• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• 60 US trucks loaded with military equipment enter Syria’s Hasakah: SANA Press TV 21 Sep 2020 -- A US convoy of 60 trucks, loaded with military and logistic reinforcement, has arrived in Syria’s northeastern province of Hasakah.
• In Reelection Bid, Trump Pushes Afghan Troop Withdrawal To Meet Campaign Promise RFE/RL 21 Sep 2020 -- As negotiators for the U.S.-backed Afghan government and the Taliban militants hold historic peace talks in Qatar, few are expecting a deal to be easy or even successful.
• Malala Urges 'No Compromise' On Girls' Education In Afghan Peace Talks RFE/RL 21 Sep 2020 -- Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai says that "there should be no compromise" on the right to education for Afghan girls in ongoing peace negotiations between the government and Taliban militants.
• Nine Afghan Soldiers Killed As Negotiations Between Government, Taliban Continue RFE/RL 21 Sep 2020 -- At least nine Afghan soldiers were killed in an attack late on September 20 despite ongoing negotiations between the Taliban and the Kabul government.
• Dozens of Afghan soldiers have been killed in clashes with Taliban since peace talks began Press TV 21 Sep 2020 -- At least 57 members of Afghanistan’s security forces have lost their lives and dozens of others sustained injuries in clashes with the Taliban militants across the country over the past week, amid long-awaited peace talks between the two sides.
• Government Airstrikes Kill at Least 24 in Afghanistan, Witnesses Say VOA 21 Sep 2020 -- In Afghanistan on Sunday, relatives of victims and witnesses told the Associated Press that government airstrikes in the northern part of the country killed at least 24 people, including children, and wounded six others.
• USS Kidd Completes Counternarcotics Deployment US Navy 21 Sep 2020 -- Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Kidd (DDG 100) returned to their homeport of Naval Station Everett following the ship’s deployment to the U.S. 4th Fleet area of operations, September 21.

Defense Policy / Programs

• DOD Approves $50 Million in Grants Under Defense Community Infrastructure Pilot Program DoD 21 Sep 2020 -- The Department of Defense today announced the award of sixteen (16) grants totaling approximately $50 million under the Defense Community Infrastructure Pilot Program by the Office of Economic Adjustment.
• DOD Approves $25 Million in Grants to Defense Manufacturing Community Support Program DoD 21 Sep 2020 -- The Department of Defense today announced the award of six (6) grants totaling $25 million under the Defense Manufacturing Community Support Program by the Office of Economic Adjustment.
• DOD Personnel Proving Productive, Resilient During Pandemic DoD News 21 Sep 2020 -- Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a large number of Defense Department personnel have been teleworking and successfully continuing the mission, said the DOD's chief management officer.
• Joint service members utilize JB San Antonio landing zones for vertical lift training US Air Force 21 Sep 2020 -- Joint service members converged on Joint Base San Antonio-Chapman Annex to formally confirm the suitability of helicopter landing zones in order to expand the maneuver space for vertical lift operations and improve home-station training for San Antonio’s military units.
• DOD Approaches Goal of Destroying All Stockpiled Chemical Weapons DoD News 21 Sep 2020 -- This month, the Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant team at the Army's Pueblo Chemical Depot in Colorado completed the destruction of nearly 300,000 155mm projectiles, which each contained 12 pounds of mustard agent, said Walton Levi, site project manager.
• NATO Military Committee Gets Virtual Check on Alliance Missions DoD News 21 Sep 2020 -- The NATO chiefs of defense met virtually for the alliance's Military Committee meeting last week.
• Secretary General and Polish foreign minister discuss NATO deterrence and defence NATO 21 Sep 2020 -- In a face-to-face meeting at NATO HQ NATO headquarters on Monday (21 September), Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg thanked Polish foreign minister Zbigniew Rau for his country’s significant commitment to NATO, including by hosting the US-led multinational battlegroup, contributing to missions in Afghanistan and Iraq, and continuing to invest two percent of its GDP in defence. The Secretary General also welcomed the recent announcement that Poland will contribute to NATO’s tailored assurance measures for Turkey with 80 soldiers, supporting airborne warning systems and naval reconnaissance activities.
• NATO Secretary General discusses security issues with French Foreign Minister Le Drian NATO 21 Sep 2020 -- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg met with French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Yves Le Drian at NATO Headquarters on Monday (21 September 2020) to discuss issues relevant to transatlantic security.
• NATO Secretary General meets Finnish Foreign Minister NATO 21 Sep 2020 -- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed the Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto to NATO Headquarters for the first time on Monday (21 September). The Secretary General praised the close partnership between NATO and Finland, and thanked the minister for Finland’s contributions to NATO operations and exercises. He noted that NATO and Finnish troops continue to work side by side in NATO missions in Afghanistan, Kosovo and Iraq.
• Russia sees ‘minimal’ chances of extending New START with US: Deputy FM Press TV 21 Sep 2020 -- Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov says Moscow sees ‘minimal’ chances of extending the New START nuclear treaty with the United States as the Kremlin does not accept conditions laid down by Washington.
• Russia Ready For US-Proposed Short-Period New START Extension, If It's Reasonable, Ryabkov Says Sputnik 21 Sep 2020 -- Moscow has agreed to a US proposal to extend the START treaty for a period of less than five years, but regrets the move and insists that a shorter period would be reasonable, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said on Monday.
• US Proposals on New START Only Good for Washington, but Unattractive for Moscow, Ryabkov Says Sputnik 21 Sep 2020 -- The US-proposed deal, which envisages conclusion of a framework document before the expiration of the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START), is good only for Washington, but there is nothing attractive in it for Moscow, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said.
• Russian Deputy FM Says It's Unlikely That New START Treaty Will be Prolonged Sputnik 21 Sep 2020 -- Earlier in the day, Russia's ambassador to the United Nations, Vassily Nebenzia, said that the Russian Federation will find effective ways to protect itself if no agreement is reached with the United States on extending the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START).
• Two Russian Fighters Scrambled to Escort UK Spy Plane Over Barents Sea, Defence Ministry Says Sputnik 21 Sep 2020 -- Two Russian fighters MiG-31 were scrambled to escort a UK spy plane over the Barents Sea, the national defence control centre said Monday.
• Iran attends Caucasus 2020 drills IRNA 21 Sep 2020 -- Caucasus 2020 military drills started work in the presence of 13,000 military forces from Iran, Russia, China, Pakistan, Belarus, and Myanmar in the rim of the Caspian Sea, and the Black Sea on Monday.
• “Caucasus 2020” military drills kick off with Iran in attendance ISNA 21 Sep 2020 -- “Caucasus 2020” military drills kicked off on Monday with the Islamic Republic of Iran in attendance.
• Russia launches Kavkaz-2020 military drills, featuring forces from Iran, China Press TV 21 Sep 2020 -- Russia has launched the Kavkaz (or Caucasus) 2020 joint military drills with neighboring countries in its Southern Military District and in the Black and Caspian Seas.
• PLA minesweepers to break Taiwan sea mines threat Global Times 21 Sep 2020 -- Multiple minesweeper flotillas attached to the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Southern Theater Command and Eastern Theater Command recently held live-fire exercises, honing their capability to effectively and rapidly clear sea lanes from mines, and open passages for other warships and landing forces, amid Taiwan secessionists' attempt to surround the Taiwan Straits with mines.
• Taiwan has enough missiles to defend itself at present: MND CNA 21 Sep 2020 -- Taiwan has enough long-range precision missiles to defend itself against a possible attack from China, the Ministry of National Defense (MND) said Monday, rebutting reports that drills found Taiwan's missile supply to be inadequate.
• Taiwan Air Force Training Pilots to Avoid Escalation With Chinese Warplanes, Reports Suggest Sputnik 21 Sep 2020 -- The Taiwanese Ministry of National Defence is training its fighter pilots to engage and respond to any possible fire from Chinese warplanes as tensions escalate between the two, a ministerial source told Taiwan News.
• Increased China Warplane Activity Unnerves Taiwan VOA 21 Sep 2020 -- The increasing number of air force incursions from China is starting to fray nerves among ordinary Taiwanese, who wonder if their heavily armed political rival finally plans to attack after decades of threats, polls and analysts say.
• Bullet Proof Vests India PIB 21 Sep 2020 -- Bullet Proof Jackets (BPJs) and Ballistic Helmets are provided to soldiers as per authorization and operational requirements. The Contract for procurement of 1,86,138 BPJs and 1,58,279 Ballistic Helmets was concluded in April, 2018 and December, 2016 respectively. Ballistic Helmets equipped with internal communication gear are also part of this procurement.
• Ordnance Manufacturing Industries and Laboratories India PIB 21 Sep 2020 -- At present, there is no proposal under consideration for establishing new ordnance industries and laboratories by the Government.
• Make In India Scheme India PIB 21 Sep 2020 -- Targets for production of indigenous defence equipment are decided based on requirements of the Armed Forces. Procurement of defence equipment is undertaken from various domestic as well as foreign vendors, based on threat perception, operational challenges and technological changes and to keep the Armed Forces in a state of readiness to meet the entire spectrum of security challenges.
• Iran’s Navy chief: Iranian forces will give crushing response to potential US naval threats Press TV 21 Sep 2020 -- The commander of Iran’s Navy has warned the United States against any possible threat to Iranian vessels in the Persian Gulf, saying the Islamic Republic will give a crushing response to such an aggressive move.
• Saudi Arabia receives new consignments of French speedboats: SPA Press TV 21 Sep 2020 -- Saudi Arabia’s navy has received the second and third batches of French fast interceptor boats, as part of a technology transfer deal with the Paris government.

Defense Industry

• Contracts For Sept. 21, 2020

Other Conflicts

• 21 September 2020 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 21 Sep 2020
• Philippines Foreign Minister Challenges 'China's Demand' on South China Sea Radio Free Asia 21 Sep 2020 -- The Philippines’ top diplomat assured lawmakers in Manila on Monday that a code of conduct being negotiated between Southeast Asian nations and Beijing would not keep Western powers out of the South China Sea.
• Turkey to keep supporting Libya's GNA despite PM Sarraj’s plan to quit Press TV 21 Sep 2020 -- Turkey says it will continue its cooperation with Libya's UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) despite Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj’s desire to step down by the end of next month.
• China, India in latest round of commander-level talks over border issue Global Times 21 Sep 2020 -- China and India are holding the sixth round of corps commander-level talks over the border issue, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs revealed on Monday.
• Terrorist Activities in Jammu and Kashmir India PIB 21 Sep 2020 -- After 5th August, 2019, the number of terrorist incidents, stone pelting cases registered, civilians killed and security force personnel martyred in terrorist incidents in Jammu and Kashmir have reduced significantly as under: -
• Hamas sets 2-month deadline for Israel to end Gaza siege Press TV 21 Sep 2020 -- The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas has set a deadline of two months for Israel to end more than 12 years of its siege on the Gaza Strip.
• Baku Says Soldier Killed On Border With Armenia RFE/RL 21 Sep 2020 -- Azerbaijan's Defense Ministry has said that one of its soldiers was killed in a late-morning incident near the border with arch-foe Armenia.

News Reports

• Department Of Justice Identifies New York City, Portland And Seattle As Jurisdictions Permitting Violence And Destruction Of Property US Dept. of Justice 21 Sep 2020 -- Identification is Response to Presidential Memorandum Reviewing Federal Funding to State and Local Governments that are Permitting Anarchy, Violence, and Destruction in American Cities
• Three Cities Could Lose Federal Funding for Allowing Violence, DOJ Says VOA 21 Sep 2020 -- The U.S. Department of Justice said Monday that three U.S. cities have "permitted violence and destruction of property" to persist and threatened to cut federal funding if they don't take measures to restore law and order.
• Hungary's Orban Endorses Trump In November U.S. Election RFE/RL 21 Sep 2020 -- Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban on September 21 endorsed U.S. President Donald Trump in his reelection bid, saying his rivals from the Democratic Party have forced "moral imperialism" on the world.
• Leaked docs: US branches of Deutsche Bank suspected of facilitating funds to Daesh in Iraq Press TV 21 Sep 2020 -- Leaked reports have revealed that the US branches of Deutsche Bank are suspected of facilitating money transfer to Daesh in Iraq at the height of the group's terror campaign.
• Leaked documents reveal $2tn of possibly corrupt US financial activity Press TV 21 Sep 2020 -- Thousands of documents, which have been disclosed to an international group of investigative journalists, detail $2 trillion (£1.55tn) of potentially corrupt transactions that were washed through the US financial system.
• Navalny Demands Russia Return Clothes for Poisoning Investigation VOA 21 Sep 2020 -- Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny demanded Monday that Russia return the clothes he was wearing when he fell ill last month, saying the items are important evidence in the investigation of his poisoning.
• Navalny Demands Russian Police Return Clothing Worn On Day Of Poisoning, Calling It 'Important Evidence' RFE/RL 21 Sep 2020 -- Aleksei Navalny, the Kremlin critic who is recovering in Germany from poisoning with a military-grade nerve agent, has demanded Russian investigators return his clothing, calling it key evidence in his case.
• Kremlin Insider Laundered Millions Of Dollars Through Barclays After Sanctions, Report Shows RFE/RL 21 Sep 2020 -- Kremlin insider Arkady Rotenberg moved millions of dollars through one of Europe’s largest banks after the United States and EU sanctioned him, according to leaked documents published for the first time.
• US Building Coalition Against Nord Stream 2 Gas Pipeline, Pompeo Says Sputnik 21 Sep 2020 -- The United States is building a coalition against the Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in an interview.
• New York City Police Department Officer Charged with Acting As an Illegal Agent of the People’s Republic of China US Dept. of Justice 21 Sep 2020 -- The Defendant Reported to Officials with the PRC Consulate About the Activities of Chinese Citizens in the New York Area and Assessed Potential Intelligence Sources for the PRC Within the Tibetan Community in New York and Elsewhere
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin's Regular Press Conference on September 21, 2020 PRC MofA 21 Sep 2020
• HK police deny 12 suspects were detained in HK waters Global Times 21 Sep 2020 -- Hong Kong police denied that police from Shenzhen, South China's Guangdong Province, had crossed into the waters of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region when they detained 12 Hong Kong residents, adding that Hong Kong police will continue to assist the relatives of the suspects.
• Taiwan's economy, trade break-off from mainland a dream: experts Global Times 21 Sep 2020 -- The Chinese foreign ministry said China will take legitimate countermeasures, including targeting individuals, after US Undersecretary of State Keith Krach ended his visit to the island of Taiwan, adding that the US must bear full responsibility for violating the one-China principle.
• China vows countermeasures after US Undersecretary of State visited Taiwan Global Times 21 Sep 2020 -- The Chinese foreign ministry said China will take legitimate countermeasures, including targeting relative individuals, after US Undersecretary of State Keith Krach completed his visit to the island of Taiwan on Sunday, adding that the US must bear full responsibility for the outcome.
• China vows retaliation against US diplomatic visits to Taiwan, slams support for island's independence Press TV 21 Sep 2020 -- China has condemned a recent visit by a senior US official to Taiwan as a “political provocation,” saying any support for the self-ruled island’s independence is "doomed to fail."
• Korean War-Era Bomb Exposed by Typhoons Kills Four in North Korea Radio Free Asia 21 Sep 2020 -- Two North Korean government officials and two bomb squad technicians were killed when a long-buried Korean War-era bomb exposed by recent typhoons blew up as they attempted to disarm it, RFA has learned.
• DPRK nuclear activities still ‘cause for serious concern’, says UN atomic energy chief UN News 21 Sep 2020 -- Nuclear activities in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) “remain a cause for serious concern”, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said in Vienna on Monday.
• Iran Says It's Willing To Exchange 'All' Prisoners With U.S. RFE/RL 21 Sep 2020 -- Iran is prepared for a full exchange of prisoners with the United States, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said in a virtual address to the Council on Foreign Relations in New York.
• Secretary Michael R. Pompeo And Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, Defense Secretary Mark Esper, Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, U.S. Representative to the United Nations Kelly Craft, and National Security Advisor Robert O’Brien At a Press Availability on Iran Snapback Sanctions US Dept. of State 21 Sep 2020
• Sweeping U.S. Measures to Support Return of UN Sanctions Relating to Iran’s Nuclear, Missile, and Conventional Arms Programs US Dept. of State 21 Sep 2020 -- Fact Sheet
• The United States Imposes Sweeping New Sanctions on the Islamic Republic of Iran US Dept. of State 21 Sep 2020 -- The Trump Administration has made clear that the United States will do whatever it takes to prevent the Islamic Republic of Iran, the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism and anti-Semitism, from spreading death and mayhem throughout the Middle East and the world. Rather than wait for the day that Iran threatens the world with a nuclear weapon, the United States is again fulfilling the best traditions of American global leadership and taking responsible action.
• Treasury Sanctions Key Actors in Iran’s Nuclear and Ballistic Missile Programs US Treasury 21 Sep 2020 -- Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned three Deputy Directors of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) and a number of its subsidiaries. Companies supplying equipment for Iran’s ballistic missile production overseen by Iran’s Aerospace Industries Organization (AIO) and senior officials working on Iran’s missile programs have also been designated.
• US Imposes Sweeping New Sanctions on Iran VOA 21 Sep 2020 -- The United States is imposing sweeping new sanctions on Iran to curb Tehran's nuclear, missile, and conventional arms threats after Washington asserted the United Nations arms embargo on Iran was reimposed indefinitely late Saturday.
• Statement by the President Regarding New Restrictions on Iran’s Nuclear, Ballistic Missile, and Conventional Weapons Pursuits The White House 21 Sep 2020
• Message to the Congress on Blocking Property of Certain Persons with Respect to the Conventional Arms Activities of Iran The White House 21 Sep 2020
• U.S. Imposes New Sanctions On Iran Defense, Atomic Industries RFE/RL 21 Sep 2020 -- The United States has imposed sanctions on more than two dozen people and entities involved in Iran's atomic activities or its missile and conventional weapons programs, as Washington unilaterally seeks to enforce a UN arms embargo against the Middle East country.
• Esper Says New Sanctions on Iran Will Disrupt Malign Activities DoD News 21 Sep 2020 -- President Donald J. Trump today signed an executive order imposing new sanctions on Iran as well as triggering a "snap back," or resumption, of U.N. sanctions on Tehran.
• US unilateral announcement on return of UN sanctions on Iran illegitimate, void: Chinese envoy Global Times 21 Sep 2020 -- Zhang Jun, China's permanent representative to the United Nations, on Sunday wrote a letter to the president of the Security Council and UN secretary-general, expressing opposition to the US unilateral announcement on the return of UN sanctions on Iran on Saturday.
• France supports IAEA’s commitment to save JCPOA IRNA 21 Sep 2020 -- The head of French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) voiced support for the efforts and commitments of the International Atomic energy Agency (IAEA) to safeguard the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
• Zarif: Iran will never re-negotiate a topic already discussed IRNA 21 Sep 2020 -- Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said the US is the party that violated the Iranian nuclear deal and stressed that Iran will never re-negotiate what it has already discussed.
• US will never see return of ‘non-existent’ anti-Iran resolutions: Envoy Press TV 21 Sep 2020 -- Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations says the US is not going to see the return of UN Security Council resolutions which were terminated as a result of the 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers.
• US goes it alone after UN rejects demand to restore Iran sanctions Press TV 21 Sep 2020 -- The United States has imposed new unilateral sanctions against Iran after it failed to garner support for its anti-Iran move at the United Nations.
• Pompeo outraged by EU leaders refusal to side with US over Iran sanctions Press TV 21 Sep 2020 -- US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has laid into European leaders for failing to do anything to bring back the United Nations’ sanctions against Iran lifted under Tehran’s nuclear deal with the world powers.
• Russia, China envoys lay into US over Iran snapback claim Press TV 21 Sep 2020 -- Senior Russian and Chinese diplomats have lashed out at the United States over Washington’s unrealistic claim that its abortive campaign to bring back the United Nations’ sanctions against Iran has actually resulted in restoring the bans.
• IAEA DG welcomes agreement with Iran IRNA 21 Sep 2020 -- Director General of the Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Mariano Grossi on Monday once again welcomed the agreement between the Agency and Iran, hoping the agreement will reinforce cooperation and enhance mutual trust.
• IAEA director general welcomes agreement with Iran ISNA 21 Sep 2020 -- Director General of the Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Mariano Grossi on Monday once again welcomed the agreement between the Agency and Iran, hoping the agreement will reinforce cooperation and enhance mutual trust.
• Iran must reach 8.5 mbpd of oil output: Advisor to Leader Press TV 21 Sep 2020 -- The top economic advisor to the Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei says oil output in the country should meet a target of 8.5 million barrels per day (bpd) in several years’ time despite efforts to reduce direct sale of crude to minimize the impacts of foreign sanctions.
• Rial At Record Lows Against The Dollar As U.S Announces Sanctions Radio Farda 21 Sep 2020 -- Immediately after the United States announced the return of international sanctions on Iran on Sunday, the dollar exchange rate set a new record high with a 2.5 percent increase to the rate of 273,000 rials per dollar.
• Iran Planning On Teaching Chinese In Schools Radio Farda 21 Sep 2020 -- For the first time, Iranian authorities are seriously discussing the possibility of adding Chinese to the foreign languages taught in the nation's schools.
• Belarusian Protesters Counter Authorities' Moves With Online Tactics RFE/RL 21 Sep 2020 -- As soon as Belarusian protesters wrap up their daily demonstrations on the streets, the movement goes online to assess tactics and to begin planning the next course of action.
• EU Foreign Ministers Meet Tsikhanouskaya, Weigh Lukashenka Sanctions RFE/RL 21 Sep 2020 -- European Union foreign ministers have met with Belarusian opposition leader Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya as they consider whether to impose sanctions on dozens of Belarusian officials, possibly including President Alyaksandr Lukashenka, over abuses against ongoing postelection protests and electoral fraud that gave the authoritarian leader a landslide victory in an election last month.
• EU Foreign Ministers Meet Belarus Opposition Leader VOA 21 Sep 2020 -- Foreign ministers of European Union member countries met with Belarus opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya in Brussels Monday, as they are discussing imposing sanctions on several Belarus officials, possibly including President Alexander Lukashenko.
• Rocket Launching Port India PIB 21 Sep 2020 -- Union Minister of State (Independent Charge), Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, DrJitendra Singh informed about the status of setting up of country’s second space rocket launching port by ISRO in Kulasekarapattinam, located in Tamil Nadu in a written reply in Lok Sabha.
• Myanmar Parties Raise Concern After Grenades Found Near Election Official’s Home Radio Free Asia 21 Sep 2020 -- Myanmar’s military and political parties on Monday condemned intimidation tactics in the run-up to November polls after the weekend discovery of unexploded hand grenades at the home of the top election official in the capital Naypyidaw.
• Form cabinet, or Lebanon will go to hell, President Aoun warns Press TV 21 Sep 2020 -- President Michel Aoun has warned that Lebanon will go to ‘hell’ unless a desperately-needed government is formed in the country, where positions have hardened among rival political factions, more than a month after a gigantic explosion devastated the Beirut port.
• U.S. Kosovo Envoy Says Balkan Economic Rise A 'High Policy Priority' For Trump RFE/RL 21 Sep 2020 -- The U.S. ambassador to Kosovo has stressed Washington's commitment to the goal of "full, normal relations" between Serbia and its former region of Kosovo while encouraging compromise on both sides to turn "pledges into the reality."
• Mali Junta Picks Former Defense Minister as Transitional President VOA 21 Sep 2020 -- The junta that overthrew Mali's president last month said Monday that former defense minister and retired Col. Maj. Bah N'Daw will be the president during the transition period.
• Ivory Coast Opposition Presidential Candidate Calls for ‘Civil Disobedience’ to Block Possible 3rd Term for Ouattara VOA 21 Sep 2020 -- Ivory Coast’s main opposition candidate is calling for civil disobedience to prevent President Alassane Ouattara from being elected to a third term in next month’s elections.
• Ethiopian Opposition Leader Appears in Court on Terror Charges VOA 21 Sep 2020 -- Ethiopian opposition leader Jawar Mohammed and 22 others appeared in court Monday to face charges of terrorism and other crimes. Jawar, a media mogul and outspoken critic of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, was arrested in June following the killing of popular singer Hachalu Hundessa, a champion of the Oromo ethnic group. Political analysts say the charges are likely to raise tensions in Oromia, Ethiopia's largest and most populous region.