Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• US Military Transport Planes Run Routine Flights to Libya From Ramstein Air Base in Germany – Source Sputnik 18 Jun 2020 -- The country is currently engulfed in an ongoing civil war, with clashes mainly taking place between two major factions – the UN-approved Government of National Accord in Tripoli and the Tobruk-based Libyan National Army (LNA) of General Khalifa Haftar, supported by the Libyan House of Representatives.
• Rise in violence leaves millions without healthcare in Afghanistan amid pandemic: ICRC Press TV 18 Jun 2020 -- The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has warned that the recent rise in violence in Afghanistan, combined with targeted attacks against healthcare facilities, has prevented access to health services for millions of Afghans.
• Top General Says U.S. Troop Cut In Afghanistan Hits 8,600 Target In Line With Taliban Deal RFE/RL 18 Jun 2020 -- The United States has reduced its troop presence in Afghanistan to levels agreed to as part of a February deal with the Taliban, the general who oversees the region says.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs Briefs Reporters DoD 18 Jun 2020 -- David F. Helvey, Acting Assistant Secretary Of Defense For Indo-Pacific Security Affairs
• Defense Space Strategy Addresses Militarization, Competition DoD News 18 Jun 2020 -- The Defense Department's newly released Defense Space Strategy addresses new realities in space: great power competition and militarization of the domain, the deputy assistant secretary of defense for space policy said.
• DOD Has Pedal to the Metal on Hypersonics DoD News 18 Jun 2020 -- Hypersonic missiles are a technology the Defense Department must field to remain competitive with other great powers, said the director of defense research and engineering for modernization.
• Secretary Mark T. Esper Message to the Force on DOD Diversity and Inclusiveness DoD 18 Jun 2020 -- Today, Secretary of Defense Mark T. Esper released a video address to members of the Department on diversity and inclusiveness. In his address, Secretary Esper announced three initiatives to build a better U.S. military that pursues equal opportunity and aspires to true meritocracy.
• Secretary Mark T. Esper Message to the Force on DOD Diversity and Inclusiveness DoD 18 Jun 2020 -- Secretary of Defense Mark T. Esper
• Guard Faces Pivotal Time, Nominee Says DoD News 18 Jun 2020 -- Today is an important and pivotal time in the history of the National Guard, the president's nominee to be the next chief of the National Guard Bureau told the Senate Armed Services Committee.
• USS Oak Hill En Route to Black Sea NNS 18 Jun 2020 -- The dock landing ship USS Oak Hill (LSD 51) began its northbound transit into the Black Sea June 18, to conduct maritime security operations and strengthen relationships with regional partners and allies.
• Blue Ridge Conducts Submarine Familiarization With USS Asheville NNS 18 Jun 2020 -- USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) participated in a submarine familiarization (SUBFAM) training with the Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Asheville (SSN 758) June 14.
  The SUBFAM gave the crew of Blue Ridge the chance to observe and operate with a submarine.
• USS Theodore Roosevelt Aviators Eject Safely at Sea NNS 18 Jun 2020 -- Two aviators safely ejected and were quickly recovered by a helicopter assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 8 aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) while conducting routine flight operations in the Philippine Sea.
• US Army Ready to Deploy Shape-Shifting Drones to Skies, Study Says Sputnik 18 Jun 2020 -- For the past 20 years, there've been advances in research in morphing aerial vehicles. What makes the US Army's studies different is its initial consideration of fluid-structure interaction during vehicle design and structural optimization, instead of designing a vehicle first and then seeing what the fluid-structure interaction behavior will be.
• US Lawmakers Introduce Legislation to Block Troop Pullout From Germany Sputnik 18 Jun 2020 -- US lawmakers have introduced a bill in both chambers of Congress to block the Trump administration from using any federal funds for a troop pullout from Germany, according to the text of the legislation published on Thursday.
• US F/A-18F Super Hornet Crashes in Philippine Sea, 2 Aviators Eject Safely - Navy Sputnik 18 Jun 2020 -- Two US pilots have safely ejected from their F/A-18F fighter jet as it was about to crash in the Philippine Sea during routine training and the aviators were quickly recovered, the 7th Fleet said in a statement on Wednesday.
• US Space Militarization Plans May Jeopardize Fragile Cooperation With Russia - Roscosmos Sputnik 18 Jun 2020 -- Washington's space militarization plans may jeopardize the already fragile cooperation with Russia, the deputy head of Russian State Space Corporation Roscosmos said on Thursday, still confirming the country's readiness to strengthen bilateral partnership.
• Readout of Defense Secretary Dr. Mark T. Esper's Remarks at the NATO Defense Ministerial DoD 18 Jun 2020
• Press conference by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg following the meetings of NATO Defence Ministers by teleconference NATO 18 Jun 2020
• Intensive, multidimensional drills show PLA capability in border region Global Times 18 Jun 2020 -- The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) has been conducting intensive military exercises of multiple dimensions, including high altitude tank and anti-tank drills in Southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, large-scale, long-distance maneuver of an army brigade to Northwest China, and nighttime group parachute infiltration, following the fatal clash between China and India in the border region.
• China launches revised regulations on education in military academies People's Daily 18 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.
• Xi stresses improving strategic management of armed forces PLA Daily 18 Jun 2020 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping has stressed improving strategic management to promote high-quality development of the armed forces.
• China considers revising armed police force law PLA Daily 18 Jun 2020 -- China's top legislature on Thursday began reviewing a draft revision to the Law on the People's Armed Police Force.
• $6.9 Billion US Military Initiative Would Benefit Taiwan, Vietnam VOA 18 Jun 2020 -- A $6.9 billion U.S. military initiative that's moving through the Senate would aid beleaguered Taiwan and Vietnam by thwarting major threats from their rival China, analysts say.
• India to Purchase 33 MiG-29, Su-30MKI Jets Under Emergency Order Amid Border Tension With China Sputnik 18 Jun 2020 -- India and Russia have been negotiating the purchase of MiG-29 and Su-30MKI aircraft since last year. In 2019, a top-level Indian Air Force (IAF) team visited a Russian facility to check the MiG-29 fighter jets; later, it submitted a favourable report to the IAF headquarters.
• Air-Launched BrahMos Missile Receives Combat Clearance Amid Border Conflict With China - Source Sputnik 18 Jun 2020 -- The air-launched version of the BrahMos missile, named after India's Brahmaputra River and Russia's Moskva River, has an operational range of 290 km. It can be dropped from 500 to 14,000 metres.
• Iran test-fires new cruise navy missiles in Indian Ocean drills IRNA 18 Jun 2020 -- Iranian Navy forces successfully test-fired new cruise missiles in military drills staged at north Indian Ocean and Oman Sea early on Thursday.
• Iran Navy successfully test-fires new-generation cruise missiles during drills Press TV 18 Jun 2020 -- Iran's naval forces have successfully tested new-generation cruise missiles – designed and developed by experts at home – during military drills in the Sea of Oman and the northern Indian Ocean.
• Iran Showcases Launch of Newest Land-to-Sea Missile in Indian Ocean – Video Sputnik 18 Jun 2020 -- After importing all types of armaments and equipment for years, Iran has been increasingly switching toward the domestic production of military wares presenting new achievements of its defence industry almost every year.
• Turkey Brushes Off France's 'Groundless Allegations' of Aggression in Mediterranean Sputnik 18 Jun 2020 -- The French Foreign Ministry on 17 June accused Turkey's navy of hostile actions towards its NATO allies to prevent them from imposing a United Nations arms embargo on Libya.
• Ukraine receives $60mn worth of military aid from US Press TV 18 Jun 2020 -- Ukraine has received more than 60 million dollars' worth of weapons and other equipment from the United States, following an initial freeze in military aid to the country that prompted an impeachment trial against President Donald Trump.

Defense Industry

• Contracts For June 18, 2020

Other Conflicts

• 18 June 2020 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 18 Jun 2020
• World Refugee Day: End conflict that drives 'appalling' displacement numbers UN News 18 Jun 2020 -- UN Secretary-General António Guterres has reminded countries of their fundamental obligation to protect the nearly 80 million people worldwide forced to flee their homes due to conflict, persecution and other crises.
• One percent of world population displaced due to violence: UN Press TV 18 Jun 2020 -- Nearly 80 million people – comprising one percent of the world population – were uprooted and displaced due to war, violence, and persecution by the end of last year, marking a near-doubling of global displacement in a decade, the United Nations (UN) refugee agency says.
• UN refugee chief laments nearly 80 million people forcibly displaced UN News 18 Jun 2020 -- Global displacement reached a staggering 79.5 million people last year - almost double the number of people in crisis registered a decade ago – owing to war, violence, persecution and other emergencies, the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, said on Thursday.
• Number of Forcibly Displaced Worldwide Breaks All Records VOA 18 Jun 2020 -- The U.N. refugee agency reports more than nine million people were newly displaced by persecution and conflict in 2019, bringing the total number of forcibly displaced around the world to a record-breaking 79.5 million people. These unprecedented figures appear in the agency's annual Global Trends report, released in advance of World Refugee Day on June 20.
• Indonesia: 'No Reason to Negotiate' With Beijing on South China Sea Radio Free Asia 18 Jun 2020 -- The Indonesian foreign minister said Thursday there was "no reason to negotiate" as she reaffirmed Jakarta's stance that it has no overlapping claims with Beijing in the South China Sea, days after Indonesia sent the U.N. chief another letter on the topic.
• Iran Pilot Says He Carried 7 Tons of Prohibited Cargo To Syria With Soleimani On Board Radio Farda 18 Jun 2020 -- A U.S. sanctioned Mahan Air pilot has told an IRGC-linked website in Tehran that he has once carried seven tons of "prohibited cargo" to Syria in 2013 with former Qods Force Commander Qasem Soleimani also on board.
• Iran, Russia condemn US economic terrorism against Syrian nation Press TV 18 Jun 2020 -- Iran and Russia, both assisting Syria with its counter-terrorism campaign, have denounced the latest round of American coercive economic measures against the Arab country, saying the sanctions violate international law and humanitarian principles.
• Iran Reacts To New US Sanctions On Syria By Promising More Aid Radio Farda 18 Jun 2020 -- Iran's First Vice-President Es'haq Jahangiri on Thursday told Syria's new prime minister the Islamic Republic will spare no effort "to reduce pressure on the Syrian people".
• Syria to Fight US Sanctions As Persistently As It Does Terrorism, Foreign Ministry Says Sputnik 18 Jun 2020 -- US sanctions are directed against the Syrian people and violate all possible international rules. Syria will resist the sanction pressures as persistently as it does terrorism, the Syrian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
• Iraq summons Turkish envoy again to protest military op, demand troop withdrawal Press TV 18 Jun 2020 -- The Iraqi Foreign Ministry has once again called in the Turkish ambassador to express its strong protest over a military operation by Turkish forces in the country's northern semi-autonomous Kurdistan region, and to demand that Ankara immediately halt its assaults there.
• Turkey Says It Struck 500 Kurdish Militant Targets In Northern Iraq Radio Farda 18 Jun 2020 -- Turkey's Defense Ministry says the country's military has struck more than 500 Kurdish militant targets in northern Iraq during an operation in the region against the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK).
• Rockets hit heavily fortified Green Zone in Iraqi capital Baghdad Press TV 18 Jun 2020 -- Rockets have struck an area at the heavily fortified Green Zone in the Iraqi capital city of Baghdad, which houses some of the main government offices and foreign diplomatic missions, including the US Embassy.
• New evidence of Russian aircraft active in Libyan airspace AFRICOM 18 Jun 2020 -- Russia's introduction of manned, armed attack aircraft into Libya changes the nature of the current conflict and intensifies the potential of risk to all Libyans, especially innocent civilians.
• Ankara, Washington Agree to Join Forces in Libya, Turkish Foreign Minister Says Sputnik 18 Jun 2020 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and US leader Donald Trump have agreed to cooperate in Libya, gripped by a nine-year civil war, the Turkish foreign minister said Thursday.
• Chinese military planes enter Taiwan's ADIZ for third time this week CNA 18 Jun 2020 -- Two Chinese military planes were spotted for the third time this week entering Taiwan's southwest air defense identification zone (ADIZ) on Thursday, according to the Ministry of National Defense (MND).
• PLA fighter jets conduct sortie as US military aircraft approaches Taiwan Global Times 18 Jun 2020 -- Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) fighter jets on Thursday again approached Taiwan island, media reported, citing Taiwan's defense authority, leading Taiwan media to speculate that the PLA aircraft were monitoring a US plane flying near the island around the same time.
• PRESS RELEASE - ARTICLE 'IN CHINA - INDIA CLASH India PIB 18 Jun 2020 -- This is with reference to the article 'In China - India Clash, Two Nationalist Leaders with Little Room to Give' by New York Times dated 17 June 2020.
• China, India to deal with border clash impartially People's Daily 18 Jun 2020 -- China and India have agreed to impartially deal with the serious clash between their troops at Galwan Valley and de-escalate tension in the border area as soon as possible, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Wednesday.
• India warns China against 'exaggerated' claim to border area Press TV 18 Jun 2020 -- India has warned China against making "exaggerated and untenable" territorial claims to a border area that was recently the scene of a deadly clash between the two sides.
• Indian Troops Carried Arms During Face-Off With China, But Acted Per Protocol, New Delhi Says Sputnik 18 Jun 2020 -- India's main opposition party Congress had questioned the federal government as to how soldiers deployed at Ladakh were unarmed to face the Chinese Army. Twenty Indian soldiers, including an officer, were killed by the Chinese military along a disputed border in eastern Ladakh on Monday night.
• India Must Not Misjudge Current Situation at Border, Warns Chinese Foreign Ministry Sputnik 18 Jun 2020 -- Earlier on Wednesday, the Indian Foreign Ministry warned China against making "exaggerated and untenable claims" to the Galvan Valley area, where a deadly scuffle broke out. Nevertheless, both nations have been trying to end the standoff in the Himalayan region with another round of meetings underway in Ladakh.
• Indian Army Sends Riot Gear to Protect Troops From Attacks With Medieval Weapons in Ladakh: Sources Sputnik 18 Jun 2020 -- In a violent face-off between the Indian Army and the People's Liberation Army on Monday, 20 Indian soldiers were killed. According to army sources in India, not a single shot was fired and that it was hand-to-hand combat in which Chinese troops were equipped with spiked iron rods as well as batons wrapped in barbed wire.
• India: China Is Making 'Exaggerated, Untenable Claims' to Galwan Valley VOA 18 Jun 2020 -- India cautioned China on Thursday not to make "exaggerated and untenable claims" to the disputed Galwan Valley, where the two countries had their deadliest confrontation in 45 years earlier this week.
• Nepal's Close Ties With China Weaken Tibetans' Human Rights Protections: Report Radio Free Asia 18 Jun 2020 -- Nepal's close political ties with China have left Tibetan refugees in the Himalayan country uncertain of their status, vulnerable to abuses of their rights, and restricted in their freedoms of movement and expression, rights groups said this week.
• Nepal's New Political Map: Himalayan Wall or Just a Thorn in Relations With India Sputnik 18 Jun 2020 -- Root Cause of Conflict - Peace and Friendship Treaty
• EU Extends Crimea Sanctions By One More Year RFE/RL 18 Jun 2020 -- The European Union has rolled over for another year sanctions imposed over Russia's annexation of the Crimean Peninsula from Ukraine.
• Annexation to have 'significant consequences' for EU-Israel relations, EU warns Press TV 18 Jun 2020 -- The European Union's foreign policy chief has warned that the annexation of Palestinian territories in the occupied West Bank pursued by the Israeli regime will have "significant consequences" for bilateral ties between the bloc and Tel Aviv.
• Israeli settlers bulldoze Palestinian land to build road connecting West Bank settlements Press TV 18 Jun 2020 -- Israeli settlers have flattened many acres of Palestinian land in the occupied West Bank to pave the way for the construction of a major new ring road in Jerusalem al-Quds, which will connect Jewish settlements located north and south of the city.
• Netanyahu Presents Four West Bank Plans to Benny Gantz, But Talks Deadlocked – Report Sputnik 18 Jun 2020 -- Israeli media earlier reported, citing anonymous sources, that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is looking for a pretext to break the coalition agreement with Benny Gantz's Blue and White Alliance in a bid to call a new election.
• 6 Colombian Soldiers Dead, 8 Hurt in Drug Gang Ambush VOA 18 Jun 2020 -- Colombian President Ivan Duque said he will use the full force of the military to bring to justice the drug gang that killed at least six soldiers and wounded eight of them during an ambush, near the country's jungle region.

News Reports

• Former White House national security adviser: Trump is not 'fit for office' Press TV 18 Jun 2020 -- US President Donald Trump is not fit for office and solely focused on getting reelected in the November election, former White House national security adviser John Bolton has said.
• Bolton bombshell: Trump willing to halt criminal investigations as 'favor to dictators' Press TV 18 Jun 2020 -- Former US national security adviser John Bolton has said in his new book that President Donald Trump had expressed a willingness to halt criminal investigations as "favor to dictators he liked".
• Bolton accuses Trump of lying more than once while in office Press TV 18 Jun 2020 -- Former national security adviser John Bolton has accused US President Donald Trump of lying more than once while being in office, according to a promotional clip of an interview with ABC News.
• Former DIA Analyst Sentenced for Leaking Classified Information to Journalists US Dept. of Justice 18 Jun 2020 -- A former employee of the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) was sentenced today to 30 months in prison for leaking classified information to two journalists in 2018 and 2019.
• Russian Info Ops Putting US Police in Their Crosshairs VOA 18 Jun 2020 -- Russia appears to be intensifying its focus on police enforcement issues in the United States, using popular reactions to protests that have gripped the nation as part of a larger propaganda campaign to divide Americans ahead of the U.S. presidential election in November.
• German Prosecutors Accuse Russian Government Of Ordering Killing In Berlin RFE/RL 18 Jun 2020 -- Prosecutors in Germany have filed murder charges against a Russian national accused of the slaying of a Georgian man in Berlin last year and said the Russian government ordered the killing.
• Germany Says Kremlin Behind Murder of Ethnic Chechen VOA 18 Jun 2020 -- Germany's federal prosecutors Thursday charged a Russian national for the killing last year of a Georgian rebel fighter in Berlin and said Moscow ordered the assassination. The development is likely to further strain Berlin's already rocky relations with the Kremlin, according to diplomats.
• Australia Has Become Target of 'Sophisticated' Cyber Attack by a 'State-Based Actor' - PM Morrison Sputnik 18 Jun 2020 -- The Australian PM, during a press conference, said that the actor behind the cyber attack is "state-based", judging from the "scale and nature of the targeting". However, he did not name the country Canberra believes is responsible.
• Briefing with Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs David Stilwell On Readout of Secretary Pompeo's Meeting With Poliburo Member Yang Jiechi US Dept. of State 18 Jun 2020
• US: China Not Forthcoming in Hawaii Talks VOA 18 Jun 2020 -- The United States said China was not forthcoming in Hawaii talks when U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo spoke to Chinese Communist Party (CCP) Politburo member Yang Jiechi.
• China rejects US, G7 interference over Hong Kong Press TV 18 Jun 2020 -- China has strongly objected to interference by the United States and the Group of Seven (G7) in its internal affairs over matters related to Hong Kong.
• China Presses Ahead With Tougher-Looking National Security Law For Hong Kong Radio Free Asia 18 Jun 2020 -- China's leadership on Thursday moved ahead with a draconian national security law it plans to impose on Hong Kong, sparking concerns that the new regime will target peaceful dissidents and pro-democracy politicians, especially those accused of "colluding with overseas forces."
• Taiwan Sets Out Escape Plan to Aid Fleeing Hongkongers Radio Free Asia 18 Jun 2020 -- Authorities in Taiwan on Thursday set out plans to make the democratic island a safe haven for Hongkongers fearing a crackdown on dissent by China's feared state security police.
• Natl security law for HK submitted to top legislature, likely to be 'enacted by end of this month' Global Times 18 Jun 2020 -- Just shortly before the draft of the national security law for Hong Kong was submitted for deliberation to China's top legislature on Thursday, the G7 nations urged China to reconsider the law, the latest move of interference in China's internal affairs by those nations which analysts said will only make China more determined in accelerating the enactment of the law.
• Draft HK national security law submitted to top legislature for deliberation Global Times 18 Jun 2020 -- China's draft national security law for Hong Kong has been submitted for deliberation to the 19th session of the Standing Committee of the 13th National People's Congress, which opened on Thursday.
• Draft law on safeguarding national security in HKSAR submitted to China's top legislature People's Daily 18 Jun 2020 -- A draft law on safeguarding national security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) of the People's Republic of China was submitted to the country's top legislature for deliberation Thursday.
• About 110 teachers or staff, 3,600 students arrested over social incidents in HK since June last year: HKSAR official People's Daily 18 Jun 2020 -- About 110 teachers or staff from education institutions and about 3,600 students have been arrested over social incidents in Hong Kong from June 2019 to May 2020, Hong Kong's education chief said on Wednesday.
• US continues to play Xinjiang card with bill despite high-level talks Global Times 18 Jun 2020 -- US President Donald Trump signed a so-called Uygur bill on Wednesday, which defames human rights situation in China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and potentially slaps more sanctions on Chinese companies and officials over Xinjiang-related issues. The move was made the day China's senior diplomat Yang Jiechi met US Secretary Mike Pompeo in Hawaii at the latter's request, and shattered the previous anticipation of softening strained ties.
• China vows to take countermeasures over US' Xinjiang bill Global Times 18 Jun 2020 -- The Chinese government and people expressed strong indignation and resolute opposition to the so-called Uygur human rights bill signed by US President Donald Trump on Wednesday, as it defamed the human rights situation in Xinjiang, viciously attacked China's Xinjiang policy, blatantly trampled on international law and grossly interfered in China's internal affairs, the Chinese foreign ministry said on Thursday.
• China firmly opposes Xinjiang-related bill signed by Trump People's Daily 18 Jun 2020 -- China expressed opposition on Thursday to the so-called Uygur Human Rights Policy Act of 2020 signed into law by the United States President Donald Trump, urging Washington to correct its mistakes, or it will face countermeasures from Beijing and bear all consequences.
• China says US Uighur law 'rude interference in internal affairs' Press TV 18 Jun 2020 -- China says the United States has interfered in its internal affairs by approving a law that would enable sanctions on Chinese officials over allegations of mistreating Uighur Muslims in the Asian country.
• China's Foreign Ministry Denounces Uyghur Human Rights Bill Signed by Trump, Vows to 'Hit Back' Sputnik 18 Jun 2020 -- The complaint comes after US President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed the Uyghur Human Rights Act of 2020 that envisages sanctions against individuals and entities considered by Washington to be responsible for "human rights abuses" against the Uyghur Muslim minority in China's Xinjiang province.
• Chinese senior diplomat warns US over HK, Taiwan and Xinjiang interference Global Times 18 Jun 2020 -- Senior Chinese diplomat Yang Jiechi held a dialogue with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Wednesday, during which he stated China's stance on developing China-US relations and its position on important and sensitive topics concerning Taiwan, Hong Kong and Xinjiang.
• China-Africa friendship solid Global Times 18 Jun 2020 -- China and African countries vowed to strengthen joint efforts in battling COVID-19 at a China-Africa summit on Wednesday, as the African continent faces increasing infections and China deals with a resurfacing of the epidemic, which indicate a protracted fight against the virus. Experts said that the summit demonstrates the unshakable China-African friendships despite previous bumps and some Western countries trying to sow dissent. China will always be the biggest supporter of African countries' development, especially during the post-pandemic era.
• China stands firmly with African brothers, sisters in fight against COVID-19 People's Daily 18 Jun 2020 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping presided over an extraordinary China-Africa summit on solidarity against COVID-19 in Beijing on June 17 via video link and delivered a keynote speech.
• Two former legislative aides detained, suspected of spying for China CNA 18 Jun 2020 -- Two former legislative aides in Taiwan's national legislature were detained and held incommunicado Thursday on suspicion of involvement in developing organizations for Chinese intelligence officers and providing them with classified information.
• WPK, Motherly Party for Korean People KCNA 18 Jun 2020 -- The people in the DPRK heartily trust in and follow the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK), calling it the motherly party.
• Rodong Sinmun on Complete Destruction of North-South Joint Liaison Office KCNA 18 Jun 2020 -- The eye-sore north-south joint liaison office, unnecessary and useless one, was completely destroyed amid the mounting zeal of the service personnel and people of the DPRK for punishment.
• Ex-UN Chief Ban Ki-moon Says N Korea Acquired 'De Facto Nuclear State Status' From Trump Meetings Sputnik 18 Jun 2020 -- US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un had three one-on-one summits. The first meeting between the two leaders was in Singapore in June 2018, the second in Vietnam in February 2019, and the last took place at the demilitarized zone between North and South Korea in June 2019.
• Kim Jong Un Keeps Quiet as North Korea Turns Up Heat VOA 18 Jun 2020 -- As North Korea ramps up military pressure on South Korea, the country's leader, Kim Jong Un, has been conspicuously absent from public view.
• Iran warns IAEA against adopting resolution pushing for intrusive nuclear inspections Press TV 18 Jun 2020 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has warned the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) against adopting a draft resolution pushing for intrusive inspections of two nuclear sites in the country.
• Envoy reaffirms Iran's principal policy of cooperation with IAEA IRNA 18 Jun 2020 -- Iran's ambassador to the Vienna-based international organizations Kazem Gharibabadi in a statement on Thursday hailed the country's cooperation with the IAEA, saying that the current extensive level of cooperation between them has not been achieved easily, just to be diminished by imprudent political interests.
• Iran envoy warns IAEA BoG over lack of prudence IRNA 18 Jun 2020 -- Iran's ambassador to the Vienna-based international organizations Kazem Gharibabadi in a message described Vienna as the last bastion of multilateralism saying unfortunately the IAEA board of Governors did not show enough prudence this week.
• No country opens its territory to inspection based on enemy claims: Iran envoy to IAEA Press TV 18 Jun 2020 -- Iran's permanent representative to Vienna-based international organizations says "no country will open its territory to the inspections" only based on continuous allegations provided by its own enemy.
• Tehran renews warning to UN nuclear watchdog as EU, US launch anti-Iran push Press TV 18 Jun 2020 -- Iran has warned the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) against failing to "exercise prudence" as its Board of Governors is expected to discuss a European-drafted resolution pushing for intrusive inspections of Iranian nuclear sites.
• Europe Looking For A Compromise On Iran Arms Embargo Issue Radio Farda 18 Jun 2020 -- European diplomats want to find a way to reach a compromise between signatories of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal by proposing a limited extension of Iran's arms embargo and save the agreement from total collapse, Wall Street Journal reported on June 17.
• Iran has over $62bn in net foreign assets: IRNA Press TV 18 Jun 2020 -- The Central Bank of Iran (CBI) says net foreign assets held by the bank and other Iranian non-bank financial institutions have surged by nearly a third over the year ending March 19.
• Iran's Currency At New Lows Amid Pandemic And Government Borrowing Radio Farda 18 Jun 2020 -- Iran's currency the rial has again fallen to record lows against the U.S. dollar on Thursday, June 18, with each dollar trading at 188,200 rials or 20 percent higher than just a few weeks ago.
• Iraq To Pay Its Debts To Iran By Exporting Food And Medicine Radio Farda 18 Jun 2020 -- After an eight-hour trip to Iraq June 17, the Governor of the Central Bank of Iran (CBI), Abdolnasser Hemmati, announced that Baghdad had agreed to settle its gas and electricity-related debts to Tehran by providing food and medicine to Iran.
• Message to the Senate of the United States on the Convention on the Suppression of Unlawful Acts Relating to International Civil Aviation The White House 18 Jun 2020
• Message to the Senate of the United States on the Protocol Supplementary to the Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Seizure of Aircraft The White House 18 Jun 2020
• Department of State Offers Rewards for Information to Bring Colombian Drug Traffickers to Justice US Dept. of State 18 Jun 2020 -- Today, the U.S. Department of State announced rewards up to $10 million each for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of Seuxis Hernandez-Solarte, aka "Jesus Santrich," and Luciano Marin Arango, aka "Ivan Marquez." Both are former senior leaders of the FARC who dropped out of the peace process and have a long history of involvement in drug trafficking activities, which resulted in their criminal indictments.
• Kyrgyz Lawmakers Exonerate Country Of Links To Massive Money-Laundering Operation RFE/RL 18 Jun 2020 -- Kyrgyz lawmakers have approved the findings of a parliamentary commission that concluded Kyrgyzstan was not involved in hundreds of millions of dollars of alleged money laundering uncovered in a bombshell joint journalistic investigation.
• Armenian Former President Kocharian Granted Bail Of More Than $4 Million RFE/RL 18 Jun 2020 -- An Armenian court has granted bail to former President Robert Kocharian, who is standing trial on charges of overthrowing the constitutional order and bribery.
• The United States Targets Network Supporting Corrupt Venezuelan Actors Attempting to Evade Sanctions US Dept. of State 18 Jun 2020 -- Today, the United States imposed sanctions against active participants in a network of companies that transported oil stolen from the Venezuelan people under the guise of an oil-for-food scheme.
• Treasury Targets Sanctions Evasion Network Supporting Corrupt Venezuelan Actors US Treasury 18 Jun 2020 -- Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated three individuals and eight foreign entities, and identified two vessels as blocked property for their activities in or associated with a network attempting to evade United States sanctions on Venezuela's oil sector.
• U.S. Embassy Warns Ukraine About Its Justice System As Arrest Of Poroshenko Being Mulled RFE/RL 18 Jun 2020 -- The U.S. Embassy in Kyiv has expressed concerns about Ukraine's justice system at a time when the State Bureau of Investigations (DBR) and the Prosecutor-General's Office are considering arresting former President Petro Poroshenko amid a spate of investigations involving him.
• Potential Lukashenka Challenger And His Son Detained In Minsk RFE/RL 18 Jun 2020 -- A potential challenger to Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka in an upcoming presidential election has been detained along with his son for questioning at the Committee For State Control (KDK).
• Chief Minister Survives Impeachment Vote in Myanmar's Yangon Radio Free Asia 18 Jun 2020 -- An attempt to impeach Yangon's chief minister by opponents of Myanmar's ruling National League for Democracy failed on Thursday, with lawmakers in the regional parliament rejecting the measure in a mostly party-line vote, the legislators said.
• Evariste Ndayishimiye Sworn In as Burundi's New President VOA 18 Jun 2020 -- Evariste Ndayishimiye was sworn in as Burundi's new president Thursday at the Ingoma stadium in the capital city, Gitegay, a week after the sudden death of outgoing President Pierre Nkurunziza.
• In Cambodia, an Unnamed Donor's Gift of 290 Chinese Trucks to Army and Police Raises Concerns Radio Free Asia 18 Jun 2020 -- Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen's son unveiled a shipment of 290 Chinese-made military trucks on Thursday, saying the vehicles were not aid from Beijing but gifts from unnamed donors – prompting fears they will be deployed against civilians amid a three-year crackdown on the opposition.
• Arrests, Suspension of Vietnam Media Signal Crackdown VOA 18 Jun 2020 -- A wave of arrests and a one-month publishing ban on a news site over its investigations into environmental damage signal that Vietnam is suppressing criticism ahead of the country's Party Congress, press freedom groups said.