on November 30, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called for an extension of the ceasefire that had temporarily halted fighting between Hamas and Israel in Gaza for the past seven days. Speaking after a visit to Israel and the occupied West Bank, Secretary Blinken emphasized: "We want to see this process continue to progress. We want an eighth day and beyond."

However, also on December 1st, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) accused the Hamas Islamic movement of violating the ceasefire and continuing to launch rockets into Israeli territory. (AFP)

*Turkey eliminates Kurdish leader in northern Iraq: On November 30, Anadolu News Agency reported that the Turkish National Intelligence Service (MIT) eliminated a senior member of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in a cross-border operation in northern Iraq.

According to Anadolu, the slain PKK member, Mehmet Akin, was accused of plotting attacks on Turkish forces' bases in northern Iraq. Akin had been trained by the PKK to carry out sabotage attacks in the Avasin region of northern Iraq and participated in attacks against Turkish forces within the area covered by "Operation Claw-Lock".

In April 2022, Turkey launched Operation Claw-Lock to combat the PKK in northern Iraq, near the Turkish border. The PKK, designated as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States, and the European Union (EU), has been fighting against the Turkish government for more than three decades. (Reuters)

*Taliban 'protests' for not being invited to COP28 in the UAE: On November 30, the Taliban regime in Afghanistan condemned the fact that their representatives were not invited to the 28th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28), which opens on December 1 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).

A statement from Afghanistan's National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA) said that despite "comprehensive efforts" to address climate change issues in the country, Afghan delegates have not yet received invitations due to "political factors."

According to NEPA, “although Afghanistan contributes at least 0.08% to global greenhouse gas emissions… it remains one of the most vulnerable countries to the harmful impacts of climate change.” The Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan more than two years ago, but to date no country has officially recognized the Taliban regime. (Express Tribune)

Europe

*Russia destroys Ukrainian drone: The Russian Ministry of Defense announced on December 1st that its Navy had destroyed a Ukrainian unmanned naval vessel heading towards the Crimean Peninsula.

The ministry's statement confirmed: "At approximately 8:00 a.m. (Moscow time), a Ukrainian unmanned naval vessel was detected in the western Black Sea and was moving toward Crimea. The target was destroyed." Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014.

Meanwhile, on the same day, the Ukrainian Air Force said its troops had shot down 18 of 25 drones deployed from Russia overnight. (Reuters)

*EU wants to establish a cyber force: At the annual meeting of the European Defence Agency (EDA) held in Brussels, Belgium, European Council President Charles Michel presented the European Cyber ​​Force project on November 30 and declared it would be "a fundamental element" in European defense.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also emphasized that cyber warfare has become part of the European Union's (EU) mission, not just that of individual member states, within the framework of the Union's defense restructuring.

Last April, the EU announced new plans to protect itself against cyberattacks, entrusting some of its defense capabilities to private companies. While these plans focus on prevention and response, the "offensive" capability proposed by Council President Charles Michel suggests the Union may consider targeted operations in cyberspace. (DW)

*Estonia advises citizens to avoid travel to Russia, border may be closed: Estonia has warned its citizens to avoid “any travel” to Russia and may temporarily close its border with Russia due to concerns about a surge in migrants starting November 30.

As a former Soviet republic and now a staunch supporter of Ukraine, Estonia shares a 333-kilometer border with Russia, with six operational border checkpoints.

Earlier this week, Finland also announced the closure of all border crossings with Russia due to a surge in undocumented migrants. (AP)

*Russia extends detention of American journalist: On December 1st, a Russian court extended the pretrial detention of Russian-American Alsu Kurmasheva – who is being held for failing to register as a "foreign agent" – until February 5th, 2024.

Alsu Kurmasheva is a journalist for Radio Liberty/Radio Free Europe (RFE/RL), a Prague-based organization funded by the US Congress and designated as a foreign agency by Russia, meaning it receives foreign funding for activities considered political. RFE/RL states: “A court in Kazan has extended the detention of Radio Liberty journalist Alsu Kurmasheva until February 5, 2024.”

Ms. Kurmasheva is the second American journalist to be arrested and charged in Russia since Moscow began its special operations in Ukraine, which have sent relations between Moscow and Washington to their lowest point in more than 60 years.

Following the arrest in March of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich on espionage charges—which Gershkovich vehemently denies—almost all other American journalists left Russia. Washington has repeatedly urged other Americans to leave Russia. (AFP)

America

Brazil to join OPEC+ next year: On December 1st, the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) announced that Brazil will join the alliance between the bloc and its partners, known as OPEC+, in early 2024.

In a statement, OPEC said that Brazil's Minister of Mines and Energy, Alexandre Silveira de Oliveira, participated in the 36th OPEC+ ministerial meeting, which was held online.

OPEC expects Brazil's entry into OPEC+ to strengthen the bloc's influence and position in the global oil market. Brazil is currently the largest oil producer in South America and among the top 10 crude oil producers in the world. (VNA)

Canada to buy 16 P-8A Poseidon aircraft from the US: CBC News reports that the Canadian government has finalized an agreement to purchase 16 Boeing P-8A Poseidon aircraft from the US at an estimated total cost of CAD 10.4 billion.

Canadian Defence Minister Bill Blair remarked that the P-8A Poseidon is the only aircraft "available and proven to meet all operational requirements" of the Canadian Air Force. All of Canada's Five Eyes allies use this aircraft.

Responding to the announcement, Canadian aircraft manufacturer Bombardier said it was disappointed by the Canadian government's decision. The company, along with several others and the Premiers of Ontario and Quebec, called for open competition for the supply contract. (Reuters)

*Armed attack in Mexico leaves many police officers dead or injured: On December 1st, unidentified gunmen attacked a security patrol convoy in Zacatecas state, Mexico, killing the police chief and an officer, and injuring several others.

Sources from local authorities indicate that gunmen ambushed the convoy as it traveled along a main road in Fresnillo, killing the city's police chief, a security officer, and injuring several other police officers. Additionally, a nearby resident was killed by stray bullets.

Authorities arrived at the scene shortly afterward, transporting the injured to the nearest medical facilities and launching an urgent investigation into the incident. The identities of the attackers are not yet known. (AFP)

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