October, 2022

• 19 October

  Is Turkey using HTS to strengthen its hand in Syria?

  

  Amid Ankara’s overtures to Damascus, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham — the radical group controlling Idlib — has seized Afrin and is seeking a deal to expand its control further into territories held by factions allied with Turkey. A dramatic shift of control has been underway in Afrin and other areas held …

  Read More »
• 18 October

  Major takeaways from Xi Jinping’s report to 20th CPC National Congress

  

  The following are major takeaways from Xi Jinping’s report to the ongoing 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC). — Our Party has dedicated itself to achieving lasting greatness for the Chinese nation and committed itself to the noble cause of peace and development for humanity. Our …

  Read More »
• 18 October

  Ukraine: EU sets up a military assistance mission to further support the Ukrainian Armed Forces

  

  The Council today agreed to set up a Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine (EUMAM Ukraine). The aim of the mission is to contribute to enhancing the military capability of Ukraine’s Armed Forces to effectively conduct military operations, in order to allow Ukraine to defend its territorial integrity within …

  Read More »
• 18 October

  Serbian president remains firmly against EU’s Russian sanctions

  

  Serbian President Aleksander Vucic has once again doubled down on his refusal to align with EU sanctions against Russia, despite growing pressure from the EU. The Western Balkan country has refused to align with sanctions laid down following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and subsequent war crimes carried out against citizens. …

  Read More »
• 18 October

  15 European nations sign LoI to strengthen air and missile defence

  

  The European Sky Shield Initiative will enable nations to jointly procure air defence equipment and missiles. Defence Ministers representing 14 NATO member states and Finland have signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) in Belgium to develop the European Sky Shield Initiative. The multi-national initiative, led by Germany, is intended to …

  Read More »
• 18 October

  US announces additional $725m in security assistance for Ukraine

  

  High-speed anti-radiation missiles and 5,000 anti-tank weapons are part of the package. The US Department of Defense (Dod) has confirmed additional security assistance worth over $725m to equip Ukraine’s armed forces with key defence capabilities. The latest aid package is the 23rd presidential drawdown of equipment from Dod stocks for …

  Read More »
• 18 October

  EU slaps human rights sanctions on Iran, warns of more over Ukraine

  

  Several European Union foreign ministers on Monday called for sanctions against Iran over the transfer of Iranian drones to Russia, as the bloc agreed a separate set of asset freezes and travel bans over Tehran’s crackdown on protests. The sanctions and threat of more will pile pressure on Iran’s rulers …

  Read More »
• 18 October

  Hardline Syria rebels sweep across north, 27 killed in clashes

  

  Hardline rebel fighters in northern Syria have clawed territory away from their Turkey-backed rivals this week in clashes that have left more than two dozen dead, the factions and a war monitor said on Friday. Tensions erupted earlier this month between a rebel group backed by Turkey and more hardline …

  Read More »
• 18 October

  How many Iranian drones does Russia have left in its arsenal against Ukraine?

  

  Russia has approximately 300 Iranian drones left in its arsenal but plans to buy thousands more, the Ukrainian Defense Ministry said on Friday evening, even as on Sunday morning Iranian officials continued to deny the sale of any weapons to Moscow for use in the invasion of Ukraine.

  Read More »
• 18 October

  Iran’s Protests Persist After One Month

  

  A month after Iran’s protest movement first erupted, it appears to be gaining steam in the face of Tehran’s violent crackdown, which human rights groups say has killed at least 233 people—including 32 children. To crush dissent, security forces have pulled from a brutal playbook, including firing assault rifles at …

  Read More »