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News Reports

Current Operations

• Trump's Afghan Peace Envoy Visits Pakistan on Eve of US Election VOA 02 Nov 2020 -- The U.S. envoy for Afghan reconciliation, Zalmay Khalilzad, visited Pakistan Monday and reviewed Afghan peace-building efforts with the country's military leadership.
• Gunmen, Firing, Chaos at Kabul University VOA 02 Nov 2020 -- Several gunmen entered Kabul university Monday morning and opened fire, killing at least 19 people and wounding more than 20 others.
• Kabul attack over; at least 19 killed after gunmen storm university campus Press TV 02 Nov 2020 -- At least 19 people have been killed and about two dozen others wounded when heavily-armed gunmen stormed Kabul University in Afghanistan's capital city in an attack that ended after hours of fighting with security forces.
• Gunfight erupts as militants attack Kabul University campus Press TV 02 Nov 2020 -- Gunfire has erupted between Afghan security forces and armed militants, who staged an attack on Kabul University's campus, leaving several people wounded.
• Islamic State Attack On Kabul University Kills At Least 22 RFE/RL Gandhara 02 Nov 2020 -- The Islamic State (IS) extremist group has claimed responsibility for an attack on Kabul University that killed at least 22 people.

Defense Policy / Programs

• India Hosts Japan, Australia, U.S. in Naval Exercise MALABAR 2020 US Navy 02 Nov 2020 -- Naval ships, aircraft and personnel from Australia, India, Japan, and the United States began exercise Malabar 2020 in the Bay of Bengal, Nov. 3.
• 18 more U.S. soldiers, civilians in S. Korea test positive for COVID-19 People's Daily 02 Nov 2020 -- Thirteen more U.S. soldiers and five other individuals in South Korea tested positive for COVID-19, the U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) has said.
• MAFFS tackle largest wildfires in California history US Air Force 02 Nov 2020 -- The ground shakes and you feel the vibration of four propeller engines approaching.
• Why Army helicopters have Native American names Army News 02 Nov 2020 -- You may have noticed there's a pattern in U.S. Army helicopter names - Apache, Black Hawk, Chinook and others. These crucial aircraft are all named after Native American tribes or figures.
• Department of Defense reaches out to industry to synchronize C-sUAS solutions Army News 02 Nov 2020 -- The sky is getting congested. Rapid increases in the number and type of drones in the air is leading to new challenges when it comes to determining friend or foe, both at home and abroad.
• Pentagon to Move Forward With Palletized Munition Program for C-17 Transport Plane Sputnik 02 Nov 2020 -- The US Air Force has awarded Lockheed Martin a contract to ready its C-17 Globemaster III transport planes for launching cruise missiles using a "palletized munition" deployment method tested on several aircraft earlier this year.
• USS Ross Completes Barents Sea Patrol US Navy 02 Nov 2020 -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Ross (DDG 71) departed the Barents Sea, Nov. 1, following 13 days of operation in the High North.
• China to modernize military, arsenal in next 5 years Global Times 02 Nov 2020 -- China will develop and produce modern, advanced weapons and equipment in the upcoming five years, as the world could witness the debut of China's first long-range, stealth-capable strategic bomber, the country's third and electromagnetic catapults-equipped aircraft carrier, among other new weapons that aim to safeguard the country's sovereignty, territorial integrity and development interests, Chinese military experts and analysts predicted on Monday, after China's recently released 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) and the Communiqué of the fifth plenary session of the 19th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) set the tone for the development of the country's national defense and armed forces.
• Private arms firms equip PLA with intelligent equipment for better border defense Global Times 02 Nov 2020 -- Private Chinese arms firms are providing the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Tibet Military Command with unmanned, intelligent and advanced weapons and equipment including drones, anti-drone guns and warm clothing made of graphene, giving the troops an edge in their defense of the border.
• Mission Sagar - II India PIB 02 Nov 2020 -- As part of 'Mission Sagar-II', Indian Naval Ship Airavat entered Port Sudan on 02 November 2020. The Government of India is providing assistance to Friendly Foreign Countries to overcome natural calamities and COVID-19 pandemic, and towards the same INS Airavat is carrying a consignment of 100 Tonnes of food aid for the people of Sudan.
• MALABAR-20 India PIB 02 Nov 2020 -- The 24th edition of the MALABAR naval exercise is scheduled in two phases in November 2020. Phase 1 of the Exercise MALABAR 20 involving participation by Indian Navy (IN), United States Navy (USN), Japan Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF), and Royal Australian Navy (RAN) is set to commence off Visakhapatnam in Bay of Bengal from 03 to 06 November 2020.
• Iran Army Air Force maneuver begins in central Iran IRNA 02 Nov 2020 -- Iranian Army's Air Force began the main phase of ninth maneuver of Modafe'an-e Aseman-e Velayat (Defenders of Skies under Guardianship of Supreme Jurisprudence) at an operational area in Isfahan, central Iran, on Monday.
• Iran Air Force drills head into main phase Press TV 02 Nov 2020 -- The Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF) takes its underway large-scale maneuvers into their main phase by using indigenous and indigenously-overhauled fighter planes to successfully destroy mock hostile targets.
• Iran Equips RF-4 Reconnaissance Jets With Advanced Domestically Produced Cameras Sputnik 02 Nov 2020 -- Despite establishing domestic production of many military vehicle types, including jets, in light of a UN ban on weapons sales, Iran still uses RF-4s obtained from the US in the 1960-70s, during the time of the Imperial State of Iran.
• Iran Begins Air Drills in Central Isfahan Province Sputnik 02 Nov 2020 -- The Iranian air force will conduct the final phase of the Devotees of the Velayat Sanctuary 9 drills in Isfahan, a province in the country's centre, the Mehr news agency reported on Monday, citing Iran Air Force Commander Aziz Nasirzadeh.
• Trump okays sale of F-22 Raptor fighter jets to Israel as UAE plans to buy F-35: Report Press TV 02 Nov 2020 -- US President Donald Trump has okayed the idea of selling the F-22 Raptor stealth aircraft to Israel to maintain Tel Aviv's alleged "military edge" in the Middle East as Washington plans to sell F-35s to the United Arab Emirates.
• 'China threat' Japan's excuse to deploy large warship Global Times 02 Nov 2020 -- The so-called missile threats from China and North Korea are only excuses Japan uses in its plan to break its peace constitution, Chinese experts said on Monday, after Japanese reports said the country is planning to develop a large Aegis-equipped warship as an alternative to the scrapped US-made Aegis Ashore missile defense system.
• Taiwan decommissions WWII Navy tugboat after 76 years in service CNA 02 Nov 2020 -- A Navy ocean tug named Da Han (???), which had been in service in the United States and Taiwan for a total of 76 years, was decommissioned Sunday at a naval base in Kaohsiung.
• UK and France able to deploy a 10,000 strong joint military force in response to shared threats UK MOD 02 Nov 2020 -- This major milestone comes as the two countries commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Lancaster House defence and security, and nuclear treaties.
• Assistant Secretary for Political-Military Affairs R. Clarke Cooper On His Recent Travel to Greece, the Republic of Cyprus, and Bulgaria US Dept. of State 02 Nov 2020
• Caribbean - U.S. Security Dialogue Reinforces Regional Collaboration in Maritime Domain, Firearms Tracing, and Cybersecurity US Dept. of State 02 Nov 2020 -- On October 28, U.S. and Caribbean officials gathered virtually for the Ninth Caribbean - U.S.-Security Cooperation Dialogue.
• Remarks by President Trump After Air Force One Arrival | Milwaukee, WI The White House 02 Nov 2020

Defense Industry

• Contracts For Nov. 2, 2020

Other Conflicts

• 2 November 2020 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 02 Nov 2020
• Member States urged to step up funding for UN peacebuilding initiatives UN News 02 Nov 2020 -- As the COVID-19 pandemic continues its relentless global assault, the UN Secretary-General has urged countries not to let up on their support for peace efforts in conflict-affected countries.
• Protect children and relief workers caught up in conflict, urges UN rights envoy UN News 02 Nov 2020 -- Indiscriminate attacks on education and health facilities during armed conflict is having a "dramatic impact" on children and humanitarian personnel, the UN envoy for Children and Armed Conflict said on Monday.
• Turkish troops completely pull out of major military base in northwestern Syria Press TV 02 Nov 2020 -- Turkish troops have completely withdrawn from a military base in northwest Syria, which was surrounded by Syrian government forces last year, but are apparently beefing up their presence elsewhere in the region.
• UN rights chief warns of possible war crimes in Nagorno-Karabakh conflict UN News 02 Nov 2020 -- The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has warned of possible war crimes in the ongoing fighting between Armenia and Azerbaijan in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone.
• UN rights chief warns of possible 'war crimes' in Karabakh conflict, raps indiscriminate attacks on civilian areas Press TV 02 Nov 2020 -- The UN human rights chief has condemned ongoing indiscriminate attacks on civilian areas in and around the disputed South Caucasus region of Nagorno-Karabakh, warning that they may amount to war crimes.
• UN Rights Chief Warns Of Possible War Crimes In Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict RFE/RL 02 Nov 2020 -- UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet has decried "indiscriminate" attacks on civilian areas during ongoing fighting over the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh, warning Armenia and Azerbaijan that such attacks could amount to "war crimes" under international law.
• Nagorno-Karabakh Says Military Death Toll Rises Despite Cease-Fire RFE/RL 02 Nov 2020 -- Military authorities in the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh say 11 more soldiers have died in fighting with Azerbaijani forces despite a U.S.-brokered cease-fire.

News Reports

• Text of a Letter to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President of the Senate The White House 02 Nov 2020
• Text of a Notice on the Continuation of the National Emergency with Respect to Sudan The White House 02 Nov 2020
• U.S.-Sudan Signing Ceremony on Bilateral Claims Agreement US Dept. of State 02 Nov 2020 -- Last week, the United States and Sudan signed a bilateral agreement to resolve claims arising from the 1998 East Africa embassy bombings in Tanzania and Kenya.
• Sudan Making Progress US Dept. of State 02 Nov 2020 -- Today, the White House issued a notice for the continuation of the national emergency with respect to Sudan declared in Executive Order 13067 of 1997.
• Putin: Russia Prioritising Increasing Space Satellite Group and Building Advanced Satellites Sputnik 02 Nov 2020 -- A meeting on the development of the space industry is taking place in Moscow on 2 November, with one of the key areas under discussion being the country's space missions, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.
• Whistle-Blower Snowden Applies For Russian Citizenship RFE/RL 02 Nov 2020 -- Whistle-blower Edward Snowden announced on November 2 that he is applying for Russian citizenship but will keep his U.S. nationality.
• US Whistleblower Edward Snowden Wants to Apply for Russian Citizenship Sputnik 02 Nov 2020 -- US whistleblower Edward Snowden, who used to work for the National Security Agency (NSA) and fled to Russia after leaking information on surveillance programmes, said he would like to apply for dual US-Russian citizenship.
• Snowden to Apply for Citizenship in Russia VOA 02 Nov 2020 -- Former U.S. National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden said on Twitter Monday that he and his wife are applying for Russian citizenship, in addition to their American citizenship.
• President Trump on China: Putting America First The White House 02 Nov 2020
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin's Regular Press Conference on November 2, 2020 PRC MofA 02 Nov 2020
• Balkans Become Unlikely Bridgehead In Europe For U.S.'s Anti-China Push RFE/RL 02 Nov 2020 -- Romania's announcement that the country would ban Chinese tech giant Huawei from its networks was the latest move to roll back China's dominance in cutting-edge 5G telecommunication in Central and Southeastern Europe.
• Xi stresses advancing deep integration of reform, development PLA Daily 02 Nov 2020 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday stressed efforts to fully implement the spirit of the fifth plenary session of the 19th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), and promote the deep integration and efficient interaction of reform and development.
• Two senior officials under investigation after 5th plenary session of 19th CPC Central Committee Global Times 02 Nov 2020 -- Two senior Chinese officials are being investigated for violation of discipline and law, including Party secretary of Sanya in Hainan Province Tong Daochi, who used to work for Rand Corporation in the US, a rare experience for Chinese officials.
• US Secretary of State Condemns Arrests of Hong Kong Pro-Democracy Activists VOA 02 Nov 2020 -- U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has condemned the arrests by Hong Kong authorities of a group of pro-democracy activists, calling the action "a clear abuse of law enforcement for political purposes."
• Arrest of Eight Pan-Democratic Politicians in Hong Kong US Dept. of State 02 Nov 2020 -- The United States strongly condemns the arrests of eight pan-democratic politicians in Hong Kong, including five sitting members of the Legislative Council.
• HK LegCo is no independent kingdom: executive councilor Ronny Tong Global Times 02 Nov 2020 -- Ronny Tong Ka-wah, an executive councilor in Hong Kong, rejected claims that lawmakers cannot be prosecuted, and stressed that the LegCo is not an independent kingdom, following the arrest of several current and former Hong Kong lawmakers for violating the Legislative Council (LegCo) Ordinance.
• Hong Kong Police Arrest Eight Pro-Democracy Lawmakers Over Scuffle Radio Free Asia 02 Nov 2020 -- Police in Hong Kong have arrested eight pro-democracy politicians on charges linked to physical attempts to reinstate the chairperson of a powerful committee that sets the order of business in the city's Legislative Council (LegCo) on May 8.
• Six Camp Detainees From a Street in Xinjiang's Uchturpan Have Died or Are Seriously Ill Radio Free Asia 02 Nov 2020 -- At least three people have died and three are seriously ill from among 17 people taken to internment camps from a single street in northwest China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR), according to police officers in the region's Aksu (in Chinese, Akesu) prefecture.
• Woman falls for foreign spy, sentenced to prison with her accomplice husband Global Times 02 Nov 2020 -- China has unveiled a number of espionage cases to raise people's awareness amid the sixth anniversary of the enactment of China's counter-espionage law. One of these is related to the family of a civil servant that was upturned by a lover who turned out to be a spy.
• Man turns to espionage after failed attempt to found his own 'nation' Global Times 02 Nov 2020 -- On the sixth anniversary of the implementation of China's counter-espionage law, China's national security departments have revealed the ridiculous case of a man who was recruited to spy for foreign intelligence agencies after his nonsensical attempt to found his own "party" and "nation," thepaper.cn reported Sunday.
• PLA warplanes make 8 incursions into Taiwan's ADIZ Monday CNA 02 Nov 2020 -- Aircraft from the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) entered Taiwan's southwest air defense identification zone (ADIZ) Monday on eight separate occasions, the 32nd day such incursions have occurred since mid-September, according to the Ministry of National Defense (MND).
• China could use U.S. election uncertainty to target Taiwan: FM CNA 02 Nov 2020 -- China could take advantage of uncertainties caused by the U.S. presidential election to increase military pressure on Taiwan, Foreign Minister Joseph Wu (???) warned on Monday.
• Vegetable Shortages in North Korea Cancel Traditional Kimchi-Making Season Radio Free Asia 02 Nov 2020 -- North Koreans are scrambling for discarded cabbages and radishes this traditional kimchi making season after a series of typhoons pounded the country and created shortages of the key vegetables, sources in the country told RFA.
• Iranian lawmakers give green light to urgent motion to thwart sanctions Press TV 02 Nov 2020 -- The majority of Iranian lawmakers have given green light to an urgent strategic motion, which aims to counteract unilateral sanctions imposed on the Islamic Republic by Western countries, topped by the United States.
• Iran unconcerned who will become next US president, looks at policy Press TV 02 Nov 2020 -- The Foreign Ministry says Iran is unconcerned about who will become the United States' next president and only looks towards the US administration's political choices.
• Prolific Cleric Appointed As Member Of Guardian Council Radio Farda 02 Nov 2020 -- Following the resignation of Mohammad Yazdi from the powerful Guardian Council, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei replaced him with another member of the clergy, Ahmad Khatami, on Sunday.
• Former Leader Of Separatist Group 'Arrested,' Transferred To Iran RFE/RL 02 Nov 2020 -- The former leader of the separatist group the Arab Struggle Movement for the Liberation of Ahwaz (ASMLA) has been arrested and transferred to Iran under unclear circumstances.
• Belarus protesters defy police warnings, rally in Minsk again Press TV 02 Nov 2020 -- Belarus police have dispersed protesters who took to the streets in the capital Minsk on Sunday in continuation of opposition rallies that have been plaguing the country since President Alexander Lukashenko won a sixth term in office.
• Belarusian Pensioners Take To Minsk Streets After Hundreds Of Protesters Detained RFE/RL 02 Nov 2020 -- More than 1,000 demonstrators took part in a march in the Belarusian capital on November 2 to demand the resignation of Alyaksandr Lukashenka, a day after hundreds of people were detained by police during a similar protest against a disputed presidential election.
• OSCE Report To Show 'Massive' Human Rights Violations In Belarus RFE/RL 02 Nov 2020 -- The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe says there is "overwhelming evidence" that Belarus's August 9 presidential election results were falsified and that "systematic" human rights violations have been committed by the country's security forces in response to the peaceful demonstrations the vote sparked.
• At Least One Killed, 15 Injured in Vienna Terror Attack VOA 02 Nov 2020 -- Gunmen have opened fire at six locations in Austria's capital, Vienna, killing at least one person and injuring 15 others in what Chancellor Sebastian Kurz described as a "repulsive terrorist attack."
• Russian Cybercriminal Sentenced to Prison for Role in $100 Million Botnet Conspiracy US Dept. of Justice 02 Nov 2020 -- A Russian national was sentenced Oct. 30 to eight years in prison for his role in operating a sophisticated scheme to steal and traffic sensitive personal and financial information in the online criminal underground that resulted in an estimated loss of over $100 million.
• Six Detentions Made Over 'Attempted Terrorist Act' In Tatarstan RFE/RL 02 Nov 2020 -- Russian authorities say they have detained six people over what officials described as an attempted terrorist attack against a police station in the Republic of Tatarstan last week.
• Kazakhstan Convicts Opposition Activist On Extremism Charges RFE/RL 02 Nov 2020 -- A court in Kazakhstan's northern city of Petropavl has found an opposition activist guilty of participating in the activities of "an extremist group" and sentenced him to one year of freedom limitation -- a sentence with parole-like restrictions.
• Secular Pashtun Party Protests Minister's Comments On Taliban Killings RFE/RL Gandhara 02 Nov 2020 -- A secular political party with a sizeable following among Pakistan's Pashtun minority has announced a protest to force the country's interior minister to resign after he said the party's leaders were killed as a response by the hard-line Taliban.
• U.S. Warns Of 'Growing Concern' Over Ukraine Court Ruling On Anti-Corruption Laws RFE/RL 02 Nov 2020 -- The U.S. Embassy in Kyiv says the European Union, the United States, and several other nations are following with "growing concern" the developments surrounding the Ukrainian Constitutional Court's recent ruling to abolish some anti-corruption laws.
• Moldova Presidential Election Heads for a Second Round VOA 02 Nov 2020 -- Moldova's Central Election Commission (CEC) announced early Monday that the opposition leader won more votes than the incumbent president in the presidential election, but not enough to avoid a run-off.
• Moldova vote heads for runoff as opposition candidate holds small lead over president Press TV 02 Nov 2020 -- Moldova's presidential election will head to a tight second round as opposition candidate Maia Sandu has secured a narrow lead over incumbent president Igor Dodon.
• Pro-EU Candidate Heads Into Second Round Of Moldova's Election Against Dodon RFE/RL 02 Nov 2020 -- Moldova's pro-Western presidential candidate Maia Sandu has won a surprise victory in the first round of a presidential election that now heads to a runoff against pro-Russian incumbent, Igor Dodon.
• Cambodia's PM Hun Sen Allocates Portion of Key Lake to Daughter of Land Minister Radio Free Asia 02 Nov 2020 -- Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen has allocated more than 10 hectares (25 acres) of state land to the daughter of the country's land minister from a key lake in the capital Phnom Penh that is under threat from overdevelopment.
• Georgian Opposition Party Calls Elections 'Unfair,' Refuses Second-Round Participation RFE/RL 02 Nov 2020 -- One of Georgia's opposition parties, European Georgia, has called weekend parliamentary elections unfair and says it will boycott runoff balloting to protest official results that handed the ruling Georgian Dream party its third consecutive electoral victory.
• New Kyrgyz Leadership Gets A Cold Reception From The Kremlin RFE/RL 02 Nov 2020 -- The Kremlin could not be much clearer on its position about the big change in power in Kyrgyzstan in early October and that must worry the new leadership of the Central Asian country.
• Tanzania Opposition Leader Briefly Detained VOA 02 Nov 2020 -- Tanzanian opposition presidential candidate Tundu Lissu was briefly detained Monday after police stopped opposition parties from holding protests, according to the main opposition Chadema Party.
• Tanzania Opposition Vows More Election Protests, Despite Police Crackdown VOA 02 Nov 2020 -- One week after Tanzania's general election in which President John Magufuli was declared the winner, the opposition is still demanding a rerun of the poll, which they said was full of irregularities.
• Tanzanian Police Arrest Opposition Leaders Ahead of Protests, Reports Say Sputnik 02 Nov 2020 -- Police in Tanzania's Dar es Salaam have arrested key opposition figures ahead of planned protests against the results of a disputed general election, The Citizen news outlet reported on Monday.
• Widespread Irregularities Observed during the Tanzanian Elections US Dept. of State 02 Nov 2020 -- The United States commends the Tanzanian people for attempting to exercise their right to vote in the October 28 general elections.
• Thailand's King Hints at Compromise with Protesters VOA 02 Nov 2020 -- Thailand's king said his country is "the land of compromise" during a rare public interview about the months-long protests demanding greater political and societal reforms, including of the monarchy itself.
• Uganda's President Museveni Nominated for Another Term VOA 02 Nov 2020 -- Uganda on Monday began a two-day nomination process for candidates who will compete in February's presidential elections. President Yoweri Museveni, who has ruled the country for 34 years, was the first to be nominated and warned that any opponents who destabilize the country will be dealt with. Opposition candidates, including musician turned politician Bobi Wine, say their homes and offices are under surveillance.