• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• US Senate Passes Bill to Repeal 1991, 2002 Iraq War Authorizations Sputnik 29 Mar 2023 -- The US Senate on Wednesday passed a bill to repeal the 1991 and 2002 Authorizations for Use of Military Force (AUMFs) against Iraq, sending the bill to the House of Representatives before final approval by US President Joe Biden.
• Iran Rejects Accusations of Attack on US Military Base in Syria Sputnik 29 Mar 2023 -- Iran has dismissed accusations made by the United States of an attack on the US base in Syria allegedly carried by Iranian drones, saying that Tehran does not want any tensions and has always advocated peace and security in the region, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said on Wednesday.

Defense Policy / Programs

• DOD Makes Headway on Cloud Computing DoD News 29 Mar 2023 -- The Defense Department is moving ahead quickly on the adoption of cloud computing and implementation of a "zero trust" computing environment, the Defense Department's chief information officer told lawmakers today on Capitol Hill.
• Milley Says War With China, Russia Not Inevitable DoD News 29 Mar 2023 -- The United States must remain the most powerful nation on Earth if peace is to continue between the U.S., China and Russia, said Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Army Gen. Mark A. Milley, who testified today about the Defense Department's fiscal year 2024 budget request at a House Armed Services Committee hearing.
• US, Thailand, Singapore air forces participate in Exercise Cope Tiger 23 US Air Force 29 Mar 2023 -- Airmen from the United States, Thailand and Singapore visited a local school as part of a combined civic action engagement during Exercise Cope Tiger 23, March 23.
• U.S. Navy Launches USNS Cody US Navy 29 Mar 2023 -- The U.S. Navy's newest Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) vessel, USNS Cody (EPF 14), launched at Austal USA's shipyard, Mar. 20.
• Carrier Strike Group 10 Participates in Spain's Tactical Leadership Program US Navy 29 Mar 2023 -- Pilots assigned to Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 7, the offensive air and strike component of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 10 and the George H.W. Bush CSG, participated in a Tactical Leadership Program (TLP) at Albacete Air Base, Spain, Feb. 13 - March 3, 2023.
• U.S. Sixth Fleet Develops Wargaming Capability US Navy 29 Mar 2023 -- The U.S. Naval Post Graduate School (NPS) conducted a two-week Basic Analytic Wargaming Course (BAWC) for U.S. Sixth Fleet on Naval Support Activity (NSA) Naples, Italy, Feb. 27-March 10, 2023.
• Space Development Agency to Launch 10 Satellites DoD News 29 Mar 2023 -- The first 10 of 28 satellites which make up Tranche 0 of the "Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture," are set to launch tomorrow morning out of Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.
• The President: As NATO members, we are ready to defend ourselves and our allies President of the Republic of Lithuania 29 Mar 2023 -- President Gitanas Nausėda visited on Wednesday the exhibition "Strong when United" dedicated to the 19th anniversary of Lithuania's membership in NATO.
• Speech by President Gitanas Nausėda on the occasion of the 19th anniversary of Lithuania's membership in NATO President of the Republic of Lithuania 29 Mar 2023 -- Congratulations to all of you on this very special occasion. Exactly nineteen years ago Lithuania joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation. During that time a new generation was born and raised in this country - a generation that sees NATO membership not as a distant hope, but as an everyday reality.
• The President: We are proud to be a member of the strongest military alliance President of the Republic of Lithuania 29 Mar 2023 -- On Wednesday, President Gitanas Nausėda met with the Supreme Allied Commander Europe, General Christopher Gerard Cavoli. The President and the General discussed the security situation in the region, the strengthening of the security of the Baltic region and NATO's eastern flank, and preparations for the NATO Summit in Vilnius.
• Gulagu.net Rights Group Stops Helping Military Personnel Opposed To War Escape Russia RFE/RL 29 Mar 2023 -- The founder of the Gulagu.net human rights group, Vladimir Osechkin, announced that his organization is suspending efforts to help Russian military personnel opposed to Ukraine war leave Russia.
• Russia starts exercises with Yars intercontinental ballistic missiles Press TV 29 Mar 2023 -- Russia has started exercises with the Yars intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) system in a bid to show off its nuclear strength, following the suspension of the country's participation in an arms control treaty with the United States.
• Moscow Suspends Transfer of All Types of Notifications Under New START Sputnik 29 Mar 2023 -- The transfer of all notifications between Russia and the United States under the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START), including notifications about test launches, has been suspended, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov told Sputnik on Wednesday.
• Russian Armed Forces Receive Hundreds of New Tanks Including T-90M - Source Sputnik 29 Mar 2023 -- The Russian armed forces have already received several hundred newly produced tanks, mainly T-90M Proryv, for use in the zone of special military operation in Ukraine, a source told Sputnik on Wednesday.
• Spain May Hand Over 6 Leopard Tanks to Ukraine After Easter, Media Reports Sputnik 29 Mar 2023 -- Spain may hand over six Leopard A4 tanks to Ukraine after Easter, April 9, Spanish newspaper reported on Wednesday, citing sources.
• Weather tests troops on Operation Kudu Australia DOD 29 Mar 2023 -- Instructors deployed on Operation Kudu are coming to terms with the local weather, as they train the second rotation of recruits from the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU).
• Indian Coast Guard Conducts Regional Search And Rescue (SAR) Exercise in Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh India PIB 29 Mar 2023 -- The Indian Coast Guard conducted Regional Search and Rescue exercise during 28 -29 March 2023 at Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh.
• Aatmanirbhar Bharat: MoD inks two contracts with BEL, worth Rs 2,400 crore, for procurement of Automated Air Defence Control & Reporting System 'Project Akashteer' for Indian Army & Sarang Electronic Support Measure systems for Indian Navy India PIB 29 Mar 2023 -- In yet another boost to 'Aatmanirbharta' in defence, Ministry of Defence, on March 29, 2023, signed three contracts - two with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), Ghaziabad and one with NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) - at a total cost nearly Rs 5,400 crore, to bolster the defence capabilities of the country.
• INDIA- AFRICA JOINT MILITARY EXERCISE 'AFINDEX-23' CONCLUDED AT FOREIGN TRAINING NODE, AUNDH, PUNE India PIB 29 Mar 2023 -- The 2nd edition of joint military exercise "The Africa-India Field Training Exercise (AFINDEX-2023)" culminated today at Foreign Training Node, Aundh, Pune.
• UK and Sweden strengthen defence relationship as ministers sign agreement on self-propelled guns UK MOD 29 Mar 2023 -- The UK and Swedish defence ministers signed a letter of intent relating to a new contract to deliver 14 Archer self-propelled guns
• HMS Mersey in Estonia as all three UK Armed Services operating in support of Estonian security UK MOD 29 Mar 2023 -- Royal Navy, British Army, and Royal Air Force bolster security in Estonia as part of NATO and the Joint Expeditionary Force
• Bahrain - AH-1W Helicopter Refurbishment DSCA 29 Mar 2023 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Bahrain of equipment and services to refurbish Excess Defense Article (EDA) AH-1W multi-role helicopters. The estimated total cost is $350 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.
• Kuwait - Cartridge Actuated Device/Propellant Actuated Devices (CAD/PAD) and Support DSCA 29 Mar 2023 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Kuwait of additional Cartridge Actuated Device/Propellant Actuated Devices (CAD/PAD) and support. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.
• Philippines, Japan Hold 5th Maritime Dialogue Philippines DFA 29 Mar 2023 -- The Philippines and Japan held their 5th Maritime Dialogue on March 29, in Tokyo, Japan. The talks covered key components of the two countries' active engagement in the field of maritime cooperation.
• Statement from the Ministry for Foreign Affairs on the summoning of the Russian Ambassador Government Offices of Sweden 29 Mar 2023
• US Pledges New Funding to Boost Global Democracy VOA 29 Mar 2023 -- President Joe Biden opened his second Summit for Democracy on Wednesday, pledging that the United States would spend $690 million in the coming year to boost democracy programs throughout the world.
• VP Harris Stresses Democracy During Africa Visit VOA 29 Mar 2023 -- On the eve of her meeting with Africa's only female head of state, Vice President Kamala Harris said Wednesday that having more women in power is a key ingredient for a healthy democracy.
• Statement on the Summit for Democracy Declaration Philippines DFA 29 Mar 2023 -- Today, the Philippines joined the United States and several other countries around the world in endorsing the Summit for Democracy Declaration, as a testament to our unwavering commitment to upholding our democratic values and principles and to strengthening our democratic institutions for the benefit of the Filipino people.
• Remarks by President Biden and President Alberto Fernández of Argentina Before Bilateral Meeting The White House 29 Mar 2023
• Readout of President Biden's Meeting with President Alberto Fernández of Argentina The White House 29 Mar 2023
• Readout of President Joe Biden's call with General Secretary Trong of Vietnam The White House 29 Mar 2023
• Remarks by President Biden at the Summit for Democracy Virtual Plenary on Democracy Delivering on Global Challenges The White House 29 Mar 2023
• Joint Statement by President Biden and President Yoon on the Third Summit for Democracy The White House 29 Mar 2023
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre and National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby The White House 29 Mar 2023
• Declaration of the Summit for Democracy US Dept. of State 29 Mar 2023 -- Today, President Biden and the leaders of Costa Rica, the Netherlands, the Republic of Korea, and the Republic of Zambia opened the second Summit for Democracy, which gathered leaders from around the world to spur further action to strengthen democratic resilience, demonstrate how democracies are delivering for citizens, and highlight how democracies are best equipped to address the world's most pressing challenges.
• Background Press Call Previewing Day Two of the Summit for Democracy The White House 29 Mar 2023
• Deputy Secretary Sherman's Call with Brazilian Secretary General da Rocha US Dept. of State 29 Mar 2023
• Deputy Secretary Sherman's Meeting with Latvian Foreign Minister Rinkevics US Dept. of State 29 Mar 2023
• Department Press Briefing - March 29, 2023 US Dept. of State 29 Mar 2023

Defense Industry

• Contracts For March 29, 2023
• Military Contractors Convicted for $7 Million Procurement Fraud Scheme US Dept. of Justice 29 Mar 2023 -- A federal jury in the Northern District of Georgia convicted three military contractors today on one count of conspiring to defraud the United States and two counts of major fraud.

Other Conflicts

Ukraine Conflict News


• 29 March 2023 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 29 Mar 2023
• Afghanistan: OHCHR alarm over arrests of activists speaking up for women and girls UN News 29 Mar 2023 -- The de facto Taliban authorities in Afghanistan must immediately release activists detained for advocating for girls' and women's rights, the UN human rights office, OHCHR, said on Wednesday, expressing alarm over ongoing arrests.
• Pakistani Armed Groups Obtain U.S. Weapons Left Behind In Afghanistan RFE/RL 29 Mar 2023 -- When the United States pulled out its forces from Afghanistan in 2021, it left behind around $7 billion worth of military equipment and weapons, including firearms, communications gear, and even armored vehicles.
• US bolsters military activities in South China Sea: Chinese think-tank Radio Free Asia 29 Mar 2023 -- The American military last year deployed three carrier strike groups, 20 bombers, and 12 nuclear attack submarines in the South China Sea as it apparently intensified its activities in the region, a new Chinese report found.
• Whatever Japan's textbook says, the fact that Diaoyu Islands belong to China won't change: Chinese FM Global Times 29 Mar 2023 -- China is deeply concerned about Japan's insidious moves on historical and territorial issues when authorizing textbooks, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said Wednesday after Japan's Ministry of Education, Sports, Science and Technology approved a batch of elementary school textbooks that promote Japan's unilateral territorial claims, downplay and distort the historical facts of Japan's forced conscription and enslavement of laborers to cover up the atrocities during its colonial rule over the Korean Peninsula.
• As Burmese refugees pour across border, India plans to build camps Radio Free Asia 29 Mar 2023 -- India is preparing to build temporary refugee camps at its eastern border for more than 10,000 Burmese who have fled recent fighting in Myanmar's Chin state and Sagaing region.
• Message to the Congress on the Continuation of the National Emergency with Respect to South Sudan The White House 29 Mar 2023
• Notice on the Continuation of the National Emergency with Respect to South Sudan The White House 29 Mar 2023
• Russian Defense Ministry Reports Ceasefire Violation in Nagorno-Karabakh Sputnik 29 Mar 2023 -- A violation of the ceasefire was recorded in Nagorno-Karabakh in the zone of responsibility of the Russian peacekeeping troops, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Wednesday, adding that there were no casualties in the incident.
• Conflict in eastern DRC is having a devastating impact on children's education UNICEF 29 Mar 2023 -- The education of around 750,000 children has been disrupted in two most conflict-affected provinces in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
• UK calls on all parties to end the conflict and the human suffering in DRC: UK Statement at the Security Council UK FCDO 29 Mar 2023 -- Statement by Political Coordinator Fergus Eckersley at the UN Security Council briefing on the Democratic Republic of Congo
• UN Refugee Agency in Mozambique Appeals for Help to Deal with DRC Refugees VOA 29 Mar 2023 -- The representative of the U.N. refugee agency in Mozambique said refugees fleeing war-torn parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo are making an already complicated humanitarian crisis in northern Mozambique even worse.
• Israeli settlers set up new outpost in Jordan Valley Press TV 29 Mar 2023 -- In a new violation in occupied Palestine, illegal Israeli settlers set up a new outpost in the northern Jordan Valley, a prelude usually to building a new illegal settlement.

News Reports

• Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken Opening Remarks at the U.S.-Mexico Synthetic Drug Conference US Dept. of State 29 Mar 2023
• Notice on the Continuation of the National Emergency with Respect to Significant Malicious Cyber-Enabled Activities The White House 29 Mar 2023
• Message to the Congress on the Continuation of the National Emergency with Respect to Significant Malicious Cyber-Enabled Activities The White House 29 Mar 2023
• One human infection of H3N8 detected in S.China's Guangdong, 'individual case with low risk of spread' Global Times 29 Mar 2023 -- Zhongshan health authorities in South China's Guangdong Province recently reported a case of a human infected with an avian influenza A (H3N8) virus, with the infected individual also suffering from multiple myeloma and other underlying medical conditions. An expert told the Global Times on Wednesday that the case is "an individual case," and the risk of spread is low.
• Marburg virus outbreaks highlight link between health and planet: Tedros UN News 29 Mar 2023 -- The head of the UN World Health Organization (WHO) said on Wednesday that the agency was working to help contain Marburg virus disease outbreaks in Equatorial Guinea and Tanzania, advocating for more global action to implement a UN-led "One Health" approach.
• Equatorial Guinea Confirms 13 Marburg Cases Sputnik 29 Mar 2023 -- A total of 13 cases of infection with the rare Marburg virus, which causes a hemorrhagic fever, have been identified in Equatorial Guinea since the start of the pandemic in February, the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare of Equatorial Guinea said.
• Millions of Australians Caught Up in Cyber Attacks VOA 29 Mar 2023 -- One of Australia's biggest property companies said Wednesday it had been hit by cybercriminals who may have stolen data about staff and guests.
• Meeting with Vitaly Khotsenko President of Russia 29 Mar 2023 -- Vladimir Putin had a working meeting via videoconference with Vitaly Khotsenko. By a Presidential Executive Order Vitaly Khotsenko, who previously held the post of Prime Minister of the Donetsk People's Republic, was appointed Acting Governor of the Omsk Region.
• Meeting with Government members President of Russia 29 Mar 2023 -- The President held a meeting with Government members, via videoconference.
• Russia's confrontation with hostile states to last 'a long time': Kremlin Press TV 29 Mar 2023 -- The Kremlin says the "hybrid war" being waged against Russia by hostile Western states would last "a long time".
• Pussy Riot Member Tolokonnikova Added To Russia's Wanted List RFE/RL 29 Mar 2023 -- A member of the Pussy Riot protest group in Russia, Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, has been added to the Russian Interior Ministry's wanted list.
• US Will Await European Investigations into Nord Stream Pipeline Blasts VOA 29 Mar 2023 -- U.S. officials said Tuesday they will await the findings of three independent European investigations into the September blasts that damaged the Nord Stream gas pipelines in the Baltic Sea.
• China deletes Marxism, Leninism, Maoism, other ideologies from government rulebook Radio Free Asia 29 Mar 2023 -- China has rewritten its political rulebook to delete references to all ideology but that of supreme party leader Xi Jinping, forcing its cabinet, the State Council, to defer to highest-ranking Communist Party leaders on all "major decisions."
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning's Regular Press Conference on March 29, 2023 PRC MofA 29 Mar 2023
• Global Security Initiative revisited at Boao, highlights Chinese wisdom and leadership in turbulent world Global Times 29 Mar 2023 -- The Global Security Initiative (GSI) was revisited at the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) 2023, one year after it was raised at the forum's 2022 annual conference by President Xi Jinping, when delegates discussed the ideal approach as well as China's role in tackling global and regional security challenges.
• US urged to stop suppressing Chinese enterprises based on lies: FM Global Times 29 Mar 2023 -- The claim that there is "repression of Uygur Muslim minorities" in Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region has long proved to be false, Mao Ning, a spokesperson of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said on Wednesday when asked to comment on new US sanctions on several Chinese companies allegedly for "repressing Uygur" people.
• Hong Kong plans to share transplant organs with China sparks human rights concerns Radio Free Asia 29 Mar 2023 -- Hong Kong's government is looking at ways to share transplant organs between the city's hospitals and those in mainland China, sparking concerns over human rights protections, according to local media reports and healthcare advocates.
• Safety Concerns Rise as Journalists Report Being Followed in Hong Kong VOA 29 Mar 2023 -- Concerns over media safety in Hong Kong heightened in the past week as reports emerged of journalists being followed.
• Six provincial-, ministerial-level officials under investigation since two sessions Global Times 29 Mar 2023 -- A senior official in East China's Jiangxi Province is under investigation for suspected severe violations of Party discipline and laws, according to an official statement on Wednesday. This brings the number of provincial- and ministerial-level officials put under investigation since the two sessions to six.
• What Is the Signal Sent by Return to China of Alibaba's Founder? VOA 29 Mar 2023 -- Jack Ma, one of China's most prominent entrepreneurs, returned to China this week after traveling overseas for more than a year, in what is being interpreted as evidence of an improved climate for the nation's private sector.
• Tensions With China Emerge Over Undersea Cables Carrying Internet Traffic VOA 29 Mar 2023 -- Undersea cables that carry the bulk of intercontinental internet traffic are increasingly the focal point of geopolitical tensions involving China, according to experts.
• Tsai arrives in US amid Beijing's protests Radio Free Asia 29 Mar 2023 -- Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen arrived in New York on Wednesday amid a war of words between Washington and Beijing about her visit and threats of unspecified "countermeasures" from a Chinese official.
• Tsai arrives in US amid Beijing's protests Radio Free Asia 29 Mar 2023 -- Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen arrived in New York on Wednesday amid a war of words between Washington and Beijing about her visit and threats of unspecified "countermeasures" from a Chinese official.
• Taiwan's President Begins Trip to Central America Amid Dire Warnings from China VOA 29 Mar 2023 -- President Tsai Ing-wen of Taiwan says "external pressure" will not stop the self-ruled island from engaging with the world.
• Tsai arrives in US amid Beijing's protests Radio Free Asia 29 Mar 2023 -- Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen arrived in New York on Wednesday amid a war of words between Washington and Beijing about her visit and threats of unspecified "countermeasures" from a Chinese official.
• President Tsai embarks on 10-day trip to Central America CNA 29 Mar 2023 -- President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) on Wednesday afternoon left Taiwan for a 10-day trip to Central America that will include stops in New York and Los Angeles in the United States as layovers.
• No plan for U.S. officials to meet Tsai during transit: White House CNA 29 Mar 2023 -- There is no plan for any U.S. officials to meet with President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) during her transit stops in the United States, on the way to two of Taiwan's diplomatic allies, White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said Tuesday.
• White House Says Taiwanese Leader's Private 'Transit' Via US in Line With One China Policy Sputnik 29 Mar 2023 -- Taiwanese leader Tsai Ing-wen's transit through the United States is private, unofficial, and consistent with Washington's "one China" policy, White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said on Wednesday.
• China to resolutely fight back Tsai's official contact with US officials Global Times 29 Mar 2023 -- China on Wednesday warned of resolute measures to fight back if Taiwan regional leader has contact with US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy during her transit in the US, as China firmly opposes any form of official interaction between the US and the Chinese island, opposes the visit of the regional leader to the US in any name or under whatever pretext and opposes the US' violation of the one-China principle.
• China to take resolute counter measures if Tsai meets Speaker McCarthy: Taiwan Affairs Office Global Times 29 Mar 2023 -- "If Taiwan's regional leader Tsai Ing-wen meets with US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, it would be a provocation that seriously violates one-China principle, undermines China's sovereignty and territorial integrity as well as damages peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits. And we will take resolute measures to counter this," a Taiwan Affairs Office spokesperson remarked on Wednesday, with Tsai set for a stopover in the US en route to Latin America.
• China Urges US to Stop All Forms of Official Interaction With Taiwan Sputnik 29 Mar 2023 -- Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen merely stopping in the United States on her way to Guatemala and Belize is a lie, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning said during a briefing on Wednesday, urging Washington to drop any diplomatic relations with Taipei.
• China's Authorities Vow to Take Measures If Taiwan's Leader Meets With McCarthy Sputnik 29 Mar 2023 -- If Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen meets with US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy during her transit through the United States, it will seriously damage Chinese sovereignty and Beijing will take the firm measures to fight back, Zhu Fenglian, a spokeswoman for the Taiwan Affairs Office of China's State Council, said on Wednesday.
• China's state-run TV station censors Ma's ROC remarks CNA 29 Mar 2023 -- China's state-run CCTV has censored all mentions of the Republic of China (ROC, Taiwan's official title) made by Taiwan's former president, Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九), in Nanjing, China on Tuesday.
• Chinese mainland affirms real benefits for Taiwan compatriots after reunification People's Daily 29 Mar 2023 -- A Chinese mainland spokesperson on Wednesday affirmed that Taiwan compatriots will enjoy real benefits after the country's reunification.
• Czech speaker signs joint statement, wraps up Taiwan trip CNA 29 Mar 2023 -- The visiting speaker of the Czech Parliament's Chamber of Deputies signed a joint statement with the leader of the Legislative Yuan in Taipei Wednesday, as the largest-ever Czech delegation to visit Taiwan wrapped up its five-day trip.
• PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan March 29, 2023 ROC MND 29 Mar 2023
• China warns of retaliation if Taiwan president meets US speaker Press TV 29 Mar 2023 -- China has voiced its strong opposition to Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen's planned transit through the United States, warning that it will retaliate if she meets with US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.
• Rodong Sinmun on Unchangeable Path of DPRK KCNA 29 Mar 2023 -- Independence in politics, self-support in the economy and self-reliance in national defence are the eternal banner of our Party, our country and our people, says Rodong Sinmun Wednesday in an article.
• Satellite photos point to chemical plant's role in North Korea's nuclear program Radio Free Asia 29 Mar 2023 -- A new report strongly suggests that a chemical plant in northern North Korea is the main supplier for the country's nuclear program, citing satellite evidence that appears to show shipments of chemicals from the plant to the Yongbyon nuclear facility.
• Exclusive: US Deports North Korean Sentenced for Money Laundering to China VOA 29 Mar 2023 -- The U.S. has deported a North Korean businessman to China after sentencing him for multiple money laundering offenses using the American financial system to buy luxury goods for the regime in Pyongyang, according to a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) spokesperson.
• Iran dismisses any change of regional geopolitics: FM Amirabdollahian IRNA 29 Mar 2023 -- Iran's Minister of Foreign Affairs Hossein Amirabdollahian has ruled out any sort of efforts to change geopolitics in the Caucasus region, urging Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan to find a political solution.
• Press Release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's talks with Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran Hossein Amir-Abdollahian Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 29 Mar 2023
• Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's remarks and answers to media questions at a news conference following talks with Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, Moscow, March 29, 2023 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 29 Mar 2023
• Iran, Russia Agree JCPOA Has No Alternatives Sputnik 29 Mar 2023 -- Tehran and Moscow agree that the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) has no alternatives and needs to be implemented as soon as possible, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Wednesday.
• Russian FM: All illegal sanctions against Iran must be lifted IRNA 29 Mar 2023 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has said that all illegal sanctions against Iran should be lifted.
• Iran FM: JCPOA among issues to be consulted with Russian counterpart IRNA 29 Mar 2023 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian has said that one of the subjects to be discussed in the meeting with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov would be the revival of the 2015 nuclear deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
• Russia says no alternative to JCPOA, calls for lifting sanctions on Iran Press TV 29 Mar 2023 -- Russia's foreign minister has called on the United States to lift sanctions on Iran and return to the 2015 nuclear deal while emphasizing that there is no alternative to the agreement reached between Iran and the world powers in 2015.
• Iran expects long-term strategic pact with Russia to be finalized 'in a month' Press TV 29 Mar 2023 -- Iran's foreign minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian has expressed hope that the long-term strategic cooperation agreement with Russia will be finalized in "less than a month."
• Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's opening remarks at talks with Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, Moscow, March 29, 2023 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 29 Mar 2023
• Iranian Teachers Protest Conditions Amid Reports Of Unpaid Wages RFE/RL 29 Mar 2023 -- Iranian teachers have protested in several different cities around the country over wages and poor living standards as unrest over social and economic issues that has plagued Iran for almost a year continues.
• Missing Iranian Cleric Warns Of His Possible Detention, Death RFE/RL 29 Mar 2023 -- Four months after the disappearance of Molavi Abdul Ghaffar Naqshbandi, the Sunni imam from the Iranian city of Rask in Sistan-Baluchistan Province who disclosed the alleged rape of a 15-year-old girl by a local police commander, a video has surfaced in which he warns of the possibility that he may be "assassinated" or "apprehended."
• The Farda Briefing: Iran's Hard-Liners Propose Tougher Measures To Enforce Hijab Law RFE/RL 29 Mar 2023
• Interview: Indonesian special office to 'steer ASEAN's efforts' on Myanmar Radio Free Asia 29 Mar 2023 -- U.S. State Department Counselor Derek Chollet recently returned from a trip to Southeast Asia with stops that included Bangkok and Jakarta. During his visit to Indonesia, Chollet spoke with officials about their country's role as this year's chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN, and the establishment of a special office within its foreign ministry to focus on the political crisis in fellow bloc member Myanmar.
• Statement on political party deregistration in Myanmar Australia DFAT 29 Mar 2023 -- Australia is seriously concerned about the further narrowing of political space in Myanmar resulting from the imposition and requirements of the new Political Party Registration Law.
• Statement by a Federal Foreign Office Spokesperson on the dissolution of the National League for Democracy, the party of Aung San Suu Kyi in Myanmar Germany Federal Foreign Office 29 Mar 2023
• Myanmar: FCDO statement on the dissolution of political parties UK FCDO 29 Mar 2023 -- FCDO statement on the Myanmar military's decision to dissolve the National League for Democracy and other democratic political parties.
• EU's decision to remove Pakistan from the list of high-risk countries Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs 29 Mar 2023 -- We welcome the decision by the European Union to remove Pakistan from the list of high-risk countries thus recognizing Pakistan's performance in overcoming technical issues in its Anti-Money Laundering / Countering Financing of Terrorism. This follows UK's decision to remove Pakistan from a similar list in November 2022.
• Airlines Association Warns Pakistan Over $290 Million in Blocked Funds VOA 29 Mar 2023 -- The International Air Transport Association (IATA) warned Pakistan on Wednesday that foreign airlines could stop operations in the economically struggling country because of the sustained blockage of cash payments.
• Following in Iran's footsteps, Saudi Arabia moves to join China-led SCO Press TV 29 Mar 2023 -- Saudi Arabia has taken the first step to join the China-led Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), less than a month after Beijing meditated a deal between Tehran and Riyadh to restore ties and months after Tehran became a permanent member of the bloc.
• Chinese envoy calls for lifting unilateral sanctions against Syria Global Times 29 Mar 2023 -- Individual countries should respect Syria's national sovereignty if they truly care about human rights, Dai Bing, China's deputy permanent representative to the UN, said on Tuesday, calling for lifting the unilateral sanctions against the earthquake-stricken country.
• Countries ask UN court to issue opinion on responsibility for climate change Radio Free Asia 29 Mar 2023 -- Should governments be sued for the consequences of human-driven climate change? That, in essence, was the question hatched by law students from Pacific island countries in 2019.
• Fiji appears set to repeal draconian media law Radio Free Asia 29 Mar 2023 -- Fiji's cabinet has approved a bill to repeal a repressive media law that mandates prison time and fines for content deemed to be against the national interest, Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka said Wednesday.
• In Hungary, 'Deteriorating Relationship' Seen Behind Biden's Democracy Summit Snub RFE/RL 29 Mar 2023 -- Ahead of U.S. President Joe Biden's Summit for Democracy this week, word trickled out that Hungary was the only EU member state without an invite. Again.
• Ex-Cons And Extremists Turn Media Debates Into 'Circus' Ahead Of Yet More Bulgarian Elections RFE/RL 29 Mar 2023 -- Viewers tuning in to a recent episode of Panorama, a top political discussion program on Bulgarian state-run TV, who hoped to hear candidates voice their views on the serious issues facing the nation ahead of another snap election on April 2, were in for disappointment.