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13 April 2021 Military News

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Withdrawal of US forces from Iraq will promote regional security: Iran defense chief Press TV 13 Apr 2021 -- Iran's Defense Minister Brigadier General Amir Hatami says the pullout of American troops from Iraq under a law adopted by the parliament of the Arab country will contribute to the establishment of peace and security of Iraq and the whole region.
Iraqi Kurdistan Region President Says Expects Further Engagement With US Against Daesh Sputnik 13 Apr 2021 -- Iraqi Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani expressed hope that the Biden administration will continue its engagement in combating Daesh*.

Biden Will Pull US Troops Out of Afghanistan by September 11 VOA 13 Apr 2021 -- All U.S. troops in Afghanistan will be withdrawn by September 11 — the 20th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon — a senior administration official announced on Tuesday.
Biden To Pull U.S. Forces From Afghanistan By September 11 RFE/RL Gandhara 13 Apr 2021 -- The White House says U.S. President Joe Biden will give a speech on April 14 on the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Background Press Call by a Senior Administration Official on Afghanistan The White House 13 Apr 2021
US Intelligence Raises Concerns About Afghanistan Pullout VOA 13 Apr 2021 -- U.S. intelligence agencies are not optimistic about the prospects for a peaceful Afghanistan with or without the presence of U.S. troops in the country.
US to Retain Enough Capabilities After Afghan Exit to Disrupt Al-Qaeda, Official Says Sputnik 13 Apr 2021 -- The United States will retain enough military and intelligence capabilities in and around Afghanistan to deter the resurgence of the al-Qaeda terror group after American troops leave the country, a senior Biden administration official said on Tuesday.
UN and partners announce Afghan peace summit will convene in Turkey this month UN News 13 Apr 2021 -- The UN together with Turkey, and Qatar, announced on Tuesday that a high-level conference aimed at ending decades of conflict in Afghanistan will go ahead beginning on 24 April, bringing together representatives of both the Afghan Government and the Taliban.
Taliban and Afghan Government to Attend Peace Talks in Turkey VOA 13 Apr 2021 -- The Taliban and Afghanistan's government will join upcoming talks to begin the peace process in Afghanistan, Turkey's foreign ministry announced on Tuesday.
Has The Taliban Changed? Afghans Living Under Militant Group Say It Still Rules Using Fear, Brutality RFE/RL Gandhara 13 Apr 2021 -- The Taliban claims it is not the same brutal group that first ruled Afghanistan in the 1990s, when its regime was an international pariah notorious for oppressing women and massacring ethnic and religious minorities.

Defense Policy / Programs

Air Force update for COVID-19 US Air Force 13 Apr 2021
DOD Modernization Can't Happen Alone, Defense Official Says DoD News 13 Apr 2021 -- Technology development that's competitive with that of adversaries is something the Defense Department can't accomplish on its own. It must be done in partnership with academia, partner nations and the U.S. private sector technology industry, said the DOD official who's performing the duties of the undersecretary of defense for research and engineering.
U.S. Secretary of Defense and German Defense Minister Joint Press Conference, Germany DoD 13 Apr 2021 -- Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III; German Defense Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer
Austin Announces 500 More Service Members to Be Based in Germany DoD News 13 Apr 2021 -- Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III announced that, after consultations with German Defense Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, the United States will base an additional 500 service members in Germany by the fall.

Ukraine, Afghanistan in Spotlight as Blinken Visits Brussels VOA 13 Apr 2021 -- U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Tuesday the United States supports an autonomous Ukraine, as Russia continues its buildup of forces along the border it shares with Ukraine.
General Says NATO Prepared to Respond to Aggression Should Deterrence Fail DoD News 13 Apr 2021 -- Generals provided testimony today regarding tensions on the Russia-Ukraine border and the ability of U.S. allies to move large numbers of forces quickly over great distances.
Speech by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at the Raisina Dialogue 2021 conference NATO 13 Apr 2021 -- (As delivered)
NATO-Ukraine Commission addresses security situation in and around Ukraine NATO 13 Apr 2021 -- The NATO-Ukraine Commission met at NATO Headquarters in Brussels on Tuesday (13 April 2021) to address the security situation in and around Ukraine. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba briefed Allies on the latest developments in the region.
Joint press point by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and the Foreign Minister of Ukraine, Dmytro Kuleba NATO 13 Apr 2021

PLA Garrison in Macao organizes element tactical training PLA Daily 13 Apr 2021 -- The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Garrison in Macao recently organized its elite officers at four levels, including battalion, company, platoon and squad, to carry out intensive tactical training based on IT application.

North Korea Could Potentially Have Up To 242 Nuclear Weapons, Dozens Of ICBMs By 2027, Report Claims Sputnik 13 Apr 2021 -- A report has urged "serious" considerations to deploy tactical nuclear weapons in South Korea as well as further measures to limit Pyongyang's potential to launch nuclear strikes.

Taiwan's 1st indigenous landing platform dock a national milestone: Tsai CNA 13 Apr 2021 -- The launch of Taiwan's first domestically made landing platform dock (LPD) marks a milestone in the country's shipbuilding history and will significantly boost the Navy's capability, President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) said Tuesday.
Taiwan Launches New 10,000-ton Missile-Wielding Amphibious Transport Ship Sputnik 13 Apr 2021 -- Although Washington has agreed with the "One China" Principle, by which Beijing claims Taiwan as a rebellious province, it remains the Taipei government's largest backer - something seen by Beijing as meddling in the country's internal affairs.
Taiwan Unveils New Naval Warship as China Encroaches on Island's Air Defense Zone VOA 13 Apr 2021 -- Taiwan formally introduced a new naval warship Tuesday as China's military increases its presence near the self-ruled island.

HMAS Supply welcomed to fleet Australia DOD 13 Apr 2021 -- HMAS Supply (II) was welcomed into Royal Australian Navy service on April 10 during a commissioning ceremony at Fleet Base East in Sydney.

Statement by National Security Council Spokesperson Emily Horne on National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan's call with Karin Wallensteen, State Secretary to Prime Minister Stefan Löfven of Sweden The White House 13 Apr 2021
Senior State Department Official Briefing to the Press US Dept. of State 13 Apr 2021
Readout from NSC Spokesperson Emily Horne on National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan Leading a Virtual Meeting of the U.S.-Israel Strategic Consultative Group The White House 13 Apr 2021

Defense Industry

Contracts For April 13, 2021

Other Conflicts

13 April 2021 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 13 Apr 2021

China Trademarked the Entire South China Sea Radio Free Asia 13 Apr 2021 -- Not content with claiming sovereignty over nearly every crag of rock and spit of sand in the South China Sea, China has taken the unusual step of registering trademarks over hundreds of land features scattered throughout those disputed waters, an investigation by BenarNews, an RFA-affiliated online news service, has found.
Philippines Summons Beiijing's Envoy Over 'Illegal Lingering' by Chinese Ships in EEZ Radio Free Asia 13 Apr 2021 -- Manila's foreign office said Tuesday it had summoned Beijing's ambassador for the first time to discuss the "illegal lingering presence" of Chinese ships moored in its exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea, as the Philippines stepped up its protest on the issue.

US Aiding Saudi Defenses While Revitalizing Diplomacy to End Yemen Conflict, Pentagon Says Sputnik 13 Apr 2021 -- The United States is working with Saudi Arabia to help the country defend itself while concurrently revitalizing diplomacy to end the conflict in Yemen, Defense Department spokesperson Jessica McNulty told Sputnik.

Kyiv Urged To Bring Home Ukrainian Women, Children Detained In Syria RFE/RL 13 Apr 2021 -- Human Rights Watch (HRW) is urging Kyiv to repatriate dozens of Ukrainian women and children it says are being held in "horrific" conditions in Syrian camps.

Readout of President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Call with President Vladimir Putin of Russia The White House 13 Apr 2021
In Call With Putin, Biden Urges De-Escalation At Ukrainian Border, Proposes Summit RFE/RL 13 Apr 2021 -- U.S. President Joe Biden has urged his Russian counterpart to take measures to ease mounting tensions with Ukraine and proposed a summit between the two leaders in a third country as Washington and NATO reaffirmed their support for Kyiv.
US has 'unwavering' commitment to Ukraine: Biden Press TV 13 Apr 2021 -- US President Joe Biden has raised concerns with his Russian counterpart about the military build-up in Ukraine where tensions are escalating.
Secretary Antony J. Blinken with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba Before Their Meeting US Dept. of State 13 Apr 2021
Secretary Blinken's Meeting with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kuleba US Dept. of State 13 Apr 2021
Russia says US, NATO turning Ukraine into 'powder keg' Press TV 13 Apr 2021 -- Russia says the United States and other NATO countries are deliberately turning Ukraine into a "powder keg" by increasing arms supplies to Kiev and inflaming tensions in the country's volatile east.
Russia warns Turkey, other states against fueling militarization in Ukraine Press TV 13 Apr 2021 -- Russia has warned Turkey against fueling the Ukrainian government's "never-ending militarization sentiments," amid speculation that Kiev may be planning to launch a new offensive against the Russian-speaking Donbass region in Ukraine.
Biden Warns Putin on Russian Troop Buildup Near Ukraine VOA 13 Apr 2021 -- U.S. President Joe Biden told Russian President Vladimir Putin in a phone call Tuesday that the United States is concerned about Moscow's "sudden … military buildup" along Ukraine's border and in occupied Crimea. He called on Russia to "deescalate tensions," the White House said in a summary of the conversation.

Northern Mozambique Faces Extended Humanitarian Crisis, UN Warns VOA 13 Apr 2021 -- U.N. agencies warn northern Mozambique is facing a long-lasting humanitarian and protection crisis as conflict, hunger and disease grip hundreds of thousands of people in the region.

Aliyev Confirms Readiness to Sign Karabakh Peace Deal Sputnik 13 Apr 2021 -- Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said on Tuesday that he is ready to sign a peace deal on Karabakh but does not see any reciprocal moves by Yerevan.

Statement by the Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group OSCE 13 Apr 2021 -- The Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group (Igor Popov of the Russian Federation, Stephane Visconti of France, and Andrew Schofer of the United States of America) released the following statement today:

News Reports

ODNI Releases 2021 Annual Threat Assessment of the U.S. Intelligence Community Director of National Intelligence 13 Apr 2021 -- Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines, in coordination with Intelligence Community leaders, today released to Congress an unclassified annual report of worldwide threats to the national security of the United States.
US Intelligence Warns China, Russia Determined to Erode Washington's Influence VOA 13 Apr 2021 -- The global coronavirus pandemic has done little to stop adversaries, especially China, from targeting the United States and making gains at the country's expense, according to a newly unveiled U.S. intelligence assessment.

Justice Department Announces Court-Authorized Effort to Disrupt Exploitation of Microsoft Exchange Server Vulnerabilities US Dept. of Justice 13 Apr 2021 -- Action Copied and Removed Web Shells that Provided Backdoor Access to Servers, but Additional Steps may be Required to Patch Exchange Server Software and to Expel Hackers from the Victims' Networks.
Statement from Deputy National Security Advisor for Cyber & Emerging Technologies Anne Neuberger on New Microsoft Exchange Patches The White House 13 Apr 2021

Number of US Troops Linked to Domestic Terror Plots Small but Growing VOA 13 Apr 2021 -- Two reports are raising new concerns about the extent to which current and former members of the U.S. military have not only adopted extremist ideology but are willing to act on those beliefs.
Oath Keepers Leader Seeks to Distance Himself From Capitol Conspiracy VOA 13 Apr 2021 -- "They were dumb asses," Oath Keepers leader Stewart Rhodes wrote on the encrypted app Signal in early March, blasting members of his anti-government militia group who breached the U.S. Capitol on January 6.

H5N6 bird flu found in wild birds in Northeast China, first confirmed cases of the strain this year Global Times 13 Apr 2021 -- A highly pathogenic H5N6 avian flu has been found in wild birds in Shenyang, a city in Northeast China's Liaoning Province, China's agriculture and rural affairs ministry said on Monday. The new cases mark the first confirmed cases of the flu in China this year.

Navalny's Wife Says Growing More Concerned For Russian Opposition Leader On Hunger Strike RFE/RL 13 Apr 2021 -- The wife of jailed Russian opposition politician Aleksei Navalny says she is growing more concerned over his health as the toll of prison life and a hunger strike mounts.
Navalny's Health Deteriorating From Hunger Strike VOA 13 Apr 2021 -- Alexey Navalny, a critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin who has been jailed for several months, is reportedly suffering the effects of his hunger strike, according to his wife, who visited him Tuesday.

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian's Regular Press Conference on April 13, 2021 PRC MofA 13 Apr 2021
With timetable unveiled for Election Committee, CE and LegCo elections, introducing electoral reform bill 'milestone step' in finalizing it by May Global Times 13 Apr 2021 -- The legislative body of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) will introduce an amendment bill as part of the Hong Kong electoral reform on Wednesday for the first reading and second reading of the bill, with a number of detailed amendments in key areas for the election of the chief executive, the composition of the Legislative Council (LegCo), and the Candidate Eligibility Review Committee.
Blank Votes in Beijing's New 'Election' Will Break Law, Hong Kong Leader Warns Radio Free Asia 13 Apr 2021 -- Authorities in Hong Kong have warned that anyone who calls for the casting of blank protest votes in China-controlled elections slated for Dec. 19 will be breaking the law, as officials revealed plans to offer seats on the powerful Election Committee to losing, pro-China candidates in the last District Council election.
China Smears Former Xinjiang Residents Who Testified About Abuses in the Region Radio Free Asia 13 Apr 2021 -- China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has denounced more than a dozen former residents of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) who have testified about abuses in the region while living abroad as liars, criminals, terrorists, and persons of "bad morality," including an RFA Uyghur Service reporter.

China using force against Taiwan counter-productive: ex-U.S. official CNA 13 Apr 2021 -- A former U.S. defense official said Tuesday that China's continuing military pressure on Taiwan is counter-productive amid the deteriorating cross-Taiwan Strait relations.
PLA exercise could be a rehearsal of combat plan over the island: expert Global Times 13 Apr 2021 -- The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) conducted an exercise near the island of Taiwan on Monday with the largest number of warplanes ever recorded, which could be a rehearsal of a reunification-by-force operation, again sending a clear warning to Taiwan secessionists and the US that have been making provocative moves to escalate tensions in the region, Chinese mainland experts said on Tuesday.
PLA prepared as US, secessionists provoke Global Times 13 Apr 2021 -- Multiple branches of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) are continuing large-scale military exercises near the island of Taiwan, at a time when Taiwan secessionists insisted on making provocative statements and holding drills, and the US sent a warship through the Taiwan Straits on Wednesday and voiced support to "Taiwan independence" forces, even as the PLA was exercising around the island with an aircraft carrier task group and warplanes.
China warns US not to 'play with fire' over Chinese Taipei Press TV 13 Apr 2021 -- China has warned the United States not to play with fire over Chinese Taipei, as Washington moves to establish more diplomatic contact with officials in the self-ruled island in violation of Chinese sovereignty.

Iran Threatens To Boost Level Of Uranium Enrichment After 'Attack' On Nuclear Site RFE/RL 13 Apr 2021 -- Iran has warned that it will start enriching uranium up to 60 percent purity, two days after an alleged sabotage attack on the country's main Natanz nuclear site that it blamed on archenemy Israel.
Iran Hopes to Get 60% Uranium Next Week, Envoy in Vienna Says Sputnik 13 Apr 2021 -- Earlier, reports surfaced that Iran would being raising its uranium enrichment levels to 60% as the Middle Eastern nation was moving toward introducing 1,000 more centrifuges to its Natanz nuclear site.
Iran to Introduce 1,000 More Centrifuges at Natanz Nuclear Site, Raises Uranium Enrichment to 60% Sputnik 13 Apr 2021 -- The news comes as Tehran's intends to increase its nuclear activity in the wake of a reported sabotage attack on its Natanz nuclear plant.
Iran to start 60% enrichment tonight: Nuclear spokesman IRNA 13 Apr 2021 -- The spokesman of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) said on Tuesday that the preliminaries of 60% uranium enrichment starts tonight in Shahid Ahmadi Roshan Nuclear site in Natanz.
Iran's envoy to IAEA: Enrichment at Natanz nuclear facility not halted Press TV 13 Apr 2021 -- Iran's permanent representative to Vienna-based international organizations has stressed that despite an act of sabotage, enrichment at the safeguarded nuclear facility in Natanz has not stopped.
Iran's parliament discusses Ministry of Intelligence report on Natanz incident IRNA 13 Apr 2021 -- A rapporteur for the Iranian parliament's internal affairs commission Ali Haddadi said on Tuesday that Iran's Parliamentary Councils Commission discussed the Ministry of Intelligence report on the Natanz incident.
Nuclear terrorism and Iran's proportionate reprisal IRNA 13 Apr 2021 -- The recent terrorist operation by the Zionist regime at Natanz nuclear facility is a projection to hide the regime's internal calamities and shows their undeniable panic over the revival of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal; so, the Islamic Republic will definitely respond to such adventurism, the response would be in appropriate time and area to get the initiative out of hands of the Israeli occupying regime.
Natanz sabotage aimed to derail diplomacy: Gov't spox IRNA 13 Apr 2021 -- Government spokesman Ali Rabiei said on Tuesday that the sabotage act in Natanz nuclear facility was aimed at preventing constructive diplomacy, adding that Iran was committed to reciprocate proportionally in appropriate time.
Deliberate targeting of Natanz Fuel Enrichment Plant constitutes war crime: Zarif ISNA 13 Apr 2021 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in a letter to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stressed that the deliberate targeting of Natanz Fuel Enrichment Plant—with the high risk of potential release of radioactive material—constitutes a grave war crime that must not go unpunished. Here is the full text of Zarif's letter to UN Secretary-General:
Zarif writes letter to UN Sec Gen on nuclear terrorism IRNA 13 Apr 2021 -- Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in a series if twits addressed to the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres informed him about the terrorist attacks and cased destruction in Iran's Natanz Nuclear Enrichment Complex.
Nuclear terrorism is not way to deal with Iran: Zarif ISNA 13 Apr 2021 -- Iranian Foreign Minister referred to EU recent action in imposing sanctions on a number of Iranian officials, saying "In recent years, European Union by failing to fulfill its obligations and succumbing to US pressure has shown that it is gradually losing its relevance in international relations".
Iran says Israel behind sabotage at nuclear facility to disrupt Vienna talks People's Daily 13 Apr 2021 -- Iran on Monday accused Israel of plotting an incident at an Iranian nuclear facility to disrupt Iran's efforts to have U.S. sanctions lifted in the recent Vienna nuclear talks.
U.S. not involved in Iran nuclear facility incident: White House People's Daily 13 Apr 2021 -- The White House said on Monday that the United States was not involved in a recent attack on Iran's Natanz nuclear facility.
Zarif: US must remove sanctions without stopping implementation of commitments IRNA 13 Apr 2021 -- Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Tuesday said that the US must lift all the imposed sanctions without stopping the implementation of its obligations.
Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's statement and answers to media questions at a joint news conference following talks with Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran Mohammad Javad Zarif, Tehran, April 13, 2021 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 13 Apr 2021
Russia says all sanctions on Iran should remove quickly IRNA 13 Apr 2021 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said here on Tuesday that all sanctions on Iran have to be lifted with no waste of time.
Moscow, Tehran cooperating closely to ensure JCPOA fully implemented: Lavrov Press TV 13 Apr 2021 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says Moscow is closely cooperating with Tehran in order to ensure that the 2015 Iran nuclear deal will get back on track and be fully implemented.
Iran condemns EU's move to blacklist Iranian officials, bodies ISNA 13 Apr 2021 -- Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman condemned the European Union for putting the names of several Iranian officials and institutions on its human rights sanctions list.
EU sanctions on Iran undermine Vienna talks on saving nuclear deal: Russia FM Press TV 13 Apr 2021 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has condemned the European Union for imposing sanctions on Iran at a time when Tehran and the signatories to the 2015 nuclear deal are engaged in a diplomatic process in Vienna to save the troubled agreement.
Israeli PM says not to allow Iran to obtain nuclear weapons People's Daily 13 Apr 2021 -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday that Israel will never allow Iran to obtain nuclear weapons.
South Korean PM says Iran's frozen money should be quickly released Press TV 13 Apr 2021 -- South Korea's Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun has affirmed that the country should "quickly" return billions of dollars of frozen money to Iran as tensions between the two countries ease.

Belarusian KGB Detains Leader Of Opposition Party, Political Analyst RFE/RL 13 Apr 2021 -- The Belarusian Committee of State Security (KGB) has confirmed the detention of the chairman of the opposition Belarusian Popular Front (BNF), Ryhor Kastusyou, and noted political analyst Alyaksandr Fyaduta amid an ongoing crackdown on dissent following a disputed presidential election last year.

Myanmar heading towards a 'full-blown conflict', UN human rights chief warns UN News 13 Apr 2021 -- The ongoing repression of protests in Myanmar could spark a "full-blown conflict" on a par with Syria, the United Nations' top human rights official warned on Tuesday, urging States with influence to take immediate and impactful action to halt the "slaughter" of civilians.
Myanmar Could Erupt Into 'Full-blown Conflict', UN Warns VOA 13 Apr 2021 -- Anti-coup demonstrators across Myanmar turned the country's traditional New Year's celebration into a quiet protest against the military junta Tuesday, as the United Nations warned the situation could deteriorate into "full-blown conflict."
UN Rights Chief Warns Myanmar Heading Toward Syria-like Civil War VOA 13 Apr 2021 -- The U.N. high commissioner for human rights, Michele Bachelet, warns Myanmar could be headed toward a bloody civil war like Syria unless the violence is brought under control.
UN rights chief says Myanmar's junta committing crimes against humanity Press TV 13 Apr 2021 -- United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet has accused Myanmar's military junta of committing crimes against humanity, warning that the situation in the country seems to be heading toward a "full-blown" conflict in the wake of a February coup.
Myanmar Protesters Swap New Year Blessings for Anti-Junta Statements Radio Free Asia 13 Apr 2021 -- With little to celebrate as they kicked off the Burmese New Year on Tuesday, people across Myanmar staged holiday-themed protests to defy the military junta in what an activist called "a funeral wake for the whole country," while the U.N. rights chief said she feared the nation faces a fate similar to war-shattered Syria.
Protesters in Myanmar cancel New Year festivities amid fury over coup Press TV 13 Apr 2021 -- Opponents of Myanmar's military coup have canceled traditional New Year festivities and instead staged silent protests to voice their anger at the ruling junta.

Japanese Government Approves Plan to Release Radioactive Water from Fukushima Nuclear Plant VOA 13 Apr 2021 -- The Japanese government has approved a plan to release millions of tons of radioactive water from the wrecked Fukushima nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean.

Pakistan Islamists Clash With Police, Killing 4 VOA 13 Apr 2021 -- Activists who are members of an Islamist party in Pakistan clashed with police and refused to unblock highways across many parts of the country for a second day Tuesday to protest the arrest of their leader.

EU Prepared to Sanction Turkey If 'Aggressive Stance' Persists, Senior French Diplomat Says Sputnik 13 Apr 2021 -- The European Union has a ready package of measures, including sanctions, against Turkey in case if it fails to abandon the "aggressive stance" in various issues of international significance, French Minister of State for European Affairs Clement Beaune said on Tuesday.

Cambodia Snubs Opposition Leader Kem Sokha's New Year Call for Unity Radio Free Asia 13 Apr 2021 -- Cambodian opposition leader Kem Sokha and the country's ruling party clashed Tuesday over the detained CNRP chief's call for national unity and reconciliation, with a government spokesman saying the country is already unified under the rule of long-serving prime minister Hun Sen.
Does The New Kyrgyz Constitution Set The Country Up For Future Unrest? RFE/RL 13 Apr 2021 -- The controversial new constitution that returns Kyrgyzstan to a presidential form of government has been approved in a nationwide referendum, but almost everything surrounding the document suggests it may live a short life in a country that has had three revolutions in 16 years.

Somalia: The United States Opposes Federal Government Term Extensions US Dept. of State 13 Apr 2021 -- The United States is deeply disappointed by the Federal Government of Somalia's decision to approve a legislative bill that extends the mandates of the president and parliament by two years.

Rights experts sound alarm over Uganda 'brutal' election crackdown UN News 13 Apr 2021 -- UN-appointed independent rights experts on Tuesday condemned the killing of more than 50 people by "brutal policing methods", linked to disputed national elections held in January.

Democracy Under Threat in Benin VOA 13 Apr 2021 -- As Benin awaits results from Sunday's election, many hoped the small, West African country would continue its tradition as a beacon of democracy in the region. But analysts worry Benin is following the path of neighbors like Chad, which held elections the same day and is expected to extend President Idriss Deby's 30-year rule.

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