Overseas Security Advisory Council Newsletter 5/19/2023

 

May 19, 2023

Announcements

2023 OSAC Annual Briefing - Call for Proposals

To provide a 2023 OSAC Annual Briefing experience that is both operationally and strategically useful, OSAC Full-Access members are invited to submit up to three session proposals for breakout room content.

Today's Headlines OSAC's daily selection of global security news

Africa

Three rangers and a technician were killed in the attack on their convoy by gunmen on Thursday near Virunga National Park in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, authorities said.

Over 3,000 people have been displaced in central Nigeria after at least 85 people were killed in ongoing clashes between herders and farmers, officials said Thursday (May. 18).

Somalia's National Intelligence Agency (NISA) on Thursday said that it had seized two illicit shipments of military hardware and explosive materials that were apparently bound for the al Shabaab militant group.

South Sudan’s current rainy season is promising a new round of displacements and sickness as hundreds of those fleeing the conflict cross the border to settle in the northern region.

Sudan's capital Khartoum and sister city Bahri came under renewed air attack on Friday as the war between the army and paramilitary forces entered its fifth week, deepening a humanitarian crisis for trapped and displaced civilians.

East Asia & Pacific

Peace and tranquillity on the border with China is essential for normal ties with the country, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday.

The US and Taiwan reached agreement on the first part of their "21st Century" trade initiative, covering customs and border procedures, regulatory practices, and small business.

Thailand's progressive Move Forward party on Friday said potential coalition partners need not support its controversial stance on amending the royal insult law, as it seeks to win the backing of other parties to form a government.

Europe

Several weather-related emergencies have been declared across Europe including Italy where fatal flooding has followed severe drought in some regions.

Georgian Dream encouraged Georgians to consider the Kremlin’s decision through a supposed “a humanitarian prism”, easing travel for Georgians currently living in Russia and giving them “the chance to communicate and travel freely and easily”, said G...

Air raid alerts sounded throughout Ukraine early on Friday, with some areas later reporting explosions and officials saying anti-aircraft units were in action in several regions. The alerts extended to all regions of the country for about an hour fr...

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Saudi Arabia ahead of an Arab summit on Friday, where he was set to address leaders who have remained largely neutral on Russia’s invasion of his country, including many who maintain warm ties with ...

Middle East & North Africa

Iran on Friday executed three men accused of deadly violence during last year’s anti-government protests despite objections from human rights groups.

Rioters throw stones, injuring two 20-year-olds and a policeman, as law enforcers try to disperse crowd; 8 arrested in overnight disturbances across the capital

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Saudi Arabia ahead of an Arab summit on Friday, where he was set to address leaders who have remained largely neutral on Russia’s invasion of his country, including many who maintain warm ties with ...

South & Central Asia

Peace and tranquillity on the border with China is essential for normal ties with the country, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday.

Police in Pakistan plan to search the Lahore home of former prime minister Imran Khan on Friday, a provincial official said, a step that could trigger more violence amid political and economic instability in the South Asian nation.

Western Hemisphere

On the streets of Buenos Aires on Thursday, thousands of Argentines marched in protest against tough economic conditions and the IMF, which many blamed for austerity measures that sharpened Argentina's worst economic crisis in two decades.

Ecuador’s Constitutional Court voted unanimously Thursday to reject multiple challenges that sought to invalidate President Guillermo Lasso’s decree dissolving the opposition-led National Assembly as it tried to oust him in an impeachment trial.

The Gulf Cartel has maintained a presence along the US-Mexico border across from south Texas for nearly a century, but recent events suggest that criminal dynamics may be changing in this strategic corridor.

Mexican authorities canceled in-person classes for more than 100,000 students on Thursday in multiple towns clustered around one of the country's most active volcanoes as its fiery activity intensified in recent days, raising health concerns.

OSAC Analysis Unclassified OSAC analytical reports and other resources

Africa

Published: May 12, 2023

OSAC is releasing a situation report to highlight pertinent health, safety, security, and logistical information regarding the crisis in Sudan to aid OSAC members in maintaining timely and accurate situational awareness. OSAC’s Sudan Situation Repor...

East Asia & Pacific

Published: May 12, 2023

In late April, the People’s Republic of China (PRC) passed amendments expanding its counter-espionage law. In tandem with several recent incidents of private sector organizations facing law enforcement action, OSAC members have increasingly expresse...

Europe

Published: May 17, 2023

The 2023 North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Summit will take place in Vilnius, Lithuania from July 11-12. The following assessment provides information on potential security concerns to the private sector during the event, as well as an overv...

Middle East & North Africa

Published: May 16, 2023

This report reviews the recent Djerba Island synagogue attack and the overall terrorist threat to OSAC members operating in Tunisia.

Western Hemisphere

Colombia / Ecuador / Mexico / Nicaragua - Americas Bulletin: May 12
Published: May 12, 2023

OSAC is issuing a new product format, a regular update about topline private-sector security concerns in Latin America. For additional questions or more details, please contact OSAC’s Americas Team.

Consular Messages - Department of State travel advisories and alerts

Africa

The U.S. Embassy is aware of demonstrations, road blockages, and traffic disruptions in Ziguinchor related to a scheduled court hearing for Ziguinchor mayor Ousmane Sonko.

Middle East & North Africa

In advance of Flag Day events in Jerusalem on May 18, the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem reminds U.S. citizens of the continued need for caution and increased personal security awareness due to the possibility of clashes between participants, counterdemo...

Events - Upcoming OSAC meetings, webinars, and training courses

Global

Join OSAC WiS for a one day Summer Seminar in Broomfield, Colorado on on June 16!

Africa

Event Start Date: May 23, 2023

This will be an executive committee meeting to discuss electing a new private sector co-chair, reinvigorating the Luanda chapter post-pandemic, meeting schedule, and communications.

East Asia & Pacific

Event Start Date: May 24, 2023

All OSAC South Korea - Seoul members are invited to a meeting on 24 May 2023 at 1400 local time at Coupang HQs, Jamsil-dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul, South Korea.

Middle East & North Africa

REGISTRATION CLOSED>>The OSAC Middle East and North Africa Regional Committee (MENA RC) will hold its annual conference May 31 - June 1 on the campus of NYU Abu Dhabi.

Western Hemisphere

Event Start Date: June 01, 2023

All OSAC Mexico City Chapter members and full-access members are invited to attend OSAC Mexico City's Chapter relaunch on 1 June from 12:00-20:00 local.

Event Start Date: June 14, 2023

OSAC's Europe Regional Committee (ERC) and Cybersecurity Sector Committee (CSC) invite all ERC and CSC members to save the date of Wednesday, June 14, 2023 for their upcoming joint Summer Conference in New York City, NY at the John Jay College of Cr...

Event Start Date: May 24, 2023

All OSAC Uruguay Chapter members are invited to attend a hybrid meeting on Wednesday, May 24 at 14:00 Uruguay local (13:00 Eastern). This meeting will be conducted in Spanish only.

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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