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Defense Policy / Programs

• Illinois Army National Guard receives UH-60V Black Hawks Army News 18 Mar 2022 -- The Illinois Army National Guard has received new UH-60V Black Hawk helicopters, the latest rotary-wing aircraft in the Army's inventory. The helicopters are assigned to the 106th Aviation Regiment, stationed in Kankakee and Decatur.
• Vermont Guard participates in Canadian extreme cold exercise Army News 18 Mar 2022 -- Vermont Army National Guard Soldiers trekked into the Canadian wilderness for "Guerrier Nordique," a combined, two-week extreme cold-weather exercise.
• $20 million in APS-2 repair parts, tools and supply items accounted for then delivered to armored brigade in Grafenwoehr Army News 18 Mar 2022 -- What's easily apparent are the tanks and armored vehicles being prepared, loaded, transported, offloaded, staged and issued, but what's less obvious are all the supply items, tools and repair parts needed to keep those vehicles and the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, up and running.
• CENTCOM Commander Gen. Frank McKenzie Holds a Press Briefing, March 18, 2022 DoD 18 Mar 2022
• Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Visit to Slovakia DoD 18 Mar 2022
• Air and Missile Defense Vital to Region in Face of Iran Threats, General Says DoD News 18 Mar 2022 -- Ballistic missile threats from Iran and its proxies are deeply concerning to nations in the Middle East, the commander of U.S. Central Command said.
• Ambassador Looks to Further Partnership With African Nations, DOD DoD News 18 Mar 2022 -- U.S. Ambassador Andrew Young is the personification of U.S. policy on the African continent — diplomacy first.
• Ukraine-California Ties Show Worth of National Guard Program DoD News 18 Mar 2022 -- When Russia invaded Ukraine with more than 150,000 troops Feb. 24, most people — especially Russian President Vladimir Putin — expected a Russian cakewalk.
• Swedish Air Bosses participate in Red Flag-Nellis 22-2, exchange information US Air Force 18 Mar 2022 -- The Swedish Air Force provided a vital role to the 414th Combat Training Squadron's Red Flag-Nellis 22-2 with two air bosses. Their participation promotes interoperability between friendly forces and the exchange of information for both future Red Flag exercises and the Swedish Arctic Challenge Exercise.
• Truman and Cavour and Charles de Gaulle Conduct Joint Operates in Ionian Sea US Navy 18 Mar 2022 -- Naval forces from France, Italy and the U.S. conducted tri-carrier operations in the Ionian Sea, Mar. 17, in direct support of NATO security operations.
• US Military Plane With 4 People on Board Crashes in Norway During Cold Response Sputnik 18 Mar 2022 -- The US Marine Corps representative told Sputnik that the aircraft was taking part in a NATO military drill called Exercise Cold Response 2022. The US military is now assisting Norwegian authorities in its search and rescue operations.
• NATO Chief Says 100,000 US Troops Now in Europe as Russia Continues Its Special Op in Ukraine Sputnik 18 Mar 2022 -- During a special operation in Ukraine, under way since 24 February, Russian troops have only destroyed the country's military infrastructure with high-precision weapons, which don't target Ukrainian civilians, according to the Russian Defence Ministry.
• Europe goes on buying spree for US weapons amid Ukraine war Press TV 18 Mar 2022 -- Feeling increasingly unnerved by Russia's military offensive in Ukraine, many European countries have turned to the United States with a bucket list of arms, including drones, missiles, and missile defenses.
• Navy, Air Force support Pacific fisheries Australia DOD 18 Mar 2022 -- The Australian Defence Force (ADF) is working with its south-west Pacific neighbours to detect and deter illegal maritime activity in the region.
• US Navy crew helps clean up Australia DOD 18 Mar 2022 -- USS Frank Cable recently arrived in Brisbane, and some of the ship's company stepped ashore to help Australian Defence Force personnel deployed on Operation Flood Assist with clean-up tasks.
• Iran's Navy dispatches 81st flotilla of warships to high seas Press TV 18 Mar 2022 -- A flotilla of Iranian warships has left the country's southern port city of Bandar Abbas for high seas on a routine mission to maintain the Islamic Republic's sway in international waters, not least the Gulf of Aden.
• Towards a National Security Strategy Germany Federal Foreign Office 18 Mar 2022 -- The 90-minute event marked the official start of work on the National Security Strategy. In her speech, Foreign Minister Baerbock set out what the National Security Strategy is about:
• Secretary Blinken's Meeting with Malawian President Chakwera US Dept. of State 18 Mar 2022
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken And Malawian President Lazarus Chakwera Before Their Meeting US Dept. of State 18 Mar 2022
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken Roundtable with Journalists US Dept. of State 18 Mar 2022
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jen Psaki, March 18, 2022 The White House 18 Mar 2022
• Department Press Briefing – March 18, 2022 US Dept. of State 18 Mar 2022

Defense Industry

• Contracts For March 18, 2022

Other Conflicts

Ukraine Conflict News
• 18 March 2022 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 18 Mar 2022
• UN Hails Taliban Plan to Reopen Afghan Girls' Schools VOA 18 Mar 2022 -- Afghanistan's Taliban said Friday they will allow all girls in grades seven and up to return to school next week, a move praised by the United Nations.
• Taliban Welcomes UN Resolution Extending Assistance Mission In Afghanistan RFE/RL Gandhara 18 Mar 2022 -- The Taliban has welcomed a UN Security Council resolution formally extending the UN's presence in Afghanistan, although the Taliban-led government remains unrecognized by the international community.
• UN High Commissioner for Refugees calls for greater support for Afghan refugees in Tajikistan UNHCR 18 Mar 2022 -- Concluding a two-day visit to Tajikistan, UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi called on the international community to redouble its support for Afghan refugees in Tajikistan and throughout the region.
• Security Council extends mandate of UN mission in Afghanistan People's Daily 18 Mar 2022 -- The Security Council on Thursday adopted a resolution to extend the mandate of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) for one year, till March 17, 2023.
• UN Human Rights Council 49: UK statement for the interactive dialogue with UN Commission of Inquiry on Syria UK FCDO 18 Mar 2022 -- The UK's Global Ambassador for Human Rights, Rita French delivered the statement, reiterating that in Syria, as in Ukraine, there can be no impunity for violations of international humanitarian and human rights law.
• Local PDF leader confirms killing of 10 in Myanmar's Sagaing region Radio Free Asia 18 Mar 2022 -- The leader of an anti-junta paramilitary force in Myanmar's Sagaing region on Friday confirmed reports that his group had killed 10 people in a November incident and vowed to accept responsibility if an inquiry launched by the shadow National Unity Government (NUG) finds him accountable.
• UN Human Rights Council 49: UK statement for the interactive dialogue with the Commission on South Sudan UK FCDO 18 Mar 2022 -- The UK's Global Ambassador for Human Rights, Rita French delivered the statement, noting that it is clear from the Commission's report that the human rights situation in South Sudan remains incredibly grave.
• Bosnian Serbs Approve Proposals To Counter Economic Challenges RFE/RL 18 Mar 2022 -- The assembly of Republika Srpska, Bosnia's Serbian entity, has adopted proposals for the central Bosnian parliament on ways to counter economic challenges faced by the country, which is going through its worst political crisis since the end of the Balkan wars of the 1990s.
• UNHCR and partners seek US$1.2 billion to address Africa's largest refugee crisis UNHCR 18 Mar 2022 -- UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, together with 102 humanitarian and development partners is appealing for US$1.2 billion to deliver much-needed humanitarian assistance and protection to 2.3 million South Sudanese refugees and local communities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan, and Uganda.
• Cameroon Says Frightened Separatists Relocate to Border with Nigeria, Harass Civilians VOA 18 Mar 2022 -- Cameroon's government says calm is gradually returning to several towns in its English-speaking western regions after the military launched raids on separatist strongholds during the past month.
• Mali Suspends French Broadcasts Amid Tensions VOA 18 Mar 2022 -- Authorities in Mali have taken Radio France Internationale and France 24 television off the air, accusing the media outlets of broadcasting false allegations against the Malian army.

News Reports

• Department of State Offers Reward for Information to Bring Guatemalan Drug Trafficker to Justice US Dept. of State 18 Mar 2022 -- The U.S. Department of State is offering a reward of up to $10 million for information leading to the arrest or conviction of Eugenio Darío Molina-López ("Molina"), a Guatemalan international drug trafficker. Molina is a leader of a Transnational Criminal Organization (TCO) known as Los Huistas. Los Huistas is primarily based in the Huehuetenango region of Northwest Guatemala that borders Mexico.
• Treasury Sanctions Guatemala's Los Huistas Drug Trafficking Organization with Ties to Mexican Cartels US Treasury 18 Mar 2022 -- Today, the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated the Los Huistas Drug Trafficking Organization (DTO) and its leaders pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 14059 for drug trafficking that threatens the people and security of the United States and Guatemala.
• Leader of Guatemalan Drug Trafficking Organization and Guatemalan Politician Indicted for International Cocaine Trafficking US Dept. of Justice 18 Mar 2022 -- A federal court in the District of Columbia today unsealed two separate indictments charging Aler Baldomero Samayoa-Recinos, aka Chicharra, and his son-in-law Freddy Arnoldo Salazar Flores, aka Fredy, Freshco, Boyca, Boyka, Torojo, Flaquillo, and Flaco, with conspiracy to distribute five kilograms of cocaine for importation to the United States. Salazar Flores is a representative of the Central American Parliament (PARLACEN).
• Bulgaria Expels 10 Russian Diplomats, Baltics Follow Suit With Another 10 Expulsions RFE/RL 18 Mar 2022 -- Bulgaria is expelling 10 Russian diplomats saying they were carrying out activities deemed incompatible with their diplomatic status, a move followed up quickly by the Baltic nations of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.
• Ten Russian Diplomats Declared Personae Non Gratae in Bulgaria Sputnik 18 Mar 2022 -- Earlier in the week, Slovakia decided to expel three Russian diplomats on suspicion of espionage.
• Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's interview with RT, Moscow, March 18, 2022 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 18 Mar 2022
• Commerce Department Identifies Commercial and Private Aircraft Exported to Russia in Apparent Violation of U.S. Export Controls US Dept. of Commerce 18 Mar 2022 -- Today, the U.S. Commerce Department, through its Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), publicly identified commercial and private aircraft that have flown into Russia in apparent violation of the Export Administration Regulations (EAR).
• British Media Regulator Revokes Russian RT's Broadcasting License In U.K. RFE/RL 18 Mar 2022 -- Britain's media regulator, Ofcom, says it has revoked Russian-backed television channel RT's license to broadcast in the United Kingdom "with immediate effect."
• The Week In Russia: War And Warnings Of A Purge RFE/RL 18 Mar 2022 -- President Vladimir Putin sought to justify Russia's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine and the Kremlin's intense crackdown at home in an alarming, falsehood-filled address as civilian casualties mounted. A maverick protester on Russian state TV said Putin bore sole responsibility for the "fratricidal" conflict, and U.S. President Joe Biden called him a "war criminal."
• Homes Searched After Criticism Of Russian Governor's War Comments RFE/RL 18 Mar 2022 -- Police in Russia's northwestern city of Pskov have searched the homes of several politicians, activists, and journalists as part of a probe related to criticism of the regional governor's announcement of the deaths of soldiers from the area during the war against Ukraine.
• Russian State TV Cuts Putin's Speech Mid-Sentence, Kremlin Blames Technical Issue RFE/RL 18 Mar 2022 -- Russian state television channel Rossia-24 cut away from President Vladimir Putin in mid-sentence as he was delivering a speech to a huge crowd of Muscovites at the Luzhniki sports stadium in the Russian capital.
• Russian Media Regulator Claims Google Spreading Threats Via YouTube RFE/RL 18 Mar 2022 -- Russia's media regulator, Roskomnadzor, has demanded that Google stop the spread of videos on its YouTube platform that it says are "threatening Russian citizens."
• Russia Says YouTube Users Spreading 'Terrorist' Threats VOA 18 Mar 2022 -- Russian internet regulator Roskomnadzor has accused Google's YouTube of "spreading threats against citizens of the Russian Federation" in a statement released Friday.
• Putin Proposes Five-Year Extension Of Central Bank Chairwoman's Term RFE/RL 18 Mar 2022 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has submitted a proposal to the State Duma to nominate Elvira Nabiullina to serve another term as the head of the central bank of Russia.
• Russia's Gazprombank Launches Own Payment Service GazpromPay Sputnik 18 Mar 2022 -- Gazprombank has launched its own payment service GazpromPay in Russia, which allows users to pay in online stores with any bank card or get a virtual card, the bank said in a statement on Friday.
• Truth Will Seep Through, Russian Journalists Say VOA 18 Mar 2022 -- U.S. lawmakers warned this week that Russian President Vladimir Putin is seeking to eliminate a free press to prevent Russian media from reporting on the war in Ukraine.
• US Sees No Letup in Russian Influence Operations VOA 18 Mar 2022 -- According to U.S. and Ukrainian officials, Moscow's efforts to win over the world with its accounts of events in Ukraine are doing no better than Russia's military forces inside Ukraine.
• Readout of President Joseph R. Biden Jr. Call with President Xi Jinping of the People's Republic of China The White House 18 Mar 2022
• Background Press Call by a Senior Administration Official on President Biden's Call with President Xi Jinping of China The White House 18 Mar 2022
• Biden Warns Xi About 'Consequences' Of Chinese Support For Russia's Ukraine War RFE/RL 18 Mar 2022 -- U.S. President Joe Biden has outlined to his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, the "consequences" of any support for Russia in its war against neighboring Ukraine, the White House said.
• In Call, Biden Warned Xi Not to Support Russia VOA 18 Mar 2022 -- U.S. President Joe Biden spoke to Xi Jinping on Friday, warning the Chinese leader not to provide material support to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, a day after Biden's top diplomat acknowledged that Washington believed Beijing is willing to provide such support.
• China sends tough signal ahead of Xi-Biden talk to set firm position on bilateral ties, Ukraine issue Global Times 18 Mar 2022 -- Just hours before the phone call between Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Joe Biden on Friday, China, in a rare move, sent tough signals, stating it will never accept US threats and coercion over the Ukraine issue and vowing to make a strong response if the US takes measures harming China's legitimate interests.
• Exclusive: China never accepts US coercion on Ukraine, will take strong countermeasures if interests of Chinese companies, individuals violated Global Times 18 Mar 2022 -- An anonymous official told the Global Times that at the request of the US, Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Joe Biden will hold a phone call to exchange views on China-US relations and the Ukraine situation; out of considerations of bilateral relations, promoting peace talks and urging the US to take right stance, China accepted the proposal.
• Xi stresses joint China-U.S. efforts for world peace, tranquility PLA Daily 18 Mar 2022 -- China and the United States must not only guide their relations forward along the right track, but also shoulder their share of international responsibilities and work for world peace and tranquility, Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Friday.
• Xi Jinping: Countries should not come to the point of meeting on the battlefield. Conflict andconfrontation are not in anyone's interest. Peace and security are what the international community should treasure the most. PRC MofA 18 Mar 202
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian's Regular Press Conference on March 18, 2022 PRC MofA 18 Mar 2022
• Hong Kong TV station apologizes for reporter's question about medical complaints Radio Free Asia 18 Mar 2022 -- Journalists in Hong Kong have hit out at criticism of a colleague in the pro-Chinese Communist Party (CCP) press after she asked a question about complaints procedures following a medical accident involving staff from mainland China.
• Taiwan confirms Chinese aircraft carrier transit in Taiwan Strait CNA 18 Mar 2022 -- A Chinese aircraft carrier sailed through the Taiwan Strait on Friday, Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense (MND) confirmed, adding that it had a full grasp of the situation in the sensitive waters.
• Aircraft carrier Shandong's Taiwan Straits transit routine, not linked with talks between Chinese, US top leaders: FM Global Times 18 Mar 2022 -- The alleged transit of the Shandong, the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy's second aircraft carrier, through the Taiwan Straits on Friday is likely a routine arrangement and should not be linked with the communication between the Chinese and US heads of state, said the Chinese Foreign Ministry.
• Federal Foreign Office on the failed testing of a ballistic missile by North Korea Germany Federal Foreign Office 18 Mar 2022 -- A Federal Foreign Office Spokesperson issued the following statement today (18 March) on reports of the failed testing of a ballistic missile by North Korea on 16 March:
• Comment by Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova on Russia's approach in support of reviving the Iranian nuclear deal Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 18 Mar 2022
• Refinery of phase 14 of the South Pars joint field becomes operational IRNA 18 Mar 2022 -- The CEO of the National Iranian Oil Company announced that the first processing line of the South Pars Refinery Phase 14 has resume by sending refined gas to the national gas transmission line.
• Minister: Iran sent oil to places US cannot even think of, fully received payments' Press TV 18 Mar 2022 -- Oil Minister Javad Owji says Iran has managed to increase its oil sales and receive all the revenues despite intensified pressure from Washington to halt the sales by trying to seize Iranian oil tankers.
• UN Human Rights Council 49: UK statement for the dialogue on the involvement of the UN in the situation of human rights in Myanmar UK FCDO 18 Mar 2022 -- The UK's Global Ambassador for Human Rights, Rita French delivered the statement thanking the Secretary General for his previous statements on the situation in Myanmar and welcoming the appointment of his new Special Envoy Dr Noeleen Heyzer.
• Kazakh President Unlikely To Give Up Real Power Despite Pledging End To 'Super-Presidency' RFE/RL 18 Mar 2022 -- Some experts are dismissing the Kazakh president's proposal to limit the powers of his office as a populist move designed to appease the public following bloody riots in the oil-rich country in January.
• Kazakhstan To Use Ruble When Doing Business With Russia, Belarus RFE/RL 18 Mar 2022 -- Kazakhstan has decided to use Russian rubles for the payment of customs fees in bilateral trade after Western sanctions imposed on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine made it impossible to use other foreign currencies.
• India Rebukes US for Warning Against Russian Oil Imports Sputnik 18 Mar 2022 -- India's public sector business Indian Oil has bought around 3 million barrels of crude oil after Russia offered a deep discount compared with Brent crude. White House press secretary Jen Psaki warned India that buying Russian oil would put the world's largest democracy on the wrong side of history.
• Pakistan PM Khan Faces Uncertain Future After Several Legislators Desert Him VOA 18 Mar 2022 -- Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan is struggling to hang on to power after at least a dozen legislators from his ruling party switched sides ahead of a vote of no-confidence against him.
• Saudi Crown Prince Reiterates Importance of Adhering to OPEC+ Deal Sputnik 18 Mar 2022 -- Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud stressed the importance of complying with the OPEC+ deal between oil-producing countries in order to balance supply and demand in the oil market, the Saudi Foreign Ministry said on Friday.
• Cambodia agrees to prevent intimidation in run-up to elections Radio Free Asia 18 Mar 2022 -- Cambodia's Ministry of Interior Friday accepted a small opposition party's request to try to prevent political intimidation ahead of June's local elections, the party said in a statement.
• Cambodian PM Seen Hoping Meeting With Japan's Kishida Will Ease Ties with West VOA 18 Mar 2022 -- Analysts say Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen's priority for a planned meeting with his Japanese counterpart, Fumio Kishida, this weekend is finding new sources of funding, and repairing damaged ties with the West, as massive Chinese investments fade and the economic consequences of COVID-19 set in.
• Thailand to buy power from Mekong River dams in Laos Radio Free Asia 18 Mar 2022 -- Laos is set to sign agreements with Thailand to sell electricity from three dams being built on the Mekong River, despite opposition to the projects' construction voiced by villagers and NGOs, according to Lao and Thai sources.
• Bulgarian Ex-PM Borisov Released After Graft Probe Arrest RFE/RL 18 Mar 2022 -- Police have released Bulgaria's former Prime Minister Boyko Borisov after arresting him as part of an EU corruption investigation.
• UN: Venezuelan Officials Violate Human Rights with Impunity VOA 18 Mar 2022 -- A team of U.N. investigators said the Venezuelan government has failed to honor its pledge to reform its judicial system and end impunity for perpetrators of human rights violations.
• Small Businesses in Nigeria Face Downtime Amid Fuel, Electricity Shortages VOA 18 Mar 2022 -- Weeks of scarce fuel coupled with a failing national electricity grid are hurting countless small businesses across Nigeria. Some businesses have temporarily shut down, while others reduced hours to cope with the energy shortage.
• Despite Oil and Gas Reserves, Africa Feels Pressure of Rising Energy Costs VOA 18 Mar 2022 -- Africans are feeling the pinch caused by soaring global energy prices, say analysts, even in countries like Nigeria and Angola that are major exporters of crude oil.