COVID-19 - Daily News

16 March 2021 Military News

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Defense Policy / Programs
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U.S. Watchdog Warns Further Aid Cuts Could Trigger Afghan Government Collapse RFE/RL Gandhara 16 Mar 2021 -- A further cut in international aid could cause the government in Afghanistan to collapse and return the country to chaos similar to the 1990s, a U.S. government watchdog has warned.
Drought Threatens Afghan Farmers During Uncertain Transition Year RFE/RL Gandhara 16 Mar 2021 -- Farmer Abdul Shakur planted green beans in the northern Parwan Province. But the fate of his crop hangs in the balance this year due to a lack of adequate snowfall.

Defense Policy / Programs

USNORTHCOM-USSOUTHCOM Joint Press Briefing DoD 16 Mar 2021 -- Air Force General Glen D. VanHerck, Commander, U.S. Northern Command; Navy Admiral Craig S. Faller, Commander, U.S. Southern Command
V Corps closes books on first command post exercise since reactivation Army News 16 Mar 2021 -- Members of V Corps completed their first command post exercise March 12, just five months after reactivating at Fort Knox.
Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group conducts Live-Fire Exercise US Navy 16 Mar 2021 -- The Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group (TRCSG) conducted a live-fire exercise in the Indian Ocean March 12.
Defense Department Successfully Transitions New Technology to Programs of Record DoD 16 Mar 2021 -- The Department of Defense announced today that the multi-year Low-Cost Cruise Missile (LCCM) Joint Capability Technology Demonstration (JCTD) project successfully transitioned three primary technologies to programs of record or development projects.
Freedom of Navigation Report Annual Release US Dept. of State 16 Mar 2021 -- The Department of Defense (DoD) released its annual Freedom of Navigation (FON) Report for Fiscal Year 2020 on March 10, 2021.
Sky Shield II enables further interoperability training CENTCOM 16 Mar 2021 -- Members of the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing, 380th AEW, 332nd AEW, Qatar Emiri Air Force and French Air Force participated in Exercise Sky Shield II at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, March 1-3, 2021.
Navy, Marine Corps Release Unmanned Campaign Plan US Navy Press Release 16 Mar 2021 -- The U.S. Navy and Marine Corps released the Unmanned Campaign framework today. The Unmanned Campaign Plan represents the Navy and Marine Corps' strategy for making unmanned systems a trusted and integral part of warfighting.
Up On the Mountaintop - Allied Forces Participate in Arctic JTAC Training USMC News 16 Mar 2021 -- U.S. Navy SEALs, Norwegian Forsvaret soldiers, and U.S. Marines with Marine Rotational Force Europe 21.1, Marine Forces Europe and Africa, participated in allied Joint Terminal Attack Controller training near Setermoen, Norway, March 8, 2021. A JTAC is certified to direct the action of combat aircraft engaged in close air support from a forward position, and other offensive air operations.
Top US Commander Warns 'Front Line' With China Now South of Border VOA 16 Mar 2021 -- Just as top U.S. defense and diplomatic officials are meeting with allies in Asia to find ways to counter the threat from a rising, more aggressive China, a key military commander is warning the front line in the competition for global dominance between Washington and Beijing is much closer to home.
Air Force update for COVID-19 US Air Force 16 Mar 2021

Japanese Defence Minister, US Defence Secretary Vow to Boost Bilateral Alliance Sputnik 16 Mar 2021 -- Japanese Defence Minister Nobuo Kishi and US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin expressed commitment to boosting the bilateral alliance during the talks in Tokyo.
U.S.-Japan Joint Press Statement US Dept. of State 16 Mar 2021 -- The following statement was released by the Security Consultative Committee.
Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Meeting with Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi of Japan DoD 16 Mar 2021
Secretary Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III, Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, and Japanese Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi at a Joint Press Availability DoD 16 Mar 2021
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III Remarks With Japanese Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi in Tokyo, Japan DoD 16 Mar 2021
Secretary of Defense Austin's Remarks at the U.S.-Japan Security Consultative Committee in Tokyo, Japan DoD 16 Mar 2021
U.S., Japanese Leaders Agree Chinese Behavior Endangers Peace DoD News 16 Mar 2021 -- U.S. and Japanese defense and foreign affairs leaders agreed today that China's behavior has become more aggressive, and the U.S. and Japan will work together to counter China's destabilizing efforts.
Secretary Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, and Japanese Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi at a Joint Press Availability US Dept. of State 16 Mar 2021
Secretary Antony J. Blinken And Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin With Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga Before Their Meeting US Dept. of State 16 Mar 2021
Secretary Blinken and Secretary Austin's Meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Suga US Dept. of State 16 Mar 2021
Secretary Blinken's Meeting with Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi US Dept. of State 16 Mar 2021
Secretary Antony J. Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin with Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and Defense Minister Nobua Kishi Before Their Meeting US Dept. of State 16 Mar 2021
Secretary Antony J. Blinken and Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi Before Their Meeting US Dept. of State 16 Mar 2021

Secretary General presents his Annual Report for 2020 NATO 16 Mar 2021 -- Today (16 March 2021), NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg held a virtual press conference to launch his Annual Report for 2020, which covers all aspects of the work of the Alliance over the past year.
Defence Expenditures of NATO Countries (2013-2020) NATO 16 Mar 2021 -- NATO collects defence expenditure data from Allies on a regular basis and presents aggregates and subsets of this information. Each Ally's Ministry of Defence reports current and estimated future defence expenditure according to an agreed definition of defence expenditure.
Speech by NATO Deputy Secretary General, Mircea Geoană, at the NATO Lessons Learned conference NATO 16 Mar 2021 -- (As delivered)
Alliance scientists study the military impact of COVID-19 NATO 16 Mar 2021 -- NATO's network of over 6,000 scientists and engineers continue to support efforts to tackle the effects of COVID-19. The network recently completed a study analysing the military impact of the pandemic over the next six years. The study looks at the impact of COVID-19 on a range of military functional areas, such as personnel, intelligence, operations, logistics, planning, communications, training and civil affairs.

Integrated Review outlines future for defence Gov.UK 16 Mar 2021 -- The Prime Minister has set out the conclusions of the Integrated Review of security, defence, development and foreign policy.
Ministry of Defence Integrated Review Command Paper UK MOD 16 Mar 2021 -- The Integrated Review of Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy will define the government's vision for the UK's role in the world over the next decade.
Stoltenberg Believes UK Will Keep Providing Key Capabilities to NATO After Policy Review Sputnik 16 Mar 2021 -- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg declined to comment on the UK integrated policy review, which is expected to be unveiled later on Tuesday, but expressed confidence that the United Kingdom would continue to provide key capabilities to NATO.
Ambitious Integrated Review identifies China as biggest threat to UK Press TV 16 Mar 2021 -- After a long delay the government's Integrated Review of Security, Defense, Development and Foreign Policy has finally been published and much of its content is consistent with recent leaks.

Chinese military enthusiasts urged to stay vigilant over intelligence leak as several social media accounts are suspended Global Times 16 Mar 2021 -- Chinese military enthusiasts have been advised not to become tools of overseas intelligence agencies and leak classified information on the People's Liberation Army (PLA), after several accounts covering domestic military affairs on Chinese social media were recently suspended.
Chinese peacekeeping force to Lebanon passes UN military capability assessment PLA Daily 16 Mar 2021 -- The medical detachment and the construction engineer detachment of the 19th Chinese peacekeeping forces to Lebanon passed the military capability assessment for the first quarter of 2021 conducted by the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) on March 11.

Indian Army DE-Commissions 130mm Self Propelled Catapult Guns and 160mm Tampella Mortars from Service India PIB 16 Mar 2021 -- Two of the longest serving Artillery systems, the 130mm Self Propelled M-46 Catapult Guns and the 160mm Tampella Mortars were decommissioned today at Mahajan Field Firing Ranges. The ceremony was marked by the customary firing of last salvos. The decommissioning firing was attended by Lt Gen K Ravi Prasad, Director General Artillery and other senior officers.

Norway - Javelin FGM-148 Missiles DSCA 16 Mar 2021 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Norway of Javelin FGM-148 Missiles and related equipment for an estimated cost of $36 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.

North Macedonia - Stryker Vehicles DSCA 16 Mar 2021 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of North Macedonia of Stryker Vehicles and related equipment for an estimated cost of $210 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.

The Netherlands - AH-64 Pilot Training and Logistics Support DSCA 16 Mar 2021 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of the Netherlands of AH-64 Pilot Training and Logistics Support and related equipment for an estimated cost of $190 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.
The Netherlands - CH-47 Pilot Training and Logistics Support DSCA 16 Mar 2021 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of the Netherlands of CH-47 Pilot Training and Logistics Support and related equipment for an estimated cost of $125 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.

Ships wrap up mission in Tasmania Australia DOD 16 Mar 2021 -- Two mine hunters marked the end of this year's Fleet Certification Period with a mine location and recovery mission off the coast of Tasmania on March 15.
Exercise in cooperation for air and sea power Australia DOD 16 Mar 2021 -- Air and maritime assets came together for integrated high-end warfighting training as part of Exercise Tasman Shield 21, from February 22 to March 12.

Armenia, Azerbaijan Conduct Large-Scale Military Exercises RFE/RL 16 Mar 2021 -- Armenia's armed forces are due to begin large-scale military exercises on March 16, one day after Azerbaijan launched four days of drills involving thousands of troops.

US military begins training Mozambican troops Press TV 16 Mar 2021 -- The United States military has assigned special operations forces to train troops in the Southeast African country of Mozambique.

Department Press Briefing – March 16, 2021 US Dept. of State 16 Mar 2021
Statement by NSC Spokesperson Emily Horne on National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan's Call with Counterparts from France, Germany, and the United Kingdom The White House 16 Mar 2021
Press Gaggle by Press Secretary Jen Psaki Aboard Air Force One En Route Chester, PA The White House 16 Mar 2021

Defense Industry

Contracts For March 16, 2021

Other Conflicts

16 March 2021 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 16 Mar 2021

Japan urged to respect China's bottom line on Diaoyu Islands, manage signpost farce Global Times 16 Mar 2021 -- The Japanese government knows well China's unwavering determination to safeguard its national sovereignty, Chinese experts commented, following recent reports that the city government of Japan's Ishigaki would apply to the Japanese government for approval to land on the Diaoyu Islands to install signposts for a new so-called district name.

The immediate need for an end to conflict in Yemen UK FCDO 16 Mar 2021 -- Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward at the UN Security Council briefing on Yemen
UN envoy warns of 'dramatic' deterioration in Yemen conflict UN News 16 Mar 2021 -- The UN's top official in Yemen has warned of a "dramatic" deterioration in the country's ongoing conflict, telling the Security Council on Tuesday that fighting has expanded on several fronts amid the world's worst humanitarian crisis.
Yemen: US must stop Saudi war, siege to set stage for political process Press TV 16 Mar 2021 -- The spokesman for Yemen's Houthi Ansarullah movement says the US administration is not sincere in its calls for the restoration of peace to the country, stressing that Washington must make the Saudi-led invaders end their aggression and siege against Yemen to set the stage for a real political process.

Syria's decade of conflict takes massive toll on women and girls UN News 16 Mar 2021 -- This week, Syria marks a grim anniversary: 10 years since the start of the country's grinding conflict. Today, one decade into the catastrophe, about half the country's population has been uprooted, with some 12 million people internally displaced or living as refugees.
UN Envoy on Syria: War 'One of Darkest Chapters' in Recent History VOA 16 Mar 2021 -- The United Nations' special envoy for Syria expressed "profound regret" that the organization has not yet been able to mediate an end to the conflict that turned a decade old Monday.
UNICEF, Aid Organizations Urge More Humanitarian Help as Decade of Conflict Takes Toll on Syrians VOA 16 Mar 2021 -- The decade milestone in the Syrian conflict has witnessed nearly half-a-million people killed, and about 12,000 children dead or injured, according to the U.N. children's agency, UNICEF. The conflict also has resulted in the largest displacement crisis since World War Two. In addition to U.N. agencies, 35 aid organizations have joined to warn of the suffering and increased, irreversible, damage if growing humanitarian needs in Syria are not met and a political solution is not found to the lingering conflict.
Syria's Idlib De-escalation Zone Shelled 36 Times in Past Day, Russian Military Says Sputnik 16 Mar 2021 -- The Jabhat al-Nusra terrorist group (banned in Russia) shelled Syria's Idlib de-escalation zone 36 times over the past 24 hours, Rear Adm. Alexander Karpov, deputy head of the Russian Defense Ministry's Center for Reconciliation of Opposing Sides in Syria, said at a briefing.
Number of Syrian Soldiers Killed, Injured in Terrorist Attack in Syria's Daraa, State Media Says Sputnik 16 Mar 2021 -- A number of Syrian soldiers were killed and injured as a result of an attack conducted by a terrorist group in the south-western province of Daraa, state news agency SANA reported on Tuesday.

Libyan government hands power to unity team Press TV 16 Mar 2021 -- Libya's internationally-recognized government has officially handed over power to a new interim executive that is expected to unify the war-torn African country after decade-long violence and division.

Myanmar Crackdown on Protesters Kills 25 as Junta Imposes 24-Hour Mobile Internet Shutdown Radio Free Asia 16 Mar 2021 -- At least 25 people were shot dead Monday as anti-coup protesters in multiple cities braved increasing violence by security forces following a bloody weekend that killed scores of protesters in Myanmar's largest city, witnesses said.
Myanmar: UN rights office 'deeply disturbed' over intensifying violence against protesters UN News 16 Mar 2021 -- The UN human rights office (OHCHR) said on Tuesday it is "deeply disturbed" that the crackdown on peaceful protesters in Myanmar "continues to intensify", with a soaring death toll on the streets, increasingly aggressive use of lethal force, arbitrary arrests, and reports of torture in custody.
UN envoy warns of 'dramatic' deterioration in Yemen conflict UN News 16 Mar 2021 -- The UN's top official in Yemen has warned of a "dramatic" deterioration in the country's ongoing conflict, telling the Security Council on Tuesday that fighting has expanded on several fronts amid the world's worst humanitarian crisis.
UN agency raises alarm about food, fuel price hikes since coup in Myanmar Press TV 16 Mar 2021 -- The United Nations (UN)'s food agency says an unprecedented increase in food and fuel prices in Myanmar since the February 1 military coup risks undermining the ability of poor families to feed themselves.
Protests Force Myanmar's Ethnic Chinese to Distinguish Themselves From China Radio Free Asia 16 Mar 2021 -- Defiant anti-junta protests in Yangon and cities across Myanmar were suppressed by military gunfire that killed five protesters Tuesday, as grieving families buried their dead from violence in Yangon and China issued a warning to protect Chinese businesses after dozens were vandalized, looted and burned in previous days.

Turkey, Greece start round of exploratory talks on maritime dispute Press TV 16 Mar 2021 -- Greece and Turkey have begun another round of exploratory talks on a long-standing dispute over energy exploration and territorial rights in the eastern Mediterranean Sea.

Israel will be hit by 2,000 missiles a day in future war with Hezbollah: Israeli general Press TV 16 Mar 2021 -- A high-ranking Israeli military commander says the Hezbollah resistance movement can fire 2,000 missiles per day towards Israel in case a military confrontation breaks out with Lebanon.

Yerevan Eyes OSCE Role In Final Nagorno-Karabakh Settlement RFE/RL 16 Mar 2021 -- Armenia believes any final political solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict should be negotiated solely within the framework of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe's (OSCE) Minsk Group.

Kosovo War Crimes Suspect Arrested In Belgium RFE/RL 16 Mar 2021 -- Belgian authorities have arrested a war crimes suspect under an indictment issued by The Hague-based Kosovo tribunal.

South Sudanese 'one step away from famine', as UN launches humanitarian response plan UN News 16 Mar 2021 -- As hunger levels continue to deepen in South Sudan due to a combination of violence, climate change and COVID-19, the 2021 South Sudan Humanitarian Response Plan was launched on Tuesday aiming to reach 6.6 million people – including 350,000 refugees - with life-saving assistance and protection.
UN: South Sudan Political, Military Leaders to Blame for Inter-Communal Violence VOA 16 Mar 2021 -- Military and political officials in South Sudan supported well-armed militias in the Greater Jonglei region and must be held accountable for fueling community-based violence that killed more than 700 people between January and June of last year, according to the Office of the U.N. Commissioner for Human Rights.
UN Appeals for $1.7 Billion to Feed Millions in South Sudan VOA 16 Mar 2021 -- The U.N.'s Humanitarian Coordinator in South Sudan, Alain Noudéhou, has released an urgent appeal for $1.7 billion dollars to help 6.6 million people facing food insecurity.

UN Launches Billion-Dollar Appeal for Nigeria's Victims of Armed Conflict VOA 16 Mar 2021 -- The United Nations is appealing for $1 billion to help 6.4 million of Nigeria's most vulnerable people, including two million who have been forced to flee their homes because of armed conflict.

News Reports

Joint Statement from the Departments of Justice and Homeland Security Assessing the Impact of Foreign Interference During the 2020 U.S. Elections DHS 16 Mar 2021 -- The Department of Justice (DOJ), and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), including the FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), released today key findings and recommendations from a joint report to the President issued last month on the impact of foreign governments and their agents on the security and integrity of the 2020 U.S. federal elections.
ODNI Releases Intelligence Community Assessment of Foreign Threats to the 2020 U.S. Elections Director of National Intelligence 16 Mar 2021 -- The Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) today released the declassified Intelligence Community (IC) assessment of foreign threats to the 2020 U.S. federal elections. The document is a declassified version of a classified report that the IC provided to the President, senior Executive Branch officials, and Congressional leadership and intelligence oversight committees on January 7, 2021.
U.S. Intelligence Says Iran, Russia Carried Out Influence Operations During 2020 Election RFE/RL 16 Mar 2021 -- Russia and Iran both conducted misinformation operations to influence the 2020 U.S. presidential race between Joe Biden and Donald Trump, according to a U.S. intelligence report.
US: Russia, Iran Meddled in November's Election; China Held Back VOA 16 Mar 2021 -- A just-released assessment by U.S. intelligence officials finds Russia and Iran, joined by a handful of other countries and groups, did seek to influence the outcome of the November 2020 presidential election. But the assessment also concludes that, despite repeated warnings by a number of top officials, China ultimately decided to sit it out.

US Army Memo Reveals Leadership Opposed Deploying National Guard Ahead of Capitol Riot - Report Sputnik 16 Mar 2021 -- In light of the deadly Capitol riot, law enforcement leadership have been heavily criticized for a series of security failures, especially as it took hours for officials to regain control of the situation. Recent hearings held on Capitol Hill revealed to lawmakers that it took over three hours before the National Guard was cleared for deployment.

Statement by Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas Regarding the Situation at the Southwest Border DHS 16 Mar 2021
Northcom, Southcom Leaders Discuss Border, Hemispheric Security at Hearing DoD News 16 Mar 2021 -- An increase in migrants coming across the southern border, threats to the Western Hemisphere by China, and solutions to those and other problems were discussed today at a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing.

Ambitious Integrated Review identifies China as biggest threat to UK Press TV 16 Mar 2021 -- After a long delay the government's Integrated Review of Security, Defense, Development and Foreign Policy has finally been published and much of its content is consistent with recent leaks.
In Wake of Brexit, UK's Johnson Seeks to Strengthen Ties With Asia VOA 16 Mar 2021 -- British Prime Minister Boris Johnson told parliament Tuesday that his government will seek to strengthen ties with countries in the Indo-Pacific region in the wake of the nation's departure from the European Union.
EU launches legal action against UK over 'breach' of NI protocol Press TV 16 Mar 2021 -- The European Union (EU) launched legal action against the UK on Monday (15 March) over breaches of the Brexit arrangements on the Northern Ireland (NI) Protocol.

Ukraine Accuses Russia Of Fresh Cyberattack RFE/RL 16 Mar 2021 -- Ukraine's State Security Service (SBU) said on March 16 it had prevented a large-scale cyberattack by Russian hackers targeting classified government data.

Kyrgyzstan Repatriates Dozens Of Children Born To Militants In Iraq RFE/RL 16 Mar 2021 -- Kyrgyzstan has brought back dozens of children from Iraq, becoming the latest Central Asian state to repatriate its citizens since thousands from the region went to fight with extremist groups in Iraq and Syria.

Myanmar Crackdown on Protesters Kills 25 as Junta Imposes 24-Hour Mobile Internet Shutdown Radio Free Asia 16 Mar 2021 -- At least 25 people were shot dead Monday as anti-coup protesters in multiple cities braved increasing violence by security forces following a bloody weekend that killed scores of protesters in Myanmar's largest city, witnesses said.
Myanmar: UN rights office 'deeply disturbed' over intensifying violence against protesters UN News 16 Mar 2021 -- The UN human rights office (OHCHR) said on Tuesday it is "deeply disturbed" that the crackdown on peaceful protesters in Myanmar "continues to intensify", with a soaring death toll on the streets, increasingly aggressive use of lethal force, arbitrary arrests, and reports of torture in custody.
UN agency raises alarm about food, fuel price hikes since coup in Myanmar Press TV 16 Mar 2021 -- The United Nations (UN)'s food agency says an unprecedented increase in food and fuel prices in Myanmar since the February 1 military coup risks undermining the ability of poor families to feed themselves.
Protests Force Myanmar's Ethnic Chinese to Distinguish Themselves From China Radio Free Asia 16 Mar 2021 -- Defiant anti-junta protests in Yangon and cities across Myanmar were suppressed by military gunfire that killed five protesters Tuesday, as grieving families buried their dead from violence in Yangon and China issued a warning to protect Chinese businesses after dozens were vandalized, looted and burned in previous days.

Russia Threatens To 'Temporarily' Block Twitter RFE/RL 16 Mar 2021 -- Russia's state communications watchdog, Roskomnadzor, has threatened to block Twitter in a month's time if the social-media network doesn't begin removing banned content.
Russian Newspaper Calls On Authorities To Investigate 'Chemical Attack' RFE/RL 16 Mar 2021 -- The independent Russian investigative newspaper Novaya gazeta has called on Moscow authorities to investigate a "chemical attack" against its premises after a security camera recorded a person spraying its office entrance with an unknown liquid.
Hearing Into Navalny Lawsuit Over Refusal To Probe His Poisoning Postponed RFE/RL 16 Mar 2021 -- A Russian military court has postponed a hearing into a lawsuit filed by jailed opposition politician Aleksei Navalny for the refusal by Russian military investigators to open a probe into his poisoning with a nerve agent in Siberia last August.

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian's Regular Press Conference on March 16, 2021 PRC MofA 16 Mar 2021
China hopes for candid conversation with US, reminds Australia of erroneous remarks, actions Global Times 16 Mar 2021 -- China and the US are negotiating over the agenda for the imminent bilateral high-level strategic dialogue, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said on Tuesday, hoping for a return of bilateral ties to the right track.
US-Japan statement no surprise, 'accusation baseless' Global Times 16 Mar 2021 -- US and Japanese foreign and defense ministers warned Tuesday against "coercion and destabilizing behavior" by China after the bilateral "2+2" talks in Tokyo on Tuesday, while the Chinese foreign ministry warned that the US-Japan alliance should not target any third party.
"Patriots governing Hong Kong" an irresistible trend People's Daily 16 Mar 2021 -- The decision of the National People's Congress (NPC), the top legislature of China, to improve the electoral system of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) has won wide support from the 1.4 billion Chinese people, including Hong Kong compatriots.
China Backs Lawsuits Against German Scholar for Human Rights Abuse Claims VOA 16 Mar 2021 -- In the latest pushback against foreign criticism of China's human rights abuses, Beijing has endorsed a series of lawsuits against U.S.-based German researcher Adrian Zenz, whose research and conclusions have been central to claims of human rights abuses in Xinjiang.
China Wants Alibaba Founder Jack Ma to Lose His Media Assets: Reports Radio Free Asia 16 Mar 2021 -- The ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is stepping up pressure on China's Alibaba group to sell off its media assets including the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post (SCMP) newspaper, according to recent media reports.

U.S., Japan stress need for peace in Taiwan Strait CNA 16 Mar 2021 -- Top diplomats and defense chiefs from the United States and Japan issued a joint statement on Tuesday following the U.S.-Japan Security Consultative Committee meeting in which the need for maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait was among the topics addressed.
Taiwan condemns Chinese ambassador to France for bullying letter CNA 16 Mar 2021 -- Officials in Taiwan on Tuesday condemned Beijing's attempt to stop a French legislator from visiting Taiwan this summer, saying the China's "Wolf Warrior" diplomacy was unacceptable.
Chinese envoy's letter to French senator over Taiwan island trip plan a 'measured heads-up' Global Times 16 Mar 2021 -- A letter from Chinese Ambassador to France Lu Shaye to French Senator Alain Richard, who is planning to visit the island of Taiwan in the summer, was a "measured heads-up," Chinese observers said, noting the French politician is taking an opportunistic path to challenge the bottom line of China's sovereign integrity concerning the island for the sake of individual interests and at the cost to overall friendly China-France ties.

White House confirms having reached out to DPRK People's Daily 16 Mar 2021 -- The White House confirmed on Monday that the administration of President Joe Biden has recently reached out to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) but has not yet received a response from Pyongyang.
North Korean leader's sister warns US against 'causing a stink' Press TV 16 Mar 2021 -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's influential sister has warned the administration of US President Joe Biden against "causing a stink at its first step," as senior American officials are in the region for visits.
North Korea Warns US as Top Defense, Foreign Policy Officials Hold Talks VOA 16 Mar 2021 -- North Korea has broken its silence and issued a new warning toward the United States as top American and Japanese foreign policy and defense officials condemn China's aggression in the region.
DPRK condemns U.S.-S. Korea military drills People's Daily 16 Mar 2021 -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Monday slammed the ongoing military exercises jointly held by South Korea and the United States, and warned of possible retaliation, the official Korean Central News Agency reported on Tuesday.
North Korean Companies Hoard Rare-Earth Elements for Future Trade with China Radio Free Asia 16 Mar 2021 -- North Korean state-run companies have begun hoarding molybdenum ore, causing the price of the high-tech industrial input to spike in a move that suggests that trade with China could resume soon, sources in the country told RFA.

IAEA Chief Expresses Hope Over Possible U.S. Return To Iranian Nuclear Deal RFE/RL 16 Mar 2021 -- The head of the UN nuclear monitoring agency has said a U.S. return to the 2015 international nuclear deal with Iran is possible, but stressed both sides need to be willing to negotiate.
IAEA Reports Underground Uranium Enrichment Begun on IR-4 Centrifuges at Iran's Natanz Plant Sputnik 16 Mar 2021 -- According to an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) report obtained by Reuters, Iran has begun enriching uranium on a cascade of advanced IR-4 centrifuges at its Natanz facility.
IAEA: Iran's deal partners should seize 3-month chance to revive JCPOA Press TV 16 Mar 2021 -- The UN nuclear agency says a US return to the 2015 nuclear agreement is "difficult" but still "possible," calling on Iran's partners in the deal to seize the three-month chance offered by Tehran as part of a bilateral understanding with the watchdog to revive the nuclear deal.
Iran managed well in conditions of sanctions, economic war: President Rouhani ISNA 16 Mar 2021 -- Iran's President said that the management of the country in the difficult conditions of the war is different from the normal conditions, adding, no one has the right to ignore or distort the facts of the country's history".
New US administration did nothing to make up for past mistakes: Rouhani Press TV 16 Mar 2021 -- President Hassan Rouhani says the former "criminal" US administration did great injustice to the people of Iran with its terrorist acts, and that the new leadership in the White House has so far failed to take any practical measure to make up for the past wrongdoings.
Iran unveils COVID-19 vaccine named to honor assassinated scientist Fakhrizadeh Press TV 16 Mar 2021 -- Iran has unveiled a new COVID-19 vaccine developed by the Defense Ministry's research center formerly headed by nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, who was assassinated in a suspected Israeli-linked terror attack late last year.

Jailed Belarusian Blogger Losik Ends Hunger Strike, Put In Solitary Confinement RFE/RL 16 Mar 2021 -- Ihar Losik, a popular blogger and RFE/RL consultant jailed in Belarus since last June on charges his supporters say are trumped up, has ended a hunger strike and is now in solitary confinement.

Erdogan Stresses Turkey's Preeminence in Eastern Mediterranean Sputnik 16 Mar 2021 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday emphasized his country's key role in everything that takes place in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Laos Grants 25-Year Concession to Chinese Company to Manage Power Grid Radio Free Asia 16 Mar 2021 -- Laos and a majority Chinese-owned company have signed a 25-year concession agreement that allows the company to build and manage its power grid, including electricity exports to neighboring countries, a government official in the country told RFA.

Armenia's First President Calls For PM's Immediate Resignation RFE/RL 16 Mar 2021 -- Levon Ter-Petrosian, Armenia's first president, has called for the immediate resignation of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian "in the interest of the nation."

Organizer Of Rallies Against Constitutional Changes Detained In Kyrgyzstan RFE/RL 16 Mar 2021 -- An organizer of rallies protesting Kyrgyzstan's proposed constitutional amendments has been detained for allegedly calling on people to seize power before the changes become law.

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