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Defense Policy / Programs

• Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Call With Philippine Senior Undersecretary and Officer in Charge of the Department of National Defense Carlito Galvez DoD 20 Mar 2023
• SECNAV Delivers Remarks at the 14th Annual McAleese Defense Programs Conference US Navy 20 Mar 2023
• The 26th MEU Fights in the Littorals USMC News 20 Mar 2023 -- U.S. Marines and Sailors with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit successfully completed their final land-based exercise, MEU Exercise III by conducting distributed operations within the littorals of eastern North Carolina, Virginia, South Carolina, Georgia, and Louisiana from Mar. 3 to Mar. 15, 2023.
• Air Force leaders discuss Total Force Integration during symposium US Air Force 20 Mar 2023 -- Air Force senior leaders from the active-duty, Reserve, Guard, and department civilians recently participated in a Department of the Air Force Total Force Integration, or TFI, symposium discussing how all components meet the demands of the total force.
• JB Elmendorf-Richardson selected to host new Joint Integrated Test and Training Center US Air Force 20 Mar 2023 -- The Department of the Air Force selected Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, to host the Joint Integrated Test and Training Center, which is the first center capable of joint and multinational force training.
• USS Porter (DDG 78) Arrives in Tallinn, Estonia US Navy 20 Mar 2023 -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Porter (DDG 78) arrived in Tallinn, Estonia, March 20, 2023 for a scheduled port visit to enhance U.S.-Estonia relations as the two nations work together for a stable, secure, and prosperous Europe.
• USS Bulkeley (DDG 84) Arrives in Sal Island, Cabo Verde for African Maritime Forces Summit US Navy 20 Mar 2023 -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Bulkeley (DDG 84) arrived in Sal Island, Cabo Verde for a scheduled port visit, March 19, 2023.
• Secretary General welcomes progress on Finland's road to NATO membership NATO 20 Mar 2023 -- Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto and Defence Minister Antti Kaikkonen to NATO Headquarters on Monday (20 March 2023) for talks on Finland's progress toward membership in the Alliance.
• NATO Deputy Secretary General: transatlantic and Middle East security are interlinked NATO 20 Mar 2023 -- NATO Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoană delivered a virtual lecture to the Omani National Defense College on Monday (20 March 2023), stressing that in a more interconnected world, security is more interlinked.
• Secretary General welcomes Foreign Minister of Iraq to NATO NATO 20 Mar 2023 -- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein to NATO Headquarters on Monday (20 March 2023).
• Russian Su-35 Fighter Jet Intercepts Two US B-52 Bombers Over Baltic Sea - Defense Ministry Sputnik 20 Mar 2023 -- Russian fighter jet Su-35 prevented two US strategic bombers B-52 from reaching the Russian border on Monday over the Baltic Sea, the Russian Defense Ministry's National Defense Control Center (NDCC) reported on Monday.
• Memorandum on Delegation of Authority Under Section 506(a)(1) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 The White House 20 Mar 2023
• DOD Announces Additional Security Assistance for Ukraine DoD 20 Mar 2023 -- Today, the Department of Defense (DoD) announces the authorization of a Presidential Drawdown of security assistance to meet Ukraine's critical security and defense needs. This authorization is the thirty-fourth drawdown of equipment from DoD inventories for Ukraine since August 2021 and is valued at up to $350 million.
• US Announces $350Mln Aid Package For Ukraine, Includes HIMARS Ammo Sputnik 20 Mar 2023 -- The United States will provide Ukraine with a new $350 million military assistance package that includes ammunition for Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), howitzers, Bradley combat vehicles, among other equipment, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Monday.
• Additional U.S. Military Assistance for Ukraine US Dept. of State 20 Mar 2023 -- This week, as Russia's unconscionable war of aggression against Ukraine continues at great human cost, we are again reminded of the boundless courage and steadfast resolve of the Ukrainian people, and the strong support for Ukraine across the international community.
• US Providing More Ammunition, Rockets to Ukraine VOA 20 Mar 2023 -- The United States is providing $350 million in U.S. equipment and ammunition in its latest aid package for Ukraine, as European Union foreign and defense ministers meet Monday in Brussels to finalize a plan to supply Ukraine with ammunition while replenishing their own ammunition stocks.
• EU to Mobilize Additional One Million Ammunition Rounds From Europe to Ukraine Sputnik 20 Mar 2023 -- The European Union will provide Ukraine with one million ammunition rounds, European Council President Charles Michel said on Monday.
• Peacefully intended China-Cambodia joint exercise unlike US-led confrontational drills in Asia-Pacific: experts Global Times 20 Mar 2023 -- The Golden Dragon-2023 joint military exercise between China and Cambodia is scheduled to start on Monday in a training ground in Cambodia, with the focus on non-traditional security threats including terrorism, infectious diseases and natural disasters.
• China, Cambodia Start Joint Military Exercise, Reports Say Sputnik 20 Mar 2023 -- Cambodia and China on Monday launched the Golden Dragon-2023 joint military exercise, with over 3,000 personnel and more than 300 vehicles from both sides taking part in the drills, media reported on Monday.
• Taiwan launches annual joint Air Force-Navy warfare drill CNA 20 Mar 2023 -- Taiwan's military on Monday kicked off its annual drill featuring the Air Force's major warplanes and Navy's anti-submarines to test their capabilities in conducting joint warfare amid rising military coercion from China.
• Taiwan Starts Annual Air, Navy Drill Amid Tensions With Beijing, Reports Say Sputnik 20 Mar 2023 -- Taiwan has launched its annual warfare drill with the participation of the air and naval forces, Taiwanese news agency said on Monday.
• Nuclear Counterattack Simulation Drill Conducted in DPRK KCNA 20 Mar 2023 -- There took place on March 18 and 19 a combined tactical drill to substantially bolster the country's war deterrence and nuclear counterattack capability and let relevant units get familiar with the procedures and processes for implementing their tactical nuclear attack missions.
• North Korea sets 'attack' goal for its nuclear force: Report Press TV 20 Mar 2023 -- North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un reportedly urges the enhancement of the country's nuclear force's capability to the level of becoming ready for an actual "attack" against the enemy.
• North Korea Holds Drill Simulating Tactical Nuclear Strike VOA 20 Mar 2023 -- North Korean leader Kim Jong Un oversaw a drill simulating a tactical nuclear attack, state media said Monday, as part of what Pyongyang described as a response to ongoing U.S.-South Korea joint military exercises.
• More Korean Young People Volunteer to Join and Rejoin Army KCNA 20 Mar 2023 -- The number of young people who have turned out in the campaign for defending the country is increasing with each passing day amid the surging resentment and hostility toward the U.S. imperialists and south Korean puppet traitors keen on reckless moves for igniting a nuclear war against the DPRK.
• North Korea Conducts Drills to Improve Nuclear Counterattack Preparedness Sputnik 20 Mar 2023 -- Pyongyang conducted drills simulating a tactical nuclear counterattack over the weekend, North Korean state media reported.
• KEEL LAYING OF TWO MULTI PURPOSE VESSEL PROJECT ON 20 MAR 23 AT M/S L&T SHIPYARD, KATTUPALLI India PIB 20 Mar 2023 -- Keel laying ceremony of the two ships of Multi Purpose Vessel (MPV) Project (Yard18001 - Samarthak & Yard 18002 - Utkarsh) was held at L&T Shipyard, Kattupalli, on 20 Mar 23.
• SELF RELIANCE IN DEFENCE PRODUCTION India PIB 20 Mar 2023 -- In order to promote Aatmanirbharta, Ministry of Defence (MoD) has notified four Positive Indigenisation Lists comprising 411 major weapons platforms/systems with an embargo on their import from defined timelines. Further, MoD has also notified three Positive Indigenisation Lists in respect of DPSUs, comprising 3,738 major Line Replacement Units/sub-system/ assemblies/sub-assemblies/components & spares with an embargo on their import from defined timelines. Further, more than 26,000 defence items have been uploaded on SRIJAN Portal and offered to the Industry for indigenisation.
• EXPORT OF DEFENCE PRODUCTS India PIB 20 Mar 2023 -- Department of Defence Production (DDP) issues authorisation for export of Munitions List items covered in Category 6 of Special Chemicals, Organisms, Materials, Equipment and Technologies (SCOMET). Such exports authorisation are granted as per Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) issued by DDP.
• Ajax vehicles on course for new delivery times UK MOD 20 Mar 2023 -- Positive progress has continued on the next phase of Ajax trials as new in-service dates are confirmed and payments resume to General Dynamics.
• Practical trials of the Leopard 2A4 Main Battle Tank are underway at Záhorie MOD - Slovak Republic 20 Mar 2023 -- Practical trials of the first Leopard 2A4 Main Battle Tank (MBT), delivered to Slovakia under an equipment exchange programme with Germany in exchange for gifting its BVP-1 IFVs to Ukraine, are underway on the test tracks and firing range at the Záhorie Military Technical and Testing Institute.
• Secretary General welcomes progress on Finland's road to NATO membership NATO 20 Mar 2023 -- Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto and Defence Minister Antti Kaikkonen to NATO Headquarters on Monday (20 March 2023) for talks on Finland's progress toward membership in the Alliance.
• NATO Deputy Secretary General: transatlantic and Middle East security are interlinked NATO 20 Mar 2023 -- NATO Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoană delivered a virtual lecture to the Omani National Defense College on Monday (20 March 2023), stressing that in a more interconnected world, security is more interlinked.
• Council extends mandate of EU military Operation IRINI in the Mediterranean until 2025 EC/CEU 20 Mar 2023 -- The Council today extended the mandate of the EU Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) military operation in the Mediterranean - EUNAVFOR MED IRINI until 31 March 2025.
• Strategic Compass: High Representative presents first annual report on its implementation European External Action Service (EEAS) 20 Mar 2023 -- The European Union welcomes the outcome of the meeting of Egyptian, Jordanian, Israeli, Palestinian and US political and security senior officials in Sharm El Sheikh on Sunday.
• Questions and answers: a background for the Strategic Compass European External Action Service (EEAS) 20 Mar 2023
• Minister of Defence made decision on participation in joint procurement project for munitions Finnish MoD 20 Mar 2023 -- Minister of Defence Antti Kaikkonen signed the European Defence Agency's (EDA) document on joint procurement project for munitions on 20 March 2023.
• Norway signs framework-agreement for joint ammunition-procurement Government of Norway 20 Mar 2023 -- On March 20st, Defense Minister Bjørn Arild Gram (Sp) signs a framework agreement which allows the European Defense Agency (EDA) to acquire ammunition on behalf of the signatory countries.
• Blinken: Human rights are a 'central interest' but not the only one Radio Free Asia 20 Mar 2023 -- Human rights are a "central interest" of the Biden administration's foreign policy "but not the only one," Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Monday as he launched the annual U.S. country reports on human rights, which slammed China and Myanmar for abuses.
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken on the 2022 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices US Dept. of State 20 Mar 2023
• Acting Assistant Secretary for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor Erin Barclay on the 2022 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices US Dept. of State 20 Mar 2023
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken and Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita Before Their Meeting US Dept. of State 20 Mar 2023
• Secretary Blinken's Call with Armenian Prime Minister Pashinyan US Dept. of State 20 Mar 2023
• Secretary Blinken's Meeting with Moroccan Foreign Minister Bourita US Dept. of State 20 Mar 2023
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, the Cast of "Ted Lasso," and NSC Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby The White House 20 Mar 2023
• Special Online Briefing with Gabriel Escobar, Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs US Dept. of State 20 Mar 2023

Defense Industry

• Contracts For March 20, 2023

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Ukraine Conflict News


• 20 March 2023 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 20 Mar 2023
• Blinken: Human rights are a 'central interest' but not the only one Radio Free Asia 20 Mar 2023 -- Human rights are a "central interest" of the Biden administration's foreign policy "but not the only one," Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Monday as he launched the annual U.S. country reports on human rights, which slammed China and Myanmar for abuses.
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken on the 2022 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices US Dept. of State 20 Mar 2023
• Acting Assistant Secretary for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor Erin Barclay on the 2022 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices US Dept. of State 20 Mar 2023
• Statement from NSC Spokesperson Adrienne Watson Welcoming the Prisoner Exchange Agreement Reached for Yemen The White House 20 Mar 2023
• Yemen: Fresh negotiations conclude with release of 887 prisoners UN News 20 Mar 2023 -- The UN Special Envoy for Yemen announced on Monday the planned release of 887 conflict-related detainees from all sides along with other gains after concluding 10 days of negotiations to address the devastating eight-year-old conflict.
• Yemen's warring parties agree prisoner swap at UN-brokered talks Press TV 20 Mar 2023 -- Yemen's National Salvation Government and the Saudi-sponsored administration of the ousted President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi have agreed at UN-brokered talks in Switzerland to swap more than 880 prisoners.
• UN Announces Major Prisoner Swap Among Parties to Yemeni Conflict US Dept. of State 20 Mar 2023 -- The United States welcomes the major agreement, facilitated by the UN and International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to release 887 detainees from the Yemen conflict.
• Israel/Palestine: Statement by the High Representative on the outcome of the Sharm El Sheikh meeting European External Action Service (EEAS) 20 Mar 2023 -- The European Union welcomes the outcome of the meeting of Egyptian, Jordanian, Israeli, Palestinian and US political and security senior officials in Sharm El Sheikh on Sunday. The meeting brought an understanding on ways to further de-escalate tensions on the ground and work towards a peaceful settlement between Israelis and Palestinians, while recognising the need to create a political horizon.
• Blinken Offers U.S. Support To Facilitate Bilateral Peace Between Armenia, Azerbaijan RFE/RL 20 Mar 2023 -- U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has offered support in facilitating bilateral peace discussions with Azerbaijan in a phone call on March 20 with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian.
• Lavrov Says Trilateral Ministerial Meeting on Nagorno-Karabakh Settlement on Agenda Sputnik 20 Mar 2023 -- A trilateral meeting of the foreign ministers of Russia, Armenia and Azerbaijan on a peace treaty over the Nagorno-Karabakh issue remains on the agenda, with dates convenient for all sides now being considered, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Monday.
• Russia-Armenia-Azerbaijan Agreements Remain Key to Nagorno-Karabakh Settlement: Lavrov Sputnik 20 Mar 2023 -- Russia has no doubt that trilateral agreements with Armenia and Azerbaijan remain key for the settlement of the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh, a breakaway region that proclaimed its independence from Baku in 1991, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Monday.
• US Calls for "Immediate" Implementation of Serbia-Kosovo Agreement Sputnik 20 Mar 2023 -- The United States has called for an immediate implementation of the agreement between Serbia and Kosovo, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Gabriel Escobar said on Monday.
• War Crimes, Crimes Against Humanity, and Ethnic Cleansing in Ethiopia US Dept. of State 20 Mar 2023 -- Ethiopia is now emerging from two years of a brutal conflict in the north, during which all parties committed atrocities.
• South Sudan: Humanitarians call for justice after latest deadly attack UN News 20 Mar 2023 -- Humanitarians have strongly condemned the latest deadly assault on aid workers in South Sudan, urging the Government to step up security and bring those responsible to justice.
• The Humanitarian Community in South Sudan condemns latest attack and calls for an immediate end to violence against humanitarians UNOCHA 20 Mar 2023 -- The Humanitarian Community in South Sudan strongly condemns a targeted attack on humanitarian assets and staff in Jonglei State in which two people were killed and others seriously injured.
• US, French Hostages in West Africa Released VOA 20 Mar 2023 -- U.S. hostage Jeffery Woodke has been released after more than six years in captivity in West Africa, White House national security advisor Jake Sullivan said Monday.

News Reports

• Expanded Interior Ministry Board meeting President of Russia 20 Mar 2023 -- The President took part in an annual expanded meeting of the Russian Interior Ministry Board. Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev also delivered a report at the meeting.
• Russia becomes China's top oil supplier in Jan-Feb; energy acts as 'ballast stone' of bilateral trade Global Times 20 Mar 2023 -- Russia became China's top oil supplier in January and February, shipping about 15.68 million tons of crude oil to the world's second-largest economy, data from China's General Administration of Customs (GAC) showed.
• Meeting with President of People's Republic of China Xi Jinping President of Russia 20 Mar 2023 -- Vladimir Putin met with President of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping, who arrived in Russia on a state visit.
• Putin meets China's Xi in Moscow, says open to negotiations on Ukraine Press TV 20 Mar 2023 -- China's President Xi Jinping has arrived in Moscow for an official three-day visit, during which he will discuss Russia's ongoing military campaign in Ukraine as well as other issues of bilateral and international interest with his counterpart, Vladimir Putin.
• Putin Hosts Xi At Kremlin With China's Proposal On Ukraine War On Agenda RFE/RL 20 Mar 2023 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, called each other "dear friend" and exchanged compliments at the Kremlin after Xi arrived for his first visit to Russia in four years amid Moscow's deepening international isolation over its invasion of Ukraine.
• Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's opening remarks during talks with Foreign Minister of the Republic of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan, Moscow, March 20, 2023 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 20 Mar 2023
• Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's statement and answers to media questions during a joint news conference with Foreign Minister of the Republic of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan following talks, Moscow, March 20, 2023 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 20 Mar 2023
• International Parliamentary Conference Russia - Africa in a Multipolar World President of Russia 20 Mar 2023 -- Vladimir Putin spoke at the International Parliamentary Conference Russia - Africa in a Multipolar World, held in Moscow under the auspices of the State Duma of the Russian Federal Assembly.
• Russia opens criminal case against ICC chief prosecutor, judges over arrest warrant for Putin Press TV 20 Mar 2023 -- Russia has opened a criminal case against chief prosecutor and judges of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in response to an arrest warrant they issued for President Vladimir Putin on war crime charges.
• Standard Deviations: How An IMF Forecast For Russia Kicked Up A Storm RFE/RL 20 Mar 2023 -- For more than a year now, Russia's economy has been pummeled by a series of Western sanctions aimed at punishing Moscow for its invasion of Ukraine.
• ANALYSIS: China under Xi is trying to forge a new and authoritarian world order Radio Free Asia 20 Mar 2023 -- Chinese leader Xi Jinping's ongoing visit to Russia forms part of a bid by Beijing to rebrand China's international image and reshape the international community along authoritarian lines, commentators told Radio Free Asia in recent interviews and broadcasts.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin's Regular Press Conference on March 20, 2023 PRC MofA 20 Mar 2023
• Xi Jinping Arrives in Moscow for State Visit to Russia PRC MofA 20 Mar 2023 -- On the afternoon of March 20 local time, President Xi Jinping arrived in Moscow on a special plane to pay a state visit to Russia at the invitation of President Vladimir Putin.
• Xi Jinping Pays a State Visit to the Russian Federation PRC MofA 20 Mar 2023 -- On the morning of March 20, 2023 local time, President Xi Jinping left Beijing by a special plane to pay a state visit to Russia at the invitation of President Vladimir Putin of the Russian Federation.
• Xi's visit warmly welcomed by Russia, 'brings hope of peace for Ukraine crisis' Global Times 20 Mar 2023 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Moscow on Monday to kick off his three-day state visit, with the warm hospitality of the Russian side expressed through the high-standard welcoming ceremony arranged for the Chinese president upon his arrival. Experts from both China and Russia said the visit will be symbolic and have global significance, as it will not only greatly promote the development of bilateral ties, but also bring hope and confidence for a peaceful solution to the Ukraine crisis.
• China's Xi, Russia's Putin swap praise as they begin key Moscow summit Radio Free Asia 20 Mar 2023 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping landed in Moscow on Monday, trading praise with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin at the start of a three-day state visit that is being closely watched for what the two leaders say about the war in Ukraine.
• Xi: China's peace proposal for Ukraine war reflects unity of global views Press TV 20 Mar 2023 -- China's President Xi Jinping has called for "pragmatism" to end the war in Ukraine, saying his country's peace proposal reflects the unity of the global community's views and aims to neutralize the consequences of the crisis.
• US: Sanctions on China's New Defense Chief Not a Hurdle for Military Talks VOA 20 Mar 2023 -- U.S. officials said current sanctions on China's new defense chief, Li Shangfu, will not prevent him from conducting official meetings with his American counterparts, nor is the U.S. government considering issuing an exemption for or waiving Li's sanction designation.
• US should abandon outdated Monroe Doctrine and respect countries' independent foreign policy: Chinese FM Global Times 20 Mar 2023 -- The US should abandon its outdated Monroe Doctrine and respect other countries' rights to make foreign policy decisions independently, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said on Monday, after media reported that the US was trying to discourage Honduras from officially establishing diplomatic ties with the People's Republic of China.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson's Remarks on the Attack on a Chinese Private Company in the Central African Republic PRC MofA 20 Mar 2023
• China warns citizens not to travel outside Central African Republic capital after 9 Chinese killed in attack Global Times 20 Mar 2023 -- The Chinese foreign ministry has activated the consular emergency response mechanism and warned its citizens not to travel outside the Central African Republic's capital Bangui after an attack in the African country killed nine Chinese and severely injured two.
• Hong Kong Falls in International Civic Rights Index VOA 20 Mar 2023 -- Hong Kong and its civil society environment have been downgraded by an international rights group nearly three years since China imposed a national security law on the city.
• Forging Ahead to Open a New Chapter of China-Russia Friendship, Cooperation and Common Development PRC MofA 20 Mar 2023 -- "At the invitation of President Vladimir Putin, I will soon pay a state visit to the Russian Federation. Russia was the first country I visited after I was elected President ten years ago. Over the past decade, I have made eight visits to Russia. I came each time with high expectations and returned with fruitful results, opening a new chapter for China-Russia relations together with President Putin."
• Xi's Russia visit to navigate bilateral ties, boost global stability People's Daily 20 Mar 2023 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping's upcoming state visit to Russia, his first foreign trip since being re-elected as Chinese president, will be a trip of friendship, cooperation and peace.
• PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan March 20, 2023 ROC MND 20 Mar 2023
• The cost of North Korea's illicit missile launches is being borne by its people: UK Statement at the Security Council UK FCDO 20 Mar 2023 -- Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki at the UN Security Council briefing on North Korea
• Spate of missile launches triggers call for unity on Korean Peninsula UN News 20 Mar 2023 -- Raising alarms that the situation on the Korean Peninsula is heading in the "wrong direction", a senior UN official appealed to the UN Security Council for unity on Monday, following a spate of missile launches in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).
• UN: Tensions on Korean Peninsula Headed in 'Wrong Direction' VOA 20 Mar 2023 -- A senior United Nations official warned Monday that the situation on the Korean Peninsula is heading in the "wrong direction" days after North Korea fired its second intermediate-range ballistic missile of the year, followed by a short-range ballistic missile on Sunday.
• Enlarged Plenary Meetings of Pyongyang City and Provincial Committees of WPK Held KCNA 20 Mar 2023 -- Enlarged plenary meetings of Pyongyang City and provincial party committees took place from March 15 to 19 to implement the resolutions of the Seventh Plenary Meeting of the Eighth Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK).
• Review of Rodong Sinmun KCNA 20 Mar 2023 -- Following are major news items and articles in Rodong Sinmun on Monday:
• DPRK Premier Inspects North and South Hwanghae Provinces KCNA 20 Mar 2023 -- 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 agricultural sector of North and South Hwanghae provinces.
• UK sanctions top Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps financiers UK FCDO 20 Mar 2023 -- The UK sanctioned 5 members of the Board of Directors of the IRGC Co-operative Foundation. This organisation funnels money into the Iranian regime's repression.
• Britain imposes sanctions on senior officials of Iran's IRGC over alleged rights abuses Press TV 20 Mar 2023 -- In yet another hostile move against Iran, Britain has imposed sanctions on more senior officials of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), including those who it claimed were responsible for managing the elite force's financial investments.
• Human rights violations in Iran: EU sanctions additional eight individuals and one entity EC/CEU 20 Mar 2023 -- Today, the Council decided to impose restrictive measures on additional 8 individuals and one entity responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran.
• Iran's Raisi inaugurates Abadan Refinery's second phase IRNA 20 Mar 2023 -- Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has inaugurated a new expansion project in the country's flagship Abadan Refinery.
• Iranian Teachers' Union Warns Government Over Failing To Meet Its Demands RFE/RL 20 Mar 2023 -- A teachers' union in Iran has warned the government that if its demands are not met, its members will take to the streets in May, adding to the social and economic unrest that has plagued the country for almost a year.
• Amini Family Wants Iranian Leaders Held Accountable VOA 20 Mar 2023 -- The family of Mahsa Amini, whose death sparked months of protests in Iran, says the leadership of Iran must be held accountable for crimes against humanity and that they want their case heard in an international court.
• Security personnel defectors face hardship in Myanmar's remote border regions Radio Free Asia 20 Mar 2023 -- Tin Myint's husband, Aung Myo Thant, risked his life to defect from Myanmar's navy and join the country's non-violent Civil Disobedience Movement, or CDM, in opposition to the junta shortly after the military seized power in a coup.
• UN refugee agency confirms involvement in junta boat transport Radio Free Asia 20 Mar 2023 -- The UN refugee agency has acknowledged it transported Myanmar junta officials aboard unmarked UN boats to Bangladeshi refugee camps last week, a move that has been criticized as risky to humanitarian workers and a "serious breach" of UN neutrality.
• Kazakhstan: Statement by the Spokesperson on the outcome of parliamentary elections European External Action Service (EEAS) 20 Mar 2023 -- The European Union takes note of the preliminary results of yesterday's elections in Kazakhstan, for the lower chamber of the parliament (Mäjılıs) held along with the local elections.
• Kazakhstan's parliamentary elections offered voters increased choice, although limitations on fundamental freedoms and participation remain, international observers say OSCE 20 Mar 2023 -- The 19 March early parliamentary elections were held in the context of reforms introduced to bring Kazakhstan closer to holding elections in line with international standards and OSCE commitments, as legal amendments addressed several previous recommendations and provided increased choice for voters. However, limits on the exercise of fundamental freedoms remain, and some political groups continued to be prevented from participation as parties in elections. Further changes to the legal framework are needed to provide a sufficient basis for conducting democratic elections, the international observers said in a statement released today.
• Hints Of Change? Five Takeaways From Kazakhstan's Parliamentary Elections RFE/RL 20 Mar 2023 -- Parliamentary elections held on March 19 marked the end of the first political cycle in Kazakhstan since bloody unrest killed 238 people and saw President Qasym-Zhomart Toqaev emerge as Kazakhstan's preeminent leader last year.
• Kazakh Ruling Party Dominates Vote, OSCE Sees Some Progress, Some Candidates Cry Foul RFE/RL 20 Mar 2023 -- The ruling Amanat party appears to have won a majority of seats in a general election in Kazakhstan that international observers said showed some progress over previous votes while a number of opposition politicians claimed that the balloting was unfair.
• Former Pakistani Prime Minister Khan Charged With Terrorism Sputnik 20 Mar 2023 -- Islamabad police brought terrorism and other violations of national law charges against the country's former prime minister and chairman of the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, Imran Khan, 17 of his aides and several dozen supporters.
• Transcript of Special Briefing by Foreign Secretary on the Visit of Prime Minister of Japan to India (March 20, 2023) India MEA 20 Mar 2023
• Iraq: EU press statement after the Cooperation Council European External Action Service (EEAS) 20 Mar 2023 -- The third meeting of the Cooperation Council of the European Union and Iraq took place in Brussels on Sunday. The meeting was an important occasion for the parties to reiterate the great importance of their close partnership and agreed to enhance further cooperation.
• UN underlines commitment to support communities affected by Syria-Turkiye earthquakes UN News 20 Mar 2023 -- The head of the UN Development Programme (UNDP) has underlined on Monday the importance of addressing immediate humanitarian needs in earthquake-affected Syria and Türkiye, and efforts to promote recovery.
• Foreign Affairs Council: Press remarks by High Representative Josep Borrell at the press conference European External Action Service (EEAS) 20 Mar 2023
• Foreign Affairs Council: Press remarks by High Representative Josep Borrell upon arrival European External Action Service (EEAS) 20 Mar 2023
• UN report issues stern 'final' warning on climate change inaction Radio Free Asia 20 Mar 2023 -- The world is approaching irreversible levels of global warming, with catastrophic consequences becoming inevitable, according to a major new United Nations report that provided a sobering assessment of the climate change inaction.
• Laos imposes price controls to curb inflation, but merchants say they're losing money Radio Free Asia 20 Mar 2023 -- Laos has imposed price controls on 23 basic necessities such as pork, rice and natural gas to try to rein in inflation that has surged above 40 percent - controls authorities aim to enforce through fines or even jail time.
• Wider Europe Briefing: Ukraine Could Get More Ammo From The EU; NATO Looks Back At A Difficult Year RFE/RL 20 Mar 2023
• Montenegrin President Djukanovic To Face Milatovic In Runoff On April 2 RFE/RL 20 Mar 2023 -- Longtime Montenegrin leader Milo Djukanovic will face off next month against a candidate nearly half his age after failing to secure a majority in the first round of a presidential election held in the former Yugoslav republic on March 19.
• The UK urges Sudanese authorities to accelerate peace agreement implementation and the plan to protect civilians: UK Statement at the Security Council UK FCDO 20 Mar 2023 -- Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki at the UN Security Council briefing on Sudan
• Sudan holds massive political 'workshops', embarks on new transition phase, Security Council hears UN News 20 Mar 2023 -- The parties to a watershed political agreement in Sudan - signed in December 2022 - have launched a fresh round of consultations on key challenges facing the country, the senior UN official in Khartoum told the Security Council on Monday, citing several important breakthroughs that have already emerged from that process.
• Authorities Brace for Unrest as Nigeria's Gubernatorial Election Winners Announced VOA 20 Mar 2023 -- Nigeria's Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared results for 12 states so far, including the economic hub of Lagos, where incumbent governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of the ruling party was reelected.
• Report: 43,000 Died in 2022 Somalia Droughts VOA 20 Mar 2023 -- Droughts in Somalia may have killed an estimated 43,000 people last year, a new report by the Somali government and United Nations said.
• Kenya's Opposition Supporters Clash With Police VOA 20 Mar 2023 -- Opposition leader Raila Odinga's supporters demonstrated in Nairobi and other parts of the country Monday, engaging police in running battles.