Receive Updates from Night Watch
NightWatch is an internationally acclaimed nightly newsletter that tracks and assesses threats to US national security. It has an edgy, executive style unlike any other summary of its kind.
KGS now offers
NightWatch and a suite of related analytical products exclusively. The NightWatch archive on KGS includes editions not available anywhere else. It is fully indexed and searchable.
By
Night Watch (Dec 28, 2012)
Syria: The situation in Syria is becoming more complicated, and it is necessary to be ready for any scenario, a Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman said today.
Comment: The... more
By
Night Watch (Dec 25, 2012)
South Korea-North Korea: Update. South Korean technicians have been studying the debris of the North Korean rocket launched this month. They claim they have found evidence... more
By
Night Watch (Dec 22, 2012)
Administrative note: If you are reading this, the world did not end, but the Mayan 13th baktun did, on 21 December 2012, as predicted.
Russia: The Defense Ministry has... more
By
Night Watch (Dec 21, 2012)
Republic of Korea: For the record. Pak Ku'n-hye (Park Geun-hye) of the New Frontier Party won South Korea's presidential election on 19 December, media reported. She is... more
By
Night Watch (Dec 20, 2012)
North Korea: For the record. International astronomers and space watchers report that the North Korean satellite is in orbit, but continues to tumble. Other than North Korean... more
By
Night Watch (Dec 19, 2012)
Japan: Japan's Liberal Democratic Party returned to power following an overwhelming victory in the 16 December general election, setting the stage for Shinzo Abe to resume... more
By
Night Watch (Dec 15, 2012)
China-Japan: Today Japan's Foreign Ministry summoned Chinese Ambassador to Japan Han Zhiqiang to lodge a protest after a Chinese Oceanic Administration maritime surveillance... more
By
Night Watch (Dec 14, 2012)
North Korea: Update. US sources report that the North Korean satellite is not in a stable orbit and is tumbling. This portion of the launch cycle failed.
Comment: The real... more
By
Night Watch (Dec 12, 2012)
North Korea: The Korean Central News Agency announced an extension of the launch window for its long range rocket until 29 December, owing to technical issues.
South... more
By
Night Watch (Dec 11, 2012)
North Korea: Update. North Korea might have decided to reschedule its planned rocket launch apparently due to technical problems, a senior government source in Seoul told the... more
By
Night Watch (Dec 09, 2012)
North Korea: Update. News services reported that North Korea has begun fueling its three-stage rocket and should be ready to launch on Monday. If the rocket veers off course,... more
By
Night Watch (Dec 08, 2012)
North Korea: News services reported that all three stages of a long range missile have been assembled upright in the gantry at Tongchang-ri, on the northwest... more
By
Night Watch (Dec 07, 2012)
Syria: A senior U.S. official told Fox News that the Syrians loaded bombs with components of sarin gas. They have 60 days to use these bombs until the chemical mixture... more
By
Night Watch (Dec 06, 2012)
Egypt: News services reported at least 100,000 Egyptians protested outside the presidential palace in Cairo on Tuesday. An estimated 10,000 demonstrators protested in... more
By
Night Watch (Dec 05, 2012)
North Korea: The government announced closure areas off the west coast missile launch range for a long range rocket or missile launch between 10 and 22 December. The Unha-3... more
By
Night Watch (Dec 01, 2012)
North Korea- International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA): A spokesperson for the IAEA said that North Korea has made advances in building a light water nuclear reactor at its... more
By
Night Watch (Nov 29, 2012)
China-North Korea: Comment: Chinese and North Korean propagandists appear confused by the notion that a US publication, namely The Onion, could be devoted to satire. Kim... more
By
Night Watch (Nov 23, 2012)
Burma: Burma/Myanmar announced it would sign an international agreement that would require it to declare all nuclear facilities and materials.
Comment: This agreement has... more
By
Night Watch (Nov 21, 2012)
European Union-Syria: Update. The European Union announced that it recognized the new Syrian opposition National Coalition as the "legitimate" government of... more
By
Night Watch (Nov 17, 2012)
Turkey-Syria: Turkey's Foreign Minister announced at a meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in Djibouti that it recognized the new Syrian opposition coalition... more
By
Night Watch (Nov 16, 2012)
China: Update. The 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China concluded on 14 November after the Congress elected a new Central Committee and a new Central... more
By
Night Watch (Nov 15, 2012)
North Korea: Satellite imagery taken in September but only recently interpreted for public use indicates North Korea has performed at least two missile engine tests at its... more
By
Night Watch (Nov 10, 2012)
North Korea - South Korea: For the record. South Korea's defense minister said Thursday that North Korea has completed preparations for another nuclear test, and would also... more
By
Night Watch (Nov 09, 2012)
China: Xinhua reported that a preparatory meeting of the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party appointed Xi Jinping as the new Secretary-General of the... more
By
Night Watch (Nov 07, 2012)
China: For the record. The four-day Seventh Plenary Session of the 17th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) concluded on Sunday in Beijing.
Two... more
By
Night Watch (Nov 03, 2012)
China: Leadership developments. Chinese media reported that the Seventh Plenary Session of the 17th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) opened in Beijing... more
By
Night Watch (Nov 02, 2012)
China- Syria: Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi elaborated China's new four-point proposal for a political resolution to the Syrian conflict, urging all parties in Syria... more
By
Night Watch (Nov 01, 2012)
Iraq-US: For the record. Iraqi auditors believe as much as US $800 million is being sent out of the country illegally each week, according to a report by the US Special... more
By
Night Watch (Oct 31, 2012)
North Korea: Update and comment. Over the weekend NightWatch checked North Korean diplomatic activity to determine the extent of the semi-state of war alert. Three foreign... more
By
Night Watch (Oct 28, 2012)
North Korea: This is a warning.
The Pyongyang government has announced a nationwide semi-state of war alert, the second highest readiness level, just below state of war... more
By
Night Watch (Oct 27, 2012)
Japan-China: Four Chinese marine surveillance ships entered waters that Japan claims as territorial, near the Senkaku Islands.
Comment: This is the first time in three... more
By
Night Watch (Oct 26, 2012)
North Korea: According to a knowledgeable source, the vice minister of the People's Armed Forces was among senior officers executed by firing squad early this year for... more
By
Night Watch (Oct 25, 2012)
Qatar-Gaza: The Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, on Tuesday became the first head of state to visit the Gaza Strip since Hamas won control of it through... more
By
Night Watch (Oct 20, 2012)
Iraq: Today, the al-Maliki government called for the US to speed up its weapons deliveries, as the two countries near a deal on a second set of 18 F-16s, days after Baghdad... more
By
Night Watch (Oct 19, 2012)
Republic of Korea-China: The Chinese embassy in Seoul conveyed its "strong dissatisfaction" to South Korea after a Chinese fisherman was shot dead by a South Korean coast... more
By
Night Watch (Oct 17, 2012)
South Korea: Too good to omit. South Korea's defense chief dismissed three officers and apologized in public after his troops failed to spot a North Korean soldier defecting... more
By
Night Watch (Oct 16, 2012)
Cambodia-China: Cambodia's former king Norodom Sihanouk died in Beijing on Monday, 15 October, Chinese state media and close aides said. He would have been 90 on 31... more
By
Night Watch (Oct 13, 2012)
Indonesia: For the record. Security officials warned of possible terrorist attacks on or around the 10th anniversary of the 12 October 2002, Bali bombings that killed 202... more
By
Night Watch (Oct 12, 2012)
Uzbekistan-Afghanistan: Uzbek President Karimov said today that Uzbekistan must prepare for the unrest that will occur in Afghanistan after NATO withdraws
Comment:... more
By
Night Watch (Oct 11, 2012)
North Korea-South Korea: A soldier walked across the DMZ over the weekend, after having shot his superior officers. Once in South Korean custody, he vanished, no doubt, for... more
By
Night Watch (Oct 06, 2012)
Turkey-Syria: The Syrians apologized for the mortar round that landed in Turkey and killed five civilians. Turkey's parliament on 4 October voted 320-129 to grant the... more
By
Night Watch (Oct 05, 2012)
China-Japan: Update. The Japanese coast guard reported that three Chinese civilian fisheries patrol ships patrolled near the disputed Senkaku Islands for a second day in a... more
By
Night Watch (Oct 04, 2012)
North Korea-UN: Vice Foreign Minister Pak Kil-yon warned the UN General Assembly on 30 September that hostile US policies were risking "thermonuclear war" on the peninsula.... more
By
Night Watch (Sep 29, 2012)
Israel-Iran: Several western media outlets reported a leak of Israeli Foreign Ministry findings about the impact of sanctions on Iran. The Israeli Foreign Ministry apparently... more
By
Night Watch (Sep 28, 2012)
Japan: Japan has sovereignty over the disputed Senkaku Island and will not come to a compromise that would represent a retreat from that position, Japanese Prime Minister... more
By
Night Watch (Sep 27, 2012)
North Korea: Update. The special session of the Supreme Peoples' Assembly adjourned on 25 September without passing any significant legislation. The major achievements... more
By
Night Watch (Sep 26, 2012)
North Korea: The special session of the Supreme People's Assembly, which convenes on 25 September, is expected to debate agricultural reforms that will allow farmers to keep... more
By
Night Watch (Sep 22, 2012)
Protests Update.
Pakistan: The largest protests reported on 20 September occurred in Pakistan. Police fired tear gas and live rounds at demonstrators, many armed with wooden... more
By
Night Watch (Sep 20, 2012)
North Korea-Russia: Russian media report that Russia has written off 90% of North Korea's $11 billion debt. The Russian finance ministry on Tuesday confirmed that it has... more
By
Night Watch (Sep 19, 2012)
China-Japan: About 1,000 fishing boats have been mobilized by China to sail to the Senkaku/Diaoyu island chain controlled by Japan. Anti-Japanese protests continued in China... more
By
Night Watch (Sep 16, 2012)
China -Japan: Six Chinese surveillance ships entered Japan's territorial waters Friday near the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea, the Japan Coast Guard said, prompting... more
By
Night Watch (Sep 15, 2012)
Anti-US protests: On 12 and 13 September anti-US protests spread. What follows is a summary of open source reporting about protests in 12 countries and Gaza City.
Yemen:... more
By
Night Watch (Sep 14, 2012)
Russia: Russia and the United States should cooperate in the fight against terrorism, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on 12 September. The death of US Ambassador... more
By
Night Watch (Sep 13, 2012)
Egypt: For the record. Egyptian authorities ordered the arrest of former Egyptian Prime Minister Ahmed Shafiq on suspicion of corruption, judicial sources said on 11... more
By
Night Watch (Sep 12, 2012)
North Korea-South Korea: South Korean authorities announced that North Korea has agreed to discuss accepting flood and humanitarian relief from South Korea. South Korea... more
By
Night Watch (Sep 11, 2012)
Russia-US: Following Russia's inclusion into the World Trade Organization, US Secretary of State Clinton said the US should now normalize trade relations with Russia so that... more
By
Night Watch (Sep 07, 2012)
China-US: China's position on the South China Sea has been clear and consistent, Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said during a press conference with US Secretary of... more
By
Night Watch (Sep 06, 2012)
North Korea: North Korea's leadership has issued a directive to convene a second session of the Supreme People's Assembly five months after holding the first and normal... more
By
Night Watch (Sep 01, 2012)
Pakistan-India: Last week the Amir of the Jammat ud Dawah (JuD),Hafiz Muhammad Saeed, said in his end of Ramadan, Eid al Fitr message that was posted on Facebook that India... more
By
Night Watch (Aug 31, 2012)
North Korea: According to a Japanese press outlet, North Korea wants to attend next month's Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Russia. Pyongyang reportedly... more
By
Night Watch (Aug 30, 2012)
North Korea: Several South Korean news services reported that North Korea is considering monetary reform again as a pathway out of chronic poverty. South Korean and Japanese... more
By
Night Watch (Aug 29, 2012)
Pakistan: Today, the Supreme Court gave Prime Minister Ashraf three more weeks in which to decide to comply with the court's order or refuse with the risk of being ousted... more
By
Night Watch (Aug 26, 2012)
Afghanistan: Special comment: This week Coalition forces commander General Allen said that only ten of Afghanistan's now 405 districts, in 34 provinces, are responsible for... more
By
Night Watch (Aug 25, 2012)
North Korea: The regime in Pyongyang has stated its willingness to discuss relief aid with South Korea's non-governmental aid group, the government and the South group said... more
By
Night Watch (Aug 24, 2012)
Iran-North Korea: Iran on Wednesday denied local media reports that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un would attend the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) summit in Tehran next week.... more
By
Night Watch (Aug 23, 2012)
Iran-Egypt: In an interview with Egypt's state-run Al-Ahram newspaper that was published on 21 August, Iranian Foreign Minister Salehi said that Iran and Egypt are moving... more
By
Night Watch (Aug 21, 2012)
Afghanistan: Special comment: There have been 28 instances of insider attacks in which Afghans working with NATO personnel murdered NATO personnel. The numbers are not high,... more
By
Night Watch (Aug 18, 2012)
Pakistan: A group of 10 Islamic militants wearing military uniforms "stormed" (sic) Pakistan Air Force Base Minhas, located at Kamra in Punjab Province on15 August,... more
By
Night Watch (Aug 16, 2012)
China-North Korea: Update. China's Commerce Ministry announced it signed agreements with North Korea on joint development of economic zones. The agreements cover the... more
By
Night Watch (Aug 15, 2012)
North Korea-China: Chang Song-taek (also, Jang Song Thaek) -- a vice chairman of the National Defense Commission which governs North Korea; also an uncle and chief advisor to... more
By
Night Watch (Aug 14, 2012)
Syria: The only significant news is the opposition claims to control a secure zone north of Aleppo that links to Turkey. The opposition says, however, that it needs air... more
By
Night Watch (Aug 11, 2012)
Russia: Update. A Russian general went on TV to prove that he was not dead in Syria, as the Syrian opposition claimed. The problem is that the spelling of the general's name... more
By
Night Watch (Aug 10, 2012)
North Korea: During the past week international news services have repeated a South Korean news service report that North Korea has up to 20 million tons of rare earth metal... more
By
Night Watch (Aug 09, 2012)
Iran-Hezbollah: Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hasan Nasrallah received Iranian Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Saed Jalili in Beirut late on Monday.... more
By
Night Watch (Aug 08, 2012)
North Korea-Southeast Asia: North Korean Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly Kim Yong-nam - roughly equivalent to a president as a ceremonial... more
By
Night Watch (Aug 07, 2012)
Philippines: Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said on 3 August that the Philippines plans to enhance its maritime security capabilities by acquiring two naval missile... more
By
Night Watch (Aug 04, 2012)
North Korea-China: For the record. Kim Jong-un received a visiting senior Chinese official today in his first such meeting. The visitor was Wang Jiarui, the head of the... more
By
Night Watch (Aug 03, 2012)
China-South China Sea: China National Offshore Oil Corp (CNOOC), a state oil company, invited foreign firms in late June to bid on oil blocks that overlap territory being... more
By
Night Watch (Aug 01, 2012)
China-North Korea: Senior Chinese and North Korean party officials met in Pyongyang on Monday, according to official North Korean media outlets. The Korean Central News... more
By
Night Watch (Jul 31, 2012)
North Korea: A spokesman for the National Defense Commission announced a clarification of its position regarding the alleged attempt to destroy the statues of the two... more
By
Night Watch (Jul 29, 2012)
Russia: For the record. The Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy, Vice Admiral Chirkov said today that Moscow is involved in talks toward establishing naval bases in Cuba,... more
By
Night Watch (Jul 28, 2012)
Burma-Pakistan: The Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan on 26 July threatened to attack "Myanmar" (Burma) to avenge the treatment of Muslims there unless Pakistan stops all relations... more
By
Night Watch (Jul 27, 2012)
North Korea: For the record. North Korean official media clarified that Kim Jong-un is married to Ri Sol ju. She is the woman who has appeared in public with... more
By
Night Watch (Jul 26, 2012)
China-North Korea: Senior officials from the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the Workers' Party of Korea of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) met in Beijing... more
By
Night Watch (Jul 25, 2012)
North Korea: On Friday, South Korean media reported that Kim Jong-un had taken control of the economy from the military. Unconfirmed reports related that an exchange of... more
By
Night Watch (Jul 21, 2012)
Administrative Note: Ramadan begins the evening of Thursday, 19 July 2012, and ends in the evening of Saturday, 18 August 2012.
Syria: Opposition fighters attacked the... more
By
Night Watch (Jul 20, 2012)
North Korea: State media announced today that Vice Marshal Hyon Yong-chol is the new Chief of the General Staff of the Korean People's Army. The announcement was made by... more
By
Night Watch (Jul 19, 2012)
North Korea: The Korean Central News Agency reported that as of 17 July, Kim Jong-un was promoted to the rank of Marshal of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, by the... more
By
Night Watch (Jul 18, 2012)
North Korea: In a two-step process, General Hyon Yong-chol was promoted to the rank of Vice Marshal on 17 July and might be appointed to the position of Chief of the General... more
By
Night Watch (Jul 17, 2012)
North Korea: The Korean Central News Agency reported a meeting of the central authorities that decided to relieve Vice Marshal Ri Yong-ho, the Chief of the General Staff of... more
By
Night Watch (Jul 14, 2012)
Pakistan: A five judge bench of the Supreme Court, headed by Justice Asif Saeed Khan Khosa, directed Prime Minister Ashraf to write to the Swiss... more
By
Night Watch (Jul 13, 2012)
Japan-China-Senkakus: Three Chinese fishing patrol ships entered waters claimed by Japan today, according to the Japanese coast guard. This sets the stage for another... more
By
Night Watch (Jul 12, 2012)
Afghanistan: For the record. The Taliban denied responsibility for the execution of the woman caught in adultery. A Taliban spokesman blamed the execution on tribal, clan and... more
By
Night Watch (Jul 11, 2012)
Mongolia-US-China: In a speech in Mongolia that was targeted at China, Secretary of State Clinton said Monday that economic success without meaningful political reform was... more
By
Night Watch (Jul 10, 2012)
China: Update. Chinese observers reported on 6 July that the Chinese aircraft carrier has begun its ninth sea trial. China declared a closure area for a military exercise in... more
By
Night Watch (Jul 07, 2012)
Turkey-Syria: Correction and update. Earlier NightWatch reported from Turkish news outlets that the two crew men in the Turkish F-4 Phantom reconnaissance aircraft had been... more
By
Night Watch (Jul 05, 2012)
Pakistan-US: Pakistan agreed to reopen its roads to NATO supply convoys in return for a statement of condolences by the US. What Secretary of State Clinton said to Pakistani... more
By
Night Watch (Jul 04, 2012)
North Korea: North Korea announced on Monday it will continue its space development efforts for "peaceful purposes. In an interview carried in English by the Korean Central... more
By
Night Watch (Jun 30, 2012)
Turkey-Syria: "I can confirm there are troops being deployed along the border in Hatay Province (in south central Turkey on the Mediterranean Sea). Turkey is taking... more
By
Night Watch (Jun 28, 2012)
Afghanistan: A release from the International Security Assistance Force on 25 June reported an increase in attacks by anti-government forces during April and May. Insurgents... more
By
Night Watch (Jun 27, 2012)
China-North Korea: According to South Korean press, last month Chinese officials told North Korean leaders that China is reconsidering the development project on North... more
By
Night Watch (Jun 24, 2012)
Pakistan: Pakistan People's Party (PPP) and its allied parties elected Raja Pervez Ashraf as Pakistani prime minister on 22 June. Ashraf received 211 votes whereas Pakistan... more
By
Night Watch (Jun 23, 2012)
Pakistan: On Thursday, 21 June, a Pakistani anti-drug enforcement agency (ANF) issued an arrest warrant for Pakistan People's Party (PPP) nominee for prime minister, Makhdoom... more
By
Night Watch (Jun 21, 2012)
Pakistan: The Supreme Court of Pakistan has disqualified Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani from holding office, retroactive to the date of his conviction for contempt of... more
By
Night Watch (Jun 19, 2012)
Greece: By a slim margin, Greek voters elected, indirectly, to stay within the eurozone by giving the New Democracy Party enough votes to enable it to form a coalition... more
By
Night Watch (Jun 16, 2012)
Egypt: Egypt's Islamist-dominated parliament, or at least its lower house, has been suspended by order of the high court which ruled that one-third of its members were... more
By
Night Watch (Jun 15, 2012)
North Korea-China: Japanese media reported on 13 June that Japan has evidence that a Chinese company exported to North Korea vehicles capable of transporting and launching... more
By
Night Watch (Jun 14, 2012)
South Korea: The US military in South Korea wants the Pentagon to send more attack helicopters, reconnaissance aircraft and missile assets to the region to boost its... more
By
Night Watch (Jun 13, 2012)
South Korea: The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) held a random inspection on 11 June to check the defense readiness of selected military units, including the ballistic missile... more
By
Night Watch (Jun 12, 2012)
India: Update. Last Friday, the Indian Navy's Russian-built and extensively refurbished aircraft carrier, INS Vikramaditya (trans. "brave as the sun"), commenced sea trials... more
By
Night Watch (Jun 09, 2012)
Shanghai Cooperation Organization
Afghanistan: The Shanghai Cooperation Organization will grant Afghanistan observer status and accept Turkey as a dialogue partner, Chinese... more
By
Night Watch (Jun 08, 2012)
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO): Leaders from the six SCO members plus invitees are meeting in Beijing this week to discuss mutual security interests,... more
By
Night Watch (Jun 07, 2012)
Japan-India: For the record. India and Japan will hold a two-day joint naval exercise off Tokyo's coast starting 9 June. Indian Navy ships INS Rana, INS Shakti and INS... more
By
Night Watch (Jun 06, 2012)
North Korea: The General Staff of the Korean People's Army said its troops have targeted the Seoul headquarters of the Chosun Ilbo, the Joongang Ilbo, the Dong-A Ilbo... more
By
Night Watch (Jun 03, 2012)
Tunisia: On 31 May, Tunisian Prime Minister Hamadi Jebali said that the government would deal firmly with Salafists in the wake of several recent violent incidents. While not... more
By
Night Watch (Jun 02, 2012)
North Korea: Several South Korea media carried a report this week from a North Korean news outlet that North Korea's newly amended constitution explicitly states for the... more
By
Night Watch (Jun 01, 2012)
Syria-Russia: Moscow is not considering altering its stance on Syria and any attempt to pressure Moscow to do so is inappropriate, a spokesman for Russian President Vladimir... more
By
Night Watch (May 31, 2012)
Afghanistan: About 160 girls and four teachers from a girl's school were "poisoned" and had to be rushed to the hospital in the northern province of Takhar on 29 May. This is... more
By
Night Watch (May 27, 2012)
Egypt: Comment: The elections are in danger of provoking a political disaster. The final results will be available on 29 May, but the vast majority of polling stations... more
By
Night Watch (May 26, 2012)
Sri Lanka: General Sareth Fonseka, the Army chief who planned and executed the destruction of the Tamil Tigers, was freed from jail on Monday, after spending two years in... more
By
Night Watch (May 23, 2012)
Afghanistan: Comment: The NATO leaders agreed to transfer combat operations to the Afghan Army by mid-2013. Only one news commentator recognized this as coded language for... more
By
Night Watch (May 20, 2012)
Japan-Australia: Australian Foreign Minister Bob Carr and Japanese Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba on May 18 signed an intelligence-sharing agreement in Tokyo, Japan Today... more
By
Night Watch (May 19, 2012)
North Korea-China: International news media reported a North Korean patrol boat seized three Chinese fishing boats with 29 Chinese fishermen on board. The naval command... more
By
Night Watch (May 18, 2012)
China: Update. China's aircraft carrier completed its sixth sea trial. The carrier was seen in port at Dalian on 15 May after having been at sea for nine days.
Pakistan:... more
By
Night Watch (May 16, 2012)
Iran: Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi said on 13 May that Iran will launch a Fajr (Dawn) satellite sometime after 21 May, during the Iranian month of Khordad. The... more
By
Night Watch (May 12, 2012)
China-Philippines: China warned its nationals against traveling to the Philippines, canceled tours and raised trade barriers on imported pineapples and bananas as the... more
By
Night Watch (May 11, 2012)
Egypt: A low-level administrative court in Benha, Egypt, ruled on 9 May that Egypt must suspend the 23 May presidential elections because he found that the Supreme Elections... more
By
Night Watch (May 09, 2012)
Elections updates:
Iran: As expected, the run-off election in Friday confirmed the strength of voter sentiment against President Ahmadi-Nejad. Supporters of the Supreme... more
By
Night Watch (May 05, 2012)
Afghanistan: On 3 May, the UN declared Kabul a "White City" Highest Security Status effective immediately. This means all movements by UN staff have been suspended within... more
By
Night Watch (May 04, 2012)
Afghanistan: Update. Reports from Afghanistan stated that Kabul was on lock down for at least part of 2 May because of fighting in the city and that the road to Jalalabad was... more
By
Night Watch (May 03, 2012)
China: Update. The aircraft carrier Varyag returned to port at Dalian after completing its fifth sea trial. There still is no sign of an air squadron aboard.
Republic of... more
By
Night Watch (May 02, 2012)
China-Philippines: For the record. China said yesterday it had rejected a proposal by the Philippines for international mediation to resolve their maritime dispute in the... more
By
Night Watch (May 01, 2012)
North Korea: News services over the weekend suggested that North Korea might have reconsidered detonating a nuclear device. The decision-making change reportedly occurred... more
By
Night Watch (Apr 28, 2012)
China-Taiwan: Comment: Sixteen years ago, Pingtan Island, just north west of Taiwan, was the center of Chinese military energies to intimidate Taiwanese voters against... more
By
Night Watch (Apr 27, 2012)
China-Russia: Correction. The Russian Navy ship Varyag participating in exercises with Chinese ships is a Slava-class guided missile cruiser, not an aircraft carrier. Regret... more
By
Night Watch (Apr 25, 2012)
North Korea-South Korea: The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) broadcast a warning message.
"The special operation action group of the Supreme Command of the Korean... more
By
Night Watch (Apr 24, 2012)
North Korea-South Korea: North Korea broadcast another denunciation of South Korea because South Korean President Lee said the celebrations in honor of the 100th anniversary... more
By
Night Watch (Apr 21, 2012)
South Korea-North Korea: South Korea has placed in military service the Hyunmu-3C long-range cruise missile that puts all of North Korea within range of attack, national... more
By
Night Watch (Apr 20, 2012)
China-North Korea: Chinese authorities took two steps that appear to be part of a program to restrain and modify the behavior of the North Korean leadership. First, China's... more
By
Night Watch (Apr 19, 2012)
North Korea-US: The Foreign Ministry announced today that the agreement North Korea made with the United States to suspend its nuclear weapons tests and to allow... more
By
Night Watch (Apr 18, 2012)
North Korea: Kim Jong-un delivered his first public speech on 15 April on the 100th anniversary of his grandfather's birth. In the 20-minute speech broadcast on state... more
By
Night Watch (Apr 15, 2012)
North Korea: Comment. The space launch failed about 90 seconds into the flight. One news report said the first stage blew up in a large fireball. That means after... more
By
Night Watch (Apr 14, 2012)
North Korea: Comment. The space launch failed about 90 seconds into the flight. One news report said the first stage blew up in a large fireball. That means after... more
By
Night Watch (Apr 13, 2012)
North Korea: Late on Wednesday, the special conference of the Workers' Party of Korea voted Kim Jong-un first secretary of the Party. His father Kim Chong-il is the eternal... more
By
Night Watch (Apr 12, 2012)
North Korea: For the record. Assembly and preparations for a satellite launch have been completed, North Korean Deputy Director of Space Exploration in the Department of... more
By
Night Watch (Apr 11, 2012)
North Korea: Leaders in Pyongyang permitted reporters to take and broadcast TV images of North Korea's three-stage space launch vehicle, erected in the launch tower at... more
By
Night Watch (Apr 08, 2012)
North Korea: Update. On 5 April the Workers' Party newspaper Rodong Sinmun carried an editorial that suggested Kim Jong-un will be named Party General Secretary at the... more
By
Night Watch (Apr 07, 2012)
North Korea: A South Korean military source told the press on 4 April that South Korea is trying to locate three or four North Korean submarines that disappeared after... more
By
Night Watch (Apr 06, 2012)
Northeast Asian Allies-North Korea: In anticipation of the forthcoming launch of a North Korean long-range rocket, South Korea, Japan and the United States have begun to... more
By
Night Watch (Apr 04, 2012)
North Korea: Commercial satellite imagery on 28 March showed steady progress in preparing a rocket or missile for a launch. The satellite images showed a mobile radar trailer... more
By
Night Watch (Apr 03, 2012)
Burma: Myanmar dissident Daw Aung San Suu Kyi won a parliamentary seat in by-elections today, a member of her party said, in a closely watched poll.
Comment: After two... more
By
Night Watch (Mar 31, 2012)
Azerbaijan-Israel: An Azeri ministry of defense official called "absurd and groundless" a sensational article in Foreign Policy magazine that claimed Azerbaijan had granted... more
By
Night Watch (Mar 30, 2012)
North Korea: Kim Jong-un was elected a delegate to the Korean Workers' Party Conference yesterday. His constituency is the Korean People's Army. He had no challengers. The... more
By
Night Watch (Mar 29, 2012)
North Korea: A North Korean official clarified that the North's moratorium on long range missile launches did not apply to peaceful space launches for scientific... more
By
Night Watch (Mar 28, 2012)
North Korea: The national news agency broadcast a statement that any criticism of North Korea's nuclear program at the nuclear security summit in Seoul would be considered a... more
By
Night Watch (Mar 27, 2012)
Japan-North Korea: Japan's defense minister on Friday ordered missile defense systems to be prepared to shoot down a North Korean long-range rocket if it threatened the... more
By
Night Watch (Mar 24, 2012)
China: Update. Additional information about the coup rumors surfaced in open source reporting today. This included internet postings of images of military vehicle movements... more
By
Night Watch (Mar 23, 2012)
China: In the past week, Chinese blogs have spread rumors of anti-government action by the supporters of Bo Xilai, the former party secretary for Chongqing who is almost... more
By
Night Watch (Mar 22, 2012)
North Korea: Update. The UN confirmed on 20 March that North Korea has invited UN nuclear inspectors to North Korea.
Afghanistan: Comment: The US commander in... more
By
Night Watch (Mar 18, 2012)
North Korea: North Korea announced plans Friday, 16 March, to launch a satellite into space using a long-range rocket.
The liftoff is scheduled to occur between 12 and 16... more
By
Night Watch (Mar 17, 2012)
China: Special Comment: A day after Premier Wen Jiabao delivered his valedictory address to the National People's Congress, the Communist Party's Organizational Department... more
By
Night Watch (Mar 16, 2012)
North Korea-US: North Korea's chief envoy to the six-party talks has called for the United States and North Korea to open liaison offices in both countries' capital cities.... more
By
Night Watch (Mar 15, 2012)
Syria: For the record. President al-Asad announced parliamentary elections will be held on 7 May.
Comment: Despite the violence, Asad is undeterred from following the... more
By
Night Watch (Mar 14, 2012)
South Korea-Russia: For the record. South Korea and Russia are scheduled to hold defense strategic talks this week in Moscow. The South Korean Defense Ministry said Lim Kwan... more
By
Night Watch (Mar 10, 2012)
North Korea-Syria: For the record. The party daily Rodong Sinmun reported that Kim Jong-un sent a greeting to Syrian President Bashar al-Asad on the occasion of the 49th... more
By
Night Watch (Mar 09, 2012)
South Korea-North Korea: South Korean National Defense Minister Kim Kwan-jin on 7 March that any new attacks from North Korea will be used as a chance for South Korea to... more
By
Night Watch (Mar 08, 2012)
North Korea-US: Robert King, the US envoy on human rights in North Korea, told reporters he would meet in Beijing with a counterpart from Pyongyang to discuss how the 240,000... more
By
Night Watch (Mar 07, 2012)
North Korea: On 3 March, leader Kim Jong-un ordered a front-line military unit to be alert during his first tour of Panmunjom. He apparently restated the need for vigilance... more
By
Night Watch (Mar 03, 2012)
Pakistan-Iran: Pakistani Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar said in Islamabad on 1 March that Pakistan's economic development projects with Iran, which include the... more
By
Night Watch (Mar 02, 2012)
Japan: Japan will secure sea lane safety by providing development assistance to coastal countries to help boost maritime security capabilities, Japanese Foreign Minister... more
By
Night Watch (Mar 01, 2012)
North Korea: Update. Thus far, annual Allied exercises in South Korea have elicited no response from North Korea.
China: At least 10 people died in riots in Kashgar,... more
By
Night Watch (Feb 29, 2012)
India-Pakistan: The Indian military is planning a 20,000-troop war exercise near the India-Pakistan border, an Indian Army spokesman said on 27 February. The spokesman said... more
By
Night Watch (Feb 28, 2012)
North Korea-South Korea-US: US-South Korean exercise "Key Resolve" began on 26 February and will continue through 9 March.
On Sunday, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA)... more
By
Night Watch (Feb 25, 2012)
North Korea-US: US Special Representative for North Korea Policy Glyn Davies said talks with North Korean First Vice Foreign Minister Kim Kye Gwan on 23 February were... more
By
Night Watch (Feb 24, 2012)
North Korea-US: Update. Officials from the US and North Korea held their first meeting on nuclear issues on 23 February in Beijing. The purpose of the nuclear talks is to... more
By
Night Watch (Feb 23, 2012)
South Korea-North Korea: South Korea completed two hours of live-fire military drills on the offshore islands off the west coast without incident. South Korean troops on five... more
By
Night Watch (Feb 18, 2012)
North Korea: The Korean Central News Agency announced the posthumous military promotion of the late Kim Chong-il.
The title of Generalissimo of the Democratic People's... more
By
Night Watch (Feb 17, 2012)
North Korea: Kim Chong-il's birthday is 16 February. The day is being marked by rallies and tributes.
China-North Korea: China announced it will invest US$3 billion in the... more
By
Night Watch (Feb 15, 2012)
North Korea: The US State Department announced on Monday, 13 February, that it will hold another round of high-level talks with North Korea next week. "Special Representative... more
By
Night Watch (Feb 14, 2012)
North Korea: Update. Last Friday Asian blogs obsessed about an unconfirmed and unsourced posting that Kim Jong-un had been assassinated.
Comment: No reporting from any... more
By
Night Watch (Feb 11, 2012)
Iran: Special comment. The evidence continues to pour in that the US banking sanctions are imposing large penalties on Iranian consumers. Iran can still sell its oil, but... more
By
Night Watch (Feb 10, 2012)
South Korea-North Korea: Update. South Korea faxed to North Korea a proposal for working level talks to control pests at the 30 tombs in the northern cities of Pyongyang and... more
By
Night Watch (Feb 09, 2012)
Pakistan-US: Update. Relations appear to be mending after last November's killing of 24 Pakistani soldiers. US Central Command Commander General Mattis is scheduled to visit... more
By
Night Watch (Feb 08, 2012)
South Korea: correction: South Korean legislative elections are in April. The Presidential election is in December. Thanks to the brilliant and diligent Readers who caught... more
By
Night Watch (Feb 05, 2012)
North Korea-South Korea-US: Despite the tension between North and South Korea, North Korea accepted 180 tons of food aid for children from the Korea Peace Foundation.... more
By
Night Watch (Feb 04, 2012)
North Korea: During the past week, foreign media have reported a worsening of the electric power supply in Pyongyang. Electricity is supplied for three hours a... more
By
Night Watch (Feb 03, 2012)
China-North Korea- South Korea: A spokesman for the Chinese Ministry of Defense dismissed as misinformation a report published by South Korean and Japanese media that the... more