Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• Kabul ready to start intra-Afghan peace talks with Taliban: Abdullah Press TV 30 May 2020 -- A senior Afghan official tasked with leading the much-awaited intra-Afghan peace negotiations with the Taliban militant group says his team is ready to commence talks "at any moment" with the militants.
• Shelling Kills 3 Civilians, Injures 5 More North of Kabul Sputnik 30 May 2020 -- A mortar shell hit a home in the eastern Afghan province of Parwan on Saturday, killing three civilians and wounding five others, a spokeswoman for the governor said.
• Afghan Government Releases 710 Taliban Militants as Fighting in Country Resumes Sputnik 30 May 2020 -- The Afghan government has released another 710 Taliban* prisoners as part of President Ashraf Ghani's commitment to free 2,000 militants in response to the Eid ceasefire, the Afghan National Security Council said in a statement.
• Pentagon Reportedly Puts Military Police on Alert to Provide Assistance in Riot-Hit Minneapolis Sputnik 30 May 2020 -- Protests over the death of an unarmed black man in police custody continued into fourth night on Friday, with the mayors of Minneapolis and neighbouring St. Paul issuing citywide curfews to contain rioters.

Defense Policy / Programs

• AUAB evolving to be air base of future CENTCOM 30 May 2020 -- When many people picture or reminisce on deployments, they visualize rugged conditions. While outposts in austere environments do still exist, many other locations such as Al Udeid Air Base have seen significant development in the past 20 years. The 379th Air Expeditionary Wing leads the way on installation upgrades here.
• US May Send Troops to Tunisia Over Alleged Russian Campaign to Destabilize Region, AFRICOM Says Sputnik 30 May 2020 -- Moscow has repeatedly denied accusations of involvement in the Libyan civil war, stressing that it wants to see a diplomatic settlement in the war-torn country, and recalling that it was a NATO military intervention in the country in 2011 which turned Libya into a failed state.
• Chinese military voices opposition to U.S. report on China People's Daily 30 May 2020 -- A spokesperson of China's Ministry of National Defense on Friday criticized a report recently released by the White House on its strategic approach to China.
• China's first domestically-built aircraft carrier conducting sea trials, training as planned: spokesperson People's Daily 30 May 2020 -- China's first domestically-built aircraft carrier, the Shandong, is conducting sea trials and training as planned, a spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense said Friday.
• Indian Navy Commences Next Phase of Operation "Samudra Setu" India PIB 30 May 2020 -- The next phase of Operation "Samudra Setu" to repatriate Indian citizens from overseas will commence on 01 June 2020.
• US to sell Patriot missiles, bombs to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait Press TV 30 May 2020 -- The US State Department has approved the sale of 84 interceptor missiles worth around $800 million to Kuwait in an attempt to improve the oil-rich country's Patriot air and missile defense system.
• Remarks by President Trump Before Marine One Departure The White House 30 May 2020
• Remarks by President Trump Before Air Force One Departure The White House 30 May 2020
• Remarks by President Trump After Viewing SpaceX Demonstration Mission 2 Lauch The White House 30 May 2020
• Remarks by President Trump at Kennedy Space Center The White House 30 May 2020
• Remarks by Vice President Pence at Kennedy Space Center | Cape Canaveral, FL The White House 30 May 2020

Defense Industry

Other Conflicts

• From fighting with guns to fighting the pandemic UN News 30 May 2020 -- In countries suffering from conflict, readjusting to life in a peaceful society is a challenge, both for former fighters and the wider community. Since the spread of the COVID-19 crisis, the UN is having to refocus many of its programmes, aimed at reducing violence in communities, and rehabilitating combatants.
• Turkish forces strike Syrian army positions in Aleppo, no casualties reported Press TV 30 May 2020 -- Turkish military forces have reportedly fired several rockets at the positions of Syrian government forces in the Arab country's northwestern province of Aleppo.
• Militants Shell Settlements in Northwestern Syria, Russian Military Says Sputnik 30 May 2020 -- The Hayat Tahrir al-Sham* terrorist group has attacked settlements in Syria's northwestern province of Idlib, Rear Admiral Oleg Zhuravlev, the head of the Russian Defence Ministry's centre for Syrian reconciliation, said on Saturday.
• Press release on the seizure of Libyan currency in Malta Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 30 May 2020 -- We have taken note of the official statement posted by the US Department of State on the seizure by Malta of "$1.1 billion of counterfeit Libyan currency printed by Joint Stock Company Goznak" for the eastern-based Libyan government.
• U.S. General: Russian Aircraft Flown To Libya Linked To Moscow's Pursuit Of Foothold In Region RFE/RL 30 May 2020 -- The U.S. military's Africa Command (AFRICOM) has rejected Russia's claim that Moscow did not deploy fighter jets to Libya, saying on May 29 that the aircraft reflected Russia's goal to establish a foothold in the oil-rich country.
• Sudan Summons Ethiopian Diplomat Over Deadly Border Clashes Sputnik 30 May 2020 -- The top Ethiopian diplomat in Sudan was summoned to the Foreign Ministry in Khartoum on Saturday after several Sudanese troops and civilians were killed in an attack by Ethiopian militants.
• Busted? Pakistan Reportedly Trying to Spy on India's Defence in Ladakh Via Internet Calls Sputnik 30 May 2020 -- India's Ladakh region has recently witnessed tension, along the 4,000 km long Line of Actual Control India shares with China. Earlier this month, China deployed several troops and heavy vehicles to "reclaim authority" over eastern Ladakh's Galwan Valley – which escalated border related disputes between the two nations.
• Mossad Chief Cohen Flew To Egypt for Secret Talks, Report Says Sputnik 30 May 2020 -- Egypt became the first Arab country to establish relations with Israel in 1979, with the two countries engaging in security cooperation in Sinai, and Cairo occasionally helping to mediate between the Israel and the Palestinians.

News Reports

• U.S. Republican Senators Release Transcripts Of Flynn's Calls With Russian Diplomat RFE/RL 30 May 2020 -- Transcripts of phone calls that were pivotal to the U.S. investigation of Russia's 2016 election interference have been declassified and released by Republican senators.
• Remarks by President Trump on Actions Against China The White House 30 May 2020
• Chinese Grad Students Banned by Trump Order VOA 30 May 2020 -- Saying China uses grad students and researchers to illegally acquire intellectual property from the United States, President Donald Trump issued an executive order suspending their entry into the country.
• Ministry of Public Security to guide HKPF to end violence Global Times 30 May 2020 -- Step by step, China's top legislature is accelerating the formulation of the highly anticipated national security law for Hong Kong, with more details emerging for the first time on how state-level authorities could coordinate with local authorities in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) in preventing, ending and punishing acts endangering national security, after the Ministry of Public Security vowed to give relevant instructions to Hong Kong police. By going forward with relevant laws, the country delivered a clear message to countries that have been trying to pressure Beijing over the law: any attempt to stop China from defending its sovereignty is doomed to fail, observers said.
• HK prepared for US moves after national security law: HK finance secretary Global Times 30 May 2020 -- Hong Kong has made long-term preparations for possible countermeasures launched by the US government on sectors including trade, finance and technology in response to the upcoming national security law for the special administrative region (SAR), Hong Kong's finance secretary told the Global Times on Friday. The city has the confidence as well as the strength to defend its own business and financial stability from external risks and pressure, and is boosted by mainland support.
• China blasts US for seeking UN meeting on national security legislation for Hong Kong Global Times 30 May 2020 -- China on Friday slammed the United States for demanding a video conference by the UN Security Council on national security legislation for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), calling the U.S. demand "utter nonsense" and urging Washington to "immediately stop the meaningless political maneuvers."
• HK govt rejects US statements as completely false Global Times 30 May 2020 -- In response to the statement by President Trump on May 29 afternoon (about 3am, May 30, Hong Kong time) and comments by the United States (US) State Department over the last two days, a Government spokesman today (May 30) said:
• DPRK fully supports China's decision on national security legislation for Hong Kong Global Times 30 May 2020 -- The Foreign Ministry of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) has said that it fully supports China's decision on national security legislation for Hong Kong, the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported Saturday.
• Britain may offer 'path to citizenship' to 2.9m Hong Kong residents Press TV 30 May 2020 -- British officials have announced plans to offer extensive visa rights and a pathway to citizenship to nearly 3 million people in Britain's former colony of Hong Kong in reaction to a national security law approved by the Chinese city's legislative council.
• Chinese UN envoy urges U.S., Britain to immediately stop interfering in Hong Kong affairs People's Daily 30 May 2020 -- Zhang Jun, China's permanent representative to the United Nations, on Friday urged the United States and the United Kingdom (UK) to immediately stop interfering in Hong Kong affairs, immediately stop practices of hegemonism and power politics, and mind their own business, rather than provoking tensions and making troubles everywhere.
• Xi stresses significance of Civil Code, better protecting people's legitimate rights, interests PLA Daily 30 May 2020 -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, has emphasized the full recognition of the significance of the promulgation and implementation of the country's newly adopted Civil Code and better protection of the people's legitimate rights and interests in accordance with law.
• China launches two new technology experiment satellites PLA Daily 30 May 2020 -- China sent two satellites into planned orbit from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China's Sichuan Province Saturday.
• Taiwan to 'closely monitor' impact of U.S. withdrawal from WHO CNA 30 May 2020 -- Taiwan officials said Saturday that they will closely watch the impact of the decision by United States' President Donald Trump to withdraw the U.S. from the World Health Organization (WHO), with Taiwan's health minister saying the move could create an opportunity for closer cooperation between the countries.
• Taiwan authorities harbor terrorists by calling for refuge to HK rioters Global Times 30 May 2020 -- After the National People's Congress passed the national security legislation in Hong Kong, the Taiwan authority's legislative department issued a "declaration" attacking the decision, claiming to "rescue Hong Kong people" and promote relevant "legislation" and administrative measures.
• Chinese army capable to thwart any separatist acts: senior military officer Global Times 30 May 2020 -- The people's army has the will, confidence, and capability to thwart any attempt of "#Taiwan independence," reaffirmed a senior Chinese military official at a symposium on Friday, marking the 15th anniversary of the implementation of the Anti-Secession Law.
• Warning sent to Taiwan's secessionists PLA Daily 30 May 2020 -- The mainland sent a strong warning to Taiwan secessionist forces on Friday, reiterating that non-peaceful means could be the last resort if the possibility of peaceful reunification is completely lost.
• France, Britain, Germany 'Regret' US Scrapping Sanctions Waivers on JCPOA-Related Projects in Iran Sputnik 30 May 2020 -- The United States announced on Wednesday it will terminate sanctions waivers that had allowed Russian, Chinese and European companies to carry out work at Iranian nuclear sites as part of the JCPOA nuclear deal.
• Britain, France, Germany Regret US Decision to End Waivers for Iran Civilian Nuclear Projects VOA 30 May 2020 -- Britain, France and Germany issued a joint statement Saturday in which they expressed "regret" about the United States decision to end sanctions waivers for Iranian civilian nuclear projects intended to prevent weapons development.
• France, UK, Germany 'regret' US decision to end Iran nuclear waivers ISNA 30 May 2020 -- France, Germany and Britain along with High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and
• France, Germany, UK criticize US for ending Iran nuclear waivers Press TV 30 May 2020 -- France, Germany and Britain have censured the United States for ending the last remaining sanctions waivers in a 2015 nuclear deal signed between Iran and the world powers, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
• France, Britain, Germany 'Regret' US End To Iran Nuclear Waivers Radio Farda 30 May 2020 -- The three European signatories of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, France, Germany and Britain on Saturday criticized a U.S. decision to end sanctions waivers allowing work on Iranian nuclear sites designed to prevent weapons development.
• Britain, France, Germany 'Regret' U.S. Decision To End Sanctions Waivers On Iran's Nuclear Program RFE/RL 30 May 2020 -- Britain, France, and Germany have criticized a decision by the United States to end sanctions waivers for companies from countries that remain in the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran.
• US refusal to extend waivers to sanctions on nuclear ties violation of UNSCR 2231, UN Charter: Iran IRNA 30 May 2020 -- Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi on Saturday termed US refusal to extend waivers to the sanctions on Iran's nuclear ties with outside world as the violation of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2231 and the UN Charter.
• EU regrets US decision to end waivers for Iran's civil nuclear programs IRNA 30 May 2020 -- The European Union, France, Germany and the United Kingdom expressed deep regret in a joint statement on Saturday for the US decision to end waivers that allowed countries to cooperate with Iran on civil nuclear projects under the 2015 nuclear deal.
• Iran condemns US move to end sanctions waiver for nuclear cooperation with Iran ISNA 30 May 2020 -- Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman has roundly condemned the United States' recent move to end the sanction waiver for nuclear cooperation with the Islamic Republic.
• Mousavi : US blame game won't fool world IRNA 30 May 2020 -- Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi in a message referred to series of US withdrawal, saying the world will not be fooled by the US blame game.
• Iran will take 'legal, practical' steps against US revocation of sanctions waivers Press TV 30 May 2020 -- Iran has roundly condemned the United States' latest decision to end the sanctions waivers in a landmark nuclear deal signed between the Islamic Republic and world powers in 2015, vowing to take "necessary practical and legal" steps to counter the negative impacts of the move.
• Iran Security Forces Arrest Dozens In Khuzestan Province Radio Farda 30 May 2020 -- Iranian human rights news agencies on Friday reported that police security department agents of Ahvaz arrested at least thirty citizens in the town of Shooshtar, Khuzestan Province on May 28.
• US warns governments against aiding Iran fuel shipments to Venezuela Press TV 30 May 2020 -- The United States has warned foreign governments, shipping firms, seaports, and insurers of stiff sanctions if they assist Iranian tankers with supplying fuel to crisis-hit Venezuela.
• US threatens to slap sanctions on countries aiding Iran and Venezuela Press TV 30 May 2020 -- The administration of US President Donald Trump has threatened to slap sanctions on the countries assisting Iran and Venezuela to do fuel trade.
• Bosniak-Croat Federation PM Detained Over Deal To Buy Respirators From China RFE/RL 30 May 2020 -- The prime minister of Bosnia's autonomous Bosniak-Croat Federation has been questioned in a potential corruption case involving the purchase of 100 respirators from China for coronavirus patients.