Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• Assassinations Highlight Security Challenges for US-Backed Forces in Eastern Syria VOA 11 Aug 2020 -- Tensions are flaring in an eastern Syria province after the assassinations of several powerful Arab tribal leaders, with U.S.-backed forces accusing Islamic State (IS) sleeper cells and Syrian government proxies of carrying out such attacks to cause instability in the former IS stronghold.
• US to Withdraw Troops From MidEast Regardless of Who Wins Election, Syrian Opposition Says Sputnik 11 Aug 2020 -- The withdrawal of US troops from the Middle East will proceed regardless of the upcoming presidential election's outcome, Qadri Jamil, the leader of Syria's Popular Front for Change and Liberation opposition coalition and the head of the Syrian opposition's Moscow Platform, said on Tuesday.
• Explosion hits US military convoy near Taji base north of Baghdad Press TV 11 Aug 2020 -- An explosive device has hit a US-led military convoy near the Taji base north of Iraq's capital Baghdad.
• Taliban 'Hopeful' US-Brokered Afghan Talks Settle Conflict VOA 11 Aug 2020 -- The Taliban reaffirmed Tuesday its commitment to ending violence in Afghanistan, while emphasizing that a comprehensive cease-fire has to be discussed during intra-Afghan peace negotiations due to begin later this month.
• USS Pinckney Interdicts $4.5 Million in Cocaine US Navy 11 Aug 2020 -- While on routine patrol, approximately 200 nautical miles southwest of Jamaica a helicopter assigned to the "Wolf Pack" of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 75 located the vessel and Pinckney soon arrived on scene. After coordination with the Government of Colombia and Colombian Navy, the vessel was searched and six suspected drug smugglers detained. The mariners are now in Government of Colombia custody.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Trump Administration Collaborates With Moderna to Produce 100 Million Doses of COVID-19 Investigational Vaccine DoD 11 Aug 2020 -- Under the leadership of President Trump, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Department of Defense (DoD) today announced an agreement with Moderna, Inc. to manufacture and deliver 100 million doses of the company's COVID-19 vaccine candidate. The federal government will own these vaccine doses.
• US Makes Deal with Biotech Company for 100 Million Doses of Potential COVID-19 Vaccine VOA 11 Aug 2020 -- U.S. President Donald Trump has announced an agreement between the federal government and an American biotechnology company to manufacture and deliver 100 million doses of a COVID-19 vaccine candidate.
• DOD Officials Discuss Framework for Advancing Directed Energy Weapons DoD News 11 Aug 2020 -- The Defense Department is developing directed energy weapons – high-powered lasers and microwaves – in concert with industry in a way designed to achieve optimal outcomes.
• B-1 crew trains with Japan, USS Ronald Reagan in Indo-Pacific US Air Force 11 Aug 2020 -- A B-1B Lancer launching from Andersen Air Force Base conducted a bilateral mission with Japan and a joint mission with the USS Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group (CSG) Aug. 7 in the Indo-Pacific region.
• WESS SUNDOWNS AUG. 28, RMI BECOMES OFFICIAL SAFETY MISHAP REPORTING SYSTEM US Navy 11 Aug 2020 -- The Department of the Navy (DON) will no longer use the Web Enabled Safety System (WESS) to report safety mishaps when the Naval Safety Center (NAVSAFECEN) sundowns the system Aug. 28. Risk Management Information (RMI) Streamlined Incident Reporting (SIR) will become the official reporting system, slated to launch Aug. 31.
• 'Value of the High Ground': US Space Force Publishes First Official 'Spacepower' Doctrine Sputnik 11 Aug 2020 -- Just eight months after its creation, the US Space Force (USSF) has published its first doctrine, a document it says will serve as the "foundation of our professional body of knowledge" as the Pentagon's newest service branch.
• NATO Allies Secure The Skies Over the Black Sea NATO 11 Aug 2020 -- On August 11, NATO's air surveillance and control system detected sustained air activity in international airspace over the Black Sea and concerted action of Allied fighters from Turkey, Romania and Bulgaria demonstrating readiness and vigilance safeguading Allied skies in the region.
• Russian MiG-31 Fighter Jets Scrambled to Intercept US Global Hawk Drone Over Sea of Chukotsk Sputnik 11 Aug 2020 -- Earlier this month, the Russian military confirmed it had to scramble jets to intercept numerous American aircraft flying over the Black Sea and the Sea of Okhotsk, as well as a Norwegian Falcon 20 jet over the Barents Sea.
• High-mobility howitzers, anti-tank missiles make plateau debut Global Times 11 Aug 2020 -- The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) recently held live-fire drills in a high-elevation region in the Himalayas, where some of the PLA's latest weapons, including a new 122-millimeter caliber wheeled howitzer and the vehicle-mounted version of the HJ-10 anti-tank missile system, made their first public appearances.
• Chinese PLA Navy completes 2020 pilot cadet recruitment PLA Daily 11 Aug 2020 -- The Chinese Navy has recently completed its annual pilot cadet recruitment in 2020. A total of more than 16,000 students actively participated in the recruitment, and lots of outstanding talents with carrier-based aircraft flight potential came to the fore after multiple rounds of selection.
• DAC approves procurement proposals worth Rs 8,722.38 crore, including 106 Basic Trainer Aircraft for IAF India PIB 11 Aug 2020 -- To strengthen the Armed Forces by relying on indigenous capability to take forward the initiative on 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) in its meeting held under the Chairmanship of Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh accorded approval for capital acquisitions of various platforms and equipment required by the Indian Armed Forces here today. Proposals for an approximate cost of Rs 8,722.38 crore were approved.
• India Approves Proposals Worth $1.1 Billion to Strengthen Armed Forces Amid Border Tensions Sputnik 11 Aug 2020 -- On Sunday, India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh announced an embargo on the import of 101 types of defence equipment to boost the domestic industry. The Defence Ministry revealed that a budget of $7 billion has been set aside for domestic capital procurement in the current financial year.
• IG Confirms Emergency Arms Sales "Properly Executed" US Dept. of State 11 Aug 2020 -- Today, the State Department Office of Inspector General released its report on the May 2019 emergency certification to transfer arms to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the U.A.E.
• Watchdog says US State Department failed to assess risks to civilians in arms sales to Saudi Arabia, Emirates Press TV 11 Aug 2020 -- A US State Department watchdog has found that risks of civilian casualties were not adequately assessed by the department when it approved arms sales to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the two main aggressor countries in a war on Yemen.
• Pompeo Arrives In Czech Republic At Start Of Central European Visit RFE/RL 11 Aug 2020 -- U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo arrived in Prague on August 11 to open a five-day visit to Central Europe with an agenda including China's role in 5G network construction.
• Top Diplomat Visits Central Europe as US Looks to Confront Russian, Chinese Influence VOA 11 Aug 2020 -- U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo began a weeklong trip to central Europe with a stop Tuesday in the Czech Republic where he is scheduled to give a speech and have a dinner meeting with Foreign Minister Tomas Petricek.

Defense Industry

• Contracts for August 11, 2020

Other Conflicts

• 11 August 2020 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 11 Aug 2020
• US-backed SDF militants abduct 9 Syrian civilians in Dayr al-Zawr amid growing public anger Press TV 11 Aug 2020 -- US-sponsored and Kurdish-led militants affiliated with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have abducted several civilians in Syria's eastern province of Dayr al-Zawr as public discontent grows over the presence and arbitrary practices of the militants and American military forces.
• Syria's Arab Tribes Give Pro-American Forces and SDF One Month to Leave Eastern Syria Sputnik 11 Aug 2020 -- On 11 August, sheikhs and elders of the Arab Al-Uqaydat tribe met in the Syrian Deir ez-Zor province, agreeing that the US-led coalition is responsible for murdering tribal sheikhs in the province, and demanding that the region be cleared of SDF forces, local control returned to the Syrians, and stating: "leave the Arab region to the Arabs".
• Iraq slams Turkish drone strike against Kurdistan region Press TV 11 Aug 2020 -- Iraq has vehemently denounced Turkey's recent drone strike that killed two Iraqi border guards and a companion in the country's semi-autonomous Kurdistan region.
• Two high-ranking border guards killed in Turkish drone strike against Iraq's Kurdistan region Press TV 11 Aug 2020 -- Two high-ranking Iraqi border guards have lost their lives when a Turkish unmanned aerial vehicle launched an attack in the country's Kurdistan region, where Ankara has been targeting the hideouts of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) militant group.
• Refugees From Myanmar's Rakhine Conflict Spill Into State Capital Radio Free Asia 11 Aug 2020 -- Nearly 5,000 civilians displaced by fighting in western Myanmar's Rakhine state have taken refuge in the state capital, trekking 100 kilometers (60 miles) after camps near the conflict zone were too full to take them, refugees and officials told RFA.
• Three Israeli tanks cross border fence to enter Lebanese territory Press TV 11 Aug 2020 -- Three Israeli battle tanks have encroached upon a technical fence that separates Lebanon from the occupied territories amid tensions between the Tel Aviv regime and Hezbollah resistance movement, whose member was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Syria last month.
• Israel closes key Gaza crossing to 'all goods' Press TV 11 Aug 2020 -- Israel shuts down the Gaza Strip's border crossing that hosts most imports into the Tel Aviv-besieged territory as a punitive measure against alleged launches of "incendiary balloons" from the Palestinian enclave towards the occupied territories.
• Greece to call emergency EU meeting on tensions with Turkey Press TV 11 Aug 2020 -- Greece is set to call an emergency meeting of the European Union (EU) foreign ministers to discuss its growing dispute with Turkey in the eastern Mediterranean.
• Tensions with Greece reignite as Turkey holds military drills, resumes energy exploration Press TV 11 Aug 2020 -- Turkey has launched naval exercises off two Greek islands and announced resumption of its energy exploration research activity in the disputed area, as territorial tensions escalate in the eastern Mediterranean.
• Violence in Sudan's Western Darfur forces 2,500 into Chad: UN refugee agency UN News 11 Aug 2020 -- Recent clashes in Sudan's Western Darfur region has driven more than 2,500 people across the border into neighbouring Chad, the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) has reported.
• 70 Killed in South Sudan's Warrap State Inter-communal Fighting VOA 11 Aug 2020 -- More than 70 people were killed and dozens injured in clashes involving soldiers and civilians in South Sudan's Warrap state over the weekend, according to local and U.N. officials.

News Reports

• Manhattan Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Attempting to Provide Material Support to Terrorist Organization US Dept. of Justice 11 Aug 2020 -- The Department of Justice announced today that Jesus Wilfredo Encarnacion, a/k/a "Jihadistsoldgier," "Jihadinhear," "Jihadinheart," "Lionofthegood," was sentenced to 15 years in prison for attempting to provide material support to Lashkar e-Tayyiba (LeT), a Pakistan-based designated foreign terrorist organization responsible for multiple high-profile attacks, including the infamous Mumbai attacks in November 2008.
• Savior Or Meddler? Macron's Lebanon Response Gets Mixed Reviews VOA 11 Aug 2020 -- French President Emmanuel Macron has earned kudos from many Lebanese and the international community for his proactive response to last week's explosion in Beirut – praise he doesn't always hear at home these days. But some critics are raising old accusations of French neocolonialist meddling.
• Lebanon's Government Has Quit, Protesters Have Not VOA 11 Aug 2020 -- A keffiyeh on her head and the Lebanese flag in her hand, Cerine Bader was out on the streets with a mission: to join a revolution against the political elite whom she saw as corrupt, inefficient, and self-serving. She was among thousands of others who had gathered at Martyrs Square in Beirut, the heart of the protests that started in October and took place a short walk from the city's historic port, now reduced to ashes.
• Lebanese gov't resigns after deadly Beirut blast People's Daily 11 Aug 2020 -- Lebanon's prime minister announces resignation of his government following deadly explosions in capital Beirut which have triggered anti-government protests.
• Refugees also affected by Beirut blast as UN relief efforts continue UN News 11 Aug 2020 -- Dozens of refugees were among the victims of the deadly explosions at Beirut's port a week ago that destroyed large areas of the Lebanese capital, the UN refugee agency, UNHCR reported on Tuesday.
• U.S. Welcomes Slovakia's Decision To Expel Russian Diplomats RFE/RL 11 Aug 2020 -- The U.S. State Department has welcomed Slovakia's decision to expel three Russian diplomats -- a move that media in Slovakia have linked to the 2019 killing in Berlin of a former Chechen rebel from Georgia.
• German Foreign Minister Says Russia Not Cooperating On Berlin Murder Probe RFE/RL 11 Aug 2020 -- German authorities have made a total of 17 requests for information to Russia in connection with the murder in a Berlin park of a Georgian citizen, but to no avail, Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said in Moscow on August 11.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian's Regular Press Conference on August 11, 2020 PRC MofA 11 Aug 2020
• China sanctions 11 U.S. officials with egregious records on Hong Kong affairs People's Daily 11 Aug 2020 -- China on Monday announced sanctions against 11 U.S. officials with egregious records on Hong Kong affairs, according to Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian at a press briefing.
• US Officials Sanctioned by China Denounce Measures as Distraction VOA 11 Aug 2020 -- The 11 U.S. lawmakers and nonprofit leaders sanctioned Monday by China are speaking out, with one spokesperson characterizing the new measures as "not credible" and others as an attempt to "distract" from China's crackdown in Hong Kong.
• Chinese people "very much shocked" by U.S. hostile moves: Chinese ambassador People's Daily 11 Aug 2020 -- The United States has to be aware that there is "a rising anger" among the Chinese public over Washington's hostile moves against China, Chinese Ambassador to the United States Cui Tiankai has said.
• Hong Kong's Embattled Apple Daily Vows to Keep Up Fight For Freedom Radio Free Asia 11 Aug 2020 -- A pro-democracy newspaper raided by Hong Kong's newly established national security police pledged defiance on Tuesday in the face of a growing crackdown on dissent in the city as its founder Jimmy Lai was questioned by police following his arrest for "fraud" and "colluding with foreign powers."
• From 'Made in HK' to 'Made in China' Global Times 11 Aug 2020 -- Imports from Hong Kong to the US will be labeled "Made in China" instead of "Made in Hong Kong" from September 25, according to a notice published on Tuesday by the US Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland Security.
• Fate of disqualified lawmakers to be decided by HK govt as NPC extends LegCo for 1 year Global Times 11 Aug 2020 -- The National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee voted unanimously on Tuesday to extend the sixth Hong Kong Legislative Council (LegCo) lawmakers' terms of office by at least one year until the new LegCo begins, in case the coronavirus outbreak remains uncontained within one year.
• Liaison office of China's central gov't in HKSAR voices support for counter-measure against so-called U.S. sanctions People's Daily 11 Aug 2020 -- The Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) voiced strong support on Monday for the counter-measure against the United States by the Chinese foreign ministry.
• Seeing Jimmy Lai as 'freedom fighter' is naïve thinking, fails to listen to true voice of HKers Global Times 11 Aug 2020 -- Attempts in the West to picture Jimmy Lai and his infamous Apple Daily as the spiritual leader of the so-called free press are naïve, as Lai is not even accepted by Hong Kong residents, who only see him as a "modern traitor" rather than a "freedom fighter."
• Media, online groups, foreign interference 'top anti-China forces' Global Times 11 Aug 2020 -- Experts said that those who threaten Hong Kong's security and stability will finally pay a price after the enactment of the national security law for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). Media tycoon and riot supporter Jimmy Lai won't be the last one, especially when it comes to lawbreakers who incite violence and smear the government through propaganda photos and videos that are full of lies.
• China's top legislature extends HK LegCo for at least one year Global Times 11 Aug 2020 -- The National People's Congress Standing Committee voted unanimously on Tuesday to extend the sixth Legislative Council (LegCo) lawmakers' term of office by at least one year until the term of office of the new LegCo begins, in case the coronavirus outbreak could not be fully contained within one year, an NPC standing committee member said on Tuesday.
• Five Eyes Alliance distorts facts on postponement of LegCo election: HKSAR Global Times 11 Aug 2020 -- The Five Eyes Alliance has made deliberate misrepresentations and told falsehoods, marked by brazen contempt for facts regarding the postponement of the Legislative Council General Election (LegCo election) due to the severe epidemic situation, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government said in a statement on Monday, slamming the alliance for adopting double standards and hypocrisy.
• HKPF reveals details of Lai's case, shows evidence of collusion with foreign forces Global Times 11 Aug 2020 -- The Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) revealed more details late Monday night around the latest arrests of local secessionist leaders, including major figures Jimmy Lai and Agnes Chow, for their violation of the national security law for Hong Kong, indicating how they colluded with foreign forces to bring sanctions against the city.
• Two of Three Mosques in Xinjiang Village Razed Amid Campaign Targeting Muslim Holy Sites Radio Free Asia 11 Aug 2020 -- Authorities in Atush (in Chinese, Atushi) city, in northwest China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR), have razed two of three mosques in the village of Suntagh, according to a local security officer, amid a campaign that has seen thousands of Muslim holy sites destroyed in recent years.
• Faith Leaders Push For International Action on China's Abuses of Uyghurs Radio Free Asia 11 Aug 2020 -- Senior Catholic clergy from Southeast Asia have joined British religious leaders in a global call for an investigation and accountability for China's mass detention of Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR).
• WeChat 'Extends China's Internet' to Wherever Users Are in The World Radio Free Asia 11 Aug 2020 -- Concerns are growing over overseas censorship and surveillance via Tencent's WeChat social media app, with the U.S. banning business with its parent entity, and rights activists describing it as a "prison" that keeps users within reach of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)'s censors and law enforcement operations far beyond China's borders.
• Secessionist leader Agnes Chow arrested under national security law for HK Global Times 11 Aug 2020 -- Pro-secession Hong Kong riot leader Agnes Chow Ting was arrested for violating the national security law for Hong Kong on Monday, the same day Hong Kong police conducted operations and arrested Jimmy Lai, the secessionist media tycoon.
• Two more arrested in HK over suspicion of colluding with foreign forces Global Times 11 Aug 2020 -- Following the arrest of Jimmy Lai Chee-ying, key anti-government figure and founder of secessionist Apple Daily tabloid, the Hong Kong Police Force has taken into custody secessionists Wilson Li and Andy Li on Monday for promoting so-called "Stand with Hong Kong" slogan in instigating secessionism.
• Taiwan Plans to Shift Medical Supply Chain Away from China VOA 11 Aug 2020 -- The United States and Taiwan are making a public show of strengthening ties this week, signing a memorandum of understanding to improve cooperation in public health as part of a high-level U.S. visit to the island.
• China's anger over Azar's Taiwan visit reflects 'weakness': Pompeo CNA 11 Aug 2020 -- United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Monday said the mere fact China can get so worked up over an American official's visit to Taiwan only goes to reflect its "weakness."
• Azar backs Taiwan's participation in global health forums CNA 11 Aug 2020 -- United States Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar reiterated U.S. support for Taiwan's inclusion in international health forums in a meeting with Taiwan Foreign Minister Joseph Wu (吳釗燮) on Tuesday.
• U.S. health secretary lauds Lee Teng-hui for role in march to democracy CNA 11 Aug 2020 -- United States Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar on Tuesday praised Taiwan's former President Lee Teng-hui (李登輝) as a great man in the global march to democracy.
• Taiwan official attacks China during US health secretary's provocative visit Press TV 11 Aug 2020 -- Taiwan's foreign minister says China seeks to turn the self-ruled island into "the next Hong Kong," amid a provocative visit by a high-level US official to the region.
• North Korean Officials Arrested for Real Estate Corruption in Crackdown Radio Free Asia 11 Aug 2020 -- Police in the North Korean capital Pyongyang have arrested the head of a district government in the city for involvement in real estate fraud, in the latest case of officials getting reported by citizens for using public land or buildings to make illicit cash on the side, sources in the country told RFA.
• Hit by Historic Monsoon, N. Korea Warns of More Floods VOA 11 Aug 2020 -- North Korea continues to see historic levels of rainfall, further threatening an economy already battered by a coronavirus-related lockdown.
• Warrior, Interrogator, Artist; The Man Who Leads IRGC's Cultural Onslaught Radio Farda 11 Aug 2020 -- Owj Arts and Media Organization is one of many institutions affiliated with Iran's Revolutionary Guards (IRGC), aiming at propagation of its hardliner ideology and shaping Iran's culture to fit the agenda of the Islamic Republic.
• Iran's Health Min urges collective measures in region to combat COVID-19 IRNA 11 Aug 2020 -- Iran's Minister of Health and Medical Education Saeed Namaki called on the regional countries to further cooperate in the fight against Coronavirus.
• Zarif describes JCPOA as product of transmission from negative-sum to positive-sum ISNA 11 Aug 2020 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Monday described the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action aka JCPOA as the product of transmission from negative-sum to positive-sum approach.
• Iran to respond any provocative move by US decisively ISNA 11 Aug 2020 -- Iran's government spokesman, Ali Rabiei stressed that the Islamic Republic will respond to any provocative move by the United States decisively.
• Iran rejects 'fabricated news' on partial removal of US sanctions Press TV 11 Aug 2020 -- Iran has dismissed as "news fabrication" recent media claims about a European initiative that calls for a temporary removal of the US's "non-targeted" sanctions against Tehran.
• Trump had 4 years for diplomacy with Iran, but opted to make worst mistakes: Govt. spox Press TV 11 Aug 2020 -- Tehran says US President Donald Trump had four years' time during his tenure to initiate diplomacy with Iran, but he failed to grasp the opportunity and instead directed the White House to make "the worst of mistakes" in dealing with the Islamic Republic.
• China, Russia Not Likely To Compromise On Extension Of Iran Arms Embargo Radio Farda 11 Aug 2020 -- The efforts of three European powers to convince China and Russia to agree to an extension of the UN arms embargo against Iran have reportedly not succeeded so far as the U.N. Security Council prepares to vote on a U.S. resolution to extend the embargo.
• Iran To List Oil In Its Energy Exchange To Collect Cash From People Radio Farda 11 Aug 2020 -- Iran's President Hassan Rouhani says the heads of the three branches of the state in Iran have decided to offer the country's oil for sale to private individuals in the Energy Exchange.
• Former Lawmaker Arrested For Massive Corruption Involving Iran Parliament Speaker Radio Farda 11 Aug 2020 -- Judiciary Spokesman Gholam-Hossein Esmaili on Tuesday announced that a former lawmaker has been arrested in connection with a massive corruption case in which the current Parliament Speaker Mohammad-Baqer Qalibaf allegedly paid 650 billion rials (around $25 million at the time) in bribes.
• Five spy teams dismantled by Iran's intelligence ministry IRNA 11 Aug 2020 -- Iran's Intelligence Ministry dismantled five spying teams working for foreign intelligence services, deputy intelligence minister for counter-espionage said.
• Iran dismantles five spy teams tied to foreign intel services : Intelligence Ministry Press TV 11 Aug 2020 -- Iranian intelligence forces have identified and arrested a number of spies linked to foreign espionage services.
• Iran arrests 5 for spying for foreign intelligence services Press TV 11 Aug 2020 -- Iran's Judiciary has confirmed that five Iranian nationals were recently detained on charges of spying for Israel, Britain and Germany, adding two of them have already been convicted.
• Five Iranians Charged With Leaking Classified Details, Spying for Israel, Britain, Germany - Report Sputnik 11 Aug 2020 -- Five Iranians have been arrested by Iranian authorities on charges of spying for Israel, Britain and Germany.
• Iran convicts 2 men for spying in favor of UK, Germany, Zionist regime IRNA 11 Aug 2020 -- Two men who had spied for Germany, the UK, and the Zionist regime have been sentenced to 10 years each in jail, Spokesman for the Judiciary Gholamhossein Esmaeili said on Tuesday.
• Iran Sentences Two For Spying, Arrests Several Others Radio Farda 11 Aug 2020 -- Iran's Judiciary Spokesman on Tuesday said two individuals have been convicted and sentenced for spying and several other spies have been arrested in recent days.
• Aramco rolls out fuel price hikes in Saudi Arabia amid massive losses Press TV 11 Aug 2020 -- Reports say Saudi Arabia's giant oil company Aramco, which is responsible for a bulk of the kingdom's finances, is planning to increase fuel prices in the country after a slump in international oil prices caused it to post massive losses in the second quarter of this year.
• Belarus election: Thousands protest as Lukashenko wins 6th term Press TV 11 Aug 2020 -- The situation remains tense in Belarus which has been the scene of furious public protests in the past few days against President Alexander Lukashenko and a presidential election which they claim was "rigged."
• Opposition Candidate Tsikhanouskaya Leaves Belarus Amid Protests RFE/RL 11 Aug 2020 -- Belarusian opposition presidential candidate Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya has left Belarus and is in Lithuania, the Baltic country's foreign minister, Linas Linkevicius, announced on Twitter on August 11 amid protests across Belarus over a presidential election that the opposition says was rigged.
• A New Twist As Opposition Leader Leaves Belarus Under Mysterious Circumstances. What's Next? RFE/RL 11 Aug 2020 -- Early on August 11, it became known that Belarusian opposition presidential candidate Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya had left Belarus and was in Lithuania.
• Authoritarian Leaders Are Watching The Turmoil In Belarus Closely. So Are The People Tiring Of Their Rule. RFE/RL 11 Aug 2020 -- Congratulations came first from China's president. Then from the entrenched leaders in Tajikistan, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Russia, and more.
• Belarus Opposition Candidate Tsikhanouskaya Flees to Lithuania VOA 11 Aug 2020 -- Belarus opposition candidate Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya?said Tuesday she fled to neighboring Lithuania, after a second night of post-election demonstrations in Belarus with clashes between protesters and police.
• Tajik Authorites Say Transport Minister Hospitalized After 'Suicide Attempt' RFE/RL 11 Aug 2020 -- Tajikistan's Transport Minister Khudoyor Khudoyorzoda has been hospitalized after what authorities in the Central Asian former Soviet republic say was an attempted suicide.
• Zimbabwe Opposition Criticizes Snub by South African Envoys to Investigate Rights Abuses VOA 11 Aug 2020 -- Zimbabwe's opposition and rights groups have criticized what they call a "snub" by South African envoys sent to investigate human rights abuses. South Africa sent the delegation after Zimbabwean security forces arrested government critics and shut down a planned anti-government protest. But the envoys met with Zimbabwe's president Monday, then left without meeting the opposition or rights activists.
• Trinidad and Tobago PM Says His Ruling Party Won Monday's General Election VOA 11 Aug 2020 -- Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Keith Rowley announced Monday night his ruling People's National Movement party won the general elections.
• Thai PM: Protesters 'Went Too Far' Seeking 'Monarchical Reform' VOA 11 Aug 2020 -- Thailand's prime minister, Prayuth Chanocha, said Tuesday that protesters "went too far" after they called for a 10-point plan for monarchical reform. The Thai monarchy is often viewed as a sacred entity in the country.