Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• Imran Khan on Pakistani-US Relations: 'We Will Not Fight Their War' Sputnik 26 Jun 2020 -- Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday took credit for holding successful peace talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban on behalf of the US, stating that the world has acknowledged Islamabad's efforts toward reconciliation in the region.

Defense Policy / Programs

• China Becoming Concern for U.S. Commanders in Europe DoD News 26 Jun 2020 -- It seems counter-intuitive, but China is increasingly a concern for the commander of U.S. Naval Forces in Europe and Africa and NATO's Allied Joint Force Command.
• AFRICOM partners with NATO to deliver critical supplies to East Africa AFRICOM 26 Jun 2020 -- U.S. Africa Command partnered with the NATO Heavy Airlift Wing (HAW) to deliver critical supplies to troops supporting East Africa operations this week as part of an effort to strengthen international logistics support in Africa.
• Joint U.S. and U.K. Readout of Call Between U.S. Secretary of Defense Dr. Mark T. Esper and U.K. Secretary of State for Defense Ben Wallace DoD 26 Jun 2020 -- U.K. Secretary of State for Defense Ben Wallace spoke yesterday with U.S. Secretary of Defense Dr. Mark T. Esper, who visited Royal Air Force Base Mildenhall. They emphasized the continued importance of the two nations' collaboration and friendship as we face challenges and opportunities together both now and in the future.
• AI Gleaned Information About Emerging Threats, Future Plots From bin Laden Raid DoD News 26 Jun 2020 -- On May 2, 2011, U.S. Navy special operators carried out a Central Intelligence Agency-led operation to kill or capture Osama bin Laden, the founder of al-Qaida, the group responsible for many terrorist activities, including the 9/11 attacks. The raid on the compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan, owned by OBL, as he was called, was launched from Afghanistan.
• Esper Visits U.S., British Airmen at Base in England DoD News 26 Jun 2020 -- Defense Secretary Dr. Mark T. Esper visited officers and enlisted airmen at Royal Air Force Mildenhall in England on Thursday, getting updates on missions and discussing the base's role in the European and African theaters.
• Navy Accepts Delivery of Future USS Oakland (LCS 24) NNS 26 Jun 2020 -- The Navy accepted delivery of the future USS Oakland (LCS 24) June 26 during a ceremony at Austal USA in Mobile, Alabama.
• NMCB-5 Completes 100th U.S. Navy Seabee Project in Timor-Leste NNS 26 Jun 2020 -- U.S. Navy Seabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 5's Detail Timor-Leste conducted a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the 100th Seabee project in Timor-Leste, a two-room education facility at the Ensino Basico Central Fatumeta Pre-Secondary School, June 23.
• Naval Base Guam Paves the Way for Safe Haven Liberty Ports NNS 26 Jun 2020 -- U.S. Naval Base Guam (NBG) has been designated a Safe Haven Liberty port for ships to safely pull in for potential logistical re-supply, possible repairs, and the rest and relaxation for Sailors and crewmembers amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Decision to Reduce Troops in Germany Aims to Tackle Chinese Threat to India, East Asia - Pompeo Sputnik 26 Jun 2020 -- While addressing the Brussels Forum in a virtual format, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo stressed that "China's expansionist policies" are the real challenge in the contemporary world.
• Naval Research Laboratory Telescope Onboard Joint NASA and European Space Agency Program Discovers 4000th Comet NNS 26 Jun 2020 -- The U.S. Naval Research Laboratory's Large Angle Spectrometric Coronagraph (LASCO) instrument identified the 4000th comet discovered by the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO), a joint mission between the European Space Agency and NASA on June 15.
• NATO Chief Talks Nuclear Arms, Burden-sharing, NATO 2030 DoD News 26 Jun 2020 -- NATO welcomes nuclear arms talks between the United States and Russia, and strongly supports the idea of China's would-be involvement, as well, Secretary General of NATO Jens Stoltenberg said in Brussels this week.
• Readout of Defense Secretary Dr. Mark T. Esper's Meeting With NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg DoD 26 Jun 2020
• Secretary General welcomes US Secretary of Defense to NATO HQ for talks NATO 26 Jun 2020 -- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed US Secretary of Defense Mark Esper to NATO Headquarters on Friday (26 June 2020). They had discussions to follow up the decisions taken by NATO Defence Ministers last week on issues including the Russian missile threat, NATO's response to COVID-19, and the Alliance's missions in Afghanistan and Iraq.
• Russia Spotted 35 Foreign Spy Jets Close to National Airspace Over Past Week Sputnik 26 Jun 2020 -- The Russian Armed Forces detected 35 foreign jets that were engaged in reconnaissance activities close to Russia's airspace last week, the military's official newspaper Krasnaya Zvezda reported on Friday.
• Navy Inducts Indigenously Developed Torpedo Decoy System India PIB 26 Jun 2020 -- Anti - Submarine Warfare capability of the Indian Navy has received a major boost today with the conclusion of a contract for Advanced Torpedo Decoy System Maareech capable of being fired from all frontline warships.
• OPERATION SAMUDRA SETU INS JALASHWA EMBARKS INDIAN NATIONALS AT BANDAR ABBAS, IRAN India PIB 26 Jun 2020 -- INS Jalashwa arrived off Bandar Abbas, Iran on the evening of 24 Jun 20 and entered harbour on 25 Jun 20 for another mission under the Indian Navy's Op Samudra Setu. The ship embarked 687 Indian citizens after the mandatory medical and baggage screening.
• Explosion East Of Tehran In Area Housing A Sensitive Military Facility Radio Farda 26 Jun 2020 -- A massive explosion at a sensitive military area near the Iranian capital city Tehran triggered a series of speculations of a possible air attack.
• Iran Reports Explosion At Gas-Storage Tank Near Sensitive Military Site RFE/RL 26 Jun 2020 -- Iran's Defense Ministry says there has been an explosion at an Iranian gas-storage facility in an area with a sensitive military site to the east of Tehran.
• Carrier Strike – Preparing for deployment UK National Audit Office (NAO) 26 Jun 2020 -- Today the National Audit Office (NAO) reports that the Ministry of Defence (MoD) needs to focus on developing crucial supporting elements to make full use of Carrier Strike, as well as develop a better understanding of how much it will cost in the future.
• UK Defence Ministry Failed to Account for Final Cost of Aircraft Carriers, Public Watchdog Says Sputnik 26 Jun 2020 -- The UK's Ministry of Defence has not counted all future costs of operating its two aircraft carriers in the upcoming budgets, a report by a public spending watchdog has concluded.

Defense Industry

• Contracts For June 26, 2020

Other Conflicts

• 26 June 2020 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 26 Jun 2020
• ASEAN Leaders Assert Importance of Free Airspace over South China Sea Radio Free Asia 26 Jun 2020 -- Southeast Asian leaders on Friday called for maintaining free airspace over the South China Sea in response to reports that Beijing plans to establish an air defense zone as part of its territorial expansion efforts in the contested maritime region.
• China Resumes Dredging at Woody Island in the Paracels Radio Free Asia 26 Jun 2020 -- China is dredging in a bay at Woody Island, its biggest settlement in the South China Sea, likely to expand the artificial island's northwest corner, satellite imagery shows.
• Philippine President Duterte Warns of 'Alarming Incidents' in the South China Sea Sputnik 26 Jun 2020 -- The Asia-Pacific region has several territorial disputes in the South China and East China Seas that involve Brunei, China, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam.
• How Indonesia is Setting Limits for China's Maritime Expansion in Asia VOA 26 Jun 2020 -- Indonesia declined this month to negotiate with China over a tract of sea where Beijing says it should have usage rights.
• 2.4 million children in Yemen could go malnourished amid pandemic: UNICEF Press TV 26 Jun 2020 -- The United Nations children's agency, UNICEF, has warned that the shortage of humanitarian assistance amid the coronavirus pandemic threatens to push more children in Yemen to the brink of starvation.
• Yemeni forces to strike strategic targets deeper inside Saudi Arabia: Top Houthi official Press TV 26 Jun 2020 -- Yemen's popular Houthi Ansarullah movement has praised the latest retaliatory missile and drone strikes on strategic sites deep inside Saudi Arabia, saying Yemen's army forces and allies are planning to hit more targets in reprisal for the kingdom's war on the impoverished nation.
• Yemen: millions of children facing deadly hunger, amidst aid shortages and COVID-19 UN News 26 Jun 2020 -- Millions of children in the heart of the world's worst humanitarian disaster could be pushed to the brink of starvation, due to huge shortfalls in humanitarian aid funding amid the coronavirus pandemic, the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) said on Friday.
• Syrians 'face unprecedented hunger amid impending COVID crisis' UN News 26 Jun 2020 -- Syrian communities devastated by years of civil war now face an "unprecedented" hunger crisis, just as urgent action is needed to prevent COVID-19 from spreading, UN humanitarians said on Friday.
• Iraqi Forces Raid Iranian-Backed Militia's HQ Near Baghdad RFE/RL 26 Jun 2020 -- Iraqi security forces have raided the headquarters of an Iran-backed militia near Baghdad, seizing rockets and detaining more than a dozen pro-Iran fighters.
• Iraqi Security Says Arrested Group Planned Attack on Baghdad's Green Zone, Reports Say Sputnik 26 Jun 2020 -- A group detained by the Iraqi security services during a recent night raid has been preparing attacks on governmental facilitates in Baghdad's so-called green zone, the Iraqi News Agency (INA) reported on Friday, citing the Iraqi armed forces' joint command.
• Another Chinese military plane spotted entering Taiwan's ADIZ CNA 26 Jun 2020 -- Another Chinese military aircraft has been spotted entering Taiwan's southwest air defense identification zone (ADIZ) on Friday, according to the Ministry of National Defense (MND).
• PLA flies aircraft to Taiwan, both US and Taiwan military activities targeted Global Times 26 Jun 2020 -- For the eighth time in June, the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) reportedly sent military aircraft to Taiwan's southwestern "airspace" on Friday.
• Foreign Diplomats Given Staged 'Tour' of Tibetan Areas in Sichuan Radio Free Asia 26 Jun 2020 -- A tour of Tibetan areas given recently to foreign diplomats by authorities in western China fell short of showing a true picture of conditions faced by Tibetans living under Beijing's rule, an advocacy group said this week.
• India admits amassing troops near site of deadly fighting with China Press TV 26 Jun 2020 -- India has deployed hundreds of troops near the site of recent deadly border clashes with China, in what it says came in response to China's military deployment to the Himalayan border region.
• 'Did China Encroach Our Land?' India's Congress Nudges Prime Minister Modi Over Ladakh Conflict Sputnik 26 Jun 2020 -- In an unprecedented turn of events, Indian and Chinese armies fought each other at a disputed territory in eastern Ladakh on 15 June. India lost 20 soldiers, including an officer, while there has been confirmation about any casualties on the Chinese side. Both sides have blamed each other for the violent face-off.
• India Accuses China of Amassing Large Number of Arms, Troops Near Line of Actual Control Since May Sputnik 26 Jun 2020 -- On Wednesday, the Indian army claimed to have agreed to disengage its troops along the Line of Actual Control after several diplomatic and military level talks with China. However, alleged satellite images show that China has moved thousands of troops, artillery units, and armoured vehicles to a new area of northern Ladakh.
• Indian Forces Kill Three Militants in Shootout in Kashmir Valley Sputnik 26 Jun 2020 -- India's Kashmir Valley has been witnessing heightened gunfire between militants and security forces, with stepped up counter-terror operations since April of this year. Most of these encounters have taken place in southern Kashmir.
• Broken Or A Breakthrough? Surprise Kosovo War-Crime Charges Have Put Balkan Talks In Limbo RFE/RL 26 Jun 2020 -- A war crimes indictment from The Hague against Kosovar President Hashim Thaci and several others caused transatlantic shockwaves when it was announced on June 24.
• Indicted Kosovar President Accuses International Judiciary Of Attempt To 'Rewrite History' RFE/RL 26 Jun 2020 -- Kosovar President Hashim Thaci, indicted this week for war crimes and crimes against humanity, has accused the international justice system of attempting to rewrite history.
• Hamas says armed resistance main tool to thwart Israeli annexation plan Press TV 26 Jun 2020 -- A senior official from the Palestinian resistance movement of Hamas says armed resistance is a main tool to thwart the Israeli plan of annexing parts of the occupied West Bank and the Jordan Valley.
• Israel Ceases the Idea of Extending Sovereignty Over Jordan Valley, Reports Say Sputnik 26 Jun 2020 -- On 24 June, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on Israel to abandon its "annexation plan" and urged the parties to commit to dialogue with the support of the international community.
• In central Mali, community fighting and impunity, 'overwhelming' efforts to protect civilians UN News 26 Jun 2020 -- Feeding an entrenched cycle of violence and reprisal, 580 civilians have been killed in Mali so far this year, as worsening security conditions and widespread impunity undermine efforts to protect people caught in intercommunal fighting, the UN Human Rights chief said on Friday.
• Western and Arab Countries Promise $1.5 Billion to Help Cash-Strapped Sudan VOA 26 Jun 2020 -- Western and Arab countries promised to contribute $1.5 billion to ease Sudan's financial crisis at an online conference hosted by Germany.
• Myanmar Army Orders Cluster of Villages Housing 10,000 Emptied For Rakhine Operation Radio Free Asia 26 Jun 2020 -- Myanmar soldiers have ordered a village tract housing some 10,000 people emptied so it can pursue rebel fighters in Rakhine state, as aggressive military action increasingly displaces civilians in the 18-month-old war, local authorities said Friday.

News Reports

• The Week In Russia: Putin's Vote (The Means And The End) RFE/RL 26 Jun 2020 -- At this point in Russian President Vladimir Putin's ongoing machinations over a potential fifth and sixth term, it's tempting to say, "Yeah, whatever." After all, the general public and even his close confidants may not know for more than three years whether he will seek reelection in 2024.
• Overall Turnout At 9.2 Percent On First Day Of Russia's Weeklong Constitutional Vote RFE/RL 26 Jun 2020 -- Russia's Central Electoral Commision (CEC) says overall turnout was about 9 percent on the first day of a weeklong vote for constitutional amendments that could pave the way for an extension of President Vladimir Putin's rule by 12 years.
• Voldemort No More? Putin Foe Navalny Makes Rare Appearance On Russian State TV RFE/RL 26 Jun 2020 -- For years, Aleksei Navalny has chronicled alleged corruption and exposed potential misdeeds by President Vladimir Putin and some of his closest allies.
• Of Car Trunks And Tree Stumps: As Russians Vote On Putin's Future, A Chaotic Rush To Boost Turnout RFE/RL 26 Jun 2020 -- Polling stations have sprung up in car trunks and parked buses, on tree stumps and park benches, on soccer pitches and inside tents. Daily raffles are offering prizes to all who cast a ballot, whether voting "yes" or "no." And there's no shortage of hints as to which one they should choose.
• Chinese Citizen Convicted of Economic Espionage, Theft of Trade Secrets, and Conspiracy US Dept. of Justice 26 Jun 2020 -- Defendant Stole from U.S. Companies to Benefit Instrumentality of the Chinese Government
• Energy Security Concerns and US Tensions May Boost Demand for High-Polluting Fuel in China Radio Free Asia 26 Jun 2020 -- As China tries to rescue its economy from the pandemic crisis, the government is likely to respond with support for more consumption of domestic coal, analysts say.
• Pompeo: US imposes visa restrictions on Chinese officials Press TV 26 Jun 2020 -- The US has imposed visa restrictions on Chinese officials for allegedly infringing on Hong Kong's autonomy.
• The Chinese Communist Party's Ideology and Global Ambitions The White House 26 Jun 2020
• Independent UN rights experts call for decisive measures to protect 'fundamental freedoms' in China UN News 26 Jun 2020 -- The repression of "fundamental freedoms" by the Chinese Government prompted nearly 50 UN independent experts on Friday to express their continuing alarm, urging the country to "abide by its international legal obligations".
• With national security bill around the corner, HK secessionists change course Global Times 26 Jun 2020 -- Anson Chan Fang On-sang, Hong Kong's former chief secretary, a stern advocate for the so-called "democratic reforms" in Hong Kong and a key figure believed to have played a role in the city's unrest, said on Friday that she will be stepping back from political and civil engagements in the future.
• Hong Kong Journalist Groups Appeal to UN Over Police Violence Radio Free Asia 26 Jun 2020 -- Journalists' associations in Hong Kong have written to the United Nations calling for help to end police violence against them.
• U.S. Department of State Imposes Visa Restrictions on Chinese Communist Party Officials for Undermining Hong Kong's High Degree of Autonomy and Restricting Human Rights US Dept. of State 26 Jun 2020 -- "President Trump promised to punish the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) officials who were responsible for eviscerating Hong Kong's freedoms. Today, we are taking action to do just that."
• Hong Kong Activist Believes He's Main Target of Proposed National Security Law VOA 26 Jun 2020 -- Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong said he is anticipating being the prime target of a controversial proposed national security law that could be voted on within a few days.
• Kazkah Police Detain Men Picketing Chinese Embassy Over Detained Relatives In Xinjiang RFE/RL 26 Jun 2020 -- Police have detained two men who staged separate pickets outside the Chinese Embassy in Kazakhstan's capital, Nur-Sultan, demanding the release of relatives being held in custody in China's northwestern Xinjiang region.
• Japan's Defence Minister Suggests Kim's Health, Bad Economy Behind North Korea's Recent Actions Sputnik 26 Jun 2020 -- Following the mysterious disappearance of Kim Jon-un from public radars in April and reappearance in May, North Korea took a u-turn in relations with its southern neighbour that culminated in the destruction of the inter-Korean liaison office in Kaesong last week.
• This Week in Iran Policy US Dept. of State 26 Jun 2020
• Pompeo Acknowledges Differences With Europe Over Iran Arms Embargo Radio Farda 26 Jun 2020 -- Acknowledging that "there are some disagreements with the Europeans over Iran's arms embargo," Secretary of State Mike Pompeo stressed on Thursday that talks are underway, and Washington would not allow the embargo to be lifted.
• Iran sold gasoline to Venezuela at market price: Petroleum Min. Zangeneh Press TV 26 Jun 2020 -- Petroleum Minister Bijan Zangeneh says the Iranian gasoline delivered to fuel-starved Venezuela last month was sold to Caracas at market price.
• Iran Oil Minister Says Gasoline Sent To Venezuela 'Not For Free' Radio Farda 26 Jun 2020 -- Iran's Oil Minister Bijan Namdar-Zanganeh on Friday denied that his country has shipped gasoline to its Latin American ally for free and said Iran has already received part of the payment from Venezuela.
• Key Lawmakers In Iran Begin To Corner Rouhani, Threatening To Question Him Radio Farda 26 Jun 2020 -- Nine committees of the Iranian parliament (Majles) have called on President Hassan Rouhani to change his administration's policies and improve its effectiveness before it is too late.
• U.S. Condemns Death Sentences Against Iranian Anti-Government Protesters RFE/RL 26 Jun 2020 -- The United States has condemned an Iranian court's decision to issue death sentences against three men who took part in anti-government protests last year.
• Work On Black Boxes Of Ukrainian Jet Downed By Iran To Start Next Month RFE/RL 26 Jun 2020 -- The French BEA air-accident investigation agency says "technical work" on the black boxes of a downed Ukrainian airliner is expected to kick off in France next month.
• Russian National Pleads Guilty for Role in Transnational Cybercrime Organization Responsible for more than $568 Million in Losses US Dept. of Justice 26 Jun 2020 -- One of the leaders of the Infraud Organization pleaded guilty today to RICO conspiracy. Infraud was an Internet-based cybercriminal enterprise engaged in the large-scale acquisition, sale, and dissemination of stolen identities, compromised debit and credit cards, personally identifiable information, financial and banking information, computer malware, and other contraband.
• Pakistan Sentences 5 Men for al-Qaida Links VOA 26 Jun 2020 -- A court in Pakistan Friday convicted and sentenced five men for being members of al-Qaida and supporting terrorism.
• Watchdog Denounces 'Full-Scale Purge' Ahead Of Belarusian Presidential Vote RFE/RL 26 Jun 2020 -- Amnesty International says the Belarusian authorities are carrying out a "full-scale purge of dissenting voices" as part of a crackdown on freedom of expression ahead of a presidential election set for August 9.
• Lao Residents Chafe at Chinese-Language Signs at Construction Sites, SEZs Radio Free Asia 26 Jun 2020 -- Lao residents are voicing increasing annoyance at the appearance in the country of signboards at business places and building sites written only in Chinese, seeing them as a sign of their powerful northern neighbor's growing economic influence in the impoverished one-party communist state.
• HK govt objects US human trafficking report, calling it groundless, illogical Global Times 26 Jun 2020 -- The government of the Hong Kong Special Administration Region (SAR) issued a strong-worded statement on Friday in response to the Trafficking in Persons Report by the US, calling the report "based on hearsays" and "illogical."