Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• 'Psychological Warfare': Taliban Adopts New Strategy In Afghanistan RFE/RL Gandhara 08 Jan 2021 -- For years, the Taliban's suicide bombers frequently struck high-profile political and security targets in Afghanistan's major cities.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Pelosi asks military to keep 'unhinged' Trump from nuclear codes Press TV 08 Jan 2021 -- US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has said she spoke with the country's army chief about preventing the "unstable" President Donald Trump from initiating military hostilities or ordering a nuclear attack.
• Pelosi, Top General Discuss Preventing Trump Military Actions VOA 08 Jan 2021 -- Amid growing concerns about what U.S. President Donald Trump might do during his last days in office, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi revealed Friday that she has asked a top Pentagon general what measures are in place to prevent the president from launching a nuclear weapons attack.
• On Behalf of the U.S. Army: Statement on the National Guard Response in the District of Columbia From the Secretary of the Army DoD 08 Jan 2021 -- "During a rapidly evolving situation Wednesday, Jan. 6, the Department of Defense fielded multiple calls from elected officials requesting and offering assistance to the unprecedented breach of the U.S. Capitol Building. The Army and the D.C. National Guard were coordinating with the federal Capitol Police and the local D.C. Metropolitan Police Department to assist with an immediate response.
• Planning and Execution Timeline for the National Guard's Involvement in the January 6, 2021 First Amendment Protests in Washington D.C. DoD 08 Jan 2021
• Pentagon to Deploy More National Guardsmen to DC After Insurrection Than During BLM Protests Sputnik 08 Jan 2021 -- While the cost of repairing the extensive damage done to the interior and exterior of the US Capitol in the Wednesday insurrection is not yet tallied, the bill will ultimately be footed by taxpayers because the historic structure is uninsured.
• DOD Awards $110 Million Firm Fixed Price Contract Action to Puritan Medical Products to Increase Domestic Production Capacity of Foam Tip Swabs DoD 08 Jan 2021 -- On January 8, 2021, the Department of Defense (DOD), in coordination with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), awarded $110 million to Puritan Medical Products to procure production equipment necessary to increase domestic production capability of foam tip swabs used in critical COVID-19 diagnostic tests.
• U.S. Central Command statement on first bomber mission of 2021 CENTCOM 08 Jan 2021 -- Two U.S. Air Force B-52H bombers conducted a Bomber Task Force mission today in the Middle East to demonstrate the U.S. military's continuing commitment to regional security and deterrence to aggression.
• USSF Becomes 18th Member of Intel Community DoD 08 Jan 2021 -- Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe today welcomed the U.S. Space Force (USSF) as the 18th member of the U.S. Intelligence Community (IC).
• DNI Ratcliffe Welcomes U.S. Space Force as 18th Intelligence Community Member Director of National Intelligence 08 Jan 2021 -- Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe today welcomed the U.S. Space Force (USSF) as the 18th member of the U.S. Intelligence Community (IC).
• Department of Defense Announces New Appointments DoD 08 Jan 2021
• Readout of (PDO) Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs David Helvey's Meeting With Pakistan's Chief of the General Staff Lieutenant General Sahir Shamshad Mirza DoD 08 Jan 2021
• Greece, Israel Seal $1.6 Billion Defense Deal VOA 08 Jan 2021 -- Greece said Tuesday it had approved a landmark $1.68 billion deal with Israel, providing for the procurement of 10 state-of-the-art jet fighters and training of pilots as the government in Athens upgrades its defenses, mainly against its longtime foe Turkey.
• Kim Jong-un Says North Korea Should Keep Improving Nuclear Weapons to Deter Hostile Forces - Reports Sputnik 08 Jan 2021 -- Relations between Washington and Pyongyang have become even tenser after US President Donald Trump rejected Kim's proposal to lift some sanctions in exchange for reciprocal steps on North Korea's part.
• Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh Launches Online Portal for Items to be Purchased Against Firm Demand from CSD India PIB 08 Jan 2021 -- Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh today launched the Online Portal https://afd.csdindia.gov.in/ for purchase of items Against Firm Demand (AFD) from CSD Canteens.
• IRGC unveils new "missile city" opens on Persian Gulf shores IRNA 08 Jan 2021 -- Naval force of Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) unveiled a strategic missile base on the shores of the Persian Gulf on Friday.
• IRGC unveils strategic underground missile base on Persian Gulf shores Press TV 08 Jan 2021 -- Commander-in-Chief of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), Major General Hossein Salami, has unveiled one of the strategic underground missile cities that the country has built all along its southern Persian Gulf coast.
• Iran's Revolutionary Guards Unveil Underground Missile Base Near Persian Gulf Coast - Photos, Video Sputnik 08 Jan 2021 -- The base's unveiling comes amid boiling tensions between the Islamic Republic and the US-Israeli alliance, with Iran blaming Tel Aviv for the November 2020 murder of a top nuclear scientist, and Washington beefing up its military presence in the Middle East following a December rocket attack on the US Embassy compound in Baghdad.
• Joint Exercise between Saudi F-15 Fighters, US Strategic B-52 Bombers Concluded SPA 08 Jan 2021 -- Royal Saudi Air Force and the US Air Force concluded here today a bilateral exercise between Saudi (F-15 S A) fighters and US Air Force strategic bombers (B-52) as well as (F-16) fighters.
• UK Royal Air Force F-35 Jets to Get Third-Generation Spear Missiles Sputnik 08 Jan 2021 -- The UK Department of Defence has signed a contract to supply the British Royal Air Force (RAF) with Spear 3 missiles.
• Azerbaijan's Defence Ministry Dismisses Reports of Letting Turkey Open Air Bases in Three Locations Sputnik 08 Jan 2021 -- Turkey voiced its strong support to Azerbaijan during the latest escalation of the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh last year. However, Baku insisted that it had no combat assistance from Ankara or any other foreign country as it was ready to protect its interests on its own.

Defense Industry

• Contracts For Jan. 8, 2021

Other Conflicts

• Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 08 Jan 2021
• Designation of Iraqi Militia Leader in Connection with Serious Human Rights Abuse US Dept. of State 08 Jan 2021 -- "Today, the United States is designating Falih al-Fayyadh, Chairman of the Iraqi Popular Mobilization Commission (PMC) and former National Security Advisor to the Iraqi Prime Minister, for his role in violence against Iraqi protesters in 2019."
• Treasury Sanctions Iraqi Militia Leader Connected to Serious Human Rights Abuse US Treasury 08 Jan 2021 -- Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated Iraqi Popular Mobilization Committee (PMC) Chairman and former National Security Advisor Falih al-Fayyadh for his connection to serious human rights abuse.
• French drone strike in Mali kills 19 civilians at wedding event Press TV 08 Jan 2021 -- A French military drone strike in Mali has reportedly killed civilians attending a wedding event in a remote village amid France's persisting military intervention in its former African colony under the pretext of fighting rising militancy in the impoverished -- though minerals-rich – nation.
• Central African Republic: Post-election violence triggers mass displacement UN News 08 Jan 2021 -- Amidst post-election violence in the Central African Republic (CAR), more than 200,000 people have fled for their own safety, the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) said on Friday.
• Maduro Signs Decree on Venezuela's New Maritime Territory That Includes Disputed Essequibo Sputnik 08 Jan 2021 -- Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Thursday signed a decree on the creation of a new maritime territory on the Atlantic coast of the country, where significant deposits of hydrocarbons are located, that includes the Essequibo region, which is disputed with neighboring Guyana.
• Eritrea's Role Questioned as Reports Emerge of Its Involvement in Tigray Conflict VOA 08 Jan 2021 -- Reports this week of a senior Ethiopian military official's comments that security forces from neighboring Eritrea entered the fray in the northern Tigray region backed what U.S. officials and outside observers have been saying for weeks based on satellite evidence.
• Experts: Mozambique's Cabo Delgado Conflict Could Spread to Neighboring Provinces VOA 08 Jan 2021 -- The ongoing violence in Mozambique's northern province of Cabo Delgado could spread to neighboring provinces, officials and experts warn.
• Myanmar Authorities Investigate July Killing of Rakhine Villager, Relatives Say Radio Free Asia 08 Jan 2021 -- Myanmar police and the military are investigating the case of a civilian allegedly killed by government soldiers six months ago in war-ravaged Rakhine state, after the dead man's family pressed charges against troops for the murder and cover-up, his relatives told RFA Friday.

News Reports

• Thirteen Charged in Federal Court Following Riot at the United States Capitol US Dept. of Justice 08 Jan 2021 -- Approximately 40 charged in Superior Court
• Statement of Acting Attorney General Jeffrey A. Rosen on the Death of U.S. Capitol Police Officer Brian D. Sicknick US Dept. of Justice 08 Jan 2021
• US Law Enforcement Authorities Step Up Investigation of Capitol Hill Riots VOA 08 Jan 2021 -- U.S. law enforcement authorities are stepping up a criminal investigation into Wednesday's attack on the U.S. Capitol by supporters of President Donald Trump that could include his role in instigating the mob.
• Pro-Trump State Lawmaker Among Rioters Charged with Storming US Capitol VOA 08 Jan 2021 -- A pro-Trump state lawmaker who filmed himself storming the U.S. Capitol and an Arkansas man who was photographed with his foot on the desk of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi are among more than a dozen rioters charged so far by federal prosecutors as part of a far-ranging investigation into Wednesday's attack on the Capitol, federal officials announced Friday.
• Rush Transcript: Governor Cuomo Calls for President Trump's Resignation or Impeachment New York State 08 Jan 2021
• After Capitol clashes, Trump pledges orderly power transition People's Daily 08 Jan 2021 -- U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday there will be an "orderly transition" on Jan. 20, shortly after Congress concluded the electoral vote count certifying Joe Biden's presidential election victory.
• Trump pledges orderly transition after Congress certifies Biden's victory People's Daily 08 Jan 2021 -- U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday there will be an "orderly transition" on Jan. 20, shortly after Congress concluded the electoral vote count certifying Joe Biden's presidential election victory.
• Turkey's president says US unrest 'disgrace for democracy,' hopes for peace in Biden era Press TV 08 Jan 2021 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says the assault on the US Capitol by President Donald Trump's supporters was a "disgrace" that "shocked humankind," expressing hope for a peaceful transition of power on January 20.
• Trump condemns his supporters who stormed Capitol Hill, promises smooth transition Press TV 08 Jan 2021 -- US President Donald Trump has finally acknowledged President-elect Joe Biden's victory and condemned his supporters who stormed the Capitol Hill on Wednesday.
• Assault on US Capitol Possible COVID-19 Superspreader Event, Experts Say VOA 08 Jan 2021 -- Health professionals and other scientists are concerned that the assault on the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday may also have been a COVID-19 superspreader event.
• Three Foreign Nationals Charged with Conspiring to Provide Material Support to ISIS US Dept. of Justice 08 Jan 2021 -- The Justice Department announced today that three Sri Lankan citizens have been charged with terrorism offenses, including conspiring to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization (ISIS).
• Man Arrested for Illegally Entering Office of Speaker of the House US Dept. of Justice 08 Jan 2021 -- Richard Barnett, 60, of Gravette, Arkansas was arrested today in Bentonville, Arkansas on multiple criminal charges related to his alleged unlawful activities earlier this week at the U.S. Capitol Building where he was photographed with his feet up on a desk in the Speaker of the House of Representatives' office.
• Russian Hacker Gets 12 Years In Prison In U.S. In Massive Consumer Data Theft Case RFE/RL 08 Jan 2021 -- A Russian hacker who had admitted to participating in one of the largest thefts of consumer data from U.S. financial institutions, brokerage firms, and other companies, has been sentenced to 12 years in prison in New York.
• Pakistan Court Jails Suspected Mumbai Attack Leader VOA 08 Jan 2021 -- An anti-terrorism court in Pakistan has sentenced a suspected radical Islamist leader to five years in jail in a terror financing case.
• The Week In Russia: Fact-Check That Schadenfreude? RFE/RL 08 Jan 2021 -- Of all the irritants in the U.S.-Russian relationship, for Moscow one of the biggest seems to be U.S. criticism of its records on human rights, democracy, and the rule of law in the 21 years since President Vladimir Putin came to power - as well as attendant actions such as the imposition of sanctions.
• Rights Groups Concerned About Inclusion Of Five Russians On 'Foreign Agents' List RFE/RL 08 Jan 2021 -- Two international rights watchdogs have expressed concerns over the inclusion of the five Russian citizens on a controversial list of foreign agents seen by the West as a way for Russian authorities to clamp down on dissent.
• Retired Indian Serviceman Arrested for Sharing Classified Information With Pakistan Intelligence Sputnik 08 Jan 2021 -- Due to medical reasons, the accused soldier was discharged from the Indian Army in June 2020 but he continued to spy for Pakistani authorities.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying's Regular Press Conference on January 8, 2021 PRC MofA 08 Jan 2021
• Chinese FM holds talks with Botswana counterpart on bilateral cooperation Global Times 08 Jan 2021 -- Visiting Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Thursday held talks here with his Botswana counterpart Lemogang Kwape on bilateral cooperation.
• Calling Chinese media reports on Capitol riot 'propaganda' arrogant, double standards: FM Global Times 08 Jan 2021 -- Whether the Chinese media reported the US Capitol riot or not, the fact was there and why said the Chinese media's reports are propaganda when the US media has been making lots of reporting and comments? Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying asked at a press conference on Friday.
• China's Propaganda Machine 'Makes Deliberate Use' of Washington Violence Radio Free Asia 08 Jan 2021 -- The ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP)'s propaganda machine stepped up a gear this week, mocking the United States after a pro-Trump mob stormed the U.S. Congress building in Washington as it prepared to vote on endorsing President-elect Joe Biden's win in November's elections.
• HKSAR gov't resolutely safeguards national security without fear People's Daily 08 Jan 2021 -- A spokesman for China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government said on Thursday that it is the HKSAR's constitutional responsibilities to safeguard national security.
• Hong Kong Website Blocked, Sparking Fears Over Great Firewall Radio Free Asia 08 Jan 2021 -- A website dedicated to publishing first-hand accounts of the Hong Kong pro-democracy movement has warned its users to prepare for large-scale internet blocks, filters, and censorship in future, in the first indication that China may be exporting its Great Firewall to the city under a draconian national security law that took effect on July 1.
• China Punishes Alibaba with Regulatory Crackdown Radio Free Asia 08 Jan 2021 -- Two weeks after China's government announced an antitrust investigation into the online giant Alibaba Group, it remains unclear whether the probe marks a turning point for the country's successful web-based businesses or solely a crackdown on company co-founder Jack Ma.
• Chinese Official Singles Out Jack Ma's Ant Group Amid Fintech Probe Warning Radio Free Asia 08 Jan 2021 -- China's banking regulator has vowed to crack down heavily on the "disorderly expansion of capital" and "chaotic innovation" among tech companies providing financial (fintech) services including Ant Group, as the company's founder, tech tycoon Jack Ma, remains out of the public eye amid mounting speculation that he has been detained by the authorities.
• U.S. ambassador to U.N. to visit Taiwan Jan. 13-15 CNA 08 Jan 2021 -- The U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Kelly Craft will visit Taiwan Jan. 13-15 for meetings with senior Taiwanese counterparts and members of the diplomatic community, her office announced on Thursday.
• China opposes planned Taiwan visit by U.S. UN ambassador: Chinese mission People's Daily 08 Jan 2021 -- A spokesperson of China's Permanent Mission to the United Nations said on Thursday that China opposes a planned Taiwan visit by Kelly Craft, the U.S. permanent representative to the United Nations.
• Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un Continues Report on Work of 7th Central Committee of WPK KCNA 08 Jan 2021 -- Upon hearing the news about the 8th Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) which marks an epochal significance in accomplishing the Korean-style socialist cause, the trust of millions of Party members and other people all over the country in the Party and their loyalty toward it are getting stronger.
• North Korea's Kim vows to expand overseas relations Press TV 08 Jan 2021 -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has promised to renew inter-Korean relations and expand diplomatic ties with the outside world, during the massive ruling party congress that is underway in the capital, Pyongyang, for the first time in eight years.
• North Korea Calls US 'Biggest Enemy,' Vows to Develop More Nukes VOA 08 Jan 2021 -- North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has threatened to expand his nuclear arsenal and warned his approach toward Washington won't change with the onset of a new U.S. president.
• North Koreans Cynical About 'Self-Reliance' Messaging During Party Congress Radio Free Asia 08 Jan 2021 -- As North Korea's ruling Korean Workers' Party held its congress this week, residents of the impoverished country reacted cynically, saying that nothing that could be decided during the rare political meeting could improve their lives, sources in the country told RFA.
• Leader: West obliged to instantly halt sanctions against Iran IRNA 08 Jan 2021 -- The Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said the West is obliged to instantly halt sanctions against Iran and stressed that the Iranian economy should become strong enough to resist all kinds of political games.
• Zarif warns against using Trump's sanctions as 'leverage' against Iran Press TV 08 Jan 2021 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says those who promote the notion that US President-elect Joe Biden should use outgoing US President Donald Trump's array of economic sanctions against Iran as "leverage" in any future interactions with the country must learn from the defeated US president's past and avoid his "lawless" attitude.
• Khamenei Says Iran In 'No Rush' To See U.S. Rejoin 2015 Nuclear Deal RFE/RL 08 Jan 2021 -- Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei says the country is in no hurry to see the United States return to an international nuclear deal with major powers after President-elect Joe Biden takes office this month.
• Iran's Supreme Leader Says 'No Hurry' For US to Rejoin Nuclear Deal, Demands End to Sanctions Sputnik 08 Jan 2021 -- As President-elect Joe Biden is set to ascend to the White House, Iran is seeking to end the economic restrictions put in place by the Trump administration.
• Iran Urged To Deliver Justice One Year After Downing Of Ukrainian Airliner RFE/RL 08 Jan 2021 -- One year after the downing of a Ukrainian passenger plane in Iranian airspace, Ukraine and four other countries whose citizens were killed in the crash are "urgently" calling on Tehran to fully disclose how the tragedy occurred, deliver justice, and make reparations, as the families of the victims seek justice and answers to a tragedy that killed 176 people.
• Former Almaty Mayor, Wife -- Wanted On Corruption Charges - Given Asylum In Switzerland RFE/RL 08 Jan 2021 -- Former Almaty Mayor Viktor Khrapunov and his wife, Leila Khrapunova, both sentenced to lengthy prison terms in absentia in Kazakhstan on corruption charges that they have rejected as politically motivated, have been granted asylum in Switzerland.
• Myanmar Government Says Rakhine Elections Require Security Guarantees Radio Free Asia 08 Jan 2021 -- The Myanmar military and the rebel Arakan Army, observing a temporary truce in a two-year-long war, must reach a "solid" security guarantee before elections can be held in parts of Rakhine state where elections officials suspended voting in November, a government spokesman said Friday.
• 'No Blackmail!' Pakistan PM Tells Shi'ite Hazara Protesters RFE/RL Gandhara 08 Jan 2021 -- Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has reiterated his call on Shi'ite ethnic Hazara protesters to bury the bodies of miners killed nearly a week ago in an attack in the southwestern province of Balochistan, telling them not to "blackmail" the head of government.
• Opposition Officials in Exile 'on Their Own' to Enter Cambodia, Face Trial: Government Radio Free Asia 08 Jan 2021 -- Opposition officials living in self-imposed exile must find their own way back into Cambodia if they hope to defend themselves against charges of "incitement" and "treason," a government spokesperson said Friday, because they "organized a coup d'état" and will not be granted passports or visas.
• Vietnam Court Rejects Appeal of 'Constitution Group' Protesters, Returning Them to Prison Radio Free Asia 08 Jan 2021 -- An appeals court in Vietnam's Ho Chi Minh City on Friday upheld harsh prison terms handed down last year to four activists convicted of planning protests on Vietnam's National Day on Sept. 2, 2018.
• Viet Nam: UN rights office denounces 'increasing clampdown' on freedom of expression UN News 08 Jan 2021 -- The UN human rights office (OHCHR), on Friday, voiced concerns over the use of "vaguely defined laws" in Viet Nam, to arbitrarily detain an increasing number of journalists, bloggers, commentators and rights defenders, amidst what appears to be part of an "increasing clampdown" on the freedom of expression in the country.
• Questions Arise With Ex-Fugitive Japarov, The Favorite In Kyrgyz Presidential Race RFE/RL 08 Jan 2021 -- Kyrgyzstan is holding a crucial presidential election and national referendum on January 10 to determine if the country should revert to a presidential system.
• Uganda: 'Deteriorating' human rights situation in run-up to elections next week UN News 08 Jan 2021 -- The UN human rights office, OHCHR, is urging authorities in Uganda to ensure elections next week are free and peaceful, noting that the arrest of opposition candidates and their supporters are among several "worrying" developments ahead of the vote.
• Economist: Abraham Accords, US Loan Will Help Revitalize Sudan's Economy VOA 08 Jan 2021 -- Sudan took another big step this week toward rejoining the international community and losing its label as a pariah state by officially signing an agreement to normalize relations with Israel.