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News Reports

Current Operations

• US, Germany to reduce military presence in Iraq Press TV 10 Sep 2020 -- The United States and Germany have announced they will reduce military presence in Iraq, months after Iraqi lawmakers passed a resolution calling on the government to end the presence of all Washington-led troops in the Arab counry.
• Iraqi official says Iraq, U.S. agree to cut troops in September People's Daily 10 Sep 2020 -- Spokesman of the Iraqi Joint Operations Command (JOC) said on Wednesday that the U.S. decision to cut its troops in Iraq came within an agreed timetable between the Iraqi government and the United States.
• U.S. to reduce troop presence in Iraq, Afghanistan by November People's Daily 10 Sep 2020 -- Commander of U.S. Central Command Kenneth McKenzie confirmed on Wednesday that the United States would withdraw thousands of troops from Iraq and Afghanistan by November, U.S. media reported on Wednesday.
• US-Brokered Afghan Peace Talks to Begin Saturday VOA 10 Sep 2020 -- Afghanistan's warring factions have announced they will begin their first direct peace talks Saturday in Qatar to negotiate a political settlement to the country's long conflict.
• Welcoming the Launch of Afghanistan Peace Negotiations US Dept. of State 10 Sep 2020 -- The United States welcomes the announcement that Afghanistan peace negotiations will begin on September 12th.
• UN denounces Kabul attack targeting Afghan Vice President UN News 10 Sep 2020 -- The United Nations has strongly condemned the attack, on Wednesday, in Kabul, targeting the official convoy of Afghanistan's First Vice President Amrullah Saleh.
• Afghan gun battle kills 5 militants in southern Helmand province People's Daily 10 Sep 2020 -- Five militants were confirmed dead and nine others injured as clashes flared up in Gereshk district of the southern Helmand province on Thursday, a statement from the national army here said.
• Why Did The Taliban Appoint A Hard-line Chief Negotiator For Intra-Afghan Talks? RFE/RL 10 Sep 2020 -- Abdul Hakim Ishaqzai spent years lying low in Pakistan's southwestern city of Quetta, where the Afghan Taliban leadership has been based since the U.S.-led invasion in 2001 toppled the extremist group from power in neighboring Afghanistan.
• Afghan Team, Taliban To Start Peace Talks On September 12 RFE/RL 10 Sep 2020 -- Long-delayed peace talks between Taliban and Afghan government negotiators are set to kick off in Qatar on September 12, officials and the militant group say.
• Afghanistan Says It Has Arrested IS Militant Behind Clerics' Killings RFE/RL 10 Sep 2020 -- Afghanistan's main intelligence agency says it has arrested a key member of the Islamic State (IS) extremist group's affiliate in the country who is said to be a mastermind behind the assassination of two prominent religious scholars in Kabul.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Text of a Notice on the Continuation of the National Emergency with Respect to Certain Terrorist Attacks The White House 10 Sep 2020
• Text of a Letter to the Speaker of the House and President of the Senate The White House 10 Sep 2020
• Defender Pacific 2020 expands across breadth of the theater Army News 10 Sep 2020 -- U.S. Army units from Joint Base Lewis-McChord are in final preparations with U.S. Air Force partners for Joint Operations into the Aleutian Islands as part of Defender Pacific 20.
• DOD CIO Remarks at DOD Artificial Intelligence Symposium and Exposition DoD 10 Sep 2020 -- As prepared for delivery by Honorable Dana Deasy, DoD Chief Information Officer
• DSCA Encourages Partners to Look Beyond Gear to Multi-Domain Ops DoD News 10 Sep 2020 -- BY While it's true the Defense Security Cooperation Agency is most-closely associated with foreign military sales, that is not all they do. When it comes to working with security partners, there's an effort now to focus on multi-domain operations to improve teamwork in regards to air operations, Heidi H. Grant, DSCA's new director said.
• DOD Officials Describe Modernization Priorities That Will Benefit Warfighters DoD News 10 Sep 2020 -- When it comes to working with security partners, there's an effort now to focus on multi-domain operations to improve teamwork in regards to air operations, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency's new director said.
• Artificial Intelligence Community Growing, Transitioning DoD News 10 Sep 2020 -- The Defense Department's artificial intelligence community has moved from being "AI pioneers to being AI practitioners," Nand Mulchandani, the acting director of the Pentagon's Joint Artificial Intelligence Center, said.
• Partnerships, Allies Critical to Defense Department Artificial Intelligence DoD News 10 Sep 2020 -- Artificial intelligence is significant beyond the Defense Department, involving partners and allies, the acting undersecretary of defense for research and engineering said.
• Delivering AI to Warfighters Is Strategic Imperative DoD News 10 Sep 2020 -- The Defense Department is in an important transformational period, taking the conceptual applications of artificial intelligence and harnessing this emerging technology to advance America's security and prosperity, the DOD chief information officer said in prepared remarks.
• 'Victory Garden' Approach Could Aid AI Effort DoD News 10 Sep 2020 -- Americans bolstered the war effort during World War II by planting "victory gardens." Every citizen's small contribution to the war effort added up to a lot of support. The same can be done to further the Defense Department's efforts to advance artificial intelligence, said the acting director of the Joint Artificial Intelligence Center.
• Ethics Play Important Part in AI Development, Vice Chairman Says DoD News 10 Sep 2020 -- Artificial intelligence can be tremendously beneficial for society. However, AI in the hands of America's adversaries could pose a national security threat, the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said in prepared remarks.
• MRF-D, ADF complete Exercise Koolendong USMC News 10 Sep 2020 -- U.S. Marines from Marine Rotational Force - Darwin and Australian Army soldiers and have completed a live-fire, high-end warfighting exercise in the Northern Territory.
• Airmen find solution to KC135 and C130 battery testing failure, reducing cost and maintenance delays US Air Force 10 Sep 2020 -- Airmen from Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base, Ohio, and Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, helped revise outdated procedures for testing the condition of aircraft batteries on the KC-135 Stratotanker and C-130 Hercules, preventing the premature disposal and replacement of batteries and avoiding unnecessary equipment costs and maintenance hours.
• Naval Supply Systems Command Weapon Systems Support Addresses V-22 Supply Concern US Navy 10 Sep 2020 -- Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP), Weapon Systems Support (WSS), stood up its Logistics Cell (LOGCELL) in 2016 to bring vendor stakeholders, NAVAIR, fleet mission partners, and various cross-functional teams together in a room filled with interactive dashboards to identify component constraints and make informed decisions focused on enabling improved critical component reliability, maintainability and wholesale health.
• Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoană welcomes the Foreign Minister of the Republic of Moldova at NATO Headquarters NATO 10 Sep 2020 -- Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoană met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration of the Republic of Moldova Oleg Ţulea on Thursday (10 September) for talks about the NATO-Moldova partnership.
• Russian Fighter Scrambled to Intercept 2 Norwegian Military Planes Over Barents Sea Sputnik 10 Sep 2020 -- Russian fighter MiG-29 was scrambled to intercept two Royal Norwegian Air Force planes over the Barents Sea, the Russian Defence Ministry's National Defence Control Center (NDCC) said.
• Chinese military tests drone swarm-armored vehicle integration Global Times 10 Sep 2020 -- China has successfully tested a new combat system that integrates armored vehicles and drone swarms, Chinese media reported on Wednesday. This technology will allow armored troops to acquire more battlefield information and launch deadly attacks, analysts said on Thursday.
• Chinese military to participate in Kavkaz-2020 strategic exercise in Russia PLA Daily 10 Sep 2020 -- The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) will send personnel to participate in the strategic exercise "Kavkaz-2020" to be held from September 21 to 26 in Russia's Astrakhan Region.
• Regulations on Party building in Chinese military promulgated PLA Daily 10 Sep 2020 -- A set of regulations on Party building within the Chinese military has been promulgated and put into effect, with the approval of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and the Central Military Commission (CMC).
• Rafale aircraft formally inducted into Indian Air Force in the presence of Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh and Ms Florence Parly, Ministere of Armed Forces of France; India PIB 10 Sep 2020 -- Rafale Fighter Air craft has been formally inducted into the Indian Air Force (IAF) today at a formal function at Air Force Station, Ambala. Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh and Ms Florence Parly, Minister of the Armed Forces of France graced the occasion.
• Indian Air Force formally inducts 5 Rafale jets in fleet at Ambala airbase People's Daily 10 Sep 2020 -- Indian Air Force (IAF) on Thursday formally inducted the first batch of five Rafale fighter jets in its arsenal, officials said.
• Indian Defence Minister Says Rafale Jets' Induction Will Help in Ongoing Border Stand-off With China Sputnik 10 Sep 2020 -- As the situation at the border with China remains heated due to a stand-off in Eastern Ladakh, India's air force welcomed five French-made Rafale fighter jets with a formal induction on Thursday. The situation has turned tense after a 7 September incident when shots were fired along the border for the first time in decades.
• Five French Rafale Fighter Jets Formally Join Indian Air Force's Golden Arrows Squadron Sputnik 10 Sep 2020 -- Amid border tensions with China, India has urged France to ramp up the delivery of five Dassault Rafale jets in June, when it was expected to be delayed due to COVID-19. However, France fulfilled its commitment and provided three single-seater and two twin-seater fighter jets by 29 July.
• India and Japan sign agreement on Reciprocal Provision of Supplies and Services between Forces of both countries India PIB 10 Sep 2020 -- India and Japan signed an Agreement between the two countries concerning Reciprocal Provision of Supplies and Services between the Armed Forces of India and The Self-Defense Forces of Japan. The agreement was signed here yesterday by Defence Secretary Dr Ajay Kumar and Ambassador of Japan Mr Suzuki Satoshi.
• India, Japan Agree on Reciprocal Provision of Military Supplies, Services Sputnik 10 Sep 2020 -- India and Japan have signed an agreement on reciprocal provision of supplies and services between their armed forces during their involvement in drills, UN peacekeeping operations and humanitarian activities, the Indian Defence Ministry said on Thursday.
• Fully Iran-made submarine makes debut in Zolfaqar-99 Maneuver IRNA 10 Sep 2020 -- Iran's fully domestic semi-heavy submarine 'Fateh' (conquerer) took part in Zolfaqar-99 Maneuver staged by the Iranian Army.
• Iran Starts Military Drills Near Strategic Strait Of Hormuz RFE/RL 10 Sep 2020 -- Iranian armed forced have begun an annual, three-day naval exercise near the strategic Strait of Hormuz, state TV reported.
• 'Confronting Any Possible Invasions': Iran Launches Massive War Games Near Strait of Hormuz Sputnik 10 Sep 2020 -- According to the military, the manoeuvres involve the navy, air force and ground forces, including a domestically-made submarine, fighter jets and air defences.
• Iran Army warns US aircraft against flying near maneuver area IRNA 10 Sep 2020 -- Iranian Army's Air Defense Forces warned extra-regional aircraft to keep their distance from maneuver area in the south of the country, spokesman for Zolfaqar-99 drills announced on Thursday.
• Iran holding large-scale naval drills in strategic southern waters; foreign aircraft warned to stay away Press TV 10 Sep 2020 -- Iranian Army forces have begun large-scale naval exercises in the country's southern waters from east of the Hormuz Strait to the northern Indian Ocean, with American and all other extra-regional military aircraft clearing the skies over the drill area following a warning from Iran's Air Defense Force.
• Iran Army stages main phase of Zolfaqar-99 drills IRNA 10 Sep 2020 -- Iranian Army is conducting main phase of Zolfaqar-99 maneuvers in the Sea of Oman, southern Iran, as of Thursday.
• UK leads multi-national task group of warships above the Arctic Circle in demonstration of freedom of navigation UK MOD 10 Sep 2020 -- The Royal Navy has led a multi-national task group of warships and aircraft into the High North for the first time in more than twenty years on an operation to demonstrate freedom of navigation above the Arctic Circle.
• Afghan National Army Officers Academy graduates its 5000th officer NATO 10 Sep 2020 -- KABUL–Today (10 September 2020), the Afghan National Army Officer Academy graduated its 5000th officer. This represents a milestone for the academy as the Government of Afghanistan prepares to assume control from the current UK-led mentoring team, supported by the NATO-led Resolute Support Mission.
• Remarks by President Trump Before Air Force One Departure The White House 10 Sep 2020

Defense Industry

• Contracts For Sept. 10, 2020

Other Conflicts

• 10 September 2020 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 10 Sep 2020
• US Urges ASEAN to Reconsider Deals With Blacklisted Chinese Companies Radio Free Asia 10 Sep 2020 -- U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Thursday urged Southeast Asian countries to reconsider business deals with the 24 Chinese companies and individuals that Washington sanctioned last month for their roles in constructing Beijing's artificial islands in the South China Sea.
• Pompeo urges ASEAN to cut ties with Chinese companies Press TV 10 Sep 2020 -- US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has called on Southeast Asian nations to sever ties with Chinese companies that he claims help build islands in the disputed South China Sea.
• China: US most dangerous factor working against peace in South China Sea Press TV 10 Sep 2020 -- China has censured the United States' intervention in territorial disputes in the South China Sea, saying Washington is fomenting tensions and is the "most dangerous" factor working against peace in the strategic region.
• UN Rights Experts Urge Countries to Stop Fueling War in Yemen VOA 10 Sep 2020 -- The Group of Eminent International and Regional Experts on Yemen is calling for an end to the multi-billion-dollar arms trade that it says is fueling the war in Yemen and turned the country into what the U.N. considers the world's worst humanitarian catastrophe.
• Hundreds of Schools in Yemen Attacked by Warring Parties VOA 10 Sep 2020 -- Eight-year-old Mazen Mohia Aldeen likes science class, and he wanted to grow up to be an engineer.
• Yemen launches drone, missile attacks against Saudi capital; key target hit: Al-Masirah Press TV 10 Sep 2020 -- Yemeni armed forces have launched missile and drones strikes against a strategic target in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, as they step up their campaign of retaliation against the aggressor kingdom.
• Joint Forces Command of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen: Interception, Destruction of Bomb-Laden (UAV) in Launched by Terrorist, Iran-Backed Houthi Militia Toward the Kingdom SPA 10 Sep 2020 -- Statement by the Official Spokesman of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen COL Turki Al-Malki
• Yemen's Houthis Reportedly Launch Drone, Missile Attack on Saudi Capital Sputnik 10 Sep 2020 -- The Houthi movement, which controls the north of Yemen, said that it launched an air attack on a key target in the Saudi capital Riyadh.
• Issues surrounding Syria's chemical weapons programme must be resolved, to restore global confidence UN News 10 Sep 2020 -- Until outstanding issues related to Syria's initial declaration of its chemical weapons stockpile and programme are resolved, the international community cannot have full confidence that its activities have ended, the UN's top disarmament expert told the Security Council on Thursday.
• Arab Media Reports Some Key Breakthroughs in Moroccan Libya Talks VOA 10 Sep 2020 -- Rival Libyan political leaders held joint talks Thursday in Morocco and Egypt amid reports of some breakthroughs over key issues, including elections and uniting rival governments.
• Lebanese army intercepts, shoots down intruding Israeli reconnaissance drone Press TV 10 Sep 2020 -- Lebanese military forces have intercepted and targeted an Israeli unmanned aerial vehicle as it was on a reconnaissance mission in the skies over the southern part of the country, only about two weeks after Hezbollah resistance fighters shot down an Israeli aircraft in a similar incident.
• China Amasses Troops, Continues Massive Build-up North and South of Pangong Lake – Report Sputnik 10 Sep 2020 -- Tensions between India and China heightened further after shots were fired along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) near Pangong Lake for the first time in 40 years on 7 September. The two nuclear-armed Asian rivals have been involved in several skirmishes since April, with diplomatic talks yielding no results.
• Ankara denounces French president's 'arrogant' remarks on Turkey-Greece standoff in Mediterranean Press TV 10 Sep 2020 -- Turkey has condemned "arrogant" comments made by French President Emmanuel Macron on the simmering standoff between Turkey and Greece over sea boundaries in the eastern Mediterranean.
• Greece says dialog with Turkey important, but not 'at gunpoint' Press TV 10 Sep 2020 -- Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis says dialog with Turkey over sea boundaries in the eastern Mediterranean is "important" provided that it is held on peaceful terms, not "at gunpoint."
• Amnesty reveals: Myanmar military figures profiting from secretive conglomerate Press TV 10 Sep 2020 -- Amnesty International says Myanmar's military figures – including those believed to have committed serious human rights abuses – have financial dealings with a secretive conglomerate with links to international businesses.
• Myanmar Army Deserters Confess on Video to Mass Murders VOA 10 Sep 2020 -- They show little to no emotion. Their answers may have been rehearsed, but what they say is explosive. Two former foot soldiers, now deserters, from Myanmar's army say in video-recorded confessions that they participated in atrocity crimes including mass murder and the destruction of entire villages under the orders of senior officers.
• Cameroon Military Sweeps Northwest City to Weed Out Separatists VOA 10 Sep 2020 -- Cameroon's military this week launched an operation to weed out anglophone separatists in the northwestern city of Bamenda. Locals say the commercial hub is eerily quiet after the military banned motorcycles, and rebels responded by demanding all vehicles stay off the streets. Civilians have been escaping the renewed fighting to neighboring towns and villages.
• Release of Torture Videos Prompts Denials by Mozambican Authorities VOA 10 Sep 2020 -- A video that appears to show Mozambican security forces torturing and possibly killing militants is prompting calls for investigations, as well as denials from government officials.
• Mali's New Leadership Raises Questions About French Counterinsurgency Mission VOA 10 Sep 2020 -- Over the past seven years, France's Barkhane counterinsurgency operation in the Sahel has weathered terrorist attacks, flagging political support from its African allies, and growing popular protests against the ongoing presence of Paris, the region's former colonial power. Now, it faces the coup in Mali.

News Reports

• Statement From Acting Secretary Chad Wolf On Microsoft's Election Initiative DHS 10 Sep 2020 -- Acting Secretary Wolf released the following statement on Microsoft's announcement today which can be found here:
• US Sanctions 4 for Russia-linked Interference in November Presidential Election VOA 10 Sep 2020 -- The United States on Thursday sanctioned four Russian-linked operatives, accusing them of trying to meddle in the upcoming U.S. presidential election.
• United States Sanctions Russian Actors and Proxies for Efforts To Interfere in Elections US Dept. of State 10 Sep 2020 -- Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned four Kremlin-linked individuals for their efforts to interfere in United States elections.
• Treasury Sanctions Russia-Linked Election Interference Actors US Treasury 10 Sep 2020 -- Today, the Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated four Russia-linked individuals for attempting to influence the U.S. electoral process. Russia uses a variety of proxies to attempt to sow discord between political parties and drive internal divisions to influence voters as part of Moscow's broader efforts to undermine democratic countries and institutions.
• Report: Russian Hackers Targeted Political Consultancy Working For Biden RFE/RL 10 Sep 2020 -- A campaign-advisory company working for Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden was targeted by suspected Russian state-backed hackers, a Reuters report has found, which the Kremlin dismissed as "nonsense."
• 'Russia-Linked' Individuals, Including Ukrainian Lawmaker, Blacklisted Over U.S. Election Interference RFE/RL 10 Sep 2020 -- The United States says it has imposed sanctions on a Ukrainian lawmaker behind leaked telephone records of Democratic presidential hopeful Joe Biden, as well as three other "Russia-linked" individuals accused of attempting to influence the U.S. electoral process.
• Text of a Notice on Continuation of the National Emergency With Respect To Foreign Interference In or Undermining Public Confidence In U.S. Elections The White House 10 Sep 2020
• Text of a Letter to the Speaker of the House and President of the Senate The White House 10 Sep 2020
• Whistle-Blower Says He Was Told To Downplay Russian 2020 Election Interference RFE/RL 10 Sep 2020 -- A Department of Homeland Security (DHS) intelligence analyst says in a whistle-blower complaint that the head of the department told him to stop reporting on Russian election interference and focus instead on interference by China and Iran.
• 'I Didn't Lie,' Trump Asserts About Seriousness of Coronavirus VOA 10 Sep 2020 -- "I didn't lie," U.S. President Donald Trump bluntly responded at a White House news conference Thursday after a reporter asked him, "Why did you lie to the American people?"
• Trump Knew of COVID Danger But Downplayed It, Book Recounts VOA 10 Sep 2020 -- U.S. President Donald Trump knew in early 2020 how deadly the coronavirus could be in the United States, but he intentionally misled the American public about the severity of the disease to avoid panicking people, according to a new book by journalist Bob Woodward.
• Under fire, Trump defends his remarks about downplaying coronavirus threat People's Daily 10 Sep 2020 -- Knowing "This is deadly stuff," but telling the public the virus would disappear "like a miracle."
• Attorney General William P. Barr and DEA Acting Administrator Timothy J. Shea Announce Results of Operation Crystal Shield US Dept. of Justice 10 Sep 2020 -- Nearly 29,000 Pounds of Methamphetamine Seized by DEA before Reaching American Streets
• Joint Statement on U.S.-India Counter Terrorism Joint Working Group and Designations Dialogue US Dept. of State 10 Sep 2020 -- The text of the following statement was released by the Governments of the United States of America and India on the occasion of the third U.S.-India Counter Terrorism Joint Working Group and Designations Dialogue.
• Russia denounces as 'unacceptable' US claims over Navalny case Press TV 10 Sep 2020 -- Russia has lambasted as "unacceptable" a statement by the United States alleging that senior Russian officials might have been behind the purported poisoning of Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny.
• Navalny's Condition Said Improved, But Kremlin Critic's Spokeswoman Has Doubts RFE/RL 10 Sep 2020 -- The German magazine Der Spiegel has reported that hospitalized Russian opposition politician Aleksei Navalny has made further progress in his recovery from poisoning with a nerve agent and is said to be able to speak, although a Navalny spokeswoman appeared to downplay the report.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian's Regular Press Conference on September 10 PRC MofA 10 Sep 2020
• What Does Beijing Want From Berlin? VOA 10 Sep 2020 -- China has announced that its head of state will hold a virtual "tone-setter" meeting next week with the heads of Germany and the European Union, providing an opportunity for Xi Jinping to deepen ties with Berlin and Brussels.
• People's Daily has right to reject US article containing vicious smears against China: FM Global Times 10 Sep 2020 -- The Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Thursday that US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's new accusations over China's national media People's Daily's refusal to publish an article of the US ambassador to China is a setup, condemning the article for vicious smears against China. The ministry publicized the details of the setup and counter argument.
• People's Daily spokesperson strongly protests Pompeo's statement People's Daily 10 Sep 2020 -- On September 9, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo made public remarks, unreasonably accusing People's Daily of refusing to publish an article by the US Ambassador to China Terry Branstad, and maliciously attacking the Chinese media.
• US revokes 1,000 China student visas under Trump order over 'military links' Press TV 10 Sep 2020 -- The United States has banned more than 1,000 Chinese graduate students and researchers from entering the country, revoking their visas under an order by President Donald Trump as tensions between the two countries deepen.
• Beijing Slams US Decision to Revoke Some Chinese Nationals' Visas as 'Blatant Political Persecution' Sputnik 10 Sep 2020 -- The US State Department revealed on Wednesday that more than 1,000 Chinese nationals have had their visas cancelled since June over "security" concerns.
• US Revokes Visas of 1,000 Chinese Students Considered 'High Risk' VOA 10 Sep 2020 -- The U.S. says it has revoked the visas of more than 1,000 Chinese citizens considered "high risk" to U.S. security because of alleged ties with the Chinese military.
• Embassy's harboring of Ausssie journalists interferes with Chinese law enforcement: FM Global Times 10 Sep 2020 -- The Australian Embassy's harboring of journalists to evade a Chinese investigation obstructed China's law enforcement and is an interference of China's internal affairs, as well as judicial sovereignty, said spokesperson of China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
• China's Africa Investments Could Benefit All If International Rules Are Obeyed DoD News 10 Sep 2020 -- Recently, during a closed-discussion facilitated by the African Center for Strategic Studies in Washington, D.C, U.S. defense officials joined African, European and U.S. scholars to discuss China's involvement in the world's second-largest continent. One takeaway was that China's investments and involvement there can be beneficial and welcome – so long as China plays by established global norms.
• China's 'National Security' Crackdown Creates Speech Crimes in Hong Kong Radio Free Asia 10 Sep 2020 -- Prosecutors in Hong Kong recently denied bail to an opposition activist arrested for "sedition" under a draconian national security law after he used slogans from the city's protest movement, amid a widening crackdown on freedom of expression under a draconian national security law imposed by Beijing.
• Three Camps in Xinjiang's Uchturpan Believed to Hold Ten Percent of County's Uyghur Population Radio Free Asia 10 Sep 2020 -- Three internment camps in one county in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region's (XUAR) Aksu (in Chinese, Akesu) prefecture may be holding nearly 10 percent of the county's Uyghur residents, according to local authorities, despite recent claims by Chinese officials that such facilities have all been shuttered.
• Taiwan tight-lipped on possible high-level U.S. official visit CNA 10 Sep 2020 -- Taiwan's government declined to comment on a media report Thursday that a high-level United States official will visit the country next week.
• Taiwan praises Vystrčil for standing up to China's 'bullying' CNA 10 Sep 2020 -- Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) on Thursday lauded the political courage of Czech Senate President Miloš Vystrčil in the face of pressure from the Chinese government due to his recent visit to Taiwan.
• Chinese warplanes enter Taiwan's ADIZ for second straight day CNA 10 Sep 2020 -- A number of Chinese warplanes were detected entering Taiwan's air defense identification zone (ADIZ) early on Thursday, marking the second day in a row that Chinese forces have made similar intrusions, according to the Ministry of National Defense (MND).
• Experts warn of grave consequences if US official visits Taiwan Global Times 10 Sep 2020 -- Some secessionist Taiwan media are once again drowning in joy by hyping the possible visit of US Undersecretary of State Keith Krach to the island, which would be a dangerous provocation that further harms the cross-Straits ties and regional stability.
• North Korea Covers Up Apartment Collapse With 70 Casualties After Two Typhoons Hammer Wonsan Radio Free Asia 10 Sep 2020 -- Authorities in North Korea are covering up an apartment building collapse that buried 70 residents in the coastal city of Wonsan, caused by heavy wind and rain as two typhoons tore through the city four days apart over the past week, sources in the country told RFA.
• Trump-Kim 'Love Letters' Reveal Friendship, Flattery VOA 10 Sep 2020 -- Veteran Washington Post journalist Bob Woodward's new book, Rage, is shining more light on the unlikely relationship between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
• Zarif to EU: Stand up to US if you want to implement JCPOA, build confidence Press TV 10 Sep 2020 -- Iran's foreign minister says if the European Union wants the country to resume its voluntary transparency-focused and confidence-building measures (CBMs) concerning its peaceful nuclear energy program, the bloc should resist the US' economic terrorism targeting the Islamic Republic.
• Sharp Decline In Iran's Trade With India, Japan And South Korea Radio Farda 10 Sep 2020 -- New data released by Iran's major trading partners show a significant drop in Iranian imports, as well as the nations' exports to Iran.
• With Nuclear Deal On The Line, Iran Has Plenty At Stake In The U.S. Election RFE/RL 10 Sep 2020 -- With the incumbent president and his main challenger deeply at odds over a 2015 nuclear deal and other aspects of policy toward Tehran, the outcome of the U.S. election on November 3 could play a powerful role in shaping Iran's development for years to come.
• Iran Defense Ministry urges UK to settle debt over undelivered tanks Press TV 10 Sep 2020 -- The Iranian Defense Ministry urges the United Kingdom to take "practical and expeditious" steps to settle a staggering 40-year-plus debt to Tehran over tanks that London had been supposed to deliver to the country.
• Iran's oil storage capacity improved with terminal launched in Persian Gulf Press TV 10 Sep 2020 -- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has ordered the opening of new oil export terminal with relatively large storage and bunkering facilities near the mouth of the Persian Gulf.
• IRGC strikes terror bases on NW borders; high-profile terrorists killed Press TV 10 Sep 2020 -- The Ground Force of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has carried out a series of large-scale multi-pronged military operations against positions of terror groups along the country's northwestern borders.
• Khamenei's Favorite Preacher Accused of Land-Grabbing Radio Farda 10 Sep 2020 -- An outspoken whistle-blowing journalist, Yashar Soltani, has challenged a preacher close to the Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to explain a suspicious purchase of land he made in 2012.
• Belarus bound to defend Russia in case of aggression: President Lukashenko Press TV 10 Sep 2020 -- Belarus says it is bound by treaty to defend Russia if an attack is launched on that country "through or near" Belarusian territory.
• Belarus Opposition Figure Says She Was Threatened With Death On Expulsion Attempt RFE/RL 10 Sep 2020 -- Belarusian opposition leader Maryya Kalesnikava has said in a court filing that security officers placed a bag over her head and said they would kill her as they tried to force her out of the country.
• Belarusian Police Crack Down First, Ask Questions Later, Violence Victims Say RFE/RL 10 Sep 2020 -- When big street protests broke out in Belarus after a disputed August 9 election, security forces seemingly doubled down with a "crack down first, ask questions later" approach that has left demonstrators with permanent injuries and which is still being employed to this day.
• Belarus: Ensure 'full respect' for workers' rights during protests, ILO urges President Lukashenko UN News 10 Sep 2020 -- Voicing deep concern over detention and arrests of trade unionists in Belarus, the head of the UN International Labour Organization (ILO) called on President Alexander Lukashenko to ensure a climate free from violence and intimidation against peacefully protesting workers.
• Belarus Authorities Allegedly Issued Death Threats Against Opposition Activist VOA 10 Sep 2020 -- A prominent Belarusian opposition activist has accused authorities of threatening to kill her has they tried to forcibly deport her to Ukraine amid government efforts to end five weeks of mass protests against President Alexander Lukashenko following a disputed election.
• EU Council President Urges Action on Belarus Sanctions VOA 10 Sep 2020 -- European Council President Charles Michel has called for faster consideration of sanctions against officials in Belarus after the detention of multiple opposition leaders.
• France's Macron Pivots to Mideast, Triggering Speculation VOA 10 Sep 2020 -- After spending months fighting coronavirus fires at home, French President Emmanuel Macron has switched his sights to the Middle East, flying last week to two key regional hot spots, Lebanon and Iraq, and hosting a summit Thursday in Corsica partly dominated by southern Europe's growing friction with Turkey.
• EU Warns UK About Compliance With Brexit Deal After UK Publishes Internal Market Deal Sputnik 10 Sep 2020 -- The Brexit Withdrawal agreement cannot be unilaterally changed or disregarded, the European Commission said Thursday, after an extraordinary meeting of the EU-UK Joint Committee.
• Europe Furious Over Johnson's Plan to Override Brexit Agreement VOA 10 Sep 2020 -- Brexit negotiations hit a new low this week as the European Union's top leaders in Brussels reacted angrily to British prime minister Boris Johnson's plans to override a key part of Britain's withdrawal agreement from the EU, which was struck only last year.
• Cambodia Hikes Minimum Wage by US $2 as Workers Grapple With Inflation in Coronavirus Economy Radio Free Asia 10 Sep 2020 -- Cambodia's Ministry of Labor on Thursday announced a new minimum wage of U.S. $192 per month for 2021, an increase of only U.S. $2 from this year, drawing criticism from workers struggling with inflation amid an economy devastated by the coronavirus pandemic.
• Financially Strapped Laos Partners with Chinese Company to Manage Power Grid Radio Free Asia 10 Sep 2020 -- Laos' state-run electricity corporation this month entered into a power grid sharing agreement with a Chinese state-run firm, ceding majority control in a tie-up the government says was necessary to save the debt-ridden domestic firm, but that critics say cedes too much power to a foreign government concern.
• Decision Denying Registration To Butun Kyrgyzstan Party Reversed RFE/RL 10 Sep 2020 -- A court in Bishkek has reversed a decision by the Central Election Commission (BShK) to refuse to register the Butun Kyrgyzstan (United Kyrgyzstan) political party for parliamentary elections next month.
• Myanmar Election Campaign Launch Tripped up by Coronavirus Surge Radio Free Asia 10 Sep 2020 -- Coronavirus cases have spiked in Myanmar this month just as campaigning opened for nationwide elections, forcing political parties to deal with restrictions on rallies, stay-at-home-orders, and quarantines in the two-month race for votes on Nov. 8.
• Even Wealthy Gulf Countries Hit by Falling Oil Prices, Continuing COVID Crisis VOA 10 Sep 2020 -- Some of the world's richest countries are struggling to make ends meet as energy prices continue to fall. Some analysts think oil production might still be profitable at $40 a barrel, but they say that none of the Arab states, except Qatar, likely could balance their budgets at this level.