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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• US moves carrier strike group to eastern Mediterranean CENTCOM 08 Oct 2023 -- The United States has begun moving USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group to the Eastern Mediterranean. This includes the U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78), the Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG 60), as well as the Arleigh-Burke-class guided missile destroyers USS Thomas Hudner (DDG 116), USS Ramage (DDG 61), USS Carney (DDG 64), and USS Roosevelt (DDG 80). We have also taken steps to augment U.S. Air Force F-15, F-16, and A-10 fighter aircraft squadrons in the region. The U.S. maintains ready forces globally to further reinforce this posture if required.
• Statement From Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III on U.S. Force Posture Changes in the Middle East DoD 08 Oct 2023
• US Deploying Carrier Strike Group to Eastern Mediterranean Amid Hamas Attacks - Pentagon Sputnik 08 Oct 2023 -- The United States is deploying the USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group to the Eastern Mediterranean to bolster US regional deterrence efforts in response to the Hamas attack on Israel, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said on Sunday.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Climatic lab returns home under 96th Test Wing US Air Force 08 Oct 2023 -- After almost eight years, Eglin Air Force Base's McKinley Climatic Lab returns to 96th Test Wing possession as of Oct. 1.
• US Security Aid to Israel to Arrive in Coming Days VOA 08 Oct 2023 -- The United States is sending its newest and most advanced aircraft carrier, along with a full carrier strike group, to support Israel following a terror attack that killed hundreds of civilians.
• White House Mulls Asking Congress for $100Bln in Aid for Ukraine - Reports Sputnik 08 Oct 2023 -- US President Joe Biden is considering a "one-and-done" spending bill for Ukraine, and the White House is already drawing up plans to ask Congress to release a total of $100 billion in a single aid package for Kiev, news outlet reported Saturday, citing sources familiar with the matter.
• Ukraine's drone production up hundredfold in past year: PM People's Daily 08 Oct 2023 -- Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said Ukraine's drone production has risen hundredfold in the past year, the government press service reported on Saturday.
• US Senator Says Will Move Forward Bill to Replenish Israel's Iron Dome System Sputnik 08 Oct 2023 -- US Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Ben Cardin said in a press release that he intends to move forward legislation to provide Israel security assistance, including replenishing its Iron Dome air defense system, as soon as possible.
• Secretary Blinken's Call with United Arab Emirates Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed US Dept. of State 08 Oct 2023
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken With Kristen Welker of NBC's Meet the Press US Dept. of State 08 Oct 2023
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken With Margaret Brennan of CBS's Face the Nation US Dept. of State 08 Oct 2023
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken With George Stephanopoulos of ABC's This Week US Dept. of State 08 Oct 2023
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken With Dana Bash of CNN's State of the Union US Dept. of State 08 Oct 2023
• Secretary Blinken's Call with Turkish Foreign Minister Fidan US Dept. of State 08 Oct 2023
• Secretary Blinken's Call with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan US Dept. of State 08 Oct 2023

Defense Industry

Other Conflicts

Ukraine Conflict News

Operation Iron Swords / Operation Al-Aqsa Flood

• PM Netanyahu Currently Holding a Security Assessment Israel - Prime Minister 08 Oct 2023
• PM Netanyahu Appoints Brig.-Gen. (Ret.) Gal Hirsch as Coordinator for the Captives and the Missing Israel - Prime Minister 08 Oct 2023
• Security Cabinet Approves War Situation Israel - Prime Minister 08 Oct 2023 -- Last night, the Security Cabinet approved the war situation and, to this end, the taking of significant military steps, as per Article 40 of Basic Law: The Government.
• Security Cabinet Convenes and makes Series of Operational Decisions Israel - Prime Minister 08 Oct 2023 -- The Security Cabinet convened this evening and made a series of operational decisions, the goal of which is to achieve the destruction of the military and governing capabilities of Hamas and Islamic Jihad in a way that will preclude their ability and willingness to threaten and attack the citizens of Israel for many years.
• Correction:Statement by PM Netanyahu Israel - Prime Minister 08 Oct 2023
• Operational Statement by IDF Spokesperson RDML Daniel Hagari Israel Defense Forces 08 Oct 2023
• The IDF Struck Terrorist Targets in Beit Hanoun in Gaza Israel Defense Forces 08 Oct 2023
• Israeli PM vows retaliation after Hamas offensive People's Daily 08 Oct 2023 -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pledged to retaliate firmly against the rocket and infiltrating attack by the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas), which has killed at least 200 Israelis and left over 1,400 wounded.
• Netanyahu declares 'long' war on Gaza as Israeli death toll tops 700 Press TV 08 Oct 2023 -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing cabinet has declared a "long and difficult" war against Palestinians as the estimated death toll from a surprise offensive by the Hamas resistance movement against the Israeli regime has jumped to 700.
• Israeli Government Declares Country Officially in State of War Sputnik 08 Oct 2023 -- The Israeli government announced Sunday that it has invoked Article 40 of the Basic Law, which means the country has officially entered a state of war.
• Israel's Defense Minister Expands 'Special Security Situation' to All Israel Sputnik 08 Oct 2023 -- Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has ordered that the "special security situation" status be extended to the entire territory of Israel amid the escalation of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, the Israeli Defense Ministry said in a release.
• Israel asks Egypt to mediate release of Israelis captured by Hamas: Egyptian officials Press TV 08 Oct 2023 -- Egyptian officials have said Israel urged Egypt to help mediate the release of Israeli forces and settlers captured by Palestinian resistance fighters after they launched a surprise assault across the occupied territories.
• Israel Demands UN Security Council Condemn Hamas 'War Crimes' VOA 08 Oct 2023 -- Israel's U.N. ambassador demanded Sunday that the Security Council condemn what he said are Hamas war crimes against Israeli citizens.
• Hamas Attack Is Latest Tragedy in Long Cycle of Middle East Violence VOA 08 Oct 2023 -- When Hamas militants from the Gaza Strip carried out attacks in Israel on Saturday, resulting in thousands of Israeli and Palestinian civilian casualties, it was the latest clash in a conflict with origins ascribed to biblical times.
• UN World Food Program Calls for Swift Delivery of Food Supplies in Gaza VOA 08 Oct 2023 -- The United Nations World Food Program (WFP) urged Sunday for the creation of humanitarian corridors to allow food supplies into Gaza during Israeli airstrikes on the Palestinian enclave following deadly Hamas attacks.
• What We Know: Israel-Hamas Conflict VOA 08 Oct 2023 -- Hundreds are dead and thousands injured as Israel engages for a second day in urban fighting with Hamas militants in the streets of southern Israel, while Lebanon's powerful armed group Hezbollah, in a coordinated attack, exchanged artillery and rocket fire with Israel in the north. This follows Hamas's unexpected incursion Saturday into southern Israel from Gaza.
• Iran Appeared to Coordinate Closely With Hamas Ahead of Assault on Israel, Observers Say VOA 08 Oct 2023 -- Iran showed signs of close coordination with its Palestinian militant proxies in the weeks before and immediately after Hamas launched Saturday's surprise attacks on Israel from Gaza, observers tell VOA.
• Israel Urges China to Show Solidarity After Beijing Fails to Condemn Hamas Attacks VOA 08 Oct 2023 -- China's foreign ministry Sunday responded to the surprise attack by Hamas militants on Israel by calling on all sides to exercise restraint, echoing Russia's position.
• Israel Officially Declares War on Hamas After Surprise Attack VOA 08 Oct 2023 -- The Israeli government formally declared war Sunday on Hamas militants in Gaza, setting the stage for a massive Israeli military response to the Islamist militant group's surprise attack on the Jewish state.
• Hamas calls on Palestinians to rise up against Israeli regime IRNA 08 Oct 2023 -- Hamas has issued a call for a mass uprising of Palestinians in the occupied West Bank against the Israeli regime, as the death toll from a brutal Israeli onslaught on Gaza rises to 572.
• Operation Al-Aqsa Storm: 300 Israelis killed, 100 captured by resistance fighters IRNA 08 Oct 2023 -- The Palestinian resistance's Operation Al-Aqsa Storm has so far killed 300 Israeli forces and settlers, according to Israeli media.
• Israeli death toll in Hamas attack reaches 600 People's Daily 08 Oct 2023 -- The death toll of Hamas' unprecedented surprise attack on Israel reached 600, Israel's state-owned Kan TV news reported on Sunday, the second day of the deadly war.
• Israel evacuates communities near Gaza on 2nd day of escalation with Hamas People's Daily 08 Oct 2023 -- Israel was evacuating residents in communities in the vicinity of the Gaza Strip on Sunday, the second day of battles with the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas).
• Heavy casualties reported in Gaza, Israel after Hamas surprise attack prompts retaliation People's Daily 08 Oct 2023 -- The Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) on Saturday showered Israel with thousands of rockets in a rare surprise attack that was responded with massive Israeli airstrikes on Gaza and punitive measures, including power outages.
• At least 313 Palestinians, 300 Israelis killed as conflict enters 2nd day People's Daily 08 Oct 2023 -- The death toll from Israeli airstrikes in Gaza has risen to 313, including 20 children, with 1,990 others injured, according to an update from the Gaza-based Health Ministry on Sunday.
• Hamas official criticizes U.S. biased position towards Israel People's Daily 08 Oct 2023 -- A senior official of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) on Saturday criticized the biased position of the United States towards Israel amid the current escalating tensions in the Gaza Strip.
• Latest developments of Palestinian-Israeli conflict: 3,000 rockets fired, hundreds killed People's Daily 08 Oct 2023 -- A senior official of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) on Saturday criticized the biased position of the United States towards Israel amid the current escalating tensions in the Gaza Strip.
• Hamas praises 'historic' al-Aqsa Storm, vows liberation of Palestine Press TV 08 Oct 2023 -- The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas has extolled as "historic" its latest retaliatory operation against the Israeli regime in the occupied territories and vowed that the attacks on the illegal entity will continue until the full liberation of Palestine.
• 'We are not attacking civilians': Hamas says amid Operation Al-Aqsa Storm Press TV 08 Oct 2023 -- The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas has rejected accusations of targeting civilians as the fighting rages across the occupied territories since the resistance groups launched Operation Al-Aqsa Storm on Saturday.
• Israeli military planning to evacuate settlers living close to Gaza border Press TV 08 Oct 2023 -- The spokesman for the Israeli military Daniel Hagari says the regime's army will evacuate all Jewish settlers living close to the Gaza Strip within 24 hours, following a large-scale operation by Gaza-based Palestinian resistance in the occupied territories.
• 'Our guns and rockets are with you': Hezbollah tells Palestinian fighters Press TV 08 Oct 2023 -- A high-ranking official with Lebanon's Hezbollah resistance movement says the group's "guns and rockets" are with Palestinian fighters who carried out a surprise offensive against Israeli-occupied territories.
• Islamic jihad leader: Best way for enemy to prevent further loss of its forces is to admit defeat Press TV 08 Oct 2023 -- The secretary general of the Gaza-based Islamic Jihad resistance movement says the best way for Israel to prevent more of its forces from being taken captive or killed is to own up to its defeat in the face of the Palestinian resistance.
• Hezbollah launches attack on Zionist military positions from southern Lebanon IRNA 08 Oct 2023 -- The Lebanese Resistance Movement, Hezbollah, has launched attacks from the south of Lebanon into the northern part of the occupied territories, targeting Zionist military positions in the Shebaa Farms, according to media reports on Sunday.
• Lebanon's Hezbollah fires shells, guided missiles toward occupied territories Press TV 08 Oct 2023 -- Lebanon's Hezbollah resistance movement says it has fired shells and guided missiles toward Israeli-occupied territories, in the aftermath of a surprise operation by Gaza-based Palestinian fighters against the regime.
• Dozens of rockets fired from S. Lebanon to N. Israel People's Daily 08 Oct 2023 -- Dozens of rockets and heavy artillery shells were fired toward Israeli positions on the Shebaa Farms, a disputed strip of land at the intersection of the Lebanese-Syrian border and the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights, on early Sunday morning, Lebanese army intelligence sources confirmed to Xinhua.
• Hezbollah Claims Responsibility for Shelling Israeli Army Positions in Lebanon Sputnik 08 Oct 2023 -- The Lebanese movement Hezbollah claimed responsibility for shelling three Israeli army positions in southern Lebanon, according to a movement's statement seen by Sputnik on Sunday.
• Israel targets two residential buildings in Gaza in fresh air strikes Press TV 08 Oct 2023 -- The Israeli military hit two residential buildings in the Gaza Strip in fresh air raids against civilian targets on Sunday morning, a day after Palestinian fighters launched a surprise offensive against the regime.
• IDF Announces Start of Israelis' Evacuation From Settlements Bordering Gaza Strip Sputnik 08 Oct 2023 -- The Israel Defense Forces said on Sunday that it had begun evacuating five settlements near the Gaza border and that the evacuation will continue based on an assessment of the situation.
• Israeli Aviation Strikes Hamas Intelligence Chief's Compound Sputnik 08 Oct 2023 -- The Israeli air force carried out a strike on a compound belonging to the head of Hamas intelligence, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said on Sunday.
• Middle East crisis: UN engages parties as Security Council meets UN News 08 Oct 2023 -- Top UN officials engaged key actors amid the spiraling Israeli-Palestinian conflict while UN peacekeepers detected rocket and artillery fire exchanged across the Israel-Lebanon border ahead of Sunday's Security Council emergency closed-door meeting on the unfolding crisis.
• WFP sounds alarm on food security amid conflict in Israel and Palestine, urges immediate humanitarian access WFP 08 Oct 2023 -- The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is deeply concerned by the rapidly deteriorating situation in Israel and the State of Palestine and the impact of this conflict on the affected populations.
• Iranian President holds phone call with Ismail Haniyeh, Ziyad al-Nakhalah ISNA 08 Oct 2023 -- Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi held a telephone conversation with the head of the political bureau of Palestinian resistance movement Hamas Ismail Haniyeh and the leader of Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Ziyad al-Nakhalah.
• Iran president, resistance leaders discuss Palestine developments over phone IRNA 08 Oct 2023 -- Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has reportedly had phone conversations with Palestinian resistance leaders over the latest developments in Palestine.
• In warning to Israel, President Raeisi says warmongering detrimental to Zionists Press TV 08 Oct 2023 -- President Ebrahim Raeisi of Iran has warned Israel that the regional equation has changed and warmongering would be detrimental to the Zionists.
• Steely resolve of Palestinians harbinger of final victory over Israel: Iranian president Press TV 08 Oct 2023 -- Iran's President Ebrahim Raeisi says the "steely resolve" of the Palestinians heralds the final victory over the Israeli regime.
• Iran president urges Muslim governments to stand with Palestine IRNA 08 Oct 2023 -- Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has called on Muslim governments to stand with the Islamic community in supporting the oppressed Palestinian people in the face of the Israeli regime's aggression.
• Iran: Palestinian operation against Israel 'turning point' in anti-Zionist resistance Press TV 08 Oct 2023 -- Iran hails the largest Palestinian military operation against Israel in years as "a turning point and a new chapter" in the continuing resistance against the Zionists.
• Iran calls on Muslim countries to support al-Aqsa Mosque, inalienable rights of Palestinian people ISNA 08 Oct 2023 -- Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman, Nasser Kanaani reacted to the current developments in occupied Palestine and the attack by the Palestinian resistance groups against the Zionist occupiers, saying the Al-Aqsa Storm operation was a spontaneous move by the resistance groups and the oppressed Palestinian people in defense of their inalienable and undeniable rights.
• Iran FM: Muslim countries must join hands in defending Palestinians, al-Aqsa Press TV 08 Oct 2023 -- Iran's foreign minister has called on all Muslim countries to join hands in defending the Palestinian people and the al-Aqsa Mosque compound.
• General Baqeri: Al-Aqsa Storm turns Zionists' collapse nightmare into reality IRNA 08 Oct 2023 -- Iran's Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Baqeri has stated that the Al-Aqsa Storm Operation has turned the nightmare of the Zionist regime's collapse into a reality for its leaders.
• Al-Aqsa Storm made Israelis believe in their 'nightmare of collapse': Iran military chief Press TV 08 Oct 2023 -- Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Baqeri says the "glorious" Palestinian military operation in the occupied territories made the rulers of the regime believe their "nightmare of collapse" is coming to life.
• Iran's official terms 'Al-Aqsa Storm' as onset of Zionist regime's collapse IRNA 08 Oct 2023 -- Secretary of the Expediency Discernment Council Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr has described 'Al-Aqsa Storm' operation as the starting point for the Zionist regime collapse.
• Iranian, Turkish FMs review developments in Palestine IRNA 08 Oct 2023 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian has discussed the latest developments in Palestine with his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan.
• Iran, Türkiye FMs confer on current developments in Palestine ISNA 08 Oct 2023 -- Iranian and Turkish Foreign Ministers discussed the current developments in Palestine in a phone conversation.
• "Permanent peace can be achieved in the Middle East only if the Palestine-Israel issue is solved once and for all" Presidency of The Republic of Turkey 08 Oct 2023 -- Addressing the opening ceremony of Istanbul Mor Efrem Syriac Orthodox Church, President Erdoğan said: "Those knowledgeable about the history of the Middle East can clearly see the fact that the Palestinian issue lies at the essence of all the current problems in our region. Peace will remain elusive in our region unless this issue is settled in a just manner. Permanent peace can be achieved in the Middle East only if the Palestine-Israel issue is solved once and for all."
• Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Call With Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant DoD 08 Oct 2023
• Readout of Vice President Harris's Call with President Isaac Herzog of Israel The White House 08 Oct 2023
• Readout of President Biden's Call with Prime Minister Netanyahu of Israel The White House 08 Oct 2023
• Biden vows 'rock solid' support for Israeli onslaught on Gaza Press TV 08 Oct 2023 -- US President Joe Biden has pledged unwavering support for the Israeli regime after the Gaza-based Palestinian resistance launched a large-scale operation in the occupied territories.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson's Remarks on the Escalation of Tensions Between Palestine and Israel PRC MofA 08 Oct 2023
• Hamas attack 'harsh reminder' wave of reconciliation in Middle East won't last with Palestine-Israel conflict unsolved Global Times 08 Oct 2023 -- China on Sunday reiterated that the fundamental way out of the Palestine-Israel conflicts lies in implementing the two-state solution and establishing an independent State of Palestine, after the latest conflict triggered by Hamas militants killed hundreds. China has called on relevant parties to remain calm, exercise restraint and avoid further escalation.
• China calls on Palestine, Israel to immediately end hostilities to protect civilians People's Daily 08 Oct 2023 -- China is deeply concerned over the current escalation of tensions and violence between Palestine and Israel, and calls on relevant parties to remain calm, exercise restraint and immediately end the hostilities to protect civilians and avoid further deterioration of the situation, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Sunday.
• Indonesia 'Deeply Concerned' Over Violence Between Israel, Palestinians VOA 08 Oct 2023 -- Indonesia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has released a statement expressing concern about the escalating conflict between Palestinians and Israelis.
• Human Rights Commissioner Luise Amtsberg on humanitarian assistance in the Palestinian territories Germany Federal Foreign Office 08 Oct 2023
• Volodymyr Zelenskyy had an emergency phone call with the Prime Minister of Israel President of Ukraine 08 Oct 2023
• Statement by the Prime Minister on attacks against Israel Prime Minister of Canada 08 Oct 2023
• The President: Lithuania unequivocally condemns Hamas' indiscriminate attacks against Israel and its people President of the Republic of Lithuania 08 Oct 2023 -- President Gitanas Nausėda condemns indiscriminate attacks by Hamas against Israel and urges to stop this senseless violence.
• OIC: Israeli occupation cause of conflict in occupied Palestine Press TV 08 Oct 2023 -- The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has condemned Israel's ongoing military aggression against the people in Palestine, stressing that the main cause of the latest bloody conflict is the regime's disregard for the legitimate rights of the Palestinians.
• Arab League calls on UN to add Israel to 'list of shame' Press TV 08 Oct 2023 -- The Arab League has called on the United Nations to add Israel to its annual "list of shame" of countries that commit violations against children in armed conflicts.
• Israel, Hamas Battle for Second Day after Surprise Hamas Attack VOA 08 Oct 2023 -- Fighting raged in parts of Israel and the Gaza Strip early Sunday, one day after the Palestinian militant group Hamas carried out a surprise large-scale attack against Israel.
• Death toll from Israeli airstrikes in Gaza rises to 232 People's Daily 08 Oct 2023 -- The death toll from Israeli airstrikes in Gaza has risen to 232, with 1,697 others injured, according to an update from the Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza on Saturday.
• Massive rockets fired from Gaza into Israel, at least 22 Israelis killed People's Daily 08 Oct 2023 -- Massive rockets were fired from the Gaza Strip into Israel, while a number of Palestinian militants have penetrated into Israel from Gaza, the Israeli military said Saturday, while hitting back.
• At least 22 Israelis killed in Hamas surprise offensive on Israel People's Daily 08 Oct 2023 -- Israeli emergency services confirmed that at least 22 Israelis were killed and hundreds wounded in a surprise offensive carried out by the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) on Saturday.
• Massive rockets fired from Gaza into Israel, 1 killed People's Daily 08 Oct 2023 -- Massive rockets were fired from the Gaza Strip into Israel, while a number of Palestinian militants have infiltrated into Israel from Gaza, the Israeli military said Saturday.
• Hamas: Number of Israelis taken prisoner many times 'more than dozens' Press TV 08 Oct 2023 -- Palestinian Hamas resistance movement says the number of Israelis taken captive in the ongoing operation against the regime is far more than "dozens" that was claimed by Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
• UNRWA Situation Report # 2 on the situation in the Gaza Strip, 8 October 2023 UNRWA 08 Oct 2023

Other Conflicts

• Afghanistan: Aid efforts rapidly expand as post-quake death toll rises UN News 08 Oct 2023 -- The death toll from the major earthquake that pummelled western Afghanistan soared to more than 1,000 overnight as rescue operations continued to fan out over affected villages, UN agencies said on Sunday.
• Thousands Now Feared Dead After Quakes Strike Western Afghanistan RFE/RL 08 Oct 2023 -- Rescue efforts continued October 8 in western Afghanistan a day after a series of powerful earthquakes left a wave of destruction and killed more than 2,000 people in what is being described as the worst such natural disaster in years in the quake-prone mountainous country.
• Death toll exceeds 2,000 in Afghanistan earthquake Press TV 08 Oct 2023 -- The death toll from a series of earthquakes in Afghanistan that has hit the northwestern part of Afghanistan has passed two thousand.
• Death toll of quakes soars to 2,053 in Afghanistan, officials call for assistance People's Daily 08 Oct 2023 -- The death toll of the earthquakes in western Afghanistan has risen to 2,053, a spokesman for the national disaster authority, Mullah Janan Shaeq, said on Sunday.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson's Remarks on the Earthquakes in Afghanistan PRC MofA 08 Oct 2023
• Afghan Earthquake Death Toll Soars to 2,445 as Scenes of Devastation Emerge Sputnik 08 Oct 2023 -- Taliban* government officials reported the growing death toll on Sunday as volunteers in the country race against time to rescue survivors.
• Pakistan's Order For All 'Illegal' Migrants To Leave Country Sparks Fear Among Afghans RFE/RL 08 Oct 2023 -- Pakistan's order for all "illegal" Afghan migrants to leave the country has left millions - including long-term residents and holders of valid documents - living in fear of being forcibly returned to the country they fled.
• 2 terrorists of banned outfit killed in SW Pakistan People's Daily 08 Oct 2023 -- Pakistani police killed two terrorists during a recent operation in the country's southwestern city of Quetta, the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) police said.
• Iran expects to witness complete disarmament of separatist terrorists in Iraq ISNA 08 Oct 2023 -- The Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Bagheri met with Iraqi Interior Minister, Abdulamir Kamel Al Shammari.
• Illegal presence of foreign forces in region, Syria should come to end: Iran's Defense Minister ISNA 08 Oct 2023 -- In a phone conversation with his Syrian counterpart, Iranian Defense Minister, Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Gharaei Ashtiani pointed to the recent terrorist attack on the graduation ceremony of the Syrian army officers in Homs Province, saying, "The illegal and illegitimate presence of foreign military forces in the region and Syria should come to an end as soon as possible".
• Azerbaijan says France will be to blame if new conflict starts with Armenia Press TV 08 Oct 2023 -- Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has criticized France for sending military aid to Armenia, warning that it could trigger a new conflict in the South Caucasus.
• Aliyev Says Azerbaijan Ready To 'Instantly' Begin Georgia-Hosted Talks With Armenia RFE/RL 08 Oct 2023 -- Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said his country is willing to "instantly" begin peace talks with Armenian leaders "here in Georgia" if Yerevan agrees to negotiations following Baku's victory last month over ethnic-Armenian separatists in the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh.
• Interview: Kosovo's Top Cop On Serbian Meddling And Why It's So Hard To Stop Weapons Smuggling RFE/RL 08 Oct 2023 -- Authorities in Kosovo are still investigating a deadly incident at a monastery in northern Kosovo on September 24 that resulted in the death of a Kosovar police officer and three of the suspected assailants.

News Reports

• Think Tank: Russia Likely to Use Israeli Crisis to Its Advantage in Ukraine VOA 08 Oct 2023 -- A new warning Sunday that the Kremlin "is already and will likely continue to exploit the Hamas attacks on Israel" to hype its rhetoric against Western interference in Ukraine, demoralize Ukrainians and reassure Russians that the focus of the West on the Israeli crisis will deflect its attention from the war in Ukraine, according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
• Russia Resumes Oil Exports to Brazil in Sept. After Two-Year Halt Sputnik 08 Oct 2023 -- Russia resumed oil exports to Brazil in September after a two-year halt, having supplied a record of 84,000 tonnes in 13 years, Sputnik's analysis of Brazil's customs data has shown.
• US delegation 'tests China's stance' by raising concerned issues Global Times 08 Oct 2023 -- A US delegation of bipartisan lawmakers led by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer continued its visit to Shanghai on Sunday, which analysts said was "testing the waters" on China's stance on issues such as fentanyl and "fair treatment" of US companies. Analysts noted that the US should be sincerer in its efforts to improve relations other than using tactical adjustments to test China.
• Shanghai Party chief meets US congressional delegation, encouraging US companies to seize Chinese modernization opportunities Global Times 08 Oct 2023 -- Shanghai Party chief Chen Jining met with a US congressional delegation and encouraged US companies to seize the opportunities created by China's modernization. Chen made the remark in a meeting with a bipartisan congressional delegation led by US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer who arrived in Shanghai on Saturday.
• BRI projects facilitate social economic development in PNG as bilateral ties remain steadfast: Chinese ambassador Global Times 08 Oct 2023
• China and the Lessons Learned From a Decade of the BRI VOA 08 Oct 2023 -- As Beijing marks the 10-year anniversary of its Belt and Road Initiative or BRI, China's state media is lauding the program's efforts to boost connectivity and build out global infrastructure.
• Former president of Bank of China expelled from CPC People's Daily 08 Oct 2023 -- Liu Liange, former Party chief and president of the Bank of China, has been expelled from the Communist Party of China (CPC) over severe violations of discipline and law.
• Former senior Jiangxi provincial legislator expelled from CPC, public office People's Daily 08 Oct 2023 -- Yin Meigen, a former senior legislator in east China's Jiangxi Province, has been expelled from the Communist Party of China (CPC) and dismissed from public office over severe violations of discipline and law.
• Nauru president arrives in Taiwan for National Day celebrations CNA 08 Oct 2023 -- Nauru President Russ Joseph Kun said Sunday that his visit to Taiwan is meant to offer his country's congratulations to the Republic of China national day.
• PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan Oct. 8, 2023 ROC MND 08 Oct 2023
• Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un Receives Greetings from Syrian President KCNA 08 Oct 2023 -- Kim Jong Un , president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, received a message of greeting from Bashar Al-Assad, president of the Syrian Arab Republic, on October 5.
• Tehran Stock Exchange Plummets on 2nd Day of Israel-Hamas Conflict VOA 08 Oct 2023 -- The Tehran Stock Exchange saw a sharp decline on the second day of fighting between Israel and Hamas militants, with the overall index plummeting approximately 51,000 points.
• PM Netanyahu Speaks with US President Joe Biden Israel - Prime Minister 08 Oct 2023
• PM Netanyahu Speaks with Four European Leaders Israel - Prime Minister 08 Oct 2023
• PM call with Prime Minister Netanyahu of Israel : 8 October 2023 Gov.UK 08 Oct 2023
• Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks with President of the United Arab Emirates His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan Prime Minister of Canada 08 Oct 2023 -- Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke with the President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
• Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks with Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu Prime Minister of Canada 08 Oct 2023 -- Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke with the Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu.
• Myanmar's top court declines to hear jailed Suu Kyi's appeals Press TV 08 Oct 2023 -- Myanmar's Supreme Court on Friday rejected appeals by Aung San Suu Kyi's lawyers to overturn her conviction in some corruption cases brought against the ousted leader by the military regime.