Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• Afghanistan Begins Releasing Remaining 400 Taliban Prisoners VOA 14 Aug 2020 -- Afghanistan has begun releasing the last 400 of its Taliban prisoners, government officials said Friday. Eighty of the prisoners were released Thursday officials said.
• Afghan government announces release of 80 from final 400 Taliban prisoners Press TV 14 Aug 2020 -- The Afghan government says it has begun releasing the final batch of Taliban prisoners in an effort to pave the way for peace talks with the militant group.
• Afghan Government Begins Release Of Final Group Of Taliban Prisoners RFE/RL 14 Aug 2020 -- The Afghan government says it has started releasing 400 Taliban militants, the final part of a prisoner swap meant to clear the way for the start of peace talks between Kabul and the Taliban.
• Afghanistan: More action needed to stop killings of human rights defenders UN News 14 Aug 2020 -- The death of nine human rights defenders since the beginning of this year marks "the emergence of a truly alarming trend", an independent UN rights expert said on Friday, calling on Afghanistan to prevent any further killings.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Army system successfully completes second missile intercept test Army News 14 Aug 2020 -- The Army is one step closer to improving its air and missile defense capabilities after a successful live-fire evaluation intercepted two low-altitude targets flying at close proximity Thursday.
• U.S. donates COVID-19 protective gear to South African Health Services AFRICOM 14 Aug 2020 -- The U.S. government and U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) delivered approximately $340,000 in personal protective equipment to the South African National Department of Health (NDoH), August 15.
• DOD Official Discusses Conditions-Based Reopenings, Future of Telework DoD News 14 Aug 2020 -- Conditions-based reopenings have worked well for the Defense Department to date, and the undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness anticipates the same stringent requirements will remain in place.
• Military equipment enables the G5 Joint Force Sahel fight against terrorism AFRICOM 14 Aug 2020 -- The United States donated more than $8 million in military equipment to Niger in a ceremony Aug. 5. The equipment will aid the West African nation and its G5 Sahel Joint Force partners in the fight against terrorism in the region.
• Establishment of Unidentified Aerial Phenomena Task Force DoD 14 Aug 2020 -- On Aug. 4, 2020, Deputy Secretary of Defense David L. Norquist approved the establishment of an Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) Task Force (UAPTF). The Department of the Navy, under the cognizance of the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security, will lead the UAPTF.
• Air Force announces Guard locations for F-35A, F-15EX US Air Force 14 Aug 2020 -- The Air Force plans to replace the Air National Guard's aging F-15C Eagles in Florida and Oregon with the service's newest air superiority aircraft.
• Allied Maritime and Air Forces Cooperate the Baltic Sea NATO 14 Aug 2020 -- On their transit to Riga, NATO ships with Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 (SNMG1) sailed into the Baltic Sea and conducted air-maritime integration operations with the NATO fighters and NATO AWACS aircraft.
• Russian fighter jet dispatched to intercept US aircraft near border Press TV 14 Aug 2020 -- A Russian fighter jet was dispatched to intercept a US aircraft that was approaching the Russian border over the waters of the Barents Sea, says the Russian military.
• 16th batch of Chinese peacekeeping engineer contingent to Sudan sets out PLA Daily 14 Aug 2020 -- Approved by the Central Military Commission (CMC), the first echelon of 110 members of the 16th Chinese peacekeeping engineer contingent to Darfur, Sudan left Beijing Capital International Airport on the evening of August 11 for their mission area in Sudan to perform its 5-month peacekeeping mission.
• ISRO pays tribute to Dr Vikram Sarabhai by announcing that Chandrayaan 2 Orbiter has captured the Moon images of "Sarabhai" Crater India PIB 14 Aug 2020 -- Union Minister of State (Independent Charge), Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh said here today that to mark the completion of one year of centenary celebrations of Dr Vikram Sarabhai, the Father of India's Space Programme, the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has sought to pay tribute to him in a special way by announcing that Chandrayaan 2 Orbiter has captured the Moon images of "Sarabhai" Crater.
• Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh launches Indigenisation portal SRIJAN; DPSUs sign Contracts and MoUs with Industry Partners and Academia; Atmanirbhar Week celebration of MoD concludes India PIB 14 Aug 2020 -- On the final day of Atmanirbhar Week celebration of the Ministry of Defence (MoD) Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh today launched Department of Defence Production, MoD's portal SRIJAN which is a 'one stop shop online portal that provides access tothe vendors to take up items that can be taken up for indigenization.
• Monsoons Cause Havoc in India as Climate Change Alters Rainfall Patterns VOA 14 Aug 2020 -- Searching through the rubble of a tea plantation that collapsed after heavy rains lashed India's southern Kerala state last week, rescuers counted 55 casualties. The resulting landslide buried homes of several workers in the hillside's debris – several children were among the victims.
• Briefing With Acting Assistant Secretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs Ambassador Michael Kozak Previewing Secretary Pompeo's Travel to the Dominican Republic US Dept. of State 14 Aug 2020
• Secretary Michael R. Pompeo and Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg at a Press Availability US Dept. of State 14 Aug 2020
• Remarks by President Trump Upon Air Force One Arrival | Morristown, NJ The White House 14 Aug 2020

Defense Industry

• Contracts For Aug. 14, 2020

Other Conflicts

• 14 August 2020 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 14 Aug 2020
• Guterres 'deeply concerned' over environmental threat posed by stricken oil tanker off Yemen coast UN News 14 Aug 2020 -- The UN chief is "deeply concerned" about the condition of the FSO Safer oil tanker, moored off the western coast of Yemen, his spokesperson said on Friday.
• Strain of Islamic State Prisoners, Families Gnaws at Key Alliances VOA 14 Aug 2020 -- The struggle to make a future for thousands of captured Islamic State fighters and their families currently in makeshift prisons and overcrowded displaced persons camps across northeastern Syria may be starting to erode key partnerships in the fight against the terror group.
• UN chief welcomes Israel-UAE agreement UN News 14 Aug 2020 -- The UN Secretary-General António Guterres has welcomed a joint statement by the leaders of the United States, Israel and the United Arab Emirates, which suspends Israeli annexation plans over parts of the occupied West Bank, something the UN has consistently called for.
• Israelis Thrilled, Palestinians Furious Over UAE Deal VOA 14 Aug 2020 -- Israelis have warmly welcomed the announcement of full diplomatic ties with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), while Palestinians have angrily denounced it. The move, first announced Thursday in Washington, is also being seen as an effort to help both U.S. President Donald Trump, who is up for reelection in November, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The Israeli leader faces a corruption trial and growing protests calling on him to resign.
• Analysts: More Countries to Follow Suit After Israel/UAE Agreement VOA 14 Aug 2020 -- After Israel and the United Arab Emirates agreed to normalize diplomatic relations, some regional leaders applauded the move and others condemned it.
• Israel, UAE agree to normalization of relations: joint statement People's Daily 14 Aug 2020 -- The announcement makes the UAE the first Gulf Arab state and only the third Arab nation, after Egypt and Jordan, to establish diplomatic ties with Israel.
• Palestine slams U.S.-brokered agreement between Israel, UAE People's Daily 14 Aug 2020 -- Palestine on Thursday slammed the peace agreement reached between the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Israel under U.S. sponsorship.
• Nasrallah: Israel shivering with fear for its existence Press TV 14 Aug 2020 -- Israel suffers from the military and psychological defeat of the 33-day war of 2006, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah says, drawing attention to the occupying regime's fear for its existence.
• Iran: UAE-Israel normalization strategic folly that boosts resistance Press TV 14 Aug 2020 -- The Foreign Ministry vehemently condemns the recent deal aimed at normalization of relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, calling it an instance of "strategic folly" that will only end up strengthening the regional resistance front.
• President Erdogan says Turkey could suspend ties with UAE in wake of deal with Israel Press TV 14 Aug 2020 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says Ankara is considering the full suspension of diplomatic relations with the United Arab Emirates following its accord to normalize ties with Israel.
• Iran Condemns UAE-Israel Deal As 'Strategic Stupidity' Radio Farda 14 Aug 2020 -- Iran on Friday harshly attacked the normalization of ties between Israel and the United Arab Emirates announced a day earlier, calling it a "strategic stupidity" and said the Palestinian people will not forgive Abu Dhabi.
• Netanyahu says West Bank annexation plans still 'on the table' despite deal with UAE Press TV 14 Aug 2020 -- Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu says there is no change in his bid to annex large parts of the occupied West Bank and the strategic Jordan Valley despite allegations that a normalization deal with the UAE included a halt to the annexation plan.
• Myanmar Ethnic Alliance to Skip Government Peace Talks Next Week Radio Free Asia 14 Aug 2020 -- An umbrella group of ethnic armies in Myanmar announced Thursday it will skip a government-sponsored peace conference next week, citing coronavirus-related travel difficulties and solidarity for a rebel group that was excluded, diminishing already low expectations for the negotiations.
• France Sends Forces to Mediterranean as Greece, Turkey Dispute Territory VOA 14 Aug 2020 -- France has ordered forces to the eastern Mediterranean to assist Greece, escalating a standoff between Greece and Turkey over oil drilling rights.
• Turkey urges France to refrain from escalating Mediterranean tensions Press TV 14 Aug 2020 -- Turkey has urged France to refrain from escalating tensions in the eastern Mediterranean, following the French government's announcement of a plan to increase military presence in the area in support of Ankara's regional rival Greece.
• Erdogan: Greece's attack on Turkish ship in Mediterranean to incur 'heavy price' Press TV 14 Aug 2020 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has warned Greece against any attack on the country's vessel engaged in energy exploration in the Eastern Mediterranean, amid Ankara's heightened tensions with Athens over oil and gas prospecting in disputed waters in the sea.
• Cameroon Military Arrests 100s in Anglophone Regions After Civilians Killed VOA 14 Aug 2020 -- Military forces arrested several hundred people in Cameroon's North West and South West regions this week as they searched for those behind the killing of at least 13 civilians in the regions, including aid workers.

News Reports

• Operation Legend Expanded to Indianapolis US Dept. of Justice 14 Aug 2020 -- Today, the expansion of Operation Legend was announced in Indianapolis. 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.
• Former FBI Lawyer Involved in Russia Investigation Pleads Guilty VOA 14 Aug 2020 -- A former FBI lawyer charged with altering a key document used in connection with the FBI's surveillance of former Trump campaign aide Carter Page has agreed to plead guilty on Friday to making a false statement.
• Victims' Families Await Compensation From Sudan 22 Years After US Embassy Bombings VOA 14 Aug 2020 -- For Edith Bartley, the terror attacks that struck U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania 22 years ago will never fade away. She lost her father and her brother in the bombing of the embassy in Nairobi, and she continues to speak out on behalf of the families of victims.
• UN Ramps Up Humanitarian Efforts Following Beirut Blast VOA 14 Aug 2020 -- U.N. agencies are revising their emergency appeals to keep pace with the growing needs of hundreds of thousands of survivors of last week's devastating explosions in Lebanon's capital, Beirut. The United Nations is expected to issue a comprehensive multimillion-dollar flash appeal for humanitarian aid Friday.
• UN and partners launch $565 million appeal for Lebanon UN News 14 Aug 2020 -- The UN and aid partners are seeking $565 million to address the overwhelming needs in Lebanon following the deadly explosions that flattened large areas of the capital, Beirut, nearly two weeks ago.
• Iran raps West's bid to exploit Lebanon 'pain for political goals' Press TV 14 Aug 2020 -- Iran's foreign minister says only the Lebanese people and their representatives can decide the country's future following the massive blast in Beirut that killed 172 people and prompted the government to resign.
• The Week In Russia: The Vaccine, The Kursk, And Belarus RFE/RL 14 Aug 2020 -- The timing must have been pure coincidence, but the symbolism seemed hard to overlook.
• Thousands In Russia's Far East Continue Anti-Putin Protests, Chant 'Long Live Belarus!' RFE/RL 14 Aug 2020 -- Thousands of protesters have marched in Russia's Far Eastern city of Khabarovsk, where rallies against President Vladimir Putin's role in a regional political crisis have been held for over a month.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian's Regular Press Conference on August 14, 2020 PRC MofA 14 Aug 2020
• Statement by Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin on the President's Decision Regarding the Acquisition by ByteDance Ltd. of the U.S. Business of musical.ly US Treasury 14 Aug 2020
• China refrains from reacting to US naive provocation of tagging Confucius Institute Global Times 14 Aug 2020 -- The US State Department's designation of the Confucius Institute US Center (CIUS) as a Chinese "foreign mission" in its latest malicious move against China proves that it is in a state of hysteria and that the US is losing confidence as it creates trouble to nonofficial exchanges, experts told the Global Times.
• Confucius Institutes: Victim of Pompeo's Political Scheme Global Times 14 Aug 2020 -- On August 13, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced that the US State Department has designated the Confucius Institute U.S. Center as a "foreign mission".
• HK officials can leave meetings with lawmakers who engage in disrespectful, unlawful deeds: guideline Global Times 14 Aug 2020 -- Hong Kong media have revealed a new guideline that allows government officials of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) to leave meetings with district councilors when the latter engage in things that violate the "one country, two systems" principle and the national security law for Hong Kong.
• Hong Kong Lawmaker Injured by Car He Said Had Been Following Him Radio Free Asia 14 Aug 2020 -- A pro-democracy lawmaker in Hong Kong suffered minor injuries after being hit by a car he said had been following him for days.
• Uyghur Exile Group Urges IOC to Reconsider Holding Winter Games in Beijing, Citing Xinjiang Abuses Radio Free Asia 14 Aug 2020 -- The World Uyghur Congress (WUC) exile group has demanded that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) reconsider holding the 2022 Winter Olympic Games in Beijing, citing state-sponsored rights abuses against Muslims in northwest China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR).
• China Makes Claim to Doubling GDP in a Decade Radio Free Asia 14 Aug 2020 -- As China's government pushes economic growth to meet a key Communist Party pledge for this year, its success may depend on a technicality that it has left unresolved.
• China Expanding Digital Currency Pilot Program VOA 14 Aug 2020 -- China will dramatically expand its pilot program for digital currency to include all major large cities, the country's Commerce Ministry said Friday.
• Taiwan will never yield to Chinese provocation: MAC CNA 14 Aug 2020 -- Following a statement by China's People's Liberation Army on military exercises in the Taiwan Strait, Taiwan's government said Thursday it will never yield to provocations by Beijing.
• Hong Kong's Plight Casts Shadow Over Taiwan's Diplomatic Coups VOA 14 Aug 2020 -- China's crackdown on democratic freedoms in Hong Kong has generated strong reactions in Taiwan, where senior officials are mourning Hong Kong's losses even as they revel in a rare surge of diplomatic attention themselves.
• North Korea Forces Entire Country to 'Volunteer' in Flood Relief Effort Radio Free Asia 14 Aug 2020 -- North Korea is forcing state-run organizations, the military, and ordinary citizens to 'volunteer' for a nationwide flood relief effort in the face of heavy rains over the past month and a government refusal to accept foreign aid over coronavirus fears, sources in the country told RFA.
• New Premier of DPRK Cabinet Appointed KCNA 14 Aug 2020 -- Kim Jong Un, chairman of the State Affairs Commission (SAC) of the DPRK, relieved the premier of the DPRK Cabinet of his post and appointed new premier.
• 16th Meeting of Political Bureau of 7th Central Committee of WPK Held KCNA 14 Aug 2020 -- The 16th meeting of the Political Bureau of the 7th Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) took place at the office building of the Central Committee of the WPK on August 13.
• North Korea Forces Entire Country to 'Volunteer' in Flood Relief Effort Radio Free Asia 14 Aug 2020 -- North Korea is forcing state-run organizations, the military, and ordinary citizens to 'volunteer' for a nationwide flood relief effort in the face of heavy rains over the past month and a government refusal to accept foreign aid over coronavirus fears, sources in the country told RFA.
• 22 Dead, 4 Missing in North Korea Floods VOA 14 Aug 2020 -- Severe floods in North Korea have killed at least 22 people and left four others missing, according to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.
• Joint Statement on the 7th U.S.-Republic of Korea Energy Security Dialogue and Track 1.5 Roundtable Discussion US Dept. of State 14 Aug 2020 -- The text of the following statement was released by the governments of the United States of America and the Republic of Korea.
• S. Korea Seeks Solution for Victims of Japan's Wartime Sexual Slavery VOA 14 Aug 2020 -- The government of South Korea says it will continue to seek a "realistic" and "practicable" solution for victims of Japan's military wartime sexual slavery.
• Former US Officials Chastise Seoul Over Treatment of N. Korean Rights Groups VOA 14 Aug 2020 -- Thirteen former U.S. officials from Republican and Democratic administrations Wednesday sent an open letter to South Korean President Moon Jae-in accusing his government of "undermining North Korea's human rights movement."
• UN Security Council rejects US resolution to extend Iran arms embargo Press TV 14 Aug 2020 -- The United Nations Security Council has rejected a US resolution to extend an arms embargo on Iran that is due to expire in October, as Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed a summit of world leaders to avoid "confrontation" over an American threat to trigger a return of all UN sanctions on the Islamic Republic.
• Statement by President of Russia Vladimir Putin on Russia's proposal to convene meeting of heads of state of UN Security Council permanent members with participation of heads of Germany and Iran Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 14 Aug 2020 -- Debates around the Iranian issue within the UN Security Council are becoming increasingly strained. Tensions are running high. Iran faces groundless accusations. Resolutions are being drafted with a view to dismantling decisions that had been unanimously adopted by the Security Council.
• On the Security Council's Failure to Hold Iran Accountable US Dept. of State 14 Aug 2020 -- "The United Nations Security Council is charged with the responsibility of maintaining international peace and security. It failed today to uphold its fundamental mission set."
• Bid of US Fails to Get Extension of UN Arms Embargo on Iran VOA 14 Aug 2020 -- The United States failed Friday to get an extension of an expiring U.N. arms embargo against Iran, raising the likelihood that Washington will seek to force a "snapback" of all prior international sanctions on Tehran.
• US Will Work to Extend Iran Arms Embargo VOA 14 Aug 2020 -- U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Friday before a U.N. vote on whether to extend the Iranian arms embargo that Iran is the world's leading promoter of terrorism and must not be allowed to buy or sell weapons with other countries.
• UN Security Council rejects US resolution to extend Iran arms embargo Press TV 14 Aug 2020 -- The United Nations Security Council has rejected a US resolution to extend an arms embargo on Iran that is due to expire in October, as Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed a summit of world leaders to avoid "confrontation" over an American threat to trigger a return of all UN sanctions on the Islamic Republic.
• Iran urges UNSC to stand up against 'illegal' US arms ban Press TV 14 Aug 2020 -- Iran's Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York has called on the Security Council to withstand an "illegal" and "ill-intentioned" move by the United States to extend an arms embargo on the Islamic Republic.
• Brian Hook Says Arms Embargo Against Iran To Be Extended 'One Way Or Other' Radio Farda 14 Aug 2020 -- Brian Hook, the outgoing U.S. State Department Special Representative for Iran, said in a video press conference on Thursday that the United States is going to ensure that the arms embargo on Iran is extended "one way or the other".
• UN Security Council Votes On U.S.-Backed Resolution To Extend Arms Embargo On Iran RFE/RL 14 Aug 2020 -- A crucial vote on whether to extend an arms embargo against Iran is taking place at the UN Security Council as U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo meets with the head of the UN's nuclear watchdog in Vienna.
• Iran Parliament Speaker Sues Three Journalists, Lawmaker For 'Libel' Radio Farda 14 Aug 2020 -- Three journalists and a lawmaker who have publicly discussed bribery allegations against the newly elected Parliament Speaker Mohammad-Baqer Qalibaf are being sued by the Iranian Parliament for "libel," an Iranian Parliament official said on Wednesday.
• Largest U.S. Seizure of Iranian Fuel from Four Tankers US Dept. of Justice 14 Aug 2020 -- The Justice Department today announced the successful disruption of a multimillion dollar fuel shipment by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), a designated foreign terrorist organization, that was bound for Venezuela. These actions represent the government's largest-ever seizure of fuel shipments from Iran.
• On U.S. Seizure of Iranian Gasoline Intended for the Illegitimate Maduro Regime US Dept. of State 14 Aug 2020 -- Today, the Department of Justice announced the successful seizure of over one million barrels of Iranian gasoline intended for the illegitimate Maduro regime in Venezuela. The proceeds from these shipments would have allegedly benefitted Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization.
• Exclusive: Report of US seizure of Iranian fuel cargoes false Press TV 14 Aug 2020 -- A report that the United States has seized Iranian fuel cargoes aboard ships bound for Venezuela is false, an informed Iranian source has told Press TV.
• U.S. Seizes Tankers Loaded With Iranian Fuel Bound For Venezuela RFE/RL 14 Aug 2020 -- The United States has seized four tankers en route from Iran to Venezuela in what the Justice Department says is the government's largest-ever seizure of fuel shipments from Iran.
• Nujaba declares 'Israel's destruction' ultimate goal of all resistance groups Press TV 14 Aug 2020 -- Iraq's al-Nujaba Movement says the ultimate goal pursued by all resistance groups is to destroy Israel and expel all American forces from the region.
• UN chief: Belarusians must be able to exercise their 'civil and political rights' UN News 14 Aug 2020 -- Closely following the developments in Belarus, Secretary-General António Guterres issued a statement on Friday underlining the importance of enabling all Belarusians to "exercise their civil and political rights".
• Amid Election Protests, Belarusian State TV Presenters Are Walking Off The Job RFE/RL 14 Aug 2020 -- State-television presenters in Belarus are signing off for good, fed up with putting a positive spin on the country's turmoil, as some of their viewers take a beating while protesting what they believe to be a rigged presidential election.
• Striking Workers Lead Demonstrators In Minsk March As Protests Spread RFE/RL 14 Aug 2020 -- Several thousand protesters gathered in front of the main government building in the Belarusian capital to demand a recount of the country's disputed August 9 election, which handed strongman President Alyaksandr Lukashenka a sixth term and sparked nationwide protests that have been brutally put down by security forces.
• Belarus Opposition Candidate Calls On Supporters 'To Defend Our Choice' RFE/RL 14 Aug 2020 -- The main challenger to Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka in the August 9 presidential election, Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya, who was forced to leave the country a day after the election and is currently in Lithuania, has called on her supporters to "defend our choice," while urging ongoing protests to continue into the weekend.
• Belarusian Protests Upend Lukashenka's Geopolitical Game With Russia, China, The West RFE/RL 14 Aug 2020 -- As Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka finds himself increasingly embattled at home in the face of the most widespread protests of his 26 years in power, the 65-year-old leader must also navigate a difficult test in the international arena.
• European Commission Considering Fact-Finding Mission To Minsk RFE/RL 14 Aug 2020 -- European Union Neighborhood Commissioner Oliver Varhelyi has expressed his readiness to travel to Minsk on an EU fact-finding mission to gather information following the government's crackdown on protests triggered by the August 9 presidential election, which the bloc has described as "neither free nor fair."
• Belarus Releases Alleged Russian Mercenaries Detained In Purported Plot RFE/RL 14 Aug 2020 -- Belarus has released 32 Russian citizens who were detained near Minsk last month and accused of being mercenaries plotting to "destabilize" the situation in Belarus around the August 9 presidential election.
• EU Mulls Sanctions On Belarus Amid Accusations Of 'Widespread Torture' RFE/RL 14 Aug 2020 -- The European Union is ratcheting up pressure on Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka in response to a brutal crackdown on protests triggered by elections the bloc described as "neither free nor fair."
• EU Calls for Sanctions on Belarus After Disputed Elections VOA 14 Aug 2020 -- European Union Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called on Friday for sanctions against Belarus, where security forces cracked down on opposition protests against authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko.
• Uncertainty Hovers Over Belarus as Thousands Hit the Streets Again VOA 14 Aug 2020 -- Uncertainly hovered over Belarus on Friday as protests against President Alexander Lukashenko gained momentum – with tens of thousands disputing the Belarusian strongman's claim of a landslide victory during an August 9 election marred by voter fraud and a crackdown against unarmed demonstrators.
• In Belarus, Journalists Beaten and Detained, Internet Cut VOA 14 Aug 2020 -- As Belarus cracked down on protesters contesting the reelection of President Alexander Lukashenko, dozens of journalists were detained, beaten, and deported, and internet service was blocked as authorities tried to stifle opposition to the Aug. 9 vote.
• US bans private charter flights to Cuba to increase pressure on Havana Press TV 14 Aug 2020 -- The United States says it is suspending all private charter flights to Cuba, in yet another move to intensify economic pressure on the government of President Raul Castro over human rights accusations and its support for the Venezuelan government, which Washington seeks to overthrow.
• Rohingya Candidate to Appeal Myanmar Parliament Candidacy Rejection Radio Free Asia 14 Aug 2020 -- A Rohingya man who filed to run for a seat in Myanmar's parliament in November has been disqualified over questions about his parents' citizenship, a decision that he disputed and that activists say underscores pervasive official discrimination toward the Muslim minority.
• Interview: Myanmar's Election Body 'Will Hold Elections in Townships Where it is Safe' Radio Free Asia 14 Aug 2020 -- Election officials in Myanmar are preparing for the country's general elections on Nov. 8 in which nearly 100 political parties are fielding candidates to compete for 1,171 seats available in both houses of the national parliament and in state and regional legislatures. While about 37.5 million voters of Myanmar's total population of 54 million are eligible to cast ballots, it remains unclear whether election authorities will hold voting in volatile Rakhine state, where government forces have been fighting the rebel Arakan Army (AA) in northern Rakhine for the past 20 months.
• U.S. and Concerned Nations Stand Together for Democratic Change in Venezuela US Dept. of State 14 Aug 2020 -- Today the United States joins democracies around the world to reiterate our support for Venezuela's democratic forces as they defend the rights of the Venezuelan people. The joint declaration calls for a transitional government that will hold free and fair presidential and parliamentary elections.
• Joint Declaration of Support for Democratic Change in Venezuela US Dept. of State 14 Aug 2020 -- The text of the following declaration was released by several members of the Lima Group, the International Contact Group, the European Union, the United States, and others.
• US Announces Visa Restrictions on Sudanese Entities VOA 14 Aug 2020 -- The United States government announced this week it will begin visa restrictions on people believed to be undermining Sudan's civilian-led government. The order will affect former officials of ousted President Omar Al Bashir's administration and others, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement.
• Readout from a Treasury Spokesperson on Secretary Mnuchin's call with Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok US Treasury 14 Aug 2020 -- U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin held a call yesterday with Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok. The Secretary and Prime Minister discussed the negotiations on an agreement on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) and the need for good faith and political will among all parties to reach a final agreement. Secretary Mnuchin expressed his appreciation for the constructive role Prime Minister Hamdok has played in GERD negotiations. They also discussed Sudan's economic reform agenda and AML/CFT efforts, and Secretary Mnuchin reiterated his support for the civilian-led transitional government's commitment to respecting human rights, fighting corruption, and reforming Sudan's economy.
• Millions 'on the edge' in DR Congo, now in even greater danger of tipping over: WFP UN News 14 Aug 2020 -- Millions of lives could be lost to hunger in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), amid escalating conflict and worsening COVID-19 transmission, the UN emergency food relief agency has warned, urging the international community to step up support for the African nation.
• Malnutrition Soars in DR Congo as Acute Hunger Grips Millions VOA 14 Aug 2020 -- At least 15.6 million people in the Democratic Republic of Congo are suffering from acute food shortages, sending malnutrition rates among children soaring, the U.N. World Food Program warns.
• President of North Macedonia gives Zaev mandate to form new gov't Global Times 14 Aug 2020 -- President Stevo Pendarovski of North Macedonia on Thursday handed the mandate for the formation of the new government to Zoran Zaev, leader of Social Democratic Union of Macedonia (SDSM), Media Information Agency (MIA) reported.
• Arrest of Cambodian Political Party Chief Over Vietnam Border Claims Marks Second in Two Weeks Radio Free Asia 14 Aug 2020 -- Authorities in Cambodia arrested the head of a small political party on Friday following comments he made criticizing the government's handling of a border dispute with neighboring Vietnam–marking the second such arrest in as many weeks.
• Bulgarian PM Calls For New Constitution As Political Crisis Continues RFE/RL 14 Aug 2020 -- After more than a month of protests calling for his resignation, Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov has called for the convening of a grand national assembly to consider and adopt a new constitution.
• Ex-Kyrgyz President's Prison Sentence Upheld RFE/RL 14 Aug 2020 -- The Bishkek City Court has upheld a lower court's ruling sentencing former President Almazbek Atambaev to 11 years and two months in prison for the illegal release of notorious crime boss Aziz Batukaev in 2013.
• Thai Authorities Arrest Pro-Democracy Protest Leader VOA 14 Aug 2020 -- Authorities in Thailand arrested a student pro-democracy protest leader Friday after he led demonstrations last month calling for government reforms and an end to military influence on politics.
• Tanzania Press Regulations Raise Concerns VOA 14 Aug 2020 -- Tanzanian rights activists and media outlets are accusing the government of limiting press freedom after the release of new content regulations. The rules, which went into effect this week, prohibit local media from broadcasting foreign media content without government permission and require local journalists working with foreign reporters to have a government minder.
• 1 Dies at Ivory Coast Protest Against President's Pursuit of Third Term VOA 14 Aug 2020 -- Tensions are still running high in Ivory Coast's commercial capital, Abidjan, Friday, a day after police used tear gas to break up street protests against President Alassane Ouattara's controversial decision to seek a third term.