Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• Taliban Mines Afghan Phone Data In Bid For Control RFE/RL Gandhara 30 Oct 2020 -- Hamidullah, a young resident of the southeastern Afghan city of Ghazni, recently had a harrowing experience. While returning from a trip to the southern city of Kandahar this month, the Taliban stopped the bus he had taken for the 350-kilometer return journey.
• Deadlocked Afghan Peace Process At 'Point Of Collapse RFE/RL Gandhara 30 Oct 2020 -- Just weeks after the first direct talks between Afghan government representatives and the Taliban militant group opened to much hype, the historic negotiations aimed at ending the bloody 19-year war are in danger of collapse.
• Indiana National Guard helps long-term care facilities fight COVID-19 Army News 30 Oct 2020 -- Hoosiers will soon see additional support in long-term care facilities across the state from Indiana National Guardsmen, who are stepping up to help prevent infection in their communities.

Defense Policy / Programs

• G-6: Greater integration across unified network will strengthen force Army News 30 Oct 2020 -- Having a single unified network across the joint force will be one of the pillars that Lt. Gen. John Morrison plans to establish as the Army's top uniformed information technology officer.
• Tippecanoe Resupplies Fleet and International Partners in Advance of Keen Sword US Navy 30 Oct 2020 -- Military Sealift Command Far East's Henry J. Kaiser-class underway replenishment oiler USNS Tippecanoe (T-AO 199) routinely conducts replenishments at sea (RAS) for both U.S. ships and those from partner and ally nations – almost on a daily business.
• DOD Awards $12.67 Million Contract Action to InBios International, Inc. to Increase Domestic Production Capacity of Rapid Point of Care COVID-19 Infection and Serological Response Tests DoD 30 Oct 2020 -- On October 30, 2020, the Department of Defense (DOD), in coordination with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), awarded a contract action with a not-to-exceed value of $12.67 million to InBios International, Inc. This effort will expand US based industrial production capacity of two point of care, rapid COVID-19 tests: SCoV-2 Ag Detect™ Kit, an antigen COVID-19 test, and SCoV-2 Detect™ IgM/IgG Kit, a serological COVID-19 response test.
• DOD and HHS Partner to Award $119 Million Contract to Hologic, Inc. to Increase Domestic Production Capacity of COVID-19 Diagnostic Tests DoD 30 Oct 2020 -- On October 30, 2020, the Department of Defense (DOD), in coordination with the Department of Health and Human Services, awarded Hologic, Inc. a $119 million contract to expand domestic production, increasing testing for COVID-19.
• Rewrite of Acquisition Regulation Helps U.S. Build Hypersonic Arsenal More Quickly DoD News 30 Oct 2020 -- With both Russia and China developing and building hypersonic weapons, the U.S. military must get in the game or risk being left behind. In the past, regulations have slowed acquisition of advanced technology. But the Defense Department has rewritten the rules for acquisition — the 5000-series of policy — to make it easier to more quickly deliver hypersonic weapons.
• USS Donald Cook Begins Patrol US Navy 30 Oct 2020 -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Donald Cook (DDG 75) departed Naval Station Rota, Spain for its eleventh forward-deployed naval forces (FDNF) patrol, Oct. 30.
• Esper Sees Iron Dome Missile Defense System in Tel Aviv DoD News 30 Oct 2020 -- Defense Secretary Dr. Mark T. Esper got a chance to see the Israeli Iron Dome antimissile battery that the U.S. Army is buying during a stop in Tel Aviv yesterday.
• US to Spend Almost $1.5Bln on Missile Defense Contracts for Aegis, SM-3 Systems, Pentagon Says Sputnik 30 Oct 2020 -- The US government is going to spend more than $1.4 billion on two new development and sustainment Missile Defense Agency (MDA) contracts for its Aegis and Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) systems, the Department of Defense said in two press releases.
• NATO delivers ventilators to North Macedonia NATO 30 Oct 2020 -- NATO delivered 60 ventilators to Skopje on Friday, 30 October, as part of the Alliance's support to Allies to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic. The donation was coordinated by NATO's Euro-Atlantic Disaster Response Coordination Centre (EADRCC) in response to a request from North Macedonia.
• NATO deploys very high readiness force in major test NATO 30 Oct 2020 -- NATO launched its main annual exercise for the Alliance's quick reaction force on Wednesday (28 October 2020) with around 2,500 troops deploying to Lithuania. Exercise "Brilliant Jump" will test NATO's logistics and its ability to respond and move NATO's Very High Readiness Joint Task Force quickly in the event of a crisis.
• China to accelerate national defense, military modernization People's Daily 30 Oct 2020 -- China will accelerate the modernization of national defense and the military, according to the communique of the fifth plenary session of the 19th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China released Thursday.
• China, US hold military talks for crisis communication; 'October Surprise' a rumor: Chinese MOD Global Times 30 Oct 2020 -- With the situation in the West Pacific remaining tense due to the increasing US military provocations against China in recent months, the Chinese Defense Ministry said on Thursday that the US Department of Defense has communicated with China and will make more communication and cooperation to ease tensions and avoid conflict.
• China to upgrade security guarantee for development in new plan Global Times 30 Oct 2020 -- China will further upgrade the protection of its national security by incorporating "security and development" in all aspects and process of the country's development, and accelerate the modernization of its military to build a prosperous country and a strong military in the coming years, according to the communiqué of the fifth plenary session of the 19th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC).
• Military to replace F-5s at Taitung base within 3 years: defense minister CNA 30 Oct 2020 -- Taiwan's defense minister said Friday that the Air Force will replace the 33 F-5 fighter jets at Taitung's Zhi-Hang Air Base within three years, one day after a pilot was killed when a plane from the fleet crashed off Taiwan's east coast.
• Trump administration notifies Congress F-35 sale plan to UAE Global Times 30 Oct 2020 -- The Donald Trump administration on Thursday informally notified Congress of its plan to sell advanced fighter jets to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), according to the chair of the US House Foreign Affairs Committee.
• US moves forward with sale of 50 F-35 jets to UAE: Sources Press TV 30 Oct 2020 -- The US State Department has notified Congress its approval of the sale of 50 F-35 fighter jets to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in a deal that could be worth $10 billion, despite a declared congressional effort to secure the Israeli regime's alleged military advantage in the Middle East region, sources have said.
• Indian Navy Fires Anti-Ship Missile, Blowing up Target 'at Max Range' in Bay of Bengal - Photos Sputnik 30 Oct 2020 -- India has conducted a flurry of missile tests since September, including 10 in just 35 days. New Delhi's unprecedented missile testing spree has been attributed to a muscle-flexing tactic by some security experts amid an ongoing border standoff with China.
• Japan Unveils the Lead Developer of its New Stealth Fighter Jet Sputnik 30 Oct 2020 -- Japan is planning to upgrade its military air fleet with minimal foreign assistance. The government refused project proposals from American and British companies, including Lockheed Martin and Boeing, because the successful tests of the Japanese experimental stealth fighter X-2 opened great opportunities for country's aircraft industry.
• Australia - Javelin Missiles DSCA 30 Oct 2020 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Australia of Javelin missiles and related equipment for an estimated cost of $46 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.
• Guyana - Bell 412EPi and 429 Helicopters DSCA 30 Oct 2020 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Guyana of Bell 412EPi and 429 Helicopters and related equipment for an estimated cost of $256 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.
• Norway Considers Sending Warships to Middle East Amid Ongoing 'Tropicalisation' of Navy Sputnik 30 Oct 2020 -- According to Norwegian Defence Minister Frank Bakke-Jensen, the idea is for the US Navy to become better at conducting joint operations with its allies.
• Remarks by President Trump After Air Force One Arrival | Green Bay, WI The White House 30 Oct 2020
• Remarks by President Trump Before Marine One Departure The White House 30 Oct 2020
• Press Gaggle by Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany Aboard Air Force One The White House 30 Oct 2020

Defense Industry

• Contracts For Oct. 30, 2020

Other Conflicts

• 30 October 2020 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 30 Oct 2020
• U.S. Announces Seizure Of Iranian Weapons It Says Were En Route To Yemen Radio Farda 30 Oct 2020 -- The United States says it has seized a variety of missiles that the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps' (IRGC) Quds Force shipped to Yemen and announced the sale of Iranian oil it seized in August before it reached Venezuela, saying the proceeds will benefit victims of terrorism.
• Libyan GNA Head Sarraj Recalls Resignation 'to Avoid Political Vacuum' Sputnik 30 Oct 2020 -- The head of the Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA) Fayez Sarraj said on Friday he had withdrawn his resignation "to avoid a political vacuum."
• Press Statement by the Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group OSCE 30 Oct 2020 -- The Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group (Igor Popov of the Russian Federation, Stephane Visconti of France, and Andrew Schofer of the United States of America) released the following statement today:
• Armenia, Azerbaijan Vow to Avoid Targeting Civilians in Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict VOA 30 Oct 2020 -- Armenia and Azerbaijan have agreed to refrain from targeting residential areas in the conflict over the Nagorno-Karabakh region that has left hundreds of people dead.
• Iran says seeks to establish ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh region IRNA 30 Oct 2020 -- Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Friday stressed the significance of establishment of ceasefire in the disputed border area between Armenia and Azerbaijan Republic.
• Iran's proposal can open path to peace in Nagorno-Karabakh conflict: Araghchi IRNA 30 Oct 2020 -- Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Abbas Araghchi said that the initiative proposed by Iran will put an end to Nagorno-Karabakh conflict by opening a path towards peace between Baku and Yerevan.
• Iran seeks sustainable ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh region: Deputy FM Press TV 30 Oct 2020 -- Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Abbas Araqchi says the Islamic Republic seeks to help establish a lasting ceasefire in the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region, where hundreds have been killed in more than a month of fighting between Azerbaijan and Armenia.
• Armenian, Azeri FMs meet mediators in Geneva amid talks to end Nagorno-Karabakh fighting Press TV 30 Oct 2020 -- Armenian Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan and his Azerbaijani counterpart, Jeyhun Bayramov, have met international mediators in Geneva amid efforts to reach a ceasefire over the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh.
• Russia open to return of occupied lands in Karabakh to Azerbaijan: Putin Press TV 30 Oct 2020 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin says Moscow is open to the return of the occupied lands of the south Caucasus region of Nagorna-Karabakh to Baku, in an effort to put an end to weeks of heavy fighting between Azerbaijan and Armenia.
• Armenia, Azerbaijan Pledge To Avoid Targeting Civilians In Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict RFE/RL 30 Oct 2020 -- Armenia and Azerbaijan have agreed to avoid targeting civilian populations and take other "urgent" steps during talks with international mediators in Geneva aimed at helping to bring a halt in fighting over the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh after three previous cease-fires failed.
• 'This Is A Different War': Nagorno-Karabakh Refugee Shudders At Video Showing Neighbors' Execution RFE/RL 30 Oct 2020 -- Margarita Karamian says her heart went cold when she watched video of two ethnic Armenian men being being shot dead a few hundred meters from her home in Hadrut -- a town that was caught at the front lines of the war over Azerbaijan's breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh.
• No danger threatening Iranian northwestern borders: Cmdr IRNA 30 Oct 2020 -- Commander of Ground Forces of the Iranian Army Brigadier-General Kiumars Heidari said on Friday that no danger is threatening the northwestern borders of the country.
• Armenian FM hails Iran's constructive role in int'l issues IRNA 30 Oct 2020 -- Armenian Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan said that Iran has a responsible and constructive stance on regional and global security issues.
• Azerbaijan thankful of Iran's initiative for settlement of Karabakh conflict IRNA 30 Oct 2020 -- Azerbaijan's Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov said that Baku appreciates Iran for its role and offer to mediate in the peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
• Women the 'driving force' for peacebuilding in Colombia: Deputy UN chief UN News 30 Oct 2020 -- The UN deputy chief has underscored the importance of the full and comprehensive implementation of Colombia's historic 2016 peace agreement, to enable sustainable and resilient communities in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
• Nine Villagers Injured by Artillery Blasts in Myanmar's Rakhine Conflict Radio Free Asia 30 Oct 2020 -- Nine civilians, including three children, were injured Thursday in artillery blasts allegedly fired by the Myanmar military in two villages in war-torn Rakhine state, family members of the injured and local residents said.
• 'High time for accountability', UN expert says as Israel approves highest rate of illegal settlements UN News 30 Oct 2020 -- The international community must answer a "grave" breach of international law with "more than mere criticism", an independent UN expert said on Friday after the Israeli Government announced its approval of nearly 5,000 new settlement homes in occupied Palestinian territory.

News Reports

• US Confirms Iran Hacked Voter Registration Data in 1 State VOA 30 Oct 2020 -- Some of the data Iran used to unleash a deluge of emails designed to intimidate U.S. voters just weeks before the country's presidential election came directly from one state's voter registration database.
• The Week In Russia: COVID, Clout, War, And Remembrance RFE/RL 30 Oct 2020 -- Sergei Lavrov's scuttled Balkans visit points up problems at home and challenges abroad for the Kremlin. Also, a new twist in Russia's treatment of World War II, and in remarks about same-sex unions, President Vladimir Putin appears to put the perceived interests of the state -- specifically, efforts to stem a population decline -- over the interests of the individual.
• Two Charged In Sweden With Attempted Murder Over Chechen Blogger Assault RFE/RL 30 Oct 2020 -- Swedish authorities have charged two individuals with attempted murder and accessory to attempted murder in a hammer attack on a blogger and outspoken critic of the authoritarian leader of Russia's North Caucasus region of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov.
• Ukraine Gas Chief Urges U.S. To Add More Sanctions Against Russian Pipeline RFE/RL 30 Oct 2020 -- Ukraine's natural-gas chief has urged the United States to expand sanctions aimed at stopping construction of a nearly complete Russian energy pipeline that would bring gas to Germany under the Baltic Sea.
• CPC vows to grasp opportunities amid major strategic devt period Global Times 30 Oct 2020 -- The Communist Party of China (CPC) vowed to grasp new opportunities as the country is in a major strategic development period, although both opportunities and challenges the country faces have changed, reads the communique of the fifth plenary session of the 19th CPC Central Committee released on Thursday.
• Communique of 5th plenary session of 19th CPC Central Committee released People's Daily 30 Oct 2020 -- The communique of the fifth plenary session of the 19th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) was released on Thursday.
• China urges U.S. to stop concocting lies, undermining ties People's Daily 30 Oct 2020 -- China on Thursday urged some senior U.S. officials to stop concocting lies and undermining the relations between the two countries.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin's Regular Press Conference on October 30, 2020 PRC MofA 30 Oct 2020
• China urges US to stop persecuting Chinese citizens Global Times 30 Oct 2020 -- Is the US really upholding the spirit of the rule of law, Chinese Foreign Ministry asked Friday, after a series of events that show how American law-enforcement agencies could be easily manipulated by political agenda, and take on Chinese cases just to complete a quota.
• Beijing Says China Ready to Work With US Partners on Improving Bilateral Relations Sputnik 30 Oct 2020 -- China is ready to work with the United States on restoring stability and cooperation if Washington is willing to be more objective concerning their bilateral relations, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said at a briefing on Friday.
• Pompeo Wraps 5-Nation Asia Visit in Vietnam, with Recurring Anti-China Theme VOA 30 Oct 2020 -- U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo wrapped up a five-nation visit of Asia in Vietnam Friday, repeating the theme that the U.S. is against China's encroachment on sovereign nations of Southeast Asia, Asia and the Indo-Pacific regions.
• China sticks to opening despite self-reliance push Global Times 30 Oct 2020 -- Chinese officials reiterated Friday that the country's long-standing opening-up policy will remain intact, although it would adopt new development strategies that put heavy emphasis on boosting the domestic market and pursuing indigenous innovation in the next five to 15 years.
• Xi addresses CPC symposium with non-Party members on drafting development proposals PLA Daily 30 Oct 2020 -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, made an important speech at a symposium the Party leadership held to solicit opinions from non-Party members on drafting proposals to formulate a blueprint for China's economic and social development.
• Key CPC session draws 15-year roadmap for China's modernization PLA Daily 30 Oct 2020 -- The Communist Party of China (CPC) has charted the course for China's development in the next 15 years to guide the country's march towards modernization.
• Hong Kong National Security Hotline Will Sow Fear, Social Division: Activists Radio Free Asia 30 Oct 2020 -- Hong Kong's national security police are planning a hotline that will encourage the city's seven million residents to inform on alleged breaches of a draconian new law that criminalizes peaceful criticism of the authorities.
• Interview: 'Grassroots Participation in Democracy is Crucial,' Says Veteran Hong Kong Activist Radio Free Asia 30 Oct 2020 -- On April 24, 2019, a court in Hong Kong handed down jail terms to four pro-democracy activists accused of "inciting" the 2014 Occupy Central movement, after finding them guilty of public order charges. Movement co-founders Benny Tai and Chan Kin-man were both sentenced to 16 months' imprisonment by the West Kowloon District Court for "conspiracy to cause a public nuisance," while fellow movement leader Chu Yiu-ming, 75, and Civic Party lawmaker Tanya Chan were given suspended prison terms owing to poor health.
• Activists Hail Canadian Parliamentary Committee Report on Uighur 'Genocide' VOA 30 Oct 2020 -- After the Canadian parliamentary Subcommittee on International Human Rights concluded last week that China's treatment of the Uighurs in the Xinjiang region amounts to genocide, some experts and international human rights activists say the international community could be entering a new phase of action to hold officials in Beijing accountable.
• China Now Has The Ability to Track Internet Users Who 'Scale The Wall' Radio Free Asia 30 Oct 2020 -- Authorities in the eastern Chinese province of Zhejiang recently detained and warned an internet user after they were detected using a circumvention tool to read information on Wikipedia, which lies outside China's complex network of blocks, filters, and human censorship known as the Great Firewall.
• Three Chinese military planes enter Taiwan's ADIZ CNA 30 Oct 2020 -- Three Chinese military aircraft entered the southwestern part of Taiwan's air defense identification zone (ADIZ) on Friday, the 29th such maneuver since mid-September, according to Taiwan's defense ministry.
• PLA capable of, determined in safeguarding national sovereignty, territorial integrity: spokesperson People's Daily 30 Oct 2020 -- The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) has always been capable of and determined in safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as defeating separatist forces seeking "Taiwan independence" in any form, said a military spokesperson on Thursday.
• North Korean Community Leaders Granted Right to Sell Sewage as Fertilizer for Farms Radio Free Asia 30 Oct 2020 -- Authorities in North Korea have declared open season on the human manure trade, granting certain community leaders the exclusive right to sell sewage, a green—or rather brown—alternative to chemical fertilizers in short supply, sources in the country told RFA.
• Ayatollah Breaks With Conventions, Triggering Criticism Radio Farda 30 Oct 2020 -- The unconventional pronouncements of a Qom-based senior cleric, Kamal al-Haydari, about Shiite jurisprudence and jurists, have once again infuriated state-recognized "Ayatollahs" and traditional clergies close to the Iranian government.
• Ukraine's President, Top Court Clash Over Anti-Corruption Ruling RFE/RL 30 Oct 2020 -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and the Constitutional Court have clashed over a ruling to abolish some anti-corruption laws, as hundreds of protesters gathered in the streets of Kyiv over the decision.
• Lukashenka Meets New Belarusian Security Chiefs, Warns Protesters Of 'Harsh' Measures RFE/RL 30 Oct 2020 -- Alyaksandr Lukashenka, Belarus's embattled ruler, has met with his new security chiefs and sent a stark warning to protesters after he tightened his grip on the country by replacing top Interior Ministry officials and partially closing the borders, moves seen aimed at ending weeks of demonstrations over a disputed election that gave him a sixth consecutive term in power.
• 200,000 Tons Of Rice Rotting At Iran's Depots Radio Farda 30 Oct 2020 -- The Deputy Head of the Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration, Mehrdad Jamal Arvanqi, says 200,000 tons of rice stored at Iranian customs and ports is currently rotting for lack of hard currencies.
• This Week in Iran Policy US Dept. of State 30 Oct 2020
• United States Sanctions Entities Related to Iran's Petroleum Industry US Dept. of State 30 Oct 2020 -- "The United States will continue to prevent the Iranian regime from using the Iranian people's natural resources to fund terror and support oppression."
• Anti-French Protests Held In Pakistan, Afghanistan As France Girds Itself After Latest Attack RFE/RL Gandhara 30 Oct 2020 -- A wave of protests has swept across Bangladesh, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and other parts of the Muslim world amid growing anger over France's defense of the right to publish cartoons depicting the Prophet Muhammad.
• EU leaders condemn "terrorist attacks" in France People's Daily 30 Oct 2020 -- The leaders of the European Union (EU) issued a joint statement Thursday condemning "terrorist attacks" in France, after the latest one in Nice left at least three dead and several injured.
• Kyrgyz Opposition Leader Madumarov Announces Plan To Seek Presidency RFE/RL 30 Oct 2020 -- The leader of Kyrgyzstan's opposition Butun (United) Kyrgyzstan party, Adakhan Madumarov, has announced his intention to take part in an early presidential election scheduled for January 10.
• No Euphoria But Lots Of Disappointment In Kyrgyzstan RFE/RL 30 Oct 2020 -- For the third time in a bit more than 15 years, large protests in Kyrgyzstan have forced a president from power.
• Tajik President Sworn In For Fifth Term RFE/RL 30 Oct 2020 -- Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, who holds the dubious distinction of being the only post-Soviet autocrat in power longer than Belarus's Alyaksandr Lukashenka, has been sworn in for his fifth term in office.
• Georgians Keep It Casual At Election Time Despite Bruising Politics And A Tough Neighborhood RFE/RL 30 Oct 2020 -- Georgia is in the final phase of elections that look too close to predict as opposition parties are ganging up to challenge eight years of one-party rule in a region where foreign interference and long-running enmities often boil over.
• Côte d'Ivoire: Conduct election in 'a peaceful manner' – UN chief UN News 30 Oct 2020 -- On Friday, the eve of the presidential election in Côte d'Ivoire, UN Secretary-General António Guterres called for all Ivorians to ensure that the polls are "conducted in a peaceful manner".
• Ivory Coast Voters Choose Country's Next President Saturday VOA 30 Oct 2020 -- Ivory Coast voters will decide Saturday whether President Alassane Ouattara will claim a controversial third term.
• Tanzania Opposition Rejects Early Election Results VOA 30 Oct 2020 -- The political opposition is rejecting early results of Tanzania's presidential and parliamentary election, saying the vote was illegitimate due to widespread fraud. Presidential challenger Tundu Lissu called on the international community not to accept figures emerging from Wednesday's voting.
• US Private Investment Initiatives Pump Billions Into Africa VOA 30 Oct 2020 -- How big is the U.S. commitment to Africa?