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The UN Security Council discussed the situation in Syria amid regional escalation.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: United Nations – United Nations –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

March 18, 2026 Peace and security

The ongoing escalation in the Middle East is increasing pressure on Syria at a time when the country is undergoing a fragile transition and recovery, UN officials warned at a Security Council meeting on Wednesday.

Deputy Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Syria Claudio Cordone reported that the consequences of the regional conflict are already being felt on Syrian territory.

Regional threats

According to him, debris falling after missiles and drones were intercepted resulted in civilian deaths and injuries. Furthermore, one incident of shelling from Lebanese territory was recorded, as well as increased Israeli operations in Syrian airspace and repeated incursions into Syrian territory.

He noted that strikes on Lebanon led to about 140,000 people, mostly Syrians, crossing the border in search of safety.

Cordone called on Israel to "fully respect Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity" and abide by the 1974 disengagement agreement.

At the same time, he praised the Syrian government's efforts to cooperate with international partners in order to prevent the country from being further drawn into the regional conflict.

“Adherence to international law, de-escalation and dialogue remain key to preventing further consequences of this devastating war,” the Deputy Special Representative emphasized.

Steps towards a political transition

Cordone reported on the indirect elections held yesterday in Raqqa province and planned voting in other regions, emphasizing the importance of inclusive representation, especially of women, in future institutions of power.

He paid special attention to the creation of the National Commission on Transitional Justice, noting that this step reflects the desire to restore the rule of law, ensure accountability and promote reconciliation.

At the same time, unresolved issues remain, including the situation in As-Suwayda and the integration of Kurdish forces into state structures.

Cordone also warned about activation of ISIS and pointed out the serious challenges associated with the closure of the Al-Hol camp and the resettlement of its residents.

Humanitarian situation: growing needs and risks

In turn, Assistant Secretary-General and Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator of the United Nations Joyce Msuya noted that, despite the closure of the Damascus airport and increased security risks, humanitarian operations continue.

The situation in northern and eastern Syria is stabilizing, but more than 100,000 people remain displaced in the provinces of Aleppo and Hasakah.

Meanwhile, irregular power supplies continue to disrupt water supplies and medical facilities. Humanitarian organizations provide assistance to more than 200,000 people monthly, providing food, medical care, and essential items.

However, Msuya emphasized that humanitarian aid cannot replace government services.

Mines and unexploded ordnance (UXO) continue to pose a serious threat. Since February, according to the UN, such incidents have killed 50 people and injured another 97. The UN is prepared to expand mine clearance efforts, but this requires additional resources and security.

Msuya warned that prolonging the conflict in the region could seriously impact the Syrian economy, including through rising fuel prices and supply chain disruptions.

"It would be a tragic mistake if international support for the Syrian people were to weaken now," she concluded.

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

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Iran's Supreme Leader expressed condolences over the death of A. Larijani, hinting at retaliatory measures

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: People's Republic of China in Russian – People's Republic of China in Russian –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

Source: People's Republic of China – State Council News

TEHRAN, March 18 (Xinhua) — Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei on Wednesday issued a statement expressing deep condolences over the assassination of Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani, his son and other Iranian officials.

In a statement published on social media, Khamenei praised Larijani's visionary leadership and his "distinguished career," which spanned nearly half a century. He noted that the secretary possessed extensive knowledge in areas such as politics, military affairs, security, and administrative governance, playing a key role at various levels of Iranian leadership.

The Supreme Leader strongly condemned the assassination, stating that the act exposed the "deep-rooted hostility" of the enemy forces. He stated that such bloodshed would only strengthen the Islamic Republic and emphasized that those responsible would inevitably pay the price for their crimes.

M. Khamenei also expressed his sincere condolences to the family of A. Larijani. –0–

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

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Tajikistan sent humanitarian aid to Iran

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: People's Republic of China in Russian – People's Republic of China in Russian –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

Source: People's Republic of China – State Council News

Dushanbe, March 18 (Xinhua) — The Tajik government, at the direction of the president, has sent humanitarian aid to the people of Iran. The presidential press service reported this on Wednesday.

The total volume of humanitarian aid is 3,610 tons. This includes 45 tons of medications, as well as large quantities of sanitary and hygiene products, children's clothing, food, household items, and other essentials.

It is noted that the humanitarian aid convoy, consisting of 110 heavy-duty trucks, departed for Iran on March 18 and will arrive in the destination country shortly. –0–

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

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Feature: The Return of Chinese Citizens Evacuated from Iran via Turkmenistan

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: People's Republic of China in Russian – People's Republic of China in Russian –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

Source: People's Republic of China – State Council News

Serakhs, Turkmenistan, March 18 (Xinhua) — "We're home! Finally home!" Shu Hongmin from East China's Jiangsu Province, standing in front of the camera, barely had time to utter these words before his eyes filled with tears. Xinhua correspondents witnessed this momentous moment at the Serakhs border crossing in Turkmenistan on March 17, as a group of 22 Chinese citizens evacuated from Iran prepared to depart home.

Around 2:00 PM on March 17, evacuees began crossing the border and entering Turkmenistan. Staff from the Chinese Embassy in Turkmenistan, who were already waiting in the border hall, immediately approached to assist their compatriots with entry registration and customs control, and escorted them to pre-arranged buses.

Shu Hongmin, unable to hold back his tears, was also in this group. He said excitedly, "My family waited for my return every day. We can live peacefully in our homeland!"

Ma Yuxiu, who runs her own LED lighting business in Iran, is full of optimism and joy. Recalling her evacuation, she says proudly, "At that moment, I had just handed over my passport to the Iranian authorities for processing. After the Chinese Embassy in Iran learned of this, they helped me coordinate the process the very next day. Before our departure, embassy staff contacted us daily to ensure our safety. My friends from other countries were very envious, saying, 'Your homeland really loves you—it calls you every day!'"

Many compatriots admitted that they were a little nervous at first, but upon arriving at the border crossing and seeing the embassy staff, they immediately felt calm—as if they were meeting family.

Zhang Xu works at a coal mine in Iran owned by a Chinese company. Due to the current situation, the mine was closed for more than two weeks. Thanks to coordination with the Chinese Embassy in Iran, Zhang Xu and his colleagues were successfully evacuated to Turkmenistan. "We helped each other throughout the entire journey. For example, among us, the elderly sometimes couldn't communicate in the local language, and then the younger people would come to our aid. Working together, we got through it," he said. "As soon as we entered Turkmenistan, I immediately felt safe. After leaving Iran, I finally felt like a huge weight had been lifted from my shoulders."

Leng Jiadong, also employed by the coal company, expressed a similar opinion: "The situation in Iran is indeed tense, but the Chinese embassies in Iran and Turkmenistan maintained constant communication with us, closely monitoring every detail of our route, which gave us confidence. From the border crossing to the rest of the route, everything was planned in advance. We are sincerely grateful to our powerful Motherland!" He also noted that their Iranian colleagues also actively assisted during the evacuation process.

According to the Chinese Embassy in Turkmenistan, since the beginning of the US-Israeli military operation in Iran, more than 100 Chinese citizens in Iran have been evacuated to China via Turkmenistan. During this period, the Turkmen government has provided active assistance in areas such as border crossings, visa processing, and security, demonstrating its international humanitarian spirit.

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

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China's development creates new opportunities for the entire global community, according to Chinese Ambassador to the Russian Federation Zhang Hanhui.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: People's Republic of China in Russian – People's Republic of China in Russian –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

Source: People's Republic of China – State Council News

Moscow, March 18 /Xinhua/ — China's development creates new opportunities for the entire global community, and mutually beneficial cooperation is a key vector of modern times. This opinion was expressed by Chinese Ambassador to Russia Zhang Hanhui in an op-ed published Tuesday in the Russian newspaper Argumenty i Fakty.

"China offers opportunities for cooperation, rather than creating threats or instability. For many years, the country has consistently supported economic globalization, ensured the sustainability of global production and logistics systems, and actively promoted environmental and digital modernization at the global level," the publication states.

As Zhang Hanhui noted, Chinese exports and investment make a significant contribution to global economic development. At the same time, China is striving for a broader, more inclusive, and deeper opening up to the outside world. "The vast Chinese market is becoming increasingly attractive as China properly implements national treatment for foreign-invested enterprises and makes every effort to ensure a fair, transparent, and predictable business environment for companies from all countries," the ambassador emphasized, adding that products bearing the "Made in China" label and the active participation of Chinese consumers benefit the global economy.

The publication notes that the "Beautiful China" and "Digital China" initiatives are working for the benefit of the global community. "The country is actively reducing its carbon footprint, modernizing its industry and infrastructure to be energy-efficient, and accelerating the development and implementation of green technologies. Furthermore, China is committed to sharing the benefits of digital and intelligent development with other countries, actively promoting the creation of an open ecosystem, opening access to core algorithms and modeling capabilities, and fostering global innovation and development," Zhang Hanhui explained.

The Chinese diplomat pointed out that the false arguments about "overcapacity" in China, fabricated by the media and politicians in some countries, are essentially a way to shirk responsibility and shift blame. "In terms of industrial policy, China consistently adheres to the principles of the multilateral trading system, with the World Trade Organization at its core. All industrial policies implemented by the country comply with established rules," he assured.

Speaking about the size of China's production capacity, Zhang Hanhui cited data showing that China accounts for approximately 30 percent of global industrial value added. He emphasized that this was made possible by the country's comprehensive competitive advantage, which it has developed over decades: continuous technological innovation, deep market development, efficient integration of production chains, and systematic talent development. "This advantage ensures significant economies of scale, helps reduce production costs, improves the price-quality ratio of products, providing consumers around the world with higher-quality and more affordable goods," the diplomat added.

In the area of international cooperation, the ambassador assured, China is consistently guided by the principles of openness to business and the establishment of friendly ties with all countries. "China is deepening cooperation in industrial and supply chains with all countries, especially developing countries, helping them enhance their capacity for independent development and achieve shared sustainable development," he noted, noting that prices for Chinese exports remain generally stable, which is making a positive contribution to mitigating global inflationary pressures.

The Chinese ambassador also noted China's existing trade deficit in goods such as agricultural products, certain energy products, and aircraft and their components. "This demonstrates the comprehensive and balanced nature of China's market opening. By actively participating in the global division of labor, China also provides its trading partners with a huge export market," Zhang Hanhui explained.

The diplomat noted that China's consumer market ranks second in the world, as does its import market. "In 2025, China's imports reached nearly $2.6 trillion, and its vast domestic market continues to open its doors to goods and services from all countries, providing a powerful impetus to global economic growth," Zhang Hanhui concluded. –0–

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

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The Chinese Foreign Minister called for avoiding further casualties and damage due to the war in the Middle East.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: People's Republic of China in Russian – People's Republic of China in Russian –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

Source: People's Republic of China – State Council News

BEIJING, March 18 (Xinhua) — Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee, called on Wednesday for avoiding further casualties and losses due to the war in the Middle East and vowed that China will continue its mediation efforts to promote a ceasefire.

Wang Yi made the remarks in Beijing during talks with Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, Special Envoy of the President of the United Arab Emirates for Chinese Affairs.

Wang Yi conveyed warm greetings from President Xi Jinping to UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and noted that under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, relations between China and the UAE have made significant progress.

The Chinese diplomat noted that changes unseen in a century are currently accelerating, the international situation is volatile and turbulent, and military actions in the Middle East are alarming. The strategic significance of China-UAE relations is becoming even more evident. Timely strategic communication and strengthening strategic mutual trust between the two sides are becoming even more important, contributing to the speedy achievement of peace and stability in the Middle East, he added.

Wang Yi assured that China is ready to maintain close high-level contacts with the UAE, deepen the alignment of development strategies, and promote the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries to new heights.

Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, for his part, conveyed sincere greetings from President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to Chairman Xi Jinping and stated that relations between the two countries are at an unprecedented high level.

The UAE views China as a true friend that can be relied upon and trusted, and is full of confidence in its future development, the special envoy said.

The UAE is ready to work with China to strengthen high-level exchanges, deepen cooperation in areas such as education, culture, energy, and economics, and advance ambitious plans to develop interstate ties, he said.

Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak also briefed the Chinese side on the latest developments in the situation in the Middle East.

Wang Yi reiterated China's principled position, thanked the UAE for its efforts to ensure the safety of Chinese citizens and institutions, emphasized that this war should never have started and, even more so, there is no need to continue it, and also noted that further casualties and damage should be avoided.

China firmly supports the UAE in safeguarding its sovereignty, security and territorial integrity, condemns attacks on civilians and civilian objects, and will continue to make active efforts to mediate a ceasefire and stop the war, so as to restore peace and stability in the Middle East as soon as possible, Wang Yi added. –0–

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

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Japan's remilitarization policy is leading to unwanted tensions in the Asia-Pacific region, according to the Russian Foreign Ministry.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: People's Republic of China in Russian – People's Republic of China in Russian –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

Source: People's Republic of China – State Council News

Moscow, March 18 (Xinhua) — Japan's remilitarization policy is leading to unwanted tensions in the Asia-Pacific region, provoking a new round of the arms race. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova stated this Wednesday in response to a question from a Xinhua correspondent.

“This course has an extremely negative impact on both regional and global stability and leads to unwanted tensions in the Asia-Pacific region, provoking a new round of the arms race,” she said.

M. Zakharova noted that the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has repeatedly commented on the official line of Tokyo, which is taking consistent steps to remilitarize the country, including the acquisition of strike systems such as cruise missiles, which "simply cannot be classified as defensive weapons."

"We regularly draw Japan's attention to the destructive consequences of the rapid expansion of the military budget. This, of course, particularly applies to arms purchases, which potentially pose a threat to the national security of neighboring states, including Russia," the diplomat emphasized.

The official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry called on Japan's leadership to adhere to the provisions of its national constitution that proclaim pacifist principles. "If Japan's leadership does not want to find itself in the same situation the country found itself in during and after World War II, it should learn the lessons of history and rely, first and foremost, on the relevant provisions of the national constitution that still remain in effect and proclaim pacifist principles," she emphasized.

M. Zakharova also warned of Russia's response to the emergence of new threats. "The emergence of additional missile threats to Russian territory will undoubtedly entail a response on our part in terms of the need for compensatory measures to maintain an adequate level of defense capability," the Russian diplomat concluded.

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

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Moscow continues to develop the international UrbanTransportData project: cities around the world are collaborating to collect and analyze their transport data.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

For two and a half years now, Moscow has been implementing the international analytical project UrbanTransportData (the project’s web platform is available on the Internet at: http://urbantransportdata.ru/), which brings together leading global cities to work with open transportation data. The project aims to make urban transportation systems more convenient, predictable, and efficient for residents and visitors of megacities. The initiative and developer is the Moscow Transport Complex, which developed both the methodology and the digital service in-house, without the involvement of external contractors.

Not just about data, but also about people.

The UrbanTransportData project is based on the idea that quality transport policy is impossible without reliable, comparable, and regularly updated analytics. The project is aimed at transport agency managers and staff, experts and researchers, as well as students and urban transport enthusiasts from around the world.

The project team emphasizes that the goal of UrbanTransportData is not simply to collect statistics, but to help cities understand which solutions are truly effective and which require adjustment. To this end, they are creating convenient tools for comparing cities, identifying trends, and documenting innovations that have already proven effective in practice.

Three pillars of UrbanTransportData

The project is built around three key components: a data aggregation system, a news portal, and a research knowledge base. The first two are already fully available on the project's web platform.

As part of data aggregation, systematic collection and comparison of indicators related to urban transport, from infrastructure indicators to passenger flow, is carried out.

The news portal covers the latest changes in the transport systems of participating cities, new projects, and technological solutions, providing an up-to-date picture of the industry.

The knowledge and research base will include thematic reviews and results of joint work, as well as professional Q

32 participating cities.

The UrbanTransportData project already connects 32 cities across Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas, including recognized regional leaders in urban transportation development such as Moscow, Beijing, and São Paulo. The project's broad geographic reach also includes African capitals, European cities, and other Latin American metropolises.

This diversity of participants allows us to compare not only megacities with millions of residents but also rapidly growing capitals of developing countries, identifying common problems and unique solutions. This approach offers participants the opportunity to share their own experiences and learn new approaches from cities with different layouts, climates, levels of car ownership, and socioeconomic situations.

Emphasis on methodology.

One of UrbanTransportData's distinctive features is its attention to methodological rigor. The project's team of analysts meticulously defines how key indicators should be calculated to ensure accurate comparisons of data from different cities. The data is collected across 50 indicators, covering several areas.

A separate section of the work focuses on standardizing approaches. For example, for the metro, it clarifies whether single-track or double-track kilometers, operational or maintenance tracks, and one or multiple operators are considered. When analyzing passenger traffic, it's important to determine whether all validations or only unique passengers are included, whether only entrances or also exits are recorded, and whether weekends are taken into account. This level of detail allows us to move beyond superficial comparisons and toward truly comparable data that can be used in strategic planning.

Well-thought-out planning.

The UrbanTransportData project is already in its infancy, creating a network of cities committed to building transport policies based on data rather than intuition. The project could potentially become a key international platform for determining how public transport and urban mobility will develop in the coming decades.

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Alexander Novak took part in the Day of the International Institute of Energy Policy and Diplomacy at MGIMO.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Government of the Russian Federation – Government of the Russian Federation –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak discussed the global energy situation and the role of the fuel and energy sector in today's geopolitical realities at the International Institute of Energy Policy and Diplomacy (IIEP) Day at MGIMO.

The Deputy Prime Minister noted the crucial importance of energy for the global economy, the importance of stable and reliable energy sources, and the implementation of modern technologies in this area, which ensure the increased efficiency necessary to meet the growing demand for energy resources. The domestic fuel and energy sector occupies a special place in this regard.

"Russia, as one of the world's leading energy powers, has demonstrated resilience in the face of severe restrictions, as well as confident development in both the economy and the energy sector. We have managed to withstand this and diversify our energy supply routes: today, approximately 90% of our energy is sold in the markets of friendly countries," said Alexander Novak.

As part of MIEP Day, Alexander Novak presented letters of gratitude to the institute's management and staff for their contributions to the development of the fuel and energy sector and the human resources potential of the country's fuel and energy sector, as well as their achievements in research and teaching. The Deputy Prime Minister noted the high potential and level of training of the university's students.

"The students studying at MIEP today are our future. You will be implementing the country's energy policy, maintaining its energy security, ensuring international relations, and developing trade and economic cooperation," the Deputy Prime Minister emphasized.

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

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Students from the Russian Ministry of Economic Development's (MVT) Academy of Foreign Trade presented the "VAVT School of Negotiations" project to Alexander Novak and Maxim Reshetnikov.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Government of the Russian Federation – Government of the Russian Federation –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

A meeting between students, Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak and Minister of Economic Development Maxim Reshetnikov took place at the All-Russian Foreign Trade Academy of the Ministry of Economic Development. The distinguished guests observed the negotiations taking place in various languages.

During negotiations, students, acting as exporters and importers, agree on key terms of the deal: payments, logistics, delivery times, and distribution schemes.

"The most important thing is not to simply negotiate according to a template. Negotiations are an art form, in which creativity is essential. And Russia occupies a strong position in this art form: we have a huge number of trade and economic ties with many countries. We are leading exporters in a number of areas. At the same time, we also import a lot. Imports amount to approximately $250 billion, and exports exceed $300 billion, depending on market conditions. There is a great deal of work to be done in this area, and it will be up to you to ensure these processes in the future," Alexander Novak told the students.

The Deputy Prime Minister also invited students to express their views on the current geopolitical situation related to trade wars and tariffs, as well as how these processes could impact Russia's trade with various countries.

Elizaveta Irkhina, a student in the Foreign Trade Management Department at the Russian Foreign Trade Academy of the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade, who participated in the negotiation session, shared her perspective: "We've realized we can do everything ourselves, and tremendous opportunities have opened up. People often write that we're being restricted and imposing barriers, but the truth is, it's impossible to restrict Russia. No matter the circumstances, the Russian people always find solutions—any restrictions only strengthen us. Now we produce ourselves and find everything we need within the country. This isn't a problem, but rather a great opportunity for growth and development."

The "VAVT School of Negotiations" project has been running at the academy since 2020. Its goal is to instill in young professionals the practical negotiation skills necessary for working in an international and intercultural environment. Each semester, participants undergo professional development programs where they master communication techniques in Russian, English, Chinese, Arabic, and other languages.

"We're actively expanding our case studies, striving to make them as realistic as possible. To achieve this, we engage companies that already have real-world exposure to foreign markets. Practical experts also act as judges, evaluating negotiation sessions and providing students with detailed feedback. In addition to business experts, we always invite colleagues specializing in regional studies. These are people who understand the cultural aspects of negotiations, help students understand the nuances, and offer advice on how to avoid mistakes," said Vittoria Idrisova, Rector of the Russian Foreign Trade Academy.

Over the five years of the project's existence, more than 500 students have completed training at the "School of Negotiations." Many of them are now winners and runners-up at national and international negotiation championships.

Graduates of the program confidently conduct discussions in several languages, master the art of argumentation, and are able to find innovative solutions in the most complex business situations. But most importantly, they become part of a professional community united by an interest in business communication strategies and tactics.

The Academy plans to replicate this successful experience in Russia and abroad.

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.