• 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

• U.S. Navy Ship Patrolling Middle East Seizes $42 Million in Drugs US Navy 21 Apr 2023 -- A U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyer interdicted a fishing vessel attempting to smuggle $42 million in illegal drugs while transiting the Gulf of Oman, April 21.
• Q&A: US Troops Positioned for Diplomats' Evacuation Out of Sudan VOA 21 Apr 2023 -- The United States is deploying more troops at its base in Djibouti as it considers whether to evacuate diplomats from Sudan, where a power struggle between two military factions has led to days of violence that has killed more than 330 people.

Defense Policy / Programs

• DoD Releases Fiscal Year 2022 Freedom of Navigation Report DoD 21 Apr 2023 -- Today, the Department of Defense (DoD) released its annual Freedom of Navigation (FON) Report for Fiscal Year 2022. During the period from October 1, 2021, through September 30, 2022, U.S. forces operationally challenged 22 different excessive maritime claims made by 15 different claimants throughout the world.
• Hokanson: State Partnership Program Stable, Steadfast and Growing Army News 21 Apr 2023 -- The Department of Defense National Guard Bureau State Partnership Program — built on enduring relationships, common interests and trust — is stable, steadfast and growing, the Guard's top leader said Thursday.
• Navy to Christen Future U.S. Navy Ship Kingsville DoD 21 Apr 2023 -- The Navy will christen and launch the newest Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ship, the future USS Kingsville (LCS 36), during a 10:00 a.m. CST ceremony on Saturday, April 22, in Mobile, Alabama.
• DOD Makes Climate Assessment Tool Available to Partner Nations DoD News 21 Apr 2023 -- The Department of Defense is one of the largest owners and managers of land in the United States. And that land is likely to be affected by changes in the climate — including the effects of flooding, extreme temperatures and drought.
• Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group Completes Group Sail in Hawaiian Islands Operating Area US Navy 21 Apr 2023 -- The Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group (CSG) completed Group Sail in the Hawaiian Islands operating area April 17, in preparation for an upcoming deployment.
• USS Ashland completes forward-deployment to Japan, arrives in San Diego US Navy 21 Apr 2023 -- Amphibious dock landing ship USS Ashland (LSD 48) arrived in San Diego April 20, after almost a decade of forward-deployed service operating out of Japan.
• USFF and CNIC to Conduct Hurricane Response Exercise US Navy 21 Apr 2023 -- Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command (USFFC) and Commander, Navy Installations Command (CNIC) will conduct their annual two-week hurricane preparedness, disaster response and recovery exercise, Hurricane Exercise/Citadel Gale (HURREX/CG-23) 2023, April 24 - May 5.
• Guantanamo: Detaining authorities must adapt to the needs of a rapidly ageing population ICRC 21 Apr 2023 -- A statement by Patrick Hamilton, the International Committee of the Red Cross' head of delegation for the United States and Canada, following a visit to the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay last month:
• NATO Deputy Secretary General stresses closer cooperation with Indo-Pacific partners NATO 21 Apr 2023 -- NATO Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoană virtually addressed the NATO and the Indo-Pacific Conference in Vilnius, Lithuania on Friday (21 April 2023), emphasizing NATO's commitment to working more closely with Indo-Pacific partners to address security challenges and preserve peace.
• Danish, Swedish Jets Scrambled to Escort Russian Military Aircraft Over Baltic Sea Sputnik 21 Apr 2023 -- Danish and Swedish scrambled fighter jets to escort Russian military aircraft IL-20 transiting over the Baltic Sea between Sweden and Danish islands of Zealand and Bornholm, the Danish air force said on Friday.
• Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark A. Milley Hold a Post-Ukraine Defense Contact Group Press Conference, Ramstein Air Base, Germany DoD 21 Apr 2023
• Opening Remarks by Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III at the 11th Ukraine Defense Contact Group (As Delivered) DoD 21 Apr 2023
• Following Ukraine Defense Contact Group, Austin Reminds Members of Their Impact DoD News 21 Apr 2023 -- After a full day of discussion during the 11th meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III reminded participating nations of the significance of their commitments.
• U.S.-Led Ukraine Defense Contact Group Convenes for 11th Discussion DoD News 21 Apr 2023 -- This morning, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III met with Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov for a bilateral discussion in advance of the 11th meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. The first such meeting was held last April, also at Ramstein.
• Milley Says Ukraine Has Leadership, Morale to Beat Russia DoD News 21 Apr 2023 -- More than a year after Russian President Vladimir Putin launched his war of choice against Ukraine, Ukraine continues to fight, and allies and partners continue to support and stand behind the nation, Army Gen. Mark A. Milley said at Ramstein Air Base, Germany today.
• US Military Leaders Pledge Support for Ukraine 'as Long as It Takes' VOA 21 Apr 2023 -- The top U.S. military officials meeting Friday in Germany reaffirmed the U.S. and allied commitment to support Ukraine against Russia's invasion for "as long as it takes."
• U.S. Military Chiefs Say Increasing Ukraine's Air Defense Capability Most Urgent Critical Task RFE/RL 21 Apr 2023 -- Fortifying Ukraine's air defense capability was the major theme of a meeting on April 21 of dozens of countries that have supported Kyiv in its fight against invading Russian forces and as it prepares to launch a spring counteroffensive.
• US Defense Secretary: US Expediting Abrams Delivery to Ukraine, Tanks Will Arrive in Germany Soon Sputnik 21 Apr 2023 -- The United States' timeline for providing M1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine has been expedited to deliver training tanks to Germany in the coming weeks, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said on Friday.
• NATO Secretary General in Ramstein: we must step up support for Ukraine NATO 21 Apr 2023 -- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg participated in a meeting of the US-led Ukraine Defense Contact Group in Ramstein, Germany on Friday (21 April 2023), following his visit to Ukraine. The meeting was chaired by US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Mark Milley.
• Ukraine's Accession to NATO Discussed, Quick Decision Not Expected - Berlin Sputnik 21 Apr 2023 -- The NATO members are discussing Ukraine's possible accession to the bloc, but this decision will be made later since it is not on the agenda at the moment, German government spokeswoman Christiane Hoffmann said on Friday.
• Stoltenberg Claims All NATO Allies Agree Ukraine Should Become Member of Alliance Sputnik 21 Apr 2023 -- All NATO allies have agreed that Ukraine should become a member of the alliance, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said on Friday.
• Pevkur and Reznikov signed defence cooperation agreement Estonia MoD 21 Apr 2023 -- Today in Ramstein at the Ukraine Defence Contact Group meeting, Estonian Minister of Defence Hanno Pevkur and Ukrainian Minister of Defence Oleskii Reznikov signed a defence cooperation agreement between Estonia and Ukraine.
• Defence Minister Anita Anand announces approximately $39 million military aid package for Ukraine Canada 21 Apr 2023 -- Today, Defence Minister Anita Anand participated in the eleventh meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG) at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, hosted by United States Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III.
• Canada to Provide Ukraine With New Military Aid Package Worth $29Mln Sputnik 21 Apr 2023 -- Ottawa will provide Ukraine with a new military aid package worth $29 million to be spent on fuel and sniper rifles among others, Canada's Ministry of National Defense said on Friday.
• Vucic: Washington Buys Up to One-Third of Serbia's Arms That May End Up in Ukraine Sputnik 21 Apr 2023 -- Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Thursday that Washington purchases between one-fourth and one-third of Serbia's defense industry products that may end up in Ukraine.
• Missile Buildup by US, Allies Aimed at Achieving Global Superiority Over Russia, China - Moscow Sputnik 21 Apr 2023 -- Russia suspended its participation in the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty in late February in the wake of Ukrainian drone attacks on an airbase used by Russian strategic aviation. Before that, Washington unilaterally scrapped multiple agreements designed to ensure strategic stability, including the ABM and INF treaties.
• Russia Creates 1st Jet-Powered Kamikaze Drone Equipped With AI, Computer Vision- Developer Sputnik 21 Apr 2023 -- Russia's Unmanned Vehicles company has created a prototype of the country's first jet-powered FPV (first person view) Kamikaze drone of the K-5 aircraft type equipped with artificial intelligence and computer vision, in Moscow, the developer said on Friday.
• 'We Are Waiting For You': Nearly Five Months After Deadly Strike, Dozens Of Russian Families Search For Missing Soldiers RFE/RL 21 Apr 2023 -- "Looking for my brother," reads a social-media post published on March 26. "Mozharov, Stanislav Vitalyevich, 10.10.77 D.O.B., Mobilized. Last contact was December 31, 2022. Forty-Fourth regiment. Was in Makiyivka during the strike. Come back, brother! We are all waiting for you. Please help a mother get her son back. Maybe someone has seen him? Please, help us."
• All current Type 055 large destroyers enter active PLA Navy service with commissioning of 8th hull Xianyang Global Times 21 Apr 2023 -- The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy recently commissioned the Xianyang, the eighth Type 055 10,000 ton-class large destroyer. All eight warships in this class have now entered service with the PLA Navy.
• Chinese Aircraft Carrier Liaoning Partakes in Pacific Ocean Drills - State Media Sputnik 21 Apr 2023 -- The Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning has taken part in military drills conducted in the western part of the Pacific Ocean, with the exercises aimed at practicing air and anti-submarine defense, the Chinese media reported on Friday.
• China's People's Liberation Army Starts 3-Day Naval Drills Sputnik 21 Apr 2023 -- China's People's Liberation Army will kick off three-day naval military drills around the southern Chinese province of Hainan in the South China Sea on Friday.
• Chinese defense minister's Russian trip signals closer cooperation with Moscow Radio Free Asia 21 Apr 2023 -- China's new U.S.-sanctioned Defense Minister Li Shangfu visited Russia this week, his first foreign trip since taking office, as Beijing and Moscow align closer to confront the U.S.
• Tying up a French connection Australia DOD 21 Apr 2023 -- An around-the-world journey by the Marine Nationale (French Navy) has allowed closer working ties to be forged with Royal Australian Air Force aviators.
• ADF finishes cyclone aid to Vanuatu Australia DOD 21 Apr 2023 -- The ADF has wrapped up Operation Vanuatu Assist, having delivered more than 100 tonnes of humanitarian aid, including food, shelter and medical supplies, to the country in the wake of Tropical Cyclones Judy and Kevin.
• IRGC's 'strategic capabilities' fueling fear in enemy camp: Top cmdr. Press TV 21 Apr 2023 -- The Chief of General Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces has lauded the readiness of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps in the face of threats, saying the IRGC's capabilities instill fear in the enemy's camp.
• Iran Army drones capable of striking distant targets: General Press TV 21 Apr 2023 -- A senior Iranian commander says the Army has boosted its drone power and is currently capable of conducting defensive operations to easily hit distant targets.
• United States - Iceland Strategic Dialogue US Dept. of State 21 Apr 2023
• Department Press Briefing - April 21, 2023 US Dept. of State 21 Apr 2023

Defense Industry

• Contracts For April 21, 2023
• Rheinmetall, Lockheed Martin Say Developing New Rocket Artillery System for Germany Sputnik 21 Apr 2023 -- German arms manufacturer Rheinmetall and US arms corporation Lockheed Martin have signed a memorandum of understanding to provide Germany with a new rocket artillery system, possibly a prototype of the US HIMARS rocket launcher, set to boost the capabilities of existing and combat proven components, the companies said on Friday.

Other Conflicts

Ukraine Conflict News


• Taliban Chief Vows to Keep 'Laws of Infidels' From Afghanistan VOA 21 Apr 2023 -- The reclusive Taliban chief said Friday that he would not allow foreign interference in his Islamic governance in Afghanistan, come what may.
• The Azadi Briefing: Taliban Deals Yet Another Blow To Education In Afghanistan RFE/RL 21 Apr 2023
• US seeks to disrupt Yemeni peace process: Head of Supreme Political Council Press TV 21 Apr 2023 -- The US is seeking to disrupt efforts to establish a nationwide peace across the impoverished Yemen, the head of the country's Supreme Political Council (SPC) has warned, following recent direct talks between representatives from the Yemeni Ansarullah resistance movement and Saudi officials.
• Yemen health system 'edging closer to collapse' warns WHO UN News 21 Apr 2023 -- Yemen's fragile health system is "severely overburdened" the World Health Organization's (WHO) leading official for emergency operations in the country said on Friday, and more international funding is urgently needed to stop it deteriorating further.
• Sudan: Pause in fighting needed to deliver medical supplies ICRC 21 Apr 2023 -- A statement from Mirjana Spoljaric, the president of the International Committee of the Red Cross:
• Gunfire Heard in Khartoum Despite New Cease-Fire Declarations VOA 21 Apr 2023 -- Sounds of sporadic shelling could be heard into the night Friday in Sudan's capital, despite renewed cease-fire declarations from Sudan's military and a rival paramilitary force locked in heavy clashes for the past seven days.
• Sudan's RSF To Observe a 72-Hour Truce VOA 21 Apr 2023 -- Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces said Friday it has agreed to a 72-hour truce to begin at 6 a.m., designed to bring at least a temporary halt to the days of deadly fighting in the African country that has killed hundreds.
• UN coordinator calls for urgent 'humanitarian pauses' in Sudan, as death toll mounts UN News 21 Apr 2023 -- The UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan issued a strong statement on Friday calling on both sides in the military power struggle to "implement humanitarian pauses" allowing civilians and aid workers to access essential supplies.
• On the Announcement of an Eid al-Fitr Ceasefire in Sudan US Dept. of State 21 Apr 2023 -- "I welcome the announcements by the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces that they intend to abide by a three-day Eid al-Fitr ceasefire."
• Statement by Minister Joly and Minister Anand on the situation in Sudan Canada 21 Apr 2023
• Strong call for an immediate ceasfire in Sudan Government of Norway 21 Apr 2023
• Sudan unrest: Army agrees to three-day truce starting Friday Press TV 21 Apr 2023 -- Sudan's army said it has agreed to a three-day truce starting on Friday to allow people to celebrate the Eid Al-Fitr, after almost a week of fighting between its troops and a rival paramilitary force.
• Fierce fighting rages on in Sudanese capital as ceasefire again fails to hold Press TV 21 Apr 2023 -- The warring groups in Sudan continued to engage in fierce clashes on Friday with heavy gunfire and explosions heard in the capital Khartoum and other cities despite the proclamation of a 72-hour ceasefire.
• RSF Say Ready to Partially Open Airports in Sudan for Evacuation Sputnik 21 Apr 2023 -- The Sudanese Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group has announced readiness to partially open airports in order to allow for the evacuation of foreign citizens from Sudan.
• Sudanese Armed Forces Agree to 3-Day Truce in Connection With Eid Al-Fitr Sputnik 21 Apr 2023 -- The armed forces of Sudan announced that they have agreed to a three-day truce starting Friday in connection with the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr.
• Sudan's Paramilitary RSF Agrees to 72-Hour Ceasefire on Humanitarian Grounds Sputnik 21 Apr 2023 -- Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) said it had agreed to a 72-hour ceasefire on humanitarian grounds starting 6:00 a.m. local time (04:00 GMT) on Friday.
• UN chief calls for 3-day truce in Sudan People's Daily 21 Apr 2023 -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday called for a three-day ceasefire in Sudan to allow trapped civilians to flee.
• Junta air strike in Myanmar's Magway kills 3, injures 12 Radio Free Asia 21 Apr 2023 -- A junta airstrike in Myanmar's central Magway region killed three people and injured 12, residents told RFA.
• Junta offensive in Myanmar's Kachin state kills 10, razes 1,000 homes Radio Free Asia 21 Apr 2023 -- The military offensive began in Shwegu township on March 23 and continued for 19 days, during which the junta carried out more than a dozen airstrikes and engaged local resistance forces in at least 10 major battles.
• Deputy Secretary Sherman's Meeting with Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for Western Sahara de Mistura US Dept. of State 21 Apr 2023

News Reports

• Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova's answer to a media question in connection with Denmark, Norway, Finland and Sweden publishing materials on Russia's intelligence activities Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 21 Apr 2023
• 'Creative Diplomacy' And The FSB: Was A Russian NGO Bridging Divides Or Spying On Unwitting Participants? RFE/RL 21 Apr 2023 -- In November 2018, at Tufts University's Fletcher School, near Boston, Natalia Burlinova, a Russian foreign policy expert visiting from Moscow, was the featured guest for a discussion on the importance of public diplomacy. The event featured a small group discussion with graduate students, meetings with professors, and a dinner.
• Two Men Sentenced for Conspiring to Provide Material Support to Plot to Attack Power Grids in the United States US Dept. of Justice 21 Apr 2023 -- Two men were sentenced in federal court today to crimes related to a scheme to attack power grids in the United States in furtherance white supremacy.
• Telephone conversation with Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud President of Russia 21 Apr 2023 -- Vladimir Putin spoke by telephone with Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, with the Saudi side initiating the conversation.
• Russia Suspends Dairy Products From Kyrgyzstan After Calls In Bishkek To Drop Cyrillic Script RFE/RL 21 Apr 2023 -- Russia has suspended the import of dairy products from Kyrgyzstan after the chairman of Kyrgyzstan's National Commission for the State Language and Language Policies, Kanybek Osmonaliev, said his country is ready to start working on switching the Kyrgyz language from Cyrillic to a Latin-based alphabet.
• The Week In Russia: A Long Prison Term And A 'Risky Path' For Putin RFE/RL 21 Apr 2023
• U.K. Sanctions Five Russian Nationals Over Jailing Of Kremlin Critic Vladimir Kara-Murza RFE/RL 21 Apr 2023 -- The United Kingdom has sanctioned five Russians after the sentencing to 25 years in prison earlier this week of opposition politician Vladimir Kara-Murza, a British-Russian dual national.
li>UK sanctions FSB agents and Russian investigators behind arrest of British-Russian national Vladimir Kara-Murza UK FCDO 21 Apr 2023 -- Foreign Secretary James Cleverly has sanctioned five individuals connected to the poisoning and arrest of politician and journalist Vladimir Kara-Murza
• Anyone trying to resist global trend towards multipolarity will lose: Putin People's Daily 21 Apr 2023 -- The global trend towards multipolarity will intensify, and those who choose to resist this shift will ultimately lose and face new challenges, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday.
• Moscow strongly condemns Washington's foreign policy for intimidation of other countries Press TV 21 Apr 2023 -- Russia has slammed the United States, saying the "only method" the US uses to reach its objectives in international relations is coercion.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin's Regular Press Conference on April 21, 2023 PRC MofA 21 Apr 2023
• Chinese FM vows greater resolve to safeguard the international order, China's sovereignty and security at Lanting Forum Global Times 21 Apr 2023 -- It is not the Chinese mainland, but the "Taiwan independence" separatist forces and a handful of countries attempting to take advantage of "Taiwan independence" that are disrupting international rules, unilaterally changing the status quo, and undermining stability across the Straits, China's State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang said at the Lanting Forum on Chinese Modernization and the World held in Shanghai on Friday.
• China Reacts Unenthusiastically to Yellen's Olive Branch for Talks VOA 21 Apr 2023 -- China on Friday did not reciprocate U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen's appeal for the world's two biggest economies to resume official communications. In a speech detailing the Biden administration's economic priorities on China a day earlier, Yellen said the U.S. seeks constructive and fair economic ties with China without compromising its national security.
• 'Naked economic coercion': China raps potential US investment curbs Press TV 21 Apr 2023 -- Beijing has rapped Washington's potential new restrictions on US firms' abilities to invest in Chinese entities, accusing the US of "naked economic coercion".
• US Targeting China, Artificial Intelligence Threats VOA 21 Apr 2023 -- U.S. homeland security officials are launching what they describe as two urgent initiatives to combat growing threats from China and expanding dangers from ever more capable, and potentially malicious, artificial intelligence.
• US-China Competition in Tech Expands to AI Regulations VOA 21 Apr 2023 -- Competition between the U.S. and China in artificial intelligence has expanded into a race to design and implement comprehensive AI regulations.
• Chinese modernization to strongly boost global economic recovery: Chinese FM Qin Gang Global Times 21 Apr 2023 -- The modernization of China with such a huge population will be a stronger boost for global economic recovery, China's State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang said at the Lanting Forum on Chinese Modernization and the World held in Shanghai on Friday.
• China's new rural land transfer scheme sparks fears over heavy-handed enforcement Radio Free Asia 21 Apr 2023 -- New rules governing the transfer of rural land in China have sparked concerns that the ruling Communist Party may be gearing up for the mass confiscation and reallocation of farmland in the name of "stabilizing the grain supply," Radio Free Asia has learned.
• Proposed U.S. bill takes aim at PRC cyberattacks against Taiwan CNA 21 Apr 2023 -- Four United States senators and representatives introduced legislation Thursday that would enable the Pentagon to cooperate with Taiwan in fortifying its cybersecurity against China.
• FM Qin says both sides of Taiwan Strait China's, warns against 'playing with fire' Press TV 21 Apr 2023 -- Chinese foreign minister Qin Gang said on Friday that both sides of the strategic Taiwan Strait belong to China while reaffirming Beijing's resolve to safeguard its sovereignty and international order.
• Taiwanese students singing mainland Chinese 'propaganda song' sparks backlash Radio Free Asia 21 Apr 2023 -- The piece was titled "We Sing the Same Song," sung by elementary school students in Taiwan for a state-run television special in China over the Lunar New Year.
• China hawk John Bolton to be first 2024 White House hopeful to visit Taiwan Radio Free Asia 21 Apr 2023 -- An outspoken China hawk who is seeking the White House is due to become the first 2024 presidential hopeful to visit Taiwan as American political positions toward Beijing harden ahead of next year's U.S. election.
• PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan April 21, 2023 ROC MND 21 Apr 2023
• Chinese yuan deposits in Taiwan banks fall to lowest in over 9 years CNA 21 Apr 2023 -- The value of Chinese yuan deposits held by the Taiwanese banking system continues to fall and reached the lowest level in more than nine years at the end of March, with the interest rate hike cycle by the U.S. Federal Reserve prompting investors to move to greenback-denominated assets, according to the local central bank.
• 7 indicted in espionage case involving retired Air Force captain CNA 21 Apr 2023 -- A retired Air Force captain and six active military officers in Taiwan's Air Force and Navy were indicted in Kaohsiung on Thursday for allegedly spying for communist China.
• Press Statement of DPRK Foreign Minister KCNA 21 Apr 2023 -- Choe Son Hui, foreign minister of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea released a press statement on April 21.
• North Korea raps G7 for interference over denuclearization Press TV 21 Apr 2023 -- North Korea has condemned the Group of Seven (G7) countries after what Pyongyang described as the bloc's unlawful meddling in the nation's domestic affairs by calling on the country to scrap its nuclear weapons which it sees as a deterrent force against its enemies.
• Reports Say Confrontations Between Iranian Students, Security Forces Growing Over Hijab Rules RFE/RL 21 Apr 2023 -- Confrontations between university students and authorities over mandatory hijab regulations are reportedly on the rise following a monthslong crackdown over protests sparked by the September death of Mahsa Amini while in police custody for an alleged head scarf offense.
• Protest Is People's Right, Iranian Imam Says in Eid al-Fitr Sermon VOA 21 Apr 2023 -- A Sunni imam said Friday during an Eid al-Fitr sermon in Zahedan, Iran, that people have a right to protest and the government should listen to their demands.
• Junta arrests reporter, celebrities who criticized deadly Myanmar military airstrike Radio Free Asia 21 Apr 2023 -- Authorities in Myanmar have arrested a journalist and three celebrities who criticized the junta's bombing of a village in Sagaing region that killed 200 people, including children, a source with knowledge of the country's legal system said Friday.
• Record Inflation Dims Joy of Eid in Pakistan VOA 21 Apr 2023 -- It's 36 hours before Eid al-Fitr, the festival that marks the end of a month of fasting for Ramadan. In Javed Abbas' tiny tailoring shop in Pakistan's eastern city of Lahore, it is supposed to be the busiest time of the year as customers wait for their new clothes to be ready in time for the celebrations.
• China lodges solemn representation to Japan over Kishida's offering to notorious Yasukuni Shrine Global Times 21 Apr 2023 -- China has lodged a solemn representation to Japan over Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's ritual offering to the infamous Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said Friday at a routine press conference.
• SpaceX's massive Starship rocket explodes after launch during maiden flight People's Daily 21 Apr 2023 -- SpaceX's giant Starship rocket, the most powerful ever built, exploded after liftoff from the U.S. state of Texas during an inaugural test flight on Thursday morning.
• PM call with President Guelleh of Djibouti: 21 April 2023 Gov.UK 21 Apr 2023
• Top opposition party youth leader switches allegiance to Hun Sen's ruling party Radio Free Asia 21 Apr 2023 -- A former opposition party youth leader who was recently jailed after he posted comments on Facebook about the government and Cambodia's king announced on Friday that he was joining the ruling Cambodian People's Party.