US, China will meet in Geneva this week to discuss ‘AI Risk’

US, China will meet in Geneva this week to discuss ‘AI Risk’
US, China will meet in Geneva this week to discuss ‘AI Risk’

Mid-level officials from the NSC and State Department will lead the talks, which follow on Xi-Biden summit last November. No public joint statement is expected, let alone a formal agreement.

New details emerge of Russia’s potential nuclear space weapon

New details emerge of Russia’s potential nuclear space weapon
New details emerge of Russia’s potential nuclear space weapon

“The United States has been aware of Russia’s pursuit of this sort of capability dating back years, but only recently have we been able to make a more precise assessment of their progress,” said Mallory Stewart, State Department assistant secretary for the Bureau of Arms Control, Deterrence, and Stability.

Is State Dept.’s AUKUS trade certification delay a sign of choppy waters ahead?

Is State Dept.’s AUKUS trade certification delay a sign of choppy waters ahead?
Is State Dept.’s AUKUS trade certification delay a sign of choppy waters ahead?

Ann McDonnell, chief operating officer for Export Controls Australia Group, told Breaking Defense, “I think definitely from the Australian perspective, it really seemed like we had done everything possible that we could do in a really quick timeframe to get that certification.”

US joins Austria, Bahrain, Canada, & Portugal to co-lead global push for safer military AI

US joins Austria, Bahrain, Canada, & Portugal to co-lead global push for safer military AI
US joins Austria, Bahrain, Canada, & Portugal to co-lead global push for safer military AI

Two US officials exclusively tell Breaking Defense the details of new international “working groups” that are the next step in Washington’s campaign for ethical and safety standards for military AI and automation – without prohibiting their use entirely.

‘Extremely concerned’: American generals raise alarm over Iran’s tightening ties with Russia, China

‘Extremely concerned’: American generals raise alarm over Iran’s tightening ties with Russia, China
‘Extremely concerned’: American generals raise alarm over Iran’s tightening ties with Russia, China

“They’re trying to get what they want. They’re trying to replace the West and, moreover, the United States in our access and influence across this crucial continent,” US Africa Command chief Gen. Michael Langley told lawmakers.

40-plus countries convening next week to thrash out ‘responsible AI’ for military use

40-plus countries convening next week to thrash out ‘responsible AI’ for military use
40-plus countries convening next week to thrash out ‘responsible AI’ for military use

The US government hopes this will be the first of many annual meetings of the countries that signed on to the US “Political Declaration” on military AI last year, sharing model policies and best practices on everything from combat robots to back-office algorithms.

US wins protections for Pentagon radar spectrum at WRC-23

US wins protections for Pentagon radar spectrum at WRC-23
US wins protections for Pentagon radar spectrum at WRC-23

The US and its allies managed to block a move by China to open up the 6 GHz band Beijing uses for 5G mobile wireless communications to global use — a move that would have empowered Chinese telecom firms such as Huawei.

Biden launches AI ‘risk and safety’ talks with China. Is nuclear C2 a likely focus?

Biden launches AI ‘risk and safety’ talks with China. Is nuclear C2 a likely focus?
Biden launches AI ‘risk and safety’ talks with China. Is nuclear C2 a likely focus?

Details are scant for now, but experts tell Breaking Defense that any AI agreement between China and the US could involve a pledge not to use AI in nuclear systems.

ITU rules meeting: Geopolitical ‘fireworks,’ DoD spectrum challenges

ITU rules meeting: Geopolitical ‘fireworks,’ DoD spectrum challenges
ITU rules meeting: Geopolitical ‘fireworks,’ DoD spectrum challenges

Disputes over spectrum use by mega-constellations in low Earth orbit, such as SpaceX’s Starlink, also carry heavy political baggage at the 2023 World Radio Conference that starts tomorrow in Dubai.

US gives $2B loan to Poland to help buy US-made weapons

US gives $2B loan to Poland to help buy US-made weapons
US gives $2B loan to Poland to help buy US-made weapons

Unlike traditional FMF dollars, which work as grants handed to nations to fund the purchases, this loan does come with interest that will have to be paid back to the US government.

State Department diverting $85m in Egyptian military financing towards Taiwan and Lebanon

State Department diverting $85m in Egyptian military financing towards Taiwan and Lebanon
State Department diverting $85m in Egyptian military financing towards Taiwan and Lebanon

$55 million would be bound for Taiwan and $30 million for Lebanon.

Two years on, is the AUKUS agreement at the brink of failure?

Two years on, is the AUKUS agreement at the brink of failure?
Two years on, is the AUKUS agreement at the brink of failure?

In a new op-ed, Bill Greenwalt of AEI warns that the Biden administration has not publicly provided workable legislative proposals that would take aim at the ITAR challenges for AUKUS.

New strategy for global cybersecurity cooperation coming soon: State cyber ambassador

New strategy for global cybersecurity cooperation coming soon: State cyber ambassador
New strategy for global cybersecurity cooperation coming soon: State cyber ambassador

“The war in Ukraine has cast a very dark shadow,” ambassador-at-large Nate Fick said – but the “silver lining” is a new seriousness about public-private cooperation against global cyber threats.

State Department approves AH-64E Apache sale to Poland, part of $12 billion package

State Department approves AH-64E Apache sale to Poland, part of $12 billion package
State Department approves AH-64E Apache sale to Poland, part of $12 billion package

Although the State Department did not disclose the timeline for next steps or when those helicopters might be ready for delivery, earlier this year Warsaw said it had reached a deal with Washington to receive eight AH-64E Apache attack helicopters sooner than the rest.