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Defense Policy / Programs

• Warships from Australia, Japan, U.K., and U.S. Join Forces in Maritime Partnership Exercise 2021 US Navy 18 Oct 2021 -- Naval forces from Australia, Japan, the U.K., and the U.S. joined together in multilateral Maritime Partnership Exercise (MPX) 2021 to conduct naval training in the eastern Indian Ocean, Oct. 15-18.
• AMC approves F-15, F-16 receivers as third KC-46 ICR milestone US Air Force 18 Oct 2021 -- Gen. Mike Minihan, commander of Air Mobility Command, approved a third Interim Capability Release mission set for the KC-46A Pegasus, Oct. 13.
• Task Force Phoenix CEMA cell in the fight against adversary unmanned aerial systems CENTCOM 18 Oct 2021 -- Coalition forces are countering adversary unmanned aerial systems (UAS) in the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) area of operations with a rapidly evolving set of tools and training.
• Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Visit to Georgia DoD 18 Oct 2021
• Remarks by Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III During a Joint Press Briefing With Minister Burchuladze of the Republic of Georgia DoD 18 Oct 2021
• US Defense Secretary Seeks to Reassure Georgia VOA 18 Oct 2021 -- U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is warning Russia against distracting European leaders with new talks when it has yet to make good on previous commitments.
• Defense Secretary Calls U.S. Support for Georgia 'Unwavering' DoD News 18 Oct 2021 -- U.S. support for Georgia's territorial integrity and sovereignty is unwavering, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III said today after a meeting with Georgian Defense Minister Juansher Burchuladze.
• U.S., Georgia Defense Leaders Sign Memo to Continue Training Effort DoD News 18 Oct 2021 -- Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III and Georgian Defense Minister Jaunsher Burchuladze launched the Georgia Defense and Deterrence Enhancement Initiative today in Tbilisi.
• Pentagon chief begins three-leg tour in Georgia for military talks Press TV 18 Oct 2021 -- Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin has arrived in the Georgian capital city of Tbilisi for the first leg of a three-nation visit to the Black Sea region.
• U.S. Defense Chief Inks Cooperation Deal With Georgia On First Leg Of Visit To Black Sea Allies RFE/RL 18 Oct 2021 -- Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has signed a preliminary agreement to continue U.S. backing for Georgia's military as he kicked off a three-country visit to the Black Sea region to show support for allies and partner states in the face of Russia's "destabilizing actions."
• US Large Planes, Early Warning Assets Now More Vulnerable, Pacific Air Forces Chief Says Sputnik 18 Oct 2021 -- US large manned aircraft, including early warning surveillance airplanes, are becoming increasingly vulnerable, US Pacific Air Forces Director of Strategy, Plans, Programs and Requirements Brig. Gen. Christopher Niemi said.
• NATO launches annual deterrence exercise NATO 18 Oct 2021 -- NATO kicked off its annual deterrence exercise on Monday (18 October 2021), with dozens of aircraft from across the Alliance practicing the defence of NATO's European Allies. The week-long exercise, called "Steadfast Noon", is taking place over southern Europe, and involves aircraft and personnel from 14 NATO countries.
• NATO Deputy Secretary General meets with Hungary's Minister for Innovation and Technology NATO 18 Oct 2021 -- On Monday (18 October 2021), NATO's Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoană met with Hungary's Minister for Innovation and Technology László Palkovics at NATO Headquarters to discuss how the Alliance will maintain its technological edge.
• Foreign Ministry statement on response measures to NATO decisions regarding the Russian Permanent Mission to NATO in Brussels Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 18 Oct 2021 -- On October 6, 2021, the NATO Secretariat officially announced NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg's decision to withdraw the accreditation of eight members of the Russian Permanent Mission to NATO on November 1, 2021, as well as to reduce the overall number of mission personnel to 10. No reason for this decision has been provided.
• Russia Announces Closure of NATO Mission VOA 18 Oct 2021 -- Russia is retaliating for the recent expulsion of its diplomats from its NATO mission in Brussels, saying Monday it will suspend its mission to the alliance and ordered NATO's office in Moscow shuddered.
• NATO Regrets Russia's Decision to Suspend Work of Missions Sputnik 18 Oct 2021 -- NATO regrets the decision of Russia to suspend the work of the missions of the alliance and Russia, NATO spokesperson Oana Lungescu told Sputnik.
• Russia Suspends Its Permanent Rep to NATO, Alliance's Information Office in Moscow Sputnik 18 Oct 2021 -- NATO previously confirmed that it had revoked the accreditation of eight employees of the Russian mission to the alliance and reduced the number of accreditations for the Russian Federation to 10.
• Russia Suspends Operations Of Its Mission At NATO As Relations With West Deteriorate Further RFE/RL 18 Oct 2021 -- Russia says it will suspend the operations of its mission at NATO headquarters in Brussels in response to the Western security alliance's move to expel eight members of Russia's mission earlier this month.
• Russia shuts mission to NATO amid escalating tensions Press TV 18 Oct 2021 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says his country is suspending its mission to NATO as tensions deepen between Moscow and the Western military alliance.
• US Watching China Closely After Reports of Hypersonic Missile Test VOA 18 Oct 2021 -- The top U.S. military official said Washington is paying close attention to China's efforts to build up its own military arsenal, although he declined to comment on reports that Beijing took a major step forward two months ago by testing a hypersonic missile.
• White House Declines to Comment on Report China Tested Nuclear-Capable Hypersonic Missile Sputnik 18 Oct 2021 -- White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki on Monday declined to comment on a report claiming that China tested a nuclear-capable hypersonic missile in August.
• China May Boost Accuracy of Its Hypersonic Weapons Via AI Technology, Report Says Sputnik 18 Oct 2021 -- Chinese PLA researchers are reportedly seeking to improve the accuracy of the country's hypersonic delivery systems via artificial intelligence, according to the South China Morning Post.
• China Denies Testing Nuclear-Capable Hypersonic Missile, Says It Was Space Vehicle Trial Sputnik 18 Oct 2021 -- The Financial Times earlier reported that the test of the alleged hypersonic glider vehicle by China this summer "caught the US government by surprise" as it purportedly demonstrated the great progress achieved by Beijing in this area.
• West-hyped 'nuclear-capable hypersonic missile' is a spacecraft in reusability test; peaceful use of space stressed: Chinese FM Global Times 18 Oct 2021 -- It was a routine spacecraft experiment to test the technology of spacecraft reusability, China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said on Monday, responding to the Western media hyping of what they claimed China's launch of a "nuclear-capable hypersonic missile" in August.
• China's routine space vehicle test 'a transparent act for peaceful use, not militarization' Global Times 18 Oct 2021 -- The Chinese Foreign Ministry on Monday said the Financial Times-reported "China's test of new space capability with a hypersonic missile in August" was in fact a routine test of technology for reusing a space vehicle, and Chinese experts said that China has the right to test such technology for peaceful purpose regardless of how the US or the West demonizes it. If the US launches a space arms race, non-Western powers like China and Russia would be forced to turn their advanced capabilities into military use for strategic deterrence and self-defense, experts said.
• Taiwan's Tien Lung drill 'just a show' that will wear out its outmoded military Global Times 18 Oct 2021 -- The annual Tien Lung drill in Taiwan island aimed at bolstering its defense and morale was mocked by military experts as a show that will take a toll on its outmoded jets and wear out its pilots. They said it won't change the sharp military disparity between Taiwan and the Chinese mainland.
• China-Russia naval exercise enters stage of joint anti-submarine drills PLA Daily 18 Oct 2021 -- The China-Russia joint naval exercise, Joint Sea 2021, conducted round-the-clock anti-submarine drills in waters near Russia's Peter the Great Bay from October 16 to 17, local time, which was one of the highlights in this joint military event.
• 2nd Chinese peacekeeping helicopter contingent to Abyei sets out PLA Daily 18 Oct 2021 -- The 2nd Chinese peacekeeping helicopter contingent to Abyei left Shijiazhuang, North China's Hebei Province, on October 16, for a 12-month peacekeeping mission in Abyei of East Africa.
• China to promote national border and coastal defense infrastructure construction PLA Daily 18 Oct 2021 -- A meeting aims to promote national border and coastal defense infrastructure construction was held in China's Guangzhou from October 14 to 15.
• Exercise a first for Poseidon Australia DOD 18 Oct 2021 -- In the spirit of strengthening partnerships, the RAAF last month participated with elements from the Indonesian Air Force in the annual bilateral maritime patrol training, Exercise Albatross Ausindo 21.
• Iran Maintains Huge Arsenal of Missiles, Drones Despite Sanctions, Commander Says Sputnik 18 Oct 2021 -- Iran has one of the largest arsenals of missiles and military drones in the region and the world despite years of sanctions, the head of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps Aerospace Force said Monday.
• Erdogan: US proposed F-16 sales to Turkey for F-35 payment Press TV 18 Oct 2021 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says the US proposed the sale of F-16 fighter jets to Turkey after it had removed Ankara from the F-35 program in retaliation for Turkey's purchase of Russian S-400 missile defense system.
• Turkey Can Purchase Russia's Su-35, Su-57 Fighters If US Does Not Sell F-16, Official Says Sputnik 18 Oct 2021 -- Turkey can purchase Russia's Su-35 and Su-57 fighters if the United States freezes the sale of F-16 fighter jets, Turkish Presidency of Defence Industries chief Ismail Demir said on Monday.
• Indonesia and Malaysia jointly amplify warning about AUKUS pact Radio Free Asia 18 Oct 2021 -- The top diplomats of Indonesia and Malaysia together amplified their nations' concerns Monday about Australia's plans to acquire nuclear-powered submarines, warning this could draw other powers into disputes over the South China Sea and provoke a regional arms race.
• Briefing With Western Hemisphere Affairs Assistant Secretary Brian A. Nichols On the Secretary's Upcoming Travel to Colombia and Ecuador US Dept. of State 18 Oct 2021
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken And International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi Before Their Meeting US Dept. of State 18 Oct 2021
• Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken's Meeting with Emirati Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, and Israeli Foreign Minister and Alternate Prime Minister Yair Lapid US Dept. of State 18 Oct 2021
• Statement by NSC Spokesperson Emily Horne on National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan's Meeting with Luhut Pandjaitan of Indonesia The White House 18 Oct 2021
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jen Psaki, October 18, 2021 The White House 18 Oct 2021
• Department Press Briefing – October 18, 2021 US Dept. of State 18 Oct 2021

Defense Industry

• Contracts For Oct. 18, 2021
• Former Security Services Executives Plead Guilty to Rigging Bids for Department of Defense Security Contracts US Dept. of Justice 18 Oct 2021 -- Two former employees of G4S Secure Solutions NV (G4S NV), pleaded guilty today to criminal antitrust charges stemming from their involvement in a conspiracy to rig bids, fix prices, and allocate customers for defense-related security services contracts. Both defendants are Belgian nationals residing in Belgium.

Other Conflicts

• Announcement of Transition in Leadership on Afghanistan Diplomacy US Dept. of State 18 Oct 2021 -- As Special Representative for Afghan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad steps down from his role, I extend my gratitude for his decades of service to the American people.
• Khalilzad Steps Down After Three Years As U.S. Afghan Envoy, Defends His Record RFE/RL Gandhara 18 Oct 2021 -- Zalmay Khalilzad, the top U.S. envoy to Afghanistan, is stepping down from his long-standing role following the Western military pullout from that war-ravaged country, the State Department said.
• Afghan Door-to-Door Anti-Polio Drive to Resume After 3 years VOA 18 Oct 2021 -- The United Nations announced Monday that a nationwide house-to-house polio vaccination campaign in conflict-torn Afghanistan will recommence next month and hailed the new Taliban government for agreeing to lift a ban on such drives.
• Taliban backs WHO polio vaccination campaign across Afghanistan next month UN News 18 Oct 2021 -- The decision by the Taliban leadership to support the resumption of house-to-house polio vaccination across Afghanistan has been welcomed by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).
• US Afghan Envoy Zalmay Khalilzad Steps Down Sputnik 18 Oct 2021 -- Khalilzad said now was the right time to resign as the United States enters a "new phase" in Afghanistan after its full withdrawal from the country in August.
• UN: Afghanistan-Wide Polio Vaccination To Start Next Month RFE/RL Gandhara 18 Oct 2021 -- Afghanistan next month will begin its first countrywide anti-polio vaccination campaign in years, with full support from the country's Taliban rulers, the United Nations said on October 18.
• Visiting Kazakh Envoy Discusses Trade, Economic Ties With The Taliban RFE/RL Gandhara 18 Oct 2021 -- A visiting Kazakh presidential envoy has discussed humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan and the resumption of trade and economic ties with top members of the Taliban-led administration.
• Chinese survey vessel leaves Malaysian waters 2 weeks after protest Radio Free Asia 18 Oct 2021 -- Chinese survey vessel Da Yang Hao has left Malaysia's waters, two weeks after the Malaysian Foreign Ministry summoned the Chinese ambassador to protest.
• Yemenis' fight for freedom, independence uncompromisable: Houthi Press TV 18 Oct 2021 -- Leader of Yemen's Ansarullah movement, Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, says the Yemeni people's efforts to achieve freedom and independence are uncompromisable, urging the nation to continue to counter the US-backed Saudi aggression.
• Syrian government, opposition delegates agree to start drafting new constitution, says UN special envoy Press TV 18 Oct 2021 -- The United Nations special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, says representatives of the Syrian government and moderate opposition groups have reached a long-awaited agreement to start drafting new constitutional provisions during UN-mandated talks between the two sides in Geneva this week.
• UNHCR chief urges better support for 13 million 'exhausted' and displaced Syrians UN News 18 Oct 2021 -- UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, has urged greater international support for the more than 13 million Syrians who've been displaced in the past 10 years.
• Police Officer Killed, Others Wounded In Balochistan Blast RFE/RL Gandhara 18 Oct 2021 -- Pakistani officials say one police officer has been killed and at least 17 other people wounded in an explosion in the restive southwestern province of Balochistan.
• OSCE Says Separatists In Eastern Ukraine Preventing Monitors From Leaving Base RFE/RL 18 Oct 2021 -- The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) says a group of its monitors overseeing a fragile cease-fire in eastern Ukraine have been barred from leaving their base by Kremlin-backed separatists who are seeking the release of an officer held by Ukrainian government forces.
• In case of war, Hezbollah can fire 2,500 rockets at occupied territories each day: Israeli cmdr. Press TV 18 Oct 2021 -- A ranking Israeli military commander says Hezbollah can fire up to 2,500 rockets towards the occupied territories each day in case of a war with the Israeli regime.
• Hezbollah Leader Declares Group Has 100,000 'Trained & Experienced' Fighters - Report Sputnik 18 Oct 2021 -- Tensions have been high in Lebanon, where, in addition to an already difficult economic situation, armed clashes took place on Thursday during protests over the lengthy probe into the Beirut port blast. The gunfight in Lebanon's capital last week has evoked memories of the country's bloodiest period, the 1975-90 civil war.
• At UN Court, Azerbaijan Accuses Armenia of Ethnic Cleansing RFE/RL 18 Oct 2021 -- Azerbaijan's deputy foreign minister has accused Armenia of "ethnic cleansing" and of continuing to lay land mines on its territory even after a cease-fire ended a six-week war in the disputed region late last year, as a second case related to the conflict opened on October 18 at the United Nations' top court in The Hague.
• The Shadowy Business Empire Behind The Meteoric Rise Of Sheriff Tiraspol RFE/RL 18 Oct 2021 -- A team from a forgotten impoverished corner of Europe not only qualifies for Europe's most prestigious soccer tournament but beats one of the continent's titans in the early stages of the competition.
• Investigation Launched Into Bosnian Serb Leader's 'Secessionist' Statements RFE/RL 18 Oct 2021 -- Prosecutors in Bosnia-Herzegovina have launched an investigation of Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik for "undermining the constitutional order" after he announced that the Republika Srpska leadership will soon take measures aimed at withdrawing from key institutions of the Bosnian state.
• Opportunity created by ceasefire announcement in Central African Republic UK FCDO 18 Oct 2021 -- Statement delivered by Ambassador James Kariuki at the Security Council briefing on the Central African Republic (CAR).
• Positive momentum in Central African Republic must be maintained UN News 18 Oct 2021 -- The announcement last week of a unilateral ceasefire in the Central African Republic is among recent positive steps in the country, the top UN official there told the Security Council on Monday, urging continued support for peace and reconciliation efforts.
• Tigray Forces Say Ethiopian Airstrikes Hit Regional Capital VOA 18 Oct 2021 -- Forces in Ethiopia's Tigray region said Monday that the Ethiopian government launched airstrikes on the regional capital of Mekelle.
• UN chief 'deeply concerned' at reported air strikes on Tigray capital UN News 18 Oct 2021 -- The United Nations has received alarming reports of aerial attacks in the residential areas of Tigray's capital, Mekelle, on Monday morning local time.

News Reports

• Colin Powell, Former Top US Diplomat, Military Leader, Dies at 84 VOA 18 Oct 2021 -- General Colin Powell, the first Black U.S. secretary of state and a former chairman of the military's Joint Chiefs of Staff, died Monday from complications of COVID-19. He was 84.
• Department of Defense Statement by Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III on the Death of Colin Powell DoD 18 Oct 2021
• Statement From Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III to Traveling Media on the Death of Colin Powell DoD 18 Oct 2021
• CISA, FBI, and NSA Release BlackMatter Ransomware Advisory to Help Organizations Reduce Risk of Attack CISA 18 Oct 2021 -- The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and National Security Agency (NSA) published a cybersecurity advisory today regarding BlackMatter ransomware cyber intrusions targeting multiple U.S. critical infrastructure entities, including two U.S. food and agriculture sector organizations. The advisory includes technical details, analysis, and assessment of this cyber threat, as well as several mitigation actions that can be taken to reduce the risk to this ransomware.
• Russia's Nord Stream 2 ready for export after filling first string with gas Press TV 18 Oct 2021 -- The gas-in procedure for the first string of the Russia-led Nord Stream 2 pipeline has been completed, the operator of the project said.
• Putin's Dominance Risks Destabilization: Fiona Hill's Insights On Russia, the U.S., And Their 'Unfortunate Parallels' RFE/RL 18 Oct 2021 -- Russia is entering a period of instability as the Kremlin moves toward 2024 with deep uncertainty about whether Vladimir Putin plans to stay on as president now that he has that option, Fiona Hill, a former senior Russia adviser to the White House, has told RFE/RL.
• Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's remarks and answers to media questions at a joint news conference with Minister of Foreign Affairs and Communities of Guinea-Bissau Suzi Carla Barbosa following their talks, Moscow, October 18, 2021 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 18 Oct 2021
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian's Regular Press Conference on October 18, 2021 PRC MofA 18 Oct 2021
• Experts Split on Biden-Xi Role in Easing US-China Tensions VOA 18 Oct 2021 -- With Washington and Beijing agreeing in principle that their two top leaders will meet virtually before the end of 2021, analysts are divided on whether a meeting between President Joe Biden and President Xi Jinping is the only way to repair strained U.S.-China relations.
• China Seeks to Cement Ties in Europe VOA 18 Oct 2021 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping aims to bolster relations in Europe, a traditional stronghold of support for the United States, as a buffer against shaky Sino-U.S. ties, analysts believe.
• Party plenary session eyes key resolution on historical experience; to look to future with 'bigger vision, greater unison' Global Times 18 Oct 2021 -- The sixth plenary session of the 19th Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee will be held in Beijing from November 8 to 11, during which a key resolution on the major achievements and historical experience of the Party's 100 years of endeavors will be reviewed.
• China Media Directives Reveal Granular Detail of State Censorship VOA 18 Oct 2021 -- The welcome committee for Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou was leaving nothing to chance: from the color of lettering on signs to orders on how to cover the deal that secured her return, state media were under strict instructions.
• China Seen Tightening Grip on Macao VOA 18 Oct 2021 -- China is tightening its grip on Macao, having incorporated the former Portuguese colony into a cooperation zone with Guangzhou, capital of China's Guangdong province, clamped down on casinos and manipulated a local parliamentary election.
• Iran says talks on removal of sanctions to resume Thursday Press TV 18 Oct 2021 -- Iran's deputy foreign minister Ali Baqeri-Kani will travel to Brussels on Thursday to continue talks with the European Union's deputy foreign policy chief Enrique Mora based on an agreement reached in Tehran last week.
• EU Says No Iran Nuclear Talks In Brussels On October 21 RFE/RL 18 Oct 2021 -- The European Union has said no talks are scheduled to take place with Iran in Brussels on October 21 on resuming negotiations over the 2015 nuclear deal, contradicting a declaration made by Iran's Foreign Ministry.
• Myanmar junta frees thousands of detainees in amnesty Radio Free Asia 18 Oct 2021 -- Myanmar's military freed thousands of people arrested for protesting its February coup under strict conditions on Monday, prompting observers to dismiss the move as a bid to appease the international community at a time when the junta is facing both global and domestic pressure to step down.
• ASEAN to invite 'non-political' Myanmar rep instead of coup leader to summit Radio Free Asia 18 Oct 2021 -- ASEAN will invite a "non-political representative" from Myanmar to its summit this month, the bloc's chair said on Saturday, confirming that the Burmese military coup leader will be shut out of the high-level meeting.
• EU Ministers Meet Amid Talk Of New Measures Against Belarus Over Migrants RFE/RL 18 Oct 2021 -- The European Union's foreign ministers have expressed support for new measures to halt the flow of illegal migrants that the bloc accuses Belarus of sending in retaliation for sanctions against authoritarian leader Alyaksandr Lukashenka and his regime over its crackdown on the opposition.
• Belarus Kicks Out French Ambassador As Relations With EU Deteriorate RFE/RL 18 Oct 2021 -- Belarus has kicked out French Ambassador to Belarus Nicolas de Lacoste amid poor relations with the European Union over strongman Alyaksandr Lukashenka's brutal rule.
• Press release on Russian representatives' conversation with President of the Syrian Arab Republic Bashar al-Assad Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 18 Oct 2021 -- On October 17, Special Presidential Representative for the Syrian Settlement Alexander Lavrentyev and Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin were received by President of the Syrian Arab Republic Bashar al-Assad together with members of a Russian interdepartmental delegation including representatives of the Russian Defence Ministry.
• Thousands in El Salvador protest against Bukele government Press TV 18 Oct 2021 -- Thousands of people in El Salvador have taken to the streets in protest against the recent controversial decisions made by President Nayib Bukele's government.
• Dozens Of European Politicians Call For Jailed Georgian Ex-President Saakashvili To Be Freed RFE/RL 18 Oct 2021 -- Dozens of European lawmakers and other current and former politicians -- including former presidents of Latvia and Ukraine -- have called for the release of jailed Georgian ex-President Mikheil Saakashvili, whose detention earlier this month deepened a protracted political crisis in the South Caucasus country.
• North Macedonia's Opposition Claims Victory As Parties Await Official Results Of Local Elections RFE/RL 18 Oct 2021 -- North Macedonia's nationalist opposition Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization-Democratic Party for Macedonian Unity (VMRO-DPMNE) has won mayoral races in 22 municipalities in the first round of the local elections, according to preliminary results announced by the State Election Commission.
• Kosovo PM Kurti Says 'Pleased' With Results Of First Round Of Municipal Elections RFE/RL 18 Oct 2021 -- Preliminary results in Kosovo's municipal elections indicate that 17 municipalities have picked winners in mayoral races while 21 others will head into a second round of voting, including the closely watched battle in the capital, Pristina.
• Hungarian Opposition Alliance Chooses Conservative Newcomer To Challenge Orban RFE/RL 18 Oct 2021 -- A six-party opposition coalition has chosen a provincial mayor with no party affiliation to take on Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban in the 2022 parliamentary elections, final results of a primary vote show.
• Massive Pro-Military Sit-In Shakes Sudan Democracy Efforts VOA 18 Oct 2021 -- On Monday, as thousands of demonstrators aligned with the Sudan military remain outside the presidential palace for a third day, analysts warn that the civilian-led interim government is facing a growing crisis that could topple its rule.
• Haitians Strike to Protest Kidnappings, Lack of Security VOA 18 Oct 2021 -- Haitian workers went on strike Monday to protest the security situation in the country, recently brought to the world's attention by the kidnappings of members of a U.S.-based missionary group.