Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• Taliban Delegation In Pakistan To Talk Afghan Peace RFE/RL 24 Aug 2020 -- A Taliban political team arrived in Pakistan on August 24 amid ongoing efforts to start negotiations between the Afghan government and the militants.
• Taliban negotiators in Islamabad for talks with Pakistani officials Press TV 24 Aug 2020 -- Pakistan has invited key members of the Taliban's negotiating team to Islamabad, where senior officials are to convince them on the importance of starting talks with the Afghan government.
• National Guard helps fight California wildfires Army News 24 Aug 2020 -- Hundreds of members of the National Guard from multiple states are supporting state and local efforts to fight the wildfires raging in California. Guard members on land and in the air are helping firefighters and first responders do their jobs, while Guard aircrews are helping map and fight the blazes.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Air Force update for COVID-19 US Air Force 24 Aug 2020
• Readout of Secretary Esper's Call with Mongolian Minister of Defense Saikhanbayar DoD 24 Aug 2020
• 403rd Wing evacuates aircraft, continues to fly Hurricane Marco, Tropical Storm Laura US Air Force 24 Aug 2020 -- The Air Force Reserve's 403rd Wing relocated its 20 aircraft Aug. 23 as Hurricane Marco and Tropical Storm Laura continued their path toward the U.S. Gulf Coast.
• Virtual training center leverages enhanced warfighter capabilities US Air Force 24 Aug 2020 -- The Air Force relies on forward-thinking Airmen who are constantly thinking of ways to innovate, refine or improve processes and technology in a way that can modernize the service and its tactics.
• USS Thomas Hudner Concludes Operations in NANOOK 2020 US Navy 24 Aug 2020 -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Thomas Hudner (DDG 116) concluded its participation Operation Nanook on Aug. 23, a joint exercise conducted in the northern Atlantic Ocean.
• Carrier Air Wing 8 Joins Carrier Strike Group 12 US Navy 24 Aug 2020 -- Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 8 officially joined Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 12 aboard the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), the flag ship for CSG-12, Aug. 21.
• US bombers arrive in Europe for training with NATO Allies and partners NATO 24 Aug 2020 -- Six US Air Force B-52 Stratofortress bomber aircraft from the 5th Bomb Wing, Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota arrived at Royal Air Force Fairford in the United Kingdom on Saturday (22 August 2020). The long-planned deployment will involve flight training with NATO Allies and partners in the coming days.
• Three Birds With One Jet: Russian Su-27 Intercepts Two NATO Aircraft, Swedish Plane Over Baltic Sea Sputnik 24 Aug 2020 -- Russia's Aerospace Forces have pointed to a major spike in NATO reconnaissance activity along the country's maritime borders, from the west to the Far East, in recent months.
• Russia Kicks Off Tests of Cutting-Edge S-500 Systems, Mass Production on the Way Sputnik 24 Aug 2020 -- Deputy Defence Minister Aleksey Krivoruchko announced that Russia Armed Forces are looking to receive the first batch of the newest systems in 2021. The full-scale supply of the S-500s is scheduled for 2025.
• Russia Holding Test Flights of Latest Guided Missile Bulat - Rostec Sputnik 24 Aug 2020 -- The latest guided missile Bulat, which can strike lightly armored equipment, is now doing test flights, the press service of a Rostec subsidiary said.
• Russian Defence Ministry Plans to Sign $15.5Bln Worth of Contracts at Army Forum - Shoigu Sputnik 24 Aug 2020 -- The Russian Defence Ministry is planning to sign 39 contracts worth a total of 1.2 trillion rubles ($15.5 billion) at the Army-2020 military forum, Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said Monday.
• China Holds Trio of Military Drills, Including in South China Sea Radio Free Asia 24 Aug 2020 -- China's military is holding three separate naval exercises and live-fire drills simultaneously this week, with one of them covering parts of the South China Sea disputed between China, Taiwan, and Vietnam.
• US military tactics over Taiwan exposed as PLA stands ready Global Times 24 Aug 2020 -- The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) has been holding consecutive, concentrated military drills in all four major Chinese sea regions since mid-August, which is seen as a direct and strong response to the recent negative moves by Taiwan secessionists and the US, but the US military has not restrained its provocations and even bolstered its military operations around the island of Taiwan.
• Chinese military's role in domestic humanitarian assistance and disaster relief PLA Daily 24 Aug 2020 -- Humanitarian relief and disaster relief have become increasingly important missions for Chinese army forces domestically.
• Photos: Mystery Helicopter UAV Spotted as China's New Type 075 Carrier Returns From Maiden Voyage Sputnik 24 Aug 2020 -- Photos posted on social media of the Type 075 amphibious assault ship's return to Shanghai at the end of its maiden voyage revealed some of the first clear images of a new model of unmanned helicopter sitting on the dock, which may become part of the ship's air wing.
• DRDO identifies 108 Systems and Subsystems for industry to design, develop and manufacture towards achieving "Atmanirbhar Bharat" India PIB 24 Aug 2020 -- Responding to the clarion call given by Hon'ble Prime Minister for "Atmanirbhar Bharat", the Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) has taken several initiatives to strengthen the indigenous defence ecosystem. Towards
• BrahMos Says Got Permission From Russia, India to Export Missiles to Third Countries Sputnik 24 Aug 2020 -- BrahMos Aerospace, a joint Russian-Indian developer of the BRAHMOS supersonic cruise missiles, said on Monday it got greenlighted by the governments of Russia and India to export the missile to third countries.
• US Vows to Ensure Israel's 'Military Edge' VOA 24 Aug 2020 -- U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Monday the United States will ensure Israel's military advantage in the Middle East under any potential U.S. arms deals with the United Arab Emirates.
• S Korea Seeks Cooperation With Russia on Fifth-Generation Jets, Drones, Space - Attache Sputnik 24 Aug 2020 -- South Korea is seeking military cooperation with Russia amid growing threat on the Korean peninsula, with particular interest in the technology of Russian fifth-generation planes, drones and the exploration of space, Kim Young Wook, air attache at the South Korean embassy in Russia, said.
• Russia, Turkey agree on delivery of 2nd S-400 missile system regiment Global Times 24 Aug 2020 -- Russia and Turkey have signed a contract to deliver a second regiment of S-400 air defense systems to Turkey, the Russian state arms exporter Rosoboronexport said Sunday.
• Built in Britain: Labour Reportedly Rolls Out Test for Defence Projects Amid Row Over Supply Ships Sputnik 24 Aug 2020 -- A partisan row has emerged over the Ministry of Defence's lucrative contract to build three new auxiliary ships for the Royal Navy, with foreign shipbuilders involved in the bidding. Labour insists the contract should go to a domestic manufacturer.
• President Maduro: Venezuela may buy missiles from Iran Press TV 24 Aug 2020 -- Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has thanked Iran for helping his country overcome the US sanctions targeting its oil industry, saying he is now considering purchasing missiles from the Islamic Republic.
• Pompeo Says US Will Review Possible Arms Sales to UAE While Maintaining Israel's Military Advantage Sputnik 24 Aug 2020 -- The Secretary of State arrived in Israel on Monday for talks with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as part of a trip to the region to promote the Trump administration's Mideast peace plan.

Defense Industry

• Contracts For Aug. 24, 2020

Other Conflicts

• 24 August 2020 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 24 Aug 2020
• Saudi-led coalition prevents over dozen Yemeni tankers from unloading essential cargoes for war-hit nation: YPC Press TV 24 Aug 2020 -- The Yemeni Petroleum Company (YPC) says the Saudi-led coalition has been preventing more than a dozen tankers carrying energy derivatives for the war-torn Arab country from unloading their essential consignments although they hold proper permits.
• Syria condemns Turkish force's move to cut off drinking water in Hasakah Press TV 24 Aug 2020 -- The Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates has condemned in the strongest terms Turkish military forces' latest decision to cut off the drinking water supply in the country's northeastern province of Hasakah.
• Syrian sides meet in Geneva to discuss possible new constitution Press TV 24 Aug 2020 -- Members of the Syrian Constitutional Committee have met at the United Nations Headquarters in the Swiss city of Geneva to discuss a possible new constitution aimed at paving the way for a political ultimate solution to the ongoing conflict in the war-torn Arab country.
• Syria: 'terror blast' causes temporary countrywide blackout Press TV 24 Aug 2020 -- An explosion caused by a "terrorist attack" against a major gas pipeline in Syria has caused a temporary countrywide blackout.
• Haftar rejects Sarraj's call for Libya truce as 'media marketing' Press TV 24 Aug 2020 -- Libyan rebels led by renegade general Khalifa Haftar have rejected a ceasefire announcement by the internationally-recognized government in Tripoli.
• Libyans Hit Streets Despite Cease-Fire VOA 24 Aug 2020 -- When shots were heard in Tripoli's Martyr's Square Sunday evening, a few protesters scattered. Others cheered, arms aloft, shouting, "Libya! Libya!"
• Report: Israeli military base targeted by incendiary balloon from Gaza Press TV 24 Aug 2020 -- Israeli media say an incendiary balloon launched from the besieged Gaza Strip has struck a military base in the occupied territories, with reports declining to provide further details on the number of possible casualties or the extent of damage.
• Thousands of Palestinian homes in occupied al-Quds face demolition threat: PA official Press TV 24 Aug 2020 -- A senior Palestinian official says thousands of Palestinian-owned houses in occupied Jerusalem al-Quds are facing the threat of demolition by Israeli authorities.
• Over 1,100 villagers killed in Nigeria in 1st half of 2020: Amnesty Press TV 24 Aug 2020 -- Over 1,100 people have been killed in rural areas across several states of central and northwestern Nigeria amid an alarming escalation in raids and kidnappings by armed bandits in the first half of the year, Amnesty International says.
• Twin blasts kill at least 10, wounds dozens in southern Philippines Press TV 24 Aug 2020 -- At least 10 people have been killed and dozens more wounded in twin explosions that hit the town of Jolo in the southern Philippine province of Sulu.
• English-Language News App Censored Tibet, Dalai Lama References Radio Free Asia 24 Aug 2020 -- An English-language news app connected to major Western media sources routinely censored references to Tibet, Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama, and other key words deemed politically sensitive by the app's Chinese owners, sources say.
• Tibetan Uncle and Nephew Arrested For Urging Resistance to Chinese Land Grab Radio Free Asia 24 Aug 2020 -- A Tibetan community leader and his nephew were arrested this weekend in Qinghai's Tridu county after defying Chinese authorities by advising local Tibetans not to sign away their rights to grazing land, Tibetan sources said.
• Memories of 2017 Crackdown in Myanmar Still Haunt Rohingya Refugee Children Radio Free Asia 24 Aug 2020 -- Arat Ullah was 14 when Myanmar forces stormed into his village in northern Rakhine state and began a rampage three years ago as part of a wider military-led crackdown against members of the stateless Rohingya Muslim minority.
• Armenian Military Officer Taken Into Azerbaijani Custody RFE/RL 24 Aug 2020 -- An Armenian soldier has been taken into the custody of Azerbaijani forces under disputed circumstances in an area where both the rival Transcaucasus states maintain heavy troop presences.
• India Ready for Military Action If Talks on Ladakh Fail With China, Reports Claim Sputnik 24 Aug 2020 -- Last week, Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC) met for the 18th time to discuss disengagement of troops along the Line of Actual Control. The status quo ante needs to be restored to that of before May 2020. The troops have been in a border stand-off for almost five months.

News Reports

• Russian Doctors Deny Navalny Had Traces, Symptoms of Cholinesterase Inhibitors Poisoning Sputnik 24 Aug 2020 -- Earlier, the doctors treating Navalny in the Berlin-based Charite clinic said they had found in his body traces of intoxication with a substance from the group of cholinesterase inhibitors. However, the exact substance is still unknown, the press service of the clinic added.
• Kremlin: Putin Wasn't Involved in Talks on Transportation of Opposition Figure Navalny to Germany Sputnik 24 Aug 2020 -- Navalny was transported to the German clinic on Saturday after he fell ill on Thursday while on a flight from Tomsk to Moscow. His press secretary suggested he may have been poisoned. However, doctors in Omsk, where he was hospitalised, said there were no traces of poison in Navalny's blood or urine.
• Austria, Russia Expel Diplomats In 'Economic Spying' Case RFE/RL 24 Aug 2020 -- Austria has announced the expulsion of a Russian diplomat reported to be involved in economic espionage.
• Russia Declares Austrian Diplomat Persona Non Grata in Response to Vienna's Earlier Decision Sputnik 24 Aug 2020 -- Earlier in the day, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Moscow will respond in kind to Austria's expulsion of a Russian diplomat.
• 'One Way or Another': Moscow Vows Reciprocal Response to Expulsion of Russian Diplomat From Austria Sputnik 24 Aug 2020 -- Earlier in the day, Austria declared a Russian diplomat persona non grata over espionage suspicions.
• NASA Researcher Arrested for False Statements and Wire Fraud in Relation to China's Talents Program US Dept. of Justice 24 Aug 2020 -- Texas A&M University Professor Working on U.S. Space Projects Allegedly Hid Affiliations with Chinese State Owned Academic and Commercial Institutions
• Texas Professor, NASA Researcher Arrested for Hiding Links With China, US Justice Department Says Sputnik 24 Aug 2020 -- A Texas A&M University professor working on projects for NASA has been arrested and will be charged for allegedly hiding his affiliations with Chinese state-owned academic and commercial institutions, the US Justice Department said in a statement on Monday.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian's Regular Press Conference on August 24, 2020 PRC MofA 24 Aug 2020
• US unilateralism, hegemonic acts doomed to fail: China Press TV 24 Aug 2020 -- China has vehemently dismissed Washington's move to trigger the so-called snapback mechanism and restore the United Nations sanctions against Iran despite its departure from the landmark 2015 nuclear deal with Tehran, saying the US administration's unilateralism is unpopular and its hegemonic acts are doomed to failure.
• Large Numbers of Hong Kong Residents Leave Amid National Security Crackdown Radio Free Asia 24 Aug 2020 -- As Australia relaxed visa rules for thousands of Hong Kong residents studying and working in the country, analysts say many more will likely emigrate from the city in the wake of a draconian national security law imposed by China following months of pro-democracy protests.
• China 'Will End' Mongolian-Language Education Starting This Semester: Reports Radio Free Asia 24 Aug 2020 -- China's ruling Communist Party is to end Mongolian-medium education in the northern region of Inner Mongolia, which borders the independent country of Mongolia, according to an overseas-based rights group.
• Former Camp Detainees Serving 'Deferred' Jail Sentences in Xinjiang's Korla City Radio Free Asia 24 Aug 2020 -- A number of former Uyghur internment camp detainees in northwest China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) are now serving 'deferred' jail sentences, likely due to overcrowding in the region's prison system, according to sources.
• Security cooperation between Washington, Taipei a 'dark history' of interfering in China's internal affairs: FM Global Times 24 Aug 2020 -- The Chinese mainland authority on Taiwan Affairs on Monday urged the US obey the one-China principle and stop sending the wrong signals to "Taiwan independence" forces, after an American diplomat attended a commemoration of a battle near Kinmen in the 1950s, which was also known as the start of the second crisis across the Taiwan Straits.
• Observers: Taiwan Positioned for Role in Wealth Management and Corporate Financing VOA 24 Aug 2020 -- Taiwan is well-positioned to seize potential capital outflows triggered by the enactment of a new security law in Hong Kong and the intensifying trade frictions between the United States and China, three analysts told VOA.
• North Korean County Leases Rationing Center to Wealthy Wholesaler Radio Free Asia 24 Aug 2020 -- A county government in North Korea's South Pyongan province is leasing out an obsolete public food distribution center to a wealthy entrepreneur, turning a building that would otherwise be shut down into money-generating commercial real estate, local sources told RFA.
• Iran Admits June Explosion At Nuclear Facility Was 'Sabotage' Radio Farda 24 Aug 2020 -- The spokesman for the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) has confirmed for the first time that the recent destructive blast at Natanz nuclear facility was sabotage.
• Iran Vows to Respond to Incident at Natanz Nuclear Site If Foreign Traces Confirmed Sputnik 24 Aug 2020 -- Iran will respond to an act of sabotage that occurred at Natanz nuclear facility in July if there is confirmation that it was organised from abroad, Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh said on Monday.
• Iran Confirms Blast At Natanz Nuclear Facility Was 'Sabotage' RFE/RL 24 Aug 2020 -- Iran's Atomic Energy Organization said an explosion at the country's main nuclear facility in July was caused by sabotage.
• Iran producing 1 billion cm/d of gas, Pres. Rouhani says IRNA 24 Aug 2020 -- President Hassan Rouhani said on Monday that Iran's gas production has increased from 600 million cm/d to 1 billion cm/d this year.
• Iran's gas export capacity hits 80 million cu/m per day: Minister IRNA 24 Aug 2020 -- Iranian Petroleum Minister Bijan Zangeneh pointed to the operation of Iran's sixth and ninth gas transmission lines and said that Iran's total capacity increases to 80 million cubic meters per day.
• 3 major national oil projects launched with a budget of around €4.7 billion ISNA 24 Aug 2020 -- In a ceremony that was held on Government's Week, Iran's President inaugurated three major national projects worth about €4.7 billion in the oil sector.
• Under harshest of bans, Iran rolls out $5.6bn worth of energy projects Press TV 24 Aug 2020 -- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has opened several major energy projects in the country, a fresh sign that American sanctions have failed to cause a minimum halt to the expansion of the Iranian oil and gas sector.
• IAEA has access to Iranian sites more than any country: Spox IRNA 24 Aug 2020 -- Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh said that said in his first press conference that Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency have had ups and downs in relations, but, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action led to the highest level cooperation.
• IAEA chief arrives in Iran for talks on first visit since taking office Press TV 24 Aug 2020 -- Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Grossi has arrived in Tehran on his first visit to the country since taking office in December to hold talks with senior Iranian officials.
• IAEA Chief Arrives In Iran Amid Inspections Standoff RFE/RL 24 Aug 2020 -- The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has arrived in Iran for a visit aimed at improving cooperation on the country's nuclear activities.
• Iranian, French Foreign Ministers Discuss Developments Around Nuclear Deal - Tehran Sputnik 24 Aug 2020 -- Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and his French counterpart, Jean-Yves Le Drian, have discussed developments related to the Iran nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), during phone talks in the wake of US's attempts to revive sanctions against Tehran, the Iranian Foreign Ministry said.
• Exclusive: Hook Says United States Is Hopeful About Return Of All UN Sanction On Iran Radio Farda 24 Aug 2020 -- In an exclusive interview with Radio Farda, Brian Hook, the United States Special Representative for Iran, said the U.S. is hoping that all U.N. sanctions against Iran will be re-imposed in 29 days.
• JCPOA Joint Commission nothing to do with recent developments/ UAE makes a big mistake ISNA 24 Aug 2020 -- Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh referred to the US government's historic isolation in the world after its failed bid at the United Nations Security Council to extend an arms embargo on Iran, stressing Washington has failed to create a consensus against the Islamic Republic.
• Counter-revolutionary terrorist team demolished by IRGC in northwestern Iran IRNA 24 Aug 2020 -- A team of counter-revolutionary terrorists was dismantled by the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) in Maku, West Azarbaijan province, Iran.
• IRGC destroys terrorist team in Iran's northwestern city of Maku, confiscates weapons Press TV 24 Aug 2020 -- Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) forces have destroyed a team of terrorists in the vicinity of northwestern Iranian city of Maku in West Azarbaijan Province.
• New Iran Spokesman Says Normalization Of UAE's Ties With Israel Was 'Big Mistake' Radio Farda 24 Aug 2020 -- The new spokesman of Iran's Foreign Ministry has characterized the normalization of the United Arab Emirates' ties with Israel as "a scar on the face of the Muslim world."
• Iran reveals details from crashed Ukrainian plane's black boxes analysis Global Times 24 Aug 2020 -- Head of Iran's Civil Aviation Organization revealed on Sunday details of Iran's final report on the crash of Ukrainian passenger plane PS752 that occurred near Tehran in January, official news agency IRNA reported.
• Iran Must Reveal Truth About Downing Plane, Ukrainian Official Stresses Radio Farda 24 Aug 2020 -- Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Yevgeni Yenin is claiming that the data retrieved from flight P-752's recorders verifies Iran's responsibility for downing the plane on January 8, 2020 over Tehran, and called for the truth about the incident.
• Analysis of Black Boxes Reveals Downed Ukraine Jet Struck by Iranian Missiles 25 Seconds Apart Sputnik 24 Aug 2020 -- Analysis of the black boxes of the Ukrainian passenger plane downed on January 8 by Iranian forces shows that it was hit by two missiles 25 seconds apart and that passengers were alive for some time following the first blast, Iran's Civil Aviation Organization revealed on Sunday.
• Hundreds Of Millions Of Dollars In Alleged Financial Irregularities At Tehran Municipality Radio Farda 24 Aug 2020 -- A lawsuit against a former deputy mayor shows that thirteen trillion rials ($440 million) of financial irregularities took place under the watch of current parliament speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf when he was the capital's mayor from 2005 to 2017.
• As Lukashenka Turns To Geopolitics, The West Faces Learning Curve In Belarus RFE/RL 24 Aug 2020 -- With hundreds of thousands of protesters flooding the streets of Minsk in recent days as Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka put the military on high-alert warning of a foreign-backed plan to oust him, the standoff in Belarus shows no signs of subsiding.
• After Belarusian Journalists Quit State TV, Russians Fill The Void RFE/RL 24 Aug 2020 -- For almost a decade, Syarhey Kozlovich had been employed by the sprawling apparatus of Belarusian state TV. From his debut as a lowly member of the technical team in 2011, he worked his way up to becoming a presenter on Belarus-1, the country's main television channel.
• Police Round Up Opposition Coordinators In Belarus RFE/RL 24 Aug 2020 -- Authorities in Belarus have stepped up detentions of prominent protest organizers and summoned others ahead of efforts to punish high-profile opposition leaders and dull weeks of unprecedented unrest.
• Batka Gets His Gun. Belarusians Take Note. Laughter Ensues. RFE/RL 24 Aug 2020 -- At first, the sight of a government Mi-8 helicopter flying over massive protests in Minsk led to speculation that President Alyaksandr Lukashenka was fleeing the capital amid days of opposition pressure for him to step to step down.
• As Lukashenka Turns To Geopolitics, The West Faces Learning Curve In Belarus RFE/RL 24 Aug 2020 -- With hundreds of thousands of protesters flooding the streets of Minsk in recent days as Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka put the military on high-alert warning of a foreign-backed plan to oust him, the standoff in Belarus shows no signs of subsiding.
• Belarus Authorities Arrest 2 Leading Opposition Activists VOA 24 Aug 2020 -- Belarusian authorities arrested two leading opposition activists allegedly helping to spearhead protests in the country, demanding the resignation of longtime President Alexander Lukashenko following a disputed election.
• Secretary Michael R. Pompeo And Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu After Their Meeting US Dept. of State 24 Aug 2020
• Pompeo, Netanyahu Praise Israel-UAE Deal VOA 24 Aug 2020 -- U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Monday he is hopeful other Arab nations will follow the United Arab Emirates in establishing diplomatic relations with Israel.
• On Mideast Tour, Pompeo Hopes For Normalized Israel-Arab Ties RFE/RL 24 Aug 2020 -- U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has started a five-day Middle East tour, saying he hopes to see other Arab states following the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.) and normalizing relations with Israel.
• Hezbollah Weighs Survival Options After Beirut Blast VOA 24 Aug 2020 -- Beirut's ammonium nitrate explosion earlier this month has further exposed Hezbollah to public anger, with some Lebanon observers predicting a gloomy road ahead for the U.S.-designated terror group in the aftermath of the devastating event.
• Strengthening global cooperation on counter-terrorism must remain a priority during and after pandemic, Security Council told UN News 24 Aug 2020 -- With Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Da'esh) and other terrorist groups attempting to exploit the COVID-19 pandemic for their own ends, the international community must respond with stronger collective action and cooperation, the to UN counter-terrorism official said on Monday.
• Ramaphosa Addresses South Africa's Corruption VOA 24 Aug 2020 -- South Africa's president has delivered a withering description of the corruption that plagues the ruling African National Congress.
• Mali junta, W Africa mediators agree on 'certain points,' talks to continue Monday Press TV 24 Aug 2020 -- West African mediators say they have reached an agreement with the junta that has seized power in Mali on "a number of points," but some issues remain to be hammered out during the talks aimed at restoring civilian rule to the country.
• Junta in Mali Proposes 3-Year Transitional Period With Military Leader - Reports Sputnik 24 Aug 2020 -- The junta in Mali is proposing a three-year transitional period in the country where President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita was ousted last week, media reported.
• Maduro: US, Colombia have long plotted to assassinate me Press TV 24 Aug 2020 -- Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has denounced the United States and its allies in neighboring Colombia for their longtime plots to eliminate him and the Latin American country's senior military officials.
• Mekong River: China Pledges to Share Data on Year-Round Flow Radio Free Asia 24 Aug 2020 -- China's prime minister assured five of its Mekong neighbors Monday that Beijing would share year-round data on water flows into the river, a pledge welcomed by the Southeast Asian countries that have received information during the rainy season only and are increasingly impacted by drought and upstream dams.
• Premier Li urges wider Mekong cooperation Global Times 24 Aug 2020 -- China brought a series of proposals, including offering the COVID-19 vaccine to Mekong countries as a priority, in the latest move of China's promotion of the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC), which observers see as a sign of closer ties among the six countries amid the pandemic. The proposals represent expanding cooperation, from water resource sharing to other sectors, analysts said.
• China, Vietnam pledge peaceful, friendly border of common development PLA Daily 24 Aug 2020 -- China and Vietnam on Sunday vowed to make their border areas peaceful and friendly for cooperation and common development.
• Imprisoned rights defenders in Egypt at 'grave risk' of COVID-19, warn UN experts UN News 24 Aug 2020 -- A group of independent UN rights experts have raised alarm over "grave and unnecessary" risks faced by imprisoned human rights defenders in Egypt due to lengthy pre-trial detention.
• Burkina Faso is Facing a Hunger Catastrophe VOA 24 Aug 2020 -- The World Food Program reports Burkina Faso is facing an acute shortage of food, with more than 3.2 million people going hungry in this conflict-ridden country.