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Defense Policy / Programs

• DAF publishes Comprehensive Strategy for the Space Force US Air Force 13 Oct 2023 -- Department of the Air Force's Report to Congressional Committees, Comprehensive Strategy for the Space Force, dated August 2023, was published on the SpaceForce.mil Space Force Policy page for public review Oct. 13.
• Garrison workforce occupies new command headquarters building Army News 13 Oct 2023 -- U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden workforce welcomed a completed move to their new headquarters building on North Clay Kaserne in October 2023. The move to building 3340 marks the beginning of a new phase in Installation Management consolidation at Clay Kaserne, housing U.S. Army Installation Command - Europe and USAG Wiesbaden staff and operations over three floors.
• Navy to Commission Submarine Hyman G. Rickover US Navy 13 Oct 2023 -- The Navy will commission the newest Virginia-class fast-attack submarine, the future USS Hyman G. Rickover (SSN 795), during a 10 a.m. EST ceremony Saturday, Oct. 14, at Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton, Connecticut.
• Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Visit to Israel DoD 13 Oct 2023
• Remarks by Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III at a Joint Press Conference in Israel (As Prepared) DoD 13 Oct 2023
• Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III Joint Press Conference With Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant in Tel Aviv, Israel DoD 13 Oct 2023
• Secretary of Defense Travels to Tel Aviv to Show Support for the People of Israel DoD 13 Oct 2023
• Austin: U.S. Commitment to Israel Is "Ironclad" DoD News 13 Oct 2023 -- Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III today underscored the United States' unwavering commitment to Israel after meeting with key leaders in Tel Aviv.
• NATO holds long-planned annual nuclear exercise NATO 13 Oct 2023 -- NATO will launch its long-planned annual nuclear exercise "Steadfast Noon" on Monday (16 October 2023) with up to 60 aircraft taking part in training flights over southern Europe.
• Swedish PM:'We Have Done Our Part' to Secure NATO Membership VOA 13 Oct 2023 -- Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson told reporters Friday that Sweden has done all it can do to satisfy an agreement with Turkey that will secure Sweden's path to NATO membership, and the matter is in the hands of Turkey's parliament.
• Pacific Fleet's destroyer detachment undergoes joint maneuvering drills in South China Sea waters Russia MoD 13 Oct 2023 -- The Pacific Fleet's destroyer detachment, including ships Admiral Tributs and Admiral Panteleev, continues to perform tasks in the Asia-Pacific region.
• Final stage of joint exercise with CSTO Peacekeeping Forces Unbreakable Brotherhood 2023 takes place in Kyrgyzstan Russia MoD 13 Oct 2023 -- On October 13, on the basis of the Edelweiss training center of the Ministry of Defence of the Kyrgyz Republic, the final stage of the joint exercise with the CSTO peacekeeping forces Unbreakable Brotherhood 2023 held within the framework of the CSTO joint operational and strategic exercise Combat Brotherhood-2023 took place.
• During CSTO joint exercises, combat boats are used for first time in the Issyk-Kul water area Russia MoD 13 Oct 2023 -- In Kyrgyzstan, as part of the exercise with the Peacekeeping Forces of the CSTO Unbreakable Brotherhood 2023, combat boats were used for the first time and actions were practiced in the waters of Lake Issyk-Kul.
• Rostec Supplies Russian Armed Forces With Batch of Intelligent Mine-Laying Systems Sputnik 13 Oct 2023 -- Rostec has delivered a batch of ISDM Zemledeliye remote mining engineering systems to Russian troops.
• War in Ukraine - Military support for Ukraine Germany - Federal Government 13 Oct 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.
• Training of Ukrainian pilots to fly F-16 fighter jets underway: report People's Daily 13 Oct 2023 -- The training of Ukrainian pilots to fly F-16 fighter jets is successfully underway, the Ukrainian government-run Ukrinform news agency reported Thursday, citing a military spokesman.
• Milestone for air and missile defence Australia DOD 13 Oct 2023 -- Lockheed Martin Australia has been announced as the strategic partner for Defence's multi-million-dollar Joint Air Battle Management System (JABMS), which will deliver the core command-and-control architecture for the Australian Defence Force's growing Integrated Air and Missile Defence (IAMD) capability.
• A shift of focus to the north Australia DOD 13 Oct 2023 -- The role of the 2nd (Australian) Division will focus on the defence of Australia's north and offshore territories, in line with the recommendations of the Defence Strategic Review.
• White House Accuses North Korea of Shipping Weapons to Russia VOA 13 Oct 2023 -- The White House on Friday accused North Korea of shipping weapons to Russia, near the Ukraine border. Its claims are based on an image released Friday showing a shipment from an ammunition depot in North Korea, or DPRK, that was loaded onto a Russian-flagged ship before being moved by rail to a depot along Russia's southwestern border. The delivery took place between Sept. 7 and Oct. 1, the U.S. says.
• Eastern Mediterranean to support Israel UK MOD 13 Oct 2023 -- The Prime Minister has deployed UK military to the Eastern Mediterranean to support Israel and reinforce regional stability.
• PM accelerates military support to Northern Europe following visit to Sweden Gov.UK 13 Oct 2023 -- The Prime Minister has vowed to step up the UK's presence in Northern Europe, deepen cooperation on tackling hybrid threats and protect Critical National Infrastructure with Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) partners as he met fellow leaders today.
• Philippines, Republic of Korea Underscore Shared Commitment to Deepen Maritime Cooperation in 2nd Maritime Dialogue Philippines DFA 13 Oct 2023 -- The Philippines and the Republic of Korea (ROK) underscored their shared commitment to deepen maritime cooperation as the two countries' delegations met in Manila, for the second Philippines-ROK Maritime Korea, on October 12.
• EU Statement - UN General Assembly 1st Committee: Nuclear Weapons European External Action Service (EEAS) 13 Oct 2023 -- European Union Statement delivered at the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly First Committee on Nuclear Weapons
• Active Phase of CSTO 'Indestructible Brotherhood' Exercise Kicks Off in Kyrgyzstan Sputnik 13 Oct 2023 -- Kyrgyzstan is hosting the Indestructible Brotherhood-2023 military exercises of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) peacekeeping forces from October 9 to 13.
• Secretary Blinken's Call with Holy See Secretary of State Cardinal Parolin US Dept. of State 13 Oct 2023
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken With Qatari Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman Al Thani At a Joint Press Availability US Dept. of State 13 Oct 2023
• Secretary Blinken's Meeting with Bahraini Crown Prince-Prime Minister Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa US Dept. of State 13 Oct 2023
• Secretary Blinken's Meeting with Jordanian King Abdullah II US Dept. of State 13 Oct 2023

Defense Industry

• Contracts For Oct. 13, 2023

Other Conflicts

Ukraine Conflict News
• 13 October 2023 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 13 Oct 2023

Operation Iron Swords / Operation Al-Aqsa Flood

• Daily Recap: October 13th, 2023 (17:00) Israel Defense Forces 13 Oct 2023
• IDF fighter jets struck 750 military targets in the northern Gaza Strip overnight Israel Defense Forces 13 Oct 2023
• IDF Announcement Sent to the Civilians of Gaza City Israel Defense Forces 13 Oct 2023
• Threats of Execution of Israeli Captives Will Not Stop Israeli Forces Sputnik 13 Oct 2023 -- Hamas and their allies are fully responsible for safety of Israeli captives, and their threats to execute them will not stop the Israeli military, the foreign ministry's spokesman, Walid Abu Haya, told Sputnik on Friday.
• PM Netanyahu Meeting with US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin Israel - Prime Minister 13 Oct 2023
• Israel to UN: Northern Gaza Should Evacuate Within 24 Hours VOA 13 Oct 2023
• Iran Warns Israel of 'Axis' Response as Fears Grow of Regional War VOA 13 Oct 2023 -- Iran, Hamas' major supporter, has warned that Israel "could receive a response" from Tehran's allies amid growing fears the conflict between Israel and Hamas could spiral into a regional Middle East war.
• Israeli Army Warns UN Gaza North Population Should Relocate Within 24 Hours Sputnik 13 Oct 2023 -- The Israeli military has notified the United Nations that the entire population of Gaza north, or approximately 1.1 million people, and the UN staff should relocate to southern Gaza within the next 24 hours, Stephane Dujarric, the spokesman for UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, told Sputnik on Thursday.
• Humanitarian crisis in Gaza worsens as conflict intensifies People's Daily 13 Oct 2023 -- Gaza's only power station has stopped working after the fuel needed for generating electricity ran out on Wednesday, Gaza officials said, sparking great concern over the humanitarian situation in the enclave as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict rages on.
• Israeli military warns Palestinians to evacuate Gaza City People's Daily 13 Oct 2023 -- Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) on Friday ordered residents of Gaza City to evacuate to the southern area of the coastal enclave ahead of a possible Israeli ground offensive.
• 1,900 Palestinians, including 614 children, martyred in Israeli offensive in Gaza Press TV 13 Oct 2023 -- The death toll from Israel's savage attacks on the Gaza Strip continues to rise nearly a week after the regime launched its brutal onslaught on the besieged Palestinian territory.
• Israeli forces kill 16 in West Bank as Palestinians rally for Gaza Press TV 13 Oct 2023 -- Israeli forces have killed 16 Palestinians across the occupied West Bank as they opened live fire on demonstrators rallying to show solidarity with the people of the Gaza Strip.
• Israel gives Gazans 24 hours to relocate south; Hamas calls it 'fake propaganda' Press TV 13 Oct 2023 -- Israel has ordered residents of Gaza City to evacuate the area within 24 hours, in what is viewed as a precursor of a ground invasion by the occupying entity after suffering a serious setback by the Palestinian resistance groups over the past few days.
• Abbas Rejects Attempts to Relocate Population of Gaza Strip at Talks With Blinken - Reports Sputnik 13 Oct 2023 -- Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has expressed his complete rejection of attempts to relocate the population of the Gaza Strip during a meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in the Jordanian capital of Amman, Palestinian news agency WAFA reported on Friday.
• Israel vows to end Hamas' rule over Gaza as fighting intensifies People's Daily 13 Oct 2023 -- The Israeli military chief said Thursday that Israel seeks an end to the rule of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) in the Gaza Strip, targeting its senior leaders with days of heavy bombardment, which has caused more than 1,500 deaths in the Palestinian enclave.
• 1,537 Palestinians killed, 6,612 wounded in constant Israeli bombardment Press TV 13 Oct 2023 -- The death toll from Israel's savage attacks on the Gaza Strip continues to rise nearly a week after the regime launched its brutal onslaught on the besieged Palestinian territory.
• Gazans trapped in ever-worsening situation with health system overwhelmed People's Daily 13 Oct 2023 -- The 35-year-old Farid Abdul Halim Mousleh thought that escaping the fierce bombardment on his town of Beit Hanoun, north of Gaza, would spare his family from the ongoing Israeli air strikes on the coastal enclave that have lasted for six days.
• Secretary-General's remarks to the press on the situation in the Middle East UN Secretary-General 13 Oct 2023 -- Palestinians living in the northern Gaza Strip scrambled Friday as the clock ticked down on an Israeli order to evacuate to the southern part of the Strip within 24 hours, ahead of what many fear will be a major Israeli ground offensive into the Hamas-controlled territory.
• UN Calls on Israel to Rescind Order for 1.1 Million Civilians to Leave Northern Gaza VOA 13 Oct 2023 -- United Nations agencies Friday appealed to Israel to rescind its demand that 1.1 million civilians leave northern Gaza and relocate to the south within the next 24 hours, saying this was impossible and would have devastating consequences.
• Time is running out for children in Gaza—UNICEF UNICEF 13 Oct 2023 -- Hundreds of thousands of children and their families have started fleeing northern Gaza today ahead of imminent larger-scale attacks. It follows days of bombardments of Gaza after the brutal attacks of 7 October. Nearly a week into the war, hundreds of children have been reportedly killed, and thousands more reportedly injured.
• Gaza's children pay the heaviest price, with hundreds dead UNICEF 13 Oct 2023 -- "Hundreds and hundreds of children have been killed and injured. Every hour in Gaza, the number of children killed rises. The killing of children must stop.
• Gaza: Nowhere to go, as humanitarian crisis reaches 'dangerous new low' UN News 13 Oct 2023 -- Humanitarians expressed deep concern on Friday for all civilians in the Gaza Strip following Israel's order for the entire population there to leave the north, amid ongoing airstrikes and a deepening crisis. The UN chief told reporters outside the Security Council the world had to unite around the principle of protecting civilians and "finding a lasting solution to this unending cycle of death and destruction."
• Israel-Gaza crisis dominates close of Human Rights Council session UN News 13 Oct 2023 -- At the concluding segment of the 54th Session of the UN Human Rights Council on Friday in Geneva, several States seized the opportunity to address the conflict engulfing Gaza and Israel, now in its sixth day.
• UN rapporteur slams EU support for Israeli aggression on Gaza Press TV 13 Oct 2023 -- A United Nations special rapporteur has slammed the European Union's unwavering support for Israel in its aggression on Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, and its double standards regarding Palestine and Ukraine.
• UNRWA Says Relocated Main Operations Center, Int'l Staff to Southern Gaza Strip Sputnik 13 Oct 2023 -- The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) said on Friday it had relocated its central operations center and international staff to the southern Gaza Strip, following the relevant call by the Israeli military.
• WHO pleads for immediate reversal of Gaza evacuation order to protect health and reduce suffering WHO 13 Oct 2023
• Secretary Blinken's Meeting with Palestinian Authority President Abbas US Dept. of State 13 Oct 2023
• Readout of National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and Principal Deputy National Security Advisor Jon Finer's Calls with Senior UN Officials on the Humanitarian Situation in Gaza The White House 13 Oct 2023
• Blinken meets Netanyahu, promises more arms support People's Daily 13 Oct 2023 -- U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Israel on Thursday, pledging support and more weapon deliveries for Israel.
• Iran FM: End to Israel's war crimes in Gaza top, foremost priority Press TV 13 Oct 2023 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian says putting an end to the Israeli war crimes against the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip is of paramount priority.
• Palestinian resistance to tap into 'various capacities' if Israel continues crimes: Iran FM Press TV 13 Oct 2023 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian has warned that the Palestinian resistance groups will tap into their various capacities if the Israeli regime presses ahead with savagery in its barbaric onslaught against the besieged Gaza Strip.
• Iranian FM, Lebanese PM discuss Palestine situation IRNA 13 Oct 2023 -- Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian has discussed regional issues, including the situation in Palestine with the Prime Minister of Lebanon Najib Mikati.
• Iran: Fighting against Israel may expand to 'new fronts' Press TV 13 Oct 2023 -- Iran has said that fighting against the Israeli regime, which has brought the Gaza Strip under a hugely deadly and destructive war, may expand to new fronts.
• Iran FM kicks off regional tour for talks focusing on Gaza war IRNA 12 Oct 2023 -- Iran's Foreign Minister, Hossein Amirabdollahian, has embarked on a regional tour, starting with Iraq, to discuss the ongoing situation in the Palestinian territories, including the Gaza Strip, which has been subjected to severe airstrikes by the Zionist regime over the past six days
• Iran FM discusses regional issues with Iraqi security advisor IRNA 12 Oct 2023 -- Iran's Minister of Foreign Affairs Hossein Amirabdullahian has discussed regional issues with Iraqi National Security Advisor Qassim al-Araji.
• Iran's foreign minister meets Iraqi PM, talks Palestine developments Press TV 12 Oct 2023 -- Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian of Iran has met with Iraq's Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani and discussed bilateral relations and the current developments in the occupied Palestinian territories.
• Iran's FM to make regional tour to Iraq, Lebanon discuss Palestine developments Press TV 12 Oct 2023 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian will embark on a regional tour that will take him to Iraq and Lebanon to discuss the large-scale military operation by the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas against Israel.
• Minister Joly meets with Israel's Foreign Minister Canada 13 Oct 2023
• Additional assisted-departure flights for Australians Australia MFA 13 Oct 2023 -- The Australian Government has secured additional assisted-departure flights for Australians affected by the situation in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
• Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks with President of the Palestinian Authority Mahmoud Abbas Prime Minister of Canada 13 Oct 2023 -- Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke with the President of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas.
• Prime Minister Trudeau convenes the Incident Response Group to discuss Hamas' attacks against Israel and the assisted departures of Canadian citizens Prime Minister of Canada 13 Oct 2023 -- Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau convened the Incident Response Group with ministers and senior officials to discuss the situation in the Middle East, Canadian consular support, and the ongoing assisted departure of Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and eligible family members from the region.
• Statement by President von der Leyen with President Metsola and Israeli President Herzog European Commission 13 Oct 2023
• Statement by President von der Leyen with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu European Commission 13 Oct 2023
• Solidarity and crisis diplomacy - Foreign Minister Baerbock travels to Israel Germany Federal Foreign Office 13 Oct 2023 -- On 13 October, Foreign Minister Baerbock is travelling to Israel amid the fallout of the Hamas terror attack.
• Foreign Minister Baerbock prior to her departure for Israel Germany Federal Foreign Office 13 Oct 2023 -- Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock issued the following statement today (13 October) prior to her departure for Israel:
• Chinese special envoy to visit Middle East as Israel-Hamas violence worsens Global Times 13 Oct 2023 -- China's special envoy on the Middle East issue will visit the relevant countries in the region in the near future, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Friday, as the Israel-Hamas conflict has shown no signs of easing and chaos, panic and confusion filled the region under an Israeli barrage of airstrikes ahead of a ground invasion.
• Norway increasing support for civilian population in Gaza Government of Norway 13 Oct 2023 -- Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock issued the following statement today (13 October) prior to her departure for Israel:
• Swedish support to people affected by the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh Government Offices of Sweden 13 Oct 2023 -- Armenia has received more than 100 000 refugees as a result of Azerbaijan's military operation in Nagorno-Karabakh. Sweden is supporting the humanitarian response and Armenia's refugee reception through targeted humanitarian support, extensive core support to humanitarian organisations and long-term reform support.
• Putin compares 'unacceptable' Gaza blockade to Nazi siege of Leningrad Press TV 13 Oct 2023 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has denounced Israel's siege of the Gaza Strip as "unacceptable," comparing it to the Nazi blockade of Leningrad during World War II.
• Russia is Ready to Mediate in Palestinian-Israeli Settlement - Putin Sputnik 13 Oct 2023 -- On October 7, the Palestinian group Hamas launched a surprise large-scale rocket attack against Israel from the Gaza Strip, prompting Israel to declare a state of war the following day and launch retaliatory strikes.
• Turkey's Erdogan slams Israel's 'unacceptable' evacuation ultimatum Press TV 13 Oct 2023 -- Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has condemned the Israeli regime for forcing more than one million Palestinians to leave south of the Gaza Strip, as it has been shelling the besieged region for several days.
• Ecuador Sending Aircraft to Israel to Evacuate Nationals Sputnik 13 Oct 2023 -- Ecuador will send a plane to Israel on Saturday to evacuate its citizens from the conflict zone, President Guillermo Lasso said.
• No: 257, 13 October 2023, Press Release Regarding the Israeli Army's Demand for Relocation of the Population in the North of Gaza Republic of Turkey Ministry of Foreign Affairs 13 Oct 2023
• Saudi Arabia puts normalization with Israel 'on ice', engages with Iran amid Gaza war: Report Press TV 13 Oct 2023 -- Saudi Arabia has reportedly reconsidered its foreign policy priorities amid the Israeli onslaught against the besieged Gaza Strip by postponing a US-brokered normalization deal with the occupying entity and getting closer to Iran.
• Putin on Israel-Palestine Conflict: We Need to Think About Civilian Population Sputnik 13 Oct 2023 -- The participants of the Israel-Palestine conflict need to think about the civilian population, despite the serious escalation of actions on both sides, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday.
• Pyongyang denies N Korean weapons used by Hamas against Israel Radio Free Asia 13 Oct 2023 -- North Korea denied on Friday that the Hamas militant group used North Korean munitions in its surprise attack on Israel, accusing the United States of fabricating a false accusation against Pyongyang.
• Norwegian FM calls for de-escalation in Israeli-Palestinian conflict People's Daily 13 Oct 2023 -- Norwegian Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt on Thursday called for de-escalation in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
• Israelis and Palestinians urged to hold discussions People's Daily 13 Oct 2023 -- Both the Israeli and Palestinian sides are urged to return to negotiations and stop the weeklong bloodshed and humanitarian disasters.
• Israel Used White Phosphorus in Lebanon, Gaza Strikes Sputnik 13 Oct 2023 -- The Human Rights Watch non-governmental organization (NGO) said Thursday that it verified videos of Israel using artillery-fired white phosphorus to strike Lebanon and the Gaza Strip on October 10 and 11, and warned of great risks to civilians.
• Int'l Affairs Analyst on Present Middle East Crisis KCNA 13 Oct 2023 -- Ri Kwang Song, a commentator on international affairs of the DPRK, issued the following article titled "The current Middle East crisis predicts the U.S. bigger strategic defeat" on Friday:

Other Conflicts

• US Announces Urgent Relief Aid for Afghan Quake Victims VOA 13 Oct 2023 -- The United States Agency for International Development, or USAID, has announced $12 million in immediate humanitarian aid to assist victims of a week of repeated deadly earthquakes in western Afghanistan.
• Afghanistan: Agencies launch funding appeal for quake-hit families UN News 13 Oct 2023 -- UN agencies are appealing for urgent funds to assist the hundreds of thousands affected by deadly earthquakes in western Afghanistan.
• Dead, Wounded In Afghan Mosque Blast During Friday Prayers RFE/RL 13 Oct 2023 -- Seven Shi'ite worshippers were killed and 15 wounded in an explosion that occurred during Friday prayers on October 13 in a Shi'ite mosque in Pol-e-Khomri, the capital of Afghanistan's northern Baghlan Province, according to the Taliban-led government's police command in the province.
• Blast occurs in Shia mosque in Afghanistan's Baghlan Province Press TV 13 Oct 2023 -- A deadly blast has left a number of casualties in a Shia mosque in Pul-e-Khumri, the provincial capital of north Afghanistan's Baghlan province.
• The Azadi Briefing: Deadly Earthquakes Heap More Misery On Afghanistan RFE/RL 13 Oct 2023
• UNHCR launches urgent funding appeal to support earthquake survivors in Afghanistan UNHCR 13 Oct 2023 -- UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is today launching an urgent appeal for $14.4 million to scale up its assistance for those affected by the tragic recent earthquakes in western Afghanistan.
• PACE calls on Azerbaijan to 'prove its goodwill' towards the Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh Council of Europe 13 Oct 2023 -- PACE has called on Azerbaijan to "create a climate of trust and the material conditions" for Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh to be able to return to their homeland - including active steps to encourage and reassure them to do so.
• Serbian List Says It's Ready To Participate In New Elections In Northern Kosovo RFE/RL 13 Oct 2023 -- The chairman of Kosovo's main ethnic-Serb party, Serbian List, says it is ready to take part in new municipal elections in northern Kosovo.
• Ethiopia: Victims 'left in limbo' as rights probe mandate ends UN News 13 Oct 2023 -- The UN-mandated Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia on Friday released a harrowing report on the "staggering" level of human rights violations and mass killings that have plagued the east African nation since the Tigray conflict erupted in 2020.

News Reports

• Answers to media questions President of Russia 13 Oct 2023 -- Vladimir Putin answered the Russian media's questions following his official two-day visit to the Kyrgyz Republic and CIS summit events.
• Meeting of the CIS Heads of State Council President of Russia 13 Oct 2023 -- Vladimir Putin attended a meeting of the CIS Heads of State Council in Bishkek, chaired by President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov.
• Meeting with President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon President of Russia 13 Oct 2023 -- Vladimir Putin and President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon held a meeting on the sidelines of the CIS Heads of State summit in Bishkek.
• The Vientuļi and Pededze Border Crossing Points on Latvia's border with Russia to be closed as of 16 October (Ministry of the Interior) Latvia MFA 13 Oct 2023 -- On 12 October, at an extraordinary meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers, the Cabinet of Ministers adopted a Draft Order, "On Suspending the Operation of Border Crossing Points on the State Border between the Republic of Latvia and the Russian Federation", which provides for suspending the operation of the Vientuļi and Pededze Border Crossing Points from 16 October onwards.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin's Regular Press Conference on October 13, 2023 PRC MofA 13 Oct 2023
• EU Foreign Policy Chief: Trust Between China, Europe Eroded VOA 13 Oct 2023 -- The European Union's top diplomat said Friday the trade imbalance between the bloc and China has caused trust to erode between them and warned it could affect public opinion and drive them further apart.
• Trust between EU, China 'eroded', Borrell warns Press TV 13 Oct 2023 -- European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell has warned that trust between the bloc and China has been eroded, as he is on a visit to the East Asian country aimed at reducing tensions between the bloc and its largest trading partner.
• China: High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell holds the 12th EU-China Strategic Dialogue with Director/Foreign Minister Wang Yi European External Action Service (EEAS) 13 Oct 2023 -- The High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President Josep Borrell and the Director of the Office of the Central Foreign Affairs Commission and Minister of Foreign Affairs of China Wang Yi held the 12th EU-China Strategic Dialogue on 13 October 2023 in Beijing.
• China: Remarks by High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell at the joint press conference of the EU-China Strategic Dialogue European External Action Service (EEAS) 13 Oct 2023
• China: Speech by High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell at Peking University European External Action Service (EEAS) 13 Oct 2023
• China-EU strategic dialogue 'chance to consolidate trust' Global Times 13 Oct 2023 -- Senior Chinese diplomat Wang Yi on Friday met with Josep Borrell, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, during his long-awaited China visit, which had been postponed twice.
• China Exploits Israel-Hamas Conflict to Diminish US Global Influence VOA 13 Oct 2023 -- Beijing is likely to use the Israel-Hamas war to try to diminish Washington's global influence while boosting its own, said analysts.
• China has no self-interest in the Palestinian issue, always standing on the side of peace, fairness, and justice Global Times 13 Oct 2023 -- China has no self-interest in the Palestinian issue and has always stood on the side of peace, fairness, and justice, said Zhai Jun, the Special Envoy of the Chinese Government on the Middle East Issue, during a phone call with Rafi Harpaz, the Deputy Director General in charge of Asia-Pacific affairs of the Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday.
• Uyghur inmates forced to work on farmland leased to Chinese Radio Free Asia 13 Oct 2023 -- Hundreds of Uyghur inmates at Keriye Prison in the far-western Chinese region of Xinjiang are forced to work 12-14 hours a day in vast fields of red dates called jujubes, a prison employee and a guard told Radio Free Asia.
• Jakarta's Plan to Court Chinese Infrastructure Investment Faces Local Resistance VOA 13 Oct 2023 -- Recent clashes between residents and police on Indonesia's Rempang Island demonstrate growing tensions between the central government and local people over China's massive infrastructure investments, analysts said.
• China's Belt and Road Initiative Sets Off Great Power Competition in the Pacific VOA 13 Oct 2023 -- As China marks the 10th anniversary of its Belt and Road Initiative, also known as the BRI, many are assessing the impact of its global push to promote connectivity and billions of dollars in deals for infrastructure projects. In the Pacific, Beijing's BRI has set off a race of great power competition with the United States and other countries. Analysts say so far, of the more than 30 projects in the region that China has launched, the results have been mixed, with some serving as "showpieces" instead of contributing to Pacific countries' development or economic needs.
• China's shipbuilding industry continues to lead global race People's Daily 13 Oct 2023 -- From January to August 2023, China's shipbuilding industry continued to top global rankings in three crucial categories -- shipbuilding output, new orders, and holding orders, which all reported double-digit growth .
• US Seeks to 'Diversify' China-Dominated Africa Minerals Supply Chain VOA 13 Oct 2023 -- Africa is the site of a new battle for influence as Washington ramps up efforts to build an alternative critical minerals supply chain to avoid reliance on China. Beijing dominates the processing of critical minerals such as cobalt, lithium and other resources from the continent that are needed for the transition to clean energy and electric vehicles.
• Taiwan Monitors Israel-Hamas Conflict Amid China Concerns VOA 13 Oct 2023 -- Despite fundamental differences between the conflict in the Middle East and a possible war across the Taiwan Strait, Taiwan's National Defense Ministry announced this week that it has set up a task force to monitor the situation in Israel.
• PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan Oct. 13, 2023 ROC MND 13 Oct 2023
• North Korea to Respond to Any Provocation During US Aircraft Carrier's Visit to Busan Sputnik 13 Oct 2023 -- The US nuclear-powered aircraft carrier is currently docked in the city of Busan, South Korea, after a two-day joint naval exercise with ships from South Korea and Japan earlier this week.
• KCNA Commentary on U.S. Deployment of Nuclear Strategic Assets KCNA 13 Oct 2023 -- The U.S. 5th airborne division, including carrier Ronald Reagan, entered Pusan Port on October 12.
• S Korean PM protests to Xi over N Korean repatriation: report Radio Free Asia 13 Oct 2023 -- South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo raised his opposition to the forced repatriation of North Koreans when he met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in China last month, Yonhap News Agency reported on Friday, citing South Korea's ambassador to China Chung Jae-ho.
• Iranian FM holds talks with Lebanese counterpart in Beirut IRNA 13 Oct 2023 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian has met with his Lebanese counterpart Abdullah Buhabib in Beirut during his regional tour for talks focusing on the Gaza war.
• Iranian FM, Hezbollah chief holds talks IRNA 13 Oct 2023 -- Iran's Foreign Minister, Hossein Amirabdollahian has held talks with Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah focusing on the Gaza war.
• Resistance ready for all scenarios versus Israel: Iran FM Press TV 13 Oct 2023 -- Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian has said the region's resistance groups are ready for all scenarios in the face of the Israeli regime, which has brought the Gaza Strip under an all-out and indiscriminate war.
• Iran dismisses reports on agreement not to release $6 billion in Iranian funds Press TV 13 Oct 2023 -- Iran's permanent mission to the United Nations has dismissed a report by an American daily which claims the United States and Qatar have agreed to prevent the Islamic Republic from accessing $6 billion recently unfrozen and transferred to Qatari banks.
• Myanmar junta arrested more than 1,300 people for online criticism Radio Free Asia 13 Oct 2023 -- Myanmar's junta arrested more than 1,300 people over the past 20 months because they criticized it online, an independent data organization reported, highlighting the military rulers' intolerance of dissent and the freedom of expression.
• Myanmar officials drain dam without warning, flood Mandalay villages Radio Free Asia 13 Oct 2023 -- More than 30,000 residents were forced to leave their homes and belongings behind in central Myanmar's Mandalay region after their villages were unexpectedly flooded, locals and relief workers said Friday.
• PACE calls on Türkiye to 'immediately release Osman Kavala, who remains unlawfully detained' Council of Europe 13 Oct 2023 -- During an urgent debate, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), meeting in Strasbourg in plenary session, called on Türkiye to "comply with binding judgments" of the European Court of Human Rights, and "to immediately release Osman Kavala, who remains unlawfully detained in Turkey", emphasising that this case "is undermining the basis of the Convention system".
• No: 256, 13 October 2023, Press Release Regarding the Recommendation and Resolution Adopted by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe on Türkiye Republic of Turkey Ministry of Foreign Affairs 13 Oct 2023
• With Ukraine War And Now Israel, German Politician Asks 'How Bad Does It Have To Get' For West To Step Up? RFE/RL 13 Oct 2023 -- Nico Lange, a fluent speaker of Russian and Ukrainian, is a German politician from the center-right Christian Democratic Union and a senior fellow at the Munich Security Conference. Previously serving in the German armed forces, including stints in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Kosovo, Lange was the chief of staff for the German defense minister from 2019-2022.
• PM meeting with Prime Minister Støre of Norway: 13 October 2023 Gov.UK 13 Oct 2023
• PM meeting with Prime Minister Frederiksen of Denmark: 13 October 2023 Gov.UK 13 Oct 2023
• Liberia: Statement by the Spokesperson on the general elections European External Action Service (EEAS) 13 Oct 2023 -- The people of Liberia shown a strong commitment to democracy in the peaceful general elections held on 10 October as well as throughout the process. The elections took place in a calm environment with Liberians showing up in good numbers on election day.
• The EU's Chief Rabble-Rouser, Viktor Orban, Is Now Georgia's Strongest Ally RFE/RL 13 Oct 2023 -- As a critical decision on Georgia's EU candidacy looms, the country's No. 1 European ally visited Tbilisi in a show of last-minute support.
• Hungary Must Reform Judiciary, Protect Rights To Unblock European Funding, Senior EU Official Says RFE/RL 13 Oct 2023 -- The European Commission's vice president for values and transparency, Vera Jourova, says Hungary must meet conditions on reforming its judiciary and ensuring the protection of fundamental rights to unblock EU funding.
• High Commissioner's closing statement to the Executive Committee of the High Commissioner's Programme UNHCR 13 Oct 2023
• International Criminal Court: Russia urged to withdraw arrest warrants for judges UN News 13 Oct 2023 -- The UN human rights office, OHCHR, on Friday said it was "deeply concerned" by Russia's decision to issue arrest warrants against senior judges of the International Criminal Court (ICC), following earlier warrants against its Prosecutor and Pre-trial Judges involved in examining potential war crimes in Ukraine.
• Nigeria President Asks Court to Dismiss Fresh Claims by Opposition Party VOA 13 Oct 2023 -- Nigeria's president has asked the Supreme Court to reject a petition by his political opponents to introduce new evidence aimed at overturning February's presidential election.