December 2002
General Strike in Oil-Rich Venezuela Enters Its Fifth Week
A general strike in Venezuela against President Hugo Chavez has entered its fifth week, crippling the state oil industry and significantly reducing oil production. The…
Saudi Arabia Privately Allowed Use of Its Airspace and Bases - 2002-12-29
Saudi Arabia has privately granted the U.S. military access to its airspace and bases in case of war with Iraq, primarily for support operations. U.S.…
The Strengthening of U.S. Military Forces Around Iraq Continues - 2002-12-28
The U.S. continues to bolster its military presence around Iraq, with the USS George Washington ready to deploy on short notice. Additionally, UN weapons inspectors…
With Ongoing Conflicts to Overthrow President Laurent, France Sends More Troops to the Country - 2002-12-28
France is increasing its military presence in Ivory Coast amidst ongoing conflicts aimed at overthrowing President Laurent Gbagbo. Approximately 300 troops and military equipment have…
Turkey Still Indecisive About U.S. Military Operations Against Iraq - 2002-12-27
Turkey is currently undecided about joining U.S. military operations in Iraq, pending a UN approval. Tayyip Erdogan has stated that Turkey will take its time…
Burma: The Use of Rape Has No Place in Burmese Culture or Its Army
The Burmese military government has denied allegations of using rape as a weapon of war. The Foreign Ministry emphasized that such acts are crimes that…
Israel's Health Ministry Abandons Public Smallpox Vaccination
The Israeli Health Ministry has opted not to implement a public smallpox vaccination program despite concerns over a potential U.S. military strike on Iraq. Approximately…
British and American Airstrikes in Southern Iraq Leave 3 Dead and 16 Injured
On December 26, 2002, British and American airstrikes in southern Iraq resulted in 3 fatalities and 16 injuries, with conflicting reports on the targets of…
Iraqi Fighter Jet Enters 'No-Fly Zone' in Southern Iraq - 2002-12-23
An Iraqi fighter jet entered a no-fly zone to target a U.S. reconnaissance drone, which was subsequently destroyed. This incident highlights ongoing tensions between Iraq…
Israeli Defense Minister Says Israel Will Be Better Prepared If Iraq Attacks Again
Israeli Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz warns that if Iraq attacks Israel again, Israel will be more prepared than in the past. He emphasizes that military…
Private Interviews of UN Inspectors with Iraqi Scientists - 2002-12-23
UN weapons inspectors have started private interviews with Iraqi scientists regarding Iraq's weapons programs. Concurrently, an Iraqi aircraft shot down a US drone, and Iraq…
Interview with General William Lynx - 2002-12-22
The article features an interview with General William Lynx, the head of West Point Military Academy, highlighting his military career and academic achievements. This interview…
Roh Moo-hyun Rejected Any Fundamental Change in South Korea's Relations with the U.S.
Roh Moo-hyun, the newly elected president of South Korea, affirmed that there will be no fundamental changes in U.S.-South Korea relations but emphasized the need…
Allied Aircraft Strike Two Targets in Nasiriyah and Basra - 2002-12-20
Allied aircraft conducted missile strikes on targets in Nasiriyah and Basra in response to Iraqi military aircraft entering the no-fly zone. This action is part…
North Korea Has Conducted Tests for Nuclear Weapons in the Last Four Years - 2002-12-18
A South Korean newspaper claims that North Korea has conducted at least seventy tests for nuclear weapons in the past four years, with information sourced…
Two American Soldiers Injured by Grenade Attack in Kabul
A grenade attack in Kabul injured two American soldiers and a translator. The incident highlights ongoing security challenges in Afghanistan, particularly for foreign military personnel.…
Bush Decides to Begin Deployment of a National Missile Defense System in 2004 - 2002-12-17
President Bush has ordered the U.S. military to start deploying a national missile defense system before 2004, with installations planned in Alaska and California. This…
United Nations Strengthens Its Inspection Teams in Iraq - 2002-12-16
The United Nations has bolstered its inspection teams in Iraq, searching for weapons of mass destruction amidst ongoing U.S. and British airstrikes on Iraqi defenses.…
Weapons Inspection Teams Visit Sites Around Baghdad Again - 2002-12-15
UN weapons inspection teams are revisiting sites around Baghdad linked to Iraq's weapons development. U.S. and British forces have retaliated against Iraqi artillery fire, escalating…
UN Weapons Inspection Teams Continue Searches in Baghdad - 2002-12-15
UN weapons inspectors are actively searching sites in Baghdad linked to Iraq's weapons development. Iraqi Foreign Minister Naji Sabri condemns recent US and UK airstrikes,…
The First Special Anti-Terrorism Battalion of Georgian Soldiers is Ready for Operations
The first battalion of Georgian soldiers trained by American instructors is now operational. This initiative, supported by a $64 million program, aims to strengthen Georgia's…
India Discovers Surface-to-Air Missile in Islamic Militants' Hideout in Kashmir - 2002-12-15
India has discovered a surface-to-air missile in a hideout linked to Islamic militants in Kashmir, alleging Pakistani support for extremism. Pakistani officials deny these claims,…
Discovery of Pakistani Missile in Indian Kashmir - 2002-12-14
Indian military discovered a Pakistani missile in Kashmir, linking it to Pakistani support for militants. Pakistan denies the accusations and faces criticism from India for…
UN Inspectors Visited Eleven Locations in Iraq Today - 2002-12-14
UN weapons inspectors conducted visits to eleven sites in Iraq as part of their search for weapons of mass destruction. Hans Blix has requested a…
An Israeli citizen of Lebanese descent sentenced to six years in prison for espionage
Nasim Nasser, an Israeli citizen of Lebanese descent, was sentenced to six years in prison for espionage related to Hezbollah. He confessed to providing sensitive…
Agreement Between the U.S. and South Korea for the Deployment of American Soldiers in the Country - 2002-12-11
The U.S. and South Korea have agreed to form a committee to enhance the deployment of American soldiers amid rising anti-American sentiment following the acquittal…
British and American Fighter Jets Attack an Iraqi Site in the No-Fly Zone - 2002-12-10
British and American fighter jets conducted an airstrike on an Iraqi missile system in a no-fly zone. This marks the first military action in the…
Testing a Type of Mobile Command Post by the U.S. in Qatar - 2002-12-09
U.S. military officials are testing a mobile command post in Qatar, which could be used in a potential war with Iraq. General Tommy Franks is…
U.S. Government's Doubts About Iraq's Weapons Reports - 2002-12-08
The U.S. government is skeptical about Iraq's weapons reports, with President Bush indicating the need for further evaluation. He warned of serious consequences for Baghdad…
President Bush: Time is Needed to Determine the Truthfulness and Honesty of the Iraqi Government
President Bush emphasizes the need for time to assess the Iraqi government's honesty regarding its weapons programs. He warns that failure to comply will lead…
Yasser Arafat Calls This Attack a Massacre - 2002-12-06
An Israeli military operation at a Palestinian refugee camp in Gaza resulted in the deaths of ten Palestinians, including two UN staff members. Kofi Annan…
Israeli Helicopters Launched Missiles at a Significant Palestinian Building in Gaza - 2002-12-05
Israeli helicopters attacked a Palestinian Authority building in Gaza, killing one security guard and injuring four others. The attack has been labeled as murder by…
Jose Padilla Has the Right to Counsel - 2002-12-05
Jose Padilla, an American citizen and suspected terrorist, has been granted the right to legal counsel after being held for five months without representation. He…
American Forces Attacked in Afghanistan - 2002-12-03
American forces in Afghanistan were attacked by armed assailants near Jalalabad. No American casualties were reported, and air support was requested to pursue the attackers.…
Kofi Annan: Investigation Required into Destruction of Food Warehouse
Kofi Annan has urged Israel to investigate the destruction of a UN food warehouse in Gaza, which contained over 500 tons of supplies for Palestinians.…
Tens of Thousands March in Spain
Over 200,000 people in Galicia, Spain, protested against the government's handling of the Prestige oil tanker disaster, demanding better coastal protection. The protest follows the…
Israeli Tanks and Forces Attack City in Gaza Strip on Saturday Night
Israeli forces launched an attack on Beit Lahiya in the Gaza Strip, prompting local officials to call for resistance. A Palestinian boy was previously reported…
As the Situation in Ivory Coast Deteriorates, French Forces Evacuate 160 Foreigners
French military forces evacuated 160 foreigners from rebel-controlled areas in Ivory Coast as the situation deteriorated. The evacuees included nationals from France, Lebanon, Africa, and…