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Defense Policy / Programs

• Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Meeting With the President of the Federal Republic of Somalia Hassan Sheikh Mohamud DoD 15 Sep 2022
• Deputy Secretary of Defense Dr. Kathleen Hicks Remarks in a Fireside Chat at the AFCEA/Intelligence and National Security Alliance 2022 Intelligence & National Security Summit DoD 15 Sep 2022
• 15 September 2022 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 15 Sep 2022
• South Carolina Air National Guard wraps up exercise Relampago VII US Air Force 15 Sep 2022 -- U.S. Air Force Col. Quaid Quadri, center right, South Carolina Air National Guard’s 169th Fighter Wing commander, U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Madison Woo, center left, South Carolina Air National Guard’s 157th Fighter Squadron commander, pause for a post-flight photo with Colombian Air Force Col. Pedro Vega, Air Combat Command commander, right, and Colombian Air Force’s 111th Fighter Squadron commander, Maj. Rommel Rodriguez, in front of an F-16 fighter jet during Relampago VII, an exercise in Barranquilla, Colombia, September 2, 2022. The purpose of this exercise is to provide the Colombian Air Force with requested realistic interoperability training as allied countries, under NATO standards. South Carolina is Colombia’s State Partner in the State Partnership Program. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. Carl Clegg, 169th Fighter Wing Public Affairs)
• B-1s border Arctic for Baked Alaskan; enhance ACE practices US Air Force 15 Sep 2022 -- Two B-1B Lancers and approximately 50 Airmen assigned to Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, engaged in an Agile Combat Employment exercise, Baked Alaskan, at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, Sept. 9-10.
• Republic of Fiji hosts U.S. Pacific Fleet Commander and Littoral Combat Ship USS Jackson US Navy 15 Sep 2022 -- Independence-class littoral combat ship USS Jackson (LCS 6) Gold crew completed a successful port visit to Suva, Fiji, Sept. 15. Adm. Samuel Paparo, Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, visited the ship in Fiji and hosted a reception aboard Jackson for local civilian and military leaders.
• USS Paul Ignatius (DDG 117) arrives in Riga, Latvia US Navy 15 Sep 2022 -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Paul Ignatius (DDG 117) arrived in Riga, Latvia for a scheduled port visit, Sept. 15, 2022.
• 33rd U.S.-Egypt Military Cooperation Committee (MCC) DoD 15 Sep 2022 -- Senior delegations from the U.S. Department of Defense and the Egyptian Ministry of Defense met for the 33rd U.S.-Egypt Military Cooperation Committee (MCC) at the Pentagon from September 14-15, 2022.
• Javelin Replacement Contract Awarded DoD 15 Sep 2022 -- The Army awarded a production contract for $311 million on Sep. 13 to the Javelin Joint Venture (JJV) between Raytheon Missiles and Defense and Lockheed Martin for delivery of more than 1,800 Javelins that will serve as replenishment for those rounds from DoD stocks sent to Ukraine in support of their military and security forces.
• Nominee Says Strategic Command Must Deal With Changing World DoD News 15 Sep 2022 -- The world is changing and Air Force Gen. Anthony J. Cotton, the nominee to be commander of U.S. Strategic Command, says Stratcom will have to confront these changes.
• Commandant Says Innovative Marines Key to Battlefield Success DoD News 15 Sep 2022 -- The Marine Corps is blessed to have leaders at all levels who are creative and adept at taking the initiative, Gen. David H. Berger, its commandant, said today in a speech at Defense One's virtual State of Defense.
• DOD's Nuclear, Chemical, and Biological Defense Leader Travels to United Kingdom DoD News 15 Sep 2022 -- Deborah G. Rosenblum, assistant secretary of defense for nuclear, chemical and biological defense programs, delivered a clear message for the importance of international collaboration in order to achieve a future free from chemical weapons and the threat of their use during the 24th International Chemical Weapons Demilitarization Conference last week in London.
• Report: Filipino Workers Unable to Leave US Military Base Amid Pay Dispute VOA 15 Sep 2022 -- The Washington Post reported Wednesday that hundreds of Filipino workers at a U.S. military base on the Indian Ocean island of Diego Garcia are unable to leave due to a pay dispute between a U.S. contractor and the Philippine government.
• DoD Leaders Meet With Republic of Korea Leaders at the Pentagon DoD 15 Sep 2022
• The King Stallion's First Exercise USMC News 15 Sep 2022 -- Arid, hot air sits heavy over the mountains. Soon, the autumn winds will sweep the lands to chase away the heat, but before they can, the chop of helicopter rotor blades can be heard through the valleys. Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 461 has been here before, but never with the latest innovation in Marine Corps aviation: the CH-53K King Stallion.
• Readout of Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Dr. Colin Kahl’s Meeting With Turkish Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Sedat Onal DoD 15 Sep 2022
• Saying The Quiet Part Out Loud: Ukrainian Victories Push Kremlin Toward Potential Mobilization RFE/RL 15 Sep 2022 -- The head of Russia’s Communist Party, these days considered the closest thing to an opposition political party, had frank words about the “extremely difficult and troubling circumstances” facing lawmakers in the wake of Ukraine’s stunning battlefield successes.
• Fact Sheet on U.S. Security Assistance to Ukraine - September 15, 2022 DOD
• $600 Million in Additional Security Assistance for Ukraine DoD 15 Sep 2022 -- Today, the Department of Defense (DoD) announces the authorization of a Presidential Drawdown of security assistance valued at up to $600 million to meet Ukraine’s critical security and defense needs. This authorization is the Biden Administration’s twenty-first drawdown of equipment from DoD inventories for Ukraine since August 2021.
• Memorandum on the Delegation of Authority Under Section 506(a)(1) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 The White House 15 Sep 2022
• Ukraine Contracting Actions - September 15, 2022 DOD 15 Sep 2022
• NATO exercises with new maritime unmanned systems NATO 15 Sep 2022 -- Around 1,500 military and civilian personnel from NATO and partner countries are gathering in Portugal this month for two maritime exercises aimed at testing the interoperability of new maritime unmanned systems. Both exercises are being held in areas around the Troia Peninsula.
• NATO steps up engagement with private sector on emerging technologies NATO 15 Sep 2022 -- Leaders from the technology sector exchanged views on innovation and emerging and disruptive technologies with NATO Allies in the North Atlantic Council on Wednesday (14 September 2022). Allies were joined by Brad Smith, President of Microsoft; Oliver Lewis, Co-Founder of Rebellion Defence; and Stefan Brieschenk, Co-Founder of Rocket Factory. NATO continues to engage with the private sector to ensure the Alliance maintains its technological edge.
• Experts: North Korea's New Law on Preemptive Use of Nuclear Weapons Puts Regime at Risk VOA 15 Sep 2022 -- North Korea has put itself in a dangerous situation by ruling out denuclearization and legalizing the use of its nuclear weapons preemptively to strike against adversaries that threaten its leadership, according to experts.
• Chinese peacekeeping contingents to DRC complete 25th rotation PLA Daily 15 Sep 2022 -- The 25th and 26th Chinese peacekeeping contingents to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) completed the troop rotation and mission handover in the city of Bukavu, South Kivu province, by September 14, local time.
• INS TARKASH MISSION DEPLOYED IN GULF OF GUINEA India PIB 15 Sep 2022 -- Reinforcing Indian Navy's commitment to maritime security, INS Tarkash is currently mission deployed in the Gulf of Guinea (GoG) for anti-piracy operations.
• Australia's first MQ-4C Triton has been unveiled Australia DOD 15 Sep 2022 -- Australia’s first MQ-4C Triton Remotely Piloted Aircraft System has been rolled out today as part of a partnership between the Australian Department of Defence, the United States Navy and Northrop Grumman.
• Statement by Secretary of the Treasury Janet L. Yellen on President Biden’s Executive Order on the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States US Treasury 15 Sep 2022 -- Today, President Biden issued an Executive Order reflecting the evolving national security threat landscape and underscoring the critical role of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS or the Committee) in responding to new and emerging threats and vulnerabilities in the context of foreign investment. The Executive Order elaborates and expands on the existing list of factors that CFIUS considers when reviewing transactions for national security risks and describes potential national security implications in key areas.
• Background Press Call on President Biden’s Executive Order on Screening Inbound Foreign Investments The White House 15 Sep 2022
• Readout by NSC Spokesperson Adrienne Watson of National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan’s Meeting with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of Somalia The White House 15 Sep 2022
• Readout of National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan’s Meeting with Portuguese Foreign Minister João Gomes Cravinho The White House 15 Sep 2022
• Remarks by Vice President Harris Before Multilateral Meeting with Caribbean Leaders The White House 15 Sep 2022
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, September 15, 2022 The White House 15 Sep 2022
• Background Press Call by Senior Administration Officials on the Upcoming Visit of President Cyril Ramaphosa of the Republic of South Africa The White House 15 Sep 2022
• Readout of National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan’s Meeting with 1st Vice Foreign Minister Cho Hyundong and Vice Defense Minister Shin Beomchul of the Republic of Korea The White House 15 Sep 2022
• Readout of President Joe Biden’s Call with King Charles III The White House 14 Sep 2022
• Department Press Briefing - September 15, 2022 US Dept. of State 15 Sep 2022

Defense Industry

• Contracts For Sept. 15, 2022

Other Conflicts

Ukraine Conflict News
• United States Announces Additional Humanitarian Assistance for the Syrian People US Dept. of State 14 Sep 2022 -- At today’s Syria Political-Humanitarian Briefing at the UN Security Council, Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, U.S. Representative to the United Nations, announced more than $756 million in additional humanitarian assistance to continue our unwavering support for the Syrian people.
• Civilians at Increased Risk as Syria War Escalates VOA 14 Sep 2022 -- U.N. investigators warn millions of Syrians, who have endured more than a decade of war, are likely to face more death and injury as fighting intensifies along the country’s northern borders. The Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Syria will submit the report on its latest findings to the U.N. Human Rights Council next week.
• Armenia/Azerbaijan: Statement by the Spokesperson on the latest developments European External Action Service (EEAS) 15 Sep 2022 -- The EU welcomes the agreement on a ceasefire between Armenia and Azerbaijan, which entered in force yesterday at 20:00. We are encouraged by local reports stating that the ceasefire is being respected so far.
• Yerevan Reports Unconfirmed Truce With Azerbaijan As Armenians Demand PM's Resignation RFE/RL 15 Sep 2022 -- A senior Armenian official has said that a cease-fire had been agreed with Azerbaijan after two days of heavy fighting linked to a decades-old dispute between the ex-Soviet Caucasus neighbors over the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh.
• UN remains deeply concerned over ‘dangerous escalation’ following fighting across Armenia-Azerbaijan border UN News 15 Sep 2022 -- A senior official from the UN Political and Peacebuilding Affairs department has called on Armenia and Azerbaijan “to take immediate and concrete steps to deescalate tensions” following several days of fighting this week which reportedly left dozens dead on both sides.
• Armenia Says Cease-fire Deal Reached With Azerbaijan VOA 15 Sep 2022 -- An Armenian official said Wednesday that Armenia and Azerbaijan had negotiated a cease-fire after blaming each other for clashes along their border.
• Cameroon Officials Say Rebels Attacking Schools VOA 15 Sep 2022 -- Officials in Cameroon say armed separatists have chased several thousand children from schools just days after the students returned to classrooms for the first time in years. Troops sent to restore school security in the western regions say they have killed at least 13 rebels in clashes over the last month.

News Reports

• US Believes al-Qaida, IS Shaken by Leadership Losses VOA 15 Sep 2022 -- Despite lingering doubts about the usefulness of so-called decapitation strikes, U.S. operations to kill senior terrorist leaders are paying dividends, according to one of Washington’s top counterterrorism officials.
• Memorandum on Presidential Determination on Major Drug Transit or Major Illicit Drug Producing Countries for Fiscal Year 2023 The White House 15 Sep 2022
• Press Briefing by White House Monkeypox Response Team and Public Health Officials The White House 15 Sep 2022
• Briefing by Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, Moscow, September 15, 2022 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 15 Sep 2022
• Secretary General: Millions of Russians no longer protected by the European Convention on Human Rights Council of Europe 15 Sep 2022 -- Following Russia's exclusion from the Council of Europe on 16 March 2022, as a result of its aggression against Ukraine, the Russian Federation will cease to be a High Contracting Party to the European Convention on Human Rights on 16 September 2022.
• Comment by Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova on London's decision not to invite Russian representatives to the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 15 Sep 2022
• Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's answers to questions for the Moscow. Kremlin. Putin television programme on the sidelines of the SCO summit, Samarkand, September 15, 2022 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 15 Sep 2022
• What We Know About The Russia-China Partnership After The Xi-Putin Meeting RFE/RL 15 Sep 2022 -- At a time of increasing animosity with the West, Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin met in person for the first time since the start of the Ukraine war to showcase their strong ties.
• Meeting with President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev President of Russia 15 Sep 2022
• Meeting with PRC President Xi Jinping and President of Mongolia Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh President of Russia 15 Sep 2022
• Meeting with PRC President Xi Jinping President of Russia 15 Sep 2022 -- Vladimir Putin and President of the People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping held bilateral talks on the sidelines of the SCO Summit in Samarkand.
• Meeting with Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif President of Russia 15 Sep 2022 -- Vladimir Putin met with Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif on the sidelines of the SCO summit.
• Meeting with President of Iran Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi President of Russia 15 Sep 2022 -- Vladimir Putin had a meeting with President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi, in Samarkand.
• Meeting with President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov President of Russia 15 Sep 2022 -- Vladimir Putin met with President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov on the sidelines of the SCO summit.
• Meeting with President of Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Japarov President of Russia 15 Sep 2022 -- Vladimir Putin had a meeting with President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Japarov on the sidelines of the SCO summit in Samarkand, to be held on September 16.
• Telephone conversation with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres President of Russia 15 Sep 2022
• U.S. Warns Against Outside Efforts To Negotiate Release Of Americans Held In Russia RFE/RL 15 Sep 2022 -- The U.S. State Department says efforts by private citizens to broker the release of Americans held in Russia could complicate the government's attempts to bring the U.S. citizens home.
• U.S. Senators Move To Designate Russia State Sponsor Of Terrorism Despite White House Opposition RFE/RL 15 Sep 2022 -- The U.S. State Department has said that the Biden administration is discussing new economic measures to penalize Russia for its invasion of Ukraine after two U.S. senators introduced legislation to label Russia a state sponsor of terrorism.
• Targeting Russia’s Senior Officials, Defense Industrial Base, Financial Infrastructure Leaders, and Human Rights Abusers US Dept. of State 15 Sep 2022 -- The United States continues to hold the Russian government to account for its war against Ukraine.
• Treasury Targets Additional Facilitators of Russia’s Aggression in Ukraine US Treasury 15 Sep 2022 -- Today, as part of its continued response to Russia’s horrific war of aggression against Ukraine, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated 22 individuals and 2 entities, including multiple individuals who have furthered the Government of the Russian Federation’s (GoR) objectives in Ukraine, both prior to and during Russia’s further invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Also included among those being designated is Task Force Rusich, a neo-Nazi paramilitary group that has participated in combat alongside Russia’s military in Ukraine, as well as two of its senior leaders.
• US Targets Russian Officials and Entities with New Sanctions VOA 15 Sep 2022 -- The U.S. on Thursday imposed new economic sanctions on an array of Russians, including some that it accused of stealing Ukrainian grain, an official who allegedly has directed the deportation of tens of thousands of Ukrainian children to Russia, and relatives of Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov.
• China, Uzbekistan pledge to advance mutually beneficial cooperation PLA Daily 15 Sep 2022 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev here on Thursday.
• Xi pays state visit to Kazakhstan PLA Daily 15 Sep 2022 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived here Wednesday afternoon and began his state visit to the Republic of Kazakhstan.
• Xi meets Putin at Central Asia summit as US urges pressure over Ukraine Radio Free Asia 15 Sep 2022 -- Chinese leader Xi Jinping met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Uzbekistan on Thursday, the first meeting between the Russian and Chinese leaders since the Ukraine war began, as Beijing moved to boost ties with Central Asia.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning’s Regular Press Conference on September 15, 2022 PRC MofA 15 Sep 2022
• Xi trip sparks US concern over Chinese influence in Central Asia Radio Free Asia 15 Sep 2022 -- Chinese leader Xi Jinping met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Uzbekistan on Thursday, the first meeting between the Russian and Chinese leaders since the Ukraine war began.
• Pro-China media slam 'minority' of Hong Kong mourners in wake of Queen's death Radio Free Asia 15 Sep 2022 -- A newspaper backed by the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has criticized thousands of Hong Kong mourners who gave condolences or left floral tributes for Queen Elizabeth II, saying further efforts are needed to erase a "colonial mentality" from people's minds.
• President Tsai pledges to deepen ties with like-minded democracies CNA 15 Sep 2022 -- Taiwan will continue to deepen cooperation with democratic nations to safeguard common values and freedoms amid authoritarian expansion in the world, President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) said Thursday at an event in Taipei that marked the 201st anniversary of the independence of five Central American nations.
• European Parliament passes 'silicon shield' pro-Taiwan resolution CNA 15 Sep 2022 -- The European Parliament on Thursday overwhelmingly passed a non binding pro-Taiwan resolution, calling for the boosting of Taiwan's security by strengthening its "silicon shield."
• Taiwan Policy Act would help Taiwan boost defense more swiftly: Scholars CNA 15 Sep 2022 -- A proposed bill that cleared the U.S. Senate Committee on Wednesday, which contains a promise to provide Taiwan up to US$6.5 billion to purchase arms and to regard Taipei as if it were a non-NATO ally of Washington, could help the country boost its defense capability more swiftly, Taiwanese defense experts said Thursday.
• Taiwan lawmakers talk defense, trade with U.S. members of Congress CNA 15 Sep 2022 -- A delegation of lawmakers from Taiwan Wednesday met with their U.S. counterparts in Washington and exchanged views on recent developments in U.S.-Taiwan relations, cross-strait relations, and bilateral trade.
• Taiwan Policy Act clears U.S. Senate committee CNA 15 Sep 2022 -- The Taiwan Policy Act (TPA) -- described by its sponsors as "the most comprehensive restructuring of U.S. policy towards Taiwan since the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA) of 1979" -- cleared the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Wednesday in a 17-5 bipartisan vote.
• U.S., Japan defense chiefs condemn China aggression against Taiwan CNA 15 Sep 2022 -- Defense ministers from the United States and Japan condemned China's recent aggressive behavior in the Taiwan Strait and the region, at a meeting in Washington Wednesday.
• China's WZ-7 UAV detected near Taiwan for the first time CNA 15 Sep 2022 -- Four Chinese warplanes crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait on Thursday, according to the Ministry of National Defense (MND), which also reported for the first time that the Guizhou WZ-7 Soaring Dragon, a high-altitude unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), was detected operating near Taiwan.
• Taiwan Policy Act welcomed by Taipei for enhancing relations with the U.S. Radio Free Asia 15 Sep 2022 -- Taiwan has expressed its “sincerest gratitude” to the U.S. Congress after the Senate Foreign Relations Committee passed a bill that would see a boost in military aid to the democratic island amid China’s increased aggression.
• Latest US Congressional Delegation Reaffirms Taiwan Support VOA 15 Sep 2022 -- The U.S. Congress is moving ahead on bipartisan action strengthening trade and defense ties with Taiwan, as the self-governing island faces new threats from China.
• North Korea eager to restart rail trade with China, Russia Radio Free Asia 15 Sep 2022 -- Economically ailing North Korea desperately wants to resume rail freight with China, and to a lesser extent, Russia, but sources, including a government official, told RFA that the decision to reopen the rails lies with Beijing and Moscow.
• Iran-Russia ties expanding in all sectors: Putin IRNA 15 Sep 2022 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has addressed his Iranian counterpart Ebrahim Raisi that the preparation of a strategic agreement between Tehran and Moscow is in final phases, noting that Iran-Russia relationship is developing in all sectors.
• Iran censures new US-imposed sanctions IRNA 15 Sep 2022 -- The United States' insistence on imposing news sanctions on Iranian nationals and firms indicates the American statesmen's inability to understand world equations, an Iranian official said.
• Document on Iran's accession to SCO signed IRNA 15 Sep 2022 -- Document on formalities or commitments which let Iran be a member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization was signed during a meeting between Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian and the SCO Secretary General Zhang Ming.
• US sanctions 12 Iranian individuals, entities over alleged cyber attacks IRNA 15 Sep 2022 -- The US Department of the Treasury on Wednesday added 10 Iranian individuals and 2 entities to its sanctions list, accusing them of carrying out cyber attacks.
• Sanctioning Iranians for Malicious Cyber Acts US Dept. of State 14 Sep 2022 -- The United States is sanctioning ten individuals and two entities, all affiliated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, for their roles in conducting malicious cyber acts, including ransomware activity.
• With $19.5 Billion Investment, India Joins Global Race to Make Semiconductors VOA 15 Sep 2022 -- India’s ambitions to create a domestic semiconductor manufacturing capability got a boost with this week's announcement of a $ 19.5 billion investment by Taiwanese electronic company Foxconn and local conglomerate Vedanta.
• Japan Reengaging With Africa in Face of Rising China VOA 15 Sep 2022 -- Japan is the latest country to try to increase engagement with Africa in the face of China’s massive influence on the continent and amid perceived threats to the international order.
• Erdogan, Putin Set to Meet at Eurasian Security Meeting in Signal to West VOA 15 Sep 2022 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan heads to Uzbekistan Thursday to attend a meeting of Eurasian security group, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. Erdogan is attending at the invitation of Russian president Vladimir Putin. The meeting comes as Erdogan's relations with Putin are under growing scrutiny by its Western allies as they seek to tighten sanctions on Russia.
• The Most Important Takeaways From Von Der Leyen's State-Of-The-EU Speech RFE/RL 15 Sep 2022 -- It's an event that gets Brussels types buzzing, but for those outside the world of EU politics, it normally wouldn't even register. This year might be different, though, as the annual state-of-the-EU speech, given by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in front of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, covered a number of crucial and pressing issues: Russia, the war in Ukraine, the energy crisis, and the long winter ahead. Here are six takeaways on what it all means.
• Xi, Pope Give Kazakhstan A Diplomatic Boost Amid Russian Tensions RFE/RL 15 Sep 2022 -- A rare papal visit, a summit of world religious leaders, and Chinese President Xi Jinping’s first trip abroad since the coronavirus pandemic began.
• Treasury Takes Actions in Zimbabwe US Treasury 15 Sep 2022 -- Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated one Zimbabwe individual and removed eleven others from the Specially Designated Nationals List (SDN List) under the Zimbabwe sanctions program.
• Nigeria Drops to Africa's 4th Largest Oil Producer, OPEC Reports VOA 15 Sep 2022 -- Nigeria is facing a record reduction in oil production, oil cartel OPEC reports, dropping from the first largest producer in Africa to the fourth, behind Angola, Algeria and Libya.
• Kenya's China-Built Railway to Lose Business, Shifting Cost to Taxpayers VOA 15 Sep 2022 -- In one of his first acts in office, Kenya’s new president, William Ruto, ordered cargo containers from incoming ships to be emptied at the port of Mombasa instead of in the capital, Nairobi. Ruto said he is carrying out a campaign promise, though there are concerns the move could overwhelm facilities at the Mombasa port.
• UN Report Cites Nicaragua's Clampdown on Democratic Freedoms VOA 15 Sep 2022 -- A report submitted to the UN Human Rights Council this week on Nicaragua’s human rights situation condemns what it calls the further deterioration of civil and political rights by a government seeking to keep its people in check.