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Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• U.S. launches new round of airstrikes on Yemen's capital, other provinces People's Daily 20 Mar 2025 -- A new round of U.S. airstrikes struck Yemen's capital Sanaa on Wednesday evening, wounding at least nine people, including seven women and two children, according to Houthi-run al-Masirah TV.
• US stages fresh attacks on Yemen as Trump vows to 'annihilate' Ansarullah in support of Israel Press TV 20 Mar 2025 --  The United States has engaged in fresh military escalation against Yemen after President Donald Trump vowed to destroy the Arab Peninsula nation's Ansarullah popular resistance movement, which has served as an instrumental force in regional retaliation for rampant aggression by the Israeli regime, Washington's closest ally.

Defense Policy / Programs

• DOD to Cut $580 Million in Spending DoD News 20 Mar 2025 -- As part of the Defense Department's ongoing effort to cut wasteful spending, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth signed a memo today directing the termination of more than $580 million in programs, contracts and grants.
• Air Force major pilots NASA's SpaceX Crew-10 mission US Air Force 20 Mar 2025 -- U.S. Air Force Maj. Nichole Ayers, NASA astronaut, successfully completed her next mission: space.
• Space Force Delivers Warfighting Effects, Protects Homeland DoD News 20 Mar 2025 -- Since the U.S. Space Force stood up five years ago, it has delivered warfighting effects to the point that the U.S. can now contest the space domain, Space Force Chief of Space Operations Gen. B. Chance Saltzman said today during Defense One's "State of Defense 2025: Air Force and Space Force" digital event.
• U.S. Marines and Singapore Guards Begin the 27th Iteration of Exercise Valiant Mark in Singapore USMC News 20 Mar 2025 -- U.S. Marines with Marine Rotational Force-Southeast Asia (MRF-SEA) began Exercise Valiant Mark 2025, alongside the 3rd Battalion Singapore Guards (3 GDS) and 7th Singapore Infantry Brigade (7 SIB), in a ceremony held aboard Bedok Camp, Singapore, March 17, 2025.
• Bomber Task Force 25-2 accomplishes mission in Europe demonstrating interoperability and trust NATO Allied Air Command 20 Mar 2025 -- Following a month-long deployment in Europe, Bomber Task Force 25-2 (BTF 25-2) concludes as the 69th Bomb Squadron's Knighthawks return home to Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota.
• NATO Deputy Secretary General welcomes renewed European defence efforts at the European Parliament NATO 20 Mar 2025 -- On Thursday (20 March), NATO Deputy Secretary General Radmila Shekerinska addressed the European Parliament's Security and Defence Committee (SEDE). She commended Europeans for stepping up investment in defence to deliver security, praised cooperation with the European Union (EU) and answered questions from Members of the European Parliament (MEPs).
• NATO Naval Task Group increases presence and patrols in the GIUK Gap NATO Allied Maritime Command 20 Mar 2025 -- Ships assigned to Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 (SNMG1) are patrolling the Greenland-Iceland-United Kingdon-Norway (GIUK) Gap in the High North, bringing presence as well as strengthened maritime and air-defence capabilities to the region.
• Western Mediterranean Security Bolstered as Operation Sea Guardian Focused Patrols Concludes NATO Allied Maritime Command 20 Mar 2025 -- NATO's Operation Sea Guardian (OSG) Task Group, led by Spanish Navy Commander Juan David Garcia Garcia aboard the flagship ESPS Canarias, has successfully completed a two-week deployment in the Western Mediterranean Sea.
• Russian Defence Minister inspects development of Caspian Flotilla's infrastructure Russia MoD 20 Mar 2025 -- When on a working visit to the Republic of Dagestan, Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov inspected the infrastructure being developed at the Caspian Flotilla.
• Russian Navy's detachment conducts Arabian Monsoon joint naval exercise with Pakistan Navy in Arabian Sea Russia MoD 20 Mar 2025 -- A detachment of Russian Navy ships consisting of corvettes Rezky, Aldar Tsydenzhapov, and medium sea tanker Pechenga (Pacific Fleet) participated in a joint PASSEX-type exercise called Arabian Monsoon together with the Navy of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.
• EU Pledges To Continue Arming Ukraine Amid Cease-Fire Talks RFE/RL 20 Mar 2025 -- European Union leaders are pledging to continue to support Ukraine militarily despite Russia's push to stop Western arms deliveries to Kyiv in the ongoing cease-fire talks.
• The President at the European Council: Security guarantees for Ukraine have to deter any future Russian aggression President of the Republic of Lithuania 20 Mar 2025 -- On Thursday, President Gitanas Nausėda took part in the European Council discussion and stressed the need to ensure security guarantees for Ukraine.
• European Force In Ukraine Doesn't Need US Backstop, Former US Army Chief Hodges Says RFE/RL 20 Mar 2025 -- As military chiefs from 30 nations gathered near London to plan a military mission to Ukraine, the former head of the US Army in Europe has told Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty that these countries would be capable of mounting the mission without US help.
• Taiwan to receive 18 more HIMARS ahead of schedule: MND CNA 20 Mar 2025 -- Taiwan is set to receive all High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) it has purchased from the United States next year, earlier than scheduled, according to a Ministry of Defense (MND) written report to the Legislative Yuan.
• More details on military trial system overhaul expected in April: Cabinet CNA 20 Mar 2025 -- The Executive Yuan planned to discuss further details about reinstating the military trial system next month, amid an increase of espionage cases involving active-duty servicemen, Cabinet spokesperson Michelle Lee (李慧芝) said Thursday.
• Guardian-class Patrol Boat RVS Takuare returned to Vanuatu Australia DOD 20 Mar 2025 -- Today, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, Richard Marles met with Minister for Internal Affairs, the Hon Andrew Napuat in Cairns to mark the return of Vanuatu's Guardian-class Patrol Boat, RVS Takuare.
• Canada explores EU defense partnerships to reduce U.S. reliance: media People's Daily 20 Mar 2025 -- Canada is engaging in discussions with the European Union (EU) to reduce its dependence on the United States for defense procurement, a senior Canadian government official confirmed on Wednesday, AP reported on Thursday.
• DAC clears capital acquisition proposals worth over Rs 54,000 crore to enhance defence capabilities India PIB 20 Mar 2025 -- Under the chairmanship of Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), on March 20, 2025, accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoNs) to eight capital acquisition proposals amounting to over Rs 54,000 crore
• VISIT OF NEW ZEALAND PRIME MINISTER CHRISTOPHER LUXON AND ROYAL NEW ZEALAND NAVY SHIP HMNZS TE KAHA TO MUMBAI India PIB 20 Mar 2025 -- The Hon'ble Prime Minister of New Zealand, Mr Christopher Luxon, along with RAdm Garin Golding, Chief of Navy, Royal New Zealand Navy (CN-RNZN), visited the latest indigenously built destroyer of the Indian Navy, INS Surat, at Naval Dockyard, Mumbai, on 20 Mar 25
• Kingdom of Saudi Arabia - Advanced Precision Kill Weapon Systems DSCA 20 Mar 2025 -- The State Department has made a determination approving Advanced Precision Kill Weapon Systems (APKWS) II All-Up-Round and related elements of logistics and program support for an estimated cost of $100 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.
• PM remarks to Permanent Joint Headquarters and military planners at Northwood: 20 March 2025 Gov.UK 20 Mar 2025
• PM speech at the Dreadnought keel laying ceremony: 20 March 2025 Gov.UK 20 Mar 2025 -- Prime Minister Keir Starmer's speech at the Dreadnought keel laying ceremony in Barrow this afternoon.
• PM: Barrow a blueprint for positive impact of defence spending across the country Gov.UK 20 Mar 2025 -- Barrow is a blueprint for how defence spending can boost communities up and down the country, the Prime Minister will say while on a visit to the town today.
• Read-out of the meeting between European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen with the leaders of Iceland, Norway, Türkiye and the United Kingdom European Commission 20 Mar 2025
• Europe Must Be Secure and United - Prime Minister Tusk Ahead of the European Council Summit Poland - Chancellery of the Prime Minister 20 Mar 2025 -- The rearmament of Europe and strengthening the protection of the EU's eastern border are the main topics of the European Council summit. Before departing for Brussels, Prime Minister Donald Tusk emphasized that Poland played a key role in negotiating joint European funding for NATO's eastern flank.
• Estonian Minister of Defence: potential Allied contribution to Ukraine will not change or affect Allied presence in Estonia Estonia MoD 20 Mar 2025 -- The potential contribution of Allies to Ukraine will not change or affect the presence of Allied forces in Estonia or, more broadly, in the Baltic Sea region.
• Finland is preparing for defence in a high-intensity full-scale invasion, says Minister of National Defence D. Šakalienė Lithuania MND 20 Mar 2025 -- Minister of National Defence Dovilė Šakalienė conducted a visit to Finland where she met with her Finnish colleague Antti Häkkänen and Chairman of the Defence Committee Parliament of Finland Jukka Kopra.
• RFE/RL Audiences Voice Support For Its Journalism -- And Fears For Its Future RFE/RL 20 Mar 2025 -- Amid an attempt by US President Donald Trump's administration to halt congressionally allocated funding from Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), the broadcaster's audiences in the countries it covers are voicing support and admiration for its journalism.
• U.S. must immediately release Palestinian rights-activist Mahmoud Khalil and stop threats of deportation against foreign residents, say UN experts OHCHR 20 Mar 2025 -- The U.S. Government must immediately release Mahmoud Khalil, a U.S. resident, student and Palestinian rights activist detained by Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agents, and stop threatening and harassing foreign students who are campaigning for Palestinians' rights, a group of independent human rights experts* said today.

Defense Industry

• Contracts For March 20, 2025

Other Conflicts

Ukraine Conflict News


• 20 March 2025 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 20 Mar 2025

Operation Iron Swords / Operation Al-Aqsa Flood

• Israel restores blockade on northern Gaza IRNA 20 Mar 2025 -- The Israeli regime has restored a blockade on the northern Gaza Strip, shortly after it resumed a genocidal war on the Palestinian territory.
• Over 70 Palestinians killed in predawn Israeli attacks on Gaza IRNA 20 Mar 2025 -- More than 70 Palestinians, including many women and children, were killed in predawn Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip.
• Al-Qassam Brigades hits Tel Aviv with a barrage of rockets Press TV 20 Mar 2025 -- The military wing of the Palestinian Hamas resistance movement has launched a barrage of rockets from southern Gaza at Tel Aviv in retaliation for "Zionist massacres against civilians."
• Israel kills 71 more in Gaza strikes and re-occupies Netzarim corridor Press TV 20 Mar 2025 -- Reports show that within the last 24 hours, more than 71 Palestinians were killed by Israeli forces in the cities of Beit Lahiya, Rafah and Khan Yunis, with many more being wounded.
• Gaza: 'Bring them all home now', freed hostage tells Security Council UN News 20 Mar 2025 -- A senior UN political affairs official called for Israel and Hamas to restore the shattered ceasefire in Gaza on Thursday and release all remaining hostages, while one of those freed told the Security Council of his 500-day ordeal in captivity.
• Guterres strongly condemns Israeli attack on UN facility in Gaza Press TV 20 Mar 2025 -- UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has strongly condemned an Israeli attack on a UN facility in Gaza that killed one UN worker and critically injured five others.
• Security Council Hears Renewed Ceasefire Appeals, as Israel Vows to Fight until Last Hostage Freed UN Security Council 20 Mar 2025 -- The Security Council today heard harrowing testimony from a former Israeli hostage amid urgent calls for the immediate, unconditional and dignified release of hostages held in Gaza, as well as the swift restoration of the ceasefire, while Israel pledged to fight until all the captives are freed.
• UN chief saddened by death of staff member in Israeli attacks on Gaza People's Daily 20 Mar 2025 -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is "deeply saddened and shocked" by the death of a UN staff member during the Israeli bombing in the Gaza Strip, condemning all attacks on UN personnel and calling for a full investigation, his spokesman said on Wednesday.
• Trump 'fully supports' Israel's renewed genocidal campaign in Gaza: White House Press TV 20 Mar 2025 -- US President Donald Trump "fully supports" Israel's renewed genocidal campaign in Gaza, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has said.
• Iran condemns international inaction on 'U.S.-Israeli conspiracy' in Yemen and Gaza IRNA 20 Mar 2025 -- Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei has criticized the United Nations Security Council and other international organizations for their silence regarding ongoing U.S. airstrikes in Yemen and the massacre of civilians in Gaza by Israel.
• Iran deplores Security Council's inaction to stop US, Israeli atrocities as 'shameful' Press TV 20 Mar 2025 -- The spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry has roundly denounced the devastating US airstrikes against Yemen and the uptick in the Israeli regime's onslaught against Palestinians in Gaza, decrying the Security Council's inaction in the face of these vicious acts.
• Minister Joly announces assistance for people in Gaza and West Bank Canada 20 Mar 2025 -- Following more than a year of devastating conflict, the UN estimates that the entire population of Gaza, more than 2 million people, is in need of urgent emergency assistance.
• 'We condemn Israel's resumption of hostilities in Gaza' Government of Norway 20 Mar 2025
• The ceasefire deal was the best chance we had seen to return the hostages to their families: UK statement at the UN Security Council UK FCDO 20 Mar 2025 -- Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki, UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on the Middle East.
• Statement by The Ministerial Committee Assigned by the Joint Arab Islamic Extraordinary Summit on Gaza Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) 20 Mar 2025 -- The Ministerial Committee assigned by the Joint Arab-Islamic Extraordinary Summit on Gaza, expresses its condemnation and denunciation of the raids launched by the Israeli occupation forces on the Gaza Strip, and their direct bombardment of areas populated by unarmed civilians, resulting in the deaths and injuries of hundreds of Palestinians.
• Hamas praises Yemenis for their 'direct' anti-Israeli support Press TV 20 Mar 2025 -- The Palestinian Hamas resistance movement has praised Yemenis for their "direct" support against the Israeli regime.
• Hamas reiterates Gaza's situation calls for urgent action from OIC and Arab League Press TV 20 Mar 2025 -- The Palestinian Hamas resistance movement's spokesman has reiterated that the dire situation in the Gaza Strip demands urgency on behalf of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and Arab League.
• Yemen targets Israel's Ben Gurion Airport with ballistic missile IRNA 20 Mar 2025 -- The spokesperson for the Yemeni Armed Forces announced that their missile units successfully targeted Ben Gurion Airport in the occupied Yafa region using a ballistic missile known as Palestine 2.
• Yemeni forces strike Yaffa near Tel Aviv in 2nd major anti-Israeli operation in 24 hours Press TV 20 Mar 2025 -- The Yemeni Armed Forces have launched a hypersonic ballistic missile against a military installation south of the occupied city of Yaffa, near Tel Aviv, marking their second major operation against Israeli targets within 24 hours.
• Yemen warns US, Israel: 'What is coming is even greater; prepare for earth-trembling response' Press TV 20 Mar 2025 -- Yemen's Ansarullah popular resistance movement has vowed that the country would escalate its operations against American and Israeli targets in response to Washington's aggression towards the Yemeni territory and Tel Aviv's siege and resumed genocidal war on the Gaza Strip.
• Yemeni forces target Israeli Ben Gurion Airport with hypersonic missile Press TV 20 Mar 2025 -- Yemeni Armed Forces have claimed responsibility for a qualitative operation against a strategic Israeli installation in the occupied territories, in support of the people of Gaza and in response to the Israeli regime's renewed atrocities in the besieged coastal sliver.
• Houthis Say Conducted Successful Hypersonic Missile Strike on Target South of Tel Aviv Sputnik 20 Mar 2025 -- Yemeni movement Ansar Allah, also known as the Houthis, successfully struck a military target south of Tel Aviv with a Palestine 2 hypersonic missile, Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said.

Other Conflicts

• Statement by UNHCR's Filippo Grandi on the impact of global aid cuts on refugees UNHCR 20 Mar 2025 -- Brutal funding cuts in the humanitarian sector are putting millions of lives at risk. The consequences for people fleeing danger will be immediate and devastating:
• Release of George Glezmann US Dept. of State 20 Mar 2025 -- Today, after two and a half years of captivity in Afghanistan, Delta Airlines mechanic George Glezmann is on his way to be reunited with his wife, Aleksandra.
• American Glezmann Released By Taliban After Visit To Kabul By Senior US Official RFE/RL 20 Mar 2025 -- US citizen George Glezmann has been released from detention in Kabul following the first visit by a senior US official to Afghanistan since the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan in the wake of the withdrawal of international troops from the war-torn country in August 2021.
• SEM alters asylum practice for Afghanistan Federal Council - Swiss Government 20 Mar 2025 -- The State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) is adapting its asylum and removal practices with regard to Afghanistan. Single men whose asylum application has been rejected may again be removed under certain circumstances. SEM considers return to Afghanistan to be reasonable in some cases.
• Syria's humanitarian crisis: 16.5 million in need amid continuing conflict UN News 20 Mar 2025 -- The legacy of the Syrian conflict, which saw the overthrow of the Assad regime in December last year, is that 16.5 million people are in dire need of assistance, making it one of the largest humanitarian crises globally, a senior UN humanitarian said on Thursday.
• "Sham" halfway between a painful past and a fresh start - Foreign Minister Baerbock travels to Damascus again Germany Federal Foreign Office 20 Mar 2025 -- With her second trip to Damascus following the end of the Assad dictatorship, Annalena Baerbock is underscoring that we stand ready to provide support for the peaceful transition and for reconstruction.
• Foreign Minister Baerbock prior to her departure for Damascus Germany Federal Foreign Office 20 Mar 2025
• Junta offensives leave 4 dead, thousands displaced in northwest Myanmar Radio Free Asia 20 Mar 2025 -- Junta attacks on Thursday claimed four lives in northwest Myanmar, where tens of thousands displaced residents remain in desperate need of emergency aid, volunteers and locals told Radio Free Asia.
• Colombia: UN experts call for protection of civilians caught up in Catatumbo conflict OHCHR 20 Mar 2025 -- Alarmed by the dramatic escalation of conflict in the Catatumbo region of the department of North Santander since the beginning of the year, UN experts* today called on the Government of Colombia to ensure protection of civilians throughout the country and urged non-state armed groups to end their attacks against civilians.
• Sudan: Civilians targeted as hostilities intensify in the capital UN News 20 Mar 2025 -- Dozens of civilians, including local humanitarian volunteers, have been killed by artillery shelling and aerial bombardment in the eastern part of Sudan's capital, Khartoum, the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) reported on Thursday.
• Sudan: Escalating violence against civilians as fighting intensifies OHCHR 20 Mar 2025 -- Comment by UN Human Rights Office Spokesperson Seif Magango on escalating violence against civilians in Khartoum
• OIC General Secretariat Condemns Attack on Somali President's Convoy Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) 20 Mar 2025 -- The General Secretariat of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) condemned in the strongest terms the attack on the motorcade of H.E. Hassan Sheikh Mahmoud, President of the Federal Republic of Somalia, in Mogadishu on 18 March 2025, resulting in many civilian casualties.

News Reports

• Readout of Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard's First Trip to the Indo-Pacific Director of National Intelligence 20 Mar 2025 -- Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard visited Hawaii, Japan, Thailand, India and France on her first multi-nation trip as DNI.
• Department of Defense Civilian Employee Pleads Guilty to Taking Classified Documents US Dept. of Justice 20 Mar 2025 -- A civilian electrical engineer for the Department of Defense pleaded guilty in federal court today to unauthorized removal and retention of classified material.
• Attorney General Pamela Bondi Announces Severe Charges Against Violent Tesla Arsonists US Dept. of Justice 20 Mar 2025 -- Today, Attorney General Pamela Bondi announced charges against three individuals responsible for the violent destruction of Tesla properties. All three defendants will face the full force of the law for using Molotov cocktails to set fire to Tesla cars and charging stations.
• Maryland MS-13 Gang Members Indicted for Murder in Aid of Racketeering US Dept. of Justice 20 Mar 2025 -- A federal grand jury has charged Manuel Erazo Alvarado, also known as Castigo, 46, and Erick Guillen Pleitez, also known as Kilo, both of Annapolis, Maryland, with murder in aid of racketeering.
• India-Based Chemical Manufacturing Company and Top Employees Indicted for Unlawful Importation of Fentanyl Precursor Chemicals US Dept. of Justice 20 Mar 2025 -- An India-based chemical manufacturing company and three high-level employees were charged in federal court in Washington, D.C., today related to illegally importing precursor chemicals used to make illicit fentanyl.
• Briefing by Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, Moscow, March 20, 2025 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 20 Mar 2025
• Meeting with Kostroma Region Governor Sergei Sitnikov President of Russia 20 Mar 2025 -- The head of the region briefed the President on measures to support participants in the special military operation, industrial and transport infrastructure projects, the development of agriculture, the state of the education system and personnel training issues.
• Estonia stops recognising non-biometric Russian passports Estonia MFA 20 Mar 2025 -- Starting from 31 March 2025, the Republic of Estonia no longer recognises non-biometric foreign passports issued by the Russian Federation.
• Estonia presents a diplomatic note to Russia Estonia MFA 20 Mar 2025 -- Today 20 March, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned a representative of the Russian embassy to present a diplomatic note in relation to last year's incident on the Narva River when Russia illegally removed border buoys.
• Telephone conversation with President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko President of Russia 20 Mar 2025 -- Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with President of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning's Regular Press Conference on March 20, 2025 PRC MofA 20 Mar 2025
• Chinese FM responds to US House committee requesting info on Chinese students at six US universities Global Times 20 Mar 2025 -- In response to a question about US House "Select Committee on the CCP" chairman John Moolenaar on Wednesday sending letters to six US universities, requesting information about Chinese students over so-called national security concerns, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Thursday that Chinese students in the US account for about one-fourth of the total number of international students in the US, and educational cooperation not only expands exchange opportunities for students from both countries and enhances mutual understanding between their peoples, but also contributes to the prosperity of the US economy and the advancement of science and technology, serving the interests of both sides.
• Canada should respect rule of law, says Chinese FM on Ottawa's condemnation over execution of four Canadians Global Times 20 Mar 2025 -- In response to Canada's condemnation of China for executing Canadian citizens on drug-related charges, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Thursday that China is a country that upholds the rule of law. The law treats everyone the same regardless of nationality. The Chinese judicial authorities handle those cases justly in strict accordance with the law, Mao added.
• Special Envoy for Pacific Island Countries Affairs of the Chinese Government Qian Bo Visits Vanuatu PRC MofA 20 Mar 2025 -- From March 17 to 19, 2025, Special Envoy for Pacific Island Countries Affairs of the Chinese Government Qian Bo visited Vanuatu.
• Chinese FM reiterates opening-up, free trade as trade barriers from certain countries dampen global economic forecast Global Times 20 Mar 2025 -- Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Thursday China will adhere to opening up, and firmly support the principle of free trade and the multilateral trading system no matter how the external environment may evolve at a regular press conference when responding to a question about the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)'s cutting of the global economic growth forecast due to certain countries' trade barriers.
• Global CEOs flock to Beijing as China tries to woo foreign investors Radio Free Asia 20 Mar 2025 -- Global CEOs including Qualcomm's Cristiano Amon and Saudi Aramco's Amin Nasser will travel to Beijing next week for an annual development forum, with some likely to meet with President Xi Jinping and other Chinese leaders, according to Bloomberg and Barron's.
• Foreign espionage agencies conduct intelligence collection under guise of surveys and hobby groups: China's MSS Global Times 20 Mar 2025 -- China's Ministry of State Security (MSS) warned on Thursday that foreign espionage agencies are using disguised surveys, academic exchanges, and hobby groups as a cover for intelligence gathering. These activities subtly turn unsuspecting participants into conduits for information theft.
• Taiwan pledges to buy more produce, natural gas from U.S.: Lai CNA 20 Mar 2025 -- Taiwan will purchase more American goods, ranging from agricultural products to natural gas, President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) told a business community in Taipei on Thursday, as part of efforts to reduce the trade deficit with the United States.
• Trump against any change of Taiwan's status quo by force: Rubio CNA 20 Mar 2025 -- U.S. State Secretary Marco Rubio said Wednesday that President Donald Trump is opposed to any change of Taiwan's status quo by force or extortion and will maintain that policy.
• 'No debate needed' on revoking of Chinese influencer's residency: MAC CNA 20 Mar 2025 -- Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) suggested Thursday that video evidence means there is "no need for debate" over whether a Chinese influencer living in Taiwan had called for China's annexation of Taiwan through military force.
• Over 40 Taiwanese under investigation over Chinese ID documents CNA 20 Mar 2025 -- More than 40 Taiwanese citizens are under investigation for allegedly holding Chinese identity cards, and 14 individuals have already been notified that their Taiwanese household registrations and other documents will be revoked, according to Taiwan's Interior Minister Liu Shyh-fang (劉世芳) on Thursday.
• U.S. experts back President Lai's response to China annexation threat CNA 20 Mar 2025 -- U.S. experts have voiced their support in recent days for Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te's (賴清德) approach to protecting Taiwan in the face of China's annexation threat.
• China's intimidation tactics against Taiwan threaten freedom of speech: U.S. CNA 20 Mar 2025 -- The U.S. Department of State said Wednesday that China's intimidation campaign against Taiwan is threat to freedom of speech and a destabilizing factor in the Indo-Pacific region.
• New measures adopted to facilitate Taiwan compatriots' study, work and life on mainland: spokesperson Global Times 20 Mar 2025 -- Starting from Thursday, the National Immigration Administration (NIA) has adopted two new measures to further facilitate Taiwan residents' study, work and life on the mainland, said Chen Binhua, a spokesperson for China's State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, at press conference.
• PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan ROC MND 20 Mar 2025
• Press Statement by Policy Section Chief of Institute for Japan Studies under DPRK Foreign Ministry KCNA 20 Mar 2025 -- The policy section chief of the Institute for Japan Studies under the DPRK Foreign Ministry on Thursday issued the following press statement titled "Japan's reckless possession of preemptive attack capability will only expose the archipelago as a common target of regional countries":
• Iran releases French citizen detained since October 2022: Macron IRNA 20 Mar 2025 -- Iran has released French citizen Olivier Grondeau, who had been detained since October 2022 on security charges, French President Emmanuel Macron has announced.
• Foreign Minister: Iran will respond to Trump's letter Press TV 20 Mar 2025 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that the Islamic Republic will respond to the letter of US President Donald Trump in the coming days through appropriate channels.
• Foreign Minister says Iran will overcome 'complexities' of U.S. politics to secure interests IRNA 20 Mar 2025 -- Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi says the Islamic Republic will overcome the "complexities" posed by the United States and secure its interests.
• Sanctioning Entities Purchasing and Transporting Iranian Oil to Further Impose Maximum Pressure on Iran US Dept. of State 20 Mar 2025 -- The U.S. Department of State is today sanctioning Huaying Huizhou Daya Bay Petrochemical Terminal Storage, an oil terminal in China, for buying and storing Iranian crude oil from a sanctioned vessel.
• Sanctioning Additional Entities That Have Traded in Iran's Petroleum US Dept. of State 20 Mar 2025 -- The Iranian regime continues to fuel conflict in Middle East, pursue its nuclear program, and support its terrorist proxies. Iran's oil exports are enabled by a network of illicit shipping facilitators in multiple jurisdictions who, through obfuscation and deception, load and transport Iranian oil for sale to buyers in Asia.
• Treasury Sanctions Network Supporting Iran's Oil Exports US Treasury 20 Mar 2025 -- Today, the Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is designating a "teapot" oil refinery and its chief executive officer for purchasing and refining hundreds of millions of dollars' worth of Iranian crude oil, including from vessels linked to the Foreign Terrorist Organization, Ansarallah, commonly known as the Houthis, and the Iranian Ministry of Defense of Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL).
• US imposes new round of sanctions against Iran Press TV 20 Mar 2025 -- The United States Department of the Treasury has imposed a new round of sanctions against Iran, targeting several entities, including independent Chinese teapot refineries, as well as vessels that supplied Iranian crude oil to these processing plants.
• President Pezeshkian pledges economic reforms in Nowruz address Press TV 20 Mar 2025 -- Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian has promised to find a way to tackle inflation, stating that livelihood, housing, health, and education remain the top priorities of his administration for the new Iranian year.
• Ayatollah Khamenei calls for 'investments for production' in New Year message Press TV 20 Mar 2025 -- Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has felicitated the Iranian nation on the occasion of Nowruz and called for "Investments for Production" in his New Year message.
• UK, German envoys summoned over anti-Iran draft resolution at Human Rights Council Press TV 20 Mar 2025 -- British and German diplomatic representatives to Tehran have been called to the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in protest at their governments' move to present a draft resolution against the Islamic Republic at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC).
• Transcript of the Media Briefing by the Spokesperson Thursday, 20 March 2025 Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs 20 Mar 2025
• HRH the Crown Prince Receives Phone Call from French President SPA 20 Mar 2025 -- His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, received a phone call today from President of the French Republic Emmanuel Macron.
• "As the dark shadow of terror moves away from politics, the democratic space of politics will further expand" Presidency of The Republic of Turkey 20 Mar 2025 -- Speaking after an iftar dinner with former members of the parliament, President Erdoğan said: "As the dark shadow of terror moves away from politics, words will grow stronger and the democratic space of politics will further expand. We as the government and the alliance are both sincere and determined to rid Türkiye of its 40-year-old lump."
• UK, France and Switzerland announce new alliance to tackle bribery and corruption threat Federal Council - Swiss Government 20 Mar 2025 -- On 20 March 2025, the UK's Serious Fraud Office, France's Parquet National Financier (PNF) and the Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland (OAG) affirmed their shared commitment to tackling international bribery and corruption. To strengthen their cooperation, the three partners signed a 'Founding Statement' that includes the establishment of a task force.
• European Council: press remarks by High Representative Kaja Kallas upon arrival European External Action Service (EEAS) 20 Mar 2025
• Año denies role in Duterte's arrest, calls conspiracy claims 'unfair' Philippine News Agency 20 Mar 2025 -- National Security Adviser Eduardo Año on Thursday denied any involvement in the arrest of former president Rodrigo Duterte, refuting claims that he was part of a supposed core group that orchestrated the operation.
• Remulla: ICC has no jurisdiction over PH, only individuals Philippine News Agency 20 Mar 2025 -- Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Thursday reaffirmed that the International Criminal Court (ICC) has no jurisdiction over the Philippines as a state, but only over individuals accused of crimes under international humanitarian law.
• Vietnam police arrest democracy activist for alleged anti-government plot Radio Free Asia 20 Mar 2025 -- Police in southern Vietnam have arrested a 28-year-old man on charges of trying to overthrow the communist government, according to a police website.