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Defense Policy / Programs

• Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III Remarks Welcoming Defense Minister of North Macedonia Slavjanka Petrovska to the Pentagon DoD 12 Jun 2023
• U.S., North Macedonia Defense Officials Hold Bilateral Talks, Lay Out 10-Year Roadmap for Defense Ties DoD News 12 Jun 2023 -- Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III and the Defense Minister of North Macedonia, Slavjanka Petrovska, pledged to further solidify the two countries' defense relationship today during a meeting at the Pentagon.
• Defense Civilian Training Corps Kick-Off Marks Milestone in Strengthening DOD Civilian Acquisition Workforce DoD News 12 Jun 2023 -- On June 8, the Defense Department marked a new milestone in its commitment to modernizing the acquisition workforce with the launch of the Defense Civilian Training Corps. This pioneering initiative aims to prepare competitively selected students for public service in vital DOD acquisition-related occupations and improve talent readiness in DOD critical skill areas. The first cohort will begin in August 2023, and will comprise approximately 80 students from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, Purdue University, the University of Arizona and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.
• AF hosts humanitarian aid disaster relief training exercise for AOCs, historic first FAA participation US Air Force 12 Jun 2023 -- Airmen from the 505th Combat Training Squadron recently executed a Regional Air Movement Coordination Center exercise to test the capabilities of air operations centers and train two air component specialty teams to respond to a humanitarian aid/disaster relief, or HA/DR, operations at Hurlburt Field.
• Egypt Turns Over Command of Multinational Red Sea Task Force US Navy 12 Jun 2023 -- The Egyptian Navy turned over command of a multinational Red Sea task force to the U.S. Navy, June 12, six months after Egypt began leading the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) operational staff for the first time.
• U.S. Navy Assists Mariners Experiencing Engine Trouble in Gulf of Oman US Navy 12 Jun 2023 -- The U.S. Navy assisted seven stranded mariners from Oman and the United Arab Emirates, June 11, after their fishing vessel experienced engine trouble in the Gulf of Oman.
• Multinational Marine Forces Conduct Amphibious Operations During BALTOPS 23 US Navy 12 Jun 2023 -- U.S. Marines from Golf Company embarked aboard the British Royal Navy's amphibious assault ship HMS Albion (L14) as part of exercise Baltic Operations 2023 (BALTOPS 23) in Tallinn, Estonia, on June 1 to work alongside Royal Marines throughout the two-week exercise.
• Tennessee National Guard Joins Exercise with Bulgarian Partners Army News 12 Jun 2023 -- Approximately 70 Soldiers and Airmen from the Tennessee National Guard landed in Bulgaria June 11 to begin the international joint readiness exercise Thracian Sentry 2023.
• New York National Guard Unit Deploys to Eastern Europe Army News 12 Jun 2023 -- Thirty-five New York Army National Guard Soldiers marked the beginning of their deployment to Eastern Europe following weeks of training and fulfilling readiness requirements.
• US Space Force Needs Systems to Disrupt, Degrade Other Nations' Satellites - General Sputnik 12 Jun 2023 -- The US Space Force needs to develop capabilities to degrade the space-based capabilities of other, potential adversary nations, Vice Chief of Space Operations Gen. David Thompson told a meeting at the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies on Monday.
• Outgoing NATO Chief Stoltenberg to Visit White House Tuesday VOA 12 Jun 2023 -- U.S. President Joe Biden is set to meet outgoing NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg at the White House on Tuesday as jockeying to secure Stoltenberg's successor intensifies.
• NATO Members Developing Military Helicopter Based on Ukraine Conflict Lessons - Reports Sputnik 12 Jun 2023 -- A group of six NATO member countries seek to get a new multi-role helicopter by 2035 in a bid to refresh their military capabilities while manufacturers are already drawing lessons from the ongoing conflict in Ukraine to develop concepts of the new rotary machine, a American website reported on Monday.
• NATO's Largest Air Force Exercise Air Defender 23 Starts in Germany Sputnik 12 Jun 2023 -- NATO's multinational exercise, Air Defender 23, the largest air force deployment in the bloc's history, has started in Germany, involving 10,000 personnel and hundreds of aircraft from 25 countries, the alliance said on Monday.
• Germany hosts biggest ever air exercise of NATO forces NATO 12 Jun 2023 -- Allied air forces began the largest deployment exercise in NATO's history on Monday (12 June 2023). Twenty-five nations are taking part in the two-week long "Air Defender" exercise, with around 10,000 personnel and 250 aircraft.
• Finland Completes Military Integration With NATO Sputnik 12 Jun 2023 -- The head of the Finnish Defense Forces and the NATO supreme allied commander in charge of transformation signed a declaration on Monday, marking the closure of the Nordic nation's military integration with NATO.
• Deputy Secretary General addresses Space Fest in Romania NATO 12 Jun 2023 -- Speaking at the Space FEST conference in Bucharest on Monday, Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoana said that "competition in space is fierce and is becoming fiercer" and that "this has implications for our economy, but also for our security".
• States invest in nuclear arsenals as geopolitical relations deteriorate—New SIPRI Yearbook out now SIPRI 12 Jun 2023 -- The nine nuclear-armed states—the United States, Russia, the United Kingdom, France, China, India, Pakistan, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea) and Israel—continue to modernize their nuclear arsenals and several deployed new nuclear-armed or nuclear-capable weapon systems in 2022.
• Think Tanks Say Nuclear Arsenals Expanded, Modernized Last Year RFE/RL 12 Jun 2023 -- Nuclear-armed states have continued to expand and modernize their atomic arsenals amid a deterioration of the world's geopolitical situation, investing huge sums of money diverted from other development goals, an influential think tank said in a report published on June 12.
• Global Nuclear Arsenals Growing Amid Increased Tensions - SIPRI Sputnik 12 Jun 2023 -- The nine nuclear powers continued to increase or modernize their atomic weapon stockpiles in 2022 as the fallout from the Ukraine conflict undermined nuclear diplomacy, a fresh report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) claimed on Monday.
• Visit to Vishnevsky Central Military Clinical Hospital President of Russia 12 Jun 2023
• Akhmat volunteer detachment signs a contract with the Russian Ministry of Defence Russia MoD 12 Jun 2023 -- The Akhmat volunteer detachment trained by the Russian Special Forces University has signed a contract with the Russian Ministry of Defence as part of the implementation of an order of the Russian Defence Minister defining the procedure for organising the service activities of volunteer organisations.
• Ukraine Urges Germany to Spare 'Many More' Leopard Tanks After Military Setback Sputnik 12 Jun 2023 -- Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrii Melnyk says Germany has the capacity to triple the number of Leopard 2 main battle tanks supplied to Kiev.
• US Providing $325 Million More in Aid for Ukraine VOA 12 Jun 2023 -- The United States is providing up to $325 million in additional military aid for Ukraine, a U.S. defense official tells VOA.
• Raytheon to Give Ukraine 5 Patriot Systems by End of 2024 Sputnik 12 Jun 2023 -- Raytheon Technologies plans to deliver five more air defense systems to Ukraine by the end of 2024, its chief executive said.
• Experts refute foreign speculations, accusations about China's nuclear arsenal modernization Global Times 12 Jun 2023 -- Chinese experts on Monday refuted foreign speculations and accusations on China's nuclear arsenal modernization program. They emphasized that China having a credible nuclear force contributes to global peace and stability amidst global tensions and pressure from the United States.
• PLA deploy new support equipment to Qinghai-Xizang Plateau to participate in actual combat training Global Times 12 Jun 2023 -- New support equipment has been unveiled at the training ground at an altitude of 4,700 meters Qinghai-Xizang Plateau in Xining, Northwest China's Qinghai Province, including support modules for oil, medical service, camping and supplies to provide emergency support for mobile troops along the way.
• Weimar Triangle - "Our strength lies in unity" Germany - Federal Government 12 Jun 2023 -- Putin has to realise at long last that his plan has failed and he must stop the war in Ukraine immediately: this is what Federal Chancellor Scholz called for at his meeting with the French and Polish Presidents in the context of the Weimar Triangle format in Paris. He added that Russia's President had underestimated the unity of the West.
• V4 Defence Ministers met in the High Tatras to discuss aid to Ukraine and common projects Czech Republic Ministry of Defence & Armed Forces 12 Jun 2023 -- Hungary will join the Czech Republic and Poland in protecting Slovak airspace. The declaration was signed at the V4 meeting in Štrbské Pleso by the four Defence Ministers. This working meeting included the participation of Germany on this occasion. Minister of Defence Jana Černochová was represented by Deputy Minister Daniel Blažkovec.
• We strengthen cooperation of countries within the Visegrad Group Republic of Poland 12 Jun 2023 -- On June 12, Deputy Prime Minister Mariusz Blaszczak attended a meeting of the defense ministers of the Visegrad Group countries in Štrbské Pleso (Slovakia). The meeting of the heads of defense ministries of Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary marks the conclusion of the Slovakian chairmanship of the V4, during which the V4 Group's activities over the past year were summarized.
• Safeguarding Slovak skies becomes a joint Visegrad Four (V4) project MOD - Slovak Republic 12 Jun 2023 -- Hungary is joining forces with Czechia and Poland to secure airspace over Slovakia. Today's signing of the Joint Declaration of the Visegrad Group Countries on their Shared Commitment to Protect the Airspace of the Slovak Republic marks the start of a real Visegrad Four (V4) project with participation from the Czech, Polish and Hungarian Air Forces - that speaks to the importance of this regional format of cooperation.
• INDO-MALDIVES JOINT MILITARY EXERCISE "EKUVERIN" COMMENCED AT CHAUBATIA, UTTARAKHAND India PIB 12 Jun 2023 -- The 12th edition of joint military exercise "Ex Ekuverin" between the Indian Army & the Maldives National Defence Force has commenced at Chaubatia, Uttarakhand from 11 to 24 June 2023. Ekuverin meaning 'Friends' is a bilateral annual exercise conducted alternatively in India and Maldives.
• IRGC vessels equipped with 2,000-km-range missiles IRNA 12 Jun 2023 -- Commander of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps' Navy Rear Admiral Alireza Tangsiri has said that the IRGC has for the first time equipped its vessels with domestically-made missiles that have a range of up to 2,000 kilometers.
• Japan extends order to target any N Korean projectile ahead of satellite launch Press TV 12 Jun 2023 -- Japan has extended a military alert to shoot down any North Korean ballistic missile, rocket or debris approaching the island nation ahead of Pyongyang's anticipated next satellite launch.
• What are Japan's New 'Defensive' Anti-Ship Cruise Missile Targets? Sputnik 12 Jun 2023 -- Japan has kicked off a new project under the banner of "island defense" within the framework of the nation's military reinforcement plan.
• Data on interceptions of aircraft completed near the Baltic States' borders on June 5-11, 2023 Lithuania MND 12 Jun 2023
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken At the U.S.-India Business Council's India Ideas Summit US Dept. of State 12 Jun 2023
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken and Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani at a Joint Press Availability US Dept. of State 12 Jun 2023
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre and NSC Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby The White House 12 Jun 2023

Defense Industry

• Contracts For June 12, 2023

Other Conflicts

Ukraine Conflict News
• 12 June 2023 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 12 Jun 2023
• At a Memorandum of Understanding Signing Ceremony with the #AfghanEvac Coalition US Dept. of State 12 Jun 2023
• Joint statement by Canada and the Kingdom of the Netherlands on instituting proceedings at International Court of Justice to hold Syria to account for torture Canada 12 Jun 2023 -- The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Wopke Hoekstra, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, today issued the following joint statement:
• Filing of application at the ICJ Canada 12 Jun 2023 -- Canada has supported accountability and transitional justice initiatives that aim to hold the Assad regime and other parties in the conflict accountable for the countless human rights violations it has inflicted on the Syrian people since at least 2011.
• The Netherlands and Canada to bring case against Syria before International Court of Justice Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs 12 Jun 2023 -- Together with Canada, the Netherlands will be instituting proceedings against Syria before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for torture and other cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment and punishment of its own population. This is the next step in a process invoking state responsibility that started in September 2020.
• More than 5,000 people flee villages in Myanmar's Tanintharyi region Radio Free Asia 12 Jun 2023 -- More than 5,000 people have fled their homes in Myanmar's southernmost Tanintharyi region, locals told RFA Monday.
• FM spox says Persian Gulf islands are inseparable parts of Iran IRNA 12 Jun 2023 -- Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nasser Kanaani describes three Iranian islands of Abu Musa, the Greater Tunb, and the Lesser Tunb as inseparable parts of the Islamic Republic's soil.
• Indian gov't forms committee for peace-making in violence-hit state People's Daily 12 Jun 2023 -- India's federal government Saturday set up a peace committee for the strife-torn state of Manipur which has been witnessing month-long violent clashes leaving nearly 100 people dead and over 300 others injured.
• UN Mechanism reaches 'watershed moment' in prosecuting crimes in Rwanda and former Yugoslavia UN News 12 Jun 2023 -- Although the UN tribunal prosecuting decades-old war crimes in Rwanda and the Former Yugoslavia is moving closer to completion, much remains to be done, the Security Council heard on Monday.
• 'Immense tragedy' underscores need to address unexploded ordnance danger in Somalia UN News 12 Jun 2023 -- Greater efforts are needed to protect civilians in Somalia from unexploded weapons of war, the UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS) said on Monday in the wake of a recent deadly incident in the south of the country.

News Reports

• Trump Set to Be Arraigned on Federal Indictment VOA 13 Jun 2023 -- Former President Donald Trump arrived at his golf club outside Miami on Monday ahead of his arraignment on charges stemming from his alleged mishandling of classified national security documents after he left the White House in 2021.
• Lebanese security forces detain journalist on suspicion of spying for Israel Press TV 12 Jun 2023 -- Lebanon's security forces have arrested a Lebanese journalist, who used to work for a number of Lebanese and international media outlets, on suspicion of collaborating with the Israeli regime.
• US: China Upgraded Cuban Spy Operations in 2019 VOA 12 Jun 2023 -- U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Monday that China conducted an upgrade of its intelligence collection facilities in Cuba in 2019.
• US officials and media once again stage a farce regarding alleged 'Chinese spy base in Cuba' Global Times 12 Jun 2023 -- US officials and media once again staged a farce regarding the alleged "Chinese spy base in Cuba" by spreading contradictory information, said the Chinese Foreign Ministry in response to US' groundless accusation that China uses a secrete base in Cuba to spy on the US.
• 'We're In This With You': Declassified Clinton Memos Show A Path For Russian Relations That Wasn't To Be RFE/RL 12 Jun 2023 -- One day after Russians voted in a national referendum that served as a vote of confidence in President Boris Yeltsin's wobbly presidency, his U.S. counterpart gave him a call.
• Berlin to Face Production Cuts If Russian Gas Stops Flowing Via Ukraine - Economy Minister Sputnik 12 Jun 2023 -- Germany will have to reduce or curtail its industrial production if Russia and Ukraine fail to extend the deal on transit of gas that is due to expire in 2024, Economy Minister Robert Habeck said on Monday.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin's Regular Press Conference on June 12, 2023 PRC MofA 12 Jun 2023
• Cuba spy base revelations may jeopardize Blinken China visit Radio Free Asia 12 Jun 2023 -- China has reacted forcefully to reports of an alleged Chinese "electronic eavesdropping facility" on Cuba, claiming that the "smearing" of China jeopardizes an anticipated Beijing visit by U.S. top diplomat Antony Blinken.
• US move to add two Chinese entities for so-called forced labor groundless: MOFCOM Global Times 12 Jun 2023 -- The recent announcement by the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that it has added two Chinese entities to the "entity list" for the so-called Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act lacks factual basis, transparency, and is an act of unilateral bullying disguised as "human rights," and China firmly opposes this, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) said Monday.
• Chinese FM lambastes US-led statement on 'economic coercion' Global Times 12 Jun 2023 -- The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday blasted a statement from the US and five of its allies about "trade-related economic coercion and non-market-oriented policies and practices," saying the statement looks more like describing the US.
• Beijing slams new Iran-related US sanctions on Chinese entities Press TV 12 Jun 2023 -- Beijing has slammed the new Iran-related sanctions imposed by the United States on Chinese targets, urging Washington to stop its unreasonable suppression of Chinese entities and people.
• Xi meets Castro, guiding China-Honduras relations to new high level Global Times 12 Jun 2023 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping held a meeting with visiting Honduran President Iris Xiomara Castro Sarmiento in the Great Hall of the People on Monday, as Castro became the first Honduran president to make a state visit to China, opening a new historical chapter in China-Honduras relations. Officials and experts hailed the meeting as significant as it set the tone for bilateral relations and injected new momentum into bilateral cooperation, bringing it to a higher level.
• Banned anthem 'Glory to Hong Kong' gets global airing on protest anniversary Radio Free Asia 12 Jun 2023 -- Exiled protesters have been singing the banned anthem 'Glory to Hong Kong' in cities around the world to mark the fourth anniversary of the start of the 2019 mass protest movement, which falls on Monday.
• U.S. backs Taiwan presidential hopefuls in seeking dialogue with China: Envoy CNA 12 Jun 2023 -- The de facto United States ambassador to Taiwan said last week that Washington supports Taiwan's presidential candidates in seeking to establish dialogue with China as it believes communication would ease ongoing cross-Taiwan Strait tensions.
• Allowing collusion with secessionists 'not in interests of Europe,' experts warn, as Taiwan regional officials set off for Europe Global Times 12 Jun 2023 -- The series of visits to Europe by Taiwan regional officials, including the head of its external affairs authority leader Joseph Wu, reflects the anxiety of DPP authorities to seek more "international space." However, by allowing collusion with the Taiwan secessionists, Europe will only end up shooting itself in the foot, experts warned on Monday.
• DPP's move of stigmatizing, obstructing Straits Forum strongly condemned Global Times 12 Jun 2023 -- The Labor Party, an opposition party on the Taiwan island, strongly condemned Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities' move to stigmatize and obstruct the Straits Forum - the biggest communication event across the Taiwan Straits - and disregard public desire of avoiding conflict and seeking exchanges.
• PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan Jun. 12, 2023 ROC MND 12 Jun 2023
• Measures Taken to Protect Crops from El Nino KCNA 12 Jun 2023 -- The agricultural officials and workers in the DPRK take practical measures to cope with the disastrous abnormal weather due to El Nino.
• North Korea's leader vows to 'hold hands' with Russia's Putin for cooperation Press TV 12 Jun 2023 -- North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un says he will "hold hands" with President Vladimir Putin of Russia, offering "full support and solidarity" to Moscow.
• Greetings to Russian President KCNA 12 Jun 2023 -- Kim Jong Un , president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, sent a message of greeting to Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, president of the Russian Federation, on Monday.
• Iran seeks outcomes from nuclear deal revival talks: Spox IRNA 12 Jun 2023 -- The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman said that Tehran has never left negotiations with world powers on securing a revival of its 2015 nuclear deal, which is known as the JCPOA, adding that the country has always shown that it is ready to hold talks to achieve outcomes that could serves its national interests.
• Iran says never left negotiating table, always ready to strike deal on JCPOA Press TV 12 Jun 2023 -- Iran has never left the negotiation table and has shown seriousness to reach a conclusion on reviving the 2015 Iran nuclear agreement, the Foreign Ministry spokesman says.
• Iran has vision to commercialize nuclear research: Nuclear spokesman IRNA 12 Jun 2023 -- The spokesman for the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Behrouz Kamalvandi says the organization has a vision to bring its nuclear research to the industrial level by commercializing its products and services.
• Iran advisor denies reports about direct, secret talks with US Press TV 12 Jun 2023 -- An advisor to the Iranian negotiating team has rejected reports about direct talks between Iran and the United States but confirmed "indirect" bilateral negotiations through parties including Oman and the United Nations.
• Iran reacts to statement of ministerial meeting of Persian Gulf Cooperation Council ISNA 12 Jun 2023 -- Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman, Nasser Kanaani has reacted to the statement of the 156th meeting of the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council foreign ministers, stressing the regional strategy and principled policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in strengthening and deepening ties with countries of the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council and development of the neighborly principle.
• President Raisi arrives in Caracas at start of Latin American tour IRNA 12 Jun 2023 -- Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has arrived in the Venezuelan capital Caracas at the start of a Latin American tour.
• President Raeisi arrives in Caracas on first stop of Latin American tour Press TV 12 Jun 2023 -- Iranian President Ebrahim Raeisi has arrived in the Venezuelan capital of Caracas, the first leg of a five-day tour of Latin American countries.
• Iran's President Raeisi sets off on groundbreaking tour of three Latin American nations Press TV 12 Jun 2023 -- Iranian President Ebrahim Raeisi has left Tehran on a tour of three Latin American countries, saying they share Iran's views on opposing hegemony and unilateralism.
• Expansion of China-Iran deal will improve both nations' livelihood: Envoy Press TV 12 Jun 2023 -- The Chinese ambassador to Iran says the expansion of a 25-year comprehensive strategic partnership agreement between the two countries will be beneficial to the livelihood of both nations.
• Myanmar's junta met jailed NLD chief Suu Kyi twice to discuss peace Radio Free Asia 12 Jun 2023 -- Myanmar's junta has met at least twice with Aung San Suu Kyi, the jailed head of the deposed National League for Democracy, to enlist her help in peace negotiations with the armed resistance, only to be rebuffed by the former state counselor, Radio Free Asia has learned.
• Junta ban on private oil wells could affect 300,000 owners and workers Radio Free Asia 12 Jun 2023 -- Myanmar's junta last week issued an order shutting down all privately operated oil wells in a the central Magway region, a move that could affect as many as 300,000 workers in the industry.
• Humanitarian Access Suspended in Cyclone-Ravaged Rakhine State UNOCHA 12 Jun 2023 -- One month after Cyclone Mocha hit western Myanmar with brutal force, the State Administration Council has suspended humanitarian access in Rakhine State, crippling life-saving aid distributions to affected communities.
• Notice on the Continuation of the National Emergency With Respect to Belarus The White House 12 Jun 2023
• Message to the Congress on the Continuation of the National Emergency With Respect to Belarus The White House 12 Jun 2023
• Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's address to the citizens of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between our countries, Moscow, June 12, 2023 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 12 Jun 2023
• Can Russian Crude Ease Pakistan's Economic Woes? VOA 12 Jun 2023 -- Pakistani authorities are touting the arrival of the first shipment of discounted Russian crude oil as "transformative," however, analysts say the extent of relief it will bring the country's crisis-riddled economy is not clear.
• Venezuelan refinery to resume operations on eve of Raisi's visit IRNA 12 Jun 2023 -- Production operations in Venezuela's El Palito refinery which stopped about a year ago is expected to resume on Monday with financial and technical assistance provided by Iran and on the eve of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi's visit to the Latin American country.
• Montenegro's parliamentary elections pluralistic and well-run but legal reform still needed, international observers say OSCE 12 Jun 2023 -- Montenegro's early parliamentary elections were competitive and voters were offered a wide range of choices, but the process was weakened by legislative shortcomings as well as divisive campaign rhetoric and a polarized media environment, international observers said in a statement today.
• Chinese Highway Project In Georgia Brings Hope, Scandal, And Change RFE/RL 12 Jun 2023 -- Over the past 30 years, as Georgia has endured civil war, the loss of two regions to Moscow-backed separatists during a brief Russian invasion in 2008, and economic upheaval, Zoya Giorgadze has continued to sell her traditional handmade ceramics from a roadside stall near the village of Shrosha.
• As Anti-War Russians Flock to Georgia, Tbilisi Warms to Moscow VOA 12 Jun 2023 -- Koshini's rooftop bar serves up local wine and a stunning view of Tbilisi, bathed, one recent evening, in a rosy sunset. The clientele sipping cocktails are not hip young locals, but Russians.
• Wider Europe Briefing: What Can Ukraine Expect At NATO's Vilnius Summit? Plus, The EU's New Migration Quandary RFE/RL 12 Jun 2023
• Bulgaria's Judicial Council Votes to Dismiss Geshev As Chief Prosecutor, Await President's Signature RFE/RL 12 Jun 2023 -- Bulgaria has moved to dismiss powerful Prosecutor-General Ivan Geshev halfway through his seven-year term amid growing domestic and Western frustration with his failure to tackle endemic corruption.
• Romanian Prime Minister Transfer Moves Forward Following Settlement Of Teacher Strike RFE/RL 12 Jun 2023 -- Romanian Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca on June 12 submitted his resignation as part of a scheduled plan to swap premiers following the 2020 parliamentary elections that left the two leading parties with near-equal strength.
• Burkina Faso: UNICEF to reach 5 million people in one month with lifesaving interventions and information for children UNICEF 12 Jun 2023 -- Between 9 June and 18 July, UNICEF and partners will reach at least 5 million people, including adolescents and youths, across Burkina Faso with lifesaving interventions and information on the prevention of child malnutrition and waterborne diseases, while also promoting exclusive breastfeeding, birth registration, and boys' and girls' education.
• Nigeria Cuts Its Citizens' Fuel Subsidy VOA 12 Jun 2023 -- Nigeria's new president has officially ended the country's fuel subsidy to its citizens.
• Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi Dies at 86 VOA 12 Jun 2023 -- Silvio Berlusconi, the controversial and colorful former prime minister of Italy, died Monday in a hospital in Milan. He was 86.