Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• US drone raid in NW Syria kills 17 civilians, militants Press TV 25 Oct 2020 -- US military forces have reportedly killed 17 militants and civilians in a drone strike in northwest Syria near the Turkish border, identifying the targets as leaders of an al-Qaeda-linked group.
• Afghan Security Forces Kill Top Al-Qaeda Leader RFE/RL Gandhara 25 Oct 2020 -- Afghan security forces have killed Abu Muhsin al-Masri, a senior Al-Qaeda leader who was also wanted by the United States.
• Top al-Qaeda leader killed in eastern Afghanistan: Officials Press TV 25 Oct 2020 -- A senior al-Qaeda commander has been killed by Afghan security forces in the central city of Ghazni, security officials said.
• Death Toll From Kabul Suicide Attack Rises to 30, 70 Injured - Source Sputnik 25 Oct 2020 -- The death toll from a suicide bomb attack near an education center in the Afghan capital has gone up to 30, while at least 70 have been injured, a security source told Sputnik.
• Afghanistan: UN Mission voices 'deep revulsion' over deadly bomb attack on Kabul college UN News 25 Oct 2020 -- The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has expressed "deep revulsion" at the killing on Saturday night of at least 24 people, according to latest reports, and injuring of dozens of others in a suicide attack outside an education centre.

Defense Policy / Programs

• USS America Conducts Integrated Operations With Japanese F-35s US Navy 25 Oct 2020 -- The first-in-class amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) participated in advanced combined operations with Japan this week in the western Pacific Ocean.
• AFIMSC key to disaster recovery at installations US Air Force 25 Oct 2020 -- When natural disasters strike installations, Air Force leadership immediately begins recovery operations to get missions up and running again as soon as possible.
• IRGC deploys forces to northwest borders close to Nagorno-Karabakh conflict region IRNA 25 Oct 2020 -- Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has deployed forces to northwestern country to protect joint borders with Azerbaijan and Armenia amid ongoing military conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh which is close to the Iranian territory.
• Army Ground Force conducts drills in northwest with 'offensive' focus Press TV 25 Oct 2020 -- The Iranian Army's Ground Force has conducted a set of tactical drills in the country's general northwestern area, using the opportunity to field its optimized new "offensive" brigades.
• IRGC deploys mechanized brigade to NW border amid Azeri-Armenian conflict Press TV 25 Oct 2020 -- The Ground Force of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has deployed a mechanized brigade to protect the country's northwestern border amid ongoing firefight between Azerbaijan and Armenia over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region.
• Iran Holds Army Ground Force Drill in Border Area as Azerbaijani-Armenian Karabakh Conflict Persists Sputnik 25 Oct 2020 -- Earlier this week, Tehran conducted air defence war games after stray missiles and shells made their way into Iranian territory amid ongoing hostilities between neighbouring Armenia and Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh.
• IDF Launches Huge 'Deadly Arrow' Military Drills, Simulates War Against Hezbollah Sputnik 25 Oct 2020 -- The largest military exercise of the year in Israel has been scaled down from its original plan due to the coronavirus pandemic, switching the focus to wartime communications between various headquarters, according to official statements from the armed forces.
• India Gives Submarine to Myanmar Amid Growing Chinese Footprint in Indian Ocean Countries VOA 25 Oct 2020 -- India has given a submarine to Myanmar as part of a military outreach to its eastern neighbor that strategic analysts say is driven by New Delhi's bid to counter China's growing influence in Southeast Asia.
• 'Washington Has No Idea About Who It Deals With': Erdogan Brushes Off US Criticism Over S-400 Sputnik 25 Oct 2020 -- On Saturday, Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar stated that the country's military is checking its S-400 air defence systems and preparing them for deployment.
• UN treaty banning nuclear weapons set to enter into force in January UN News 25 Oct 2020 -- In what leading campaigners are describing as "a new chapter for nuclear disarmament", the ratification of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons will now come into force on 22 January, after Honduras became the 50th Member State to ratify on Saturday.
• UN Treaty to Ban Nuclear Weapons Worldwide Ratified VOA 25 Oct 2020 -- An international treaty to ban nuclear weapons has been ratified by 50 United Nations member countries, the world body said Saturday.

Defense Industry

Other Conflicts

• Yemeni army strikes Saudi Arabia's Abha airport in retaliatory drone attack Press TV 25 Oct 2020 -- Yemeni armed forces have launched a fresh retaliatory attack against Saudi Arabia, targeting Abha International Airport in southwestern region of Asir by a squadron of domestically-manufactured Sammad-3 (Invincible-3) combat drones.
• Saudi-led coalition, mercenaries working with al-Qaeda, Daesh in Yemen: Foreign Ministry Press TV 25 Oct 2020 -- The Foreign Ministry of Yemen's National Salvation Government says the Saudi-led coalition engaged in a campaign against the country as well as the allied militiamen loyal to former Yemeni President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi are closely working with al-Qaeda and the Daesh Takfiri terrorists.
• The Joint Forces Command of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen: Interception, Destruction of Bomb-Laden UAV Launched by Terrorist, Iran-Backed Houthi Militia Toward the Kingdom SPA 25 Oct 2020 -- Statement by the Official Spokesman of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen COL Turki Al-Malki
• Joint Forces Command of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen: Interception, Destruction of Bomb-Laden UAV Launched by Terrorist, Iran-Backed Houthi Militia Toward the Kingdom SPA 25 Oct 2020 -- Official Spokesman of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen COL Turki Al-Malki said in a statement that "the Joint Coalition Forces have intercepted and destroyed this evening (Sunday) a bomb-laden UAV launched systematically and deliberately by the terrorist Houthi militia to target civilians and civilian objects in the Southern Region."
• The Joint Forces Command of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen: Interception, Destruction of Bomb-Laden UAV Launched by Terrorist, Iran-Backed Houthi Militia Toward the Kingdom SPA 25 Oct 2020 -- Statement by the Official Spokesman of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen COL Turki Al-Malki
• Joint Forces Command of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen: Interception, Destruction of Bomb-Laden UAV Launched by Terrorist, Iran-Backed Houthi Militia Toward the Kingdom SPA 25 Oct 2020 -- A statement by the Official Spokesman of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen COL Turki Al-Malki stated that the "Joint Coalition Forces have intercepted and destroyed this morning (Sunday) a bomb-laden UAV launched systematically and deliberately by the terrorist Houthi militia to target civilians and civilian objects in the Southern Region."
• US-Backed Forces Target IS Remnants in Eastern Syria VOA 25 Oct 2020 -- U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) continue to carry out raids targeting militants affiliated with the Islamic State (IS) terror group in eastern Syria.
• There'll be no more border shelling, Aliyev assures Iran Press TV 25 Oct 2020 -- The Azeri president has given an assurance to Iran that there will be "no more inconvenience" along the two countries' border, after Tehran warned the parties to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict about the accidental shelling of Iranian border areas.
• Karabakh warring sides agree on third ceasefire deal in four weeks Press TV 25 Oct 2020 -- Baku and Yerevan have announced they would begin on Monday morning a third attempt to establish a lasting ceasefire after four weeks of fighting.
• U.S. Says Humanitarian Cease-Fire To Take Effect In Nagorno-Karabakh RFE/RL 25 Oct 2020 -- A humanitarian cease-fire will take effect on October 26 at 8 a.m. local time (0400 GMT/UTC) in the fighting between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh, a joint statement from the U.S. State Department and the two governments says.
• OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair Statement US Dept. of State 25 Oct 2020 -- The text of the following joint statement was released by the Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group on October 25, 2020.
• U.S.-Armenia-Azerbaijan Joint Statement US Dept. of State 25 Oct 2020 -- The text of the following joint statement was released by the Governments of the United States of America, the Republic of Armenia, and the Republic of Azerbaijan on October 25, 2020.
• Security of people, national interests Iran's red lines: IRGC cmdr IRNA 25 Oct 2020 -- Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Ground Force says that people's security and national interests are the most important red lines of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
• IRGC commander: Iran's security, national interests our red line Press TV 25 Oct 2020 -- Iran's national interests and the security of its people are red lines for the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), says the commander of the IRGC's Ground Force, amid a recent escalation of armed conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia.
• Sudan's Normalization Deal with Israel Faces Hurdles VOA 25 Oct 2020 -- Sudan on Friday became the third state to move toward normalizing relations with Israel. But unlike Israel's recent deal with Abu Dhabi where hotels are already promoting packages for Israeli tourists, the deal with Sudan still faces several hurdles, including some public opposition.
• Greece denounces as 'illegal' Turkey's extension of survey mission in Mediterranean Sea Press TV 25 Oct 2020 -- Greece has condemned Turkey's decision to once again extend the work of its seismic research vessel in disputed waters in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, vowing to lodge a complaint against Ankara.
• Turkey Extends Geological Exploration Mission in Eastern Mediterranean Until 4 November Sputnik 25 Oct 2020 -- The Turkish research vessel Oruc Reis will conduct geological explorations of hydrocarbon deposits in disputed areas of the Eastern Mediterranean until 4 November, the Office of Navigation, Hydrography, and Oceanography of the Turkish Naval Forces said on Sunday.
• Cambodia Expects to be Landmine-Free Within 5 Years VOA 25 Oct 2020 -- The Cambodian government will deploy 2,000 soldiers to train as deminers after Western nations, led by the United States, bolstered efforts to rid the country of landmines and other unexploded ordnance by 2025.
• Hold Your Tongue: School Incident Plays Into Sensitive Issue Of Language In Ukraine RFE/RL 25 Oct 2020 -- For a speaker of either language, it may be hard to listen to the recording without wincing: An elementary-school art teacher in Odesa berates a pupil for responding in Ukrainian, rather than Russian, quickly driving her to tears in front of her classmates.

News Reports

• Russia Relations Unlikely To Improve, Regardless Of U.S. Election Outcome RFE/RL 25 Oct 2020 -- If he wins another four years in the White House in the election on November 3, U.S. President Donald Trump may make a new push to mend Washington's severely strained relations with Moscow, doubling down on an effort that was swiftly stymied after he took office in 2017.
• Hong Konger involved in 'following' democracy activists deported CNA 25 Oct 2020 -- A Hong Konger who employed private investigators to follow and photograph Hong Kong activists in Taiwan was deported on Sunday after his residency permit was revoked by the National Immigration Agency (NIA).
• Khamenei Accuses Rouhani's Critics Of Being 'Unfair' Radio Farda 25 Oct 2020 -- The Supreme Leader of Iran Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has criticized certain actions against the government and "particularly the President."
• Tehran Homeless Shelters Under Strain Radio Farda 25 Oct 2020 -- An adviser to the Mayor of Tehran and the Head of the Municipality's Information Center and the International Office, Gholam-Hossein Mohammadi, reports that the number of homeless people visiting shelters in the Iranian capital city has significantly increased in recent weeks.
• Belarus: Police Use Stun Grenades to Disperse Protests VOA 25 Oct 2020 -- Police in Belarus used stun grenades Sunday to disperse protesters, who after months of demonstrations, have threatened a national strike if longtime President Alexander Lukashenko does not resign by midnight.
• Belarusian Opposition Calls National Strike For October 26 Amid More Protests RFE/RL 25 Oct 2020 -- Belarusian opposition candidate Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya has said a national strike will begin on October 26 after Alyaksandr Lukashenka's government responded with stun grenades and rubber bullets to protests against him earlier in the day.
• Belarus tells US will repel 'external threats' with Russia's help Press TV 25 Oct 2020 -- Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko has warned the United States that his government is prepared, with the help of its ally Russia, to repel any external threat against the county's security.
• US-India Talks Comes Amid Heightened China Tensions VOA 25 Oct 2020 -- U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Defense Secretary Mark Esper departed for India Sunday to strengthen bilateral security cooperation as Washington looks to confront Chinese geopolitical and economic challenges in the Indo-Pacific region.
• Pakistan Lawmaker Detained Ahead Of Opposition Rally RFE/RL Gandhara 25 Oct 2020 -- A Pakistani lawmaker says he has been stopped by the authorities upon his arrival in the southwestern city of Quetta to take part in an anti-government rally.
• Blast Kills Three In Pakistan City Hosting Opposition Rally RFE/RL Gandhara 25 Oct 2020 -- At least three people have been killed in the explosion of an improvised device in Quetta, the capital of southwestern Pakistan's restive Balochistan Province, despite heightened security as opposition parties held a large rally in another part of the city.
• Ukrainians Vote In Historic Local Elections RFE/RL 25 Oct 2020 -- Voters across Ukraine have cast ballots in local elections held under a new Electoral Code that decentralizes power from Kyiv to local governing bodies.
• Ukrainians Go to the Polls in Historic Local Elections VOA 25 Oct 2020 -- Voters across Ukraine are casting ballots in local elections being held under a new Electoral Code that decentralizes power from Kyiv to local governing bodies.
• U.S. president's comments about Ethiopia's grand dam ignites uproar People's Daily 25 Oct 2020 -- The Ethiopian government and the public are in uproar on Saturday after the U.S. President Donald Trump's strong comment regarding the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).
• Nigeria unrest: Police deploy all forces to take back streets Press TV 25 Oct 2020 -- Nigeria's police have ordered the immediate mobilization of all resources to reclaim the streets, which have become the scene of unprecedented violence and looting, after police shot peaceful protesters in Lagos earlier this week.
• Protests Persist in Thailand Ahead of Special Parliamentary Session VOA 25 Oct 2020 -- Thousands of protesters gathered in Bangkok's central shopping district Sunday after the prime minister ignored a "deadline" from the movement to resign.