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Defense Policy / Programs

• Readout of the 4th U.S. - Uruguay Bilateral Working Group DoD 31 Mar 2023
• Navy to Commission Future Littoral Combat USS Ship Santa Barbara US Navy 31 Mar 2023 -- The Navy will commission the future USS Santa Barbara (LCS 32) as the newest Independence- variant littoral combat ship (LCS) during a 10:00 a.m. PST ceremony on Saturday, April 1, in Port Hueneme, Calif., near its namesake city.
• NIWC Pacific and its Partners are Building a Quantum Navy US Navy 31 Mar 2023 -- Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC) Pacific's mission touches cyber, sea, space — and, since 2000, the subatomic realm.
• Special Online Briefing with U.S. Permanent Representative to NATO, Ambassador Julianne Smith US Dept. of State 31 Mar 2023
• Deputy Secretary General discusses NATO's innovation agenda and response to global security challenges on visit to London NATO 31 Mar 2023 -- NATO Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoană discussed NATO's response to global security challenges at the London Business School's Wheeler Institute for Business and Development today (31 March 2023).
• Statement by the Secretary General on Finland's membership in NATO NATO 31 Mar 2023
• Turkish parliament clears last hurdle in Finland's NATO membership Press TV 31 Mar 2023 -- Turkey's parliament on Thursday approved a bill that allows Finland to join the NATO military alliance, clearing the last major hurdle for Helsinki to join the US-led alliance as the year-long war in Ukraine rages on.
• General Staff of Russian Armed Forces Says Not Planning Second Wave of Mobilization Sputnik 31 Mar 2023 -- There are no plans to hold a second wave of mobilization by the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces spokesman for the Main Organizational and Mobilization Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces Vladimir Tsimlyansky said on Friday.
• Lukashenka Defends Placement Of Russian Tactical Nuclear Weapons In Belarus RFE/RL 31 Mar 2023 -- The authoritarian ruler of Belarus, Alyaksandr Lukashenka, has defended a Russian plan to place tactical nuclear weapons -- including intercontinental ballistic missiles if necessary -- on Belarusian territory, saying the country is coming under increased threats from the West.
• Lukashenko Says May Agree With Putin to Deploy Strategic Nuclear Arms in Belarus If Needed Sputnik 31 Mar 2023 -- Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said on Friday that he could reach an agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the deployment of strategic nuclear weapons in Belarus, if deemed necessary for the protection of the country.
• Top UN official urgently calls for de-escalating nuclear tensions over Belarus UN News 31 Mar 2023 -- Urgent efforts must be made to de-escalate the situation following Russia's announcement last weekend that it plans to station tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus, the UN disarmament chief warned the Security Council on Friday.
• How Chinese Private Security Companies in Africa Differ From Russia's VOA 31 Mar 2023 -- The killing of nine Chinese gold mine workers in conflict-ridden Central African Republic this month highlighted the risks some Belt and Road development projects face in volatile areas.
• Taiwan set to start receiving Javelin missiles in 2023 CNA 31 Mar 2023 -- Taiwan is expected to take delivery of 400 missiles for Javelin man-portable anti-tank systems purchased from the United States between the second half of this year and 2024, a military source said Friday.
• Taiwan speeds up preparation for potential conflict with China Radio Free Asia 31 Mar 2023 -- Taiwan's military is bolstering its preparation for a possible future war with China by planning an unprecedented military drill at a civilian airport this coming July, the official Central News Agency (CNA) reported.
• Defence fuel support systems modernised to increase operational reach and endurance Australia DOD 31 Mar 2023 -- Australian defence industry will modernise critical fuel support systems to enable the rapid and independent deployment of the Australian Defence Force (ADF).
• Defence Minister Anita Anand announces the extension of Operation PRESENCE Canada 31 Mar 2023 -- Today, the Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of National Defence, announced that the Government of Canada has extended Operation PRESENCE (Op PRESENCE) until March 31, 2026.
• 4th Joint Defence Cooperation Committee meeting between India & Philippines held in New Delhi India PIB 31 Mar 2023 -- 4th Joint Defence Cooperation Committee meeting between India and the Philippines was held in New Delhi on March 31, 2023.
• Aatmanirbhar Bharat: MoD signs Rs 470 crore contract with Ultra Dimensions Pvt Ltd for modernisation of Naval Aircraft Yards at Goa & Kochi India PIB 31 Mar 2023 -- Ministry of Defence, on March 31, 2023, signed a contract with Ultra Dimensions Pvt. Ltd. (UDPL), Vishakhapatnam for modernisation of Naval Aircraft Yards (NAYs) at Goa & Kochi, at a cost of approx. Rs 470 crore.
• Iranian Navy 86th flotilla docks at Port of Cape Town in South Africa Press TV 31 Mar 2023 -- The Iranian Navy's 86th flotilla of warships has docked at the Port of Cape Town in South Africa in line with the Islamic Republic's efforts to expand its naval presence in international waters.
• UK deepens Indo-Pacific defence ties as Baroness Goldie visits Malaysia and Vietnam UK MOD 31 Mar 2023 -- The visits aimed to strengthen defence ties and celebrate our historical defence and security cooperation.
• Norway: third Dialogue on Security and Defence with the EU European External Action Service (EEAS) 31 Mar 2023 -- On Thursday, The European Union and Norway held their third Structured Dialogue on Security and Defence in Oslo. The annual dialogue was launched on 25 March 2021.
• Large investments in the Armed Forces Government of Norway 31 Mar 2023 -- Today, the government presented Proposition 94 S Investments in the Armed Forces and other matters to the Storting.
• Chairpersons' Summary of Bucharest Nine Ministerial Meeting, Łódź, 30-31 March 2023 Republic of Poland 31 Mar 2023 -- The Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Bucharest Nine countries: Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania and the Slovak Republic, convened on 30-31 March in Łódź, Poland, to assess the implications of Russia's aggression against Ukraine for the European and regional security.
• UN Disarmament Chief: Risk of Nuclear Weapon Use Is Highest Since Cold War VOA 31 Mar 2023 -- The United Nations disarmament chief warned Friday that the risk of a nuclear weapon being used is higher now than at any other time since the Cold War.
• VP Harris Ends Africa Tour With Personal Stop in Zambia VOA 31 Mar 2023 -- Vice President Kamala Harris landed Friday in Zambia, the final stop on her weeklong tour of the continent.
• VP Harris Praises Tanzania's President for Strengthening Democracy VOA 31 Mar 2023 -- Human rights activists are voicing appreciation for U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris's recognition of efforts by Tanzania's president to strengthen democracy in the country.
• Remarks by Vice President Harris and President Hichilema of Zambia Before Bilateral Meeting The White House 31 Mar 2023
• Remarks by Vice President Harris and President Hichilema of Zambia in Joint Press Conference The White House 31 Mar 2023
• Readout of Vice President Kamala Harris's Meeting with President Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia The White House 31 Mar 2023
• Remarks by President Biden Before Marine One Departure The White House 31 Mar 2023
• Press Gaggle by Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre En Route Jackson, MS The White House 31 Mar 2023

Defense Industry

• Contracts For March 31, 2023
• Three Men Indicted for Multimillion-Dollar Accounting Fraud Scheme at U.S. Navy Shipbuilder US Dept. of Justice 31 Mar 2023 -- A federal grand jury returned an indictment yesterday charging three Alabama men with orchestrating an accounting fraud scheme at Austal USA LLC, a Mobile-based shipbuilder that constructs vessels for the U.S. Navy, including the Independence-class Littoral Combat Ship (LCS). Austal USA is a wholly owned subsidiary of Austal Limited, an Australian company that is traded over-the-counter in the United States via American Depositary Receipts, as well as on the Australian Securities Exchange.

Other Conflicts

Ukraine Conflict News


• 31 March 2023 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 31 Mar 2023
• The Azadi Briefing: Fears Of A Famine Mount In Afghanistan RFE/RL 31 Mar 2023
• United States Files Forfeiture Action Against Over One Million Rounds of Ammunition Enroute from Iran to Yemen DHS 31 Mar 2023 -- The Justice Department today announced the filing of a forfeiture complaint against over one million rounds of ammunition, thousands of proximity fuses for rocket-propelled grenades, and thousands of pounds of propellant for rocket-propelled grenades that the U.S. Navy seized in transit from Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to militant groups in Yemen.
• United States Files Forfeiture Action Against Over One Million Rounds of Ammunition Enroute from Iran to Yemen US Dept. of Justice 31 Mar 2023 -- The Justice Department today announced the filing of a forfeiture complaint against over one million rounds of ammunition, thousands of proximity fuses for rocket-propelled grenades, and thousands of pounds of propellant for rocket-propelled grenades that the U.S. Navy seized in transit from Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to militant groups in Yemen.
• U.S. Welcomes Norway's Repatriation of Nationals from Northeast Syria US Dept. of State 31 Mar 2023 -- This week, Norway repatriated two women and three children from displaced persons camps in northeast Syria. We are grateful to Norway and our local partners working to resolve the ongoing humanitarian and security crisis in al-Hol and Roj camps through this repatriation.
• 'Bring them home': UN experts call for repatriating detained Syria children UN News 31 Mar 2023 -- Independent UN-appointed human rights experts on Friday called for the urgent repatriation of children from northeast Syria, as they enter their fifth year of detention.
• Iranian military advisor martyred in Zionist attack in Syria IRNA 31 Mar 2023 -- An IRGC military advisor has been martyred in a Zionist attack in a Damascus suburb, according to an announcement by IRGC Public Relations.
• IRGC says military advisor martyred in Israeli aggression on Damascus, vows retaliation Press TV 31 Mar 2023 -- The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) announced that one of its military advisors in Syria was killed during an Israeli airstrike on Damascus, vowing retaliation.
• Syria confronts 'Israeli aggression' over Damascus: Report Press TV 31 Mar 2023 -- Syria's air defenses reportedly confronted another round of "Israeli aggression" targeting the Arab country's capital of Damascus.
• Israel launches missile attack on sites in Syria's Damascus: report People's Daily 31 Mar 2023 -- Israel launched a missile attack on sites in the Syrian capital Damascus after midnight Friday, the Syrian national TV reported.
• Once-bustling town of Thantlang reduced to rubble by Myanmar's junta Radio Free Asia 31 Mar 2023 -- Western Myanmar's once bustling town of Thantlang, with a sign above its gateway proclaiming that its inhabitants are "Not rich, but happy," now lies in ruin after an onslaught of military raids, arson attacks, and airstrikes.
• DR Congo Trapped in Cycles of Brutality and Misery VOA 31 Mar 2023 -- Human rights experts warn that ongoing conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has trapped the country in continuing cycles of brutality and misery, which will not end until the fighting ends.
• Mozambican Government Asks for Help Fighting Terrorism VOA 31 Mar 2023 -- For the first time, Mozambique's Defense Minister Cristovao Chume has asked foreign military personnel stationed in the country to share their knowledge with Mozambique's security forces to help end violent extremism.

News Reports

• Russian National "Illegal" Charged with Acting as Agent of a Russian Intelligence Service in the United States DoJ -US Attorney - DC 31 Mar 2023 -- Sergey Vladimirovich Cherkasov ("Cherkasov"), 37, a national of the Russian Federation who operated as an "Illegal" agent for a Russian Intelligence Service ("RIS") under the Brazilian alias of Victor Muller Ferreira, was charged today for acting as an agent of a foreign power, visa fraud, bank fraud, wire fraud, and other charges stemming from his illegal activities in the United States. Cherkasov started acting as an Illegal agent in 2012 in Brazil using the Ferreira name, and he moved to the United States in 2018 after obtaining admission to a graduate school program at a University 1, a university located in the District of Columbia.
• Statement by NSC Spokesperson Adrienne Watson on U.S. Cybersecurity Support to Costa Rica The White House 31 Mar 2023
• New generation of trainers ready to assist OSCE participating States in identifying potential foreign terrorist fighters at the borders OSCE 31 Mar 2023 -- The identification of potential foreign terrorist fighters at the borders was the focus of a two-week train-the-trainer course and curriculum development workshop for border security officers, organized by the OSCE Secretariat's Transnational Threats Department.
• Cameroon, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea Traders Say Marburg Travel Restrictions Suffocate Trade VOA 31 Mar 2023 -- Hundreds of merchants gathered Friday in Kye Ossi, a Cameroonian town on the border with Gabon and Equatorial Guinea, to protest travel restrictions imposed since an outbreak of the deadly Marburg virus. They say the restrictions are suffocating trade and violate a Central African regional agreement on the free movement of people and goods.
• The Concept of the Foreign Policy of the Russian Federation Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 31 Mar 2023
• Press release on the publication of the Concept of the Foreign Policy of the Russian Federation on the official website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 31 Mar 2023
• Executive Order approving Russia's Foreign Policy Concept President of Russia 31 Mar 2023 -- Vladimir Putin signed Executive Order On Approving the Foreign Policy Concept of the Russian Federation.
• Putin approves new foreign policy to confront West's 'hybrid war' Press TV 31 Mar 2023 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has approved a new foreign policy in a bid to confront the Western "hybrid war" against Russia.
• Russia's New Foreign Policy Concept Marks Global South Renaissance & End of West-Centered Order Sputnik 31 Mar 2023 -- On March 31, the Kremlin issued an updated foreign policy doctrine which revises Russia's international role and sets a priority of facilitating the establishment of a multipolar and equitable system of international relations that would guarantee security and equal opportunities for the development for all states.
• Why Russia's New Foreign Policy Concept is Fully Consistent With Global Political Reality Sputnik 31 Mar 2023 -- Moscow's foreign policy recalibration has been caused by realistic adjustment to the world that's in front of Russia and the Washington establishment's leading role in instigating anti-Russia policies across the world, Professor Joe Siracusa, US political expert and Dean of Global Futures, Curtin University, told Sputnik.
• Meeting with permanent members of the Security Council President of Russia 31 Mar 2023 -- The President held, via videoconference, a briefing session with permanent members of the Security Council to discuss the updated version of the Russian Federation Foreign Policy Concept and other current issues.
• Russia Set to Take Helm of UN Security Council, to Critics' Dismay VOA 31 Mar 2023 -- On Saturday, in what some critics say sounds more like an April Fools' joke than reality, Russia will take over the rotating presidency of the U.N. Security Council for the month, and no one can prevent it.
• Russia's Presidency in UN Security Council Will Be Eventful, Kremlin Says Sputnik 31 Mar 2023 -- Russia's presidency in the UN Security Council will be eventful, and Moscow will exercise all its rights, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Friday.
• Indonesia, Russia Sign Extradition Agreement VOA 31 Mar 2023 -- Indonesia and Russia signed an extradition agreement Friday to strengthen cooperation against transnational crimes. It is the first extradition agreement Indonesia has reached with a European country.
• No other country has raised the prospect of nuclear use, no one is threatening Russia's sovereignty: UK Statement at the Security Council UK FCDO 31 Mar 2023 -- Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki at the UN Security Council meeting on President Putin's announcement of basing nuclear weapons in Belarus
• The Week In Russia: Tough Talk, Tactical Weapons, And An Unprecedented Arrest RFE/RL 31 Mar 2023 -- President Vladimir Putin threatens to station tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus. An American journalist is arrested on spy charges, a post-Soviet first. A father is separated from his daughter and sentenced to prison after the child is reported for drawings lamenting Russia's war against Ukraine.
• 'Let Him Go,' Biden Says as Russia Orders American Journalist Held Until May VOA 31 Mar 2023 -- President Joe Biden on Friday urged Russia to release American journalist Evan Gershkovich from custody.
• 'Sending A Signal': Russian Spy Accusation Against U.S. Journalist Further Escalates Soaring Tensions RFE/RL 31 Mar 2023 -- A Moscow court on March 30 authorized the detention of U.S. journalist Evan Gershkovich of The Wall Street Journal for two months on suspicion of espionage. The Federal Security Service (FSB) claimed he had been seeking information about Russia's military-industrial complex at the behest of the U.S. government -- accusations The Wall Street Journal and the United States firmly rejected.
• Former Putin Speechwriter Gallyamov Accused Of Discrediting Russian Armed Forces RFE/RL 31 Mar 2023 -- A self-exiled former speechwriter of Vladimir Putin, Abbas Gallyamov, whose name appeared in the Russian Interior Ministry's online registry of wanted persons last week, is suspected of discrediting Russia's armed forces, a charge Russian authorities have been using to stifle any criticism of Moscow's war in Ukraine.
• Xi stresses advancing study, implementation of Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era People's Daily 31 Mar 2023 -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, on Thursday stressed further advancing the study and implementation of the Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning's Regular Press Conference on March 31, 2023 PRC MofA 31 Mar 2023
• Chinese Foreign Ministry Says Chip Supply Chain Disruption Will Hurt Everyone Sputnik 31 Mar 2023 -- Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning said on Friday that undermining the stability of global chip production and supply chains, the result of cooperative market rules and enterprise choices, would hurt the development of every country.
• Hong Kong police ask for billions to fund digital network linked to bodycams Radio Free Asia 31 Mar 2023 -- Plans by the police in Hong Kong to massively upgrade the city's digital surveillance networks using 5G networked bodycams could result in a facial recognition system similar to China's Skynet, according to opposition politicians, sparking fears that the city will soon be subject to totalitarian monitoring.
• Hong Kong's Declining Rule of Law US Dept. of State 31 Mar 2023 -- The People's Republic of China (PRC) continues to erode Hong Kong's judicial independence and the rule of law.
• CPC to launch Party-wide study drive People's Daily 31 Mar 2023 -- The Communist Party of China has decided to launch a thematic campaign for the entire Party to study and implement Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, highlighting the need to advance the Party's self-reform and maintain its advanced nature and purity.
• CPC to launch Party-wide education campaign on Xi Jinping thought People's Daily 31 Mar 2023 -- The Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee has decided to launch a Party-wide thematic education campaign starting from April to study and implement Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era.
• China's RMB becomes Brazil's second-largest international reserve currency People's Daily 01 Apr 2023 -- The Central Bank of Brazil announced on Friday that the Chinese currency renminbi (RMB), or the yuan, has surpassed the euro to become the country's second-largest international reserve currency.
• China, Brazil to trade in local currencies People's Daily 31 Mar 2023 -- The Chinese renminbi is speeding up in expanding its global use, a trend that will help build a more resilient international monetary system, one that is less dependent on the US dollar and more conducive to trade growth, experts said on Thursday.
• China launches four satellites, establishing first wheel-pattern formation in space Global Times 31 Mar 2023 -- China successfully launched four interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) satellites developed by Chinese private satellite developer GalaxySpace using the CZ-2D rocket at the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in North China's Shanxi Province on Thursday, forming the first wheel-pattern satellite formation in the world, GalaxySpace told the Global Times on Thursday.
• China opposes Taiwan region joining any official agreement or organization: FM Global Times 31 Mar 2023 -- China firmly opposes official interactions between any country and the Taiwan region, and firmly rejects Taiwan's participation in any agreement or organization of official nature, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Friday.
• A tale of two Taiwanese presidents Radio Free Asia 31 Mar 2023 -- It's probably no coincidence that former Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou landed in Shanghai just a day before his successor, Tsai Ing-wen, took off for a two-night visit to New York on Tuesday.
• Ma reaffirms '1992 consensus' in talks with China's top Taiwan official CNA 31 Mar 2023 -- Former Republic of China (ROC, Taiwan) President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) on Thursday reaffirmed the importance of the "1992 consensus" at a meeting with Beijing's Taiwan Affairs Office Director Song Tao (宋濤) in China.
• Chinese mainland's Taiwan affairs official meets Ma Ying-jeou People's Daily 31 Mar 2023 -- Song Tao, head of the Taiwan Work Office of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, on Thursday met with Ma Ying-jeou, former chairman of the Chinese Kuomintang party, in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province.
• U.S. official dismisses China gripes over Tsai's 'routine' stopovers CNA 31 Mar 2023 -- China has no grounds for overreacting to "routine" U.S. sojourns taken by Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) either side of an official visit to Central America, a senior official with the Department of State said Thursday.
• Chinese FM issues warning over Tsai's stopover in US for third consecutive day, as secessionist awarded by conservative think tank Global Times 31 Mar 2023 -- China on Friday expressed strong opposition to Taiwan regional leader Tsai Ing-wen's "transit trip" through the US, which violates the one-China principle, and urged the US to keep its word and take concrete actions to uphold the political foundation of China-US relations.
• China: 'No force can stand in the way' of reunification with Taiwan Press TV 31 Mar 2023 -- Beijing has reiterated its sovereignty over Taiwan, saying no individual or force can hold China back from achieving the goal of national reunification.
• China stages combat patrols over Taiwan Strait amid Tsai's US visit: Report Press TV 31 Mar 2023 -- A number of Chinese aircraft have reportedly conducted combat readiness patrols over the Taiwan Strait in what is seen as a response to Chinese Taipei President Tsai Ing-wen's visit to the United States.
• Chinese mainland's Taiwan affairs official meets Ma Ying-jeou People's Daily 31 Mar 2023 -- Song Tao, head of the Taiwan Work Office of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, on Thursday met with Ma Ying-jeou, former chairman of the Chinese Kuomintang party, in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province.
• Xi sends warm greetings as Ma visits Wuhan People's Daily 31 Mar 2023 -- Song Tao, a senior Taiwan affairs official of the Chinese mainland, conveyed warm greetings from Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, while meeting on Thursday with Ma Ying-jeou in Wuhan, Hubei province.
• PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan March 31, 2023 ROC MND 31 Mar 2023
• China firmly opposes any form of official interaction between U.S., Taiwan region: spokesperson People's Daily 31 Mar 2023 -- China strongly protests and condemns the U.S. arrangement for the so-called "transit" of Taiwan leader Tsai Ing-wen through the United States, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Thursday, adding that China will resolutely safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
• North Korean hacker group poses as journalists and experts to steal intel Radio Free Asia 31 Mar 2023 -- A criminal cyber spy group believed to be backed by the North Korean government poses as journalists, academics and experts to trick its victims into giving out information that can be used for espionage.
• North Korean bootleggers targeted in raids, home searches Radio Free Asia 31 Mar 2023 -- North Korean authorities are searching homes and arresting people who are secretly making moonshine, accusing them of misusing corn while the country continues to struggle with food shortages, sources told Radio Free Asia.
• Iran rules out change in hijab dress code despite foreign 'plots' Press TV 31 Mar 2023 -- Iran's Interior Ministry says the country will not withdraw from the Islamic rule of hijab, pointing to enemies' "failed plots" to use hijab to separate the nation from the government.
• Belarus president announces foreign policy pivot to East amid US row with Russia, Iran Press TV 31 Mar 2023 -- Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko says his country's foreign policy aims to make a pivot to the East amid the United States' attempts to counter Russia, China, and Iran.
• Kazakh Tycoon Related To Former President's Family Handed Eight-Year Prison Term RFE/RL 31 Mar 2023 -- Kazakh tycoon Qairat Boranbaev, whose daughter is the widow of the grandson of former President Nursultan Nazarbaev, has been sentenced to eight years in prison on corruption charges.
• Kazakhstan 2023 parliamentary elections: UK statement to the OSCE UK FCDO 31 Mar 2023 -- Deputy Ambassador Brown welcomes ODIHR's report and Kazakhstan's engagement, as the country continues its programme of reforms.
• Türkiye, Syria quake response continues, food security threat rising UN News 31 Mar 2023 -- Almost two months after deadly earthquakes struck Türkiye and northern Syria, a large-scale humanitarian operation is underway for which funding is still desperately needed, the UN Humanitarian Affairs coordination office (OCHA) said on Friday.
• Cambodia faces July election without international observers Radio Free Asia 31 Mar 2023 -- The United States, European Union, France and Japan say they have no plans to send electoral observers or to provide assistance to Cambodia's election committee for July's general election.
• For Years, He's Been Controversial At Home. Now Bulgaria's Top Prosecutor Is Attracting Attention Abroad. RFE/RL 31 Mar 2023 -- Bulgarian Prosecutor-General Ivan Geshev captured national headlines on March 16 when he announced tantalizing details worthy of a crime thriller about an alleged mafia plot to oust several police chiefs and one very powerful official.
• Malawi Sets Final Deadline for Refugee Return to Lone Authorized Camp VOA 31 Mar 2023 -- Malawi's government has told refugees and asylum-seekers to relocate to the country's lone refugee camp by April 15 or face forced eviction from their homes.