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Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• Roadside bomb attacks hit US logistics convoys in central Iraq, Baghdad Press TV 05 Apr 2021 -- Three separate roadside bomb attacks have struck convoys of trucks carrying logistical equipment belonging to US military forces in Iraq's central provinces of al-Qadisiyah and Babil as well as the capital city of Baghdad.
• Afghanistan Wants More Female Police Officers, Soldiers VOA 05 Apr 2021 -- As the Afghan government plans to more than double the number of women in its security forces by 2024, analysts say a wave of targeted killings could deter many from joining.
• Afghan Army Retakes Key Southern District From Taliban RFE/RL Gandhara 05 Apr 2021 -- Afghan security forces have recaptured a key district from the Taliban in the southern Kandahar Province in an operation that killed and wounded dozens of militants, the Ministry of Defense said on April 5.
• Florida National Guard helps mitigate reservoir leak Army News 05 Apr 2021 -- The Florida National Guard is supporting state partners in the ongoing response to the Piney Point Reservoir leak in Manatee County in the Tampa Bay area.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Army competing every day in Indo-Pacific, senior leaders say Army News 05 Apr 2021 -- As the Army's largest service component command, U.S. Army Pacific continuously competes across a vast region between the north and south poles and from the west coast of the U.S. to India, its commander said Tuesday.
• DOD Closely Monitoring Russian Activities in Arctic DoD News 05 Apr 2021 -- Russian military activities and infrastructure build-ups in the Arctic are not going unnoticed, the Pentagon press secretary said.
• Comment by Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova on US and British plans to deploy land-based intermediate- and shorter-range missiles Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 05 Apr 2021 -- "Pentagon officials have been making increasingly more statements during the past few weeks on practical actions to create and deploy land-based intermediate- and shorter-range missiles, which were previously prohibited under the INF Treaty which Washington has destroyed, around the world as soon as possible."
• Moscow warns US, UK against missile deployment, vows military response Press TV 05 Apr 2021 -- Moscow has warned that plans by the United States and Britain to deploy ground-based short and intermediate-range missiles in the Indo-Pacific region are making the prevention of "serious escalation" difficult.
• Moscow Not Ruling Out Military Measures in Response to Missile Threats Arising from the West Sputnik 05 Apr 2021 -- The Russian Foreign Ministry's statement comes amid reported plans by the Pentagon to deploy intermediate-range missiles.
• Russia's military moves pose no threat to Ukraine, any other country: Moscow Press TV 05 Apr 2021 -- Russia says its military activities in the vicinity of the common border with Ukraine pose no threat whatsoever to Ukraine or any other country, stressing, however, that Moscow is always mindful of its own security.
• China's J-20 stealth fighter jet flies without Luneburg lens, shows combat readiness Global Times 05 Apr 2021 -- The J-20, the most advanced, stealth-capable fighter jet of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force, has entered the next level of combat readiness, analysts said on Monday, after the aircraft was spotted flying without a Luneburg lens, a small device used to intentionally expose a stealth aircraft to others in situations like training or non-combat flights.
• Aircraft carrier formation carries out training around Taiwan PLA Daily 05 Apr 2021 -- China's Liaoning aircraft carrier formation recently carried out training in waters around Taiwan, a spokesman for the People's Liberation Army Navy said on Monday.
• Rafale Jet Deal: French Report Claims Dassault Paid $1.17 Million to Indian Middleman Sputnik 05 Apr 2021 -- In September 2016, the Narendra Modi government placed an order with the French manufacturer Dassault Aviation to purchase 36 new Rafale fighter jets for the Indian Air Force. The delivery is set to be completed by 2022.
• Indian Navy Ships and Aircraft to participate in exercise La Perouse India PIB 05 Apr 2021 -- Indian Navy Ships INS Satpura (with an integral helicopter embarked) and INS Kiltan alongwith P8I Long Range Maritime Patrol Aircraft are participating, for the first time; in multi-lateral maritime exercise La Pérouse, being conducted in the Eastern Indian Ocean Region from 05 to 07 Apr 2021. The
• India Taking Part in French-Led La Perouse Drills in Bay of Bengal This Week Sputnik 05 Apr 2021 -- Indian warships and aircraft are set to participate in the French-led La Perouse joint naval exercise between the navies of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) member states scheduled to take place from Monday through Wednesday in the Bay of Bengal, India's Defence Ministry said.
• DRDO develops Advanced Chaff Technology to safeguard naval ships from missile attack India PIB 05 Apr 2021 -- Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has developed an Advanced Chaff Technology to safeguard the naval ships against enemy missile attack.
• Secretary Blinken's Call with Sudanese PM Hamdok US Dept. of State 05 Apr 2021
• Department Press Briefing – April 5, 2021 US Dept. of State 05 Apr 2021
• Remarks by President Biden After Marine One Arrival The White House 05 Apr 2021
• Statement by National Security Council Spokesperson Emily Horne on National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan's Call with Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic of Croatia The White House 05 Apr 2021
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jen Psaki, April 5, 2021 The White House 05 Apr 2021

Defense Industry

• Contracts For April 5, 2021

Other Conflicts

• 5 April 2021 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 05 Apr 2021
• Philippines Claims Beijing Aims To Occupy More 'Features' in South China Sea Radio Free Asia 05 Apr 2021 -- The Philippines on Sunday claimed that the continued presence of Chinese vessels in Manila's maritime territory in the South China Sea revealed that Beijing plans to occupy more features in the disputed waterway.
• Philippines Threatens Daily Protests Over Chinese Ships in South China Sea Radio Free Asia 05 Apr 2021 -- Philippine officials threatened on Monday to file daily diplomatic protests unless Beijing removed dozens of ships from disputed South China Sea waters, as Manila kept the pressure up over what it alleges are Chinese militia ships encroaching in and around its exclusive economic zone.
• Manila Warns Beijing Its 'Incursions' in South China Sea Could Trigger 'Unwanted Hostilities' Sputnik 05 Apr 2021 -- The Philippines previously spotted unknown structures installed on a series of Manila-claimed islands and reefs in the disputed South China Sea during maritime patrols, where "a flotilla" of Chinese fishing vessels was earlier tracked by the military.
• UN: Over 40 militants killed in weekend counterattack by peacekeepers Press TV 05 Apr 2021 -- The United Nations says over 40 militants, including a senior commander, were killed last week in clashes that ensued a major attack on a base housing peacekeepers in northern Mali.
• Northern Ireland rocked by further riots and disorder Press TV 05 Apr 2021 -- Rioting and communal violence shows no sign of abating in tension-wracked Northern Ireland as loyalist gangs continue to go on the rampage.
• Mozambique's Palma Destroyed Amid Army's Efforts to Regain Control Over Town, Activist Says Sputnik 05 Apr 2021 -- The gas rich town of Palma, Mozambique has been destroyed and residents cannot return to normal life despite the government's efforts to regain control over the territory after Islamist insurgents captured the place in a deadly attack at the end of March, a member of the women's rights group Muleide, told Sputnik on Monday.
• 40 People Killed in Ethnic Clashes in West Darfur, UN Says VOA 05 Apr 2021 -- At least 40 people have been killed in Sudan's West Darfur region after three days of ethnic clashes that have prompted the government to declare a state of emergency, the United Nations announced Monday.

News Reports

• Tensions Between Jordan's King and Half Brother Reportedly Cooled VOA 05 Apr 2021 -- Tensions appear to have been lowered between Jordan's King Abdullah II and his half brother, Prince Hamzah, days after the prince was accused of involvement in an attempt to destabilize the kingdom.
• 'Not Going to Obey': Jordan's Prince Hamzah Says He Recorded Army Chief's Threats & Sent Tape Abroad Sputnik 05 Apr 2021 -- Former Crown Prince Hamzah bin Hussein was placed under house arrest Saturday during a security sweep against forces Jordanian officials have since alleged were plotting to destabilise the country and depose the king. Hamzah has openly criticised the current government over alleged corruption, incompetence and a "breakdown of governance".
• Iran Reportedly Arrests 'Israeli Spy' in Country's Northwest, State TV Says Sputnik 05 Apr 2021 -- Iran's intelligence services have waged an asymmetrical battle with their Israeli, Saudi, and US adversaries since the Revolution of 1979, which ended the country's status as a US puppet and established it as a sovereign republic with an Islamic-republican system of government.
• Putin signs law allowing him to hold office for two more terms Press TV 05 Apr 2021 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a law that would allow him to stay in office for two more terms until the year 2036.
• Putin Signs Constitutional Changes That Allow Him To Rule Until 2036 RFE/RL 05 Apr 2021 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed into law a controversial bill that opens the door for him to potentially remain in power until 2036.
• Navalny Says Third Cellmate Hospitalized With Suspected Tuberculosis RFE/RL 05 Apr 2021 -- Jailed Kremlin critic Aleksei Navalny says a third prisoner in his quarters has been sent to the hospital with suspected tuberculosis since his arrival last month.
• Russia Backs Down From Threat To Ban Twitter, But Will Slow It Until Mid-May RFE/RL 05 Apr 2021 -- Russia's state communications regulator has backed down from banning Twitter amid a dispute over content on its platform.
• Russia Backs Off Plan to Block Twitter, Extends Slowdown VOA 05 Apr 2021 -- Russia Monday backed off a threat to block Twitter inside the country but said it will continue to slow down the social media site until mid-May.
• Russia to Respond to Ukrainian Sanctions in Line With National Interests, Kremlin Says Sputnik 05 Apr 2021 -- Russia will respond to Ukraine's new sanctions in a manner that best suits the nation's interests, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Monday.
• China urges US to respect China's interests, not to take superior position Press TV 05 Apr 2021 -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has warned that Beijing will not accept unilateral demands from Washington, urging the United States to truly respect China's core interests.
• Chinese FM urges U.S. to truly respect China's core interests People's Daily 05 Apr 2021 -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Sunday urged the United States to truly respect China's core interests and take a correct view of China's development.
• China Adopts Kremlin's 'Information War' Tactics VOA 05 Apr 2021 -- China is taking a page out of the Kremlin's playbook and is seeking to highlight America's faults and weaponize the culture wars and identity politics currently buffeting the West, according to disinformation analysts.
• China Uses Money, Diplomacy to Push Back Against US in Southeast Asia VOA 05 Apr 2021 -- The Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi has wrapped up his second series of meetings so far this year with Southeast Asia leaders to discuss vaccine distribution, help with post-pandemic recovery and other offers that experts say could sway countries in the pivotal subregion toward China and away from growing U.S. influence.
• Improving electoral system conducive to Hong Kong's democratic, economic development: HKSAR gov't officials People's Daily 05 Apr 2021 -- Improving the electoral system of the HKSAR is clearly a step forward in Hong Kong's democracy, which provides Hong Kong's political system with a new starting point. It allows Hong Kong to restore its stability and prosperity, and the fruits of economic development can be more evenly and broadly shared.
• After Backlash in China, H&M Vows to Regain Customers VOA 05 Apr 2021 -- Global fashion retailer H&M, hit with a boycott in China after expressing concern over alleged use of Uyghur forced labor in cotton production, is vowing to regain customers in one of the world's strongest markets.
• 10 Chinese warplanes enter Taiwan's ADIZ CNA 05 Apr 2021 -- A total of 10 Chinese military aircraft entered Taiwan's air defense identification zone (ADIZ) on Monday, including bombers and fighter jets, the Ministry of National Defense (MND) said in a report later that day.
• PLA plane 'harassment' more political than military: Taiwan analysts CNA 05 Apr 2021 -- Recent flights by Chinese military aircraft in sensitive airspace around Taiwan in late March, seen as a dramatic escalation of tension across the Taiwan Strait, was more politically than militarily motivated, analysts in Taiwan told CNA on Monday.
• FM spox: Implementing commitments on agenda of JCPOA Joint Commission IRNA 05 Apr 2021 -- Spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Saeed Khatibzadeh said on Monday that implementing obligations are on the agenda of the upcoming Joint Commission of the JCPOA.
• Lifting of all US' cruel sanctions top on Vienna meeting's agenda: Iran spokesman Press TV 05 Apr 2021 -- Iran says the main goal of the forthcoming session between the Islamic Republic and other signatories to a landmark nuclear deal clinched by Tehran and world powers in 2015 is the removal of all US sanctions in a single step.
• Iran Shows Readiness to Work on Parameters for Returning to Full JCPOA Implementation, Moscow Says Sputnik 05 Apr 2021 -- According to Russia's deputy foreign minister, Moscow expects the US and Iran to start discussing the restoration of the JCPOA after the Joint Commission talks on 6 April.
• Iran-China strategic deal has no contract, figure, exclusive right: Khatibzadeh ISNA 05 Apr 2021 -- Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh stated that the meeting of Joint Commission to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) will take place in Vienna on Tuesday, stressing once again that there will be no direct or indirect talks between Iran and the US in Vienna.
• Iran awards $195 mln worth of new contracts to recover flare gases Press TV 05 Apr 2021 -- The Iranian Oil Ministry has contracted three domestic companies to recover flare gases from oilfields in the south as it pushes ahead with plans to minimize flaring and to use the gases as feedstock in refineries and petrochemical plants.
• Brunei and Malaysia: ASEAN Leaders to Meet in Jakarta on Myanmar Crisis Radio Free Asia 05 Apr 2021 -- After lengthy discussions, leaders of Southeast Asian nations are to meet in Jakarta to talk about the crisis in Myanmar, the governments of Brunei and Malaysia announced Monday but without specifying a date.
• ASEAN leaders to hold emergency meeting on Myanmar crisis: Brunei Press TV 05 Apr 2021 -- Officials of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries are set to hold an emergency meeting to discuss a solution to the ongoing unrest in Myanmar.
• Brunei Calls for ASEAN Meeting to Discuss Myanmar Situation VOA 05 Apr 2021 -- Brunei, current leader of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), has called for a regional leaders' meeting to discuss the situation in Myanmar, where the government has used violence to counter protests against the February 1 military coup.
• 'We Need to Prepare Ourselves to Show Up in Huge Numbers,' Says Monywa Activist Radio Free Asia 05 Apr 2021 -- Monywa – a city of 370,000 people noted for food processing, cotton textiles, and ancient Buddhist temples, and the largest city in northwestern Myanmar – has seen an uptick in violence and deaths in the recent weeks of protests against the Feb. 1 military coup. At least 15 people have been killed, and more 30 protesters – many students – have been arrested, with most of the student activists charged with defamation and incitement under Article 505(a) of the Penal Code. RFA's Myanmar Service spoke to Hein Zaw Win, a former student activist in Monywa, for an update on the state of play in the city.
• Myanmar's junta has killed 564 since February 1 coup: Advocacy group Press TV 05 Apr 2021 -- A civil society organization says Myanmar's security forces have killed 564 protesters and detained thousands of others since the military junta staged a coup in the Southeast Asian country in February.
• Weekend Crackdowns Kill Six Protesters as Local Media Report 10 Soldiers Killed Radio Free Asia 05 Apr 2021 -- At least six people, including an 18-year-old, were killed in 24 hours of crackdowns on civilians by Myanmar security forces, witnesses said Monday, while an online news outlet reported that 10 soldiers died in weekend attacks by citizens in a remote town near the border with India.
• Turkish president accuses former admirals of 'political coup' Press TV 05 Apr 2021 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has accused a number of retired admirals of "political coup" attempt after they condemned his proposed project, known as Canal Istanbul, which is planned to connect the Black Sea to the Mediterranean.
• Turkey detains 10 retired admirals over statement on Canal Istanbul Press TV 05 Apr 2021 -- Turkey has detained 10 retired admirals after they condemned Canal Istanbul, a project proposed by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, for posing a possible threat to a pact regulating shipping through the country's key waterways.
• Erdogan Says Statement by Former Admirals About Montreux Convention Has Implications of Coup Sputnik 05 Apr 2021 -- This comes after 104 retired Turkish admirals signed an open letter last week criticising the Kanal Istanbul project, an artificial seaway that will connect the Black Sea north of Istanbul to the Marmara Sea to the south to ease traffic in the Bosphorus Strait.
• Turkish Opposition Slams Arrests of Admirals Who Stand Up for Montreux Convention Sputnik 05 Apr 2021 -- Turkey's main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) and the Homeland Movement have decried arrests of 10 retired admirals who signed a letter in support of the Montreux Convention, which determines the status of Bosporus and Dardanelles straits.
• Turkish Opposition Slams Arrests of Admirals Who Stand Up for Montreux Convention Sputnik 05 Apr 2021 -- Turkey's main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) and the Homeland Movement have decried arrests of 10 retired admirals who signed a letter in support of the Montreux Convention, which determines the status of Bosporus and Dardanelles straits.
• US Sanctions Turkey's Presidency of Defense Industries Over Ties to Russia's Defense, Intel Sector Sputnik 05 Apr 2021 -- Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB), along with four officials working within it, including chief Ismail Demir, was sanctioned by the US under its Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) on Monday.
• Top EU Officials Head to Turkey for a Reset VOA 05 Apr 2021 -- Top European Union officials head to Turkey Tuesday to meet with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in a bid to reset relations.
• Israeli President Starts Consultations With Parties on Government Formation Sputnik 05 Apr 2021 -- Israel's President Reuven Rivlin began consultations on Monday with the representatives of the political parties in parliament to entrust one of them with forming a new government, as the country continues its months-long streak without a viable coalition.
• Pakistani Terrorism Court Judge Shot Dead In 'Targeted Attack' RFE/RL Gandhara 05 Apr 2021 -- Pakistani officials say a terrorism court judge and three of his family members have been shot dead in the northwestern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
• Ukraine Assured Of EU's 'Unwavering' Support RFE/RL 05 Apr 2021 -- EU foreign-policy chief Josep Borrell has assured the Ukrainian government of "unwavering EU support" in the conflict with Russian-backed separatists in the east of the country.
• Nguyen Xuan Phuc elected as Vietnam's new president People's Daily 05 Apr 2021 -- The National Assembly (NA) of Vietnam on Monday elected Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc as the state president.
• Ex-Malaysian PM Najib Begins Appeal of 2020 Corruption Conviction VOA 05 Apr 2021 -- A Malaysian court heard an appeal Monday by former Prime Minister Najib Razak of his conviction last year in connection with the massive graft scandal at state-owned 1Malaysia Development Berhad or 1MDB investment fund.
• Ex-Malaysian PM, Najib Razak, appeals corruption conviction, jail sentence Press TV 05 Apr 2021 -- Malaysia's Court of Appeal has begun hearing a bid by former prime minister Najib Razak to overturn his conviction on corruption charges linked to the massive looting of a state investment fund.
• Chinese Dams Unleash Mekong Waters on Laos During 'Dry' Season Radio Free Asia 05 Apr 2021 -- Chinese dams on the Mekong River have begun releasing water during the river's normal dry season, causing trouble for wildlife, farmers and fishermen in Laos, sources in the Southeast Asian country told RFA.
• Bulgarian PM May Struggle To Form New Coalition Despite Election Victory RFE/RL 05 Apr 2021 -- Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov's center-right GERB party looks set to win the April 4 parliamentary elections, but may struggle to muster a majority.