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Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• Elite Australian Force Members Face Dismissal Over Alleged War Crimes in Afghanistan Sputnik 26 Nov 2020 -- A report by New South Wales Supreme Court Judge and Army Reserve Major General Paul Brereton, released last week, found "credible information" about at least 25 Australian soldiers involved in the alleged killing of civilians and prisoners in Afghanistan.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Readout of Acting Secretary of Defense Christopher C. Miller's Meeting With Qatari Minister of State for Defense Affairs Dr. Khalid bin Mohammad Al Attiyah DoD 26 Nov 2020
• USS John Warner Returns Home for Thanksgiving US Navy 26 Nov 2020 -- The Virginia-class attack submarine USS John Warner (SSN 785) returned to its homeport at Naval Station Norfolk from deployment, Nov. 25, just in time for Thanksgiving.
• Russian Military Successfully Tests New Anti-Ballistic Missile Sputnik 26 Nov 2020 -- The Russian military has successfully tested a new anti-ballistic missile. It was launched from the Sary-Shagan testing range in Kazakhstan and hit the simulated target, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement.
• Chinese military urged to modernize theories, organization, weapons to reach PLA's 2027 centennial goal Global Times 26 Nov 2020 -- The Chinese military was urged to modernize military theories, organizations, personnel and weapons and equipment in order to reach its centennial goal by 2027 recently set by the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, the Chinese Ministry of National Defense said on Thursday.
• China's guidelines on joint operations aim for future warfare: Defense Spokesperson PLA Daily 26 Nov 2020 -- The guidelines on joint operations(trial) hold a leading, inclusive, and fundamental status as the top-level code of conduct in the combat doctrine system of the new era, and have been an integral part of the reform of military policies and systems, said Senior Colonel Ren Guoqiang, a spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense, at a regular press conference on Thursday.
• Creating "enemies" and hyping up "threats" are some US people's old tricks: Defense Spokesperson PLA Daily 26 Nov 2020 -- China firmly opposed the Cold War mentality and the zero-sum game of the US side, and urged the US to make more efforts to the world peace and development, said Senior Colonel Ren Guoqiang, a spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense, at a regular press conference on Thursday.
• NIDS' s China Security Report 2021 totally untenable: Defense Spokesperson PLA Daily 26 Nov 2020 -- Senior Colonel Ren Guoqiang, a spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense (MND), criticized a Japanese report for making groundless comments on China's national defense and military modernization at a regular MND press conference on November 26 when asked to comment on the so-called China Security Report 2021 released by Japan's National Institute for Defense Studies (NIDS) in mid-November.
• INDIAN NAVY COMPLETES REFIT OF MALDIVIAN SHIP CGS HURAVEE India PIB 26 Nov 2020 -- Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam completed the refit of Maldivian Coast Guard Ship MNDF CGS Huravee.
• Indian Army to Get Hi-Tech Drones From America, Israel to Improve Surveillance Along China Border Sputnik 26 Nov 2020 -- Since April 2020, India and China have been in a border stand-off after troops from both nations accused each other of trespassing across the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Following a violent clash in mid-June in the Galvan Valley, India-China relations soured. Despite diplomatic, commander, and political-level talks, the border tensions persist.
• Turkey says does not expect US sanctions over S-400 missile systems under Biden Press TV 26 Nov 2020 -- A high-ranking official from Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) says Ankara does not anticipate Washington's sanctions over its purchase of Russian-made S-400 defense missile systems after US president-elect Joe Biden takes office.
• Turkey's Governing Party Believes Next US Administration Won't Impose Sanctions Over S-400s Purchase Sputnik 26 Nov 2020 -- The current US administration, as well as the Congress, has repeatedly threatened to impose sanctions on Turkey over its procurement of S-400 air defence systems from Russia – first vowing to do so upon delivery, then upon actual deployment. Ankara has repeatedly refused to comply with the US demands.
• World-class autonomous minehunters to protect Royal Navy UK MOD 26 Nov 2020 -- The UK and France reaffirmed their long-standing defence relationship today by committing to a joint programme for Autonomous Minehunting Systems that will detect and neutralise mines around the world.

Defense Industry

Other Conflicts

• Iraq Warns Daesh Activities Have Intensified, Urges International Cooperation to Stop Terrorists Sputnik 26 Nov 2020 -- The Daesh* terrorist organisation has scaled up activities in Iraq in the past few months, Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein said in an interview with Sputnik.
• Government Inaction Fans Dangerous Tribal Disputes In Waziristan RFE/RL Gandhara 26 Nov 2020 -- Residents of a remote region in western Pakistan say Islamabad's failure to enforce a cease-fire between two clans threatens their security and encourages further violent clashes over conflicting land ownership claims.
• Azerbaijan lawmakers urge French removal from Karabakh mediation Press TV 26 Nov 2020 -- Azerbaijan's lawmakers have called for France to be stripped of its mediation role in the Nagorno-Karabakh dispute to punish Paris for adopting a resolution backing the secession of the region.
• Azerbaijan's Parliament Calls For French Removal From Nagorno-Karabakh Mediation RFE/RL 26 Nov 2020 -- Azerbaijani lawmakers on November 26 called for France to be expelled from the Minsk Group mediating in the Nagorno-Karabakh dispute after the French Senate backed the breakaway region's independence claim.
• Israel vows to 'legalize' dozens of settler outposts in West Bank before Trump leaves White House Press TV 26 Nov 2020 -- Israel has vowed to "legalize" dozens of settler outposts in the occupied West Bank before outgoing US President Donald Trump leaves the White House in January.
• Israeli Occupation Cost Gaza Strip $16.7Bln in 11 Years Sputnik 26 Nov 2020 -- The Israeli occupation of the Gaza Strip cost the Palestinian territory an estimated $16.7 in just over a decade, a new report by the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) said.
• UN says Israeli siege cost Gaza Strip $16.7 billion Press TV 26 Nov 2020 -- The United Nations (UN) says the Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip has cost the densely-populated Palestinian enclave an estimated $16.7 billion in economic losses and sent poverty and unemployment skyrocketing.
• Palestinians Ready to Renew Direct Negotiations With Israel, Foreign Minister Says Sputnik 26 Nov 2020 -- Palestinians are ready to renew direct negotiations with Israel if they are based on the respect to the UN resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of the Palestinian National Authority (PA) Riad Malki said during the MED 2020 virtual conference.
• Russia denounces Pompeo's visit to occupied Golan as 'provocation' Press TV 26 Nov 2020 -- Russia has censured as "a provocation" a contentious visit by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to the Israeli-occupied side of Syria's Golan Heights, saying the Arab country's sovereignty and territorial integrity should be respected.
• India expected to take positive actions and sincere attitude to maintain peace and stability in border areas with China PLA Daily 26 Nov 2020 -- "Since the 8th round of China-India Corps Commander Level Meeting, the situation in the China-India border areas has remained stable on the whole. China expects the Indian side to maintain border peace and stability with sincere attitude and positive actions," said Senior Colonel Ren Guoqiang, spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense, when introducing the current China-India border situation at a regular press conference on Thursday.
• Ethiopia to begin final phase of offensive against major rebel-held city Press TV 26 Nov 2020 -- Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed says the military will begin the final phase of its full-scale offensive in the northern Tigray region, where rebel forces have missed Addis Ababa's deadline to surrender.
• Ethiopian Army Launches 'Final Phase' of Operation in Tigray, Pushing Towards City of Mekelle Sputnik 26 Nov 2020 -- The Ethiopian military is launching an assault on Mekelle, the capital of the restive northern region of Tigray, after the local ruling party that opposes central authorities rejected ultimatum they surrender within 72 hours, according to a Thursday communique by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali posted on Twitter.
• Ethiopia PM Orders 'Final Phase' of Offensive Against Forces in Tigray Region VOA 26 Nov 2020 -- Ethiopia's military has been ordered to complete the "final phase" of a military offensive in the Tigray capital of Mekele, after local forces did not surrender within a 72-hour-deadline imposed by the prime minister.
• Greece Rejects Turkey's Renewed Call for Talks VOA 26 Nov 2020 -- Greece has rejected new calls by Turkey to start exploratory talks to settle their maritime differences, feeding into a long-running and dangerous energy standoff in the eastern Mediterranean. The snub comes as Greece tries to increase pressure on its European allies to impose sanctions on Turkey during a summit next week. Beyond Europe, Greece is also shoring up international support, including in the Middle East, to press Turkey to back down from what it believes are irrational and unsubstantiated claims in the region.

News Reports

• European Certification Firm Exits Nord Stream 2 Over US Sanction Fears, Representative Says Sputnik 26 Nov 2020 -- Norwegian-German certification firm DNV GL will no longer provide services to the Nord Stream 2 pipeline project following the US State Department's recent publication of new guidelines covering the Protecting Europe's Energy Security Act of 2019 (PEESA), a representative from the company said in a statement.
• Swedish Opposition Demands Answers About Alleged US Espionage Against Country Sputnik 26 Nov 2020 -- According to a whistleblower report, the US intelligence service NSA, with the help of its Danish counterpart, spied on targets in several countries, including Norway, Finland, and Sweden.
• CIA Officer Killed in Somalia Last Weekend - Reports Sputnik 26 Nov 2020 -- A Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) officer has died from an injury sustained during a mission in Somalia last weekend, The New York Times reported, citing a former senior US administration official familiar with the matter.
• Dem leaders condemn Trump's pardon of Flynn as 'abuse of power' Press TV 26 Nov 2020 -- Democratic leaders have laid into President Donald Trump for pardoning his former national security adviser Michael Flynn, condemning his decision to do so as a "brazen" abuse of power.
• Trump announces pardon for Flynn, former security adviser who lied to FBI Global Times 26 Nov 2020 -- US President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced he has pardoned Michael Flynn, his former national security adviser who pleaded guilty to lying to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian's Regular Press Conference on November 26, 2020 PRC MofA 26 Nov 2020
• Will Biden reset China-US ties? Global Times 26 Nov 2020 -- After China officially acknowledged Joe Biden's win, the world's attention has turned to the interactions between China and the Biden administration, and where the interactions will lead China-US ties to. Are China and the US falling into the "Thucydides's Trap" during Biden's term, with the worst scenario of outbreak of war, or will the two countries reset their relations?
• Lam stresses youth's role in integration with national development Global Times 26 Nov 2020 -- In her 2020 annual policy address, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Carrie Lam stressed the need to restore Hong Kong's constitutional order and political system from yearlong social turmoil, putting a special focus on the city's further integration into China's development plans, and creating more conditions for the young generation to achieve this goal.
• Chinese mainland remains backbone for HK exports amid COVID-19 Global Times 26 Nov 2020 -- The growth of Hong Kong's exports to the Chinese mainland has played an important role in boosting its foreign trade situation amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Hong Kong embraces greater development opportunities with new policy address unveiled People's Daily 26 Nov 2020 -- As a series of support measures were unveiled in the new policy address on Wednesday, Hong Kong, still reeling from social unrest and the COVID-19 epidemic, is expected to gain momentum to revive its ailing economy, integrate into steady development of the country, and realize greater achievements in the future.
• Taiwan Using its Close US Ties to Seek Elusive Economic Deals with a Major Trading Partner VOA 26 Nov 2020 -- Taiwan is taking its strong relations with the United States to a new level by pursuing economic deals that could make the export-reliant but isolated Asian island more competitive in the world.
• Why Taiwan Killed a TV News Broadcasting License Despite Legal Freedom of Speech VOA 26 Nov 2020 -- Taiwan has revoked a television broadcasting license for a cable news channel because the openly pro-China outlet had aired inaccurate reports and ignored warnings to reform, a regulatory body said in an unusual test of the democratic island's normally free-wheeling media scene.
• Baha'is Barred From Higher Education In Iran Radio Farda 26 Nov 2020 -- "Deficient filing" is a familiar term to Baha'i youth in Iran who want to enter university and carry on their education like any other citizen enjoying one of their most fundamental rights.
• Video: Iran swaps Israel's spy for three nationals jailed abroad Press TV 26 Nov 2020 -- Iran has released an Australian-British citizen, who was serving a prison sentence for spying for Israel, to secure the release of three Iranians jailed abroad on false charges.
• British-Australian Academic Accused of Spying by Iran Freed in Reported Prisoner Swap Deal VOA 26 Nov 2020 -- A British-Australian academic has been released from prison in Iran after more than two years. Kylie-Moore Gilbert was convicted on espionage charges, which she has always denied.
• Iran emerging victorious from 3-year economic war: President Rouhani Press TV 26 Nov 2020 -- Iran's President Hassan Rouhani says during the past three years, the country has been engaged in a full-fledged economic war with its enemies, from which it has emerged victorious while those who waged that war will soon be thrown into history's dustbin.
• Iran Extracts 400,000 Barrels Per Day From Joint Azadegan Oilfield, Report Says Sputnik 26 Nov 2020 -- Minister of Petroleum Bijan Zangeneh said that Iran extracts 400,000 barrels of oil per day (bpd) from the Azadegan joint oilfield, media reported on Thursday.
• Iran extracts 400,000 bpd from Azadegan oilfield: Zangeneh IRNA 26 Nov 2020 -- Minister of Petroleum Bijan Zangeneh announced on Thursday that Iran extracts 400,000 barrels of oil per day from southwestern joint Azadegan oilfield.
• Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's statement and answers to media questions at a joint news conference with Foreign Minister of Belarus Vladimir Makei following the joint session of the collegiums of the Russian and Belarusian Foreign Ministries, November 26, 2020 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 26 Nov 2020
• Russia slams West for 'interfering' in Belarus internal affairs Press TV 26 Nov 2020 -- Russia has lambasted the Western countries for "interfering" in neighboring Belarus' domestic affairs, as anti-government rallies continue to plague the ex-Soviet country since President Alexander Lukashenko won a sixth term in office.
• Russia Accuses West Of 'Meddling' In Belarus RFE/RL 26 Nov 2020 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has accused the West of interfering in Belarus as he met Alyaksandr Lukashenka, who has faced months of protests over his disputed reelection.
• Australia to Cancel Citizenship of Convicted Algerian-Born Terrorist VOA 26 Nov 2020 -- A convicted terrorist has had his Australian citizenship canceled by authorities in Canberra. Algerian-born Abdul Nacer Benbrika was jailed for 12 years in 2008 for his role in a plot to attack targets in the states of Victoria and New South Wales.
• Terror Threats Across Africa 'Not Degraded' VOA 26 Nov 2020 -- U.S. efforts to stem the threat from terror groups across Africa are struggling as military commanders grapple with the prospect of troop reductions and shifting priorities, according to a new government report on counterterrorism operations.
• Tanzania Teams Up with Mozambique to Contain Terrorists VOA 26 Nov 2020 -- Tanzania's government says is teaming up with Mozambique to launch a joint operation against violent attacks by Islamist militants along their shared border. But some opposition parties and rights groups are raising concerns about how the Tanzanian government plans to tackle the threat.
• Leader of Aum Shinrikyo Cult's Russian Branch Jailed for 15 Years on Terrorism Charges Sputnik 26 Nov 2020 -- A military court in the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don has sentenced Mikhail Ustyantsev, the founder of the Russian cell of the Aum Shinrikyo cult* to 15 years in prison, the court's spokesman told reporters.
• Former French President Sarkozy Faces Corruption Charges VOA 26 Nov 2020 -- Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy went on trial Thursday to face corruption charges. Sarkozy is accused of trying to bribe a judge to obtain information about an investigation into his 2007 presidential campaign. The former head of state insists he is innocent.
• Minority Killings in Pakistan Concern Rights Groups VOA 26 Nov 2020 -- Three international human rights groups have joined hands to express concern over a surge in the targeted killings of members of the Ahmadiyya minority community in Pakistan and urged the government to take immediate action.
• Turkish court gives life sentences to 337 in mass coup attempt trial Press TV 26 Nov 2020 -- A Turkish court has jailed 337 former pilots and other suspects for life on charges of involvement in the botched July 2016 coup attempt against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
• Changes to the UK's aid budget in the Spending Review UK FCDO 26 Nov 2020 -- UK aid will be overhauled to achieve greater impact.
• Thousands protest in Thai capital, urging king to relinquish control of funds Press TV 26 Nov 2020 -- Thousands of anti-government protesters have gathered in the Thai capital of Bangkok, calling on the country's monarch to relinquish control of royal funds worth tens of billions of dollars, despite an escalated crackdown on protests.
• Confusion in Packed Court as Cambodia Opens Mass Trial of Opposition Radio Free Asia 26 Nov 2020 -- A court in Cambodia's capital began hearings Thursday for more than 30 opposition activists charged with treason – a mass trial a U.N. rights expert decried as an attempt to intimidate opponents of Prime Minister Hun Sen's 35-year-rule.
• Hungary, Poland Pledge Mutual Support For EU Budget Veto RFE/RL 26 Nov 2020 -- The Hungarian and Polish prime ministers have signed a joint declaration pledging to support each other in blocking the European Union's next budget and its massive pandemic relief fund because of a proposed mechanism that ties it to compliance with the rule of law.
• US Evaluating $2 Billion Investment in Indonesian Sovereign Wealth Fund VOA 26 Nov 2020 -- The United States International Development Finance Corporation is considering investing up to $2 billion into Indonesia's planned sovereign wealth fund.
• Nigeria's Traditional Textiles Threatened by Chinese Imports VOA 26 Nov 2020 -- Nigeria has been producing traditional, handmade, beautiful fabric designs for centuries. But preservers of the ancient art say modern manufacturing and cheap Chinese imports threaten this way of life.