Situation Reports

Libyan Finance Minister Khalid Al-Mabrouk and more than five other ministers and deputy ministers of the internationally recognized Government of National Unity resigned from the government on May 16, Libya Review reported the same day.

Japan's ruling party and most major opposition parties in the Diet passed the Active Cyber Defense Law, which will enable the government to take offensive cyber action during peacetime against overseas targets believed to be facilitating cyberattacks against Japan, The Asahi Shimbun reported on May 16.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced that the European Union was working on a new package of sanctions against Russia that would target the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines, more vessels linked to Russia's shadow oil tanker fleet, and the country's financial sector, as well as further reduce the oil price cap, Reuters reported on May 16.

The United States and Cote d'Ivoire reached an agreement in principle permitting the United States to operate drones from the Bouake air base, Jeune Afrique reported on May 14. 

India is reportedly exploring ways to significantly boost its use of water from a key river system that sustains agriculture in Pakistan, Reuters reported on May 16.

Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh announced their countries have officially elevated bilateral relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership, marking the highest level of diplomatic ties short of a military alliance, Vietnamese state-run Bao Chinh Phu reported on May 16.

Colombian Guerrilla fighters have expanded their geographic footprint and posed increased extortion risks to businesses operating in areas previously considered safe and out of their reach, Bloomberg reported May 15. 

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that the United States would look to issue a 180-day waiver for Congressional sanctions on Syria, with eventual aspirations to permanently remove the sanctions, though that would require Congressional approval, Bloomberg reported May 16.

The first direct meeting between Russian and Ukrainian delegations since March 2022 took place in Istanbul, Turkey, Reuters reported on May 16.

UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan reaffirmed the country's commitment to a 10-year, $1.4 trillion framework for investment in the United States, including in artificial intelligence and semiconductors, initially reached in March, Reuters reported on May 15.