Monday Highlights: October 23, 2017

1. U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson Arrives With Unannounced Visits in Afghanistan, Iraq

   Mr. Tillerson met with the leaders of the two nations to discuss the new strategy of the Trump administration for Afghanistan and ways to enhance an alliance against Iran. He also urged Baghdad and Kurdish authorities to “commit themselves to a unified Iraq, to the Iraqi constitution.” [The Globe Post, Bloomberg]

2. U.S. Air Force Denies Intention to Put Nuclear-Armed B-52 Bombers on 24-Hour Ready Alert

   Earlier in the day, Defense One reported that that B-52s will return to a ready-to-fly posture, shall the order come. The Air Force said “a misunderstanding” might have led to the article. The 24-hour bomber alert status has not been seen since 1991, the end of the Cold War. [Washington Examiner]

3. Jordanian King Abdullah II Met With Leader of Iraqi Sadrist Movement Sayyid Muqtada Al Sadr

   The meeting took place in Amman and coincided with the visit of Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi. King Abdullah advocated for dialogue to protect Iraq’s unity. [The Jordan Times]

   

4. Mayor of Turkish Capital Ankara Announces Intent to Resign

   Ankara Mayor Melih Gokcek said he would step down on Saturday after 23 years on the job. The official has reportedly succumbed to pressure from President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. [The Associated Press]

5. US Returning Diplomats Back to Venezuela

   The administration of U.S. President Donald J. Trump has approved the return to Venezuela of U.S. diplomats who were ordered to leave the country amid anti-government protests in July. [The Washington Post]

6. Number of Rohingya Refugees in Bangladesh to Exceed 1 Million

   The United Nations said the population of Rohingya Muslims who had to flee Myanmar for Bangladesh due to continuous violence would soon exceed one million people. Some  1,000-3,000 refugees cross the Naf River that divides the two countries every day. [New York Times]

7. Russian Radio Journalist Stabbed in Neck in Moscow

   Tatyana Felgenhauer, deputy editor and a host of Ekho Moskvy, was hospitalized on Monday after an assailant broke into the radio station offices and stabbed her in the neck. [Huffington Post]

https://twitter.com/aavst/status/922546905380540416

What to Watch on Tuesday, October 24, 2017

1. U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson to Arrive in Pakistan

   In Islamabad, Mr. Tillerson will meet with senior Pakistani leaders [The U.S. Department of State]

2. Communist Party of China to Conclude 19th Party Congress

   China’s leader Xi Jinping heralded the dawn of a “new era” of Chinese politics during the congress that marks the end of his first term in office. [The Guardian]

3. French President Macron to Meet Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi

   Mr. Macron is expected to raise the issue of human rights in his talks with the Egyptian leader. [Reuters]