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Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• Somali, U.S. forces engage insurgents in support of the Federal Government of Somalia AFRICOM 20 Jan 2023 -- At the request of the Federal Government of Somalia and in support of Somali National Army engagements against al-Shabaab, U.S. Africa Command conducted a collective self-defense strike on Jan. 20, 2023.
• Multiple Drone Attack on Coalition Outpost in Syria CENTCOM 20 Jan 2023 -- This morning, three one-way attack drones attacked the At Tanf Garrison in Syria. Two of the drones were shot down by Coalition Forces while one struck the compound, injuring two members of the Syrian Free Army partner force who received medical treatment. No US forces were injured.
• CENTCOM: Drones attack US base in strategic Syrian region Press TV 20 Jan 2023 -- The US military's Central Command says one of the country's bases in a strategic southern Syrian region has come under drone attack.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Tactical Training Group Atlantic Hosts Warfare Commanders Conference to Build Teamwork, Boost Readiness US Navy 20 Jan 2023 -- Tactical Training Group Atlantic (TTGL) hosted a warfare commanders conference for Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 2 leadership from Jan. 9 to 20.
• Navy to Christen USNS Earl Warren US Navy 20 Jan 2023 -- The Navy will christen John Lewis-class replenishment oiler, the future USNS Earl Warren (T-AO 207), during a 10 a.m. PDT ceremony Saturday, Jan. 21 in San Diego.
• CNO Delivers Remarks at Paris Naval Conference US Navy 20 Jan 2023 -- not just as a Navy but as a nation, and so they deserve some thought and some critical thought from folks that are outside the Navy as well.
• CNO Travels to France, Romania for Strategic Engagements US Navy Press Release 20 Jan 2023 -- Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Mike Gilday and his wife, Linda, visited France and Romania, Jan. 16-20, to meet with service members, government officials, and military leaders.
• AFRICOM leaders visit Gabon AFRICOM 20 Jan 2023 -- U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Michael Langley, Commander, U.S, Africa Command, visited Gabon, Jan. 17-18. The trip included several stops to meet with host nation civilian and military leaders, U.S. Embassy leadership.
• US Sanctions Russian Wagner Group, Urges Others to Follow VOA 20 Jan 2023 -- The White House on Friday announced it will designate the Wagner Group, the Russian private military company supporting Moscow's war on Ukraine, as a Transnational Criminal Organization, hitting it with sanctions and limiting its ability to do business around the world.
• US to Designate Wagner Group as Transnational Criminal Organization Sputnik 20 Jan 2023 -- The United States will soon designate the private military company Wagner Group as a transnational criminal organization and impose sanctions on its network, White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said on Friday.
• Q&A: US Urges Countries to Join Sanctions on Russian Paramilitary Group VOA 20 Jan 2023 -- The White House announced Friday new sanctions to be put in place by the U.S. Treasury Department next week on the Wagner Group, designating the Russian private military company as a transnational criminal organization.
• Russian Soldiers Ask: 'We Have Nothing To Fight With. Why Should We Go Up Against Tanks With Only Machine Guns?' RFE/RL 20 Jan 2023 -- The video appeared this week on Telegram and other Russian social-media networks: a group of more than two dozen men in masks and camouflage, standing in a snowy field and appealing for help.
• Tanzanian Student Killed in Battle in Ukraine VOA 20 Jan 2023 -- The family of a Tanzanian student who was in prison in Russia says it has confirmation that he was killed fighting for Russia's Wagner Group of mercenaries in Ukraine.
• US, NATO Balk on Battle Tanks for Ukraine VOA 20 Jan 2023 -- No Leopard tanks will be given to Ukraine by Germany at this time, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Army General Mark A. Milley said Friday at a briefing at U.S. Ramstein Air Base in Germany following an international conference on Ukraine support.
• NATO Secretary General in Ramstein: we must urgently step up support for Ukraine NATO 20 Jan 2023 -- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg participated in a meeting of the US-led Ukraine Defence Contact Group in Ramstein, Germany on Friday (20 January 2023). The meeting was chaired by US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, and started with a video address by the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
• Nine NATO countries pledge new military aid for Ukraine in defiance of Russia's warnings Press TV 20 Jan 2023 -- A group of nine NATO countries, including Britain and Poland, have pledged a raft of new military aid to support Ukraine in its war against Russia, defying Moscow's repeated warnings about the protraction of the months-long conflict by funneling Western arms into the former Soviet republic.
• Latest Weapons Package 'Capable' Enough For Success, Even Without Requested Tanks, Ukraine's Allies Say RFE/RL 20 Jan 2023 -- U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on January 20 said the United States and other allies of Ukraine have assembled a new package of arms for Ukraine that they believe is sufficient for success once Kyiv's forces are trained on the equipment.
• Ukraine Defense Minister: Troops Will Train on German Tanks in Poland VOA 20 Jan 2023 -- Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov says Ukrainian forces will train to use Leopard 2 battle tanks, despite Western allies' failure Friday to reach a decision on whether to supply Kyiv with the German-made tanks.
• US Pushing Central, South American Countries to Give Ukraine Quick Military Boost VOA 20 Jan 2023 -- The latest round of military assistance packages for Ukraine, including billions of dollars' worth of Western-made armored vehicles and air- defense systems, is not stopping the United States from also trying to get the Ukrainian military Russian-made equipment.
• Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III and General Mark A. Milley Press Conference Following Ukraine Defense Contact Group Meeting, Ramstein Air Base, Germany DoD 20 Jan 2023
• Opening Remarks by Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III at the Eighth Ukraine Defense Contact Group (As Delivered) DoD 20 Jan 2023
• Defense Leaders Pledge New Ukraine Support DoD News 20 Jan 2023 -- This is a crucial and tumultuous time for Ukraine, but western leaders are demonstrating they will stand by Ukraine as it faces the challenge from Russia.
• Austin, Zelenskyy Call on Contact Group to Redouble Efforts DoD News 20 Jan 2023 -- Now is not the time to slack off. Now is the time to dig deep and aid Ukraine in its existential struggle against Russian invaders, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III told members of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group today.
• US announces whopping $2.5bn in new military aid for Ukraine amid raging war Press TV 20 Jan 2023 -- The United States has announced a whopping new package of arms and munitions for Ukraine worth $2.5 billion, defying Moscow's repeated warnings against supplying Kiev with heavy weaponry almost a year into the devastating war.
• Pentagon Chief Urges Allies to 'Dig Deeper' for Ukraine as West Mulls Sending Tanks to Kiev Sputnik 20 Jan 2023 -- Western and Ukrainian defense ministers gathered at the Ramstein Air Base in Germany on Friday to discuss further military aid to Ukraine amid continued debate among NATO allies whether they should supply the Kiev regime with tanks.
• Defence Minister Anita Anand participates in Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting Canada 20 Jan 2023 -- Today, Defence Minister Anita Anand and Chief of the Defence Staff, General Wayne Eyre, participated in the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG) meeting at Ramstein Air Base in Germany.
• Finland to deliver more defence materiel to Ukraine Finnish MoD 20 Jan 2023 -- Finland will deliver another package of defence materiel to Ukraine. The President of the Republic decided on the matter on 19 January 2023 on the proposal of the Government.
• Sweden and Finland cooperate on additional support package for Ukraine Government Offices of Sweden 20 Jan 2023 -- Minister for Defence Pål Jonson and Finland's Minister of Defence Mikko Savola have signed a Finnish-Swedish letter of intent that will enable Finland to provide Ukraine with heavy military weapons at a replacement cost of more than SEK 4.11 billion (EUR 370 million).
• Increasing the capacity for explosive ordnance disposal in Ukraine Government of Norway 20 Jan 2023 -- Norway will provide instructors as part of a multinational effort to provide training on Explosive Ordnance Disposal to Ukrainian military personnel, Norwegian Defense Minister Bjørn Arild Gram (Sp) said during the international meeting for support for Ukraine on 20 January.
• Germany seen as 'bad ally' in US amid standoff over tanks for Ukraine Press TV 20 Jan 2023 -- Washington knows Berlin might be a "bad ally, but at least it's America's bad ally", according to an article in the German-owned Politico newspaper, pointing to an intensifying standoff between the United States and Germany over the Ukraine war.
• Germany Denies Giving US Ultimatum on Ukraine Tank Supplies Sputnik 20 Jan 2023 -- German government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit denied on Friday that German Chancellor Olaf Scholz ever demanded that the US deliver Abrams tanks to Ukraine as a precondition to Germany's own sending of Leopard tanks, as alleged in media reports.
• UK joins core group dedicated to achieving accountability for Russia's aggression against Ukraine UK FCDO 20 Jan 2023 -- The UK is joining a core group of partners to shape thinking on how to ensure criminal accountability for Russia's aggression against Ukraine.
• US will not make Philippines choose sides over China rivalry Radio Free Asia 20 Jan 2023 -- The United States, the Philippines' oldest defense ally, will not ask Manila to choose sides in a perceived geopolitical rivalry with China, a senior American diplomat said Friday.
• China Replacing Aging Fighter Jets With Advanced J-16s in All Five Theater Commands, Report Says Sputnik 20 Jan 2023 -- The People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) has stepped up its efforts to replace aging fighter jets with top-of-the-line J-16 fighters, according to reports in Chinese media. The advanced aircraft has most recently been deployed in Tibet and Xinjiang, meaning all five PLA commands are now using it.
• Xi inspects combat readiness of armed forces People's Daily 20 Jan 2023 -- President Xi Jinping on Wednesday inspected the combat readiness of the armed forces via video link ahead of the Spring Festival, or the Chinese New Year.
• Support contract for Army's Chinook fleet extended Australia DOD 20 Jan 2023 -- Boeing Defence Australia will continue to support the maintenance, training and sustainment services for Army's fleet of 14 CH-47F Chinook helicopters following a contract extension signed by Defence.
• Macron Unveils Massive Military Expansion Plan Amid Nationwide Strike Over Neoliberal Budget Cuts Sputnik 20 Jan 2023 -- French President Emmanuel Macron revealed his plans to dramatically increase military and intelligence spending on Friday, saying French forces need to "reform and transform" amid the conflict in Ukraine, where NATO forces are supporting the Ukrainians. The announcement comes as 1 million people march against de facto budget cuts.
• France's Macron set to boost military budget despite protests over pension cuts, inequality Press TV 20 Jan 2023 -- French President Emmanuel Macron has proposed to allocate a huge chunk of the country's budget to the military despite widespread opposition and mass protests against his pension reform plan.
• Overseas Deployment of ICGS SHAURYA and RAJVEER to Bangladesh India PIB 20 Jan 2023 -- Indian Coast Guard Ships ICGS Shaurya and Rajveer were on a six-day visit to Chattogram, Bangladesh from 13 to 19 January, 2023 to enhance the cooperative engagements and interoperability under the provisions of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between Indian and Bangladesh Coast Guard (BCG).
• Inaugural Edition of Indo-Egypt Joint Training Exercise Cyclone - I Commences in Rajasthan India PIB 20 Jan 2023 -- The first ever joint exercise between the special forces of the Indian Army and the Egyptian Army named "Exercise Cyclone-I" is in progress at Jaisalmer in Rajasthan since 14 January 2023. The exercise aims to bolster defence co-operation between the two nations and focus on sharing professional skills and interoperability of Special Forces in desert terrain while undertaking counter terrorism, reconnaissance, raids and other special operations.
• US Treasury Secretary Yellen Kicks Off Africa Tour in Senegal VOA 20 Jan 2023 -- U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has begun a 10-day trip to Africa to discuss economic growth strategies and to reaffirm America's commitment to strengthening ties with the continent. She began her trip with a visit to a U.S.-funded business incubator for youth and women in Dakar, Senegal.
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken's Conversation with Institute of Politics Founding Director David Axelrod US Dept. of State 20 Jan 2023
• Secretary Blinken's Call with Angolan President Lourenço US Dept. of State 20 Jan 2023
• Deputy Secretary Sherman's Call with European External Action Service Secretary General Sannino US Dept. of State 20 Jan 2023
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre and NSC Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby The White House 20 Jan 2023

Defense Industry

• Contracts For Jan. 20, 2023

Other Conflicts

Ukraine Conflict News


• 20 January 2023 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 20 Jan 2023
• Afghanistan: Top UN delegation tells Taliban to end confinement, deprivation, abuse of women's rights UN News 20 Jan 2023 -- The UN deputy chief and head of UN Women have conveyed a direct message to Afghanistan's Taliban leadership calling on them to put the good of the country first and end recent policies towards women and girls that have confined them in their own homes, and violated their basic human rights.
• Afghanistan: Collapse of legal system is 'human rights catastrophe' UN News 20 Jan 2023 -- The ongoing collapse of the rule of law and judicial independence in Afghanistan is "a human rights catastrophe", UN-appointed independent human rights experts warned on Friday.
• The Azadi Briefing: Former Woman Lawmaker Slain In Kabul; Afghans Endure Brutal Cold Snap RFE/RL 20 Jan 2023 -- The Key Issue
• Statement on the One-Year Anniversary of the ISIS Attack on Ghwayran Detention Facility CENTCOM 20 Jan 2023
• Two Election Officials Killed in NW Cameroon as Separatists Vow to Disrupt Senate Elections VOA 20 Jan 2023 -- Officials in Cameroon say separatists have killed two election officials in Cameroon , capital of the Northwest region. The rebels have vowed to disrupt Cameroon's March 12 Senate elections. The government says election preparations will continue, despite the killings.
• Statement on peace process in Cameroon Canada 20 Jan 2023 -- The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today issued the following statement on the announcement of a peace process aimed at resolving the ongoing crisis in the North-West and South-West regions of Cameroon:
• Kenya Security Forces Kill 10 Suspected Al-Shabab Militants VOA 20 Jan 2023 -- Security officials in Kenya say they have killed 10 suspected al-Shabab militants in Kenya's northeast, just a week after militants there killed four engineers near a regional development project.
• Central Nigeria Attackers Kill and Behead Villagers Near IDP Camp VOA 20 Jan 2023 -- Nigerian authorities say armed men on Thursday night attacked a village in north central Benue state, near an IDP camp, killing at least eight people, and beheading some of them.

News Reports

• Meeting with permanent members of the Security Council President of Russia 20 Jan 2023 -- Vladimir Putin held a briefing session with permanent members of the Security Council, via videoconference.
• Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova's comment on Russia's position on the UNEP Executive Director's election Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 20 Jan 2023
• Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's opening remarks during talks with ICRC President Mirjana Spoljaric, Moscow, January 20, 2023 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 20 Jan 2023
• Russia bans 31 New Zealanders from entry People's Daily 20 Jan 2023 -- The Russian Foreign Ministry announced on Thursday that 31 officials, journalists and public figures from New Zealand have been indefinitely barred from entering Russia.
• Russian Defense Ministry Discusses Bilateral Cooperation With CAR Prime Minister Sputnik 20 Jan 2023 -- The Russian Defense Ministry leadership and Prime Minister of the Central African Republic (CAR) Felix Moloua discussed bilateral military cooperation during a working meeting in Moscow, the Russian ministry said on Thursday.
• Russia: Oil Supply Deal with Pakistan in 'Final Stage' VOA 20 Jan 2023 -- Russia said Friday it had reached "conceptual agreements" with Pakistan on the supply of crude oil and petroleum products, noting the two sides also agreed the payments will be made in "currencies of friendly countries."
• Sanctions won't stop Pakistan from buying Russian oil, says Pakistani minister Press TV 20 Jan 2023 -- Pakistan has said that the US-led sanctions targeting Russia over the Ukraine war will not stop Islamabad from purchasing oil from Russia.
• Arrest and Criminal Charges Announced Against British and Russian Businessmen for Facilitating Sanctions Evasion of Russian Oligarch's $90 Million Yacht US Dept. of Justice 20 Jan 2023 -- Two businessmen, Vladislav Osipov, 51, a Russian national, and Richard Masters, 52, a United Kingdom national, are charged in separate indictments unsealed today in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, with facilitating a sanctions evasion and money laundering scheme in relation to the ownership and operation of the Motor Yacht (M/Y) Tango (International Maritime Organization number 1010703), a $90 million, 255-foot luxury yacht owned by sanctioned Russian oligarch Viktor Vekselberg.
• The Week In Russia: Devastation In Dnipro RFE/RL 20 Jan 2023 -- A deadly strike in Dnipro hits one of Putin's prime targets: normal life in Ukraine. And imprisoned Kremlin opponent Aleksei Navalny begins his third year behind bars with a message of hope: "The darkness will disappear."
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin's Regular Press Conference on January 20, 2023 PRC MofA 20 Jan 2023
• Tens of thousands of students pledge loyalty to Beijing before arriving abroad Radio Free Asia 20 Jan 2023 -- Tens of thousands of Chinese students studying overseas on government-backed scholarships are required to sign a document pledging loyalty to the ruling Communist Party, as well as putting up guarantors who could be forced to repay their funding should they break the agreement, before arriving at overseas universities, Radio Free Asia has learned.
• Macao SAR chief executive pledges to create new prospects for "one country, two systems" People's Daily 20 Jan 2023 -- Ho Iat Seng, chief executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR), has pledged to create new prospects for the "one country, two systems" practices during a recent exclusive interview with Xinhua.
• China Sends 31 Aircraft, 4 Ships to Taiwan Strait: Taiwanese Defense Ministry Sputnik 20 Jan 2023 -- The Taiwanese Defense Ministry said on Friday that the island's armed forces registered 31 aircraft and four ships of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) approaching the island during the day.
• China Issues Veiled Warning to US Over Taiwan VOA 20 Jan 2023 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping issued a veiled warning to the United States in his new year message to the country, stressing that China will be engaged in "serious struggles" against separatism and interference in its relations with Taiwan, state media, CCTV and the Xinhua news agency reported Friday.
• DPP's 'anti-mainland card' fails, wider division expected as secessionist resigns as head of island's 'executive body' Global Times 20 Jan 2023 -- The head of Taiwan island's executive body Su Tseng-chang announced on Thursday that his team will resign en masse, and his resignation is pending approval from the regional leader Tsai Ing-wen, Taiwan-based media outlets have reported.
• Taiwan Broadcaster Aims to Fill Gaps in Coverage VOA 20 Jan 2023 -- It may be a relative newcomer to Taiwan's media scene, but broadcaster TaiwanPlus has quickly established itself as a voice for the island.
• First North Korean Extradited to US Is Sentenced VOA 20 Jan 2023 -- The first North Korean national ever to be extradited to the United States has been sentenced for money laundering.
• North Korean National Sentenced for Money Laundering Offenses US Dept. of Justice 20 Jan 2023 -- Mun Chol Myong (Mun), 55, a national of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), was sentenced today in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to time served of 45 months' imprisonment for multiple money laundering offenses. Mun laundered funds through the U.S. financial system as part of a scheme to raise capital and acquire goods for North Korea in violation of U.S. sanctions. Mun is the first ever North Korean national to be extradited to the United States and is subject to deportation following the successful completion of his sentence.
• Rodong Sinmun Calls for Sharing Same Idea, Feeling and Will with Leader KCNA 20 Jan 2023 -- Rodong Sinmun Friday in an editorial stresses that it is the unanimous desire and highest honor of revolutionaries to become true soldiers of the leader.
• Coal Production Goes up in DPRK KCNA 20 Jan 2023 -- Officials and workers in the coal industrial sector of the DPRK have turned out in a drive for increased coal production to carry through the important tasks set forth at the 6th Plenary Meeting of the 8th Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK).
• EU Parliament Calls for Iran's Revolutionary Guard to Be Added to Terror List VOA 20 Jan 2023 -- European Council officials said Friday they expect additional European Union sanctions to be placed on Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), one day after the European Parliament called for the group to be added to the EU terror list.
• Iran's Army censures EU blacklisting IRGC IRNA 20 Jan 2023 -- The army of the Islamic Republic on Friday condemned the European Parliament's adoption of a resolution calling on the European Union to blacklist Iran's IRGC.
• European Parliament's anti-IRGC vote violates UN Charter: Amir-Abdollahian Press TV 20 Jan 2023 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian has roundly criticized the European Parliament's unconstructive resolution labeling the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) a terrorist organization, saying it violates the United Nations Charter.
• Iran: World's largest anti-terror institution blacklisted by 'global club of terrorists' Press TV 20 Jan 2023 -- Iran says the reason the European Parliament wants the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) to be designated as a terrorist organization is that it is infuriated over the force's leading role in the fight against terrorism.
• Despite Roadblocks, Residents In Iran's Zahedan Again Hold Anti-Government Protests RFE/RL 20 Jan 2023 -- Anti-government protesters took to the streets after Friday Prayers in the southeastern Iranian city of Zahedan, despite attempts by security forces to ward off demonstrations by choking off the main roads leading through the city.
• Mahsa Amini's Family, Lawyer Say They're Being Pressured To Blame Medical Staff For Her Death RFE/RL 20 Jan 2023 -- The lawyer of the family of Mahsa Amini, the 22-year-old girl whose death in mid-September while in police custody has led to months of nationwide unrest in Iran, says the primary investigator has failed to adequately probe the case and has urged them to blame medical personnel for the tragedy.
• Commander Sayyari: Iran's response to enemies harsh, to make them repent IRNA 20 Jan 2023 -- Iranian Army's Deputy Commander for Coordination Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari said Iran's response to the enemies' mistake in encountering Islamic Iran will be harsh and make them repent.
• Iranian president says energy, transportation agreements with Russia "constructive" People's Daily 20 Jan 2023 -- Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on Thursday described the agreements reached with Russia in the energy and transportation sectors as "constructive and positive."
• Akbari's execution direct result of British spy agency's crime: Intelligence Ministry Press TV 20 Jan 2023 -- Iran's Intelligence Ministry says the execution of Alireza Akbari, a former Iranian official convicted of spying for the UK, was the "direct" outcome of a crime committed by the British spy agency.
• China always backs Iran's national sovereignty, territorial integrity: FM Press TV 20 Jan 2023 -- Foreign Minister Qin Gang has reiterated China's determination in supporting Iran's national sovereignty and territorial integrity, saying Beijing is keen on working with Tehran to improve relations.
• Iranian security forces dismantle two Daesh-linked terror teams in Sistan and Baluchestan Press TV 20 Jan 2023 -- Iranian security forces have dismantled two teams affiliated with the Daesh terrorist group in the southeastern province of Sistan and Baluchestan before they could sow insecurity in the area.
• Prison court sentences 6 men to life for blowing up telecoms towers Radio Free Asia 20 Jan 2023 -- A court in Yangon's Insein prison has sentenced six men to life in prison for attacks on telecommunications towers owned by a company tied to Myanmar's military.
• Q&A: US Sees No Chance of Fair Election Under Myanmar Junta VOA 20 Jan 2023 -- The United States believes there is no chance that proposed elections in Myanmar will be free and fair, according to Derek Chollet, a senior adviser to Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Myanmar and other issues.
• Telephone conversation with President of Kazakhstan Kassym Jomart-Tokayev President of Russia 20 Jan 2023
• West Concerned Over Recent Attacks Against Journalists In Kazakhstan RFE/RL 20 Jan 2023 -- The United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union have expressed concerns over an increase in attacks against independent journalists in Kazakhstan since the start of the year.
• Doctor Says Former Kazakh Leader's 'Medical Procedure' Was Planned RFE/RL 20 Jan 2023 -- Kazakhstan's former authoritarian president, Nursultan Nazarbaev, has undergone a successful heart procedure for an undisclosed issue and his condition is not life-threatening, his doctor said.
• Building a modern partnership rooted in shared values: Minister spends week in Japan to boost ties Gov.UK 20 Jan 2023 -- In a milestone year for Japan, as it assumes its G7 presidency, the UK has committed to doing more with one of its closest Indo-Pacific partners to boost ties and robustly defend democracy, peace and freedom.
• Hun Sen threatens opposition, seeking to divide party ahead of July elections Radio Free Asia 20 Jan 2023 -- Repeating what has become a pattern in recent weeks, Prime Minister Hun Sen lashed out again at the main opposition Candlelight Party on Thursday in an attempt to intimidate and divide it ahead of July's general elections.
• Fiji's new leader makes official trip abroad as tensions with military simmer Radio Free Asia 20 Jan 2023 -- Fiji's newly elected prime minister is on his first official trip abroad even as tensions simmer between his government and the coup-prone Pacific island country's military.
• 'Khanstitutions': In Central Asia, Constitutions Are Not For The Many, But For The Few RFE/RL 20 Jan 2023 -- "I think a people cannot be long free, nor ever happy," wrote John Adams, a founding father and the second president of the United States, "whose government is in one Assembly."
• 'Anti-Terrorist' Raids Held In Uzbekistan's Volatile Autonomous Karakalpakstan Republic RFE/RL 20 Jan 2023 -- Police and security officers have held a series of "anti-terrorist" raids in Uzbekistan's volatile Autonomous Republic of Karakalpakstan, where unprecedented anti-government protests last year left 21 people dead.
• UK announces support to Ethiopian drought and conflict-affected regions UK FCDO 20 Jan 2023 -- The Minister for Development Andrew Mitchell has announced UK humanitarian aid for regions of rising insecurity within Ethiopia.
• US: Africa's Food Insecurity to Persist Because of Climate Change, Conflicts VOA 20 Jan 2023 -- U.S. officials say food insecurity in Africa will worsen this year because of climate change, conflict, and market disruptions caused partly by Russia's war on Ukraine.
• India Facilitates IMF Bailout for Crisis Stricken Sri Lanka VOA 20 Jan 2023 -- Sri Lanka has moved closer to securing a crucial $2.9 billion loan from the International Monetary Fund after India extended financing assurances that Colombo needs from its major foreign creditors to get the bailout package.