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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• Dozens of US troops leave Syria's Hasakah, cross into northern Iraq: Report Press TV 15 Nov 2020 -- The US military has reportedly withdrawn dozens of its troops and armored vehicles from a base in Syria's northeastern province of Hasakah, and moved them to a location in the northern sector of neighboring Iraq.
• US must be expelled from Iraq in line with parliament approval: IRGC chief commander Press TV 15 Nov 2020 -- All the American forces must leave Iraq in line with a decision approved by the Iraqi parliament, says the chief commander of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC).
• Iraqi parliament resolution on US troops' pullout not affected by change in White House: Lawmaker Press TV 15 Nov 2020 -- The change in the US administration cannot impact the implementation of a resolution adopted by Iraq's parliament concerning the withdrawal of US forces from the country, says a senior Iraqi lawmaker, stressing that the decision is irreversible.
• Acting U.S. Defense Chief Signals Accelerated Withdrawal Of U.S. Troops RFE/RL Gandhara 15 Nov 2020 -- Acting U.S. Defense Secretary Christopher Miller has signaled that he could accelerate the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan and the Middle East.
• Acting Pentagon chief tells US troops "time to come home" Global Times 15 Nov 2020 -- Newly appointed US Acting Secretary of Defense Christopher Miller told the military that all wars must end and it is time to come home, according to a memorandum issued by the Pentagon on Saturday.
• It's time to leave Afghanistan: Acting US military chief Press TV 15 Nov 2020 -- Acting US Defense Secretary Chris Miller has issued his first public guidance to all Pentagon staff less a week after his appointment, declaring: "It's time to come home" from Afghanistan.
• Afghan Forces Report Capture Of 'Mastermind' Behind Deadly Attack On Kabul University RFE/RL Gandhara 15 Nov 2020 -- Afghan forces have captured the "mastermind" of a deadly terrorist attack on Kabul University that came amid a rise in violence across the country, a senior official said on November 14.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Risks, threats increase following U.S. leaving INF Treaty: Putin People's Daily 15 Nov 2020 -- The withdrawal of the United States from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty has increased risks and threats, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Saturday.
• China's future fighter trainer could feature AI to boost pilot's combat capability: top designer Global Times 15 Nov 2020 -- China's future fighter trainer could feature artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to help pilot cadet's learning and boost future combat capability, said the chief designer of China's current most advanced trainer jet in a recent media report.
• IRGC Comdr vows to take revenge for Gen Soleimani's blood IRNA 15 Nov 2020 -- Commander of Islamic Revolution Guard Corps Major-General Hossein Salami stressed that Iran will take revenge for Lieutenant General Qasem Soleimani's blood from murderers, saying General Soleimani and Iraqi commander Abu Mahdi Al-Mohandes had the most significant role in ISIS collapse.
• IRGC fires artillery on terrorist positions across Iran's northwest border Press TV 15 Nov 2020 -- Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has launched an artillery attack on positions held by terrorist groups across the country's northwestern border.
• IRGC artillery attacks positions of counter-revolutionary groups IRNA 15 Nov 2020 -- Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) on Saturday announced artillery attack on counter-revolutionary groups' positions beyond the borders.
• Top comdr: Iran-Iraq defense ties to enhance security IRNA 15 Nov 2020 -- Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Hossein Baqeri said that given the US efforts to grow the number of terrorists in the region, defense cooperation between Iran and Iraq will create better security conditions for Iraq.
• Defense ties with Iran to boost Iraq's security as US tries to revive terrorists: Gen. Baqeri Press TV 15 Nov 2020 -- Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Baqeri says defense cooperation between neighboring Iran and Iraq will improve security in the Arab country in the face of US efforts to revive terrorists in the region.

Defense Industry

Other Conflicts

• Iraqi Forces Eliminate 15-Member Terrorist Cell in Nineveh Province, Reports Say Sputnik 15 Nov 2020 -- The Iraqi security forces have neutralised a terrorist cell consisting of 15 militants in the northern province of Nineveh, Iraq's INA news agency reported, citing the National Security Department.
• Iraqi forces deliver crushing blows to Daesh sleeper cells Press TV 15 Nov 2020 -- Iraqi forces have delivered severe blows to remnants of the Daesh terrorist group in the country, with counter-terrorism efforts by the Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) or Hashd al-Sha'abi proving an indispensable asset in the process.
• Hamas slams UAE for 'real support' of Israel's settlement expansion in West Bank Press TV 15 Nov 2020 -- The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas has lambasted the United Arab Emirates (UAE) over its "real support" for Israel's settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank.
• Israel to construct over 1,250 new settler units in East Jerusalem al-Quds Press TV 15 Nov 2020 -- Ignoring the international outcry against its settlement expansion policies, the Israeli regime is planning to build more than 1,250 settler units in the occupied East Jerusalem al-Quds.
• Azerbaijan extends deadline for Armenian pullout from Kalbajar Press TV 15 Nov 2020 -- Azerbaijan has agreed on the extension of a deadline by which Armenians must pull out of the Kalbajar district as part of a Russian-brokered ceasefire that puts an end to six weeks of fierce fighting.
• Armenia begins handover of Azerbaijani lands under Karabakh peace deal Press TV 15 Nov 2020 -- Armenia is expected to begin giving back Azerbaijani lands it held for about 30 years, as part of a Russian-brokered ceasefire that puts an end to six weeks of fierce fighting.
• Azerbaijan Extends Deadline For Armenia To Withdraw From Key District Under Karabakh Truce RFE/RL 15 Nov 2020 -- Azerbaijan has agreed to extend a deadline for Armenia to withdrawal from a district as part of a peace agreement that ended a six-week war over the breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh region.
• Number of refugees fleeing Ethiopia's Tigray region to Sudan surpasses 20,000: UN Press TV 15 Nov 2020 -- The UN refugee agency says the number of people who have fled into neighboring Sudan from the worsening conflict in Ethiopia's northern Tigray region has risen to at least 20,000.
• Ethiopia's Tigray leader confirms bombing Eritrean capital Press TV 15 Nov 2020 -- The embattled leader of Ethiopia's Tigray region has confirmed that his forces launched rocket strikes on an airport in neighboring Eritrea, raising fears of wider war in the Horn of Africa.
• Eritrea's Capital Targeted With Missiles Launched From Ethiopia's Territory, Reports Say Sputnik 15 Nov 2020 -- At least two rockets, suspected to have been launched by the leaders of Ethiopia's Tigray Region, have hit Eritrea's capital, Asmara, The Telegraph reports.
• Rockets Hit Eritrea's Capital, Asmara VOA 15 Nov 2020 -- The leader of Ethiopia's northern Tigray region confirmed Sunday that his forces fired missiles at Eritrea's capital, Asmara, and threatened more attacks, saying "we will take any legitimate military target and we will fire.''
• India, Afghanistan Reject Terror-Related Charges by Pakistan VOA 15 Nov 2020 -- Afghanistan and India Sunday refuted allegations they are the source of terrorist attacks in Pakistan and instead questioned counterterrorism credentials of their South Asian neighbor.
• New Delhi Rebuffs Islamabad's 'Proof' of Indian Support to Militant Groups Sputnik 15 Nov 2020 -- On Saturday, 14 November, Pakistan claimed it would present evidence to the United Nations and other international bodies that India has been involved with militant organisations on its soil. The claim was made by Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi after the armies of both countries engaged in cross-border firing on the eve of Diwali.
• Erdogan Calls for Cyprus Talks Based on 'Two Separate States' Sputnik 15 Nov 2020 -- The island has been divided into two parts since 1974, when Northern Cyprus was occupied by the Turkish troops. The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus was declared in 1983, but it has only been recognised by Ankara since.

News Reports

• For U.S. President-Elect Biden, A Foreign Policy Informed By Many, Many, Many Road Trips RFE/RL 15 Nov 2020 -- Before he was president-elect, before he was vice president, U.S. President-elect Joe Biden spent 36 years in the U.S. Senate, representing the state of Delaware. For many of those years, he served on the chamber's Foreign Relations Committee, including two stints as its chairman.
• Rational voices in China-US ties emerge, paving way for Biden's pragmatic policies Global Times 15 Nov 2020 -- As rational voices have emerged which may signal a change of approach to China-US relations under the incoming administration in Washington, there are signs that the two sides have been engaging more through semi-official channels lately to increase communication after bilateral ties hit the lowest point under US President Donald Trump's four-year tenure.
• Xi's article on promoting law-based governance to be published PLA Daily 15 Nov 2020 -- An article by Chinese President Xi Jinping on advancing law-based governance in all fields will be published Monday.
• Chinese premier urges further cooperation, sustainable development to counter challenges amid COVID-19 Global Times 15 Nov 2020 -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Saturday called for solidarity, the focus on development and expanded cooperation to join hands in countering the challenges amid the ravaging COVID-19.
• Taiwan representative to U.S. speaks with Biden adviser CNA 15 Nov 2020 -- Taiwan's de facto ambassador to the United States Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴) said on Saturday that she has spoken with Antony Blinken, a senior advisor to President-elect Joe Biden.
• Two Chinese aircraft enter Taiwan's ADIZ Sunday CNA 15 Nov 2020 -- A Chinese Y-8 anti-submarine military aircraft and another Y-8 surveillance plane flew into Taiwan's southwestern air defense identification zone (ADIZ) Sunday, according to the Ministry of National Defense (MND).
• MAC slams China's reported plan to identify 'independence advocates' CNA 15 Nov 2020 -- Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) said Sunday that a reported effort by China to draft a list of "stubborn Taiwan independence advocates" was an attempt to "sow division" that has damaged cross-strait peace.
• Chinese mainland to blacklist Taiwan secessionists; 'Tsai Ing-wen could be listed' Global Times 15 Nov 2020 -- Chinese mainland authorities in charge of Taiwan affairs will blacklist a group of "stubborn Taiwan secessionists," the Hong Kong-based newspaper Ta Kung Pao reported on Sunday, citing "authoritative sources."
• Taiwan island's new missile useless against Chinese mainland: experts Global Times 15 Nov 2020 -- The air-launched cruise missiles made in the island of Taiwan that reportedly are able to strike key military facilities along the coast of the Chinese mainland cannot reach their intended targets, Chinese mainland experts said on Sunday, after the military on the island recently test-fired one in a move analysts warned is a dangerous act of resisting reunification by force.
• Rouhani: Next year budget bill aims to cut direct reliance on oil revenues IRNA 15 Nov 2020 -- President Hassan Rouhani said on Saturday that Iran's next year budget bill aims to fully stop the country's direct reliance on oil revenues.
• Parliament speaker: Iranian people only care about US' practical measures, not propaganda Press TV 15 Nov 2020 -- Iran's parliament speaker says practical measures taken by the new US administration with regard to the Islamic Republic, including the removal of unilateral sanctions, are the only thing that matters to the Iranian people, not oral promises and propaganda.
• Anniversary of Protests in Iran US Dept. of State 15 Nov 2020 -- On November 15, 2019 and in the week that followed, brave Iranians took to the streets of more than 200 cities across Iran to protest four decades of mismanagement by a corrupt regime that squandered its people's wealth on terrorism abroad and oppression at home.
• Belarusian Police Use Tear Gas, Stun Grenades, Detain Scores Of Anti-Government Protesters RFE/RL 15 Nov 2020 -- Belarusian police have detained scores of protesters who were demanding the resignation of Alyaksandr Lukashenka and a new presidential election following a disputed vote in August.
• More Than 1,000 Detained In Belarus As Protesters Face Tear Gas, Stun Grenades, Beatings RFE/RL 15 Nov 2020 -- Belarusian police detained more than 1,000 people on November 15 during protests across the country demanding the resignation of strongman Alyaksandr Lukashenka and a new presidential election following a disputed vote in August.
• UN: Widespread Human Rights Violations Continue Unchecked in Belarus VOA 15 Nov 2020 -- The U.N. human rights office says the government of Belarus continues to commit human rights violations with impunity against peaceful protesters three months after the country's disputed presidential elections.
• Biden to 'reassess' close US-Saudi ties under Trump: Report Press TV 15 Nov 2020 -- Projected US President-elect Joe Biden has vowed to "reassess" Washington's ties with the despotic kingdom of Saudi Arabia, a major US news network reported, predicting a "change" in close US-Saudi ties under President Donald Trump.
• UK and EU officials issue complex messaging on post-Brexit trade deal Press TV 15 Nov 2020 -- As post-Brexit trade talks between the UK and the European Union (EU) reach make or break time, a leading British minister says outstanding differences "can be resolved" and a deal "can be done".
• Aung San Suu Kyi, NLD Win Second Landslide Election in Myanmar VOA 15 Nov 2020 -- Myanmar's Aung San Suu Kyi and her ruling National League for Democracy have clinched a second consecutive landslide win in national elections, though analysts still expect slow going for democratic reforms and peace talks in the war-torn country.
• Armenia says it thwarted assassination attempt on PM Pashinyan Press TV 15 Nov 2020 -- Armenia's National Security Service (NSS) says it has foiled an attempt by former officials to assassinate the country's prime minister, Nikol Pashinyan, and to seize power following the recent ceasefire deal with Azerbaijan Republic.
• Court Rules Not to Arrest Ex-Armenian Security Head Accused of Plotting Pashinyan's Murder Sputnik 15 Nov 2020 -- A court in Yerevan ruled not to arrest former Chief of Armenia's National Security Service (NSS) Artur Vanetsyan accused of plotting the assassination of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, a Sputnik correspondent reported on Sunday.
• Ex-Armenian Security Chief Rejects Accusations of Plotting Pashinyan's Murder Sputnik 15 Nov 2020 -- Former Chief of Armenia's National Security Service (NSS) Artur Vanetsyan pleaded not guilty on charges of preparing the assassination of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, the official's attorney, Lusine Sahakyan, said on Sunday.
• Bosnians Voting For Mayors, Local Councils In Delayed Elections RFE/RL 15 Nov 2020 -- Bosnians are voting in local elections on November 15 that were delayed due to the country's budget crisis, amid concerns that a surge in coronavirus infections could keep many voters away.
• Bosnia's Local Elections Overshadowed By COVID-19 RFE/RL 15 Nov 2020 -- Bosnians voted in local elections on November 15 that were delayed due to the country's budget crisis, amid concerns that a surge in coronavirus infections could keep many voters away.
• Pro-Western Sandu Leads Pro-Russia Dodon In Moldova Presidential Vote RFE/RL 15 Nov 2020 -- Maia Sandu, a former World Bank economist who favors closer ties with the European Union, is ahead of pro-Russian incumbent Igor Dodon in the second round of Moldova's presidential election, partial preliminary results show.
• Moldovans Voting In Presidential Runoff Featuring Pro-Western, Pro-Russian Candidates RFE/RL 15 Nov 2020 -- Moldovans are voting in the second round of a crucial presidential election pitting a pro-Western, former World Bank economist against the pro-Russian incumbent.
• Moldova's Sandu Announces Presidential Election Victory Sputnik 15 Nov 2020 -- Leader of the Party of Action and Solidarity and Moldova's former prime minister, Maia Sandu, who is currently ahead in the presidential runoff, says she has achieved common victory with her supporters.
• Moldova Holding the Second Round of Presidential Election VOA 15 Nov 2020 -- Voters in Moldova are going to the polls Sunday for the second round of presidential election to choose between the pro-Moscow incumbent Igor Dodon and pro-European opposition leader Maia Sandu.
• Peru's Merino Resigns Five Days After Taking Office VOA 15 Nov 2020 -- Peru's interim president resigned Sunday, just five days after taking office, sparking celebrations in the capital, Lima.
• Peru's Interim President Manuel Merino Steps Down Less Than a Week Into His Administration Sputnik 15 Nov 2020 -- Last week, Peru plunged into a political crisis after the country's Congress ousted President Martin Vizcarra in an impeachment vote. The politician was accused of bribery, an allegation he categorically denies.
• Peru's protests turn deadly; interim government refuses to resign Press TV 15 Nov 2020 -- The Peruvian capital of Lima has been the scene of deadly violence as thousands of protesters flocked to the streets again to condemn the ouster of former president Martin Vizcarra, with the central government continuing to defend the deposition as "constitutional."
• Huge Asian Trade Pact Signed in Coup for China VOA 15 Nov 2020 -- Fifteen Asian and Pacific countries Sunday signed the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership agreement on the sidelines of the annual Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit.