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News Reports

Current Operations

• DOD Assists Coast Guard in Submersible Search DoD News 20 Jun 2023 -- Defense Department C-130 aircraft have been made available to the U.S. Coast Guard as the United States and Canadian authorities continue to search for a submersible that disappeared in the North Atlantic Ocean, said Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh today.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh Holds a Press Briefing DoD 20 Jun 2023
• African Lion 23: Oregon Army National Guard conducts tank gunnery with Royal Moroccan Army Army News 20 Jun 2023 -- More than two dozen Oregon Army National Guard Soldiers assigned to the 116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team's 3-116th Combined Arms Battalion conducted tank gunnery training with members of the Royal Moroccan Army in the Tan Tan Training Area, June 8-10, during Exercise African Lion 2023.
• Readout of Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, Dr. William LaPlante and Ms. Heidi Shyu, Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, Engagements at the 21st Australia-United States Ministerial Defense Acquisition Committee Meeting DoD 20 Jun 2023
• DOD Enters $13.8 Million Agreement to Expand Domestic Manufacturing to Strengthen U.S. Supply Chains DoD 20 Jun 2023 -- The Department of Defense's Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Base Policy (OASD(IBP)), through its Manufacturing Capability Expansion and Investment Prioritization (MCEIP) Directorate, announced it has entered a $13.8 million agreement with The Timken Company (Timken) to increase production of high-precision ball bearings at its facility in Keene, New Hampshire.
• Ready, Relevant, and Capable: 26th MEU Completes Final Certification Exercise USMC News 20 Jun 2023 -- Marines and Sailors with the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group and 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit participated in their culminating deployment certification event, Composite Training Unit Exercise, aboard the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Bataan, San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS Mesa Verde, and Harpers Ferry-class dock landing ship USS Carter Hall, from May 16 to June 6, 2023.
• Staff talks result in trilateral agreement between 12th Air Force, West Virginia National Guard, Peru US Air Force 20 Jun 2023 -- A trilateral cooperation agreement was signed during a ceremony hosted by the 167th Airlift Wing, West Virginia National Guard, in Martinsburg, June 9th.
• Formidable Force of NMCB 22 Seabees Deploys 5th Time In Support of Nebraska Army National Guard US Navy 20 Jun 2023 -- In a display of unwavering commitment and support, a formidable force of over 175 US Navy Seabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion TWO TWO (NMCB 22) has deployed for the fifth time in as many years to provide essential construction support to the Nebraska Army National Guard (NGNE). The primary objective of their mission is to enhance force operational readiness and training effectiveness by completing crucial infrastructure improvements within a tight 14-day timeline.
• U.S., India Rapidly Expand Their Military Cooperation DoD News 20 Jun 2023 -- This is a transformational moment in the U.S.-India defense partnership, a senior Defense Department official said at the Pentagon today.
• NATO Secretary General visits exercise Air Defender in Germany NATO 20 Jun 2023 -- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg met and thanked personnel participating in exercise Air Defender 2023 together with the German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius at Air Base Jagel in northern Germany on Tuesday (20 June 2023).
• Press release on Russian-Chinese consultations on biological security Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 20 Jun 2023
• Russian Defence Minister General of the Army Sergei Shoigu opening remarks at the Russian Defence Ministry Board session Russia MoD 20 Jun 2023
• Russian Pacific Fleet finishes drills in the off-shore maritime zone Russia MoD 20 Jun 2023 -- Pacific Fleet units finished tasks during tactical drills in the off-shore maritime zone.
• Russia Does Not See CSTO as Counterweight to NATO Sputnik 20 Jun 2023 -- Top Russian Diplomat Sergey Lavrov spoke to journalists after a CSTO foreign ministers' meeting in Minsk in Belarus, which is holding the rotating presidency of the bloc. The regional security organization comprises six former Soviet republics — Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan.
• Reports Claim China in 'Advanced' Talks to Build Training Base in Cuba Sputnik 20 Jun 2023 -- While China has zero combat troops in the Western Hemisphere, the United States has more than 350,000 deployed across the Pacific region, including more than 100 on Taiwan, an island it formally recognizes as being Chinese territory. Washington says it is safeguarding the "rules-based international order" by doing so.
• Ship returns to smiles and waves Australia DOD 20 Jun 2023 -- HMAS Toowoomba has been welcomed back to its home port of Fleet Base West, following a period of operations and international engagements.
• History in the making Australia DOD 20 Jun 2023 -- Quietly and surely, history was made last month when Air Force secured Australia's first delivery of two Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD) courses from the United States Joint Ballistic Missile Defense Education and Training Center (JBTEC).
• Macron calls on Europe to shun US, develop own air defenses Press TV 20 Jun 2023 -- French President Emmanuel Macron has called on European nations to develop their own air defenses, and to move away from relying too much on the United States.
• Iran Navy chief in Pakistan to boost military cooperation Press TV 20 Jun 2023 -- Iranian Navy Commander Rear Admiral Shahram Irani is in Pakistan to discuss ways on improving bilateral cooperation in various military fields.
• India to Give Vietnam Warship as the Two Countries Tighten Defense Ties VOA 20 Jun 2023 -- India has said it will give a naval warship to Vietnam in the latest signal of tightening defense ties between the two countries, which share concerns about China's assertiveness.
• CSTO Foreign Ministers Adopt Statement on Prevention of Arms Race in Space Sputnik 20 Jun 2023 -- The foreign ministers of the member states of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) adopted a statement on the prevention of an arms race in space during a meeting in Minsk on Tuesday, a Sputnik correspondent reported.
• Estonia Signs Five-Way Cooperation Agreement for the Acquisition of Air Defence Missiles Estonia MoD 20 Jun 2023 -- Estonia, Belgium, Cyprus, France, and Hungary signed a cooperation agreement to jointly procure Mistral short-range air defence missile systems. The joint procurement allows Estonia to save costs and expedite delivery.
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken with George Stephanopoulos of ABC Good Morning America US Dept. of State 20 Jun 2023
• Remarks by President Biden at a Campaign Reception The White House 20 Jun 2023 -- "China is real — has real economic difficulties. And the reason why Xi Jinping got very upset in terms of when I shot that balloon down with two boxcars full of spy equipment in it is he didn't know it was there. No, I'm serious. That's what's a great embarrassment for dictators, when they didn't know what happened."
• Readout of National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan's Meeting with Singapore Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan The White House 20 Jun 2023
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken And UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly at a Joint Press Availability US Dept. of State 20 Jun 2023

Defense Industry

• Contracts For June 20, 2023

Other Conflicts

Ukraine Conflict News
• 20 June 2023 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 20 Jun 2023
• World Refugee Day: UN calls for solidarity and inclusion amid record displacement UN News 20 Jun 2023 -- Refugees deserve support and solidarity, not closed borders and pushbacks. That's a reminder from UN chief António Guterres on Tuesday's World Refugee Day, regarding the international community's duty to assist and protect refugees.
• UN's World Refugee Day Celebrates Courage and Contributions of Refugees VOA 20 Jun 2023 -- At a time of growing hostility toward refugees, the United Nations is marking World Refugee Day to honor the courage and contributions to society of people forcibly uprooted from their homes by war, persecution, human rights abuses, climate change and other horrors.
• Taliban Edicts, Donation Decline Prompt $1 Billion Cut in UN Aid to Afghanistan VOA 20 Jun 2023 -- Amid unresolved wrangling with Taliban authorities over women's right to work and education and a decline in donor funding, the United Nations has cut its humanitarian aid request for Afghanistan by more than $1 billion, forcing aid agencies to stop giving critical assistance to millions of people.
• WFP Deputy Executive Director Carl Skau visits Afghanistan, reaffirms WFP's commitment to the Afghan people WFP 20 Jun 2023 -- The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) Deputy Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer Carl Skau visited Afghanistan last week to see first-hand WFP's operations in one of the world's largest humanitarian crises. He witnessed the impact of the latest restrictions on women's employment and of an acute funding crisis which recently forced WFP to cut rations and drastically reduce the number of people it serves with lifesaving assistance.
• UN HRC53: UK statement on human rights situation in Afghanistan UK FCDO 20 Jun 2023 -- Enhanced Interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on human rights situation in Afghanistan. Delivered by UK's Ambassador to the WTO & UN, Simon Manley.
• Designating and Promoting Accountability for Conflict-Related Sexual Violence US Dept. of State 20 Jun 2023 -- Today, the Department of State is designating two ISIS leaders as Specially Designated Global Terrorists, under Executive Order 13224. Both individuals have committed sexual violence against Yezidis and were responsible for the abduction and enslavement of Yezidi women and girls. More than 2,700 women and children, mainly Yezidis, remain unaccounted for.
• Treasury Sanctions Two South Sudanese Officials Responsible for Conflict-Related Sexual Violence US Treasury 20 Jun 2023 -- Today, following the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated two South Sudanese individuals involved in conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) in South Sudan. The two individuals designated today have abused their positions of political and military authority to carry out acts of sexual violence against citizens of South Sudan. Today's designations, along with sanctions on ISIS leaders by the U.S. Department of State, represent the first time that a dedicated focus on conflict-related sexual violence —consistent with the Presidential Memorandum signed by President Biden in November 2022 —has led to the imposition of U.S. sanctions.
• Astana talks: Iranian delegates meet Turkish, Syria, Russia diplomats IRNA 20 Jun 2023 -- Senior aide to the Iranian foreign minister Ali Asghar Khaji has separately met with deputy foreign ministers of Türkiye, Syria, and Russia on the sidelines of the latest round of Astana talks on the Syrian conflict, which this time is also focused on restoring diplomatic relations between Damascus and Ankara.
• Press release оn quadrilateral consultations of Deputy Foreign Ministers of Russia, Iran, Syria and Türkiye Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 20 Jun 2023
• Terror Attack Near Eli and West Bank Violence US Dept. of State 20 Jun 2023
• Israel-Palestine: UN envoy 'deeply alarmed by continuing cycle of violence' UN News 20 Jun 2023 -- The UN's Middle East envoy said on Tuesday he was "deeply alarmed" at the continuing cycle of violence in Israel and Palestine, and "appalled by the continued loss of civilian lives."
• Statement by the Minister of Foreign Affairs on Israeli settlements and the situation in the West Bank Government of Norway 20 Jun 2023 -- The Israeli government decided on 18 June to change and simplify the system for planning and establishing new Israeli settlements in the West Bank.
• Palestinian PM calls on U.S. to take measures to protect two-state solution People's Daily 20 Jun 2023 -- Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Ishtaye on Monday urged the United States to take serious measures to protect the two-state solution and recognize the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.
• Junta announces deaths of 5 people accused of attacking police station Radio Free Asia 20 Jun 2023 -- Junta authorities have announced the deaths of four men and a woman, arrested in connection with an attack on a police station in Myanmar's central Bago region, a local People's Defense Force militia group told RFA this week.
• UN Urges South Sudan to Make Progress Toward Elections VOA 20 Jun 2023 -- The top United Nations official in South Sudan on Tuesday urged leaders in that country to accelerate implementation of the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement, including holding elections late next year.
• The United States Announces Nearly $172 Million in Additional Humanitarian Assistance for Sudan and Neighboring Countries US Dept. of State 20 Jun 2023 -- The United States announced nearly $172 million in additional humanitarian assistance for the people of Sudan and neighboring countries experiencing the impacts of the ongoing humanitarian crisis.
• Women and girls hit hard by attacks on health in Sudan, UN agencies warn WHO 20 Jun 2023
• Panchen Rinpoche wraps up tour of Tibet's Qamdo People's Daily 20 Jun 2023 -- Panchen Erdeni Chos-kyi rGyal-po completed a 13-day tour of Buddhist and social activities in Qamdo City, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region.
• High stakes in Vietnam's Central Highlands Radio Free Asia 20 Jun 2023 -- On June 11, a group of Montagnards in Vietnam's Central Highlands attacked the offices of two communes with small arms and molotov cocktails, killing four policemen, two commune officials, and three civilians. The attackers wounded two other policemen and burnt the commune offices. This prompted an immediate and massive government response.
• 'The Political Agreement for Peace and Stability remains the only viable option to end conflict in the Central African Republic': UK statement at the Security Council UK FCDO 20 Jun 2023 -- Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki at the UN Security Council meeting on the Central African Republic.
• Palais Briefing Note on the Worsening Hunger Situation in DRC WFP 20 Jun 2023 -- This is a summary of what was said by Tomson Phiri, WFP Spokesperson for Southern Africa - to whom quoted text may be attributed - at today's press briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.
• DRC: Lives shattered by violence, displacement and hunger in 'forgotten crisis': WFP UN News 20 Jun 2023 -- UN humanitarians issued an urgent appeal on Tuesday to help millions of people in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) where chronic violence and displacement continue to fuel a dramatic hunger crisis.
• United Nations allocates $20 million to scale up emergency response to food security and nutrition crisis in north-east Nigeria UNOCHA 20 Jun 2023 -- The United Nations has allocated US$20 million from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) and the Nigeria Humanitarian Fund (NHF) to urgently ramp up the humanitarian response to the worsening food security and nutrition crisis in north-east Nigeria.
• Message to the Congress on the Continuation of the National Emergency with Respect to the Western Balkans The White House 20 Jun 2023
• Notice on the Continuation of the National Emergency with Respect to the Western Balkans The White House 20 Jun 2023

News Reports

• Judge Sets August 14 for Start of Trump Trial VOA 20 Jun 2023 -- A U.S. federal judge in Florida on Tuesday set August 14 for the start of the trial of former President Donald Trump on charges he mishandled classified national security documents when his presidency ended. Legal analysts say the complexity of the case could easily delay the first-ever criminal trial of a U.S. leader.
• Federal Jury Convicts Three Defendants of Interstate Stalking of Chinese Nationals in the United States and Two Defendants of Acting or Conspiring to Act on Behalf of the People's Republic of China US Dept. of Justice 20 Jun 2023 -- Earlier today, a federal jury in Brooklyn, New York, convicted three defendants on multiple counts of a superseding indictment charging them with acting and conspiring to act in the United States as illegal agents of the People's Republic of China (PRC), without prior notification to the Attorney General.
• States need to improve criminal asset recovery in combatting money laundering, says MONEYVAL Committee Council of Europe 20 Jun 2023 -- In its annual report for 2022 the Council of Europe's anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing body MONEYVAL warns that the recovery of proceeds from crime across states remains insufficient and calls on governments to step up their efforts to strengthen their national frameworks for asset management and recovery.
• Lavrov says US plots meddling in Russia ahead of 2024 presidential poll Press TV 20 Jun 2023 -- Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has warned of US-led efforts to wage a destabilization movement in the country ahead of its 2024 presidential poll as part of its persisting "vicious practices" of meddling in the domestic affairs of other nations.
• Putin, African Delegation Note Importance of Russian Grain Supplies to Africa - Kremlin Sputnik 20 Jun 2023 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has held a productive conversation with the African delegation, the sides noted the importance of supplies of Russian grain to the poorest countries in Africa, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Tuesday.
• Russia's Mir Payment System Contributes to Emerging Global Finance Network - Maduro Sputnik 20 Jun 2023 -- Venezuela, with the introduction of Russia's Mir bank cards in the country, is participating in the creation of a financial system of the new world, President Nicolas Maduro said.
• Investigation Based On Leaked Emails Shows How Russian Oligarchs Are Avoiding Sanctions RFE/RL 20 Jun 2023 -- An investigation by a group of journalists led by IStories and the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) has revealed details on how Russian President Vladimir Putin's inner circle has scrambled to hide assets amid waves of international sanctions imposed on Russia since it illegally annexed Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula and its subsequent full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
• Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's answers to media questions following a meeting with President of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko, Minsk, June 20, 2023 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 20 Jun 2023
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning's Regular Press Conference on June 20, 2023 PRC MofA 20 Jun 2023
• US claims to have made position clear during Blinken's Beijing visit Radio Free Asia 20 Jun 2023 -- The mood was cautiously buoyant in both the U.S. and China - as well as Taiwan - that U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken's trip to China was the right move in "stabilizing" relations between the two superpowers that have grown increasingly precarious in recent months.
• Blinken Highlights Need for Direct Engagement in US, China Talks VOA 20 Jun 2023 -- U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Monday the United States and China have an obligation to manage their relationship responsibly, and that he told Chinese leaders during meetings in Beijing that direct engagement is the best way to ensure disagreements do not turn into conflict.
• US urged to take actions after Blinken's visit to Beijing Global Times 20 Jun 2023 -- China and the US are on the "right trail," US President Joe Biden said on Monday, as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken wrapped up his two-day visit to Beijing. China and the US agreed to stabilize their relations and keep communication lines open at a time when ties have plummeted to a low level.
• Failure to cooperate is the biggest risk facing China and Germany: Chinese Premier Global Times 20 Jun 2023 -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang stressed that the biggest risk facing China and Germany is a failure to cooperate, and the biggest security threat is failure to develop. Li made the remarks in a meeting with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier on Monday.
• Beijing Welcomes Expansion of BRICS Sputnik 20 Jun 2023 -- China welcomes more countries joining BRICS, because the bloc is committed to strengthening the representation and voice of emerging and developing countries, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Mao Ning said on Tuesday, a day after Bangladesh confirmed that it had applied for membership.
• Qatar Signs Second Long-Term LNG Deal With China in Year Sputnik 20 Jun 2023 -- Qatari state-owned petroleum company QatarEnergy and the China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) on Tuesday signed the second long-term deal on the supply of liquefied natural gas (LNG) between the two countries in less than a year.
• China Cuts Interest Rates in Effort to Boost Flagging Economic Growth VOA 20 Jun 2023 -- Chinese commercial banks lowered interest rates on Tuesday as Beijing seeks ways to boost economic growth, which has been disappointingly slow as the country recovers from pandemic-era lockdowns and supply chain bottlenecks.
• China cuts benchmark lending rate for first time in 10 months, 'more stimulus measures in pipeline to spur recovery' Global Times 20 Jun 2023 -- China on Tuesday cut the benchmark lending rate loan prime rate (LPR) in line with market expectations, ending nine months without change. It marks the third effort to bring down the nation's policy rates within a week, sending a clear signal that China is resolved to spur the still unfolding economic recovery and unleash the growth potentials amid multiple downward pressures ranging from a complex global geopolitical situation and weakening world demand.
• Detained gambling tycoon She Zhijiang faces repatriation to China Radio Free Asia 20 Jun 2023 -- Chinese Communist Party officials appear to be distancing themselves from detained gambling tycoon She Zhijiang, whose casinos have been linked with massive human trafficking and online scam operations in the region, and who faces imminent repatriation to China after being arrested by Thai police in August 2022.
• US urged to avoid misjudgement based on traditional trajectory of Western powers: Chinese FM Global Times 20 Jun 2023 -- The US should have an objective and rational understanding of China, work with China to maintain the political foundation of China-US relations, handle contingencies calmly, professionally and rationally, and jointly manage differences, Yang Tao, director-general of the Department of North American and Oceanian Affairs said on Monday as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken just ended his trip to China.
• World needs stable Sino-US ties, Xi says People's Daily 20 Jun 2023 -- President Xi Jinping has urged the United States to respect China, reject major-country competition and honor the positive statements and consensus made at his meeting with US President Joe Biden last year.
• Payment of Russian crude oil in yuan in line with Pakistan's economic partnership with China, based on mutual trust: ambassador Global Times 20 Jun 2023 -- The transaction of Pakistan's first government-to-government import of discounted Russian crude oil in Chinese yuan is in line with Pakistan's practical and broad-based economic partnership with China and is based on our strong mutual trust and win-win cooperation, Pakistani Ambassador to China Moin ul Haque told the Global Times in an exclusive interview on Monday.
• ROC Constitution does not mention 'Taiwan independence': Hou Yu-ih CNA 20 Jun 2023 -- Opposition Kuomintang (KMT) presidential nominee Hou Yu-ih (侯友宜) said Monday that the Republic of China (ROC) Constitution, "which does not contain the phrase, 'Taiwan Independence'," is the broadest consensus of the Taiwanese people on cross-Strait issues.
• Taiwan welcomes Blinken reaffirmation of U.S. support during China trip CNA 20 Jun 2023 -- The Taiwan government on Tuesday expressed gratitude for United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken's reiteration of Washington's support for cross-Strait peace, and its security commitment toward Taipei, during a recent China trip where he met with Chinese leader Xi Jinping (習近平) in an attempt to ease Sino-U.S. tensions.
• Chinese anti-submarine helicopters detected in Taiwan's ADIZ CNA 20 Jun 2023 -- A total of four Chinese military anti-submarine helicopters were detected in Taiwan's Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) over the past three days, the Ministry of National Defense (MND) said Tuesday.
• PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan Jun. 20, 2023 ROC MND 20 Jun 2023
• "Taiwan independence" separatists severely damage peace in Taiwan Strait: mainland official People's Daily 20 Jun 2023 -- "Taiwan independence" separatists' collusion with external forces instigates cross-Strait confrontation, and causes severe damage to the peace in the Taiwan Strait and the interests and benefits of people on both sides of the Strait, said a mainland official Monday.
• Mainland's Taiwan affairs official meets KMT vice chairman People's Daily 20 Jun 2023 -- Song Tao, head of both the Taiwan Work Office of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, on Sunday met with Andrew Hsia, vice chairman of the Chinese Kuomintang (KMT) party, in the eastern city of Xiamen.
• Message to the Congress on the Continuation of the National Emergency with Respect to North Korea The White House 20 Jun 2023
• Notice on the Continuation of the National Emergency with Respect to North Korea The White House 20 Jun 2023
• Raeisi: Iran not tying progress to talks, should become immune to sanctions Press TV 20 Jun 2023 -- Iran's president has said his administration does not tie the country's progress to underway talks aimed at the potential removal of United States-led sanctions against Tehran.
• Raisi says sanctions harm people more than governments IRNA 20 Jun 2023 -- Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has said that sanctions are ostensibly imposed on governments of countries, but in practice, all the pressure is suffered by the people of those countries.
• IRGC forces neutralize explosive device in Iran's Alborz IRNA 20 Jun 2023 -- The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) forces have discovered and neutralized an explosive device in Hashtgerd City in the northern province of Alborz.
• Qatar seeks comprehensive development of ties with Iran: Qatari emir tells visiting FM Press TV 20 Jun 2023 -- Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani says his country seeks comprehensive development of relations with Iran, while hailing the existing "strong" ties between the two nations.
• Iranian Group Says Letter Reveals Prosecutor Knew Of Naked Body Searches Of Female Prisoners RFE/RL 20 Jun 2023 -- The Iranian hacktivist group Edalat-e Ali has published documents that it says show that a top Iranian prosecutor confirmed that a "full naked body inspection" of a female political prisoner had taken place at a police detention center.
• Saudi FM's Iran visit major step in bilateral ties, regional cooperation, say experts People's Daily 20 Jun 2023 -- The Saudi Arabian foreign minister's visit to Iran marks a major step towards normalization of ties and signals greater regional cooperation, said analysts.
• Arrested - or beaten - for wearing flowers to mark Aung San Suu Kyi's birthday Radio Free Asia 20 Jun 2023 -- Across Myanmar, more than 130 people were arrested - and others were beaten - on Monday for wearing flowers, residents told Radio Free Asia.
• Analysts: Thailand's talks with Myanmar military expose ASEAN divisions Radio Free Asia 20 Jun 2023 -- Thailand's decision to hold talks with Myanmar's military has again tested the unity of Southeast Asia's main regional bloc, analysts said, questioning why the Thai government called the meeting especially after being trounced in last month's election.
• Prime Minister's departure statement ahead of his visit to USA and Egypt India MEA 20 Jun 2023
• U.S. Prepared To Raise Russian Oil, Arms Purchases Even While Feting Modi During State Visit RFE/RL 20 Jun 2023 -- White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said there will be "deliverables" on the defense cooperation front when Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits Washington later this week, but declined to provide details.
• 5th Round of Pakistan-Russia Bilateral Political Consultations Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs 20 Jun 2023 -- The fifth round of Pakistan-Russia Bilateral Political Consultations was held in Islamabad on 20 June 2023. Foreign Secretary Dr. Asad Majeed Khan and Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko, led their respective sides. Special Representative on Afghanistan, Ambassador Zamir Kabulov was also part of the Russian delegation.
• Pakistan Signs $4.8 Billion Nuclear Power Plant Deal With China VOA 20 Jun 2023 -- Pakistan and China signed a $4.8 billion deal Tuesday to build what would be the seventh Chinese nuclear power plant in the South Asian nation.
• Mayor Of Town In North Macedonia Banned From Entering U.S. For Alleged Corruption RFE/RL 20 Jun 2023 -- The U.S. State Department has blacklisted a prominent politician in North Macedonia for alleged corruption in the latest move by President Joe Biden's administration to toughen its stance on global graft.
• Designation of Ramiz Merko, Mayor of Struga, North Macedonia, for Significant Corruption US Dept. of State 20 Jun 2023 -- The United States is designating the mayor of the municipality of Struga, North Macedonia, Ramiz Merko, as generally ineligible for entry into the United States, due to his involvement in significant corruption.
• State of the Nation Address by Gitanas Nausėda, President of the Republic of Lithuania President of the Republic of Lithuania 20 Jun 2023