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Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• U.S. forces engage insurgents in support of the Federal Government of Somalia AFRICOM 02 Jun 2023 -- At the request of the Federal Government of Somalia and in support of the Somali National Army engagements against al Shabaab, U.S. Africa Command conducted a collective self-defense strike in the vicinity of Wayanta, Somalia on June 1.

Defense Policy / Programs

• US Confident in Its Nuclear Stockpile, White House Official Says VOA 02 Jun 2023 -- The United States says it does not plan on building more nuclear weapons to counter threats from Russia, China and a growing number of adversaries who have or who could soon have nuclear capabilities.
• US proposes arms control deal with UK, France, Russia and China Press TV 02 Jun 2023 -- The United States national security advisor to President Joe Biden has proposed multilateral arms control efforts with the UK, France, Russia and China.
• US May Offer to Keep Nuclear Arms Limits Until 2026 If Russia Reciprocates Sputnik 02 Jun 2023 -- The United States on Friday is set to offer to continue complying with the nuclear arms limits under the New START Treaty until 2026 if Russia reciprocates, British news agency reported, citing two senior administration officials.
• US Defense Secretary, at Asian Security Summit, Urges Dialogue with China VOA 02 Jun 2023 -- U.S Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said Saturday that dialogue between the United States and China is essential to avoiding miscalculations that could lead to conflict, adding he was deeply concerned by Beijing's unwillingness to engage in crisis management between the two militaries.
• US, Chinese Defense Officials Talk at Key Summit VOA 02 Jun 2023 -- A top Chinese defense official has spoken with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, potentially signaling a thaw in relations after Beijing rejected multiple U.S. requests for discussions.
• 'A Shared Vision for the Indo-Pacific': Remarks by Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III at the Shangri-La Dialogue (As Delivered) DoD 02 Jun 2023
• Austin Underscores Importance of Partnerships in Securing a Shared Vision for Indo-Pacific DoD News 02 Jun 2023 -- The U.S. remains committed to a shared vision of freedom, security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III said today.
• Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III Meeting With Indonesia Minister of Defense Prabowo Subianto DoD 02 Jun 2023
• Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III Meeting With Southeast Asian Defense Ministers DoD 02 Jun 2023
• Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III Meeting With Singapore Minister for Defense Dr. Ng Eng Hen DoD 02 Jun 2023
• 55th Chief of Engineers Builds Bridges with Allied Nation Partners CENTCOM 02 Jun 2023 -- When you work for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the figurative bridges you build are often just as important at the literal ones. This is true in local communities when helping people recover from natural disasters and it's true around the world when partnering with U.S. allies to improve their defense and engineering capabilities.
• Exercise Intrepid Maven 23.3 Concludes in the United Arab Emirates CENTCOM 02 Jun 2023 -- Intrepid Maven 23.3 concluded in the United Arab Emirates on May 22. The exercise included more than 100 U.S. Marines and Sailors, alongside partnering elements of the United Arab Emirates Armed Forces, who conducted infantry-based close-quarters combat training, live-fire close-air support exercises, and expeditionary airfield operations at several training locations throughout the country.
• AFCEC successfully tests multi-capable Airmen airfield repair concept US Air Force 02 Jun 2023 -- The concept of a cross section of Airmen carrying out important wartime tasks seems like a good idea, but does it work?
• NMG2 departs Rota in preparation for FLOTEX-23 US Navy 02 Jun 2023 -- Standing NATO Maritime Group Two (SNMG2) departed Naval Station Rota, Spain on Monday, May 29th, 2023 in anticipation of the start of Flotilla Exercise 2023 (FLOTEX-23) hosted by the Spanish Navy in the western Mediterranean Sea.
• USS Shoup Departs Sendai, Japan US Navy 02 Jun 2023 -- The forward-deployed Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Shoup (DDG 86) departed Sendai, Japan after a port visit, June 1.
• $50.8M BOS Contract Option Awarded for NSB Kings Bay US Navy 02 Jun 2023 -- Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC) Southeast awarded a $50.8 million firm-fixed-price contract modification, May 24, to Jacob Technologies, Inc. for base operations support (BOS) services at Naval Submarine Base (NSB) Kings Bay.The contract modification provides for an additional 12 months of BOS services under the basic contract
• Deputy Assistant Secretary for Arabian Peninsula Affairs Daniel Benaim And Deputy Special Envoy to the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS Ian McCary On the Secretary's Upcoming Travel to Saudi Arabia US Dept. of State 02 Jun 2023
• Proliferation Security Initiative's 20th Anniversary and High-Level Political Meeting US Dept. of State 02 Jun 2023 -- The Republic of Korea hosted the High-Level Political Meeting in commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) on May 30, 2023.
• USS Ford Carrier Strike Group sails under nato command in the high north NATO 02 Jun 2023 -- In a continued sign of transatlantic unity, the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) came under NATO command today while preparing to conduct activities in the Norwegian Sea with other maritime forces from Allied Nations. The Ford is on a scheduled deployment to the European Theater.
• Outer Hebrides missile defence exercise brings NATO together UK MOD 02 Jun 2023 -- A multinational exercise at the MOD Hebrides Range in Scotland last month saw 4,000 service personnel from 13 nations hone their skills and connect with allies.
• The President called for further strengthening of NATO's defense capabilities President of the Republic of Lithuania 02 Jun 2023 -- On Friday, President Gitanas Nausėda addressed a high-level meeting of the speakers of the parliaments of NATO member countries in Vilnius and called for continued full support for Ukraine and strengthening of the Alliance's defense capabilities.
• Address by Gitanas Nausėda, President of the Republic of Lithuania, at the High Level Meeting of Speakers of Parliaments of NATO Member Countries President of the Republic of Lithuania 02 Jun 2023
• Russian Pacific Fleet squadron in the Asia Pacific region undergoes damage control drills on its way to the Java Sea Russia MoD 02 Jun 2023 -- A Russian Pacific Fleet squadron, including vessels Gromkiy, Sovershenniy and medium-sized marine tanker Pechenga, underwent damage control drills in the Java Sea during long-range cruise mission in the Asia Pacific region.
• Two Armies, 2 Military Districts, 31 Units to Be Formed in Russia in 2023 - General Staff Sputnik 02 Jun 2023 -- Two armies, an army corps, the Azov naval districts, five divisions, 26 brigades and the Moscow and Leningrad military districts will be formed in Russia's armed forces this year, Col. Gen. Yevgeny Burdinsky, the deputy chief of the General Staff of Russia's armed forces, has said.
• Exercise flags shift in focus to the Top End Australia DOD 02 Jun 2023
• Regiment shows its mettle on the range Australia DOD 02 Jun 2023 -- Cultana Training Area in South Australia was left battered and bruised after 1st Armoured Regiment's (1 Armd Regt) Exercise Paratus Walk.
• Joint Statement for the 8th Singapore-Australia Annual Leaders' meeting Prime Minister of Australia 02 Jun 2023
• Transcript - Opening remarks - Official lunch Prime Minister of Australia 02 Jun 2023
• Transcript - Joint press conference Prime Minister of Australia 02 Jun 2023
• Transcript - Opening remarks - Annual Leaders' Meeting Prime Minister of Australia 02 Jun 2023
• Australia-Singapore Annual Leaders' Meeting and Shangri-La Dialogue Prime Minister of Australia 02 Jun 2023
• INS TRISHUL AT PORT ANJOUAN, COMOROS India PIB 02 Jun 2023 -- As part of the Indian Navy's long range deployment, INS Trishul visited port Anjouan, Comoros from 31 May to 02 June 23. The ship anchored off Anjoun Island on 31 May 23 and was received by civil-military leadership. As part of the visit, Captain Kapil Kaushik, the Commanding Officer, called on senior government officials at Anjouan. Professional interactions with Comoros Armed Forces and Comoros Coast Guard, sports fixtures and a joint Yoga session with Comoros Defence forces were undertaken by the ship during the stay in harbour.
• Iranian Air Force Commander Says Tehran Needs New Russia-Made Su Fighter Jets Sputnik 02 Jun 2023 -- Tehran needs new Russia-made Su fighter jets, but the date of their supply to the Iranian squadron depends on the authorities' decision, Commander of the Iranian air force Brig. Gen. Hamid Vahedi said on Friday.
• The Netherlands - MK 41 Vertical Launching System (VLS) DSCA 02 Jun 2023 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of the Netherlands of MK 41 Vertical Launching Systems (VLS) Baseline (B/L) VII Strike Length Launcher Modules (either system or standalone) and related equipment for an estimated cost of $110 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.
• Declaration of the 20th Council of the Baltic Sea States Ministerial Session in Wismar, Germany Germany Federal Foreign Office 02 Jun 2023 -- The Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS) - consisting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland and Sweden, and the EU High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy - met for its 20th Session in Wismar on 2 June 2023 at the invitation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Germany.
• Minister Landsbergis: Lithuania and the entire Baltic Sea region have become a role-model of resilience to Russian hybrid and other attacks, the growing scale of threats motivates our vigilance Lithuania MFA 02 Jun 2023
• Slovak Army takes delivery of its third Leopard 2A4 MBT from Germany Ministry of Defence of The Slovak Republic 02 Jun 2023 -- In accordance with the agreed delivery schedule, 14 Tank Battalion Trebišov has been strengthened by a third Leopard 2A4 main battle tank as a gift from Germany for Slovakia's transfer of 30 BVP-1 infantry fighting vehicles to Ukraine.
• Defence Forces to purchase armoured 6x6 personnel carriers Finnish MoD 02 Jun 2023 -- Minister of Defence Antti Kaikkonen has authorised the Defence Forces to procure armoured 6x6 personnel carriers from Patria. A total of 91 armoured personnel carriers with equipment will be procured for the Army. In addition to the vehicles, user and maintenance training are included in the procurement, which also includes a provision to procure more vehicles, at the most 70.
• Finland to Buy 91 Personnel Carriers for Army From Finnish Maker Sputnik 02 Jun 2023 -- The Finnish Defense Ministry said on Friday it will purchase 91 armored personnel carriers for the army under the international Common Armored Vehicle System (CAVS) project from Finnish manufacturer Patria.
• Iran, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman to form joint naval force under China auspices: Report Press TV 02 Jun 2023 -- A Qatari website has reported that Iran, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Oman are to form a joint naval force under China's auspices towards enhancing maritime security in the Persian Gulf.
• Secretary Blinken's Meeting with Finnish Prime Minister Marin US Dept. of State 02 Jun 2023
• Secretary Blinken's Meeting with Finnish Prime Minister Marin US Dept. of State 02 Jun 2023
• Secretary Blinken's Meeting with Finnish Foreign Minister Haavisto US Dept. of State 02 Jun 2023
• Joint Statement Following the Meeting Between National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and National Security Advisor Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan The White House 02 Jun 2023
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre The White House 02 Jun 2023

Defense Industry

• Contracts For June 2, 2023

Other Conflicts

Ukraine Conflict News
• 2 June 2023 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 02 Jun 2023
• The Azadi Briefing: Taliban Attempts To Ease Its International Isolation RFE/RL 02 Jun 2023
• Sudan: Crisis fuels 'desperate' situation for civilians, as Security Council demands unhindered humanitarian access UN News 02 Jun 2023 -- As the crisis in Sudan enters its second month, UN agencies and partners warned on Friday that the conflict between rival military groups since mid-April is fuelling an increasingly "desperate" situation for civilians, especially in the nation's capital.
• Statement on the looting of humanitarian warehouses in Sudan WFP 02 Jun 2023 -- The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) strongly condemns the looting of one of the agency's logistics hubs in south-central Sudan. The attack on WFP's warehouses in El Obeid puts food assistance for 4.4 million conflict-affected people at risk.
• UNITAMS mandate renewal underlines that the UN will continue to support peace and democracy in Sudan: UK statement at the Security Council UK FCDO 02 Jun 2023 -- Explanation of vote by Ambassador James Kariuki at the UN Security Council meeting on Sudan.
• Sudanese forces clash in Khartoum after ceasefire talks break down Press TV 02 Jun 2023 -- Sudan's warring parties have clashed in the capital overnight and into Friday morning after the failure to maintain a ceasefire and ease the humanitarian crisis, which was worsened by the US sanctions.
• UN agency for Palestine refugees on verge of financial collapse UN News 02 Jun 2023 -- The United Nations on Friday appealed for sustainable funding for its agency that supports Palestine refugees, UNRWA, which is on the brink of financial collapse.
• Ethnic Serbs Again Gather In North Kosovo As West Pushes Diplomatic Solution To Crisis RFE/RL 02 Jun 2023 -- Protesters have again gathered in front of municipal buildings in several cities in northern Kosovo as Western diplomats ratchet up pressure on Pristina to hold fresh elections to defuse tensions over the installation of ethnic Albanian mayors that sparked clashes between ethnic Serbs and NATO peacekeepers earlier this week.
• Readout of Principal Deputy National Security Advisor Jon Finer's Call with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic The White House 02 Jun 2023
• Readout of Principal Deputy National Security Advisor Jon Finer's Call with Kosovan Prime Minister Albin Kurti The White House 02 Jun 2023

News Reports

• Four Additional Oath Keepers Sentenced for Seditious Conspiracy Related to U.S. Capitol Breach US Dept. of Justice 02 Jun 2023 -- Four members of the Oath Keepers were sentenced this week on seditious conspiracy and other charges for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Their actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress that was in the process of ascertaining and counting the electoral votes related to the presidential election.
• Counter-Terrorism: EU and Australia hold dedicated dialogue European External Action Service (EEAS) 02 Jun 2023 -- The European Union and Australia held a Counter-Terrorism Dialogue on 2 June in Brussels.
• Huge increase in transnational crime and synthetic drugs in SE Asia requires cross-border cooperation UN News 02 Jun 2023 -- The trafficking in illegal narcotics, precursor chemicals, timber and wildlife, people and illicit goods across Southeast Asia is being tackled thanks to the support of the specialized UN agency focusing on drugs and crime.
• DNI Haines As-Delivered Remarks at GEOINT 2023 Director of National Intelligence 02 Jun 2023
• Russia says U.S. conducts intelligence operation via Apple mobile devices People's Daily 02 Jun 2023 -- Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) said on Thursday that it uncovered a reconnaissance operation by U.S. intelligence agencies carried out with Apple mobile devices.
• Joint Statement of the BRICS Ministers of Foreign Affairs and International Relations, Cape Town, South Africa, 1 June 2023 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 02 Jun 2023
• Putin says certain 'Ill-wishers' are trying to destabilize Russia Press TV 02 Jun 2023 -- President Vladimir Putin has said that certain "ill-wishers" are attempting to destabilize Russia, amid a heightened hostile Western campaign against the country over the Ukraine conflict.
• Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's participation in BRICS Foreign Ministers Meeting Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 02 Jun 2023
• Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's meeting with Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran Hossein Amir-Abdollahian Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 02 Jun 2023
• Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's meeting with Foreign Minister of Brazil Mauro Vieira Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 02 Jun 2023
• Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's meeting with United Arab Emirates Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 02 Jun 2023
• The Week In Russia: Drone Wars RFE/RL 02 Jun 2023 -- An apparent drone attack on Moscow fits President Vladimir Putin's narrative about Russia's war on Ukraine. But more than 15 months into what was meant to be a "special operation" to swiftly subjugate the neighboring nation, it's still another piece of bad news for the Kremlin.
• Report: Secretive Real Estate Holdings On Moscow's Outskirts Linked To Putin Family RFE/RL 02 Jun 2023 -- Family members of Russian President Vladimir Putin quietly acquired several plots of real estate in Moscow's tony western suburbs near his residence, where a series of luxury homes have been built, a new investigation found.
• Navalny's Bizarre Requests, Including Pet Kangaroo, Denied By Russian Prison Authorities In Stilted Language RFE/RL 02 Jun 2023 -- Imprisoned Russian opposition politician Aleksei Navalny on June 2 released excerpts of his correspondence with prison administrators, detailing sarcastic demands for outlandish things such as a bottle of moonshine and a pet kangaroo.
• History Has Been Unexpected Casualty of Russia's War VOA 02 Jun 2023 -- Elizabeth Abosch was in Moscow working on her dissertation when Russia invaded Ukraine last February.
• Xi stresses building modern Chinese civilization People's Daily 02 Jun 2023 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for shouldering new cultural missions and building a modern Chinese civilization.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning's Regular Press Conference on June 2, 2023 PRC MofA 02 Jun 2023
• No dialogue between US, China defense chiefs in Singapore Radio Free Asia 02 Jun 2023 -- A major regional security forum is underway in Singapore amid rising tensions in the South China Sea and East Asia, with in-person communication between defense chiefs from China and the United States remaining shuttered.
• Spain Plays Key Role for West in Relations with China VOA 02 Jun 2023 -- Spain will be looking to leverage its 50-year-old relationship with China to bring a peaceful resolution to Russia's war on Ukraine when it assumes the rotating presidency of the European Union next month.
• US bill seeks 'enhanced' Uyghur genocide sanctions Radio Free Asia 02 Jun 2023 -- A bill introduced into the U.S. Senate on Wednesday would force businesses to disclose links to forced Uyghur labor to the Securities and Exchange Commission and provide funds for those who have escaped the Xinjiang region to counter Chinese propaganda.
• FM: China offers opportunities, not risks People's Daily 02 Jun 2023 -- China offers opportunities to other nations and doesn't pose any risks to them, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said on Thursday, urging the world to understand and watch out for the real risks.
• China makes constant progress in RMB internationalization People's Daily 02 Jun 2023 -- China's Renminbi (RMB) has constantly expanded its international circle of friends as China sees better economic development and a higher level of opening up, playing a more important role in cross-border payment, investment and financing, exchange reserves and invoicing.
• China kicks off first crewed mission for application, development stage of its space station People's Daily 02 Jun 2023 -- China's Shenzhou-16 manned spaceship, atop a Long March-2F carrier rocket, blasted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China at 9:31 a.m. on May 30, sending three astronauts to the country's space station combination.
• Chinese FM warns 'all consequences shall be borne by the US' over signing of 'trade initiative' with Taiwan island Global Times 02 Jun 2023 -- China's Foreign Ministry on Friday once again slammed the US over its signing of the first part of the "Initiative on 21st Century Trade" with the secessionist Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities on the island of Taiwan, and warned that all the consequences will be borne by Washington.
• China says seeks peaceful reunification with Taiwan, but does not rule out force Press TV 02 Jun 2023 -- China will keep working for peaceful unification with Taiwan, with the "most sincere and utmost efforts", but will never give up the option of force, the country's defense minister said.
• PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan Jun. 2, 2023 ROC MND 02 Jun 2023
• Fed up with corruption, North Koreans are attacking police, secret document shows Radio Free Asia 02 Jun 2023 -- Disgruntled North Koreans are lashing out against police corruption by openly protesting against them and in some cases beating officers, according to a local government official who saw a secret document detailing the cases.
• Korean Peninsula: Security Council must find unity to calm rising tensions UN News 02 Jun 2023 -- The "lack of unity and action" in the Security Council "does little to slow the negative trajectory on the Korean Peninsula", Rosemary DiCarlo, Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, said on Friday, following Pyongyang's failed military satellite launch earlier this week.
• UK urges DPRK to cease missile launches, return to dialogue and to take credible steps towards denuclearisation: UK statement at the Security Council UK FCDO 02 Jun 2023 -- Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki at the UN Security Council meeting on North Korea.
• Press Statement of Director General for Int'l Organizations of DPRK Foreign Ministry KCNA 02 Jun 2023 -- Jo Chol Su, director general of the Department of International Organizations of the Foreign Ministry of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, made public the following press statement on Friday:
• It Is Necessary to Heighten Vigilance against NATO's Expansion into Asia-Pacific: International Affairs Analyst of DPRK KCNA 02 Jun 2023 -- Jong Kyong Chol, an international affairs analyst of the DPRK, released the following article "It is necessary to heighten vigilance against NATO's moves to extend its sphere of influence to the Asia-Pacific region" on Friday:
• Iran's Oil Output in March Hits 2.750 Million bpd: IEA IRNA 02 Jun 2023 -- The International Energy Agency (IEA) in its latest report announced that Iran's crude production volume reached 2.75 million barrels per day (bpd) in the fourth month of 2023.
• Iranian FM meets Saudi, Indian counterparts in Cape Town IRNA 02 Jun 2023 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian and his Saudi and Indian counterparts in separate meetings here on Friday, discussed bilateral relations.
• Iran can be reliable partner for BRICS: FM IRNA 02 Jun 2023 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian has said that The Islamic Republic of Iran, along with other like-minded and interested countries, can be a reliable partner for BRICS in future.
• Iran's objectives are in alignment with BRICS's goals: FM Amir-Abdollahian Press TV 02 Jun 2023 -- Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian has said that Iran's objectives are in alignment with those of the BRICS and Tehran -- along with other like-minded countries -- could be a "reliable partner" for the group of emerging economies.
• New U.S. Sanctions Take Aim At Company Responsible For Internet Censorship In Iran RFE/RL 02 Jun 2023 -- The United States has issued fresh sanctions targeting Iranian technology company Arvan Cloud, two employees of the company, and an affiliated firm for their roles in helping Tehran censor the Internet in the country, the Treasury Department said.
• US imposes fresh sanctions on Iran under pretext of 'censorship' accusations Press TV 02 Jun 2023 -- The United States has announced new sanctions against Iran, targeting tech firms and two of their senior employees for their alleged role in "censorship or other activities" on the Internet.
• Designation of Arvan Cloud and Affiliates That Have Aided Internet Censorship in Iran US Dept. of State 02 Jun 2023 -- Today, the United States is announcing additional sanctions in our effort to support the human rights and fundamental freedoms of the Iranian people, including the freedom of expression both online and offline including the freedom to access information via the Internet.
• Treasury Sanctions Iranian Company Aiding in Internet Censorship US Treasury 02 Jun 2023 -- Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is designating the Iran-based technology company known as "Arvan Cloud," two senior employees of Arvan Cloud, and an affiliated company based in the United Arab Emirates for their roles in facilitating the Iranian regime's censorship of the Internet in Iran.
• Security Forces Fire On Protesters In Abdanan Demonstrating Over Student's Death RFE/RL 02 Jun 2023 -- A group of citizens in the western Iranian city of Abdanan, took to the streets chanting anti-government slogans on June 1 to protest the suspicious death of 21-year-old student Bamshad Suleimankhani. Several protesters were injured when security forces opened fire on them, local sources reported.
• Amnesty Blasts Iran's 'Shameless' Use Of Executions For Drug-Related Cases RFE/RL 02 Jun 2023 -- Amnesty International says Iran's prisons have turned into "killing fields" with the number of people executed on drug-related charges almost triple this year compared with 2022, calling it a "shameless rate" that exposes the regime's "lack of humanity."
• Iran says freed Danish prisoner, two Iranians on humanitarian grounds Press TV 02 Jun 2023 -- Iran has freed a Danish prisoner as well as two Iranians on humanitarian grounds, according to a senior judiciary official.
• Days After Belgium Released Iranian Diplomat, Iran Frees One Danish And Two Austrian-Iranian Citizens RFE/RL 02 Jun 2023 -- European governments confirmed on June 2 that one Danish and two Austrian-Iranian citizens have been released by Iran after mediation efforts by Oman and Belgium.
• Progress Reported in Negotiations Over Iran-Afghanistan Water Dispute VOA 02 Jun 2023 -- After weeks of tensions over water rights to the Helmand River that escalated to a deadly clash last week, Iran says it has made progress in negotiations with Afghanistan's Taliban rulers over the shared waterway.
• National League for Democracy minister released from prison in Mandalay Radio Free Asia 02 Jun 2023 -- Myanmar's junta released Set Aung from Yamethin Prison in central Mandalay region on Friday, sources close to him told RFA.
• Time running out to save Myanmar's Rakhine from hunger and disease post-Cyclone Mocha UN News 02 Jun 2023 -- More than two weeks after deadly Cyclone Mocha hit Myanmar, aid access is uncertain, disease is spreading, and a major food crisis remains a very real threat, the UN said on Friday.
• Belarusian Union Activist Sentenced To 42 Months On Charge Of Insulting Lukashenka RFE/RL 02 Jun 2023 -- A court in Minsk has sentenced union activist and genetics scientist Alyaksandr Kandratsyuk to 42 months in prison for allegedly insulting authoritarian ruler Alyaksandr Lukashenka amid an ongoing crackdown on dissent and civil society in Belarus.
• Transcript of Weekly Media Briefing by the Official Spokesperson (June 02, 2023) India MEA 02 Jun 2023
• Transcript of Special Briefing on President's visit to Suriname and Serbia (June 02, 2023) India MEA 02 Jun 2023
• Police arrest president of Pakistan's main opposition party Press TV 02 Jun 2023 -- The president of Pakistan's Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, Chaudhry Pervez Elahi, has been arrested in the eastern city of Lahore on charges of corruption, according to officials.
• Pakistan Allows Barter Trade with Iran, Afghanistan, Russia VOA 02 Jun 2023 -- Pakistan has authorized barter trade with Iran, Afghanistan and Russia on specific goods, including petroleum and gas, to bypass Western sanctions on those countries and ease pressure on its declining foreign exchange reserves.
• Main opposition party delays election protest following threat from Cambodia's leader Radio Free Asia 02 Jun 2023 -- Cambodia's main opposition Candlelight Party has delayed plans for a demonstration following a public threat from Prime Minister Hun Sen to jail the party's vice president and other members.
• U.S. Envoy Warns About Russian Efforts To Use Disinformation To Divide U.S. Allies In Balkans RFE/RL 02 Jun 2023 -- The Kremlin is "weaponizing information" to divide U.S. allies in the Balkans, and media outlets in the region should increase efforts to detect Russian disinformation and distinguish it from the truth, a top U.S. diplomat said on June 1 in an interview with RFE/RL.
• Designation of Laurent Salvador Lamothe - Former Haitian Prime Minister and Minister of Planning and External Cooperation - for Involvement in Significant Corruption US Dept. of State 02 Jun 2023 -- "Today, I am announcing the designation of Laurent Salvador Lamothe, former Haitian Prime Minister and Minister of Planning and External Cooperation, for his involvement in significant corruption."
• Cameroon Officials Say Prominent Traditional Ruler Freed After 18 Months of Separatist Captivity VOA 02 Jun 2023 -- A prominent traditional leader in Cameroon's troubled Northwest region has been freed after 18 months of being held captive by separatists. Government officials say Cameroon's military rescued Fon Kevin Shumitang in battles with separatist fighters, but the fighters insist that they set the traditional ruler free.
• 9 Die in Clashes in Senegal, Following Opposition Leader's Sentencing VOA 02 Jun 2023 -- Nine people were killed in clashes in Senegal on Thursday, after protests erupted following the sentencing of opposition leader Ousmane Sonko.
• Zimbabwe Opposition, Rights Groups Bemoan Passing of 'Patriotic Bill' VOA 02 Jun 2023 -- Opposition and rights groups in Zimbabwe are bemoaning this week's passing of a so-called "Patriotic Bill" by the lower house of parliament, which they say curtails several fundamental freedoms enshrined in the country's constitution.