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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• Blinken Warns Afghanistan's Ghani of Dire Consequences Without Urgent Changes VOA 07 Mar 2021 -- U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has warned Afghanistan that it may have to face a Taliban onslaught on its own if President Ashraf Ghani fails to urgently consider proposals on accelerating the peace process.
• Renewed US Push for Afghan Peace Faces Objection by Kabul VOA 07 Mar 2021 -- Afghanistan's Taliban said Saturday that their leaders had restarted peace talks with the United States, as a May 1 deadline for all U.S.-led foreign troops to withdraw from the war-shattered country fast approaches.

Defense Policy / Programs

• U.S., South Korea reach agreement on defense cost-sharing People's Daily 07 Mar 2021 -- The United States and South Korea reached an agreement on defense cost-sharing with increased contribution from South Korea, U.S. State Department said on Sunday.
• US, South Korea to hold scaled-back military exercises amid COVID-19 pandemic Press TV 07 Mar 2021 -- South Korea and the United States have announced plans to hold their annual springtime joint military exercise this week, but the drill will be smaller than usual due to the coronavirus pandemic.
• U.S. Naval Forces Central Command Participates in Oman-led Exercise Khunjar Hadd 26 US Navy 07 Mar 2021 -- The Royal Navy of Oman, Royal Air Force of Oman, United Kingdom Royal Navy, France Marine Nationale and U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) participated in exercise Khunjar Hadd 26, Feb 21-25.
• 62nd AW strengthens joint warfighting capabilities through Exercise Predictable Iron US Air Force 07 Mar 2021 -- Air Mobility Command plays a crucial role within the joint force by projecting the ability to rapidly deploy combat power anywhere in the world.
• China's 2nd Type 055 large destroyer enters naval service Global Times 07 Mar 2021 -- The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy recently commissioned its second 10,000 ton-class Type 055 large destroyer after the first ship in its class entered service in early 2020, state broadcaster China Central Television (CCTV) revealed on Sunday.
• China's advanced field air defense missile HQ-17AE cleared for export Global Times 07 Mar 2021 -- China unveiled its domestically developed, latest generation troop-accompanying field air defense missile system, the HQ-17AE, announcing its availability for export, with analysts saying that it is a perfect choice for its intended mission in modern warfare.
• First ever visit by Indian Naval Ships to the historic port city of Mongla, Bangladesh 8th - 10th Mar 2021 India PIB 07 Mar 2021 -- Indian Naval Ships Sumedha, an indigenously build Offshore Patrol vessel and Kulish, an indigenously built guided missile corvette, are scheduled to make a port call at the historic port town of Mongla in Bangladesh from 8th to 10th March 2021 to commemorate the ongoing Swarnim Vijay Varsh and reiterating the historic Indo-Bangladeshi friendship.
• Iran unveils modern assault rifle IRNA 07 Mar 2021 -- Defense Minister Brigadier General Amir Hatami unveiled Sunday "Masaf" modern assault rifle and some other sport weapons designed by Iran.
• General Hatami: If Israel commits any silly acts, Iran will turn it into ashes ISNA 07 Mar 2021 -- Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier-General Amir Hatami referred to Zionists' recent threats against Iran and announced, if the Zionist regime commits any silly acts, Iran will turn Tel Aviv and Haifa into ashes.
• Two officers to attend military mapping exchange meeting in U.S. CNA 07 Mar 2021 -- Taiwan's military plans to send two representatives to the United States to attend an annual meeting on bilateral exchanges of military mapping and geospatial information, which has been tentatively scheduled for August, a military source said Sunday.
• Queen Elizabeth's Planes Will be Sold as Part of Cuts Made by Defence Ministry, Report Says Sputnik 07 Mar 2021 -- The ministry also revealed plans to reduce the number of military personnel by 10,000, which was met with criticism as well as proposals to withdraw several ships and frontline aircraft from service.

Defense Industry

Other Conflicts

• Yemeni forces down Turkish-made Saudi spy drone over Jawf province: Army Press TV 07 Mar 2021 -- Yemeni troops and allied Popular Committees fighters say they have shot down a Turkish-built spy drone belonging to the Saudi-led military coalition over the northern province of Jawf.
• Yemeni forces closing in on Ma'rib in key battle against Saudi-led militants Press TV 07 Mar 2021 -- Yemeni forces are closing in on the strategic central city of Ma'rib for a key battle against Saudi-led militants loyal to former president Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi and their Takfiri allies.
• The Ministry of Defense: An Aggression Attempt Against One Of The Petroleum Tank Farms In Ras Tanura Port, And Saudi Aramco Facilities in Dharan A Cowardly Terrorist Attempt To Target Global Energy Supplies And Security SPA 07 Mar 2021 -- Statement by the Official Spokesman of the Ministry of Defense Brigadier General Turki Al-Malki
• Yemen and Qatar Resume Diplomatic Relations Sputnik 07 Mar 2021 -- Yemen and Qatar have restored diplomatic relations that were severed in June 2017, the Yemeni Foreign Ministry said on Sunday.
• One of World's Largest Oil Shipping Ports Targeted in Drone Attack, Saudi State Media Report Sputnik 07 Mar 2021 -- According to reports, the Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen said Saudi Aramco facilities in Dhahran were also targeted by missiles, vowing that the Kingdom will take all necessary measures to protect itself.
• 'Russian, Syrian missile strikes target militants smuggling oil to Turkey' Press TV 07 Mar 2021 -- Russian and Syrian military forces have launched a barrage of missiles at makeshift refineries in Syria's northwestern province of Aleppo, causing a massive blaze as hundreds of tankers caught fire in the area that is controlled by Turkish troops and their allied Takfiri militants.
• Pope Francis Encourages Iraq's Christians to Forgive and Rebuild VOA 07 Mar 2021 -- Pope Francis Sunday visited Christian communities in Iraq's north, where the Islamic State group carried out its worst devastation, to bring encouragement and solace to those who suffered numerous atrocities and are trying to rebuild their homes and lives. Iraqis are also hoping to rebuild trust and hope for the future.
• Militant Attack on Pakistan Navy Vehicle Kills 1, Injures 2 VOA 07 Mar 2021 -- Pakistani officials said Sunday that gunmen ambushed a vehicle transporting navy personnel in the southwestern Gwadar district, killing at least one sailor and seriously wounding two others.
• Peaceful negotiation 'only way out' of China-India border clash: Chinese FM Global Times 07 Mar 2021 -- China and India are friends and partners, not threats and opponent, said Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi at a Sunday press conference, noting that facts have proved that one-sided confrontation won't solve the problem, and peaceful negotiation is the way out.
• Rohingya Muslims fear deportation in India after dozens detained by police Press TV 07 Mar 2021 -- Dozens of Rohingya Muslims, who had fled to India from death and violence in Myanmar, have been detained and facing possible deportation.
• Africa's Sahel abandons hope in France, starts negotiation with armed groups Press TV 07 Mar 2021 -- Leaders of countries in West Africa's Sahel region have abandoned their hopes in purported counter-terrorism efforts by France and started negotiating with armed militants to bring peace to the restive region.
• Cameroon Military Accused of Killing Civilians in New Attacks on Separatists VOA 07 Mar 2021 -- Cameroonians are complaining of increasing human rights abuses as the central African state intensifies raids on English-speaking rebel camps. The military says within the past week, at least 23 separatist rebels and three soldiers have been killed, but local people say most of those killed were unarmed civilians. The military is denying the accusations. There are growing calls for investigations of alleged human rights abuses by troops.

News Reports

• Oath Keepers Founder Stood Outside While Members Committed Mayhem in US Capitol VOA 07 Mar 2021 -- On Jan. 4, Stewart Rhodes, the founder of Oath Keepers, an anti-government group, went online to summon his army of followers into action.
• Ruling Party Official Suffers Grisly Torture Death in Myanmar's Yangon Amid Violent Raids Radio Free Asia 07 Mar 2021 -- The bloodied body of a National League for Democracy local chairman was returned to his family Sunday, a day after he was taken away in a series of violent house-to-house raids on residences in Yangon, Myanmar's second-largest city and tortured, witnesses and local media reports said.
• Myanmar: Trade Unions Call for Economic 'Shut Down' in Protest of Junta VOA 07 Mar 2021 -- Trade unions in Myanmar called for a strike starting Monday in an attempt to back the anti-coup movement and pressure members of the military junta.
• Myanmar Security Forces Arrest at Least 3 in Night Raids VOA 07 Mar 2021 -- Myanmar security forces conducted overnight raids Saturday night into Sunday morning in several districts of Yangon, Myanmar's largest city, residents said.
• Suu Kyi Party Official Dies in Police Custody as Anti-Coup Protests Continue VOA 07 Mar 2021 -- An official from ousted de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy party has died in police custody, a party official confirmed to VOA's Burmese service, as security forces continue to crack down on anti-coup protests in Myanmar.
• Myanmar: Mass protests continue in defiance of brutal crackdown by junta Press TV 07 Mar 2021 -- Anti-coup protesters have continued to rally in cities across Myanmar despite a brutal crackdown against campaign leaders by military junta forces.
• U.S. Senator Holds Up CIA Nomination To Force Biden To Stop Nord Stream 2 RFE/RL 07 Mar 2021 -- U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (Republican-Texas) says he is holding up the confirmation of the next Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) chief in order to pressure President Joe Biden to stop Russia's Nord Stream 2 pipeline.
• U.S. Accuses Russia Of Spreading Disinformation About Western COVID Vaccines RFE/RL 07 Mar 2021 -- The United States has accused Russian intelligence agencies of spreading disinformation about Western vaccines against the coronavirus in an attempt to undermine global confidence in their safety, The Wall Street Journal has reported.
• Sovereign security 'untouchable' core interest, allows no concession: observers Global Times 07 Mar 2021 -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Sunday expressed China's firm stance on topics of sovereignty and security, including Hong Kong, Taiwan, Xinjiang and the South China Sea, making the red line clear and sending an alarm to countries that have used China's core interests as leverage to jeopardize the nation's development, analysts said.
• FM Wang Yi speaks on China's foreign policy and external relations People's Daily 07 Mar 2021 -- State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi answers questions about the country's foreign policy and external relations at a press conference on Sunday during the fourth session of the 13th National People's Congress, China's top legislature.
• Chinese FM defines multilateralism as Biden admin claims 'America is back' Global Times 07 Mar 2021 -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Sunday declared China's latest stances on many questions and issues at a press conference, including China's ties with major powers like the US, Russia and the EU, as well as hot spot issues and global challenges like the Myanmar situation, the Paris Agreement, COVID-19 vaccines and the Iranian nuclear deal.
• FM's press conference showcases magnanimity of China's diplomacy: Global Times editorial Global Times 07 Mar 2021 -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi answered 27 questions in a systematic way at a press conference held on the sidelines of the two sessions on Sunday, which showcases magnanimity of China's diplomacy as a major power, and provides a rare opportunity for the world to have a comprehensive understanding of China's foreign policy.
• Leung Chun-ying voices firm support for improving HKSAR electoral system Global Times 07 Mar 2021 -- Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) Leung Chun-ying on Saturday said he firmly supports the country's top legislature to improve the electoral system of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR).
• Observer: Improving Hong Kong's electoral system important for developing high-quality democracy Global Times 07 Mar 2021 -- The fourth session of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC) opened in Beijing on Friday. Wang Chen, vice chairman of the Standing Committee of NPC, explained a draft decision on improving the electoral system of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region at the opening meeting of the session.
• No one cares about HK democracy, prosperity more than central government: Wang Yi Global Times 07 Mar 2021 -- The upcoming electoral reform in Hong Kong does not touch on the question of democratic processes in Hong Kong, a senior Chinese official said on Sunday, refuting some critics in Western countries and regions, including the US and EU, on the reform, saying that no side cares more about the city's democratic development, stability and prosperity more than the Chinese central government.
• Hong Kong director Wong Jing firmly supports draft decision on improving Hong Kong's electoral system Global Times 07 Mar 2021 -- Wong Jing, a Chinese director from the Hong Kong Special Administration Region, was applauded by Chinese netizens as he firmly supports a draft decision on improving the electoral system of Hong Kong submitted to China's top legislature, and suggested cracking down on shooting films that disorder Hong Kong.
• HK electoral reform in line with Constitution, meets interests of all parties: Chinese Foreign Minister Global Times 07 Mar 2021 -- Improving Hong Kong's electoral system and implementing the principle of patriots governing the city is a constitutional, legitimate, just and reasonable act, China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Sunday at a press conference on the sidelines of the ongoing two sessions.
• Decision on improving electoral system supported by national lawmakers, political advisors from HKSAR People's Daily 07 Mar 2021 -- National lawmakers and political advisors from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) have pledged full support for a decision on improving the region's electoral system.
• Xi stresses safeguarding people's health, building quality basic public education PLA Daily 07 Mar 2021 -- President Xi Jinping on Saturday stressed giving "strategic priority" to safeguarding people's health and building a high-quality and balanced basic public education service system.
• Xi stresses high-quality development, improving people's well-being PLA Daily 07 Mar 2021 -- President Xi Jinping on Sunday stressed efforts to unswervingly pursue high-quality development and improve the people's well-being when joining a deliberation during the annual session of the National People's Congress, the top legislature.
• Early Signals to North Korea Seen as Key to Keeping Door Open to Diplomacy VOA 07 Mar 2021 -- Experts are urging the Biden administration to send an early signal to North Korea, conveying its interest in keeping diplomacy open even as Washington conducts policy reviews on how to deal with the regime so that it can gauge Pyongyang's response for possible talks.
• Iran Ready To 'Immediately' Take Measures If U.S. Lifts Sanctions, Rohani Says RFE/RL 07 Mar 2021 -- Iran says its prepared to take steps to live up to measures in the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers as soon as the United States lifts economic sanctions on the country.
• US needs to halt sanctions to return to JCPOA: Iran Deputy FM IRNA 07 Mar 2021 -- If the US is serious about returning to Iran nuclear deal, the path is simple; it should return to the deal it has withdrawn from and put an end to all the sanctions, said Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Sunday.
• FM Zarif urges removing all US-imposed sanctions IRNA 07 Mar 2021 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Sunday called for lifting all sanctions that have been imposed by the US.
• Zionist threats against Iran, out of desperation: Defense minister IRNA 07 Mar 2021 -- Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier-General Amir Hatami said on Sunday that the Zionists have had to build a wall around themselves and their occasional threats against Iran is out of desperation.
• Rouhani urges all JCPOA participants to implement UNSCR 2231 IRNA 07 Mar 2021 -- Iran is the only JCPOA participant to have paid to save it, President Hassan Rouhani said on Sunday, adding that such a situation cannot continue and it's imperative that all participants must implement UN Security Council Resolution 2231.
• Europe should end inaction towards JCPOA: President Rouhani ISNA 07 Mar 2021 -- Referring to Ireland's membership in the UN Security Council and its neutral policy, Iran's President stressed, "The Security Council should have taken appropriate action against the previous US administration for violating the resolution".
• Zarif: US removal of sanctions will lead to Iran reversal of JCPOA measures Press TV 07 Mar 2021 -- Iran's foreign minister says if the United States takes practical steps to remove the illegal sanctions it has unilaterally imposed on Tehran, the Islamic Republic will reciprocate the measure by reversing steps it has taken to reduce its commitment under the 2015 nuclear deal with the world powers.
• Iran urges EU to drop threats, adopt mutual respect to resolve nuclear standoff Press TV 07 Mar 2021 -- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has criticized the Europeans' inaction toward reviving the multilateral 2015 nuclear deal, saying negotiations based on "mutual respect" and free from "threat and pressure" is the best means of resolving the current standoff.
• Russia says ready to engage with US in reviving Iran deal Press TV 07 Mar 2021 -- Moscow says it is prepared to engage with the United States and other parties to the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran in restoring full compliance with the JCPOA in the shortest time possible.
• US must lift 'unjustifiable' Iran bans, take sincere steps on JCPOA: China Press TV 07 Mar 2021 -- China's foreign minister has urged the United States to demonstrate good faith and remove 'unjustifiable' sanctions it has imposed on Iran as quickly as possible in order to save the multilateral nuclear deal of 2015.
• Venezuela will move forward despite US 'extraordinary threat' of sanctions: FM Press TV 07 Mar 2021 -- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has criticized the Europeans' inaction toward reviving the multilateral 2015 nuclear deal, saying negotiations based on "mutual respect" and free from "threat and pressure" is the best means of resolving the current standoff.
• Protests, Prisons, Political Exile: Women At The Forefront Of Resistance In Belarus RFE/RL 07 Mar 2021 -- Dismissed by Alyaksandr Lukashenka as too fragile to run Belarus, women have been at the vanguard of the pro-democracy movement that has swept the country since the disputed presidential election on August 9, 2020.
• Georgian Opposition Demands PM Resign After Alleged Call With Billionaire's Son RFE/RL 07 Mar 2021 -- Opposition parties have called for Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili to step down amid fresh allegations he is beholden to the ruling party's billionaire founder.
• Turkmenistan Ramps Up Controls Over Outside Information RFE/RL 07 Mar 2021 -- Police in authoritarian Turkmenistan are reportedly further tightening controls over information as the secretive country downplays the coronavirus pandemic and clamps down on brewing discontent over years of economic turmoil.
• Cambodia Aims to Reduce Dependency on US Dollar VOA 07 Mar 2021 -- The National Bank of Cambodia, the country's central bank, is aiming to reduce the country's dependence on the U.S. dollar with the introduction of digital currencies and the phasing out of small-denomination U.S. currency – $1, $2 and $5 bills – in favor of the local currency, the riel.