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Current Operations

Defense Policy / Programs

• Press Gaggle With Sabrina Singh, Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary DoD 16 Oct 2023
• DoD Begins Defueling Red Hill Ahead of Schedule DoD 16 Oct 2023 -- Today, the Department of Defense begins defueling operations at the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility (RHBFSF) at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam.
• Southcom Aims to Create Maintenance Partnerships With South American Nations DoD News 16 Oct 2023 -- U.S. Southern Command has a plan to help partner nations in South America better maintain equipment they've bought from the U.S. through either the foreign military sales or excess defense articles programs.
• III MEF participates in Resolute Dragon 23 Field Training Exercise USMC News 16 Oct 2023 -- III Marine Expeditionary Force kicked off participation in the field training exercise portion of Resolute Dragon 23 with an opening ceremony on Oct. 14. RD 23 FTX, spanning from Oct. 14 to Oct 31, 2023, is the third iteration of the bilateral exercise hosted by III MEF and the Japan Ground Self-Defense and will feature forces in multiple locations across Japan. Both U.S. and Japan units will rehearse and strengthen their command, control, and multi-domain maneuver capabilities as part of a stand-in force.
• U.S. Navy deploys newest medical expeditionary capability aboard Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group US Navy 16 Oct 2023 -- The U.S. Navy deployed the first En-Route Care System (ERCS) medical expeditionary capability aboard the Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group (IKECSG) during a regularly scheduled deployment, Oct. 14.
• SECNAV Announces Future USS Philadelphia (LPD 32) US Navy 16 Oct 2023
• CENTCOM Commander Arrives in Israel CENTCOM 16 Oct 2023 -- Gen. Michael "Erik" Kurilla, Commander, U.S. Central Command, has arrived in Tel Aviv, Israel to conduct high level meetings with Israel's military leadership, including Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, Chief of Defense, to gain a clear understanding of Israel's defense requirements, outline U.S. support efforts to avoid expansion of the conflict, and reiterate the Department of Defense's ironclad support for Israel.
• Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Call With King Abdullah II of Jordan DoD 16 Oct 2023
• NATO Defence Ministers met in Brussels Danish Ministry of Defence 16 Oct 2023 -- The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation shall carry on supporting Ukraine and strengthening its own strategic deterrence potential. It shall also continue its operational engagement in the Western Balkans and the NATO Mission in Iraq and shall flexibly adapt its operation to the ever-changing security environment.
• Denmark and Czech Republic to support Ukraine together Danish Ministry of Defence 16 Oct 2023 -- Denmark and the Czech Republic shall supply the Armed Forces of Ukraine with infantry fighting vehicles, battle tanks, heavy weaponry and other materiel from the production and stocks of the Czech defence industry. The supplies shall be financed by the Danish Government.
• All 31 Abrams Tanks in Ukraine, US Military Confirms to VOA VOA 16 Oct 2023 -- All 31 U.S.-made M1A1 Abrams tanks promised to Kyiv by the Biden administration have arrived in Ukraine, according to the U.S. military.
• Tsai lauds domestic submarine, jet trainer projects CNA 16 Oct 2023 -- President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) told a group of visiting U.S. scholars on Monday that Taiwan has continued to demonstrate its determination to defend itself with the domestic development of a submarine prototype and a jet trainer.
• South Korea unveils 'supersonic' answer to Pyongyang nuclear threat Radio Free Asia 16 Oct 2023 -- With Kim Jong Un escalating nuclear threats from the North, South Korea has found a cost-effective solution: its homegrown fighter jets.
• Inaugural India-UK 2+2 Foreign and Defence Dialogue India MEA 16 Oct 2023 -- The inaugural India-UK 2+2 Foreign and Defence Dialogue was held in New Delhi on 16 October 2023.
• INS SUMEDHA AT LAGOS, NIGERIA India PIB 16 Oct 2023 -- INS Sumedha made a port call at Lagos, Nigeria on 13 October 2023 as part of its deployment to Gulf of Guinea
• Ministry of Defence signs contract with Cochin Shipyard Limited for Mid Life Upgrade and Re-Powering of INS Beas India PIB 16 Oct 2023 -- The Ministry of Defence signed a contract on October 16, 2023, in New Delhi for Mid Life Upgrade and Re-Powering of "INS Beas" with Kochi-based M/S Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) at an overall cost of Rs
• MILEX23: EU carries out first military live exercise in Cádiz European External Action Service (EEAS) 16 Oct 2023 -- From 16 to 22 October, the EU will carry out its first-ever live exercise from the Rota Naval Base located in Cádiz, Spain. On 17 October, the High Representative will participate in a demonstration of the exercise.
• Ten years on, Syria remains in breach of the Chemical Weapons Convention: ministerial statement UK FCDO 16 Oct 2023 -- UK Minister for the Middle East Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon stated that, 10 years since its accession, Syria must comply with the Chemical Weapons Convention.
• Readout of President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Call with President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi of Egypt The White House 16 Oct 2023
• Readout of President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Call with Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani of Iraq The White House 16 Oct 2023

Defense Industry

• Contracts For Oct. 16, 2023

Other Conflicts

Ukraine Conflict News
• 16 October 2023 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 16 Oct 2023

Operation Iron Swords / Operation Al-Aqsa Flood

• Daily Recap: Hamas - Israel War October 16, 2023 (18:00) Israel Defense Forces 16 Oct 2023
• Found: Hundreds of Materials Collected From Terrorists Illustrate Hamas' Brutal Attack Plan Israel Defense Forces 16 Oct 2023
• "Commander, Commander - We Are at War!": First Documentation of Terrorist Neutralizations From the Field Intelligence Corps Israel Defense Forces 16 Oct 2023
• Israel Ambassador: Hamas Used North Korean Weapons to Attack Israel VOA 16 Oct 2023 -- Israel's ambassador to South Korea believes North Korean weapons are being used by Palestinian militant group Hamas to attack Israel, even as Pyongyang has denied the accusations that have surfaced online as groundless.
• Excerpt from PM Netanyahu's Remarks at the Opening of the Winter Assembly of the 25th Knesset's Second Session Israel - Prime Minister 16 Oct 2023
• Prime Minister's Office: Coordinator for the Captives and Missing Brig.-Gen. (Ret.) Gal Hirsch in his Second Meeting with Deputy US Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs Steven Gillen Israel - Prime Minister 16 Oct 2023
• PM Netanyahu Speaks with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Israel - Prime Minister 16 Oct 2023
• Announcement from the Prime Minister's Office Israel - Prime Minister 16 Oct 2023
• Statement from the Prime Minister's Office Israel - Prime Minister 16 Oct 2023
• Telephone conversation with Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu President of Russia 16 Oct 2023 -- Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with Prime Minister of the State of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu.
• Palestinians Face Gaza Humanitarian Crisis as Israel Readies Assault VOA 16 Oct 2023 -- The United States says a border crossing between the Gaza Strip and Egypt will be reopened, but the timing remained unclear as the United Nations warned of dire humanitarian conditions in Gaza and Israel told Palestinians living in the northern part of the enclave to leave ahead of a military operation.
• Hezbollah says 'directly' targeted five Zionist military posts IRNA 16 Oct 2023 -- The Lebanese Resistance Movement, Hezbollah, has announced that it "directly" targeted five Zionist military posts, using "appropriate" arms.
• Hamas denies temporary ceasefire with Israel in Gaza People's Daily 16 Oct 2023 -- Hamas on Monday denied reports that it had agreed to a temporary ceasefire with Israel in the Gaza Strip.
• Roundup: Israeli army says preparing strike on Gaza from "air, sea and land" People's Daily 16 Oct 2023 -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday toured southern Israel, where the surprise Hamas attack took place a week ago, encouraging troops to get "prepared for what is coming," according to his office.
• Gaza death toll rises to 2,808 as Israel ramps up attacks on besieged territory Press TV 16 Oct 2023 -- The death toll from more than nine days of Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip in Palestine has reached over 2,800 as the Tel Aviv regime keeps bombing the defenseless civilian population in the besieged territory.
• Hamas-Israel conflict enters 2nd week amid warning of severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza People's Daily 16 Oct 2023 -- As the bloody conflict between Hamas and Israel entered its second week, concerns were mounting over the deteriorating humanitarian conditions in Gaza.
• UNRWA Situation Report #6 on the situation in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, 16 October 2023 UNRWA 16 Oct 2023
• Civilians are the primary victims of increased violence in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory, says the UN Commission of Inquiry UN Human Rights Council 16 Oct 2023 -- All parties to the conflict in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory have failed to take effective precautionary measures to avoid civilian casualties, exacerbating the long-running crisis and deepening divisions and hate on all sides, the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem and Israel, said in a new report today.
• Gaza: 'History is watching' warns UN relief chief, saying aid access is key priority UN News 16 Oct 2023 -- Every effort continues to be made by the United Nations and partners to get aid supplies into Gaza following the Israeli order to evacuate the north of the enclave, the UN's emergency relief chief said on Monday.
• Explainer: What's inside aid convoy at Gaza crossing UN News 16 Oct 2023 -- Less than a kilometre from Gaza, pallets of food, fuel, water, and medicine are among the hundreds of tonnes of lifesaving aid packed into a long convoy of trucks idling on the Egyptian side of the Rafah border crossing, as drivers await Israel's green light so they can reach 2.3 million besieged Palestinians caught in the crossfire of the ongoing war.
• UN's Palestinian Refugee Agency Says 14 of Its Members Killed in Gaza Sputnik 16 Oct 2023 -- United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini said on Sunday that 14 of the organization's staff were killed in the Gaza Strip.
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken Remarks to the Press on President Biden's Upcoming Trip to Israel And Agreement with Israel to Develop a Humanitarian Aid Plan for Gaza US Dept. of State 16 Oct 2023
• US President Biden to Visit Israel Wednesday VOA 16 Oct 2023 -- U.S. President Joe Biden will head to Israel Wednesday, according to Secretary of State Antony Blinken, following his marathon meeting with Israel's prime minister that ended in the early hours Tuesday.
• DOD Remains Resolute in Support of Israel DoD News 16 Oct 2023 -- Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III is continuing to coordinate closely with his Israeli counterpart in response to last week's deadly attacks by Hamas terrorists, Pentagon Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh said today.
• PM Netanyahu Meets with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken for the Second Time since the Outbreak of the War Israel - Prime Minister 16 Oct 2023
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken And Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant After Their Meeting US Dept. of State 16 Oct 2023
• Secretary Blinken's Meeting with Israeli President Herzog US Dept. of State 16 Oct 2023
• Secretary Blinken's Meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu US Dept. of State 16 Oct 2023
• Secretary Blinken's Meeting with Israeli Defense Minister Gallant US Dept. of State 16 Oct 2023
• Iran: Any preemptive action by resistance possible in coming hours IRNA 16 Oct 2023 -- Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian has said that resistance leaders will not allow the Zionist regime to take any action it wants in the region, adding that preemptive measures by the resistance front are possible in the coming hours.
• Iran FM calls for opening humanitarian corridor to send aid to Gaza IRNA 16 Oct 2023 -- Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian has called for the opening of a humanitarian corridor in the war-hit Gaza Strip where the civilian population is subjected to relentless Israeli airstrikes and a full blockade by the regime.
• 'Resistance front fully prepared to counter Israeli warmongering' IRNA 16 Oct 2023 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian says resistance is a legitimate defense to end the occupation of Palestine, saying the resistance front is fully prepared to respond to the Zionist regime's warmongering.
• Iran FM says time is running out for political settlement to Palestine developments IRNA 16 Oct 2023 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian says the time for finding political solutions for the developments in Palestine is running out.
• Hamas operation first stage of Israeli regime's collapse: IRGC chief IRNA 16 Oct 2023 -- The chief commander of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has described the Operation Al-Aqsa Storm by the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas as the first stage of the impending collapse of the Zionist regime of Israel.
• Resistance will not turn blind eye to Zionist atrocities: Tehran IRNA 16 Oct 2023 -- Iran says the Resistance Front will not turn a blind eye to the atrocities committed by the Zionist regime against the defenseless Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
• Iran Foreign Ministry denies reports on UN mission comment on Gaza war IRNA 16 Oct 2023 -- The Iranian Foreign Ministry says the comment attributed to Iran's mission to the United Nations about potential involvement of the Islamic Republic in the conflict in the Gaza Strip in Palestine is not correct.
• Turkish, Iranian presidents discuss latest developments in Gaza over phone ISNA 16 Oct 2023 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Iranian counterpart Ebrahim Raisi on Monday discussed the ongoing conflict between Zionist regime and Palestine, increasing tension in the region and the steps to be taken for de-escalation.
• Time for political solutions running out: Iranian FM ISNA 16 Oct 2023 -- Iranian Foreign Minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian held separate phone conversations with his counterparts from Tunisia, Malaysia and Pakistan, discussing the current developments in the occupied territories.
• Kanaani says: "No matter how long occupation lasts, it does not create any right for occupier" ISNA 16 Oct 2023 -- Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman, Nasser Kanaani stressed that the Palestinian people are the real and eternal owners of this land.
• Iran FM calls for China to use its capacities to stop Zionist regime's attacks on people of Gaza ISNA 16 Oct 2023 -- Iranian Foreign Minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian has held talks with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yee on the phone.
• Iran FM: Any preemptive measure against Zionist regime possible in coming hours Press TV 16 Oct 2023 -- Iran's foreign minister says if the Israeli regime's crimes in the Gaza Strip continue and no political solution is found, the door will be open to whatever possibility, including preemptive measures by the resistance front.
• Iran ready to send aid to Gaza, cooperate with all countries to end Israel's atrocities, Raeisi tells Erdogan Press TV 16 Oct 2023 -- Iranian President Ebrahim Raeisi says Tehran is ready to cooperate with all countries to dispatch humanitarian aid to the besieged Gaza and use diplomatic capacities to stop Israel's crimes against the Palestinian people there.
• Al-Aqsa Storm marks 'initial step' towards Israel's early collapse: IRGC chief Press TV 16 Oct 2023 -- The chief commander of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has lauded the ongoing anti-Israel operation by the Gaza-based Palestinian resistance groups as the initial step toawrds the occupying regime's early collapse.
• US, West 'blind support' for Israel root cause of genocide in Gaza: Iran's president tells Putin Press TV 16 Oct 2023 -- Iranian President Ebrahim Raeisi says the "blind support" of Western countries, particularly the United States, for Israel has given the Zionists an incentive to intensify their crimes and continue genocide against the Palestinian people in Gaza.
• Anything possible if Israel insists on committing crimes against Gazans, Iran warns Press TV 16 Oct 2023 -- Iran has warned of the adverse consequences of the Israeli regime's inhumane actions against Palestinians in light of its atrocious military campaign against the besieged Gaza Strip.
• Israel will be gone soon as victory belongs to Palestinians: Leader's adviser Press TV 16 Oct 2023 -- The Israeli regime will be gone soon and the Palestinian nation will be victorious in the final battle to liberate Palestine, says a senior adviser to Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei.
• Raeisi strongly condemns silence of certain countries on Israeli heinous crimes in Gaza Press TV 16 Oct 2023 -- Iranian President Ebrahim Raeisi says Israel's shameless move to force the people of Gaza to flee their homes runs counter to all international laws and humanitarian principles.
• Iran will always remain supportive of resistance: Foreign Ministry Press TV 16 Oct 2023 -- Iran's Foreign Ministry has reasserted the Islamic Republic's unwavering support for the regional resistance axis amid the Israeli regime's ongoing hugely deadly war against the Palestinian territory of the Gaza Strip.
• Iran's president warns of war expansion if Israel continues attacks on Gaza People's Daily 16 Oct 2023 -- Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on Sunday warned of the expansion of the conflict if Israel continues its attacks on the Gaza Strip.
• Australia Evacuation Flights Leave Israel VOA 16 Oct 2023 -- Three Australian government evacuation flights carrying 255 people have left the Israeli city of Tel Aviv bound for Dubai.
• Defence support for assisted-departures for Australians Australia MFA 16 Oct 2023 -- The Australian Government has safely airlifted 255 people utilising two Royal Australian Air Force flights (a KC-30A and a C-17A Globemaster III) and a Government-supported private charter from Ben Gurion Airport in Israel, to Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
• Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks with President of Egypt Abdel Fattah el-Sisi Prime Minister of Canada 16 Oct 2023
• Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks with Emir of Qatar His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani Prime Minister of Canada 16 Oct 2023 -- Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke with the Emir of Qatar, His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, about the situation in the Middle East.
• EU to Discuss Israel-Hamas War Response Amid Political Divisions VOA 16 Oct 2023 -- European Union heads of state will hold an emergency meeting Tuesday on the conflict between Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza, following the cross-border attack by Hamas gunmen on October 7 that killed at least 1,400 Israelis.
• EU launches Humanitarian Air Bridge operation to bring aid to Gaza European Commission 16 Oct 2023 -- Following the horrific terrorist attack by Hamas terrorists against Israel and the aftermath, which has led to a disastrous humanitarian situation for the people of Gaza, the EU continues to step up its emergency assistance to the Palestinian people.
• China says Israel's war in Gaza goes 'beyond self-defense' Radio Free Asia 16 Oct 2023 -- China's foreign minister has said Israel's military action in Gaza in the wake of attacks by Hamas militants "goes beyond self-defense" and called for an end to the "collective punishment" of Palestinians as Beijing said it would send an envoy to try to ease the crisis.
• Chinese citizens in Israel advised to take commercial flights to return home: FM Global Times 16 Oct 2023 -- Commercial flights between China and Israel are still operating, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Monday, advising Chinese citizens to use commercial flights to return home as soon as possible.
• Telephone conversations with President of Syria Bashar al-Assad, President of Iran Ebrahim Raisi, President of Palestine Mahmoud Abbas and President of Egypt Abdel Fattah el-Sisi President of Russia 16 Oct 2023 -- Today, Vladimir Putin had telephone conversations with President of the Syrian Arab Republic Bashar al-Assad, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ebrahim Raisi, President of the State of Palestine Mahmoud Abbas and President of the Arab Republic of Egypt Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.
• Assad, Putin Discuss Ways to Stop Israeli Attacks on Gaza Strip at Phone Talks Sputnik 16 Oct 2023 -- Syrian President Bashar Assad and Russian President Vladimir Putin have discussed ways to stop attacks by Israel on the Gaza Strip during a phone conversation, the office of the Syrian leader said on Monday.
• The President, together with EU leaders, strongly condemned Hamas attacks President of the Republic of Lithuania 16 Oct 2023 -- President Gitanas Nausėda, along with the leaders of the European Union member states, issued a joint statement condemning in the strongest possible terms Hamas and its brutal attacks across Israel.
• Dispatch of Humanitarian Assistance to Gaza Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs 16 Oct 2023 -- In the wake of indiscriminate Israeli aggression and siege of the Gaza Strip, the already oppressed people of densely-populated Gaza are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance.
• UK announces £10 million humanitarian aid for civilians in Occupied Palestinian Territories UK FCDO 16 Oct 2023 -- £10 million of humanitarian aid announced by the Prime Minister to support civilians in the Occupied Palestinian Territories in response to escalating conflict.
• PM statement to the House of Commons on the latest situation in Israel and Gaza: 16 October 2023 Gov.UK 16 Oct 2023 -- Prime Minister Rishi Sunak made an oral statement to the House of Commons on the latest situation in Israel and Gaza.
• PM call with President Abbas of the Palestinian Authority: 16 October 2023 Gov.UK 16 Oct 2023
• Saudi crown prince calls for lifting siege on Gaza, rejects targetting civilians People's Daily 16 Oct 2023 -- Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud on Sunday discussed with visiting U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken the current escalation in the Gaza Strip.
• Chinese, Turkish FMs urge ceasefire, dialogue between Israel, Palestine People's Daily 16 Oct 2023 -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Sunday held a phone conversation with his Turkish counterpart, Hakan Fidan, on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
• 170 Norwegians still stranded in Gaza: FM People's Daily 16 Oct 2023 -- There are still 170 Norwegian citizens who need assistance to leave Gaza, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Sunday, but excluding more chartered flights to take them back for the moment.
• Amid war on Gaza, Colombia says Israel's ambassador must 'apologize and leave' Press TV 16 Oct 2023 -- Colombia has said Israel's ambassador must leave the country after President Gustavo Petro censured the regime for crimes against the Palestinians of the besieged Gaza Strip.
• 'Genocides are not supported': Colombia president condemns Israeli crimes in Gaza Press TV 16 Oct 2023 -- Colombian President Gustavo Petro has slammed Israel for committing crimes in the besieged Gaza Strip, saying "genocides are never supported."
• Israel announces class resumption amid conflict with Hamas People's Daily 16 Oct 2023 -- Israeli Education Minister Yoav Kisch announced on Sunday the resumption of schools and kindergartens starting Monday.

Other Conflicts

• Afghan Women Demand The Release Of Activists From Taliban Detention RFE/RL 16 Oct 2023 -- In separate protests in Afghanistan and Germany, Afghan women rights activists have demanded the Taliban release two activists detained last month under unknown circumstances.
• 'A mountain of hardship', as Afghanistan suffers yet another earthquake UN News 16 Oct 2023 -- A powerful earthquake struck western Afghanistan again on Sunday, making it the fourth to hit the impoverished region since 7 October, causing more suffering for families left with little to survive on as the hard winter approaches, UN agencies have reported.
• Philippines condemned for serious violation of China's sovereignty in S.China Sea Global Times 16 Oct 2023 -- "Zhongye Island is China's territory. The Philippines has illegally occupied Zhongye Island, which seriously violates China's sovereignty. The Chinese warship's navigation and patrol in waters of Zhongye Island is lawful and legitimate," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Monday, in response to Manila's "unsafe actions" claim against Chinese navy.
• Israeli missile strike targets Syria's Aleppo airport again People's Daily 16 Oct 2023 -- The international airport in Syria's northern province of Aleppo was hit by an Israeli missile strike on Saturday night, causing damage to the recently repaired runway, Syrian state TV reported.
• Myanmar junta enlists ethnic militias in fight for Kachin state Radio Free Asia 16 Oct 2023 -- Myanmar's junta is beefing up its proxy forces in Kachin state, pitting ethnic minority fighters against one another to counter staunch resistance in the northern region, according to military experts.
• Five-day raid continues as 45,000 flee Myanmar's Sagaing region Radio Free Asia 16 Oct 2023 -- One local was killed and nearly 45,000 people were displaced during military raids in Myanmar's northern Sagaing region, local residents told Radio Free Asia on Monday.
• Sudan: UN expert warns of child recruitment by armed forces UN News 16 Oct 2023 -- An independent UN human rights expert on Monday expressed concern about the increased risk of recruitment and use of children by armed forces and armed groups in Sudan, as the months-long war between rival militaries continues.
• The Sudan crisis exacerbates humanitarian suffering in South Sudan UNOCHA 16 Oct 2023 -- Six months since the outbreak of the conflict in Sudan on 15 April, thousands of people fleeing the fighting are still arriving in South Sudan daily.
• Bosnian Serb Leader Dodik Refuses To Plead In Court Hearing He Calls A 'Circus' RFE/RL 16 Oct 2023 -- Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik refused to enter a plea on charges related to his efforts to ignore decisions by an international envoy in a court appearance for a trial he called a "circus."
• Community Hostility in Chad Rising as Refugee and Displacement Crisis Grows VOA 16 Oct 2023 -- U.N. officials warned Monday that community hostility in Chad is rising as thousands of refugees from conflict-ridden Sudan continue to arrive, putting pressure on limited resources Chadians depend on for their livelihoods and survival.

News Reports

• Meeting on current issues President of Russia 16 Oct 2023
• Meeting on current issues President of Russia 16 Oct 2023
• 'Creating Chaos Wherever He Can': Khodorkovsky Argues Ukraine War Is Taxing Putin's Hold On Power RFE/RL 16 Oct 2023 -- For Russian President Vladimir Putin, the Israel-Hamas war is like every other crisis around the world: an opportunity to further Russia's aims in its invasion of Ukraine, says former oil tycoon and Russian opposition activist Mikhail Khodorkovsky.
• Navalny Attorney Goes Incommunicado After Three Other Lawyers For Imprisoned Kremlin Critic Arrested RFE/RL 16 Oct 2023 -- Aleksandr Fedulov, a lawyer of imprisoned Russian opposition politician Aleksei Navalny, has gone incommunicado after three other lawyers who defended the Kremlin critic were arrested last week.
• Regional Governor Tells Citizens Russia Was Unprepared For A War 'We Don't Need' RFE/RL 16 Oct 2023 -- A Russian governor has said the country was not prepared for the war with Ukraine and that the invasion was not in Russia's interests, contradicting Kremlin propaganda.
• Remarks by Acting Assistant Secretary for Economic Policy Eric Van Nostrand on the Second Phase of the Price Cap on Russian Oil at the Brookings Institution US Treasury 16 Oct 2023
• Top procuratorate orders arrest of former chairman of Bank of China People's Daily 16 Oct 2023 -- The Supreme People's Procuratorate (SPP) has ordered the arrest of Liu Liange, former chairman of the board of directors of the Bank of China, for suspected bribe-taking and illegal loan-issuing, the SPP said Monday.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning's Regular Press Conference on October 16, 2023 PRC MofA 16 Oct 2023
• Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's talks with Foreign Minister of China Wang Yi Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 16 Oct 2023
• Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's opening remarks at the talks with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China Wang Yi, Beijing, October 16, 2023 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 16 Oct 2023
• Russia closely backs Belt and Road Forum for intl cooperation Global Times 16 Oct 2023 -- China is set to host the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRF) in Beijing from Tuesday to Wednesday, with Russian President Vladimir Putin attending, which has been hailed by analysts as another milestone in the development of China-Russia bilateral ties and demonstration of Russia's support for the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and willingness to further boost pragmatic collaboration.
• China's Xi Eyes Victory Lap For Belt And Road On Its 10-Year Anniversary, Despite Criticism RFE/RL 16 Oct 2023 -- Despite criticism that it has saddled some countries with unsustainable levels of debt since being launched 10 years ago, Chinese leader Xi Jinping is expected to tout the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) as a foreign policy success while showcasing it as an alternative development model to the West at a major summit in Beijing.
• BRI Boosts Beijing Efforts to Expand Influence in Latin America VOA 16 Oct 2023 -- For years, China has been seeking to expand its influence in Latin America, a region that is rich in natural resources and considered to be within the U.S. sphere of influence. Since the launch of its Belt and Road Initiative a decade ago, Beijing's reach has expanded through loans, trade agreements and investments in infrastructure as well as the extraction of minerals.
• Children's book depicting protest removed from Hong Kong libraries Radio Free Asia 16 Oct 2023 -- Libraries in Hong Kong have removed two children's picture books published in democratic Taiwan over illustrations depicting a pro-democracy demonstration and a reference to the 1989 Tiananmen massacre, the latest to fall victim to censorship under Beijing's National Security Law.
• China launches rocket to send multirole satellite into orbit People's Daily 16 Oct 2023 -- China launched a Long March 2D carrier rocket on Sunday morning to send a multirole satellite into orbit, according to China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp.
• Visiting AIT chair praises Taiwan defense reforms, reiterates U.S. support CNA 16 Oct 2023 -- Visiting American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) Chairwoman Laura Rosenberger on Monday reiterated Washington's pledge to help Taipei defend itself with a "full range of tools" while praising ongoing efforts to enhance the country's self-defense capabilities.
• Experts weigh in on lessons Taiwan should learn from Israel-Hamas war CNA 16 Oct 2023 -- The swift coordinated attack on Israel by Hamas that began on Oct. 7 shocked the world and prompted discussions in Taiwan over how the island country would defend itself if China were to launch a similar attack.
• No easy choices in Taiwan's presidential polls Radio Free Asia 16 Oct 2023 -- As Taiwan approaches its presidential elections in January, the spotlight falls on candidates leaning towards establishing agreements with China and those favoring the continuation of the Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) leadership.
• PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan Oct. 16, 2023 ROC MND 16 Oct 2023
• 'Some of them will be sent to ... camps,' some 'may be executed' Radio Free Asia 16 Oct 2023 -- North Koreans who have escaped to China need help to avoid being sent back against their will, and pressure on Beijing from South Korea alone is not enough, a former North Korean diplomat told Radio Free Asia.
• US, South Korea confront China on North Korean human rights Radio Free Asia 16 Oct 2023 -- The United States and South Korea issued a veiled warning to China for repatriating North Korean escapees, pledging to collaborate in addressing the human rights situation in the country.
• Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's upcoming visit to the DPRK Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 16 Oct 2023
• Iran's Nour-2, Nour-3 satellites meet in space over Indian Ocean Press TV 16 Oct 2023 -- Iran's homegrown satellites, Nour-2 (Light-2) and Nour-3 (Light-3), have crossed paths early Tuesday, reaching closest to each other in their orbits around the Earth.
• PM call with President Erdoğan of Türkiye: 16 October 2023 Gov.UK 16 Oct 2023
• Libya: Mission chief updates Security Council on flood disaster 'beyond imagination' UN News 16 Oct 2023 -- Humanitarians delivering aid in the wake of Libya's "unprecedented" flood disaster centred on the coastal city of Derna, have reached more than 146,000 in need, said the head of the UN support mission there (UNSMIL) on Monday.
• Reconstruction efforts following floods must be unified across eastern and western Libya: UK statement at the UN Security Council UK FCDO 16 Oct 2023 -- Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki at the UN Security Council meeting on Libya.
• Ecuador: Statement by HR/VP Josep Borrell on the presidential election European External Action Service (EEAS) 16 Oct 2023 -- The European Union congratulates the people of Ecuador for their orderly participation in the second round of Ecuador's presidential elections that took place on Sunday 15 October.
• Wider Europe Briefing: Armenia's Pivot To The EU RFE/RL 16 Oct 2023
• Statement by President von der Leyen at the joint press conference with Albanian Prime Minister Rama and German Chancellor Scholz European Commission 16 Oct 2023
• Poland's parliamentary elections were competitive but marked by misuse of public resources and public media bias, international observers say OSCE 16 Oct 2023 -- Poland's parliamentary elections were characterized by record high voter participation with a wide choice of political options and candidates able to campaign freely, but the campaign was tarnished by notable overlap between the ruling party's messages and government information campaigns. Together with distorted and openly partisan coverage by the public broadcaster, this provided a clear advantage to the ruling party, undermining the democratic separation of state and party, international observers said in a statement today.
• Exit poll shows Poland's right-wing ruling party set to lose power Press TV 16 Oct 2023 -- Exit poll shows that Poland's Law and Justice (PiS) ruling party have won the most votes for a single party in Sunday's parliamentary elections, but failed to secure a majority that will enable it to stay in power for a third term.
• Global water crisis imperils $58 trillion & food security Radio Free Asia 16 Oct 2023 -- The global water crisis poses a significant threat, endangering approximately US$58 trillion - roughly 60% of global GDP - in annual economic value, food security, and sustainability, an environmental group said in its inaugural assessment of the economic value of water and freshwater ecosystems.
• World News in Brief: UN 'committed' to aid Ukraine, blue helmets exit northern Mali, Chad update UN News 16 Oct 2023 -- Ukrainian civilians are committed to staying in their homes near the frontline, as the Russian invasion continues - and the UN "is committed to staying with them."
• Sandu Says Diversification Means Russia Can't Blackmail Moldova Over Gas RFE/RL 16 Oct 2023 -- Moldovan President Maia Sandu says steps taken by her country -- one of Europe's poorest -- to diversify its gas supplies means Russia can no longer "blackmail" Chisinau "as it used to."
• Kyrgyz President Says Military Prosecutors Check Legality Of Killing Of Criminal Kingpin Kolbaev RFE/RL 16 Oct 2023 -- Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov says the Military Prosecutor's Office is looking into the legality of actions by security officers who killed notorious Kyrgyz organized-crime figure Kamchy Kolbaev (aka Kamchybek Asanbek) earlier in October.
• Top Georgian Court Says President Violated Constitution By Visiting EU Countries RFE/RL 16 Oct 2023 -- Georgia's Constitutional Court ruled President Salome Zurabishvili violated the constitution by traveling to EU countries without government consent, clearing the way for lawmakers to continue their drive to hold impeachment proceedings against her.
• Venezuelans Return to Negotiations US Dept. of State 16 Oct 2023 -- The United States welcomes the announcement by Maduro representatives and the Unitary Platform to resume Venezuelan-led negotiations in Barbados.
• Chad's Exiled Opposition Leader Delays Return Home VOA 16 Oct 2023 -- Chad's exiled pro-democracy opposition leader Succes Masra said increasing threats to civil liberties by Chad's Transitional Military Council make it impossible for him to return from exile on October 18 as announced.
• Top Bangladesh Rights Activists Released on Bail VOA 16 Oct 2023 -- Bangladesh rights activists Adilur Rahman Khan and ASM Nasiruddin Elan were released on bail Sunday evening after being in prison since Sept. 14 in a cybercrime case.
• ASEAN Leaders Endorse Post-2025 Vision; High-Level Task Force Proceeds with ASEAN Strategic Plans Philippines DFA 16 Oct 2023 -- Following the ASEAN Leaders' endorsement of the draft ASEAN Community Vision 2045 at the 43rd ASEAN Summit on 5 September 2023 in Jakarta, Indonesia, the High-Level Task Force on the ASEAN Community's Post-2025 Vision (HLTF-ACV), at the 11th HLTF-ACV Meeting on 10-11 October 2023 in Jakarta, agreed to fast-track the development of the Strategic Plans of the ASEAN Community Pillars as well as a Strategic Plan on Connectivity.