OSAC Newsletter 1/19/2023
January 19, 2023
Today's Headlines - OSAC's daily selection of global security news
Africa
Piercing thorns and stones underfoot did not stop the young woman as she charged through thickets, baby strapped to her back, fleeing armed militants who had kidnapped her with dozens of others in northern Burkina Faso last week.
Mass graves containing 49 bodies have been discovered in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, the United Nations said on Thursday, attributing the killings to an ethnic militia group.
President Adama Barrow declared a 7-day national mourning starting yesterday with all flags flying half-mast after the demise of Vice President Badara Alieu Joof, a statement released by The Gambia Government Spokesperson and Presidential Diaspora A...
The man who died on Tuesday, January 17 at Titanic Dam in Juja, Kiambu County alongside a woman said to be his girlfriend has been identified as Tairus Maina Gikonyo.
More than three months after scarcity of Premium Motor Spirit, otherwise known as petrol emerged in many parts of the country, attributable to alleged increase in ex-depot price, debt and logistics challenges, the situation appears to be getting wor...
A University of Fort Hare employee was found in his flat in Alice, with his hands tied and with tape over his mouth, after he failed to report for work. Eastern Cape police are investigating an attempted murder case after the 32-year-old man's colle...
According to Eyewitness News, the rising costs of food, fuel and electricity may give rise to social tensions, Efficient Group economist, Dawie Roodt has warned.
Amnesty International (AI) has described the arrest of 26 Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) activists as a chilling warning of a deadly election ahead, saying the Zimbabwean government will not hesitate to go after anyone who opposes them.
East Asia & Pacific
At least seven civilians were killed when Myanmar's armed forces launched air strikes at a village in the country's central Sagaing region, according to a witness and BBC Burmese.
As China's Lunar New Year approaches, mass travel returns for the first time since zero-COVID restrictions ended. Experts say a new COVID wave may be the result.
Ardern, who has become a global progressive icon since taking power in 2017, said she no longer had “enough in the tank” to do the job justice and would step down by Feb. 7.
Europe
A fire at a military base in Armenia early Thursday killed at least 15 soldiers, the Defense Ministry said. The Gegharkunik region borders Azerbaijan, which has been locked in a decades-long conflict with Armenia over Nagorno-Karabakh,
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Russia was ready to deploy troops to the Armenia-Azerbaijan border to quell tensions between the two countries, but Yerevan's hardline position had so far prevented it.
French workers angry over proposed changes to retirement rules are halting high-speed trains, disrupting electricity supplies and taking to the streets
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin will press Germany's new Defence Minister Boris Pistorius on Thursday to allow for the transfer of German-made tanks to Ukraine, U.S. officials said, as the two countries remained at loggerheads over the issue.
A number of U.S. citizens have been detained on criminal charges in Russia in recent years, with some ultimately freed in exchange for Russians detained in the United States.
Ankara wants Washington to expedite the sale of F-16 jets despite opposition from US lawmakers who are unhappy with Turkey's NATO hurdles and regional aggression.
Middle East & North Africa
Iran's armed forces general staff, which coordinates activities between its conventional army and the Revolutionary Guard Corps, warned the European Union on Thursday not to list the elite force as a terrorist entity, state media reported.
At least one football fan has been killed and 60 others injured in a crush outside a stadium in the southern Iraqi city of Basra, local media report.
The value of the Lebanese pound hit an all-time low Thursday, trading at 50,000 to the U.S. dollar, as the country’s deeply-divided parliament failed to elect a president for an 11th time.
South & Central Asia
The Dhaka Metropolitan Police issued a set of directives on traffic, parking and road diversions to ensure smooth travels for pilgrims attending the Biswa Ijtema, the second largest congregation of Muslims after the Hajj.
Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev dissolved the lower house of parliament on Thursday and called a snap election for March 19, his office said.
A 5.6-magnitude earthquake jolted Pakistan's Islamabad, and several cities of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Punjab, Gilgit Baltistan, and Azad Jammu on Thursday.
Western Hemisphere
Protesters ended blockades Wednesday that had largely isolated the rich Santa Cruz region from the rest of Bolivia for more than 15 days, but leaders said the roadblocks could resume to press demands that the government free the region’s governor.
The Guatemalan government’s effort to undo more than a decade of United Nations-backed anti-corruption work moved even beyond its borders this week, in what experts say is an election year attempt to assure conservative voters its like won’t be seen...
Authorities in western Mexico said Wednesday they have launched a search for two community activists who went missing after their bullet-ridden vehicle was found on a rural roadway. The two had been active in fighting a massive iron ore mine in the ...
People poured into Peru’s coastal capital, many from remote Andean regions, for a protest Thursday against President Dina Boluarte and in support of her predecessor, whose ouster last month launched deadly unrest and cast the nation into political c...
OSAC Analysis - Unclassified OSAC analytical reports and other resources
Middle East & North Africa
OSAC reissued this Country Security Report (CSR) on January 17, 2023 following minor updates.
Western Hemisphere
Following the December 7 removal of Pedro Castillo from the presidency, protests throughout the south of Peru forced road and airport closures, stranding many tourists and travelers. Protests resumed on January 4 following a holiday hiatus and have ...
Consular Messages - Department of State travel advisories and alerts
Western Hemisphere
The United States Embassy has been informed of several robberies over the past 18 months of United States citizens targeted through the use of dating apps, especially apps popular within the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex (...
Protests and demonstrations are expected to take place in Lima on January 19. Please exercise increased caution and do not approach demonstrators. U.S. citizens should avoid crowds and follow the instructions of local authorities.
Due to potential demonstrations and associated transportation problems that may occur in Lima, the Embassy will cancel all in-person American Citizen Services and visa appointments for Thursday, January 19, 2023. Please check your email for your re...
Events - Upcoming OSAC meetings, webinars, and training courses
Global
The Africa Regional Committee invites all Full Access Members to "Save the Date" for their Spring Conference taking place in South Africa, March 28 - 30, 2023.
All OSAC ASC members are encouraged to "save the date" for our next in-person Health, Safety, and Security Seminar hosted by Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN on April 13 - 14.
Join the OSAC Energy Sector Committee (ESC) on Thursday, January 26, 2023, at 11:00 AM ET for the launch of the ESC's monthly "coffee chat" series.
East Asia & Pacific
All Jakarta country chapter members are invited to attend a meeting on 19 January 2023 from 1300 to 1500 (local) at the US Embassy.
OSAC members based in New Zealand are invited to attend OSAC New Zealand's country chapter relaunch on 23 February 2023.
OSAC Manila country chapter members are invited to attend a hybrid meeting on 19 January 2023 from 2-4 PM local.
Europe
Western Hemisphere
OSAC's Latin America Regional Committee (LARC) invites all members to save the date for the LARC's Spring Conference in Miami, FL on March 8.
All OSAC Uruguay Chapter members are invited to attend a hybrid meeting on Tuesday, February 21 at 14:00 Uruguay local (12:00 Eastern).
The opinions expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of the U.S. Department of State or any affiliated organization(s). Nor have these opinions been approved or sanctioned by these organizations. This product is unclassified based on the definitions in E.O. 13526. OSAC’s full disclaimer and copyright policy is available on our site
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