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News Reports

Current Operations

• Securing the Southern Border: Two Months of Decisive Action DoD News 13 Mar 2025 -- In the two months since President Donald J. Trump's inauguration Jan. 20, 2025, the administration has launched a multi-front campaign to secure the U.S.-Mexico border, targeting cartels, transnational criminal organizations and illegal immigration.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Secretary of Defense Directs Restructuring of the Office of Net Assessment to Align With Strategic Priorities DoD 13 Mar 2025
• Senior Joint Force Leaders Testify on Border Operations, Missile Defense DoD News 13 Mar 2025 -- Senior-level leaders of the joint force testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee yesterday on border enforcement operations and a new domestic missile defense program.
• Air Force Medical Command reaches initial operating capability US Air Force 13 Mar 2025 -- The Air Force Medical Command achieved its initial operational capability March 12.
• NMRTC Jax, EMF-M trains HSM-50 in medical ops US Navy 13 Mar 2025 -- The Navy is looking at the future of warfare and with solutions of how to treat wounded are being explored. Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 50 stationed at Naval Station (NS) Mayport recently received casualty evacuation (CASEVAC) training from Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command (NMRTC) Jacksonville and Expeditionary Medical Facility-Mike Staff Education and Training (SEAT) servicemembers.
• USNS Wally Schirra Completes Major Maintenance at South Korean Shipyard US Navy 13 Mar 2025 -- Military Sealift Command's (MSC) Lewis and Clark-class dry cargo ship USNS Wally Schirra (T-AKE 8) completed a seven-month regular overhaul (ROH) at Hanwha Ocean, Gyeongsangnam-do, Republic of Korea, March 12, 2025.
• Department of the Navy Announces New Policy on Sailors with Gender Dysphoria US Navy Press Release 13 Mar 2025 -- The Department of the Navy announced policy changes for Sailors with a current diagnosis or history of gender dysphoria, March 13.
• Lithuania Excels as Allied Spirit '25 Concludes Army News 13 Mar 2025 -- As global conflicts become ever more complex and diverse, exercise Allied Spirit, at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center (JMRC), Hohenfels Training Area, brings nations together as a cohesive military force.
• US, Tunisian and Senegalese EOD teams strengthen readiness through collaborative training Army News 13 Mar 2025 -- A controlled detonation shakes the ground as a cloud of smoke rises over the training range. For explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) technicians, moments like these are routine, but their impact extends far beyond the range. These small, calculated explosions translate to safer communities and stronger partnerships across Africa.
• REMARKS BY PRESIDENT TRUMP AND NATO SECRETARY GENERAL MARK RUTTE BEFORE BILATERAL MEETING The White House 13 Mar 2025
• Remarks by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte with the President of the United States of America, Donald J. Trump at the White House NATO 13 Mar 2025 -- First of all, thank you so much, Mr President, dear Donald again for hosting me and also for taking time in Florida a couple of weeks after you were re-elected. And of course, our phone call a couple of weeks ago.
• B-52s conduct first live weapons drop in Sweden since nation joined NATO EUCOM 13 Mar 2025 -- The mission also included a low-formation flyover of the Swedish Parliament to celebrate the one-year anniversary of Sweden's accession to NATO.
• NATO Crisis Management Exercise 2025 kicked off Lithuania MND 13 Mar 2025 -- Lithuania and the Allies are training at CMX'25 on March 13-18, 2025. The real-world hybrid and military threat-simulating scenario will train and test the Alliance's consultation and decision-making procedures in the time of crisis. The exercise takes place for the 24th time.
• Switzerland to take part in NATO crisis management exercise (CMX25) Federal Council - Swiss Government 13 Mar 2025 -- Switzerland, represented by federal offices from the DDPS and the FDFA, is taking part in NATO's crisis management exercise (CMX25), which runs from 13 to 18 March.
• NATO strengthens readiness above and beneath the waves during exercise Dynamic Manta in Italy NATO Allied Maritime Command 13 Mar 2025 -- NATO's premier anti-submarine warfare exercise, Dynamic Manta 25, has successfully concluded after an intense period of multinational training in the central Mediterranean Sea. This year's iteration brought together air, surface, and undersea capabilities from across the Alliance, reinforcing NATO's ability to detect, track, and counter undersea threats in one of the world's most strategic waterways.
• Focus on Joint Combat Readiness as NATO Ships Participate in Norwegian Exercise Joint Viking NATO Allied Maritime Command 13 Mar 2025 -- Ships from Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 (SNMG1) recently completed an intensive series of training activities during Norwegian Exercise Joint Viking 2025. The exercise was held in the Arctic waters and Fjords of Norway, focusing on key naval tactics including anti-submarine warfare (ASW), anti-surface warfare (ASuW), and advanced Replenishment at Sea (RAS) operations.
• NATO strengthens readiness above and beneath the waves during exercise Dynamic Manta in Italy NATO SHAPE 13 Mar 2025 -- NATO's premier anti-submarine warfare exercise, Dynamic Manta 25, has successfully concluded after an intense period of multinational training in the central Mediterranean Sea. This year's iteration brought together air, surface, and undersea capabilities from across the Alliance, reinforcing NATO's ability to detect, track, and counter undersea threats in one of the world's most strategic waterways.
• Focus on Joint Combat Readiness as NATO Ships Participate in Norwegian Exercise Joint Viking NATO SHAPE 13 Mar 2025 -- Ships from Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 (SNMG1) recently completed an intensive series of training activities during Norwegian Exercise Joint Viking 2025. The exercise was held in the Arctic waters and Fjords of Norway, focusing on key naval tactics including anti-submarine warfare (ASW), anti-surface warfare (ASuW), and advanced Replenishment at Sea (RAS) operations.
• Russian Deputy Defence Minister Colonel General Andrei Bulyga holds working meeting on modernisation of Logistical Support system in special military operation zone Russia MoD 13 Mar 2025 -- Deputy Defence Minister of the Russian Federation Colonel General Andrei Bulyga held a working meeting with representatives of the relevant main military command bodies, Groups of Forces responsible for logistics support in the special military operation zone as well as industry enterprises.
• Finland and Ukraine sign new MoU on defence cooperation - Finland announces new arms assistance package Finnish MoD 13 Mar 2025 -- Finland's Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen and Ukraine's Minister of Defence Rustem Umerov met bilaterally on Thursday 13 March 2025. They signed a Memorandum of Understanding on defence cooperation between the two countries' defence administrations.
• New Swedish support strengthens Ukraine's artillery capacity Government Offices of Sweden 13 Mar 2025 -- The Government has authorised the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) to procure 18 Archer artillery units for donation to Ukraine.
• China's first Type 054B frigate makes training debut in Yellow Sea Global Times 13 Mar 2025 -- After its commissioning into the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy in January, China's first Type 054B frigate made its first public appearance with a training exercise in the Yellow Sea on Thursday. An expert described the rapid development of the warship's capabilities as astounding and predicted it would become combat-ready soon.
• Ministry of National Defense Press Release on the New Military Judicial System ROC MND 13 Mar 2025
• Lai seeks to reinstate military trials amid growing Chinese infiltration CNA 13 Mar 2025 -- President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) said Thursday that the government would seek to reinstate the military trial system to handle military related criminal cases involving active-duty servicemen amid increasing Chinese attempts to infiltrate the Taiwanese military.
• No data on Hsiung Feng III missile development leaked: Minister CNA 13 Mar 2025 -- Confidential data concerning applications of an air-launched variant of the Hsiung Feng III missiles was not compromised in an alleged Chinese espionage case involving a retired Air Force major, Defense Minister Wellington Koo (顧立雄) said Thursday.
• Flight data recorder of crashed jet trainer recovered CNA 13 Mar 2025 -- The military is still salvaging parts of a locally developed and built advanced jet trainer (AJT) that crashed in waters off eastern Taiwan a month ago but has recovered the aircraft's flight data recorder (FDR).
• Vice defense minister to attend launch of Taiwan's 1st F-16 blk70 in U.S. CNA 13 Mar 2025 -- One of Taiwan's vice defense ministers will soon visit the United States to observe the ceremonial launch of the first F-16 C/D Block 70 that the country has purchased from the United States.
• Jobs boost for Brisbane as Albanese Government invests $200 million in Navy's communications system Australia DOD 13 Mar 2025 -- The Albanese Government is upgrading communication systems on Royal Australian Navy ships under a $200 million program with Boeing Defence Australia that will create dozens of jobs across the Brisbane region.
• National Defence announces $29.5 million investment to upgrade facilities at Saint-Jean Garrison Canada 13 Mar 2025 -- On January 6, 2025, the Department of National Defence (DND) awarded a $29.5 million Energy Performance Contract (EPC) for the St-Jean Garrison, located in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Québec.
• INS RANVIR PARTICIPATES IN EXERCISE BONGOSAGAR 25 AND INDIAN NAVY - BANGLADESH NAVY CORPAT India PIB 13 Mar 2025 -- The India-Bangladesh Naval Exercise Bongosagar 2025 and Coordinated Patrol was conducted in Bay of Bengal this week
• KEEL LAYING OF SECOND FLEET SUPPORT SHIP FOR INDIAN NAVY India PIB 13 Mar 2025 -- Keel Laying ceremony of second of the five Fleet Support Ships (FSS) was held at M/s L&T Shipyard, Kattupalli on 12 Mar 25, in the presence of VAdm Rajaram Swaminathan, Controller Warship Production & Acquisition and senior officials from Indian Navy, Hindustan Shipyard Limited and M/s L&T
• Iran Army Ground Force fully ready to respond to any threat: Commander Press TV 13 Mar 2025 -- Iran's Army Ground Force Commander Brigadier General Kiumars Heidari says his forces have drawn up all the necessary plans and stand ready to respond to any threat against the country.
• UK firm on supplying F-35 parts to Israel despite regime's Gaza aid blockade: Minister Press TV 13 Mar 2025 -- The United Kingdom has remained firm in exporting spare parts for US-made F-35 fighter jets to Israel despite the Tel Aviv regime blocking the entry of aid into the war-torn Gaza Strip, a British minister says.
• EDA conducts first CBRN live agent training European Defence Agency 13 Mar 2025 -- The European Defence Agency (EDA) has conducted its first-ever chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) live agent training for specialised defence units.
• Cambodian defense ministry defends appointment of navy commander Radio Free Asia 13 Mar 2025 -- Cambodia's Ministry of National Defense has dismissed suggestions of nepotism in the appointment of new navy commander, Tea Sokha, insisting it is in compliance with the kingdom's law.
• Secretary of State Marco Rubio With Rachel Campos-Duffy of Fox Noticias US Dept. of State 13 Mar 2025

Defense Industry

• Contracts For March 13, 2025

Other Conflicts

Ukraine Conflict News


• 13 March 2025 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 13 Mar 2025

Operation Iron Swords / Operation Al-Aqsa Flood

• Statement by PM Netanyahu Israel - Prime Minister 13 Mar 2025
• Hamas and Islamic Jihad delegations discuss ceasefire implementation in Gaza Press TV 13 Mar 2025 -- A delegation from the leadership of Hamas has met with a delegation from the Islamic Jihad Movement in the Qatari capital, Doha, and discussed the progress of implementing the ceasefire agreement with the Israeli regime.
• "More than a human can bear": Israel's systematic use of sexual, reproductive and other forms of gender-based violence since October 2023 OHCHR 13 Mar 2025 -- Israel has increasingly employed sexual, reproductive and other forms of gender-based violence against Palestinians as part of a broader effort to undermine their right to self-determination and carried out genocidal acts through the systematic destruction of sexual and reproductive healthcare facilities, according to a new report issued today by the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel.
• Rights probe alleges sexual violence against Palestinians by Israeli forces used as 'method of war' UN News 13 Mar 2025 -- Senior human rights investigators reporting to the UN Human Rights Council alleged on Thursday that sexual and gender-based violence by Israeli security forces against Palestinians - including children - have been increasingly used "as a method of war" following the 7 October 2023 attacks that sparked the Gaza war.
• UN report: Israel committed 'genocidal acts' in Gaza Strip Press TV 13 Mar 2025 -- An investigation by a special UN commission has declared that Israel perpetrated acts of genocide in the Gaza Strip through the systematic destruction of reproductive health care facilities during its bloody onslaught on the territory.
• UN rapporteur: Israel engaged in 'ethnic cleansing' in West Bank Press TV 13 Mar 2025 -- The UN special rapporteur on human rights in the occupied Palestinian territory says what is happening in the West Bank is the "litmus test" of the Israeli regime's ethnic cleansing campaign against Palestinians.
• 'Nobody is expelling any Palestinians': Trump walks back on plot to ethnically cleanse Gaza after backlash Press TV 13 Mar 2025 -- In his latest statement about the war in Gaza, US President Donald Trump seems to back down on his previous plan to forcibly relocate the population of the Gaza Strip, claiming, "Nobody is expelling any Palestinians."
• Iran condemns Israel's blockade on Gaza, calls it 'crime against humanity' IRNA 13 Mar 2025 -- Iran has strongly condemned Israel's move to block food supplies and cut electricity to the Gaza Strip, calling it a "crime against humanity" and part of an ongoing genocide against the Palestinian people.
• Iran blasts Israel's move to halt food, aid deliveries to Gaza as 'crime against humanity' Press TV 13 Mar 2025 -- Iran has denounced the Israeli regime's move to stop aid deliveries and cut off electricity supplies to the besieged Gaza Strip as an example of crime against humanity.
• Hamas hails Yemen's resumption of retaliatory operation against Israeli ships Press TV 13 Mar 2025 -- The Hamas resistance movement has praised Yemen for resuming its maritime operation against Israeli vessels, saying the move shows the nation's "genuine commitment" to continue supporting Palestine.

Other Conflicts

• Conflict, hunger, poverty impede children's early development: Türk UN News 13 Mar 2025 -- Governments everywhere are "letting children down instead of lifting them up" as conflict, hunger, poverty and climate change hold back child development, UN rights chief Volker Türk told Member States in Geneva on Thursday.
• 'Brighter future hangs in the balance' in Syria after 14 years of war UN News 13 Mar 2025 -- The Constitutional Declaration issued by Syria's caretaker authorities marks a pivotal moment in the country's turbulent transition, with UN Special Envoy Geir Pedersen expressing cautious optimism about its potential to fill a legal vacuum and pave the way for a "credible and inclusive political transition".
• Secretary-General's statement on Syria UN Secretary-General 13 Mar 2025
• Swedish Government increases humanitarian support to Syria by SEK 120 million Government Offices of Sweden 13 Mar 2025 -- The protracted conflict in Syria has created a severe humanitarian crisis. Two thirds of the population - around 17 million people - are considered in need of humanitarian support.
• Israeli airstrike hits Syria's capital Damascus IRNA 13 Mar 2025 -- The Israeli military says it has conducted an airstrike on Syria's capital, Damascus, claiming that the attack hit the headquarters of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad Movement.
• Israel jets bomb Damascus outskirts as tanks advance deeper in Quneitra Press TV 13 Mar 2025 -- Israel has carried out an airstrike on the outskirts of Damascus and its tanks have advanced into the southwestern Quneitra region in the latest aggression against Syria since the ouster of President Bashar al-Assad.
• Afghanistan denies link to train attack in Pakistan VOA 13 Mar 2025 -- The Afghan Taliban have rejected Pakistan's allegation that Tuesday's deadly hostage-taking of a train was planned and directed from Afghan soil.
• A third of Myanmar's population faces food insecurity: UN human rights experts OHCHR 13 Mar 2025 -- UN human rights experts* today expressed alarm at the unprecedented food security crisis that is worsening an already devastating human rights situation across Myanmar, where more than 19.9 million people are currently in need of humanitarian assistance. Since the military coup in February 2021, the intensification of conflict across the country has led to an estimated 15.2 million people — nearly a third of Myanmar's population — facing acute food insecurity in 2025. The experts issued the following statement:
• South Korean county to accept Myanmar refugees amid population decline Radio Free Asia 13 Mar 2025 -- The South Korean county of Yeongyang said it plans to accept refugees from Myanmar as early as the second half of this year to address its population decline.
• Armenia, Azerbaijan Finalize Peace Agreement But Hurdles Remain RFE/RL 13 Mar 2025 -- Armenia and Azerbaijan, have fought a series of wars since the late 1980s, have finalized the text of a long-awaited peace agreement aimed at establishing formal relations, marking a significant step toward ending decades of hostilities.
• Statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General - on the Treaty on the State Border between the Kyrgyz Republic and the Republic of Tajikistan UN Secretary-General 13 Mar 2025
• UN chief hails Kyrgyz-Tajik border treaty breakthrough UN News 13 Mar 2025 -- The UN Secretary-General warmly welcomed the presidential signing of the State Border Treaty by Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan on Thursday following decades-long negotiations.
• Kyrgyzstan And Tajikistan's Border Agreement: Deal Of The Century? RFE/RL 13 Mar 2025 -- While the world has been watching talks aimed at ending Russia's three-year full-scale invasion of Ukraine, two Central Asian countries have been quietly working to consign a long and sometimes bloody border dispute to the past.
• Constitutional crisis shakes Bosnia VOA 13 Mar 2025 -- The national assembly of Bosnia's Serb-controlled Republika Srpska on Thursday adopted the draft of the new Republic Constitution, introduced by the autonomous republic's president, Milorad Dodik, that includes articles that violate Bosnia's constitution.
• Statement of the OSCE Mission to BiH on the draft RS Constitution OSCE 13 Mar 2025 -- "The draft RS (Republika Srpska) Constitution directly violates the constitutional order of Bosnia and Herzegovina and represents a dangerous attempt to disrupt the state's legal framework, weaken institutional integrity, and intensify political divisions."
• Children being brutalized in Sudan's civil war, say UNICEF and MSF VOA 13 Mar 2025 -- The head of the U.N. children's program, UNICEF, said Thursday that 16 million children in Sudan are suffering horribly from the country's civil war, with many facing daily threats of violence, starvation, disease and sexual assault.
• Sudan war: Children facing 'unimaginable suffering', warns UNICEF chief UN News 13 Mar 2025 -- Sudan is now the world's largest and most devastating humanitarian crisis, the head of the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) warned on Thursday. After two years of war, over 30 million people - more than half of them children - are living in the grip of mass atrocities, famine and deadly disease.
• Sexual Violence Used as Weapon of War in Sudan, Humanitarians Warn, Demanding Security Council Action UN Security Council 13 Mar 2025 -- Horrifying, systemic sexual violence is being used as a weapon of war in Sudan — including against children — the Security Council heard today, as its members underscored the need to protect civilians, assist survivors, and ultimately, end the war causing this suffering.
• UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell's remarks at UN Security Council meeting on Sudan UNICEF 13 Mar 2025 -- more than 30 million people -- will require humanitarian assistance this year.
• Greater international action is needed to tackle widespread sexual violence in Sudan: UK statement at the UN Security Council UK FCDO 13 Mar 2025 -- Statement by Lord Collins of Highbury, Minister for Africa and the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on Sudan.

News Reports

• Trump threatens 200% tariffs on European spirits VOA 13 Mar 2025 -- U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday threatened the European Union with 200% tariffs on wine, champagne and other spirits produced in the 27-nation bloc after the EU levied what he said was "a nasty 50% tariff" on American-distilled whiskey.
• Homeland Security, rights group to meet in court over migrants at Guantanamo Bay VOA 13 Mar 2025 -- U.S. government lawyers are expected to face off with attorneys for civil and immigration rights groups over the use of a U.S. naval base in Cuba to hold migrants slated for deportation.
• ICE Arrests in First 50 Days of Trump Administration DHS 13 Mar 2025 -- In the first 50 days of the Trump Administration, Immigration Customs and Enforcement (ICE) has made 32,809 enforcement arrests. To put this figure into perspective, in the entire fiscal year 2024, ICE's Enforcement and Removal Operations made 33,242 of these at-large arrests.
• What's next for Philippines' Rodrigo Duterte at the International Criminal Court? Radio Free Asia 13 Mar 2025 -- Ex-Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte arrived in the Netherlands on Wednesday, about 24 hours after Filipino authorities dispatched him there on a warrant from the International Criminal Court to face a murder charge linked to his past deadly crackdown on drugs.
• Ex-president Duterte arrives in The Hague, now in ICC custody Philippine News Agency 13 Mar 2025 -- Former President Rodrigo Duterte has arrived in The Hague, the Netherlands and is now in the custody of the International Criminal Court (ICC).
• Greenland Votes For Change: Pro-Business Party Wins, Trump Rebuffed, Independence Slows RFE/RL 13 Mar 2025 -- The much-anticipated parliamentary elections in Greenland on March 11 delivered a surprise winner and two clear messages: a pushback against US President Donald Trump's interest in the Arctic territory and a signal that independence from Denmark may come -- but at a slower pace.
• Greenland's center-right party, known for rejecting Trump's purchase proposal, wins election Press TV 13 Mar 2025 -- Greenland's center-right Demokraatit party, known for rejecting US President Trump's proposal to purchase the semi-autonomous island, has won a surprise general election victory.
• Joint news conference with President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko President of Russia 13 Mar 2025
• Telephone conversation with Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud President of Russia 13 Mar 2025 -- Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud.
• Russian-Belarusian talks President of Russia 13 Mar 2025 -- Vladimir Putin held talks at the Kremlin with President of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko, who has come to Russia on an official visit.
• Foreign Ministry statement on retaliatory measures to the 16th package of EU sanctions against Russia Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 13 Mar 2025
• Can the US pry Russia away from China? VOA 13 Mar 2025 -- Western politicians have repeatedly called on China to limit or cease tacit support for Russia's bloody war against Ukraine. In response, China's leadership insists it is committed to peace and respect for the territorial integrity of other nations.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning's Regular Press Conference on March 13, 2025 PRC MofA 13 Mar 2025
• Chinese, Lao FMs meet in Beijing, pledge stronger ties Global Times 13 Mar 2025 -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Lao PDR Thongsavanh Phomvihane in Beijing on Thursday, with both pledging to push forward the building of a China-Laos community with a shared future.
• China's central bank to cut RRR, interest rates at appropriate time: meeting Global Times 13 Mar 2025 -- The People's Bank of China (PBC), the central bank, said on Thursday that it will lower the reserve requirement ratio (RRR) and interest rates at the appropriate time, based on domestic and international economic and financial conditions, as well as the operation of the financial markets.
• China's central bank expands policies on multinationals' cross-border funds Global Times 13 Mar 2025 -- China has further expanded the scope of a pilot program that facilitates and optimizes cash-pooling services for multinational companies, in accordance with the guidelines of the Central Economic Work Conference, the People's Bank of China (PBC), the country's central bank, said in a statement on Thursday.
• China's exports to be hit hard by US tariffs: businesses Radio Free Asia 13 Mar 2025 -- Chinese exports look set to take a battering from an escalating tariff war with the United States, business executives and economists say.
• China has never exported fentanyl-related medications to North America: NMPA Global Times 13 Mar 2025 -- In response to a media inquiry regarding the production, operation, and export management of fentanyl-related substances in China, as well as whether there is any issue of fentanyl-related substances leaking from legitimate enterprises, a spokesperson for the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) said China has never exported fentanyl-related pharmaceuticals to North America..
• China will take all necessary measures to defend lawful rights, interests: FM spokesperson People's Daily 13 Mar 2025 -- China will take all necessary measures to defend its lawful rights and interests, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stressed on Wednesday.
• Chinese personnel stationed abroad trapped in 'tailored prostitution,' leaks information under blackmail: MSS Global Times 13 Mar 2025 -- China's Ministry of State Security (MSS) on Thursday disclosed a case in which a personnel from a Chinese overseas institution was targeted and coerced by an overseas espionage agency through a carefully staged "romantic drama," reminding individuals to enhance security awareness in foreign exchanges, which is not only a safeguard for national security but also a responsibility for personal safety.
• Taiwan Coast Guard expels Chinese ship from Kinmen restricted waters CNA 13 Mar 2025 -- Taiwan's Coast Guard Administration (CGA) said on Thursday that it expelled a Chinese vessel suspected of conducting underwater surveying operations from restricted and prohibited waters around Taiwan's outlying Kinmen County the previous day.
• U.S. senators introduce bill to rename Taiwan's de facto embassy in Washington CNA 13 Mar 2025 -- A bipartisan bill was put forward Wednesday in the United States Senate with the aim of renaming Taiwan's representative office in Washington to reflect "the reality" that it represents the people of Taiwan, the sponsors said.
• Lai urges greater transparency in officials' China exchanges CNA 13 Mar 2025 -- President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) on Thursday called for a "disclosure mechanism" to ensure central and local government officials remain transparent and accountable to the people when visiting China for exchanges.
• Lai vows to nullify 'foreign adversary' China's annexation ambitions CNA 13 Mar 2025 -- President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) on Thursday pledged to strengthen national security in the face of "foreign adversary" China's "unchanged" ambitions to annex Taiwan.
• Mainland spokesperson slams Lai Ching-te as 'destroyer of cross-Straits peace' for his provocative secessionist remarks Global Times 13 Mar 2025 -- Lai Ching-te's obstinate stance on "Taiwan independence" and his rampant provocation and confrontation once again prove that he is an outright "destroyer of cross-Straits peace" and a "creator of crisis in the Taiwan Straits," said Chen Binhua, a spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, on Thursday.
• Taiwan president slams China as 'foreign hostile force' in toughest rhetoric yet Radio Free Asia 13 Mar 2025 -- Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te on Thursday called for a tougher response to Beijing, describing China as an "foreign hostile force" intent on "absorbing" the democratic island — the toughest rhetoric yet toward Beijing from a Taiwanese leader.
• PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan ROC MND 13 Mar 2025
• DPP's distortion of UNGA Resolution 2758 challenges int'l order: mainland spokesperson People's Daily 13 Mar 2025 -- A Chinese mainland spokesperson on Wednesday slammed Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities for distorting United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Resolution 2758.
• Taiwan question fundamentally different from Ukraine issue: mainland People's Daily 13 Mar 2025 -- The Taiwan question is fundamentally different from the Ukraine issue, a mainland spokesperson stressed on Wednesday.
• Beijing meeting between China, Russia, Iran set to start; a step signaling expanded strategic synergies: expert Global Times 13 Mar 2025 -- China will hold the Beijing meeting between China, Russia and Iran on the Iranian nuclear issue on Friday, which Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning described on Thursday as "China's latest diplomatic effort with the aim of enhancing communication and coordination."
• Beijing meeting between China, Russia, Iran on Iranian nuclear issue represents China's latest diplomatic effort: FM Global Times 13 Mar 2025 -- In response to a media question about China's expectations for the Beijing meeting between China, Russia and Iran on the Iranian nuclear issue to be held on Friday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated that China has released information about this upcoming meeting.
• Iran will not negotiate with the U.S. under 'maximum pressure:' Foreign minister IRNA 13 Mar 2025 -- Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi says Iran will enter direct talks with the United States only in equal conditions and free from threats, emphasizing that the other side should realize that the pressure policy is ineffective.
• Iran slams UNSC meeting as an 'unwarranted interference' in its cooperation with the IAEA IRNA 13 Mar 2025 -- Iran has strongly objected to a United Nations Security Council meeting on the country's nuclear program, calling it an "unwarranted interference" in Tehran's ongoing cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
• UN Security Council meeting on Iran 'blatant political maneuver': Envoy Press TV 13 Mar 2025 -- Iran's ambassador to the UN has condemned the Security Council meeting on Tehran's nuclear program as a "blatant political maneuver" which misuses the world body in an attempt to "advance narrow agendas."
• US seeks to weaponize UN Security Council to step up econ. warfare against Iran: Envoy Press TV 13 Mar 2025 -- Iran's ambassador to the United Nations has condemned the United States' latest efforts to manipulate the UN Security Council (UNSC) as part of its ongoing campaign of economic and political pressure against the Islamic Republic.
• Iran summons EU3 envoys over 'provocative' meeting on its nuclear program Press TV 13 Mar 2025 -- Iran has summoned the diplomatic representatives of the UK, France and Germany to convey its "strong protest at the irresponsible and provocative approach" of the three countries in convening a closed-door UN Security Council meeting on Tehran's nuclear program.
• No enemy can defeat us if we commit to our martyrs' ideals: Pezeshkian Press TV 13 Mar 2025 -- President Masoud Pezeshkian has stressed that national unity and adherence to the ideals of the martyrs were the key to overcoming any enemy, warning that internal divisions served only to embolden adversaries.
• Sanctioning Service Providers That Facilitate Iran's Crude Oil Trade US Dept. of State 13 Mar 2025 -- The Iranian regime continues to fuel conflict in the Middle East, advance its nuclear program, and support its terrorist proxies. Iran's illicit oil trade fuels these destabilizing activities. Its oil exports are enabled by a network of shipping facilitators in multiple jurisdictions who, through obfuscation and deception, load and transport Iranian oil for sale to buyers in Asia. Iran's MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM, NATIONAL IRANIAN OIL COMPANY, and NATIONAL IRANIAN TANKER COMPANY, U.S.-designated entities, rely significantly on ship-to-ship (STS) transfers and associated third-country service providers to optimize the efficiency of their tanker fleet.
• Treasury Sanctions Iranian Oil Minister, Shadow Fleet Operators US Treasury 13 Mar 2025 -- Today, the Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is designating Iran's Minister of Petroleum, Mohsen Paknejad, who oversees the export of tens of billions of dollars' worth of Iranian oil and has allocated billions of dollars' worth of oil to Iran's armed forces for export. OFAC is also designating several entities in multiple jurisdictions, including the People's Republic of China (PRC) and India, for their ownership or operation of vessels that have delivered Iranian oil to the PRC, or lifted Iranian oil from storage in Dalian, PRC.
• US imposes new sanctions day after Trump's letter delivered to Iran Press TV 13 Mar 2025 -- The US Treasury Department has issued sanctions against Iran's Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad, and some vessels that are part of a fleet involved in the Iranian crude oil exports after the Trump administration sent a letter to the country.
• Pezeshkian: Enemies' conspiracies against Iran will lead nowhere Press TV 13 Mar 2025 -- Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian says oil sanctions by enemies against Iran cannot harm the Islamic Republic as long as Iranians rely on the country's internal capacities, resources and assets.
• Iran rejects talks under US 'maximum pressure,' vows 'maximum resistance' Press TV 13 Mar 2025 -- Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says Iran will not engage in talks with the United States unless negotiations are free from pressure and threats.
• Sanctions on Iran's Oil Minister and Shadow Fleet to Exert Maximum Pressure US Dept. of State 13 Mar 2025 -- The Department of State is sanctioning three entities and identifying three vessels as blocked property today to stop the flow of revenue the Iranian regime uses to finance its destabilizing activities.
• Transcript of the Media Briefing by the Spokesperson Thursday, 13 March 2025 Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs 13 Mar 2025
• Kazakhstan: Annual Human Rights Dialogue in Brussels European External Action Service (EEAS) 13 Mar 2025 -- On 6 March, the European Union and Kazakhstan held their 16th Human Rights Dialogue and had a comprehensive exchange on a broad range of human rights topics.
• "We have covered significant distance in our efforts toward a terror-free Türkiye" Presidency of The Republic of Turkey 13 Mar 2025 -- Addressing members of the parliament during an iftar dinner, President Erdoğan said: "We have covered significant distance in our efforts toward the goal of a terror-free Türkiye with the contributions of the political parties at the parliament. On February 27, we peacefully passed yet another critical milestone in the terror-free Türkiye initiative."
• EXPLAINED: What might change when Vietnam amends its constitution? Radio Free Asia 13 Mar 2025 -- When Vietnam's National Assembly meets in May, parliamentarians will be asked to study, review and amend the Communist country's 2013 constitution at the request of the politically powerful Politburo.
• UK Reaffirms Support for Geneva International Discussions and Georgia's Sovereignty: UK Statement to the OSCE UK FCDO 13 Mar 2025 -- Ambassador Holland welcomes the latest round of the Geneva International Discussions and calls on Russia to comply with its obligations under the 2008 ceasefire agreement.
• Publisher Zamora reimprisoned in Guatemala in move lawyer calls 'inhumane' VOA 13 Mar 2025 -- A Guatemalan judge ordered prominent journalist Jose Ruben Zamora back to prison this week in a move that the leader of his legal team called "inhumane."