Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• Rockets target Ain al-Asad air base housing US forces in western Iraq Press TV 31 May 2022 -- A barrage of rockets has reportedly targeted Ain al-Asad Air Base in Iraq's western province of Anbar, where American military forces and trainers are stationed on alleged training and advisory missions.

Defense Policy / Programs

• USS Billings (LCS 15) Continues Deployment to U.S. 4th Fleet US Navy 31 May 2022 -- The Freedom-variant littoral combat ship USS Billings (LCS 15) departed Ponce, Puerto Rico May 27, continuing its deployment in the U.S. 4th Fleet area of operations.
• Australia, Japan, and the United States Integrate to Prove Lethal during Exercise SOUTHERN JACKAROO USMC News 31 May 2022 -- Marine Rotational Force-Darwin participated in Exercise SOUTHERN JACKAROO 22, a tri-lateral infantry integration exercise featuring Marines and Sailors with MRF-D, Australian Defense Force members, and Japanese Ground Self Defense Force personnel from May 10 - May 31.
• Pentagon in Contact With Moscow to Avoid Escalation in Ukraine, Chiefs of Staff Head Milley Says Sputnik 31 May 2022 -- The United States sees risks of the Ukraine crisis escalating and is working to prevent it, including through contacts with Russian military chiefs, US Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Mark Milley said.
• Kentucky National Guard participates in Tradewinds 22 Army News 31 May 2022 -- Kentucky National Guard Soldiers traveled out of the country to support Operation Tradewinds 22 in Belize Apr. 29-May 25.
• U.S. Navy Announces 28th RIMPAC Exercise US Navy 31 May 2022 -- Twenty-six nations, 38 surface ships, four submarines, nine national land forces, more than 170 aircraft and approximately 25,000 personnel will participate in the biennial Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise scheduled June 29 to Aug. 4, in and around the Hawaiian Islands and Southern California.
• US and Dutch F-35 Fighters Conduct Joint Air Operations in Black Sea Region, NATO Says Sputnik 31 May 2022 -- US fifth generation F-35 fighters conducted joint air operations with Dutch F35s in the Bulgarian airspace, NATO's Allied Air Command said on Tuesday.
• Turkey: Finland, Sweden must amend laws if needed to meet NATO demands Press TV 31 May 2022 -- The Turkish foreign minister says Finland and Sweden must amend their laws if needed to meet Turkey's demands and win Ankara's backing for their NATO membership bid, doubling down on a threat to veto the expansion of the US-led military alliance so long as the two Nordic states failed to stop supporting terrorist groups.
• Turkey Says Awaiting Sweden's and Finland's Responses to Its Conditions on NATO Accession Sputnik 31 May 2022 -- Turkey is awaiting responses from Finland and Sweden to the written conditions set out by Ankara for it to endorse the two countries' accession to NATO, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Tuesday.
• EU Should Become a Major Military Force, Borrell Says Sputnik 31 May 2022 -- Earlier this month, Josep Borrell argued that Brussels would like to "weaken the Russian war machine" in Ukraine, but does not want a direct confrontation with Moscow.
• After Oil Deal, EU Turns to Defense - and Ukraine Aid VOA 31 May 2022 -- European Union leaders are wrapping up a two-day summit Tuesday with discussions on energy, defense, and food security — key issues with the war in Ukraine— after striking a groundbreaking, if watered-down deal on a Russian oil ban. Europe will also be sending nearly $10 billion in much-needed aid to Ukraine.
• European Council: Press remarks by High Representative Josep Borrell upon arrival European External Action Service (EEAS) 31 May 2022 -- Check against delivery!
• Opening remarks by President von der Leyen at the joint press conference with President Michel following the special meeting of the European Council of 31 May 2022 European Commission 31 May 2022
• Opening remarks by President von der Leyen at the joint press conference with President Michel following the special meeting of the European Council of 30 May 2022 European Commission 31 May 2022
• Finland to Build New Air Base in Lapland for Its F-35 Fighters Sputnik 31 May 2022 -- According to Finnish Air Force Colonel Tuukka Karjalainen, the choice of Lapland for a new air base, worth $161 million, was made due to its proximity to Norway, which is a NATO member and a fellow F-35 user. As of now, training missions with neighbouring Norway and Sweden are already being carried out on a regular basis.
• US to Send 'Advanced Rocket Systems' to Ukraine VOA 31 May 2022 -- U.S. President Joe Biden said Tuesday he decided to provide Ukraine with "more advanced rocket systems and munitions" as part of U.S. efforts to help the Ukrainian fight against a Russian invasion now in its fourth month.
• US to Send Ukraine Precision-Guided Missiles With Range of Over 60 Kilometers - WSJ Sputnik 31 May 2022 -- The Biden administration intends to provide Ukraine with precision-guided missiles that could hit targets from a distance of over 60 km as part of efforts to boost Ukrainian military amid Russia's special operation, The Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday, citing US officials.
• U.S. not providing Ukraine with long-range rocket systems: Biden People's Daily 31 May 2022 -- The United States will not provide Ukraine with long-range rocket systems capable of hitting targets inside Russia, President Joe Biden said Monday, despite pleas from Ukraine for the advanced weaponry.
• France to deliver more Caesar howitzers to Ukraine: French FM People's Daily 31 May 2022 -- Visiting French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna said on Monday that her country will deliver more Caesar howitzers to Ukraine, the Interfax-Ukraine news agency reported.
• Firefighter variant of China's large amphibious aircraft AG600 makes 1st flight with new configuration Global Times 31 May 2022 -- The firefighter variant of China's domestically developed large amphibious aircraft AG600, in its complete form with a new configuration, made its first flight in Zhuhai, South China's Guangdong Province, on Tuesday, the Global Times learned from the state-owned Aviation Industry Corporation of China, the manufacturer of the aircraft.
• Chinese Defense Minister to attend Shangri-La Dialogue; throws possibility of a meeting with US defense chief into spotlight Global Times 31 May 2022 -- Chinese State Councilor and Defense Minister General Wei Fenghe will attend the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore in early June, the ministry announced Tuesday. With speculation rising over the possibility of a first in-person meeting between Wei and US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin at the event amid tensions across the Taiwan Straits, Chinese experts said on Tuesday that both sides should keep communicating, despite low expectations for a tangible result.
• Shanghai-based shipyard in full swing as Omicron abates, 'ready for launch of 3rd aircraft carrier' Global Times 31 May 2022 -- In a significant achievement of work resumption after the latest COVID-19 resurgence in Shanghai, the Jiangnan Shipyard on Monday launched three new ships and readied two ships for the next stage of construction, with the shipbuilder vowing to make up for lost time and complete all production missions on time.
• Dragon Boat: China's New Type 003 Super Carrier Could Launch as Soon as Friday - Reports Sputnik 31 May 2022 -- Following war games earlier this month that pushed the limits of its carrier battle group, analysts said China's People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) was preparing for the arrival of the Type 003 aircraft carrier, as well as showing nearby US and Japanese warships what it can do.
• Taiwan Pauses Air Force Training After Cadet Dies in Jet Crash Sputnik 31 May 2022 -- Taiwan halted flight training and grounded its fleet of aging AT-3 jets after a 23-year-old cadet died in a crash during a solo mission early on Tuesday, a military official told media.
• Taiwan Air Force Academy suspends flight training following crash CNA 31 May 2022 -- Taiwan's Air Force Academy on Tuesday suspended all flight training for its cadets and grounded all of its AT-3 trainer jets after an AT-3 used by the academy crashed in Kaohsiung during a training session earlier in the day, killing its pilot.
• Inexperience, aging plane among possible factors in AT-3 crash: ex-general CNA 31 May 2022 -- A relatively inexperienced pilot, an aging aircraft, and unstable atmospheric conditions are possible factors that may have led to Tuesday's deadly AT-3 trainer jet crash that killed the pilot, retired Air Force Lieutenant General Chang Yen-ting (張延廷) told CNA Tuesday.
• Skanska awarded contract to deliver modern British Army vehicle storage facility UK MOD 31 May 2022 -- The Ministry of Defence has awarded Skanska UK a £259 million contract to deliver the Vehicle Storage Support Programme (VSSP) at Ashchurch, Tewkesbury.
• £265 million missile upgrade for UK submarines UK MOD 31 May 2022 -- The UK's stock of Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles will be upgraded on Royal Navy submarines to ensure the weapon is even more effective against future threats.
• Germany agrees on $107bn fund to modernize military amid Russia 'threat' Press TV 31 May 2022 -- Germany's coalition government and the main opposition party have reached an agreement on a €100 billion ($107 billion) boost to the country's military budget on Sunday, despite the country grappling with record inflation.
• MoD signs over Rs 2,900 crore contract with BDL for procurement of ASTRA Mk I Beyond Visual Range Air to Air Missile System & Associated Equipment for Indian Air Force & Indian Navy India PIB 31 May 2022 -- In a major boost to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi's vision of 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat', Ministry of Defence, on May 31, 2022, signed a contract with Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) for supply of ASTRA MK-I Beyond Visual Range (BVR) Air to Air Missile (AAM) and associated equipment for the Indian Air Force & Indian Navy at a cost of Rs 2,971 crore under Buy (Indian-IDDM) category.
• New Zealand Urges US Engagement With Pacific Island States VOA 31 May 2022 -- New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern urged President Joe Biden to engage more with Pacific Island states amid China's concerted push to increase its clout in the region when she met with the U.S. leader at the White House on Tuesday.
• Background Press Call by a Senior Administration Official on President Biden's Meeting with Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern of New Zealand The White House 31 May 2022
• Remarks by President Biden and Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern of New Zealand before Bilateral Meeting The White House 31 May 2022
• Joint Readout of Meeting Between Prime Minister Ardern and Vice President Harris The White House 31 May 2022
• United States - Aotearoa New Zealand Joint Statement The White House 31 May 2022
• Secretary Blinken's Call with Palestinian Authority President Abbas US Dept. of State 31 May 2022
• Deputy Secretary Sherman's Meeting with Israeli National Security Advisor Hulata US Dept. of State 31 May 2022
• Secretary Blinken's Call with Italian Foreign Minister Di Maio US Dept. of State 31 May 2022
• Department Press Briefing – May 31, 2022 US Dept. of State 31 May 2022

Defense Industry

• Contracts For May 31, 2022

Other Conflicts

Ukraine Conflict News
• 31 May 2022 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 31 May 2022
• Philippines summons Chinese diplomat over ship's 'harassment' in South China Sea Radio Free Asia 31 May 2022 -- Manila summoned a senior Chinese diplomat to protest the China Coast Guard's alleged "harassment" of a joint Filipino-Taiwanese research ship in the South China Sea in April, officials here said Tuesday, in a fresh dispute as a new president prepares to take power in the Philippines.
• Syria: Council extends sanctions against the regime for another year EC/CEU 31 May 2022 -- The Council extended EU restrictive measures against the Syrian regime for an additional year, until 1 June 2023, in light of its continued repression of the civilian population in the country.
• Israeli settlers working on new settlement in northern West Bank: Reports Press TV 31 May 2022 -- Israeli settlers have reportedly begun construction of a new settlement to the south of the city of Nablus in the northern part of the Tel Aviv-occupied West Bank.
• Refugees displaced by conflict in Myanmar now more than 1 million Radio Free Asia 31 May 2022 -- The number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Myanmar has surpassed 1 million people for the first time in the nation's history, including nearly 700,000 forced to flee conflict and insecurity since the military's coup in February 2021, according to a new report by the United Nations.
• Tajik Authorities Say More Killed In Restive Gorno-Badakhshan Region RFE/RL 31 May 2022 -- Tajik authorities say security forces have killed five more men in the restive Gorno-Badakhshan region (GBAO), bringing the official number of residents to die at the hands of law enforcement to 26, although locals say the total is much higher.
• De Facto Leader Of Georgia's South Ossetia Suspends Planned Referendum On Joining Russia RFE/RL 31 May 2022 -- The new de facto leader of Georgia's breakaway region of South Ossetia has suspended a referendum on joining the Russian Federation announced by his predecessor.
• Security Council urged to support efforts to end M23 insurgency in DR Congo UN News 31 May 2022 -- The recent resurgence of the M23 armed group in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) constitutes a serious threat to peace, security and stability in the region, and urgent action towards curbing the violence is needed, a senior UN official told the Security Council on Tuesday.
• Rwanda, DRC Leaders to Discuss M23 Rebel Group VOA 31 May 2022 -- The head of the African Union is calling on Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo to lower tensions. The DRC accuses Rwanda of supporting the rebel group M23, which continues to battle the Congolese army in eastern Congo. But analysts are doubtful the tensions or the situation in eastern Congo as a whole will soon improve.
• Mali: UN Humanitarian Chief draws attention to the deteriorating humanitarian situation and need for more support UNOCHA 31 May 2022 -- The Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Martin Griffiths, completed today a four-day visit to Mali, his first to Central Sahel since his appointment as UN humanitarian chief a year ago.
• Cameroon's Military Frees Senator, Other Separatist Hostages VOA 31 May 2022 -- Cameroon's military says it has freed a senator who was held captive by separatists for a month along with other hostages.

News Reports

• Pennsylvania Man Pleads Guilty to Felony Charge for Actions During Jan. 6 Capitol Breach DoJ -US Attorney - DC 31 May 2022 -- A Pennsylvania man pleaded guilty today to a felony charge for his actions during the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. His and others' actions disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the presidential election.
• ODNI Report on Best Practices to Protect Privacy, Civil Liberties, and Civil Rights of Americans of Chinese Descent in the Conduct of U.S. Intelligence Activities Director of National Intelligence 31 May 2022 -- Today, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) released its report, Best Practices to Protect Privacy, Civil Liberties, and Civil Rights of Americans of Chinese Descent in the Conduct of U.S. Intelligence Activities.
• Over a billion methamphetamine tabs seized in East and Southeast Asia UN News 31 May 2022 -- More than one billion methamphetamine tablets were seized in East and Southeast Asia last year, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has warned.
• First Monkeypox Case Confirmed in Norway Sputnik 31 May 2022 -- The first monkeypox case was confirmed in the Norwegian county of Viken in a man who had returned from a foreign trip, the Norwegian Institute of Public Health said on Tuesday.
• Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's remarks at a joint news conference following talks with Foreign Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Manama, May 31, 2022 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 31 May 2022
• Telephone conversation with President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev President of Russia 31 May 2022 -- Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev at the Azerbaijani side's initiative.
• Russia Sanctions Seen Loosening Moscow's Grip on Central Asia VOA 31 May 2022 -- Russia's influence in the former Soviet republics of Central Asia is expected to decline as its overstretched military struggles in Ukraine and its economy suffers shocks from the sanctions imposed by the United States and its allies, according to experts.
• EU leaders agree on sixth package of sanctions against Russia Finnish Government 31 May 2022 -- At the special meeting of the European Council, which began on 30 May in Brussels, the EU leaders agreed to impose new sanctions on Russia due to its invasion of Ukraine. The leaders were joined by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky via video conference for a discussion at the beginning of the meeting. Finland was represented at the meeting by Prime Minister Sanna Marin.
• EU leaders agree to partially ban Russian oil imports, says Charles Michel People's Daily 31 May 2022 -- EU leaders agreed on Monday night to ban "more than two thirds" of Russian oil import to the bloc, President of the European Council Charles Michel tweeted, referring to the move as a maximum pressure on Russia to end the conflict.
• EU leaders strike deal to ban majority of Russian oil imports over Ukraine war Press TV 31 May 2022 -- The European Union leaders on Monday struck a deal to ban the majority of Russian oil imports over Moscow's military operation in Ukraine, which is now into its fourth month.
• Borrell Says EU Sanctions Will Force Russia To Sell Oil At A Lower Price RFE/RL 31 May 2022 -- EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell says the bloc's sixth package of sanctions against Russia, which include major cuts to Russian oil imports to the bloc, will not only impact the amount of crude Moscow will sell abroad, it will also force down the price it can ask.
• U.S. Hails EU Compromise On Russian Oil Sanctions, Urges Less Reliance Over Long Term RFE/RL 31 May 2022 -- The United States has hailed a European Union decision to scale back Russian oil imports but said more needs to be done over time to lessen reliance on Russian energy.
• Netherlands Becomes Latest Country To Be Cut Off From Russian Gas Over Payment System RFE/RL 31 May 2022 -- Russian energy concern Gazprom says it has cut off gas supplies to the Netherlands after the country's gas trader GasTerra, refused to adopt a new payment system required by Russia's government that forces all payments to be made in rubles through a special account system.
• Czechs Summon Russian Ambassador Over Embassy's Real Estate Dealings RFE/RL 31 May 2022 -- Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky has summoned Russia's ambassador to Prague over the Russian Embassy's usage of real estate in the European Union country.
• Navalny Says Faces New Charge That Carries 15-Year Sentence RFE/RL 31 May 2022 -- Jailed Russian opposition politician Aleksei Navalny says he has been informed by investigators that he faces new charges for "creating an extremist group" in connection with his Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK) and groups associated with it.
• Kremlin Critic Navalny Says He Is Facing New Charges VOA 31 May 2022 -- Russian opposition figure Alexey Navalny, who is in prison in Russia, could face 15 more years under a new charge, he said Tuesday.
• Russia's Gazprom to stop gas supply to Netherlands People's Daily 31 May 2022 -- Russia's energy company Gazprom is set to halt its gas supply to the Netherlands from Tuesday after the latter refused to pay in roubles, Dutch gas company GasTerra said Monday.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian's Regular Press Conference on May 31, 2022 PRC MofA 31 May 2022
• Atmosphere of China-US relations far from normal, extreme anxiety of the US completely unnecessary: Chinese FM Global Times 31 May 2022 -- China's State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi warned on Tuesday that China-US relations cannot continue to deteriorate and that right choices should be made.
• China, Tonga to deepen ties in disaster relief, agri, health Global Times 31 May 2022 -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi arrived in Tonga on Tuesday, the fifth leg of a tour to South Pacific island nations, and the two countries signed cooperation deals on disaster relief, agriculture, fishery and health amid some Western countries' malicious hype of China's normal cooperation with regional countries.
• China faces diplomatic setback in its push for influence in Pacific islands Radio Free Asia 31 May 2022 -- China and 10 small Pacific island nations have failed to sign a Beijing-initiated agreement amid concerns in the region about geopolitical power play.
• China tightens grip on activists, dissidents ahead of Tiananmen massacre anniversary Radio Free Asia 31 May 2022 -- Authorities across China are tightening security and ramping up surveillance of dissidents ahead of the Tiananmen massacre anniversary, RFA has learned.
• Uyghur groups urge resignation of UN rights chief for 'Potemkin-style' Xinjiang tour Radio Free Asia 31 May 2022 -- Uyghur rights groups are calling for the United Nations human rights chief to resign after they said she reiterated Chinese talking points in a news conference about her trip to northwestern China's Xinjiang region and failed to denounce the repression Uyghurs face there as a genocide.
• Interview: 6th-term HKSAR chief executive John Lee vows actions for new chapter People's Daily 31 May 2022 -- John Lee, the newly appointed sixth-term chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), has pledged to start a new chapter for Hong Kong by building consensus and delivering results.
• Premier Li grants appointment certificate to John Lee as HKSAR chief executive People's Daily 31 May 2022 -- Premier Li Keqiang granted the official certificate of appointment to John Lee as the sixth-term chief executive of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) on Monday.
• China refutes U.S. remarks on UN human rights chief's visit to China People's Daily 31 May 2022 -- Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian on Monday refuted U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken's remarks about the visit by United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet to China.
• U.S. legislative support for Taiwan's security tremendous: Duckworth CNA 31 May 2022 -- There is tremendous and bipartisan support from U.S. lawmakers for Taiwan's security, visiting United States Senator Tammy Duckworth said Tuesday.
• US senator's trip to Taiwan 'very dangerous'; PLA sent warplanes Global Times 31 May 2022 -- China launched strong opposition on Tuesday with both diplomatic and military means in protest against US senator Tammy Duckworth's surprise visit to the island of Taiwan and talks with secessionists.
• PLA sends 30 warplanes near Taiwan island amid US senator visit, carrier drills Global Times 31 May 2022 -- The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) reportedly dispatched 30 warplanes to the vicinity of the island of Taiwan on Monday, the same day a US senator arrived on the island for a surprise visit, and also at the same time the US Navy was holding dual carrier drills not far away from the region.
• Spox: IAEA report unfair, unbalanced IRNA 31 May 2022 -- Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman said that the United Nations nuclear watchdog's Sunday report was neither fair nor balanced, as Tehran had provided written answers to the Agency's questions.
• Iran censures IAEA unilateral report on process of talks IRNA 31 May 2022 -- Iran's acting envoy to Vienna-based organizations has criticized the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for its unilateral report on the Vienna talks.
• Iran criticizes IAEA's unilateral, unfair report ISNA 31 May 2022 -- Permanent representative of Iran to the International Organization in Vienna Mohammad Reza Ghaebi declared, "The IAEA Director General's report does not reflect Iran's extensive cooperation with the Agency, and such an approach is unconstructive and harmful".
• Iran says IAEA's latest report unfair, does not reflect truth Press TV 31 May 2022 -- Iran's Foreign Ministry says that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)'s latest report on the country's stockpile of enriched uranium is not fair and does not reflect the truth about the talks between Iran and the agency.
• 'Unfair and Unbalanced': Tehran Slams IAEA's New Report on Iran's Nuclear Programme Sputnik 31 May 2022 -- The document was released as parties to the 2015 Iran nuclear deal are trying to finalise efforts to revive what is also known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). The agreement was unilaterally abandoned by the US in 2019, in a move that was followed by Iran starting to scale down its JCPOA obligations.
• IAEA burning opportunity to solve remaining issues with Iran IRNA 31 May 2022 -- Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Mariano Grossi has missed an opportunity suggested by Iran to resolve outstanding issues of the Safeguards Agreement.
• On Backdrop of IAEA Report PM Naftali Bennett Refers to Iranian Foreign Minister's Remarks in Davos Last Week Israel - Prime Minister 31 May 2022 -- On the backdrop of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) report on the Iranian nuclear issue, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, today, referred to the mendacious remarks by Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian at the World Economic Forum in Davos last week.
• 'Iran Lied': Bennett Accuses Tehran of Stealing Documents to Deceive IAEA Over Nuclear Programme Sputnik 31 May 2022 -- The PM's finger-pointing comes as parties to the 2015 Iran nuclear deal seek to finalise the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). The US unilaterally left the deal in 2018, a move that prompted Iran to scrap its obligations.
• By failure to respond to Iran's initiatives, US is to blame for pause in Vienna talks: Khatibzadeh ISNA 31 May 2022 -- Regarding the recent diplomatic visits including the visits of Emir of Qatar and Tajik President to Tehran, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh said, "Iran's foreign policy in the field of neighborliness has been taken into consideration seriously".
• US bargaining for extra clauses, creating obstacles to reviving JCPOA: Russia FM Press TV 31 May 2022 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says the United States has been bargaining for some "additional clauses" in talks between Iran and the P4+1 group of countries, thus creating barriers to reviving the multilateral 2015 deal that it has abandoned.
• Envoy: IAEA report fails to reflect Iran's vast cooperation with UN nuclear agency Press TV 31 May 2022 -- Iran's permanent representative to the Vienna-based International Organizations says a latest report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on the country's stockpile of enriched uranium is one-sided and fails to reflect Iran's extensive cooperation with the UN nuclear watchdog.
• Suspected bombing in downtown Yangon kills one, injures nine Radio Free Asia 31 May 2022 -- An explosion on a busy street in downtown Yangon killed one person and injured nine others on Tuesday, AFP news agency quoted police sources as saying.
• World Bank to disburse 700 million USD to Sri Lanka: minister People's Daily 31 May 2022 -- The World Bank will disburse approximately 700 million U.S. dollars to Sri Lanka within the next few months, Sri Lanka's foreign minister announced on Monday.
• Cambodia arrests returned exile who supports opposition political party Radio Free Asia 31 May 2022 -- Authorities in Cambodia on Monday arrested a former youth activist and Norwegian citizen who recently returned from exile to support the opposition Candlelight Party in the June 5 local communal elections, RFA has learned.
• Kyrgyzstan Confiscates Jailed Ex-President's Compound Near Bishkek RFE/RL 31 May 2022 -- Kyrgyzstan's Foundation on Directing State Property (MMBF) says it has confiscated the luxury compound of jailed former President Almazbek Atambaev.
• At Swearing-In For Second Term, Vucic Pledges EU Course For Serbia RFE/RL 31 May 2022 -- Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has pledged to keep the Balkan country on its European Union membership path as he was sworn in for a second term.
• FAO ramps up support to Sudan farmers as starvation threat grows in East Africa UN News 31 May 2022 -- The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is scaling up operations in Sudan, where 10.9 million people, 30 per cent of the population, are expected to need lifesaving support this year - the highest number in the past decade, the UN agency said on Tuesday.