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Defense Policy / Programs

• Army suicides rates increased in 2021, decreasing in 2022 US Army 20 Oct 2022 -- According to the recent DoD Annual Report on Suicide in the Military, total Army suicides increased in 2021 over calendar year 2020. However, the number has been decreasing in 2022.
• Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Statement on DoD Annual Suicide Report (CY2021) DoD 20 Oct 2022 -- Today the Department of Defense is releasing the Annual Report on Suicide in the Military for Calendar Year 2021.
• Department of Defense Releases the Annual Report on Suicide in the Military: Calendar Year 2021 DoD 20 Oct 2022 -- Today, the Department of Defense (DOD) released the DOD Annual Report on Suicide in the Military: Calendar Year (CY) 2021, providing annual suicide data and outlining Calendar Year 2021 efforts to address and prevent suicide across the DOD.
• Ms. Beth Foster and Dr. Liz Clark Hold a Media Roundtable to Present the Calendar Year 2021 DOD Annual Suicide Report and Efforts to Address and Prevent Suicide Across the Department of Defense DoD 20 Oct 2022 -- Beth Foster, Executive Director, Office Of Force Resiliency; Dr. Liz Clark, Director, Defense Suicide Prevention Office
• Active Duty Suicide Rate Drops; Austin Says More Work Needed DoD News 20 Oct 2022 -- The Annual Report on Suicide in the Military for 2021 shows a decrease in the suicide rate for active-duty service members.
• Indiana Guard, Nigerien Medics Bond Over Lifesaving Skills Army News 20 Oct 2022 -- The Indiana National Guard state partnership medical team worked alongside the Niger armed forces' first combat medic team for more than two weeks to teach tactical combat casualty care and behavioral health.
• AFSBn-Germany's lessons learned over past year following Dülmen APS-2 site transition expected to assist next big mission Army News 20 Oct 2022 -- October 21 marks exactly one year since Army Field Support Battalion-Germany assumed mission command of the Dülmen Army Prepositioned Stocks-2 worksite at Tower Barracks from Army Field Support Battalion-Mannheim.
• CENTCOM Commander embarks USS West Virginia Ballistic Missile Submarine CENTCOM 20 Oct 2022 -- On October 19th, General Michael "Erik" Kurilla, commander of CENTCOM, conducted a visit aboard the USS West Virginia, a U.S. Navy Ohio-class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine at an undisclosed location at sea in international waters in the Arabian Sea.
• Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Meeting With Indonesian Minister of Defense Prabowo Subianto DoD 20 Oct 2022
• Defense Officials Hold a Background Briefing on Department Efforts to Ensure Access to Reproductive Health Care DoD 20 Oct 2022
• B-21 bomber to be unveiled Dec. 2 US Air Force 20 Oct 2022 -- The Air Force confirmed Oct. 20 it plans to reveal the B-21 Raider Dec. 2 during an unveiling ceremony hosted and sponsored by the Northrop Grumman Corporation at its production facilities in Palmdale, California.
• F-35 crashes at air force base in U.S. state Utah People's Daily 20 Oct 2022 -- An F-35 crashed at the Hill Air Force Base in the U.S. state of Utah at the north end of the runway Wednesday evening, with the pilot hospitalized after ejection, military authorities said.
• CNO, Commandant, and First Sea Lord meet for Strategic Dialogue on Delivering Combined Seapower US Navy 20 Oct 2022 -- Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday and Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. David Berger met with the Royal Navy First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff Adm. Sir Ben Key for a Strategic Dialogue at the Pentagon, Oct. 20.
• CNO and Japan Chief of Staff, Joint Staff Meet; Discuss Enhancing U.S.-Japanese Alliance US Navy 20 Oct 2022 -- Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday met with Japan Chief of Staff, Joint Staff Gen. Koji Yamazaki at the Pentagon for an office call, Oct. 19.
• Press conference with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and the Prime Minister of Sweden, Ulf Kristersson NATO 20 Oct 2022
• Visit to military training ground in Ryazan Region President of Russia 20 Oct 2022 -- The Supreme Commander-in-Chief visited the Western Military District training ground in the Ryazan Region, where he inspected the training of the newly mobilised personnel.
• Statement by Mr. Konstantin Vorontsov, Deputy Head of the Delegation of the Russian Federation, Deputy Director of the Department for Non-Proliferation and Arms Control of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, at the Thematic Discussion on Other Weapons of Mass Destruction in the First Committee of the 77th Session of the UN General Assembly, New York, 19 October 2022 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 20 Oct 2022
• Moscow Open for Dialogue With US on Deescalation and Arms Control Sputnik 20 Oct 2022 -- Moscow is open for dialogue with the United States on deescalation anf arms control, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova saidf on Thursday.
• Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder Holds an On-Camera Press Briefing DOD 20 Oct 2022 -- Brigadier General Pat Ryder, Pentagon Press Secretary
• J-20 fighter jet active in all five PLA theater commands: delegate Global Times 20 Oct 2022 -- China's domestically developed stealth fighter jet, the J-20, can now be found in all five theater commands of the People's Liberation Army (PLA), a delegate to the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) said recently, with experts saying on Wednesday that more J-20s are expected to enter service to replace their outdated predecessors and better safeguard the country's sovereignty, territorial integrity and development interests.
• US Signs $78 Million Deal to Maintain Taiwan's Patriot Air Defense System Sputnik 20 Oct 2022 -- Taipei has signed a deal with Washington to maintain the island's MIM-104 Patriot air defense system for another five years, a Taiwanese authority posting revealed on Thursday.
• Taiwan, U.S. mum on reported plan to jointly produce American weapons CNA 20 Oct 2022 -- The governments of Taiwan and the United States have been tight-lipped about a reported plan to jointly produce weapons that would increase the production of U.S.-designed arms and speed up their transfer to Taipei, amid China's increasing military coercion.
• Local experts hold mixed views on U.S.-Taiwan arms co-production plan CNA 20 Oct 2022 -- A report that Taiwan and the United States are in talks to co-produce weapons in order to speed up their transfer to Taipei has led to widely differing views among Taiwanese experts Thursday with one saying that the plan was likely to happen and would benefit both sides while another cast doubt over its feasibility.
• US plans to jointly produce weapons with Taiwan island in 'futile attempt' of obstructing reunification Global Times 20 Oct 2022 -- The US is reportedly planning to coproduce weapons with Taiwan island amid Western media hypes that claim China is looking to speed up its timeline for reunification, after a report of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) was released on Sunday.
• US mulling joint production of weapons with Taiwan: Official Press TV 20 Oct 2022 -- The United States is considering a plan to jointly produce weapons with Chinese Taipei, a business lobby says, as tensions continue between Washington and Beijing over the self-ruled island.
• Indian Sub Set to Resume Operations After Russian Refit Sputnik 20 Oct 2022 -- The Indian Navy has 15 conventional diesel-electric submarines, including seven Russian kilo-class ships. The navy is facing many challenges in shoring up its underwater capabilities amid the burgeoning power of competitors in the Indian Ocean.
• Defence Secretary Dr Ajay Kumar holds bilateral meetings with delegations from Zimbabwe & Maldives on the sidelines of DefExpo 2022 India PIB 20 Oct 2022 -- Defence Secretary Dr Ajay Kumar conducted bilateral meetings with delegations from Zimbabwe and Maldives on October 20, 2022 on the sidelines of 12th DefExpo in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
• Raksha Mantri emphasises preparedness through 'Aatmanirbharta' to respond to geo-political challenges India PIB 20 Oct 2022 -- Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh has said, the flight of an Aatmanirbhar Defence depends on the two wings of industry, manufacturers and supply on one hand and armed forces, users and demand on the other.
• Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh holds bilateral meetings with delegation leaders from Madagascar, Mozambique, Mongolia & Suriname in Gandhinagar, Gujarat India PIB 20 Oct 2022 -- Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh, on October 20, 2022, held bilateral meetings with his counterparts from Madagascar, Mozambique, Mongolia & Suriname who are attending the 12th DefExpo in Gandhinagar, Gujarat and also participated in the India-Africa Defence Dialogue & Indian Ocean Region Plus Conclave.
• Raksha Mantri invites US companies to set up manufacturing units in India & develop technology collaborations to create a global supply chain free from vulnerabilities India PIB 20 Oct 2022 -- Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh has invited US companies to set up manufacturing units in India and develop technology collaborations with Indian industries to create a global supply chain free from vulnerabilities and uncertainties.
• India must set new goals according to changing times; R&D, with active private sector participation, key to deal with future challenges: Raksha Mantri at DRDO seminar during DefExpo 2022 India PIB 20 Oct 2022 -- India must set new goals according to the constantly-evolving global scenario and research & development, with active private sector participation, is the way to achieve the preparedness required to deal with future challenges. This was stated by Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh while addressing a seminar 'Aatmanirbharta in Defence R&D - Synergistic Approach' organised by Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) as part of the 12th DefExpo in Gandhinagar, Gujarat on October 20, 2022.
• Raksha Mantri invites investors & foreign OEMs to be part of Indian defence sector to integrate into global supply chains India PIB 20 Oct 2022 -- Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh invited investment from domestic industry and Foreign Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) in the Indian defence sector and asked them to take advantage of the opportunity to integrate into the global supply chains, during the 'Invest for Defence' investor outreach event organised as part of 12th DefExpo in Gandhinagar, Gujarat on October 20, 2022.
• Defence Secretary holds bilateral meetings with delegations of Bangladesh & Kazakhstan on the sidelines of DefExpo 2022 India PIB 20 Oct 2022 -- Defence Secretary Dr Ajay Kumar, on October 19, 2022, held bilateral meetings with the delegations of Bangladesh and Kazakhstan on the sidelines of 12th DefExpo in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
• Ukraine: EU sanctions three individuals and one entity in relation to the use of Iranian drones in Russian aggression EC/CEU 20 Oct 2022 -- The Council today added three Iranian individuals and one Iranian entity to the list of those subject to restrictive measures for undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. This is in view of their role in the development and delivery of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) used by Russia in its war against Ukraine.
• EU, U.K. Announce Sanctions Over Iran's Drone Deliveries To Russia RFE/RL 20 Oct 2022 -- The European Union and Britain have slapped sanctions on Iranian individuals and a weapons company that they say have supplied Iranian kamikaze drones to Russia that have been used in its wave of air strikes on Ukrainian civilian and infrastructure targets.
• EU Slaps Sanctions on Iran for 'Military Assistance' to Russia Sputnik 20 Oct 2022 -- Previously, Tehran rejected accusations of providing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) to Russia for the special operation in Ukraine.
• UK sanctions Iran over kamikaze Russian drones UK FCDO 20 Oct 2022 -- The UK is implementing new sanctions on Iranian individuals and business responsible for supplying Russia with kamikaze drones used to bombard Ukraine.
• Retired RAF Pilots Warned About Training Chinese Military Pilots VOA 20 Oct 2022 -- The British Defense Ministry says it is seeking to ensure retired members of the British Royal Air Force who were recruited via a South African company to train pilots in China's People's Liberation Army are fully aware of the risk of prosecution under the Official Secrets Act.
• Iran Holds Military Exercises on Border Amid Tensions With Azerbaijan VOA 20 Oct 2022 -- Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is conducting military exercises along the country's border with Azerbaijan amid signs of tensions between the two countries.
• Japan - Standard Missile 6 Block I (SM-6 Blk I) Missiles DSCA 20 Oct 2022 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Japan of Standard Missile 6 (SM-6) Block I missiles and related equipment for an estimated cost of $450 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.
• Secretary Blinken's Call with Italian Foreign Minister Di Maio US Dept. of State 20 Oct 2022
• Press Gaggle by Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre and Infrastructure Act Implementation Coordinator Mitch Landrieu En Route Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania The White House 20 Oct 2022
• Remarks by President Biden Before Marine One Departure The White House 20 Oct 2022
• Senior State Department Officials On Deputy Secretary Sherman's Upcoming Travel to Tokyo and Seattle US Dept. of State 20 Oct 2022
• Secretary Blinken's Call with UN Secretary-General Guterres US Dept. of State 20 Oct 2022
• Deputy Secretary Sherman's Call with French Foreign Ministry Secretary General Descôtes US Dept. of State 20 Oct 2022
• Department Press Briefing - October 20, 2022 US Dept. of State 20 Oct 2022

Defense Industry

• Contracts For Oct. 20, 2022

Other Conflicts

Ukraine Conflict News
• 20 October 2022 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 20 Oct 2022
• Slow progress for women helping forge peace, Security Council warned UN News 20 Oct 2022 -- Protecting women's rights and promoting greater inclusion is a proven strategy for peace and stability, UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed told the Security Council on Thursday.
• Strengthening women's resilience and leadership as a path to peace in regions plagued by armed groups UK FCDO 20 Oct 2022 -- Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki at the Annual Women, Peace and Security UN Security Council Open Debate: Strengthening Women's Resilience and Leadership as a Path to Peace in Regions Plagued by Armed Groups
• 'Heartbroken And Disillusioned': Taliban Bans Afghan Women From Many University Courses RFE/RL Gandhara 20 Oct 2022 -- The Taliban allowed thousands of Afghan girls and women to take university entrance exams last week.
• One Killed in Border Clash Between Pakistan and Afghanistan - Reports Sputnik 20 Oct 2022 -- Relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan have been going through a rough patch following a surge in US drone movement in recent weeks. Kabul has accused Islamabad of allowing the US to breach its airspace, while Islamabad blames the Taliban* for the surge in terrorist activities near the border.
• Pakistan: Growing Militant Attacks Linked to Taliban Takeover of Afghanistan VOA 20 Oct 2022 -- Pakistan has experienced a spike in militant attacks, killing more than 450 people, mostly security forces, in the first nine months of this year. Officials dismiss the violence as "isolated incidents of terrorism."
• UNICEF delivers lifesaving supplies to Syria to halt the spread of cholera UNICEF 20 Oct 2022 -- UNICEF delivered lifesaving health and water, hygiene, and sanitation supplies to Syria earlier this week to scale up efforts to halt the cholera outbreak.
• Experts Weigh in on Regional Impact of Syria-Hamas Rapprochement VOA 20 Oct 2022 -- The Syrian government and Palestinian militant group Hamas publicly resumed ties this week after a decade of estrangement, a move experts believe could have significant regional implications.
• Israeli occupation of Palestinian territory illegal: UN rights commission UN News 20 Oct 2022 -- Israel's occupation of Palestinian territory is unlawful under international law due to its permanence and the Israeli government's de facto annexation policies, a UN-appointed Commission of Inquiry said in its first report, published on Thursday.
• Commission of Inquiry finds that the Israeli occupation is unlawful under international law UN Human Rights Council 20 Oct 2022 -- There are reasonable grounds to conclude that the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territory is now unlawful under international law due to its permanence and the Israeli Government's de-facto annexation policies, according to the first report to the General Assembly issued today by the United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel.
• Myanmar's junta bans family visits, food deliveries to seven prisons after bomb blast Radio Free Asia 20 Oct 2022 -- Myanmar's military junta on Thursday banned family visits and delivery of food and other necessities to inmates in seven prisons across the country after an explosion at Yangon's Insein Prison killed eight people the day before, relatives and lawyers of the prisoners said.
• Three people, including a junta army officer, shot dead in Yangon Radio Free Asia 20 Oct 2022 -- Military council Army officer Cpt. Myint Swe has been shot dead along with his wife and another army serviceman in Myanmar's commercial capital Yangon.
• UNHCR issues urgent appeal to stop forced returns of Myanmar nationals UNHCR 20 Oct 2022 -- UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is urgently appealing to countries in the region to immediately stop forced returns of Myanmar nationals seeking safety from serious harm. Sending them back to the country is placing countless lives at risk.
• 170 killed in two days of fighting in Sudan's Blue Nile Press TV 20 Oct 2022 -- At least 170 people have been killed and dozens injured in two days of fighting in the latest ethnic clashes in Sudan's southern state of Blue Nile.
• Ethiopia: Tigray Peace Talks to Take Place in South Africa VOA 20 Oct 2022 -- The African Union has set October 24 in South Africa as the date and place for peace talks aimed at ending the war in Ethiopia's Tigray region, according to an Ethiopian official.
• WHO chief says time limited to prevent genocide in Tigray Press TV 20 Oct 2022 -- World Health Organization (WHO) Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has warned that there is a very narrow window to prevent genocide in Ethiopia's conflict-torn Tigray region and called for urgent action.
• Erdogan, Aliyev Open Another International Airport Near Nagorno-Karabakh RFE/RL 20 Oct 2022 -- ZANGILAN, Azerbaijan -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Azerbaijani counterpart, Ilham Aliyev, have opened another international airport near Nagorno-Karabakh. It is the second airport to have been built there since Baku regained control over parts of the breakaway region and seven adjacent districts in 2020.
• Q&A EU Monitoring Capacity to Armenia European External Action Service (EEAS) 20 Oct 2022 -- Following the decision by the European Union to deploy monitoring experts along the Armenian side of the international border with Azerbaijan, on 20 October, the EU Monitoring Capacity in Armenia became operational. Here are some facts about the mission.
• U.S. Envoy For Western Balkans Discusses Serbia-Kosovo Normalization With Vucic RFE/RL 20 Oct 2022 -- The U.S. special envoy for the Western Balkans, Gabriel Escobar, and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic have discussed talks on normalizing diplomatic relations between Belgrade and Kosovo.

News Reports

• High-Level Conference stresses the key role of borders security and cooperation to address the scourge of terrorism in Central Asia and beyond OSCE 20 Oct 2022 -- A two-day International High-Level Conference on "International and Regional Border Security and Management Cooperation to Counter Terrorism and Prevent the Movement of Terrorists" concluded on 19 October in Dushanbe, Tajikistan.
• Norway Points Finger At 'Foreign Intelligence' After Arrest Of Several Russians For Suspicious Drone Flights RFE/RL 20 Oct 2022 -- Norway's Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store says foreign intelligence services are behind a recent slew of "unacceptable" drone flights in the country.
• Erdogan Agrees to Putin's Plan for Turkey to Be Russian Gas Hub VOA 20 Oct 2022 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has signed up to Russian President Vladimir Putin's plan to turn Turkey into a Russian natural gas hub.
• Comment by Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova on the detention of several Russian citizens at the request of US authorities Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 20 Oct 2022
• Five Russians Among Several Charged By U.S. In Schemes To Export Technology, Evade Sanctions RFE/RL 20 Oct 2022 -- The U.S. Justice Department has charged nearly a dozen individuals with participating in illegal schemes to export sophisticated technologies to Russia and evade sanctions on Venezuelan oil.
• The Impact of Sanctions and Export Controls on the Russian Federation US Dept. of State 20 Oct 2022 -- Since Russia launched its unjustified and unprovoked all-out war against Ukraine in February 2022, the United States has worked with Allies and partners around the world to impose an unprecedented range of sanctions and export controls on Russia for its brutal aggression. Moreover, we will continue to impose costs on the Kremlin for as long as its war of aggression continues.
• Finland to put up fence on border with Russia Press TV 20 Oct 2022 -- Finland says it plans to build a barbed-wire fence on its border with Russia, nearly eight months into the war between Russia and its neighbor Ukraine.
• Finnish Parliament Backs Costly Fence Along Border With Russia Sputnik 20 Oct 2022 -- The border fence is bound to set a new symbolic low in Russian-Finnish relations, cancelling decades of vibrant economic cooperation and buoyant trade. The relations, once mutually beneficial, were badly damaged by Finland hopping on the Western sanctions bandwagon.
• Jailed Navalny Says New Probe Launched Against Him Over Content On Associates' YouTube Channel RFE/RL 20 Oct 2022 -- Jailed Russian opposition politician Aleksei Navalny says he has been officially informed by investigators that a new probe has been launched against him.
• A new era of Chinese Communist Party terminology under Xi Jinping? Radio Free Asia 20 Oct 2022 -- At the ruling Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) 20th National Congress, which runs in Beijing from Oct. 16-22, its leader Xi Jinping is widely expected to be endorsed for an unprecedented third term in office, after amending the constitution to abolish presidential term limits in 2018.
• China to maintain fighting spirit in diplomacy, reject hegemony, power politics Global Times 20 Oct 2022 -- In response to a question asked by the Global Times during a press conference held on Thursday on the sidelines of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) on diplomacy, Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu said safeguarding sovereignty, security and interests of the development is the starting point and ultimate goal of China to deal with foreign affairs as well as the sacred mission of China's diplomacy.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin's Regular Press Conference on October 20, 2022 PRC MofA 20 Oct 2022
• Chinese diplomacy guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy to carry forward 'fighting spirit' Global Times 20 Oct 2022 -- China's determination to safeguard national sovereignty, territorial integrity and fundamental interests of the Chinese nation is unshakable and rock solid, and on the new journey in the future, China's diplomacy will continue to carry forward the fighting spirit and improve the ability to fight, said a senior Chinese diplomat at a press conference on the sidelines of the ongoing 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Thursday.
• Chinese consul general in Manchester admits to pulling Hong Kong protester's hair Radio Free Asia 20 Oct 2022 -- China's Consul General in the northern British city of Manchester admitted on Thursday to assaulting a Hong Kong pro-democracy protester inside the grounds of the diplomatic mission as a peaceful protest gave way to attacks at the weekend.
• Xinjiang free of violent terrorism cases for over 5 years: official Global Times 20 Oct 2022 -- Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region has not seen violent terrorism cases for more than five years, and people's sense of security has significantly risen over the past decade, from 87.58 percent in 2012 to 99.14 percent in 2021, an official from Xinjiang said on Thursday at a press conference on the sidelines of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC).
• Delegates to 20th CPC National Congress continue holding group meetings People's Daily 20 Oct 2022 -- Delegates to the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) continued holding group meetings on Wednesday.
• Law-enforcement reinforced to safeguard natl security Global Times 20 Oct 2022 -- Chinese law enforcement agencies have invested great efforts to defend the public order and national security by cracking down on activities launched by hostile forces and they have achieved remarkable achievements since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), an official with the Ministry of Public Security revealed at a Wednesday press conference on the sidelines of the ongoing 20th CPC National Congress.
• HKSAR chief executive John Lee delivers first policy address People's Daily 20 Oct 2022 -- John Lee, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), delivered on Wednesday his first policy address to the HKSAR Legislative Council since taking office.
• China could use force to coerce Taiwan into negotiations in 2023: NSB CNA 20 Oct 2022 -- China could use force to coerce Taiwan's government into accepting unfavorable terms set out by the Chinese government in 2023, National Security Bureau (NSB) Director-General Chen Ming-tong (陳明通) said Thursday.
• US Navy chief: Can't rule out Taiwan invasion by 2023 Radio Free Asia 20 Oct 2022 -- Beijing could invade Taiwan as early as this year or next, the chief of U.S. naval operations said at a forum in Washington on Wednesday. The comments came days after U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Beijing was pursuing reunification with the island "on a much faster timeline."
• Beijing Poached 9 Diplomatic Allies of Taiwan Over Decade, Chinese Foreign Ministry Says Sputnik 20 Oct 2022 -- Beijing successfully poached nine countries, which had so-called diplomatic relations with the Taiwanese administration, in the past 10 years despite external deterrence and pressure, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu said on Thursday.
• US, Japan, S. Korea Officials to Meet in Tokyo Amid Escalating N. Korea Threats VOA 20 Oct 2022 -- Senior officials from the United States, Japan and South Korea will meet next week in Tokyo amid escalating threats from North Korea.
• Enlarged Plenary Meeting of Cabinet Held KCNA 20 Oct 2022 -- An enlarged plenary meeting of the DPRK Cabinet took place on Wednesday.
• DPRK Premier Inspects North and South Hwanghae Provinces KCNA 20 Oct 2022 -- Kim Tok Hun, member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, vice-president of the State Affairs Commission of the DPRK and premier of the Cabinet, inspected the fields of agriculture and food administration in South and North Hwanghae provinces.
• North Korean police told to improve security nationwide to protect leader Kim Jong Un Radio Free Asia 20 Oct 2022 -- North Korean police are working to enhance security nationwide to ensure the safety of leader Kim Jong Un amid increased tensions on the Korean peninsula, sources in the country told Radio Free Asia.
• Joint Statement on Internet Shutdowns in Iran US Dept. of State 20 Oct 2022 -- The United States is pleased to join the Freedom Online Coalition's consensus Joint Statement on Internet Shutdowns in Iran.
• US Condemns Iran's Restrictions on Internet Access VOA 20 Oct 2022 -- The U.S. signed on to an online coalition's statement Thursday that condemned Iran's restrictions to internet access during nationwide protests over the death of Mahsa Amini last month.
• Nationwide Protests in Iran Continue for 33rd Straight Day VOA 20 Oct 2022 -- Nationwide demonstrations in Iran following the death of a young woman in police custody continued for a 33rd consecutive day, with overnight protests in Tehran, Sanandaj and Dehgolan, as citizens chanted Death to Khamenei," and students held rallies at several universities.
• Iran to sanction a number of Western officials, institutions today IRNA 19 Oct 2022 -- Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian announced on Wednesday that four institutions and 15 foreign officials that had a hand in the sanctions against Iran would be added to the country's blacklist within the next few hours.
• Iran imposes sanctions on British officials, institutes for "backing terrorism" People's Daily 20 Oct 2022 -- The Iranian Foreign Ministry on Wednesday imposed sanctions on a number of British institutes and individuals for "supporting terrorism and terrorist groups, promoting and instigating terrorism, violence and hate-mongering and violation of human rights."
• IRGC chief warns US, UK, Saudi Arabia against interfering in Iran's domestic affairs Press TV 20 Oct 2022 -- The chief commander of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has strongly warned against any foreign interference in the country's domestic affairs, saying the enemies will receive a severe blow should they make any move against the Iranian nation.
• Germany's Scholz: Putin Using Energy as a Weapon VOA 20 Oct 2022 -- German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said Thursday Russian President Vladimir Putin is using energy as weapon, but his tactics are only bringing Western allies closer together in their support of Ukraine.
• Kazakh Embassy Staff In Kyiv Moves To Warsaw Amid Russian Shelling Of Ukrainian Cities RFE/RL 20 Oct 2022 -- Most of the staff at Kazakhstan's embassy in Kyiv has been transferred to the Polish capital, Warsaw, as Russia continues to launch attacks across the country with missiles and kamikaze-drones.
• Former Government of Bolivia Minister Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Launder Proceeds of Bribery Scheme US Dept. of Justice 20 Oct 2022 -- The former Minister of the Government of Bolivia pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to launder bribes he received in exchange for corruptly helping a U.S. company win a $5.6 million contract from the Bolivian government.
• The dollar's rise to nearly 25,000 dong increases Vietnam's foreign debt burden Radio Free Asia 20 Oct 2022 -- The U.S. dollar's rise against its Asian counterparts is making it harder for the region to repay dollar denominated debt and Vietnam is no exception.
• Authorities blame 'rumor-mongers' for Vietnam's financial fears amid scandal fallout Radio Free Asia 20 Oct 2022 -- Bank patrons in Vietnam are unsettled following the latest financial scandal to rock the country and taking to social media to vent, but the government has offered little in the way of a plan to assuage their fears and is instead blaming "rumor-mongers" for spooking the public.
• Cambodia's Hun Sen threatens to ban political parties that associate with Sam Rainsy Radio Free Asia 20 Oct 2022 -- Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on Thursday said he would dissolve any political party that dares to associate with Sam Rainsy, a threat that opposition party officials believe indicates he is still afraid of the exiled opposition leader's political clout ahead of the 2023 general elections.
• At Least 50 Dead as Chadian Anti-Junta Demonstrators Clash With Military Police Forces Sputnik 20 Oct 2022 -- The Chadian government has worked closely with France, its former colonial ruler, in its sprawling trans-Sahelian "War on Terror" style campaign, hosting its headquarters since 2014. However, other regional nations have seen their populations rebel against that war, including Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso.
• On Supporting a Peaceful Transition in Chad US Dept. of State 20 Oct 2022 -- The United States condemns the violence in Chad involving clashes between security forces and demonstrators protesting the extension of Chad's original 18-month transition period, which expires today.
• More humanitarian assistance is urgently needed in Somalia UNOCHA 20 Oct 2022 -- Humanitarian organizations need an additional US$1 billion in funding to reach 7.6 million people targeted for humanitarian assistance in Somalia. The increased requirement for the 2022 Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) comes against the backdrop of rapidly mounting needs and a corresponding scale-up in humanitarian action.
• WFP reaches record numbers with food and nutrition support in Somalia amid ongoing famine risk WFP 20 Oct 2022 -- The United Nations World Food Programme is delivering life-saving food and nutrition assistance to record numbers of people in Somalia, with over 4 million people a month receiving urgent humanitarian support to prevent famine in the face of the region's worst drought in over 40 years.
• Cameroon Military Accuses Government Troops of Human Rights Violations VOA 20 Oct 2022 -- Cameroon's military said several soldiers have been arrested for torturing a suspected separatist general and fighters, following deadly fighting in the northwestern village of Djotin.
• Kenya Wants to Renegotiate Loans for Chinese-Built Railway VOA 20 Oct 2022 -- Kenya wants to renegotiate a multibillion-dollar loan from China that was used to build a major railway.