• 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

• Pentagon Says U.S. Likely To Increase Troops In Afghanistan Temporarily To Ensure Safe Withdrawal RFE/RL Gandhara 17 Apr 2021 -- The U.S. military is likely to increase its troop presence in Afghanistan temporarily in order to ensure a safe withdrawal of all forces from the country by September 11, the Pentagon said on April 16.
• US exit from Afghanistan remains shrouded in mystery Press TV 17 Apr 2021 -- The Pentagon has announced that US troops exit from Afghanistan is still unclear despite the US-Taliban agreement for the withdrawal of American forces from the country US President Joe Biden has said it is time for the withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan.

Defense Policy / Programs

• U.S. Navy Littoral Combat Ship USS Oakland Joins the Fleet US Navy Press Release 17 Apr 2021 -- The Navy commissioned Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Oakland (LCS 24) during a ceremony, April 17.
• Norway to allow US to build military facilities on its soil in new pact Press TV 17 Apr 2021 -- Norway has signed an agreement with the US to build facilities on its airfields and a naval base amid growing tensions between the US-led military alliance and neighboring Russia.
• Two Russian warships on route to Black Sea amid Ukraine tension Press TV 17 Apr 2021 -- Two Russian warships are on their way to the Black Sea in line with Moscow's military buildup along the border with Ukraine.
• Supreme Leader orders army to increase preparedness IRNA 17 Apr 2021 -- Supreme Leader of Islamic Revolution Aytollah Khamenei said on Saturday that the army of the Islamic Republic of Iran has always been ready for operation and it should keep increasing its preparedness.
• Leader urges Iran's Army to boost readiness as much as needed Press TV 17 Apr 2021 -- Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has issued a message ahead of the National Army Day, calling on the military to strengthen its preparedness as much as needed.

Defense Industry

Other Conflicts

• UN: Battle for Yemen's Marib Putting Civilians at Risk VOA 17 Apr 2021 -- The U.N. refugee agency is calling for greater security for civilians caught in a raging battle between Yemeni government forces and Houthi rebels for control of the northern governorate of Marib.
• In retaliation for Saudi campaign, Yemeni drone bombs airbase in Asir: Army Press TV 17 Apr 2021 -- The Yemeni army says it has carried out a new retaliatory drone strike on a major airbase in Saudi Arabia.
• Russian Military Buildup Raises Tensions, Increases Risk Of Broader Conflict Over Ukraine RFE/RL 17 Apr 2021 -- The pieces for a major surge of fighting in the Donbas continue to fall into place, highlighting an escalation of tensions between Russia and Ukraine that could potentially play out on the battlefield.
• UN Fears Resurging Violence in DRC's Kasai Region Will Spark Mass Displacement VOA 17 Apr 2021 -- The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) is calling for restoration of peace in the Democratic Republic of the Congo's Greater Kasai region, as renewed violence threatens another mass movement of people.

News Reports

• Ukrainian National Gets 10-Year Sentence In U.S. Hacking Case RFE/RL 17 Apr 2021 -- Ukrainian national Fedir Hladyr has been sentenced to 10 years in prison in the United States after pleading guilty to participating in the FIN7 hacking group.
• Czech Republic Expels 18 Russian Diplomats Over Depot Blast; Searches For Skripal Poisoning Suspects RFE/RL 17 Apr 2021 -- The Czech Republic has announced that it is expelling 18 Russian diplomats it considers spies after intelligence agencies concluded that Russian military agents were involved in a massive ammunition depot explosion on Czech soil in 2014.
• Russia summons Ukraine's envoy over 'unlawful activity' of consul Press TV 17 Apr 2021 -- Russia has summoned Ukraine's chargé d'affaires to inform the diplomat about of the expulsion by April 22 of a Ukrainian consul detained on the grounds that he 'obtained classified data' from the databases of Russian law-enforcement agencies and the Federal Security Service (FSB).
• Russia Expels Ukrainian Diplomat; Ukraine Responds In Kind RFE/RL 17 Apr 2021 -- Russia has announced that it has expelled a Ukrainian consul in St. Petersburg, Oleksandr Sosoniuk, after detaining the diplomat on suspicion of trying to obtain classified information.
• Ukrainian Consul Detained in St. Petersburg Trying to Obtain Classified Data Sputnik 17 Apr 2021 -- A Ukrainian consul was caught red-handed in St. Petersburg while trying to obtain classified information from a Russian citizen, the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) said on Saturday.
• Russia unveils array of countermeasures to U.S. sanctions People's Daily 17 Apr 2021 -- The Russian Foreign Ministry on Friday announced a series of retaliatory measures, including expulsions of diplomats and entry bans, in response to the recent "hostile actions" of the United States.
• In retaliation, Moscow asks 10 American diplomats to leave Russia, advises US envoy to return home Press TV 17 Apr 2021 -- Russia has ordered 10 American diplomats to leave the country after the United States expelled the same number of Russian diplomats over what Washington alleged as malign actions, saying that the US ambassador should also go back home for some consultations.
• US Reportedly Reserves Option to Expand Sanctions Against Russian Debt, Monitors Moscow's Reaction Sputnik 17 Apr 2021 -- Moscow already added eight former and current American officials to the no-travel list over their involvement in developing the anti-Russian policy in the US. Kremlin also took retaliatory measures against the US diplomatic mission in Russia in response to the latest set of American sanctions.
• Doctors Warn That Jailed Russian Opposition Leader Navalny Is In Immediate Risk Of Cardiac Arrest RFE/RL 17 Apr 2021 -- Jailed Russian opposition leader Aleksei Navalny's health has rapidly deteriorated and he could suffer cardiac arrest "any minute," according to doctors demanding immediate access to the prominent Kremlin critic.
• Amnesty International Decries Russian Prosecutor's Call To Label Navalny Organizations As 'Extremist' RFE/RL 17 Apr 2021 -- Amnesty International has sharply criticized a request by Russian prosecutors to have the Anti-Corruption Foundation of imprisoned opposition politician Aleksei Navalny banned as an "extremist" organization.
• U.S.-China Joint Statement Addressing the Climate Crisis US Dept. of State 17 Apr 2021 -- U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry and China Special Envoy for Climate Change Xie Zhenhua met in Shanghai on April 15 and 16, 2021, to discuss aspects of the climate crisis. At the conclusion of the discussion, the two Special Envoys released the following joint statement.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson's Remarks on Negative Content Concerning China in US-Japan Joint Leaders' Statement PRC MofA 17 Apr 2021
• Beijing censures 'too negative' US policy toward China Press TV 17 Apr 2021 -- A top Chinese diplomat has denounced as "too negative" the US policy toward his country, saying the administration in Washington is more focused on confrontation rather than cooperation with Beijing.
• Taiwan condemns jailing of Jimmy Lai, other HK democracy figures CNA 17 Apr 2021 -- Taiwan's Presidential Office on Friday condemned the sentencing of Hong Kong newspaper publisher Jimmy Lai (黎智英) and others in the city's pro-democracy movement, saying that the move will further curtail Hong Kongers' right to public assembly.
• U.S. could take more action concerning Taiwan's defense: scholars CNA 17 Apr 2021 -- Following a U.S.-Japan leaders' summit held Friday in Washington, Taiwanese scholars predicted that more action by the U.S. in relation to the defense of Taiwan can be anticipated during the administration of U.S. President Joe Biden.
• U.S.-Japan summit facilitates regional stability: Presidential Office CNA 17 Apr 2021 -- A reassurance offered by the United States and Japan to uphold peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait during a Friday summit will contribute to safety across the Indo-Pacific region, Taiwan's Presidential Office said.
• New U.S. guidelines on Taiwan 'a huge step forward': State Dept. CNA 17 Apr 2021 -- New guidelines issued by the U.S. State Department last week on government contacts with Taiwan constitute "a huge step forward," as they explicitly encourage engagement and remove restrictions that have hampered closer ties in the past, a senior official in the department said Friday.
• U.S., Japan reaffirm commitment to Taiwan Strait stability CNA 17 Apr 2021 -- U.S. President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga reaffirmed their commitment in upholding peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, during their first in-person summit in Washington on Friday.
• China sends yet another aircraft into Taiwan's ADIZ: defense ministry CNA 17 Apr 2021 -- The Chinese military sent yet another aircraft into Taiwan's air defense identification zone (ADIZ) on Saturday, the Ministry of National Defense (MND) announced that day.
• Iran Nuclear Talks Resume in Vienna VOA 17 Apr 2021 -- Iran's top negotiator at talks to rescue a nuclear deal said Saturday progress had been made but that much work remains to be done before a final agreement is reached.
• Iran Nuclear Talks Make 'Progress' In Vienna RFE/RL 17 Apr 2021 -- Talks on Iran's contentious nuclear program have reportedly made progress, despite Tehran's announcement that it was increasing uranium-enrichment levels closer to weapons-grade levels.
• EU envoy: JCPOA negotiations make progress IRNA 17 Apr 2021 -- Deputy Secretary-General of the European Union (EU) for Foreign Action Enrique Mora said that a review of the outcome of intensive negotiations on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, aka JCPOA, shows that progress has been made.
• Diplomats from Iran, P4+1 end Vienna nuclear negotiations, agree to continue talks, technical consultations Press TV 17 Apr 2021 -- Diplomats from the remaining parties to a landmark 2015 Iran nuclear deal have agreed to continue bilateral and multilateral negotiations as well as technical consultations within the next days.
• US should have never pulled out of JCPOA: Biden Press TV 17 Apr 2021 -- US President Joe Biden has criticized his predecessor's policy on the Iran nuclear deal, saying Washington should have never pulled out of the agreement.
• Biden Says Iranian Decision To Increase Uranium Enrichment To 60 Percent 'Not Helpful' RFE/RL 17 Apr 2021 -- U.S. President Joe Biden has called Iran's enrichment of uranium to 60 percent purity unhelpful but said the United States is "pleased" that Iran is still participating in indirect talks with Washington aimed at getting both countries back into compliance with the 2015 nuclear deal.
• IAEA Confirms Iran Started Enriching Uranium Up to 60% Sputnik 17 Apr 2021 -- The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has confirmed that Iran started enriching uranium up to 60 percent, reaching its highest-ever level of enrichment, a spokesperson for the IAEA told Sputnik.
• IAEA confirms Iran has started enriching uranium to 60% purity SPA 17 Apr 2021 -- Iran has started the process of enriching uranium to 60% fissile purity at its above-ground Pilot Fuel Enrichment Plant at Natanz, the U.N. nuclear watchdog said on Saturday, confirming earlier statements by Iranian officials, Reuters reported.
• IAEA confirms Iran has started 60-percent uranium enrichment Press TV 17 Apr 2021 -- The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has verified that Iran has started enriching uranium up to 60-percent purity level, a measure the Islamic Republic had promised to take following an Israeli act of nuclear terrorism against it.
• Report: Iran identifies culprit behind Natanz sabotage act; says he fled country before attack Press TV 17 Apr 2021 -- Iran's Intelligence Ministry has identified the culprit behind the recent act of sabotage at its Natanz nuclear facility, who had fled the country before the attack.
• Iran Names Suspect In Natanz Centrifuge Attack RFE/RL 17 Apr 2021 -- Iranian state television has identified a suspect in an April 11 attack on the Natanz nuclear site that damaged centrifuges used to enrich uranium.
• Iranian TV: Man Behind Recent Natanz Nuclear Facility Incident Identified Sputnik 17 Apr 2021 -- On Sunday, the Natanz nuclear site was hit by an attack, which was slammed by Tehran as an act of "nuclear terrorism". Just days after the incident, Iran announced it had managed to reach 60 percent uranium enrichment, in line with its previously announced plans.
• Iran strongly rejects Ukraine position on 2020 plane crash ISNA 17 Apr 2021 -- The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman categorically rejected remarks by the secretary of the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine who, in an interview with Canadian media, claimed the 2020 Ukrainian plane crash in Iran was a deliberate act.
• Castro resigns from ruling party to hand power to Cuba's younger generation Press TV 17 Apr 2021 -- Former Cuban President Raul Castro has announced his resignation as the head of the country's ruling Communist Party, the most powerful position in the Caribbean island nation.
• Myanmar Junta Says 23,000 Prisoners Pardoned, Released VOA 17 Apr 2021 -- Myanmar's military government said Saturday it released more than 23,000 prisoners in observance of the country's traditional New Year holiday and that the country's new junta chief would take his first foreign trip since seizing power.
• Pakistan PM: Insulting Islam's Prophet Should Be Same as Denying Holocaust VOA 17 Apr 2021 -- Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan is urging Western governments to criminalize any insulting remarks against Islam's Prophet Muhammad and treat offenders the same way they do those who deny the Holocaust.
• Upsurge in paramilitary attacks in Derry attributed to 'dissident' Republicans. Press TV 17 Apr 2021 -- As general tensions continue to simmer in Northern Ireland following nearly two weeks of nightly rioting across the territory, more localized conflicts appear to be taking hold as well.
• Uganda Says US Travel Limits Imposed Without Basis VOA 17 Apr 2021 -- The U.S. is imposing visa restrictions on some Ugandan government officials for what it calls the undermining of the democratic process during recent elections.