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Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• US strikes against Hashd Sha'abi forces on Iraqi-Syrian border great mistake: MP Press TV 04 Mar 2021 -- A senior Iraqi lawmaker has denounced last week's US military airstrikes against the positions of anti-terror Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) – better known by the Arabic name Hashd al-Sha'abi – on the Iraqi-Syrian border as an act of sheer folly.
• U.S. Proposes UN Conference To Boost Afghan Peace Talks RFE/RL Gandhara 04 Mar 2021 -- The United States has proposed convening a United Nations-sponsored international conference on Afghanistan, a senior U.S. State Department official said.
• Female Doctor, Seven Ethnic Hazaras Killed In Attacks In Eastern Afghanistan RFE/RL Gandhara 04 Mar 2021 -- Afghan officials say a female doctor died in a bomb blast in the eastern city of Jalalabad in what appeared to be another targeted killing in the war-torn country.
• Oregon National Guard expands COVID-19 vaccinations Army News 04 Mar 2021 -- Oregon National Guard Soldiers and Airmen have vaccinated more than 100,000 people in the nearly two months since they were activated by Gov. Kate Brown to help the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) distribute the COVID-19 vaccine.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Phone Call With Georgian Minister of Defense Juansher Burchuladze DoD 04 Mar 2021
• Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III Message to the Force DoD 04 Mar 2021 -- Today, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III, published his Message to the Force, which committed to ensuring that the Department develops the right people, priorities, and purpose of mission to continue to defend the Nation from enemies foreign and domestic.
• Air Force discusses the future of energy efficiency US Air Force 04 Mar 2021 -- At this year's Virtual Air Warfare Symposium, the Air Force Association held a panel Feb. 23 with Department of the Air Force senior leaders titled "No Fuel, No Fight: The Future of Warfighting Energy Requirements." The purpose of the panel was to discuss the inherent vulnerabilities fuel and energy present to troops, and plans to mitigate associated risks, streamline operations, and decrease carbon release as part of the Secretary of Defense's climate change policy.
• MARMC Teams up with Ship Repair Industry to address "Pre-Deployment Bubble" Covid-19 Protocols To Fix Ships US Navy 04 Mar 2021 -- The Navy's largest East Coast maintenance center and their ship repair and maintenance partners in Hampton Roads are teaming up to prevent the threat of COVID outbreaks on ships in a "pre-deployment bubble"- a method to ensure crew is COVID free prior to deploying.- while continuing to provide timely and safe routine and emergent maintenance services.
• 'Warfighter Council' Guides Capability Development for Space Development Agency DoD News 04 Mar 2021 -- As the Space Development Agency builds out the National Defense Space Architecture, it looks to a biannual "warfighter council" to provide guidance about what is actually important to those who will use the systems, the agency's director said today.
• NATO: EU Cannot Protect Europe Alone Amid Threats From Terrorism, Russia RFE/RL 04 Mar 2021 -- NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg warned against any attempts to "divide Europe from North America" and said that the European Union "cannot defend" the continent alone amid the threat of terrorism and Russia's "destabilizing behavior."
• NATO: keeping Europe safe in an uncertain world - Speech by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at the College of Europe in Bruges NATO 04 Mar 2021
• Deputy Secretary General highlights NATO's role as transatlantic forum for collaboration on emerging technologies NATO 04 Mar 2021 -- NATO's Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoană discussed the external policy dimension of Artificial Intelligence at the European Parliament today (04 March 2021). In a lively discussion with Members of the European Parliament from the Special Committee of Artificial Intelligence in a Digital Age, Mr. Geoană highlighted NATO's importance as a transatlantic forum for collaboration and coordination on emerging and disruptive technologies (EDT) – as well as the potential of cooperation between NATO and the European Union (EU) in this area.
• NATO Allies hold simultaneous Baltic Sea, Black Sea drills NATO 04 Mar 2021 -- NATO conducted military exercises simultaneously over the Baltic Sea and the Black Sea on Wednesday (3 March 2020) ensuring that allied forces remain ready to operate together and respond to any threat.
• Russian fighter escorts U.S. bombers over Baltic Sea Global Times 04 Mar 2021 -- A Russian fighter jet escorted two U.S. strategic bombers over the Baltic Sea on Wednesday, the Russian Defense Ministry said.
• China to keep steady, proper increase in defense spending, figure open and transparent: NPC spokesperson Global Times 04 Mar 2021 -- China will maintain a proper and steady increase in defense spending, and the figure is open and transparent, a spokesperson for the annual session of the country's top legislature said on Thursday, ahead of the expected revelation of the country's defense budget draft for 2021 on Friday.
• 37th Chinese naval escort taskforce conducts astern replenishment-at-sea PLA Daily 04 Mar 2021 -- Recently, the 37th Chinese naval escort taskforce, which is conducting escort missions in the Gulf of Aden and the waters off Somalia, launched a replenishment-at-sea exercise.
• Royal Saudi Air Force, USAF Conclude Joint Maneuvers SPA 04 Mar 2021 -- Royal Saudi Air Forces (RSAF) and US Air Forces (USAF) today concluded a joint exercise which witnessed many joint combat "scenarios" such as day and night sorties to address threats.
• 11 troops killed in helicopter crash in SE Turkey: Ministry Press TV 04 Mar 2021 -- Eleven Turkish forces are killed after their military helicopter crashes in tumultuous weather in the country's southeast, Turkey's Defense Ministry says.
• Finnish Armed Forces Facing 'Alarming' Coronavirus Situation Sputnik 04 Mar 2021 -- Despite a rise in infections and cancelled international drills, the Finnish military is not eligible for prioritised vaccination and will follow the same vaccination schedule as everyone else.
• Belfast firm secures £98-million air defence missile contract UK MOD 04 Mar 2021 -- A £98.4 million contract, supporting 119 jobs, has been extended to maintain Short-Range Air Defence (SHORAD) for the British Army and Royal Marines.
• Snow vehicle delivery ensures mission success Australia DOD 04 Mar 2021 -- The heavy-lifting capability of Air Force's C-17A Globemaster III ensured the Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) could launch an important science mission.
• Washington Singles Out Growing Rivalry With 'China, Russia, Other Authoritarian States' RFE/RL 04 Mar 2021 -- The administration of U.S. President Joe Biden has singled out a "growing rivalry with China, Russia, and other authoritarian states" as a key challenge facing the United States.
• United States and Japan Hold Bilateral Security Discussions US Dept. of State 04 Mar 2021 -- The United States and Japan held bilateral security discussions by video teleconference on March 4, 2021.
• Department Press Briefing – March 4, 2021 US Dept. of State 04 Mar 2021
• Readout of Vice President Kamala Harris Call with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel The White House 04 Mar 2021
• Readout of President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Call with President Alejandro Giammattei Falla of Guatemala The White House 04 Mar 2021
• Statement by NSC Spokesperson Emily Horne on National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan's Call with Pacific Island Country (PIC) Ambassadors The White House 04 Mar 2021
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jen Psaki and Secretary of Veterans Affairs Denis McDonough, March 4, 2021 The White House 04 Mar 2021

Defense Industry

• Contracts For March 4, 2021

Other Conflicts

• 4 March 2021 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 04 Mar 2021
• US hails plan by Germany to sail warship through South China Sea Press TV 04 Mar 2021 -- The United States has welcomed a plan by NATO ally Germany to sail a warship across the disputed South China Sea for the first time after almost two decades, amid tensions with China in the resource-rich waters.
• Yemen fires missile at Saudi Aramco oil facility in Jeddah Press TV 04 Mar 2021 -- Yemen's military says it has launched a missile attack against Saudi Arabia's Aramco oil facility in the kingdom's Red Sea city of Jeddah.
• Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen: Interception, Destruction of Bomb-Laden UAV Launched by Terrorist, Iran-Backed Houthi Militia Toward Khamis Mushait City SPA 04 Mar 2021 -- Statement by the Official Spokesman of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen Brigadier General Turki Al-Malki
• Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen: Interception, Destruction of Ballistic Missile Launched by Terrorist, Iran-Backed Houthi Militia Toward the Kingdom SPA 04 Mar 2021 -- Statement by the Official Spokesman of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen Brigadier General Turki Al-Malki:
• Yemen's Houthis Claim Control Over Majority of Marib, Government's Last Northern Stronghold Sputnik 04 Mar 2021 -- The Saudi-led coalition has waged an unrelenting air campaign against the Houthis since 2015 that has nonetheless failed to stop the Houthis' slow accumulation of territory, much less caused its collapse. However, it has created the world's worst humanitarian crisis, according to the UN.
• Russia warns against using IAEA to settle scores with Syria Press TV 04 Mar 2021 -- Russia has called for not politicizing and exploiting the work of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Syria, warning against using the body to settle scores with the Damascus government.
• Pursuing the elimination of the Syrian chemical weapons programme UK FCDO 04 Mar 2021 -- Statement by Sonia Farrey, UK Political Coordinator at the UN, at the Security Council briefing on Syria Chemical Weapons
• Humanitarian Crisis Worsens in Syria After Decade of War VOA 04 Mar 2021 -- Leaders of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent movement warn the suffering of millions of Syrians is deepening as the country enters a second decade of warfare, with no political solution to the crisis in view.
• US 'firmly opposes' ICC probe of Israeli crimes against Palestinians Press TV 04 Mar 2021 -- The administration of US President Joe Biden has "firmly opposed" the International Criminal Court (ICC)'s decision to open an investigation into the war crimes perpetrated by Israeli forces in the occupied Palestinian territories.
• Netanyahu Vows to Fight ICC War Crimes Probe Decision, Dubs It 'Perversion of Justice' Sputnik 04 Mar 2021 -- In a Wednesday release, an ICC prosecutor said that the investigation would be "conducted independently, impartially, and objectively, without fear or favour."
• ICC Prosecutor opens probe into alleged crimes in occupied Palestine UN News 04 Mar 2021 -- The Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) said on Wednesday that her Office has started an investigation into crimes allegedly committed in Occupied Palestinian Territory.
• ICC to Probe War Crimes Allegations in Palestinian Territories VOA 04 Mar 2021 -- The International Criminal Court's chief prosecutor announced Wednesday an investigation into alleged war crimes in the Palestinian territories.
• US Diplomat Calls on South Sudan to Speed Up Peace Process VOA 04 Mar 2021 -- The U.S. ambassador to the United Nations called on South Sudan's leaders Wednesday to expedite implementation of the 2018 peace agreement, address rampant violence in parts of the country, and allow humanitarian access to vulnerable South Sudanese dealing with violence and hunger.
• Peace process in South Sudan remains fragile despite progress: UN envoy Global Times 04 Mar 2021 -- The peace process in South Sudan remains extremely fragile despite some progress in the past four years, said David Shearer, the outgoing top UN envoy for South Sudan, on Wednesday.
• Seven years of illegal occupation of Crimea by the Russian Federation: UK statement UK FCDO 04 Mar 2021 -- Ambassador Neil Bush speaks about Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014 at the OSCE Permanent Council.
• Amidst 'conflict, blanket denials and finger-pointing', UN rights chief calls for probe in Ethiopia's Tigray UN News 04 Mar 2021 -- Given the persistent reports of serious human rights violations and abuses in the Tigray region of Ethiopia, the UN rights chief on Thursday stressed the urgent need for an objective, independent assessment of the facts on the ground.
• UN Calls On Ethiopia to Allow Probe Into Alleged Mass Killings in Tigray VOA 04 Mar 2021 -- The United Nations high commissioner for human rights called on Ethiopia to permit an investigation into allegations of murders and sexual violence in the Tigray region, which may amount to war crimes.

News Reports

• US Capitol Police Want National Guard Troops to Extend Stay at Capitol VOA 04 Mar 2021 -- The U.S. Capitol Police, worried about threats of another attack on the Capitol, are asking the Defense Department to leave about 5,000 members of the National Guard stationed at the Capitol for another 60 days to provide security through mid-May.
• U.S. Capitol on alert over "possible plot" for March 4 attack People's Daily 04 Mar 2021 -- U.S. Capitol Police said on Wednesday that it has learned of a "possible plot to breach the Capitol" by a militia group driven by a conspiracy theory suggesting former President Donald Trump would return to power on March 4.
• Foreign Secretary Oral statement: Update on Counter Daesh UK FCDO 04 Mar 2021 -- Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab updates the House of Commons on the ongoing campaign to counter Daesh.
• Downfall of Asia's 'Biggest Drug Lord' Seen Unlikely to Dent Regional Narcotics Trade VOA 04 Mar 2021 -- Given the estimated $70 billion being made each year in Asia's drug trade, regional experts say recent arrests of two key drug figures are seen as unlikely to dent the long-term flow of narcotics.
• Commerce Implements New Export Controls on Burma and Makes Entity List Additions in Response to the Military Coup and Escalating Violence against Peaceful Protesters US Dept. of Commerce 04 Mar 2021 -- The Commerce Department's Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has implemented new restrictions on exports and reexports to Burma, and transfers (in-country) within Burma, of sensitive items subject to the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) in response to the military coup and escalating violence against peaceful protesters. BIS has also added to the Entity List four entities - two Burmese military and security services entities responsible for the coup and two commercial entities that are owned and operated by one of those entities.
• UN, Rights Groups Condemn Growing Violence, Death Toll Under Myanmar Junta Radio Free Asia 04 Mar 2021 -- The U.N.'s rights office and humanitarian organizations on Thursday condemned violent crackdowns on anti-junta protesters and the rising death toll in Myanmar amid peaceful countrywide demonstrations following the deadliest day in more than a month since the military coup seized power from the democratically elected government.
• Medics, Aid Volunteers Become Latest Targets of Myanmar Junta's Brutality Radio Free Asia 04 Mar 2021 -- Myanmar's police and military forces have turned their attention to targeting medics and volunteers assisting wounded anti-junta demonstrators, at times using excessive force against them, witnesses, officials, and emergency medical workers said Thursday.
• Stop murdering and jailing protestors, UN human rights chief tells Myanmar military UN News 04 Mar 2021 -- The United Nations top human rights official, on Thursday, said that the military in Myanmar must halt their "vicious crackdown" on peaceful protestors, amid reports that at least 54 people have been killed since the 1 February coup, 38 of them on Wednesday alone.
• Myanmar Protests Resume After 'Bloodiest Day' Since Military Coup VOA 04 Mar 2021 -- Demonstrations against Myanmar's military junta took place across the country again Thursday in the wake of what the United Nations described as "the bloodiest day" since the February 1 coup.
• Journalists Become Targets in Myanmar Violence VOA 04 Mar 2021 -- As security forces in Myanmar respond with greater force against protesters, journalists are being targeted or caught in the crossfire.
• US adds Myanmar ministries, army conglomerates to trade blacklist Press TV 04 Mar 2021 -- The United States has announced new penalties to punish Myanmar's army for its February 1 coup which overthrew the country's de-facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
• UN rights chief tells Myanmar military to 'stop murdering' protesters Press TV 04 Mar 2021 -- The United Nations human rights chief has called on Myanmar's ruling generals to halt their "vicious crackdown on peaceful protesters" and asked them to release people arbitrarily detained during the ongoing unrest against the recent military coup in the Southeast Asian country.
• UN: 38 killed in 'bloodiest day' of protests in Myanmar Press TV 04 Mar 2021 -- The United Nations (UN) says at least 38 people were killed in Myanmar on Wednesday, marking the bloodiest day of protests against the recent military coup in the Southeast Asian country.
• Briefing by Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, Moscow, March 4, 2021 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 04 Mar 2021
• In Apparent New Aim At Web Freedoms, Putin Wants 'Moral Laws' For The Internet RFE/RL 04 Mar 2021 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has called for the Internet in Russia to be bound by "moral laws" that he says will stop society from "collapsing" -- suggesting that Russian children are being exploited by his political opponents at anti-Kremlin demonstrations.
• 'Confident' China to Convene Rubber-Stamp Parliament VOA 04 Mar 2021 -- China is expected to tout its strong economic performance during the pandemic and unveil long-term goals for its economy at an annual meeting of its ceremonial legislature beginning Friday in Beijing.
• What to expect at "two sessions" as China begins new journey People's Daily 04 Mar 2021 -- China's top legislature and political advisory body will start annual sessions this week, returning to their traditional March schedule after last year's events were postponed to May due to the COVID-19 epidemic.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin's Regular Press Conference on March 4, 2021 PRC MofA 04 Mar 2021
• US 'biggest threat' to China's development, security: President Xi Press TV 04 Mar 2021 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping says the United States is the "biggest threat" to his country's development and security, amid simmering tensions between Beijing and the new administration in Washington.
• Blinken describes China as 'biggest geopolitical test' for US, vows strength Press TV 04 Mar 2021 -- US Secretary of State Antony Blinken says China is the main overseas focus of President Joe Biden's administration, calling the Asian superpower "the biggest geopolitical test" of the century for Washington.
• Blinken naming China as challenge 'an unsurprising display of tough line,' shows decline of US: experts Global Times 04 Mar 2021 -- Tackling China was mentioned as one of the eight top priorities of the Joe Biden administration, as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in his first major address on Wednesday, at a time when the US is facing domestic disorder regarding epidemic, economy and political division.
• 'Political stigmatization' damaged China's image in US: FM on favorability survey Global Times 04 Mar 2021 -- Spokespersons from the Chinese Foreign Ministry and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) answered questions about why a recent survey showed that Americans' favorable ratings of China have plummeted, saying that the previous US administration had seriously poisoned the public opinion atmosphere of the two countries.
• Cooperative, stable China-U.S. ties fit common interests: Cui Tiankai People's Daily 04 Mar 2021 -- Chinese Ambassador to the United States Cui Tiankai said that cooperative and stable China-U.S. relations fit the common interests of both peoples.
• Marathon Hong Kong Bail Hearing Ends With 47 Activist Behind Bars Radio Free Asia 04 Mar 2021 -- A court in Hong Kong has denied bail to 32 democracy activists charged with "subversion" under a draconian national security law and granted it to 15 of them, local media reported by live video feed on Thursday.
• Hong Kong Court Orders 47 Pro-Democracy Activists Held VOA 04 Mar 2021 -- After a four-day hearing, a Hong Kong court ruled Thursday that 47 pro-democracy advocates accused of subversion under a national security law must remain in custody.
• Hong Kong Keeps Activists Detained After Granting Bail VOA 04 Mar 2021 -- A Hong Kong judge ordered 47 pro-democracy activists to remain in custody Thursday after the territory's Department of Justice appealed an earlier decision to release some of them on bail.
• Electoral reform to bring HK into a new era Global Times 04 Mar 2021 -- With China's top legislature officially introducing reform of Hong Kong electoral system into this year's two sessions agenda, the central government's advisors forecast that a detailed plan for overhauling the local electoral system would take effect in a very short period, giving fundamental support for the election in the second half of 2021, and bringing local governance into a new era.
• Central govt should help HK schools design courses in national defense, foreign policy, Constitution: proposal Global Times 04 Mar 2021 -- Central government organs, including the Ministry of Justice and Ministry of National Defense, should send a team annually to Hong Kong's schools to organize forums and provide course materials to deepen teachers' and students' understanding of China's Constitution, national defense and foreign policy, a two sessions proposal read.
• Carrie Lam says HK welcomes NPC decision to improve electoral system, to fully cooperate Global Times 04 Mar 2021 -- Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Carrie Lam said on Thursday that she welcomes the National People's Congress's decision of reviewing and improving Hong Kong's electoral system and Hong Kong government will fully cooperate with the top legislature in implementing the principle of "patriots governing HK."
• HK economic policy not controlled by central govt: financial secretary Global Times 04 Mar 2021 -- The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR)'s Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po on Wednesday denied that the city's economic policy is controlled by the Chinese central government, after the US-based Heritage Foundation removed the HKSAR from its annual league table ranking the world's freest economies.
• Xinjiang Labor Transfer Scheme Constitutes Crimes Against Humanity: Report Radio Free Asia 04 Mar 2021 -- Labor transfers within the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) and to other parts of China meet the definition of forced labor and could be classified as crimes against humanity in an international court of law, according to a new report by German researcher Adrian Zenz.
• Long March-8 rocket likely to try out vertical landing in 2021: Chinese developer Global Times 04 Mar 2021 -- Development for a fusion version of China's potentially reusable medium-sized launch vehicle, the Long March-8, has been initiated, and it is hoped that the new rocket will carry out key technology demonstration tests for vertical take-off and vertical landing (VTVL) in 2021, said Jiang Jie, a leading expert with the project developer China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT) on Thursday.
• Biden gives support for Taiwan in national security guidance CNA 04 Mar 2021 -- U.S. President Joe Biden issued an interim guidance on Wednesday outlining his national security priorities, which include the country's continued support for Taiwan.
• Japan supports Taiwan's participation in WHO meetings: PM CNA 04 Mar 2021 -- Japan's Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga on Thursday expressed his government's support for Taiwan's participation at the World Health Organization (WHO).
• Mainland spokesperson cautions Taiwan political parties against irrational thinking Global Times 04 Mar 2021 -- A mainland spokesperson Wednesday cautioned relevant political parties and personnel in Taiwan against the populist trap of irrational and confrontational thinking.
• Zarif : JCPOA cannot be renegotiated IRNA 04 Mar 2021 -- Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in a message stressed the fact that Iran nuclear deal known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) can not be renegotiated.
• President Rouhani: US must return to JCPOA by lifting sanctions IRNA 04 Mar 2021 -- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on Thursday that the US must return to the JCPOA by lifting all sanctions and taking practical measures.
• IAEA drops issuing anti-Iran resolution: FM spox IRNA 04 Mar 2021 -- Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh on Thursday said that the plan for the resolution has been dropped after intensive diplomatic efforts in Tehran, Vienna, and the capitals of all members of the Board of Governors.
• Iran urges European parties to nuke deal to stop "wrongful, illegal" sanctions People's Daily 04 Mar 2021 -- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani called on European parties to the 2015 nuclear agreement to stop the "wrongful and out-of-place illegal sanctions," noting Iran has preserved the agreement for three years despite being under "economic war."
• Iran's Zarif flatly rejects JCPOA renegotiation, urges mutual implementation of deal Press TV 04 Mar 2021 -- Iran's foreign minister has once again categorically ruled out any renegotiation of the nuclear deal clinched by Iran and six world powers in 2015, urging all parties to get down to implementing the deal, instead of just posturing.
• Rouhani says US must lift all sanctions, pledges to reciprocate 'action with action' Press TV 04 Mar 2021 -- President Hassan Rouhani says the United States has violated the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran and other world powers and it is Washington that should take practical steps to rejoin the deal and lift all sanctions it has re-imposed on Tehran.
• IAEA no place for political games, Iran's Rouhani tells E3 Press TV 04 Mar 2021 -- Iran's President Hassan Rouhani has once again warned the three European signatories to the 2015 nuclear deal against pushing ahead with a US-backed plan at the UN nuclear watchdog's forthcoming board meeting, saying the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is "no place for political games."
• US Welcomes Decision by E3 to Drop IAEA Resolution Rebuking Iran Sputnik 04 Mar 2021 -- The United States welcomes the decision by European nations to refrain from submitting a resolution to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that would have rebuked Iran for restricting the agency's inspection activities, US State Department spokesperson Ned Price said on Thursday.
• UN Nuclear Agency, Iran to Hold Talks to 'Clarify' Issues VOA 04 Mar 2021 -- The U.N. nuclear monitoring agency said Thursday it reached an agreement with Iran to hold talks next month in Tehran to "clarify a number of outstanding issues," such as the presence of uranium particles at undeclared sites.
• SpaceX rocket explodes after landing in test flight People's Daily 04 Mar 2021 -- An unmanned SpaceX's Starship prototype on Wednesday exploded on the ground shortly after landing in a test flight, according to a SpaceX video online.
• French Former PM Balladur Acquitted In 'Karachi Affair' RFE/RL Gandhara 04 Mar 2021 -- A French court has acquitted former Prime Minister Edouard Balladur on corruption charges over an arms deal with Pakistan in the mid-1990s.
• Foreign Secretary agrees UK-Singapore joint statement UK FCDO 04 Mar 2021 -- The UK and Singapore agreed a statement reaffirming both countries' commitment to free trade, climate action, and sustainability as we rebuild after COVID-19.
• Ratings, Russia, Reforms: What Is Driving Zelenskiy's Moves Against Medvedchuk? RFE/RL 04 Mar 2021 -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy got heads turning last month when his administration imposed what it described as sanctions against individuals and entities with strong ties to Russia, including three television stations and an influential tycoon who is close to President Vladimir Putin, in a surprise show of force.
• Opposition Politician Says Talks With Armenian PM On Snap Polls Unsuccessful So Far RFE/RL 04 Mar 2021 -- The leader of an Armenian opposition parliamentary faction says talks with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian on holding early parliamentary elections have failed to reach a deal so far.
• Burkina Faso Opposition Says Security Behind Push for Return of Exiled President VOA 04 Mar 2021 -- Burkina Faso's opposition has stepped-up pressure on President Roch Kabore to follow through on a one-time campaign promise to allow former president Blaise Compaore to return from exile.
• Laos Braces for Promise, Peril of China's High-Speed Railway VOA 04 Mar 2021 -- After five years of hard work boring dozens of tunnels and building even more bridges to lay more than 400 kilometers of train track, China's high-speed railway through Laos is on course to launch within the year.