Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• Alliance United in Afghanistan Strategy DoD News 23 Oct 2020 -- "In together, out together" was the mantra NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg used in discussing troop levels in Afghanistan at the conclusion of the virtual meeting of defense ministers today.
• Watchdog Alleges Senior Afghan Effort To 'Silence' Reports On Mosque Attack That Killed Children RFE/RL Gandhara 23 Oct 2020 -- Human Rights Watch (HRW) has condemned alleged efforts by Afghan authorities to "silence" anyone reporting on a "potentially unlawful air strike" that the watchdog claims killed at least a dozen children at a mosque complex in northern Afghanistan.
• Taliban Kills at Least 23 Afghan Soldiers in Latest Attacks VOA 23 Oct 2020 -- The Taliban has killed at least 23 Afghan soldiers in fresh attacks, as a stalemate persists in U.S.-brokered peace talks under way in Qatar.
• NATO Has Reduced Number of Troops in Afghanistan to Under 12,000, Stoltenberg Says Sputnik 23 Oct 2020 -- NATO has reduced its military personnel in Afghanistan to fewer than 12,000, the alliance's chief Jens Stoltenberg stated.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Statement from National Security Advisor Robert C. O'Brien The White House 23 Oct 2020
• US Coast Guard to Post Patrol Cutters in Western Pacific to Deter Chinese Boats - O'Brien Sputnik 23 Oct 2020 -- United States National Security Advisor Robert O'Brien says the US Coast Guard (USCG) is evaluating the possible basing of Sentinel-class fast response cutters in American Samoa as a response to illegal activity and harassment by China.
• This Week in Operation Warp Speed DoD 23 Oct 2020 -- Below is a compilation of initiatives, actions and accomplishments across Operation Warp Speed (OWS)'s primary efforts in the past week.
• Army Financial Management Office Partners With DOD for AI Solutions DoD News 23 Oct 2020 -- The Army has multiple enterprise financial management IT systems, some decades old, that account for the majority of the service's financial, acquisition, and logistic transactions. These systems communicate transactions in a variety of ways through a complex architecture, but that communication is far from perfect. When a financial system communicates inconsistent or no data to another system, it creates a problem that requires human intervention.
• Second F-35B Squadron Officially Established In Indo-Pacific Region With The Redesignation Of VMFA-242 USMC News 23 Oct 2020 -- On October 16, Marine Aircraft Group 12 re-designated Marine All Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 242 to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 242 as part of the Marine Corps' ongoing transition process from legacy F/A-18 Hornet aircraft to the newer 5th generation F-35B Lightning II.
• Dominate the Spectrum: ACC Emphasizes EMS US Air Force 23 Oct 2020 -- The Electromagnetic Spectrum connects forces on land, in the air, at sea, space, and cyberspace. The EMS connects you in your personal and professional life, but this is a battlespace, and it must be won in each and every conflict.
• Air Force's Spectrum Management Office officially transfers to ISR and Cyber Effects Operations staff to continue to integrate 'information warfare' US Air Force 23 Oct 2020 -- The Air Force's Spectrum Management Office, or AFSMO, officially transferred Oct. 23 from a function under Air Combat Command to full integration under the Headquarters Air Force Staff.
• AFCEC awarded patent for new runway repair technology US Air Force 23 Oct 2020 -- The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office recently granted the Air Force a patent for an innovative runway repair solution developed at the Air Force Civil Engineer Center.
• New Equipment Improves Fleet Readiness Center East Support of Critical V-22 Component US Navy 23 Oct 2020 -- New test equipment at Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE) has positioned the facility to help alleviate one of the top degraders to V-22 Osprey readiness.
• Readout of Defense Secretary Dr. Mark T. Esper's Remarks at Day Two of the NATO Defense Ministerial DoD 23 Oct 2020
• Four Allies launch multinational initiative on Rapidly Deployable Mobile Counter Rockets, Artillery And Mortar Capability NATO 23 Oct 2020 -- The Defence Ministers of Germany, Greece, Hungary and the United Kingdom launched a new NATO multinational High Visibility Project (HVP) to address growing challenges in the area of Rapidly Deployable Mobile Counter Rockets, Artillery, and Mortar (C-RAM).
• NATO Defence Ministers take decisions to strengthen our security NATO 23 Oct 2020 -- NATO Defence Ministers agreed to further strengthen Allied security during their virtual meetings over the last two days (22-23 October 2020). On Friday, Allied Ministers discussed NATO's training missions in Afghanistan and Iraq, which are helping build long-term security and stability.
• Online press conference by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg following the second day of the meetings of NATO Defence Ministers NATO 23 Oct 2020
• NATO Allies agree Policy on Battlefield Evidence from operational theatres to boost efforts against terrorism NATO 23 Oct 2020 -- At their recent meetings via video conference on 22-23 October 2020 NATO Defence Ministers welcomed the adoption of the NATO Battlefield Evidence Policy and NATO Practical Framework for Technical Exploitation. This represents an important step in bolstering collective counter-terrorism efforts, as it helps Allies to have more information available in the fight against terrorism.
• Ten Allies agree to explore modular solution for ground based air defence NATO 23 Oct 2020 -- Ten NATO Defence Ministers launched a multinational initiative for developing very short range, short range and medium range Ground Based Air Defence (GBAD) capabilities.
• Defence Secretary reaffirms UK commitment to leadership on Euro-Atlantic security at NATO Defence Ministerial UK MOD 23 Oct 2020 -- In a virtual session of NATO Defence Ministers, Defence Secretary Ben Wallace held discussions on a number of issues impacting the alliance.
• Coronavirus response: NATO delivers ventilators to Allies in need NATO 23 Oct 2020 -- NATO Allies decided on Friday (23 October 2020) to deliver 60 ventilators to the Czech Republic in response to the COVID 19 pandemic. The ventilators will be provided from the stockpile of medical equipment and supplies that NATO established to be able to provide immediate relief to Allies or partners in need.
• Russia says US not willing to meet halfway to extend nuclear arms treaty Press TV 23 Oct 2020 -- Russia says the United States is refusing to meet halfway to extend the last remaining bilateral nuclear arms agreement between the two countries, the New START treaty.
• Russia Cites Challenges To Reaching New START Extension With U.S. RFE/RL 23 Oct 2020 -- The Kremlin says a possible one-year extension of the New START arms-control treaty beyond its current expiration in February would be aimed at buying time for the two sides to reach a new agreement instead of prolonging the current accord.
• Comment by Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova on the presentation of Sweden's defence strategy Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 23 Oct 2020 -- We have noted Sweden's proposed defence strategy, Total Defence 2021-2025 Bill submitted by Swedish Minister of Defence Peter Hultqvist to parliament on October 15, which includes, in part, a 40 percent increase in the military budget.
• China sends stern warning via commemoration of war it won against the US 70 years ago in Korea Global Times 23 Oct 2020 -- Almost at the same time, while the world was focused on the theatrical presidential debate in the US, across the Pacific Ocean was a grand ceremony on Friday celebrating China's victory in a war against US aggression in Korea 70 years ago. There, Chinese President Xi Jinping mounted a scathing denunciation of forces that seek to contain China's development and issued a stern warning that the Chinese people were not to be trifled with, and any aggression against China would be dealt with head-on.
• Xi underscores five areas in advancing socialism with Chinese characteristics for new era Global Times 23 Oct 2020 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday underscored five areas in advancing socialism with Chinese characteristics for a new era when addressing a meeting commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) entering the Korean front in the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea.
• War must be fought to deter invaders, Chinese nation will never cower before threats: Xi Global Times 23 Oct 2020 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping said that Chinese people will never sit idly by while China's sovereignty, security and development interests are undermined, and if such situations occur, they will certainly deal with them head-on.
• Xi calls for promoting spirit demonstrated in War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea People's Daily 23 Oct 2020 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday urged efforts to carry forward the great spirit demonstrated in the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea.
• Xi delivers speech on War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea PLA Daily 23 Oct 2020 -- President Xi Jinping delivers an important speech at a grand gathering in Beijing on Friday that commemorates the 70th anniversary of the Chinese People's Volunteers army entering the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to help in the war to resist US aggression.
• China warns 'enemies' of its military might Press TV 23 Oct 2020 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping says his country stands ready to fight anyone "creating trouble," for the mainland, in a clear message to the United States not to misjudge its determination to defend the nation.
• China's Xi Says Beijing 'Ready to Fight' Potential Invaders Sputnik 23 Oct 2020 -- China would never allow any forces to violate its national sovereignty or separate its sacred territory and would be able to fight such threats, Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Friday.
• PLA Navy conducts exercise above South China Sea PLA Daily 23 Oct 2020 -- The naval aviation force under the People's Liberation Army Southern Theater Command conducted a large-scale live-fire exercise over the South China Sea earlier this week, according to the PLA Navy.
• China Reports Spike in US Surveillance Flights VOA 23 Oct 2020 -- A reported spike in U.S. military flights over the seas near China reflects Washington's drive to understand and deter Chinese expansion in contested waters, analysts say.
• China urges U.S. to stop arms sales to Taiwan: spokesperson People's Daily 23 Oct 2020 -- China urges the United States to cease arms sales to and military contact with Taiwan, and cancel relevant arms sales plans, to avoid further damages to China-U.S. ties and peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, a spokesperson with the Foreign Ministry said Thursday.
• Iran says to sell weapons only for 'defensive purposes' Press TV 23 Oct 2020 -- Iran says it is not going to sell weapons to any country that asks for it, and has its own conditions for arms sales now that the UN Security Council's restrictions on Tehran's arms trade are lifted.
• US Slams Turkey for S-400 Tests, Warns of 'Serious Consequences' VOA 23 Oct 2020 -- Tensions between the United States and Turkey appear to be growing, following the latest war of words between the two allies over Ankara's purchase of Russia's S-400 air defense system.
• Erdogan confirms tests of Russian S-400s, brushes aside US objections Press TV 23 Oct 2020 -- President Recep Tayyip Erdogan confirms that Turkey has tested its Russian-made S-400 missile defense systems despite objections from the US, saying Ankara does not need Washington's permission for evaluating the performance of its military hardware.
• Pentagon Says Turkey's Test of S-400 Risks 'Serious Consequences' for Relationship With US Sputnik 23 Oct 2020 -- Turkey's test of the S-400 air defense system may have serious consequences for Ankara's relationship with Washington, Chief Pentagon spokesman Jonathan Rath Hoffman said in a Friday statement.
• Turkey Not Going to Discuss S-400 Tests With US, Erdogan Says Sputnik 23 Oct 2020 -- Turkey will not have any consultations with the United States regarding tests of the S-400 air defence systems purchased from Russia, Washington's approach is not binding, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Friday.
• Pakistan's Powerful Military Faces Biggest Challenge In Years RFE/RL Gandhara 23 Oct 2020 -- Pakistani opposition parties have mounted the most significant challenge in years to the country's all-powerful military, publicly calling out the institution for its alleged meddling in politics. It's a red line that few have dared to cross.
• US Democratic senators introduce bill to restrict F-35 sales to UAE Press TV 23 Oct 2020 -- Two Democratic lawmakers in the US senate have introduced a bill aimed at restricting Washington's plans to sell F-35 fighter jets to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), as part of a declared congressional bid to secure the Israeli regime's alleged military advantage in the region.

Defense Industry

• Contracts For Oct. 23, 2020

Other Conflicts

• 23 October 2020 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 23 Oct 2020
• The Joint Forces Command of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen: Interception, Destruction of Bomb-Laden UAV Launched by Terrorist, Iran-Backed Houthi Militia Toward the Kingdom SPA 23 Oct 2020 -- Statement by the Official Spokesman of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen COL Turki Al-Malki
• The Joint Forces Command of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen: Interception, Destruction of Bomb-Laden UAV Launched by Terrorist, Iran-Backed Houthi Militia Toward the Kingdom SPA 23 Oct 2020 -- Statement by the Official Spokesman of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen COL Turki Al-Malki
• UN salutes new Libya ceasefire agreement that points to 'a better, safer, and more peaceful future' UN News 23 Oct 2020 -- Warring parties in Libya on Friday agreed an historic ceasefire, which was hailed by the head of the UN Support Mission in the country (UNSMIL), who led the mediation, as a courageous act that can help secure a "a better, safer, and more peaceful future for all the Libyan people".
• Libya Cease-Fire 'Critical' Step Toward Peace, Stability, UN Chief Says VOA 23 Oct 2020 -- U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomed a permanent and immediate nationwide cease-fire in Libya signed Friday by the two main warring parties.
• Libya Ceasefire Takes Effect Immediately After Signing, United Nations Announces Sputnik 23 Oct 2020 -- The ceasefire agreement that participants of Libya's 5+5 Joint Military Commission inked on Friday in Geneva takes effect immediately after signing, the head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) said.
• UN chief hails Libya ceasefire deal as 'fundamental step' toward peace Press TV 23 Oct 2020 -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has described the permanent ceasefire agreement between warring sides in Libya as a "fundamental step toward peace and stability" in the North African country, which has been the scene of deadly fighting.
• Libya rival sides agree to sign permanent ceasefire deal: UN envoy Press TV 23 Oct 2020 -- Libya's rival sides have eventually agreed to sign a permanent ceasefire agreement in all areas, to bring an end to months of deadly fighting in the North African nation.
• Trump Announces US-Brokered Israel-Sudan Normalization VOA 23 Oct 2020 -- U.S. President Donald Trump announced Friday that Sudan and Israel had agreed to normalize relations, and he touted it as his foreign policy achievement in the Middle East ahead of the November 3 U.S. presidential election.
• Remarks by President Trump Announcing Normalization of Relations Between Sudan and Israel The White House 23 Oct 2020
• 'New stab in Palestine's back': Sudan agrees to normalizes with Israel Press TV 23 Oct 2020 -- Sudan's transitional government has agreed to normalize ties with the regime in Israel after the US removed the African state from its terrorism blacklist and offered it financial aid in exchange.
• Sudan Becomes Fifth Arab State to Agree to Normalise Relations With Israel Sputnik 23 Oct 2020 -- Sudan has become the third Arab country to agree to normalise relations with Israel in the run-up to the US vote.
• Joint Statement of the United States, the Republic of Sudan, and the State of Israel The White House 23 Oct 2020
• Israeli warplanes attack Gaza Strip Press TV 23 Oct 2020 -- The Israeli military has carried out several airstrikes against positions in the central and soutthern parts of the besiged Gaza Strip.
• Iran not to tolerate aggression near borders: Armed Forces spox IRNA 23 Oct 2020 -- The Senior Spokesman of the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran Brigadier General Abolfazl Shekarchi said on Friday that Iran will not tolerate any aggression and threats at its borders with Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan.
• Iran Armed Forces warn Armenia, Azerbaijan of tough response if border security red lines violated Press TV 23 Oct 2020 -- Iran has warned the warring sides in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict about a tough response if its border security is jeopardized.
• Pompeo Meets Armenian, Azerbaijani Ministers Amid Fresh Nagorno-Karabakh Clashes RFE/RL 23 Oct 2020 -- Azerbaijani and ethnic Armenian forces continued to clash in and around Nagorno-Karabakh on October 23 as the top diplomats from Armenia and Azerbaijan met with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in Washington on the decades-long conflict over the breakaway region.
• Pompeo Urges Azerbaijani, Armenian FMs to End Violence in Nagorno-Karabakh VOA 23 Oct 2020 -- U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is calling on the foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan to "end the violence and protect civilians" after nearly a month of intense fighting in the breakaway mountain enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh.
• Military Regains Control Over Village Occupied by Terrorists for Two Weeks in Central Mali Sputnik 23 Oct 2020 -- Malian security troops have freed the settlement of Farabougou in Segou region in central Mali, which has been under siege by suspected Islamist militants since early October, the army said early on Friday.
• Text of a Notice on the Continuation of the National Emergency with Respect to the Democratic Republic of the Congo The White House 23 Oct 2020
• Text of a Letter to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President of the Senate The White House 23 Oct 2020

News Reports

• United States Sanctions Five Iranian Entities and Watchlists IRGC Cyber Actors for Interfering in Our Elections US Dept. of State 23 Oct 2020 -- The United States will not tolerate foreign interference in our elections. The whole of the U.S. government is using all the tools at our disposal to target those who attempt to interfere in our democratic process.
• Russia, Iran Ramp Up Attacks In Attempt to Meddle in US Election, Officials Warn VOA 23 Oct 2020 -- Russia and Iran are ramping up attacks on U.S. government networks and computer systems while also amplifying their disinformation campaigns, hoping to rattle the confidence of American voters with less than two weeks until the Nov. 3 presidential election.
• U.S. Says Russian Hackers Targeted State, Local Governments Ahead Of Election RFE/RL 23 Oct 2020 -- Russian state-sponsored hackers have targeted dozens of U.S. state and local government networks in recent weeks and stolen data from at least two servers, the U.S. government says.
• United States Sanctions Russian Government Research Institution US Dept. of State 23 Oct 2020 -- The United States remains steadfast in countering malign cyber activities by Russian actors on behalf of the Government of the Russian Federation. Today, we designated a Russian government research institution directly connected to the destructive and life-threatening Triton malware – also known as TRISIS and HatMan– pursuant to Section 224 of the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act.
• U.S. Sanctions Russian Research Institution Tied to Malware That Targets Industrial Systems RFE/RL 23 Oct 2020 -- The United States has sanctioned a Russian government research institute connected to the development of a computer malware capable of targeting industrial safety systems and causing catastrophic damage.
• Treasury Sanctions Russian Government Research Institution Connected to the Triton Malware US Treasury 23 Oct 2020 -- Today, the Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated, pursuant to Section 224 of the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA), a Russian government research institution that is connected to the destructive Triton malware.
• The Week In Russia: Poison, Pragmatism, And Performative Defiance RFE/RL 23 Oct 2020 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin delivered the latest in a long series of fiery warnings to the West, but sent more pragmatic signals to Washington on nuclear arms negotiations and the upcoming U.S. presidential election.
• Snowden Does Not Intend to Return to US Until Charges Against Him Dropped, Lawyer Confirms Sputnik 23 Oct 2020 -- US whistleblower Edward Snowden does not intend to return to the United States from Russia until all charges against him have been dropped, his lawyer, Anatoly Kucherena, told Sputnik on Thursday.
• Bulgaria, Kosovo, North Macedonia Join U.S. Initiative To Block Chinese Equipment In 5G Network RFE/RL 23 Oct 2020 -- Bulgaria, Kosovo, and North Macedonia have signed declarations with the United States on the security of 5G wireless communications networks under which they committed to protect their networks from "untrusted" Chinese tech companies such as Huawei.
• Bulgaria Joins U.S. Initiative To Block Chinese Companies From Building 5G Networks RFE/RL 23 Oct 2020 -- The United States and Bulgaria on October 23 signed a memorandum on the security of 5G wireless communications networks under which Bulgaria commits to protecting its 5G networks from "untrusted" Chinese tech companies such as Huawei.
• United States - Republic of Bulgaria Joint Declaration on 5G Security US Dept. of State 23 Oct 2020 -- The text of the following joint declaration was released by the Governments of the United States of America and the Republic of Bulgaria on October 23, 2020.
• United States - Republic of North Macedonia Joint Declaration on 5G Security US Dept. of State 23 Oct 2020 -- The text of the following joint declaration was released by the Governments of the United States of America and the Republic of North Macedonia on October 23, 2020.
• United States - Slovak Republic Joint Declaration on 5G Security US Dept. of State 23 Oct 2020 -- The text of the following joint declaration was released by the Governments of the United States of America and the Slovak Republic on October 23, 2020.
• China's Economic Growth Claims Raise Data Doubts Radio Free Asia 23 Oct 2020 -- As China returns to economic growth, the country's official report for the third quarter has drawn mixed reviews on the strength of the recovery.
• More metals besides rare earths can be used against US suppression Global Times 23 Oct 2020 -- Besides a group of 17 rare-earth metals that China can cut supplies to the US for the latter's crackdown on Chinese companies, the Chinese government has another seven nonferrous metals vital for US defense and high-tech industries up its sleeves in reserve for retaliation, a senior expert said on Friday.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian's Regular Press Conference on October 23, 2020 PRC MofA 23 Oct 2020
• China to take further action if UK keeps "hyping up" BNO passport issues: FM Global Times 23 Oct 2020 -- The Chinese foreign ministry warned the UK that China will consider not recognizing Hong Kong British national overseas (BNO) passports as valid travel documents, following the UK government's announcement on Thursday that it will start to process BNO applications for residents in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) from January 31, 2021.
• Australian Writer Facing Spy Trial in Beijing 'Worked as Chinese Spy': Professor Radio Free Asia 23 Oct 2020 -- As the ruling Chinese Communist Party gets ready to try Chinese-Australian writer Yang Hengjun for espionage, his former university professor in Australia has claimed that Yang admitted to working as a Chinese spy for 10 years.
• Concerns Grow Over Beijing's Influence, Smear Campaigns Targeting Academia Radio Free Asia 23 Oct 2020 -- As Washington detailed growing concerns this week over foreign funding and influence in U.S. educational institutions, international China scholars have described behind-the-scenes pressure and murky smear campaigns in support of the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP)..
• Trump Aide Urges Democracies to Reject Chinese Campaign of Global Influence Radio Free Asia 23 Oct 2020 -- U.S. President Donald Trump's top Asia adviser on Friday urged the world's democracies to call out China's abuses and reject a campaign of global influence to co-opt nations into a mindset conducive to Beijing's "grand ambitions."
• FM spox: Iran puts US envoy to Iraq in sanctions list IRNA 23 Oct 2020 -- Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh announced on Friday that the Islamic Republic has sanctioned the US Ambassador in Baghdad Matthew Tueller for his main role in coordinating terrorist acts in Iraq and the assassination of the late anti-terror Commander of the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani.
• Iran sanctions US ambassador to Iraq, two other diplomats Press TV 23 Oct 2020 -- Iran says it has blacklisted the United States' Ambassador to Iraq Matthew Tueller and two other diplomats over their key role in carrying out acts of terror, violating the fundamental principles of human rights and imposing 'cruel and illegal sanctions' against the Islamic Republic.
• Iran Sanctions US Ambassador to Iraq for 'Terrorist' Acts Sputnik 23 Oct 2020 -- Tehran-imposed sanctions on US Ambassador to Iraq Matthew Tueller come as a tit-for-tat move after Washington blacklisted Iran's envoy.
• Russia says will keep working with Iran despite US pressures Press TV 23 Oct 2020 -- Russia's foreign ministry spokeswoman says Moscow will continue its cooperation with the Islamic Republic despite the US pressures and the difficult situation created by the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Iran Officially Announces Oil For Goods Plan Radio Farda 23 Oct 2020 -- Iran says the era of oil for goods will officially start within a week, per the Minister of Oil and the Governor of the Central Bank of Iran (CBI), who announced the government's plan to exchange oil for goods and expressed hope that Iran's foreign trade would increase.
• 'Suspects Involved In Downing Ukrainian Plane Over Tehran Face Three Years In Jail' Radio Farda 23 Oct 2020 -- Ukraine's Prosecutor-General is seeking a sentence of "three years in prison" for the suspects involved in the downing of a Ukrainian plane outside Tehran.
• Statement from the Press Secretary on Sudan The White House 23 Oct 2020
• Trump Tells Congress He Will Remove Sudan From Terrorism Blacklist Sputnik 23 Oct 2020 -- President Donald Trump has notified the Congress that he plans to remove Sudan from the US terrorism blacklist after the country transferred $335 million in compensation to the American victims of terror attacks in which it was implicated, White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany stated.
• Global Terror-Funding Watchdog Keeps Pakistan on 'Gray List' VOA 23 Oct 2020 -- An international agency fighting illicit financing has urged Pakistan to deliver on its remaining commitments by February 2021 to curb money laundering and funding sources to terrorist groups.
• Pakistan Kept On Global Terrorism Financing 'Gray List' RFE/RL Gandhara 23 Oct 2020 -- A global financial watchdog has decided to keep Pakistan on its terror financing watch list, saying the country had not completely implemented a set of guidelines.
• Financial Action Task Force Adopts New Standards on Proliferation Financing, and advances work on COVID-19 AML/CFT Risks, and Trade-Based Money Laundering US Treasury 23 Oct 2020 -- The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) concluded its 32nd plenary meeting on Friday, October 23, by agreeing to revise its standards to further strengthen the global response to the financing of proliferation related to weapons of mass destruction.
• Riverside, California Man Who Admitted Planning Mass Casualty Attacks and Purchasing Firearms Later Used in 2015 Terrorist Attack in San Bernardino Ordered to Serve 20-Year Federal Prison Sentence US Dept. of Justice 23 Oct 2020 -- A Riverside man was sentenced today to 20 years in federal prison for conspiring to commit terrorist attacks in the Inland Empire and for providing assault rifles later used in the 2015 San Bernardino terrorist attack that killed 14 people.
• Myanmar Warns Rebel Arakan Army to Stop Interfering in Elections in Response to Candidate Kidnapping Radio Free Asia 23 Oct 2020 -- Myanmar on Friday condemned the Arakan Army's abduction of three candidates from the ruling party as they campaigned in war-torn Rakhine state last week as a threat to hard-won democracy and a sign the ethnic rebel group is not serious about peace talks.
• Myanmar's Electoral Commission Wins Complaint Over Racial Bias in Military Daily Ahead of National Vote Radio Free Asia 23 Oct 2020 -- Myanmar's Union Electoral Commission has successfully fought declarations published in a military newspaper that candidates for election to parliament be chosen on the basis of 'race,' a violation of election laws in the multiethnic nation of 54 million people, RFA has learned.
• Tusk Blasts Hungarian PM's Vision Of Democracy, Says Belarus Opposition 'Close To Victory' RFE/RL 23 Oct 2020 -- The head of the European center-right European People's Party (EPP) says Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's vision of "illiberal democracy" is in fact spearheading the creation of a "degenerate democracy" in his country.
• New Kyrgyz Foreign Minister Says Russia Remains 'Major Partner' RFE/RL 23 Oct 2020 -- Kyrgyzstan's newly appointed Foreign Minister Ruslan Kazakbaev says that the recent political upheaval that toppled the Central Asian nation's government and prompted the president to resign won't impact relations with Russia, its "major partner and ally."
• Acting Kyrgyz President Signs Law That Will Delay Vote, Paves Way For Changes Allowing Him To Run RFE/RL 23 Oct 2020 -- Kyrgyzstan's acting President Sadyr Japarov has signed changes to the elections law that will delay parliamentary and presidential votes, a move the convicted kidnapper's critics call a power grab.
• Firm Linked To Tajik President's Son-In-Law Awarded $13 Million Government Contract RFE/RL 23 Oct 2020 -- A newly established publishing house in the Tajik capital has been awarded a lucrative government contract to print more than 1 million copies of a history book after a dubiously conducted tender by the public procurement agency.
• Armenia's Main Opposition Leader Freed On Bail RFE/RL 23 Oct 2020 -- Armenia's main opposition party leader has been released on bail nearly a month after his detention in a vote-buying case he calls politically motivated.
• US Lawmakers, Activists: Abuse by Nigerian Police Unit Is Global Human Rights Issue VOA 23 Oct 2020 -- American politicians and civil rights leaders are lending their voices to the protests in Nigeria against abuses by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), a police unit accused of excessive violence against civilians.
• Roads Blocked in Nigeria in Defiance of President's Call for Calm VOA 23 Oct 2020 -- Major roads in Lagos, Nigeria were blocked Friday by groups of people armed with knives and sticks, many of whom were angered by the president's speech that appealed for calm but failed to denounce the police killing of peaceful protesters demanding an end to police brutality.
• Tanzanian Voters Weigh Second Term for Magufuli VOA 23 Oct 2020 -- Tanzanians go to the polls October 28, and President John Magufuli is expected to win re-election, despite a spirited challenge from opposition leader Tundu Lissu and accusations from rights groups that he suppresses individual freedoms and dissent.
• Guinea President Appears to Have Won Controversial 3rd Term in Office VOA 23 Oct 2020 -- Guinea President Alpha Conde appears to have secured a third term in office based on preliminary results of Sunday's election.