Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• Local Officials, Kabul Clash Over Whether Children Were Killed In Mosque Air Strike RFE/RL Gandhara 22 Oct 2020 -- Officials in the northern Afghan province of Takhar say 12 children were killed in an air strike on a mosque, but the government in Kabul disputes the account, claiming all those killed were Taliban fighters.
• Airstrike Kills 12 Children in Northeastern Afghanistan VOA 22 Oct 2020 -- The United Nations says it is investigating allegations that an army airstrike in northeastern Afghanistan killed 12 children and injured 18 others in a religious school.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Bahrain-Based Maintenance Center Returns Coastal Patrol Ship to Fleet, Boosting Readiness US Navy 22 Oct 2020 -- Forward Deployed Regional Maintenance Center (FDRMC) Detachment Bahrain recently delivered USS Hurricane (PC 3) back to the fleet after successfully completing its Docking Phased Maintenance Availability (DPMA).
• USS Gladiator Completes Surface Warfare Advanced Tactical Training CENTCOM 22 Oct 2020 -- Bahrain based mine countermeasures ship USS Gladiator (MCM 11) assigned to U.S. 5th Fleet, Task Force (CTF) 52, recently completed a multi-day Mine Countermeasure (MCM) Surface Warfare Advanced Tactical Training (SWATT) exercise with embarked mine warfare trainers on Oct. 9.
• Mission Engineering: Ensuring Key Technologies Drive the Joint Warfighting Concept DoD News 22 Oct 2020 -- To achieve our National Defense Strategy goals, the Defense Department must increase the pace by which critical technologies are integrated into the force. According to officials with the Director of Defense Research and Engineering (Advanced Capabilities) and Joint Staff, Joint Force Integration Cell, the Deputy Director for Engineering, in the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, is working with stakeholders from the Joint Staff and services to implement mission engineering methodologies to facilitate technology integration aligned with future Joint Force needs.
• Making History with VMM-163: Squadron Deploys Oceanographic Sensors USMC News 22 Oct 2020 -- The Marine Corps continuously works toward enhancing their operational capabilities while performing amphibious operations to save lives and ensure mission success.
• 7 more U.S. soldiers in S. Korea test positive for COVID-19 People's Daily 22 Oct 2020 -- Seven more U.S. soldiers in South Korea tested positive for COVID-19 amid lingering worry about the virus spread here, the U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) said Thursday.
• Space Force Leader Charts Service's Galactic Mission DoD News 22 Oct 2020 -- The chief of space operations and commander of U.S. Space Command discussed challenges the U.S. is facing in space and the Space Force's efforts to address them.
• Readout of Defense Secretary Dr. Mark T. Esper's Remarks at Day One of the NATO Defense Ministerial DoD 22 Oct 2020
• NATO Allies reaffirm commitment to deterrence, resilience and fairer burden sharing at their virtual Defence Ministers' Meeting NATO 22 Oct 2020 -- Today (22 October 2020), NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg delivered an online press conference at the end of the first day of a virtual meeting of Allied Defence Ministers on 22 and 23 October 2020.
• Online press conference by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg following the first day of the meetings of NATO Defence Ministers NATO 22 Oct 2020
• Czech Republic requests international assistance in their response to COVID-19 NATO 22 Oct 2020 -- On 22 October the Euro-Atlantic Disaster Response Coordination Centre (EADRCC) received a request for international assistance from Czech Republic to transport 60 medical ventilators to Czech Republic to help in the fight against COVID-19.
• NATO Chief: Alliance to Build Space Center at Ramstein Airbase in Germany VOA 22 Oct 2020 -- NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg confirmed Thursday that the military alliance would establish a space center at the Allied Air Command base in Ramstein, Germany.
• U.S., Russia move closer on nuclear arms control deal, but differences remain People's Daily 22 Oct 2020 -- U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Wednesday pressed for immediate negotiations between Washington and Moscow to finalize a verifiable agreement as the two sides seem moving closer to extend a key nuclear arms control treaty.
• Russia seeks to continue dialogue with U.S. on nuclear treaty People's Daily 22 Oct 2020 -- Russia on Wednesday confirmed its readiness to continue negotiations with the United States on the extension of the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START).
• Kremlin Hopes New START Treaty Will Be Extended For One Year, Disagreements Overcome Sputnik 22 Oct 2020 -- On Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin, at the Valdai Discussion Club in Moscow, addressed issues regarding the extension of the New START Treaty. The president called on the US to "work together and search for a solution", while noting that if "our partners decide that it is not needed", "the security of Russia — will not be affected".
• China mulls defence law amendments amid profound changes in the world Global Times 22 Oct 2020 -- China is mulling amendments to its Law on National Defence amid profound changes in the world over the past two decades by adding key formulations, including threats to the country's development interests, as reasons for defense mobilization, and involvement in global security governance.
• China's amended draft of national defense law to turn military into profession revered by whole of society Global Times 22 Oct 2020 -- China's draft revisions to the National Defense Law aim to make Chinese military service a profession revered by the whole of society, which analysts said will guarantee that they better accomplish missions in emergencies, war and occasions in which national sovereignty, security and development interests are being harmed.
• China to add threats to its development interests as reason for defense mobilization Global Times 22 Oct 2020 -- China is mulling amending its Law on National Defense amid the profound changes in the world situation over the past two decades by adding key formulations, including citing threats to the country's development interests as reasons for defense mobilization, and involvement in global security governance.
• China urges U.S. to clarify biological militarization activities: spokesperson People's Daily 22 Oct 2020 -- China on Wednesday urged the United States to offer a comprehensive clarification on its overseas biological militarization activities.
• China steadily deepens reforms on national defense and armed forces PLA Daily 22 Oct 2020 -- The reform of military policies and institutions is considered as the "third major battle" in deepening reforms on national defense and armed forces, following the reform of leadership and command system and the reform of size, structure and force composition of the Chinese armed forces. In mid-November 2018, the Central Military Commission (CMC) held the working conference on reforming military policies and institutions in Beijing, kicking off this critical battle.
• U.S. announces sale of three arms packages to Taiwan CNA 22 Oct 2020 -- The U.S. government on Wednesday announced plans to sell Taiwan three packages of weapon systems worth a total of US$1.81 billion, including standoff land attack missiles and HIMARS rocket launchers.
• Taiwan welcomes latest U.S. arms sales CNA 22 Oct 2020 -- The government on Thursday welcomed the U.S. State Department's latest approval of arms sales involving three batches of weapons systems and said it believes the deals will strengthen Taiwan's defense capabilities.
• New U.S. arms sales will boost Taiwan's counterstrike ability: analysts CNA 22 Oct 2020 -- A proposed arms package sale approved by the U.S. State Department Wednesday will help Taiwan to improve its long-range counterstrike capability, in the event of an attack, according to Taiwanese security analysts.
• China firmly opposes U.S. arms sales to Taiwan: defense spokesperson PLA Daily 22 Oct 2020 -- China resolutely opposes the United States selling weapons to Taiwan and urges the U.S. side to stop its military contacts with the island, said Senior Colonel Tan Kefei, a spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense (MND) on Thursday.
• China threatens US with 'legitimate response' over arms sales to Taiwan Press TV 22 Oct 2020 -- China has censured the United States' approval of advanced arms sales to Taiwan as interference in its domestic affairs and warned of a "legitimate response."
• Beijing Calls on US to Cancel Arms Sale to Taiwan Sputnik 22 Oct 2020 -- In response to the latest round of US arms sales to Taiwan, the Chinese Foreign Ministry called on the United States to cancel the proposed deal on Thursday.
• US Emphasizes Joint Security Concerns as It Deepens Ties With Brazil VOA 22 Oct 2020 -- Warming relations between the United States and Brazil received a boost this week with an update to an existing bilateral trade agreement, along with the commitment of billions of U.S. dollars to boost Brazilian industries.
• CNS REVIEWS OPERATIONAL READINESS AT SEA India PIB 22 Oct 2020 -- Admiral Karambir Singh, the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), reviewed the operational preparedness and combat-readiness of the Indian Navy's principal combatants on 22 October 2020.
• Navy Operationalizes First Batch of Women Pilots India PIB 22 Oct 2020 -- The first batch of women pilots of Indian Navy have been operationalized on Dornier Aircraft by the Southern Naval Command (SNC) at Kochi.
• General Manoj Mukund Naravane PVSM, AVSM, SM, VSM, ADC, Chief of the Army Staff Commissions INS Kavaratti India PIB 22 Oct 2020 -- INS Kavaratti (P31), Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) stealth corvette built under Project 28 (Kamorta Class) was commissioned into the Indian Navy by General Manoj Mukund Naravane PVSM, AVSM, SM, VSM, ADC, Chief of the Army Staff at a ceremony held at Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam today, 22 October 20.
• Final User Trial of NAG Missile India PIB 22 Oct 2020 -- Final user trial of 3rd generation Anti Tank Guided Missile (ATGM) NAG was carried out today on 22 Oct 2020 at 0645 hrs from Pokhran range.
• India Set to Induct Anti-Tank Guided Missile as It Clears Final Trials With Precise Hit Sputnik 22 Oct 2020 -- The Indian Defence Ministry cancelled a $500 million Spike deal with Israel in favour of a domestic anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) in 2018. Israeli defence tech company Rafael claimed that it would take a long time for India's state-funded Defence Research and Development Organisation to develop an ATGM to reach the Indian Army in the field.
• New Anti-Submarine Corvette to Give Delhi a Boost in Indian Ocean Amid Growing Chinese Presence Sputnik 22 Oct 2020 -- India's Navy chief has been pointing out the increased presence of Chinese submarines and warships in the Indian Ocean as of late. Under "Mission Based Deployment", the Indian Navy has reinforced its dominance in the region.
• Iran joins club of countries with long range radars IRNA 22 Oct 2020 -- Iran joined the world club which have long range radars, media covering the news announced on Thursday.
• Iran successfully tests Bavar-373 air defense system on 2nd day of drills Press TV 22 Oct 2020 -- Iran's domestically-developed Bavar-373 air defense missile system has been put to test for the first time on the second day of the country's large-scale aerial drills, successfully destroying the designated targets.
• US against Iraq's bids to acquire Russian missile systems: Lawmaker Press TV 22 Oct 2020 -- An Iraqi legislator has criticized the United States for hampering Baghdad government's attempts to acquire Russia's long-range and surface-to-air missile systems to modernize its defense infrastructure.
• Readout of Defense Secretary Dr. Mark T. Esper's Meeting With Israeli Minister of Defense Benjamin Gantz DoD 22 Oct 2020
• SECDEF Remarks With Israeli Minister of Defense Gantz at the Pentagon DoD 22 Oct 2020 -- Secretary Of Defense Mark T. Esper; Israeli Minister Of Defense Benjamin "Benny" Gantz
• Esper Repeats U.S. Commitment to Guarantee Israel's Qualitative Edge DoD News 22 Oct 2020 -- During an impromptu press conference, Defense Secretary Dr. Mark. T. Esper reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to maintain Israel's qualitative superiority in weapons sales.
• NINTH MARINE ROTATIONAL FORCE – DARWIN COMPLETE Australia Department of Defence 22 Oct 2020 -- The US Marine Rotational Force Darwin (MRF-D) 2020 has completed its ninth rotation in Australia.
• Turkey's S-400 batteries not to be integrated into NATO systems: Defense minister Press TV 22 Oct 2020 -- Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar says the highly advanced S-400 air defense systems that his country has bought from Russia will not be integrated into the systems of the NATO military alliance, and will be deployed independently.
• Turkey Still Open to Buying US Patriot System Despite Purchase of Russia's S-400s - Defence Minister Sputnik 22 Oct 2020 -- Last week, the United States condemned "in the strongest terms" Turkey's reported test of the nation's S-400 air defence systems, after a video began circulating in the Turkish media showing what appears to be the trail of a missile launch in the city of Sinop.
• Briefing With Assistant Secretary David R. Stilwell, Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, and Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Dean R. Thompson, Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, On Secretary Pompeo's Travel to India, Sri Lanka, Maldives, and Indonesia US Dept. of State 22 Oct 2020

Defense Industry

• Contracts For Oct. 22, 2020

Other Conflicts

• 22 October 2020 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 22 Oct 2020
• Joint Statement by the Foreign Ministers of the Small Group on Syria US Dept. of State 22 Oct 2020 -- Following is the text of a Joint Statement by the Foreign Ministers of the Small Group on Syria.
• Did Russian Miscalculation Spark Nagorno-Karabakh Flare-Up? VOA 22 Oct 2020 -- The foreign ministers of the warring nations of Azerbaijan and Armenia will separately meet with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in Washington Friday as the Trump administration joins international efforts, previously led by Russia, to tamp down a conflict that has killed hundreds of combatants and civilians since roaring bloodily back into life in September.
• Tangled knot of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict IRNA 22 Oct 2020 -- The crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh dates back to the period before the collapse of former Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) in 1991.
• Iran's Rouhani: Karabakh crisis should be resolved through dialogue Press TV 22 Oct 2020 -- Iran's president says the current crisis between the Republic of Azerbaijan and neighboring Armenia over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region must be resolved through dialogue, emphasizing that military conflict cannot help settle this issue.
• Russia backs 'peaceful solution' for Nagorno-Karabakh conflict after Armenia hails war Press TV 22 Oct 2020 -- Russia describes a "peaceful solution" as the only way out of the deadly flare-up in the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region, a day after Armenia ruled out any role for diplomacy.
• Neither Side Optimistic About Upcoming Nagorno-Karabakh Talks In Washington RFE/RL 22 Oct 2020 -- Hopes that upcoming talks in Washington on the fighting between Azerbaijani and ethnic Armenian forces will help resolve the conflict over the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh appeared slim on October 22 as the two sides engaged in new battles and leaders in Baku and Yerevan sounded pessimistic.
• Turkey extends gas exploration in disputed Mediterranean waters Press TV 22 Oct 2020 -- Turkey says it will continue exploring for gas and oil in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, prolonging a dispute with Greece, which also lays claims to the waters.
• Arakan Army Forces Villagers in Myanmar's Chin State to Donate Rice Amid Food Shortage Radio Free Asia 22 Oct 2020 -- The rebel Arakan Army is forcing citizens to donate rice or sell it at huge markdowns in western Myanmar's Chin State, where food is scarce and transportation networks have broken down due to constant fighting with the country's military, according to a statement by a local rights NGO.
• Joint Press Statement of the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union, and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees US Dept. of State 22 Oct 2020 -- Following is the text of a joint press statement by the Government of the United States of America, the United Kingdom, the European Union, and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
• Virtual Fundraiser Collects $600M in Pledges to Aid Rohingya in Bangladesh, Myanmar Radio Free Asia 22 Oct 2020 -- An international conference on Thursday to raise funds urgently needed for supporting Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh and those displaced inside Myanmar received about U.S. $600 million in pledges led by donations from the United States and the United Kingdom, according to organizers.
• Dominic Raab urges world "not to turn away from Rohingya's suffering" as the UK pledges life-saving support UK FCDO 22 Oct 2020 -- The Foreign Secretary announces £47.5 million new UK aid to support 860,000 Rohingya refugees and help Bangladesh deal with coronavirus and natural disasters.
• Rohingya conference pledges to 'remain steadfast' in finding solutions to crisis UN News 22 Oct 2020 -- A joint UN-hosted donor conference to rally international support behind Myanmar's displaced Rohingya minority, ended on Thursday with a promise to continue engaging with concerned countries towards finding a long-term solution to their plight.
• U.S. Announces Humanitarian Assistance at the International Conference on Sustaining Support for the Rohingya Refugee Response US Dept. of State 22 Oct 2020 -- Today, the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union, and the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) conducted a virtual conference on Sustaining International Support for the Rohingya Refugee Response.
• Little progress on disputed Abyei region between Sudan and South Sudan UN News 22 Oct 2020 -- Despite the strengthening of the relationship between Sudan and South Sudan, little progress has been made regarding the disputed Abyei region, the head of UN Peacekeeping told the Security Council on Thursday.

News Reports

• Treasury Sanctions Iranian Entities for Attempted Election Interference US Treasury 22 Oct 2020 -- Today, the Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated five Iranian entities for attempting to influence elections in the United States. The Iranian regime has targeted the United States' electoral process with brazen attempts to sow discord among the voting populace by spreading disinformation online and executing malign influence operations aimed at misleading U.S. voters.
• Intelligence Agencies Accuse Iran, Russia of Trying to Use Voter Registration Data to Sow Chaos Ahead of US Election VOA 22 Oct 2020 -- U.S. intelligence agencies are accusing Iran and Russia of trying to use voter registration data in "desperate attempts" to sow chaos and confusion ahead of the November 3 U.S. presidential election.
• Iran, Russia Reject U.S. Accusations Of Election Interference RFE/RL 22 Oct 2020 -- Russia and Iran have rejected U.S. claims that the two countries have been interfering with the 2020 presidential election next month.
• Iran mission to UN rejects accusation of meddling in US election IRNA 22 Oct 2020 -- Spokesman for Iranian mission to the United Nations (UN) Alireza Miryousefi denounced accusation of Iran's meddling in the US elections.
• Iran rejects 'absurd' US accusations of meddling in presidential elections Press TV 22 Oct 2020 -- Iran's permanent mission to the United Nations has dismissed as "malign and dangerous" claims by US national security officials that the Islamic Republic is attempting to influence American voters, stressing that Tehran, unlike Washington, does not interfere in other countries' elections.
• Kremlin Expresses Regret Over US New Groundless Claims of Russian Interference in Election Sputnik 22 Oct 2020 -- The Kremlin regrets new groundless allegations that Russia is interfering in the US presidential election, presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Thursday.
• 'Fake News' Sites In North Macedonia Pose As American Conservatives Ahead Of U.S. Election RFE/RL 22 Oct 2020 -- A town in North Macedonia that became famous for spreading "fake news" to U.S. voters ahead of the 2016 presidential election is back at it in 2020.
• Meeting of the Valdai Discussion Club President of Russia 22 Oct 2020 -- Vladimir Putin took part, via videoconference, in the final plenary session of the 17th Annual Meeting of the Valdai International Discussion Club.
• Briefing by Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, Moscow, October 22, 2020 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 22 Oct 2020
• US hardly the 'superpower' it used to be: Putin Press TV 22 Oct 2020 -- Russia's President Vladimir Putin suggests that, what he calls, the era of the United States' "absolute dominance" throughout the international community is far over as the world's power relations are undergoing important changes.
• If Russia Wanted to Poison Navalny Would Never Let Him Cross Into Germany - Putin Sputnik 22 Oct 2020 -- Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny has been undergoing treatment in Berlin after his alleged poisoning on 20 August, which caused him to collapse aboard a Moscow-bound plane.
• UK enforces new sanctions against Russia for cyber attack on German Parliament UK FCDO 22 Oct 2020 -- UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab welcomes decisive action to hold perpetrators to account for Fancy Bear cyber attack in 2015.
• EU, U.K. Slaps Sanctions On Two Russians, Entity Over Bundestag Cyberattacks RFE/RL 22 Oct 2020 -- The European Union and Great Britain have imposed sanctions against the head of Russia's GRU military intelligence agency, a unit within the agency, and one of its officers for their involvement in a 2015 cyberattack on Germany's lower house of parliament.
• Whistle-Blower Snowden Reportedly Granted Permanent Residency By Russia RFE/RL 22 Oct 2020 -- Russian media says U.S. whistle-blower Edward Snowden has been granted permanent residency by the government.
• Snowden Receives Permanent Residence Permit in Russia, Lawyer Says Sputnik 22 Oct 2020 -- In late September, CNN reported citing court records that former Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) contractor Edward Snowden, who leaked intelligence secrets in 2013, had agreed to pay the US government more than $5 million earned from his book "Permanent Record" and speeches given.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian's Regular Press Conference on October 22, 2020 PRC MofA 22 Oct 2020
• China vows countermeasures as US labels more Chinese media as 'foreign missions' Global Times 22 Oct 2020 -- China will make a justifiable and necessary response to the US decision to designate six more Chinese media as "foreign missions," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said Thursday.
• Lawyers For 'Hong Kong 12' Turned Away by Detention Center in South China Radio Free Asia 22 Oct 2020 -- Lawyers hired to represent some of the 12 Hong Kong activists detained by the China Coast Guard as they tried to flee to the democratic island of Taiwan by speedboat on Aug. 23 have once more been denied permission to visit their clients in detention.
• Propagandist Who Purged Cutting-Edge Chinese Media Edits People's Daily Radio Free Asia 22 Oct 2020 -- The ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has appointed a propagandist who sparked protests in the southern city of Guangdong in 2013 editor-in-chief of its official newspaper, the People's Daily.
• China, Vatican extend bishops appointment agreement by two years Global Times 22 Oct 2020 -- China and the Vatican decided to extend a provisional agreement on the appointment of bishops by another two years, the Chinese Foreign Ministry announced Thursday, marking a big step toward what insiders said are greater and deeper future ties between the two sides.
• Vatican to Renew Deal With China on Bishops After 'Friendly Consultations' Radio Free Asia 22 Oct 2020 -- The Vatican on Thursday announced it would renew a controversial deal with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) over the running of the Catholic Church in China.
• Some 20,000 Former Camp Detainees Working at Xinjiang Factory Tied to Forced Labor Radio Free Asia 22 Oct 2020 -- Around 20,000 former internment camp detainees are working at the Aksu (in Chinese, Akesu) prefecture branch of an eastern China-based textile producer that has been identified as part of a forced labor scheme in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR), according to a company official.
• China to realize smart rockets by 2025 Global Times 22 Oct 2020 -- China is developing intelligent rockets with learning capabilities, with an R&D team working to enable China's main launch vehicles currently in service to have initial learning capabilities by 2025, Science and Technology Daily reported.
• Biden vows deeper ties with Taiwan in new op-ed CNA 22 Oct 2020 -- U.S. presidential candidate Joe Biden pledged to deepen ties with Taiwan in an op-ed that ran Thursday in America's largest Chinese-language newspaper.
• Flow of North Korean Refugees Into South Korea Decreases Amid COVID-19 Controls Radio Free Asia 22 Oct 2020 -- The number of North Korean refugees arriving in South Korea has fallen dramatically since January, a result of China's closing borders with its neighbors to combat the coronavirus, relief experts in Seoul said.
• S. Korea's ruling party chief hopes for breakthrough in ties with DPRK next year People's Daily 22 Oct 2020 -- South Korea's ruling party chief on Wednesday said he hoped for a new opportunity for better relations next year with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).
• Recovery Campaign Brisk in DPRK KCNA 22 Oct 2020 -- The construction for recovery from damage by flooding and typhoons in the summer is still now going on at a lightening tempo in the DPRK.
• United States Designates Senior Iranian Official in Iraq US Dept. of State 22 Oct 2020 -- For many years, the Iranian regime and its primary tool of regional destabilization, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force (IRGC-QF), have exploited Iraq to advance their own interests at the expense of the Iraqi people. The IRGC-QF's activities in Iraq continue to undermine Iraqi security, sovereignty, and prosperity.
• Treasury Sanctions Iranian Ambassador to Iraq US Treasury 22 Oct 2020 -- Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is designating Iraj Masjedi, a general in Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force (IRGC-QF) and Iran's Ambassador to Iraq, for acting for or on behalf of the IRGC-QF.
• Will US Policy on Iran Change After Election? VOA 22 Oct 2020 -- Since his election in 2016, U.S. President Donald Trump has withdrawn from the Iran nuclear agreement signed in 2015 by his predecessor, Barack Obama, and imposed tough sanctions that have crippled the Iranian economy. How might the relationship between Washington and Tehran change after the U.S. election on November 3?
• Whoever Wins US Presidential Election, Will Surrender to Iran, Rouhani Says Radio Farda 22 Oct 2020 -- "It doesn't matter to Iran who will win the upcoming presidential election in the U.S. Whoever comes to power in America has no choice other than surrender to the Iranian nation," Iranian President Hassan Rouhani told onlookers at a weekly cabinet session on Wednesday.
• Belarusian Opposition Awarded 2020 Sakharov Prize By European Parliament RFE/RL 22 Oct 2020 -- Belarus's democratic opposition has been awarded the European Parliament's 2020 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought.
• Israel ran secret diplomatic mission in Bahrain for 11 yrs before ties formalization: Report Press TV 22 Oct 2020 -- Israel has reportedly run a secret diplomatic mission in Bahrain for more than a decade through a front company listed as a commercial consulting firm, before Bahraini and Israeli officials signed a joint communiqué at the weekend to officially establish bilateral diplomatic relations.
• Israel Had Secret Embassy in Bahrain for Over a Decade Before 2020 Peace Accord - Report Sputnik 22 Oct 2020 -- Israel has actually been operating a secret diplomatic office in Bahrain for more than a decade before the two nations penned a peace deal that normalized relations last month, according to a new Axios report.
• Lebanese president tasks Hariri with forming new government Press TV 22 Oct 2020 -- Lebanese President Michel Aoun has appointed former prime minister Saad Hariri, who previously led three governments in Lebanon, as the country's prime minister-designate almost a year after he stepped down.
• Saad Hariri Becomes New Prime Minister of Lebanon Sputnik 22 Oct 2020 -- Saad Hariri, who had previously twice assumed the position of the head of Lebanon's council of ministers, was re-elected on Thursday as the country's new Prime Minister in the wake of Mustapha Adib's resignation in late September, the office of President Michel Aoun said.
• Independent UN rights experts urge Thai government to allow peaceful protests UN News 22 Oct 2020 -- Calling the latest imposition of a state of emergency in Thailand, a "draconian measure", UN-appointed human rights experts on Thursday urged the Government there to guarantee the fundamental rights of peaceful assembly and free speech.
• Thai Prime Minister Lifts Week-Old State of Emergency VOA 22 Oct 2020 -- Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha has lifted a state of emergency he imposed one week ago but which failed to bring an end to months of protests seeking his ouster and reforms of the country's constitutional monarchy.
• Acting Assistant Attorney General Brian C. Rabbitt Delivers Remarks Announcing Goldman Sachs/1mdb Enforcement Actions US Dept. of Justice 22 Oct 2020 -- Remarks as Prepared for Delivery
• Goldman Sachs Charged in Foreign Bribery Case and Agrees to Pay Over $2.9 Billion US Dept. of Justice 22 Oct 2020 -- The Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (Goldman Sachs or the Company), a global financial institution headquartered in New York, New York, and Goldman Sachs (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd. (GS Malaysia), its Malaysian subsidiary, have admitted to conspiring to violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) in connection with a scheme to pay over $1 billion in bribes to Malaysian and Abu Dhabi officials to obtain lucrative business for Goldman Sachs, including its role in underwriting approximately $6.5 billion in three bond deals for 1Malaysia Development Bhd. (1MDB), for which the bank earned hundreds of millions in fees.
• Goldman Sachs to Pay Record Fine Over 1MDB Scandal VOA 22 Oct 2020 -- A settlement has been reached over charges leveled against Goldman Sachs Group Inc. related to the global financial institution's conspiracy to violate foreign bribery laws in the United States.
• Ongoing Protests in Nigeria US Dept. of State 22 Oct 2020 -- "The United States strongly condemns the use of excessive force by military forces who fired on unarmed demonstrators in Lagos, causing death and injury."
• UN chief calls for end to reported police brutality in Nigeria UN News 22 Oct 2020 -- The UN Secretary-General on Wednesday said he was closely following recent developments across Nigeria, in the wake of reports that protesters had been shot dead and wounded, and called for "an end to reported police brutality and abuses."
• Rights Group, Nigeria Officials Differ on Lekki Shooting Death Toll VOA 22 Oct 2020 -- Human rights group Amnesty International and authorities in Nigeria disagree on the number of people killed at a shooting Tuesday in Lagos.
• US Condemns 'Excessive Force' Used Against Nigeria Protesters VOA 22 Oct 2020 -- The United States condemned police brutality in Lagos Thursday, two days after at least 12 protesters were shot dead by Nigerian Security Forces.
• UN Rights Chief Calls for Justice After Nigerian Soldiers Kill Protesters VOA 22 Oct 2020 -- U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Michele Bachelet strongly condemns what she says was the excessive and disproportionate use of force by Nigerian armed forces against peaceful protesters in the capital Lagos on Tuesday, and is calling for perpetrators of these crimes to be brought to justice.
• Seychelles Votes in Presidential, Legislative Elections VOA 22 Oct 2020 -- Voters in the Seychelles on Thursday begin the three-day process of choosing a president and lawmakers.
• China Agrees to Provide Year-Round Mekong River Data to Downstream Countries Radio Free Asia 22 Oct 2020 -- China formally agreed on Thursday to provide the Mekong River Commission with year-round data on water flows on the Mekong, a move aimed at better monitoring and forecasting of floods and drought on the important regional waterway.
• UN Extends Sanctions Against Former Tajik Commander Who Joined Islamic State RFE/RL 22 Oct 2020 -- The UN Security Council has extended sanctions against Colonel Gulmurod Halimov, a former commander of the Tajik Interior Ministry's Special Forces, known as OMON, who joined the Islamic State (IS) extremist group in Syria in May 2015 and who has been reported killed several times in recent years.
• United States Sanctions Two Hizballah Officials US Dept. of State 22 Oct 2020 -- Today, the United States is designating two Hizballah officials to maintain pressure on the group and impede its ability to operate in the financial system.
• Treasury Targets High-Ranking Hizballah Officials US Treasury 22 Oct 2020 -- Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned two members of Hizballah's Central Council.
• Kyrgyz Parliament Votes To Suspend Elections Until After Constitutional Reform RFE/RL 22 Oct 2020 -- Kyrgyzstan's parliament has rushed through a bill to delay a rerun of parliamentary elections, set just a day earlier for December, until after constitutional reforms.
• Will Uzbekistan Seat on UN Human Rights Council Bolster Justice? VOA 22 Oct 2020 -- Uzbekistan is poised to join the U.N. Human Rights Council in January alongside two authoritarian stalwarts, Russia and China. But while Western capitals deride Moscow and Beijing's membership, they have welcomed Tashkent's accession as an opportunity to advance that Central Asian country's stuttering human rights reforms.