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Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• More Drones Target US Forces in Middle East VOA 23 Oct 2023 -- U.S. troops shot down two drones targeting American forces in southern Syria on Monday, the latest in a string of drone attacks targeting American bases and facilities in the Middle East as officials warn of a "significant threat" of escalation in the conflict between Israel and Hamas.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Centcom-Bound Defense Systems Convey Deterrence Message DoD News 23 Oct 2023 -- This weekend, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III directed an array of additional U.S. military capabilities to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility in order to bolster the ability of American forces there to better defend themselves.
• Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby Holds a Press Briefing DoD 23 Oct 2023
• Joint Statement on the United States-Indonesia Senior Officials' 2+2 Foreign Policy and Defense Dialogue DoD 23 Oct 2023 -- The text of the following statement was released by the Governments of the United States of America and the Republic of Indonesia on the occasion of the inaugural Senior Officials' Foreign Policy and Defense Dialogue.
• Pentagon Press Secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder Holds an Off-Camera, On-the-Record Press Briefing DoD 23 Oct 2023
• Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Call With Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani of Iraq DoD 23 Oct 2023
• Georgia National Guardsmen Prepare for Deployment Army News 23 Oct 2023 -- After months of training and planning by key leaders and staff, the Georgia Army National Guard's 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team is completing readiness requirements before deploying in early 2024.
• Dutch military and contractors provide port assistance for incoming US aviation brigade Army News 23 Oct 2023 -- More than 40 aircraft and hundreds of U.S. Army equipment pieces and vehicles from 1st Infantry Division Combat Aviation Brigade were received by 39th Transportation Battalion, 21st Theater Sustainment Command, with the support of Dutch military and civilian contractors at the port of Vlissingen, Netherlands on Oct. 17.
• 3d MLR Paves the Way with Force Design Capabilities USMC News 23 Oct 2023 -- In March of 2022, a redesignation ceremony presided over by Commanding Officer Col. Timothy S. Brady, Jr., on Marine Corps Base Hawaii marked the first transition of its kind from 3d Marines, a traditional infantry regiment, to 3d Marine Littoral Regiment. Over the next year, 3d MLR would adopt three subordinate battalions: 3d Littoral Combat Team, 3d Littoral Logistics Battalion, and 3d Littoral Anti-Air Battalion.
• US, ROK Conduct Exercise Silent Shark US Navy 23 Oct 2023 -- The U.S. and Republic of Korea (ROK) navies completed the biennial combined theater anti-submarine warfare exercise Silent Shark in the vicinity of Guam, Oct. 22.
• DOD Leaders: Redefining Cybersecurity a Priority for All Army News 23 Oct 2023 -- Cybersecurity is experiencing a dramatic transformation. What was once primarily the domain of IT specialists has evolved into a collective responsibility for all defense personnel. Each member now plays a crucial role in fortifying the digital realm against looming threats.
• US-Japan-South Korea Drill a 'New Era' for Defense Ties VOA 23 Oct 2023 -- The United States, South Korea, and Japan held their first ever combined aerial exercise Sunday in an effort to send a tough message to North Korea.
• Turkey Parliament to Consider Sweden NATO Admission VOA 23 Oct 2023 -- Sweden moved one step closer to entering NATO Monday when Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan submitted a bill to parliament seeking approval for the Nordic nation's bid to join the military alliance.
• Russian motorised rifle units eliminate mock enemy in mountains of Tajikistan Russia MoD 23 Oct 2023 -- Motorised rifle units of the Russian military base in Tajikistan eliminated mock enemy illegal armed groups in the course of the test firing drills at the Lyaur training ground.
• US officials: China's economic woes may slow military rise Radio Free Asia 23 Oct 2023 -- China's military may be more aggressive than ever before, but economic woes could force some tough spending decisions that slow its continued rise, two U.S. defense officials said Monday.
• Australian Prime Minister Heads to Washington for Key Security Alliance Talks VOA 23 Oct 2023 -- Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese travels Monday to the United States for a four-day visit, hoping to make progress on the AUKUS nuclear submarine deal.
• EXERCISE HARIMAU SHAKTI-2023" COMMENCED IN UMROI CANTT, INDIA - INDIAN & MALAYSIAN ARMIES PARTICIPATE India PIB 23 Oct 2023 -- Joint bilateral training exercise "Exercise Harimau Shakti 2023", between Indian & Malaysian Army commenced today in Umroi Cantonment, India
• New global surveillance aircraft begins UK trials UK MOD 23 Oct 2023 -- A new uncrewed RAF aircraft, capable of global surveillance operations, will begin trials in the UK this week.
• Lithuania - AIM-120C-8 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) DSCA 23 Oct 2023 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Lithuania of AIM-120C-8 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) and related equipment for an estimated cost of $100 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.
• United Kingdom - Joint Air-to-Ground Missiles (JAGM) DSCA 23 Oct 2023 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of the United Kingdom of Joint Air-to-Ground Missiles (JAGM) for an estimated cost of $957.4 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.
• Finland - Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missiles-Extended Range (AARGM-ER) DSCA 23 Oct 2023 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Finland of Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missiles-Extended Range (AARGM-ER) and related equipment for an estimated cost of $500 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.
• Azerbaijan Hosts Military Drills With Turkey Near Armenia As Foreign Ministers Meet In Tehran RFE/RL 23 Oct 2023 -- Azerbaijan said on October 23 that it had begun joint military exercises with its ally Turkey near the border with Armenia as foreign ministers from the three countries are meeting their Iranian and Russian counterparts in Tehran to discuss a number of issues, including the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh.
• Readout of National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan's Call with National Security Advisor Eduardo M. Año of the Philippines The White House 23 Oct 2023
• Joint Statement on the United States-Indonesia Senior Officials' 2+2 Foreign Policy and Defense Dialogue US Dept. of State 23 Oct 2023 -- The text of the following statement was released by the Governments of the United States of America and the Republic of Indonesia on the occasion of the inaugural Senior Officials' Foreign Policy and Defense Dialogue.
• Secretary Blinken's Call with Spanish Foreign Minister Albares US Dept. of State 23 Oct 2023
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre and NSC Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby The White House 23 Oct 2023

Defense Industry

• Contracts For Oct. 23, 2023

Other Conflicts

Ukraine Conflict News
• 23 October 2023 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 23 Oct 2023

Operation Iron Swords / Operation Al-Aqsa Flood

• Daily Recap: Hamas - Israel War October 23rd, 2023 (19:00) - Day 17 Israel Defense Forces 23 Oct 2023
• Statements by PM Netanyahu, Defense Minister Gallant and IDF Chief-of-Staff Lt.-Gen. Halevi Israel - Prime Minister 23 Oct 2023
• PM Netanyahu to Dutch PM Mark Rutte: "I've been through wars. I've seen horrible things. I've never seen things this horrible. This is a battle of our common civilization." Israel - Prime Minister 23 Oct 2023
• PM Netanyahu Meets with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis Israel - Prime Minister 23 Oct 2023
• Joint Statement by the PM's Office the Defense Ministry and the IDF Spokesperson Israel - Prime Minister 23 Oct 2023
• Statement by the Prime Minister's Office-Coordinator for the Captives and Missing Israel - Prime Minister 23 Oct 2023
• Readout of President Biden's Call with Prime Minister Netanyahu of Israel The White House 23 Oct 2023
• Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Call With Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant DoD 23 Oct 2023
• Hamas Releases 2 More Israeli Hostages, Israel Ramps Up Airstrikes VOA 23 Oct 2023 -- Hamas released more hostages Monday — two elderly Israeli women — as Israel ramped up its airstrikes in Gaza and the United States expressed increasing concern about the Israel-Hamas war escalating into a broader Middle East conflict.
• Fuel Shortage Threatens to Halt Aid to Gaza Strip VOA 23 Oct 2023 -- Humanitarian assistance continued to trickle into the Gaza Strip on Monday, as 20 more aid trucks entered, but a lack of fuel for deliveries is threatening to halt the operation, as more than 2 million besieged Palestinians await help.
• UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell UN Security Council briefing on the humanitarian situation in Haiti UNICEF 23 Oct 2023
• UNRWA Situation Report #12 on the situation in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank (including East Jerusalem), 22 October 2023 at 22:00 (local time) UNRWA 23 Oct 2023
• Israel-Palestine: Gaza death toll passes 5,000 with no ceasefire in sight UN News 23 Oct 2023 -- The number of people killed in Gaza has reached 5,087 according to latest reports from de facto authorities there, amid intensifying Israeli airstrikes in response to Hamas attacks, while humanitarians repeated urgent calls for a ceasefire and more aid convoys.
• Israel-Palestine: Lack of fuel in Gaza now critical says WFP UN News 23 Oct 2023 -- The entry of humanitarian convoys into Gaza is a big step forward but the situation there remains catastrophic, a Spokesperson for the UN World Food Programme (WFP) said on Monday.
• Extra £20 million in humanitarian aid doubles UK support to Palestinian civilians UK FCDO 23 Oct 2023 -- Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced a new aid package to provide food, water, healthcare, and shelter for those affected by this severe humanitarian crisis.
• PM statement to the House of Commons on the latest situation in Israel and Gaza: 23 October 2023 Gov.UK 23 Oct 2023 -- Prime Minister Rishi Sunak made an oral statement to the House of Commons on the latest situation in Israel and Gaza.
• Joint statement following PM call with leaders of US, Canada, France, Germany and Italy: 22 October 2023 Gov.UK 23 Oct 2023 -- The Prime Minister Rishi Sunak spoke to his counterparts from the US, Canada, France, Germany and Italy this evening on the ongoing conflict between Israel and the terrorist organisation Hamas.
• Volodymyr Zelenskyy discusses implementation of Peace Formula, situation in the Middle East with Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia President of Ukraine 23 Oct 2023

Other Conflicts

• U.S. Watchdog Accuses Afghan Taliban Of Benefitting From UN Aid Programs RFE/RL 23 Oct 2023 -- A recently published report by a U.S. government watchdog for assistance to Afghanistan says the unrecognized Taliban regime is reaping economic benefits through poorly monitored international aid, which it views as a "revenue stream."
• Fresh Tremor Hits Afghanistan Amid Mounting Concerns Over Women, Funding RFE/RL 23 Oct 2023 -- The western Afghan province of Herat was rocked by another earthquake overnight, sending many of the region's residents, already reeling from a series of major tremblors over the past two weeks, back into the streets.
• Analysts: China Tests US Commitment to Indo-Pacific in South China Sea VOA 23 Oct 2023 -- Tension is rising again in the South China Sea following two collisions Sunday between vessels from the Philippines and China near the Second Thomas Shoal, a disputed reef situated within Manila's exclusive economic zone.
• Philippines summons Chinese ambassador over S China Sea collisions Radio Free Asia 23 Oct 2023 -- Manila summoned the Chinese ambassador to the Philippines on Monday over two incidents in the South China Sea the previous day that analysts say highlight China's "hypocrisy" but also the Philippines' increased "assertive transparency campaign" in disputed waters.
• Haiti: UN envoy upholds critical role of elections amid rising gang violence UN News 23 Oct 2023 -- The security situation continues to deteriorate in Haiti as gang violence grows, and elections are crucial for the sustainable rule of law, the UN Special Representative in the country, María Isabel Salvador, told the Security Council on Monday.
• The UK is ready to consider further sanctions against gangs to deliver stability for the Haitian people: UK statement at the UN Security Council UK FCDO 23 Oct 2023 -- Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki at the UN Security Council meeting on Haiti.
• At least 56 women killed in junta attacks in three months Radio Free Asia 23 Oct 2023 -- Junta troops killed at least 56 women in Myanmar during the three months ending September, according to the Burma Women's Union, or BWU, amid a scorched earth offensive that has left the country's most vulnerable victims of the military's worst atrocities.
• Rights Group: Nigeria Recorded More Than 800 Extrajudicial Executions in 3 Years VOA 23 Oct 2023 -- Nigeria has recorded more than 800 incidents of extrajudicial killings across the country in the last three years, according to the international human rights group Global Rights.

News Reports

• Rapid Response Mechanism Canada detects Spamouflage campaign targeting Members of Parliament Canada 23 Oct 2023 -- Global Affairs Canada's (GAC) Rapid Response Mechanism (RRM) Canada has detected a 'Spamouflage' campaign connected to the People's Republic of China. Beginning in early August 2023 and accelerating in scale over the September long-weekend, a bot network left thousands of comments in English and French on the Facebook and X/Twitter accounts of Canadian Members of Parliaments (MPs).
• ISIL/Da'esh and Al-Qaeda: EU restrictive measures prolonged for an additional year EC/CEU 23 Oct 2023 -- The Council adopted today a decision prolonging existing restrictive measures against ISIL/Da'esh, Al-Qaeda and natural and legal persons, groups, undertakings and entities associated with them for a further year, until 31 October 2024.
• Telephone conversation with President of Brazil Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva President of Russia 23 Oct 2023 -- Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with President of the Federative Republic of Brazil Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, at the Brazilian side's initiative.
• Meeting with Head of Kabardino-Balkaria Kazbek Kokov President of Russia 23 Oct 2023 -- Vladimir Putin met in the Kremlin with Head of the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic Kazbek Kokov to discuss the socioeconomic development of the region and the implementation of national projects.
• Justice Department Files Civil Forfeiture Complaint Against $300 Million Superyacht US Dept. of Justice 23 Oct 2023 -- Complaint Seeks Forfeiture on Grounds of Sanctions Evasion and Money Laundering for Superyacht Amadea Owned by Sanctioned Russian Oligarch
• Thailand Extends Visa-Free Visits for Russian Tourists VOA 23 Oct 2023 -- Starting next month, on November 1, Thailand will allow Russian tourists to stay visa-free for up to 90 days. The move comes as tourists from the country have had increasingly few options for travel, given Moscow's war on Ukraine, the impact of sanctions, travel restrictions, and a weakening ruble.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning's Regular Press Conference on October 23, 2023 PRC MofA 23 Oct 2023
• US to Push China for a 'More Constructive Approach' Amid Israel-Hamas War VOA 23 Oct 2023 -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will visit Washington late Thursday, a trip seen as paving the way for further high-level meetings between the United States and China.
• PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan Oct. 23, 2023 ROC MND 23 Oct 2023
• Taiwanese iPhone maker targeted by Beijing Radio Free Asia 23 Oct 2023 -- iPhone assembler Hon Hai Precision Industry, which employs hundreds of thousands of Chinese in various provinces, is facing tax audits and on-site investigations, according to the Global Times.
• North Korean farmers pressured to repay debts early Radio Free Asia 23 Oct 2023 -- North Korean propaganda showing plentiful harvests this year is putting pressure on farmers to repay debts they incurred during the planting season, but residents told Radio Free Asia that most of the harvest hasn't been processed, meaning they are not yet able to pay.
• Family, Doctors Reject Reports That Iranian Teen 'Likely Brain Dead' RFE/RL 23 Oct 2023 -- The family and doctors of Armita Garavand, an Iranian high school student who is in a coma after reportedly being assaulted by the morality police for not wearing the mandatory hijab, have rejected media reports that her condition has deteriorated and the 16-year-old is "likely brain dead."
• Iranian-Kurdish Activist Askari Sentenced Again To Death On New Charge RFE/RL 23 Oct 2023 -- Iranian-Kurdish political detainee Naeb Askari has again been sentenced to death by the Revolutionary Court of Urmia after the charge against him was changed to armed rebellion from an initial conviction for "enmity against God" that he appealed.
• Junta sentences 7 men to death in Myanmar's Ayeyarwady region Radio Free Asia 23 Oct 2023 -- Myanmar's military regime sentenced seven men in Ayeyarwady region to death, Pyapon township residents told Radio Free Asia over the weekend. Pyapon District Court issued the sentences on Friday, ordering another seven men to spend up to 55 years in prison in the country's southern delta.
• Former Pakistan PM Imran Khan Indicted In Leaked Documents Case RFE/RL 23 Oct 2023 -- A court in the Pakistani city of Rawalpindi on October 23 indicted former Prime Minister Imran Khan and former Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi in a case relating to their alleged leaking of secret documents.
• Pakistan Indicts Khan For Allegedly Leaking US-Linked Secret Cable VOA 23 Oct 2023 -- A special court in Pakistan indicted Imran Khan, the jailed former prime minister, and his deputy Monday on disputed charges of leaking state secrets.
• Military Coup d'Etat in Gabon US Dept. of State 23 Oct 2023 -- The United States has concluded that a military coup d'état has taken place in Gabon. Pursuant to section 7008 of the Department of State's annual appropriations act, the United States is suspending most U.S. assistance to the Government of Gabon. This foreign assistance has been temporarily paused by the United States since September 26.
• Niger: EU sets up an autonomous framework for restrictive measures EC/CEU 23 Oct 2023 -- The Council today adopted a framework for restrictive measures in view of the situation in Niger.
• WHO Regional Election Sparks Nepotism Concerns in Bangladesh VOA 23 Oct 2023 -- The coming election to choose the World Health Organization's next chief of the South-East Asia Regional Office, or SEARO, has become contentious as the person who takes up that post could influence the health of billions of people.
• Wider Europe Briefing: A Conversation With Maia Sandu Over Moldova's EU Chances; 'Ukraine Fatigue' At Forum 2000 RFE/RL 23 Oct 2023
• Kosovo PM Says Serbian Criminals With Government Links Behind Attack, Which Belgrade Denies RFE/RL 23 Oct 2023 -- Prime Minister Albin Kurti has accused a criminal gang from northern Serbia with government ties of being behind a deadly attack at an Orthodox monastery in Kosovo in remarks Belgrade quickly rejected as "blatant lies."
• Even After Multiple Defeats, Pashinian Remains Armenia's Teflon Prime Minister RFE/RL 23 Oct 2023 -- Over the past three years Armenia has suffered a series of traumatic, near-existential defeats. And yet the leader who has presided over all these defeats, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian, remains firmly in power, with no serious challenge to his rule.
• World News in Brief: Femicide 'pandemic', war crimes appeal to Israeli lawyers, Syria child detainees UN News 23 Oct 2023 -- Femicide, which is the killing of women because of their gender, has reached "pandemic proportions" worldwide as countries fail in their duty to protect women, including trans women.
• Machado Leads in Venezuelan Presidential Primary VOA 23 Oct 2023 -- The early returns of Venezuela's presidential primary indicate Monday that former legislator Maria Corina Machado is the opposition winner who could face off in 2024 against President Nicolas Maduro who has been in office since 2012.
• Argentina's Economy Minister Wins First Round of Presidential Election VOA 23 Oct 2023 -- Argentina's economy minister has won the first round of the country's presidential election.