• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• On the Second Anniversary of ISIS's Territorial Defeat US Dept. of State 23 Mar 2021 -- Two years ago, the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, together with our local partners, liberated all territory controlled by ISIS in Iraq and Syria, a major milestone in the effort to ensure the terrorist group's enduring defeat.
• Update: air strikes against Daesh UK MOD 23 Mar 2021 -- The RAF are continuing to take the fight to Daesh in Iraq and Syria.
• Ghani Proposes Peace Plan Calling For Presidential Election RFE/RL Gandhara 23 Mar 2021 -- Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has proposed a new peace plan to U.S. officials and the Taliban that envisages a snap presidential election within six months or a year right after a peace deal is signed with the militant group, a senior Afghan government official told RFE/RL's Radio Free Afghanistan.
• Amidst 'heightened intensity' actions toward peace must be 'in the best interests' of Afghans UN News 23 Mar 2021 -- Amidst a period of "heightened intensity", the UN Special Representative told the Security Council on Tuesday that the killing, displacement and suffering of the Afghan people "must end now".
• US to Consult with NATO Allies on Afghanistan Pullout Plans VOA 23 Mar 2021 -- The United States is still considering its options in Afghanistan, with time ticking down until a May 1 deadline to pull its remaining 2,500 troops from the country under a deal signed with the Taliban last year.
• UN Envoy Urges Patience for Afghan Peace Deal VOA 23 Mar 2021 -- The U.N.'s top diplomat in Afghanistan sought to lower expectations of a quick peace deal between the Afghan government and Taliban, saying Tuesday that peace is possible, but it will not come immediately, as "genuine and profound differences" exist between the two sides.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Pentagon Press Secretary Holds a Press Briefing DoD 23 Mar 2021
• Top Defense Official Calls Military's COVID Effort 'Phenomenal' DoD News 23 Mar 2021 -- Combating COVID-19 is "Job 1" for the entire government, President Joe Biden said when he took office; DOD is doing its part.
• Air Force update for COVID-19 US Air Force 23 Mar 2021
• Contracts Awarded for Next Generation Interceptor Program DoD 23 Mar 2021 -- The Department of Defense has awarded two contracts to Northrop Grumman Systems Corp. and Lockheed Martin Corp. in support of the Next Generation Interceptor (NGI) program.
• China Quickly Closing Gap with US Military, Lawmakers Told VOA 23 Mar 2021 -- The admiral tapped to command U.S. forces in the Indo-Pacific told lawmakers Tuesday the future of the world could come down to how the United States and its allies respond to an increasingly militarized and aggressive China.
• AFRICOM logistics team spearheads distribution Proof of Principle to support ongoing multinational operations in Africa AFRICOM 23 Mar 2021 -- Concept development and operational planning during the 5-week 2020 Africa Distribution Network Forum (ADNF) culminated with a Proof of Principle (PoP) that demonstrated the potential game-changing effectiveness of combined-joint airlift capacity sharing. The U.S. Africa Command logistics team, working in partnership with the Movement Coordination Centre Europe (MCCE) and other multinational partners, displayed a picture of the future; allies and partner integrated logistics.
• If DOD Wants AI In Its Future, It Must Start Now, Official Says DoD News 23 Mar 2021 -- Now is the time for decision makers, commanders and policymakers within the Defense Department to get on board with fully implementing artificial intelligence, the director of the Joint Artificial Intelligence Center said.
• Afghanistan, COVID-19, Maritime Exercises Among Topics Covered at Pentagon Briefing DoD News 23 Mar 2021 -- Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby gave reporters a whirlwind tour of issues facing the Defense Department citing a maritime exercise in the Arabian Sea, issues in Afghanistan, COVID-19 vaccinations and housing migrant children in DOD facilities.
• Deputy Defense Secretary Sees Challenges, Opportunities for DOD DoD News 23 Mar 2021 -- The deputy defense secretary certainly sees all the challenges facing the department, but she also sees opportunities.
• U.S. Navy Recovers MH-60S Helicopter from Record Depth US Navy 23 Mar 2021 -- NAVSEA's Supervisor of Salvage and Diving (SUPSALV) recovered a downed Navy MH-60S helicopter from a depth of 19,075 feet off the coast of Okinawa, Japan Thursday, March 22nd.
• Fleet Readiness Center East accepts barge delivery of F-35 airframe for training US Navy 23 Mar 2021 -- Fleet Readiness Center East recently accepted delivery of an F-35 airframe transported by barge from Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina, to FRCE facilities aboard MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina.
• Greek Prime Minister visits USS Dwight D. Eisenhower in Souda Bay US Navy 23 Mar 2021 -- Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and other Greek officials visited the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, flagship of the IKE Carrier Strike Group, during a scheduled port visit in Souda Bay, Greece, March 23, 2021.
• USS Thomas Hudner Concludes Black Sea Operations US Navy 23 Mar 2021 -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Thomas Hudner (DDG 116 transited from the Black Sea to the Mediterranean Sea, concluding its recent Black Sea operations in support of NATO Allies and partners in the region, March 23, 2021
• Blinken in Europe to Boost Alliances VOA 23 Mar 2021 -- U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Tuesday the United States wants to rebuild its partnerships, "first and foremost with our NATO allies," as he expressed the Biden administration's "steadfast commitment" to the alliance.
• In First Visit To Brussels, Blinken Pledges 'Steadfast' U.S. Commitment To NATO RFE/RL Gandhara 23 Mar 2021 -- U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, on his first trip to Brussels, has vowed to rebuild and strengthen NATO and consult with allies on the way forward in Afghanistan.
• NATO Foreign Ministers exchange views on the NATO 2030 agenda, Afghanistan, and security across the Middle Eastern and North African region NATO 23 Mar 2021 -- Today (23 March 2021), Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg summarized the conclusions of the first day of meetings of NATO Foreign Ministers at NATO Headquarters.
• Press conference by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg following the meeting of NATO Ministers of Foreign Affairs NATO 23 Mar 2021
• NATO Foreign Ministerial Statement NATO 23 Mar 2021
• Short remarks by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken at the start of the NATO Foreign Ministers' meetings NATO 23 Mar 2021
• Strengthening the Transatlantic Bond NATO 23 Mar 2021 -- A conversation between NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken
• Blinken says US wants to 'revitalize' NATO Press TV 23 Mar 2021 -- US Secretary of State Antony Blinken says the United States plans to "revitalize" NATO and has a "steadfast commitment" to the military alliance.
• NATO Affirms Unity In The Face Of 'Aggressive' Russia RFE/RL 23 Mar 2021 -- NATO foreign ministers have vowed that the Western alliance will continue to adapt in the face of "rising threats and systemic competition," and underlined that "Russia's aggressive actions constitute a threat to Euro-Atlantic security."
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg Before Their Meeting US Dept. of State 23 Mar 2021
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at a Moderated Conversation with Rosa Balfour US Dept. of State 23 Mar 2021
• Secretary Blinken's Meeting with NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg US Dept. of State 23 Mar 2021
• Briefing With Senior State Department Official On the NATO Ministerial US Dept. of State 23 Mar 2021
• US close-in reconnaissance on China hits new record amid PLA live-fire exercises Global Times 23 Mar 2021 -- The US on Monday sent a spy plane to conduct a close-in reconnaissance on China's southern coastal regions setting a new record as the closest approach to China's coastlines coinciding with live-fire exercises held by the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) in the region.
• PLA Navy holds consecutive support exercises in S.China Sea; 'crucial to combat' Global Times 23 Mar 2021 -- The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy recently held consecutive support exercises in the South China Sea including maritime re-supply, minesweeping, and search and rescue, with analysts saying on Tuesday that such capabilities are crucial to combat and could decide the outcome of a war.
• Plateau border troops equipped with new-style load-carrying equipment PLA Daily 23 Mar 2021 -- Recently, a new type of individual load-carrying equipment was distributed to service members assigned to a combined arms regiment under the PLA Xinjiang Military Command.
• North Korea Conducts First Launch of 2021 VOA 23 Mar 2021 -- North Korea conducted a short-range projectile launch several days ago, according to U.S. officials, in what appears to be Pyongyang's first missile-related activity this year.
• DPRK Reportedly Fires Short-Range Missiles After Slamming US For Military Drills With S Korea Sputnik 23 Mar 2021 -- While the Biden administration has not yet rolled out a strategy for North Korea, saying that it is "reviewing" its approach to Pyongyang, the United States has recently renewed military exercises with South Korea - a move that quickly prompted criticism from the DPRK.
• Mission Sagar IV INS Jalashwa Arrives at Port Ehoala (Madagascar) India PIB 23 Mar 2021 -- As part of Mission Sagar - IV, Indian Naval Ship Jalashwa arrived at Port Ehoala, Madagascar on 22 March 2021. The ship will deliver a consignment of 1,000 Metric Tonne of rice and 100,000 Hydroxychloroquine tablets in response to an appeal made by Madagascar for assistance to deal with natural calamities.
• Secret Israeli Military Bases' Locations Reportedly Revealed in Major Map Mishap Sputnik 23 Mar 2021 -- The classified data has since been removed from an online map, but it is unclear how long it was up and how many people might have made screengrabs of the bases' locations.
• Experts urge replacement of F-5E ejection seats in wake of crash CNA 23 Mar 2021 -- Taiwanese military experts said Tuesday that the ejection seats on the Air Force's F-5E fighters are of an outdated design and should be replaced, after a mid-air collision of two of the jets the previous day left one pilot dead and another missing.
• U.S. bill proposed to add Taiwan to 'NATO Plus' group of states CNA 23 Mar 2021 -- U.S. Representative Scott Perry has proposed a bill in Congress to include Taiwan in the NATO plus five countries.
• Defense of Taiwan Vital to Regional, National Security, Admiral Says DoD News 23 Mar 2021 -- The Indo-Pacific is the most consequential region for America's future and remains the priority theater for the United States.
• Armed Forces to be more active around the world to combat threats of the future UK MOD 23 Mar 2021 -- The UK will continue to adopt a forward presence around the world, ensuring the men and women of our Armed Forces are globally engaged, constantly campaigning and in lockstep with our Allies
• Warfighting Experimentation Force unveiled UK MOD 23 Mar 2021 -- The British Army is introducing a pioneering warfighting experimentation Battlegroup.
• Army announces Special Ops Army Ranger Regiment UK MOD 23 Mar 2021 -- The British Army is establishing a special operations Brigade, the core of which will be four battalions of the new Ranger Regiment.
• Defence 'Builds Back Better' with bold new Defence and Security Industrial Strategy UK MOD 23 Mar 2021 -- Defence will accelerate the innovation and development of next-generation technology with an ambitious Defence and Security Industrial Strategy (DSIS) – published today - coupled with a £6.6 billion investment in research and development.
• Agreement regarding submarine acquisition contract Government of Norway 23 Mar 2021 -- In 2017, Norway and Germany entered into a strategic, maritime cooperation on materiel, aimed at the acquisition of identical submarines and naval strike missiles. The defence materiel organisations of Norway and Germany, NDMA and BAAINBw, have reached an agreement with the Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems on the contract for new, identical submarines.
• Secretary Blinken's Meeting with Italian Foreign Minister Di Maio US Dept. of State 23 Mar 2021
• Secretary Blinken's Meeting with Czech Foreign Minister Petříček, Hungarian Foreign Minister Szijjártó, Polish Foreign Minister Rau, and Slovak Foreign Minister Korčok US Dept. of State 23 Mar 2021
• Secretary Blinken's Meeting with French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Le Drian, German Foreign Minister Maas, and UK Foreign Secretary Raab US Dept. of State 23 Mar 2021
• Secretary Blinken's Meeting with German Foreign Minister Maas US Dept. of State 23 Mar 2021
• Department Press Briefing – March 23, 2021 US Dept. of State 23 Mar 2021
• Press Gaggle by Press Secretary Jen Psaki Aboard Air Force One en route Columbus, Ohio The White House 23 Mar 2021

Defense Industry

• Contracts For March 23, 2021
• Norway Blocks Rolls-Royce From Selling Engine Maker To Russian Company, Cites Security Fears RFE/RL 23 Mar 2021 -- Norway has announced that it is blocking Rolls-Royce's sale of a Norwegian engine maker to a Russian company over concerns it could allow sensitive technology to end up in Russian hands.

Other Conflicts

• 23 March 2021 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 23 Mar 2021
• UN agencies call for urgent action to avert famine risk in 20 'hunger hotspots' UN News 23 Mar 2021 -- Famine is already on the doorstep of millions of families in 20 countries, two UN agencies warned on Tuesday in a report that calls for urgent action to avert rising hunger due to factors such as conflict, climate extremes and the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Report: Millions Likely to Die from Acute Hunger Without Help VOA 23 Mar 2021 -- A report by the U.N.'s Food and Agriculture Organization and World Food Program warns many of the more than 174 million people suffering from acute hunger across the world are likely to die without urgent international assistance.
• Guterres welcomes Saudi peace initiative to end fighting in Yemen UN News 23 Mar 2021 -- The UN Secretary-General on Tuesday welcomed the announcement by Saudi Arabia of steps aimed at helping end the fighting and restart the political process in Yemen.
• Yemen urges meaningful end to war, siege in response to Saudi 'peace initiative' Press TV 23 Mar 2021 -- A prominent member of Yemen's Supreme Political Council has dismissed Saudi Arabia's so-called peace initiative, saying the Yemeni nation is awaiting a meaningful end to the Saudi-led aggression and blockade instead of a mere "ceasefire" plan.
• Yemeni drones target Saudi Arabia's Abha airport Press TV 23 Mar 2021 -- Yemen's military has launched a new drone attack on Saudi Arabia's Abha International Airport, retaliating Saudi-led coalition strikes.
• Russia Offers Turkey to Resume Operation of Checkpoints in Idlib, Aleppo Sputnik 23 Mar 2021 -- Russia has offered Turkey to resume the operation of several checkpoints in Idlib and Aleppo from March 25 due to the difficult humanitarian situation, Rear Adm. Alexander Karpov, deputy head of the Russian Center for the Reconciliation of Warring Parties in Syria, said on Tuesday.
• Ethiopia does not want war with Sudan amid Tigray conflict: PM Press TV 23 Mar 2021 -- Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed says his country does not want to go to war with Sudan at a time of internal conflict in its northern Tigray region, which has also brought Ethiopia and Sudan to the brink of fighting over a contested border region.
• At Least 15 Die in Huge Fire at Bangladesh Rohingya Camp, UN Says Radio Free Asia 23 Mar 2021 -- The United Nations confirmed Tuesday that at least 15 people had died in a massive fire at a Rohingya refugee camp in Bangladesh a day earlier, while a local NGO said it was looking for more than 100 missing children.
• UN teams assisting tens of thousands of refugees, after massive fire rips through camp in Bangladesh UN News 23 Mar 2021 -- United Nations humanitarian personnel are on the ground evacuating tens of thousands of Rohingya refugees, after a devastating fire tore through the Kutupalong camp, in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, the world's largest refugee camp.
• Massive Fire in Cox's Bazar Damages Rohingya Refugee Camp VOA 23 Mar 2021 -- Aid agencies are rushing emergency assistance to tens of thousands of victims of a deadly blaze that broke out Monday in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, destroying thousands of houses sheltering Rohingya refugees.
• Human Rights Council strengthens rights office probe into Sri Lanka's long civil war UN News 23 Mar 2021 -- The United Nations Human Rights Council has been given a mandate to collect and preserve information and evidence of crimes related to Sri Lanka's 37-year long civil war that ended in 2009.
• Displaced Mozambicans Optimistic About US Support for Counterinsurgency Efforts VOA 23 Mar 2021 -- Mozambicans who have been forced from their homes because of the ongoing conflict in the northern part of their country say Washington's pledge to train Mozambican security forces brings a glimmer of hope that their situation will improve.
• Indian Prime Minister Sends 'Message of Goodwill' to Pakistani Counterpart VOA 23 Mar 2021 -- Officials in Pakistan confirmed Tuesday that Prime Minister Imran Khan had received a rare "message of goodwill" from his Indian counterpart, Narendra Modi, the latest in a series of moves signaling rapprochement between the nuclear-armed rival countries.

News Reports

• Russia reserves right to retaliate Bulgaria's expulsion of two diplomats Press TV 23 Mar 2021 -- Russia has denounced Bulgaria's "groundless" decision to expel two Russian diplomats over accusations of espionage, reserving the right to retaliate.
• Blinken Warns Germany Of Possible Sanctions Over Nord Stream 2 RFE/RL 23 Mar 2021 -- U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken says the Nord Stream 2 pipeline being built from Russia to Germany is against the European Union's own interests and warned Berlin of possible sanctions over the project.
• Dems urge Biden administration to sanction Russia pipeline to EU Press TV 23 Mar 2021 -- Two Democratic senators have called on the administration of US President Joe Biden to sanction a Russian gas pipeline bound for Europe.
• Russia: Unilateral sanctions do nothing but bring suffering to nations Press TV 23 Mar 2021 -- Russia's representative to the Vienna-based international organizations has sharply criticized the United States and its Western allies for imposing sets of unilateral sanctions against world states, saying such restrictions have only led to the sufferings of people across the globe, including the Iranian nation.
• In Russia's Provinces, Navalny's Besieged Movement Says It's 'Again Gathering Force' RFE/RL 23 Mar 2021 -- Ivan Tumanov was born three days before Vladimir Putin first became Russia's president at the turn of the millennium. Now the 21-year-old who lives with his mother is the newest coordinator of an opposition movement that Putin, still president, is accused of using brutal tactics to dismantle.
• Navalny's Team Announces Spring Push, Aims For Massive Rally To Free Kremlin Critic RFE/RL 23 Mar 2021 -- The team of jailed Russian opposition politician Aleksei Navalny is making a new push to free the anti-corruption campaigner with plans for the largest anti-Kremlin protest in Russia's modern history.
• Russia, China reject West's self-centered unilateralism: Lavrov Press TV 23 Mar 2021 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says Russia and China are opposed to the West's self-centered geopolitical games and unilateralism and are doing their utmost to protect their relations from Western threats.
• Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's opening remarks during talks with Foreign Minister of the People's Republic of China Wang Yi, Guilin, March 23, 2021 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 23 Mar 2021
• Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's remarks and answers to media questions following talks with Foreign Minister of China Wang Yi, Guilin, March 23, 2021 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 23 Mar 2021
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying's Regular Press Conference on March 23, 2021 PRC MofA 23 Mar 2021
• US Seen Falling Short Countering China's Rising Geopolitical Clout VOA 23 Mar 2021 -- Despite initiatives by the previous and current administrations, there are fresh concerns the United States is falling short to counter China's rising geopolitical influence.
• China Faces New Multi-Country Sanctions Over Xinjiang Policies VOA 23 Mar 2021 -- Several western countries announced new sanctions this week against Chinese officials involved in the mass detentions of ethnic Uyghur Muslims, marking a new united front to pressure Beijing over its human rights abuses.
• Who are those on China's sanctions list against EU, and why these sanctions are justified? Global Times 23 Mar 2021 -- Editor's Note: China on Monday imposed tit-for-tat sanctions on 10 EU individuals and four entities that it accused of seriously offending the China's sovereignty via Xinjiang abuses.
• China summons ambassadors of EU, UK over sanctions Press TV 23 Mar 2021 -- China has summoned the ambassadors of the European Union (EU) and the United Kingdom to protest recent sanctions imposed on Beijing over allegations of human rights violations in the western state of Xinjiang.
• Bulgarian MEP Says China Imposed Sanctions On Him Over Uyghur's Sakharov Prize RFE/RL 23 Mar 2021 -- An ethnic-Turkish Bulgarian deputy at the European Parliament has told RFE/RL that he believes China imposed sanctions on him because he helped an imprisoned ethnic-Uyghur economist receive the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought.
• World Power Bickering: Eurasia Hoping To Steer Clear Of U.S.-China Rivalry RFE/RL 23 Mar 2021 -- While China and the United States are locked in an increasingly fierce rivalry, their growing competition will reflect differently across the countries of Eurasia, where those world powers share a separate strategic approach compared to other parts of the world.
• US Worried About Transparency in China's Trial of 2 Canadians VOA 23 Mar 2021 -- The United States has expressed concern about the way the Chinese government is conducting the trial of two Canadians charged with espionage, according to a State Department spokesperson.
• Chinese, Russian FMs critical of US People's Daily 23 Mar 2021 -- The foreign ministers of China and Russia have criticized the United States' negative impact on global peace and growth and urged the US to return to the Iran nuclear deal without conditions.
• China, Russia conduct strategic communication on issues of common concern PLA Daily 23 Mar 2021 -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Guilin, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region on Monday. The two sides conducted strategic communication on international and regional issues of common concern and reached broad consensus.
• China, Russia In Show Of Unity Amid Western Criticism, Sanctions RFE/RL 23 Mar 2021 -- The foreign ministers of China and Russia have met in a display of unity and called for a summit of permanent members of the UN Security Council amid Western sanctions against them over human rights violations and repression of political dissent.
• Local law amendments to be finalized by May after details of HK electoral reform come out in March Global Times 23 Mar 2021 -- Carrie Lam, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), said on Tuesday that the local government welcomes the timetable for amending relevant laws concerning Hong Kong electoral reform, and local authorities will work day and night to advance local law amendments involving over 20 main texts and auxiliaries.
• China's Ruling Party Scales Back Plans For Centenary in Beijing Radio Free Asia 23 Mar 2021 -- The ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) announced on Tuesday there would be no military parade in Beijing's Tiananmen Square to mark its centenary on July 1, state media reported.
• China Goes Ahead With More Himalayan Dams Despite Huge Risks: Experts Radio Free Asia 23 Mar 2021 -- The ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) this month gave the green light to a massive hydroelectric power project on the Yarlung Zangbo River in the Tibetan Autonomous Region, sparking concerns over potentially catastrophic environmental effects to come.
• Taiwan blasts attempts at 'vaccine diplomacy' targeting Paraguay CNA 23 Mar 2021 -- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) on Tuesday condemned a reported threat by some Chinese businessmen in Paraguay willing to act as vaccine brokers that they would not do so unless the South American country cuts diplomatic relations with Taiwan.
• Futile Act Will Incur Only Disgrace and Shame: Statement of Spokesperson for DPRK Foreign Ministry KCNA 23 Mar 2021 -- A spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) gave the following answer to a question put by KCNA on March 23 with respect to the designation on March 22 by the European Union of several countries including the DPRK as targets of "human rights sanctions" under the pretext of "countering global human rights violations."
• Petulant Pyongyang Ticks Off Putrajaya Radio Free Asia 23 Mar 2021 -- The Democratic People's Republic of North Korea announced last week through state media that it was severing diplomatic relations with Malaysia. The next day, Malaysia followed suit by giving North Korean diplomats and their dependents 48 hours to leave the Southeast Asian country.
• North Korean Diplomats Recalled from Malaysia May Face Punishment Over U.S. Extradition Radio Free Asia 23 Mar 2021 -- North Korean diplomats from Pyongyang's embassy who were recently expelled from Malaysia in a rupture of diplomatic relations could face punishment over the first-ever extradition of a North Korean national to the United States, sources in China told RFA.
• IRGC vows efforts to rid Iran of repercussions of cruel sanctions Press TV 23 Mar 2021 -- The chief commander of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has pledged efforts to defeat the enemies' strategy of economic pressure and rid the country of the consequences of cruel sanctions.
• Jailing of French Tourist Complicates Bid to Resolve Iran Nuclear Tensions VOA 23 Mar 2021 -- Benjamin Briere is a French tourist who was arrested last May while visiting Iran with his drone and minivan. Still detained, he was charged with espionage and "spreading propaganda against the system." His lawyers deny the charges.
• Myanmar Crackdown Drives Urban Exodus to Countryside as Junta Blames Protesters For Violence Radio Free Asia 23 Mar 2021 -- Myanmar's junta warned journalists Tuesday against reporting on a shadow government made up of elected lawmakers deposed in last month's coup, while army gunfire claimed its youngest victim, and fear and fatigue after seven weeks of escalating military violence drove an exodus of migrant workers from major cities.
• Suu Kyi's Lawyer Fears Closed Trial, Long Prison Term for Ousted Myanmar Leader VOA 23 Mar 2021 -- The detained leader of Myanmar's ousted democratic government is due in court Wednesday as the aftermath of the February 1 military coup continues to rock the Southeast Asian country.
• Myanmar Military Junta Blames Protesters for Violence as West Imposes Sanctions VOA 23 Mar 2021 -- Myanmar's military junta Tuesday accused the leaders of the ongoing nationwide protests of arson and inciting violence and sought to justify last month's coup by repeating accusations of fraud against deposed de-facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
• Leader Of Belarus Opposition Party Detained Amid Crackdown RFE/RL 23 Mar 2021 -- The leader of the opposition United Civil Party (AHP) has been detained on unknown charges amid an ongoing crackdown on Belarusians demanding the resignation of the country's authoritarian leader, Alyaksandr Lukashenka.
• Could 2022 Be the Year for France's Le Pen? VOA 23 Mar 2021 -- She talks feminism and political unity. Commits to protecting the environment, and reforming rather than leaving the European Union and euro single currency.
• Israeli PM Netanyahu Claims 'Huge Victory' in Knesset Election Sputnik 23 Mar 2021 -- The 23 March Knesset election is the fourth legislative vote held in Israel in two years. The election was automatically set for late March when the Knesset dissolved in December 2020, after failing to approve the national budget.
• Israelis Go to the Polls for the Fourth Time in 2 Years VOA 23 Mar 2021 -- Israelis go to the polls for the fourth time in two years. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu - already Israel's longest serving Prime Minister - is hoping for another term, but is under strong pressure from the opposition to leave.
• Turkey's withdrawal from women's protection treaty, 'worrying step backwards' UN News 23 Mar 2021 -- Turkey's decision to withdraw from an important treaty on protecting women is "a very worrying step backwards", a group of independent UN human rights experts said on Tuesday.
• Former Ecuadorian Government Official Sentenced to Prison for Role in Bribery and Money Laundering Scheme US Dept. of Justice 23 Mar 2021 -- An Ecuadorian and Italian national was sentenced today to 51 months in prison for his role in a scheme to launder bribes paid to him in exchange for helping three U.K. reinsurance companies obtain and retain reinsurance business from Ecuador's public surety company.
• Former Venezuelan Official Pleads Guilty in Connection with International Bribery and Money Laundering Scheme US Dept. of Justice 23 Mar 2021 -- A dual U.S.-Venezuelan citizen and former official at Citgo Petroleum Corporation, a Houston-based subsidiary of Venezuela's state-owned and state-controlled energy company Petróleos de Venezuela S.A. (PDVSA), pleaded guilty Monday in connection with his role in laundering millions of dollars in bribes and corruptly providing business advantages to multiple individuals who obtained contracts with Citgo and PDVSA.
• Montenegrin Secret Service Chief Under Fire After Allegedly Disclosing NATO Ally's Data RFE/RL 23 Mar 2021 -- Prosecutors in Montenegro say they have opened a preliminary investigation into the alleged disclosure of classified information by the head of the National Security Agency (ANB), Dejan Vuksic.
• Georgian Deputy Interior Minister Resigns Amid Surveillance Scandal RFE/RL 23 Mar 2021 -- Georgian Deputy Interior Minister Kakhaber Sabanadze has resigned amid media reports he ordered the intentional disruption of a gathering of opposition groups and used illegal surveillance to keep track of some politicians.
• Somali Elections Still Delayed After Failure of President-Hosted Talks VOA 23 Mar 2021 -- Somalia's president, Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, known as "Farmaajo," is under increasing pressure to make a deal on holding delayed elections. A two-day conference this week failed to end the political standoff.