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Defense Policy / Programs

• Sabrina Singh, Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary, Holds a Press Briefing With Assistant Secretary Ratner and Admiral Aquilino DoD 17 Oct 2023
• Statement from Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh on Force Posture DoD 17 Oct 2023 -- Today, Secretary Austin placed approximately 2,000 personnel and a range of units on a heightened state of readiness through a prepare to deploy order, which increases DoD's ability to respond quickly to the evolving security environment in the Middle East.
• DOD Increases Deterrence Posture in Middle East, Continues Aid to Israel DoD News 17 Oct 2023 -- Security assistance continues to flow into Israel as Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III takes further steps to bolster deterrence in the region, Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh said today.
• Pentagon Orders 2,000 US Troops Ready for Deployment to Israel Sputnik 17 Oct 2023 -- When the US rushed weapons into Israel following the successful Arab sneak-attack on October 6, 1973, Arab oil-exporting nations declared an embargo against several Western nations, tripling the price of oil and triggering a profound economic shock.
• DOD Invests $40 Million to Establish Research Centers of Excellence at Minority-serving Institutions DoD 17 Oct 2023 -- The Department of Defense today announced the establishment of four new research centers of excellence at minority-serving institutions of higher education, as part of its Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority-serving Institutions Research and Education Program.
• Department of Defense Releases Declassified Images, Videos of Coercive and Risky PLA Operational Behavior DoD 17 Oct 2023 -- The Department of Defense today released a collection of declassified images and videos depicting 15 recent cases of coercive and risky operational behavior by the People's Liberation Army (PLA) against U.S. aircraft operating lawfully in international airspace in the East and South China Sea regions.
• U.S. Accuses China of Conducting 'Centralized, Concerted' Campaign of Harassment of Aircraft DoD News 17 Oct 2023 -- DOD officials believe the unsafe interceptions of U.S. and allied aircraft in international airspace is "a centralized and concerted campaign" by Chinese officials to "coerce a change in lawful U.S. operational activity," said Ely Ratner, the assistant secretary of defense for Indo-Pacific security affairs today.
• US Sees 'Sharp Increase' in Chinese Military's Coercive, Risky Behaviors VOA 17 Oct 2023 -- As the U.S. Defense Department prepares to release its annual China Military Power report (CMPR), officials said the Chinese military has been engaged in "a centralized and concerted campaign" to perform risky behaviors in the Indo-Pacific region to "coerce a change" in operational activities by the U.S. and its allies.
• C-130H avionics goes digital with major modernization upgrade US Air Force 17 Oct 2023 -- The Air Force Reserve Command's C-130H Hercules fleet began the transition from analog to digital recently with testing beginning on a major upgrade of the aircraft's avionics system.
• USS Paul Ignatius arrives in Plymouth US Navy 17 Oct 2023 -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Paul Ignatius (DDG 117) arrived in Plymouth, England, October 13, 2023, for a scheduled port visit to enhance U.S.-U.K relations and build NATO cohesion.
• NIWC Atlantic Advances CJADC2 Efforts at Bold Quest Island Marauder US Navy 17 Oct 2023 -- Dozens of engineers from Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC) Atlantic recently returned from Bold Quest Island Marauder 2023 at Camp Pendleton, California, after a month of developing technology experiments that tested and assessed the interoperability of combined joint force systems.
• US, Marshall Islands Sign Security Deal That Will Limit China's Access to Western Pacific VOA 17 Oct 2023 -- The Republic of the Marshall Islands and the U.S. signed agreements Monday evening that will give Washington a stronger presence in the Western Pacific and the right to deny China and other nations access to the islands' territorial waters.
• Marshall Islands signs new compact with US amid China competition Radio Free Asia 17 Oct 2023 -- The Marshall Islands, an archipelago in the militarily strategic western Pacific, on Monday signed a new economic assistance agreement with the United States that underwrites close ties at a time of increased U.S.-China competition in the region.
• The United States and the Republic of the Marshall Islands Sign Three Compact of Free Association-Related Agreement US Dept. of State 17 Oct 2023 -- On October 16, the United States and the Republic of the Marshall Islands signed three agreements related to the U.S.-Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) Compact of Free Association: (1) an Agreement to Amend the Compact, as Amended, (2) a new Fiscal Procedures Agreement, and (3) a new Trust Fund Agreement. The conclusion of these agreements affirms the close and continuing partnership between the United States and the RMI.
• Turkiye in No Rush to Approve Sweden's NATO Membership Bid - Source Sputnik 17 Oct 2023 -- Turkiye has been receiving signals from the West about the need to approve Sweden's membership in NATO by the end of the year, but Ankara will not be hasty on this matter, a diplomatic source in the Turkish capital told Sputnik.
• Russian Lawmakers Approve 'De-Ratifying' Nuclear Test Ban Pact In First Reading RFE/RL 17 Oct 2023 -- The Russian parliament's lower chamber, the State Duma, approved the first reading of a bill revoking the ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT).
• Statement by Konstantin Vorontsov, Deputy Head of the Delegation of the Russian Federation, at the Thematic Debate on "Nuclear Weapons" in the First Committee of the 78th Session of the UN General Assembly, New York, 16 October 2023 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 17 Oct 2023
• Moscow denies alleged N Korea's munition supplies to Russia Press TV 17 Oct 2023 -- The Kremlin has rejected allegations that North Korea is providing Russia with weapon supplies after the US released images purportedly showing arms shipments from Pyongyang.
• Report: North Korea Shipping Ammunition, Weaponry 'At Scale' To Russia RFE/RL 17 Oct 2023 -- North Korea appears to have begun secretly shipping large amounts of munitions to Russia, according to a new report, using ships and trains to move the weaponry and bolster Moscow's war against Ukraine.
• Baltic Fleet missile ship performs electronic launches of Moskit cruise missiles Russia MoD 17 Oct 2023 -- In the course of drills on K-2 task at sea, the missile ship Dimitrovgrad performed electronic launches of Moskit cruise missiles at a mock enemy ship detachment.
• Russian Defence Minister General of Army Sergei Shoigu takes part in commissioning ceremony of future missile plant of Concern VKO 'Almaz-Antey Russia MoD 17 Oct 2023 -- Russian Defence Minister General of the Army Sergei Shoigu takes part in the commissioning ceremony of the building of JSC Concern VKO 'Almaz-Antey's future missile plant in the Rudnevo industrial park of Technopolis Moscow special economic zone. New Almaz-Antey plant in Rudnevo is to produce air defence systems.
• Russian Defence Minister General of the Army Sergei Shoigu held a meeting at the National Centre for State Defence Control of the Russian Federation on issues related to supplies and prospects for the development of cannon artillery and multiple-launch ro Russia MoD 17 Oct 2023 -- 'In the conditions of the special military operation it is especially important to quickly replenish stocks of means of defeat. The solution of this task directly depends on the ability of enterprises to increase the production of artillery systems, multiple-launch rocket systems, as well as to minimise the terms of their delivery to the troops,' said Sergei Shoigu.
• Zelenskiy Says Ukraine Used U.S.-Supplied ATACMS In Overnight Attacks RFE/RL 17 Oct 2023 -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy confirmed on October 17 that Ukraine used U.S.-made Army Tactical Missile System, known as ATACMS, in overnight attacks that the Ukrainian military said destroyed nine Russian military helicopters, an ammunition depot, and an air-defense launching system.
• Zelenskyy Confirms Ukraine Using Long-Range ATACMS From US VOA 17 Oct 2023 -- Ukraine launched ATACMS at Russian forces on Tuesday, after the United States secretly provided a small number of the long-range ballistic missiles to Kyiv in recent days, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Tuesday, confirming earlier reporting from VOA.
• Ukraine Uses ATACMS Missiles With Cluster Munitions to Attack Russian Cities Sputnik 17 Oct 2023 -- Ukrainian forces used ATACMS missiles with cluster warheads to attack the suburbs of the city of Berdyansk in Russia's Zaporozhye region, Russian officials say.
• Canada says Chinese fighter jets 'dangerously' intercepted aircraft Radio Free Asia 17 Oct 2023 -- Canadian Defense Minister Bill Blair has accused China of conducting a "dangerous and reckless" interception of a Canadian surveillance aircraft.
• Canada warned of risky consequences after repeating provocative close-in recon on China's doorstep Global Times 17 Oct 2023 -- Once again, Canada has exaggerated the interception of a Canadian surveillance plane by Chinese fighter jets, calling it "reckless," while Chinese military experts noted on Tuesday that it is simply another attempt by Canada to distort the facts. They also warned that if Canada continues to play along with the US "Indo-Pacific" strategy of frequently provoking China, it could lead to higher risk of a mishap or actual conflict.
• Final blow marks the end of an era Australia DOD 17 Oct 2023 -- More than 100 people attended the West Head gunnery range at Flinders, Victoria, for the final firing and decommissioning of the 76mm medium calibre gun (MCG), marking the end of more than three decades of service at the range.
• Defence Ministry signs contract for construction of the first Indian Coast Guard Training Ship with Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd, Mumbai India PIB 17 Oct 2023 -- The Ministry of Defence signed a contract for the construction of one Training Ship for the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) with Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL), Mumbai at a cost of Rs 310 crore under the Buy (Indian- IDDM) category in New Delhi on October 17, 2023
• Taiwan military to stage tri-service combat readiness drills CNA 17 Oct 2023 -- The Republic of China (Taiwan) military will hold combat readiness drills involving the Air Force, Navy and Army this month in the wake of China stepping up military activities around Taiwan, a military source told CNA Tuesday.
• MILEX23: Press remarks by High Representative Josep Borrell during the EU's first ever EU live military exercise European External Action Service (EEAS) 17 Oct 2023

Defense Industry

• Contracts For Oct. 17, 2023

Other Conflicts

Ukraine Conflict News
• 17 October 2023 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 17 Oct 2023

Operation Iron Swords / Operation Al-Aqsa Flood

• Daily Recap: Hamas - Israel War October 17th, 2023 (18:00) - Day 11 Israel Defense Forces 17 Oct 2023
• 120% Reservists Turnout Rate in the Southern Command's 252nd Division & Preparations for Wider Offensive Israel Defense Forces 17 Oct 2023
• PM Netanyahu Meets with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz Israel - Prime Minister 17 Oct 2023
• PM Netanyahu Visits IDF General Staff Reconnaissance Unit Base Israel - Prime Minister 17 Oct 2023 -- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, today, visited the IDF General Staff Reconnaissance Unit base in southern Israel where he was briefed by the Unit commander on its activity in the war up until now and on its future operations.
• PM Netanyahu Meets with Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu Israel - Prime Minister 17 Oct 2023
• PM Netanyahu Speaks with Russian President Vladimir Putin Israel - Prime Minister 17 Oct 2023
• Hamas armed wing fires missiles at Tel Aviv IRNA 17 Oct 2023 -- The al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, has targeted Tel Aviv with missiles in response to Israeli airstrikes targeting Palestinian civilians in besieged Gaza.
• Hamas plans to release Israelis in exchange for 6K Palestinian prisoners IRNA 17 Oct 2023 -- A Hamas leader has declared that the Palestinian resistance movement has decided to swap 6,000 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons in exchange for the Israeli prisoners that Palestinian fighters have nabbed.
• Aid trucks line up on Egyptian border waiting for access to Gaza People's Daily 17 Oct 2023 -- Tens of trucks loaded with humanitarian aid, medical supplies, food and blankets are lining up on Tuesday at the Rafah crossing, waiting for access to the coastal enclave of Palestine from the Egyptian side.
• Hamas says 200-250 Israeli captives held in Gaza, 22 killed in Israeli attacks People's Daily 17 Oct 2023 -- Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, said on Monday that there are 200 to 250 Israeli captives held in Gaza.
• Israel evacuates residents in north amid border tensions with Lebanon People's Daily 17 Oct 2023 -- Israel began evacuating residents in the north on Monday amid escalating conflict with Lebanon's Hezbollah military group in the border area.
• Israel strikes Southern Lebanon with white phosphorus bombs, killing 4: Report Press TV 17 Oct 2023 -- The Israeli army has struck Southern Lebanon with artillery shells and internationally banned white phosphorus munitions, killing four people, according to a report.
• At least 500 killed in Israeli bombing on Gaza hospital: Health ministry Press TV 17 Oct 2023 -- At least 500 civilians have been killed by Israeli airstrikes on al-Ahli Baptist Hospital amid the regime's relentless aggression on the besieged Gaza Strip, the Health Ministry in the enclave says.
• Over 500 People Killed From Israeli Strike on Hospital in Gaza Strip - Reports Sputnik 17 Oct 2023 -- Over 500 people have been killed as a result of an Israeli strike on a hospital in the Gaza Strip, a Qatari news agency reported on Tuesday, citing a representative of the Health Ministry of Gaza.
• Hamas condemns votes against Russian-drafted UNSC resolution calling for ceasefire Press TV 17 Oct 2023 -- The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas has strongly criticized governments that voted against a Russian-drafted UN Security Council (UNSC) resolution calling for a humanitarian ceasefire amid Israel's continued aggression against the Gaza Strip.
• At least 70 killed in Israeli strikes on Rafah, Khan Younis in southern Gaza Strip Press TV 17 Oct 2023 -- At least 70 Palestinians have been killed in relentless Israeli bombardment of densely populated areas of Rafah and Khan Younis in southern Gaza Strip.
• Top Hamas official: Al-Aqsa Storm 'opportunity' to finish off enemy, end Israeli occupation Press TV 17 Oct 2023 -- A former head of the Palestinian Hamas resistance movement has praised the ongoing anti-Israeli Operation al-Aqsa Storm as an opportunity to pull the plug on Israel.
• IDF Says Eliminated 4 Alleged Fighters Attempting to Cross Border From Lebanon Sputnik 17 Oct 2023 -- The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on Tuesday it had eliminated four people who attempted to cross the fence on the border with Lebanon and plant an explosive device.
• Hamas says 200-250 Israeli captives held in Gaza, 22 killed in Israeli attacks People's Daily 17 Oct 2023 -- Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, said on Monday that there are 200 to 250 Israeli captives held in Gaza.
• Access sought for aid to Gaza People's Daily 17 Oct 2023 -- International and humanitarian organizations are pleading for "immediate unconditional access" for critical aid in Gaza to deter a rapidly escalating crisis with the number of displaced people now estimated to have breached 1 million — 10 days into the violent Palestine-Israel conflict.
• Israel evacuates residents in north amid border tensions with Lebanon People's Daily 17 Oct 2023 -- Israel began evacuating residents in the north on Monday amid escalating conflict with Lebanon's Hezbollah military group in the border area.
• Hamas says not intimidated by Israel's ground invasion threat, warns Gaza will become invaders' graveyard Press TV 17 Oct 2023 -- Amid Israel's relentless bloody war against the Gaza Strip, Palestinian resistance movement Hamas says it is "not intimidated" by the regime's threat of launching a ground aggression against the blockaded territory.
• UN Agencies: Palestinians Trapped in Gaza Could Die Without Relief Supplies VOA 17 Oct 2023 -- Amid a growing health emergency and a staggering loss of life, U.N. humanitarian agencies warned Tuesday that thousands of Palestinians trapped in Gaza are likely to die in the coming days if they are denied access to urgently needed relief supplies.
• Israel-Gaza crisis: Competing Security Council resolutions reveal diplomatic fault lines UN News 17 Oct 2023 -- The UN Security Council's first intervention in the Gaza crisis - a Russian-led draft resolution calling for humanitarian ceasefire - was voted down on Monday. Despite this setback, diplomatic efforts are in full swing as ambassadors prepare to consider another text on the unprecedented crisis.
• UNRWA Situation Report #7 on the situation in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, 17 October 2023 UNRWA 17 Oct 2023
• Statement by UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell on the deaths and injuries of children at Al Ahli Hospital UNICEF 17 Oct 2023 -- "I am horrified by the reported deaths and injuries of children and women following an attack on the Al Ahli Hospital in the Gaza Strip this evening. While details are still emerging and bodies are still being counted, the scenes on the ground are devastating.
• UN chief 'horrified' by strike on Gaza hospital, as warring sides blame each other UN News 17 Oct 2023 -- The UN Secretary-General said he was horrified by the killing of hundreds of civilians following a strike on a hospital in Gaza on Tuesday. In a tweet, António Guterres strongly condemned the strike, adding that his heart is with the families of those who died.
• Israel-Gaza conflict: Deepening concern for civilians, as UN school is hit UN News 17 Oct 2023 -- The head of the UN Palestine refugee agency (UNRWA) Philippe Lazzarini, has reported that at least six people were killed on Monday afternoon local time, when an UNRWA school being used as a shelter, was hit in the al-Maghazi camp in the middle region of the embattled Gaza Strip.
• World Food Programme appeals for sustained access to Gaza to provide food lifeline WFP 17 Oct 2023 -- As humanitarian supplies converged on Egypt's border with Gaza, the United Nations World Food Programme today renewed its call for sustained humanitarian access to Gaza, where hundreds of thousands of people fleeing violence desperately need food, water and medical supplies. WFP already has food for 244,000 people close to the border with Gaza. More food supplies are arriving in northeastern Egypt, where an assistance hub is being set up.
• WHO statement on attack on Al Ahli Arab Hospital and reported large-scale casualties WHO 17 Oct 2023
• Israel's forcible transfer of Gazan civilians amounts to crimes against humanity: UN Press TV 17 Oct 2023 -- The United Nations human rights office has said Israel's brutal blockade of the Palestinian enclave of Gaza, combined with the evacuation order and forcible transfer of civilians, could amount to a crime against humanity.
• Statement from President Joe Biden on the Hospital Explosion in Gaza The White House 17 Oct 2023
• Press Gaggle by Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre and NSC Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby En Route Tel Aviv, Israel The White House 17 Oct 2023
• Biden Heads to Israel, Cancels Jordan Visit After Gaza Hospital Blast VOA 17 Oct 2023 -- A massive explosion rocked a Gaza hospital Tuesday night, possibly killing several hundred people, as U.S. President Joe Biden left for Israel on an overnight flight to show his support for the longtime U.S. ally.
• Biden to head to Israel in show of support as Gaza war rages Press TV 17 Oct 2023 -- US President Joe Biden is set to visit to Israel to show support for Tel Aviv as Washington has pledged more military assistance to the occupying regime.
• Biden to Visit Israel as Gaza Humanitarian Crisis Grows VOA 17 Oct 2023 -- U.S. President Joe Biden will head to Israel Wednesday, as a humanitarian crisis grows in the Gaza Strip ahead of an expected ground invasion by Israeli forces.
• Tehran Fans Flames Of Escalation Fears With Warning On Israeli-Hamas War RFE/RL 17 Oct 2023 -- Iranian leaders have called for an "immediate" halt to Israel's offensive against Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip and warned "other fronts will open up" in the conflict, fanning global concerns that the war could quickly escalate.
• Iran strongly condemns Zionist regime's attack on Gaza hospital IRNA 17 Oct 2023 -- Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nasser Kanaani strongly condemned an Israeli air strike on a hospital in the Gaza Strip.
• Iran slams EU decision to retain missile sanctions as 'illegal' IRNA 17 Oct 2023 -- Iran has condemned as "illegal" a decision by the European Union's governing body to maintain ballistic missile- and nuclear-related sanctions against the Islamic Republic in violation of the 2015 nuclear agreement.
• Iran, South Africa FMs discuss developments in Palestine IRNA 17 Oct 2023 -- Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian held discussions with his South African counterpart, Naledi Pandor, over the ongoing situation in Palestine.
• Iran's Leader: If Israeli crimes continue, no one can stop Muslims, resistance forces Press TV 17 Oct 2023 -- Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei says if Israeli crimes against Palestinians in Gaza continue, no one can stop Muslims and resistance forces.
• Press release on the UN Security Council meeting on the situation in Gaza Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 17 Oct 2023
• No: 264, 17 October 2023, Press Release Regarding Israel's Attack Targeting a Hospital in Gaza Republic of Turkey Ministry of Foreign Affairs 17 Oct 2023
• European Council holds discussion on the situation in the Middle East Finnish Government 17 Oct 2023 -- On Tuesday 17 October, The European Council held an extraordinary video meeting to discuss the situation in the Middle East. Prime Minister Petteri Orpo represented Finland at the meeting.
• Top EU diplomat urges Iran to use sway to prevent regional escalation of Gaza war Press TV 17 Oct 2023 -- European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell has called on Iran to use its influence to prevent the spillover of Israel's war on the Gaza Strip into the entire West Asia region.
• The Danish Government is increasing Denmark's humanitarian aid for Gaza and the West Bank with an extraordinary pledge of, for the time being, DKK 50 million. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark 17 Oct 2023 -- The Danish Government is increasing Denmark's humanitarian aid for Gaza and the West Bank with an extraordinary pledge of, for the time being, DKK 50 million.
• Israel-Palestine conflict at critical point amid rising concerns, tensions Global Times 17 Oct 2023 -- With a looming Israeli ground invasion in Gaza and the catastrophic humanitarian crisis that the Palestinian people are facing, the Israel-Gaza conflict is escalating at a crucial point. Israel may not stop its military actions despite mounting pressure from the international community, and the battlefield between Israel and Palestine is now extending to diplomacy and public opinion, which will make the situation more complicated, analysts said, calling for the acceleration of mediation efforts to prevent the situation from getting worse.
• Statement by Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide following reports of air strike on Gaza hospital Government of Norway 17 Oct 2023
• The President participated in an extraordinary European Council meeting on Hamas terrorist attacks against Israel President of the Republic of Lithuania 17 Oct 2023 -- On Tuesday, President Gitanas Nausėda participated from Melbourne in a remote European Council meeting on Hamas terrorist attacks against Israel.
• Netherlands pledges additional €10 million for humanitarian aid to Gaza Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs 17 Oct 2023 -- The Netherlands is providing an additional €10 million in humanitarian assistance for Gaza, development minister Liesje Schreinemacher announced on Tuesday.
• Türkiye proposes guarantor formula for Palestine-Israel peace People's Daily 17 Oct 2023 -- Türkiye has put forward a guarantor formula to end the new round of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and is seeking to turn the crisis into an opportunity for peace, the state-run TRT broadcaster quoted Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan as saying on Tuesday.
• Putin says Russia ready to coordinate with partners to end violence, stabilize situation in Middle East People's Daily 17 Oct 2023 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin said Monday that Russia is ready to coordinate efforts with all constructively minded partners to bring an end to the violence in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and stabilize the situation.
• After Own Proposal Rejected, Russia Pushes For Changes In Draft UN Resolution Condemning Hamas Attack On Israel RFE/RL 17 Oct 2023 -- Russia is pushing for changes to a Brazilian draft resolution at the United Nations Security Council that would condemn Hamas for its attack on Israel and call for a humanitarian cease-fire after Moscow's draft resolution failed in a vote over its failure to mention the militant group.
• We cannot support a resolution which fails to condemn Hamas' terror attacks: UK statement at the UN Security Council UK FCDO 17 Oct 2023 -- Explanation of vote by Ambassador Barbara Woodward at the UN Security Council meeting on the Middle East.
• China to Citizens in Israel: Find Your Own Way Home VOA 17 Oct 2023 -- China has asked its citizens in Israel who want to return home to purchase tickets for themselves on commercial flights even as other governments are providing assistance to their citizens via chartered, military or the remaining commercial flights.
• RAAF flights assist with Israel departures Australia DOD 17 Oct 2023 -- Two RAAF aircraft - a KC-30A and a C-17A Globemaster III - have joined a Government-supported private charter in safely airlifting people from Ben Gurion Airport in Israel to Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
• Israel-Palestine conflict at critical point amid rising concerns, tensions Global Times 17 Oct 2023 -- With a looming Israeli ground invasion in Gaza and the catastrophic humanitarian crisis that the Palestinian people are facing, the Israel-Gaza conflict is escalating at a crucial point. Israel may not stop its military actions despite mounting pressure from the international community, and the battlefield between Israel and Palestine is now extending to diplomacy and public opinion, which will make the situation more complicated, analysts said, calling for the acceleration of mediation efforts to prevent the situation from getting worse.
• Putin says Russia ready to coordinate with partners to end violence, stabilize situation in Middle East People's Daily 17 Oct 2023 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin said Monday that Russia is ready to coordinate efforts with all constructively minded partners to bring an end to the violence in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and stabilize the situation.
• Iranian, Russian, Turkish presidents urge to end Israeli attacks on Gaza People's Daily 17 Oct 2023 -- Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on Monday highlighted the necessity of making immediate efforts to put an end to Israeli attacks against Gaza in separate phone calls with his Russian and Turkish counterparts, according to statements from the Iranian president's office.
• Syrian, Russian presidents hold phone talks on Gaza situation People's Daily 17 Oct 2023 -- Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin held a phone conversation Monday to discuss the pressing situation in the Gaza Strip, according to Syria's state news agency SANA.
• How Does Israel's Last Invasion of Gaza Compare to Now? VOA 17 Oct 2023 -- As the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip spirals, Israel is preparing a full-scale ground invasion of the enclave of 2.1 million Palestinians.
• Israeli Invasion of Gaza Far From Certain, Risks Wider Conflict Involving Iran Sputnik 17 Oct 2023 -- Any Israeli invasion of Gaza in response to the Hamas incursion and music festival massacre remains far from certain and risks wider conflict involving Iran, experts told Sputnik.
• South Korean military says North Korea may have links with Hamas Radio Free Asia 17 Oct 2023 -- North Korea appears to have a military connection to Hamas, and weapons and tactics used in the Palestinian militant group's attacks this month on Israel are likely North Korean in origin, the South Korean military said Tuesday.

Other Conflicts

• Manila denounces Chinese Navy's maneuvers in disputed waters Radio Free Asia 17 Oct 2023 -- The Philippine military chief accused China's navy of "dangerously" shadowing a Philippine ship during a rare standoff between the navies from the two countries on Oct. 13 amid heightened tensions over contested waters.
• China Warns Japan Against Passage of Ships Close to Disputed Islets Sputnik 17 Oct 2023 -- Beijing has called on Tokyo to stop intrusions of its vessels into waters around contested islets in the East China Sea known as the Diaoyu Islands in China and the Senkaku Islands in Japan, Chinese coast guard spokesman Gan Yu stated on Tuesday.
• Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh appeal to donors for more food aid Radio Free Asia 17 Oct 2023 -- Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh pleaded with a visiting U.S. State Department official Tuesday to help boost food aid to them, while the U.N. refugee agency's chief urged donor countries to reverse dwindling humanitarian assistance to the stateless Rohingya.
• China bans Tibetan language in schools in Sichuan province Radio Free Asia 17 Oct 2023 -- China has banned the teaching and use of the Tibetan language at elementary and middle schools in two Tibetan-populated regions in southwestern China, sources inside the country said, requiring all instruction to be in Mandarin.
• UNHCR expresses grave concern for the protection of people displaced by violence in eastern DR Congo UNHCR 17 Oct 2023 -- UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is sounding the alarm as escalating violence and pervasive human rights abuses in the eastern provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) trigger a fresh wave of displacement, both within and outside of the country.
• A rushed departure of MONUSCO would create a significant security vacuum in eastern DRC: UK statement at the UN Security Council UK FCDO 17 Oct 2023 -- Statement by UK Political Coordinator Fergus Eckersley at the UN Security Council meeting on the Great Lakes region.
• Nearly 4,000 killed, civilian property destroyed in raging conflict in Sudan's Darfur UNHCR 17 Oct 2023 -- The escalation in fatalities and severe human rights violations against innocent civilians in Darfur, including refugees and internally displaced people, is worsening six months into the deadly conflict in Sudan, warns UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency.

News Reports

• American Citizen Sentenced to Life in Prison for Providing Material Support to ISIS That Resulted in Death US Dept. of Justice 17 Oct 2023 -- Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, New York, Ruslan Maratovich Asainov, 46, a U.S. citizen and former resident of Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, was sentenced to life in prison for providing material support to ISIS, a designated foreign terrorist organization, that resulted in death.
• Message to the Congress on the Continuation of the National Emergency With Respect to Significant Narcotics Traffickers Centered in Colombia The White House 17 Oct 2023
• Notice on the Continuation of the National Emergency With Respect to Significant Narcotics Traffickers Centered in Colombia The White House 17 Oct 2023
• Putin Takes Center Stage at China's Belt and Road Forum VOA 17 Oct 2023 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin's trip to Beijing this week is giving him a rare chance to meet with other world leaders and deepen Moscow's "no limits" relationship with China.
• US Must Learn to Respect Other States, Find Compromises - Putin Sputnik 17 Oct 2023 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday, commenting on a recent remark of US President Joe Biden about the need to "put down" the Russian leader that the United States need to learn to respect others and be able to find compromises, then no one will need to be suppressed.
• Meeting with Acting Prime Minister of Pakistan Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar President of Russia 17 Oct 2023 -- Vladimir Putin held a meeting with Acting Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar.
• Meeting with Prime Minister of Hungary Viktor Orban President of Russia 17 Oct 2023 -- Vladimir Putin held a meeting with Prime Minister of Hungary Viktor Orban.
• Canada announces additional sanctions against Russian collaborators in Moldova Canada 17 Oct 2023 -- The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced that Canada is imposing sanctions against Russian collaborators in Moldova under the Special Economic Measures (Moldova) Regulations.
• Nationalist Putin Critic Girkin's Appeal Against Detention Rejected RFE/RL 17 Oct 2023 -- The Moscow City Court on October 17 rejected an appeal filed by lawyers of Igor Girkin (aka Strelkov), once a leader of Russia-backed separatists in Ukraine's east, against the pretrial detention he was placed in earlier this year after he criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin for "badly" handling the ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning's Regular Press Conference on October 17, 2023 PRC MofA 17 Oct 2023
• US expands chip export ban to China Radio Free Asia 17 Oct 2023 -- The U.S. semiconductor industry has said new prohibitions on microchip exports to China may be "overly broad" and harmful, after the Commerce Department on Tuesday expanded its rules to cover chips developed especially to skirt the existing export ban.
• US Imposes New Chip Export Controls on China VOA 17 Oct 2023 -- The U.S. Commerce Department on Tuesday tightened its export controls to keep China from acquiring advanced computer chips that it could use to help develop hypersonic missiles and artificial intelligence.
• Xi meets world leaders in Beijing as BRF kicks off; China's massive diplomatic event attracts global attention Global Times 17 Oct 2023 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping met with world leaders who came for the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRF) in Beijing on Tuesday, and more and more heads of state, government leaders and officials, as well as leaders of international organizations have arrived in China's capital city, making the BRF the most attractive and anticipated international event at the moment.
• Deals on the 1st day of the 3rd Belt and Road Forum hit a record, highlighting foreign entrepreneurs' confidence in BRI Global Times 17 Oct 2023 -- On the first day of the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRF), over 1,200 representatives from more than 80 countries and regions have taken on what some describe as a journey of "opportunity hunting," eyeing establishing new business networks under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) - the world's largest platform for international cooperation - to inject certainty into their businesses in an uncertain world and make joint contributions to global economic recovery.
• Reps from 130 countries descend on Beijing for Belt and Road forum Radio Free Asia 17 Oct 2023 -- China's third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRF) kicked off Tuesday in Beijing, with China claiming that representatives from some 130 countries were in attendance, including a representative of the Taliban and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
• China recruits thousands to monitor its citizens' words and deeds Radio Free Asia 17 Oct 2023 -- The ruling Chinese Communist Party is stepping up its monitoring of citizens across the board, from door-to-door monitoring of residential neighborhoods to new rules requiring online celebrities to use their real names.
• Journalist Says China Jailed Her for Breaking Embargo VOA 17 Oct 2023 -- An Australian Chinese journalist detained for over three years in China said Tuesday she was jailed for breaking an embargo by just a few minutes.
• China-Russia relationship 'a paragon of interstate cooperation between major powers in the 21st century': Russian FM spokeswoman Global Times 17 Oct 2023 -- Developing relations of comprehensive interaction and strategic partnership with China is an absolute priority for Russia, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told the Global Times in an exclusive interview, as Russian President Vladimir Putin is on a visit to China to attend the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation.
• PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan Oct. 17, 2023 ROC MND 17 Oct 2023
• U.S. Special Representative for the DPRK Kim Holds Trilateral Meeting in Jakarta US Dept. of State 17 Oct 2023 -- U.S. Special Representative for the DPRK Ambassador Sung Kim hosted Republic of Korea (ROK) Special Representative for Korean Peninsula Peace and Security Affairs Kim Gunn and Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director General for Asian and Oceanian Affairs Namazu Hiroyuki for bilateral and trilateral meetings in Jakarta, Indonesia, on October 17, to discuss trilateral cooperation to curb the threat posed by the DPRK.
• China urged not to repatriate DPR Korea escapees UN News 17 Oct 2023 -- Experts appointed by the UN Human Rights Council urged China not to forcibly repatriate people who have escaped from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), warning that some returnees could even be put to death.
• North Korea slams US for exacerbating tensions with 'nuclear supremacy' Press TV 17 Oct 2023 -- Pyongyang's nuclear program is a self-defensive measure to preempt a nuclear war in light of the United States' pursuit of "nuclear supremacy," North Korean media KCNA said on Tuesday.
• Report of SPA Standing Committee on Elections of Deputies to People's Assemblies at All Levels KCNA 17 Oct 2023 -- Elections of deputies to provincial (municipality), city (district) and county people's assemblies will take place in the DPRK on November 26, Juche 112 (2023) under Article 139 of the Socialist Constitution of the DPRK and decisions of the regional people's committees.
• Int'l Affairs Analyst on NATO's Nuclear War Drills KCNA 17 Oct 2023 -- Kim Tong Myong, a researcher of the Society for International Politics Study in the DPRK, released the following article titled "NATO's nuclear war drills again highlight the U.S. entity as a nuclear maniac" on October 17:
• U.S. Scheme for Nuclear Supremacy Rebuked KCNA 17 Oct 2023 -- Kim Kwang Myong, a researcher of the Institute for Disarmament and Peace of the DPRK Foreign Ministry, issued the following article titled "U.S. pursuit of nuclear supremacy is root cause of strategic instability destroying world peace" on October 17:
• Iran petrochemical production up 7% y/y in H1 calendar year IRNA 17 Oct 2023 -- Iran's petrochemical companies produced 38.5 million metric tons (mt) of products in the first half of the current Iranian year (March 21, 2023 to September 22, 2023), indicating a 7% growth in comparison to the same period in 2022, an Iranian official said.
• Belarus president urges expansion of cooperation with Iran to jointly withstand Western sanctions, pressure Press TV 17 Oct 2023 -- Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has called for the expansion of cooperation with the Islamic Republic of Iran in the face of Western pressure and sanctions.
• PM reviews readiness of Gaganyaan Mission India - Prime Minister's Office 17 Oct 2023 -- Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi chaired a high-level meeting to assess progress of India's Gaganyaan Mission and to outline the future of India's space exploration endeavours.
• Report: Brazil's Bolsonaro Plotted to 'Set the Country on Fire' in Failed Coup Attempt Sputnik 17 Oct 2023 -- Brazil's Congress found that former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro schemed to remain in power after his 2022 election loss in a report that also implicated top military officers.
• Myanmar's Sagaing region sees a resurgence of anti-junta protests Radio Free Asia 17 Oct 2023 -- Anti-junta protesters have returned to the streets of Myanmar's Sagaing region, despite intense crackdowns and raids by military forces, organizers of the demonstrations said.
• UK announces further assistance for Rohingya people in Bangladesh UK FCDO 17 Oct 2023 -- UK Minister for the Indo-Pacific, Anne-Marie Trevelyan, has announced a further £4.5 million in humanitarian support at a UNHCR conference on Rohingya refugees.
• PM call with the Prime Minister and Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman: 17 October 2023 Gov.UK 17 Oct 2023
• PM call with the Amir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani: 17 October 2023 Gov.UK 17 Oct 2023
• Joint Statement from the Venezuela Dialogue and Negotiation Process Government of Norway 17 Oct 2023
• Back To Reality: Food Shortages, Price Hikes Return To Turkmen Resorts As Holiday Season Ends RFE/RL 17 Oct 2023 -- Locals in Turkmenistan's western Balkan region on the Caspian Sea are used to a temporary "abundance of food" during the summer vacation season, which usually lasts from June to late September.
• Poland's Conservative Ruling Party Ousted VOA 17 Oct 2023 -- Poland's ruling nationalist conservative party has lost its majority in parliament after eight years in power.
• Poland's Ruling PiS Party Wins Elections, But Loses Majority in Parliament Sputnik 17 Oct 2023 -- Poland's ruling Law and Justice party (PiS) headed by Jaroslaw Kaczynski has won the parliamentary elections with 35.38% of the vote, but lost the majority, the National Electoral Commission said on Tuesday.
• World News in Brief: 500 million heading into extreme poverty, Afghanistan quake latest, Darfur deaths mount UN News 17 Oct 2023 -- UN Secretary-General António Guterres has appealed to the world to renew its commitment to a poverty-free world.
• New Zealand Election Delivers Swing to Right VOA 17 Oct 2023 -- Counting continues Tuesday in New Zealand's general election as the conservative National party seeks a coalition with a right-leaning minor party.
• Gabon's Government Threatens Arrests Over Money Collected for Work Not Performed VOA 17 Oct 2023 -- Military rulers in Gabon on Tuesday threatened to arrest the heads of businesses who have collected money for work that was not performed.