Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• Iraqi resistance groups announce halt to attacks against foreign troops to allow their pullout Press TV 10 Oct 2020 -- Iraqi resistance groups have issued a statement announcing a halt to military operations against US and foreign forces in Iraq to allow them to leave the Arab country.
• US forces must leave Iraq or will be forcibly expelled: Kata'ib Hezbollah Press TV 10 Oct 2020 -- Iraq's anti-terror Kata'ib Hezbollah group, which is part of the country's Popular Mobilization Units (PMU), has warned American forces against remaining in the Arab country, saying they will be forcibly expelled by means of resistance if they insist on maintaining their presence much to the dismay of Iraqis.
• At least 5 people killed in blast of Taliban-planted roadside bomb in Afghanistan's Helmand: Ministry Press TV 10 Oct 2020 -- At least five people have lost their lives after a Taliban-planted roadside bomb went off in Afghanistan's southern province of Helmand, the defense ministry says.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Nearly two-thirds of deployable US warships endured COVID-19 outbreaks Press TV 10 Oct 2020 -- Over 190 US Navy warships have endured coronavirus infections so far this year, accounting for nearly 65 percent of the services 296 deployable military vessels, said the Navy's top officer in a message to the fleet.
• Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group Conducts Maritime Security Operations in the Indian Ocean US Navy 10 Oct 2020 -- The Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group began maritime security and stability operations in the Indian Ocean, Oct. 9.
• Donald Cook Begins Exercise Joint Warrior 20-2 US Navy 10 Oct 2020 -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Donald Cook (DDG 75) is participating in exercise Joint Warrior 20-2, a U.K.-hosted, multilateral training exercise designed to provide NATO and allied forces with a unique multi-warfare environment to prepare for global operations.
• USS Hershel "Woody" Williams Joins Allies, Partners for Exercise Grand African NEMO US Navy 10 Oct 2020 -- The Expeditionary Sea Base USS Hershel "Woody" Williams (ESB 4) joined NATO Allies and partners for French-led exercise Grand African Navy's Exercise for Maritime Operations (NEMO) 2020 in the Gulf of Guinea, Oct. 5-9, 2020.
• Russia concerned about NATO activities near borders: FM People's Daily 10 Oct 2020 -- Russia is concerned about the increased military activities of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) near its borders, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told his Danish counterpart Jeppe Kofod on Friday.
• Moscow Denies Russia, US 'Close' to Deal on Nuclear Warhead Freeze Sputnik 10 Oct 2020 -- Russia and the United States have not agreed to continue freezing their nuclear arsenals, and it is unclear what guides media reports that claim to the contrary, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said on Saturday.
• Military-civilian cooperation facilitates travel of plateau service members PLA Daily 10 Oct 2020 -- A visitation team composed of representatives from the PLA Joint Logistics Support Center in Xining, capital city of northwest China's Qinghai Province, and civil airlines came to the frontier defense units stationed in the Ngari Plateau in early October and presented 300 free air tickets to border guards.
• North Korea unveils new ballistic missile, vows strong response to 'hostile forces' Press TV 10 Oct 2020 -- North Korea has unveiled a new intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) at a military parade during which leader Kim Jung-un vowed to preemptively mobilize his strongest military power in the face of any foreign threat.
• North Korea Shows Off Mystery New ICBM in Massive Display of Military Might – Photos, Videos Sputnik 10 Oct 2020 -- North Korea carried out a test of what was thought to be its longest-range intercontinental ballistic missile, the Hwasong-15, in November 2017. With a range of 13,000 km, the nuclear-capable missile could theoretically hit anywhere inside the US. In July 2019, US Forces Korea confirmed the missile's potential.
• North Korea Shows Off New ICBM During Nighttime Parade VOA 10 Oct 2020 -- North Korea unveiled what defense analysts say appears to be a new intercontinental ballistic missile and other new weapons systems during a carefully choreographed, pre-dawn military parade Saturday.
• Finland Receives Green Light to Purchase US F-35, F-18 Amid Ongoing Fighter Jet Competition Sputnik 10 Oct 2020 -- Five international contenders, including Saab (Gripen), Dassault Aviation (Rafale), the pan-European Eurofighter Typhoon, Boeing (F/A-18 Super Hornet), and Lockheed Martin (F-35) have been in a bidding competition for the Finnish Air Forces' HX-fighter programme, as the country looks for a solution to best benefit its defense industry.

Defense Industry

Other Conflicts

• China demands halt to provocative US moves in South China Sea Press TV 10 Oct 2020 -- China's military has announced the intrusion of a US warship into its territorial waters near the disputed Paracel Islands in the South China Sea without authorization from Beijing, demanding the halt of "such provocative actions."
• Sinjar Agreement US Dept. of State 10 Oct 2020 -- "The United States welcomes recent efforts by the Government of Iraq and the Kurdistan Regional Government, in coordination with the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq, to resolve Sinjar's longstanding political and security challenges."
• Nagorno-Karabakh Cease-Fire Takes Effect VOA 10 Oct 2020 -- A cease-fire between Armenian and Azerbaijani went into effect Saturday at noon local time (0800 UTC), at least temporarily halting deadly hostilities over the breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh region, which each country claims.
• New Cease-Fire In Nagorno-Karabakh Off To Shaky Start RFE/RL 10 Oct 2020 -- Azerbaijan and Armenia have agreed to a cease-fire aimed at ending the worst fighting over Nagorno-Karabakh in years.
• Zarif: Iran welcomes cessation of hostilities in Nagorno-Karabakh IRNA 10 Oct 2020 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said in a message on Saturday that Iran welcomes cessation of hostilities in Nagorno-Karabakh, urging neighbors to engage in substantive dialogue.
• Armenia, Azerbaijan agree on ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh People's Daily 10 Oct 2020 -- Armenia and Azerbaijan agreed on a ceasefire in the Nagorno-Karabakh region starting Saturday noon, following lengthy negotiations in Moscow on Friday night.
• Azerbaijan, Armenia accuse each other of violating ceasefire, vow to retaliate Press TV 10 Oct 2020 -- Azerbaijan and Armenia accuse each other of violating a freshly-clinched ceasefire between the two sides following nearly two weeks of intense fighting in the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region.
• Armenia, Azerbaijan accuse each other of new attacks after ceasefire Press TV 10 Oct 2020 -- Armenia and Azerbaijan trade accusations of new attacks just after a ceasefire goes into effect to end nearly two weeks of heavy fighting over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region.
• UN chief welcomes Nagorno-Karabakh ceasefire UN News 10 Oct 2020 -- UN Secretary-General António Guterres has welcomed agreement on a ceasefire in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone following talks held in Russia on Friday.
• Sinjar Agreement US Dept. of State 10 Oct 2020 -- "The United States welcomes recent efforts by the Government of Iraq and the Kurdistan Regional Government, in coordination with the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq, to resolve Sinjar's longstanding political and security challenges."
• At Least Two Pakistani Soldiers Killed By Militant Attack In South Waziristan RFE/RL 10 Oct 2020 -- Officials in Pakistan say militants have killed at least two Pakistani soldiers in an attack in a tribal district known as South Waziristan.

News Reports

• Russian Police Detain Dozens Amid Continuing Protests in Khabarovsk RFE/RL 10 Oct 2020 -- Police in Khabarovsk have detained dozens of protesters as demonstrators persisted in their public opposition to the Kremlin's abrupt sacking of the regional governor.
• HK police arrest 9 suspected of aiding fugitives held in the mainland Global Times 10 Oct 2020 -- Hong Kong police on Saturday morning arrested nine people suspected of helping 12 fugitives who illegally crossed into waters under mainland jurisdiction and were detained by police in Shenzhen, South China's Guangdong Province in late August.
• Chinese military aircraft enters airspace near Taiwan CNA 10 Oct 2020 -- A Chinese military anti-submarine (ASW) aircraft entered Taiwan's southwest air defense identification zone (ADIZ) on Saturday, while the country was celebrating its National Day, also known as Double Ten Day.
• President Tsai says Taiwan willing to hold dialogue with Beijing CNA 10 Oct 2020 -- President Tsai Ing-wen (???) on Saturday expressed willingness to hold "meaningful dialogue" with the leadership of Beijing to have peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.
• U.S. will fulfill its commitments to Taiwan's defense: Pompeo CNA 10 Oct 2020 -- U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Friday that the U.S. will "fulfill (its) commitments" to Taiwan, amid rising calls on the American right for the U.S. to explicitly commit to defending Taiwan in the event that it is attacked by China.
• Political parties divided on Tsai's remarks on cross-strait relations CNA 10 Oct 2020 -- The ruling and opposition parties in Taiwan on Saturday gave mixed reactions to President Tsai Ing-wen's (???) National Day speech on cross-Taiwan Strait relations, with the main opposition Kuomintang (KMT) accusing her of not practicing what she preaches.
• Taiwan's foreign minister thanks India after National Day spat with China CNA 10 Oct 2020 -- Taiwan's Foreign Minister Joseph Wu (???) on Saturday thanked India for its support after the country rebuked the Chinese embassy in New Delhi for attempting to manipulate media coverage of Taiwan's Double Ten National Day.
• Taiwan president wants 'meaningful dialogue' with China amid rising military tensions Press TV 10 Oct 2020 -- Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen has expressed desire to engage in "meaningful dialogue" with China on what she termed an equal basis.
• Military Parade Marks Founding Anniversary of WPK KCNA 10 Oct 2020 -- A military parade began in Kim Il Sung Square at 00:00 of October 10, the 75th founding anniversary of the Workers' Party of Korea.
• Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un Delivers Speech at Military Parade KCNA 10 Oct 2020 -- Kim Jong Un, supreme leader of the Party, state and armed forces of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, delivered a speech at the military parade held in celebration of the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Workers' Party of Korea.
• Rouhani, Putin discuss JCPOA, COVID-19, Karabakh truce IRNA 10 Oct 2020 -- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani in a phone call with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin welcomed the ceasefire in Karabakh and stress holding more talks to solve this conflict.
• FM spox: Iranians not to be intimidated by US bullying IRNA 10 Oct 2020 -- Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh said in a message that Iranian nation will not be intimidated by US bullying rhetoric.
• Iran's Rouhani, Russia's Putin discuss Karabakh, JCPOA, coronavirus ISNA 10 Oct 2020 -- Stating that basically, we do not consider war to be the solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Iranian President said, "The Islamic Republic of Iran is ready for any kind of help and cooperation for the resolution of the Azerbaijan-Armenia conflict through negotiation based on legal and international regulations, and respecting the territorial integrity of countries".
• Iran condemns U.S. fresh financial sanctions People's Daily 10 Oct 2020 -- Iranian senior officials on Friday condemned the U.S. fresh sanctions on 18 Iranian banks and financial institutions.
• Iran, China hold 'fruitful' talks on strategic partnership: FM Zarif Press TV 10 Oct 2020 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has hailed "fruitful" talks with his Chinese counterpart on the two countries' strategic partnership, saying both sides oppose the US unilateralism.
• Rouhani says Iran supports Azerbaijan-Armenia truce agreement on Karabakh, ready to offer any help Press TV 10 Oct 2020 -- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has voiced support for Russia's "valuable" efforts that brokered a truce between Armenia and Azerbaijan aimed at ending the fighting in the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region, saying the Islamic Republic is ready to offer any help and cooperation in this regard.
• FM Zarif in China to further expand 'strategic partnership' Press TV 10 Oct 2020 -- Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has arrived in China for an official visit at the invitation of his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi.
• Tehran hits back at Trump over outburst of profanity: Iranians not intimidated Press TV 10 Oct 2020 -- Iran has hit back at US President Donald Trump after he went on expletive-ridden rant while once again threatening the Islamic Republic.
• U.S. Pressure On Iran Is 'State Terrorism,' Says Tehran's U.N. Envoy Radio Farda 10 Oct 2020 -- Iran's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Majid Takht Ravanchi, says Washington's policy of maximum pressure on Tehran is designed to change Iran's "regime."
• Lukashenka Meets With Jailed Belarusian Opposition Leaders RFE/RL 10 Oct 2020 -- Belarusian state media have reported that strongman Alyaksandr Lukashenka met with jailed Belarusian opposition leaders in a detention center run by the country's KGB security service -- ostensibly to discuss plans for constitutional reforms.
• Britain Becomes Latest Country To Recall Ambassador From Belarus RFE/RL 10 Oct 2020 -- Britain has recalled its ambassador to Belarus, joining a growing number of European countries who have pulled their diplomats amid the continuing impasse over the August presidential election in Minsk.
• Kyrgyzstan Lawmakers Approve Japarov As New Prime Minister Days After He Was Sprung From Jail RFE/RL 10 Oct 2020 -- Kyrgyzstan's divided parliament has controversially appointed Sadyr Japarov as new prime minister, just days after the convicted kidnapper was sprung from prison during turmoil over the Central Asian country's disputed parliamentary elections.
• Tajikistan's Autocratic Leader Rahmon Seen Extending Rule As Voters Head To Polls RFE/RL 10 Oct 2020 -- Voters in Tajikistan are casting ballots in a presidential election on October 11 that is expected to extend authoritarian President Emomali Rahmon's rule over the impoverished Central Asian nation for another seven years.
• Going Silent? Independent Hungarian Radio Station Faces Loss Of License RFE/RL 10 Oct 2020 -- Observers and government critics say Hungarian media outlets have been muzzled under Prime Minister Viktor Orban. Now, they are warning that the country could lose one of its last independent voices.