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Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• Bradleys arrive into Syria to support OIR mission CJTF OIR 18 Sep 2020 -- Bradley armored vehicles rolled into eastern Syria and will be used by service members in support of Operation Inherent Resolve’s mission of working by, with and through Partner Forces to ensure the enduring defeat of Daesh.
• U.S. Congressmen Urge Afghan Leaders To Preserve Women's 'Advances' During Taliban Talks RFE/RL 18 Sep 2020 -- The top members of the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee have urged Afghanistan’s leaders to preserve the “advances” of women as Kabul negotiates a peace deal with the Taliban aimed at ending the nearly 19-year war.
• Kabul Says Afghanistan Will Sign Agreement On Strategic Partnership With Tajikistan RFE/RL 18 Sep 2020 -- Afghanistan says it plans to sign a strategic partnership agreement with neighboring Tajikistan.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Deputy Secretary of Defense Remarks at the Pentagon POW/MIA Ceremony (As Prepared) DoD 18 Sep 2020 -- Deputy Secretary of Defense David Norquist
• DOD Seeks Industry Input Into Dynamic Spectrum Sharing DoD 18 Sep 2020 -- The Department of Defense issued a request Sept. 18 for industry to develop information papers on dynamic spectrum sharing.
• USS Tripoli Arrives in San Diego US Navy 18 Sep 2020 -- The Navy’s newest amphibious assault ship, USS Tripoli (LHA 7), arrived at its new homeport in San Diego, Sept. 18.
• China Named in Ambitious New Anti-Illegal Fishing Strategy for the U.S. Coast Guard Radio Free Asia 18 Sep 2020 -- The United States Coast Guard has called out China’s massive distant-water fishing fleet for its extractive practices in the waters of its Southeast Asian neighbors and off the coasts of Central America and West Africa.
• Esper Talks With Sailors About Navy's Role in National Security DoD News 18 Sep 2020 -- Defense Secretary Dr. Mark T. Esper spoke with sailors aboard the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson in the Pacific Ocean, where it is currently conducting flight deck certifications in preparation for future operations.
• Corps’ ‘monster machine’ reaches full-rate production USMC News 18 Sep 2020 -- A Marine Corps vehicle designed to transport International Standards Organization containers to supply Fleet Marines just reached a key acquisition milestone.
• USS Nimitz aircraft carrier enters Persian Gulf after Pompeo’s threats against Iran Press TV 18 Sep 2020 -- For the first time in ten months, a US aircraft carrier has sailed through the Strait of Hormuz and enters into the waters of the Persian Gulf, as Washington has threatened to illegally extend an expiring arms embargo on Iran.
• US Defence Companies Lining Up to Replace MQ-9 Reaper Drone Sputnik 18 Sep 2020 -- On 3 June, the US Air Force issued a request for information to industry, to conduct market research on available technologies as well as conceptual designs for a new drone.
• USS Winston S. Churchill Conducts Interoperability Operations with British Royal Navy US Navy 18 Sep 2020 -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG 81) joined the British Royal Navy’s Offshore Patrol Vessel HMS Trent (P224) in the Eastern Mediterranean, Sept. 9, 2020.
• USS Nimitz with Accompanying Carrier Strike Group Ships Enter Arabian Gulf US Navy 18 Sep 2020 -- The aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68), flagship of the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group (CSG), along with the guided-missile cruisers USS Princeton (CG 59) and USS Philippine Sea (CG 58) and guided-missile destroyer USS Sterett (DDG 104), completed a scheduled transit through the Strait of Hormuz into the Arabian Gulf Sept. 18.
• Regional Supply Office Oceana Completes First of Its Kind Training and Inspection US Navy 18 Sep 2020 -- NAVSUP FLC Norfolk, Regional Supply Office (RSO) Oceana completed the Navy’s first-ever virtual Supply Management Assist (SMA) last month.
• HSC-22 Receives First MQ-8C Firescout US Navy 18 Sep 2020 -- Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 22 received their first MQ-8C Firescout on Sept. 15 aboard Naval Station Norfolk.
• Coronavirus response: United States delivers ventilators for NATO stockpile NATO 18 Sep 2020 -- On Friday (18 September 2020), the United States donated 200 ventilators to a stockpile of medical supplies that NATO has established to respond to a potential second wave of COVID-19.
• Foreign Spy Planes Became 40% More Active Over Black Sea in 2020, Russian Military Says Sputnik 18 Sep 2020 -- Foreign spy planes were appearing over the Black Sea 40 percent more often in 2020 than the year before, the chief of the Russian General Staff's Main Operational Directorate said Friday.
• Lhasa Braces For Air-Raid Drill as China Responds to India’s Purchase of French Jets Radio Free Asia 18 Sep 2020 -- Chinese authorities in Tibet’s regional capital Lhasa will conduct an air-raid drill on Saturday as China calls for combat readiness amid rising tensions along its undefined Himalayan border with India in the mountainous region of Ladakh.
• China issues white paper on its armed forces' participation in UN peacekeeping operations PLA Daily 18 Sep 2020 -- China on Friday released a white paper on the participation of the country's armed forces in the United Nations (UN) peacekeeping operations.
• 30 years on, China has become an important part of UN peacekeeping missions Global Times 18 Sep 2020 -- This year marks the 30th anniversary of China's armed forces participating in UN peacekeeping missions. Over the past three decades, China's peacekeeping capacity has been greatly improved in all aspects. On Thursday, a Global Times reporter visited a training base of the department of peace missions under the Ministry of National Security in Beijing, where officers and soldiers who once participated in peacekeeping missions shared their personal stories.
• China Reportedly Carrying Out Military Exercises Near the Taiwan Strait Sputnik 18 Sep 2020 -- The report came amid the planned visit of US Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy and Environment Keith Krach to Taiwan, despite Beijing's objections.
• China Sends Warplanes Over Taiwan as US Envoy Visits VOA 18 Sep 2020 -- China sent almost 20 warplanes into Taiwan's airspace in an unusually large show of force as a response to a senior U.S. official's visit to the self-governing island.
• China warplanes keep pressure on Taiwan amid U.S. official's visit CNA 18 Sep 2020 -- Multiple Chinese warplanes crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait or entered Taiwan's southwest air defense identification zone (ADIZ) Friday as an American official was visiting, according to Taiwan's Air Force.
• PLA starts real combat-oriented drills in Taiwan Straits amid Krach’s visit, approaches island from four directions Global Times 18 Sep 2020 -- The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) is holding joint maritime and aerial exercises and combat-readiness patrols in the Taiwan Straits starting Friday, as media on the Taiwan island reported concentrated PLA warplane activities near the island's "airspace" in four directions around the island on Friday morning. The news comes against the backdrop of US Undersecretary of State Keith Krach's visit to the island of Taiwan where he is reportedly set to attend the memorial service of former Taiwan regional leader Lee Teng-hui, known as the "Godfather of Taiwan secessionism."
• Military analysts predict PLA maneuvers in potential Taiwan takeover Global Times 18 Sep 2020 -- Amid US Undersecretary of State Keith Krach's visit to the island of Taiwan, the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) is holding joint maritime and aerial exercises and combat-readiness patrols in the Taiwan Straits starting Friday, as media on the Taiwan island reported concentrated PLA warplane activities near the island's "airspace" in four directions around the island on Friday morning.
• Chinese military conducts exercise near Taiwan Strait: spokesperson People's Daily 18 Sep 2020 -- A Chinese military spokesperson on Friday announced a real-combat military exercise of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) near the Taiwan Strait.
• PLA conducts combat-ready patrols and exercises in Taiwan Straits PLA Daily 18 Sep 2020 -- Recently, the naval and air forces assigned to the Eastern Theater Command (ETC) of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) conductedthe combat-ready patrols and joint air-sea exercises in the Taiwan Straits to test the joint operations capability of multiservices and arms, said Air Force Senior Colonel Zhang Chunhui, spokesperson for the PLA Eastern Theater Command, in a written statement on Friday morning.
• China kicks off another military drill as US envoy visits Taiwan Press TV 18 Sep 2020 -- China has launched military drills near the Taiwan Strait as a senior US official is visiting the self-ruled island in Washington's latest move to bolster its support of the island in defiance of Beijing.
• Taipei Scrambles Fighters to Monitor Chinese Jets That 'Crossed Mid Line of Taiwan Strait' Sputnik 18 Sep 2020 -- Earlier this day, Beijing stated that it is conducting military exercises near the Taiwan Strait, citing the need to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
• US Congress Prepares to Approve Second-Largest Taiwan Arms Sale Valued at $7 Billion Sputnik 18 Sep 2020 -- US lawmakers are expected to soon approve a massive, new weapons sale to Taiwan. The deal would provide the autonomous island not just with defensive weapons, but also with offensive capabilities in the form of long-range strike missiles and combat drones.
• Traditional Arms Suppliers 'to be Pressured' as India OKs National Security Clause in Defence FDI Sputnik 18 Sep 2020 -- In August this year, India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh announced an embargo on the import of 101 types of defence equipment worth $47 billion to boost domestic industry. The Defence Ministry revealed that a budget of $7 billion has been set aside for domestic capital procurement in the current financial year.
• Death of Tibetan Commando Offers Insight Into Little-Known Elite Indian Force VOA 18 Sep 2020 -- The violent death of a Tibetan commando soldier who belonged to an Indian special forces unit near the China-India border has provided the public with rare insight into the operations of a little-known elite force.
• Ammunition Blast Hits Iraqi Military Base in Northern Saladin Province Sputnik 18 Sep 2020 -- An ammunition explosion has stricken the Iraqi-based Majid al Tamimi military facility, formerly known as the Speicher operating base, in the northern province of Saladin, the Iraqi Security Media Cell, which provides official information on security incidents, said on Friday.
• EU parliament urges arms embargo on Saudi Arabia over Khashoggi murder, Yemen war Press TV 18 Sep 2020 -- The European Parliament has called on European Union (EU) member states to impose an arms embargo on Saudi Arabia over its gruesome murder of well-known dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and the Saudi devastating war on Yemen.
• Saudis may have enough uranium to produce nuclear fuel: Report Press TV 18 Sep 2020 -- Saudi Arabia may be in possession of enough mineable uranium ore to produce nuclear fuel, a new report by the Guardian reveals.
• Turkey Holds Naval Exercise in Eastern Mediterranean - Defen?e Ministry Sputnik 18 Sep 2020 -- The Turkish naval forces held surface and air defence fire exercise in the Eastern Mediterranean amid escalating tension with Greece over drilling activity in the region, the Turkish Defen?e Ministry said on Friday.
• U.S. Urges Allies Worldwide to Increase Defense Spending to 2% of GDP SPA 18 Sep 2020 -- U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper has urged allies worldwide to increase their defense spending to at least 2 percent of gross domestic product, Kyodo cited the Defense Department as saying today, on Thursday.
• Remarks by President Trump Before Marine One Departure The White House 18 Sep 2020
• Secretary Michael R. Pompeo and Brazilian Foreign Minister Ernesto Araujo at a Press Availability US Dept. of State 18 Sep 2020
• Secretary Michael R. Pompeo and Guyana President Mohamed Irfaan Ali at a Press Availability US Dept. of State 18 Sep 2020

Defense Industry

• Contracts For Sept. 18, 2020

Other Conflicts

• 18 September 2020 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 18 Sep 2020
• New wave of famine could sweep the globe, overwhelming nations already weakened by years of conflict, warn UN officials UN News 18 Sep 2020 -- The global hunger crisis caused by conflict – and now compounded by COVID-19 – is moving into a dangerous phase, the head of the UN World Food Programme (WFP) said on Thursday, stressing that without resources, a wave of famine could sweep the globe, overwhelming nations already weakened by years of instability.
• Social Media Firms Deleting Evidence of War Crimes, Human Rights Watch Says VOA 18 Sep 2020 -- Social media companies are taking down videos and images that could be vital in prosecuting serious crimes, including war crimes, according to a new report from Human Rights Watch.
• Map Flap: Vietnam Reasserts South China Sea Claims After Islets Vanish from US Facebook Page Radio Free Asia 18 Sep 2020 -- Vietnam has reaffirmed its claim over the disputed Spratly and Paracel island chains in the South China Sea, after the U.S. Embassy in Hanoi edited the islands out of a map of Vietnam it had posted on its Facebook page for a recent diplomatic event.
• Turkey dragging feet on commitments under Idlib agreement: Russia Press TV 18 Sep 2020 -- Russia has criticized Turkey for its failure to fulfill its obligations under a bilateral ceasefire agreement on Syria's northwestern Idlib province, where the two countries back opposing sides.
• UN rights chief calls for Turkey to probe violations in northern Syria UN News 18 Sep 2020 -- The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has urged Turkey to launch an immediate independent investigation into violations and abuses committed in parts of north, northwest and northeast Syria, which are under the control of its forces and affiliated armed groups.
• ‘Substantive’ talks on new constitution bring hope of forging path out of Syria’s near decade-long conflict UN News 18 Sep 2020 -- While deep distrust persists among warring parties in Syria, a “faint but real ray of hope” emerged with the convening in Geneva of the Constitutional Committee after a nine-month hiatus, the top UN envoy helping chart a path out of the near decade-long conflict, told the Security Council on Friday.
• Libya's Haftar Announces Resumption of Oil Production, Exports Sputnik 18 Sep 2020 -- Protests broke out in areas loyal to both the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord in western Libya and the Tobruk-based House of Representatives government in the east amid blackouts, lack of services and poor living conditions in recent weeks. This week, both of the divided nation's rival governments announced plans to resign.
• India building tunnel in Himalayas to get soldiers to Chinese border in 10 minutes Press TV 18 Sep 2020 -- India has stepped up an infrastructure program on the disputed Himalayan region to bring to an end the construction of a tunnel that will provide an all-weather route for its troops to get to the border with China in only ten minutes.
• Turkey ‘withdrew survey ship to allow for diplomacy with Greece, will return it though’ Press TV 18 Sep 2020 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says Turkey withdrew a seismic research vessel from disputed waters in the eastern Mediterranean Sea to allow for diplomacy with Greece, with which Ankara has been involved in a dispute over oil and gas resources in the region.
• Cameroon Deploys Peacekeeping Troops to CAR for Election Stability VOA 18 Sep 2020 -- Cameroon is sending hundreds of troops and police to the Central African Republic to protect civilians and build peace ahead of December elections.
• Gunmen Overrun Police Base in Northern Nigeria VOA 18 Sep 2020 -- Two police officers were killed when some 100 gunmen attacked and overran a police base in Nigeria's northwestern Sokoto state on Thursday.

News Reports

• FBI warns of 'combustible violence' on US streets ahead of November election Press TV 18 Sep 2020 -- The FBI has warned of “combustible violence” on US streets ahead of the November presidential election, as tensions have recently increased between anti-racial protesters and far-right extremists during nationwide demonstrations that have followed the police killing of African American George Floyd.
• Experts: Latest US Indictments May Discourage Hackers from Joining Anti-American Campaigns VOA 18 Sep 2020 -- The U.S. Department of Justice has announced criminal charges against three Iranian men for their alleged participation in state-sponsored identity theft and hacking by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), a designated foreign terrorist organization.
• FBI Director Warns of 'Drumbeat' of Russian Disinformation, Stoking Trump's Ire VOA 18 Sep 2020 -- FBI Director Christopher Wray on Thursday warned lawmakers that Russia is not letting up in its efforts to sway the outcome of the November presidential election by trying to hurt the campaign of Democratic candidate and former Vice President Joe Biden – testimony that appears not to be sitting well with U.S. President Donald Trump.
• Text of a Letter to the Speaker of the House and President of the Senate The White House 18 Sep 2020
• Text of a Notice on the Continuation of the National Emergency with Respect to Persons who Commit, Threaten to Commit, or Support Terrorism The White House 18 Sep 2020
• The Week In Russia: Belarus, Breathing, And The 'Berlin Patient' RFE/RL 18 Sep 2020 -- The year 2020 has been all about breathing, it sometimes seems: the life-or-death question of whether one can breathe or has been deprived of the ability to do so.
• Extension Of Pretrial Detention Of Former Khabarovsk Krai Governor Furgal Upheld RFE/RL 18 Sep 2020 -- The Moscow City Court has upheld the extension of the pretrial arrest of Sergei Furgal, the former governor of the Far Eastern Khabarovsk Krai region, who is charged with attempted murder and ordering two killings in 2004-2005, as his supporters continue to rally in the city of Khabarovsk.
• Kremlin Calls Report About Novichok Found On Navalny Water Bottle 'Absurd' RFE/RL 18 Sep 2020 -- The Kremlin has called reports that Russian opposition figure Aleksei Navalny, who Germany and other Western governments say was poisoned with a nerve agent, ingested the substance via a water bottle in his hotel room in Siberia "absurd."
• Chinese Developer in Cambodia Sanctioned ‘Unfairly’ by US, Cambodia’s Defense Minister Says Radio Free Asia 18 Sep 2020 -- A Chinese company sanctioned this week by the U.S. Treasury Department for land grabs, rights abuses, and corruption in Cambodia has been targeted unfairly and is operating in line with the country’s laws, Cambodia’s defense minister said on Friday.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin's Regular Press Conference on September 18, 2020 PRC MofA 18 Sep 2020
• China advises US’s Pompeo to drop ‘arrogance’ after remarks on South America trip Press TV 18 Sep 2020 -- China has criticized US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s comments about Chinese commercial projects in South America, accusing the US official of “smearing” Beijing and urging him to abandon “arrogance.”
• Police Step Up Patrols in Northeast China As Korean Phased Out of Schools Radio Free Asia 18 Sep 2020 -- Authorities in northeastern China have stepped up security in areas with a significant population of ethnic Koreans as the ruling Chinese Communist Party introduces changes to the national curriculum that will phase out Korean-language teaching from the region's schools.
• China becomes EU’s largest trade partner Global Times 18 Sep 2020 -- China has become the EU's largest trade partner for the first time, latest data shows, highlighting that the economic ties of the close comprehensive strategic partnership between China and the EU are intertwined with each other's industrial chain.
• President Tsai describes U.S. official's visit as 'milestone' CNA 18 Sep 2020 -- President Tsai Ing-wen (???) on Friday described American Under Secretary of State Keith Krach's visit to Taiwan as a "milestone for a deepened Taiwan-U.S. relationship" during a banquet she hosted for Krach and his delegation, who are in Taiwan for a three-day visit.
• U.S. envoy holds closed-door economic meeting in Taiwan CNA 18 Sep 2020 -- American Under Secretary of State Keith Krach met Taiwanese Cabinet officials on Friday in Taipei in a closed-door economic meeting.
• U.S. Rep. calls for scrapping 'one China' policy, resuming ties with Taiwan CNA 18 Sep 2020 -- A U.S. congressman on Thursday announced that he has introduced legislation urging the government to re-establish diplomatic relations with Taiwan and to end its "outdated and counter-productive 'One China policy.'"
• Taiwan urges restraint in wake of China's provocations CNA 18 Sep 2020 -- Taiwan on Friday called on China to exercise self-restraint, saying that the country's provocative military activities around Taiwan only further tarnish its international image.
• Taiwan's hopes for US visit 'wishful thinking', to get nothing Global Times 18 Sep 2020 -- US Undersecretary of State Keith Krach's visit to Taiwan can infuriate the Chinese mainland, and he avoided touching on the trade and investment agreement with the island, which can benefit the people of the island, said experts, noting that the US is just making use of rather than helping Taiwan.
• North Korean Appeals Extradition From Malaysia to US Radio Free Asia 18 Sep 2020 -- A North Korean businessman on Friday appealed a December 2019 ruling by a Malaysian court that cleared his deportation to America over alleged money-laundering and violations of international sanctions on Pyongyang.
• Zarif reiterates US' non-participation in JCPOA IRNA 18 Sep 2020 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in a message reiterated the fact that the United States is not a participant to Iran nuclear deal and advised US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to read the UNSC Resolution 2231.
• E3 hails Iran’s intention to further strengthen cooperation with IAEA Press TV 18 Sep 2020 -- Britain, France and Germany, the three European signatories to a multilateral 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, have hailed Tehran’s encouraging statements on its intention to further strengthen its cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
• US sanctions on Iran didn’t work, won’t either: Russia’s Lavrov Press TV 18 Sep 2020 -- Russia has censured the United States for leveling “futile” accusations against Iran in a bid to demonize the Islamic Republic, saying the sanctions that Washington has imposed on Tehran in the past to strangle it “did not work before and will not work now.”
• Iran warns of 'dangerous' US move as Trump mulls arms trade ban Press TV 18 Sep 2020 -- Iran has warned against Washington’s “dangerous” defiance of international law as the US has signaled that it seeks to illegally extend an expiring arms embargo on Iran.
• South Africa says ‘surprised’ by ‘bizarre’ report of Iran plot to kill US envoy Press TV 18 Sep 2020 -- South African Minister of International Relations Naledi Pandor says her country is “as surprised as its Iranian friends” after learning about the American news website Politico’s report of a “plot” by Tehran to assassinate the US envoy to the African nation.
• South Africa Says Insufficient Evidence Of Iranian Plot To Assassinate U.S. Ambassador RFE/RL 18 Sep 2020 -- South Africa's State Security Agency said September 18 that it had found no evidence to support a media report that Iran was planning to assassinate the U.S. ambassador to Pretoria.
• Belarus president shuts western borders, puts army on alert Press TV 18 Sep 2020 -- Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has announced plans to put the nation’s military on high alert as well as close its borders with Poland and Lithuania amid rising hostility from the US and its European Union allies.
• Border Crossing Points In Belarus Continue To Function After Lukashenka's Order To Shut Down Borders RFE/RL 18 Sep 2020 -- The Belarusian State Border Committee says it has strengthened border controls, but entry and exit crossing points remain open despite a statement by President Alyaksandr Lukashenka, beleaguered by six weeks of mass protests demanding his resignation, that the country needed to take measures on its western edge.
• UN Rights Body Adopts EU Resolution On Monitoring Alleged Rights Violations In Belarus RFE/RL 18 Sep 2020 -- The United Nations Human Rights Council has adopted a resolution submitted by the European Union to launch closer monitoring of alleged rights violations in Belarus amid a crackdown on protesters calling for President Alyaksandr Lukashenka to resign.
• Will Russia Snatch Up Belarusian Industrial Assets Amid Crisis? RFE/RL 18 Sep 2020 -- With Belarus facing a shaky future after a disputed election sparked a wave of protests and a brutal crackdown by authoritarian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka’s government, Russia appears eager to keep the smaller country, a longtime ally, firmly in its orbit.
• Belarus Has Sanctions List in Response to EU Planned Restrictions, Foreign Minister Says Sputnik 18 Sep 2020 -- Belarus has prepared its own sanctions list in response to the European Union's planned measures, Foreign Minister Vladimir Makei said Friday.
• Belarus crisis under the spotlight at Human Rights Council UN News 18 Sep 2020 -- The Belarus Government should end “violent crackdowns” and “increasing repression” against protesters who are still contesting the result of last month's Presidential elections, UN deputy rights chief Nada Al Nashif told the Human Rights Council on Friday.
• Opposition Countries Fail to Block UN Debate on Belarus Human Rights VOA 18 Sep 2020 -- Disruptive tactics by Belarus, Russia, China and Venezuela have failed to derail a special debate on the human rights situation in Belarus from taking place at the U.N. Human Rights Council in Geneva.
• President Maduro: EU demand to delay election in Venezuela 'impossible' Press TV 18 Sep 2020 -- Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has dismissed as "impossible" the EU's suggestion to postpone the country’s December 6 election to meet the bloc’s conditions to dispatch an observer mission, blaming the idea on US pressure.
• In Azerbaijan, A Leader Of Aliyev's Old Guard Lashes Out. Is It Just His 'Last Role' For The Regime? RFE/RL 18 Sep 2020 -- A public rift has widened between Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev's dynastic administration and one of its longest-serving and most powerful former figures.
• Interim President Jeanine Áñez Quits Bolivia Presidential Race VOA 18 Sep 2020 -- Bolivian Interim President Jeanine Áñez says she has dropped out of the nation’s presidential race in an effort to block ex-leader Evo Morales from returning to power.
• Peruvian President Defends Himself Against Impeachment VOA 18 Sep 2020 -- Peruvian President Martin Vizcarra told lawmakers Friday that he had committed no crime and would not be cowed ahead of an impeachment hearing.
• Somalia Names New PM, Revises Election Plan VOA 18 Sep 2020 -- Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed on Thursday appointed a political newcomer to become prime minister, nearly two months after the country’s parliament voted out former Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire.