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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• US Forces in Iraq, Syria Targeted 17 Times in Recent Days, Officials Say VOA 26 Oct 2023 -- U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria have been attacked with drones or rockets at least 17 times in recent days, including on Thursday, according to U.S. officials.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Technology Readiness Experimentation 2023 Showcases Second Round of Cutting-Edge Military Technologies DoD 26 Oct 2023 -- The Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering and the Indiana National Guard hosted the second iteration of the Technology Readiness Experimentation 2023 event (T-REX) at Muscatatuck Training Center and Camp Atterbury, Indiana, Oct. 10-20. T-REX assesses and fast-tracks technologies that the Department of Defense deems critical to warfighting efforts,
• Department of Defense Releases Annual Report on Suicide in the Military: Calendar Year 2022 DoD 26 Oct 2023 -- Today, the Department of Defense (DoD) released the DoD Annual Report on Suicide in the Military: Calendar Year (CY) 2022, providing annual suicide data of Service members and their dependents, and outlining current and ongoing suicide prevention efforts across the DoD.
• Ms. Beth Foster and Dr. Liz Clark Hold a Media Roundtable to Present the Calendar Year 2022 DOD Annual Suicide Report and Efforts to Address and Prevent Suicide Across the Department of Defense DoD 26 Oct 2023
• Statement by Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III on the Department's Annual Report on Suicide in the Military for Calendar Year 2022 DoD 26 Oct 2023
• AFWERX Prime, FAA agree to share flight-test information US Air Force 26 Oct 2023 -- AFWERX Prime and the Federal Aviation Administration announced they have agreed to share flight-test data to accelerate the safe integration of Advanced Aircraft Mobility platforms into the National Airspace System Oct. 25.
• U.S. Military Continues Focus on Supporting Israel, Ukraine DoD News 26 Oct 2023 -- U.S. efforts in the Middle East remain focused on supporting Israel's defense needs as the nation battles Hamas terrorists in Gaza, deterring other actors who seek to use the Hamas war on Israel as a pretext to expand the conflict and to ensure force protection for U.S. forces serving in the region, Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder said today.
• Secretary General meets Prime Minister of Moldova and reaffirms longstanding partnership NATO 26 Oct 2023 -- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed the Prime Minister of Moldova Dorin Recean to NATO Headquarters on Thursday (26 October 2023).
• Secretary General welcomes Prime Minister of Cabo Verde to NATO Headquarters NATO 26 Oct 2023 -- Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed Prime Minister Ulisses Correia e Silva of Cabo Verde to NATO Headquarters on Thursday (26 October 2023).
• Fact Sheet on U.S. Security Assistance to Ukraine - October 26, 2023 DOD
• Ukrainians Start F-16 Training in Arizona VOA 26 Oct 2023 -- Ukrainian pilots have started F-16 training in Arizona with the Arizona Air National Guard, bringing Kyiv one step closer to acquiring the U.S.-made fighter jets that Ukraine says it needs to help defend its sovereign territory and citizens from Russian troops.
• Biden Administration Announces Additional Security Assistance for Ukraine DoD 26 Oct 2023 -- Today, the Department of Defense (DoD) announced additional security assistance to meet Ukraine's critical security and defense needs. This announcement is the Biden Administration's forty-ninth tranche of equipment to be provided from DoD inventories for Ukraine since August 2021.
• DOD Announces Up to $150M in Aid for Ukraine DoD News 26 Oct 2023 -- The Defense Department announced today an additional security assistance package valued at up to $150 million to help Ukraine counter Russia's unprovoked invasion.
• Additional U.S. Military Assistance for Ukraine US Dept. of State 26 Oct 2023 -- Today, the United States is announcing a new tranche of weapons and equipment to help Ukraine succeed on the battlefield and protect its people from Russia's brutal invasion.
• CURTAIN RAISER UNVEILS CHANAKYA DEFENCE DIALOGUE: SETTING THE COURSE FOR COLLABORATIVE SECURITY IN SOUTH ASIA AND THE INDO-PACIFIC India PIB 26 Oct 2023 -- In an epoch where defence and security paradigms are dynamically evolving, General Manoj Pande, Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), presided over the curtain raiser event, offering a glimpse of the upcoming two-day defence dialogue, set to navigate the wide canvas of regional and global security
• GULF OF GUINEA: EU AND INDIA CARRY OUT MAIDEN JOINT NAVAL EXERCISE India PIB 26 Oct 2023 -- India and EU ships conducted joint activities in the Gulf of Guinea, in an effort to reinforce naval maritime security cooperation in support of the region
• Analyse & learn from emerging air warfare trends to strengthen defence preparedness: Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh to Air Force Commanders India PIB 26 Oct 2023 -- Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh inaugurated the two-day Air Force Commanders' Conference in New Delhi on October 26, 2023
• Gulf of Guinea: EU and India carry out joint naval exercise European External Action Service (EEAS) 26 Oct 2023 -- India and EU ships conducted joint activities in the Gulf of Guinea, in an effort to reinforce maritime security cooperation in support of the region.
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken at a State Luncheon in Honor of Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese US Dept. of State 26 Oct 2023
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken at a Signing Ceremony for the U.S.-Australia Technology Safeguards Agreement US Dept. of State 26 Oct 2023
• Remarks by Vice President Harris, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of Australia at State Luncheon The White House 26 Oct 2023
• Remarks by President Biden and Prime Minister Albanese of Australia at State Dinner The White House 26 Oct 2023
• Remarks by President Biden and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of Australia at Arrival Ceremony The White House 26 Oct 2023
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, National Economic Council Director Lael Brainard, and NSC Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby The White House 26 Oct 2023

Defense Industry

• Contracts For Oct. 26, 2023

Other Conflicts

Ukraine Conflict News
• 26 October 2023 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 26 Oct 2023

Operation Iron Swords / Operation Al-Aqsa Flood

• Daily Recap: Hamas - Israel War October 26th, 2023 (19:00) - Day 20 Israel Defense Forces 26 Oct 2023
• IDF and ISA Targets Deputy Head of Hamas' Intelligence Directorate Israel Defense Forces 26 Oct 2023
• PM Netanyahu Visits the Tekuma Authority, which is responsible for Rebuilding the Area Adjacent to the Gaza Strip Israel - Prime Minister 26 Oct 2023
• Israeli Military Says Troops Conducted Ground Operation in Gaza Strip VOA 26 Oct 2023 -- Israel's military said Thursday it carried out a ground operation in the Gaza Strip, where for nearly three weeks Israeli forces have been conducting airstrikes targeting Hamas militants.
• DAY ONE: UN General Assembly convenes emergency meeting on Gaza UN News 26 Oct 2023 -- The United Nations General Assembly on Thursday morning began an emergency special session on the Israel-Palestine crisis, amid continuing deadlock in the Security Council and with conditions in the besieged enclave of Gaza growing more dire by the hour.
• Israel-Palestine: Gazans 'left with nothing but impossible choices' UN News 26 Oct 2023 -- Day 19 of the Gaza conflict comes on the heels of the deadliest 24 hours so far amid hospitals shutting down, while UN humanitarians reiterated urgent calls on Thursday for all civilians to be protected and hostages released.
• Statement by the UN Humanitarian Coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Lynn Hastings, on the protection of all civilians in Gaza (26 October 2023) UNOCHA 26 Oct 2023 -- The IDF continues to notify people in Gaza City that those who stay in their homes will put themselves in danger. In some cases, the notification urges people to go to a humanitarian area in Al Mawasi.
• UNRWA Situation Report #15 on the situation in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem (all information valid as of 25 October 2023 at 18:00 local time) UNRWA 26 Oct 2023
• Biden Backs Israel's Push Against Hamas While Touting Two-State Solution VOA 26 Oct 2023 -- The White House has "high confidence that Israel is not responsible" for last week's explosion at a Gaza hospital, an administration spokesman told VOA on Thursday.
• N Korea claims Israel bombed Gaza hospital under US 'patronage' Radio Free Asia 26 Oct 2023 -- North Korea's foreign ministry accused Israel of bombing a hospital in the Gaza Strip, claiming it had openly committed a war crime "under the undisguised patronage of the United States."
• Not Our Fight: Iranians Show Little Support For Palestinian Cause Amid Israel-Hamas Conflict RFE/RL 26 Oct 2023 -- Iran's clerical establishment has championed the Palestinian cause for decades and refused to recognize Israel.
• "We will intensify our efforts aimed at meeting Gazan people's urgent needs" Presidency of The Republic of Turkey 26 Oct 2023 -- Speaking at the 8th Meeting of the Family Council, President Erdoğan said: "We will further intensify our efforts aimed at meeting the urgent needs of the Gazan people. Since October 7, we have been continuing our diplomatic talks at every level while endeavoring to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza."
• Hamas Delegation Discusses Release Of Hostages, Cease-Fire With Russian Officials In Moscow RFE/RL 26 Oct 2023 -- The Russian Foreign Ministry confirmed on October 26 that a delegation from the militant group Hamas visited Moscow to discuss the situation in the Gaza Strip, prompting a rebuke from Israel.
• Hamas uses N Korea, Iran arms in its Israel assault, military says Radio Free Asia 26 Oct 2023 -- Hamas has used weapons sourced from North Korea and Iran to target Israel, the Israeli military said, supporting Radio Free Asia's earlier report on the alleged arms connection between the North and Hamas.
• Gaza Journalist Continues Reporting After Family Dies in Israeli Airstrike VOA 26 Oct 2023 -- One day after his family was killed in an Israeli airstrike, Al Jazeera's Gaza bureau chief Wael al-Dahdouh was back reporting on air.

Other Conflicts

• Leaders of Serbia, Kosovo End Talks In Brussels With No Sign Of Progress On Normalizing Relations RFE/RL 26 Oct 2023 -- The leaders of Serbia and Kosovo ended their separate talks with European leaders on October 26 with no sign of progress despite efforts from France, Italy, and Germany to help them bridge their differences and start the process of enacting an agreement they endorsed several months ago.
• Kosovo/Serbia: Press remarks by High Representative Josep Borrell after meetings with President of Serbia and Prime Minister of Kosovo European External Action Service (EEAS) 26 Oct 2023
• European Council: Press remarks by High Representative Josep Borrell upon arrival European External Action Service (EEAS) 26 Oct 2023
• Armenia's Pashinian Hopes For Peace Deal With Azerbaijan 'In The Coming Months' RFE/RL 26 Oct 2023 -- Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian says Yerevan and Baku are working on a peace deal that could be signed "in the coming months."
• Troika Welcomes Meeting of Sudanese Civilians in Addis Ababa to Chart Next Steps in Restoring Sudan's Democratic Governance US Dept. of State 26 Oct 2023 -- The Troika (Norway, the United Kingdom, the United States) welcomes this week's meeting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia of a broad group of Sudanese civilian actors and stakeholders as an important step towards the formation of an inclusive and representative pro-democracy civilian front.
• International support critical to forge lasting peace in Central African Republic UN News 26 Oct 2023 -- Progress has been made in advancing a 2019 peace agreement in the Central African Republic (CAR) but the support of the international community is still vital, the UN Special Representative Valentine Rugwabiza told the Security Council on Thursday.
• We urge the Security Council to renew the mandate for the UN Mission in the Central African Republic: UK statement at the UN Security Council. UK FCDO 26 Oct 2023 -- Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki at the UN Security Council meeting on the Central African Republic.
• UN Experts call for ongoing international scrutiny and support for victims in Ethiopia UN Human Rights Council 26 Oct 2023 -- The international community must ensure ongoing scrutiny of the human rights situation in Ethiopia and increase support for survivors of the conflict, the International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia said today after delivering its final report to the 78th session of the UN General Assembly.
• The Humanitarian Coordinator in the DRC calls to maintain the humanitarian space amidst growing violence against civilians UNOCHA 26 Oct 2023 -- Humanitarian sources have reported that more than twenty civilians were killed, and several others wounded in an armed attack on the population of Oicha, in the territory of Beni, on 23 October. This tragic event forced several thousand people to flee their homes.

News Reports

• DHS Doubles Down CBP Efforts to Continue to Combat Fentanyl and Synthetic Drugs DHS 26 Oct 2023 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), today released an updated, comprehensive approach within its mission set to continue to fight the national opioid epidemic that has killed hundreds of thousands of Americans and impacted countless lives, families, and communities.
• Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's opening remarks at a meeting with President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko, Minsk, October 26, 2023 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 26 Oct 2023
• Statement by Andrey Belousov, Deputy Head of the Delegation of the Russian Federation, at the Thematic Debate on "Regional Disarmament and Security" in the First Committee of the 78th Session of the UN General Assembly, New York, 25 October 2023 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 26 Oct 2023
• Statement by Andrey Belousov, Deputy Head of the Delegation of the Russian Federation, at the Thematic Debate on «Disarmament Machinery» in the First Committee of the 78th Session of the UN General Assembly, New York, 25 October 2023 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 26 Oct 2023
• Former Chinese premier Li Keqiang dies at 68 Radio Free Asia 26 Oct 2023 -- Former Chinese premier Li Keqiang died of a heart attack on Friday in Shanghai, China's state media reported.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning's Regular Press Conference on October 26, 2023 PRC MofA 26 Oct 2023
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken and Chinese Director of the CCP Foreign Affairs Commission and Foreign Minister Wang Yi Before Their Meeting US Dept. of State 26 Oct 2023
• China's foreign minister in Washington to pave way for Xi Radio Free Asia 26 Oct 2023 -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi arrived in Washington on Thursday for talks expected to pave the way for U.S. President Joe Biden and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping to meet in San Francisco next month.
• US, China Need 'Comprehensive' Dialogue, China's Top Diplomat Says VOA 26 Oct 2023 -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi arrived in Washington on Thursday for meetings with senior U.S. officials on bilateral and regional security issues, ahead of a possible meeting between U.S. and Chinese leaders next month.
• VOA Interview: Congressman Mike Gallagher Describes US-China Relations as 'Zombie Engagement' VOA 26 Oct 2023 -- Amid a recent flurry of U.S.-China diplomacy, a leading congressional voice on China policy is warning against concessions to Beijing, saying they simply serve to encourage even more aggressive behavior.
• Hongkongers abroad blocked from accessing pension funds, report says Radio Free Asia 26 Oct 2023 -- British human rights organization Hong Kong Watch has released a research report saying the Canadian-based financial service companies Manulife and Sun Life have refused to allow thousands of Hongkongers who have migrated to the U.K. with BNO visas to withdraw their Mandatory Provident Funds (MPFs) early.
• PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan Oct. 26, 2023 ROC MND 26 Oct 2023
• North Korea Using Ties With Russia to Boost Standing With China VOA 26 Oct 2023 -- North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is using his renewed diplomatic engagement and arms dealings with Russian President Vladimir Putin to enhance his position with China as the three socialist countries move to counter the U.S., according to analysts.
• Iranian Judiciary Summons Newspaper Chief Over Survey On Head Scarf Law RFE/RL 26 Oct 2023 -- The head of a newspaper in Tehran has been summoned to appear in court following the publication of a poll on the "Hijab and Chastity" bill currently being debated by lawmakers, Mizan, the news agency of Iran's judiciary, said.
• Australia Unveils $1.25 Billion Critical Minerals Plan VOA 26 Oct 2023 -- Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced a plan to mine and process critical minerals during an official visit to the United States.
• As Chinese money flows in, Myanmar garment factory conditions worsen Radio Free Asia 26 Oct 2023 -- When a deadline loomed at the Chinese-run Shin Han garment factory in Yangon, management ordered workers to complete shifts that lasted more than 12 hours, from early in the morning until 9 at night. Two workers with health problems tried to make it through their shift, but when they asked to take a break, they were fired.
• Transcript of the Weekly Media Briefing by Spokesperson Thursday, 26 October 2023 Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs 26 Oct 2023
• UN refugee agency making inquiries into Uyghurs in Pakistan Radio Free Asia 26 Oct 2023 -- The U.N. refugee agency is investigating the situation of 18 Uyghur families facing deportation from Pakistan if they fail to comply with a government order expelling all illegal migrants, said two Uyghurs involved in the matter.
• Acting Deputy Secretary Nuland's Call with Pakistani Caretaker Foreign Minister Jilani US Dept. of State 26 Oct 2023
• Statement by H.E. Mr Jalil Abbas Jilani Foreign Minister of Pakistan at the Meeting of SCO Council of Heads of Government (CHG) 26 ctober 2023, Bishkek Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs 26 Oct 2023 -- Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic,
  Mr Akylbek Japarov
• Philippines drops funding deal with China for 3 railway projects Radio Free Asia 26 Oct 2023 -- The Philippines will no longer seek financial aid from China for a package of ambitious railway projects, the transportation secretary said, adding that officials were confident the projects could move ahead with funding from interested sources.
• China urges 'fair' investigation into Baltic pipeline damage Radio Free Asia 26 Oct 2023 -- China has said it will stand "ready to provide necessary assistance" to the investigation into Finland's claims a Hong Kong vessel may have damaged a natural gas pipeline.
• UN: World on brink of environmental tipping points Radio Free Asia 26 Oct 2023 -- Extreme environmental events are increasingly interconnected and edging humanity perilously closer to a series of catastrophic tipping points, where the consequences of inaction could prove irreversible, new United Nations research has warned.
• World News in Brief: Ukraine dam disaster update, childcare investment, healthcare under fire in Sudan UN News 26 Oct 2023 -- Much of the damage caused by the destruction of Ukraine's Kakhovka dam in June is "irreversible", with likely changes to the environment that impact ecosystems and human health.
• Analysis: Qatar's Complex Role Seen as Critical to US Foreign Policy VOA 26 Oct 2023 -- Qatar's Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said this week that negotiations on the release of the hostages captured by Hamas were progressing. With most of the more than 200 hostages still captive or unaccounted for, and Gaza quickly running out of food, water and electricity, international pressure is building on the Persian Gulf state to help secure their release.
• Analysts Call Massa's Surprise Win in Argentina Good News for China VOA 26 Oct 2023 -- No candidate won Argentina's recent presidential election by an outright majority, but analysts say the surprise front-runner is most inclined to ensure that strong ties with China continue their current trajectory.
• Nigeria Supreme Court Upholds Tinubu as Election Winner VOA 26 Oct 2023 -- Nigeria's Supreme Court confirmed President Bola Tinubu as the winner of February's presidential election, dismissing challenges brought by his political opposition, who cited flaws in the voting system and said Tinubu lacked qualifications.