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News Reports

Current Operations

• Afghan forces kill 8 Taliban militants over attack on Ghazni army base Press TV 30 Nov 2020 -- Afghanistan says its forces have killed the Taliban mastermind of an earlier car bomb attack on an army base, and seven other militants, in an overnight airstrike in the eastern province of Ghazni.
• NATO Chief Says Ministers To Discuss 'Dilemma' Of Afghanistan RFE/RL Gandhara 30 Nov 2020 -- NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has said ahead of talks by NATO foreign ministers that the alliance is struggling with a dilemma over its future in Afghanistan.
• Afghan Forces Kill Taliban Suspected Mastermind Of Deadly Army Base Attack RFE/RL Gandhara 30 Nov 2020 -- Afghan forces have killed a member of the Taliban whom Kabul says was the mastermind of a suicide car-bombing that left at least 30 security personnel dead.
• Chief of the Defence Force - IGADF Afghanistan Inquiry Implementation plan in development Australia Department of Defence 30 Nov 2020

Defense Policy / Programs

• Navy to Decommission USS Bonhomme Richard US Navy 30 Nov 2020 -- After thorough consideration, the Navy has decided to decommission USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6), a Wasp-class amphibious assault ship, due to the extensive damage sustained during the July fire.
• US Navy Decides to Scrap Amphibious Assault Ship Bonhomme Richard After Catastrophic Fire Sputnik 30 Nov 2020 -- The total loss of the Pacific-based amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard could put a serious dent in Washington's plans to base stealthy F-35 aircraft on its carriers in the Indo-Pacific region, experts have warned.
• Readout of 2020 U.S.-Adriatic Charter Defense Ministerial DoD 30 Nov 2020
• Department of Defense Announces New Allied Prototyping Initiative Effort With Australia to Continue Partnership in Developing Air Breathing Hypersonic Vehicles DoD 30 Nov 2020 -- Today, the U.S. Department of Defense and the Australian Department of Defence announced a bilateral effort to advance the development of air-breathing hypersonic technologies.
• Defense Department Seeks to Achieve Agile, Adaptive Acquisition DoD News 30 Nov 2020 -- The acquisition and sustainment community recently rewrote the Defense Department's 5000-series acquisition regulations. America's modeling and simulation community will be able to help the department achieve some of the goals it hoped to reach with the rewrite, the deputy undersecretary of defense for acquisition and sustainment said.
• Joint All-Domain Command, Control Framework Belongs to Warfighters DoD News 30 Nov 2020 -- BY The Joint All-Domain Command and Control framework is not just the bailiwick of communications personnel – it is warfighting business, said Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Dennis A. Crall.
• A New WSINT: Win any fight now US Air Force 30 Nov 2020 -- While the U.S. Air Force Weapons School Integration, or WSINT, has not deviated much from its original training model, today's training approach has taken a new form.
• NATO Chief Says Ministers To Discuss Russia's 'Military Buildup' RFE/RL 30 Nov 2020 -- NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has said that NATO foreign ministers plan to discuss Russia's military buildup at a two-day videoconference about the future of the alliance that begins on December 1.
• NATO Chief Says Ministers To Discuss 'Dilemma' Of Afghanistan, Russia's 'Military Buildup' RFE/RL 30 Nov 2020 -- NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has said ahead of talks by NATO foreign ministers that the alliance is struggling with a dilemma over its future in Afghanistan.
• Foreign Ministers meet to discuss NATO's continued adaptation and global security challenges NATO 30 Nov 2020 -- NATO Foreign Ministers will meet via secure video conference on Tuesday and Wednesday (1-2 December 2020) to discuss key issues for the Alliance. They include NATO's continued adaptation, Russia's military build-up, the rise of China, and NATO's training mission in Afghanistan.
• Online pre-ministerial press conference by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg ahead of the meetings of NATO Ministers of Foreign Affairs NATO 30 Nov 2020
• Secretary Pompeo's Call with NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg US Dept. of State 30 Nov 2020
• Online Briefing with Ambassador Kay Bailey Hutchison on NATO Foreign Ministerial US Dept. of State 30 Nov 2020
• US Nuclear Thinking Seems to Have Moved 50 Years Back, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Says Sputnik 30 Nov 2020 -- US thinking in the field of nuclear weapons has moved back some 50 years ago when nuclear weapons use was an acceptable option, and this is a matter of serious concern, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said on Monday.
• CPC leadership reviews regulations on military political work, united front, Party members' rights PLA Daily 30 Nov 2020 -- The Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee met on Monday to review regulations on the political work in the armed forces, the Party's united front work and safeguarding Party members' rights.
• Nepalese leaders meet Chinese Defense Minister Wei Fenghe PLA Daily 30 Nov 2020 -- Nepalese President Bidya Devi Bhandari and Prime Minister and Minister for Defense K.P. Sharma Oli met with the visiting Chinese State Councilor and Minister of National Defense General Wei Fenghe in Katmandu on November 29, 2020.
• Trump to add China's SMIC and CNOOC to defense blacklist: Sources Press TV 30 Nov 2020 -- The administration of US President Donald Trump is set to add China's main chipmaker SMIC and national offshore oil and gas producer CNOOC to a blacklist of alleged Chinese military companies, Reuters reports.
• Gun barrels bought for armored vehicle to arrive in September 2021 CNA 30 Nov 2020 -- Gun barrels purchased overseas to be mounted on prototypes of indigenous armored vehicles are scheduled to arrive in Taiwan in September 2021, military officials said at the Legislative Yuan on Monday.
• Japanese Universities' Ties to China's Military-Linked Schools Sparks Concern Radio Free Asia 30 Nov 2020 -- Dozens of Japanese universities continue to have research ties with seven higher education institutions with ties to China's People's Liberation Army (PLA), Japan's Kyodo News reported.
• Israeli Prosecutor Reportedly Asks to Delay Submarine Purchase Probe Over Prejudice Concerns Sputnik 30 Nov 2020 -- The prosecutor general of Israel, Avichai Mendelblit, has asked Defence Minister Benny Gantz to pause the work of the inspection committee, recently formed to investigate the purchase of submarines and corvettes from German shipbuilder ThyssenKrupp, to avoid prejudicing the inquiry, the Haaretz newspaper reported.
• £2.4 billion munitions deal secures thousands of UK jobs UK MOD 30 Nov 2020 -- A new £2.4 billion contract to equip UK Armed Forces with essential fire power will sustain 4,000 jobs around the UK over 15 years, Defence Minister Jeremy Quin today announced.
• Consign chemical weapons to history, UN chief urges, honouring victims UN News 30 Nov 2020 -- The United Nations Secretary-General has called for "renewed determination" to eliminate chemical weapons from the world.
• Senior White House Aide Kushner Plans Trip To Saudi Arabia, Qatar Amid Iran Tensions RFE/RL 30 Nov 2020 -- White House senior adviser Jared Kushner will travel to Saudi Arabia and Qatar this week amid rising tensions following the assassination of Iran's top nuclear scientist near Tehran by unknown attackers.

Defense Industry

• Contracts For Nov. 30, 2020

Other Conflicts

• 30 November 2020 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 30 Nov 2020
• China and Malaysia, Usually Friends, Land in Another Maritime Standoff VOA 30 Nov 2020 -- China and Malaysia have entered another quiet but drawn-out standoff at sea where their sovereignty claims overlap, and each side is showing increased resolve to stand tall against the other, analysts following the two countries say.
• The Joint Forces Command of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen: Terrorist Houthi Militia Launches Ballistic Missile (Monday) Morning from (Amran), Falls in (Sa'dah) SPA 30 Nov 2020 -- Statement by the Official Spokesman of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen Brigadier General Turki Al-Malki
• Saudi employs 'deception' to evade responsibility for Yemen catastrophe Press TV 30 Nov 2020 -- Yemen's Foreign Minister Hisham Sharaf Abdullah says Saudi Arabia has been desperately attempting to evade responsibility for an unfolding catastrophe against the backdrop of its campaign of death and destruction against Yemen.
• WHO stops financial support for some 10,000 healthcare workers in Yemen due to lack of funding Press TV 30 Nov 2020 -- The World Health Organization (WHO) says it has been forced to stop financial support for about 10,000 healthcare workers across war-ravaged Yemen because of a lack of funding.
• Eight Saudis killed in Yemeni ballistic missile attack against coalition's positions Press TV 30 Nov 2020 -- The Yemeni army, backed by popular forces, have launched a missile attack against the Saudi-led coalition's Camp Tadawain in Yemen's Ma'rib, killing at least eight Saudi forces.
• Syrian protesters call for withdrawal of US occupation forces from Hasakah Press TV 30 Nov 2020 -- Hundreds of people in Syria's northeastern province of Hasakah have staged demonstrations to protest the deployment of US military forces in their areas and the arbitrary measures of US-sponsored and Kurdish-led militants from the so-called Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).
• Daesh claims rocket attack on oil refinery in Iraq Press TV 30 Nov 2020 -- The Daesh terrorist group has claimed a rocket attack that hit a small oil refinery in northern Iraq on Sunday.
• Drone Strike Reportedly Kills One of Iran's IRGC Commanders in Western Iraq Sputnik 30 Nov 2020 -- A drone strike killed one of the commanders of the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Muslim Shahdan, in Iraq's Al Anbar Province bordering Syria, Al Arabiya reported on Monday, citing Iraqi sources.
• Deputies from Libyan government, rebels agree to 'end divisions' Press TV 30 Nov 2020 -- Representatives of the warring sides in Libya have concluded their latest round of peace talks in Morocco and agreed to "ending the division" that undermines the sovereignty of the North African country.
• Myanmar Military, Arakan Army Confirm Indirect Talks as Some Refugees Head Home Radio Free Asia 30 Nov 2020 -- Myanmar's military and the rebel Arakan Army are holding indirect talks through mediators to try to build on a three-week lull in fighting in Rakhine state since elections, spokesmen for the warring sides told RFA.
• Four Pakistani Tribal Elders Killed In Northwestern Tribal District RFE/RL Gandhara 30 Nov 2020 -- Unidentified gunmen have killed four tribal elders in the remote North Waziristan tribal district.
• Secretary Pompeo's Call with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy US Dept. of State 30 Nov 2020
• US Urges End to Violence in Ethiopia's Tigray Region VOA 30 Nov 2020 -- U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Monday urged a stop to all fighting in Ethiopia, as Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed lauded his troops for what he termed their victory in the Tigrayan capital of Mekelle.
• Ethiopian PM Calls Extraordinary Session of Parliament as Tigray Conflict Continues VOA 30 Nov 2020 -- Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed called an extraordinary session of the parliament on Monday, while the conflict in the country's northern Tigray region continues.
• Tigray rebel leader says conflict far from over after Ethiopia declares victory Press TV 30 Nov 2020 -- The leader of rebels in Tigray, a restive region in northern Ethiopia which has for weeks been the scene of intense clashes with federal troops, has claimed that the fighting is far from over and that his forces are still resisting the Ethiopian military near the region's capital city, Mekelle.
• Tigray Forces Leader: Fighting Continues Near Mekelle After Seizure by Ethiopian Government Sputnik 30 Nov 2020 -- On 28 November, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali announced that the country's National Defence Forces (ENDF) had gained full control of the Tigray region's capital of Mekelle.
• UN refugee agency appeals for $147 million to support thousands of Ethiopians fleeing to Sudan UN News 30 Nov 2020 -- The UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi has launched an appeal for $147 million to support as many as 100,000 people fleeing Ethiopia's Tigray region into neighbouring Sudan, the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, said on Monday.
• Next round of Israel-Lebanon maritime border talks postponed Press TV 30 Nov 2020 -- An upcoming round of indirect negotiations between Lebanon and Israel on the demarcation of Lebanese southern maritime border with the occupying regime has been postponed, officials on both sides say.
• Turkish survey ship returns to base ahead of EU meet Press TV 30 Nov 2020 -- Turkey has decided to once again return home its seismic research vessel from the disputed waters in the eastern Mediterranean Sea ahead of a European Union meeting.
• Turkish Vessel Ends Seismic Research in Disputed Waters of East Mediterranean, Ministry Says Sputnik 30 Nov 2020 -- Turkey's Oruc Reis vessel ended its seismic exploration mission in the Greek-claimed waters of the Eastern Mediterranean and returned to the port of Antalya on Monday, less than two weeks before the EU leaders' summit, the Turkish Energy and Natural Resources Ministry said.
• Azerbaijani Forces Enter Third District Under Nagorno-Karabakh Truce RFE/RL 30 Nov 2020 -- Azerbaijan says its forces have entered the Lachin district, the last of three handed back by Armenia as part of a deal that ended six weeks of fighting over the breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh region.
• Moscow Rebuffs Moldova's Sandu On Troop Withdrawal From Transdniester RFE/RL 30 Nov 2020 -- The Kremlin has rebuffed calls by Moldova's incoming President Maia Sandu for Russian troops to withdraw from the separatist region of Transdniester, saying such a move could lead to "serious destabilization."
• Kremlin Says Has Not Discussed Russian Peacekeepers Transnistria Pullback With Moldova Sputnik 30 Nov 2020 -- Moldova has not discussed the potential withdrawal of Russian peacekeepers from Transnistria with Moscow in advance, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Monday.
• At Least 110 People Feared Dead in Attack on Farmers in Nigeria VOA 30 Nov 2020 -- At least 110 people are feared dead in a weekend attack on farmers in the northeast part of Nigeria blamed on Islamic jihadists that are active in the area.
• Amnesty International Urges UN to Renew South Sudan Arms Embargo VOA 30 Nov 2020 -- Amnesty International is urging the United Nations Security Council to renew its arms embargo on South Sudan, saying violence, atrocities and war crimes against civilians have quadrupled this year despite a cease-fire and formation of a unity government in February.
• Watchdog Urges UNSC to Keep Arms Embargo on South Sudan Amid Surge in Violence Sputnik 30 Nov 2020 -- A prominent international human rights watchdog has called on the UN Security Council to maintain the arms embargo on South Sudan amid confirmed cases of violence and attacks by government forces on civilians in 2020.

News Reports

• Czech President's Call For List Of Russian Spies Triggers Security Concerns RFE/RL 30 Nov 2020 -- Czech President Milos Zeman has reportedly demanded a list of all Russian spies active in the Czech Republic, which security experts say could endanger secret sources of the Czech counterintelligence service.
• EU Mulls Sanctions On State Actors For Spreading Disinformation RFE/RL 30 Nov 2020 -- The European Commission (EC) will propose for the first time that the European Union impose sanctions on "foreign actors" from states such as Russia or China spreading disinformation as it pushes for a tougher oversight mechanism for online platforms, according to a draft document seen by RFE/RL.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying's Regular Press Conference on November 30, 2020 PRC MofA 30 Nov 2020
• Australia Clashes With China Over Fake War Crimes Post VOA 30 Nov 2020 -- Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison is demanding the Chinese government delete a "repugnant" tweet of alleged war crimes in Afghanistan. The doctored image appears to shows an Australian soldier murdering a child. It follows a report last week that found Australian special forces had committed at least 39 unlawful killings in Afghanistan.
• Chinese FM rejects Morrison's demand for apology Global Times 30 Nov 2020 -- Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying rejected Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison's demand for an apology from China over a tweet by another Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian showing an Australian soldier murdering a child, saying the Australian government should feel "ashamed" for the crimes committed by its soldiers in Afghanistan.
• Morrison blame game taking China-Australia ties into abyss Global Times 30 Nov 2020 -- When Australian companies are tangled with worries of losing the Chinese market - from agricultural products of barley and wine to the pillar exports of iron ore and coal - the Australian government has staged another "juvenile" political stunt by accusing China for violence by Australia's own soldiers in Afghanistan.
• China slaps counter-sanctions on US NGO heads for 'horrible acts' on HK affairs Global Times 30 Nov 2020 -- Chinese Foreign Ministry announced Monday sanctions on four Americans as a countermeasure against previous US sanctions on Chinese officials over Hong Kong affairs, stressing that these people are not welcome in China and will be banned from entering the country, including the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions.
• Last Opposition Lawmakers Leave Hong Kong's Legislature After Mass Resignations Radio Free Asia 30 Nov 2020 -- The last opposition lawmakers left their offices in Hong Kong's Legislative Council (LegCo) on Monday after handing in their mass resignations earlier this month in protest over the disqualification of four colleagues, transforming the formerly lively chamber into a hushed auditorium, where only voices loyal to the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) are still heard.
• Former Xinjiang deputy governor expelled from CPC for corruption, disloyalty, superstition Global Times 30 Nov 2020 -- Former Xinjiang deputy governor Ren Hua has been expelled from the Communist Party of China (CPC) and removed from her position for corruption, defying organizational reviews and engaging in superstitious activities, according to China's top disciplinary watchdog.
• Use of Xinjiang satellite images 'misleading' People's Daily 30 Nov 2020 -- Using satellite images to prove the existence of detention centers in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region is "absurd" and "misleading", a regional government spokesman said on Saturday.
• Authorities Remove Statue of Uyghur Medicine 'Pioneer' From Xinjiang Hospital Radio Free Asia 30 Nov 2020 -- Authorities in northwest China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) have removed the statue of a progenitor of Uyghur medicinal science from the site of a hospital in the capital Urumqi, as part of what observers say is an ongoing campaign to eradicate the ethnic group's culture.
• Taiwan denies military plane flew too close to PLA aircraft CNA 30 Nov 2020 -- Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense (MND) on Monday denied a news report that a Taiwanese interceptor had flown dangerously close to a Chinese military plane during a recent monitoring mission.
• PLA warplanes set new record in Taiwan Straits, sorties routine Global Times 30 Nov 2020 -- A warplane of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) on Monday again approached the island of Taiwan, marking the 26th day the PLA has done so in 30 days in November, and surpassing the frequency record in October, media on the island reported on Monday.
• MOFA to launch new passport next year highlighting 'Taiwan' CNA 30 Nov 2020 -- Taiwan is set to start issuing its newly designed passport, which will more prominently feature the word "Taiwan" in English when it is launched in January, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Monday.
• New Official Biography of North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un Hides His Date and Place of Birth Radio Free Asia 30 Nov 2020 -- North Korea has published an official biography of its leader Kim Jong Un, but the book omits significant details like his date and place of birth and his childhood education in Switzerland, sources in the country told RFA.
• Iran Mourns Nuclear Scientist VOA 30 Nov 2020 -- Iran held a funeral service Monday for nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, whose killing Friday has drawn threats of retaliation from Iranian leaders.
• Iran Holds Funeral For Slain Nuclear Scientist Amid Calls For Revenge RFE/RL 30 Nov 2020 -- Iran has held a funeral for top nuclear physicist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, who founded its military nuclear program two decades ago, with the Islamic republic's defense minister vowing to continue the scientist's work.
• Nuclear scientist laid to rest as Iran vows to continue his work Press TV 30 Nov 2020 -- Iran's top nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh has been laid to rest three days after his assassination outside Tehran, with the country's defense minister pledging to continue his work "with more speed and more power."
• Funeral ceremony of martyred Mohsen Fakhrizadeh ISNA 30 Nov 2020 -- The funeral ceremony of the martyred Iranian scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh was held in Tehran on Monday with his family and a number of officials in attendance.
• Iran's Security Apparatus Under Fire After Top Nuclear Scientist Assassinated RFE/RL 30 Nov 2020 -- The attack that targeted Iran's top nuclear scientist took place in broad daylight not far from the capital, Tehran.
• Minister: Intelligence Ministry has many clues about Fakhrizadeh assassination IRNA 30 Nov 2020 -- Iranian Intelligence Minister Mahmoud Alavi said on Monday that intelligence and security forces have started identifying the ostentatious terrorist elements behind the assassination of Iranian scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh and have gained many clues.
• Many leads found on assassination of Iran nuclear scientist: Intelligence minister Press TV 30 Nov 2020 -- Iran's Intelligence Minister Mahmoud Alavi says the country's security forces have found a lot of new leads on the recent assassination of senior Iranian nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh.
• Iran Security Chief Says They Know Who Plotted Top Nuclear Scientist's Murder Sputnik 30 Nov 2020 -- Iran has identified the mastermind behind last week's assassination of the country's top nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, the secretary of the Supreme National Security Council said on Monday.
• Enemy trying to assassinate Iran's scientist Fakhrizadeh for 20 years, official says IRNA 30 Nov 2020 -- Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Ali Shamkhani said on Monday that the enemies had been trying hard to assassinate of Iran's defense industry scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh for 20 years before his martyrdom.
• Defense minister: Idiot acts, assassinations not to go unanswered IRNA 30 Nov 2020 -- Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier-General Amir Hatami warned on Monday that crimes, assassinations and foolish terrorist acts will not remain unanswered.
• Iran reminds IAEA of its 'immediate, primary responsibility' over Fakhrizadeh killing Press TV 30 Nov 2020 -- Iran's envoy to Vienna-based international organizations has rapped the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for keeping silent over the recent assassination of Iranian nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh.
• Double-standard approach to terror unconstructive, foments terrorism: Iran envoy Press TV 30 Nov 2020 -- Iran's permanent ambassador to international organizations in Vienna has slammed world bodies for their silence in the face of acts of terrorism targeting the Iranian nation and its elite personalities.
• Assassination of a nuclear scientist: A closer look Press TV 30 Nov 2020 -- The assassination of Dr. Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, a leading nuclear scientist, has been condemned worldwide. Although fingers are pointing toward Israel as being behind the assassination, what is for certain is that the timing of the attack speaks volumes.
• Weapon used in nuclear scientist's assassination made in Israel: Source tells Press TV Press TV 30 Nov 2020 -- The remains of the weapon used in the Friday assassination of senior nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh show that it was made in Israel, an informed source has told Press TV.
• Iranian Government Says Diplomacy Still Possible, Even Amid Revenge Calls Radio Farda 30 Nov 2020 -- An Iranian government spokesman said diplomacy is still possible, even as others in the country called for revenge after the targeted assassination of nuclear physicist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh.
• Iran's Foreign Minister Says Adversary Powers Try to Keep Sanctions Against Iran Sputnik 30 Nov 2020 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Monday said that proponents of hard-line policies against Iran intend to undermine the atmosphere that has been created to lift sanctions from the country.
• Iranian Defence Minister Warns Assassination of Nuclear Scientist Will Not Go Unanswered Sputnik 30 Nov 2020 -- Iranian Defence Minister Amir Hatami, during the funeral ceremony for assassinated nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh on Monday, warned that Tehran would respond to the crime committed against the country.
• UN Expert Slams Limits On Minorities' Rights To Worship, Citing Russia, Iran, Among Others Radio Farda 30 Nov 2020 -- A top UN expert has urged countries to repeal laws infringing on minorities' rights to worship and hold beliefs, singling out Iran, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Russia, and Moldova, among countries of concern.
• Exiled Defectors From Belarus's Law Enforcement Are Now Holding Their Ex-Colleagues To Account RFE/RL 30 Nov 2020 -- Andrey Astapovich was a police investigator in Belarus when he publicly announced his defection from the service in August and exhorted his countrymen to "expel the dictator."
• Belarusian Pensioners Detained During Protest As Crackdowns Continue RFE/RL 30 Nov 2020 -- Belarusian activists say security forces have detained at least a dozen people as police broke up a protest march by pensioners demanding the resignation of authoritarian ruler Alyaksandr Lukashenka.
• Thousands Of Pakistanis Defy Coronavirus Restrictions To Join Anti-Government Rally RFE/RL Gandhara 30 Nov 2020 -- Thousands of people have rallied in the central Pakistani city of Multan calling on Prime Minister Imran Khan to resign, despite a government ban and the arrest of dozens of activists.
• Biden Presidency, Economic Realities Spur Turkey-Saudi Rapprochement VOA 30 Nov 2020 -- Turkey's relations with Saudi Arabia appear to be thawing after years of regional rivalry, with both countries' leaders pledging to improve bilateral ties. Analysts suggest factors that are leading to the improvement in ties could be economic matters as well as an incoming Joe Biden presidency.
• EU, UK entering "last week or so" of substantive negotiations: UK foreign secretary Global Times 30 Nov 2020 -- British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said Sunday that talks with the European Union (EU) on post-Brexit trade are entering "the last week or so" of "substantive" post-Brexit trade negotiations.
• Time is running out for Brexit trade deal, Britain and EU say Press TV 30 Nov 2020 -- As the United Kingdom and the European Union have failed to reach an agreement over trade, the two sides cautioned each other Monday that time was running out for a Brexit trade deal.
• Kyrgyz Group Calls For Return To 1993 Constitution Amid Controversial Proposed Changes RFE/RL 30 Nov 2020 -- A new political group in Kyrgyzstan, Committee-93, has called on the Central Asian nation to return to its constitution from 1993 amid protests against a controversial proposal by the interim government to change the current constitution.
• U.S. Sanctions CEIEC for Supporting the Illegitimate Maduro Regime's Efforts to Undermine Venezuelan Democracy US Dept. of State 30 Nov 2020 -- Today, the United States is sanctioning CEIEC for supporting the illegitimate Maduro regime's efforts to undermine democracy in Venezuela.
• Treasury Sanctions CEIEC for Supporting the Illegitimate Maduro Regime's Efforts to Undermine Venezuelan Democracy US Treasury 30 Nov 2020 -- Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated CEIEC for supporting the illegitimate Maduro regime's efforts to undermine democracy in Venezuela, including its efforts to restrict internet service and conduct digital surveillance and cyber operations against political opponents.
• On Latvia's Actions to Constrain Hizballah US Dept. of State 30 Nov 2020 -- The United States welcomes the Latvian government's recent announcement that it considers Hizballah in its entirety as a terrorist organization. Latvia supports U.S. implementation of sanctions related to Hizballah and has expressed a readiness to place national travel bans on individuals associated with Hizballah.
• UN human rights office worried by killings in Indonesian provinces of Papua and West Papua UN News 30 Nov 2020 -- Violence is escalating in the Indonesian provinces of Papua and West Papua, where meaningful and inclusive dialogue is urgently needed to address longstanding economic, social and political grievances, the UN human rights office said on Monday.