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Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• U.S. Forces provide assistance to Somalia National Army AFRICOM 17 Aug 2023 -- At the request of the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted a collective self-defense airstrike in a remote area near Cali Heele, approximately 244 kilometers North East of Mogadishu, Somalia against al-Shabaab terrorists on August 15.
• DOD Personnel Working With Hawaii, FEMA Officials to Speed Relief to Maui DoD News 17 Aug 2023 -- Almost 700 DOD personnel and 140 Coast Guardsmen are part of the coordinated response to the Maui wildfires that killed more than 100 people and destroyed the city of Lahaina last week, Pentagon Press Secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder said today.
• Nevada Air Guard helps battle western wildfires US Air Force 17 Aug 2023 -- The Nevada Air National Guard will support wildland firefighting operations in several western states at the request of the National Interagency Fire Center.

Defense Policy / Programs

• DOD Unveils Collaborative Biodefense Reforms in Posture Review DoD 17 Aug 2023 -- Today, DOD released the Biodefense Posture Review, outlining reforms aimed to posture the department to fight and win in the face of future biothreats.
• Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder Holds a Press Briefing DoD 17 Aug 2023
• Elizabeth Foster, Executive Director, Office of Force Resiliency and Sexual Assault Prevention Response Office, and Dr. Andra Tharp, Senior Prevention Advisor for the Department's Office of Force Resiliency and SAPRO, Off-Camera, On-the-Record Media Roundtable DoD 17 Aug 2023
• Department of Defense Releases Actions to Transform Climate and Enhance Prevention of Harmful Behaviors at Military Service Academies DoD 17 Aug 2023 -- Today, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin directed multiple actions to transform climate and enhance prevention of harmful behaviors at the Military Service Academies (MSAs).
• Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks Statement on Blended-Wing-Body Aircraft Prototype DoD 17 Aug 2023
• General Says Deterring Two 'Near Peer' Competitors Is Complex DoD News 17 Aug 2023 -- U.S. Strategic Command is focusing on extended deterrence during a time when the country faces two near-peer rivals, said Air Force Gen. Anthony J. Cotton yesterday. The command continually assesses the threats and examines the command "for sizing and the right force posture to meet the challenges which we would face," he said during U.S. Strategic Command's Deterrence Symposium in Omaha, Nebraska.
• 26th MEU(SOC) Bravo Command Element and Italian San Marco Brigade Marines Strengthen Interoperability in the High North USMC News 17 Aug 2023 -- Elements of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group and 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit's (Special Operations Capable) Bravo Command Element are training alongside Norwegian Soldiers, from Brigade North, and Italian Marines, from San Marco Brigade, during a Norwegian bilateral training exercise.
• Military Sealift Command's USNS Millinocket Aids Vessel In Distress US Navy 17 Aug 2023 -- Military Sealift Command's (MSC) expeditionary fast transport USNS Millinocket (T EPF 3) rendered assistance to a distressed small leisure boat in the vicinity of Darwin, Australia, Aug. 8.
• Farewell, FLIP! Renowned Navy-Owned Research Platform Retired after 60 Years of Service US Navy 17 Aug 2023 -- Built in 1962 with funding from the Office of Naval Research (ONR), FLIP helped generations of scientists and oceanographers better understand the mysteries of the sea, including internal waves, air-sea interaction and long-range sound propagation. Sadly, age and exorbitant life-extension costs resulted in the platform being disestablished.
• USS Mount Whitney, U.S. Sixth Fleet support LSE23 US Navy 17 Aug 2023 -- For the past two weeks, the Blue Ridge-class command and control ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) and embarked Sixth Fleet staff conducted operations in the Mediterranean Sea while participating in Large Scale Exercise (LSE) 2023.
• Blue Ridge Returns to Yokosuka, Concludes Summer Patrol US Navy 17 Aug 2023 -- U.S. 7th Fleet flagship, USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19) returned to Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Aug. 17, after a patrol in the Indo-Pacific region.
• Pentagon Establishes Panel to Bolster Readiness Against Biological Threats Sputnik 17 Aug 2023 -- The US Department of Defense (DoD) said on Thursday that it has established the Biodefense Posture Review to bolster its readiness against potential biological threats.
• NATO Mission Iraq takes on additional advisory and capacity-building tasks NATO 17 Aug 2023 -- Following a request from the Iraqi authorities and a decision by the North Atlantic Council on Thursday (17 August 2023), the scope of NATO Mission Iraq will also include advisory and capacity-building activities in support of the Iraqi Ministry of Interior and Federal Police Command.
• ARMY 2023 IMTF announces development of new radio communication system for UAVs Russia MoD 17 Aug 2023 -- A roundtable on 'Prospects of development of systems and means of communication of complexes with unmanned aerial vehicles' organised by Military Training and Research Centre of the Air Force 'Air Force Academy' specialists took place at the ARMY 2023 IMTF.
• Participants of ARMY 2023 IMTF discuss increasing the speed of procurement Russian Armed Forces Russia MoD 17 Aug 2023 -- On 17 August at ARMY 2023 IMTF as part of the scientific and business programme, a roundtable was held on procurement under the state defence order, including the needs of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation.
• ARMY 2023 IMTF: Participants discussed specifics of modern international relations Russia MoD 17 Aug 2023 -- The Patriot Congress and Exhibition Centre hosted the Interstate Confrontation amid Globalisation and Its Impact on National Defence Control of the Russian Federation roundtable as part of the scientific and business programme of the ARMY 2023 International Military-Technical Forum. The event was organised by the Military Institute (National Defence Control) of the Military Academy of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces.
• Russian Ministry of Defence signed state contracts for more than 400 billion roubles with defence industry companies at ARMY 2023 International Military-Technical Forum Russia MoD 17 Aug 2023 -- Head of the Main Directorate for Innovative Development of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation Major General Aleksandr Osadchuk briefed the journalists on the results of the third day of the ARMY 2023 International Military-Technical Forum.
• Russia's Tu-95 Bombers to Double Power Capacity in 2023 Sputnik 17 Aug 2023 -- The power capacity of Russia's Tu-95 strategic bombers will be doubled in 2023, Russian Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Oleg Bocharov said on Thursday.
• Russia Develops First 23mm Guided Detonation Munition - Source Sputnik 17 Aug 2023 -- The first guided detonation munition of the smallest caliber of 23 millimeters (0.9 inches), which will multiply the effectiveness of drone destruction, has been developed in Russia, a source told Sputnik on Thursday.
• Rosoboronexport Inks Arms Export Contracts Worth About $600Mln at Army-2023 Forum Sputnik 17 Aug 2023 -- Russian state arms exporter Rosoboronexport has signed several contracts on exporting weapons amounting to about $600 million at the Army-2023 International Military-Technical Forum, CEO Alexander Mikheev said on Thursday.
• Ukraine Won't Be Receiving F-16 Fighter Jets This Year - Air Force Spox Sputnik 17 Aug 2023 -- Ukraine will not receive American-made F-16 fighter jets this fall or winter despite "high hopes" for these particular aircraft to defend its airspace, Ukrainian Air Force Command spokesman Yuriy Ignat said Wednesday.
• Manila risks becoming 'bridgehead' of US' anti-China push with new national security policy Global Times 17 Aug 2023 -- Highlighting potential "military conflict" across the Taiwan Straits and strategic challenges in the South China Sea due to "divergences of claims," the Philippines published its new six-year national security policy seeking to bolster its ability to address "external threats" and strengthen ties with alliances. Chinese analysts warned Wednesday that such a document could indicate that Manila has increasingly become a bridgehead in Asia for the US' anti-China push, at the cost of its own security and interests.
• Weapon transfers, including banned cluster munitions, spike in Ukraine UN News 17 Aug 2023 -- Arms and ammunition transfers to Ukraine have increased rapidly in recent months, alongside concerning reports of deliveries of banned cluster munitions, the UN's top disarmament official told the Security Council on Thursday.
• War in Ukraine - Military support for Ukraine Germany - Federal Government 17 Aug 2023 -- Germany provides support for Ukraine by supplying equipment and weapons, these come from supplies of the Federal Arms Forces and from deliveries from industry financed from the Federal Government's funds for security capacity building. An overview.
• PLA Eastern Theater Command releases video on combat readiness amid secessionist Lai Ching-te's 'stopovers' in US Global Times 17 Aug 2023 -- The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Eastern Theater Command on Thursday released a video displaying its combat readiness in a move experts said sends a stern warning to "Taiwan independence" secessionist forces amid US "stopovers" by the island of Taiwan's deputy regional leader Lai Ching-te.
• Coast Guard denies Taiping Island personnel have to use Chinese roaming service CNA 17 Aug 2023 -- The Coast Guard Administration (CGA) has denied accusations that its personnel on Taiping Island in the South China Sea are unable to use Taiwanese cellular networks, and have to rely on roaming services from providers based in China.
• Chinese defense minister visits Belarus to enhance ties Global Times 17 Aug 2023 -- China and Belarus share the same vision of the world order, and military cooperation between Belarus and China is not intended to target any third country, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said as he met with visiting Chinese State Councilor and Minister of National Defense Li Shangfu in Minsk on Thursday.
• Belarus Decides to Nix Defense Industry Cooperation Deal With Ukraine Sputnik 17 Aug 2023 -- The government of Belarus has decided to denounce the agreement with Ukraine on defense industry cooperation, according to a resolution of the Belarusian Council of Ministers, published on the national legal Internet portal.
• Israel Gets US Approval for $3.5Bln Sale of Arrow 3 Missile Defense Systems to Germany Sputnik 17 Aug 2023 -- The United States has approved the sale of Israel's Arrow 3 missile defense system to Germany in a deal valued at a record $3.5 billion for the Israeli defense industry, the Defense Ministry of Israel said on Thursday.
• LAUNCH OF Y - 3024 (VINDHYAGIRI) India PIB 17 Aug 2023 -- Vindhyagiri, the sixth Stealth Frigate of Project 17A being built at GRSE, was launched today at the shipyard by the Hon'ble President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu
• Iran Army will continue to expand drone achievements: Senior commander Press TV 17 Aug 2023 -- The Islamic Republic of Iran Army will continue to expand its drone and military warfare achievements in order to match future deterrence needs, says a top commander of the Army.
• Secretary Blinken's Call with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan US Dept. of State 17 Aug 2023
• Secretary Blinken's Meeting with Israeli Minister for Strategic Affairs Dermer US Dept. of State 17 Aug 2023

Defense Industry

• Contracts For Aug. 17, 2023

Other Conflicts

Ukraine Conflict News
• 17 August 2023 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 17 Aug 2023
• China's newly built Paracels airstrip could host drones, analyst says Radio Free Asia 17 Aug 2023 -- A newly built airstrip on a disputed island in the South China Sea is only long enough for China to stage patrol aircraft, but it could still boost Beijing's ability to collect intelligence over an area that includes Vietnam's exclusive economic zone, a security analyst told Radio Free Asia.
• Omani delegation in Yemen to revive truce negotiations Press TV 17 Aug 2023 -- An Omani delegation has arrived in the Yemeni capital to potentially revive talks aimed at the extension of a truce between Sana'a and a Saudi Arabia-led coalition, which invaded the Arab world's poorest country in 2015.
• Designating Two Syrian Factions and Their Leaders in Connection with Serious Human Rights Abuses US Dept. of State 17 Aug 2023 -- Today, the United States is imposing sanctions on two armed Syrian factions - the Suleiman Shah Brigade and the Hamza Division - in connection to serious human rights abuses committed in northern Syria, including abduction, severe physical abuse, and rape.
• Treasury Sanctions Two Syria-Based Militias Responsible for Serious Human Rights Abuses in Northern Syria US Treasury 17 Aug 2023 -- Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is designating two Syria-based armed militias and three members of the groups' leadership structures in connection with serious human rights abuses against those residing in the Afrin region of northern Syria. An auto sales company owned by the leader of one of the armed groups is also being designated.
• Junta offensive in Myanmar's Shan state prompts fear of expanded conflict Radio Free Asia 17 Aug 2023 -- Myanmar's junta has launched offensives on ethnic armed rebels in Shan state amid a lack of progress on peace talks, prompting fear among residents of widespread fighting in the region.
• Myanmar Shadow Government Official Apologizes to Rohingya VOA 17 Aug 2023 -- In an interview with VOA, the humanitarian minister in Myanmar's anti-junta shadow government has apologized for failing "to bring justice to the Rohingya in northern Rakhine State," where Myanmar's military launched a brutal crackdown in August 2017.
• Displaced Burmese want Thailand to set up safe zone as sanctuary from fighting Radio Free Asia 17 Aug 2023 -- Burmese citizens displaced by fighting and who have sought refuge on both sides of the Thai border want Thai lawmakers to approve a proposed safe zone to protect them from daily air raids and artillery attacks by Myanmar's military, refugees and aid workers said.
• Lack of access and funding hampering aid to 18 million people in Myanmar, UN Humanitarian Chief Martin Griffiths says following visit to the country UNOCHA 17 Aug 2023 -- Under-Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths today called for expanded humanitarian access and increased funding to assist the 18 million people in need of aid across Myanmar.
• On Fighting in Nyala in South Darfur, Sudan US Dept. of State 17 Aug 2023 -- "The United States calls on the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) to cease renewed fighting in Nyala, South Darfur, and other populated areas, which have caused death and destruction."
• Rape by Sudan's RSF militia used to 'punish and terrorise' warn rights experts UN News 17 Aug 2023 -- Sudan's continuing military showdown has had "massive humanitarian consequences" including allegations that some fighters from the powerful and long-standing RSF militia have been using rape systematically to terrorise communities they control, said a group of independent human rights experts on Thursday.
• 3D Printed Weapons Found in Judea and Samaria Israel Defense Forces 17 Aug 2023

News Reports

• Foreign National Sentenced to Over 21 Years for Mailing Ricin to President of the United States in 2020 US Dept. of Justice 17 Aug 2023 -- Pascale Cecile Veronique Ferrier, 55, a dual citizen of Canada and France, was sentenced today to 262 months in prison, followed by a lifetime of supervised release, for sending threatening letters, containing homemade ricin (a toxin), in September 2020, to then-President Donald J. Trump at the White House, and to eight Texas State law enforcement officials.
• Final Defendant Sentenced in South Carolina's Largest RICO Conspiracy US Dept. of Justice 17 Aug 2023 -- The 40th and final defendant prosecuted as part of the District of South Carolina's case against the Insane Gangster Disciples (IGD), a branch of the nationwide Folk Nation gang, was sentenced today.
• PACE's General Rapporteur for political prisoners strongly condemns Alexei Navalny's recent sentencing Council of Europe 17 Aug 2023
• Designating Individuals Involved in the Poisoning of Aleksey Navalny US Dept. of State 17 Aug 2023 -- "Today, the United States is designating four Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) operatives, Alexey Alexandrovich Alexandrov, Konstantin Kudryavtsev, Ivan Vladimirovich Osipov, and Vladimir Alexandrovich Panyaev, pursuant to the Sergei Magnitsky Rule of Law Accountability Act of 2012 for their involvement in the poisoning of Russian opposition leader Aleksey Navalny three years ago this August."
• Treasury Targets Individuals Involved in the Poisoning of Aleksey Navalny US Treasury 17 Aug 2023 -- Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is once again taking action to hold the Government of Russia accountable for its poisoning of Russian opposition politician Aleksey Navalny (Navalny) three years ago on August 20, 2020. Russian authorities imprisoned Navalny upon his return to Russia in January 2021, and on August 4, 2023, a Russian court sentenced Navalny to an additional 19 years in prison on unfounded charges of so-called "extremism." The State Department is also announcing related visa restrictions on the individuals designated today.
• Citing Kremlin's 'Contempt For Human Rights,' U.S. Sanctions Four Russians Linked To FSB In Navalny Poisoning RFE/RL 17 Aug 2023 -- The United States has imposed sanctions on four Russians who it says were involved in the 2020 poisoning of Russian opposition leader Aleksei Navalny.
• US Sanctions 4 Russian Agents in Alexey Navalny Poisoning VOA 17 Aug 2023 -- The United States on Thursday imposed new sanctions on four Russian security agents it accused of being involved in the 2020 poisoning of imprisoned opposition leader Alexey Navalny.
• Anne Applebaum: Putin 'Is Really Destroying Modern Russia' RFE/RL 17 Aug 2023 -- Anne Applebaum is a U.S. Pulitzer-Prize winning author who has written several books on Russia and the Soviet Union, including Red Famine: Stalin's War On Ukraine.
• Back from the beach, China's leaders face backlog of woes Radio Free Asia 17 Aug 2023 -- The Chinese Communist Party's summer holidays have drawn to a conclusion, just as they began, with little fanfare - an appearance on CCTV of Premier Li Qiang chairing a State Council plenary meeting.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin's Regular Press Conference on August 17, 2023 PRC MofA 17 Aug 2023
• China slams UK fast-track visa for Hong Kongers as 'interference' in its affairs Radio Free Asia 17 Aug 2023 -- China has criticized the British government's new fast track visa service for emigrating Hong Kongers, accusing London of "manipulation" through its immigration policy.
• Hong Kong's population shows sudden uptick after years of mass emigration Radio Free Asia 17 Aug 2023 -- Hong Kong's population has shown a sudden uptick following years of mass emigration, suggesting more people are being allowed to settle there from elsewhere to replace those who left due to an ongoing crackdown on dissent, analysts said.
• Hong Kong Seeks Public Help in Purging Library Books VOA 17 Aug 2023 -- An invitation from Hong Kong authorities for citizens to report public library books that "endanger national security" has sent chills through the port city, analysts and some residents say. Some worry authorities are adopting tactics similar to those used in China and during the Cultural Revolution, others say the move will only further harm the city's already tarnished image as a place that's no longer free.
• China's countermeasures on US' Section 232 tariffs a legitimate response: MOFCOM Global Times 17 Aug 2023 -- It is the US that has ruined the global multilateral trade system with the WTO at the core, and China's countermeasure against US tariffs on steel and aluminum products is a "self-defensive" move that follows international practice, Chinese observers and officials said, following US trade office's groundless accusations against China's duty measures on Wednesday.
• China is assessing impact of US high-tech investment restrictions, may take countermeasures: Commerce Ministry Global Times 17 Aug 2023 -- China is conducting comprehensive assessment of the impact of the US investment restrictions on high-tech sectors in China, the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) told a press conference on Thursday, noting that it will take necessary measures based on the result of the appraisal.
• China urges US to lift Section 232 tariffs on Chinese steel, aluminum products Global Times 17 Aug 2023 -- An official from China's Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) on Wednesday urged the US to immediately lift its Section 232 tariffs on steel and aluminum which violate WTO rules. The remarks come in response to a WTO panel report regarding the dispute.
• China's FM refutes claims of lack of transparency in suspending youth jobless data Global Times 17 Aug 2023 -- China's Foreign Ministry on Thursday pushed back against foreign media claims of China lacking transparency after the country suspended releasing unemployment figures for those aged 16 to 24 years old, saying some indicators are usually adjusted or removed when improving statistical work.
• Chinese cargo vessels lie empty in port amid economic downturn: ship owners Radio Free Asia 17 Aug 2023 -- Ports on China's eastern seaboard are littered with empty cargo vessels with no loads to carry, amid an ongoing downturn in the domestic economy, according to ship owners.
• Retired party school professor plotted 'violent attack,' security ministry now claims Radio Free Asia 17 Aug 2023 -- The ruling Chinese Communist Party is making a political example of a retired party school professor who called on President Xi Jinping to resign, accusing him of contacting 'hostile' overseas groups, buying weapons and recruiting members of a "suicide squad."
• Taiwan's Vice President Makes San Francisco Stop VOA 17 Aug 2023 -- Taiwanese Vice President William Lai said Wednesday that U.S.-Taiwan relations are "unprecedentedly good" as he stopped in San Francisco on the final leg of a trip condemned by China.
• VP Lai lands in San Francisco on return leg of Paraguay trip CNA 17 Aug 2023 -- Vice President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) touched down in San Francisco Wednesday afternoon local time, where he was welcomed by American Institute in Taiwan Chair Laura Rosenberger, during a brief stopover.
• DPP collusion with external forces will push Taiwan into abyss of disaster, mainland official says at flagship cross-Straits seminar Global Times 17 Aug 2023 -- The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities' collusion with external forces will only push Taiwan into the abyss of disaster, said a Chinese mainland Taiwan affairs official at the opening of a major cross-Straits academic seminar in Chengdu, Southwest China's Sichuan Province on Thursday, alluding to the deputy leader of Taiwan island Lai Ching-te's provocative "transit" through the US.
• Lai's relying on US for 'Taiwan independence' cold-shouldered; Mainland has enough options to counter secessionist moves: analyst Global Times 17 Aug 2023 -- The separatist deputy regional leader of Taiwan island Lai Ching-te has been snubbed by the US, as he made a "stopover" in San Francisco on Thursday, his second during this trip, as his act of soliciting support from the US for "Taiwan independence" saw no participation of senior US political figures, with experts saying that the Chinese mainland has enough strength and options to take countermeasures against Lai's separatist acts, and these could be seen soon after Lai returns to Taiwan.
• Poll shows 38% Americans back direct military intervention over Taiwan CNA 17 Aug 2023 -- Only 38 percent of the U.S. public support the deployment of American troops to defend Taiwan in the event of a Chinese invasion, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll released Thursday.
• PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan Aug.17, 2023 ROC MND 17 Aug 2023
• South Korean Intel Claims North Korea to Resume Missile Launches, Spy Satellite Program Sputnik 17 Aug 2023 -- In May, North Korea attempted to launch its first military spy satellite. Known as Malligyong-1, it fell into the sea after North Korean media said it lost thrust following separation during the first and second stages. Parts of the object were recovered by South Korea for study.
• 'Increasing militarisation' of DPR Korea fuelling rise in human rights violations UN News 17 Aug 2023 -- Continuing 'severe, widespread and long-standing" violations against citizens of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) by their own Government, must not be viewed in isolation from wider peace and security issues on the Peninsula, said the UN human rights chief on Thursday.
• UN Rights Chief: Many North Korean Rights Abuses Linked to Pursuit of Nukes, Missiles VOA 17 Aug 2023 -- The U.N. human rights chief said Thursday that many of the severe and widespread rights violations in North Korea are directly linked to the regime's pursuit of nuclear and ballistic missile technology.
• The UK urges the DPRK to prioritise the well-being of its citizens over the development of its illegal weapons programmes: UK statement at the Security Council UK FCDO 17 Aug 2023 -- Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki at the UN Security Council meeting on North Korea.
• Supreme Leader: Enemy seeking to tarnish image of IRGC IRNA 17 Aug 2023 -- Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has warned of enemy plots to tarnish the image of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) due to its tremendous influence.
• Ayatollah Khamenei warns of enemies' plot to tarnish image of IRGC, Basij volunteer forces Press TV 17 Aug 2023 -- Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei warns of enemies' attempts to tarnish the image of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) and Basij volunteer forces.
• Tehran, Riyadh seeking new chapter in bilateral relations: Saudi FM IRNA 17 Aug 2023 -- Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan says that his country and Iran are looking forward to a new chapter in their bilateral relations, based on brotherhood, mutual respect, and shared interests.
• Iran FM holds 'important' talks on first visit to Saudi Arabia in years Press TV 17 Aug 2023 -- Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian says he held "fruitful and important talks" in Riyadh Thursday, marking the first trip to the kingdom by Tehran's top diplomat in years.
• President Raeisi, Putin discuss Iran's BRICS membership, bolstering ties Press TV 17 Aug 2023 -- Iranian President Ebrahim Raeisi and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, have discussed Iran's future membership of the BRICS grouping of emerging economies and possible ways to strengthen economic cooperation.
• Iran intelligence forces bust sabotage team in northern province of Gilan Press TV 17 Aug 2023 -- Iranian intelligence forces have disbanded a sabotage team in the northern province of Gilan whose members were affiliated with foreign spy agencies and planning to foment unrest on the anniversary of the foreign-backed riots of 2022.
• Iran Detains Prominent Women's Rights Activists As Anniversary Of Amini's Death Nears RFE/RL 17 Aug 2023 -- Iranian security forces have detained nine prominent women's rights activists in various cities in the northern province of Gilan as authorities continue a crackdown ahead of the first anniversary of the death of Mahsa Amini while in police custody for allegedly violating the country's head scarf law.
• Uncertainty looms over junta's plans to hold elections in Myanmar Radio Free Asia 17 Aug 2023 -- With the junta's extension of a national state of emergency in Myanmar, it has become increasingly uncertain whether the regime will hold general elections as it previously pledged, political analysts and election observers said.
• Belarus: Statement by PACE rapporteur on the occasion of the 3rd anniversary of the presidential elections Council of Europe 17 Aug 2023 -- "The 3rd anniversary of the fraudulent presidential elections of 2020 in Belarus is a moment to mark our solidarity with all those Belarusians who have chosen freedom, human rights, democracy, and the rule of law," said Kimmo Kiljunen (Finland, SOC), rapporteur on "Call for a national political reform process in Belarus".
• Astana Says Company Sanctioned By U.S. Over North Korea, Russia Deals Defunct Since 2021 RFE/RL 17 Aug 2023 -- Kazakhstan says the company sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) this week over its ties with arms deals between North Korea and Russia has been defunct for more than two years.
• Transcript of the Weekly Media Briefing by the Spokesperson Thursday - 17 August 2023 Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs 17 Aug 2023
• Ministers of interim Pakistani PM's cabinet take oath Press TV 17 Aug 2023 -- Pakistan has sworn in a caretaker cabinet under interim Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar who has promised to hold fair and free elections by the end of the year but they are likely to be delayed.
• West African bloc ECOWAS threatens to launch military intervention in Niger Press TV 17 Aug 2023 -- The West African bloc has conveyed its readiness to intervene militarily if diplomatic efforts fail to reverse the military coup that toppled the government of pro-West President Mohamed Bazoum on July 26 in Niger.
• ECOWAS Chiefs of Staff Meet in Ghana to Finalize Niger Intervention Plan Sputnik 17 Aug 2023 -- An emergency meeting of the chiefs of staff of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in Ghana from August 17-18 will mainly focus on finalizing the plan for the military intervention in Niger, a French news agency reported on Thursday, citing sources.
• Daniel Endres, Humanitarian Coordinator a.i. for Afghanistan, Hails Aid Workers and Calls for Continued Support to Vulnerable Afghans UNOCHA 17 Aug 2023
• 'I Feel Suffocated': Taliban Intensifies Clampdown On Music In Afghanistan RFE/RL 17 Aug 2023 -- Soon after seizing power in Afghanistan, the Taliban outlawed music and publicly beat and humiliated musicians.
• Taliban Bans Political Parties In Afghanistan After Declaring Them Un-Islamic RFE/RL 17 Aug 2023 -- Afghanistan's hard-line Islamist Taliban rulers have banned all political parties, saying there is "no justification" for them under Shari'a law.
• After Freedom Of Speech Opening, Uzbekistan Is Now Binge-Arresting And Imprisoning Bloggers RFE/RL 17 Aug 2023 -- Leaders of top news websites in Uzbekistan were invited on August 5 to the Agency for Mass Information and Communications for a briefing on the recent detention of a popular blogger on extortion charges.