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Defense Policy / Programs

• Press Gaggle With Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh DoD 21 Aug 2023
• Pentagon Policy Official Underscores Defense Ties With Djibouti DoD News 21 Aug 2023 -- The longstanding defense relationship between the U.S. and Djibouti is a key facet to peace and stability in a critical region, a senior Pentagon policy official said.
• Personnel in III Marine Expeditionary Force remain prepared USMC News 21 Aug 2023 -- U.S. Marines with III Marine Expeditionary Force came together across U.S. installations located on Okinawa, building camaraderie during recovery efforts post-Typhoon Khanun. The storm battered the island for several days in August 2023, and Marines used the opportunity to lean on their family-abroad.
• US Tests ARRW Hypersonic Weapon for First Time Since March Failure Sputnik 21 Aug 2023 -- The US Air Force conducted the first test fire of the hypersonic Air-launched Rapid Response Weapon (ARRW) since a failed test in March, an Air Force spokesperson said in a statement to Sputnik.
• Thracian Summer 2023: Another one for the books US Air Force 21 Aug 2023 -- U.S. Air Force Airmen from the 86th Airlift Wing and 435th Air Ground Operation Wing at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, teamed up with members of the Bulgarian air force during the Bulgarian air force-sponsored field training exercise Thracian Summer 2023, from Aug. 7-17, at Bezmer Air Base, Bulgaria; Cheshnegriovo Air Base, Bulgaria; and surrounding areas.
• Reserve Sailors Integrate, Bolster U.S. 7th Fleet Readiness During 2023 Summer Patrol US Navy 21 Aug 2023 -- U.S. Navy Reserve Sailors joined the embarked U.S. 7th Fleet staff aboard the flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) for her 2023 patrol in the Indo-Pacific, July 8.
• USNS Burlington Arrives in Colombia US Navy 21 Aug 2023 -- The Spearhead-class expeditionary fast transport ship USNS Burlington (T-EPF 10) arrived in Santa Marta, Colombia on Aug. 20, marking the second stop throughout the course of the Continuing Promise 2023 mission.
• A Mighty Wind: Using Wind Tunnels to Measure Sound by Deadening the Noise US Navy Press Release 21 Aug 2023 -- The Office of Naval Research (ONR) sponsored a project at Virginia Tech University nearly 20 years ago that is now growing in influence across the world for measuring aerospace and aeronautical acoustics. Since noise reverberates against solid surfaces, such as the walls of a wind tunnel where acoustical testing takes place, collecting accurate
• Pathfinder operations enable Bomber Task Force 23-4 Air Force Global Strike Command 21 Aug 2023 -- U.S. Air Force Airmen deployed to Iceland on Aug. 13 to support Bomber Task Force 23-4, which is currently underway at Keflavik Air Base.
• Russia vows it will treat attack on Belarus as aggression against itself Press TV 21 Aug 2023 -- Russia will respond to any hostile action against neighboring Belarus as if it was an attack on itself, using the full force of its military might, Moscow's top envoy to Minsk has vowed.
• Iranian military delegation arrives in Moscow to discuss issues of bilateral military cooperation in field of land forces Russia MoD 21 Aug 2023 -- A military delegation of the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran led by Commander of the Ground Forces Brigadier General Kiyumars Heidari has arrived in Moscow to discuss bilateral military cooperation.
• Ship detachment of Pacific Fleet makes business call at Chinese port Qingdao Russia MoD 21 Aug 2023 -- A Ship detachment of the Pacific Fleet makes business call at port Qingdao of People's Republic of China.
• U.S. Open to Training Ukrainian F-16 Pilots if Needed DoD News 21 Aug 2023 -- Last week, in a letter from Secretary of State Antony Blinken to counterparts in Europe, the U.S. signaled its willingness to approve the third-party transfer of U.S.-made F-16 aircraft to Ukraine.
• Will F-16 Fighter Jets Tip War in Ukraine's Favor? VOA 21 Aug 2023 -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has described the decision by the Netherlands and Denmark to supply his country with F-16 fighter jets as "historic and inspiring."
• Ukrainian Artillery Fire Faulty Shells: 20% Just Fizzle Out Sputnik 21 Aug 2023 -- Ukrainian forces are launching intense artillery fire on Russian positions in Zaporozhye near the village of Rabotino on a daily basis, but about 20% of Ukrainian shells fail to detonate, according to a fighter from the 71st Guards Motor Rifle Regiment, call sign "Monk."
• President of Ukraine following the meeting with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis: Greece will take part in the training of Ukrainian pilots on F-16s President of Ukraine 21 Aug 2023
• Ukraine to get 42 F-16 fighter jets: Zelensky People's Daily 21 Aug 2023 -- Ukraine will get at least 42 F-16 fighter jets after the end of the training course for pilots, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Sunday.
• Taiwan proposes largest-ever defense budget for 2024 CNA 21 Aug 2023 -- Taiwan's government will seek to hike defense spending by 3.5 percent to a record NT$606.8 billion (US$19 billion) in 2024, according to details from the central government's budget proposal released on Monday.
• Australia supports security exercise on Korean Peninsula Australia DOD 21 Aug 2023 -- Australia has deployed a contingent of 26 planning and support staff to the Republic of Korea to participate in Exercise Ulchi Freedom Shield. The contingent comprises of 23 Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel and three civilian policy advisers.
• Missiles to power up ADF's range Australia DOD 21 Aug 2023 -- The acquisition of some of the most powerful and technologically advanced weapons systems the ADF has fielded will enhance Australia's ability to target enemies at longer ranges.
• A two-way exchange Australia DOD 21 Aug 2023 -- The spirit of regional cooperation was alive and well as Australia's annual flagship engagement activity, Exercise Indo-Pacific Endeavour 2023 (IPE23) visited Thailand from August 14-18.
• EXERCISE MALABAR -23 CONCLUDES India PIB 21 Aug 2023 -- The 27th edition of Exercise MALABAR, concluded on the East Coast of Australia off Sydney on 21 Aug 23
• Iran, Russia army ground forces agree to boost cooperation IRNA 21 Aug 2023 -- Commander of the Ground Force of the Iranian Army Brigadier-General Kioumars Heydari has said his force is ready to expand military cooperation with the Russian ground forces.
• Iran's Army ready to boost military cooperation with Russia: Commander Press TV 21 Aug 2023 -- Commander of the Iranian Army's Ground Force Brigadier General Kioumars Heidari says his force is ready to boost military cooperation with Russia.
• World military powers seeking to benefit from Iran's defense achievements: Top general Press TV 21 Aug 2023 -- Iran's top general says major global military powers are seeking to gain access to advanced defense capabilities acquired by the Iranian Armed Forces.
• Iran says will unveil homegrown unmanned jet in coming months Press TV 21 Aug 2023 -- An Iranian Defense Ministry official says the Islamic Republic plans to unveil the unmanned version of the domestically-developed Qaher-313 (Conqueror-313) stealth fighter aircraft within the next few months.
• U.S. helicopters forced to return to cruiser after Iran's warning: IRGC People's Daily 21 Aug 2023 -- U.S. helicopters were forced to return to a cruiser in the Strait of Hormuz after receiving warnings from Iran, in a recent encounter between the two sides after the U.S. started to build up its military presence in the strait, Iran's semi-official Fars news agency reported on Sunday.
• Iran warns against 'provocative' US military presence in Persian Gulf amid regional reconciliation Press TV 21 Aug 2023 -- Iran has warned against the "provocative" buildup of American forces in the Persian Gulf, saying the move comes at a time when regional countries are improving their relations.
• Poland - AH-64E Apache Helicopters DSCA 21 Aug 2023 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Poland of AH-64E Apache Helicopters and related equipment for an estimated cost of $12.0 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.
• US approves giant helicopter gunship sale to Poland Press TV 21 Aug 2023 -- The United States has approved a whopping $12-billion sale of Apache helicopter gunships to Poland.
• Poland Receives First South Korean K239 Chunmoo Rocket System Sputnik 21 Aug 2023 -- Poland has received its first South Korean multi-barreled rocket launcher, Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak announced.
• The Czech Republic has joined the NATO Innovation Fund! Czech Republic Ministry of Defence & Armed Forces 21 Aug 2023 -- At the end of July were taken the final steps to establish the NATO Innovation Fund, the first-ever multinational venture capital fund focused on strategic investments in disruptive technologies.
• MoU on Cooperation in field of armaments between the Czech Republic and Estonia signed Czech Republic Ministry of Defence & Armed Forces 21 Aug 2023 -- On Tuesday, 16th of August, the Director General of the Armaments and Acquisitions Division, Lubor Koudelka, signed a Memorandum of Understanding in field of armaments (MoU) with his counterpart, the Director of the Estonian Centre for Defence Investment (ECDI), Magnus Valdemar Saar. This was done on the occasion of a bilateral meeting taking place during an official visit of the ECDI delegation to the Czech Republic.
• Republic of Philippine Navy Assumes Command of Multinational Counter-Piracy Task Force CENTCOM 21 Aug 2023 -- The Republic of Philippine Navy assumed command of a multinational counter-piracy task force during a change-of-command ceremony Aug. 21 at the U.S. Navy base here.
• Philippines to skip US-Japan-Australia joint drills in South China Sea Global Times 21 Aug 2023 -- The Philippines will reportedly not participate in a US-Japan-Australia joint exercise in the South China Sea this week, a move analysts said on Monday showed that the Philippines is trying to find a balance under US pressure to take advantage of Manila as a foothold in the region against China.

Defense Industry

• Contracts For Aug. 21, 2023
• Indonesia Announces Commitment to Acquire Boeing F-15EX Boeing 21 Aug 2023 -- The Republic of Indonesia and Boeing shared their commitment to finalize the sale of 24 F-15EX aircraft to Indonesia, subject to U.S. government approval, during a visit of Indonesia's Minister of Defense Prabowo Subianto to the United States.

Other Conflicts

Ukraine Conflict News
• 21 August 2023 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 21 Aug 2023
• Statement on tenth anniversary of chemical weapons attack in Ghouta district of Damascus, Syria Canada 21 Aug 2023
• Tenth Anniversary of the Ghouta, Syria Chemical Weapons Attack US Dept. of State 21 Aug 2023 -- Ten years ago the Assad regime launched rockets carrying the deadly nerve agent sarin into the Ghouta district of Damascus, killing more than 1,400 people.
• Statement from National Security Council Spokesperson Adrienne Watson on the 10 Year Anniversary of the Ghouta Chemical Weapons Attack The White House 21 Aug 2023
• Libya: Statement by the Spokesperson on the reunification of the Central Bank European External Action Service (EEAS) 21 Aug 2023 -- On Sunday, the Central Bank of Libya announced the finalisation of its reunification as a unitary, sovereign institution. The European Union, also as co-chair of the Economic Working group of the International Follow-up Committee on Libya, welcomes this development and the commitment of the Central Bank's leadership to work towards addressing the impact of almost a decade of division of this crucial financial institution.
• Junta airstrikes, shelling kill 5 people in Myanmar's Bago region Radio Free Asia 21 Aug 2023 -- Five civilians were killed and 12 were injured in a week due to junta airstrikes and heavy artillery shelling in Bago region's Nyaunglebin district, according to the Karen National Union.
• Israeli-Palestinian death toll highest since 2005: UN envoy UN News 21 Aug 2023 -- More than 200 Palestinians and nearly 30 Israelis have been killed so far this year in demonstrations, clashes, military operations, attacks and other incidents, which already surpasses last year's death toll, UN Middle East envoy Tor Wennesland said in a briefing to the Security Council on Monday.
• At least 50 Palestinians injured by Israeli gunfire near Nablus Press TV 21 Aug 2023 -- At least 50 Palestinians have sustained injuries during a violent raid by the Israeli forces near the occupied West Bank city of Nablus.
• Palestinian fighters carried out 19 retaliatory attacks in past 24 hours: Report Press TV 21 Aug 2023 -- Palestinian resistance fighters carried out more than a dozen retaliatory operations across the occupied territories over the past 24 hours, according to a report.
• Israeli Gov't Says Will Allocate $843Mln for Development of East Jerusalem Until 2028 Sputnik 21 Aug 2023 -- The Israeli government said on Sunday that it had approved a five-year plan for the socio-economic development of East Jerusalem, with 3.2 billion Israeli new shekels ($843 million) allocated for this purpose until 2028.
• The UK is extremely alarmed by increasing settler violence in the Occupied Palestinian Territories: UK statement at the Security Council UK FCDO 21 Aug 2023 -- Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki at the UN Security Council meeting on the Middle East.
• "UN Peacekeeping Force soldiers' intervention in the TRNC is never acceptable to us" Presidency of The Republic of Turkey 21 Aug 2023 -- Addressing citizens following the Presidential Cabinet Meeting, President Erdoğan said: "The physical intervention by soldiers of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in the sovereign territory of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) is never acceptable to us."
• Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova's answer to a question from Cyprus News Agency about the incident involving UN peacekeepers in Cyprus Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 21 Aug 2023
• The Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia calls for continued respect of the principles of humanitarian action UNOCHA 21 Aug 2023 -- On the occasion of the 2023 World Humanitarian Day, the humanitarian community in Somalia, led by the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General, UN Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia, George Conway, has reiterated the call for the protection of aid workers and facilities and the respect for the principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and operational independence that underscore humanitarian action globally.

News Reports

• Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova's answer to a media question on the plans by the Estonian authorities to deprive Russian and Belarusian nationals of the right to vote in municipal elections Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 21 Aug 2023
• Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova's comment on the EU's decision to include the Foundation for Supporting and Protecting the Rights of Compatriots Living Abroad on the sanctions list Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 21 Aug 2023
• Lavrov: BRICS 'Can Become One of Pillars of New World Order' Sputnik 21 Aug 2023 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who will head the country's delegation at the upcoming BRICS summit, has written an article for South Africa's Ubuntu magazine, in which he gave his thoughts "on the prospects for cooperation among the group of five countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) in the current geopolitical context."
• Fly Me To The Moon: With Lunar Crash, Russia's Storied Space Program Is Embarrassed. Again. RFE/RL 21 Aug 2023 -- On August 18, 1976, a 4-meter-high spacecraft called the Luna-24 touched down on the Mare Crisium, a flat plain in the moon's northern hemisphere. Four days later, the Soviet-built vehicle returned to Earth, carrying a valuable sample of lunar soil, a portion of which Soviet scientists later swapped with colleagues at NASA in the name of international scientific cooperation.
• Propulsion System Malfunction Caused Russian Spacecraft's Crash On Moon, Roskosmos Chief Says RFE/RL 21 Aug 2023 -- The main cause of the crash of the Luna-25 spacecraft on the surface of the moon over the weekend was that its propulsion system worked for 43 seconds longer than it was supposed to during a correction of its orbit, said Yury Borisov, the director of the Russian space agency, Roskosmos.
• China's state security authority cracks CIA espionage case involving Chinese state official Global Times 21 Aug 2023 -- Chinese state security authority recently revealed a case concerning espionage activities of the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) against Chinese state officials, the Ministry of State Security released a statement on Monday, indicating that investigations into the individuals implicated in the case have been initiated in accordance with the law, and the case is still under investigation.
• China says probing state security agent over ties with CIA Press TV 21 Aug 2023 -- China's Public Security Ministry has announced an underway investigation of a former employee suspected of spying for the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) after being recruited at an American embassy abroad.
• China's Health Authorities Launch Anti-corruption Campaign VOA 21 Aug 2023 -- China's medical and pharmaceutical sectors are the latest focus of President Xi Jinping's anti-corruption campaign, his hallmark effort since becoming general secretary of the Chinese Communist Party in late 2012.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin's Regular Press Conference on August 21, 2023 PRC MofA 21 Aug 2023
• Xi heads to Johannesburg to rally the Global South Radio Free Asia 21 Aug 2023 -- In a rare trip abroad, Chinese President Xi Jinping is due to touch down in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Tuesday to attend a BRICS summit that state media is hailing to be a grand new start for the Global South.
• Xi starts South Africa visit, 'to leverage cooperation with continent' Global Times 21 Aug 2023 -- Amid high global attention and expectations, Chinese President Xi Jinping left Beijing for Johannesburg on Monday for a state visit to South Africa and to attend the BRICS Summit to be held from Tuesday to Thursday.
• Full text of Xi's signed article on S. African media PRC MofA 21 Aug 2023
• China lodges solemn representations with relevant parties in Camp David summit on Taiwan question and South China Sea issue: FM Global Times 21 Aug 2023 -- China expresses strong dissatisfaction and has lodged solemn representations with relevant parties after the leaders of the US, Japan and South Korea smeared and attacked China on the Taiwan question and South China Sea issue during the Camp David summit, which seriously violated the basic norms governing international relations, the Chinese Foreign Ministry responded on Monday.
• Chinese premier says China-US ties face 'difficulties,' calls for sincerity Global Times 21 Aug 2023 -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Monday told a US business delegation that China-US relations and economic and trade cooperation currently face some difficulties, which require both sides to show sincerity and meet each other halfway, but the two countries can "absolutely achieve common development."
• Chinese FM hopes new Guatemalan govt makes decisions in its best natl interests Global Times 21 Aug 2023 -- The Chinese Foreign Ministry expressed wishes for the new Guatemalan government to make the right call in line with the fundamental and long-term interests of its country and people in response to the result of the Central American country's presidential election.
• Solomon Islands leader credits China-aided Pacific Games as economic lifeline Radio Free Asia 21 Aug 2023 -- Construction work for the upcoming 2023 Pacific Games prevented economic collapse for the Solomon Islands during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Pacific country's prime minister has asserted at a ceremony to mark China's handover of the recently completed main stadium.
• HKSAR holds 1st 2023 Policy Address District Forum People's Daily 21 Aug 2023 -- John Lee, chief executive of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), on Sunday attended the first 2023 Policy Address District Forum to communicate with the public on issues ranging from local transportation, ageing population, to cultural and arts policies.
• Hong Kong delays Jimmy Lai trial as police question woman linked to exiled lawmaker Radio Free Asia 21 Aug 2023 -- A Hong Kong court has once more postponed the national security trial of pro-democracy media mogul Jimmy Lai for several months, while police questioned a woman with ties to exiled former lawmaker Nathan Law.
• China cuts key prime loan rate to bolster economy; GDP forecast to grow 6% in H2 Global Times 21 Aug 2023 -- The People's Bank of China, the central bank, on Monday cut the one-year loan prime rate (LPR), a market-based benchmark lending rate, by 10 basis points (bps) to 3.45 percent, while leaving the five-year LPR at 4.2 percent. The move was the latest effort to bolster steady growth amid challenges, following a tone-setting meeting in July.
• China stresses more financial support for real economy, defusing debt risks People's Daily 21 Aug 2023 -- China's financial authorities have stressed efforts to enhance financial support for the real economy, as well as to prevent and defuse local-government debt risks.
• China cuts interest rates, pledges credit support for small companies Radio Free Asia 21 Aug 2023 -- China's central bank cut the prime loan rate on Monday in a bid to shore up the slowing economy, and financial authorities pledged credit support for small and medium-sized businesses and innovative technologies.
• Solomon Islands leader credits China-aided Pacific Games as economic lifeline Radio Free Asia 21 Aug 2023 -- Construction work for the upcoming 2023 Pacific Games prevented economic collapse for the Solomon Islands during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Pacific country's prime minister has asserted at a ceremony to mark China's handover of the recently completed main stadium.
• Prevalence of COVID in China remains low despite rise in EG.5 cases People's Daily 21 Aug 2023 -- Despite the rising trend of variant EG.5 cases, China's overall COVID-19 prevalence remains at a low level, the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention said Saturday.
• China successfully launches new satellite for Earth observation Press TV 21 Aug 2023 -- China says it has successfully launched a new Earth observation satellite into orbit, as part of the country's developing space program.
• Ko Wen-je shares views on special relationship with China CNA 21 Aug 2023 -- Taiwan People's Party (TPP) chairman and presidential candidate Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) on Monday outlined his position on the "two-state" theory proposed by former President Lee Teng-hui (李登輝) in 1999, which defined relations between Taiwan and China as a "special state-to-state relationship."
• VP Lai's U.S. stopovers kept low-key to build trust with Washington: Scholars CNA 21 Aug 2023 -- Scholars on Monday said Vice President Lai Ching-te's (賴清德) "low-key" recent U.S. transit stops had helped to bolster his image in Washington as a reliable and trustworthy future leader of Taiwan.
• PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan Aug.21, 2023 ROC MND 21 Aug 2023
• North Korean Hackers Try to Prevent South Korea, US From Conducting Drills Sputnik 21 Aug 2023 -- North Korean hackers from the Kimsuky group tried to attack a South Korean company providing computer simulation services for joint South Korea-US exercises and attempted to carry out a cyberattack on military infrastructure, the Gyeonggi Nambu Provincial Police Agency said on Sunday.
• North Korean leader vows to modernize navy as he visits naval fleet Press TV 21 Aug 2023 -- North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un has pledged to modernize the country's navy with improved combat efficiency to boost its capability for engaging in actual war.
• Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un Inspects KPA Navy Unit KCNA 21 Aug 2023 -- Kim Jong Un , general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, inspected the Guards 2nd Surface Ship Flotilla of the East Sea Fleet of the Navy of the Korean People's Army (KPA) honored with the title of O Jung Hup-led 7th Regiment.
• Regional talks to secure interests of Persian Gulf nations: FM spox IRNA 21 Aug 2023 -- Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman has hailed the "positive atmosphere" created in the region, saying dialogue between regional countries will secure the common interests of all Persian Gulf nations.
• Iran's oil exports surges past pre-sanctions levels: Data Press TV 21 Aug 2023 -- New data by a major international tanker tracking service show Iran's oil exports has reached levels that were not even seen before the country came under US sanctions in 2018.
• Iranian oil exports surge to 2.2 million bpd despite sanctions: Bloomberg IRNA 21 Aug 2023 -- Iran's oil exports are surging this month, swelling global flows at a time when other producers are cutting back, Bloomberg reported citing a firm that monitors satellite imagery of individual tankers.
• US finally starts unloading stolen Iranian oil IRNA 21 Aug 2023 -- A cargo of Iranian crude oil that was stolen by the United States has finally begun unloading, ship tracking data show according to Reuters.
• Frozen Iranian funds transferred to Swiss bank: S.Korean media Press TV 21 Aug 2023 -- South Korean media reported on Monday that Iranian funds that had been blocked in South Korea were transferred to Switzerland's central bank last week for transfer to Iran.
• Iran Executes Eight More Over Past 72 Hours In Prison 'Killing Fields' RFE/RL 21 Aug 2023 -- Iran, which Amnesty International recently slammed for turning its prisons into "killing fields," has executed at least eight individuals - most of whom were incarcerated for drug offenses - in a span of three days, local activists said.
• Iranian Students Report Increased Restrictions Ahead Of New School Year RFE/RL 21 Aug 2023 -- Independent student news outlets in Iran announced on August 20 that there has been a marked increase in restrictions on dormitories, especially in accommodation facilities for women, ahead of the new school year and the first anniversary of the death of Mahsa Amini while in police custody, which sparked months of unrest.
• Amnesty International Urges Protection for Iranian Protest Victims' Families RFE/RL 21 Aug 2023 -- Amnesty International has called on Iranian authorities to allow the commemoration of the first anniversary of those killed during "Women, Life, Freedom" protests in 2022 amid a campaign by security forces marked by "harassment and intimidation" against victims' families "to enforce silence and impunity."
• Transcript of Special Briefing by Foreign Secretary on Prime Minister's visit to South Africa and Greece (August 21, 2023) India MEA 21 Aug 2023
• Chairman ISRO updates Minister Dr Jitendra Singh about the status and readiness of Chandrayaan-3 for the moon landing on Wednesday India PIB 21 Aug 2023 -- Chairman, ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) and Secretary, Department of Space, Dr S
• Singaporean PM says recent political scandals will not delay leadership renewal People's Daily 21 Aug 2023 -- Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Sunday stressed that the leadership renewal is on track and recent scandals involving political figures will not delay his timetable.
• Foreign Secretary's meeting with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong UK FCDO 21 Aug 2023 -- The Foreign Secretary and Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong met in Sydney today (21 August).
• Junta threatens unauthorized foreign currency holders as Myanmar kyat tanks Radio Free Asia 21 Aug 2023 -- Myanmar's junta is threatening legal action against anyone found to be in possession of foreign currency without authorization in what observers said was a bid to kneecap black market exchangers after the kyat has tumbled to one-third of its value against the U.S. dollar since the coup.
• H&M latest to call it quits in phased exit from Myanmar Radio Free Asia 21 Aug 2023 -- The world's second-biggest fashion retailer H&M has decided to gradually stop sourcing from Myanmar amid an upsurge in allegations of labor violations in the country's garment factories.
• U.S. Embassy In Minsk Again Tells Americans To Leave Belarus RFE/RL 21 Aug 2023 -- The U.S. Embassy in Minsk on August 21 told U.S. citizens to leave Belarus immediately and advised any Americans planning a trip to the East European country not to go.
• Ramaphosa Vows to Keep South Africa Clear of Global Power Contest Sputnik 21 Aug 2023 -- South African President Cyril Ramaphosa assured the nation in a televised address on Sunday that he would not let his country be dragged into the ongoing standoff between world powers.
• Guatemala: Statement by HR/VP Josep Borrell on the Presidential election European External Action Service (EEAS) 21 Aug 2023 -- The EU congratulates the people of Guatemala for their peaceful participation in the second round of the Presidential election on Sunday 20 August, and for the strong commitment to democracy shown throughout the process.
• Bernardo Arevalo wins Guatemala's presidential election People's Daily 21 Aug 2023 -- Bernardo Arevalo has won Guatemala's presidential election, according to a count by the Supreme Electoral Tribunal on Sunday evening.
• Cambodia's king calls on lawmakers, government to resolve their differences Radio Free Asia 21 Aug 2023 -- In an opening speech to Cambodia's newly elected parliament on Monday, King Norodom Sihamoni called on lawmakers and the government to reconcile their deep divisions, though political commentators and opposition officials say the effort will amount to naught.
• Hun Sen's legacy: Cambodia as the family business Radio Free Asia 21 Aug 2023 -- After nearly four decades in office, Hun Sen this week steps down as Cambodia's prime minister. The National Assembly sat for the first time Monday, one day before the new premier is set to be sworn in. On Aug. 22, he will hand power over to his eldest son, Hun Manet, who was just 8 years old when his father took charge of a communist regime embroiled in a civil war and held afloat, barely, by foreign aid.
• To cope with surging inflation, Laos raises minimum wage by about 25% Radio Free Asia 21 Aug 2023 -- The Lao government has raised the monthly minimum wage for workers at privately owned companies by nearly 25%, though laborers say it is still too low given persistent inflation and the rising cost of living in the Southeast Asian country.
• Pacific island countries facing faster sea level rise, UN says Radio Free Asia 21 Aug 2023 -- The low-lying Pacific islands face severe threats due to rising sea levels, which are increasing quicker than anticipated, while heightened temperatures impact marine habitats, according to a new U.N. meteorological body report.
• Bangladesh Criticized Over Plan to Replace Controversial Law with One Considered Equally Repressive VOA 21 Aug 2023 -- Rights activists and opposition political leaders in Bangladesh have expressed concerns over the country's draft Cyber Security Act, saying it is as repressive as the existing controversial Digital Security Act that it is set to replace.