PA EST AOI Mgmt Sync Group 05-16-23 (FOIA 22-F-0249)

Military Times Online, Nov. 23 (1752) I Meghann Myers
The Defense Department has received about 60 requests from service members and department civilians to get their
family members out of Afghanistan and legally into the United States, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby told reporters on
Nov. 15, but none of them qualify for an immediate legal residency status. The requests came through an in box set up in
early November. Over the course of the 20-year war in Afghanistan, many Afghan-born immigrants joined the U.S.
military or became DoD civilians and contractors, while members of their family have remained in the country.
MIDDLE EAST
13. Pentagon Says 'U.S. Forces Will Remain in Iraq' Despite Militia Warning for Dec. 31
Newsweek Online, Nov. 23 (1504) I Tom O'Connor
Defying a warning from local militias, a Pentagon official has told Newsweek that U.S. forces will remain in Iraq after the
scheduled end of combat operations on December 31. With less than a month and a half left in the year, an ensemble of
Iraqi paramilitary factions known as the Iraqi Resistance Coordination Commission shared with Newsweek a message
Friday expressing disappointment with the lack of U.S. military drawdown.
14. US base in Syria targeted by rockets - report
Jerusalem Post Online (Israel), Nov. 23 (2253) I Not Attributed
The Kharab al-Jir military base used by US forces in the Hasaka Governorate in northeastern Syria was targeted by
rockets, according to Syrian state news agency SANA. According to the report, five rockets were fired at the base. No
casualties have been reported. An official from US Central Command (CENTCOM) told AI-Arabiya that no injuries or
damage were caused by the rocket attack, saying that the rockets fell short and did not impact near the bases
themselves.
15. U.S. weighs grim options if nuclear talks with Iran collapse
NBCNews.com, Nov. 23 (1001) I Dan De Luce and Abigail Williams
As Iran and world powers prepare to resume negotiations next week on reviving a nuclear deal, the U.S. and its allies are
already debating a list of "Plan B" options if the negotiations collapse, Western diplomats, former U.S. officials and
experts say. With chances for a breakthrough at the talks in Vienna looking remote and Iran at odds with U.N. nuclear
inspectors, U.S. and European officials face a grim set of choices - from ramped-up sanctions to potential military
action - as Iran's nuclear program advances into dangerous territory.
16. Israel flags Iranian UAV bases, offers counter-measures to Arab allies
Reuters, Nov. 23 (0446) I Not Attributed
Israel sharpened its rhetoric against Iranian combat drones on Tuesday, disclosing what it said were two bases used to
carry out maritime attacks with the remote-controlled planes and offering to cooperate with Arab partners on counter-
measures. "Today I reveal to you two central bases in the area of Chabahar and Qeshm island in south Iran, from which
operations in the maritime arena were launched, and where today, too, advanced Shahed attack drones are deployed,"
Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz told a televised security conference.
IN DO-PACIFIC
17. Biden Includes Taiwan Among 110 Invitees to Democracy Summit
Bloomberg News, Nov. 24 (0338) I Nick Wadhams
The Biden administration included Taiwan among the 110 invitees to its upcoming democracy summit, the State
Department announced on Tuesday night, a move that's intended to show solidarity with a key regional partner but risks
angering China. Taiwan was invited to join nations, including the U.K. and Japan, at the Dec. 9-10 virtual summit, the
State Department said on its website Tuesday. The on line gathering is an event Joe Biden vowed to host while a
candidate for president last year, with the goal of rallying like-minded countries around efforts to fight corruption and
authoritarianism and advance human rights.
18. Philippine Navy Brings Supplies to Troops in Second Thomas Shoal One Week After China Coast Guard Attack
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