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Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• Statement on attack on a US base in North East Syria on 23 March UK FCDO 27 Mar 2023 -- UK condemns the attack on a US base in North East Syria on 23 March

Defense Policy / Programs

• Executive Order on Prohibition on Use by the United States Government of Commercial Spyware that Poses Risks to National Security The White House 27 Mar 2023
• FACT SHEET: President Biden Signs Executive Order to Prohibit U.S. Government Use of Commercial Spyware that Poses Risks to National Security The White House 27 Mar 2023
• Oregon Guard, Bangladesh Army Train During Tiger Lightning Army News 27 Mar 2023 -- Members of the Oregon National Guard, the 5th Security Force Assistance Brigade out of Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, and Civil Affairs and Explosive Ordnance Disposal teams trained with their Bangladesh counterparts during Exercise Tiger Lightning 2023.
• Defense Production Act Title III Presidential Determination for Printed Circuit Boards and Advanced Packaging Production Capability DoD 27 Mar 2023 -- President Joe Biden signed a presidential determination (PD) authorizing the use of Defense Production Act to support the nation's domestic Printed Circuit Boards (PrCB) and Advanced Packaging industrial base.
• Department of Defense Support to the U.S. Strategy to Prevent Conflict and Promote Stability DoD 27 Mar 2023 -- The Department of Defense is proud to partner across U.S. federal agencies to mitigate global conflict and promote stability and prosperity. The Department of Defense's efforts, collaboration, and commitment in support of the U.S. Strategy to Prevent Conflict and Promote Stability include:
• NIMCSG, JMSDF Conduct Bilateral Maritime Exercise US Navy 27 Mar 2023 -- The Nimitz Carrier Strike Group (NIMCSG) conducted a bilateral maritime exercise with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), March 23-26.
• Hungarian Parliament Votes for Ratification of Finland's Accession to NATO Sputnik 27 Mar 2023 -- The Hungarian Parliament voted on Monday for the ratification of Finland's accession to NATO.
• Address on National Guard Day President of Russia 27 Mar 2023
• Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova's comment on a number of Western countries expressing concern over Russia-Belarus nuclear cooperation Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 27 Mar 2023
• Moscow Puzzled by States' Reaction to Deployment of Russia's Nuclear Weapons in Belarus Sputnik 27 Mar 2023 -- The inadequate reaction of a number of countries to Russia's decision to deploy tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus is puzzling, considering the hybrid war of the West against Russia, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Monday.
• Russia owns arms to destroy US in case of existential threats: Top Putin aide Press TV 27 Mar 2023 -- A senior Russian official says Moscow owns such weapons that can destroy any enemy, including the United States, if it faces existential threats, alleging that Washington is underestimating Russia's nuclear might.
• New START Talks Depend on US Abandoning Its 'Hostile Policy' Toward Russia, Russian Envoy Says Sputnik 27 Mar 2023 -- The prerequisites for talking about the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) will emerge only if Washington abandons its hostile policy toward Moscow, Russia's Permanent Representative to International Organizations in Vienna Mikhail Ulyanov told Sputnik.
• Rosatom: New Russian Nuclear-Powered Icebreaker to Be Laid Down in May Next Year Sputnik 27 Mar 2023 -- The new, fifth and sixth Russian nuclear icebreakers of Project 22220 are planned to be laid down at the Baltic Shipyard in St. Petersburg, in May 2024 and October 2025, respectively, Maxim Kulinko, Deputy Head of the Northern Sea Route Directorate of Russian state nuclear agency Rosatom told Sputnik.
• Congratulations to the command and personnel of the 346th Guards Detached Special Operations Brigade President of Russia 27 Mar 2023 -- Vladimir Putin congratulated the command and personnel of the 346th Guards Detached Special Operations Brigade on being awarded the honorary name Guards.
• Congratulations to the command and personnel of the 10th Guards Detached Order of Zhukov Special Operations Brigade President of Russia 27 Mar 2023 -- Vladimir Putin congratulated the command and personnel of the 10th Guards Detached Order of Zhukov Special Operations Brigade on being awarded the honorary name Guards.
• Congratulations to the command and personnel of the 25th Guards Detached Special Operations Regiment President of Russia 27 Mar 2023 -- Vladimir Putin congratulated the command and personnel of the 25th Guards Detached Special Operations Regiment on being awarded the honorary name Guards.
• Ukrainian tank crews complete Challenger 2 training in UK UK MOD 27 Mar 2023 -- Ukrainian tank crews have completed training on Challenger 2 tanks in the UK and have returned home to continue their fight against Russia's illegal invasion.
• Ukraine Receives 18 German Leopard 2 Tanks: Report Sputnik 27 Mar 2023 -- Ukraine has received 18 German leopard 2 tanks, as promised by Berlin, a German media reported on Monday.
• Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki: Polish armaments efforts, Polish donations, arms transfers to Ukraine - have been greatly appreciated in Brussels Republic of Poland 27 Mar 2023 -- Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki met with European Commissioner for Internal Market Thierry Breton in Nowa Dęba. The meeting focused on the joint purchase of ammunition by EU countries and on increasing the production capacity of the Polish arms industry.
• Thanks to investments in the Polish arms industry aid to Ukraine will be more effective Republic of Poland 27 Mar 2023 -- On Monday, March 27, Mateusz Morawiecki, Prime Minister of Poland, and Mariusz Blaszczak, Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of National Defense, met with Thierry Breton, European Union Commissioner for Industry and the Internal Market, as well as employees of the Dezamet Metal Works in Nowa Dęba.
• Chinese navy to recruit more professional, practical carrier-based aircraft pilots among junior high school graduates Global Times 27 Mar 2023 -- The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy will recruit carrier-based aircraft pilots among junior high school graduates, as the annual recruitment of youth pilots has started in recent days. The move is aimed at training pilots with more professional skills to adapt to the rapid development of China's aircraft carrier construction, said military experts.
• Tech manager indicted for fraud over generators sold to the Navy CNA 27 Mar 2023 -- A tech company manager was indicted Monday on fraud and document forgery charges for having supplied generators made in China rather than Europe to the Navy in violation of the terms of the Navy tender, the New Taipei District Prosecutors Office said.
• South Korea Believes North's Underwater Nuclear Drone Report Exaggerated - Military Sputnik 27 Mar 2023 -- The South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) believes that North Korea's reports about underwater nuclear drone tests could be exaggerated since its engineering is most likely at early stages, South Korean media reported on Monday.
• Ballistic Missiles Launched by North Korea Flew 350 Kilometers: Japan's Defense Ministry Sputnik 27 Mar 2023 -- The two suspected ballistic missiles launched by North Korea on Monday morning landed outside of Japan's exclusive economic zone, Japanese media report.
• North Korea fires two short-range ballistic missiles amid US-South drills Press TV 27 Mar 2023 -- North Korea has fired two short-range ballistic missiles into the sea off its east coast, which is also known as the Sea of Japan, amid ongoing joint military exercises by the United States and South Korea.
• Defence Minister Anita Anand announces extension of Operation IMPACT Canada 27 Mar 2023 -- Today, the Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of National Defence, announced that the Government of Canada has extended Operation IMPACT until March 31, 2025.
• Raksha Mantri receives Rs. 224 Crore as Second Interim Dividend from BEL for FY 2022-23 India PIB 27 Mar 2023 -- Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL), a Navratna Defence PSU, presented the second interim dividend cheque of Rs. 224,27,53,160.40/- to Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh in New Delhi today on March 27, 2023.
• TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER BY DRDO India PIB 27 Mar 2023 -- DRDO undertakes design and development of products for use by Indian Armed Forces. After successful product trial and evaluation, the technology of the same is transferred to Indian industries for mass production by signing a Licensing Agreement for Transfer of Technology (LATOT).
• INNOVATIONS FOR DEFENCE EXCELLENCE (iDEX) SCHEME India PIB 27 Mar 2023 -- Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) framework was launched by the Government with the aim to foster innovation and technology development in Defence and Aerospace Sector by engaging Industries including MSMEs, start-ups, individual innovators, R&D institutes and academia to promote self-reliance.
• Harris Pledges Security Assistance, Partnership in Ghana Visit VOA 27 Mar 2023 -- Vice President Kamala Harris on Monday pledged more than $100 million in U.S. assistance to Ghana and stressed that U.S. interests in African nations extend beyond competing with China, on the first full day of her weeklong tour of the continent.
• Harris Pledges Security Assistance, Partnership in Ghana Visit VOA 27 Mar 2023 -- Vice President Kamala Harris on Monday pledged more than $100 million in U.S. assistance to Ghana and stressed that U.S. interests in African nations extend beyond competing with China, on the first full day of her weeklong tour of the continent.
• Readout of Vice President Kamala Harris's Meeting with President Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana The White House 27 Mar 2023
• Remarks by Vice President Harris at a State Banquet Hosted by President Akufo-Addo of Ghana The White House 27 Mar 2023
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken and Paraguayan Foreign Minister Julio Arriola Before Their Meeting US Dept. of State 27 Mar 2023
• Secretary Blinken With Colombian Foreign Minister Álvaro Leyva at the U.S.-Colombia High-Level Dialogue US Dept. of State 27 Mar 2023
• Transcript: Remarks for Deputy Secretary Wendy Sherman US Dept. of State 27 Mar 2023
• Readout of National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan's Call with Japan's National Security Secretariat Akiba Takeo The White House 27 Mar 2023
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre The White House 27 Mar 2023
• Department Press Briefing - March 27, 2023 US Dept. of State 27 Mar 2023

Defense Industry

• Contracts For March 27, 2023

Other Conflicts

Ukraine Conflict News


• 27 March 2023 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 27 Mar 2023
• Joint 10-Year Plans for the U.S. Strategy to Prevent Conflict and Promote Stability US Dept. of State 27 Mar 2023 -- The following is being released jointly by the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the U.S. Department of Defense, and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
• Joint 10-Year Plans for the U.S. Strategy to Prevent Conflict and Promote Stability US Treasury 27 Mar 2023 -- The following is being released jointly by the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the U.S. Department of Defense, and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
• Suicide Blast in Kabul Kills 6 VOA 27 Mar 2023 -- Taliban authorities in Afghanistan said Monday that a suicide bomb blast outside the foreign ministry in the capital, Kabul, killed at least six people and wounded many others.
• At least 6 killed after powerful blast near Afghan foreign ministry in Kabul Press TV 27 Mar 2023 -- At least six people were killed and more than a dozen injured after a powerful blast ripped through a highly fortified area near the Afghan foreign ministry in downtown Kabul on Monday, local officials said.
• Suicide Attack Near Foreign Ministry In Kabul Kills At Least Six RFE/RL 27 Mar 2023 -- At least six people were killed and 12 others were wounded on March 27 when a suicide bomber blew himself up near the Foreign Ministry in the Afghan capital, Kabul.
• China vows to build the South China Sea into a sea of peace and cooperation Global Times 27 Mar 2023 -- China is willing to work with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to eliminate external interference and provide institutional guarantees for building the South China Sea into a sea of peace, friendship and cooperation, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang said during a meeting with ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn in Beijing on Monday.
• Chinese coast guard ship chased out of Vietnam waters Radio Free Asia 27 Mar 2023 -- A Chinese coast guard ship and a Vietnamese fisheries patrol boat apparently had a tense encounter during the weekend in the South China Sea, coming as close as 10 meters to each other, according to data from Marine Traffic, a ship-tracking website.
• Libya: Crimes against humanity committed since 2016 - rights probe UN News 27 Mar 2023 -- UN-appointed independent human rights investigators on Monday said there are grounds to believe that Libyan authorities and armed militia groups have been responsible for "a wide array" of war crimes, and crimes against humanity in recent years.
• Libya: Urgent action needed to remedy deteriorating human rights situation, UN Fact-Finding Mission warns in final report UNOHCHR 27 Mar 2023 -- The UN Independent Fact-Finding Mission on Libya expressed deep concern over the country's deteriorating human rights situation in its final report today, concluding there are grounds to believe a wide array of war crimes and crimes against humanity have been committed by State security forces and armed militia groups.
• Libyan State, Armed Militia Groups Allegedly Commit War Crimes with Impunity VOA 27 Mar 2023 -- U.N. investigators have accused Libyan state security forces and armed militia groups of committing a wide array of crimes with impunity, many of which could amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity.
• U.S. sanctions two people, six entities for supplying Myanmar with jet fuel Radio Free Asia 27 Mar 2023 -- The United States Treasury Department has announced additional sanctions on Myanmar to prevent supplies of jet fuel from reaching the military in response to airstrikes on populated areas and other atrocities.
• Myanmar junta chief marks Armed Forces Day with vow to eradicate opposition Radio Free Asia 27 Mar 2023 -- Myanmar's junta chief Min Aung Hlaing marked the 78th anniversary of the country's Armed Forces Day on Monday with a vow to "take decisive action" against the military's opposition, prompting derision from observers who dismissed what they said were empty threats.
• Myanmar Armed Forces Day: UK announces fresh sanctions on aviation fuel and military equipment suppliers UK FCDO 27 Mar 2023 -- New UK sanctions will target those who supply the Myanmar regime with materials, including military equipment, which are still being used to attack its civilians.
• Nearly 600 Former Boko Haram Militants Graduate From Nigeria Rehab VOA 27 Mar 2023 -- Nigerian authorities say a rehabilitation program for former Boko Haram sect fighters is helping weaken the group's fighting power. Nearly 600 fighters graduated from the program over the weekend and tendered a public apology for their actions. Authorities say they will be reintegrated into society, but experts are warning of possible relapse.

News Reports

• Netanyahu Delays Plans for Israeli Judicial Overhaul VOA 27 Mar 2023 -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu postponed on Monday his plan to overhaul the country's judiciary in the face of massive street protests and a nationwide workers strike opposing it.
• Under mounting pressure from violent protests, Netanyahu agrees to delay judicial overhaul plan Press TV 27 Mar 2023 -- Following twelve consecutive weeks of protests, which at times got violent, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has finally accepted to delay his infamous judicial reforms plan.
• Israel pres. calls for 'immediate stop' to judicial reforms as Netanyahu 'backs down' Press TV 27 Mar 2023 -- Israeli president Isaac Herzog has called on prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu to back down on the so-called judicial reforms after mass protests against the overhaul and the sacking of the regime's minister for military affairs Yoav Gallant.
• "A Time for Responsibility" IDF 27 Mar 2023
• Israel's President Calls on Government to Immediately Stop Adoption of Judicial Reform Sputnik 27 Mar 2023 -- Mass protests against the judicial reform have been held in Israel for 12 straight weeks. The draft law presented by Justice Minister Yariv Levin in January, if adopted, will significantly curtail the powers of the Israeli Supreme Court and give the government control over the procedure of the appointment of judges.
• Foreign Secretary statement on pause to judicial reform in Israel UK FCDO 27 Mar 2023 -- UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly has welcomed the decision to pause legislation to reform Israel's judiciary.
• Russia may seek compensation for damage to Nord Stream pipelines: Diplomat Press TV 27 Mar 2023 -- Russia may demand compensation for the damage to the Nord Stream gas pipelines after a number of powerful explosions last year, a Russian diplomat says, as Moscow names the United States as the most probable culprit behind the blasts.
• Russia's Call for International Probe into Nord Stream Blast Fails VOA 27 Mar 2023 -- A resolution put forward Monday by Russia at the United Nations calling for an international investigation into the apparent sabotage last year on the Nord Stream gas pipelines has failed to win Security Council support and led to more finger pointing between the U.S. and Russian envoys.
• Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's remarks at a meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Alexander Gorchakov Public Diplomacy Fund, Moscow, March 27, 2023 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 27 Mar 2023
• Chinese FM confirms detention of Japanese national on suspicion of spying Global Times 27 Mar 2023 -- The Chinese Foreign Ministry confirmed on Monday that a Japanese national was under criminal detention under suspicion of engaging in espionage, saying that Chinese officials had notified the Japanese Embassy in accordance with Vienna Convention and China-Japan consular relations.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning's Regular Press Conference on March 27, 2023 PRC MofA 27 Mar 2023
• US Congress to move forward with legislation to ban TikTok Press TV 27 Mar 2023 -- Members of Congress from both parties will move forward with legislation targeting TikTok, describing the Chinese-owned app as a national security threat.
• No preconditions for establishment of China-Honduras relations; DPP's 'dollar diplomacy' at a dead end: Chinese FM Global Times 27 Mar 2023 -- The Chinese Foreign Ministry refuted allegations about preconditions having been set for the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Honduras, saying that it's not a matter for bargaining. The ministry reiterated that there have been no preconditions for establishing or resuming diplomatic relations with countries such as Panama and the Dominican Republic.
• China's contribution to regional, global devt in focus at Boao Forum Global Times 27 Mar 2023 -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang will attend the opening ceremony of the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) Annual Conference 2023 and deliver a keynote speech in South China's Hainan Province on Thursday, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning announced on Monday, marking Li's first address at the major Asian forum after becoming the Chinese Premier earlier this month.
• Hong Kong police force protesters to wear numbered badges, march in cordon Radio Free Asia 27 Mar 2023 -- Participants in the first public protest in Hong Kong since a draconian national security law took effect were forced to wear badges and walk within a police cordon last weekend.
• Saudi Aramco signs JV deal for $12b refinery, petrochemical complex in NE China Global Times 27 Mar 2023 -- Oil giant Saudi Aramco signed a deal for a major refinery and petrochemical complex with its Chinese partners over the weekend. The greenfield project will include a 300,000 barrel per day (bpd) refinery and a 1.65 million ton steam cracker, according to a company statement seen by the Global Times on Monday.
• Xi reassures foreign firms on opening-up People's Daily 27 Mar 2023 -- China will steadily expand institutional opening-up with regard to rules, regulations, management and standards, and will work with all countries and parties to share opportunities arising from it, President Xi Jinping said on Sunday.
• Anti-graft officials urged to better fulfill duties in China's modernization drive People's Daily 27 Mar 2023 -- China's anti-graft chief has called on fellow members of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) of the Communist Party of China (CPC) to faithfully perform their duties in the pursuit of modernization.
• Ex-President Ma Ying-jeou departs on 12-day China trip CNA 27 Mar 2023 -- Former President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) said Monday at Taoyuan airport, before departing for Shanghai, that it has taken a very long time for him to visit mainland China.
• Ma Ying-jeou kicks off mainland visit, expected to offset tensions created by DPP Global Times 27 Mar 2023 -- Former Taiwan regional leader Ma Ying-jeou landed in Shanghai on Monday afternoon, kicking off an ancestral trip in the mainland, which experts viewed as being of special significance to easing the tensions across the Taiwan Straits and enhancing exchanges. Furthermore, Ma's itinerary shows the deep historical, political and cultural ties between Taiwan and the mainland, outlining the fact that the two sides of the Taiwan Straits belong to one and the same China.
• Former president Ma Ying-jeou's trip to China undermines Taiwan government: critics Radio Free Asia 27 Mar 2023 -- Former Taiwan president Ma Ying-jeou, whose opposition Kuomintang espouses closer ties with China, began a visit there on Monday with a call for peace, as incumbent Tsai Ing-wen's Democratic Progressive Party accused Ma of "endorsing" Beijing's territorial claim on the island.
• Amid Rising Tensions, Taiwan's Ex-President Embarks on 'Peacebuilding' Trip to Mainland China VOA 27 Mar 2023 -- Former Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou arrived in the Chinese city of Shanghai on Monday, becoming the first past or current president from the self-ruled island to visit the mainland since the end of the Chinese civil war in 1949.
• PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan March 27, 2023 ROC MND 27 Mar 2023
• For founder's birthday, North Korean cities ordered to decorate streets with flowers Radio Free Asia 27 Mar 2023 -- To celebrate the April 15 birthday of North Korea's founder Kim Il Sung, authorities have ordered cities and towns to decorate the streets with flowers for the first time in three years, two sources in the country told Radio Free Asia.
• Canada imposes new sanctions against Iranian regime Canada 27 Mar 2023 -- The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced that Canada is imposing additional sanctions under the Special Economic Measures (Iran) Regulations. This is the 10th package of sanctions imposed by Canada against the Iranian regime since October 2022.
• Canada imposes sanctions on more IRGC members, Iran's law enforcement officials over rights violations claims Press TV 27 Mar 2023 -- Canada adds more Iranian individuals and companies to its sanctions list, targeting the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) and law enforcement forces, over what Ottawa claims to be systematic human rights violations and production of drones and ballistic missiles.
• Iran seeks $160 billion of investment to raise oil, gas production Press TV 27 Mar 2023 -- Iran plans to increase its oil and gas production capacity by 50%, the head of the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) says.
• Iranian Workers' Group Strikes Over Wages As Inflation Continues To Soar RFE/RL 27 Mar 2023 -- Employees and retirees in the southwestern Iranian city of Shush have gone on strike to protest living standards and to push the government to approve wage and social payment increases in the Iranian New Year.
• Iranian Lawmaker Says New Hijab Plan Prohibits Physical Punishment RFE/RL 27 Mar 2023 -- An Iranian parliamentarian says the government's new strategy to enforce the compulsory wearing of the hijab will eliminate physical punishment for women and instead carry financial and administrative penalties that have been approved by the leader of the Islamic republic.
• Greater Horn of Africa: EU allocates €331 million in humanitarian aid European External Action Service (EEAS) 27 Mar 2023 -- The Greater Horn of Africa region is facing multiple and overlapping humanitarian crises with more than 50 million people in urgent need of food assistance. To help, the Commission will provide some €331 million in humanitarian aid primarily targeting food insecurity as well as addressing the needs of displaced persons and refugees, disaster preparedness, and education in emergencies.
• VOA Interview: Belarus Opposition Chief on Ukraine, Holding Lukashenko Accountable VOA 27 Mar 2023 -- Belarus opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, who led a delegation of the Belarusian opposition to Washington, spoke to VOA's Russian Service on Saturday about the democratic movement in her country and the war in Ukraine.
• Three Kazakh Activists Detained In Almaty After Demonstrating For Release Of Relatives From Xinjiang RFE/RL 27 Mar 2023 -- Police detained three Kazakh activists in Almaty on March 27 after they demonstrated near the Chinese consulate to demand the release of their relatives from China's Xinjiang Province.
• As Expected, Kazakhstan's Ruling Party Takes Majority Of Seats In Parliamentary Vote RFE/RL 27 Mar 2023 -- As expected, the ruling Amanat party won a majority of seats in parliamentary elections in Kazakhstan earlier this month, official results show, in a vote the Central Election Commission said had several "minor" violations but that some opposition politicians claimed was marred by issues.
• Deputy FMs of Russia, Iran, Turkey, and Syria will meet soon: Moscow Press TV 27 Mar 2023 -- Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov says a quadrilateral meeting of the deputy foreign minister of Russia, Iran, Turkey and Syria will be held "soon" as efforts step up to normalize ties between Ankara and Damascus.
• Turkiye's Election Council Says 4 Candidates Allowed to Take Part in Presidential Election Sputnik 27 Mar 2023 -- Four candidates, including incumbent Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, will be allowed to take part in the upcoming presidential election, the chairman of the Supreme Election Council (YSK) said on Monday.
• Germany's DW to Close Office in Turkey VOA 27 Mar 2023 -- Germany's public broadcaster Deutsche Welle is set to close its Turkey office Tuesday after Ankara declined to extend its operating license, a move condemned by media rights groups.
• Wider Europe Briefing: The Obstacles Still Remaining To A Serbia-Kosovo Deal; EU Steps Up Military Aid To Georgia, Moldova RFE/RL 27 Mar 2023
• Ugandan President Museveni's Son to Retire From Army After 29 Years of Service Sputnik 27 Mar 2023 -- Muhoozi Kainerugaba, a general and the eldest son of Uganda's incumbent President Yoweri Museveni, had previously announced he would give up service in the army and run for presidency, but continued serving. Recently, he has made new statements on his retirement and participation in the presidential election set for 2026.