Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• Latest Taliban Attacks Kill 17 Afghan Forces VOA 17 Jun 2020 -- Afghan authorities said Wednesday Taliban attacks in the country's north have killed at least 17 security forces and injured about a dozen more.
• Afghans Say Taliban Attacks Kill At Least 17 Military Personnel In Northern Provinces RFE/RL 17 Jun 2020 -- Afghan officials say Taliban fighters have attacked a checkpoint in the northern province of Jawzjan, killing 12 security force members.
• At least 18 Afghan forces killed in Taliban attacks Press TV 17 Jun 2020 -- At least 18 Afghan security personnel have been killed in two attacks by Taliban militants on checkpoints in northern Afghanistan, officials say.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Defense Official Briefs Defense Space Strategy to Reporters DoD 17 Jun 2020 -- Stephen L. Kitay, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Space Policy; Lieutenant Colonel Uriah Orland, Pentagon Spokesperson
• Department of Defense Releases Defense Space Strategy DoD 17 Jun 2020 -- "Today the Secretary for Defense released the Defense Space Strategy, which identifies how Department of Defense will advance spacepower to be able to compete, deter, and win in a complex security environment characterized by great power competition."
• Russia, China Put at Risk US Military Space Superiority, Pentagon Says Sputnik 17 Jun 2020 -- The United States maintains a lead over Russia and China in military space capabilities, but is challenged by the pace of their development, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence Stephen Kitay told reporters on Wednesday.
• VP-16 War Eagles Deploys to U.S. 5th Fleet CENTCOM 17 Jun 2020 -- The "War Eagles" of Patrol Squadron (VP) 16 recently deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations to relieve the "Red Lancers" of VP-10.
• Over-Prescriptive Requirements Hinder Defense Innovation DoD News 17 Jun 2020 -- Getting innovation into the Defense Department more quickly and effectively might require the department to reevaluate how it asks for what it needs, the director of defense engagement within the Defense Innovation Unit said.
• Artificial Intelligence, Warfighters Form Enhanced Partnership on Battlefield DoD News 17 Jun 2020 -- Artificial intelligence by itself is not a game changer, but when it's paired with humans, it can be a great tool – particularly in the future of warfare, Defense Department experts said.
• USS Porter en route to the Black Sea NNS 17 Jun 2020 -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Porter (DDG 78) began its northbound international strait transit en route to the Black Sea June 17, to conduct maritime security operations and enhance regional maritime stability, combined readiness, and naval capability with our NATO allies and partners in the region.
• USS Halsey Assists Distressed Mariner NNS 17 Jun 2020 -- The Arleigh Burke-Class Destroyer USS Halsey (DDG 97) assisted a fishing vessel in distress while operating in the U.S. Fourth Fleet area of operations June 16.
• USS George H. W. Bush Reaches Shipyard Milestone; Installation of 30-ton Anchor NNS 17 Jun 2020 -- Deck department aboard the aircraft carrier USS George H. W. Bush (CVN 77) installed one of two 30-ton anchor on the ship's starboard side June 16, bringing the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier one step closer to completing its docking planned incremental availability (DPIA) at Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY).
• Test Squadrons Receive Next-Gen Super Hornet This Month NNS 17 Jun 2020 -- The Navy is welcoming its next-generation multi-mission tactical fighter by taking delivery of the first Block III F/A-18 Super Hornet test jets this month, as part of its continuing effort to improve aircraft lethality, survivability, interoperability and sustainability in an evolving threat environment.
• US Scrambles Fighters to Escort Russia's Strategic Bombers, Russian MoD Says Sputnik 17 Jun 2020 -- Four Russian Tu-95MS strategic bombers were escorted by US F-22 fighters at certain stages of their scheduled flight at the border between the countries, the Russian Defence Ministry said on Wednesday.
• NATO Defense Ministers to Discuss Reduction of U.S. Forces in Germany DoD News 17 Jun 2020 -- NATO defense ministers will discuss a U.S. decision to withdraw about 9,500 American service members from Germany during a virtual defense ministers meeting, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said at the alliance's headquarters in Brussels.
• Press conference by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg following the meetings of NATO Defence Ministers NATO 17 Jun 2020
• US jets intercept Russian military aircraft off Alaska: NORAD Press TV 17 Jun 2020 -- The United States' fighter jets have intercepted two formations of Russian military aircraft off the coast of Alaska for the second time this week.
• NATO Chief Tries To Reassure Allies After U.S. Announces Plan To Decrease Forces In Germany RFE/RL 17 Jun 2020 -- NATO's chief says that the United States intends to consult with allies on plans to draw down U.S. forces in Germany, plans that have rattled some members of the 30-member alliance.
• NATO Defenсe Ministers Agree Response to Russia's Growing Missile Potential, Stoltenberg Says Sputnik 17 Jun 2020 -- NATO defence ministers have agreed on a package of measures in connection with the strengthening of Russian missile potential, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said on Wednesday.
• Moscow Says U.S. Planes Intercepted Russian Nuclear-Capable Bombers Near Alaska RFE/RL 17 Jun 2020 -- Moscow says U.S. Air Force planes have escorted four Russian nuclear-capable bombers as they patrolled an area close to the Bering Strait that divides Russia's Chukotka Peninsula and the state of Alaska.
• Russian Military Monitor Actions of US Navy Destroyer Upon Entry Into Black Sea, NDCC Says Sputnik 17 Jun 2020 -- A US Navy destroyer entered the Black Sea, the forces of Russia's Southern Military District monitor the actions of the ship, Russia's National Defence Control Centre (NDCC) said in a statement on Wednesday.
• China launches revised regulations on education in military academies PLA Daily 17 Jun 2020 -- Xi Jinping, chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), signed an order a few days ago to launch the newly-revised Regulations on the Education in Military Academies(Trial). The new regulations will take effect on July 1, 2020.
• Chinese peacekeepers complete camp cleanup tasks for UNAMID in Sudan's Darfur PLA Daily 17 Jun 2020 -- China's construction engineering contingent to Darfur in Sudan have completed the cleanup tasks for 10 camps of the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) as of June 15. This move will better benefit the local people and lay a solid foundation for the camp handover, which is of great significance for the continuous promotion of peace-building in the Darfur region of Sudan.
• Chinese peacekeepers in Sudan complete environmental clean-up task in 10 UN camps PLA Daily 17 Jun 2020 -- China's 15th batch of peacekeeping force of engineers to Darfur in Sudan has completed the environmental clean-up task in ten camps of the United Nations-African Union Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) on June 15.
• Indian PM Orders to Stock Up War Reserves, Deployment of Assets After Violent Face-Off With China Sputnik 17 Jun 2020 -- Amid simmering tensions along the Line of Actual Control, unprecedented border clashes erupted between India and China in the Galwan Valley in eastern Ladakh on Monday night. The face-off led to casualties and injuries on both the sides.
• U.S.-UK Technology Safeguards Agreement US Dept. of State 17 Jun 2020 -- On June 16, 2020, the United States and the United Kingdom concluded the Agreement on Technology Safeguards Associated with U.S. Participation in Space Launches from the United Kingdom, or the U.S.-UK Technology Safeguards Agreement (TSA).
• £26.7 million engine support contract for Oxfordshire company UK MOD 17 Jun 2020 -- A £26.7 million contract has been awarded to supply and maintain outboard and inboard motors fitted to the MOD's small boats fleet.
• Ukraine - Mark VI Patrol Boats DSCA 17 Jun 2020 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Ukraine of up to sixteen (16) Mark VI Patrol Boats and related equipment for an estimated cost of $600 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany The White House 17 Jun 2020
• Briefing With Ambassador Philip T. Reeker On Readout From U.S.-EU Foreign Affairs Council Discussion US Dept. of State 17 Jun 2020

Defense Industry

• Contracts For June 17, 2020

Other Conflicts

• 17 June 2020 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 17 Jun 2020
• Yet Another S. China Sea Survey by China, near Taiwan-occupied Pratas Radio Free Asia 17 Jun 2020 -- China has begun a new deep sea survey in the South China Sea, near the Taiwan-occupied feature of Pratas, ship-tracking software shows.
• Statement from the Press Secretary Regarding Treasury and State Sanctions on the Assad Regime The White House 17 Jun 2020
• Syria Caesar Act Designations US Dept. of State 17 Jun 2020 -- "More than six years ago, the brave photographer known as Caesar shocked the world by smuggling out of Syria the photographic proof that the Assad regime was torturing and executing many thousands of Syrians in the regime's prisons."
• Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act US Dept. of State 17 Jun 2020 -- Fact Sheet
• Briefing with Special Representative for Syria Engagement and Special Envoy for the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS Ambassador James Jeffrey On Syria Caesar Act Designations US Dept. of State 17 Jun 2020
• Treasury Sanctions Investors Supporting Assad Regime's Corrupt Reconstruction Efforts US Treasury 17 Jun 2020 -- Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned 24 individuals and entities who are actively supporting the corrupt reconstruction efforts of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
• US Announces New Sanctions Against Syria VOA 17 Jun 2020 -- Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced Wednesday the latest round of U.S. sanctions against Syria, tightening pressure on President Bashar al-Assad and his government, amid concerns the war-torn country's population will suffer.
• U.S. Imposes Sweeping Sanctions On Assad, Syrian Government, And Its Backers RFE/RL 17 Jun 2020 -- The United States has imposed a new round of sanctions targeting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad as Washington tries to push the war-torn nation back to the UN-led negotiating table to try and end its almost decade-long civil conflict.
• New US Sanctions Against Syria Target Bashar Assad, His Wife Asma, Pompeo Says Sputnik 17 Jun 2020 -- The Caesar Act, signed by US President Donald Trump in December 2019, comes into force starting this Wednesday, imposing new sanctions on almost all Syrian economic and trade activities and anyone who does business with Damascus.
• US imposes new sanctions on war-torn Syria Press TV 17 Jun 2020 -- The United States has imposed new sanctions on the war-torn Syria in a bid to increase pressure on the Damascus government which is scoring victories against foreign-backed militants.
• Iran, Russia, China denounce US sanctions targeting war-ravaged Syrian economy Press TV 17 Jun 2020 -- Iran, Russia and China have censured the US for imposing sweeping economic sanctions against Syria, which Washington says are designed to put more pressure on the war-ravage country's economy and prevent Damascus from achieving victory in the fight against foreign-backed militants.
• French Court Sentences Exiled Uncle of Syrian President to Prison VOA 17 Jun 2020 -- The uncle of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad was found guilty and sentenced to four years in prison on Wednesday by a French court for using diverted Syrian funds to buy millions of dollars in property in France and London.
• Turkey Launches New Military Operation Against PKK in Northern Iraq, Defence Ministry Announces Sputnik 17 Jun 2020 -- Turkey has launched new military operation Claw-Tiger in the northern Iraqi region of Haftanin against forces of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and "other terrorist elements", the Defence Ministry said on Wednesday.
• Turkey sends special forces into Iraq 'against PKK militants' despite Baghdad's outrage Press TV 17 Jun 2020 -- Turkey says it has deployed special forces – backed by aerial and artillery support – to a northern Iraqi region in what it calls an operation against the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) militant group, despite Baghdad's outrage over Ankara's increased military activities on Iraqi soil.
• Russia Looks to Washington for Help in Libya VOA 17 Jun 2020 -- Sergey Lavrov, the Russian foreign minister, said Wednesday that he would welcome any efforts by Washington to use its influence on Turkey to help fashion a truce in Libya, where Ankara and Moscow are backing opposing sides and appear to be at increasing odds.
• Phone call between External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar and Foreign Minister of China, H.E. Mr. Wang Yi India MEA 17 Jun 2020 -- The External Affairs Minister and the State Councillor and Foreign Minister of China, H.E. Mr. Wang Yi, had a phone conversation this afternoon on recent developments in Ladakh.
• China urges India to investigate border incident Global Times 17 Jun 2020 -- China demands that India carry out a thorough investigation into the incident, severely punish those who should be held accountable, strictly discipline Indian frontline troops, and immediately stop all provocative actions so as to ensure that such incidents do not happen again, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi told the Indian foreign minister during a phone call on Wednesday regarding the Monday border confrontation that caused casualties on both sides in the Galwan Valley.
• Chinese FM, Indian external affairs minister talk on phone over border conflicts Global Times 17 Jun 2020 -- Chinese FM, Indian external affairs minister talk on phone over border conflicts.
• China, India are resolving border clashes through diplomatic, military channels: Chinese FM Global Times 17 Jun 2020 -- The Chinese foreign ministry said on Wednesday that China and India are in close communication on resolving the border issues through diplomatic and military channels, after a fatal encounter, which Chinese experts called the most severe situation China and India have experienced along the border in decades, broke out on Monday between the two countries' border defense troops in the Galwan Valley.
• China, India in close communication over border conflicts: FM Global Times 17 Jun 2020 -- China and India are in close communication on resolving relevant issues through both diplomatic and military channels, Chinese Foreign Minsitry spokesperson said on Wednesday on the recent border conflicts between the two countries.
• 'Soft landing' expected for China-India border clash: analysts Global Times 17 Jun 2020 -- The latest border conflicts between China and India will likely see a "soft landing" just like many previous ones, despite the deadly clash on Monday, as both countries have kept a clear and careful mind to keep all frictions in check, which was highlighted by both sides' restrained statements and the fact that both countries' troops did not use guns, analysts said.
• English rendering of PM's remarks on the situation in India-China Border areas India PIB 17 Jun 2020
• Chinese military urges India to return to correct track of dialogue, negotiations People's Daily 17 Jun 2020 -- A Chinese military spokesperson said Tuesday the Indian side should strictly restrain their frontline troops and return to the correct track of dialogue and negotiations to resolve the differences.
• China says willing to avoid further clashes with India in border dispute Press TV 17 Jun 2020 -- China has reiterated its intention to avoid any further confrontation with India in a border dispute that has resulted in their first deadly clashes in almost five decades.
• Sino-Indian Border Clash Unlikely to Escalate Further: Analysts Radio Free Asia 17 Jun 2020 -- China's and India's foreign ministers spoke by phone following a military clash at their shared border in the western Himalayas, Chinese state media reported on Wednesday, as analysts said neither country will likely allow the situation to escalate.
• Not a Shot Fired: How the Skirmish That Killed 20 Indian Soldiers Unfolded Sputnik 17 Jun 2020
• India, China Trade Blame After Deadly Border Clash VOA 17 Jun 2020 -- The deadliest confrontation between India and China in nearly five decades that killed 20 Indian soldiers represents a dangerous escalation of their long-simmering border dispute and the path to a resolution will not be easy for two countries led by nationalist leaders, say analysts.
• Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh reviews Ladakh Border situation with CDS, three Services Chiefs India PIB 17 Jun 2020 -- Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh this morning reviewed the Ladakh Border situation in a meeting at South Block today that was attended by Chief of Defence Staff and Secretary Department of Military Affairs General Bipin Rawat, Chief of Army Staff General M M Naravane, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Karambir Singh and Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal R K S Bhadauria.
• China urges India to restrain Global Times 17 Jun 2020 -- In an event that Chinese experts call the most severe situation China and India have experienced along the border in decades, a fatal physical clash broke out on Monday between the two countries' border defense troops in the Galwan Valley.
• Taiwan Warns Off Two Chinese Aircraft in Fourth Recent Incident Sputnik 17 Jun 2020 -- In the fourth such incident in just nine days, Taiwanese aircraft on Wednesday warned off two People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) aircraft nearing the island's Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ).
• Update: PLA warplanes conduct consecutive missions near Taiwan Global Times 17 Jun 2020 -- Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) warplanes have approached Taiwan island at least four times in just nine days, with the latest being aircraft including J-10 fighter jets and Y-8 aircraft again entering the island's southwestern "airspace," media reported Wednesday. This shows that this kind of operation by the PLA has become normalized and will put huge pressure on secessionists, analysts said.
• China Orders Prayer Flags Taken Down in Tibet in an Assault on Culture, Faith Radio Free Asia 17 Jun 2020 -- Chinese authorities in Tibet have ordered the destruction of prayer flags in many parts of the region in one of China's most direct assaults to date on visible symbols of Tibetan culture and religious belief, sources in the region say.
• Malaysia Detained More Rohingya Boats, Thai Official Says Radio Free Asia 17 Jun 2020 -- Malaysia detained three Rohingya boats in recent weeks in addition to the one it brought ashore on June 8, a Thai marine police commander told BenarNews on Wednesday, citing information from local fishermen, but a senior Malaysian security official denied this.
• Jordan, UK censure Israeli plan to consolidate Palestine occupation Press TV 17 Jun 2020 -- Jordan and Britain have voiced their opposition to Israel's controversial scheme to annex parts of the occupied Palestinian territory, saying the land grab bid endangers peace and breaches international law.
• British PM Johnson Says Israel's West Bank Plans Amount to Breach of International Law Sputnik 17 Jun 2020 -- Plans being pursued by Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu to extend the Jewish state's sovereignty over portions of the West Bank by 1 July have drawn the ire of the Palestinians and several nations.

News Reports

• 2016 Theft of Top Secret CIA Info 'Occurred Due to Agency's Woefully Lax Security Protocols' Sputnik 17 Jun 2020 -- A leak, revealed in 2017, apparently was the largest theft of data in CIA history, given that a total of 34 terabytes of information was reportedly compromised.
• Trump's Ex-Adviser Bolton Claims in New Book That Ukrainegate Was Tip of Iceberg for Scandalous Acts Sputnik 17 Jun 2020 -- According to a new tell-all book by US President Donald Trump's former national security adviser, John Bolton, the scandal for which Trump was impeached in December 2019 was just the tip of the iceberg of troubling political incidents.
• US Air Force Sergeant Charged in Murder of Federal Courthouse Officer in California VOA 17 Jun 2020 -- A U.S. Air Force sergeant with ties to an anti-government extremist group has been charged in the shooting death of a federal courthouse security officer in Oakland, California.
• Briefing by Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova, Moscow, June 17, 2020 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 17 Jun 2020
• OK, Yes, Big Brother IS Watching: Russian Schools Getting Surveillance Systems Called 'Orwell' RFE/RL 17 Jun 2020 -- You might think governments seeking digital oversight of their citizens would avoid invoking the author who coined the phrase "Big Brother is watching you" and implanted the nightmare of total state surveillance in the imaginations of millions of readers.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian's Regular Press Conference on June 17, 2020 PRC MofA 17 Jun 2020
• China Pledges to Cancel African Debt Amid COVID-19 Outbreak, President Says Sputnik 17 Jun 2020 -- China will cancel the debt of several African countries in the form of interest-free government loans and will accelerate the construction of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) headquarters, Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Wednesday, amid the global coronavirus disease epidemic.
• Statement by the President The White House 17 Jun 2020
• Trump Signs Uyghur Rights Act Into Law, Authorizing Sanctions For Abuses in Xinjiang Radio Free Asia 17 Jun 2020 -- U.S. President Donald Trump signed the Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act of 2020 into law on Wednesday, authorizing the use of sanctions against Chinese officials deemed complicit in the persecution of Uyghurs in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR).
• Trump Signs Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act of 2020 Allowing US to Impose New Sanctions on China Sputnik 17 Jun 2020 -- The act is set to impose sanctions against entities and individuals in China that are allegedly responsible for "human rights abuse" against Uighur Muslim population in Xinjiang, which China repeatedly denied.
• G7 Foreign Ministers' Statement on Hong Kong US Dept. of State 17 Jun 2020 -- The text of the following statement was released by the Governments of the United States of America, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the High Representative of the European Union.
• Top legislature may propose draft of natl security law for HK at this week's session: HK coalition head Global Times 17 Jun 2020 -- China's top legislature will speed up formulating the national security law for Hong Kong, a senior official from the legislature said.
• Official allays concerns over HK security law Global Times 17 Jun 2020 -- Teresa Cheng Yeuk-wah, Hong Kong secretary for justice, told the Global Times on Tuesday that, based on the understanding of the fourth item of the decision made by National People's Congress on May 28, the Department of Justice of Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Court will take the main responsibility for prosecution and judicial work after the national security law for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) is established.
• Hong Kong's unemployment rate hits record high in over 15 years Global Times 17 Jun 2020 -- Hong Kong's unemployment rate increased to 5.9 percent in the period from March to May 2020, surpassing the peak in the aftermath of the 2008 global financial crisis and hitting a record high in more than 15 years, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government said on Tuesday.
• Rights Groups Call on Beijing to Scrap Hong Kong Subversion Law Radio Free Asia 17 Jun 2020 -- More than 80 human rights groups from around the world have called on Beijing to scrap its plan to impose draconian subversion legislation on Hong Kong, saying the move will destroy freedoms promised to the city under the 1997 handover agreement.
• China sends new high-resolution remote sensing satellite into space Global Times 17 Jun 2020 -- China successfully sent another high-resolution remote sensing satellite, the Gaofen 9-03, into designated orbit on Wednesday via a Long March-2D carrier rocket from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Northwest China's Gansu Province.
• Scramble, Secrecy as Anti-Kim Leaflets Land Near North Korea's Border with China Radio Free Asia 17 Jun 2020 -- When South Korean balloon-lifted leaflets criticizing Kim Jong Un recently landed next to a high school close to North Korea's border with China, security agents mustered teachers, students and soldiers to bury the fliers -- then made them all pledge to keep the incident as a state secret, according to sources in the region.
• S. Korea's Blue House expresses strong regret over DPRK's demolition of joint liaison office People's Daily 17 Jun 2020 -- South Korea's presidential Blue House expressed strong regret Tuesday over the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)'s demolition of the inter-Korean joint liaison office in the DPRK's border town of Kaesong by explosion.
• South Korean Military Warns Pyongyang Will Pay if it Takes Real Military Action as Tensions Escalate Sputnik 17 Jun 2020 -- The statement comes after the People's Democratic Republic of Korea (DPRK) destroyed an Inter-Korean Liaison office, unexpectedly raising tensions between North and South Korea.
• After Blowing Up De Facto Embassy, North Korea Continues Provocations VOA 17 Jun 2020 -- A day after blowing up the de facto inter-Korean embassy, North Korea continued to ratchet up military pressure on the South, announcing the re-deployment of its forces near the border and angrily rejecting Seoul's offer to send envoys to reduce tensions.
• DPRK government refuses to sit face to face in dialogue with S.Korea Global Times 17 Jun 2020 -- A senior official of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) said on Wednesday that the North Korean government would not sit together with the authorities of South Korea and "there will be neither exchange nor cooperation in the future."
• DPRK refuses to sit face to face with S. Korean authorities People's Daily 17 Jun 2020 -- A senior official of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) said on Wednesday that his government would not sit together with the authorities of South Korea and "there will be neither exchange nor cooperation in the future."
• DPRK to redeploy troops to demilitarized zone in border area with South Korea People's Daily 17 Jun 2020 -- The army of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) announced on Wednesday it would redeploy soldiers to the previously-demilitarized Kaesong Industrial Zone and the Mount Kumgang areas soon.
• Inter-Korean tensions reach breaking point amid threats of military action Press TV 17 Jun 2020 -- The situation remains tense on the Korean Peninsula, where the two Koreas have been engaged in a fresh flare-up of hostilities, threatening each other with military action.
• KCNA Commentary on Height of Impudence KCNA 17 Jun 2020 -- The north-south joint liaison office which had already lost the value of its existence and symbolic meaning was toppled down on Tuesday afternoon as warned by us.
• S. Korean Authorities Plead for Accepting Special Envoys KCNA 17 Jun 2020 -- The south Korean authorities staged the petty farce of asking us to accept special envoys on June 15.
• We Will Never Sit Face to Face with S. Korean Authorities: Director of United Front Department of WPK Central Committee KCNA 17 Jun 2020 -- Jang Kum Chol, director of the United Front Department of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK), made public the following statement on Wednesday:
• Honeyed Words of Impudent Man Are Disgusting: First Vice Department Director Kim Yo Jong of WPK Central Committee KCNA 17 Jun 2020 -- The south Korean chief executive finally broke his silence, amid the north-south relations inching close to the worst catastrophe.
• Our Army Will Provide Sure Military Guarantee for All External and Internal Measures of Party and Government: Spokesman for KPA General Staff KCNA 17 Jun 2020 -- A spokesman for the General Staff of the Korean People's Army (KPA) said as follows on Wednesday:
• Nothing Can ever Calm down Enraged People KCNA 17 Jun 2020 -- Growing higher as the days go by is the retaliatory zeal of the Korean people to sternly punish human scum who dared to slander the most sacred dignity of the supreme leadership of the DPRK and betrayers who sheltered the scum.
• Ominous Prelude to Total Catastrophe of North-South Relations KCNA 17 Jun 2020 -- The north-south joint liaison office was completely destroyed with a loud explosion at 14:50 on Tuesday.
• Russia: UN chief report blaming Iran for attacks on Saudi oil facilities not based on convincing evidence Press TV 17 Jun 2020 -- The Russian Foreign Ministry says the UN chief's report on Iran's involvement in the last year attacks on Saudi oil facilities is biased and not substantiated by facts.
• Foreign Investment In Iran In 2019 Dropped To Lowest Level In 17 Years Radio Farda 17 Jun 2020 -- The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) in its latest report says foreign direct investment (FDI) in Iran has dropped by 36.5 percent in 2019 compared with the previous year.
• Iran Allows Limited Price Increase For Home Appliances Amid Devaluation Radio Farda 17 Jun 2020 -- An Iranian regulatory body on Tuesday issued a permit allowing price hikes of up to 25 percent for domestically produced home appliances in a bid to control runaway prices.
• Iranian Extradited From UK Pleads Guilty To Violating US Sanctions Radio Farda 17 Jun 2020 -- The founder and CEO of an Iranian financial services firm has pleaded guilty to conspiring to violate U.S. sanctions against Iran one month after being arraigned in Minneapolis, federal prosecutors said Tuesday.
• Iran Warns Against UN Nuclear Watchdog Resolution To Access Sites RFE/RL 16 Jun 2020 -- Iran has criticized a plan to put forward a resolution at a meeting of the UN's nuclear watchdog urging the country to allow inspectors access to two disputed sites.
• Pro-Russia Activists, Nationalists Clash In Kyiv RFE/RL 17 Jun 2020 -- Hundreds of activists supporting the pro-Russian Party of Shariy have clashed with Ukrainian nationalist groups in Kyiv near the office of President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.
• Venezuela's High Court Replaces Opposition Party Leadership VOA 17 Jun 2020 -- Venezuela's Supreme Court has removed the leadership of two political parties opposed to Socialist President Nicolas Maduro and replaced them with politicians reportedly tied to Maduro months ahead of legislative elections.
• Maduro to EU: Venezuela not your backyard; stop your meddling Press TV 17 Jun 2020 -- Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has warned the European Union to stay out of Caracas' internal affairs, stressing that the Latin American country is not the bloc's backyard.
• Prosecutors Seek 15-Year Prison Term For Former Kyrgyz President Over Release Of Crime Boss RFE/RL 17 Jun 2020 -- Prosecutors in Kyrgyzstan have asked a court to sentence former President Almazbek Atambaev to 15 years in prison at his trial over the illegal release of notorious crime boss Aziz Batukaev in 2013.
• Myanmar Political Prisoners Get No Love From Aung San Suu Kyi Four Years On Radio Free Asia 17 Jun 2020 -- Satirical performers imprisoned for mocking the powerful military have just had another year added to their jail time in Myanmar, deep into what was meant to be a historic transition to democratic rule.
• Cambodia Must End Crackdown on Opposition Amid Coronavirus Pandemic: Rights Group Radio Free Asia 17 Jun 2020 -- Cambodia's government must end a crackdown on the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) that has seen 15 former officials and activists detained on "fabricated political charges" since the coronavirus outbreak reached the country in January, a rights group said Wednesday.
• Malaysia Erases Two Years of Democratic Gains, Analysts Say VOA 17 Jun 2020 -- For Malaysia it is almost as if the last two years did not happen. In 2018 a new party came to power for the first time in more than half a century, an ex-premier was arrested in one of the world's biggest graft scandals, and the state stood up to China over debt risks of its Belt and Road diplomacy program.