Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• Families Of Slain Afghan Female Judges Accuse Authorities Of Failing To Provide Security RFE/RL Gandhara 18 Jan 2021 -- The families of two Afghan female Supreme Court judges assassinated in the capital, Kabul, have accused the authorities of failing to provide adequate security for the officials.
• U.S. Africa Command forces conduct strike on al-Shabaab compound AFRICOM 18 Jan 2021 -- In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command forces conducted one airstrike in the vicinity of Tiyeeglow, Somalia, Jan. 18, 2021.
• AFRICOM commander conducts engagements in Somalia AFRICOM 18 Jan 2021 -- U.S. Army Gen. Stephen Townsend, commander, U.S. Africa Command, completed a multi-day engagement in Somalia and a visit to the amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8), operating off the coast of Somalia, Jan. 16-18.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Statement by Acting Secretary of Defense Christopher Miller on National Guard Support in Washington, D.C. DoD 18 Jan 2021
• Washington D.C. mayor concerned about potential attack on city's residential area People's Daily 18 Jan 2021 -- Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser on Sunday expressed concern about possible attacks on the city's residential area as President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration approached.
• Telegram Blocked Hundreds of Public Calls for Violence Last Week, CEO Says Sputnik 18 Jan 2021 -- Telegram cracked down on hundreds of public calls for violence last week in the wake of the January 6 US Capitol unrest, the messenger's founder Pavel Durov said Monday.
• Pentagon to Vet Guardsmen Deployed to DC But Sees No Sign of Insider Threat, Secretary Miller Says Sputnik 18 Jan 2021 -- US Acting Defense Secretary Christopher Miller said Monday that the Defense Department will vet National Guard personnel deployed to Washington ahead of the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden, but the Pentagon has received no intelligence indicating an insider threat.
• Violent attempt at US Capitol to 'overturn' election, shocking and incendiary: independent UN experts UN News 18 Jan 2021 -- A group of independent UN rights experts released a statement on Monday condemning the violent storming of the United States Capitol building in Washington DC on 6 January, which they described as a shocking and incendiary attempt to overturn the results of a free and fair election.
• US Tightens Security Checks Ahead of Biden Inauguration VOA 18 Jan 2021 -- U.S. security officials say they are taking every precaution to guard against an attack on President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration Wednesday on the steps of the U.S. Capitol, including FBI security screening of the 25,000 members of the National Guard assigned to Washington to protect the event.
• USS Russell Engages With Partners During Oceania Transit US Navy 18 Jan 2021 -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Russell (DDG 59) completed an Oceania transit and presence operation Jan. 18, interacting with partners and upholding commitments with the Republic of Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and Papua New Guinea.
• USS Porter Completes Exercise Atlas Handshake With Royal Moroccan Navy US Navy 18 Jan 2021 -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Porter (DDG 78) participated in exercise Atlas Handshake with the Royal Moroccan Navy, Jan. 13-15, 2021.
• NATO Secretary General: NATO safeguards peace in an unpredictable world NATO 18 Jan 2021 -- At a Sciences Po Paris School of International Affairs event held virtually on Monday (18 January), NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg emphasised that in an unpredictable world, NATO is the strategy to deal with uncertainty and safeguard peace.
• PLA commissions new all-terrain vehicle for high-altitude logistics support Global Times 18 Jan 2021 -- The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) has recently received delivery of a type of newly developed all-terrain vehicle for logistics support missions in plateau regions with altitudes higher than 5,000 meters.
• Army ground forces to start military drills tomorrow IRNA 18 Jan 2021 -- Commander of the ground force of the Iranian Army Brigadier-General Kiumars Heidari said on Monday that 'Eghtedar-99' military drills will be held in the presence of airborne units, Special Forces and rapid reaction units in Makran coasts on Tuesday.
• Iranian Army's Ground Force set to start annual drills in strategic southern waters Press TV 18 Jan 2021 -- Commander of the Iranian Army's Ground Force says the annual military exercise of his forces is set to start on Tuesday with the presence of airborne brigades, special forces and rapid reaction units along the Makran coast in southeastern part of country.
• Major Gen Baqeri calls for getting stronger in all areas to thwart sanctions IRNA 18 Jan 2021 -- Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Baqeri on Monday called for getting stronger in all political, economic, social, cultural and defense areas to thwart the sanctions.
• Iranian armed forces on high state of readiness: Chief of Staff ISNA 18 Jan 2021 -- Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Bagheri stressed that Iranian armed forces are fully prepared to respond to any threat and they are on a high state of readiness.
• US B-52s expedition has no operational value: Major Gen Baqeri IRNA 18 Jan 2021 -- Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces Major-General Mohammad Baqeri said on Monday that expedition of B-52 jets to the region has no operational value.
• Iran top general: US overflights in Persian Gulf void of operational value Press TV 18 Jan 2021 -- Iran's senior military commander has downplayed the United States' most recent flight of its bombers over the Persian Gulf in a supposed show of force aimed at the Islamic Republic, saying such maneuvers instead show that the Americans are fearful of the Iranian military might.
• 100 UK armoured patrol vehicles donated to the Lebanese Army UK MOD 18 Jan 2021 -- The vehicles, worth £1.5 million, will further reinforce the stability on the Lebanese border with Syria.

Defense Industry

Other Conflicts

• 18 January 2021 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 18 Jan 2021
• Political chief highlights crucial cooperation between UN and the Arab League UN News 18 Jan 2021 -- Cooperation between the United Nations and the League of Arab States has been critical to addressing the ongoing war in Syria, the search for a two-State solution for Israelis and Palestinians, and other challenges, the UN's political affairs chief told a virtual meeting of the Security Council on Monday.
• Undeterred by US Sanctions, China Expected to Continue Development in Disputed Asian Sea VOA 18 Jan 2021 -- U.S. curbs against Chinese officials and companies suspected of helping Beijing extend its reach in a disputed, resource-rich Asian sea will do little to reduce China's maritime influence and could indirectly increase it, analysts believe.
• Syrian Foreign Ministry Refutes Reports About Contacts With Israel Sputnik 18 Jan 2021 -- The Syrian Foreign Ministry on Monday denied reports about alleged contacts with Israel, reiterating its "firm" stance on "Israeli occupiers."
• Syria Shouldn't Be Turned Into Battlefield For Israel and Iran, Lavrov Says Sputnik 18 Jan 2021 -- Russia calls on Israel to report on the possible security threats from Syria, foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said on Monday, stressing that Syria should not turn into a battlefield for Iran and Israel.
• Russia sends more troops to Syria's Hasakah after US deployment Press TV 18 Jan 2021 -- Russia's military says it is dispatching additional units of military police - about 300 servicemen - to Hasakah Province in northeastern Syria in order to reinforce joint observation posts manned by Russian and Syrian forces.
• Casualties reported as airstrikes hit Iraqi forces' positions in Babil Press TV 18 Jan 2021 -- Several Iraqi forces have apparently been killed in airstrikes against the positions of the Arab country's military units in Jurf al-Sakhar, Babil province, local sources and media reports said.
• Guterres commends Libya forum for breakthrough on interim leadership deal UN News 18 Jan 2021 -- The UN Secretary-General has praised the breakthrough made by a key committee of the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum at the weekend, over an interim political leadership deal, ahead of nationwide elections at the end of the year.
• Pakistan's North Waziristan Plagued By Targeted Killings RFE/RL Gandhara 18 Jan 2021 -- Eid Rahman Wazir, an activist in Pakistan's restive western North Waziristan district, is still hoping for justice after his uncle was assassinated in broad daylight two months ago.
• UK 'seriously concerned' by Israel's West Bank settlement expansion Press TV 18 Jan 2021 -- The British government has expressed serious concern about Israeli plans to expand settlements in the occupied West Bank, calling for an immediate halt to the illegal construction as the move could threaten future peace negotiations.
• EU urges Israel to halt settlement expansion in West Bank Press TV 18 Jan 2021 -- The European Union has urged Israel to halt its settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank.
• Enhancing cooperation between the Arab nations and bringing peace and stability to the region UK FCDO 18 Jan 2021 -- Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward at the Security Council briefing on cooperation between the UN and the League of Arab States
• Death Toll From Armed Violence in Sudan's West Darfur Rises to Over 80, State Media Says Sputnik 18 Jan 2021 -- The number of deaths during hostilities that have recently erupted in the Sudanese city of Al Junayah, the capital of the West Darfur state, has risen to 83, the state-run SUNA news agency reported, citing the doctors' committee.
• UN chief calls for protection of civilians as violence spikes in Sudan's West Darfur UN News 18 Jan 2021 -- The United Nations Secretary-General has voiced deep concern over escalating violence in West Darfur and called on the Sudanese authorities to "expend all efforts" to end the fighting and protect civilians.

News Reports

• 1776 Commission Takes Historic and Scholarly Step to Restore Understanding of the Greatness of the American Founding The White House 18 Jan 2021 -- 1776 Commission—comprised of some of America’s most distinguished scholars and historians—has released a report presenting a definitive chronicle of the American founding, a powerful description of the effect the principles of the Declaration of Independence have had on this Nation’s history, and a dispositive rebuttal of reckless “re-education” attempts that seek to reframe American history around the idea that the United States is not an exceptional country but an evil one.
• Trump installs loyalist at top post in US National Security Agency Press TV 18 Jan 2021 -- US President Donald Trump has installed a former GOP operative and loyalist as the top lawyer at the National Security Agency (NSA).
• UN rights office 'deeply troubled' by Russian activist Aleksei Navalny's arrest UN News 18 Jan 2021 -- The UN human rights office (OHCHR) have raised alarm over the arrest of Russian opposition activist Aleksei Navalny and called for his immediate release. The office said in a tweet that they were "deeply troubled" by the arrest and called on the Government to respect his right to legal due process.
• Russian Court Orders Putin Critic Navalny Held for 30 Days VOA 18 Jan 2021 -- A Russian court on Monday sentenced opposition leader Alexei Navalny to 30 days in a Moscow prison over parole violations, setting the stage for a later trial that could send the Kremlin's most vocal critic to prison for several years.
• Russian opposition leader Navalny detained upon returning from Germany People's Daily 18 Jan 2021 -- Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny was detained on Sunday upon his arrival in Moscow from Germany, where he received medical treatment for alleged poisoning over the past months.
• Russian court orders Navalny held in police custody until mid-February Press TV 18 Jan 2021 -- A Russian court has ordered opposition figure Alexei Navalny to remain in custody until February 15, a day after he was arrested at the airport upon his arrival in Russia from Germany, his aides say.
• Navalny arrest: Russia urges West to stop meddling, deal with own issues Press TV 18 Jan 2021 -- In the wake of the arrest of Russian opposition figure Alexey Navalny in Moscow, the US and several European counties have called for his "immediate release." Moscow decried their interference in its internal affairs, urging them to deal with their own issues, instead.
• 'Take To The Streets': With Call For Protests, Navalny Throws Down Gauntlet To Kremlin -- And Russian Society RFE/RL 18 Jan 2021 -- For more than a decade, Aleksei Navalny has been one of President Vladimir Putin's most outspoken and influential critics in Russia, investigating high-level corruption, organizing protests, and traveling across the country to back opposition candidates in regional elections and nurture his network of political activists.
• Navalny Calls For Street Protests As World Blasts Russian's Detention RFE/RL 18 Jan 2021 -- Aleksei Navalny has urged Russians to take to the streets in protest after a judge at a hastily arranged hearing in a makeshift courtroom just outside Moscow ruled to keep the Kremlin critic in police custody for 30 days after his dramatic airport arrest a day earlier.
• Detention Of Kremlin Critic Navalny Sparks Strong Condemnation, Demands For His Immediate Release RFE/RL 18 Jan 2021 -- The detention of Russian opposition politician Aleksei Navalny upon arrival in Moscow from Germany has drawn a wave of international criticism.
• Russian Court Arrests Opposition Figure Navalny For 30 Days Sputnik 18 Jan 2021 -- On Sunday evening, Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny was detained at Moscow's Sheremetyevo Airport upon his arrival from Germany over probation violations.
• Foreign Secretary statement: Arrest of Alexey Navalny UK FCDO 18 Jan 2021 -- The Foreign Secretary has responded to the arrest of Alexey Navalny by the Russian authorities
• U.S. To Sanction Russian Vessel Building Nord Stream 2 Gas Pipeline In Baltic Sea RFE/RL 18 Jan 2021 -- The United States plans to sanction a Russian vessel as it seeks to stop the completion of a controversial natural gas export pipeline to Europe.
• Russia expels two Dutch diplomats in tit-for-tat move Press TV 18 Jan 2021 -- Russia has decided to expel two Dutch diplomats from the country in a tit-for-tat move after the expulsion of two Russian diplomats from the Netherlands on espionage charges last month.
• In Tit-For-Tat Move, Russia Expels Two Dutch Diplomats RFE/RL 18 Jan 2021 -- The Russian Foreign Ministry has expelled two Dutch diplomats in a tit-for-tat move after the expulsion for espionage of two Russian diplomats from The Hague last month.
• Russia Expels Two Dutch Embassy Staffers Sputnik 18 Jan 2021 -- In December 2020, the Russian Embassy in The Hague promised to retaliate after the Dutch Foreign Ministry had declared two employees of the Russian diplomatic mission personae non grata for alleged "activities incompatible with their diplomatic status".
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying's Regular Press Conference on January 18, 2021 PRC MofA 18 Jan 2021
• 'Mr Liar' Pompeo stages final madness on origin of coronavirus: Chinese FM Global Times 18 Jan 2021 -- Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying on Monday called the US Secretary of State and anti-China hawk Mike Pompeo "Mr Liar," snubbing claims made in a US Department of State document that suggest the novel coronavirus emerged from a Chinese lab and had a military background.
• Chinese officials call on US anti-China hawks like Pompeo to end 'sanctions farce' over HK issues Global Times 18 Jan 2021 -- Two top Chinese authorities on Hong Kong affairs - the liaison office of the central government in Hong Kong and Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council - denounced the latest sanctions imposed by the US on six individuals over the illegal primary elections held in the Chinese city, calling for these final-stage madness and multiple sanction farces to end.
• US sanctions: China urges Pompeo to 'wind up the show' Press TV 18 Jan 2021 -- China has criticized the latest US sanctions over Hong Kong, calling on Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to "wind up the show" and stop trying in vain, as his days in office are counted.
• Hong Kong Healthcare Volunteer Jailed For Four Years Over 2019 Protest Radio Free Asia 18 Jan 2021 -- A court in Hong Kong on Monday jailed a first-aid volunteer for four years, citing his presence at a pro-democracy protest in Causeway Bay in 2019.
• Two sessions form may be similar to last year, postponement unlikely: NPC deputies Global Times 18 Jan 2021 -- Amid a resurgence of sporadic COVID-19 cases in some Chinese cities, deputies to the 13th National People's Congress (NPC) approached by the Global Times on Monday said that the form of this year's Fourth Plenary Session of the 13th NPC and Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), the most important annual political event in China - collectively known as the two sessions - could be similar to last year's.
• Space station modules ready for missions People's Daily 18 Jan 2021 -- Three major components of China's space station program have passed technical and quality assessments and are ready for upcoming missions, the China Manned Space Agency said.
• Three Chinese military aircraft enter Taiwan's ADIZ CNA 18 Jan 2021 -- Three Chinese military aircraft entered Taiwan's southwest air defense identification zone (ADIZ) on Monday, the eighth consecutive day there have been incursions, according to Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense (MND).
• China to impose sanctions on US officials who behaved badly on Taiwan question: FM Global Times 18 Jan 2021 -- China has decided to impose sanctions on related US officials who have behaved badly on Taiwan question: FM spokesperson Hua Chunying in response to the US moves to ease restrictions on exchanges with the island.
• US officials face sanctions over 'nasty' Taiwan behavior: China Press TV 18 Jan 2021 -- China says the United States will pay a heavy price over its engagements with Taiwan, after Washington upgraded relations with the self-ruled Chinese island in defiance of Beijing.
• Members of DPRK Cabinet Appointed KCNA 18 Jan 2021 -- The following members of the DPRK Cabinet and the director of the Central Public Prosecutors Office of the DPRK were appointed at the 4th Session of the 14th Supreme People's Assembly of DPRK:
• Report Made on Fulfillment of State Budget for Last Year and on State Budget for This Year KCNA 18 Jan 2021 -- There was a report by Deputy Ko Jong Bom, minister of Finance, on the results of the fulfillment of the state budget of the DPRK for Juche 109(2020) and on state budget for Juche 110(2021) at the 4th session of the 14th Supreme People's Assembly held on Sunday.
• Kim Tok Hun Calls for Implementing Five-year Plan for National Economic Development Set forth at Eighth KCNA 18 Jan 2021 -- Deputy Kim Tok Hun, premier of the Cabinet of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), made a report at the 4th Session of the 14th Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK held on Sunday in which he called for thoroughly carrying out the five-year plan for national economic development set forth at the Eighth Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK).
• 4th Session of 14th SPA of DPRK Held KCNA 18 Jan 2021 -- The 4th Session of the 14th Supreme People's Assembly (SPA) of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) took place at the Mansudae Assembly Hall on Jan. 17.
• Zarif: Iran seeks neither tension nor war IRNA 18 Jan 2021 -- Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Monday that Iran is seeking neither tension nor war and the measures taken by US President Donald Trump's administration will have no effects on the will of the Iranian people.
• Iran dismisses Europe's concerns over military implications of producing uranium metal People's Daily 18 Jan 2021 -- The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) has dismissed European states' concerns over Iran's intention for uranium metal production, Press TV reported on Sunday.
• South Korea moves warship from key strait to mollify Iran: Yonhap Press TV 18 Jan 2021 -- South Korea has moved its naval unit operating near the Strait of Hormuz away from the waterway "to foster a positive mood" ahead of negotiations with Iran over a detained oil tanker, Yonhap news agency reports.
• Ice Hockey Federation Pulls World Championship From Minsk Over Security Concerns RFE/RL 18 Jan 2021 -- The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) says it has decided to move the 2021 World Championship from Minsk due to safety and security issues that are "beyond its control."
• Pakistan Arrests Suspected Islamic State 'Fundraiser' VOA 18 Jan 2021 -- Authorities in Pakistan said Monday they have arrested a university student in the southern port city of Karachi for allegedly collecting and sending funds to Islamic State militants fighting in Syria.
• Pakistani Opposition Vows To Press Ahead With Rallies Calling On PM To Resign RFE/RL Gandhara 18 Jan 2021 -- An alliance of the nine opposition parties has announced a fresh series of demonstrations across the country as they pressed ahead their campaign to force Prime Minister Imran Khan to step down.
• Hundreds of young Tunisians clash with police in third day of protests Press TV 18 Jan 2021 -- Hundreds of Tunisian youths clashed with police in cities across the North African state late on Monday, throwing stones and gasoline bombs in the capital as security forces used tear gas and water cannons to try to quell the unrest.
• Scores of arrests as violent protests engulf Tunisia for 2nd day Press TV 18 Jan 2021 -- Unrest has gripped more than a dozen cities in Tunisia for a second consecutive day, where police have confronted crowds of violent protesters and made scores of arrests.
• Uzbek Activist Claims Corruption In Distribution Of Compensation From Deadly Dam Accident RFE/RL 18 Jan 2021 -- An Uzbek rights activist and blogger says several people have been jailed after they complained of corruption in the distribution of housing and financial compensation for victims of a deadly dam accident in the eastern region of Sirdaryo last year.
• Uganda Police 'Raid' Opposition Party Headquarters VOA 18 Jan 2021 -- A spokesman for Uganda's main opposition party says government forces raided its headquarters Monday, a day after its leader vowed to challenge his loss in last week's presidential election.