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Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• Roadside bomb attacks target US-led coalition convoys across Iraq Press TV 11 Mar 2021 -- Four roadside bombs have exploded separately near convoys of trucks carrying logistical equipment belonging to the US-led coalition forces in Iraq's western province of Anbar, southern province of Muthanna bordering Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, the central province of Babil, as well as the southern province of Basra.
• Contractors' Pullout Could Have 'Devastating' Impact On Afghan Forces, Says U.S. Watchdog RFE/RL Gandhara 11 Mar 2021 -- Withdrawing thousands of U.S. defense contractors from Afghanistan by the end of next month may be "more devastating" to Afghan forces than an American troop pullout, a U.S. government watchdog has warned.
• With No Peace In Sight, Afghan Women Are Losing Hope For Change RFE/RL Gandhara 11 Mar 2021 -- Jamila Azimi says her hopes of seeing an end to her country's four-decade war are fading a year after the peace agreement between the Taliban and the United States led many to believe that peace in Afghanistan was around the corner.

Defense Policy / Programs

• DOD Teams Administer 50K Vaccines a Day, 500,000 in Less Than a Month DoD News 11 Mar 2021 -- DOD vaccination teams are doing their part to protect Americans, reaching the milestone of getting 500,000 shots in arms in under a month, Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby said today.
• First Air Force designated as air component to US Space Command US Air Force 11 Mar 2021 -- The U.S. Air Force has named First Air Force as the future air component to U.S. Space Command.
• Pentagon Press Secretary Holds An Off-Camera Press Briefing DoD 11 Mar 2021 -- Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby
• Air Force receives first F-15EX US Air Force 11 Mar 2021 -- The U.S. Air Force officially accepted the first F-15EX from the Boeing Co. March 10 at the company's St. Louis facility.
• US Air Force Receives First F-15EX Fighter Jet From Boeing Sputnik 11 Mar 2021 -- The US Air Force has received its first F-15EX fighter jet from Boeing and will soon begin testing the hypersonic-capable aircraft in Florida, Col. Sean Dorey said in a press release on Thursday.
• 109th Airlift Wing wraps up Antarctic research support US Air Force 11 Mar 2021 -- The New York Air National Guard's 109th Airlift Wing wrapped up its 33rd season of supporting U.S. science research in the Antarctic.
• USS Dwight D. Eisenhower Conducts Interoperability Exercise with Hellenic Armed Forces US Navy 11 Mar 2021 -- The Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group (IKE CSG) is conducting an interoperability exercise with the Hellenic Armed Forces in the Mediterranean Sea, March 11, 2021.
• International Exercise Obangame Express set to Begin US Navy 11 Mar 2021 -- Obangame Express (OE21), the largest multinational maritime exercise in Western Africa, will kick off its 10th year with 32 participating nations at an opening ceremony in Accra, Ghana, March 19, 2021.
• Navy Continues Revitalization Momentum for NAVWAR Facilities in San Diego US Navy 11 Mar 2021 -- To keep Naval Information Warfare Systems Command (NAVWAR) ready to execute its high-tech mission, and to address growing information warfare and cybersecurity requirements, the Navy is working alongside supporting partners and advocates throughout the San Diego region to provide the command with safe, modern and secure facilities.
• 7th Fleet Destroyer transits Taiwan Strait US Navy Press Release 11 Mar 2021 -- The ship's transit through the Taiwan Strait demonstrates the U.S. commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. The United States military will continue to fly, sail, and operate anywhere international law allows.
• Pentagon Reportedly Considering Aircraft Carrier Force Reduction Under 2022 Budget Review Sputnik 11 Mar 2021 -- The Trump administration suggested to spend $722 billion on defense in a fiscal 2022 budget, and, according to USNI News, particularly proposed to take USS Harry S. Truman out of inventory rather than conducting a mid-life refit.
• Pentagon Planners Fear US Would 'Lose Fast' in China Conflict as PLA Blunts Preferred Warfare Model Sputnik 11 Mar 2021 -- Last September, a Pentagon report to Congress revealed that the People's Republic had already surpassed the US in total ships, missiles and air defence systems as part of its plans to achieve regional "dominance" in the Pacific by 2049.
• 15th MEU completes theater amphibious combat rehearsal in Kuwait USMC News 11 Mar 2021 -- The 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, embarked aboard ships of the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group, conducted a theater amphibious combat rehearsal at Camp Buehring, Kuwait, Jan. 28 to March 4, 2021.
• South Korean National Pleads Guilty to Scheme to Defraud U.S. Department of Defense US Dept. of Justice 11 Mar 2021 -- A South Korean national pleaded guilty today to participating in a scheme to defraud the U.S. Department of Defense.
• NATO Secretary General discusses security in the Western Balkans with the Croatian Prime Minister NATO 11 Mar 2021 -- NATO's Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed Prime Minister of Croatia Andrej Plenković to NATO Headquarters on Thursday (11 March 2021).
• Iraq's Foreign Minister addresses the North Atlantic Council on strengthening NATO-Iraq cooperation NATO 11 Mar 2021 -- Today (11 March 2021), the Foreign Minister of Iraq Fuad Hussein briefed the North Atlantic Council virtually. The discussion focused on NATO-Iraq cooperation and on NATO's advising and training mission in Iraq.
• Private Russian Military Company May Sue News Agency for First Time Over 'Fake' Report Sputnik 11 Mar 2021 -- Russia's private military company, the Officers' Union for International Security (OUIS), which provides advisory and training services to the armed forces of the Central African Republic (CAR), may sue the Rosbalt news agency over an unverified report about Russian military contractors, OUIS director Alexander Ivanov said.
• 37th Chinese naval escort taskforce completes in-port replenishment in Djibouti PLA Daily 11 Mar 2021 -- The comprehensive supply ship Honghu (Hull 963) of the 37th escort taskforce of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) conducted in-port replenishment at the Port of Djibouti recently according to plan.
• North Korean Youth Find Ways to Dodge Military Service Radio Free Asia 11 Mar 2021 -- More and more North Korean youth are dodging mandatory military service, because ruling party membership and all its perks are no longer as automatic for those who finish lengthy stints in the armed forces, sources in the country told RFA.
• INDIAN NAVY SHIP SHARDUL ARRIVES AT PORT LOUIS FOR MAURITIUS NATIONAL DAY CELEBRATIONS India PIB 11 Mar 2021 -- INS Shardul, a ship of the First Training Squadron of the Indian Navy (IN) is visiting Port Louis, Mauritius from 10 to 13 March, 2021 as part of an overseas deployment to Southern Indian Ocean nations.
• Turkey to Buy All Necessary Air Defence Systems From Different Countries, Foreign Minister Says Sputnik 11 Mar 2021 -- Turkey needs more air defence systems and is well within its rights to acquire them from various sources, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Thursday.
• Ankara-Moscow Talks on S-400 Joint Production Ongoing, Turkish Industry Minister Says Sputnik 11 Mar 2021 -- Talks between Ankara and Moscow on the procurement of the second set of S-400 air defence missile systems and the possibility of future joint production are ongoing, the Turkish Minister of Industry and Technology, Mustafa Varank, said on Thursday.
• Turkey Not Ruling Out Buying Russia's Fifth-Gen Jet, Turkish Industry Minister Says Sputnik 11 Mar 2021 -- Turkish officials first began hinting at an interest in Russian military aircraft, including the Sukhoi Su-35 4++ generation fighter and the fifth generation Sukhoi Su-57 jet, after Ankara was kicked out of Lockheed Martin's F-35 programme over its purchase of a Russian-made air defence system.
• The Royal Navy leads an international task group of warships on a security patrol of the Baltic UK MOD 11 Mar 2021 -- Royal Navy frigates led vessels from all three Baltic states in the first operation of the UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force.
• F-35 Lightning training is taking off Australia DOD 11 Mar 2021 -- Four Air Force pilots on the first F-35A Lightning II operational conversion course to be run in Australia completed their first flights at RAAF Base Williamtown on February 2.
• Armenian President Rejects PM's Proposed New Chief Of General Staff RFE/RL 11 Mar 2021 -- Armenian President Armen Sarkisian has refused to accept Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian's proposal to appoint Artak Davtian as the new chief of staff for the armed forces as the country's ongoing political standoff continues.
• Department Press Briefing – March 11, 2021 US Dept. of State 11 Mar 2021
• Readout from 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 11 Mar 2021
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jen Psaki, March 11, 2021 The White House 11 Mar 2021

Defense Industry

• Contracts For March 11, 2021
• Elon Musk's SpaceX wins 2 Pentagon contracts to use Falcon 9 rockets Press TV 11 Mar 2021 -- The Pentagon has signed contracts with Elon Musk's aerospace company SpaceX for about $160 million to launch its Falcon 9 rockets for two separate missions.
• Pentagon Awards Elon Musk's SpaceX Over $159 Million in 'Competitive' Space Launch Contract Sputnik 11 Mar 2021 -- Boeing and Lockheed Martin's United Launch Alliance (ULA) was also awarded more than $224 million by the Pentagon to launch United States Space Force (USSF) missions USSF-112 and USSF-87 from Centennial, Colorado and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, according to the Department of Defense release this week.

Other Conflicts

• 11 March 2021 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 11 Mar 2021
• 'If you don't feed people, you feed conflict', UN chief tells Security Council UN News 11 Mar 2021 -- Conflict drives hunger, and when that turns to famine, that then drives conflict, the UN chief told the Security Council on Thursday, adding that "if you don't feed people, you feed conflict".
• UN: 34 Million People 'Knocking at Famine's Door' Worldwide VOA 11 Mar 2021 -- The U.N. secretary-general said Thursday that more than 88 million people were suffering from acute hunger in countries affected by conflict and instability at the end of 2020, and at least 34 million of them face possible famine this year.
• Joint Statement of the Governments of France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America on Houthi Attacks US Dept. of State 11 Mar 2021 -- The following statement was released by the governments of France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America.
• Yemen unveils new domestically-developed military hardware, vows more raids on Saudi soil Press TV 11 Mar 2021 -- Yemen has unveiled new achievements in the defense sector, including ballistic missiles, drones and artillery as well as anti-tank and light and heavy weapons, vowing stepped-up raids against Saudi Arabia if the aggressor kingdom continues its devastating war on its neighbor.
• 'This is hell!' UN issues solemn warning about Yemen Press TV 11 Mar 2021 -- The United Nations (UN) has warned of a mass famine in war-torn Yemen that will put millions of people at risk, describing the country as the "worst place on earth" and the situation there as "hell."
• Joint Statement of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar, Republic of Turkey, and Russian Federation, Doha, 11 March 2021 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 11 Mar 2021
• UN chief asks for continuing to reach all Syrians in need of humanitarian assistance Global Times 11 Mar 2021 -- United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday urged the international community to continue to reach all Syrians in need of humanitarian assistance.
• Lavrov: US, Western sanctions target Syrian people, obstruct reconstruction process Press TV 11 Mar 2021 -- Russia's foreign minister says the sanctions imposed on Syria by the United States and other Western countries target all Syrian people and obstruct the reconstruction process in the war-torn country.
• Russia, Turkey, Qatar jointly making attempt to seek political resolution to Syria's conflict Press TV 11 Mar 2021 -- Russia, Turkey, and Qatar are making a joint attempt to help find a lasting, political solution to Syria's decade-long conflict, the Turkish foreign minister says.
• Russian jets bombard Daesh positions in Syria's southeastern desert: Monitoring group Press TV 11 Mar 2021 -- A UK-based war monitoring group says Russian fighter jets have carried out a new wave of airstrikes against the positions of Daesh Takfiri terrorist group deep inside a desert region in southeastern Syria.
• ICRC Survey: Young Syrians Pay Heavy Toll in Decadelong Conflict VOA 11 Mar 2021 -- Ten years of war in Syria has had a devastating impact on the Syrian people, particularly on young Syrians living inside and outside the country, according to a newly released survey by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC),
• Germany Pushes for Foreign Troop Pullout From Libya After Interim Government Affirmed Sputnik 11 Mar 2021 -- The German foreign minister on Thursday praised a vote by the Libyan parliament to back an interim government, urging foreign powers to move their troops out of the country.
• Joint Statement by France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, and the United States on an Interim Government of National Unity in Libya US Dept. of State 11 Mar 2021 -- France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America welcome the vote of confidence by the overwhelming majority of the members of the House of Representatives meeting in Sirte 8-10 March to endorse the cabinet chosen by Prime Minister-designate Abdulhamid Dabaiba for an interim Government of National Unity.
• Rights Groups Urge India to Halt Plans to Deport Rohingya Refugees to Myanmar VOA 11 Mar 2021 -- The detention of some 220 Rohingya refugees in the northern India city of Jammu, followed by a police statement that they would be deported to Myanmar, has triggered a panic among the Rohingya Muslim community who fled genocidal violence in Myanmar and took refuge in India.
• 'Discipline Committees' Boost Surveillance, Tighten Security in Tibet Radio Free Asia 11 Mar 2021 -- Hundreds of so-called Discipline Committees set up by Chinese authorities are imposing tightened security measures across Tibet, with almost 2,000 "inspectors" deployed in rural areas to oversee the functioning of villages and towns, Tibetan sources say.
• Sharing News About Tibet Is High Risk for All Involved VOA 11 Mar 2021 -- Eight years after he was jailed for sharing news about protests in Tibet, Kunchok Jinpa died in a Lhasa hospital.
• Spain Calls for UN-brokered Solution to Western Sahara Dispute VOA 11 Mar 2021 -- Spain is pushing for a U.N.-brokered solution to the long-running dispute over its former colony, Western Sahara, after a dispute erupted between Morocco and Germany over the territory.
• The Invisible War: UN and US Concerned at Tensions Between Sudan and Ethiopia Over Fashaga Triangle Sputnik 11 Mar 2021 -- Ethiopia has been an independent nation - apart from a few years of rule by fascist Italy - since 1868 while Sudan became independent in 1956. Both have lost chunks of territory - Eritrea seceded from Ethiopia in 1991 and South Sudan gained its independence in 2011.

News Reports

• At least 10 hacking groups using Microsoft software flaw: Report Press TV 11 Mar 2021 -- At least 10 hacking groups are using flaws in Microsoft Corp.'s mail server software to break in to targets around the globe, cybersecurity company ESET has warned.
• US Designates 2 African Groups as Foreign Terrorist Organizations VOA 11 Mar 2021 -- Islamic State-linked groups in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Mozambique are the newest entries on a U.S. list of foreign terrorist groups, amid what experts say is a growing trend of violent extremism in Africa.
• Myanmar Junta Accuses Aung San Suu Kyi of Accepting Bribes VOA 11 Mar 2021 -- Myanmar's military junta has accused deposed de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi of accepting more than $500,000 in bribes, as another day of protests Thursday resulted in more deaths among the demonstrators.
• Myanmar Military Accuses Detained Leader Aung San Suu Kyi of Accepting $600,000 Bribe, Gold Sputnik 11 Mar 2021 -- Last week, the UN envoy for Myanmar urged the Security Council to take action against the military for killing protesters, saying that a "real war" was possible in the country.
• Myanmar Forces Kill 15 Protesters as The Junta Accuses Aung San Suu Kyi of Corruption Radio Free Asia 11 Mar 2021 -- Violent suppression of Myanmar demonstrations killed 15 people Thursday, raising the death toll from five weeks of street protests to 73, as the military junta announced a corruption investigation of leader Aung San Suu Kyi and other top officials from the deposed civilian government.
• Myanmar crackdown has led to likely crimes against humanity, Human Rights Council told UN News 11 Mar 2021 -- The Myanmar junta's brutal response to peaceful protests likely meets the legal threshold for crimes against humanity, a UN-appointed independent rights expert told the Human Rights Council on Thursday.
• UN expert says Myanmar military likely behind 'crimes against humanity', urges more sanctions Press TV 11 Mar 2021 -- The UN's top expert on rights in Myanmar says the country's military is likely to be committing crimes against humanity in its heavy-handed crackdown on protesters since the February 1 coup.
• UN Investigator Calls for Sanctions Against Myanmar's State Oil and Gas Enterprise Sputnik 11 Mar 2021 -- The Southeast Asian nation of Myanmar (formerly Burma) was thrust into a severe political crisis in February after the military ousted the government and declared a year-long state of emergency.
• UN Security Council condemns Myanmar violence, urges military restraint Press TV 11 Mar 2021 -- The United Nations Security Council has condemned the violent crackdown on peaceful protesters in Myanmar, but has failed to denounce the recent military takeover in the country as a coup or to threaten further action.
• Myanmar: UN Security Council strongly condemns violence against peaceful protesters UN News 11 Mar 2021 -- The United Nations Security Council has strongly condemned the violence against peaceful protesters in Myanmar and voiced "deep concern" at restrictions on medical personnel, civil society, labour unions and journalists, as demonstrations continue across the south-east Asian nation against the military takeover last month.
• Australian Intel Head Warns About Use of Covert Means to Obtain Sensitive Research Sputnik 11 Mar 2021 -- The head of the Australian Security and Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) Mike Burgess on Thursday warned the country's research agencies and universities that foreign governments use deceptive means to get access to their critical research.
• Moscow Court Upholds Sentence For Opposition Politician Galyamina RFE/RL 11 Mar 2021 -- The Moscow City Court has upheld the two-year suspended sentence for an opposition politician who was convicted in December over her involvement in anti-Kremlin protest rallies.
• Russian Lawmakers Approve Initial Reading Of Bill Allowing 'Accidental' Corruption RFE/RL 11 Mar 2021 -- Russian parliament's lower chamber, the State Duma, has approved the first reading of a bill allowing for "accidental" corruption.
• Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's statement and answers to media questions at a joint news conference with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu and Qatari Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani following a trilateral meeting, Doha, March 11, 2021 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 11 Mar 2021
• Assault on Democracy in Hong Kong US Dept. of State 11 Mar 2021 -- "The United States condemns the PRC's continuing assault on democratic institutions in Hong Kong. The National People's Congress decision today to unilaterally change Hong Kong's electoral system is a direct attack on autonomy promised to people in Hong Kong under the Sino-British Joint Declaration."
• China Approves Changes to Hong Kong's Electoral Process, Further Tightening Control of City VOA 11 Mar 2021 -- China's national legislature has approved a package of changes to Hong Kong's electoral process that gives the central government in Beijing tighter control over the city's legislature, a move critics say will further diminish the city's pro-democracy movement.
• Hong Kong Electoral Reforms: Foreign Secretary Statement UK FCDO 11 Mar 2021 -- The Foreign Secretary comments following the decision by the National People's Congress in Beijing to bring in changes to the Hong Kong electoral system.
• US Condemns China's Activities in Hong Kong - State Dept Sputnik 11 Mar 2021 -- The United States condemned China's activities against democratic institutions in Hong Kong after the Chinese parliament passed a resolution to reform the territory's electoral system, State Department spokesperson Ned Price said on Thursday.
• Tensions Soar as UK FM Raab Slams Beijing's Electoral Law After Chinese Legislators Back Reforms Sputnik 11 Mar 2021 -- The statement comes as a major diplomatic row has worsened between London and Beijing, initiated by China introducing a National Security Law for Hong Kong, which came into force on 30 June 2020, and exacerbated by electoral reforms in late February aimed at strengthening Beijing's control in the special administrative region.
• China Puts an End to Democratic Participation in Hong Kong Radio Free Asia 11 Mar 2021 -- China's National People's Congress (NPC) on Thursday approved new rules preventing anyone from standing for election in Hong Kong without the approval of a newly-expanded committee of Beijing loyalists.
• HK reform plan adopted overwhelmingly; detailed measures 'to be unveiled before end of March' Global Times 11 Mar 2021 -- Chinese lawmakers voted overwhelmingly on Thursday to adopt a decision on improving the electoral system of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) at the closure of the fourth session of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC), the country's top legislature, in a move to fix loopholes in Hong Kong's governance.
• China's top legislature adopts decision on Hong Kong's electoral reform Global Times 11 Mar 2021 -- Chinese lawmakers voted overwhelmingly on Thursday to adopt a decision on improving the electoral system of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) at the closing of the fourth session of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC), the country's top legislature, in a move to fix the loopholes in local governance.
• China adopts decision to improve Hong Kong electoral system PLA Daily 11 Mar 2021 -- The National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, on Thursday adopted a decision on improving the electoral system of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR).
• Former LegCo chief says electoral reform brings HK back from brink of collapse as West-defined democracy turned into power of destruction Global Times 11 Mar 2021
• Hong Kong must move from chaos to proper governance: Global Times editorial Global Times 11 Mar 2021 -- The National People's Congress on Thursday adopted a decision on improving the electoral system of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
• Reform of HK electoral system to fix loopholes, instead of "retrogress": Lam Global Times 11 Mar 2021 -- Right after China's top legislature on Thursday adopted a decision on improving the electoral system of Hong Kong, the city's chief executive Carrie Lam voiced "staunch support for and sincere gratitude" for such a decision, saying that the reform is not to "retrogress" as some said, but to fix loopholes in the previous system.
• Organizations, officials from mainland and HK express support for electoral reform vote Global Times 11 Mar 2021 -- Organizations and officials from both the mainland and Hong Kong voiced their supports for the National People's Congress (NPC)'s approval to improve Hong Kong's electoral system, saying such reform is justified and progressive, and will promote the city's long-term stability and prosperity.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson's Remarks on the Hong Kong-related Decision Adopted by the NPC PRC MofA 11 Mar 2021 -- The Fourth Session of the 13th National People's Congress has voted to adopt the Decision of the National People's Congress on Improving the Electoral System of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
• Fleeing Hong Kong: British Visas Offer 'Lifeboat' for Pro-Democracy Activists VOA 11 Mar 2021 -- Britain is preparing for tens of thousands of Hong Kong citizens to apply for special visas to settle in Britain after the government launched a new plan offering fast-track citizenship to some residents of the former British colony, in response to China's crackdown on basic freedoms.
• Iran says any form of foreign interference undermines stability of Hong Kong Press TV 11 Mar 2021 -- Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman has dismissed any form of foreign interference in Hong Kong's internal affairs, saying that such measures will undermine the stability of the Chinese territory.
• Hong Kong's Chief Supports Beijing's Resolution on Region's Electoral System Reform Sputnik 11 Mar 2021 -- Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam on Thursday expressed her support for the resolution on the reform of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region's (HKSAR) electoral system that was recently passed by the National People's Congress of China.
• Highlights from Premier Li's news conference People's Daily 11 Mar 2021 -- Premier Li Keqiang met the press on Thursday after the closing of the fourth session of the 13th National People's Congress.
• Xi's "two sessions" messages point way for China at historic development juncture People's Daily 11 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.
• China's top legislature holds closing meeting of annual session PLA Daily 11 Mar 2021 -- The National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, concluded its annual session Thursday afternoon.
• US Sec State Blinken Calls For Access to China's Xinjiang to Probe Reports of Abuses Radio Free Asia 11 Mar 2021 -- China should open up its borders for international monitors to probe reports of rights abuses in its Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR), U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Wednesday, amid a growing global movement that has labeled the situation there as genocide.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian's Remarks on U.S. Secretary of State Blinken's Statement PRC MofA 11 Mar 2021
• China, US could engage in multi-faceted, multi-tiered dialogue, says Chinese Premier ahead of Alaska talks Global Times 11 Mar 2021 -- China and the US released great news that attracted world attention on Wednesday and Thursday, as the world's two biggest economies decided to take the first step to reset their problematic ties. They announced a "2+2" meeting between the two countries' chief diplomats next week, which was a highly anticipated topic for journalists worldwide to ask Chinese Premier Li Keqiang at a press conference on Thursday.
• PRC's Drive for Global Power Turns Former Friends to Foes VOA 11 Mar 2021 -- An American journalist who has covered China for two decades recently called for more people to become People's Republic of China hawks to confront the rise of Beijing as a global power. In Canada, some former friends of China have also changed their minds.
• Nuke technology to be utilized for exploring space, deep sea, assisting carbon neutrality: CNNC Global Times 11 Mar 2021 -- Nuclear power will provide reliable support in exploring space and deep sea, and achieving the goals of carbon neutrality by 2060, Gu Jun, president of China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC), told Global Times on Wednesday.
• Four Long March 11 launches by sea planned PLA Daily 11 Mar 2021 -- China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp plans to carry out four sea-based launches this year by its Long March 11 solid-propellant carrier rocket, said a senior scientist at the State-owned space contractor.
• Chongqing University Seeks Student Informants With Minority Languages Radio Free Asia 11 Mar 2021 -- A university in the southwestern Chinese city of Chongqing is hiring student informants who speak minority languages, as part of a recruitment drive to "maintain political stability" on campus, RFA has learned.
• Taiwan 1st potential target of Chinese aggression: U.S. commander CNA 11 Mar 2021 -- Taiwan could be the first potential target of Chinese military aggression in the next five to 10 years, a top U.S. military commander said on Wednesday.
• Chinese military denounces US destroyer's provocation in Taiwan Strait PLA Daily 11 Mar 2021 -- "The US guided-missile destroyer USS John Finn (DDG-113) sailed through the Taiwan Strait on March 10 to hype the so-called 'freedom of navigation'. China is firmly opposed to it," said Air Force Senior Colonel Zhang Chunhui, spokesperson for the Chinese PLA Eastern Theater Command, in a written statement on Thursday.
• Third US warship under Biden sails through Taiwan Strait Press TV 11 Mar 2021 -- A US warship has sailed through the strategically-sensitive Taiwan Strait, which separates self-ruled Taiwan from mainland China, the US navy says, a day after a top American commander warned of an alleged threat to Taiwan from China "in the next six years."
• Biden Sends Missile-Armed Warship Into Taiwan Strait After Admiral Claims Beijing May Invade Island Sputnik 11 Mar 2021 -- US-China tensions over Taiwan, the island territory which Beijing considers to be a renegade province of the People's Republic, began escalating shortly after Joe Biden's inauguration in January, with both countries deploying naval and air power to the area in shows of force.
• U.S. warship transits Taiwan Strait, third under Biden administration CNA 11 Mar 2021 -- A U.S. Navy Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer transited through the Taiwan Strait on Thursday, the third by a U.S. battleship since President Joe Biden assumed office in January.
• Blinken committed to trade talks, Taiwan's inclusion at U.S. summit CNA 11 Mar 2021 -- U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Wednesday said he is committed to pushing the administration of President Joe Biden to begin talks on free trade agreement negotiations with Taiwan, and for the latter to be invited to the Summit for Democracy, which the U.S. will likely host later this year.
• U.S. legislators reintroduce Taiwan Fellowship Act CNA 11 Mar 2021 -- Members of the U.S. Congress on Wednesday reintroduced the Taiwan Fellowship Act, which would establish a program allowing U.S. federal government employees to study and work in Taiwan for up to two years.
• U.S., Taiwan launch disaster preparedness cooperation CNA 11 Mar 2021 -- The United States and Taiwan issued a joint statement on Thursday on partnership on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR), reaffirming their dedication to humanitarian assistance and disaster preparedness.
• Taiwan protests its depiction by U.N. agency as part of China CNA 11 Mar 2021 -- Taiwan's representative office in New York has lodged a protest with the United Nations over a map published by one of its agencies which shows Taiwan as part of China.
• Envoy highlights three-month moratorium to stop voluntary acceptance of IAEA Additional Protocol IRNA 11 Mar 2021 -- Iran's Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the Vienna-based International Organizations Kazem Gharibabadi on Thursday highlighted three-month moratorium to stop voluntary acceptance of IAEA Additional Protocol in the context of an agreement with the UN nuclear agency.
• Iran to resume nuclear commitments only when sanctions are removed: Deputy FM IRNA 11 Mar 2021 -- Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Thursday that if the US returns to JCPOA and lifts the sanctions, Iran will only then return to its nuclear commitments.
• Iran: No talks needed on US return to JCPOA, only sanctions removal counts Press TV 11 Mar 2021 -- A senior Iranian diplomat says the United States' possible return to a 2015 nuclear agreement signed between Tehran and major world states does not require any negotiations since Washington held no consultations with anyone before its withdrawal from the multilateral deal in 2018.
• Iran's nation emerged victorious in clash of wills with US: Rouhani Press TV 11 Mar 2021 -- President Hassan Rouhani says the former US administration put forth its utmost efforts but failed to bend Iran to its "disgraceful will," as the nation emerged victorious in the "clash of wills."
• Iran countermeasures legal, meant to maintain balance of nuclear deal: FM Zarif Press TV 11 Mar 2021 -- Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says the countermeasures Iran began to take one year after the United States' withdrawal from a 2015 nuclear agreement are legal and aimed at preserving the balance of the multilateral deal, reiterating that they can be reversed in case the Washington returns to compliance with its obligations.
• Rouhani: US must honor commitments, lift sanctions for diplomacy to survive Press TV 11 Mar 2021 -- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has told British Prime Minister Boris Johnson that the US must honor its commitments and lift sanctions on Iran if it seeks a diplomatic end to the stalemate surrounding the 2015 landmark nuclear agreement.
• Amid Nuclear Standoff, Who's In The Running To Take The Reins In Iran? RFE/RL 11 Mar 2021 -- Iran will hold a presidential election in less than three months amid speculation that a hard-liner and a "military man" could succeed Hassan Rohani, who is serving his final term and is under heavy pressure from his hard-line opponents who have consolidated power in the Islamic republic.
• British Prime Minister Demands 'Immediate Release' Of Aid Worker In Iran RFE/RL 11 Mar 2021 -- British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has demanded the "immediate release" of aid worker Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe and other dual nationals detained in Iran.
• Lukashenka Replaces Chief Of Investigative Committee, Other Senior Officials RFE/RL 11 Mar 2021 -- Belarusian leader Alyaksandr Lukashenka has replaced the country's Investigative Committee chief and several other senior officials amid a continued crackdown on protesters demanding his resignation over an election last year they say was rigged.
• Dozens Detained In Minsk Amid Crackdown On Anti-Lukashenka Protests RFE/RL 11 Mar 2021 -- Police and security forces raided several apartments in the Belarusian capital, Minsk, overnight and detained dozens of people amid an ongoing crackdown against protesters demanding the country's authoritarian leader Alyaksandr Lukashenka resign.
• Survey shows 74% of UK firms hit by delays with EU markets Press TV 11 Mar 2021 -- Three-quarters of British manufacturers are experiencing Brexit-related delays in moving goods in and out of the European Union, according to a new survey by industry group Make UK.
• UK Manufacturers Facing Delays, Revenue Losses in Post-Brexit Trade With EU, Survey Shows Sputnik 11 Mar 2021 -- UK manufacturers are losing revenues and facing difficulties to move goods in and out of the European Union due to post-Brexit red tape and border delays, Make UK, which represents the UK industry, said on Thursday.
• UK Postpones Implementation of Post-Brexit Checks on EU Imports Until 2022 Sputnik 11 Mar 2021 -- The UK government announced on Thursday that the new post-Brexit border checks on goods imported from the European Union will not be implemented until next year, to give businesses time to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Kyrgyzstan parliament approves referendum on new constitution Press TV 11 Mar 2021 -- Kyrgyzstan's parliament has approved a referendum on a draft constitution that would empower the presidency and allow the country's incumbent leaders to re-run for office.
• Kyrgyz Parliament Approves Law For Referendum On Constitutional Changes, Sets April 11 Date RFE/RL 11 Mar 2021 -- Kyrgyz lawmakers have approved the final reading of a law to hold a referendum on constitutional amendments on April 11 that would increase the president's powers.
• Laos Increases Electricity Costs Despite Producing More Electricity Radio Free Asia 11 Mar 2021 -- State-run power companies in Laos are raising electricity prices, putting a squeeze on businesses suffering from the coronavirus pandemic shutdown and angering customers who say they deserve cheaper power after a decades-long hydroelectric dam building boom, sources in the country told RFA.
• Poland, Hungary Seek To Block EU's New Rule-Of-Law Budget Mechanism RFE/RL 11 Mar 2021 -- Poland and Hungary are challenging a new mechanism in the European Union's budget that links payments to rule-of-law conditions, for which both countries have come under heavy criticism.
• UN Urges Burundi's President to Improve Human Rights VOA 11 Mar 2021 -- U.N. experts are urging Burundi's president to keep the promises he made when he assumed power in June to improve the country's human rights record. The U.N. Commission of Inquiry on Burundi has submitted a report to the U.N. Human Rights Council on the prevailing situation in the country.
• Tunisia Cracks Down on Social Media 10 Years After Arab Spring VOA 11 Mar 2021 -- Tunisian police are arresting social media activists for criticizing the government online and calling for protests, according to rights groups.
• Haiti's Humanitarian Needs Remain 'Disturbingly High,' UN Official Warns VOA 11 Mar 2021 -- Haiti's humanitarian needs "remain at a disturbingly high level," a U.N. official says, with almost half of the population in need of assistance.