Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• US Military Base in Northeastern Syria Comes Under Missile Fire – Reports Sputnik 06 Aug 2020 -- An illegal US military in the northeastern Syrian province of Al-Hasakah has come under missile fire, Syrian media reported.
• Missiles hit US base in northeast Syria after report of oil 'theft' plan Press TV 06 Aug 2020 -- Multiple missiles have struck a US-occupied military base in Syria's northeast where Washington seeks to control and loot crude resources in the war-torn Arab country.
• On the Loya Jirga in Afghanistan US Dept. of State 06 Aug 2020 -- The United States commends the participants of the?Loya Jirga to be convened on August 7 to consolidate national support for peace.
• Security Council condemns 'heinous and cowardly' terrorist attack in Jalalabad, Afghanistan UN News 06 Aug 2020 -- Members of the UN Security Council have condemned "in the strongest terms" the terrorist attack at a prison complex in Jalalabad, Afghanistan, on Monday, that left at least 29 people – including civilians – dead.
• Pakistani Army Claims Cross-Border Firing From Afghanistan Killed Soldier RFE/RL 06 Aug 2020 -- The Pakistani military said one of its soldiers was killed and two others wounded by cross-border shelling from Afghanistan.
• Afghan Civilians, Taliban Militants Killed In Attacks Across Afghanistan RFE/RL 06 Aug 2020 -- Taliban militants and Afghan civilians have been killed in attacks and clashes across Afghanistan amid peace efforts aimed at ending the nearly 19-year war.
• US Lying About Moscow's Links to Taliban, Russian Foreign Ministry Says Sputnik 06 Aug 2020 -- The United States is lying about Russia's alleged links to the Taliban, the deputy head of the press department at the Russian Foreign Ministry, Alexey Zaitsev, said Thursday, regarding the comments of Robert C. O'Brien, a US national security adviser to the president.
• US Sends Relief to Lebanon Via Military Cargo Planes VOA 06 Aug 2020 -- The United States is sending to Lebanon three C-17 aircraft shipments of relief aid following the massive explosion at Beirut's port that killed at least 137 people, with the first plane filled with food, water and medical supplies arriving Thursday.
• Following Massive Explosion, Pentagon Flies Aid to Beirut DoD News 06 Aug 2020 -- The Pentagon is in the process of shipping supplies to Beirut to provide much-needed assistance in the aftermath of a massive explosion in the Lebanese capital, the assistant to the secretary of defense for public affairs said.

Defense Policy / Programs

• ATSD(PA) Updates Reporters on DOD Activities DoD 06 Aug 2020 -- Jonathan Rath Hoffman, Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs
• US Army Plans to Mount Anti-Aircraft Lasers on Stryker Armored Vehicles Sputnik 06 Aug 2020 -- By the end of fiscal year 2021, the US Army plans to equip a platoon of modified Stryker armored vehicles with defensive lasers that can shoot down drones as well as missiles and even mortar rounds.
• California National Guard's cyber team adjusts to COVID-19 Army News 06 Aug 2020 -- COVID-19 has challenged the way California National Guard units operate throughout the state, with extra safety precautions taken to maintain the health and fitness of every drilling member. For the Cal Guard's Cyber Protection Team (CPT) 171, the pandemic has challenged its commander and Soldiers to test and expand their cyber skill sets.
• CIO Says Top-Level Leadership Helped DOD Navigate COVID Crisis DoD News 06 Aug 2020 -- Clear guidance early on from Defense Secretary Dr. Mark T. Esper ensured the Defense Department would be able to continue operating through the COVID-19 crisis, the department's chief information officer said.
• Making history: H&HS becomes a flying squadron USMC News 06 Aug 2020 -- Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron with Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, made history by becoming a flying squadron for the first time in the unit's existence.
• NY National Guard trains to be 'eye in sky' for 27th Brigade Army News 06 Aug 2020 -- When the commander of the New York Army National Guard's 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team needs intelligence on the enemy, he turns to the Unmanned Aerial System platoon of Delta Company of the 152nd Brigade Engineer Battalion for an eye in the sky.
• Readout of Secretary of Defense Dr. Mark T. Esper's Telephone Call with the People's Republic of China's Minister of National Defense General Wei Fenghe DoD 06 Aug 2020 -- On August 6, 2020, Secretary of Defense Mark T. Esper held a telephone call with the People's Republic of China (PRC) Minister of National Defense, General Wei Fenghe.
• Russia intercepts 2 US spy planes over Black Sea Press TV 06 Aug 2020 -- Russia has intercepted a pair of US spy planes as they were heading toward Russian airspace over the Black Sea, the Russian Defense Ministry says.
• Man detained for rumor that poor quality military vehicles caused casualties in border clash with India Global Times 06 Aug 2020 -- A netizen has been detained for spreading rumors on social media that poor quality military vehicles supplied by Dongfeng sport utility vehicle company, a subsidiary of Dongfeng Motor Corporation and corruption among personnel in the company's special equipment division resulted in casualties among soldiers in the frontline of the border with India, according to a notification that the company published on Wednesday.
• Netizen arrested due to online rumor-mongering on military vehicle PLA Daily 06 Aug 2020 -- Recently, a netizen surnamed Zhou was arrested by the police in accordance with the law, because he spread the rumors online by saying that "the poor quality of military vehicles supplied by the Dongfeng Off-road Vehicle Co., Ltd. (hereafter referred to as Dongfeng) has caused the death of Chinese soldiers during the China-India border clash".
• PLA Rocket Force launches DF-26 'aircraft carrier killer' missile in fast-reaction drills Global Times 06 Aug 2020 -- The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Rocket Force recently launched a DF-26 intermediate-range anti-ship ballistic missile in an ongoing months-long exercise, after the US provocatively sent two aircraft carriers to the South China Sea for exercises and held joint naval drills with India, Japan and Australia in the Indian Ocean and Philippine Sea respectively in an attempt to contain China.
• Chinese peacekeepers to provide medical aid to Beirut after deadly explosions PLA Daily 06 Aug 2020 -- The medical unit of the Chinese peacekeeping forces to Lebanon said it will provide medical aid to Beirut following the deadly explosions at the port of the Lebanese capital on Tuesday.
• US spy agencies identify suspected undeclared nuclear site near Saudi capital: Report Press TV 06 Aug 2020 -- American intelligence agencies have reportedly spotted what appears to be an undeclared nuclear site near Saudi Arabia's capital city of Riyadh, scrutinizing attempts by the kingdom to process uranium and move toward the development of atomic bombs.
• Remarks by President Trump Before Marine One Departure The White House 06 Aug 2020
• Remarks by President Trump Before Air Force One Departure The White House 06 Aug 2020

Defense Industry

• Contracts For Aug. 6, 2020

Other Conflicts

• 6 August 2020 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 06 Aug 2020
• Malaysian Diplomacy on Display With Calls From China, US Radio Free Asia 06 Aug 2020 -- Malaysia is being courted by both China and the United States this week in a diplomatic tug-of-war over the South China Sea, highlighting the Southeast Asian state's desire to maintain tight relations with both great powers as they notch up their rivalry.
• US Allies Tighten Alliance to Contain China's Maritime Expansion VOA 06 Aug 2020 -- Australia's recent shift to a more combative stance against China will tighten political and military coordination among U.S.-allied nations that want to check Beijing's maritime expansion, analysts said this week.
• Fresh Saudi airstrikes leave nearly two dozen civilians dead in Yemen's Jawf Press TV 06 Aug 2020 -- Nearly two dozen civilians lose their lives in fresh airstrikes by Saudi fighter jets against an area in Yemen's northern province of al-Jawf.
• The Joint Forces Command of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen: Joint Coalition Forces Intercept, shoot down bomb-laden UAV launched by terrorist, Iran-backed Houthi militia from (Hodeida) governorate SPA 06 Aug 2020 -- Statement by the Official Spokesman of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen COL Turki Al-Malki
• Coalition Forces Down Drone Fired by Houthi Movement Toward Saudi Arabia Sputnik 06 Aug 2020 -- Joint forces of the Saudi-led coalition have intercepted and destroyed an unmanned aerial vehicle loaded with explosives and launched by the Shia Houthi movement in the direction of Saudi Arabia, the coalition's spokesman said on Thursday.
• Yemen: Human right violations against journalists, coming 'from all quarters' UN News 06 Aug 2020 -- Unparalleled rights violations and abuses against journalists are being carried out by all parties to the armed conflict in Yemen, the UN human rights chief said on Thursday
• Situation in Parts of Syria's Idlib, Deir Ez-Zor Tense, Russian Military Says Sputnik 06 Aug 2020 -- A number of settlements on the east bank of the Euphrates are under the control of Arab militia opposed to the US-backed armed formations, the head of the Russian centre for Syrian reconciliation, Rear Admiral Alexander Shcherbitsky, said at a daily briefing on Thursday.
• US Firm Secures Oil Deal with US-Backed Forces in Syria VOA 06 Aug 2020 -- A U.S. company has reportedly reached a deal with Kurdish-led authorities in northeast Syria to develop and export crude oil in areas under their control in the war-torn country.
• Israel strikes Gaza from air for 2nd time in a week Press TV 06 Aug 2020 -- The Israeli military launches airstrikes against the northern part of the Gaza Strip in a second round of aggression targeting the Tel Aviv-besieged Palestinian territory in less than a week.
• Hamas calls for formation of national committee to defend Jerusalem al-Quds Press TV 06 Aug 2020 -- Hamas has called for the establishment of a national committee composed of all Palestinian factions and political forces to handle the file of Jerusalem al-Quds and defend it from Israeli aggression.
• IDF Confirms Strikes on Underground Hamas Posts in Gaza Sputnik 06 Aug 2020 -- The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced on Thursday evening they had targeted several underground installations in the Gaza Strip used by Hamas, which governs the territory.
• US Imposes Libya Sanctions on 3 Individuals, Entity in Malta, Treasury Says Sputnik 06 Aug 2020 -- The United States has imposed new sanctions on three individuals and an entity based in Malta for allegedly smuggling fuel from and drugs to Libya, the Treasury Department said in a statement on Thursday.
• The United States Sanctions Network Threatening the Security of Libya US Dept. of State 06 Aug 2020 -- Today, the United States imposed financial sanctions on a network of smugglers contributing to the instability in Libya.
• Treasury Sanctions Criminal Network Threatening the Stability and Security of Libya US Treasury 06 Aug 2020 -- Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) took action against a network of smugglers contributing to instability in Libya.
• Government Excludes Rebel Arakan Army From Myanmar Peace Conference Radio Free Asia 06 Aug 2020 -- Myanmar's decision to exclude the Arakan Army, a rebel group fighting for autonomy in Rakhine state, from an invitation to ethnic armies to join national leader Aung San Suu Kyi's signature peace talks has drawn a threat from allies of the AA to sit out the meeting unless the Arakan force takes part.
• Greece Ready to Go to The Hague Court Only Over Maritime Zones Delineation With Turkey Sputnik 06 Aug 2020 -- Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said that the delineation of maritime zones and exclusive economic zone is the only disputed issue in relations with Turkey, adding that Athens is ready to settle this disagreement in the International Court of Justice at The Hague.
• India Slams China's Attempt to Raise Kashmir Issue at UNSC Sputnik 06 Aug 2020 -- On Wednesday, China convened a meeting at the United Nations Security Council to discuss the Kashmir issue. However, the attempt was in vain as UNSC members asked India and Pakistan to resolve the issue bilaterally. Four of the five permanent members – the US, UK, France, and Russia – sided firmly with India.
• 'China's Panchen' Makes Rare Visit to Tibet's Capital Lhasa Radio Free Asia 06 Aug 2020 -- Tibet's Panchen Lama, a senior Buddhist monk hand-picked by Beijing to replace a candidate more widely recognized by Tibetans as authentic, paid a rare and largely unnoticed recent visit to Tibet's regional capital Lhasa, where he was received by government officials, reports in Chinese state media said.
• China Still Blocks US Travel to Tibet, State Department Says in Second Annual Report Radio Free Asia 06 Aug 2020 -- Beijing still tightly restricts travel by U.S. citizens to Tibet and other Tibetan regions of China, the U.S. State Department says, describing the situation as "unimproved" in its second report to Congress under a law aimed at pressing Beijing to allow greater access to the Himalayan region.
• In Cameroon, Hundreds Trapped, Lack Access to Assistance, UN Says VOA 06 Aug 2020 -- The U.N. refugee agency, UNHCR, says poor roads and the threat of further Boko Haram attacks is preventing it from helping civilians in a camp for displaced people in northern Cameroon. The UNHCR says hundreds of displaced people and aid workers are trapped in the camp, which militants attacked over the weekend, killing 17. The U.N. is calling on Cameroon's military to help.

News Reports

• Portland Riots Read-out: August 6 DHS 06 Aug 2020
• Operation Legend Expanded to Memphis and St. Louis US Dept. of Justice 06 Aug 2020 -- Today, the expansion of Operation Legend was announced in Memphis and St. Louis. Operation Legend is a sustained, systematic and coordinated law enforcement initiative in which federal law enforcement agencies work in conjunction with state and local law enforcement officials to fight violent crime.
• Federal Law Enforcement Program Expands to 2 US Cities Amid Spike in Violent Crime VOA 06 Aug 2020 -- Federal law enforcement agents are being deployed in two additional American cities amid a spike in violent crime.
• Briefing by Deputy Director of the Information and Press Department Alexey Zaytsev, Moscow, August 6, 2020 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 06 Aug 2020
• US Exposes Russian Tactics to Sway American Elections VOA 06 Aug 2020 -- The United States exposed Russia's tactics of using a combination of "official, proxy, and unattributed communication channels and platforms" to create and amplify false narratives, in a report published on Wednesday.
• Russian FM Spokeswoman Zakharova Mocks US for Offering 'Reward' for Election Meddling Reports Sputnik 06 Aug 2020 -- American officials have repeatedly blamed Russia and China for trying to interfere in the election process and even urged social media to tighten control on content to fight alleged "foreign meddling". Moscow, for its part, denied the accusations, stating they were part of the "domestic political struggle" in the US.
• U.S. Accuses Russia Of Complex Online Disinformation, Propaganda Operation RFE/RL 06 Aug 2020 -- The United States has accused Russia of developing a sophisticated "ecosystem" to spread disinformation and propaganda about the coronavirus and other issues.
• Twitter Moves To Label Accounts From 'State-Affiliated Media' RFE/RL 06 Aug 2020 -- Twitter said it would start labeling accounts from "state-affiliated media" and take other steps to try to limit the spread of government-led influence campaigns.
• Macron: Lebanon to Get No 'Blank Checks' for Blast Aid, Must Reform Government VOA 06 Aug 2020 -- French President Emmanuel Macron said Thursday that he would organize an international conference to raise funds for Lebanon, but he warned Lebanese leaders that they would not be getting "blank checks."
• Search Continues for Missing in Beirut Blast VOA 06 Aug 2020 -- Rescuers continued to search Thursday for the missing following Tuesday's massive blast at Beirut's port, while visiting French President Emmanuel Macron warned the country would continue to weaken without serious reforms.
• Beirut Blast Reverberates in Lebanese Diaspora VOA 06 Aug 2020 -- The massive explosions in Beirut that killed more than 130 people and injured thousands is triggering an outpouring of aid and support from across the world, and especially among the Lebanese diaspora. One of the largest communities is in France, where many are watching events in their troubled homeland with growing concern.
• HMS Enterprise to deploy to Port of Beirut as Defence Secretary sets out package of support to Lebanon UK MOD 06 Aug 2020 -- Royal Navy survey ship HMS Enterprise will sail to Lebanon as part of a wide-ranging package of military support made available today by Defence Secretary Ben Wallace
• Beirut's explosions cost 3-5 bln USD in material losses: governor People's Daily 06 Aug 2020 -- Beirut Governor Marwan Abboud estimated on Wednesday that the explosions cost the city 3 to 5 billion U.S. dollars in material losses, the National News Agency reported.
• Deadly explosions deal another blow to Lebanon amid COVID-19 pandemic People's Daily 06 Aug 2020 -- Two huge explosions rocked the Lebanese capital Beirut on Tuesday, killing at least 100 people and injuring 4,000 others in a toll that officials expect to rise.
• In flagrant act of interference, French president proposes new 'political pact' for Lebanon Press TV 06 Aug 2020 -- French President Emmanuel Macron has asked for a "new political pact" among the Lebanese groups in flagrant interference in the Arab country's internal affairs just two days after a devastating blast gutted out the Beirut port.
• Lebanon govt. gives investigative committee four days to find those responsible for Beirut blast Press TV 06 Aug 2020 -- Lebanese Foreign Minister Charbel Wehbe says the government has given four days to an investigative committee probing the massive explosion that ripped through the capital, Beirut, to determine responsibility for the devastating disaster.
• 'Immediate humanitarian assistance' mobilized in force, to support Beirut after deadly blast UN News 06 Aug 2020 -- The response to Tuesday's explosion in Beirut requires global support in order to "surmount the devastating impact" of the crisis facing the Lebanese people, the UN Deputy Special Coordinator for the country said on Thursday.
• Tensions Mount over China's Industrial Espionage in US VOA 06 Aug 2020 -- Tensions between the U.S. and China are escalating at a dizzying pace, with July 24 marking the lowest point of bilateral relations in decades. On that day, the Chinese consulate in Houston, Texas, was closed and taken over by U.S. officials.
• Company President and Employee Arrested in Alleged Scheme to Violate the Export Control Reform Act US Dept. of Justice 06 Aug 2020 -- Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers, Audrey Strauss, the Acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Jonathan Carson, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Office of the U.S. Department of Commerce, Office of Export Enforcement (OEE), announced the arrests today of Chong Sik Yu, a/k/a "Chris Yu," and Yunseo Lee.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin's Regular Press Conference on August 6, 2020 PRC MofA 06 Aug 2020
• UPDATE: Death penalty on Canadian made according to law: Chinese FM Global Times 06 Aug 2020 -- The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Chinese judicial organs handle cases independently in strict accordance with the law and legal procedures and Thursday's death sentence handed down to a Canadian for making drugs will not affect China-Canada relations.
• Text of a Letter to the Speaker of the House and President of the Senate on Addressing the Threat Posed by WeChat The White House 06 Aug 2020
• Text of a Letter to the Speaker of the House and President of the Senate on Addressing the Threat Posed by TikTok The White House 06 Aug 2020
• China Uses 'Friendship Associations' to Extend Influence Among Overseas Elites: Report Radio Free Asia 06 Aug 2020 -- The ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is "co-opting" foreign nationals via friendship associations to expand its overseas influence in Europe, amid growing concerns over Beijing's intensive lobbying and propaganda campaigns far beyond its borders, according to a recent report.
• President's Working Group on Financial Markets Releases Report and Recommendations on Protecting Investors from Significant Risks from Chinese Companies US Treasury 06 Aug 2020 -- In response to President Trump's June 4 Memorandum on Protecting United States Investors from Significant Risks from Chinese Companies, the President's Working Group on Financial Markets (PWG) today released a report making five recommendations.
• Subtle change, consistent stance in FM Wang's message to US Global Times 06 Aug 2020 -- As the US is trapped in political turmoil and its diplomacy seemingly has entered an anarchic state manifested by its wanton and crazy assaults against China, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi vowed to cool off tensions and set out a clear framework for bilateral relations, showing that China will always maintain rational and strategic willpower in discourse while preparing for any bumps in the road ahead.
• US 'Clean Network' plan 'absurd, laughable': Chinese FM Global Times 06 Aug 2020 -- China's FM on Thur called the US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's "Clean Network" initiative "absurd and laughable," noting that there has been no data security incidents involving Chinese firms unlike the many "stains" brought by the US and their PRISM surveillance program.
• China doesn't want diplomatic war with US: Foreign minister Press TV 06 Aug 2020 -- China says it has no intention of ratcheting up tensions with the United States and engaging in a diplomatic war with Washington.
• China: We don't agree with US in pushing for extension of Iran arms embargo Press TV 06 Aug 2020 -- China expresses its unequivocal opposition to the United States' illegal underway bid to prevent removal of an anti-Iran arms embargo that is slated to expire in October in line with a UN Security Council resolution.
• HKSAR gov't strongly opposes so-called report by Britain's all-party parliamentary group on Hong Kong Global Times 06 Aug 2020 -- The government of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) on Wednesday strongly deplored and opposed the so-called report published by Britain's All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Hong Kong on Tuesday.
• Xi stresses combination of top-level design, public advice in compiling 14th Five-Year Plan PLA Daily 06 Aug 2020 -- President Xi Jinping has underlined the need to combine top-level design and public opinions in compiling the 14th Five-Year Plan.
• Uyghur Model 'Disappears' After Risking Punishment With Video of His Detention Radio Free Asia 06 Aug 2020 -- A young Uyghur man who risked severe punishment to take a video of himself in detention in China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) and his aunt, who sent the video out of the country, have both "disappeared," according to the man's uncle.
• U.S. health secretary to arrive in Taiwan Sunday; no quarantine planned CNA 06 Aug 2020 -- United States Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Alex Azar is scheduled to arrive in Taiwan Sunday on an official visit, and he and his delegation will not be required to go into quarantine once they test negative for the COVID-19 coronavirus, Taiwan government officials said Thursday.
• China vows countermeasures against the wrongful actions of the US on the Taiwan question Global Times 06 Aug 2020 -- China firmly opposes any official interactions between the US and Taiwan island and will take strong and resolute countermeasures against the wrong actions of the US, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said.
• China lodges solemn representations to U.S. over health secretary's planned Taiwan visit People's Daily 06 Aug 2020 -- China has lodged solemn representations to the United States regarding the scheduled visit of U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar to Taiwan, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Wednesday.
• North Korea Publicly Executes Six for Sex Trafficking, Including Four Officials Radio Free Asia 06 Aug 2020 -- Authorities in the North Korean capital Pyongyang have publicly executed six people, including four party officials, for their involvement in a prostitution ring that sold sex with female students of prestigious performing arts universities, sources in the country told RFA.
• Efforts for Helping Kaesong Citizens Brisk in DPRK KCNA 06 Aug 2020 -- Under the unified command of the central emergency anti-epidemic headquarters, ministries and national institutions all out in the anti-epidemic campaign are striving to fully supply goods necessary for the living of the people and the anti-epidemic work in Kaesong City now under complete lockdown.
• DPRK's ruling party holds meeting on new department People's Daily 06 Aug 2020 -- Kim Jong Un, top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), presided over a meeting of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) on Wednesday to establish a new division and improve the party's functions, official media reported Thursday.
• Meeting of Executive Policy Council of WPK Central Committee Held KCNA 06 Aug 2020 -- The Fourth Meeting of the Executive Policy Council of the Seventh Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) took place at the office building of the Central Committee of the WPK on August 5.
• US Presses for Extension of UN Arms Embargo on Iran VOA 06 Aug 2020 -- The United States is pressing ahead with plans to push for the extension of a U.N. arms embargo against Iran that is due to expire in two months under the 2015 nuclear deal, but it is likely to face stiff opposition from other nations, including Russia and China.
• U.S. to present UN resolution to extend arms embargo on Iran People's Daily 06 Aug 2020 -- U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Wednesday the United States would present a resolution in the United Nations Security Council next week to extend an international arms embargo on Iran despite lukewarm support for the bid.
• U.S. To Seek UN Vote On Iran Arms Embargo Next Week RFE/RL 06 Aug 2020 -- Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the United States plans to hold a United Nations Security Council vote next week to extend an arms embargo on Iran, setting the stage for a crisis at the international body amid heightened Middle East tensions.
• U.S. Iran Envoy Resigns, Replaced By Top Diplomat In Charge Of Venezuela Policy RFE/RL 06 Aug 2020 -- The U.S. State Department has said Brian Hook, the U.S. government's pointman on Iran policy under President Donald Trump, has resigned.
• US Special Envoy for Iran Hook Resigns, Will Be Replaced by Abrams Sputnik 06 Aug 2020 -- US Special Representative for Iran Brian Hook plans to announce his resignation later on Thursday, the New York Times reported.
• On the Departure of Brian Hook US Dept. of State 06 Aug 2020
• US Iran envoy Brian Hook stepping down from his post: Pompeo Press TV 06 Aug 2020 -- Brian Hook, the US State Department's hawkish special envoy for Iran, is quitting his job amid Washington's polarizing campaign to extend the conventional arms embargo on Tehran.
• Former Obama Official Says Despite 'Maximum Pressure' Iran Not Closer To Talks Radio Farda 06 Aug 2020 -- The former U.S. Undersecretary Of State for Political Affairs Wendy Sherman on Wednesday said Trump administration's 'maximum pressure' has not brought Iran anywhere closer to negotiating with the United States.
• World's largest methanol plant opened in southern Iran Press TV 06 Aug 2020 -- Iranian President Hassan Rouhnai has opened the world's largest methanol plant located in an area on the coasts of the on the Persian Gulf as the country pushes ahead with plans to increase output of petrochemical products to offset the impacts of American sanctions on direct sale of crude.
• Iran's Oil Exports In July Drop To Around 100,000 BPD Radio Farda 06 Aug 2020 -- The latest data provided to Radio Farda by Kepler, an international data intelligence firm to Radio Farda, show that Iran's crude oil exports in July reached 101,000 barrels per day. Before the United States imposed sanctions in 2018, Iran used to export 2.5 million barrels per day.
• Ukraine Tells Zarif Iran Must Provide Full Explanation For Downed Airliner Radio Farda 06 Aug 2020 -- Ukraine expects to receive full information from Iran about the circumstances in which Iranian forces shot down an airliner in January, the Ukrainian Foreign Minister, Dmytro Kuleba, told Mohammad Javad Zarif, on Wednesday, August 5.
• City Council Member Warns Of 'Worse Disaster Than Beirut' Threatening Iran's Capital Radio Farda 06 Aug 2020 -- A member of Tehran City Council on Thursday said an oil depo in the north of the capital Tehran may cause a disaster worse than the explosion in Beirut.
• Does A Long-Term Contract With China Serve Iran's Interests? Radio Farda 06 Aug 2020 -- Will a long-term contract between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the People's Republic of China be consistent with Iran's national interests? What will Iran gain out of such a contract? How feasible it is? And what is wrong with the Iranian opposition's reaction to this contract?
• Iraqi PM listens to protesters' demands at sit-in site in Baghdad Press TV 06 Aug 2020 -- Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi has for the first time met with anti-government protesters in central Baghdad, renewing his pledge to deliver on their rightful demands.
• HRW Urges Pakistan To Stop Abuses By Anti-Corruption Agency RFE/RL 06 Aug 2020 -- An international human rights watchdog has urged Pakistani authorities to observe a recent ruling from the country's Supreme Court and stop using the country's anti-corruption agency as a tool to detain government critics.
• Five Factors That Ensure Lukashenka Wins Every Election In Belarus RFE/RL 06 Aug 2020 -- Huge crowds of passionate supporters and interested voters greeted Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya across Belarus as her campaign gained momentum ahead of the country's presidential election on August 9.
• In Belarus, Tsikhanouskaya Rally Canceled After Campaign Chief Detained, 'Warned' RFE/RL 06 Aug 2020 -- A Minsk rally for Belarusian opposition presidential candidate Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya has been canceled, just hours after the candidate's campaign chief was detained and "warned" by authorities not to stage what they called "unsanctioned" gatherings.
• 'A Win That Weakens': What Does Russia Want From Belarus's Election? RFE/RL 06 Aug 2020 -- About two-thirds through his 90-minute speech before a hall packed with the Belarusian political elite, President Alyaksandr Lukashenka turned his attention away from the candidates challenging him in the August 9 election and focused on another player with a stake in the vote.
• Lukashenka Calls For Ukraine, Russia To Help Investigate Vagner Mercenaries RFE/RL 06 Aug 2020 -- Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka has ordered his government to invite Ukrainian and Russian prosecutors to Belarus to investigate a group of 33 mercenaries from the private Russian security firm Vagner Group who've been detained in Minsk.
• In Belarus, Tsikhanouskaya Rally Canceled After Campaign Chief Detained, 'Warned' RFE/RL 06 Aug 2020 -- A Minsk rally for Belarusian opposition presidential candidate Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya has been canceled, just hours after the candidate's campaign chief was detained and "warned" by authorities not to stage what they called "unsanctioned" gatherings.
• Cross-border links between terrorists, organized crime, underscore need for coherent global response UN News 06 Aug 2020 -- The nexus between terrorism and organized crime took centre stage in the Security Council on Thursday, with experts raising fresh concerns over opportunistic alliances emerging among belligerents who share a hostility towards national authorities, and seek to exploit vulnerabilities created by the COVID-19 crisis.
• Justice Department Seeks Forfeiture of Two Commercial Properties Purchased with Funds Misappropriated from PrivatBank in Ukraine US Dept. of Justice 06 Aug 2020 -- The United States filed two civil forfeiture complaints today in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida alleging that commercial real estate in Louisville, Kentucky, and Dallas, Texas, both acquired using funds misappropriated from PrivatBank in Ukraine, are subject to forfeiture based on violations of federal money laundering statutes.
• Former Venezuelan Official Charged in Connection with International Bribery and Money Laundering Scheme US Dept. of Justice 06 Aug 2020 -- Charges were unsealed today against a former official at Citgo Petroleum Corporation, a Houston-based subsidiary of Venezuela's state-owned and state-controlled energy company Petróleos de Venezuela S.A. (PDVSA).
• Ex-Venezuelan Official Charged in Bribery, Money Laundering Scheme, US Justice Department Says Sputnik 06 Aug 2020 -- A former official at Citgo Petroleum Corporation, a Houston-based subsidiary of Venezuela's state-owned energy company Petroleos de Venezuela SA, has been charged with involvement in a bribery and corruption scheme, the US Department of Justice said in a news release on Thursday.
• Cambodian Police Arrest Four Opposition Activists Amid Phnom Penh Protests Radio Free Asia 06 Aug 2020 -- Cambodian police on Aug. 6 freed two of four opposition party activists detained on Tuesday as protests continue in the capital Phnom Penh calling for the release of arrested union leader Rong Chhun, Cambodian sources say.
• Tajikistan's Parliament Sets October 11 As Date For Presidential Election RFE/RL 06 Aug 2020 -- Tajikistan's parliament has set October 11 as the date for the country's next presidential election.
• Ethiopian Refugees in Egypt: 'If Egyptians Go Thirsty, We Will Go Thirsty' VOA 06 Aug 2020 -- "They sicced a dog on him," says Taher Omar Huru, a 47-year-old Ethiopian refugee and a local community leader in Cairo, pointing to different body parts. "The dog bit him here, and here and here … His only crime was being Ethiopian."
• Sudan Army's Plan Is to Return to 'Dark Days,' Journalists Say VOA 06 Aug 2020 -- Plans by Sudan's army to file legal complaints against journalists for cyber libel and "insulting" the armed forces have echoes of the intimidation tactics used under the rule of ousted President Omar al-Bashir, local reporters say.
• Spain Ex-King's Exile Reignites Questions on Monarchy's Future VOA 06 Aug 2020 -- In select circles in Madrid, the rumor had been making the rounds for weeks: Beset by a financial scandal that would not go away, former King Juan Carlos I was preparing to go into exile.
• Poland's Duda Begins 2nd Term as President VOA 06 Aug 2020 -- Poland's conservative president, Andrzej Duda, has been sworn in for a second term before parliament members.