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Defense Policy / Programs

• Vice President JD Vance Addresses the Naval Academy's Class of 2025 The White House 23 May 2025
• National Guard Bureau Chief Says Guard Delivers 'Incredible Value' DoD News 23 May 2025 -- Appearing before the Senate Appropriations Committee's defense subcommittee yesterday, the 30th chief of the National Guard Bureau emphasized the guard's value to America.
• Vance Tells Midshipmen Their Service Will Not Be Squandered on Rudderless Missions DoD News 23 May 2025 -- Future warfighters will always have a clear mission, with clear goals, before heading out to do the nation's business, Vice President JD Vance said today during his commencement address to the 2025 graduating class of the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland.
• Forces Command commander visits NATO unit in Greece Army News 23 May 2025 -- The commanding general of U.S. Army Forces Command recently visited the NATO Rapid Deployable Corps-Greece headquarters in Thessaloniki, May 8, 2025.
• US Mulls Relocating Around 4,500 Troops From South Korea - Reports Sputnik 23 May 2025 -- The United States is considering pulling out thousands of its troops from South Korea, the Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday, citing defense officials familiar with the discussions.
• Spacecom Leader Outlines Vision for Space Security DoD News 23 May 2025 -- As Russian forces attacked Ukraine's communication infrastructure in 2022, the Ukrainian military turned to a commercial satellite system to maintain operations. With over 7,000 satellites in orbit, that system provided internet access, which enabled battlefield communications, drone coordination and real-time intelligence imagery that revealed Russian troop movements.
• B-52 executes MIGHTY RHINO, integrating with African partners USSTRATCOM 23 May 2025 -- A U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress aircraft assigned to Bomber Task Force Europe executed mission MIGHTY RHINO on May 23, integrating with African partner forces in Morocco.
• Türkiye hosts international Exercise Anatolian Phoenix with NATO Allies and Partners NATO Allied Air Command 23 May 2025 -- Türkiye hosted its live-fly exercise ANATOLIAN PHOENIX out of 3rd Main Jet Base, Konya from May 12 to 23, 2025. Providing the multinational participants with realistic combat training opportunities in a complex high-threat operating environment.
• Exercise STEADFAST DETERRENCE 2025, to Strengthen Strategic Readiness, underway NATO SHAPE 23 May 2025 -- NATO's exercise STEADFAST DETERRENCE 2025 is ongoing at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) and United States European Command (USEUCOM), marking a major milestone in the Alliance's effort to enhance collective defence and operational integration.
• Allies review progress with NATO cyber defence pledge, identify next steps to increase cyber resilience NATO 23 May 2025 -- On 20-21 May 2025, NATO Allies and several Partner nations met in Poland for NATO's annual Cyber Defence Pledge Conference.
• Russia Remains Among Top 5 Arms Exporters Worldwide - Putin Sputnik 23 May 2025 -- Russia continues to be among the top five arms exporters in the world, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday.
• State Material Reserves: Government approves new procedure for release and sale of material assets Ukraine Government 23 May 2025 -- The Government has approved the Resolution "On Approval of the Procedure for Release of Material Assets of State Reserves".
• Ukraine to receive six robotic demining systems from France Ukraine Government 23 May 2025 -- Six modern ROCUS unmanned demining systems will be transferred to Ukraine as part of a grant agreement between France and Ukraine signed last summer.
• Probe Says Russian Military Hackers Target Romanian Surveillance Cameras To Track Ukraine Aid RFE/RL 23 May 2025 -- Russian military intelligence (GRU) has targeted thousands of surveillance cameras across Romania and other NATO countries bordering Ukraine in an attempt to monitor the flow of military and humanitarian aid to Kyiv, according to a recent investigation involving the United States and several European nations.
• Chinese Defense Minister meets with Chief of Defence Forces of Royal Thai Armed Forces PRC MND 23 May 2025 -- Chinese Defense Minister Admiral Dong Jun met with the visiting General Songwit Noonpackdee, Chief of Defence Forces of the Royal Thai Armed Forces (RTARF), in Beijing on May 23, 2025.
• INTERVIEW/Taiwan military boosts readiness amid rising China threat: Defense minister CNA 23 May 2025 -- Taiwan's armed forces are focused on combat readiness as a core element of deterrence in response to growing threats from China, Minister of National Defense Wellington Koo (顧立雄) told CNA.
• Albanese Government investment in defence industry provides critical support for local manufacturing and jobs Australia DOD 23 May 2025 -- The Albanese Government has awarded grants to more than 50 businesses across the country that provide priority defence capabilities with the funding supporting hundreds of jobs and a future made in Australia.
• North Korean warship tough to salvage after launch failure, analysts say Radio Free Asia 23 May 2025 -- A newly built North Korean destroyer that was damaged during a launch attempt this week may have suffered irreparable harm, analysts said, as the communist nation's authorities moved to arrest those responsible.
• Investigation into Destroyer Launch Accident Intensified KCNA 23 May 2025 -- An investigation group of the destroyer launch accident got down to a full-scale investigation into the serious accident occurred at the Chongjin Shipyard.
• UK cedes control of Chagos Islands, retains rule over Diego Garcia Press TV 23 May 2025 -- Britain has signed a deal to hand control of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius and lease back the UK-US Diego Garcia military base for 101 million pounds a year.
• French Spy Ship Arrives in Baltic Sea to Monitor Russian Navy - Reports Sputnik 23 May 2025 -- The French naval intelligence vessel Dupuy de Lome has arrived in Helsinki to monitor the Russian navy in the Baltic Sea, the Estonian newspaper Postimees reported.
• Lithuania Brigade: Ready to protect the Baltic region Germany - Federal Ministry of Defence 23 May 2025 -- The next milestone toward a permanent deployment of approx. 5,000 Bundeswehr personnel in the Baltic region has been reached. On 1 April, 45 Armoured Brigade had been activated to form the nucleus of the Brigade - now the official activation ceremony followed in Vilnius. Federal Chancellor Merz also attended the ceremony in Lithuania.
• Statement by the Spokesperson in Response to a Media Query Regarding Remarks Made by Former US National Security Advisor, John Bolton, Concerning Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's Statement on Pakistan's Nuclear Weapons Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs 23 May 2025 -- In response to a media query regarding remarks made by former US National Security Advisor, John Bolton, to an Indian media outlet, concerning Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's statement on Pakistan's nuclear weapons, the Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued the following statement:
• Baltic defence ministers reiterated their commitment to increase defence spending to 5% of GDP from 2026 Estonia MoD 23 May 2025 -- Defence Ministers of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania met at Ämari Air Base to align positions ahead of the upcoming NATO Summit in The Hague this June.
• The Estonian Defence Forces have concluded their largest exercise of the year, Hedgehog 25 Estonia Defence Forces 23 May 2025 -- Today, on May 23, concluded the Estonian Defence Forces' largest exercise of the year, Hedgehog 25. More than 16,000 troops from Estonia and Allied countries participated, bringing together military personnel from 14 nations to train defending Estonia on Estonian soil.
• Live Fire Exercises at the Estonian Defence Forces Exercise Hedgehog 25 Are Coming to an End Estonia Defence Forces 23 May 2025 -- 19.-23. May, Live Fire Exercises between Estonian and allied units are taking place at the Estonian Defence Forces' Central Training Area, Rutja, and Nursipalu training area.
• President and Ministerial Committee on Foreign and Security Policy discuss support for Ukraine, the situation in Gaza and Finland's objectives for the Meeting of NATO Ministers of Defence Finnish Government 23 May 2025 -- In their meeting on Friday 23 May, the President of the Republic and the Ministerial Committee on Foreign and Security Policy discussed the current efforts to put an end to Russia's unlawful war of aggression and achieve a just and lasting peace in Ukraine, as well as Finland's participation in NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine (NSATU).
• Draft decree to implement total ban on real estate acquisitions sent out for comments Finnish MoD 23 May 2025 -- On 11 April 2025, the Finnish Parliament adopted an act to enable the Ministry of Defence to prevent real estate transactions by individuals or entities whose state of nationality is waging a war of aggression and may be considered to pose a threat to Finland's national security.
• Export controls for critical new technologies to be strengthened to prevent their military use Latvia MFA 23 May 2025 -- Latvia, together with the other European Union Member States, has added artificial intelligence (AI), quantum and semiconductor technologies to the export control list.
• Belgium's contribution is necessary for the security of Lithuania and the whole NATO and the EU, says Vice Minister of National Defence K. Aleksa Lithuania MND 23 May 2025 -- Vice Minister of National Defence Karolis Aleksa met with Minister of Defence of Belgium Theo Francken who is on a work visit in Lithuania. K. Aleksa and T. Francken discussed bilateral defence cooperation, agenda of the upcoming NATO Summit, initiatives strengthening the EU defence capabilities, protection of undersea infrastructure, and support to Ukraine.
• Lithuania and Germany solemnly inaugurate the German Brigade Litauen in a historical step to Lithuania's and NATO security Lithuania MND 23 May 2025 -- A solemn inauguration ceremony of the 45 German Brigade Litauen was held in the Cathedral Square of Vilnius marking the official activation of the unit in Lithuania.
• NZ and Australia: navigating turbulent times together New Zealand Government 23 May 2025 -- New Zealand and Australia are redoubling our efforts to navigate an increasingly challenging strategic environment together, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.
• Signing of the Agreement between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of the Republic of Mauritius concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan 23 May 2025
• Thai air force chooses Swedish Gripen jets over the US F-16 Radio Free Asia 23 May 2025 -- Thailand's air force has decided to buy a new squadron of fighter jets from Sweden rejecting a rival bid from the U.S. in spite of pressure from the Trump administration for the country to import more American goods.
• Trump's "white genocide" image is from DR Congo, not South Africa: report People's Daily 23 May 2025 -- An image U.S. President Donald Trump showed as evidence of "white genocide" in South Africa is actually a video screenshot taken in the Democratic Republic of Congo, not South Africa.
• Secretary Rubio's Meeting with Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government Prime Minister Barzani US Dept. of State 23 May 2025

Defense Industry

• Contracts For May 23, 2025

Other Conflicts

Ukraine Conflict News
• 23 May 2025 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 23 May 2025

Operation Iron Swords / Operation Al-Aqsa Flood | Operation Northern Arrows

• Israeli police, protesters clash after Netanyahu names new Shin Bet chief Press TV 23 May 2025 -- Israeli police have clashed with protesters after prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu appointed the new head of the Shin Bet spy agency in defiance of the attorney general's instruction to freeze the process.
• Hamas censures expanded Israeli military aggression in Jenin, attack on foreign diplomats Press TV 23 May 2025 -- The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas has strongly denounced an expanded bulldozing and destruction campaign by Israeli forces in the occupied West Bank city of Jenin, which has now entered its 123rd consecutive day.
• Israeli war on health workers: Gaza official says 12 skilled ICU nurses killed in one week Press TV 23 May 2025 -- Muneer Alboursh, director general of the Palestinian health ministry in Gaza, says Israel has killed 12 health workers in the past week, many of them in targeted attacks on their homes.
• Over 50 killed, missing after Israeli strike on residential building in Gaza Press TV 23 May 2025 -- More than 50 Palestinians have been killed or remain missing after an Israeli air raid on a residential building in the Jabalia al-Balad area of northern Gaza, Palestinian Civil Defense sources say.
• Guterres calls on Israel to accept UN's 'detailed, principled' aid plan for Gaza UN News 23 May 2025 -- The UN Secretary-General on Friday outlined a five-stage plan to provide lifesaving aid to the stricken population of Gaza, making clear the organization will not take part in any scheme that fails to respect international law or basic humanitarian principles.
• Aid teams highlight growing anxiety in Gaza after food is looted UN News 23 May 2025 -- Long-awaited food supplies have been looted in Gaza overnight while being transported to desperate communities in the war-torn enclave, UN aid teams reported on Friday.
• INTERVIEW: Time's being wasted on politics of aid while deaths mount in Gaza, warns senior official UN News 23 May 2025 -- The UN already has a proven system to deliver assistance to people in Gaza and will not take part in any plan that does not uphold universally established humanitarian principles, a spokesperson for aid coordination office OCHA affirmed on Friday.
• Diplomats prepare ground for June conference on two-State solution for Israel and Palestine UN News 23 May 2025 -- Diplomats convened at UN Headquarters in New York on Friday to lay the groundwork for a crucial international conference in June, aimed at advancing global efforts towards achieving a two-State solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict.
• UNRWA Commissioner-General on Gaza: The aid going in now is a needle in a haystack UNRWA 23 May 2025
• UNRWA Situation Report #172 on the Humanitarian Crisis in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. All information updated for 15 - 22 May 202 UNRWA 23 May 2025
• WFP Statement WFP 23 May 2025 -- 15 World Food Programme trucks were looted late last night in Southern Gaza, while en route to WFP-supported bakeries. These trucks were transporting critical food supplies for hungry populations waiting anxiously for assistance.
• 90 truckloads of UN aid delivered to Gazans, breaking 11-week blockade People's Daily 23 May 2025 -- The first aid in 11 weeks delivered to Gazans includes nutrition supplies, flour, medicines and other critical goods, UN humanitarians said Thursday.
• Stability in the Middle East and in Lebanon is important for our national security as well. Government of Norway 23 May 2025 -- Norway gives high priority to enhancing stability, security and development, and this was highlighted during the visit by Minister of International Development Åsmund Aukrust to Lebanon today.
• Norway to receive more patients from Gaza Government of Norway 23 May 2025 -- The Norwegian Government has decided to accept up to 15 new patients from Gaza.
• DFA Statement on the Humanitarian Situation in Gaza Philippines DFA 23 May 2025 -- The Philippines calls for the full, safe, rapid, and unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian civilian population throughout the Gaza Strip.
• PH urges unhindered humanitarian aid access to Gaza Philippine News Agency 23 May 2025 -- The Philippines on Friday called for the "full, safe, rapid, and unhindered delivery" of humanitarian assistance to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip amid mounting concerns over famine and a worsening humanitarian crisis.
• We should use the conference to form measures to safeguard the Two-State Solution and uphold international law: UK statement at the UN UK FCDO 23 May 2025 -- Statement by Stephen Hickey, Director for Middle East and North Africa in the FCDO, at the Preparatory meeting of the High-Level International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution.
• The Arab Plan for Early Recovery, Reconstruction and Development sets out a realistic path for the reconstruction of Gaza: UK statement at the UN UK FCDO 23 May 2025 -- Statement by Stephen Hickey, Director for Middle East and North Africa in the FCDO, at the Preparatory meeting of the High-Level International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution.
• Yemen hits Ben Gurion Airport with hypersonic ballistic missile IRNA 23 May 2025 -- Yemeni Armed Forces spokesperson Brigadier-General Yahya Saree announced that they have carried out a special military operation against Ben Gurion Airport in the occupied Jaffa area using a hypersonic ballistic missile.
• Sirens blare in Israeli-occupied lands as Yemen launches fresh missile attack Press TV 23 May 2025 -- The Israeli military says a ballistic missile fired from Yemen activated sirens in the central region of the Israeli-occupied territories, as the Yemeni Armed Forces continue their operations in solidarity with Palestinians facing a genocidal Israeli onslaught in the Gaza Strip.

Operation SINDOOR / Operation Bunyanun Marsoos

• Pakistan Categorically Rejects the Baseless, Provocative, and Irresponsible Allegations made by the Indian Prime Minister Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs 23 May 2025 -- Pakistan categorically rejects the baseless, provocative, and irresponsible allegations made by the Indian Prime Minister during a recent public address in Rajasthan.
• Transcript of the Media Briefing by the Spokesperson on Friday, 23rd May 2025 Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs 23 May 2025

Other Conflicts

• UNICEF Deputy Executive Director Ted Chaiban's remarks at the United Nations Security Council Arria Formula Meeting: Freshwater Resources and Related Infrastructure under Attack - Protecting Water in Armed Conflict - Protecting Civilian Lives UNICEF 23 May 2025
• AFP: Recent WPS resupply not China-supervised Philippine News Agency 23 May 2025 -- The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Friday night dismissed China Coast Guard (CCG) claims that it allowed and supervised a rotation and resupply (RORE) mission to the BRP Sierra Madre (LS-57) in Ayungin Shoal stationed at West Philippine Sea (WPS).
• Senator seeks protest after China hits PH research vessel Philippine News Agency 23 May 2025 -- Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada on Friday condemned the China Coast Guard's (CCG) latest act of aggression in the West Philippine Sea, calling for a firm and unequivocal diplomatic protest following the water cannoning and ramming of a Philippine fisheries research vessel near Pag-asa Island.
• PH slams CCG aggression, asserts jurisdiction over Sandy Cay in WPS Philippine News Agency 23 May 2025 -- The Philippines on Friday asserted its sovereignty and jurisdiction over Pag-asa Island and its surrounding cays, strongly condemning the Chinese Coast Guard's (CCG) latest "aggressive actions" against two Filipino research vessels in the area.
• Foreign missions air concern over new Chinese water cannoning in WPS Philippine News Agency 23 May 2025 -- The foreign missions of the United States, Japan, Canada, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and New Zealand aired concern over the Chinese Coast Guard's (CCG) latest use of water cannon against civilian Filipino vessels in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
• CCG employs water cannon warning at Tiexian Jiao for 1st time in response to escalated Philippine provocation: on-site video shows Global Times 23 May 2025 -- A briefing by the China Coast Guard (CCG) said on Thursday that Philippine government vessels 3002 and 3003 illegally intruded into the waters near Zhubi Jiao and Tiexian Jiao of China's Nansha Qundao on Wednesday without permission from the Chinese government. The Philippine side also organized personnel to illegally land on Tiexian Jiao and carry out activities there. In response, CCG law enforcement personnel carried out control measures in accordance with the law and conducted on-reef inspection and evidence collection of illegal activity.
• Providing Sanctions Relief for the Syrian People US Dept. of State 23 May 2025 -- In accordance with the President's promise to deliver sanctions relief to Syria, I have issued a 180-day waiver of mandatory Caesar Act sanctions to ensure sanctions do not impede the ability of our partners to make stability-driving investments, and advance Syria's recovery and reconstruction efforts.
• Treasury Issues Immediate Sanctions Relief for Syria US Treasury 23 May 2025 -- Today, the Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued Syria General License (GL) 25to provide immediate sanctions relief for Syria in line with the President's announcement for the cessation of all sanctions on Syria. GL 25 authorizes transactions prohibited by the Syrian Sanctions Regulations, effectively lifting sanctions on Syria.
• Syrians face staggering needs amid insecurity and healthcare crisis UN News 23 May 2025 -- Millions of people in Syria continue to face mortal danger from unexploded munitions, disease and malnutrition and more international support is urgently required, senior UN aid officials said on Friday.
• Comment by Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova on the school bus bombing in Pakistan Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 23 May 2025
• UNHCR fears extreme desperation led to deaths of 427 Rohingya at sea UNHCR 23 May 2025 -- UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is gravely concerned about reports of two boat tragedies off the coast of Myanmar earlier this month, with estimates that 427 Rohingya perished at sea.
• UNHCR underscores plight of Rohingya refugees amid alarming reports UN News 23 May 2025 -- The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) on Friday released a statement expressing grave concern over reports that two boats carrying Rohingya refugees sank off the coast of Myanmar earlier this month, with an estimated 427 people dead.
• Escalating violence drives food crisis across eastern DR Congo, warns WFP UN News 23 May 2025 -- As violence intensifies in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the World Food Programme (WFP) warned Friday that food insecurity is worsening both within the country and in neighbouring States, where 140,000 Congolese have fled since January.
• As more people are driven from their homes in DRC food insecurity worsens, creating heightened humanitarian needs regionally WFP 23 May 2025 -- The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) warned today that the sheer scale of people being displaced from their homes in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) due to escalating conflict, is pushing food insecurity to crisis proportions and deepening an already strained humanitarian response both internally and across the region.
• UN rights chief calls on South Sudan's warring parties to end renewed fighting UN News 23 May 2025 -- The UN on Friday warned of further deterioration in the human rights situation in South Sudan amid an uptick in hostilities, arbitrary arrests and hate speech since February.
• South Sudan: UN human rights chief decries escalating hostilities, arbitrary arrests and hate speech OHCHR 23 May 2025 -- UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk today warned of a further deterioration in the human rights situation in South Sudan following a sharp increase in hostilities, arbitrary arrests and hate speech in the country since February.
• UNHCR: New displacement and funding squeeze intensify Mozambique crisis UNHCR 23 May 2025 -- Over 25,000 people have been newly displaced in Mozambique in a matter of weeks. They join close to 1.3 million people who have been uprooted by the armed conflict, back-to-back cyclones and drought. With critical funding running out, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, like other humanitarian actors, is raising the alarm. Its ability to protect and assist those in urgent need is being pushed to the limit.
• Transnistria to Keep Terror Threat Alert Until Danger Passes Sputnik 23 May 2025 -- The terror alert in Transnistria will remain in place until the threat is eliminated, Transnistrian President Vadim Krasnoselsky told Sputnik.

News Reports

• ORDERING THE REFORM OF THE NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION The White House 23 May 2025
• REFORMING NUCLEAR REACTOR TESTING AT THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY The White House 23 May 2025
• REINVIGORATING THE NUCLEAR INDUSTRIAL BAS The White House 23 May 2025
• Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Directs Reform of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission The White House 23 May 2025
• Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Streamlines Nuclear Reactor Testing at the Department of Energy The White House 23 May 2025
• Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Deploys Advanced Nuclear Reactor Technologies for National Security The White House 23 May 2025
• Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Reinvigorates the Nuclear Industrial Base The White House 23 May 2025
• Explainer: What do we know about Qatar's Air Force One gift to Trump? People's Daily 23 May 2025 -- The Pentagon announced Wednesday that the United States has accepted a Boeing 747 aircraft as a gift from Qatar, with plans to quickly modify the jet to serve as the next Air Force One to transport President Donald Trump.
• US government bars Harvard from enrolling international students; current students required to transfer Global Times 23 May 2025 -- The US Donald Trump administration on Thursday revoked Harvard University's certification under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), effectively barring the institution from enrolling new international students, the Xinhua News Agency reported.
• Georgian National Extradited from Moldova to Face Charges for Soliciting Hate Crimes and Planning Mass Casualty Attack in New York City US Dept. of Justice 23 May 2025 -- Georgian national Michail Chkhikvishvili, also known as Mishka, Michael, Commander Butcher, and Butcher, 21, of Tbilisi, was extradited to the United States from Moldova on May 22, and will be arraigned in federal court in Brooklyn today.
• Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the EU on the alignment of certain countries with Council Decision concerning restrictive measures against cyber-attacks threatening the Union or its Member States EC/CEU 23 May 2025 -- On 12 May 2025, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2025/8871 concerning restrictive measures against cyber-attacks threatening the Union or its Member States.
• Decrease in the terrorist threat level from high to elevated Swedish Security Service 23 May 2025 -- The Head of the Swedish Security Service has made a decision to decrease the terrorist threat level from high to elevated. The reason for this decision is that the threat to Sweden has gradually changed and that the attack threat from violent Islamism has decreased since late 2023.
• Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's remarks and answers to media questions at the diplomatic conference Historically South Russian Lands: National Identity and Self-Determination of Peoples, Moscow, May 23, 2025 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 23 May 2025
• Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's answers to media questions, Moscow, May 23, 2025 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 23 May 2025
• From 1 June, Lithuania will no longer recognize non-biometric passports issued by Russia Lithuania MFA 23 May 2025 -- On 23 May, a joint order by the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Internal Affairs decided to no longer recognize non-biometric passports issued by the Russian Federation (RF) as valid travel documents for entering Lithuanian territory.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning's Regular Press Conference on May 23, 2025 PRC MofA 23 May 2025
• Senior Chinese, US diplomats hold phone call, agreeing to maintain continued communication Global Times 23 May 2025 -- Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu held a phone conversation on Thursday, with US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau, during which they exchanged views on China-US relations and important issues of mutual interest. Both sides agreed to maintain continued communication, according to a release from Chinese Foreign Ministry.
• Xi says China ready to work with Germany to open new chapter in all-round strategic partnership PRC MND 23 May 2025 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping said Friday that China is ready to work with Germany to open a new chapter in their all-round strategic partnership, to steer China-EU relations toward new progress and to make new contributions to the stable growth of the world economy.
• China protests Japan's detention of Taiwan island's fishing boat; urges it to prevent recurrence: FM spokesperson Global Times 23 May 2025 -- A fishing vessel named Hongcaitou No.6 from the Taiwan island was recently detained by a Japanese patrol vessel on the grounds of violating fisheries regulations and was only released after paying a hefty bail.
• PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan ROC MND 23 May 2025
• Weekly COVID-19 cases could hit 100,000 during peak in June: CDC CNA 23 May 2025 -- As new COVID-19 cases continue to surge in Taiwan, the number of outpatient and emergency visits could reach 100,000 during the peak of the outbreak in June, a health official said Friday.
• Press Statement of Spokesperson for Korea Association for Human Rights Studies KCNA 23 May 2025 -- A spokesperson of the Korea Association for Human Rights Studies issued the following press statement on May 23:
• Advanced Iranian satellite awaiting launch; more satellites to hit launch queue: Official Press TV 23 May 2025 -- The head of the Iranian Space Research Center announces that the country is to launch an advanced communication satellite, while a state-of-the-art remote sensing satellite is to hit the launch queue and several research satellites are undergoing the manufacturing process.
• Both Sides Report Some Progress In Fifth Round Of Talks On Iran's Nuclear Program RFE/RL 23 May 2025 -- A fifth round of nuclear talks between the United States and Iran has concluded in Rome with signs of limited progress in the negotiations over Iran's nuclear program.
• Araqchi: Negotiations remain open; new ideas go to capitals IRNA 23 May 2025 -- Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araqachi says that the fifth round of talks between Iran and the U.S. was among "the most professional sessions" of the negotiations.
• Iran continues to hold ground; US gains better understanding of Tehran's nuclear position: FM Araghchi Press TV 23 May 2025 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi hails "one of the most professional" rounds of talks with the United States, saying Tehran will continue to hold its ground and insist on its "completely clear" positions.
• Iran, US Reach Greater Understanding After Talks in Rome - Foreign Minister Sputnik 23 May 2025 -- Iran and the United States have reached a greater understanding following the talks in Rome on the Iranian nuclear dossier, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Friday.
• Exclusive | Fifth round of Iran-U.S. nuclear negotiations concludes IRNA 23 May 2025 -- The fifth round of negotiations between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States has come to an end in Rome, Italy.
• Exclusive | Foreign Ministry spokesperson: Negotiations are being held in a professional atmosphere IRNA 23 May 2025 -- The spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs says that the talks between Iran and the U.S. are taking place in a professional environment.
• Iran, US hold 5th round of talks as Tehran asserts nuclear goalpost 'unchanged' Press TV 23 May 2025 -- Iran and the United States have started a fifth round of negotiations over Tehran's nuclear program in the Italian capital of Rome, with uranium enrichment emerging as the key issue.
• Iran will address U.S. contradictory stances and sanctions at the start of the talks: Foreign Ministry spokesperson IRNA 23 May 2025 -- Foreign Ministry spokesperson says that the Iranian negotiating team will explicitly raise concerns about the United States' contradictory positions and the continuation of the sanctions in the beginning of the negotiations.
• Iran's negotiating team determined to defend national interests and rights: Foreign Ministry spokesperson IRNA 23 May 2025 -- The spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs says that the Iranian negotiating team, currently in Rome for the fifth round of talks with the United States, is committed to defending the rights and interests of the Iranian nation.
• 'Time to decide': Iran FM heads to Rome for talks with warning to US Press TV 23 May 2025 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has headed to Rome to participate in the 5th round of indirect negotiations with the United States over the country's peaceful nuclear program.
• Foreign Ministry spokesperson criticizes U.S. sanctions ahead of new round of indirect talks IRNA 23 May 2025 -- Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei has stressed that the new U.S. sanctions announced ahead of the fifth round of indirect talks between the two sides cast doubt on Washington's seriousness to follow the path of diplomacy.
• Iran blasts 'outrageous' US sanctions ahead of new talks Press TV 23 May 2025 -- Iran says new US sanctions announced ahead of the fifth round of indirect talks between the two sides cast doubt on Washington's seriousness to follow the path of diplomacy.
• Iran Armed Forces warn US 'mischief' in region to unleash another Vietnam, Afghanistan Press TV 23 May 2025 -- Iran's Armed Forces say the United States is perpetrating miscalculations again by inciting the regional countries against the Islamic Republic, but warn that the country is well-guarded against any American missteps.
• Iran, US Dig In As Nuclear Talks Resume In Rome RFE/RL 23 May 2025
• As Iran And The US Stand Firm On Nuclear Red Lines, Who Will Step Back First? RFE/RL 23 May 2025 -- After nearly two weeks of escalating rhetoric that nearly led to the collapse of diplomacy, Iran and the United States have agreed to resume nuclear talks -- this time in Rome.
• International Day of Solidarity with Political Prisoners in Belarus: Joint Statement to the OSCE, May 2025 UK FCDO 23 May 2025 -- UK and 37 other countries call for immediate and unconditional release of political prisoners in Belarus.
• Press conference - Maitland Prime Minister of Australia 23 May 2025
• Prime Minister Carney speaks with Prime Minister of Norway Jonas Gahr Støre Prime Minister of Canada 23 May 2025 -- Today, the Prime Minister, Mark Carney, spoke with the Prime Minister of Norway, Jonas Gahr Støre.
• Secretary Rubio's Call with Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs Anand US Dept. of State 23 May 2025
• Press Conference by Foreign Minister IWAYA Takeshi Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan 23 May 2025
• Japan-U.S. Summit Telephone Talk Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan 23 May 2025 -- On May 23, commencing at 11:00 a.m. for approximately 45 minutes, Mr. ISHIBA Shigeru, Prime Minister of Japan, held a summit telephone talk with the Honorable Donald J. Trump, President of the United States of America.
• Council calls for a better use of space data to enhance crisis management EC/CEU 23 May 2025 -- The Council has today approved conclusions on the use of satellite data, in particular from Earth observation constellations, for civil protection and crisis management.
• Latvia Joins the Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies Latvia MFA 23 May 2025 -- On 23 May 2025, Latvia officially accedes to the Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies, or the Outer Space Treaty.
• North Macedonia: remarks by High Representative/Vice-President Kaja Kallas at the joint press conference European External Action Service (EEAS) 23 May 2025 -- Check against delivery!
• Secretary Rubio's Meeting with Venezuelan Opposition Figures US Dept. of State 23 May 2025
• El Salvador: Concerns over Foreign Agents law OHCHR 23 May 2025
• Uganda: Türk urges president to reject bill allowing trials of civilians in military courts OHCHR 23 May 2025 -- UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk on Friday expressed concern at the passing in Uganda's Parliament of proposed legislation to allow for civilians to be tried in military courts.
• Vietnam to block messaging app Telegram over 'anti-state' contents Radio Free Asia 23 May 2025 -- Vietnam's government has instructed telecommunications companies to block the Telegram messaging app after the Ministry of Public Security concluded it was being used to disseminate "anti-state" contents, state media reported Friday.