COVID-19 - Daily News

24 July 2020 Military News

Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

Rockets Hit Base of US-Led Coalition in Iraq, No Casualties Reported Sputnik 24 Jul 2020 -- The day before, a convoy carrying supplies to a US base in southern Iraq was targeted by two roadside bombs, Turkish media reported, citing an Iraqi police captain.
Iraqi MP urges expulsion of all US forces, says 'slow drawdown' not acceptable Press TV 24 Jul 2020 -- While the US claims it plans to gradually reduce the number of its forces in Iraq, a senior Iraqi lawmaker has called the partial pullout unacceptable and urged the expulsion of all foreign troops.

US Sees Significant Decline in Fatalities Among Afghan Forces, Civilians VOA 24 Jul 2020 -- The U.S. peace envoy to Afghanistan said Friday that violence in the war-torn country had lately been "too high," but that fatalities among Afghan government security forces battling the Taliban insurgency had dropped 35 percent to 40 percent compared with the same period in 2019.

USS Shamal Shows Fury in Interdicting Go-Fast Vessel NNS 24 Jul 2020 -- The Cyclone-class patrol ship USS Shamal (PC 13) with embarked U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment (LEDET) recovered more than 3,900 pounds of suspected marijuana July 4.

Defense Policy / Programs

Briefing With Assistant Secretary for Political-Military Affairs R. Clarke Cooper On New Developments in the U.S. Defense Trade US Dept. of State 24 Jul 2020
US State Department Eases Restrictions on Military Drone Exports to Foreign Nations Sputnik 24 Jul 2020 -- In a Friday statement, the White House announced changes to the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) that would allow the sales of US military drones to other countries.
Trump Administration Approves Updated Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Export Policy US Dept. of State 24 Jul 2020 -- Today, the administration announced an update to the 2018 Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Export Policy which affects one of America's most innovative industries.
Statement from the Press Secretary on Unmanned Aerial Systems Exports The White House 24 Jul 2020

Army continuously operates on four fronts of readiness Army News 24 Jul 2020 -- The Army constantly works under four types of readiness conditions to ensure Soldiers at every echelon are prepared for missions around the world, the service's top operations officer said Wednesday.
Space Force Rockets Toward Milestones DoD News 24 Jul 2020 -- Although the Space Force, the military's newest service, is just seven months old, it has sprinted toward its goal of preserving dominance in the space domain, its leader said.
Newly Commissioned USS Tripoli Departs Shipyard for San Diego NNS 24 Jul 2020 -- The U.S. Navy's newest amphibious assault ship, USS Tripoli (LHA 7), departed Huntington Ingalls Industries-Ingalls Shipbuilding Division's shipyard in Pascagoula, Miss., July 24, for its San Diego homeport.
Nimitz Carrier Strike Group Enters 5th Fleet NNS 24 Jul 2020 -- INDIAN OCEAN (NNS) – The aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68), the flagship of the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group (CSG), entered the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations (AOO), July 24.
AFRL, Republic of Singapore Air Force collaborate on coating systems US Air Force 24 Jul 2020 -- The Air Force Research Laboratory's coatings and corrosion teams are dedicated to providing the latest state-of-the art coating systems for aerospace products to enable the warfighter to safely and effectively conduct operations while protecting Air Force and Department of Defense assets.
AFLCMC awards Skyborg contract US Air Force 24 Jul 2020 -- The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center has awarded multiple indefinite-delivery / indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contracts to The Boeing Co., General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc., Kratos Unmanned Aerial Systems, Inc. and Northrop Grumman Systems Corp.
Hypersonics, Counter-Hypersonics Are a Top Priority DoD News 24 Jul 2020 -- Hypersonics and counter-hypersonics remain one of the Defense Department's highest technical modernization priorities, Ellen M. Lord, undersecretary of defense for acquisition and sustainment said.
USS Cole Supports Marine Mammal Study NNS 24 Jul 2020 -- The guided-missile destroyer USS Cole (DDG 67) received an unusual assignment while at sea July 15, to help monitor migrating whales.
DOD Announces $77.3 Million in Defense Production Act Title III COVID-19 Actions DoD 24 Jul 2020 -- Today, the Department announces three Defense Production Act Title III actions to help sustain and strengthen essential domestic industrial base capabilities and defense-critical workforce in the aviation, rare earth materials, and electronics industries.

US Expands NATO C-17 Airlift Training to Hungary Sputnik 24 Jul 2020 -- Training of crews to operate NATO's C-17 cargo aircraft will expand to Hungary with the deployment of an aircraft under US military sales contract, Boeing announced in a press release on Monday.

Briefing With Assistant Secretary for International Security and Nonproliferation Dr. Christopher A. Ford On the U.S.-Russia Space Security Exchange US Dept. of State 24 Jul 2020
Russia denies US, UK accusations of testing space weapon Press TV 24 Jul 2020 -- Russia has rejected as "propaganda" American and British allegations that it has tested an anti-satellite weapon in space.
U.S., Russia To Hold Space Security Meeting Amid Alarm Over Anti-Satellite Weapons RFE/RL 24 Jul 2020 -- A U.S. delegation will meet with Russian officials on July 27 to discuss security in space for the first time in seven years amid alarm in Washington over Moscow's latest test of an anti-satellite weapon.
U.S. Says Russia Tested Anti-Satellite Weapon In Space RFE/RL 24 Jul 2020 -- The United States has accused Russia of conducting the test of an anti-satellite weapon in space that Washington fears could be used to threaten critical U.S. and allied satellites.
Russia's Su-27 Scrambled to Intercept US Reconnaissance Plane Over Black Sea - Military Sputnik 24 Jul 2020 -- Russia's Su-27 fighter was scrambled on Friday to intercept a US reconnaissance aircraft flying over the Black Sea and the latter eventually drifted away from the Russian border, the Russian Defen?e Ministry said on Friday.

Chinese President Xi Jinping Calls on PLA Air Force to Strengthen Drone Warfare Capacity Sputnik 24 Jul 2020 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping is calling for future members of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force to come into the armed forces with a "triumphant spirit" as the military accelerates its drone warfare research and training.
Media speculate on China's possible next generation amphibious assault ship Type 076 Global Times 24 Jul 2020 -- A set of procurement request notices released by China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) 708 Institute recently stirred wild speculations among foreign and Chinese media and military enthusiasts about a new type of Chinese amphibious assault ship dubbed Type 076, which is purported to feature electromagnetic catapults, fixed wing aircraft and integrated electric propulsion system.
Chinese military to hold live-fire exercise in western waters of Leizhou Peninsula PLA Daily 24 Jul 2020 -- Unit 95180, a troop unit of Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), issued a no-sail notice on July 23, saying that the troop is going to hold live-fire shooting exercise in the west sea waters of China's Leizhou Peninsula from July 25 to August 2.
China urges US to stop vicious attack on its military-civilian integrated policy People's Daily 24 Jul 2020 -- Spokesperson of China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs Wang Wenbin said at a regular press conference on July 23rd that China's military-civilian integrated development policy is aimed at effectively integrating military and civilian resources and is aboveboard and blameless. The US should immediately stop deliberate provocations and vicious attacks against China.

India, Israel Review Military Supplies Amid Continuing Border Tensions with China Sputnik 24 Jul 2020 -- India has been trying to enhance its surveillance capabilities and firepower, amid ongoing border tensions with China. The federal government has also provided the armed forces with up to $40 million to buy emergency weapons.
IAF reviews op preparedness and deliberates on its Roadmap for the next decade India PIB 24 Jul 2020 -- The IAF concluded its three day Air Force Commanders' Conference (AFCC) after a series of discussions and reviews on operational preparedness and strategies for countering security threats envisaged across the entire spectrum. They discussed the current situation and thereafter carried out a thorough review of the IAF's transformation roadmap for the next decade

U.S. Senate passes 2021 NDAA, with provisions to support Taiwan CNA 24 Jul 2020 -- The United States Senate on Thursday passed its version of the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), including provisions that support the strengthening of Taiwan's military and further cooperation on efforts to contain the COVID-19 pandemic.

Gibraltar squadron to receive two cutting-edge Fast Patrol Craft UK MOD 24 Jul 2020 -- A £9.9 million contract has been signed with Merseyside-based Marine Specialised Technology (MST) for two new boats to replace the Gibraltar Squadron Fast Patrol Craft.

Press Briefing by Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany The White House 24 Jul 2020

Defense Industry

Contracts For July 24, 2020

Other Conflicts

24 July 2020 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 24 Jul 2020

Climate emergency 'a danger to peace', UN Security Council hears UN News 24 Jul 2020 -- The climate emergency generated by global warming, is exacerbating existing risks to international peace and security, while also creating new ones, a senior UN official told the Security Council on Friday, making the case for swift climate action on multiple fronts.

Australia Joins List of Nations Rejecting China's Maritime Claims in South China Sea Radio Free Asia 24 Jul 2020 -- Australia has sent a diplomatic note to the United Nations rejecting China's expansive maritime claims in the South China Sea, joining the growing list of nations that have pushed back against Beijing's presumption of "historic rights" to the disputed waters.
Increasing US excursions into South China Sea aim to contain China: expert Global Times 24 Jul 2020 -- US warship's constant excursions into the South China Sea may increase the possibility for military skirmishes with China, and shows that the US is using every arrow in its quiver to contain China, military experts said after the US enhanced its presence in South China Sea region and colluded with Australia and the UK to back its moves.

Israeli helicopters strike positions in Syria's Quneitra province: State media Press TV 24 Jul 2020 -- Israeli military helicopters have carried out airstrikes against a number of positions in Syria's southwestern province of Quneitra, injuring two people, state media report.
Israeli Helicopters Attack Targets in Southern Syria, IDF Says Sputnik 24 Jul 2020 -- The Israeli army earlier announced that the country's armed forces are further stepping up security measures on the northern border on the heels of an escalation that was unfolding on the frontier with Lebanon and Syria the past few days.
Militants Continue Shelling Settlements in Syria's North, Russian Military Says Sputnik 24 Jul 2020 -- The Hayat Tahrir al-Sham* terrorist group shelled settlements in the Syrian provinces of Aleppo, Idlib, and Latakia, the head of the Russian centre for Syrian reconciliation said at a daily briefing on Thursday.
Syrian Democratic Forces Display Strength, Capabilities through Successful Operations CENTCOM 24 Jul 2020 -- Partnering with Special Operations Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve (SOJTF-OIR) beginning in 2014, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have proven to be a capable and reliable partner in northeast Syria. They were instrumental in defeating Daesh and liberating millions of Syrians from brutal terrorist rule, and their most noteworthy campaign was the battle of Baghouz, which resulted in the defeat of Daesh's territorial caliphate on March 23, 2019.

Russia and the Wagner Group continue to be involved in both ground and air operations in Libya AFRICOM 24 Jul 2020 -- U.S. Africa Command has mounting evidence that Russia, through the Wagner Group, continues to position military equipment in Libya capable of conducting kinetic operations there.

India, China hold new talks after deadly border flare-up Press TV 24 Jul 2020 -- Diplomats from India and China hold another round of talks over rising tensions at their contested border.

Chinese Tourists Crowd Lhasa Holy Sites, Tibetans Pushed Aside Radio Free Asia 24 Jul 2020 -- Chinese tourists are pouring into Tibet's regional capital Lhasa in large numbers, crowding religious sites barred to many Tibetans as the city opens to outside visitors after the easing of coronavirus prevention restrictions, sources in Lhasa say

Children in Nigeria and surrounding countries, continuing to endure 'horrendous violations' UN News 24 Jul 2020 -- Girls and boys in northeast Nigeria are continuing to endure brutal abuse at the hands of Boko Haram, and are also being deeply affected by military operations taking place to counter the terrorist group, despite noteworthy efforts, according the UN chief's latest report on children and armed conflict.

Myanmar's Kachin Army Vows Investigation, Compensation For Two Shan Ni Teenagers Killed in Custody Radio Free Asia 24 Jul 2020 -- The rebel Kachin Independence Army in Myanmar has detained five of its fighters for killing two teenaged boys from the Shan Ni ethnic group after taking them captive on July 6, promising to punish the killers and compensate victim's families, sources in Kachin State said Friday.

Protect people 'fleeing war, violence', UN refugee agency urges Poland UN News 24 Jul 2020 -- The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) on Friday encouraged Poland to fall in line with its international obligations, and allow asylum seekers access.

News Reports

Statement by NCSC Director William Evanina: 100 Days Until Election 2020 Director of National Intelligence 24 Jul 2020 -- Election security remains a top priority for the Intelligence Community and we are committed in our support to DHS and FBI, given their leadership roles in this area. In recent months, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) has been providing robust intelligence-based briefings on election security to the presidential campaigns, political committees, and Congressional audiences.
US Intelligence Official Warns of Foreign Interference in US Elections VOA 24 Jul 2020 -- The director of the U.S. National Counterintelligence and Security Center has warned that Russia, China, Iran and other countries are meddling in U.S. political campaigns as the November 3 general election draws closer.

Portland Riots Read-Out: July 24 Department of Homeland Security 24 Jul 2020
Federal agents fire teargas as Portland hit by fresh protests Press TV 24 Jul 2020 -- Fresh anti-racism protests have erupted in the US city of Portland amid growing public outrage over the excessive use of force by federal agents.
Renewed Clashes Involving Federal Agents, Protesters Erupt in Portland VOA 24 Jul 2020 -- Disturbances erupted again Friday in Portland, Oregon, where the presence and actions of federal officers are raising concerns of a possible constitutional crisis on the grounds the agents have been deployed without local consent.

Russian Upper House Passes Bill on Multi-Day Voting in Elections Sputnik 24 Jul 2020 -- Bill Qualifying Alienation of Territories as Extremism
Chechen Leader Imposes Sanctions on Pompeo in Retaliation to US Blacklist Sputnik 24 Jul 2020 -- Ramzan Kadyrov, the leader of Russia's southern region of Chechnya, announced on Friday that he was adding US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to a regional sanction list in a tit-for-tat for being blacklisted in the US over alleged human rights violations.
The Week In Russia: Trolling Khabarovsk And Other Tales Of A New Era RFE/RL 24 Jul 2020 -- President Vladimir Putin's response to protests in the Far East fails to please, and Chechen strongman Ramzan Kadyrov revels in a promotion while a gulag historian is sentenced on charges he denies. Also, three-day votes loom as a fixture of the future, a long-term legacy of Putin's successful push to secure a possible 12-year extension of his rule amid the coronavirus crisis.
Russian Far East Rallies Continue As Protesters Denounce Putin, New Governor RFE/RL 24 Jul 2020 -- Hundreds of supporters of the arrested former governor of Russia's Far Eastern Khabarovsk region, Sergei Furgal, have rallied for the 14th straight day, demanding the resignation of President Vladimir Putin and denouncing the Putin-appointed acting governor of the restive region.
Russian Parliament's Upper Chamber Approves Bill On Multiday Voting In Elections RFE/RL 24 Jul 2020 -- Russia's upper chamber of parliament, the Federation Council, has approved a bill that allows voting over as many as three days during elections.
Chechen Leader Kadyrov Announces 'Sanctions' On U.S. Secretary Of State RFE/RL 24 Jul 2020 -- Ramzan Kadyrov, the authoritarian leader of Russia's North Caucasus region of Chechnya, has declared "sanctions" against U.S. State Secretary Mike Pompeo.

Widow Of Chechen Killed Near Vienna Confirms He Was Police Informant RFE/RL 24 Jul 2020 -- The widow of a Chechen man who was gunned down earlier this month in a Vienna suburb says her husband was an informant for Austrian security agencies and that police were examining his cell phone, which she said had recordings and other possible evidence.

Singapore Citizen Pleads Guilty to Being Illegal Agent of Chinese Gov't, US Justice Dept. Says Sputnik 24 Jul 2020 -- A Singaporean national pleaded guilty on Friday to acting as an illegal agent for the Chinese government, the US Justice Department said in a press release.
Singaporean National Pleads Guilty to Acting in the United States as an Illegal Agent of Chinese Intelligence US Dept. of Justice 24 Jul 2020 -- Jun Wei Yeo, also known as Dickson Yeo, entered a plea of guilty today to one count of acting within the United States as an illegal agent of a foreign power without first notifying the Attorney General, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 951. Yeo's plea was entered via videoconference before the Honorable Tanya S. Chutkan in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.
Chinese Researcher Suspected of Visa Fraud Arrested After Trying to Seek Refuge in Consulate VOA 24 Jul 2020 -- A Chinese cancer researcher accused of hiding her ties with the Chinese military on her visa application was taken into U.S. custody overnight in California.

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin's Regular Press Conference on July 24, 2020 PRC MofA 24 Jul 2020
China Cancels Coal Reports Amid Economic Doubts Radio Free Asia 24 Jul 2020 -- China's major power companies have stopped disclosing their daily coal consumption data after more than a decade of reports, shutting a widely-used window on the country's actual economic growth.
Acting Secretary Wolf Establishes China Working Group to Address Intensifying Threat Department of Homeland Security 24 Jul 2020 -- Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Chad F. Wolf recently hosted the inaugural meeting of the Department's China Working Group. The Group's purpose is to holistically articulate, prioritize, and coordinate the Department's response to evolving threats to the Homeland posed by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
Briefing With Senior U.S. Government Officials On the Closure of the Chinese Consulate in Houston, Texas US Dept. of State 24 Jul 2020
China orders US to close consulate in Chengdu city in tit-for-tat move Press TV 24 Jul 2020 -- China has ordered the closure of the US consulate in the southwestern city of Chengdu, in retaliation for Washington's move to shut down the Chinese consulate in Houston earlier this week.
China's Foreign Ministry Orders US to Close Consulate in Chengdu Sputnik 24 Jul 2020 -- The move comes in retaliaton to the US decision to shut down the Chinese consulate in Houston over accusations of intellectual property theft.
China Threatens to End Recognition of BNO Passports of Hong Kong Residents Sputnik 24 Jul 2020 -- Relations between the United Kingdom and the People's Republic of China are turning increasingly sour, as London has introduced new eased routes to citizenship for nearly three million residents of Hong Kong.
Wife Says Rights Lawyer Ding Jiaxi Tortured in Shandong Detention Center Radio Free Asia 24 Jul 2020 -- Concerns are growing over the fate of human rights lawyer Ding Jiaxi, with his wife raising concerns that he may have been tortured during his time in the Linshi Detention Center in the eastern Chinese province of Shandong.
Experts denounce Pompeo's 'crazy' speech, warn possible military clash Global Times 24 Jul 2020 -- "Cliché" and "crazy" were words experts used to describe US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's latest speech in which he bluntly called on the Chinese people and "free world" countries to "change" the Communist Party of China (CPC). The US is leaning further to a new Cold War with China and escalating McCarthyism to a higher level, experts said, noting that China should remain alert to the possibility of military clashes with the US in the near future.
Pompeo's speech full of ideological bias, Cold War mentality: Chinese FM Global Times 24 Jul 2020 -- US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo maliciously attacked the Communist Party of China (CPC) and China's socialist system, and he made remarks that ignored the facts, were full of ideological bias and turned black into white, which showed his Cold War mentality, Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Friday.
Tensions with US not China's fault: minister Global Times 24 Jul 2020 -- The deterioration in bilateral ties between China and the US is a result of moves by the US side, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said when talking to his German counterpart Heiko Maas in a phone call on Friday. The US is trying to slow down China's development and it is using any means it can to achieve the goal, according to a press release from the ministry.
Chinese FM refutes US' accusation on China's military-civilian integration policy Global Times 24 Jul 2020 -- Chinese Foreign Ministry refuted US State Department's accusation that the Communist Party of China (CPC) is utilizing US research and academic institutions and private company to develop Chinese military power.
China Orders Closure of Chengdu Consulate in Retaliation Over Houston Radio Free Asia 24 Jul 2020 -- China on Friday ordered the closure of the U.S. consulate in the southwestern city of Chengdu, in a tit-for-tat retaliation for the closure of its Houston consulate by Washington.
China Shutters US Consulate in Chengdu in Retaliation for Houston VOA 24 Jul 2020 -- China has ordered the closure of the U.S. Consulate in Chengdu in retaliation for the U.S. decision to close China's consulate in Houston, Texas, by Friday.
UPDATE: US consulate in Chengdu given 72 hours to close: source Global Times 24 Jul 2020 -- China has ordered the US to shut its consulate in Chengdu, Southwest China's Sichuan Province, in retaliation for the US asking to close China's Consulate General in Houston, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Friday, which analysts have called "an equivalent and reciprocal countermeasure."
US loses 'strategic intelligence interests' with closure of Chengdu consulate Global Times 24 Jul 2020 -- In the latest round of diplomatic conflict between China and the US, the two sides have each ordered the other to close a consulate general. Experts on China-US relations and intelligence said that the losses for the two sides are generally equivalent, but the closure of the US consulate in Chengdu will cause more strategic losses on the US side as Washington has long used its diplomats in Chengdu to infiltrate Tibet and other regions in Southwest China, interfering in China's domestic affairs.
Personnel from the US Consulate General in Chengdu engaged in activities inconsistent with their identities: Chinese FM Global Times 24 Jul 2020 -- Some personnel from the US Consulate General in Chengdu have engaged in activities inconsistent with their identities. China has made representations and the US side is fully aware of them, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said in response to a question about the closure of the US Consulate General on Friday morning.
China informs U.S. to close its Consulate General in Chengdu People's Daily 24 Jul 2020 -- Chinese Foreign Ministry on Friday informed the U.S. Embassy in China of its decision to withdraw its consent for the establishment and operation of the U.S. Consulate General in Chengdu.
HKSAR gov't deplores Britain's interference in Hong Kong affairs People's Daily 24 Jul 2020 -- Since Britain violates its pledge in the first place, the Chinese foreign ministry has announced that China will consider not recognizing the BNO passport as a valid travel document and reserve the right to take any further measure.
China to Prosecute Outspoken Property Tycoon Who Criticized Xi Jinping Radio Free Asia 24 Jul 2020 -- Authorities in China have announced they will prosecute property tycoon Ren Zhiqiang after he penned an article highly critical of President Xi Jinping, amid an ongoing crackdown on critics of the Chinese leader.
After Britain, Germany Emerges as Next 5G Battleground VOA 24 Jul 2020 -- Following Britain's decision to ban Chinese tech firm Huawei from its 5G telecom network, Germany is emerging as the next potential battleground to check China's expansion of influence in world affairs, which is increasingly seen as a serious challenge to democratic institutions worldwide.

United States Files Complaint to Forfeit More Than $2.37 Million From Companies Accused of Laundering Funds to Benefit Sanctioned North Korean Entities US Dept. of Justice 23 Jul 2020 -- The United States has filed a complaint to forfeit $2,372,793, announced the Department of Justice.

Iran to legally pursue US 'act of terrorism' against its Beirut-bound flight Press TV 24 Jul 2020 -- Iran has condemned the harassment of its Beirut-bound passenger plane by two US fighter jets over the Syrian airspace, vowing to lodge a complaint over the "unlawful" act at the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
Iran Dubs US Harassment of Passenger Airliner 'Act of Terror', Says May Take Legal Action Sputnik 24 Jul 2020 -- A Mahan Air Airbus A310 jetliner with over 150 people onboard was forced to take evasive maneuvers over Syria on Thursday after being intercepted by a pair of US F-15 jets, with the incident leaving at least 12 passengers with injuries of varying severity. Tehran submitted a complaint the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) on Friday.
Iran's Zarif Slams US for Putting Lives of Intercepted Plane Passengers at Risk Sputnik 24 Jul 2020 -- The day before, reports emerged in Iranian media that Iran's Mahan Air passenger plane was forced to land, after trying to avoid a collision with two fighter jets while en route to Lebanon.
This Week in Iran Policy US Dept. of State 24 Jul 2020
Iranian Lawmaker Says Blast At Nuclear Site Caused By 'Security Breach' RFE/RL 24 Jul 2020 -- A member of the National Security and Foreign Policy Committee of Iran's parliament says a blast at the Natanz nuclear complex was caused by a "security breach."
Netanyahu: Fight Against Iran's Military, Nuclear Programs Continued 'In Recent Days' Radio Farda 24 Jul 2020 -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday said he the fight against Iran's nuclear program, ballistic missiles and the country's military presence in Syria has "continued' in recent days.
Iran Condemns U.S. Intercept Of Airliner Over Syria RFE/RL 24 Jul 2020 -- Iran has accused Washington of endangering civilians after U.S. military aircraft intercepted an Iranian passenger plane over Syria as it was flying to Beirut from Tehran in a "standard visual inspection."
Iran not to leave any hostile act unanswered: FM spox IRNA 24 Jul 2020 -- Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi said Iran will leave no hostile act unanswered and will reciprocate any US unlawful actions with decisive and proportionate response.
Zarif lashes out at US audacity to compound lawlessness upon lawlessness IRNA 24 Jul 2020 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in message slammed US audacity to compound lawlessness with lawlessness, saying these outlaws must stop before disaster.
Iran Condemns U.S. Intercept Of Airliner Over Syria RFE/RL 24 Jul 2020 -- Iran has accused Washington of endangering civilians after U.S. military aircraft intercepted an Iranian passenger plane over Syria as it was flying to Beirut from Tehran in a "standard visual inspection."
Iran lodges protest with ICAO over US aggression on passenger plane IRNA 24 Jul 2020 -- Iran lodged protest with International Civil Aviation Organization over the US aggression on Iranian passenger plane, calling for urgent action, Iran's Civil Aviation Organization said on Friday.
Iran strongly reacts to threatening Mahan Air passenger plane by US military jets IRNA 24 Jul 2020 -- Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi has said that investigations are underway about an incident on Thursday night in which two American jets threatened an Iranian passenger jet on the Syrian air.
Intercepting Iran's Airliner Elicits Questions By Public, Threats By Officials Radio Farda 24 Jul 2020 -- Controversy surrounding reports of an Iranian airliner being intercepted by U.S. fighter jets over Syria on Thursday, 23 July continued on Friday with many questions raised that have yet to be answered.
Iran's IRGC Highlights Role As Judicial Enforcer With New Arrests, Business Closures Radio Farda 24 Jul 2020 -- Revolutionary Guard and the Judiciary in separate statements Thursday announced that the Intelligence Unit of the Guards has arrested several officials of an industrial company in Alborz Province and has shut down fifty real estate agencies in various cities of Yazd Province.
Iran Central Bank Spent Nearly $1 Billion Recent Days To Support Falling Currency Radio Farda 24 Jul 2020 -- Figures released by Central Bank Of Iran (CBI) show that during four days since July 18, it injected $921 million into the foreign exchange market to boost the country's currency against the U.S. dollar.
Canada Says Preliminary Analysis Of Data From Downed Ukrainian Airliner Is Complete RFE/RL 24 Jul 2020 -- International investigators in France have completed the download and preliminary analysis of data from the black boxes recovered from the Ukraine International Airlines (UIA) jet shot down by Iran in January, killing all 176 people on board.
International Team Completes Analysis of Ukrainian Jet Shot Down by Iran VOA 24 Jul 2020 -- An international team has completed a preliminary investigative analysis of the black boxes from a Ukrainian passenger jetliner accidentally shot down by Iran in January, Canada's Transportation Safety Board said Thursday.

Company Established To Make Purchases On Iran's Behalf To Settle Iraq's $5 Billion Debt Radio Farda 24 Jul 2020 -- An Iranian trade official said Friday a company has been established in Iraq which will make purchases on behalf of the Iranian government to settle Baghdad's accumulated debts to Iran amounting to $5 billion.

Austrian Court Sentences Chechen Man On Terrorism Charges RFE/RL 24 Jul 2020 -- A court in Vienna has sentenced a 32-year old man from Russia's North Caucasus region of Chechnya to 10 years in prison for fighting along with militants of the now-defunct group Caucasus Emirate (Imarat Kavkaz) against Russian federal troops.

Arizona Woman Arrested for Attempting to Provide Material Support to Al Qaeda US Dept. of Justice 24 Jul 2020 -- John C. Demers, Assistant Attorney General for National Security, Michael Bailey, the U.S. Attorney for the District of Arizona, Jill Sanborn, Assistant Director of the FBI's Counterterrorism Division, and Sean Kaul, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Phoenix Field Office, announced that on July 22, 2020, Jill Marie Jones was arrested for attempting to provide material support to al Qaeda, a designated foreign terrorist organization.

Unregistered Opposition Presidential Candidate Tsapkala, Children Flee Belarus RFE/RL 24 Jul 2020 -- Valer Tsapkala, the opposition politician whose candidacy election officials refused to register for an August 9 presidential poll, has fled Belarus for Russia with his children for safety reasons.

Will Europe's Recovery Fund Cause More Problems for the EU? VOA 24 Jul 2020 -- After five days of grueling and at times ill-tempered talks, European countries this week finally agreed on an $870 billion recovery package to help the weaker members of the European Union weather what's shaping up to be the most testing recession in the bloc's history.

EU-UK post-Brexit trade deal "unlikely": Barnier Global Times 24 Jul 2020 -- The European Union's (EU) chief negotiator for relations with the United Kingdom (UK), Michel Barnier, said Thursday that the UK's approach was making a post-Brexit trade deal "unlikely" as the sixth round of talks ended with little progress.

Privatbank, In Amended Complaint, Claims Kolomoyskiy, Partner Laundered Nearly $800 Million RFE/RL 24 Jul 2020 -- Privatbank, the Ukrainian lender nationalized by the state in 2016, now claims its former owners laundered nearly $800 million in the United States.

Despite Negative COVID-19 Tests, Bulgarian PM Quarantined During Parliamentary Debate RFE/RL 24 Jul 2020 -- Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov was placed in quarantine late on July 23 after a test showed that his chief of staff, Denitsa Jeleva, had contracted a coronavirus infection.
Who Is Bulgaria's 'Potbelly' And Why Do People Claim He Controls The Government? RFE/RL 24 Jul 2020 -- Delyan Peevski is a powerful businessman, media mogul, and lawmaker from Bulgaria's opposition Movement for Rights and Freedom (DPS).

Former Kyrgyz Diplomat Implicated In Customs-Fraud Case Freed From Custody RFE/RL 24 Jul 2020 -- A former Kyrgyz diplomat mentioned in investigations into the high-profile killing in Istanbul of a Chinese citizen of Uyghur origin, whose statements to reporters led to a corruption scandal that shook the country in November, has been fined and released from custody.

ECOWAS Delegation Fails to End Mali's Political Crisis VOA 24 Jul 2020 -- Hopes for cooling down Mali's heated political crisis came to nothing Thursday night in Mali's capital, Bamako.

Arrests of Zimbabwe Journalist, Opposition Leader Worry OHCHR VOA 24 Jul 2020 -- The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights said it is "concerned" that authorities in Zimbabwe may be using the COVID-19 pandemic as a pretext to clamp down on citizens' freedoms. This week, police arrested a prominent investigative journalist and an opposition leader, accusing them of inciting public violence.

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