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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• March 20 USCENTCOM Conducts Humanitarian Airdrops into Gaza CENTCOM 20 Mar 2024 -- U.S. Central Command and the Royal Jordanian Air Force conducted a combined humanitarian assistance airdrop into Northern Gaza on March 20, 2024, at 12:15 p.m. (Gaza time) to provide essential relief to civilians in Gaza affected by the ongoing conflict.
• Navy Deploying Key Capabilities to Support Humanitarian Aid to Gaza DoD News 20 Mar 2024 -- The Navy is deploying key logistics capabilities in support of the Army-led mission to establish a temporary pier off the coast of Gaza to deliver critical humanitarian assistance, Navy officials said today.
• March 20 Red Sea Update CENTCOM 20 Mar 2024 -- Between 10:10 a.m. and 7:40 p.m. (Sanaa time) on March 20, a coalition aircraft successfully engaged and destroyed one unmanned aerial vehicle, and U.S. Central Command successfully engaged and destroyed one unmanned surface vessel, both launched by Iranian-backed Houthi terrorists from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen. There were no injuries or damage reported to U.S. or coalition ships.
• US, UK conduct fresh airstrike on Yemen IRNA 20 Mar 2024 -- The US and the UK have conducted a fresh airstrike on Yemen in a new act of aggression against the country over its support for the Palestinians in Gaza hit by more than five months of the Israeli regime's brutal war.

Defense Policy / Programs

• 95th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion hosts Pony Express Army News 20 Mar 2024 -- The 95th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion conducted a week-long "Pony Express" at Smith Barracks, Baumholder, Germany March 11-14, 2024. The convoy support center training exercise was in preparation for upcoming operations during DEFENDER 2024.
• Remarks by Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks "Why America Needs The Defense Industrial Base" 2024 National Security Innovation Base Summit (As Delivered) DoD 20 Mar 2024
• U.S. Special Operations Officials Underscore Continued Role in Deterring Conflict DoD News 20 Mar 2024 -- U.S. special operations forces continue to deliver critical advantages as the Defense Department confronts a changing national security landscape, top officials said today.
• Hicks Again Makes Case for Strengthening Industrial Base, Eliminating Continuing Resolutions DoD News 20 Mar 2024 -- "Production is deterrence," Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks told the Reagan Institute's National Security Innovation Base Summit today.
• DOD Strengthens Indo-Pacific Regional Ties DoD News 20 Mar 2024 -- China continues to present the most comprehensive and serious challenge to U.S. national security, said Ely S. Ratner, assistant secretary of defense for Indo-Pacific security affairs.
• Logistics Modernization Figures in Marine Corps' Future DoD News 20 Mar 2024 -- New watercraft, including some that are autonomous, and new ways to work with partners figure into how the Marine Corps plans to improve the way it supplies itself though improved logistics.
• Marines drive innovation, collaboration aboard Camp Pendleton for Army's PC-C4 USMC News 20 Mar 2024 -- In response to the 2018 National Defense Strategy's warning that peer adversaries are actively challenging the established global order, the Marine Corps initiated a monumental transition from its conventional land-based operations toward a concentrated emphasis on naval expeditionary capabilities—particularly within contested littoral regions.
• US Conducts Test of AGM-183A Air-Launched Hypersonic Missile - Pentagon Sputnik 20 Mar 2024 -- The United States conducted a test of a fully operation hypersonic missile prototype of the All-Up-Round AGM-183A Air-launched Rapid Response Weapon in Guam on Sunday, the US Air Force said in a statement.
• Secretary General receives final report from group of experts on NATO's southern neighbourhood NATO 20 Mar 2024 -- On Wednesday (20 March 2024), the independent group of experts appointed to support NATO's reflection on its southern neighbourhood presented their final report to NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.
• NATO and Moldova continue to strengthen their partnership NATO 20 Mar 2024 -- NATO Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoană met today (20 March 2024) with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Moldova, Mihai Popșoi, at NATO Headquarters.
• NATO's Corps Practices on 'Fictitious Territory' Near Russia - Polish Defense Ministry Sputnik 20 Mar 2024 -- NATO's Multinational Corps Northeast practiced operations on a "fictitious territory" near Russia's Baltic exclave region of Kaliningrad as part of military drills, the Polish Defense Ministry said on Wednesday.
• Russian Defence Ministry Board session takes place in Moscow Russia MoD 20 Mar 2024 -- Today, the National Centre for State Defence Control has hosted the Defence Ministry Extended Board session chaired by Defence Minister General of the Army Sergei Shoigu.
• Pacific Fleet's corvette detachment undergoes complex exercise with artillery fire in Sea of Japan Russia MoD 20 Mar 2024 -- The Pacific Fleet's detachment comprising of corvettes Hero of the Russian Federation Aldar Zydenzhapov, Gromky, and Sovershenny underwent complex drills with artillery live fires in the Peter the Great Bay and in the Sea of Japan.
• White House Official Tells Ukraine US Aid Will Come VOA 20 Mar 2024 -- Jake Sullivan, White House national security adviser, made an unannounced visit to Kyiv on Wednesday to reassure Ukrainians that the United States continued to support Ukraine and that despite a delay in Congress, billions in aid would get to the country.
• Estonia and Ukraine launch formal negotiations over a bilateral security agreement Estonia MFA 20 Mar 2024 -- Yesterday 19 March, Estonia and Ukraine held the first stage of formal negotiations over a bilateral security agreement. The security agreement is aimed at reinforcing security cooperation between Estonia and Ukraine, and reaffirm Estonia's continued and comprehensive long-term support to Ukraine.
• President of Ukraine and Minister of Defense of the Netherlands discussed ways to enhance defense capabilities of Ukraine President of Ukraine 20 Mar 2024
• Ukraine Will Start Production of 155 mm Caliber Shells Only in Second Half of 2024 - Report Sputnik 20 Mar 2024 -- Western countries have been providing military and financial aid to Kiev since the start of Russia's military operation in Ukraine in February 2022. The Kremlin has consistently warned against continued arms deliveries to Kiev, saying it would lead to further escalation of the conflict.
• Taiwan to receive U.S. SkyGuardian drones from 2026: Official CNA 20 Mar 2024 -- Taiwan is scheduled to receive the first two MQ-9B "SkyGuardian" drones it purchased from the United States in 2026, and the other two in 2027, a U.S. Department of the Air Force spokesman said Tuesday.
• Experts challenge official's assertion of Taiwan's 'absolute' air superiority CNA 20 Mar 2024 -- With tensions in the Taiwan Strait showing no signs of easing, a recent remark by Taiwan's deputy defense minister Po Horng-huei (柏鴻輝) asserting that Taiwan's forces would have "absolute air superiority" over the Chinese Air Force in a conflict has sparked heated discussions and raised some eyebrows.
• Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un Guides Ground Jet Test of Solid-fuel Engine for New-type Intermediate-range Hypersonic Missile KCNA 20 Mar 2024 -- A ground jet test of a solid-fuel engine for new-type intermediate-range hypersonic missile, which is of another strategic value, was successfully conducted in the era when eye-opening sci-tech achievements have been simultaneously made in the course of steady development in bolstering up the national defence capability.
• Australian Army test technology in United States Australia DOD 20 Mar 2024 -- The Australian Army have joined allies and partners in Project Convergence, testing and developing networks, robotic and autonomous systems, air defence and strike related systems.
• Maiden test-firing of India's first indigenously-made 1500 HP engine for Main Battle Tanks held at BEML in Mysuru India PIB 20 Mar 2024 -- Defence Secretary Shri Giridhar Aramane presided over the maiden test-firing of India's first indigenously-made 1500 Horsepower (HP) engine for Main Battle Tanks at BEML's Engine division in Mysuru complex on March 20, 2024
• Canada halts arms exports to Israel after criticisms grow Press TV 20 Mar 2024 -- The Canadian government has halted all arms shipments to Israel, a move that has drawn the ire of the Tel Aviv regime as it faces growing international isolation over its genocidal war on Gaza.
• Japan-PIC defense meeting 'exposes Tokyo's ambition to expand military presence' Global Times 20 Mar 2024 -- As Japan hosts a defense ministerial meeting with Pacific Island countries (PICs), Chinese experts warn that Tokyo's true intention is to support the US' Indo-Pacific strategy in containing China, while also seeking to advance its own military expansion.
• UK and Australia commit to modernising and deepening defence relationship UK MOD 20 Mar 2024 -- Defence Secretary Grant Shapps signed a new Defence and Security Cooperation Agreement during a visit to Canberra
• The Government's foreign and security policy priorities following Sweden's accession to NATO Government Offices of Sweden 20 Mar 2024 -- Today, 20 March, Minister for Foreign Affairs Tobias Billström presented the Government's Statement of Foreign Policy following Sweden's accession to NATO.
• Statement of Government Policy Following Sweden's Accession to NATO Government Offices of Sweden 20 Mar 2024 -- On 20 March, Minister for Foreign Affairs Tobias Billström presented the Statement of Government Policy Following Sweden's Accession to NATO in the Riksdag.
• European defence industry: Time for a leap forward European External Action Service (EEAS) 20 Mar 2024 -- Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine puts EU's security at risk. With war on our doorstep, the United States profoundly divided over its continued support to Ukraine, and dangerous tensions increasing in the Middle East and many other regions, it is time for Europe to take its security into its own hands to protect its citizens and deter its adversaries.
• European Commission will invest in additional artillery ammunition production capacities Latvia MOD 20 Mar 2024 -- On 15 March, European Commission allocated the €500 million foreseen under the European Union defence industry development regulation on supporting ammunition production (Act in Support of Ammunition Production, ASAP). This will allow the European defence industry to ramp up its ammunition production capacity to 2 million shells per year by the end of 2025.
• Defence Minister Sprūds: US military support for Latvia is stronger than ever Latvia MOD 20 Mar 2024 -- On Thursday, 14 March, Defence Minister Andris Sprūds travelled to Washington to meet with his US counterpart, US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin. Meeting focused on US-Latvia bilateral cooperation, global security environment and support for Ukraine.
• Defence Minister Andris Sprūds: Michigan National Guard will help Latvia develop rocket artillery, command and control, and drone capabilities Latvia MOD 20 Mar 2024 -- On Monday, 11 March, Defence Minister of Latvia Andris Sprūds visited the United States of America where he met with Michigan National Guard.
• Lithuania is ready to for the arrival of the first German Brigade troops Lithuania MND 20 Mar 2024 -- The first troops of the German Brigade stationing in Lithuania will arrive in the beginning of next month, April. The initial element of the German Brigade will comprise over 20 German military personnel, the number will then grow to 150 by the end of the year.
• Vice Minister Ž. Tomkus stressed the importance of U.S troop presence in Lithuania meeting former U.S. Secretary of the Army Lithuania MND 20 Mar 2024 -- Meeting former U.S. Secretary of the Army Ryan D. McCarthy today Vice Minister of National Defence Žilvinas Tomkus thanked for his personal contribution to the agreement to deploy an uninterrupted rotation U.S. force in Lithuania.
• Poland Joins Combined Maritime Forces in Middle East as 42nd Member CENTCOM 20 Mar 2024 -- Combined Maritime Forces welcomed the Republic of Poland as the 42nd member of the world's largest maritime security partnership, March 17.
• Poland Joins Combined Maritime Forces in Middle East as 42nd Member US Navy 20 Mar 2024 -- Combined Maritime Forces welcomed the Republic of Poland as the 42nd member of the world's largest maritime security partnership, March 17.
• A look at the Defence news 11 - 17 March Netherlands Ministry of Defence 20 Mar 2024
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken With Christiane Baissary of Al Hadath US Dept. of State 20 Mar 2024
• Secretary Blinken's Call with United Arab Emirates Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan US Dept. of State 20 Mar 2024
• Secretary Blinken's Meeting with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud US Dept. of State 20 Mar 2024

Defense Industry

• Contracts For March 20, 2024

Other Conflicts

Ukraine Conflict News


• 20 March 2024 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 20 Mar 2024

Operation Iron Swords / Operation Al-Aqsa Flood

• The IDF And ISA Eliminated Senior Hamas Operatives In Rafah Israel Defense Forces 20 Mar 2024
• Netanyahu Confirms Plan for Israeli Operation in Rafah Already Approved Sputnik 20 Mar 2024 -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday he had already approved the plan for the ground operation by the Israeli military in the city of Rafah in the Gaza Strip, adding that the plan to evacuate civilians from the combat zones would also be adopted soon.
• Netanyahu after using US pier to push Palestinians out of Gaza: Report Press TV 20 Mar 2024 -- Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu considers using a floating pier on the Gaza coast being constructed by the United States to push the Palestinians out of their homeland, a report says.
• Statement by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Israel - Prime Minister 20 Mar 2024
• Netanyahu rejects U.S. plea to halt Rafah attack, agrees to talk in Washington People's Daily 20 Mar 2024 -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday rejected the U.S. call to cancel a ground operation in Rafah city, where about 1.5 million displaced Palestinians resided, but agreed to send a delegation to Washington for discussions.
• Mar. 19: 'Axis of Resistance' operations against Israeli occupation Press TV 20 Mar 2024
• Mar. 18: 'Axis of Resistance' operations against Israeli occupation Press TV 20 Mar 2024
• WHO records over 400 attacks on Gaza healthcare facilities Press TV 20 Mar 2024 -- The World Health Organization (WHO) says it has documented 410 Israeli attacks on Gaza's healthcare sector since the regime's genocidal war started on October 7.
• Al-Shifa massacre: Israel has killed 90 Palestinians in 2 days Press TV 20 Mar 2024 -- The Israeli military has admitted that it has killed 90 Palestinians and kidnapped 160 others in two days of a raid into Gaza's Al-Shifa Hospital.
• Israel keeps attacking Shifa Hospital in Gaza IRNA 20 Mar 2024 -- The Israeli regime has attacked and besieged Al-Shifa Hospital, which is the largest medical complex in the Gaza Strip, for a third consecutive day.
• Palestinian death toll in Gaza rises to 31,819: ministry People's Daily 20 Mar 2024 -- The Palestinian death toll from the ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has risen to 31,819, with 73,934 others wounded, the Hamas-run Health Ministry said on Tuesday.
• Gaza: Less than 1 in 2 UN aid missions allowed into northern zones this month UN News 20 Mar 2024 -- Less than half of the UN aid convoys planned for Gaza's hunger-ravaged north have made it so far this month, despite repeated appeals from the international community to ramp up relief to more than one million people on the brink of starvation, UN humanitarians said on Wednesday.
• UNRWA review panel presents interim findings to Secretary-General UN News 20 Mar 2024 -- UN Secretary-General António Guterres has received the interim findings of an independent panel conducting an assessment of UNRWA, the UN agency that assists Palestinians, his office said on Wednesday in a note to correspondents.
• 'On brink of death': WHO raises alarm on Gaza children's dire hunger crisis Press TV 20 Mar 2024 -- The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a dire warning, saying that a growing number of children in Gaza are teetering on the edge of death due to severe hunger.
• Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Call With Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant DoD 20 Mar 2024
• Blinken to Discuss Cease-fire Push, Post-War Gaza Plans at Talks in Saudi Arabia and Egypt VOA 20 Mar 2024 -- U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is set to visit Saudi Arabia and Egypt this week for talks that he said will focus on pushing for a cease-fire in Gaza, the release of hostages held by Palestinian militants, and planning for a post-war Gaza.
• Leader: Axis of Resistance has thwarted US regional schemes Press TV 20 Mar 2024 -- Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has praised the anti-Israel operations by resistance factions in Palestine, Lebanon, Yemen, and Iraq.
• President Raeisi calls for action to stop US-Israeli Gaza genocide in New Year message Press TV 20 Mar 2024 -- Iran's President Ebrahim Raeisi has called for serious practical steps to stop the Israeli regime's attacks on war-torn Gaza in his New Year message to Asian countries celebrating Nowruz.
• South Africa: Israel sets precedent for countries to defy top UN court Press TV 20 Mar 2024 -- South Africa's foreign minister has said that Israel is setting a precedent for leaders to defy the top UN court.
• Israel keeps defying ICJ ruling on Gaza: South Africa IRNA 20 Mar 2024 -- South Africa's Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Naledi Pandor once again accused the Israeli regime of keep disobeying a verdict issued by the International Court of Justice on her country's petition against the Gaza war.
• China to do utmost to restore peace in Gaza: FM spokesperson Global Times 20 Mar 2024 -- Since the outbreak of the latest Palestinian-Israeli conflict, China has striven for a cease-fire, effective protection of civilians and de-escalation of the humanitarian crisis, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Wednesday while elaborating on Chinese Ambassador Wang Kejian's recent visit to Egypt, Palestine, Israel, Qatar and other countries to cool down the situation in the Middle East.
• Largest UK aid delivery enters Gaza to feed 275,000 people UK FCDO 20 Mar 2024 -- UK funding to World Food Programme supports major aid delivery in Gaza via Jordanian land corridor.
• 3 Palestinians killed in Israeli drone attack in Jenin IRNA 20 Mar 2024 -- At least three Palestinians have been killed in a drone attack by the Israeli regime in the city of Jenin in the northern occupied West Bank.
• Israel trying to disrupt Doha talks on ceasefire: Hamas chief IRNA 20 Mar 2024 -- Head of the political bureau of the Palestinian Hamas resistance movement, Ismail Haniyeh has said the Zionist regime is trying to disrupt the Doha negotiations on ceasefire with its continued crimes in the Gaza Strip.
• Iraqi Resistance targets Israel's Ben Gurion Airport twice in one week Press TV 20 Mar 2024 -- The Islamic Resistance in Iraq has said its fighters attacked Ben Gurion Airport twice in one week using drones.
• Israel admits Yemeni missile attack on Eilat IRNA 20 Mar 2024 -- The Israeli military in a statement on Tuesday night confirmed that a missile was fired from Yemen targeted an area in the occupied Palestinian territories.

Other Conflicts

• Remarks as delivered by Carl Skau, WFP Deputy Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer at the Security Council session: Protection of civilians in armed conflict WFP 20 Mar 2024
• China urges US not to instigate trouble in South China Sea Global Times 20 Mar 2024 -- China urges the US not to instigate trouble in the South China Sea or take sides on the South China Sea issue, a spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines said in a statement released on Wednesday in regard to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's remarks on the South China Sea during his visit to Manila.
• We Don't Want Armed Conflict With Afghanistan, Pakistani Defense Minister Tells VOA VOA 20 Mar 2024 -- Pakistan's Defense Minister Khawaja Asif says his country does not want to engage in an armed conflict with neighbor Afghanistan after Islamabad conducted airstrikes this week on alleged terrorist hideouts across the border.
• Afghan Schools Reopen, Girls Banned For 3rd Consecutive Year VOA 20 Mar 2024 -- Schools in Afghanistan reopened Wednesday for the new academic year, but the fundamentalist Taliban government prohibited teenage girls from joining secondary-level classes for a third year in a row.
• Pakistan's Campaign To Expel Millions Of Afghan Refugees Enters Second Phase RFE/RL 20 Mar 2024 -- Pakistan is set to force some 850,000 documented Afghan refugees back to their country next month if they don't leave voluntarily.
• Insurgents Launch Deadly Attack on Pakistani City Housing China-Run Port VOA 20 Mar 2024 -- Authorities in Pakistan said Wednesday six people, mostly security personnel, were killed when a group of heavily armed "terrorists" stormed a government building in the southwestern city of Gwadar, home to a China-run port.
• Resistance groups kill and threaten Myanmar junta's conscription supporters Radio Free Asia 20 Mar 2024 -- Rebel defense groups killed two administrators in vigilante slayings and are threatening the lives of more, according to resistance organizations.
• 'Tide Is Turning' Against Myanmar's Junta, UN Special Rapporteur Says VOA 20 Mar 2024 -- Myanmar's ruling junta "is losing" its war against a coalition of domestic forces but still remains highly dangerous, according to a U.N. special rapporteur on the human rights situation in that country.
• UN: Sudan Could Become World's Largest Hunger Crisis VOA 20 Mar 2024 -- U.N. humanitarian officials said Wednesday that nearly a year into Sudan's civil war, almost 18 million people are facing crisis levels of food insecurity — and tens of thousands of children are at particular risk of death from malnutrition.
• Conflict Between Warring Parties in Sudan Pushing Millions to Brink of Famine, Top UN Officials Tell Security Council, Warning Entire Generation Could Be Destroyed UN Security Council 20 Mar 2024 -- Conflict between warring parties in Sudan is driving a hunger crisis dangerously approaching famine for millions of people, senior United Nations officials warned the Security Council today, calling for an urgent cessation of hostilities before an entire generation is destroyed and the wider region is destabilized.
• Conflict driving hunger crisis in Sudan, UN officials tell Security Council UN News 20 Mar 2024 -- Eleven months of brutal fighting is driving a hunger crisis in Sudan, with some areas likely to experience catastrophic levels of food insecurity by the lean season in May, the UN Security Council heard on Wednesday.
• United States to Provide Additional Humanitarian Assistance to Sudanese People and Host Communities US Dept. of State 20 Mar 2024 -- Today, the United States, represented by Assistant Secretary for Population, Refugees, and Migration Julieta Valls Noyes, met with Chadian Prime Minister Succès Masra and announced more than $47 million in humanitarian assistance for the emergency response in Sudan and neighboring countries, including Chad and South Sudan.
• Troika statement on South Sudan Elections 2024 UK FCDO 20 Mar 2024 -- The Troika (Norway, the United Kingdom and the United States) have reaffirmed their call for peaceful elections in South Sudan.
• Boris Pistorius on "The Comprehensive Approach to Security in the Sahel" Germany - Federal Ministry of Defence 20 Mar 2024 -- Speech by Federal Minister of Defence Boris Pistorius at the conference jointly hosted by the Federal Ministry of Defence, the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development and the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung on "The Comprehensive Approach to Security in the Sahel".
• UNHCR issues new guidance on international refugee protection for Haitians UNHCR 20 Mar 2024 -- Amidst the rapidly deteriorating security, human rights and humanitarian situation in Haiti, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, has issued today new legal guidance to ensure that international refugee protection is provided for Haitians who need it.
• US Evacuates Americans From Haiti to Dominican Republic VOA 20 Mar 2024 -- The United States said Wednesday it is evacuating more Americans from Haiti as the impoverished Caribbean country is consumed with violence.

News Reports

• Imposing Sanctions on Actors Supporting Kremlin-Directed Disinformation Efforts US Dept. of State 20 Mar 2024 -- The United States is today designating two individuals and two entities for providing services to the government of Russia in connection with a foreign malign influence campaign.
• Treasury Sanctions Actors Supporting Kremlin-Directed Malign Influence Efforts US Treasury 20 Mar 2024 -- Today, the Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated two individuals and two entities for services they provided the Government of the Russian Federation (GoR) in connection with a foreign malign influence campaign, including attempting to impersonate legitimate media outlets.
• DHS and DG CONNECT Announce Initiative Comparing Cyber Incident Reporting to Better Align Transatlantic Approaches DHS 20 Mar 2024 -- Today, the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and European Commission's Directorate General for Communications, Networks, Content, and Technology (DG CONNECT) announced an initiative to compare cyber incident reporting elements that will inform cyber incident reporting requirements by the US, and European Union (EU) under the NIS 2 Directive.
• Briefing by Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, Moscow, March 20, 2024 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 20 Mar 2024
• Telephone conversation with Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi President of Russia 20 Mar 2024
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulates President Putin on his re-election India MEA 20 Mar 2024
• Telephone conversation with President of the UAE Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan President of Russia 20 Mar 2024
• Telephone conversation with King of Bahrain Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa President of Russia 20 Mar 2024 -- Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with King of Bahrain Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa at the latter's initiative.
• Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's upcoming meeting with First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Serbia Ivica Dacic Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 20 Mar 2024
• Russia Delivers 25,000 Tonnes of Grain to Zimbabwe Free of Charge Sputnik 20 Mar 2024 -- Russia has delivered 25,000 tonnes of grain to Zimbabwe free of charge, Russian Ambassador to Zimbabwe Nikolai Krasilnikov said on Wednesday.
• Russia Donates Fertilizer, Grain to Zimbabwe VOA 20 Mar 2024 -- Russia donated 25,000 tons of grain and 23,000 tons of fertilizer to Zimbabwe to help combat the effects of El Nino-induced drought, which has dwindled crop yields in most parts of Southern Africa.
• The Russian Polling Places Where Putin Lost, Even By The Official Count RFE/RL 20 Mar 2024 -- The day after voting concluded in Russia's election, the state news website in Kamchatka's capital published the official preliminary results for the Far Eastern region, noting every district reported at least 80 percent support for President Vladimir Putin. Two districts reported over 90 percent for the incumbent.
• Historian Says Putin Has Slipped Up Geostrategically, Geoeconomically, And Geopolitically RFE/RL 20 Mar 2024 -- Robert Service is among the world's most authoritative historians of Soviet and Russian history and the author of books including biographies of Trotsky, Lenin, and Stalin as well as 2019's Kremlin Winter: Russia And The Second Coming Of Vladimir Putin. He is emeritus professor of Russian history at Oxford and a senior fellow of the Hoover Institution at Stanford.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian's Regular Press Conference on March 20, 2024 PRC MofA 20 Mar 2024
• West Eyes New Measures After Passage of Hong Kong Security Law VOA 20 Mar 2024 -- Hong Kong's adoption of a second national security law Tuesday is being criticized by foreign governments, while some business figures say the law will hasten foreign businesses' departure from the city.
• US Officials Warn of New 'Axis of Evil' With China at the Fore VOA 20 Mar 2024 -- U.S. military and defense officials are increasingly concerned that as China and Russia forge ever stronger ties, they might attempt to challenge Western unity and eventually alter the balance of power on the world stage.
• Blinken claiming that China is spreading disinformation is in itself disinformation: Chinese FM Global Times 20 Mar 2024 -- The US' Secretary of State Antony Blinken's accusing China of spreading false information is in itself false information, said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian on Wednesday. China has made solemn representations over Blinken's remarks, he said.
• China urges the US to correct its wrongdoing of harassing, interrogating, and deporting Chinese citizens entering the US without just cause: Chinese FM Global Times 20 Mar 2024 -- China urges the US to correct its wrongdoing of harassing, interrogating, and deporting Chinese citizens entering the US without just cause and China will continue to adopt resolute measures to safeguard the legitimate and lawful rights and interests of Chinese citizens, Chinese Foreign Ministry said in response to the Washington Post's recent special report on the unwarranted harassment, interrogation and deportation of Chinese students and scholars by US border officials which received much attention in the US.
• 'No backward steps' as China-Australia ties are on right track Global Times 20 Mar 2024 -- Since China-Australia relations are on the right track, both sides should have no hesitation, no yawing and no backward steps, and China is willing to work with Australia to further prepare for high-level exchanges between the two countries, restart consultation and dialogue mechanisms, and manage differences based on mutual respect, top Chinese diplomat Wang Yi told Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Canberra on Wednesday.
• China-Australia relation not targeted at third party, nor should be influenced by any third party: Chinese FM Wang Yi Global Times 20 Mar 2024 -- Since the relationship between China and Australia is on the right track, we should not hesitate, deviate, or backtrack, and the development of the bilateral ties is not targeted at any third party, nor should it be influenced or interfered with by any third party, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong in Canberra on Wednesday.
• Hundreds protest Chinese foreign minister's visit to Australia Radio Free Asia 20 Mar 2024 -- Hundreds of Tibetans and Uyghur activists rallied in Australia's capital on Wednesday to protest the visit of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, demanding that his counterpart Penny Wong raise the issue of human rights violations in Tibet, Xinjiang and Hong Kong.
• High Level Meeting Further Mends Fractured Australia-China Ties VOA 20 Mar 2024 -- Human rights and trade sanctions dominated talks Wednesday between the Chinese and Australian foreign ministers in Canberra.
• Statement regarding Hong Kong's adoption of a new national security law Canada 20 Mar 2024
• China hits back at West's 'double-standards' smear against Article 23 Global Times 20 Mar 2024 -- The central government and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government vigorously repudiated on Wednesday the smear and slander campaigns launched by some Western governments, institutions and politicians against the unanimous passage of the Article 23 legislation in the Legislative Council (LegCo) of the HKSAR, saying that slandering the highly anticipated law while turning a blind to the fact that many Western countries have enacted multiple national security laws is a typical example of political hegemony and double standards.
• China criticizes UK and EU statements on Article 23 legislation, urges UK to abandon colonial illusions Global Times 20 Mar 2024 -- China on refuted the remarks made by some European politicians regarding the passage of the Article 23 legislation in Hong Kong on Tuesday, urging Western powers to stop interfering in Hong Kong's affairs and China's internal affairs.
• Overseas activists vow to keep fighting despite new Hong Kong security law Radio Free Asia 20 Mar 2024 -- Overseas activists have vowed to keep up their campaign for Hong Kong's promised rights and freedoms amid international condemnation of the city's second national security law, which critics say will likely widen an ongoing crackdown on dissent when it takes effect on Saturday.
• Chinese state TV reports passage of Hong Kong security law before vote Radio Free Asia 20 Mar 2024 -- When Hong Kong's Legislative Council passed a strict national security law under Article 23 of its mini-constitution, the long-expected move hit global headlines within minutes.
• Hong Kongers need EU immigration 'lifeboat' policies in the wake of Article 23 Radio Free Asia 20 Mar 2024 -- After Beijing imposed the draconian National Security Law for Hong Kong in 2020, the UK, Canada and Australia responded by opening "lifeboat schemes," or special immigration pathways, for Hong Kongers. Article 23, the latest tightening of the screws on Hong Kong freedoms, requires a similar response from the European Union.
• Experts: China is sequencing Uyghur DNA for organ harvesting Radio Free Asia 20 Mar 2024 -- Chinese authorities are collecting genetic data from the country's Muslim Uyghur minority as part of a forced organ-transplant program marketed to Muslim medical tourists from Gulf states, experts told a U.S. congressional committee hearing on Wednesday.
• China, Not Russia, Still Tops List of Threats to US VOA 20 Mar 2024 -- Russia's war in Ukraine — portrayed by top U.S. officials as posing a danger to the United States itself — still trails China when it comes to long-term threats to America's security, according to a top Pentagon official.
• China-Australia relation not targeted at third party, nor should be influenced by any third party: Chinese FM Wang Yi Global Times 20 Mar 2024 -- Since the relationship between China and Australia is on the right track, we should not hesitate, deviate, or backtrack, and the development of the bilateral ties is not targeted at any third party, nor should it be influenced or interfered with by any third party, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong in Canberra on Wednesday.
• HK to enact new national security ordinance on Saturday People's Daily 20 Mar 2024 -- Hong Kong is set to enact the long-awaited Safeguarding National Security Ordinance on Saturday after its legislature passed the law on Tuesday — a historic achievement that Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said was overdue by 26 years.
• HKSAR LegCo unanimously passes milestone bill to better safeguard national security People's Daily 20 Mar 2024 -- The Legislative Council (LegCo) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) on Tuesday passed the safeguarding national security bill, a milestone by the HKSAR in fulfilling its constitutional duty as stipulated under Article 23 of the HKSAR Basic Law.
• China criticizes UK and EU statements on Article 23 legislation, urges UK to abandon colonial illusions Global Times 20 Mar 2024 -- China on refuted the remarks made by some European politicians regarding the passage of the Article 23 legislation in Hong Kong on Tuesday, urging Western powers to stop interfering in Hong Kong's affairs and China's internal affairs.
• Liaison office of central gov't in HKSAR praises passage of safeguarding national security bill as milestone People's Daily 20 Mar 2024 -- The Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) on Tuesday said that the passage of the safeguarding national security bill by a unanimous vote of the HKSAR Legislative Council is another milestone since Hong Kong's return to the motherland.
• Commissioner's Office of Chinese Foreign Ministry in HKSAR voices congratulations on new ordinance on safeguarding national security People's Daily 20 Mar 2024 -- The Commissioner's Office of the Chinese Foreign Ministry in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) on Tuesday expressed congratulations on the passage of the safeguarding national security bill, commending its "milestone significance" in the practice of "one country, two systems."
• Hong Kong enters new chapter in safeguarding national security: central gov't office for safeguarding national security People's Daily 20 Mar 2024 -- The Legislative Council (LegCo) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) on Tuesday unanimously passed the safeguarding national security bill, setting a milestone for Hong Kong's long-term stability, the Office for Safeguarding National Security of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR said.
• Central gov't lauds passage of safeguarding national security bill in HKSAR People's Daily 20 Mar 2024 -- The Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council published an article on Tuesday to extend congratulations on the unanimous passage of the safeguarding national security bill by the Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR).
• China's top legislature applauds passage of safeguarding national security bill in HKSAR People's Daily 20 Mar 2024 -- The Legislative Affairs Commission of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) on Tuesday applauded the passage of the safeguarding national security bill by the Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR).
• Queqiao-2 successfully launched, key relay communication platform supporting China's subsequent moon exploration missions Global Times 20 Mar 2024 -- China on Wednesday successfully launched into preset orbit the Queqiao-2 relay communication satellite as well as Tiandu-1, Tiandu-2 communication and navigation technology experiment satellites, the key constellation supporting the country's subsequent Chang'e lunar exploration missions.
• China launches new relay satellite for Earth-Moon communications People's Daily 20 Mar 2024 -- China launched a new relay satellite on Wednesday to provide Earth-Moon communications services, a key step for its future lunar exploration missions such as retrieving samples from the far side of the moon.
• China, Australia FMs discuss Taiwan issue, regional stability CNA 20 Mar 2024 -- Foreign ministers of China and Australia expressed their respective stances on the Taiwan issue Wednesday, reaffirming their commitment to bolster communication for peaceful development in the region.
• Taiwan aims to build global platform to counter disinformation Radio Free Asia 20 Mar 2024 -- Taiwan, which has confronted years of mainland Chinese disinformation, says it is striving to build a platform that is internationally scalable and can transform into a global system to combat cognitive warfare.
• PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan Mar. 20, 2024 ROC MND 20 Mar 2024
• Talks Held between DPRK and Russian Officials KCNA 20 Mar 2024 -- Talks between Yun Jong Ho, minister of External Economic Relations of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, and Oleg Kozhemyako, governor of the Maritime Territory Administration of the Russian Federation, took place at the Mansudae Assembly Hall here on March 19.
• Top DPRK leader oversees ground jet test of solid-fuel engine for hypersonic missile People's Daily 20 Mar 2024 -- The top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) oversaw a ground jet test of multi-stage solid-fuel engine for an intermediate-range hypersonic missile, the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said Wednesday.
• Accountability essential to counter human rights abuse in DPR Korea UN News 20 Mar 2024 -- The UN's deputy human rights chief on Wednesday underscored the need to ensure accountability for ongoing serious violations in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), stressing that it would also benefit long-term peace and security across the region.
• US imposes new sanctions over Iran's missile, nuclear programs IRNA 20 Mar 2024 -- On the first day of the Iranian New Year, the United States introduced fresh Iran-related sanctions, citing concerns over Tehran's ballistic missile and nuclear activities.
• US introduces new Iran sanctions over missile, nuclear programs Press TV 20 Mar 2024 -- The US Treasury Department has introduced a new round of sanctions targeting Iran's ballistic missile and nuclear programs.
• Imposing Sanctions on Networks Supporting Iran's Ballistic Missile, Defense, and Nuclear Programs US Dept. of State 20 Mar 2024 -- The United States is today imposing sanctions on procurement networks based in Iran, Türkiye, Oman, and Germany that have acquired goods for Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Aerospace Force Self Sufficiency Jihad Organization, Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL), the Iran Centrifuge Technology Company, and other U.S.-sanctioned entities that are part of Iran's military-industrial base.
• Treasury Targets Multiple Procurement Networks Supporting Iran's Proliferation-Sensitive Programs US Treasury 20 Mar 2024 -- based in Iran, Türkiye, Oman, and Germany -- that have supported Iran's ballistic missile, nuclear, and defense programs. These networks have procured carbon fiber, epoxy resins, and other missile-applicable goods for Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Aerospace Force Self Sufficiency Jihad Organization (IRGC ASF SSJO), Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL), other U.S.-designated entities in Iran's defense industrial base, and Iran Centrifuge Technology Company (TESA), which is linked to the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI).
• US Imposes New Sanctions on Iran's Military Procurement Networks VOA 20 Mar 2024 -- The U.S. Treasury Department imposed new sanctions Wednesday on procurement networks supporting Iran's ballistic missile, nuclear and defense programs.
• In Face Of Record-Low Election Turnout, Iranian Cleric Says Believers Matter, Not Majority RFE/RL 20 Mar 2024 -- An influential cleric and the representative of the country's supreme leader in the northeastern province of Khorasan Razavi has called those who didn't vote in recent elections "inconsequential," even though they comprised almost 60 percent of the electorate as turnout hit a record low.
• Jailed Nobel Laureate Mohammadi Urges Extension Of UN Rights Probe In Iran RFE/RL 20 Mar 2024 -- Iranian political prisoner and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi has called for the extension of a United Nations investigation into human rights violations in Iran, including gender apartheid and crimes against humanity perpetrated by the government.
• Former Home of Aung San Suu Kyi Fails to Sell at Auction VOA 20 Mar 2024 -- The house where deposed Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi spent more than a decade under house arrest was put up for auction Wednesday - but attracted no bidders.
• No bids at auction for Myanmar democracy icon Suu Kyi's home Radio Free Asia 20 Mar 2024 -- A junta court-ordered auction of jailed democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi's historic home in Myanmar's Yangon region concluded with no buyers, sources said Wednesday, after the bidding price was set at more than 300 billion kyats, or about US$90 million.
• UN Human Rights Council 55: UK Statement on situation of human rights in Belarus UK FCDO 20 Mar 2024 -- Statement for the Interactive Dialogue on the High Commissioner's report on situation of human rights in Belarus. Delivered by the UK's Human Rights Ambassador, Rita French.
• 'Currently unsafe to return' to Belarus, Human Rights Council hears UN News 20 Mar 2024 -- With the number of political prisoners growing and a shutdown of civic space, people in Belarus are being deprived of their rights to freedom of expression, assembly and more, a new UN human rights report presented on Wednesday has revealed.
• IMF, Pakistan Strike Preliminary Deal for Final Bailout Payment VOA 20 Mar 2024 -- The International Monetary Fund said Wednesday it had reached a preliminary agreement with Pakistan's newly elected government for the last payment under a $3 billion bailout package.
• US Diplomat Denies Pushing Pakistani PM Khan Out of Office VOA 20 Mar 2024 -- A top U.S. diplomat for South and Central Asia has for the first time publicly addressed allegations of conspiring to oust Pakistan's then-Prime Minister Imran Khan in 2022.
• Press statement by President von der Leyen with UN Secretary-General Guterres European Commission 20 Mar 2024
• Press statement by President von der Leyen with former Finnish President Niinistö European Commission 20 Mar 2024
• Fiji resets police cooperation with China, scraps short-term deployments Radio Free Asia 20 Mar 2024 -- Fiji will continue police cooperation with China but won't have Chinese officers stationed inside its force, a government minister said, following a review of security relations that highlighted the Pacific island country's balancing act between economic reliance on China and security ties to the U.S. and its allies.
• Congratulations to Indonesian President-Elect Subianto US Dept. of State 20 Mar 2024
• Election commission makes it official: Prabowo is Indonesia's president-elect Radio Free Asia 20 Mar 2024 -- Prabowo Subianto, the former Indonesian general whose human rights record has faced scrutiny, will take over as leader of his country after clinching victory in the presidential election and securing 96.2 million votes, according to official results unveiled Wednesday.
• Vietnam's president forced to step down due to corruption scandal Radio Free Asia 20 Mar 2024 -- Vietnam's president has resigned after just a year in the job, taking responsibility for a corruption scandal involving regional government officials, state-controlled media reported Wednesday.
• Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong Resigns After Just Over a Year VOA 20 Mar 2024 -- President Vo Van Thuong of Vietnam has resigned after one year in the post.
• Kazakh Officials Confirm Conviction Of Nazarbaev's Nephew RFE/RL 20 Mar 2024 -- Kazakh officials have confirmed the conviction of a nephew of former President Nursultan Nazarbaev, who lost his influence on the country's political scene after deadly, unprecedented anti-government protests in January 2022.
• UN Human Rights Council 55: UK Statement for Fact-Finding Mission on Venezuela UK FCDO 20 Mar 2024 -- Statement for Interactive Dialogue with the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Venezuela. Delivered by the UK's Permanent Representative to the WTO and UN, Simon Manley.
• World News in Brief: Dignity and justice key to end evil of racial discrimination, methane emissions update, Mpox latest, peacebuilding boost UN News 20 Mar 2024 -- Racism is "an evil infecting countries and societies around the world" the UN chief has said in his message marking the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination but it impacts communities differently.
• Cameroon's Opposition Says It Won't Stop Efforts to Oust Biya Despite Threats VOA 20 Mar 2024 -- The Cameroon government has threatened to arrest members of two opposition parties, accusing them of seeking to create coalitions and alliances for a transitional government to oust 90-year-old President Paul Biya, who has been in power for more than four decades.