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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• Bombings, Taliban Raids Kill 22 Afghans, Injure Dozens VOA 13 Mar 2021 -- A car bombing, a roadside blast and insurgent raids killed at least 22 people, including security forces and civilians, officials in Afghanistan said Saturday. The violence injured nearly 70 people, most of them civilians.
• Kabul To Attend Both U.S., Russia-Sponsored Peace Conferences RFE/RL Gandhara 13 Mar 2021 -- The Afghan government has said it will take part in two separate peace conferences sponsored by the United States and Russia in the coming weeks.
• 26 people killed in bombings, Taliban attacks across Afghanistan Press TV 13 Mar 2021 -- With no apparent end in sight for bloodshed in Afghanistan, at least 26 people have been killed in bombings and attacks carried out by the Taliban across the country.

Defense Policy / Programs

• USS San Diego Returns to Sea US Navy 13 Mar 2021 -- The amphibious transport dock ship USS San Diego (LPD 22), part of the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), returned to sea fully mission capable, Mar. 11.
• Austin, Blinken Trip All About Partnerships With Asian Allies DoD News 13 Mar 2021 -- Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's trip to the Indo-Pacific region is all about alliances and partnerships, he told reporters traveling with him.
• Air Force seeks to accelerate efficiency US Air Force 13 Mar 2021 -- As modern warfare continues to evolve, the Air Force has renewed its focus on maintaining secure fuel networks and optimizing operations for maximized combat capability. Over the past year, the Air Force Operational Energy office targeted specific initiatives that aim to increase operational efficiency, incorporate modern technology and processes, and improve sustainment. Furthermore, these efforts have an added benefit of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, a critical aspect of the secretary of defense's climate change prioritization. Here is a breakdown of the latest accomplishments and how AFOE is bringing 21st century energy solutions to the Air Force.
• US Air Force Makes Rare Disclosure on Deployment of Mysterious Sentinel Stealth Drones Sputnik 13 Mar 2021 -- Few publicly available photographs exist of the mysterious RQ-170 Sentinel, developed by Lockheed Martin's Skunk Works as a stealth unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and nicknamed the "Beast of Kandahar" for its role in the US war in Afghanistan.
• US approves sale of spy jets to Germany amid NATO encroachment on Russian border Press TV 13 Mar 2021 -- The United States has approved the sale of $1.77 billion worth of Boeing spy jets to Germany as NATO increased activity on Russia's borders.
• Russia ready for talks with Turkey on sale of SU-35, SU-57 fighter jets: Military official Press TV 13 Mar 2021 -- A Russian military official says Russia is ready for holding talks with Turkey on the possible delivery of Russian-made SU-35 and SU-57 fighter jets providing that Moscow receives the corresponding request Ankara.
• Royal Saudi Air Force Group Participating in Falcon Eye 1 Drill Maneuvers Arrives in Greece SPA 13 Mar 2021 -- The aircraft of the Royal Saudi Air Force taking part in Falcon Eye 1 drill maneuvers, set to be carried out during this month, arrived with its full air, technical and backing up crews in Souda Airbase, at the Greek island of Crete.
• UK planning to increase nuclear warheads in significant military provocation Press TV 13 Mar 2021 -- In a significant development in both the defense and foreign policy arenas, the government is reported to be planning to increase the UK's stockpile of nuclear warheads.

Defense Industry

Other Conflicts

• Yemeni Government Affirms that Houthi Military Escalation Seeks to Completely Eliminate Political Path SPA 13 Mar 2021 -- The Yemeni Government said that the military escalation by the Houthi terrorist militia on Marib Governorate, and using ballistic missiles to shell residential quarters, in the governorate and cities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, seek to completely eliminate the political path, end years-long political efforts and consultations exerted by the international community and undermine any hopes or future of peace, in Yemen.
• Houthis Describe US Ceasefire Plan for Yemen as 'Dangerous Adventurism' Sputnik 13 Mar 2021 -- The Shia Houthi rebels have described the US ceasefire plan for Yemen as "dangerous adventurism" that may deteriorate the situation in the Arab nation.
• Foreign Enablers Continue to Fuel Syria's Conflict, UN Says VOA 13 Mar 2021 -- U.N. investigators call for greater international action to end the impunity prevailing in Syria, which is hindering efforts to find a durable peace for the country's decade-long conflict. The Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Syria has submitted its latest report to the U.N. Human Rights Council.

News Reports

• Six people killed by police in Myanmar Press TV 13 Mar 2021 -- On the anniversary of the killing of a student by police in 1988, law-enforcement officers in Myanmar have marked the occasion by opening fire on anti-coup protesters, and taking the lives of six people.
• We 'Have the Mind to Win This Battle' - Myanmar Activist Speaks Out About Coup, Crackdown VOA 13 Mar 2021 -- Since the Myanmar military overthrew the country's democratically elected government on February 1, thousands of coup protesters have resisted the junta daily, despite the increasing bloodshed.
• At Least 11 Dead in Myanmar Protests VOA 13 Mar 2021 -- Protesters were in Myanmar streets in several cities again Saturday and security forces responded, firing live rounds into the crowds, killing at least 11 demonstrators, according to reports.
• Russian Police Detain Around 200 At Opposition Event In Moscow RFE/RL 13 Mar 2021 -- Russian police detained around 200 people, mostly opposition figures and municipal deputies, at an event in Moscow, in the latest crackdown on Kremlin critics ahead of elections later this year.
• Police in Moscow Raid Pro-Democracy Forum, Dozens Detained VOA 13 Mar 2021 -- Russian police detained more than 180 people Saturday at a conference of independent municipal deputies in Moscow — accusing participants of violating the law by attending a pro-democracy forum with ties to an organization the government has labeled "undesirable."
• China hopes upcoming dialogue with U.S. can advance sound, stable development of bilateral ties: spokesperson People's Daily 13 Mar 2021 -- China on Friday expressed hope that the upcoming high-level strategic dialogue between top diplomats of China and the United States will promote the sound and steady development of bilateral relations.
• Ireland Reexamines Relations With China VOA 13 Mar 2021 -- Ireland, like many small countries dependent on China's economy, tries to avoid rocking the boat on issues deemed sensitive to Beijing.
• Foreign Secretary statement on radical changes to Hong Kong's electoral system. UK FCDO 13 Mar 2021 -- The UK now considers Beijing to be in a state of ongoing non-compliance with the Sino-British Joint Declaration
• Australian Grants Entry to Fugitive Hong Kong Politician VOA 13 Mar 2021 -- Fugitive lawmaker Ted Hui has become the first Hong Kong politician allowed into Australia during the COVID-19 pandemic. The move has spurred China to accuse Canberra of interfering in its domestic affairs.
• Western countries' interference would not stop the steps of justice: central govt office in HK Global Times 13 Mar 2021 -- Spokesperson of the Liaison office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) issued a statement on Saturday, refuting remarks of some Western countries on China's steps of justice to promote Hong Kong's prosperity.
• NPC decision builds security barrier for Hong Kong's long-term prosperity, stability: various sectors in Hong Kong People's Daily 13 Mar 2021 -- The decision by the National People's Congress (NPC) on improving Hong Kong's electoral system serves to plug the electoral loopholes of Hong Kong and build a security barrier for its long-term prosperity and stability, various sectors in Hong Kong have said.
• North Korea Has Reportedly Not Yet Responded to Biden Administration Despite US 'Reaching Out' Sputnik 13 Mar 2021 -- During his presidential campaign, Joe Biden labeled the North Korean leader Kim Jong Un a "thug" and said he would not agree to meet with him unless Pyongyang moves to have its nuclear arsenal reduced.
• Zarif's letter to Borrell merely expounds Iran's outlook: FM Spox IRNA 13 Mar 2021 -- Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh said on Saturday that the letter of the Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif to EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell on the JCPOA expounds on Iran's outlook and does not include any specific plan.
• Iran expresses regret over lack of political will on part of some countries regarding disarmament ISNA 13 Mar 2021 -- Permanent representative of Iran to UN office at Geneva, Esmaeil Baghaei Hamaneh stressed the importance of the position and role of the Disarmament Conference and said that achieving the goals of the institution requires strong political will.
• Full return to JCPOA compliance, first vital step for US to make up for past mistakes: Iran FM Press TV 13 Mar 2021 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has once again reiterated that the United States' full return to its obligations under a 2015 nuclear deal, which was abandoned by former US president Donald Trump, is the "first necessary step" that Washington should take to make up for its violations of the multilateral agreement.
• Lukashenka Says Belarus May Submit New Eurovision Entry After Backlash RFE/RL 13 Mar 2021 -- Belarusian strongman Alyaksandr Lukashenka said his country may submit a new entry to the Eurovision Song Contest after the first one was rejected for being political.
• Saudi King Salman reshuffles cabinet in royal decrees Press TV 13 Mar 2021 -- Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud has reshuffled his cabinet by replacing the minister of the Hajj and Umrah, the head of the Supreme Administrative Court and the chairman of the General Aviation Authority.
• Armenian Opposition Activists Rally As PM, President Hold Talks RFE/RL 13 Mar 2021 -- Opposition supporters have rallied in the Armenian capital Yerevan to demand the resignation of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian.
• Armenia's President, Prime Minister Discuss Possibility of Holding Snap Elections Sputnik 13 Mar 2021 -- Armenian President Armen Sarkissian and Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on Saturday discussed the possibility of holding snap parliamentary elections amid a political crisis in the country, the presidential press service said.
• Vietnam Sentences Four for Involvement in US-Based Exile Government Radio Free Asia 13 Mar 2021 -- A court in Vietnam has sentenced four people on charges of "activities to overthrow the people's government" for their involvement in an anti-communist Vietnamese government in exile, state media reported.
• UN Condemns Arbitrary Killings of Activists in Philippines VOA 13 Mar 2021 -- United Nations officials are condemning the arbitrary killing of nine activists in four provinces in the Philippines earlier this week in what they say appear to have been coordinated, simultaneous police-military operations.
• Malaysia Uses Emergency Powers to Impose 'Fake News' Law VOA 13 Mar 2021 -- Malaysia is using new powers under emergency rule to increase jail time for spreading what authorities call fake news about the coronavirus pandemic or the emergency itself, sidestepping the usual route through Parliament.
• Bolivia issues arrest warrants for ex-president Anez, others, over coup against ex-President Morales Press TV 13 Mar 2021 -- A court in Bolivia has issued arrest warrants for the South American country's ex-president Jeanine Anez and several other individuals over their role in a coup against former president Evo Morales.
• Dozens of countries urge Egypt to end crackdown on critics Press TV 13 Mar 2021 -- Dozens of countries have told the United Nations (UN) that Egypt must stop using anti-terror laws to gag human rights and civil society activism.
• Astronauts From Expedition 64 Perform Spacewalk Outside ISS to Upgrade the Station Sputnik 13 Mar 2021 -- The International Space Station was successfully reboosted to a higher altitude on Friday to prepare for the arrival of its next set of crew members.
• Air Leak in Russia's ISS Zvezda Module Still Unresolved Despite 2 Cracks Being Sealed Off Sputnik 13 Mar 2021 -- The air leak from the intermediate chamber of the Russian Zvezda module of the International Space Station (ISS) is still unresolved, despite two cracks being sealed off, according to the call between the ISS crew and the ground control broadcast by NASA on Saturday.
• Drug Wars, Wiretaps, And Hooligans: Serbia's Gangland Roundup Tests The System RFE/RL 13 Mar 2021 -- President Aleksandar Vucic had a staunch warning for the criminal underworld after a meeting last weekend of Serbia's National Security Council.
• S. Korea Investigating New Suspected Case of Highly Pathogenic Bird Flu SPA 13 Mar 2021 -- South Korea's agricultural authorities said Friday they are investigating yet another suspected case of highly pathogenic bird flu amid growing concerns over a prolonged battle against the animal disease, Yonhap reported.