Five Things to Know, Aug. 14, 2023
1. U.S. and South Korean forces will kick off another round of large-scale military exercises next week with over 30 separate drills, military officials said Monday. Ulchi Freedom Shield Exercise will commence Aug. 21 for 10 days, U.S. Forces Korea spokesman Army Col. Isaac Taylor and South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff spokesman army Col. Lee Sung-jun told reporters in Seoul.
2. Meanwhile, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un again toured major munitions factories and ordered a drastic increase in production of missiles and other weapons, state media said Monday, as the South Korean and U.S. militaries announced they will begin major drills next week to hone their joint capability against the North’s evolving nuclear threats. Kim’s push to produce more weapons also comes as U.S. officials believe Russia’s defense minister recently talked with North Korea about selling more weapons to Russia for its war with Ukraine.
3. Russia launched three waves of nighttime air attacks against the southern Ukraine port city of Odesa, officials said Monday, though the Ukrainian air force said it intercepted all 15 incoming Shahed drones and eight Kalibr missiles. Falling debris from the interceptions damaged the dormitory of an educational facility in the city, a residential building and a supermarket, Odesa Gov. Oleh Kiper said.
4. Niger’s mutinous soldiers said they will prosecute deposed President Mohamed Bazoum for “high treason” and undermining state security, in an announcement hours after the junta said they were open to dialogue with West African nations to resolve the mounting regional crisis. If found guilty, Bazoum could face the death penalty, according to Niger’s penal code.
5. Another hundred troops will likely join the recovery efforts in Maui early next week after swift-burning fires killed dozens of people and burned down entire neighborhoods, a defense official told Military Times Friday. The troops will be part of a joint force of National Guard and active duty troops announced by Hawaiian officials earlier this week, as the Pacific island state reels from its worst natural disaster since a 1960 tsunami that killed 61 people. At least 55 people have died from the wildfires that started on Tuesday, fueled by strong winds from a nearby hurricane, according to the AP.