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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
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Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• Combined Forces Complete 10th Humanitarian Airdrop into Gaza CENTCOM 14 Mar 2024 -- U.S. Central Command and the Royal Jordanian Air Force conducted a combined humanitarian assistance airdrop into Northern Gaza on March 14, 2024, at 11:57 a.m. (Gaza time) to provide essential relief to civilians in Gaza affected by the ongoing conflict.
• U.S.-British coalition conducts 4 airstrikes against Houthi targets in Yemeni port city People's Daily 14 Mar 2024 -- Warplanes of the U.S.-British naval coalition on Wednesday conducted four airstrikes on port city Hodeidah's airport in western Yemen, the Houthi-run al-Masirah TV reported.
• Yemeni military to expand operations against Israel-linked ships to Indian Ocean: Houthi Press TV 14 Mar 2024 -- The leader of Yemen's Houthis has said that the Yemeni armed forces will continue their retaliatory operations against Israeli-affiliated commercial vessels, preventing the passage of the ships even through the Indian Ocean and through the Cape of Good Hope.
• Yemeni armed forces successfully test hypersonic missile with high destructive capability Press TV 14 Mar 2024 -- Yemeni armed forces have successfully tested a hypersonic missile with high destructive capability, amid escalating tensions over the targeting of Israel-linked shipping in the Red Sea.
• Yemen won't backtrack on 'steadfast' pro-Palestine stance: Ansarullah Press TV 14 Mar 2024 -- The Ansarullah resistance movement has reiterated Yemen's "steadfast" position in supporting Palestinians in the Gaza Strip amid a bloody Israeli war.
• The UK calls on Iran to cease its unlawful support for the Houthis UK FCDO 14 Mar 2024 -- Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki at the UN Security Council meeting on Yemen.
• Letter to the Speaker of the House and President pro tempore of the Senate consistent with the War Powers Resolution (Public Law 93-148) The White House 14 Mar 2024 -- While some positive efforts have been made to resolve the instability in Haiti, there remain heightened security concerns for the United States Embassy and its supporting facilities in Port-au-Prince.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh Holds a Press Conference DoD 14 Mar 2024
• Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III Remarks Welcoming Latvian Defense Minister Andris Sprūds to the Pentagon DoD 14 Mar 2024
• Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Meeting With Latvian Minister of Defence Andris Sprūds DoD 14 Mar 2024
• NORAD Commander: Incursions by Unmanned Aircraft Systems on Southern Border Likely Exceed 1,000 a Month DoD News 14 Mar 2024 -- There are likely more than 1,000 incursions by unmanned aircraft systems along the U.S.-Mexico border each month, said the U.S. Northern Command's top general during testimony today at a Senate Armed Services Committee posture hearing.
• DOD Applauds Funding for Pacific's Freely Associated States DoD News 14 Mar 2024 -- Representatives of the Defense Department, State Department and U.S. Agency for International Development testified today at a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing, welcoming enactment of legislation providing funding for the Freely Associated States of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands and Palau.
• Austin Underscores NATO Unity in Meeting With Latvia's Defense Minister DoD News 14 Mar 2024 -- Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III underscored the United States' commitment to stand alongside its NATO allies against Russian aggression during a meeting with Latvian Defense Minister Andris Spruds today.
• NATO Secretary General launches his Annual Report for 2023 NATO 14 Mar 2024 -- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg launched his annual report for 2023 on Thursday (14 March 2024), which covers all aspects of the Alliance's work over the past year.
• Secretary General thanks President Duda for Poland's contributions following 25 years of NATO membership NATO 14 Mar 2024 -- Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed the Polish President Andrzej Duda to NATO Headquarters on Thursday (14 March 2024), two days after the 25th anniversary of Poland's accession to NATO. The Secretary General praised Poland for its contributions to the Alliance and its strong support for Ukraine.
• DIANA, NATO's innovation accelerator, doubles the size of its transatlantic network NATO 14 Mar 2024 -- On Thursday (14 March 2024), NATO's Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA) announced a major expansion of its transatlantic network of accelerator sites and test centres.
• Finland to boost its high-technology profile in NATO - An accelerator and two test centres to be established in Finland Finnish MoD 14 Mar 2024 -- The Board of Directors of NATO's Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA) have approved Finland's proposal to establish one accelerator and two test centres in Finland.
• EU countries agree to provide Ukraine with €5 billion military aid Press TV 14 Mar 2024 -- European Union member states have agreed to allocate an additional 5 billion Euros ($5.5 billion) in military aid to Ukraine, as a new component to an EU-run assistance fund.
• Germany plans to open at least four arms factories in Ukraine Press TV 14 Mar 2024 -- Germany's largest weapons, ammunition, lethal systems, and military equipment manufacturer, Rheinmetall, has devised plans to set up arms factories in Ukraine.
• Russia is attempting to apply a veneer of legitimacy to its illegal presence in Ukraine: UK statement to the OSCE UK FCDO 14 Mar 2024 -- Ambassador Neil Holland condemns Russia holding its presidential elections on the sovereign territory of Ukraine.
• Ukraine started negotiations with Latvia on a bilateral security agreement President of Ukraine 14 Mar 2024
• NATO's Stoltenberg Says Ukrainians Out Of Ammo, Not Courage RFE/RL 14 Mar 2024 -- Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has urged NATO member states to provide Kyiv with badly needed ammunition and military equipment as outmanned and outgunned Ukrainian troops struggle to hold off an increasingly intense Russian assault more than two years into Moscow's full-scale invasion.
• Presence of U.S. Army Special Forces on outlying islands confirmed CNA 14 Mar 2024 -- Defense Minister Chiu Kuo-cheng (邱國正) on Thursday confirmed that U.S. Army Special Forces personnel are stationed on Taiwan's outlying islands and said their presence was part of an exchange and was meant to be a "learning opportunity" for Taiwan's armed forces.
• Retired military officers indicted under national security law CNA 14 Mar 2024 -- A retired army colonel surnamed Liu (劉), a retired rear-admiral surnamed Sun (孫) and a man surnamed Chu (祝) were indicted Thursday for allegedly developing an organization for China in contravention of the National Security Act.
• Iranian, Russian, Chinese military units intercept, destroy air targets in joint drills IRNA 14 Mar 2024 -- Iran, Russia and China have continued their joint drills in the northern Indian Ocean, intercepting and destroying air targets during the latest stage of the exercises.
• China, Iran, Russia wrap up sea phase of joint naval exercise Global Times 14 Mar 2024 -- The five-day China-Iran-Russia joint naval exercise Security Belt-2024 on Wednesday wrapped up its sea phase. The core part of the drill saw warships from the three countries conducting training to rescue civilian ships, which reflected the peaceful nature of the trilateral cooperation, experts said on Thursday.
• Float like a butterfly, sting like B Squadron Australia DOD 14 Mar 2024 -- 2nd Cavalry Regiment Australian light armoured vehicles (ASLAVs) fired 25mm rounds to neutralise targets spotted by the unit's Wasp uncrewed aerial system (UAS) during Exercise Eagle Walk in Townsville.
• Minister Petitpas Taylor announces major investments to upgrade Gagetown military base Canada 14 Mar 2024 -- Today, the Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence, visited 5th Canadian Division Support Base Gagetown. The Minister was accompanied by Jenica Atwin, Member of Parliament for Fredericton.
• Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un Guides Tankmen's Training Match KCNA 14 Mar 2024 -- Kim Jong Un , general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, guided a training match between the large combined tankmen's units of the Korean People's Army on March 13.
• LAUNCH OF 25T BOLLARD PULL TUG, BAJRANG AT M/s SHOFT SHIPYARD PVT LTD, BHARUCH, GUJARAT India PIB 14 Mar 2024 -- Third 25T Bollard Pull (BP) Tug, Bajrang was launched by Cmde V Pravin, AWPS (Mbi) on 14 Mar 24 at M/s Shoft Shipyard Pvt Ltd, Bharuch, Gujarat
• Capability boost for UK's global military operations as contract confirmed for new Chinooks UK MOD 14 Mar 2024 -- The new helicopters will have double the range of the existing Chinooks in service among the UK Armed Forces
• EU Military Committee: General Brieger participates at the Paris Defence and Strategy Forum European External Action Service (EEAS) 14 Mar 2024 -- On 14 March, the Chairman of the European Union Military Committee (EUMC) General Robert Brieger offered a comprehensive overview of the current and future landscape of EU defence initiatives at the Paris Defence and Strategy Forum. The Chairman outlined the strategic framework and the pivotal role of defence and security efforts being advanced at the EU level.
• U.S. Arms Restrictions on Nicaragua US Dept. of State 14 Mar 2024 -- The United States is today imposing restrictions on the import and export of U.S. origin defense articles and defense services destined for or originating in Nicaragua. The Department of State has amended the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) to update the defense trade policy toward Nicaragua.
• Norway to Raise Defense Budget to Meet 2% NATO Target VOA 14 Mar 2024 -- Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store announced on Thursday plans to raise the nation's defense spending this year to equal 2% of its GDP.
• Blinken to Visit Philippines to Reinforce Alliance Amid South China Sea Tensions VOA 14 Mar 2024 -- U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken heads to the Philippines next week, following a recent trade mission there by U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo. The visit comes amid escalating tensions between the Philippines and China over maritime disputes in the South China Sea.
• Observers: US Investments in Philippines Seen Easing Reliance on China VOA 14 Mar 2024 -- During a trade mission visit to Manila this week, U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo announced plans to invest more than $1 billion in the Philippines' tech sector and help double the number of semiconductor factories in the country.
• Secretary Blinken's Call with Mauritanian President Ghazouani US Dept. of State 14 Mar 2024
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken And Peruvian Foreign Minister Javier González-Olaechea Before Their Meeting US Dept. of State 14 Mar 2024
• Deputy Secretary Campbell's Meeting with Latvian Prime Minister Silina US Dept. of State 14 Mar 2024
• On-the-Record Press Gaggle by White House National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby The White House 14 Mar 2024

Defense Industry

• Contracts For March 14, 2024

Other Conflicts

Ukraine Conflict News


• 14 March 2024 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 14 Mar 2024

Operation Iron Swords / Operation Al-Aqsa Flood

• Israeli Forces Carry Out Ground, Air Operations in Central and Southern Gaza VOA 14 Mar 2024 -- Israel's military reported Thursday conducting ground operations and airstrikes in the central and southern parts of the Gaza Strip.
• Mar. 13: 'Axis of Resistance' operations against Israeli occupation Press TV 14 Mar 2024
• Gaza death toll reaches 31,341 martyrs IRNA 14 Mar 2024 -- The Palestinian Health Ministry's headquarters in the Gaza Strip has announced that the number of martyrs in the besieged area has reached 31,341 since October 7, 2023, up until now.
• Israel plans forced exodus of Palestinians ahead of Rafah incursion Press TV 14 Mar 2024 -- Israel seeks to forcibly displace a significant part of 1.4 million Palestinians currently sheltering in Rafah toward the so-called "humanitarian islands" in the center of the territory ahead of an incursion into Gaza's southernmost city.
• Israeli strike on UN food distribution center in Rafah kills 5, injures 22 Press TV 14 Mar 2024 -- The UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) says at least five people, including a staff member, were killed and 22 others wounded after Israeli forces targeted a food distribution center in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip.
• Palestinian death toll in Gaza rises to 31,272: ministry People's Daily 14 Mar 2024 -- The Palestinian death toll due to the ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has climbed to 31,272, reported the Gaza-based Health Ministry on Wednesday.
• Gaza: Aid missions constantly under threat, warns UN humanitarian chief UN News 14 Mar 2024 -- Desperately needed aid operations in Gaza must be protected from attack, the UN's top aid official has warned, amid reports on Thursday that Palestinians were killed and injured while waiting for supplies in Gaza City.
• Statement by NSC Spokesperson Adrienne Watson on the appointment today of Dr. Mohammed Mustafa as Prime Minister of the Palestinian Authority The White House 14 Mar 2024
• Majority Leader Schumer Calls On Israeli Government To Hold Elections Senate Democrats 14 Mar 2024 -- In Speech, Schumer Outlines Four Obstacles For Peace For Israelis & Palestinians: Hamas, Right-Wing Israelis In Government, Palestinian Authority President Abbas, And Israeli PM Netanyahu
• US Senate Leader Schumer: Israel's Netanyahu Has 'Lost His Way' VOA 14 Mar 2024 -- Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, the highest-ranking Jewish official in the United States, called on Israel Thursday to hold new elections, saying he believes Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has "lost his way" in the country's bombardment of Gaza.
• Biden Keeps Israel Close, but Netanyahu Away VOA 14 Mar 2024 -- With increasingly frequent and vocal expressions of frustration, U.S. President Joe Biden appears to be distancing himself from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has vowed that international pressure will not prevent Israel from achieving "total victory" in its war against Hamas.
• Taking Further Measures to Promote Peace, Security, and Stability in the West Bank US Dept. of State 14 Mar 2024 -- Since the horrific terrorist attacks on Israel on October 7, violence in the West Bank has increased sharply. Extremist settler violence against Palestinian and Israeli civilians and forced displacement of farmers and villages is a serious threat to the peace, security, and stability of West Bank, Israel, and the broader region.
• US pause on funding UNRWA may become 'permanent': Report Press TV 14 Mar 2024 -- The United States' controversial decision to pause its funding for the UN agency for Palestinian refugees earlier this year is reportedly likely to become "permanent."
• Minister Joly meets with Palestinian Authority President and Minister of Foreign Affairs Canada 14 Mar 2024 -- The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, met with the Palestinian Authority President, Mahmoud Abbas, and with the Palestinian Authority Minister of Foreign Affairs, Riad Malki, while visiting the West Bank.
• Denmark disburses planned contribution to UNRWA Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark 14 Mar 2024 -- The DKK 105 million contribution will primarily support UNRWA's efforts to mitigate the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza. The disbursement follows the initiation of a number of necessary UN measures, and decisions by like-minded such as Sweden and Canada, as well as the EU, to disburse aid to UNRWA.
• Government is advising against trade and business activity with Israeli settlements Government of Norway 14 Mar 2024 -- The Government is reiterating its position on Israel's settlement policy on occupied land by advising Norwegian companies not to engage in business cooperation or trade that serves to perpetuate the illegal Israeli settlements.
• Germany greenlights humanitarian airlift to Gaza People's Daily 14 Mar 2024 -- The German Armed Forces will participate in an airlift of humanitarian aid for Gaza, and the deployment of aid could begin as early as the end of the week, Minister of Defense Boris Pistorius said on Wednesday.
• Algeria, EU discuss efforts to achieve ceasefire in Gaza People's Daily 14 Mar 2024 -- Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf, and the European Union's Special Representative for the Middle East Peace Process Sven Koopmans, discussed here on Wednesday efforts to achieve a ceasefire and facilitate humanitarian actions in the Gaza Strip, said a statement by the Algerian Foreign Ministry.
• Jordanian, Spanish FMs say no alternative to UNRWA People's Daily 14 Mar 2024 -- Jordanian and Spanish foreign ministers on Wednesday agreed that there is no alternative to the UNRWA, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, especially in light of the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.
• Iraqi resistance drone targets Israeli airbase IRNA 14 Mar 2024 -- The Islamic Resistance of Iraq has announced targeting yet another Israeli military base located near a city off the Mediterranean coast.
• Hezbollah keeps on attacking Israeli military positions IRNA 14 Mar 2024 -- The Lebanese resistance movement, Hezbollah, has announced that its fighters will continue strikes on the Israeli regime's military gatherings in northern occupied Palestine.
• Hezbollah releases footage of attacks on Zionist targets IRNA 14 Mar 2024 -- Lebanon's Hezbollah Resistance Movement released pictures and video of attacks it carried out on Zionist regime positions on Saturday night.

Other Conflicts

• Taliban Expand Madrasas, May Never Reopen Girls' Secondary Schools VOA 14 Mar 2024 -- An Afghan education official says Taliban authorities may permanently close girls' secondary schools, promoting religious schools known as madrasas as an alternative.
• Security Council: 'Risky military adventurism' could push Yemen into new cycle of war UN News 14 Mar 2024 -- The UN Special Envoy for Yemen on Thursday emphasized the urgent need for a nationwide ceasefire and measures to improve living conditions in the war-ravaged country.
• Concentric Circles of Escalation, Risky Military Adventurism in Red Sea Could Spark New War Cycle in Yemen, Special Envoy Warns, Urging Maximum Restraint UN Security Council 14 Mar 2024 -- With concentric circles of escalation and risky military adventurism in the Red Sea, Yemen could descend into a new cycle of war, the Organization's senior official for that country warned the Security Council today, as he urged all actors to exercise maximum restraint and work towards de-escalation and the peace process.
• After 13 years of conflict in Syria, more children than ever in need of humanitarian assistance and a chance UNICEF 14 Mar 2024 -- After thirteen years of conflict in Syria, almost 7.5 million children in the country are in need of humanitarian assistance - more than at any other time during the conflict. Repeated cycles of violence and displacement, a devastating economic crisis and extreme deprivation, disease outbreaks and last year's devastating earthquakes have left hundreds of thousands of children exposed to long-term physical and psychosocial consequences.
• More Than A Decade on, No End in Sight for Syria's War VOA 14 Mar 2024 -- As Syria's conflict enters its 14th year, analysts say a permanent political resolution for the war-torn country remains elusive.
• Video Shows Rohingya Forcibly Recruited Into Myanmar Military VOA 14 Mar 2024 -- VOA has recently obtained video footage depicting Rohingya from Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps being trained as soldiers in Rakhine state, the scene of heavy fighting between Myanmar's military junta and ethnic armed groups.
• Security Council Extends Mandate of United Nations Mission in South Sudan, Unanimously Adopting Resolution 2726 (2024) UN Security Council 14 Mar 2024 -- The Security Council today decided to extend the mandate of the United Nations peacekeeping mission in South Sudan until 30 April 2024, unanimously adopting resolution 2726 (to be issued as document S/RES/2726 (2024)) under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations.
• Latvia will not recognise the illegal holding of the Russian presidential "election" and their results in Moldova's region of Transnistria and Georgia's regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia Latvia MFA 14 Mar 2024 -- Latvia condemns the organization of the Russian presidential "election" in the Transnistrian region of Moldova as well as in the regions of Georgia - Abkhazia and South Ossetia, which are under a temporary occupation by the Russian armed forces, and will not recognise the results of the said "election" in those regions.
• Militants Attack Mogadishu Hotel VOA 14 Mar 2024 -- Al-Shabab fighters in Somalia stormed a heavily guarded hotel in downtown Mogadishu on Thursday evening, witnesses and officials said.
• Inside Somalia's War on Al-Shabab Disinformation VOA 14 Mar 2024 -- Websites and social media accounts affiliated with Somalia's al-Shabab militants continue to operate and spread the group's messages despite a relentless effort by Somalia's government to shut them down.
• Negligence Escalates Hunger Crisis in Northwest Nigeria, Aid Group SaysBy Timothy Obiezu VOA 14 Mar 2024 -- The medical aid group Doctors Without Borders said this week that Nigeria's northwest region is experiencing "catastrophic" levels of malnutrition and disease outbreaks as it copes with a decline in humanitarian support.

News Reports

• Developing national capacities to strengthen cybersecurity OSCE 14 Mar 2024 -- Promoting the responsible use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) by OSCE participating States was the focus of a two-day training event held in Belgrade, Serbia on 13 and 14 March. With the continued digitalization of societies, states are increasingly using ICTs to pursue their objectives. However, in a borderless domain such as cyberspace, this can lead to misperception and a lack of transparency.
• The Sixth U.S.-France Cyber Dialogue US Dept. of State 14 Mar 2024 -- On March 11-12, 2024, the United States and France held the sixth bilateral Cyber Dialogue in Washington, D.C., to reaffirm our ongoing partnership on cyberspace and digital policy issues. Our governments are both committed to promoting an open, interoperable, secure, and reliable cyberspace in which all states behave responsibly.
• Treasury Sanctions Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC) Operative US Treasury 14 Mar 2024 -- Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated Diego Macedo Gonçalves do Carmo (Gonçalves), a member of Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC), a Brazil-based criminal organization sanctioned pursuant to counter narcotics authorities. The PCC is the most notorious organized crime group in Brazil and among the largest in Latin America, and Gonçalves is a key operative responsible for laundering hundreds of millions of dollars for the organization.
• Leader of Drug Trafficking Organization Sentenced for International Cocaine Trafficking Conspiracy US Dept. of Justice 14 Mar 2024 -- A leader of the Lorenzana drug trafficking organization was sentenced last week to 33 years in prison and ordered to forfeit $27 million for charges related to international drug trafficking.
• Address to the citizens of Russia President of Russia 14 Mar 2024
• Meeting with Government members President of Russia 14 Mar 2024
• Putin calls on Russians to vote in election in this 'difficult' period Press TV 14 Mar 2024 -- President Vladimir Putin has urged Russians to vote in the upcoming presidential election in the face of a difficult period for the country.
• Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's address at a ceremony to mark the 90th anniversary of the Diplomatic Academy of the Foreign Ministry of Russia, Moscow, March 14, 2024 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 14 Mar 2024
• Excerpt from an interview with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov for the Evening with Vladimir Solovyov programme on Rossiya 1 TV channel, Moscow, March 14, 2024 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 14 Mar 2024
• Putin Denies Strategy to Spread Influence in Africa After Wagner 'Rebrand' VOA 14 Mar 2024 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has denied he is seeking to oust Western influence in Africa, as new analysis suggests the Kremlin's military intelligence arm has taken over activities of the disbanded Wagner Russian paramilitary group on the continent.
• State Department's Miller Among Scores Of Americans Banned By Russia RFE/RL 14 Mar 2024 -- Russia has banned more than 200 U.S. citizens -- including State Department spokesman Matthew Miller -- from entering the country in retaliation for sanctions imposed by Washington on Russians for their support of the Kremlin's ongoing full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
• Lithuanian Official Dubs Attack On Navalny Aide 'Political Terrorism' RFE/RL 14 Mar 2024 -- The attack on Leonid Volkov, a close aide of late Russian opposition figure Aleksei Navalny, was a well-planned case of political terrorism, a senior Lithuanian official told the media on March 14.
• Putin's Foils: The Other Three Names On The Russian Ballot RFE/RL 14 Mar 2024 -- The Kremlin's tight grip on electoral politics and the media means that President Vladimir Putin is sure to secure a new six-year term in the March 15-17 election barring a huge, unexpected development.
• In A Whirlwind Of War And Repression, Putin Set To Secure Six More Years In Power RFE/RL 14 Mar 2024 -- The backdrop for Russia's election is grim: The war against Ukraine grinds on, the relentless repression of dissent has moved political debate from the campaign trail to the courtroom, and President Vladimir Putin's most prominent opponent is dead.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin's Regular Press Conference on March 14, 2024 PRC MofA 14 Mar 2024
• China appoints Chen Xiaodong, former ambassador to South Africa, as new vice foreign minister, totaling four Global Times 14 Mar 2024 -- The Chinese Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security announced the appointment of Chen Xiaodong on Thursday. Chen, who previously served as the Chinese ambassador to South Africa, will assume the role of vice foreign minister. The addition of Chen brings the total number of vice foreign ministers to four in China, including Ma Zhaoxu, Sun Weidong, and Deng Li.
• HK representatives to UNHRC defend Article 23 legislation, calling it 'key safeguard' for maintaining stability Global Times 14 Mar 2024 -- A Hong Kong representative to the 55th session of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva clarified that the implementation of the Article 23 legislation will codify necessary procedural safeguards in line with international human rights standards while some Hong Kong lawmakers refuted the latest claims from a UNHRC expert saying that some of the charges on national security crimes in Hong Kong are too broad.
• Hong Kong blasts criticism of its Article 23 security law Radio Free Asia 14 Mar 2024 -- The Hong Kong government, poised to pass its stricter "Article 23" national security law next week, blasted criticism of the bill from rights experts who say it will undermine freedom of religion in the city.
• World's Largest Drone Maker Expands in US Amid Rights Abuse Allegations VOA 14 Mar 2024 -- Chinese drone maker DJI is expanding in the U.S. with its first flagship store in New York City amid allegations of links to human rights abuses and ties to China's military.
• China Positioning C919 Passenger Jet to Take On Boeing, Airbus VOA 14 Mar 2024 -- China's state-owned plane manufacturer is facing industry skepticism over its claims that its newest passenger aircraft, the C919, can break the passenger-jet duopoly of Boeing and Airbus.
• China props up state-owned developer Vanke as property crisis deepens Radio Free Asia 14 Mar 2024 -- China has asked 12 banks to provide financing to the beleaguered state-owned real estate firm, Vanke Group, just days after the housing and urban-rural development ministry vowed to let insolvent property developers go bankrupt.
• Chinese Cyber Nationalists Target Nobel Laureate, Water Company VOA 14 Mar 2024 -- Online nationalism has been surging in China in recent weeks, with a growing band of cyber nationalists targeting the country's first Nobel laureate in literature, Mo Yan, and the largest bottled water producer, Nongfu Spring.
• Blinken, Czech foreign minister express support for Taiwan during call CNA 14 Mar 2024 -- U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský expressed support for Taiwan's international participation during a phone call Wednesday.
• PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan Mar. 14, 2024 ROC MND 14 Mar 2024
• Chinese mainland official slams DPP for jeopardizing Taiwan's chip industry Global Times 14 Mar 2024 -- Chen Binhua, a spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, on Wednesday criticized the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities in Taiwan for jeopardizing the island's chip industry by catering to external forces. It comes amid growing concerns on the island about the future of the critical industry.
• Mainland refutes DPP claim on "international waters" in Taiwan Strait People's Daily 14 Mar 2024 -- Both sides of the Taiwan Strait are Chinese territory and there are no so-called "international waters" in the Strait, a Chinese mainland spokesperson said on Wednesday.
• National reunification unstoppable: mainland spokesperson People's Daily 14 Mar 2024 -- The historical trend toward a stronger China, national rejuvenation, and reunification cannot be stopped, said a Chinese mainland spokesperson on Wednesday.
• Warning of U.S. CHIPS Act's negative impact on TSMC "not alarmist": mainland spokesperson People's Daily 14 Mar 2024 -- A mainland spokesperson on Wednesday commented on a recent article jointly published by three influential figures in Taiwan's semiconductor industry, saying that the article's concerns about the U.S. CHIPS and Science Act undercutting Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (TSMC) is "not alarmist" but "a warning to Taiwan society."
• Despite Sanctions, North Korea Runs More Than 50 Restaurants in China VOA 14 Mar 2024 -- North Korea is operating more than 50 restaurants staffed by its citizens in more than 10 Chinese cities in violation of U.N. sanctions, according to a diplomatic source.
• US presses Panama on anti-Iran sanctions IRNA 14 Mar 2024 -- The United States has asked Panama to prevent Iranian ships from using its flag in yet another attempt by Washington to press other nations to implement its unilateral anti-Iran sanctions.
• Transcript of Special Briefing by Foreign Secretary on the State Visit of President to Mauritius (March 13, 2024) India MEA 14 Mar 2024
• Pakistan Seeks Fresh Lending as IMF Begins Reviewing Current Loan Program VOA 14 Mar 2024 -- An International Monetary Fund delegation began a review of Pakistan's current loan program Thursday as the cash-strapped country looks for additional funding to tackle its economic challenges.
• Transcript of the Press Briefing by the Spokesperson on Thursday, 14 March 2024 Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs 14 Mar 2024
• Political Spat Brews Over South African Opposition's Appeal to US VOA 14 Mar 2024 -- South Africa's president has slammed a request by the country's main opposition party that the U.S. help monitor upcoming elections. The governing party says the request is misguided given issues with "the West's" own polls.
• Turkey Proves No Safe Haven For Central Asian Activists RFE/RL 14 Mar 2024 -- Such is the life of a Central Asian activist abroad: One minute you are bringing attention to a fellow activist in trouble, the next minute the trouble has reached you.
• Haitian Gang Leader Threatens Transitional Council Politicians VOA 14 Mar 2024 -- As violence continued in the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince, a powerful gang leader on Thursday threatened political leaders who are set to take part in a planned transitional council to govern the Caribbean nation.
• Haiti crisis: UN mission announces airbridge to facilitate aid relief UN News 14 Mar 2024 -- Out-of-control gang violence has created a humanitarian crisis in Haiti that the UN aims to help alleviate with the creation of an airbridge with the neighbouring Dominican Republic.
• U.S. Envoy Says Concerns About Hungary's Ties To Russia 'Cannot Be Ignored RFE/RL 14 Mar 2024 -- The U.S. ambassador to Hungary has warned Budapest about its expanding relationship with Russia and raised "legitimate security concerns" in a speech marking the 25th anniversary of Hungary joining NATO.
• Central Africa Says Economic Bloc Poorest, Integration Stagnant at 4% VOA 14 Mar 2024 -- The Central African Economic and Monetary Community, CEMAC, marks its 30th anniversary this week but by some measures has little to celebrate. The bloc says member countries conduct most of their trade with outside countries and have made little attempt to break down economic barriers between them, leaving CEMAC the least developed and poorest economic bloc in Africa.