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• EOD Technician supports Exercise Justified Accord Army News 15 Mar 2022 -- Explosive Ordnance Disposal is a challenging but rewarding career field that pushes physical and mental limits for those willing to take on the challenge. U.S. Army Soldiers interested in this career field must endure several assessments before, during and after their initial training has been completed. Only a few bear such a responsibility, and there are only a select group of female Soldiers within the occupational specialty.
• German armed forces support transport of US Army Prepositioned Stock-2 Army News 15 Mar 2022 -- The 405th Army Field Support Brigade is receiving some much appreciated help from Germany with its mission to move an entire armored brigade combat team's worth of Army Prepositioned Stock-2 vehicles and equipment from Mannheim, Germany to Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany.
• Generals Discuss Security Challenges in Africa, Middle East DoD News 15 Mar 2022 -- China, Russia, Iran and terrorist organizations continue to engage in malign activities in the Middle East and Africa, generals told lawmakers on the Senate Armed Services Committee today.
• DOD Works to Increase Meaningful Participation of Women in Security, Defense Institutions DoD News 15 Mar 2022 -- On the occasion of Women's History Month, Strucke spoke at a presentation on the Participation of Women in Security and Defense Institutions at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies and the William J. Perry Center for Hemispheric Defense Studies, March 10.
• AFWERX Agility Prime program, BETA Technologies make history with first Airman flight of electric aircraft US Air Force 15 Mar 2022 -- Hank Griffiths and Maj. Jonathan Appleby, both Air Force pilots, flew BETA Technologies' electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, ALIA, as the first-ever Airmen to fly an electric aircraft with a military airworthiness, March 9.
• Ho'oikaika strengthens total force integration US Air Force 15 Mar 2022 -- The Hawaii Air National Guard's 154th Wing executed a first-of-its-kind exercise partnering with the Nevada Air National Guard, 15th Wing, and 354th Fighter Wing Airmen March 3-6.
• USS Carl Vinson Celebrates 40th Commissioning Anniversary US Navy 15 Mar 2022 -- Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) celebrated its 40th commissioning anniversary, March 13, a milestone in the ship's long history of service.
• Five Nations Conduct Multinational Boarding Team Exchange in Gulf of Oman US Navy 15 Mar 2022 -- Forces from five nations formed a multinational boarding team (MNBT) and conducted a subject-matter-expert exchange in the Gulf of Oman during a 17-day period ending March 8.
• Indo-Pacific Command Conducts Carrier-Based Air Demonstration in the Yellow Sea US Navy 15 Mar 2022 -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) has significantly increased the pace and scale of ballistic missile launches since September 2021.
• NAVSUP, mission partners re-supply Truman CSG from Sicily US Navy Press Release 15 Mar 2022 -- The USS Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group (HSTCSG) is currently deployed to the Aegean Sea in support of naval operations maintaining maritime stability and security, and defending U.S., Allied and Partner interests in Europe and Africa.
• DAF COVID-19 Statistics - March 15, 2022 US Air Force 15 Mar 2022
• Biden to Attend 'Extraordinary' NATO Summit in Brussels VOA 15 Mar 2022 -- U.S. President Joe Biden will travel next week to Brussels, where he will join an "extraordinary" NATO summit set to take place on March 24 — one month after Russia invaded neighboring Ukraine.
• Statement by Press Secretary Jen Psaki on the President's Travel to Belgium The White House 15 Mar 2022
• Secretary General announces extraordinary NATO Summit NATO 15 Mar 2022 -- "I have convened an extraordinary meeting of Allied Heads of State and Government on 24 March 2022 at NATO Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium."
• Secretary General previews extraordinary meeting of NATO Defence Ministers NATO 15 Mar 2022 -- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg previewed this week's extraordinary meeting of NATO Defence Ministers in a press conference on Tuesday (15 March 2022). "NATO Defence Ministers will meet tomorrow at a defining moment for our security," he said. "President Putin's brutal invasion of Ukraine is causing death and destruction every day; it has shocked the world; and shaken the international order."
• UK Armed Forces join largest Arctic exercise in 30 years UK MOD 15 Mar 2022 -- Six Royal Navy ships and 2,000 UK personnel have joined vessels and troops from 26 other nations for Exercise Cold Response off the shores of Norway
• Joint Expeditionary Force leaders' statement: 15 March 2022 UK MOD 15 Mar 2022 -- Leaders' statement from the Joint Expeditionary Force meeting.
• Statement by H.E. Ambassador Shulgin, Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the OPCW at the 99th Session of the Executive Council, General Debate, Hague, March 8, 2022 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 15 Mar 2022
• Spain - MH-60R Multi-Mission Helicopters with Support DSCA 15 Mar 2022 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Spain of MH-60R Multi-Mission Helicopters with Support and related equipment for an estimated cost of $950 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.
• North Korea's Latest Launch Failed 'Immediately,' Says South Korea VOA 15 Mar 2022 -- North Korea tried but apparently failed to launch an unidentified projectile early Wednesday, South Korea's military said, in what could be the North's first high-profile missile failure in years.
• US Military Ramps Up Drills as North Korea Prepares Major Launch VOA 15 Mar 2022 -- The U.S. military said Tuesday it has intensified air defense drills in South Korea and conducted an aircraft carrier exercise in the Yellow Sea as part of a "demonstration of resolve" following two partial North Korean tests of a new long-range missile.
• Pakistan Rejects India's Statement About 'Accidental' Missile Launch as Unacceptable Sputnik 15 Mar 2022 -- Beijing has called for a "dialogue" between Pakistan and India over the accidental missile firing incident. China has also urged the two sides to "step up information sharing" and "establish a reporting mechanism" to avoid such incidents in the future. Meanwhile, the US has backed India's explanation that the incident was just an "accident".
• India Says Reviewing Policy After Misfiring of Missile Into Pakistan VOA 15 Mar 2022 -- India said Tuesday it is reviewing its plan of action for weapons systems, and it promised to fix any shortcomings after accidentally firing an unarmed supersonic missile into arch-rival Pakistan last week.
• Armed Forces will see larger participation of women in the coming years, says Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh at an event organised by FICCI Ladies Organisation India PIB 15 Mar 2022 -- "Armed Forces will see a larger participation of women in the coming years due to the recent steps taken by the Government," said Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh while delivering the keynote address at an event organised by FICCI Ladies Organisation (FLO) in New Delhi on March 15, 2022. "Today, women are not only working in the Army in every wing, but now we are also giving permanent commission to them. Today, admission is being given to boys as well as girls in every Sainik School. The doors of NDA have also been opened for women. About two lakh women took the entrance exam last year with great enthusiasm. The percentage of women in the Indian Army will increase significantly in the coming times," said Shri Rajnath Singh.
• Boost to atmanirbharta: BRO signs MoU with GRSE for construction of 27 double-lane class 70 modular bridges in border areas India PIB 15 Mar 2022 -- Border Roads Organisation (BRO) and Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) Ltd signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for fabrication, supply, erection and launching of 27 carriageway double lane galvanised modular bridges of 7.5 meters with Indian Road Congress (IRC) Load Class 70.
• Western Fleet Deployment to Sri Lanka Ends on High Note India PIB 15 Mar 2022 -- The Western Fleet's deployment to Sri Lanka culminated in a maritime partnership exercise between the two navies on 12 March 2022.
• US General Warns About Iran's Ability to Go Ballistic VOA 15 Mar 2022 -- With much of the world's attention focused on stalled efforts to revive the Iran nuclear deal and keep Tehran's nuclear weapons ambitions in check, a top U.S. commander is warning of an ever-growing threat from Iran's ballistic missile arsenal.
• Photos: Iran's Revolutionary Guards Unveil New 'Smart' Drone Submarine, Faster Speedboats Sputnik 15 Mar 2022 -- Iran's fleet of submarines and so-called "midget subs" are currently operated by the Iranian Navy, not by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), meaning the drone submarine revealed on Tuesday is a new foray into subsurface operations for the force.
• Iran's IRGC launches smart submarines IRNA 15 Mar 2022 -- The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) unveiled smart submarines For the first time.
• IRGC Navy gets smart submarines, other advanced defense hardware Press TV 15 Mar 2022 -- The Navy of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has taken delivery of a series of new advanced homegrown defense hardware with special capabilities, including smart sub-surface vessels along with missiles and speedboats.
• Mirage 2000 crash not due to spare parts shortage: defense minister CNA 15 Mar 2022 -- Monday's Mirage 2000 crash was not due to a spare parts shortage, Taiwan's Defense Minister Chiu Kuo-cheng (邱國正) said on Tuesday, though he admitted that the military was considering upgrading or replacing the aging French-made jets that have been in service for 25 years in Taiwan.
• Operation Flood Assist daily briefing Australia DOD 15 Mar 2022
• Readout of National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan's Meetings with Prime Minister Mario Draghi of Italy and Diplomatic Advisor to the Prime Minister Luigi Mattiolo The White House 15 Mar 2022
• Secretary Blinken's Call with Azerbaijani President Aliyev US Dept. of State 15 Mar 2022
• READOUT: Secretary of the Treasury Janet L. Yellen's Call with Qatari Minister of Finance H.E. Mr. Ali bin Ahmed Al Kuwari US Treasury 15 Mar 2022
• Deputy Secretary Sherman's Call with French Foreign Ministry Secretary General Delattre US Dept. of State 15 Mar 2022
• Department Press Briefing – March 15, 2022 US Dept. of State 15 Mar 2022

Defense Industry

• Contracts For March 15, 2022

Other Conflicts

Ukraine Conflict News
• 15 March 2022 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 15 Mar 2022
• Violence against women in politics marks 'moral and ethical failure' - General Assembly President UN News 15 Mar 2022 -- Top UN officials on Tuesday gathered with government and civil society representatives to draw attention to the scourge of violence against women worldwide who are involved in politics, which is increasingly seeing women parliamentarians, human rights defenders and electoral observers silenced, and intimidated.
• Islamic State Growing in Afghanistan But Not Ready to Attack US, West VOA 15 Mar 2022 -- More than six months after the U.S. pulled its last troops from Afghanistan, the threat from the Islamic State's Afghan affiliate is growing, though new intelligence assessments suggest that earlier warnings the group might be able to strike at America and its allies as early as next month appear to have been overblown.
• New Videos Put Spotlight On Taliban Retribution Killings In Afghanistan RFE/RL Gandhara 15 Mar 2022 -- Newly emerged video of the summary execution of an Afghan accused of fighting against the Taliban in the Panjshir Valley and the torture and killing of a shopkeeper in the northeastern region have added to the growing list of brutal acts of vengeance carried out by the extremist group since its return to power in August.
• Afghanistan: Food insecurity and malnutrition threaten 'an entire generation' UN News 15 Mar 2022 -- People in Afghanistan are today facing a food insecurity and malnutrition crisis of "unparalleled proportions", the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator said on Tuesday.
• Yemen warns of attacks on 'very sensitive targets' in UAE over attempts to starve civilians Press TV 15 Mar 2022 -- A member of Yemen's Supreme Political Council has warned of attacks targeting "very sensitive" positions inside the United Arab Emirates in retaliation for a "deliberate" campaign to starve the Yemeni people, specifically through an ongoing siege imposed on Yemen by a Saudi-led military coalition.
• Yemen war now 'chronic emergency' as millions face hunger UN News 15 Mar 2022 -- After more than seven years of war, Yemen is living in a chronic state of emergency, marked by hunger, disease and other miseries that are rising faster than aid agencies can reverse, UN relief chief Martin Griffiths told the Security Council on Tuesday, as the Special Envoy for the country called for joint efforts by Yemenis and the international community to break the entrenched cycle of violence.
• Joint Statement on the Occasion of the 11-year Anniversary of the Syrian Uprising US Dept. of State 15 Mar 2022 -- The following statement was released by France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America on the occasion of the 11-year anniversary of the Syrian uprising:
• Eleven years on, mounting challenges push many displaced Syrians to the brink UNHCR 15 Mar 2022 -- UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, appeals to the world to not forget or neglect the growing needs of displaced Syrians inside and outside the country, 11 years since the crisis began.
• Syria: Children 'live in fear of violence', scarred by 11 years of war UN News 15 Mar 2022 -- Nearly five million children born in Syria since March 2011 have known nothing but conflict. After 11 years of war, the crisis continues to leave them struggling with physical and psychological scars, the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) said on Tuesday.
• Urgent action needed to protect rights in Myanmar amid 'spiral of violence,' UN says Radio Free Asia 15 Mar 2022 -- More than a year after a coup, Myanmar is "caught in a downward spiral of violence," the U.N. Human Rights Office said in a report Tuesday, calling for urgent action to protect the freedom and livelihoods of those living under military rule in the Southeast Asian nation.
• Myanmar: 'Appalling' violations demand 'unified and resolute international response' UN News 15 Mar 2022 -- Security forces in Myanmar have killed at least 1,600 people and detained more than 12,500, since the military coup last year, the UN rights office said on Tuesday.
• Roadside Bomb Kills At Least Four Pakistani Soldiers, Wounds 10 In Southwest Pakistan RFE/RL Gandhara 15 Mar 2022 -- At least four Pakistani soldiers were killed, and 10 others were wounded on March 15 when an improvised explosive device detonated near a convoy of security forces in southwest Pakistan, officials said.
• Cameroon Says it Will Rebuild Hospitals Destroyed by Boko Haram VOA 15 Mar 2022 -- Cameroon's government says it will rebuild hospitals and clinics destroyed by Boko Haram terrorists along the border with Nigeria. In a visit to the area this week, officials said the facilities were needed for villagers who have suffered from the conflict as well as for former Boko Haram members who have been rehabilitated.

News Reports

• Mitigating Threats Posed by Russian State-Sponsored Cyber Actors' Exploitation of Default Multifactor Authentication Protocol and "PrintNightmare" Vulnerability CISA 15 Mar 2022 -- The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) issued a joint cybersecurity advisory today with technical details, mitigations, and resources regarding previously demonstrated ability of Russian state-sponsored cyber actors to gain network access through exploitation of default multifactor authentication (MFA) protocols and a known vulnerability in Windows Print Spooler, "PrintNightmare."
• Major Israeli websites crash in 'largest-ever cyber attack' against them, officials say Press TV 15 Mar 2022 -- A number of major Israeli websites were downed for a while after a major cyber attack targeted them, said officials, alleging that services have since been restored.
• Israel 'Faces Largest-ever Cyberattack' After Alleged Attempt to Sabotage Iranian Nuclear Facility Sputnik 15 Mar 2022 -- Simmering tensions between sworn adversaries Iran and Israel jumped dramatically last week after an Israeli airstrike killed two Revolutionary Guard officers in Syria. Tehran vowed to retaliate, and launched a dozen Fateh ballistic missiles at a 'Mossad base' in Erbil, Iraq Sunday, killing three alleged Israeli operatives and injuring seven others.
• In major blow, Assange denied permission to appeal against US extradition Press TV 15 Mar 2022 -- The UK's highest court has refused to give permission to Wikileaks' founder, Julian Assange, to appeal against a decision to extradite him to the United States.
• Foreign Ministry statement on personal sanctions on top leadership, MPs and anti-Russia figures in Canada Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 15 Mar 2022
• United response to Putin's war in Ukraine: What sanctions are in force? Germany Federal Foreign Office 15 Mar 2022 -- On 24 February, Russia attacked Ukraine in violation of international law. The EU has therefore, in close cooperation with its partners, imposed "massive" economic sanctions. What sanctions have been imposed? How do sanctions work?
• Meeting with Head of the Federal Medical-Biological Agency Veronika Skvortsova President of Russia 15 Mar 2022 -- Vladimir Putin had a working meeting with Head of the Federal Medical-Biological Agency (FMBA) Veronika Skvortsova.
• Foreign Ministry statement concerning personal sanctions on US senior officials and affiliated persons Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 15 Mar 2022
• Russia introduces sanctions against Biden, Blinken, dozens of other top US officials Press TV 15 Mar 2022 -- Moscow has imposed sanctions on US President Joe Biden, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and dozens of other top officials, banning them from entering Russia in response to the Biden administration's "extremely Russophobic policy."
• U.S. Sanctions More People In Putin's Circle Over Ukraine Invasion RFE/RL 15 Mar 2022 -- The United States has targeted more individuals in Russian President Vladimir Putin's power structure with sanctions over Moscow's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine and slapped fresh punitive measures on Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka, Putin's close ally.
• US Trying to Destroy Relationship With Russia, Deputy FM Says Sputnik 15 Mar 2022 -- Recently, the United States and its allies imposed comprehensive sanctions against Russia in response to its special military operation in Ukraine.
• Promoting Accountability for Human Rights Abuses Perpetrated by the Governments of Russia and Belarus US Dept. of State 15 Mar 2022 -- The United States, with support from Allies and partners, is taking action to promote accountability for the Russian and Belarusian governments' human rights abuses and violations within and outside their borders.
• U.S. Announces Sanctions on Key Members of Russia's Defense Enterprise US Dept. of State 15 Mar 2022 -- The world has been transfixed as Russia has perpetrated a premeditated, unprovoked, and unjustified attack on Ukraine. Russia's further invasion of Ukraine has resulted in widespread human suffering and casualties, including the deaths of innocent civilians, including children. Today, the Department of State is continuing to impose severe costs on Russian military leaders.
• Treasury Sanctions Russians Connected to Gross Human Rights Violations and Corrupt Leader of Belarus US Treasury 15 Mar 2022 -- Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated four individuals and one entity pursuant to the Sergei Magnitsky Rule of Law Accountability Act of 2012 (the Russia Magnitsky Act).
• US Announces More Sanctions on Belarus Leader, Russian Officials VOA 15 Mar 2022 -- The United States on Tuesday announced more sanctions on Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko for his role as an ally of Russia during the invasion of Ukraine.
• Foreign Ministry statement on initiating the process of withdrawing from the Council of Europe Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 15 Mar 2022
• Council of Europe leaders make joint statement on the exclusion of the Russian Federation from the Council of Europe Council of Europe 15 Mar 2022 -- The Italian Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and Chair of the Council of Europe's Committee of Ministers, Luigi Di Maio, the President of the Council of Europe's Parliamentary Assembly, Tiny Kox, and the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Marija Pejčinović Burić, have made the following statement:
• Russia Withdraws From Council of Europe - Lawmaker Sputnik 15 Mar 2022 -- Russia decided to withdraw from the Council of Europe, and NATO countries were fully responsible for breaking off the dialogue, and that Russia was leaving the organization of its own free will, Russian State Duma Deputy Speaker Pyotr Tolstoy, who heads the Russian parliamentary delegation to PACE, said.
• Ukraine: EU agrees fourth package of restrictive measures against Russia European Commission 15 Mar 2022 -- The European Commission welcomes today's agreement by the Council to adopt a fourth package of restrictive measures against Russia in response to its brutal aggression against Ukraine and its people. These sanctions will further contribute to ramping up economic pressure on the Kremlin and cripple its ability to finance its invasion of Ukraine. They have been coordinated with international partners, notably the United States.
• EU Approves Further Sanctions Against Russia, Abramovich And Other Oligarchs RFE/RL 15 Mar 2022 -- European Union member states have formally approved a fourth package of sanctions against Russia following its invasion of Ukraine, including freezing the assets of several oligarchs such as Roman Abramovich, the owner of the Chelsea soccer club.
• EU, US move to revoke Russia's MFN trade status, trying to isolate country from global economy Global Times 15 Mar 2022 -- Following in the steps of the US and Japan, the EU moved to revoke Russia's "most-favored nation" (MFN) trade status under the WTO framework, which experts called a "middle ground choice" between halting trade with Russia and stopping the pace of sanctions, as the EU and its allies hope to isolate Russia from the global economic system, but fear this may backfire on its own economy as the region's trade is closely intertwined with Russian supplies.
• Foreign Secretary announces historic round of sanctions on Russia UK FCDO 15 Mar 2022 -- Liz Truss announces historic round of sanctions, taking the overall number of UK sanctions on Russia to more than 1,000 since the invasion of Ukraine.
• Telephone conversation with King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain President of Russia 15 Mar 2022 -- Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain, at the Bahraini side's initiative.
• US Looks to Block Indian Deal for Russian Oil, But Says Buy Won't Violate Sanctions Sputnik 15 Mar 2022 -- The US is navigating a complex web of oil markets in an attempt to secure petroleum supplies for itself and dodge spiking gas prices while simultaneously denying Russia a market for the oil exports that Washington has boycotted. However, the US has made many enemies and the task is easier said than done.
• Russian Prosecutors Seek 13 Year Additional Sentence for Dissident Navalny VOA 15 Mar 2022 -- Russian prosecutors are seeking an additional 13-year sentence for high profile Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny, a spokeswoman for Navalny said Tuesday.
• Navalny Defiant As Prosecutor Asks For An Additional 13 Years In Prison During Kremlin Critic's Trial RFE/RL 15 Mar 2022 -- The prosecutor in the trial of jailed Russian opposition politician Aleksei Navalny wants the outspoken Kremlin critic to be handed a 13-year prison sentence on charges of embezzlement and contempt of court.
• Anti-War Protester Fined After Disrupting Russian News Program RFE/RL 15 Mar 2022 -- A Russian TV editor who protested Russia's invasion of Ukraine by interrupting a live news broadcast on Russian state television has been fined on a charge of calling for unsanctioned protests, Mediazona reported on March 15.
• Norwegian Energy Firm Equinor Confirms Halt in Trading in, Transporting Russian Oil Sputnik 15 Mar 2022 -- Norwegian energy company Equinor, which had been present in Russia for over 30 years, confirmed that it would stop trading in and transporting Russian oil and oil products amid the country's military operation in Ukraine.
• Russia's Disinformation Playbook Ripped Apart VOA 15 Mar 2022 -- For the past few years, Russia's disinformation apparatus has seemed unstoppable.
• Senior Chinese diplomat meets US national security advisor Global Times 15 Mar 2022 -- Yang Jiechi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, met with US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan on Monday in Rome, capital of Italy.
• In meeting, U.S. voices concerns over China's actions in Taiwan Strait CNA 15 Mar 2022 -- U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan expressed concerns about Beijing's "provocative" activities across the Taiwan Strait during talks with his Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi (楊潔篪) on Monday, according to a senior Biden administration official.
• China criticizes US' inconsistency on Taiwan question at Yang-Sullivan meeting as US fails to impose its Ukraine stand Global Times 15 Mar 2022 -- China's top diplomat Yang Jiechi met with US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan in the Italian capital of Rome on Monday, elaborating on China's position on the situation in Ukraine and calling on the international community to jointly support Russia-Ukraine peace talks. The two sides also had candid, in-depth and constructive discussions on China-US relations and agreed on jointly implementing the consensus reached by the two heads of state and managing the differences.
• China strongly opposes US' political manipulation over map ban regarding Taiwan Global Times 15 Mar 2022 -- Chinese Foreign Ministry on Monday strongly opposed US' attempts of political manipulation over the Taiwan question through a recent ban passed by the US Congress on the use of maps that "inaccurately" depict the Taiwan island. The ministry warned the US to stop hollowing out the one-China principle and urged the US to safeguard the overall interests of China-US relations.
• UN asks China not to send 7 North Korean refugees back home Radio Free Asia 15 Mar 2022 -- The U.N. is asking Beijing not to repatriate seven detained refugees from North Korea who escapee rights groups say would face severe retribution from the government if returned to their home country.
• Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's opening remarks during talks with Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, Moscow, March 15, 2022 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 15 Mar 2022
• Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's remarks and answers to media questions following talks with Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, Moscow, March 15, 2022 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 15 Mar 2022
• FM Amirabdollahian: US should respond to remaining issues in Vienna IRNA 15 Mar 2022 -- Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian stressed on Tuesday that if Washington responds to the few remaining but critical issues and doesn't waste time, returning to Vienna to wrap up negotiations is possible ASAP.
• Russia not obstacle on way of reaching agreement in Vienna: Iran FM ISNA 15 Mar 2022 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian stressed that Russia isn't an obstacle on the way of reaching n agreement in Vienna.
• Vienna talks among significant issues to be discussed in Moscow: Iran FM ISNA 15 Mar 2022 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian stressed that Iran strongly condemns war across the world as well as imposing unilateral sanctions against nations.
• US still engaging with Russia on Iran nuclear deal: State Dept. official Press TV 15 Mar 2022 -- A senior US State Department official says the United States continues to engage with Russia on reviving the Iran nuclear deal.
• Iran urges US to drop 'excessive demands' to facilitate deal in Vienna Press TV 15 Mar 2022 -- Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian says Iran hopes that the United States will drop its "excessive demands" in the ongoing talks in the Austrian capital of Vienna so that the negotiating parties can clinch a "good agreement" on reviving the landmark 2015 deal.
• Russian Diplomat Rejects Speculations About Russia's Demands Blocking Revival of JCPOA Sputnik 15 Mar 2022 -- Permanent Representative of Russia to International Organizations in Vienna Mikhail Ulyanov on Tuesday called speculations about Russia's alleged "last-minute" demands to block the restoration of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) a lie.
• US Promises Russia Sanctions Won't Affect Nuclear Cooperation to Salvage Iran Nuclear Deal: Report Sputnik 15 Mar 2022 -- The US and its allies have slapped hundreds of sanctions on Russian officials, tycoons, companies and entire economic sectors in recent weeks over the military operation launched by Moscow in late February to demilitarise Ukraine. The crisis reportedly played a role in setting back negotiations in the effort to revive the Iran nuclear deal.
• Effort to Revive Iran Nuclear Deal Entering Homestretch, Russia's Lavrov Says Sputnik 15 Mar 2022 -- Talks on reviving the landmark nuclear agreement - which promises an end to Western sanctions against Iran in exchange for limits on the Islamic Republic's nuclear programme, began last spring after the Biden administration reversed Trump's hardline anti-Iranian stance.
• Iran to set out constructing first ever petrorefinary IRNA 15 Mar 2022 -- Iran is going to start construction of its first ever petrorefinary next Persian year (later in 2022), Oil Minister Javad Owji said on Tuesday.
• U.S. Embassy Concerned Over Arrest Of Kazakh Opposition Politician RFE/RL 15 Mar 2022 -- The U.S. Embassy in Kazakhstan has expressed concern over the recent arrest of leading opposition figure Zhanbolat Mamai, who was placed in pretrial detention for insulting law enforcement officers and distributing "false information," charges many in Kazakhstan have called politically motivated.
• Court Sends Kazakh Ex-President's Nephew To Pretrial Detention On Embezzlement Charge RFE/RL 15 Mar 2022 -- A court in Kazakhstan's capital, Nur-Sultan, has placed a nephew of former President Nursultan Nazarbaev in pretrial detention for two months after he was detained on charges of embezzlement and abuse of power.
• South African Women Hardest Hit in World's Most Unequal Country, Report Finds VOA 15 Mar 2022 -- The consequences of inequality are playing out every day in the historically Black community of Soweto.
• Growing authoritarianism needs more robust response from democracies, experts say Radio Free Asia 15 Mar 2022 -- The United States and other democracies must think of new ways to challenge the rising threat of authoritarian governments across the globe, seen most dramatically in Russia's brutal invasion of Ukraine, according to testimony presented at a U.S. Senate panel today.
• 2022 Turkmenistan Presidential Election US Dept. of State 15 Mar 2022 -- The United States reaffirms our commitment to the people of Turkmenistan and their right to choose their leaders through free and fair elections and in a transparent manner.
• Telephone conversation with President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and President-Elect of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov President of Russia 15 Mar 2022 -- Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and President-Elect of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov.
• As Expected, Son Of Turkmen Leader Easily Wins Election In Familial Transfer Of Power RFE/RL 15 Mar 2022 -- Serdar Berdymukhammedov, the son of autocratic incumbent Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov, has easily won a weekend presidential election in Turkmenistan, a result widely viewed as a formality to the transfer of political power within the family.