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Defense Policy / Programs

• In Major Address, Biden Lays Groundwork For Massive Aid To Ukraine, Israel RFE/RL 20 Oct 2023 -- Laying the groundwork to ask U.S lawmakers for tens of billions of dollars in military assistance for Ukraine and Israel, President Joe Biden linked Russian President Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine and Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip who attacked Israel, saying both were threats to global democracy and security.
• Biden Says U.S. Leadership Vital, Pledges Support for Israel and Ukraine DoD News 20 Oct 2023 -- President Joe Biden underscored the importance of the United States' continued leadership amid what he said is a critical time for democracies around the globe.
• Biden Asks Congress to Approve Fiscal '24 Supplemental Request DoD News 20 Oct 2023 -- President Joe Biden has asked Congress to approve a supplemental budget request for fiscal 2024 that will allow Ukraine to continue its fight against Russian invaders and deliver military capabilities to Israel as they confront Hamas terrorists.
• Interview: Biden Seeks To 'Depoliticize' Ukraine and Israel Aid, Show Russia That Western Support Will Not Flag RFE/RL 20 Oct 2023 -- In a rare national address on October 19, U.S. President Joe Biden explained why he would submit a bill to Congress requesting tens of billions of dollars in aid for Ukraine and Israel, telling Americans that the Palestinian militant group Hamas and Russian President Vladimir Putin "represent different threats, but they share this in common: They both want to annihilate a neighboring democracy."
• Statement from Secretary of the Treasury Janet L. Yellen on the Congressional Funding Request to Support Israel & Ukraine US Treasury 20 Oct 2023 -- Secretary of the Treasury Janet L. Yellen today released the following statement following President Biden's request to Congress for supplemental funding to support Israel and Ukraine:
• Virginia Guard Soldiers to Mobilize for Federal Duty in Europe Army News 20 Oct 2023 -- Approximately 70 Soldiers assigned to the Virginia National Guard's Virginia Beach-based 529th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion Headquarters, 329th Regional Support Group, will enter federal active service for duty in Poland in January.
• USARPAC: Landpower essential in defending Indo-Pacific Army News 20 Oct 2023 -- The Department of Defense conducts more than 40 army-to-army joint multinational exercises annually in the Indo-Pacific to increase integrated deterrence.
• U.S. and Luxembourg officials break ground on $100M Deployable Air Base System support and storage facilities project Army News 20 Oct 2023 -- On October 19, 2023, a groundbreaking ceremony was held to inaugurate the expansion of the Warehouses Service Agency (WSA) complex in Sanem, which is already the U.S. Air Forces in Europe's (USAFE) largest depot on the continent. The Deployable Air Base System support and storage facilities project represents $100 million (€95 million) U.S. investment via the European Deterrence Initiative and will add more than 18,500 square meters or 200,000 square feet of additional facility space to the WSA. The project supports the readiness and responsiveness of the U.S. Air Forces in Europe, reinforcing NATO's collective defense and deterrence.
• Soldiers test new Nuclear, Biological, Chemical Recon Stryker vehicle Army News 20 Oct 2023 -- Soldiers from Joint Base Lewis-McCord have been taking part in operationally testing the new Sensor Suite Upgrade, or SSU, on the M1135 variant Stryker — the Army's high-speed, high-mobility, armored carrier.
• Readout of the 2023 U.S.-New Zealand Defense Policy Dialogue DoD 20 Oct 2023
• DOD, Estonian MOD Enter Into Security of Supply Arrangement DoD 20 Oct 2023 -- The Department of Defense today announced entering into a bilateral, non-binding Security of Supply Arrangement (SOSA) with the Republic of Estonia. The arrangement will enable both the U.S. and Estonia to acquire the industrial resources they need to quickly meet defense requirements, resolve unanticipated disruptions that challenge defense capabilities, and promote supply chain resiliency.
• DOD Aims to Publish 1st National Defense Industrial Strategy DoD News 20 Oct 2023 -- By December, the Defense Department hopes to issue its first-ever National Defense Industrial Strategy, which will be followed by DOD's implementation plan, said Laura D. Taylor-Kale, assistant secretary of defense for industrial base policy.
• Fleet Readiness Center Southeast (FRCSE) completes final F/A-18 Hornet Center Barrel Replacement. US Navy 20 Oct 2023 -- Whether it is due to its all-weather versatility and reliability, or its run with the renowned flight demonstration team, the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, the F/A-18 Hornet has been a combat-proven platform for the Navy and Marine Corps for many years.
• Pacific Partnership 2023 Concludes Fourth Stop in Papua New Guinea US Navy 20 Oct 2023 -- Pacific Partnership 2023 has concluded its mission stop in Papua New Guinea from a closing ceremony hosted at the Japanese Memorial Park on Wewak Hill, Oct. 20.
• US soldier who crossed into North Korea charged with desertion Radio Free Asia 20 Oct 2023 -- The U.S. Army private who sprinted into North Korea in July and was returned home to the United States last month has been charged with desertion and remains in military custody, according to multiple media reports.
• US fighter jets for Air Policing in Iceland "Government of Iceland 20 Oct 2023 -- On Sunday 22 October a contingent of 120 United States Air Force personnel will arrive in Iceland with four F-16 Fighter Jets.
• The bulk of the German Brigade to deploy in 2026, part of the military will bring families Lithuania MND 20 Oct 2023 -- On October 18-20 the Ministry of National Defence hosted a meeting of the Joint Lithuanian-German Working Group on details of the German Brigade deployment to Lithuania. The meeting covered a wide range of implementation of the deployment aspects.
• Interoperability of the Lithuanian Armed Forces and NATO Allies verified at Iron Wolf 2023-II Lithuania MND 20 Oct 2023 -- On October 20 a dynamic display concluded the international Exercise Iron Wolf 2023-II. The two-week long exercise took place at the Gaižiūnai and the General Silvestras Žukauskas Training Areas training approx. 3500 troops and 600 pieces of military equipment from across the Lithuanian Armed Forces an 7 other NATO Allies: Belgium, Czech Republic, Germany, Netherlands, Norway, Luxembourg and the United States of America.
• Visit to the headquarters of the Southern Military District President of Russia 20 Oct 2023
• Statement by Konstantin Vorontsov, Deputy Head of the Delegation of the Russian Federation, at the Thematic Debate on "Outer Space (Disarmament Aspects)" in the First Committee of the 78th Session of the UN General Assembly, New York, 19 October 2023 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 20 Oct 2023
• Yasny missile formation of Strategic Missile Forces is being rearmed with Avangard missile systems in Orenburg region Russia MoD 20 Oct 2023 -- Yasny missile formation is rearmed with Avangard silo-deployed missile systems in Orenburg region.
• War in Ukraine - Military support for Ukraine Germany - Federal Government 20 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.
• Pentagon: Chinese military 'more dangerous and coercive' Radio Free Asia 20 Oct 2023 -- The United States predicts that China will have over 1,000 operational nuclear warheads in seven years, developing militarily at a pace that surpasses the Pentagon's projections, according to its annual assessment report of Chinese military prowess in 2022.
• New agreement to enhance Defence surveillance and survivability Australia DOD 20 Oct 2023 -- Defence and Mitsubishi Electric Australia (MEA) have signed an agreement to develop and transition a cutting-edge laser capability for the Australian Defence Force to enhance surveillance and survivability of defence platforms.
• Offshore patrol vessels listed as a project of concern Australia DOD 20 Oct 2023 -- The Australian Government has listed the Arafura-class offshore patrol vessel (OPV) program as a Defence Project of Concern.
• Talks strengthen bond with Indian Army Australia DOD 20 Oct 2023 -- Reflecting the close relationship with India, 13th Brigade hosted the Australia-India army-to-army staff talks in the lead-up to Exercise Austrahind, to be held in Western Australia in late November.
• Major Military Exercise Strengthens UK Ties in Southeast Asia UK MOD 20 Oct 2023 -- UK military personnel from all three services have taken part in a major joint exercise in Southeast Asia this week, strengthening ties with military partners crucial to upholding stability in the region.
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken Remarks to the Press US Dept. of State 20 Oct 2023

Defense Industry

• Contracts For Oct. 20, 2023

Other Conflicts

Ukraine Conflict News
• 20 October 2023 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 20 Oct 2023

Operation Iron Swords / Operation Al-Aqsa Flood

• Daily Recap: Hamas - Israel War October 20th, 2023 (20:00) - Day 14 Israel Defense Forces 20 Oct 2023
• IDF Neutralizes Senior Operative in Hamas' Strategic Weapons Development Unit Israel Defense Forces 20 Oct 2023
• Idf Strikes Hundreds of Terrorist Targets, Neutralizing Hamas Operative Who Took Part in the October 7th Massacre Israel Defense Forces 20 Oct 2023
• Hamas Frees 2 American Hostages VOA 20 Oct 2023 -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his country would "fight until victory" in Gaza, signaling there would be no pause in Israel's bombing of the area or an expected invasion there despite Hamas' release of two U.S. hostages.
• Gaza: UN chief at Rafah crossing says aid convoy 'the difference between life and death' UN News 20 Oct 2023 -- UN humanitarians said on Friday that an agreement to unlock aid deliveries across the Gaza border was near, as UN chief António Guterres delivered a powerful call in front of the gates at the Rafah crossing to get lifesaving aid moving.
• UNRWA Situation Report #9 on the situation in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, 20 October 2023 UNRWA 20 Oct 2023
• U.S.-EU Summit Joint Statement The White House 20 Oct 2023
• Remarks by President Biden, European Council President Charles Michel, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen Before Trilateral Meeting The White House 20 Oct 2023
• Statement from President Joe Biden on Securing the Release of Two Americans Taken Hostage The White House 20 Oct 2023
• Blinken Reaches Out to State Department Staff Amid Dissent Over Israel-Hamas Crisis VOA 20 Oct 2023 -- Dissent over the U.S. policy of supporting Israel in its war against Hamas militants went public at the State Department this week when a senior official resigned his position in protest.
• Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Call With Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant DoD 20 Oct 2023
• Readout of President Biden's Call with Prime Minister Netanyahu of Israel The White House 20 Oct 2023
• Thousands in Middle East, Beyond Rally for Palestinians VOA 20 Oct 2023 -- Tens of thousands of people in Muslim countries held demonstrations in support of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip on Friday, calling on Israel to stop its airstrikes on the territory in response to an attack by Hamas militants.
• China's Hamas Stance: Key Divide Ahead of Top Diplomat's Washington Visit VOA 20 Oct 2023 -- China's top diplomat, Wang Yi, is expected to visit Washington this month on a highly anticipated trip that comes as U.S. officials urge Beijing to help prevent fighting in the Middle East from spreading.
• China's Xi Urges End to Israel-Hamas Conflict Through Two-State Solution VOA 20 Oct 2023 -- Chinese leader Xi Jinping made his first public comment about the Israel-Hamas conflict Thursday, calling for a cease-fire and reiterating that establishing "an independent state of Palestine" through a two-state solution is the "fundamental way out of" the conflict.
• As Israel Fights Hamas, Support for Palestinians Grows in Nigeria VOA 20 Oct 2023 -- As Musa Abdullahi prepared for weekly Muslim prayers Friday, there was something else on his mind.
• Press release on developments in the Middle East Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 20 Oct 2023
• PM meeting with the President of the Palestinian Authority: 20 October 2023 UK FCDO 20 Oct 2023 -- The Prime Minister met President of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, in Cairo today.
• PM meeting with President el-Sisi of Egypt: 20 October 2023 UK FCDO 20 Oct 2023 -- The Prime Minister met President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi of Egypt in Cairo today.
• Canada provides update on assisted departures out of Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip Canada 21 Oct 2023 -- Today, the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs provided an update on assisted departures out of Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.
• PM meeting with the Amir of Qatar: 20 October 2023 UK FCDO 20 Oct 2023 -- The Prime Minister met the Amir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, this morning in Riyadh.
• Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks with Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia His Highness Mohammed bin Salman Prime Minister of Canada 20 Oct 2023 -- Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke with the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, His Highness Mohammed bin Salman.

Other Conflicts

• Afghanistan earthquakes: 'Staggering' health consequences UN News 20 Oct 2023 -- Families in western Afghanistan, who have lost everything to a series of devastating earthquakes, need urgent assistance to withstand the harsh winter, the UN relief wing reported on Friday.
• Iran Repeats Threat To Expel Undocumented Afghans RFE/RL 20 Oct 2023 -- A top Iranian official has reiterated that Tehran will deport all "illegal" migrants, most of whom are Afghan nationals who fled war, persecution, and poverty.
• The Azadi Briefing: Calls Grow Louder For Pakistan To Stop Mass Deportation Of Undocumented Afghans RFE/RL 20 Oct 2023
• Junta committed 22 massacres since coup, research group finds Radio Free Asia 20 Oct 2023 -- Junta troops have carried out 22 massacres across Myanmar since the February 2021 military coup, according to an independent research group based in Yangon.
• Junta razes village in northern Myanmar, opens fire on residents Radio Free Asia 20 Oct 2023 -- A man died and eight were injured when troops laid landmines in their village in Sagaing region after raiding it and burning the houses to the ground, locals said Friday.
• Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's telephone conversation with Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Jeyhun Bayramov Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 20 Oct 2023
• Reject Tibet name change, leader of Tibet's government-in-exile says Radio Free Asia 20 Oct 2023 -- The leader of Tibet's government-in-exile has urged the international community not to follow China's decision to replace the use of the term "Tibet" with "Xizang" as the romanized Chinese name on official diplomatic documents.
• UN Security Council Resolution on Haiti US Dept. of State 20 Oct 2023 -- The United States welcomes the UN Security Council's October 19 unanimous adoption of resolution 2700, which renews an arms embargo on Haiti to prevent the supply of weapons to non-state actors, as well as a targeted assets freeze and travel ban measures.
• Statement on the peace process in Colombia Government of Norway 20 Oct 2023 -- 'Norway commends the government and the guerrilla group EMC-FARC in Colombia for starting peace negotiations,' said Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide.
• Supporting Accountability for October 20, 2022 Violence in Chad US Dept. of State 20 Oct 2023 -- Government of Chad security forces killed four demonstrators outside the U.S. Embassy in N'Djamena on October 20, 2022.

News Reports

• Investigation Links Notorious Russian Intelligence Unit To Arms Depot Explosion In Bulgaria RFE/RL 20 Oct 2023 -- An investigation has linked an explosion at a Bulgarian arms depot in 2011 to the activity of a notorious unit of Russia's military intelligence that has been accused of involvement in other blasts and poisonings in NATO countries.
• CISA Announces Effort to Revise the National Cyber Incident Response Plan CISA 20 Oct 2023 -- Today, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) announced next steps for ongoing engagement with industry and government to update the National Cyber Incident Response Plan (NCIRP).
• Federal Jury Convicts Tennessee Man of Terrorism Charge US Dept. of Justice 20 Oct 2023 -- On Oct. 19, following an eight-day trial, a jury convicted Benjamin Carpenter, 31, of Knoxville, Tennessee, aka Abu Hamza, of attempting to provide material support to ISIS, a foreign terrorist organization.
• Federal Jury Convicts Four New Mexico Compound Defendants in Connection with Kidnapping and Terrorism Plot US Dept. of Justice 20 Oct 2023 -- Earlier this week, a federal jury returned guilty verdicts against Siraj Ibn Wahhaj, his sisters, Hujrah Wahhaj and Subhanah Wahhaj, and Subhanah's husband, Lucas Morton, following a three-week jury trial
• Measures taken following the unprecedented cyber-attack on the ICC ICC 20 Oct 2023-- Five weeks ago, the International Criminal Court detected a serious cyber security incident, thanks to the alert mechanism provided by its monitoring system.
• Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's interview with the 60 Minutes show, Moscow, October 20, 2023 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 20 Oct 2023
• Statement from Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian Nelson on the Egmont Group's Suspension of Rosfinmonitoring US Treasury 20 Oct 2023 -- During its October 2023 virtual meeting, the Egmont Group of Financial Intelligence Units (FIUs) agreed to suspend Rosfinmonitoring, Russia's FIU, from membership with the group due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. This official suspension comes on top of previous Egmont Group measures to revoke Rosfinmonitoring's formal group leadership, advisory, and representative positions, ability to host meetings, ability to physically attend meetings, and in-kind agreements. In response to this important measure for international cooperation, Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian E. Nelson issued the following statement:
• U.S. Envoy To Hungary Reiterates Growing Concern Over Orban's 'Troubling' Meeting With Putin RFE/RL 20 Oct 2023 -- Hungary's deepening relationship with Russia and Prime Minister Viktor Orban's recent meeting with President Vladimir Putin is causing growing concern in the United States and among allies, Ambassador David Pressman confirmed to RFE/RL on October 20.
• The Week In Russia: 'An Arsonist For A Firefighter' RFE/RL 20 Oct 2023 -- A trip to China, an eye on the Middle East -- and for Russian President Vladimir Putin, a continued focus on the war in Ukraine, where Moscow's forces struggled on the battlefield and Kyiv used newly delivered Western weapons. And 20 months into the full-scale invasion, the Kremlin's clampdown at home continued.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning's Regular Press Conference on October 20, 2023 PRC MofA 20 Oct 2023
• United States Sanctions Entities Contributing to Ballistic Missile Proliferation US Dept. of State 20 Oct 2023 -- The United States is committed to strengthening the global nonproliferation regime by taking action to disrupt procurement networks supporting proliferation activities of concern. Today, we are designating three entities pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13382, which targets proliferators of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery.
• China, US Swap Trade Sanctions on Semiconductors, Graphite VOA 20 Oct 2023 -- The Chinese government announced Friday that it would tighten export controls on graphite, a material essential to the construction of batteries used in electric cars and other green energy systems and of which China is the world's preeminent supplier.
• China moves to boost 'patriotic education,' including in Hong Kong Radio Free Asia 20 Oct 2023 -- The ruling Chinese Communist Party is moving to step up "patriotic education" in schools, universities and religious institutions across the country, including in Hong Kong, state media reported on Friday, in a move likely designed to quash internal political challenges to Xi Jinping's authoritarian rule.
• PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan Oct. 20, 2023 ROC MND 20 Oct 2023
• Free homes for rural North Koreans are unfit for country living Radio Free Asia 20 Oct 2023 -- Designed for cities, the houses lack gardens and many have thin walls that provide poor insulation in the winter.
• Junta hits political prisoners with package restrictions, transfers Radio Free Asia 20 Oct 2023 -- Junta policies that restrict packages to jailed inmates and permit prisoners to be transferred to remote facilities without notifying relatives are negatively impacting the health of political prisoners in Myanmar, their family members told RFA Burmese on Friday.
• Parity in Canadian diplomatic presence in India India MEA 20 Oct 2023 -- We have seen the Statement by the Government of Canada on October 19 regarding Canadian diplomatic presence in India.
• Departure of Canadian Diplomats from India US Dept. of State 20 Oct 2023 -- We are concerned by the departure of Canadian diplomats from India, in response to the Indian government's demand of Canada to significantly reduce its diplomatic presence in India.
• Kazakhstan Still Not Allowing Space For Protests RFE/RL 21 Oct 2023 -- ALMATY -- It is the return of a routine in Kazakhstan. With an opposition protest called for next week, authorities have been calling in activists for questioning and in several cases arresting them in an apparent effort to stop people from going out on the streets.
• PM call with Prime Minister Meloni of Italy: 20 October 2023 UK FCDO 20 Oct 2023 -- The Prime Minister held a call with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni this evening while returning from his trip to the Middle East.
• Comment by Foreign Minister Tsahkna on the damaged communications cables and pipeline in the Baltic Sea Estonia MFA 20 Oct 2023 -- Please find below a comment by Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna on the damaged communications cables and pipeline in the Baltic Sea.
• European Commission Investigating Gas Deal Between Bulgaria And Turkey RFE/RL 20 Oct 2023 -- The European Commission is investigating a deal allowing Bulgaria to access gas supplies via Turkey over a possible breach of the bloc's antitrust rules.
• Designating Milorad Dodik's Patronage Network in the Western Balkans US Dept. of State 20 Oct 2023 -- Today, the United States is imposing sanctions on individuals and entities comprising part of the patronage network of Republika Srpska (RS) President Milorad Dodik.
• U.S. Treasury Sanctions Members of Milorad Dodik's Family and Patronage Network US Treasury 20 Oct 2023 -- Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is designating two individuals and four entities that form a core part of Specially Designated National (SDN) and Republika Srpska (RS) President Milorad Dodik's (Dodik) patronage network. Members of this network, which include Dodik's adult children, facilitate Dodik's ongoing corruption in Bosnia and Herzegovina's (BiH) RS entity, allowing him to siphon public funds from the RS and enrich himself and his family at the expense of BiH citizens and functional governance in the country.
• US Official Says Gabon's Return to Civilian Rule Is Vital VOA 20 Oct 2023 -- A top U.S. official on African affairs says there is a need for a quick transition to civilian rule in Gabon after a coup in August, but coup leaders have yet to make public when they would hand power back to civilians.