• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• Stoltenberg Says 'All Options Remain Open' On Afghanistan Ahead Of NATO Meeting RFE/RL Gandhara 22 Mar 2021 -- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has said "all options remain open" on Afghanistan, just weeks before Washington is due to withdraw the last of its troops under a deal struck with the Taliban last year.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Strategic Capabilities Office Selects Two Mobile Microreactor Concepts to Proceed to Final Design DoD 22 Mar 2021 -- The Department of Defense (DOD) exercised contract options for two teams— led by BWXT Advanced Technologies, LLC, Lynchburg, Virginia; and X-energy, LLC, Greenbelt, Maryland—to proceed with development of a final design for a transportable advanced nuclear microreactor prototype.
• Pentagon Wants New Command and Control System to Counter Hypersonic and Cruise Missile Threat Sputnik 22 Mar 2021 -- In 2017, Russia became the first country in the world to deploy nuclear-capable hypersonic missiles, with their development begun after the US withdrew from the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty and started building a missile shield. Moscow sees the weapons as a guarantee against decapitation strikes. China also has a successful hypersonics programme.
• Jordan reveals deal allowing free entry of US ships, aircraft Press TV 22 Mar 2021 -- Jordan has disclosed a military agreement with the United States that has drawn condemnation from the opposition for posing a threat to the country's sovereignty.
• Blinken Heads to Europe to Boost Alliances VOA 22 Mar 2021 -- U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrives in Brussels Monday for meetings this week that the State Department says are aimed at boosting ties with NATO allies and partnering on issues such as climate change, counterterrorism and ongoing efforts in combating the coronavirus pandemic.
• Blinken Heads To Europe For Talks With NATO Allies RFE/RL Gandhara 22 Mar 2021 -- U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will travel to Brussels on March 22 to meet with NATO and European Union leaders as part of President Joe Biden's efforts to repair transatlantic ties.
• Foreign Ministers to lay the groundwork for upcoming NATO Summit NATO 22 Mar 2021 -- NATO Foreign Ministers will meet on Tuesday and Wednesday (23-24 March 2021) to set the stage for the upcoming Summit in Brussels.
• Press conference by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg ahead of the meetings of NATO Foreign Ministers on 23 and 24 March 2021 at NATO Headquarters NATO 22 Mar 2021
• Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada to NATO Headquarters NATO 22 Mar 2021 -- NATO Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoană welcomed the Chairman of the Verkhova Rada of Ukraine, Dmytro Razumkov, to NATO Headquarters on Monday (22 March 2021).
• Defence outlines 2030 vision for the armed forces UK MOD 22 Mar 2021 -- The Defence Secretary has set out the future vision for the UK Armed Forces ensuring the military is prepared for new and emerging threats and challenges.
• Defence Secretary oral statement on the Defence Command Paper UK MOD 22 Mar 2021 -- Defence Secretary Ben Wallace describes Defence's contribution to the Integrated Review of Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy.
• UK Army to Ditch 'Industrial Age' Capabilities, Slash '10,000 Troops' to Forge 'Agile Military' Sputnik 22 Mar 2021 -- The UK government unveiled its long-awaited Review of Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy 2021on 17 March, re-examining priorities and objectives and defining the country's place post-Brexit.
• New Defence Production Policy India PIB 22 Mar 2021 -- A Draft 'Defence Production & Export Promotion Policy (DPEPP)' 2020 was placed in public domain by the Department of Defence Production, Ministry of Defence.
• Modernisation of the Naval Fleet India PIB 22 Mar 2021 -- Indian Navy remains operationally ready and maintains combat ready platforms with additional forces in readiness at various bases/ports.
• New Inventions by DRDO India PIB 22 Mar 2021 -- During the past 3 years, 79 projects amounting to Rs.8201 Crores directly pertaining to development of new defence equipments i.e. Cruise Missile, Anti-Ship Missile, Surface-to-Air Missile, Air-to-Air Missile, Extended Range Anti-Submarine Rocket, Mounted Gun System, Ammunitions, Electronic Warfare System, Radars, Torpedoes, High Endurance Autonomous Underwater Vehicle etc. have been undertaken.
• Proposals for indigenous designing and manufacturing of defence system India PIB 22 Mar 2021 -- Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP)-2020 envisages the basic tenets of 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan' and encourages indigenous designing and manufacturing of defence items. The proposals for indigenous design and manufacturing are considered under 'Make' Procedure of DAP-2020. The 'Make' Procedure aims to achieve the objective of self-reliance by involving greater participation of Indian industries including private sector through following mechanisms:
• MoD signs contract with MDSL to supply Light Specialist Vehicles to Indian Army India PIB 22 Mar 2021 -- Providing further boost to 'Make in India', Ministry of Defence (MoD) signed a contract with Mahindra Defence Systems Ltd (MDSL) for supply of 1,300 Light Specialist Vehicles to the Indian Army, at a cost of Rs 1,056 crore, in New Delhi on March 22, 2021. The induction of vehicles is planned to be completed in four years.
• Iran set to equip IRGC with home-made submarines IRNA 22 Mar 2021 -- Iran has plans to equip the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) with light and semi-heavy domestically-developed submarines, Head of the Marine Industries Organization of the Ministry of Defense and Logistics of the Armed Forces Rear-Admiral Amir Rastegari said on Monday.
• Iran Plans to Equip Islamic Revolution Guard Corps With Domestically-Built Subs, Reports Say Sputnik 22 Mar 2021 -- Tehran plans to provide the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) with light and semi-heavy homemade submarines, Rear-Admiral Amir Rastegari, the head of the Marine industries organisation of the ministry of defence and logistics, told IRNA.
• Naval Forces of Saudi Arabia, Sudan Begin Al-Fulk 4 Drills in Red Sea, Defence Ministry Says Sputnik 22 Mar 2021 -- The naval forces of Saudi Arabia and Sudan have launched the joint Al-Fulk 4 drills at the Saudi King Faisal Naval Base in the port city of Jeddah on the Red Sea, the Saudi Ministry of Defence has announced.
• One pilot dead, another missing after two F-5Es collide mid-air CNA 22 Mar 2021 -- One pilot died and another remains missing after two F-5E fighter jets collided in mid-air off eastern Pingtung County during a training mission on Monday afternoon, according to Taiwan's Air Force.
• Taiwan kicks off field exercises in Combat Preparedness Month CNA 22 Mar 2021 -- Troops from various military units in Taiwan were mobilized early Monday morning to begin field training exercises, as part of the country's Combat Preparedness Month.
• Armenian PM Says Davtian Appointed New Army Chief 'By Virtue Of Law' RFE/RL 22 Mar 2021 -- Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian says that Lieutenant-General Artak Davtian has become Chief of the General Staff of the Armenian Armed Forces "by virtue of law."
• US Seeks Further Dialogue With Turkey on S-400 Bilaterally and Through NATO, Diplomat Says Sputnik 22 Mar 2021 -- The United States will continue discussions with Turkey bilaterally and through NATO on issues related to Ankara's purchase of Russian-made S-400 air defence systems, US mission to NATO Charge d'Affaires Douglas Jones told reporters on Monday.
• Department Press Briefing – March 22, 2021 US Dept. of State 22 Mar 2021
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jen Psaki, March 22, 2021 The White House 22 Mar 2021

Defense Industry

• Contracts For March 22, 2021

Other Conflicts

• 22 March 2021 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 22 Mar 2021
• Why Biden Sends Warships to the South China Sea, Just as Trump Did VOA 22 Mar 2021 -- U.S. President Joe Biden is keeping pace with his predecessor in the frequency of American warships sent to Asia, analysts believe, a way to get a foothold in contested seas and routinize warnings aimed at the region's strongest maritime force, Beijing.
• Manila Protests Presence of Hundreds of Chinese Ships in Contested Waters Radio Free Asia 22 Mar 2021 -- The Philippines has lodged a diplomatic protest with Beijing after spotting what it says are 220 ships manned by Chinese militia in its maritime territory, but a spokeswoman for China's foreign ministry said the boats were fishing vessels sheltering from rough sea conditions.
• The Kingdom announces an initiative to end the Yemeni crisis and reach a comprehensive political resolution SPA 22 Mar 2021 -- The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia announced an initiative to end the Yemeni crisis and reach a comprehensive political resolution.
• Saudis Offer Cease-fire to Yemeni Rebels VOA 22 Mar 2021 -- Saudi Arabia proposed a cease-fire Monday in Yemen's lengthy civil war, but Houthi rebels appeared to reject it, saying the offer was "nothing new" and did not go far enough.
• US Welcomes Saudi Arabia, Yemeni Government's Commitment to Ceasefire Sputnik 22 Mar 2021 -- The United States welcomes Saudi Arabia and the Yemeni government's commitment to a ceasefire in Yemen, State Department spokesperson Jalina Porter told reporters on Monday.
• Saudi Arabia Floats New Peace Initiative, Including Nationwide Ceasefire, to End Yemen Conflict Sputnik 22 Mar 2021 -- Yemen descended into conflict in late 2014, after the Houthi movement took control of the country's capital in a popular uprising sparked by the cancellation of fuel subsidies. President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi fled to Riyadh, and in March 2015, Saudi Arabia and a coalition of mostly Gulf sheikhdom nations intervened to try to restore him to power.
• U.S. Condemns Attacks Against Saudi Territory From 'Iranian-Aligned' Groups RFE/RL Gandhara 22 Mar 2021 -- The U.S. State Department says Secretary of State Antony Blinken has "strongly condemned" recent attacks against Saudi territory from "Iranian-aligned groups" in the region, and discussed cooperation to end the war in Yemen in a call with Saudi Arabia's foreign minister.
• Ansarullah: There's nothing new in Riyadh's 'peace initiative' Press TV 22 Mar 2021 -- Yemen's Ansarullah movement has dismissed a so-called peace initiative by Riyadh to bring the protracted war to an end, saying there is "nothing new" in the offer.
• Yemeni armed forces, allies will soon liberate Ma'rib, other regions: Houthi Press TV 22 Mar 2021 -- A high-ranking member of Yemen's Supreme Political Council says Yemeni armed forces and their allied fighters from Popular Committees will soon liberate the strategic central province of Mar'ib as well as other regions from the grip of Saudi-led coalition forces and their mercenaries.
• Saudi jets intensify airstrikes on Yemen, destroy grain silos Press TV 22 Mar 2021 -- Saudi warplanes have carried out a spate of new airstrikes on Yemen, including the capital Sana'a and Salif port in the western Red Sea province of Hudaydah.
• Syrian, Russian airstrikes inflict heavy losses on terrorists in Idlib' Press TV 22 Mar 2021 -- Russian and Syrian fighter jets have reportedly targeted positions belonging to foreign-backed Takfiri militants in Syria's northwestern province of Idlib near the Turkish border.
• Attacks on Civilians in Syria US Dept. of State 22 Mar 2021 -- The United States strongly condemns reported Assad regime artillery attacks and Russian airstrikes that killed civilians in western Aleppo and Idlib, yesterday.
• Secretary Blinken's Call with Libyan Interim Prime Minister Dabaiba US Dept. of State 22 Mar 2021
• Huge Fire at Bangladesh Rohingya Camp Leaves Thousands Homeless Radio Free Asia 22 Mar 2021 -- A massive fire damaged thousands of makeshift shelters at a Rohingya refugee camp in southeastern Bangladesh on Monday, officials said, but could not immediately confirm reports that there were casualties.
• Contacts with ICC to continue despite Israeli obstacles: Palestine FM Press TV 22 Mar 2021 -- Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki says he will continue contacts with the International Criminal Court (ICC) despite all the obstacles made by Israeli authorities.
• China Extends, Expands Restrictions in Tibet Following March 10 'Uprising Day' Radio Free Asia 22 Mar 2021 -- Chinese authorities in Tibet have recently intensified their crackdown on the spread of politically sensitive information, monitoring online news-sharing and stopping Tibetans in the streets to check mobile phones for forbidden content, Tibetan sources say.
• Niger government says 137 killed in Sunday attacks Press TV 22 Mar 2021 -- Sunday's attacks by gunmen in villages in Niger's Tahoua region left 137 people dead, the government said Monday, in a massacre that has underscored the huge security challenges facing new President Mohamed Bazoum.
• Mozambique: Cabo Delgado displacement could reach 1 million, UN officials warn UN News 22 Mar 2021 -- Senior leaders with the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, warned on Monday of the urgent need to address the growing humanitarian crisis in the Cabo Delgado province in northern Mozambique, where an ongoing insurgency has uprooted hundreds of thousands of people.
• Mozambique's Humanitarian Crisis in Cabo Delgado Has Displaced 700,000 VOA 22 Mar 2021 -- The U.N. refugee agency warns the humanitarian crisis in Mozambique's Cabo Delgado province is evolving rapidly, and could negatively impact the surrounding region if it is not addressed.
• US Delegation, Top Ethiopian Officials Discuss Tigray Conflict VOA 22 Mar 2021 -- A U.S. delegation has met with top officials in Addis Ababa to convey President Joe Biden's "grave concerns" about the ongoing conflict in Ethiopia's Tigray region.
• Bachelet: Conditions in DR Congo's Volatile Kasai Region Continue to Worsen VOA 22 Mar 2021 -- U.N. human rights experts say conditions are deteriorating for millions of civilians caught up in the chronic armed conflict in the northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The experts presented their latest findings to the U.N. Human Rights Council Monday.

News Reports

• Russia Retains Right to Respond to Bulgaria For Expelling Two Diplomats, Embassy Says Sputnik 22 Mar 2021 -- Bulgaria's decision to declare Russian diplomats personae non-gratae is groundless, and Russia reserves the right to respond, the Russian Embassy in Sofia said on Monday.
• Moscow Will Respond to Bulgaria's Potential Steps Against Russian Diplomats, Foreign Ministry Says Sputnik 22 Mar 2021 -- Moscow will respond to Sofia's potential steps against Russian diplomats, Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko said on Monday.
• Bulgaria Expels Two Russian Diplomats Over Espionage Ring RFE/RL 22 Mar 2021 -- Bulgaria's government has given two Russian diplomats 72 hours to leave the country, after the authorities uncovered the latest in a string of Moscow-linked spy scandals.
• Statement by the Foreign Ministry Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 22 Mar 2021 -- "We regret to note that the American side has not supported the proposal made by President of Russia Vladimir Putin to US President Joe Biden to hold a live-broadcast discussion on March 19 or 22, 2021, on the problems that have accumulated in bilateral relations, as well as on the subject of strategic stability."
• US, Russia Can Work Together in 'Stable and Predictable Way' on Some Areas, Sullivan Says Sputnik 22 Mar 2021 -- The United States and Russia can work together in some areas in a stable and predictable manner, National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said in an interview on Monday.
• Russia accuses US of rejecting dialogue offer between Putin, Biden Press TV 22 Mar 2021 -- The diplomatic impasse between Moscow and Washington is turning ugly after the former on Monday accused the latter of rebuffing an offer of online dialogue between the two sides' leaders.
• European Council President Tells Putin EU-Russian Relations At 'Low Point' RFE/RL 22 Mar 2021 -- European Council President Charles Michel has told Russian President Vladimir Putin that relations between the European Union and Russia are "at a low point" with disagreements in "many areas," which the Russian leader blamed on the bloc's "confrontational policies."
• Moscow court rejects Navalny's complaint Press TV 22 Mar 2021 -- A court in Russia has rejected jailed opposition figure Alexei Navalny's complaint against the Federal Security Service (FSB).
• Court Rejects Navalny's Lawsuit Accusing Investigators Of Failing To Probe His Poisoning RFE/RL 22 Mar 2021 -- A military court in Moscow has rejected a lawsuit filed by jailed Russian opposition politician Aleksei Navalny against the Main Military Investigative Directorate (GVSU) over its refusal to launch an investigation into his poisoning in Siberia with a nerve agent last August.
• Russian Regional Governor, A Strong Putin Supporter, Held On Graft Charges RFE/RL 22 Mar 2021 -- Ivan Belozertsev, the governor of Russia's Penza region and a vocal supporter of President Vladimir Putin, has been arrested and sent to pretrial detention for two months on corruption charges.
• Interview: Russia, China set example on how to build relations, says Lavrov People's Daily 22 Mar 2021 -- China is a truly strategic partner of Russia and a like-minded country, and their mutually trusting and respectful dialogue should serve as an example to other countries, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has said.
• Russia, China need to move away from dollar to reduce risks of US sanctions: Lavrov Press TV 22 Mar 2021 -- Russia and China need to work to further reduce their dependence on the dollar and switch to national currencies for trade in order to alleviate the risks of US sanctions, says Russia's top diplomat.
• Soyuz Rocket Launches 38 Satellites For 18 Countries RFE/RL 22 Mar 2021 -- The Russian space agency, Roskosmos, says that a Soyuz rocket blasted off from the Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on March 22 carrying 38 foreign satellites after takeoff was twice postponed due to technical issues.
• Joint Statement on Xinjiang US Dept. of State 22 Mar 2021 -- The text of the following statement was released by the foreign ministers of Canada, and the United Kingdom, and the United States Secretary of State.
• EU, US, Canada, UK Sanction Chinese Officials, Entities Over Rights Abuses in Xinjiang Radio Free Asia 22 Mar 2021 -- The European Union, U.S., Canada, and the U.K. on Monday leveled sanctions against Chinese officials and security entities as part of a multilateral approach to hold to account those responsible for human rights abuses in northwest China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR).
• In Coordinated Effort, West Sanctions China For Rights Violations In Xinjiang RFE/RL 22 Mar 2021 -- The United States, Britain, and Canada have joined the European Union in announced sanctions against Chinese officials and companies over human rights violations against the mainly Muslim ethnic-Uyghur community in China's Xinjiang Province.
• US, EU, Britain, Canada Impose Sanctions on Chinese Officials Over Uyghurs VOA 22 Mar 2021 -- The United States, the European Union, Britain and Canada have imposed sanctions on several Chinese officials for human rights abuses against the Muslim Uyghur minority in China's Xinjiang province, prompting retaliation from China.
• Promoting Accountability for Human Rights Abuse with Our Partners US Dept. of State 22 Mar 2021 -- Today, the United States, in unity with our partners, is imposing sanctions against Wang Junzheng, the Secretary of the Party Committee of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps (XPCC) and Chen Mingguo, Director of the Xinjiang Public Security Bureau (XPSB) under the Global Magnitsky sanctions program. We are doing so in response to serious human rights abuse against members of ethnic and religious minority groups in Xinjiang.
• Treasury Sanctions Chinese Government Officials in Connection with Serious Human Rights Abuse in Xinjiang US Treasury 22 Mar 2021 -- Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned two current Chinese government officials in connection with serious human rights abuses against ethnic minorities in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR).
• UK sanctions perpetrators of gross human rights violations in Xinjiang, alongside EU, Canada and US UK FCDO 22 Mar 2021 -- Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab announces sanctions against Chinese government officials for gross human rights violations in Xinjiang.
• Treatment of Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang: Foreign Secretary's statement, 22 March 2021 UK FCDO 22 Mar 2021 -- Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab gave a statement to the House of Commons on the human rights situation in Xinjiang, China.
• China (22 Mar. 2021) France Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs 22 Mar 2021 -- "Following the increase in unacceptable public comments by the Embassy of China in recent days, including in the form of insults and threats against parliamentarians and a French researcher, we reaffirm the basic rules enshrined in the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations associated with the functioning of a foreign embassy, notably with respect to its public communications. The embassy is urged to strictly comply with these rules."
• EU, China impose tit-for-tat sanctions on individuals, entities Press TV 22 Mar 2021 -- Beijing has slapped sanctions on 10 European individuals and four entities in retaliation for similar restrictions imposed by the European Union against China.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Announces Sanctions on Relevant EU Entities and Personnel PRC MofA 22 Mar 2021 -- "The European Union (EU) imposed unilateral sanctions on relevant Chinese individuals and entity on March 22, citing the so-called human rights issues in Xinjiang. This move, based on nothing but lies and disinformation, disregards and distorts facts, grossly interferes in China's internal affairs, flagrantly breaches international law and basic norms governing international relations, and severely undermines China-EU relations."
• China hits back at EU sanctions over Xinjiang affairs, sending strong signal urging foreign countries to stop meddling in its internal affairs Global Times 22 Mar 2021 -- Shortly after European Union foreign ministers signed off on a slate of punitive measures on Monday over alleged human rights abuses, including sanctions directed at China, China hit back with tit-for-tat countermeasures by sanctioning 10 individuals and four entities that have spread rumors and lies about Xinjiang.
• China's sanctions over EU officials and entities are justified and timely: Global Times editorial Global Times 22 Mar 2021 -- The Chinese Foreign Ministry announced on Monday to "sanction 10 individuals and four entities on the EU side that severely harm China's sovereignty and interests and maliciously spread lies and disinformation."
• Uyghur Children Face Legacy of Trauma Caused by Mass Incarceration Campaign Radio Free Asia 22 Mar 2021 -- Mass incarceration of Uyghurs in northwestern China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) has scattered some 500,000 Uyghur children in boarding schools, orphanages, and other institutions run by the Chinese state—a state that experts say is committed to the long-term eradication of the ethnic group.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying's Regular Press Conference on March 22, 2021 PRC MofA 22 Mar 2021
• White House Says US Evaluating 'Appropriate Next Steps' on China Sputnik 22 Mar 2021 -- The Biden administration is evaluating the next steps of the United States' policy toward China following a high-level bilateral meeting last week, White House spokesperson Jen Psaki said on Monday.
• China Lauds Alaska Talks With Washington as 'Useful', Urges Further Dialogue Amid Lingering Tensions Sputnik 22 Mar 2021 -- The comments follow tense exchanges between Washington and Beijing, with both countries launching accusations of violating diplomatic protocols, according to reports.
• China-Russia partnership 'key to balance US hegemony' Global Times 22 Mar 2021 -- As Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov arrived in China for his two-day visit on Monday, just two days after the China-US meeting in Anchorage, Alaska, Chinese experts said it's pretty normal for the two like-minded partners to coordinate crucial information, but it doesn't mean the two major powers are forming an anti-US alliance because this would be unnecessary and outdated.
• China will advance strategic partnership with Russia at deeper levels: Foreign Ministry Press TV 22 Mar 2021 -- China's Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Hua Chunying says Beijing would further advance comprehensive strategic partnership with Russia at deeper levels amid heightened tensions with the United States.
• China slams Canada forming 'clique' to interfere in judicial process as Beijing tries Canadian Michael Kovrig over espionage charge Global Times 22 Mar 2021 -- A court in Beijing on Monday opened the trial of a former Canadian diplomat Michael Kovrig over espionage charges, after Friday's trial against his key source Michael Spavor, who was suspected of stealing national secrets from China.
• China begins trial of ex-Canadian diplomat on espionage charges Press TV 22 Mar 2021 -- A Chinese court has begun the trial of a former Canadian diplomat, who is charged with espionage after being arrested two years ago in Beijing.
• Former Canadian Diplomat Tried Behind Closed Doors For 'Spying' in China Radio Free Asia 22 Mar 2021 -- A Canadian national detained by the Chinese authorities days after the arrest of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou stood trial in Beijing on Monday for "spying."
• Closed-Door Hearing of Second Canadian Charged with Espionage Begins in China VOA 22 Mar 2021 -- The espionage trial of former Canadian diplomat Michael Kovrig began Monday behind closed doors in a Beijing courtroom.
• Eight of Hong Kong 12 Handed Over to Hong Kong Police by China Radio Free Asia 22 Mar 2021 -- Police in Hong Kong on Monday detained eight democracy activists returned to the city by China, which jailed them after they tried to flee by speedboat.
• Taiwan thanks Japan over support for cross-strait peace, stability CNA 22 Mar 2021 -- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) on Monday thanked Japan after Japanese media reported the nation's defense minister last week said Tokyo is studying the feasibility of helping the United States defend Taiwan in the event of a cross-Taiwan Strait crisis.
• Taiwan mulls resumption of cross-strait travel ties: MAC CNA 22 Mar 2021 -- Taiwan's government is studying the possibility of gradually resuming travel between Taiwan and China, the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) said Monday, urging Beijing to follow suit.
• Palau president rejects Beijing, reaffirms ties with Taiwan CNA 22 Mar 2021 -- Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr., who is scheduled to visit Taiwan next week, told CNA on Monday that he has informed Beijing that Palau cherishes its relations with Taiwan and that no one should ask Palau to cut ties with Taipei.
• First North Korean National Brought to the United States to Stand Trial for Money Laundering Offenses US Dept. of Justice 22 Mar 2021 -- DPRK Intelligence Service Affiliated Businessman Accused of Using the U.S. Financial System and Deceiving U.S. Banks to Circumvent Sanctions Against North Korea
• After Landmark Extradition, North Korean in US Court on Money Laundering Charges Radio Free Asia 22 Mar 2021 -- The first North Korean national to be extradited to the United States–a possible financial crime information windfall for the U.S–appeared in court to face money-laundering charges on Monday in Washington, where an FBI official said "we hope he will be the first of many."
• North Korean National Makes First Court Appearance in Money Laundering Case VOA 22 Mar 2021 -- Mun Chol Myong, a North Korean national, made his first appearance Monday in federal court in the District of Columbia to face money laundering charges.
• Xi says China ready to work with DPRK to preserve peace on Korean Peninsula Global Times 22 Mar 2021 -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, has said that China is willing to work with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and other related parties to uphold the political settlement of the Korean Peninsula issue and preserve peace and stability on the peninsula, so as to make new contributions to regional peace, stability, development and prosperity.
• Malaysia says all DPRK diplomats expelled as ties severed People's Daily 22 Mar 2021 -- The Malaysian government on Sunday expelled all diplomats of the embassy of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) here in response to the latter's decision to sever diplomatic ties.
• Iran nuclear inspections should not be used as bargaining chip in talks: IAEA Press TV 22 Mar 2021 -- The director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) says he has asked all parties to the landmark nuclear deal with Iran not to use the agency's inspections as a bargaining chip during any future talks, but use them as a basis to achieve an agreement.
• Lavrov: US pullout from Iran deal shows incapacity to negotiate Press TV 22 Mar 2021 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says the US withdrawal from a 2015 nuclear deal with Iran was a violation of international law, and proved Washington's complete inability to engage in talks and reach agreements.
• Designating Officials and Military Units in Response to Escalating Violence in Burma US Dept. of State 22 Mar 2021 -- "Since the military coup last month, the people of Burma have voiced their aspirations for a return to democratic governance, peace, and rule of law. The United States, together with our allies and partners, has stood with them. In response, the military regime continues its violent crackdown, which has killed at least 194 people to-date, including peaceful protesters."
• United States Targets Burmese Military Forces for Repression of Pro-Democracy Protests US Treasury 22 Mar 2021 -- Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned two individuals and two entities connected to the Burmese military and its violent repression of pro-democracy protests. Treasury took these actions in response to the Burmese military's continued campaign of violence and intimidation against peaceful protesters and civil society.
• US, EU Impose Sanctions on Myanmar Coup Leaders VOA 22 Mar 2021 -- The United States and the European Union imposed sanctions on top officials in Myanmar who are linked to last month's military coup, as anti-coup protesters took to the streets again, despite the regime's violent and increasingly deadly pushback.
• US Hits Myanmar Government with More Sanctions VOA 22 Mar 2021 -- The United States Monday announced sanctions against two more individuals and two entities linked to Myanmar's military.
• EU to Sanction 11 Individuals Over Situation in Myanmar, Borrell Announces Sputnik 22 Mar 2021 -- The European Union will slap sanctions on 11 individuals in connection with the situation in Myanmar, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell announced on Monday.
• Myanmar street protests drag on a day after junta's bloody crackdown Press TV 22 Mar 2021 -- Protesters have held a pre-dawn demonstration in Myanmar's second largest city a day after eight demonstrators were killed in a brutal crackdown by the military junta.
• Civil Society and Student Groups in Rakhine State Denounce Myanmar Military Junta Radio Free Asia 22 Mar 2021 -- Civil society and student groups in Myanmar's restive Rakhine state denounced the military junta Monday for unlawfully seizing power and using lethal force to quell peaceful protests, saying the people of the war-torn region know what the nation is going through.
• In Face of Deadly Crackdown by Myanmar's Junta, Civil Disobedience Movement Carries On VOA 22 Mar 2021 -- Anti-coup protests broke out again across Myanmar early Monday as popular acts of defiance against the military junta despite the regime's violent and increasingly deadly pushback.
• Analysts: Saudi Ties Remain Vital to US, Despite Talk of Recalibration VOA 22 Mar 2021 -- Analysts say the world's dependence on gasoline isn't likely to return to pre-pandemic levels, as moves step up to increase fuel efficiency and a global shift accelerates to use alternative green energy sources, including electric vehicles. Despite the Biden administration's talk of recalibrating its relationship with Saudi Arabia over human rights concerns, analysts say Washington's ties to the oil giant remain vital.
• Successful Launching of CubeSat Satellite Continuation of Universities' National Endeavors to Provide Space Domain with Researchers, Scientists, Minister of Education Says SPA 22 Mar 2021 -- Minister of Education Dr. Hamad bin Mohammed Al Al-Sheikh extended thanks to and appreciation of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and HRH the Crown Prince for the great support they paid for the scientific research and invention, amid the Kingdom's universities, pointing out that the launching of the first Saudi satellite by King Saudi University, dedicated for scientific purposes, today, at the Republic of Kazakhstan-based Baikonur Base, is considered as a completion of the big efforts exerted by the Kingdom, under the wise leadership to put the Kingdom into the world class standards.
• Saudi Arabia Launches Its 17th Satellite, Leading Arab World in Space Sector SPA 22 Mar 2021 -- King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) announced today the launch of the "Shaheen Sat" satellite successfully from Baikonur base in the Republic of Kazakhstan on board Russian rocket "Soyuz 2".
• Tsikhanouskaya Stresses Need For Further Aid To Bring Belarus 'Closer To Democracy' RFE/RL 22 Mar 2021 -- Belarusian opposition leader Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya has expressed gratitude for the international community's support for her country's "peaceful fight for human dignity," but says the West needs to continue to help in the battle to remove the regime of authoritarian leader Alyaksandr Luksashenka.
• Israel Enters 4th Parliamentary Snap Election: Hopes, Candidates in Rough Race Sputnik 22 Mar 2021 -- On Tuesday, Israel will have yet another chance to decide the fate of the country's unicameral national legislature, the Knesset, as the most recent unity government, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, lasted just six months after its formation.
• No breakthrough in Lebanon govt. formation after president, PM-designate meet Press TV 22 Mar 2021 -- A much-anticipated meeting between Lebanon's President Michel Aoun and Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri to discuss the formation of a new government and end a high-level political standoff in the cash-strapped Arab country has failed to achieve any breakthrough.
• Lebanon's Beirut Swept by Protests Over Another Failure to Form Government Sputnik 22 Mar 2021 -- Protesters blocked the central streets of the Lebanese capital of Beirut after another political meeting failed to bring results on the formation of a new government.
• Kosovo's New Parliament Elects Kurti As New Prime Minister RFE/RL 22 Mar 2021 -- Kosovo's new parliament has elected Albin Kurti as the new prime minister after his leftist-nationalist Vetevendosje (Self-Determination Movement) party won the most votes in snap elections last month.
• Bulgarian PM Challenged By Former Right-Hand Man Backed By U.S. Trucking Tycoon RFE/RL 22 Mar 2021 -- A powerful Bulgarian politician who stepped down two years ago amid accusations of corruption is trying to make a comeback in upcoming parliamentary elections with the help of a U.S.-based trucking tycoon.
• Presidential Election in the Republic of the Congo US Dept. of State 22 Mar 2021 -- The United States reaffirms its commitment to the people of the Republic of the Congo following a peaceful presidential election day on March 21. We are also saddened by the passing of Guy Brice Parfait Kolelas and extend our condolences to all Congolese mourning his recent death.
• Congolese Presidential Opposition Candidate Dies of COVID-19 VOA 22 Mar 2021 -- Guy Brice Parfait Kolelas, the main challenger in the Republic of Congo's presidential election, has died of COVID-19.
• Actions Against Opposition Members in Zimbabwe US Dept. of State 22 Mar 2021 -- The United States is following events in Zimbabwe closely, including the troubling moves on March 17 to strip Movement for Democratic Change Alliance (MDC Alliance) Vice President Tendai Biti and other MDC Alliance members of their elected seats in parliament.