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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• March 18 Red Sea Update CENTCOM 18 Mar 2024 -- On March 18, between 1:00 p.m. and 7:40 p.m. (Sanaa time) United States Central Command (CENTCOM) forces successfully engaged and destroyed seven anti-ship missiles, three unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), and three weapons storage containers in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen in self-defense. It was determined these weapons presented an imminent threat to merchant vessels and U.S. Navy ships in the region.
• Security Council Press Statement on Situation in Red Sea and Baab al-Mandab UN Security Council 18 Mar 2024

Defense Policy / Programs

• Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh Holds an Off-Camera, On-the-Record Press Briefing DoD 18 Mar 2024
• Special Ops Builds on Strengths as it Charts Future DoD News 18 Mar 2024 -- The strengths of the U.S. special operations community have always been agility, adaptability and innovation its service members demonstrated as they approached a mission. Special ops leaders are working to continue this process as the Defense Department drives forward, Army Command Sgt. Maj. Shane W. Shorter said.
• 95th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion hosts Pony Express Army News 18 Mar 2024 -- The 95th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion conducted a week-long "Pony Express" at Smith Barracks, Baumholder, Germany on March 11-14, 2024. The convoy support center training exercise was in preparation for upcoming operations during DEFENDER 2024.
• USEUCOM and NATO Allies participate in command post exercise EUCOM 18 Mar 2024 -- U.S. European Command and its component commands' strategists, operators and planners conducted the 2024 iteration of Exercise Austere Challenge March 4-14 to plan and execute a response to a fictional military crisis.
• CNO Travels to Arctic for Operation Ice Camp 2024 US Navy 18 Mar 2024 -- Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti traveled to the Arctic Ocean to attend Operation Ice Camp (ICE CAMP) 2024 and to visit with crewmembers of a U.S. Navy fast attack submarine, March 17.
• NIWC Pacific collaborates on potential of AI for maritime security, defense US Navy 18 Mar 2024 -- Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC) Pacific hosted the eighth annual workshop on Naval Applications of Machine Learning (NAML), which brought together experts and innovators from government, academia and industry to explore the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) March 11-14 in San Diego.
• Fleet Readiness Center Southeast debuts electrical discharge machining device on its F-5 Aircraft Production Line US Navy 18 Mar 2024 -- ultimately weakening the fastener, punching out the head and simultaneously flushing the opening with water to reduce the risk of damage from to molten material. The device also vacuums the area to remove foreign object debris (FOD).
• America Amphibious Ready Group Completes Exercise Iron Fist US Navy 18 Mar 2024 -- Sailors assigned to the America Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), and Marines assigned to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, celebrated the completion of the 18th iteration of Exercise Iron Fist, alongside members of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), in a ceremony held on the flight deck of the JMSDF Ōsumi -class tank landing ship JS Kunisaki (LST-4003), March 17.
• Republic of Korea Naval Special Warfare Flotilla Conduct Joint Training Exercise US Navy 18 Mar 2024 -- Members of the Republic of Korea Naval Special Warfare Flotilla (ROK-NSWF) conducted joint combined exchange training (JCET) with a U.S. Naval Special Warfare (NSW) Unit from Feb. 1 to Feb. 27, 2024.
• U.S. Working Diplomatically With Niger on New Path of Cooperation DoD News 18 Mar 2024 -- Last week, a U.S. delegation met with Nigerien officials, expressing concerns over Niger's potential relationships with Russia and Iran, as well as the status of U.S. forces in the country, said Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh who spoke to the media today.
• US Holds Out Hope for Partnership with Niger VOA 18 Mar 2024 -- The United States is not ruling out a continued military presence in Niger, despite a statement by the country's ruling military junta that it was ending an agreement allowing for the presence of American forces engaged in counterterrorism missions.
• Regional Analysts Concerned Over Niger's Future Military Cooperation With US VOA 18 Mar 2024 -- Analysts in West Africa are raising concerns about U.S. military operations across the Sahel after Niger ended military cooperation with the United States on Saturday. The U.S has hundreds of troops stationed at a drone base in northern Niger and has been helping with regional counterterrorism operations against jihadist groups.
• Secretary General in Tbilisi: NATO supports Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity NATO 18 Mar 2024 -- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg continued his tour of the South Caucasus on Monday (18 March 2024), meeting with President Salome Zourabichvili and Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze of Georgia in Tbilisi.
• Secretary General starts South Caucasus visit in Baku, welcomes NATO's long-standing partnership with Azerbaijan NATO 18 Mar 2024 -- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg arrived in Baku on Sunday (17 March 2024), kicking off a three-day, tri-nation tour of the South Caucasus. Meeting with President Ilham Aliyev, the Secretary General welcomed Azerbaijan's long-standing collaboration with the Alliance, saying he looked forward to further strengthening the partnership.
• Wider Europe Briefing: An Eastern European Could Be The New NATO Chief RFE/RL 18 Mar 2024
• NATO Chief Visits Georgia to Discuss Cooperation, Path to Membership VOA 18 Mar 2024 -- NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg traveled to Georgia Monday where he met with leaders to discuss strengthening cooperation between the nation and the alliance and a path to eventual membership.
• Data on interceptions of aircraft completed near the Baltic States' borders on March 11-17, 2024 Lithuania MND 18 Mar 2024
• Potential Russia-NATO conflict just one step from WW3, Putin warns Press TV 18 Mar 2024 -- President Vladimir Putin has warned the US-led Western camp against the world-spanning consequence of a conflict between Russia and NATO.
• Russia Considers US Proposals to Start Arms Control Talks 'Hypocrisy' Sputnik 18 Mar 2024 -- Moscow considers Washington's proposals to hold arms control talks "hypocrisy," the Russian Foreign Ministry told Sputnik on Monday.
• Zelenskyy Says Ukraine Will Boost Defense Production VOA 18 Mar 2024 -- Ahead of the latest meeting Tuesday of a U.S.-led group focused on military support for Ukraine in its battle against a Russian invasion, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said his country will seek to maximize its own defense production.
• This year we must and will reach the maximum level of Ukrainian defense production throughout the entire period of independence - address by the President of Ukraine President of Ukraine 18 Mar 2024
• Austin Hosts First In-Person Ukraine Defense Contact Group of 2024 VOA 18 Mar 2024 -- Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin is in Germany to build upon the international community's military support for Ukraine, even as the U.S. Congress has yet to approve additional funding for Kyiv.
• Ukraine Delegation Visits Washington National Guard Leaders Army News 18 Mar 2024 -- A delegation from Ukraine visited Washington National Guard leaders March 15 to thank them for supporting the country.
• Polish Defense Minister Forecasts 'Hard' Path for Ukraine to NATO Membership Sputnik 18 Mar 2024 -- The process of Ukraine's accession to NATO will be difficult, Polish National Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz said on Monday.
• Ukraine Assistance Fund: Council allocates €5 billion under the European Peace Facility to support Ukraine militarily EC/CEU 18 Mar 2024 -- Today the Council decided to increase the financial ceiling of the European Peace Facility (EPF) by €5 billion in current prices, and ringfence this top-up for Ukraine, by establishing a dedicated Ukraine Assistance Fund (UAF) within the EPF.
• Sweden supports Czech ammunition initiative for artillery shells to Ukraine Government Offices of Sweden 18 Mar 2024 -- Sweden intends to provide EUR 30 million in support for a Czech ammunition initiative for artillery shells to Ukraine. The Government has authorised the Defence Materiel Administration to negotiate and enter into an agreement with the responsible authority in Czechia.
• VOA Interview: Latvia's Defense Minister Offers Support to Ukraine for 'As Long as it Takes' VOA 18 Mar 2024 -- Latvia is among the top European contributors of military assistance to Ukraine relative to the size of its economy.
• Defence ministers of Poland and Germany: we have a shared goal of continued, joint support of Ukraine Poland - Ministry of National Defence 18 Mar 2024 -- On March 26th, 2024 Poland and Germany will activate the armoured capabilities coalition for Ukraine in Warsaw, and from July Polish and German soldiers will serve together as part of the EU rapid response forces - these are the effects of the strengthening of Polish-German cooperation, announced today by ministers of defence from both countries.
• ASD-Microsoft initiative bolsters Australia's cyber defence Australia DOD 18 Mar 2024 -- The Albanese Government has delivered a world-first initiative between the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD) and Microsoft which will further strengthen Australia's cyber defences.
• DPRK missile launch on 18 March: FCDO statement UK FCDO 18 Mar 2024 -- Following the DPRK's ballistic missile launch on Monday 18 March, an FCDO spokesperson gave a statement.
• VOA Interview | US Says NKorea Shipped 10,000 Containers of Munitions to Russia VOA 18 Mar 2024 -- The United States disclosed Monday that North Korea has dispatched at least 10,000 containers loaded with military munitions to Russia in support of its war in Ukraine. This number surpasses the 7,000 containers estimated by the South Korean defense chief earlier in the day.
• Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Call With Indian Minister of Defense Rajnath Singh DoD 18 Mar 2024
• Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh holds telephonic conversation with US Secretary of Defence Mr Lloyd Austin India PIB 18 Mar 2024 -- Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh held a telephonic conversation with US Secretary of Defence Mr Lloyd Austin on March 18, 2024
• EX TIGER TRIUMPH - 24 India PIB 18 Mar 2024 -- In consonance with the established partnership between India and the US, a bilateral tri-Service Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) Exercise between both countries, Tiger Triumph - 24, is scheduled on the Eastern Seaboard from 18 to 31 Mar 24
• Visiting Syrian defense minister meets top Iranian general IRNA 18 Mar 2024 -- Syria's Defense Minister, Lieutenant General Ali Mahmoud Abbas, who is heading a high-level delegation to Tehran, has met with Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, Major General Mohammad Bagheri.
• Iranian, Syrian defense ministers condemn U.S. "illegal" presence in Syria People's Daily 18 Mar 2024 -- Iranian Defense Minister Mohammad-Reza Ashtiani and his Syrian counterpart Ali Mahmoud Abbas on Saturday condemned the U.S. "illegal" presence in Syria, according to the Iranian Students' News Agency.
• Iran, Syria should hold constant consultation to counter Israel: Top general Press TV 18 Mar 2024 -- Iran's highest-ranking military commander has underlined the need for constant consultation with Syria in the face of Israel's aggression in the region.
• "It is an obligation for us to have a powerful military" Presidency of The Republic of Turkey 18 Mar 2024 -- Speaking at an iftar with soldiers, President Erdoğan said: "If we want to live freely, honorably and peacefully on our own homeland watered with martyrs' blood, we have no other choice but to continue to foil games and frustrate treacherous aspirations. In this regard, it is an obligation, rather than a preference, for us to have a powerful military."
• Guterres urges disarmament now as nuclear risk reaches 'highest point in decades' UN News 18 Mar 2024 -- Almost 80 years after the incineration of the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, nuclear weapons still represent a clear and present danger to global peace and security, UN Secretary-General António Guterres told the Security Council on Monday.
• Nuclear Warfare Risk at Highest Point in Decades, Secretary-General Warns Security Council, Urging Largest Arsenal Holders to Find Way Back to Negotiating Table UN Security Council 18 Mar 2024 -- With geopolitical tensions escalating the risk of nuclear warfare to its highest point in decades, reducing and abolishing nuclear weapons is the only viable path to save humanity, the UN chief told the Security Council, as delegates expressed deep concern about the continuous erosion of the international non-proliferation architecture.
• Disarmament Now Only Viable Path to Vanquish Senseless, Suicidal Shadow of Nuclear War, Secretary-General Tells Security Council, Outlining Six Steps for Non-Proliferation UN Security Council 18 Mar 2024 -- Following are UN Secretary-General António Guterres' remarks to the UN Security Council's open debate on nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, in New York today:
• Nuclear war cannot be won and must not be fought: UK statement at the UN Security Council UK FCDO 18 Mar 2024 -- Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki at the UN Security Council meeting on nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation.
• Joint letter by 14 EUCO Members on EIB's security and defence financing President of the Republic of Lithuania 18 Mar 2024 -- Joint Letter by Finland, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania and Sweden.
• Finland-led group of EU leaders calls on European Investment Bank to increase funding for defence industry Finnish Government 18 Mar 2024 -- Finland and a key group of EU leaders have sent a letter calling on the European Investment Bank (EIB) to take on a stronger role in supporting the EU's defence. In the countries' view, EIB financing could be used much more extensively for defence industry projects. Drawn up at Finland's initiative, the joint letter was endorsed by the heads of state of France and Germany, among others.
• Strengthening partnership through patrol boats Australia DOD 18 Mar 2024 -- Timor-Leste will receive two Guardian-class patrol boats in 2024 as part of Australia's regional Maritime Security Program.
• Deputy Secretary Campbell Meets with President of the Federated States of Micronesia Simina US Dept. of State 18 Mar 2024
• Designation of Western Balkan Officials Due to Involvement in Significant Corruption US Dept. of State 18 Mar 2024 --Today, the U.S. Department of State announces the public designation of former North Macedonia Special Chief Prosecutor, Katica Janeva; current mayor of Karpos, North Macedonia, Stevco Jakimovski; and former mayor of Kacanik, Kosovo, Xhabir Zharku. Their actions undermined the rule of law and the public's faith in their respective governments' democratic institutions and public processes.
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan The White House 18 Mar 2024
• Statement from Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre on the Upcoming Trilateral Leaders' Summit of the Philippines, Japan, and the United States The White House 18 Mar 2024

Defense Industry

• Contracts For March 18, 2024

Other Conflicts

Ukraine Conflict News


• 18 March 2024 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 18 Mar 2024

Operation Iron Swords / Operation Al-Aqsa Flood

• Press Briefing by IDF Spokesperson, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, March 18, 2024 Israel Defense Forces 18 Mar 2024
• Statement by PM Netanyahu Israel - Prime Minister 18 Mar 2024
• Readout of President Biden's Call with Prime Minister Netanyahu of Israel The White House 18 Mar 2024
• PM Netanyahu at the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem met with an AIPAC leadership delegation led by AIPAC President Michael Tuchin Israel - Prime Minister 18 Mar 2024
• Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks with Israel War Cabinet member Minister Benny Gantz Prime Minister of Canada 18 Mar 2024 -- Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke with Minister Benny Gantz, a member of Israel's War Cabinet.
• Israel to Send Delegation to Qatar to Discuss Hostage Deal With Hamas - Reports Sputnik 18 Mar 2024 -- Israel's security cabinet has approved sending a delegation to Qatar to continue negotiations with Hamas in an effort to secure a ceasefire and release hostages held by the Palestinian movement in the Gaza Strip, Israeli media reported.
• Israel far-right minister calls to attack Al-Aqsa Mosque IRNA 18 Mar 2024 -- Far-right Israeli minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir has reportedly issued yet another derogatory remark, calling on Zionists to attack Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied al-Quds during the last 10 days of the holy month of Ramadan.
• Not enough forces to defend the regime: Israeli politicians IRNA 18 Mar 2024 -- Israel's opposition leader, Yair Lapid, in a speech on Sunday night acknowledged that the regime has not enough military forces to defend itself.
• 'Israel' lost the war against Hamas: Res. General Yitzhak Brik ISNA 18 Mar 2024 -- In a recent op-ed, Brik details the gaps in Israeli leadership in the war on Gaza, slamming the government's failure on the battlefield.
• Israelis fume at ICJ order to step up humanitarian aid into Gaza Press TV 18 Mar 2024 -- Israel has hit out at South Africa after the International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued an emergency order for the regime to step up humanitarian aid into the besieged Gaza Strip.
• Mar. 17: 'Axis of Resistance' operations against Israeli occupation Press TV 18 Mar 2024
• Several killed, wounded in Israel raid on al-Shifa hospital ISNA 18 Mar 2024 -- Israeli forces raid the al-Shifa Medical Complex in western Gaza City and impose a tight siege on it.
• Israel assassinates Gaza police commander in violent raid on al-Shifa hospital Press TV 18 Mar 2024 -- Israeli regime forces have assassinated a high-ranking Palestinian security officer after a violent raid on al-Shifa Hospital in the Gaza Strip as the occupying entity presses ahead with its months-long genocidal war against the besieged territory.
• Israeli forces raid Gaza al-Shifa hospital, open fire inside complex Press TV 18 Mar 2024 -- Heavily armed Israeli forces have stormed the al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City using tanks and drones, firing at people inside the complex.
• First flour distribution in months starts for northern Gaza Strip families People's Daily 18 Mar 2024 -- Relief and food aid, mainly flour, reaches Palestinian families in the northern Gaza Strip for the first time in about 4 months, local sources said on Sunday.
• Israel Launches Operation at Gaza City Hospital VOA 18 Mar 2024 -- Israel's military said Monday it was conducting an operation at the Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, an area where it came under international criticism for a November raid.
• Famine Imminent in Northern Gaza, Food Security Experts Warn VOA 18 Mar 2024 -- Famine is imminent in the northern Gaza Strip between now and May, and the rest of Gaza's population is facing crisis levels of hunger and worse, a United Nations-backed food security report concluded Monday.
• Imminent famine in northern Gaza is 'entirely man-made disaster': Guterres UN News 18 Mar 2024 -- Amid reports that the Israeli military stormed Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City on Monday in search of Hamas fighters, UN humanitarians warned that new food insecurity data indicates that famine could happen "anytime".
• Famine imminent in northern Gaza, new report warns WFP 18 Mar 2024 -- Famine is imminent in the northern part of the Gaza Strip and the entire population of Gaza is facing crisis levels of food insecurity or worse, according to the new Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) report released today.
• Famine in Gaza is imminent, with immediate and long-term health consequences WHO 18 Mar 2024
• #UNRWAworks. Frontline heroes: the race against the clock to avert famine UNRWA 18 Mar 2024
• Over 13,000 children killed in Israel's Gaza war: UNICEF Press TV 18 Mar 2024 -- The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) says more than 13,000 children have been killed in Israel's genocidal war on the Gaza Strip, calling the death toll "astronomical" and "horrifying".
• Biden Voices New Concerns to Netanyahu About Israel's Conduct of War on Hamas VOA 18 Mar 2024 -- U.S. President Joe Biden spoke Monday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the first time in more than a month, voicing new concerns about Israel's conduct of its war in Gaza against Hamas militants and its plan for a ground attack on the southern city of Rafah near the Egyptian border.
• Iran condemns Israel's barbaric attack on Gaza's al-Shifa hospital IRNA 18 Mar 2024 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Spokesman Nasser kanaani has strongly condemned the Israeli regime's barbaric attack against al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City.
• Israeli regime has lost future forever: FM spox IRNA 18 Mar 2024 -- The Zionist regime has not only lost the war in the Gaza Strip, it has also lost the future forever, says Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani.
• Painful tragedy in Gaza: Iran slams raid on al-Shifa hospital, urges UN to stop Israel war crimes Press TV 18 Mar 2024 -- Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kan'ani has censured Israel's brutal attack on the al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City and the regime's crimes against medical staff and patients.
• Israel lost not just war against Hamas, but future forever: Iran's FM spokesman Press TV 18 Mar 2024 -- The spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry has echoed recent remarks by a former Israeli military commander who admitted that the regime has lost its genocidal war against the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas in Gaza, stressing that the Zionists also wasted away their future forever.
• Statement by High Representative Josep Borrell and Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarčič on famine in Gaza European Commission 18 Mar 2024
• Israel provoking famine by blocking aid into Gaza: EU's Borrell Press TV 18 Mar 2024 -- Thousands of people in the Gaza Strip are beset by "a state of famine" as Israel is using starvation as "a weapon of war" by deliberately blocking humanitarian aid into the besieged Palestinian territory, says the foreign policy chief of the European Union.
• EU agrees on sanctions against violent Israeli settlers Press TV 18 Mar 2024 -- The European Union's foreign ministers have agreed in principle on imposing sanctions against violent Israeli settlers, who will be slapped with travel bans and asset freezes upon implementation of the measures.
• European Commission chief: Gaza facing famine, ceasefire agreement must be reached rapidly Press TV 18 Mar 2024 -- The president of the European Commission has warned about imminent famine in the besieged Gaza Strip, stressing that an agreement for the establishment of ceasefire across the territory must be reached as soon as possible.
• Despite Offers to Mediate, China Distances Itself from Mideast Turmoil VOA 18 Mar 2024 -- For years, China has sought to raise its profile by offering to broker conflicts and disputes in the Middle East, but analysts say Beijing's limited involvement in the Gaza war shows China continues to put its self-interests first.
• Speech by Minister Joly regarding the motion on "Canada's actions to promote peace in the Middle East" Canada 18 Mar 2024
• Resistance groups pound Israeli bases with missile, drones IRNA 18 Mar 2024 -- Lebanon's Hezbollah Resistance Movement and the Islamic Resistance of Iraq have targeted Israeli military bases with missile and drones in separate attacks in the early hours of Monday.
• Gaza Resistance showers Israeli military positions with rockets ISNA 18 Mar 2024 -- The Palestinian Resistance factions continue to confront and attack the raiding Israeli occupation forces and their positions across the Gaza Strip.
• Iraq's Islamic Resistance strikes Israel's air base in occupied Golan with drones Press TV 18 Mar 2024 -- The Islamic Resistance in Iraq says it has carried out another anti-Israeli operation, targeting the regime's air base in the occupied Golan Heights with drones.
• Israel threatening Marwan Barghouti's life in jail: Palestinian official Press TV 18 Mar 2024 -- A senior Palestinian official says Marwan Barghouti, a prominent Palestinian detainee, is being isolated and tortured by Israeli authorities.
• Israel's atrocities at Shifa Hospital illustrate military chaos, confusion: Hamas Press TV 18 Mar 2024 -- The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas says Israel's new raid on al-Shifa Hospital underlines the regime's "confusion and hopelessness" in achieving its goals in the besieged Gaza Strip.
• Hamas: War not confined to Gaza; Israel facing 'extensive resistance front' Press TV 18 Mar 2024 -- The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas says Israel has come to face an "extensive front" far greater than the Gaza Strip.
• Lebanon's Hezbollah launches missile attack on Zionist military positions IRNA 18 Mar 2024 -- The Islamic Resistance of Lebanon announced on Monday night that it targeted the positions of Zionist soldiers in the north of occupied Palestine with a missile attack.
• Israeli regime launches airstrikes on south Lebanon IRNA 18 Mar 2024 -- The Zionist regime has launched fresh aggressive air raids on southern Lebanon, local sources reported early Wednesday.
• Hezbollah Says Struck 8 Israeli Positions in Southern Lebanon Sputnik 18 Mar 2024 -- Lebanese armed group Hezbollah said it had mounted attacks against eight positions of Israeli troops and military infrastructure in southern Lebanon.
• Israel deliberately blocks humanitarian aid into Gaza: OXFAM IRNA 18 Mar 2024 -- The Israeli regime systemically and deliberately prevents the delivery of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip, OXFAM International has warned.
• Israel 'deliberately' blocking humanitarian aid to Gaza, Oxfam says Press TV 18 Mar 2024 -- A global anti-poverty charity has denounced Israel for intentionally preventing the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip in violation of international humanitarian law.

Other Conflicts

• UN relief chief calls for overhaul in humanitarian assistance delivery UN News 18 Mar 2024 -- The UN's emergency relief chief on Monday outlined the need for a fundamental shift in how humanitarian assistance is delivered, advocating for greater understanding of the needs of crisis-affected populations and a more proactive approach.
• Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Mr. Martin Griffiths, 2024 European Humanitarian Forum: Keynote speech - 18 March 2024, Brussels UNOCHA 18 Mar 2024
• Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary, Australian Deputy Prime Minister Sign MOU on Enhanced Maritime Cooperation Philippines DFA 18 Mar 2024 -- The Philippines and Australia re-affirmed the strength of their Strategic Partnership with the signing on 28 February 2024 of the Philippines-Australia Memorandum of Understanding MOU on Enhanced Maritime Cooperation (EMC) in Canberra, Australia during the Guest of Government visit of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.
• Taliban Says It Strikes Back After Deadly Pakistani Strikes RFE/RL 18 Mar 2024 -- Afghanistan's Taliban-led government said its border forces targeted the Pakistani military installation along its eastern border in retaliation for two air strikes that Islamabad carried out on Afghan territory that killed eight people, including three children.
• Taliban attack Pakistan after several killed in Pakistani air strikes on Afghanistan Press TV 18 Mar 2024 -- The Taliban have carried out a border attack against Pakistan after air strikes by Pakistan killed at least eight people, all women and children, in border regions of Afghanistan.
• Pakistani Fighter Planes Bomb 'Terrorist Sanctuaries' in Afghanistan VOA 18 Mar 2024 -- Pakistan confirmed Monday that its military had carried out "intelligence-based" aerial strikes inside Afghanistan to punish "terrorists" responsible for killing hundreds of civilians and security forces in cross-border raids.
• Operation Against Terrorist Sanctuaries of TTP Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs 18 Mar 2024 -- This morning Pakistan carried out intelligence-based anti-terrorist operations in the border regions inside Afghanistan.
• INTERVIEW: Myanmar's junta is weakening, but world needs to cut off weapons, funds Radio Free Asia 18 Mar 2024 -- Tom Andrews has served as the U.N. Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar since 2020. The former U.S. Congressman for Maine is the author of papers examining the military's claim as the government of Myanmar following its February 2021 coup d'etat and international arms networks that enable rights violations by the junta in the Southeast Asian nation.
• Irregularities taint military draft lottery in Myanmar's Ayeyarwady Radio Free Asia 18 Mar 2024 -- Authorities in southwestern Myanmar's Ayeyarwady region have commenced lotteries to select who will be drafted into the military from among lists of draft-eligible youths, but residents say the process is tainted by irregularities.
• Number of students taking key exam has plunged amid war in Myanmar Radio Free Asia 18 Mar 2024 -- The number of high school students registered to take a key exam in Myanmar has plummeted nearly 87% from the academic year before the military took control in a February 2021 coup d'etat, showing the devastating impact of war on education.
• 'Piles of corpses' left after Myanmar junta attacks village Radio Free Asia 18 Mar 2024 -- A junta aerial bombardment killed and injured dozens in western Myanmar, residents told Radio Free Asia.
• Transnistria Foreign Ministry Calls Drone Strike on Military Base Terrorist Attack Sputnik 18 Mar 2024 -- The bombing of a helicopter by a kamikaze drone at an airfield in Moldova's breakaway region of Transnistria was a terrorist attack, the region's foreign ministry said on Monday.
• 24 million Sudanese children facing 'generational catastrophe' UN News 18 Mar 2024 -- As the war in Sudan enters its second year next month, the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC) on Monday warned of a staggering toll of the crisis on children, with an estimated 24 million teetering on the brink of a "generational catastrophe".
• Gunmen Kidnap Over 100 People in Nigeria's Kaduna State, Local Officials Say VOA 18 Mar 2024 -- Local government officials in Nigeria's north central Kaduna state said gunmen kidnapped more than 100 people between Saturday and Sunday from the region.

News Reports

• Blinken Warns Democracy Summit of Dangers of Disinformation VOA 18 Mar 2024 -- U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken says that in a year where more than half the world will be holding elections, new technologies including social media and artificial intelligence have made disinformation a greater threat than ever.
• Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office, City of New Orleans Hosts Readiness Event DHS 18 Mar 2024 -- In partnership with the City of New Orleans, with the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office (CWMD), is hosting a multiday readiness event from Monday, March 18, through Friday, March 22.
• Joint Statement on the Inaugural United States-Czech Republic Cyber Dialogue US Dept. of State 18 Mar 2024 -- The text of the following statement was released by the Governments of the United States of America and the Czech Republic on the occasion of the Inaugural 2024 United States-Czech Republic Cyber Dialogue.
• Growing Coalition of Governments Join the U.S. In Countering the Proliferation and Misuse of Commercial Spyware US Dept. of State 18 Mar 2024 -- Today, at the third Summit for Democracy in Seoul, South Korea, Secretary Blinken announced that Finland, Germany, Ireland, Japan, Poland, and the Republic of Korea have joined the Joint Statement on Efforts to Counter the Proliferation and Misuse of Commercial Spyware, launched by an inaugural group of 11 like-minded countries at the second Summit for Democracy.
• Joint Statement on Efforts to Counter the Proliferation and Misuse of Commercial Spyware US Dept. of State 18 Mar 2024 -- At the third Summit for Democracy on March 18, 2024, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Japan, Poland, and Republic of Korea joined this first-of-its-kind international commitment to work collectively to counter the proliferation and misuse of commercial spyware. This joint statement, which was originally announced at the second Summit for Democracy on March 30, 2023, has been updated to reflect these additional countries.
• Background Press Call on U.S. Efforts to Counter Misuse of Commercial Spyware and the Third Summit for Democracy The White House 18 Mar 2024
• Joint Statement on Efforts to Counter the Proliferation and Misuse of Commercial Spyware The White House 18 Mar 2024
• "Rock Doc" Sentenced for Opioid Distribution Conspiracy US Dept. of Justice 18 Mar 2024 -- A Tennessee nurse practitioner known locally as the "Rock Doc" was sentenced today to 20 years in prison for illegally prescribing opioids — including oxycodone and fentanyl — from his medical practice in Jackson, Tennessee.
• Meeting with candidates for President of Russia President of Russia 18 Mar 2024 -- Vladimir Putin met at the Kremlin with candidates for President of Russia.
• Telephone conversations with presidents of Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan President of Russia 18 Mar 2024
• Presidential 'election' in Russia: "Let's not recognise Putin's legitimacy as president", PACE President says Council of Europe 18 Mar 2024 -- Following the Presidential election in Russia, PACE President Theodoros Rousopoulos today made the following statement:
• Putin's Re-Election Confirms Russia Is 'Authoritarian Society,' Says NATO Chief RFE/RL 18 Mar 2024 -- NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said Russia's presidential election was "not free nor fair" and only confirms that Russia is "an authoritarian society."
• Krišjānis Kariņš calls for manganese ore to be covered by the 14th round of sanctions Latvia MFA 18 Mar 2024 -- On 18 March 2024, at the European Union (EU) Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Brussels, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Krišjānis Kariņš, called for an increase in the sanctions pressure on Russia and for work to begin on the 14th round of sanctions against Russia in order to weaken its war machine through a ban on the import of the country's agricultural products as well as expanding the export and transit ban on raw materials used in the Russian military industry to include the manganese ore and aluminium oxide.
• Russian presidential elections 2024: Foreign Secretary's statement following the outcome UK FCDO 18 Mar 2024 -- The Foreign Secretary condemns electoral violations, the suppression of opposition voices, and breaches of Ukrainian sovereignty during these elections.
• Gabrielius Landsbergis: coercion, oppression and fraud cannot give rise to respected international legitimacy Lithuania MFA 18 Mar 2024 -- The procedure imitating the Russian presidential election, which took place on 15-17 March 2024 under the conditions of an unprecedented restriction of civil and political rights, cannot be considered or called an election, Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis noted.
• Statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the imitation of elections in Russia Lithuania MFA 18 Mar 2024 -- The procedure imitating the Russian presidential election, which took place on 15-17 March 2024 under the conditions of an unprecedented restriction of civil and political rights, cannot be considered or called an election, because it was neither fair nor free, nor did it comply with any universally accepted standards of democracy and the rule of law.
• Statement by Minister of Foreign Affairs on Russia's sham presidential election Canada 18 Mar 2024
• Putin reelected; 'China-Russia ties to continue to make progress' Global Times 18 Mar 2024 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday congratulated Vladimir Putin on his reelection as Russian president, as Putin has addressed his supporters and declared his reelection victory earlier on the same day following the victory of presidential election with over 87 percent of the vote in his favor.
• Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un Sends Congratulatory Message to President of Russian Federation KCNA 18 Mar 2024 -- Kim Jong Un , president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, on March 18 sent a congratulatory message to Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, president of the Russian Federation.
• Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un Extends Congratulations to Russian President KCNA 18 Mar 2024 -- Kim Jong Un , president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Monday extended congratulations to Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin on his reelection to the presidency of the Russian Federation.
• Amid 'Repression And Intimidation,' Putin Posts 'Record' Election Win RFE/RL 18 Mar 2024 -- Vladimir Putin has claimed a fifth presidential term with a landslide victory in a tightly controlled election that has been condemned by the West as neither free nor fair as the Russian leader seeks to prove overwhelming popular support for his full-scale invasion of Ukraine and increasingly repressive policies.
• Telephone conversation with President of Turkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan President of Russia 18 Mar 2024 -- Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with President of the Republic of Turkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the Turkish side's initiative.
• Chinese Foreign Minister Visits Australia Amid Efforts to Stabilize Trade Relations VOA 18 Mar 2024 -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will make his first trip to Australia in seven years Wednesday, a visit that some analysts say will be dominated by efforts to resolve remaining trade disputes between Beijing and Canberra even as the two seek to address contentious consular and security issues.
• Despite Offers to Mediate, China Distances Itself from Mideast Turmoil VOA 18 Mar 2024 -- For years, China has sought to raise its profile by offering to broker conflicts and disputes in the Middle East, but analysts say Beijing's limited involvement in the Gaza war shows China continues to put its self-interests first.
• PLA Navy, Air Force join China Coast Guard in combat exercise Global Times 18 Mar 2024 -- The navy and air force of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Eastern Theater Command recently joined the China Coast Guard (CCG) and held a series of combat exercises across several maritime regions amid tensions in the Taiwan Straits, a move experts said on Monday will contribute to the safeguarding of national sovereignty, territorial integrity, as well as peace and stability in the region.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian's Regular Press Conference on March 18, 2024 PRC MofA 18 Mar 2024
• 34th spokesperson of Chinese Foreign Ministry makes public appearance, used to work in Denmark and Poland Global Times 18 Mar 2024 -- Lin Jian, the newly appointed 34th spokesperson of China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, formally met with Chinese and foreign media reporters and chaired the regular press conference held on Monday.
• Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's meeting with SCO Secretary-General Zhang Ming and Special Representative of the Chinese Government on Eurasian Affairs Li Hui Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 18 Mar 2024
• Chinese FM hails China-New Zealand ties during visit Global Times 18 Mar 2024 -- Visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with New Zealand prime minister and foreign minister on Monday, where he acknowledged that two sides have set many "first" records, making bilateral relations always at the forefront of China's relations with developed countries, and becoming a valuable asset for both sides to cherish and carry forward.
• UK relaxes rules for Hong Kong migrants ahead of new security law Radio Free Asia 18 Mar 2024 -- As Hong Kong authorities prepare to pass a second national security law, the British government has relaxed some of the immigration rules for people from the city seeking to emigrate to the United Kingdom amid a crackdown on dissent.
• China's economy starts off the year on strong note, projecting great confidence in trajectory toward 5% GDP goal this year Global Times 18 Mar 2024 -- China's economy starts off 2024 on strong footing, with an array of key indicators in the first two months beating market expectation by a wide margin, fueled by a spending spree in the Spring Festival holidays, ramped-up efforts in building new quality productive forces and the effects of macro policies implementation. Observers said the upbeat data offer an encouraging sign that the world's second-largest economy is not only consolidating the recovery momentum but also picking up pace.
• China's economy improves on industrial output growth Radio Free Asia 18 Mar 2024 -- China's economy improved in the first two months of the year buoyed by a 7% rise in industrial output despite the ongoing decline in the beleaguered real estate industry, a major economic driver.
• China prepares to launch relay satellite Queqiao-2 People's Daily 18 Mar 2024 -- The combination of the relay satellite Queqiao-2 and the Long March-8 Y3 carrier rocket was vertically transferred on Sunday to the launching area at the Wenchang Space Launch Center in south China's Hainan Province.
• China's former anti-terrorism official under probe Global Times 18 Mar 2024 -- Liu Yuejin, former commissioner for counterterrorism of the Ministry of Public Security, has been placed under investigation for suspected severe violations of Party discipline and laws, an official statement said Monday.
• New Eswatini prime minister visits Taiwan to pitch for investment CNA 18 Mar 2024 -- The new Prime Minister of Eswatini Russell Dlamini has arrived in Taiwan to pitch for investment in the African kingdom and discuss details of a fuel storage facility Taiwan is helping to build to ensure the African country's energy security, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA).
• PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan Mar. 18, 2024 ROC MND 18 Mar 2024
• COVID symptoms kill 5 North Korean children, schools and daycares shuttered Radio Free Asia 18 Mar 2024 -- At least five North Korean children have died as a resurgence of a respiratory disease believed to be COVID-19 has caused authorities to enact quarantine procedures in Ryanggang province, residents told Radio Free Asia.
• Iran among top ten countries in manufacturing satellite, space launch vehicle: Minister Press TV 18 Mar 2024 -- Iran's Minister of Communications and Information Technology Issa Zarepour says the Islamic Republic is among the top 10 countries in manufacturing satellite and space launch vehicle.
• Iran Fears Loss Of Clout In The Caucasus RFE/RL 18 Mar 2024 -- An emboldened Azerbaijan, backed by Turkey, has changed the balance of power in the South Caucasus in recent years.
• Baku Said To Be Preparing To Reopen Tehran Embassy After Attack RFE/RL 18 Mar 2024 -- The Azerbaijani Embassy in Tehran is preparing to resume operations, according to Iran's ambassador to Baku, signaling a potential thaw in relations between the two countries.
• UN Human Rights Council 55: UK Statement on Independent Fact-Finding Mission to Iran UK FCDO 18 Mar 2024 -- Statement for the Interactive Dialogue with the Independent Fact-Finding Mission to Iran. Delivered by the UK Permanent Representative to the WTO and UN, Simon Manley.
• UN Human Rights Council 55: Interactive Dialogue with Special Rapporteur on Iran UK FCDO 18 Mar 2024 -- UK statement for the Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on Iran.
• Iran: Repression continues two years after nationwide protests UN News 18 Mar 2024 -- Iranian security forces shot hundreds of people who took part in widespread protests sparked by the death of Jina Mahsa Amini while she was in the custody of the country's so-called morality police, top independent human rights investigators said on Monday.
• Rights Violations in Iran May Be Crimes Against Humanity, UN Investigators Find VOA 18 Mar 2024 -- Iran's violent repression of peaceful protests and widespread, systematic violations of human rights could, in many cases, amount to crimes against humanity, according to a U.N. fact-finding mission.
• 'I Feel Like An Alien': Afghan Muslims Decry India's New Citizenship Law RFE/RL 18 Mar 2024 -- Osman Ali was just a few weeks old when his family fled Afghanistan's devastating civil war and moved to India in the early 1990s.
• Can Rahul Gandhi's Cross Country March Revive India's Beleaguered Opposition? VOA 18 Mar 2024 -- Traversing 6,600 kilometers through 15 states over the last two months, the leader of India's opposition Congress Party, Rahul Gandhi, beat out a message that the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party has failed to deliver economic and social justice for the country's masses.
• Prime Minister congratulates H.E. Mr. Vladimir Putin on his re-election as the President of the Russian Federation India MEA 18 Mar 2024
• India to vote in general elections between April 19 to June 1 People's Daily 18 Mar 2024 -- India's Election Commission on Saturday said the country's forthcoming general elections will be conducted in seven phases starting April 19.
• Haitian Gangs Launch New Attacks Amid Transitional Council Delays VOA 18 Mar 2024 -- Gangs attacked affluent neighborhoods in Haiti early Monday, killing at least a dozen people, according to witnesses.
• Foreign Affairs Council: Press remarks by High Representative Josep Borrell after the meeting European External Action Service (EEAS) 18 Mar 2024 -- Check against delivery!
• Strategic Compass: EU bolsters its work on security and defence European External Action Service (EEAS) 18 Mar 2024 -- On 18 March, the High Representative Josep Borrell presented the second annual report on the implementation of the Strategic Compass, which has guided the EU's actions in security and defence.
• European Humanitarian Forum: Speech by High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell at the opening ceremony European External Action Service (EEAS) 18 Mar 2024 -- Check against delivery!
• Foreign Affairs Council: Press remarks by High Representative Josep Borrell upon arrival European External Action Service (EEAS) 18 Mar 2024 -- Check against delivery!
• Vietnam poised to discipline provincial leaders for corruption Radio Free Asia 18 Mar 2024 -- The Vietnamese government body responsible for combating corruption has proposed penalizing five high-ranking provincial leaders detained for accepting bribes, state media reported.
• World News in Brief: Haiti aid delivery continues, South Sudan violence, pandemic treaty talks near end, Guterres on Myanmar crisis UN News 18 Mar 2024 -- Aid workers continue to deliver assistance to people in Haiti's capital, Port-au-Prince, amid ongoing tension and volatility, the UN humanitarian affairs office, OCHA, said on Monday.
• Chad Expects Some 20 Candidates to Compete With Military Ruler in Elections VOA 18 Mar 2024 -- Officials in Chad say close to 20 candidates will be challenging military ruler General Mahamat Idriss Deby in Chad's May 6 presidential election. The final list of candidates for the polls expected to end three years of military rule in the central African state will be officially declared on March 24, according to Chad's Constitutional Council.