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News Reports

Current Operations

• Fixing Afghanistan Might Be 'a Bridge Too Far,' US Watchdog Warns VOA 10 Mar 2021 -- Any hope for a political settlement and peaceful end to two decades of war in Afghanistan remains under significant threat from rising violence, both at the hands of the Taliban and from multiple terrorist and extremist organizations, as well as from the Afghan government's inability to sustain itself, according to a new U.S. watchdog report.
• Afghan Forces Can Not Meet 2024 Goal to Operate Without US Support, Inspector General Says Sputnik 10 Mar 2021 -- Afghanistan's military and security forces will not be able to function independently by 2024 without US financial and other support, Special Inspector General on Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) John Sopco said in remarks at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) on Wednesday.
• Russia Plans Afghan Conference To Advance Peace Talks RFE/RL Gandhara 10 Mar 2021 -- Russia plans to hold a conference in Moscow on March 18 to discuss Afghanistan as peace talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban stall, although it was unclear if the United States would attend.
• Defense Department Approves Continued Guard Presence on Capitol Hill DoD News 10 Mar 2021 -- Nearly 2,300 National Guard personnel will continue providing support to the U.S. Capitol Police until May 23, said Pentagon press secretary John F. Kirby in a statement from the Defense Department released Tuesday evening.
• Pentagon Approves Capitol Police Request to Extend National Guard Support for 2 Months Sputnik 10 Mar 2021 -- US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has approved a request to extend the presence of National Guard troops at the Capitol grounds for an additional two months, according to the Pentagon press secretary, John Kirby.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Pentagon Press Secretary Holds a Press Briefing DoD 10 Mar 2021 -- Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby
• DOD Releases Fiscal Year 2020 Freedom of Navigation Report DoD 10 Mar 2021 -- Today, the Department of Defense (DoD) released its annual Freedom of Navigation (FON) Report for Fiscal Year 2020. During the period from October 1, 2019, through September 30, 2020, U.S. forces operationally challenged 28 different excessive maritime claims made by 19 different claimants throughout the world.
• Readout of Deputy Secretary of Defense Dr. Kathleen Hicks Phone Call With U.K. Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Defense Sir Stephen Lovegrove DoD 10 Mar 2021
• U.S. 7th Fleet, III Marine Expeditionary Force Conduct Staff Integration US Navy 10 Mar 2021 -- Sailors and Marines are getting a chance to integrate and expand their combined skillsets through an ongoing liaison exchange program aboard the U.S. 7th Fleet Flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19).
• U.S. Indo-Pacific Leaders Detail Posture to House Armed Services Committee DoD News 10 Mar 2021 -- Defense Department officials told the House Armed Services Committee that the Indo-Pacific is the priority theater for the United States military because of potential threats, certainly, but also because the future of the country is entwined in the region.
• Orange Flag, Black Flag exercises collaborate to accelerate change US Air Force 10 Mar 2021 -- Orange Flag, the large force test event carried out three times annually by Air Force Test Center's 412th Test Wing, combined with the 53rd Wing's Black Flag, brought several firsts for the test community March 2-4.
• EODMU 8 Operates with NATO Partners in the Black Sea for Exercise Poseidon 21 US Navy 10 Mar 2021 -- Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) technicians assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit (EODMU) 8 conducted EOD and mine counter measure (MCM) operations with Romanian EOD and Turkish unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) units during Exercise Poseidon 21 in Constanta, Romania, March 5, 2021.
• U.S. and Croatia Conduct Mine Clearance Training Event US Navy 10 Mar 2021 -- U.S. Navy Sailors from Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Mobile Unit 8 conducted a Humanitarian Mine Action (HMA) certification training event with Croatian Mine Clearance Diving Platoon in Split, Croatia from February 15 to March 5.
• South Korea agrees to biggest increase in share of costs for US troop presence in years Press TV 10 Mar 2021 -- South Korea has agreed to a 13.9% increase in its contribution to the cost of hosting nearly 30,000 American troops on its soil for 2021, under a cost-sharing agreement with Washington.
• South Korea Agrees to Pay 13.9% More to Maintain US Troops, Report Says Sputnik 10 Mar 2021 -- South Korea has agreed to increase its share of payments for the upkeep of the US military stationed in the country by 13.9 percent this year compared to 2019 as part of their cost-sharing Special Measures Agreement (SMA), the Yonhap news agency reported on Wednesday, citing the South Korean Foreign Ministry.
• NATO Secretary General discusses transatlantic relations and the NATO 2030 initiative in "Talks at GS" NATO 10 Mar 2021 -- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg highlighted the importance of the strong transatlantic bond between North America and Europe in an online discussion series "Talks at GS" with John Waldron, President and Chief Operating Officer of The Goldman Sachs Group.
• NATO Secretary General discusses transatlantic relations and the NATO 2030 initiative in "Talks at GS" NATO 10 Mar 2021 -- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg highlighted the importance of the strong transatlantic bond between North America and Europe in an online discussion series "Talks at GS" with John Waldron, President and Chief Operating Officer of The Goldman Sachs Group.
• NATO Fleet Reportedly Enters Ukrainian Port of Odessa for First Time in 2021 Sputnik 10 Mar 2021 -- The alliance has intensified its military presence in Black Sea waters following a rift in relations between the western states and Russia triggered by a 2014 coup and the start of an internal conflict in Ukraine.
• China's president says security situation 'uncertain,' urges military preparedness Press TV 10 Mar 2021 -- China's President Xi Jinping has called on the country's military to be prepared to confront any threat in a "largely uncertain" security environment.
• China's Xi Jinping Tells People's Liberation Army to Get Ready For Combat Radio Free Asia 10 Mar 2021 -- Ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) leader Xi Jinping has told the country's military and armed police force to get 'combat ready' to defend national sovereignty and security, amid fears that Beijing may be planning an invasion of democratic Taiwan in the next few years.
• PLA to strengthen combat readiness as US calls China strategic threat Global Times 10 Mar 2021 -- As a senior US military commander told lawmakers recently that China is "the greatest long-term strategic threat to security in the 21st century," though China has repeatedly said that it has no intention to challenge the US, Chinese experts warned Wednesday that such a hostile attitude held by the US military could increase the risks of conflicts in the region, and regional countries won't share US hostility against China.
• Chinese military always a staunch force in safeguarding world peace PLA Daily 10 Mar 2021 -- In response to the common security threats and challenges, the Chinese military has conducted exchanges and cooperation with the militaries of various countries and provided a wealth of international public security products in recent years. Chinese military has always been a staunch force for maintaining world peace, said the military deputies and members to China's "two sessions".
• Chinese military supports improvement of Hong Kong's electoral system PLA Daily 10 Mar 2021 -- Recently, the delegation of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) and Chinese People's Armed Police (PAP) Force attending the fourth session of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC) deliberated the draft decision on improving the electoral system of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) in groups. Military deputies said in their speeches that the armed forces firmly support this major decision and deployment and will resolutely safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests.
• 2nd Type 055 destroyer enters service PLA Daily 10 Mar 2021 -- The People's Liberation Army Navy has recently commissioned its second Type 055 guided-missile destroyer and named it Lhasa, after the capital of the Tibet autonomous region.
• China's Second Type 055 Stealthy Missile Cruiser, Lhasa, Enters Service Sputnik 10 Mar 2021 -- The Chinese navy's rapid pace of modernization and growth has sent panic through US naval leaders, who have pushed for progressively larger fleet construction goals in an attempt to avoid being left in the dust by Beijing, whom Washington considers a "pacing threat."
• INS Karanj - third Kalvari class Submarine commissioned at Naval Dockyard, Mumbai India PIB 10 Mar 2021 -- Indian Navy's third stealth Scorpene class Submarine INS Karanj has been commissioned today at the Naval Dockyard Mumbai through a formal commissioning ceremony.
• Indo-Uzbekistan Field Training Exercise 'DUSTLIK ' commences in Ranikhet(Uttarakhand) India PIB 10 Mar 2021 -- The India – Uzbekistan joint military exercise "DUSTLIK II" commenced today in Foreign Training Node Chaubatia, Ranikhet (Uttarakhand).
• Successful tests of weapon systems by DRDO India PIB 10 Mar 2021 -- Twenty eight (28) successful tests have been carried out by DRDO in the last one year.
• Steps to reduce border infiltration India PIB 10 Mar 2021 -- The Indian Army has adopted a robust counter infiltration strategy which has an appropriate mix of technology and human resource put together to check infiltration effectively.
• Export of Defence Equipment India PIB 10 Mar 2021 -- The important defence equipment exported during last 05 years include Weapon Simulators, Tear Gas Launcher, Torpedo Loading Mechanism, Alarm Monitoring & Control, Night Vision Monocular & Binocular, Light Weight Torpedo & Fire Control Systems, Armoured Protection Vehicle, Weapons Locating Radar, HF Radio, Coastal Surveillance Radar etc.
• HAL pays second interim dividend of Rs 376.93 crore to Government India PIB 10 Mar 2021 -- Defence Public Sector Undertaking (DPSU) Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) paid the second interim dividend of Rs 376.93 crore for the Financial Year (FY) 2020-21 to the Government.
• Indian Navy Inducts Superior Stealth Submarine Amid Power Battle in Indian Ocean Sputnik 10 Mar 2021 -- The Indian Navy currently has 15 submarines including one Akula class nuclear sub from Russia, the INS Chakra. With the increased presence of China's warships and submarines in India's backyard, New Delhi has reviewed the needs of its fleet in the Indian Ocean region.
• Saudi Arabia, France Conduct Mixed Maritime Exercise SPA 10 Mar 2021 -- The Royal Saudi Naval Forces and the French Navy conducted Mixed Maritime Exercise (White Shark-21).
• Armenia's prime minister fires top military official Press TV 10 Mar 2021 -- Armenia's Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has dismissed the country's top military official over the allegation that the military has effectively staged a coup against his government, despite President Armen Sarkissian's refusal to sign a decree calling for the general's resignation last month.
• Armenian Army Leaders Again Call On PM To Resign After Dismissal Of General RFE/RL 10 Mar 2021 -- Armenia's top brass has again called for Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian's resignation as opposition supporters blocked the parliament building shortly after he announced that a top general had been relieved of his duties.
• Top US Officials to Promote Peace and Security During Visit to Asia VOA 10 Mar 2021 -- U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin will visit Asia in the coming days, according to the State Department and the Pentagon, their first trip abroad since the Senate confirmed them in January to their positions in the Biden administration.
• Statement by NSC Spokesperson Emily Horne on National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan Leading the First Virtual Meeting of the U.S.-Israel Strategic Consultative Group The White House 10 Mar 2021
• Statement by NSC Spokesperson Emily Horne on National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan's Call with Colombian Minister of Defense Diego Molano and Chief of Staff to the President of Colombia Maria Paula Correa The White House 10 Mar 2021
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jen Psaki and Special Assistant to the President and Coordinator for the Southern Border Ambassador Roberta Jacobson, March 10, 2021 The White House 10 Mar 2021

Defense Industry

• Contracts For March 10, 2021

Other Conflicts

• 10 March 2021 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 10 Mar 2021
• China's not the Only Country Fortifying Tiny Islets in a Contested Asian Sea VOA 10 Mar 2021 -- Vietnam has placed military hardware over the past two years on islets that it controls in what some experts on the region say is an intention to deter any attacks from China, the dominant nation in disputes over the waterway.
• Yemeni minister urges UN to prevent humanitarian catastrophe Press TV 10 Mar 2021 -- Yemen's Minister of Oil and Minerals Ahmad Abdullah Dares has urged the United Nations to pressure the Saudi-led coalition into releasing ships with petroleum products vital for services.
• Yemeni ballistic missiles haunt Saudi Arabia, senior Ansarullah official says Press TV 10 Mar 2021 -- A member of the politburo of Yemen's Houthi Ansarullah movement says homegrown ballistic missiles that the armed forces use in their defense campaign against Saudi Arabia's military aggression have turned into a nightmare for the kingdom.
• Military Base Reportedly Targeted by Missile in Suburbs of Marib, Yemen Sputnik 10 Mar 2021 -- Latest strikes in the region came nearly a week after Houthi militants claimed control over the majority of Marib, a strategic city which is the largest in northern Yemen that also serves as the capital of the oil-rich governorate.
• 'Hell' in Yemen, with millions 'knocking on the door of famine' WFP's Beasley warns UN News 10 Mar 2021 -- Over half the Yemen population is facing acute food shortages "with millions knocking on the door of famine", the UN food relief agency chief said on Wednesday, wrapping up a two-day visit to the country with an urgent plea for peace and funding to help feed vulnerable families.
• Ten years on, Syrian crisis 'remains a living nightmare': UN Secretary-General UN News 10 Mar 2021 -- Secretary-General António Guterres has underlined the UN's determination to continue pursuing a negotiated political settlement to the Syrian civil war, a "living nightmare" that has endured for 10 years now.
• UN Chief: 10 Years Into Conflict, Syria Remains 'A Living Nightmare' VOA 10 Mar 2021 -- The U.N. secretary-general said Wednesday that the situation in war-torn Syria "remains a living nightmare" a decade after the government sought to violently suppress peaceful protests and plunged the country into civil war.
• Libya's lawmakers approve interim unity government Press TV 10 Mar 2021 -- Libya's divided parliament has voted in support of a unity government which would lead the war-ravaged country into December elections.
• House of Representatives Vote on a Libyan Interim Government of National Unity US Dept. of State 10 Mar 2021 -- "We welcome today's vote of confidence by the House of Representatives in support of the slate of choices put forward by Interim Prime Minister-designate Abdulhamid Dabaiba for an interim Government of National Unity."

News Reports

• State Department Terrorist Designations of ISIS Affiliates and Leaders in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Mozambique US Dept. of State 10 Mar 2021 -- The Department of State has designated the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria – Democratic Republic of the Congo (ISIS-DRC) and the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria – Mozambique (ISIS-Mozambique) as Foreign Terrorist Organizations under section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, as amended.
• Kremlin calls U.S. cyberattack plans against Russia concerning Global Times 10 Mar 2021 -- A plan by the Biden administration to launch cyberattacks against Russia is a "cause for extreme concern," the Kremlin has said.
• Norway's Parliament Comes Under New Cyber Attack Sputnik 10 Mar 2021 -- In August, the Norwegian parliament was targeted by a major cyberattack that compromised e-mails of some of the employees. Oslo later accused Russia of being behind the alleged hacking. Moscow dismissed the claims as unsubstantiated.
• Promoting Accountability and Responding to Violence against Protestors in Burma US Dept. of State 10 Mar 2021 -- "For the past five weeks, the people of Burma have taken to the streets to protest peacefully and voice their aspirations for a return to democracy and the rule of law."
• United States Targets Family Members Profiting from Connection to Burmese Coup Leader US Treasury 10 Mar 2021 -- Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned the two adult children of the commander-in-chief of the Burmese military forces, Min Aung Hlaing, who is the leading actor in the overthrow of Burma's democratically elected government, as well as six companies of his two adult children.
• US Slaps Sanctions on Adult Children of Myanmar Military Leader VOA 10 Mar 2021 -- The U.S. government has sanctioned Aung Pyae Sone and Khin Thiri Thet Mon, the two adult children of Burmese military commander-in-chief Min Aung Hlaing.
• Myanmar Security Forces Target Striking Railroad Workers' Neighborhood VOA 10 Mar 2021 -- Myanmar security forces raided a Yangon neighborhood Wednesday, where striking railway workers have been demonstrating as the protests against the country's military government entered its 36th consecutive day.
• Myanmar security forces raid compound of striking rail workers Press TV 10 Mar 2021 -- Security forces in Myanmar have attacked a compound where railway workers opposed to the recent military coup in the country have been on strike in the largest city of Yangon, amid an escalating crackdown on protesters.
• In Myanmar, Hardened Troops are Using Battlefield Arms, on Peaceful Protesters-Amnesty Report Radio Free Asia 10 Mar 2021 -- Myanmar's junta is deploying army divisions notorious for atrocities who are turning battlefield weapons on unarmed protesters in a deliberate escalation of violence in the five weeks since the Feb. 1 military takeover, Amnesty International said in a report published Wednesday.
• Myanmar Anti-Junta Activists Mount Boycott of Chinese Goods as Protesters Face More Repression Radio Free Asia 10 Mar 2021 -- As protests and violent suppression by troops grind on in Myanmar, coup opponents are stepping up a campaign to make China rethink its support for the military junta, including a boycott of imports from their giant neighbor and threats against a major Chinese energy pipeline and port.
• Trial Of Navalny Ally Sobol Quickly Adjourned Over Technical Issue RFE/RL 10 Mar 2021 -- The trial of Lyubov Sobol, a lawyer for jailed opposition politician Aleksei Navalny's Anti-Corruption Foundation who is charged with trespassing, has been adjourned just minutes after it started due to technical issues.
• Top Moscow Police Official Rejects Criticism Over Excessive Use Of Force Against Navalny Supporters RFE/RL 10 Mar 2021 -- Moscow's top police official has rejected accusations that law enforcement used inappropriate force against supporters at rallies for jailed opposition politician Aleksei Navalny in January and February.
• Russia Puts The Brakes On Twitter, Slows Its Speed For 'Failure' To Remove Banned Content RFE/RL 10 Mar 2021 -- Russia's media watchdog, Roskomnadzor, has imposed restrictions on Twitter by slowing down its speed across the country for its "failure" to remove banned content.
• Russia's Restrictions on Twitter Are Meant to Force Compliance With Legislation, Kremlin Says Sputnik 10 Mar 2021 -- The restrictions places on Twitter by the Russian media watchdog are aimed at forcing the online giant to comply with national legislation, rather than to block anyone in particular, the Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Wednesday.
• Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's remarks and answers to media questions at a news conference following talks with Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, Riyadh, March 10, 2021 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 10 Mar 2021
• China, Russia to jointly build lunar post PLA Daily 10 Mar 2021 -- China and Russia have agreed to join hands in building and running a robotic scientific outpost on the moon or in lunar orbit, according to the China National Space Administration.
• Xi's "two sessions" messages point way for China at historic development juncture People's Daily 10 Mar 2021 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping has pointed the way for China, which is at a historic development juncture, by expounding on a wide range of topics at this year's "two sessions," a key political event slated to close on Thursday.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian's Regular Press Conference on March 10, 2021 PRC MofA 10 Mar 2021
• China summons British ambassador over 'inappropriate' article Press TV 10 Mar 2021 -- China has summoned Britain's ambassador to Beijing over an "inappropriate" article that she published last week about freedom of the press in China.
• Chinese FM summons British ambassador for her biased article about China's press environment Global Times 10 Mar 2021 -- The Department of European Affairs of China's Foreign Ministry (FM) on Tuesday summoned Caroline Wilson, the British Ambassador to China, about her publication criticizing the "worsening of news environment in China". It said Wilson's article was biased and filled with arrogance, and such action doesn't fit her image as diplomat.
• Chinese FM says 'not interfering in internal affairs of host country is bottom line for diplomats' after UK ambassador summoned Global Times 10 Mar 2021 -- Former Chinese Ambassador to the UK Liu Xiaoming never initiated a dispute or attacked the British system in his articles published in foreign platforms, while the British ambassador to China Caroline Wilson preached the so-called Western experience in an arrogant tone and made irresponsible remarks about the Chinese system and media to interfere in China's internal affairs, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday.
• Top US, China Officials to Meet Next Week in Alaska VOA 10 Mar 2021 -- U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan will meet with their Chinese counterparts in Alaska next week, the first meeting of senior American and Chinese officials since President Joe Biden took office on January 20.
• Hong Kong electoral reform enters final voting procedure Global Times 10 Mar 2021 -- The highly expected draft decision to overhaul Hong Kong electoral system with the aim of fixing the loopholes in local governance is scheduled to be voted on and passed on Thursday as the annual two sessions conclude. This reflects a shared consensus over the urgency and necessity about the implementation of the principle of "patriots governing Hong Kong" while setting the tone for the city's future development for the next 25 years and more.
• US Firms Must Cut Ties to Xinjiang Due to Extensive Forced Labor, Lack of Due Diligence: Experts Radio Free Asia 10 Mar 2021 -- The only way U.S. apparel brands and retailers can ensure they are not complicit in forced labor in China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) and are complying with U.S. law when they import apparel is to cut supply chain ties to the region, experts told a Washington hearing Wednesday.
• Report: China Committing 'Ongoing Genocide' Against Ethnic Uyghurs RFE/RL 10 Mar 2021 -- The Chinese government is committing "ongoing genocide" against ethnic Uyghurs in violation of the UN Genocide Convention, according to an expert report published on March 9.
• China advances space cooperation in 2020: blue book PLA Daily 10 Mar 2021 -- China actively promoted international space cooperation in 2020, offering satellite exports and launches, cooperative research and application services to the world, according to a recent report on China's aerospace industry.
• 'They Are Monitoring Our Thoughts And Behavior, Which is Chilling.' Radio Free Asia 10 Mar 2021 -- Amid a crackdown on peaceful dissent and political opposition under a draconian national security law imposed on the city by Beijing, the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) recently withdrew recognition for the student union, known as Syzygia, shortly after it elected its new leadership committee. After some consideration, the union disbanded. Former committee member Issac Lam spoke to RFA in a recent interview about his shock at the announcement, given that university leaders and faculty had previously been supportive of the union:
• China's behavior to dictate US relations with Taipei, Beijing: Pompeo CNA 10 Mar 2021 -- Former United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has warned of the ongoing threat posed by China to the rest of the world, and put the onus for the U.S.' future relations with Taiwan and China on the behavior of the Chinese Communist Party.
• Beijing Blasts US for Using Taiwan Issue to 'Hype Up' China's Military Threat Sputnik 10 Mar 2021 -- In late February, the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) lashed out at the US destroyer Curtis Wilbur passing through the Taiwan Strait, in a move that the PLA said undermines the region's "peace and stability".
• China's threats toward Taiwan could manifest in 6 years: U.S. CNA 10 Mar 2021 -- China's threats toward Taiwan could manifest in the next six years as China seeks to supplant the U.S. leadership role in the international order, a top U.S. military commander said on Tuesday.
• Top US commander claims China may attack Taiwan in next six years Press TV 10 Mar 2021 -- A top US commander says China could invade Taiwan within the next six years as part of its plan to take Washington's world leadership role by 2050.
• UN Investigator Accuses Iran of Egregious Rights Violations VOA 10 Mar 2021 -- A U.N. report on the human rights situation in Iran presents a bleak picture of a society living under a system of brutal political repression and rampant violations of fundamental freedoms. The report has been submitted to the U.N. human rights council.
• Rouhani: US should honor JCPOA commitments IRNA 10 Mar 2021 -- Iran's President Hassan Rouhani said on Wednesday that the US must honor its commitments and remove the imposed sanctions as it is the clear path of diplomacy.
• Zarif: US should take first step to return to nuclear deal IRNA 10 Mar 2021 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Wednesday that Tehran does not trust the Western countries that never fully implemented the nuclear deal and that the US should take the first step to return to the deal.
• Rouhani terms continuation of anti-Iran sanctions as oppression against nation IRNA 10 Mar 2021 -- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani slammed the Zionist regime of Israel and the regional reactionaries for the continuation of anti-Iran sanctions which he described as "oppression against the great Iranian nation."
• US must lift Obama-, Trump-era sanctions before Iran returns to full JCPOA compliance: Security source Press TV 10 Mar 2021 -- The US needs to lift the sanctions imposed on the Islamic Rebublic during the administrations of former presidents Barack Obama and Donald Trump before Tehran reverses its countermeasures and returns to full compliance with the 2015 nuclear deal, a source tells Press TV.
• Iran rejects step-for-step JCPOA revival: Senior security official Press TV 10 Mar 2021 -- A senior security official says Iran is opposed to a step-for-step return to the 2015 nuclear deal, adding that the country only accepts the lifting of sanctions in a verifiable manner before returning to full compliance with the multilateral agreement.
• Salehi: Leader's fatwa against nukes sets Iran's course of action Press TV 10 Mar 2021 -- The head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) has once again dismissed claims that the country seeks nuclear bombs, saying the fatwa (religious decree) issued by Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei against weapons of mass destruction sets Iran's course of action.
• Iran Rejects Step-by-Step Revival of Nuke Deal, Report Says Sputnik 10 Mar 2021 -- Late last month, Washington reportedly expressed disappointment over Tehran's rejection of a US invitation to attend direct talks on the 2015 Iran nuclear deal.
• Norwegian Agro-Giant Faces Pressure To Leave Lukashenka's Belarus RFE/RL 10 Mar 2021 -- Some 100 workers at Belaruskali, a state-run potash producer that is one of the few flickering jewels in the much-tarnished crown of Belarusian state-run industry, joined strikes last year to demand authoritarian leader Alyaksandr Lukashenka step down after a disputed election.
• Higher budgetary allocations for Indian Space programme will be utilised towards meeting the future challenges and space preparedness: Dr.Jitendra Singh India PIB 10 Mar 2021 -- Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh said that Budget Estimates 2021-22 of Department of Space is proposed to Rs. 13,949 Crore, as against the allocation of Rs.9500 Crore in RE 2020-21, an increase of about Rs. 4,500 Crore.
• 35 Space startups and industries are in consultation with ISRO for development of satellites, launch vehicles, develop applications, provide space based services: DrJitendra Singh India PIB 10 Mar 2021 -- Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh said that Government of India announced reforms for opening up the space sector to private entities by creation of the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center (IN-SPACe) under the Department of Space.
• Erdogan, Putin Witness Launch Of Construction At Turkish Nuclear Plant RFE/RL 10 Mar 2021 -- The Russian and Turkish presidents have witnessed the launch of construction of a new reactor at Turkey's first nuclear power plant.
• Foreign Secretary visits 'like-minded' Baltic and Nordic states ahead of UK Integrated Review UK FCDO 10 Mar 2021 -- Dominic Raab visits Estonia and Norway for talks on the regional security threat posed by Russia, and climate change ahead of the COP26 climate conference.
• Joint statement by Foreign Ministers of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and the United Kingdom UK FCDO 10 Mar 2021 -- A joint statement by the Foreign Ministers of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia, and Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab following talks in Tallinn.
• Too Big For Sanctions? Why U.S. Didn't Hit Ukrainian Tycoon Kolomoyskiy With Economic Penalties RFE/RL 10 Mar 2021 -- When President Joe Biden's administration declared tycoon Ihor Kolomoyskiy persona non grata, formally barring him from entering the United States over corruption concerns, the decision was generally cheered by people pushing for economic and political reforms in Ukraine.
• Dodik Says Bosnian Serbs Favor Abolition Of Office Of High Representative RFE/RL 10 Mar 2021 -- Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik has said that ethnic Serbs favor abolishing the Office of the High Representative (OHR) for Bosnia-Herzegovina and holding a referendum on the status of the country's predominantly Serbian entity if their views are not respected.
• Proposals Made To Tackle 'Dire' Press-Freedom Situation In Bulgaria RFE/RL 10 Mar 2021 -- Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has published 10 recommendations on how to address the "dire" situation of press freedom in Bulgaria, saying it seeks to stimulate a national debate on this "vital" matter in the run-up to elections next month.
• EU Lawmakers Debate 'Worrying Developments' For Media Freedom In Hungary, Poland, Slovenia RFE/RL 10 Mar 2021 -- European Commission Vice President Vera Jourova has warned of "worrying developments" for media freedoms in Hungary, Poland, and Slovenia, as lawmakers in Brussels debated the matter at a plenary session.