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Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• US Not Ready to Assign Blame for Rocket Attack in Iraq VOA 05 Mar 2021 -- U.S. defense officials are declining to assign responsibility for an attack on a major air base in western Iraq, days after 10 rockets slammed into the compound that houses American and coalition troops.
• Latest Rocket Attack in Iraq Causes Only 'Minor Structural Damage' VOA 05 Mar 2021 -- This week's rocket attack on a major air base in western Iraq appears to have done little damage, according to the latest assessment by U.S. military officials.
• U.S. Africa Command Civilian Casualty Assessment Report AFRICOM 05 Mar 2021 -- In the latest quarterly civilian casualty assessment report ending Dec. 31, 2020, U.S. Africa Command received no new reports of civilian casualties and closed out two of three open cases.
• More than 4,000 Guard members on duty in DC Army News 05 Mar 2021 -- The silver-haired woman clutched a protest sign as she methodically made her way down the line of Soldiers. She paused deliberately as she met the gaze of each set of eyes through their face shields, and offered a heartfelt, "thank you for your service."
• Ohio Army Guard assists during unrest in Cleveland, Columbus Army News 05 Mar 2021 -- Members of the Ohio National Guard were activated by Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine to assist local authorities after three days of civil unrest in major Ohio cities, including Columbus and Cleveland.
• National Guard chief: More Guard members to be called up Army News 05 Mar 2021 -- More than 28,000 National Guard members are on duty as part of COVID-19 response efforts, and that number is expected to grow, the Guard's top general says.

Defense Policy / Programs

• U.S. Navy, JMSDF Strengthen Alliance through Bilateral Advanced Warfighting Training US Navy 05 Mar 2021 -- Units and personnel from the U.S. Navy and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) conclude bilateral advanced warfighting training (BAWT) exercise March 6.
• DOD Official Says Budgetary Flexibility Is Essential to Countering China Threat DoD News 05 Mar 2021 -- A Defense Department official described China's rapid success in advancing highly capable new technologies for its military, just as DOD's own modernization efforts are hampered by budgetary restraints.
• U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Proposes New Missile Capabilities to Deter China Radio Free Asia 05 Mar 2021 -- The U.S. military has advised the U.S. Congress that it needs new precision-strike, air missile defense, and other capabilities to counter China in the Indo-Pacific, a sign of deepening military competition between the two rival nations.
• Austin Outlines His Top Three Priorities on Defense, People, Teamwork DoD News 05 Mar 2021 -- Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III has announced his top three priorities for the Defense Department: to develop the right people, priorities and purpose of mission. According to a memorandum from his office, the mission is to continue to defend the nation from enemies, foreign and domestic.
• Pentagon Assessing Its Networks for Possible Damage After Microsoft Breach, Spokesman Says Sputnik 05 Mar 2021 -- Earlier this week, Microsoft accused a Chinese hacking group known as "Hafnium" of breaching its Exchange Server email application. Microsoft had previously accused the company of attempting to steal information from infectious disease researchers, defense contractors, policy think tanks and non-governmental organizations.
• Seaborne Targets Depot Team Demonstrates Contribution to Readiness US Navy Press Release 05 Mar 2021 -- The U.S. Navy's Seaborne Targets team from Program Executive Office (PEO) Ships and NAVAIR's Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division (NAWCWD) demonstrated its essential capabilities to Chief of Naval Operations (CNO), Admiral Michael Gilday, during his visit to Naval Base Ventura County, Port Hueneme, Feb. 26.
• Russia's 'Open Skies' Plane Inspects Camouflage of Military Facilities in Crimea, Source Says Sputnik 05 Mar 2021 -- A Russian Tu-214ON plane designed for carrying out reconnaissance missions under the Open Skies Treaty has carried out a flight as part of performing its new tasks to inspect the camouflage of Russian military facilities in Crimea and the Krasnodar Region, a military and diplomatic source told Sputnik.
• China announces steady and appropriate growth of 2021 defense budget: spokesperson Global Times 08 Mar 2021 -- China's defense budget growth for 2021 is steady and appropriate after last year's positive economic growth when China broke free from the burden of the COVID-19 outbreak, a Chinese military spokesperson said on Sunday.
• Improving electoral system of HKSAR ensures steady development of "one country, two systems": HKSAR gov't officials Global Times 08 Mar 2021 -- Officials of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government have said the National People's Congress (NPC) improving the electoral system of the HKSAR at the constitutional level will ensure the steady development of "one country, two systems" and long-term prosperity and stability in Hong Kong.
• China hikes defense budget by 6.8 % in 2021, faster than 6.6% growth last year Global Times 05 Mar 2021 -- China increased its 2021 defense budget by 6.8 percent to 1.35 trillion yuan ($209 billion) in a quicker pace than last year's growth, which analysts believe is normal, steady and restrained as the country resiliently emerges from the wreckage of COVID-19 pandemic.
• Chinese Congress Lays Out 6.8% Defense Budget Hike for 2021, Paralleling Economic Growth Sputnik 05 Mar 2021 -- China's military spending is the world's second-largest after the US' colossal budget, but in contrast to Washington's goals of global power projection and engaging in multiple conflicts at once, the People's Liberation Army has defined its role as fundamentally defensive.
• China's defense budget maintains single-digit growth for six consecutive years People's Daily 05 Mar 2021 -- China's annual defense budget will maintain single-digit growth for a sixth consecutive year by increasing 6.8 percent in 2021, according to a draft budget report made public on Friday.
• China's defense budget maintains single-digit growth for six consecutive years PLA Daily 05 Mar 2021 -- China's annual defense budget will maintain single-digit growth for a sixth consecutive year by increasing 6.8 percent in 2021, according to a draft budget report made public on Friday.
• Chinese political advisor suggests more PLA aircraft carrier visits to HK Global Times 05 Mar 2021 -- China should organize an aircraft carrier task group to visit the country's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in 2021, a move that can boost the senses of pride, safety and belonging for people in Hong Kong and safeguard Hong Kong's prosperity and stability by displaying China's strong national defense capability, a national political advisor suggested at the ongoing two sessions.
• China to speed up maritime development: draft outline People's Daily 05 Mar 2021 -- China will speed up the maritime development, according to the draft outline of the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) for national economic and social development and the long-range objectives through the year 2035.
• China's AG600 amphibious aircraft begins firefighting capacity testing PLA Daily 05 Mar 2021 -- China's independently developed AG600 large amphibious aircraft has entered a new flight test phase targeting its firefighting capacities, announced its developer on Thursday.
• To comprehensively boost military training and war preparedness: Chinese Premier PLA Daily 05 Mar 2021 -- China will boost military training and war preparedness across the board and make overall plans to deal with security risks in all areas, said Chinese Premier Li Keqiang in his government work report on Friday morning. Premier Li Keqiang delivered a government work report at the opening meeting of the fourth session of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC) on March 5 in Beijing. In the report he summarized that in the past year, new major achievements have been made in the construction of national defense and armed forces. The Chinese People's Liberation Army has demonstrated excellent qualifications and exemplary conducts in safeguarding national security and the COVID-19 epidemic prevention and control.
• HMAS Maitland arrives in Solomon Islands Australia DOD 05 Mar 2021 -- Royal Australian Navy vessel HMAS Maitland is supporting regional fisheries operations and Solomon Islands' maritime and border security efforts.
• Launch of the Arafura Class Offshore Patrol Vessel Enterprise Australia DOD 05 Mar 2021 -- Secretary of Defence Mr Greg Moriarty, together with a large contingent of Defence senior leaders, launched the Arafura Class Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) Enterprise and opened the OPV System Program Office at the Henderson maritime precinct.
• Tim Tams cap off exercise with NZ ship Australia DOD 05 Mar 2021 -- The crew of HMAS Hobart used a replenishment-at-sea exercise to pass gifts to the crew of the Royal New Zealand Navy's newest ship, HMNZS Aotearoa, in a show of camaraderie.
• DRDO conducts successful flight test of Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet India PIB 05 Mar 2021 -- Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully carried out a flight demonstration based on Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet (SFDR) technology from Integrated Test Range Chandipur off the coast of Odisha at around 1030 hrs on March 05, 2021. All the subsystems, including the booster motor and nozzle-less motor, performed as expected. During the test, many new technologies were proven, including Solid Fuel based Ducted Ramjet technology.
• Saudi Royal Air Force Group, Participating in Desert Flag 2021 Exercises, Arrives in UAE SPA 05 Mar 2021 -- The Saudi Royal Air Force combat aircraft arrived today at Al-Dhafra Air Base in the United Arab Emirates to participate in the joint exercise (Desert Flag 2021), which will be implemented during the current month.
• Secretary Blinken's Call with Czech Prime Minister Babiš US Dept. of State 05 Mar 2021
• Secretary Blinken's Call with Armenian Prime Minister Pashinyan US Dept. of State 05 Mar 2021
• Department Press Briefing – March 5, 2021 US Dept. of State 05 Mar 2021
• Statement by President von der Leyen following her phone call with President of the United States Joe Biden European Commission 05 Mar 2021
• Readout of President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Call with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen The White House 05 Mar 2021
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jen Psaki, March 5, 2021 The White House 05 Mar 2021

Defense Industry

• Contracts For March 5, 2021

Other Conflicts

• 5 March 2021 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 05 Mar 2021
• Yemeni drones attack air base, airport in Saudi Arabia: Military Press TV 05 Mar 2021 -- Yemeni armed forces, backed by allied fighters from Popular Committees, have launched fresh retaliatory attacks against Saudi Arabia, targeting Abha International Airport and King Khalid Air Base in southwestern region of Asir.
• Civil Defense in Asir Region: Child, Civilian Injured as Result of Falling and Dispersing Shrapnel of Intercepted Houthi Militia's Bomb-Laden UAVs, in Khamis Mushait and Ahad Rafidah SPA 05 Mar 2021 -- Media Spokesman of the Civil Defense Directorate in Asir Region Captain Mohammed bin Abdu Al-Sayeed said that on Friday 21/7/1442 AH corresponding to March 5, 2021, the Civil Defense received several reports on falling and dispersing shrapnel in various residential areas in Khamis Mushait and Ahad Rafidah Governorates, as a result of interception operations of bomb-laden UAVs launched by the Iran-backed terrorist Houthi militia toward the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
• Official Spokesman of Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen: Royal Saudi Air Defense Intercepts, Destroys (6) Bomb-Laden UAVs Launched by Terrorist, Iran-backed Houthi Militia SPA 05 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 Bomb-Laden UAV Launched by Terrorist, Iran-Backed Houthi Militia Toward Khamis Mushait City SPA 05 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 Bomb-Laden UAV Launched by Terrorist, Iran-Backed Houthi Militia Toward Khamis Mushait City SPA 05 Mar 2021 -- Statement by the Official Spokesman of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen Brigadier General Turki Al-Malki
• Crimean Tatar Leader Barred From Entering Crimea Until 2034 RFE/RL 05 Mar 2021 -- Russia has barred long-time Crimean Tatar leader Mustafa Dzhemilev from entering Crimea for the next 13 years.
• Bomb Blast Kills at Least 20 in Somali Capital VOA 05 Mar 2021 -- A suicide car bomb killed at least 20 and injured 30 late Friday in the Somali capital of Mogadishu.

News Reports

• US Capitol Police seek extension of National Guard amid security concerns Press TV 05 Mar 2021 -- Amidst concerns about security and the likelihood of more violence at the US Capitol, members of the US National Guard have been asked to extend their deployment for another two months.
• 1,600 vaccinated in Guinea Ebola virus outbreak but more jabs needed: WHO UN News 05 Mar 2021 -- More than 1,600 people have received Ebola virus vaccinations in Guinea where four have died in a new outbreak, but more lifesaving jabs will be needed to contain the disease, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Friday.
• Effort to Curb Ebola in Guinea, DR Congo Gathering Steam VOA 05 Mar 2021 -- The World Health Organization says it is using every measure it has to curb the spread of parallel Ebola outbreaks in Guinea and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
• US, UK spy agencies snooping on Middle East via Red Sea cables: Report Press TV 05 Mar 2021 -- The mushrooming of fiber optic cable networks in the Middle East has provided a tool to Western intelligence agencies to make inroads into the region's sensitive data and communications traffic.
• UN envoy urges Security Council to act on deadly crackdown in Myanmar Press TV 05 Mar 2021 -- The United Nations special envoy on Myanmar has called on the UN Security Council (UNSC) to take swift action to restore civilian rule to the country, following the deaths of dozens of anti-coup protesters at the hands of military forces.
• UN rights expert calls for 'urgent and decisive' action to support people of Myanmar UN News 05 Mar 2021 -- The United Nations independent human rights expert on Myanmar has called on the Security Council for "decisive and unified action" against the military junta, including targeted sanctions and an arms embargo.
• UN Envoy Calls for Collective Action to Stop Myanmar Repression VOA 05 Mar 2021 -- The U.N. special envoy for Myanmar urged Security Council members Friday to remain united against the Myanmar military's use of deadly force against protesters, who continue to take to the streets in daily opposition to the February 1 coup.
• Shooting Death, Raid of Protester's Grave Spark Anger in Myanmar's Mandalay Radio Free Asia 05 Mar 2021 -- Myanmar security forces shot dead an anti-junta demonstrator in Mandalay on Friday, driving the death toll from violent crackdowns in Myanmar's second-largest city up to 11, while the hasty exhumation of the body of protester killed earlier in the week added to anger at military authorities.
• Denying Junta Access to Myanmar's Foreign Reserves Seen as Key Anti-Coup Goal Radio Free Asia 05 Mar 2021 -- U.S. President Biden's executive order freezing U.S. $1 billion of Central Bank of Myanmar foreign currency reserves at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on Feb. 10 was a first step to keep cash out of the hands of the military that requires other countries to follow up, activists said.
• Hopes for UN Security Council action against Myanmar military coup 'waning' fast, warns Special Envoy UN News 05 Mar 2021 -- Hopes placed in the UN and the Member States that serve on the Security Council to take action against leaders of Myanmar's military coup, are waning fast, the UN Special Envoy for the country warned on Friday.
• Red Cross Urges Myanmar Junta to Protect Its Workers as Violence Worsens VOA 05 Mar 2021 -- The Red Cross is urging Myanmar authorities to protect its volunteers and health workers as the violence in the country continues.
• For Rohingya Refugees, Myanmar Military Crackdown on Protesters is All Too Familiar Radio Free Asia 05 Mar 2021 -- Seeing the violence against civilians in Myanmar in the wake of that country's coup, Rohingya refugees sheltering in southeastern Bangladesh say their own experience has been validated now that the general Burmese population is experiencing the brutality of its military.
• Russia to slap tit-for-tat sanctions on US officials in spat over Navalny case Press TV 05 Mar 2021 -- Moscow says it will release a blacklist of American officials in the near future in retaliation for the sanctions recently imposed by Washington against Russian officials in the case of opposition figure Alexei Navalny.
• Moscow Warns Of Retaliatory 'Stop List' On U.S. Citizens Over Navalny Sanctions RFE/RL 05 Mar 2021 -- Moscow says it plans a retaliatory "stop list" on U.S. citizens in response to Washington's decision to impose new sanctions against several senior Russian officials over the poisoning of opposition politician Aleksei Navalny.
• Food For Thought: Rising Prices Vex Kremlin Election-Year Politics RFE/RL 05 Mar 2021 -- Since last year, Irina Likhtenshtein, a 73-year-old retired translator and editor in the central Russian city of Kazan, has steadily watch her grocery bills climb.
• China Claims Economic Boost from Cancelled Migrant Plans Radio Free Asia 05 Mar 2021 -- To hear China's state media tell the story of the country's cancelled annual holiday, the economy has never had it so good.
• China projects confidence with over 6% GDP growth target, mild military budget boost Global Times 05 Mar 2021 -- While the world is mostly still under the thick cloud of the COVID-19 pandemic, China on Friday convened its annual legislative session, one of the biggest in the world, and released a flurry of sweeping plans and goals, including an over 6 percent GDP growth target for 2021 and a hiked 6.8 increase in its military spending, putting on full display its resilience and confidence in advancing all areas, from the economy to livelihood and national defense.
• China sets 2021 growth target at above 6%, shows post-COVID confidence Global Times 05 Mar 2021 -- China announced on Friday a growth target of over 6 percent for its economy for 2021, picking up the decades-long tradition of releasing a numeric goal after skipping it in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, showcasing top policymakers' solid confidence on the world's second-largest economy to sustain a robust recovery despite internal and external risks.
• 14th Five-Year Plan, long-term devt goals top agenda at this year's two sessions Global Times 05 Mar 2021 -- Deliberations on the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) and long-range objectives through 2035 topped the agenda for the two sessions this year, and analysts emphasized the importance of the first five years jumpstarting China's journey to becoming a strong power in its path toward high-quality growth and modernization.
• Highlights of government work report People's Daily 05 Mar 2021 -- Premier Li Keqiang delivered a government work report at the opening of this year's session of the 13th National People's Congress in Beijing on Friday. Here are some highlights.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin's Regular Press Conference on March 5, 2021 PRC MofA 05 Mar 2021
• US Must Contain China Without 'Stumbling' Into Cold War, House Armed Services Chair Says Sputnik 05 Mar 2021 -- The United States must avoid starting a new Cold War with China despite the need to contain the Asian superpower, House Armed Services Committee (HASC) Chairman Adam Smith told a podcast hosted by the Brookings Institution on Friday.
• Xiplomacy: Xi on China's pursuit of high-quality development People's Daily 05 Mar 2021 -- China's development has been advancing in a new historic journey since late 2017, when Chinese President Xi Jinping noted at the 19th Communist Party of China (CPC) National Congress that China's economy was transitioning from a phase of rapid growth to a stage of high-quality development.
• China to deepen multilateral, bilateral, and regional economic cooperation: Govt Work Report Global Times 05 Mar 2021 -- China will deepen multilateral, bilateral, and regional economic cooperation in 2021, and continue to uphold the multilateral trading regime, pursuing a high-standard opening-up and promoting stable and improved performance in foreign trade and investment, according to the government work report that Chinese Premier Li Keqiang delivered on behalf of the State Council to China's top legislature for deliberation on Friday.
• China vows to improve Party conduct, ensure clean government, root out corruption: Govt Work Report Global Times 05 Mar 2021 -- China vows to work harder to improve the conduct of its ruling Communist Party of China (CPC) and build a clean government, according to a government work report submitted Friday to the national legislature for deliberation.
• China vows more efforts, better mechanism on self-reliance on key technologies Global Times 05 Mar 2021 -- Scaling up the technological ladder and focusing on self-reliance on key technologies topped the agenda in the 2021 Government Work Report, delivered on Friday by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang. Chinese analysts said the blueprints and work method detailed in the report could lead to a great leap forward in research and development spending.
• China for the first time vows in government report to step up efforts against business monopolies Global Times 05 Mar 2021 -- China for the first time said in its government work report that it will step up efforts against business monopolies in a bid to ensure fair market competition.
• Revising electoral system removes chaos in HK: Global Times editorial Global Times 05 Mar 2021 -- A draft decision on improving the electoral system of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) was submitted on Friday to the National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, for deliberation.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin's Remarks on the Hong Kong-related Joint Statement by Belarus to Support China on Behalf of 70 Countries at the UN Human Rights Council PRC MofA 05 Mar 2021
• China's Election Reforms Will Exclude Political Opposition in Hong Kong Radio Free Asia 05 Mar 2021 -- China on Friday unveiled the first in a slew of changes to Hong Kong's electoral system that will ensure that politics is only conducted by staunch supporters of the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
• Function, role consolidation of HK Election Committee core of electoral system reform: expert Global Times 05 Mar 2021 -- A detailed draft decision to overhaul the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) electoral system was unveiled on Friday at the opening of the annual session of the National People's Congress (NPC), laying out targets and principles for the imminent reforms, Wang Chen, vice chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, said in a speech on the draft decision at the opening.
• Draft decision on HK election reform outlines targets, procedures Global Times 05 Mar 2021 -- A detailed draft decision to overhaul the Hong Kong electoral system with the aim of fixing existing loopholes was unveiled on Friday at the opening of the annual session of the National People's Congress (NPC), laying out targets, major procedures and principles for the imminent reforms to effectively implement the political principle of only patriots governing Hong Kong.
• Draft decision on improving HK electoral system submitted to China's top legislature for review People's Daily 05 Mar 2021 -- A draft decision on improving the electoral system of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) was submitted on Friday to the National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, for deliberation.
• China to Resolutely Guard Against Foreign Meddling in Affairs of Hong Kong, Macao – Report Sputnik 05 Mar 2021 -- China will resolutely guard against and deter foreign interference in the affairs of Hong Kong and Macao, the governmental report said on Friday.
• China Says It Will Select Hong Kong Legislators VOA 05 Mar 2021 -- A senior Chinese official said Friday that a pro-Beijing committee will choose members of Hong Kong's legislature as part of a campaign to increase China's control over the city.
• After 63 Years, China Rethinks Strict Residency Rules VOA 05 Mar 2021 -- China's eastern province of Shandong has reversed a long-standing rule restricting movement from rural areas to the cities in an effort to boost urban consumption and close the social division between the province's urban and rural dwellers.
• Two sessions begin, showcase China's 'institutionalized substantial democracy' Global Times 05 Mar 2021 -- China has formally entered the annual "two sessions" time Thursday as the country's top political advisory body Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) kicked off. The National People's Congress (NPC), the top legislative body, will start Friday.
• China's top political advisory body starts annual session PLA Daily 05 Mar 2021 -- China's top political advisory body opened its annual session Thursday afternoon in Beijing.
• China's top legislature has power, responsibility to improve HK electoral system: spokesperson PLA Daily 05 Mar 2021 -- China's top legislature, the National People's Congress (NPC), has the power and responsibility to make a decision at the constitutional level to improve the electoral system of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, a spokesperson said Thursday.
• China's 3rd batch of 18 astronauts ready to receive training PLA Daily 05 Mar 2021 -- Eighteen members of China's third batch of astronauts have already checked in and been ready to enter training, said Major General Yang Liwei, a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and deputy director of the China Manned Space Engineering Office, in an interview on March 4.
• Turkey Cracks Down on Uighur Protesters After China Complains VOA 05 Mar 2021 -- Turkey has been a vocal champion for China's Uighur ethnic minority, pressing Beijing to end harsh policies in Xinjiang that then-Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan called a genocide in 2009.
• Taiwan 'Will Defend Its Sovereignty' Against China's Ambitions Radio Free Asia 05 Mar 2021 -- The democratic island of Taiwan on Friday vowed to defend its national sovereignty as China said it would step up exchanges in a bid to involve the nation of 23 million people -- most of whom have no wish to be ruled by Beijing -- in its plan for "national rejuvenation."
• World Semiconductor Shortage Raises Taiwan's Bargaining Power with US VOA 05 Mar 2021 -- U.S. President Joe Biden's order to secure semiconductor supply chains for high-tech hardware production offers a commercial boost to Taiwan, one of the world's biggest providers of chips, and gives Taipei new weight in any free-trade talks, analysts say.
• 'Pursuing stability' Beijing's focus on cross-strait issue: scholar CNA 05 Mar 2021 -- China will continue to adopt a policy of "pursing stability" on issues concerning its relations with Taiwan, a Taiwanese scholar in East Asia studies said Friday when commenting on the Taiwan affairs section of the Chinese government's latest work report.
• Changes in govt work report on Taiwan show tougher line for 'national reunification' Global Times 05 Mar 2021 -- The Chinese mainland will keep consistency of its policies toward Taiwan, as seen from this year's government work report delivered by Premier Li Keqiang on Friday, however, some changes in the wording in the highly anticipated annual report, tougher compared with last year's, were seen as reflecting possible policy adjustments.
• China vows to 'resolutely deter' separatist activity in Taiwan Press TV 05 Mar 2021 -- China says it will resolutely deter any separatist activity in Taiwan but is committed to promoting the peaceful growth of relations across the Taiwan Strait.
• China urges Lithuania to adhere to one-China principle: FM Global Times 05 Mar 2021 -- China firmly opposes the mutual establishment of official agencies and official exchanges in all forms between the Taiwan region and countries having diplomatic relations with China including Lithuania, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said on Thursday in response to Lithuania's plan to open a trade representation office in the island of Taiwan.
• Chinese Police Arrest North Korean Trade Workers for Illegal Gambling Radio Free Asia 05 Mar 2021 -- Police in a Chinese city on the border with North Korea have arrested 10 North Korean trade workers for gambling in illegal mahjong dens, sources in China told RFA.
• Iran Built, 'Sanitised' Secret Nuclear Site Ahead of IAEA Inspectors' Arrival, Report Claims Sputnik 05 Mar 2021 -- The claims come amid the Biden administration's flagging diplomatic campaign to rejoin the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action nuclear deal, which promises Tehran sanctions relief in exchange for restrictions on its nuclear activities.
• Russia says ready to help revive Iran deal in its original form Press TV 05 Mar 2021 -- Russia's foreign minister says a window of opportunity for saving a 2015 multilateral nuclear deal signed between Iran and major world powers remains open, expressing hope that all sides will return to the full implementation of the agreement in its original form.
• Tehran hails 'constructive' co-op with IAEA, warns of efforts to exploit watchdog as 'bargaining chip' Press TV 05 Mar 2021 -- Iran's ambassador to international organizations in Vienna has warned of efforts to abuse the International Atomic Energy Organization (IAEA) as a "bargaining chip", saying such moves would undermine the existing goodwill between Iran and the IAEA.
• U.S. Urges Iran To Engage In Dialogue After European Powers Back Off Censure Plan RFE/RL 05 Mar 2021 -- The United States said it hopes Iran will "engage in constructive dialogue" after Washington's European partners agreed to drop a plan to censure Tehran at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) meeting in Vienna.
• Iran Reportedly Sends 'Positive Signals' on Informal Nuclear Talks Sputnik 05 Mar 2021 -- Last month, the European Union proposed hosting informal talks between Iran and the five permanent UN Security Council members, but Tehran rejected the offer, saying that the US must move first if relations are to improve.
• Letter to the Speaker of the House and the President of the Senate on the Continuation of the National Emergency With Respect to Iran The White House 05 Mar 2021
• Notice on the Continuation of the National Emergency with Respect to Iran The White House 05 Mar 2021
• Iran Claims To Have Disrupted Hijacking Of Passenger Jet, But Details Scant RFE/RL 05 Mar 2021 -- Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) claims to have prevented the hijacking of a passenger plane, but has offered few details on what allegedly happened.
• Iran's IRGC foils hijack attempt on Ahvaz-Mashhad flight Press TV 05 Mar 2021 -- The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has thwarted a plot to hijack a plane en route from the southwestern city of Ahvaz to Mashhad in northeast Iran, the IRGC says.
• Plot to hijack passenger plane en route from Ahvaz to Mashad averted IRNA 05 Mar 2021 -- IRGC flight security unit said on Friday thwarted the plot to hijack a plane en route from Ahvaz to Mashad on Thursday night.
• Is China Cooling On Belarus's Lukashenka? RFE/RL 05 Mar 2021 -- When Alyaksandr Lukashenka met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Sochi on February 22 to discuss financial and integration issues, there was one political card noticeably absent from the Belarusian leader's hand: China.
• Belarus Request For Tsikhanouskaya Extradition Rejected By Lithuania RFE/RL 05 Mar 2021 -- Belarusian authorities have officially requested that Lithuania extradite opposition leader Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya, who has been living in the Baltic country since leaving amid safety fears following a disputed presidential election that sparked mass protests that have been put down violently by authoritarian leader Alyaksandr Lukashenka.
• Two Ukrainian Nationals Extradited to U.S. on Money Laundering Charges US Dept. of Justice 05 Mar 2021 -- Two members of an international organized network that provided cash-out and money laundering services to cyber actors were extradited from the Czech Republic to Dallas.
• EU Threatens Retaliations, Tariffs in Northern Ireland Dispute with Britain VOA 05 Mar 2021 -- Relations between Britain and the European Union were thrown into a fresh crisis Friday, just weeks after the two concluded a trade deal to end the long-running saga of Brexit, the British departure from the bloc after four decades of membership.
• Public Designation of Oligarch and Former Ukrainian Public Official Ihor Kolomoyskyy Due to Involvement in Significant Corruption US Dept. of State 05 Mar 2021 -- "Today, I am announcing the public designation of oligarch and former Ukrainian public official Ihor Kolomoyskyy due to his involvement in significant corruption."
• U.S. Sanctions Ukraine Oligarch Kolomoyskiy, Family Over Alleged Corruption RFE/RL 05 Mar 2021 -- The United States says it has banned powerful Ukrainian tycoon Ihor Kolomoyskiy from entering the country in another sign that President Joe Biden's new administration is taking a tougher stance on endemic corruption in Ukraine.
• Clashes erupt in Senegal over arrest of opposition leader Press TV 05 Mar 2021 -- Senegalese police have clashed with protesters, who were out on the streets for the third consecutive day to slam the arrest of opposition leader Ousmane Sonke.
• Senators Warn U.S.-Bulgarian Relationship Faces 'Serious Challenges' As Sofia Prepares For Elections RFE/RL 05 Mar 2021 -- U.S. lawmakers called on Bulgaria to respect democratic values and the rule of law as it prepares for national elections next month, warning the current state of its domestic affairs is posing "serious challenges" to the bilateral relationship.
• HRW: Kyrgyz Draft Constitution Endangers Rights, Weakens Checks And Balances RFE/RL 05 Mar 2021 -- Human Rights Watch (HRW) is urging Kyrgyzstan to withdraw a draft constitution submitted to lawmakers last month, saying it undermines human rights norms and weakens the checks and balances necessary to prevent abuses of power.
• In Another Flip, Hun Sen Now Says He Will Rule Indefinitely VOA Khmer 05 Mar 2021 -- Prime Minister Hun Sen, who has been in office for 36 years, said on Thursday that he would head Cambodia's government indefinitely, an announcement described by his ruling party spokesperson as "political rhetoric."
• UN Rights Office Condemns Algeria's Crackdown on Pro-Democracy Movement VOA 05 Mar 2021 -- The U.N. Human Rights Office is condemning Algeria's crackdown on members of the pro-democracy Hirak movement and is calling on the authorities to end its violence against peaceful protesters.