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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• Afghan Truck Bombing Kills Dozens as US-Led Foreign Troops Exit VOA 30 Apr 2021 -- A powerful vehicle-borne bomb in an eastern Afghan city has killed at least 25 people and wounded more than 90 others, officials in Afghanistan said Friday.
• Afghanistan Wants Foreign Firms to Continue Maintaining Its Military Hardware VOA 30 Apr 2021 -- The head of Afghanistan's armed forces said that in preparation for the withdrawal of foreign troops, his country was trying to sign up the companies currently working with United States and NATO forces to repair and maintain a significant portion of Afghan military and air force equipment.
• 'Insider Attacks' on Afghan Forces Increased by 82%, US Agency Reports VOA 30 Apr 2021 -- A new quarterly U.S. report has documented a staggering 82% increase in "insider attacks" on Afghan government security forces in the first quarter of 2021, resulting in 115 personnel killed and 39 wounded.
• Extended Troika Expects Taliban to Prevent Terrorists From Using Afghan Soil Sputnik 30 Apr 2021 -- The so-called extended Troika on peaceful settlement in Afghanistan - the United States, Russia, China and Pakistan - in a joint statement on Friday expressed hope that the Taliban will prevent terrorist groups from using Afghan territory to threaten the security of other countries.
• Joint Statement on the Extended "Troika" on Peaceful Settlement in Afghanistan US Dept. of State 30 Apr 2021 -- The text of the following statement was released by the Governments of the United States of America, the Russian Federation, the People's Republic of China, and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan on the occasion of the Extended "Troika" on Peaceful Settlement in Afghanistan.
• US, NATO begin Afghanistan pullout as Taliban vow forced eviction Press TV 30 Apr 2021 -- US and NATO troops have started to withdraw from Afghanistan, the White House and several alliance officials say, amid a reported surge in Taliban attacks.
• Blast Kills Dozens Of People In Afghanistan's Eastern Logar Province RFE/RL Gandhara 30 Apr 2021 -- A huge car-bomb explosion in Afghanistan's eastern province of Logar killed at least 27 people on April 30, officials said.
• US sends medical supplies to India to help in COVID-19 fight US Air Force 30 Apr 2021 -- A lot of progress has been made against COVID-19, but it's still a pandemic. As part of a whole-of-government effort to slow and eventually end the pandemic, the United States sent medical supplies and equipment to India April 28 as that country battles the most recent outbreak.
• U.S. Sends Medical Supplies to India to Help in COVID-19 Fight DoD News 30 Apr 2021 -- A lot of progress has been made against COVID-19, but it's still a global pandemic. As part of a whole-of-government effort to slow and eventually end the pandemic, the United States is sending medical supplies and equipment to India as that country battles the most recent outbreak.
• US Aid Arrives as India Grapples with COVID-Triggered Humanitarian Crisis VOA 30 Apr 2021 -- The first emergency aid of critical medical supplies arrived in India from the United States on Friday, as the country grapples with a humanitarian crisis after being hit with the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Secretary of Defense Remarks for the U.S. INDOPACOM Change of Command DoD 30 Apr 2021 -- Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III
• Defense Secretary Says 'Integrated Deterrence' Is Cornerstone of U.S. Defense DoD News 30 Apr 2021 -- Deterrence has always been the first line of defense. Preventing conflict, when possible, is greater than engaging, said the secretary of defense.
• USS John Paul Jones returns from 5th, 7th Fleet deployment US Navy 30 Apr 2021 -- A Pearl Harbor-based guided-missile destroyer returned to her homeport following a deployment to 5th and 7th Fleets, April 30.
• Biden: US Military Brass Will Decide Whether to Issue COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate for Troops Sputnik 30 Apr 2021 -- Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the US has reported upwards of 32 million COVID-19 cases and nearly 576,000 deaths, according to figures released by Johns Hopkins University. To date, an estimated 240 million vaccines have been administered, as roughly 102 million Americans have been fully vaccinated.
• USCGC Hamilton Conducts Operations with the Turkish Navy US Navy 30 Apr 2021 -- The Legend-class national security cutter USCGC Hamilton (WMSL 753) conducted a series of maritime exercises with the Turkish Navy, April 30, 2021, in the Black Sea.
• Deputy Defense Secretary Says Conflict With China Is Not Inevitable DoD News 30 Apr 2021 -- The challenge posed by China sets the pace for most U.S. defense requirements; but, despite concerns, diplomacy is important, and conflict with China is neither desirable nor inevitable, Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen H. Hicks said today.
• US-China conflict not inevitable: Senior Pentagon official Press TV 30 Apr 2021 -- A senior Pentagon official says a conflict between the United States and China is not inevitable, calling on both sides to avoid an unnecessary escalation in tensions.
• Italy to Assume NATO Protection of Baltic States' Airspace Starting Next Week, Estonian DF Say Sputnik 30 Apr 2021 -- The Italian air force will replace Germany's contingent in Estonia as part of a NATO mission to protect the airspace over the Baltic states starting next week, the Estonian Defense Forces said on Friday.
• Russia Releases Video of Black Sea Military Drills VOA 30 Apr 2021 -- Russia's defense ministry released video Friday of its warships firing rockets during military drills in the Black Sea, the Reuters news agency reported Friday.
• Nation rips US military for increased monitoring People's Daily 30 Apr 2021 -- China resolutely opposes the United States military intensifying surveillance and activities near China's maritime and air space, which threatens peace and stability in the region, a Ministry of National Defense spokesman said on Thursday.
• Chinese defense spokesperson slams Japan's diplomatic bluebook PLA Daily 30 Apr 2021 -- "The Japanese government recently published a diplomatic bluebook, playing up the so-called "China military threat", maliciously attacking and discrediting China and grossly interfering in China's internal affairs, which is extremely wrong and irresponsible. China is strongly dissatisfied with and firmly opposed to this and has lodged solemn representations with Japan," said Senior Colonel Wu Qian, spokesperson for China' s Ministry of National Defense, on April 30.
• Chinese Navy decommissions guided-missile frigate Zhaotong in Sanya PLA Daily 30 Apr 2021 -- The decommissioning ceremony for the guided-missile frigate Zhaotong (Hull 555) was held at a military port in Sanya on April 26.
• CCG initiates law enforcement actions for annual fishing ban PLA Daily 30 Apr 2021 -- The China Coast Guard (CCG), the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA), and the Ministry of Public Security jointly issued the "Liangjian 2021" law enforcement action plan for the summer fishing moratorium.
• India - P-8I and Associated Support DSCA 30 Apr 2021 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of India of six (6) P-8I Patrol aircraft and related equipment for an estimated cost of $2.42 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.
• IRGC, Army closely monitoring movements in Persian Gulf: Iranian Cmdr. Press TV 30 Apr 2021 -- A senior Iranian commander says the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) and the Army are authoritatively monitoring the enemy's every movements and ships entering the Persian Gulf.
• United States-Japan Extended Deterrence Dialogue US Dept. of State 30 Apr 2021 -- The United States and Japan held a bilateral Extended Deterrence Dialogue by video teleconference on April 30, 2021.
• Wreckage of F-5E fighter jet in 2020 crash retrieved CNA 25 Apr 2021 -- The wreckage of a Taiwan Air Force F-5E fighter jet was retrieved from waters off the coast of Taitung on Friday, as authorities continue their investigation into the deadly crash that killed one pilot last October.
• With Eyes on China, Philippines, US Mull Saving Deal Manila Once Scrapped VOA 30 Apr 2021 -- Comments by Philippine officials indicate that, with a growing Chinese maritime threat, Manila now hopes the Visiting Forces Agreement with the United States - which the Philippines once moved to terminate - survives, experts told VOA Thursday.
• Remarks by President Biden Before Air Force One Departure The White House 30 Apr 2021
• Press Gaggle by Press Secretary Jen Psaki Aboard Air Force One En Route Philadelphia, PA The White House 30 Apr 2021
• Secretary Blinken's Call with Moroccan Foreign Minister Bourita US Dept. of State 30 Apr 2021
• Secretary Blinken's Call with Dominican Republic Foreign Minister Alvarez US Dept. of State 30 Apr 2021
• Secretary Blinken's Call with Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar US Dept. of State 30 Apr 2021
• Briefing With Acting Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs Philip T. Reeker and International Organization Affairs Senior Bureau Official Erica Barks-Ruggles on the Secretary’s Upcoming Travel to the United Kingdom for G7 Meetings and Ukraine US Dept. of State 30 Apr 2021
• Department Press Briefing – April 30, 2021 US Dept. of State 30 Apr 2021

Defense Industry

• Contracts For April 30, 2021

Other Conflicts

• 30 April 2021 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 30 Apr 2021
• Turkey plans to build base in northern Iraq as it did in Syria: Report Press TV 30 Apr 2021 -- Turkey reportedly plans to build a new military base in Iraq's northern border areas, where the Turkish military has been engaged in an operation against Kurdish militants, despite harsh criticism from the Baghdad government.
• Palestinian president announces postponement of elections People's Daily 30 Apr 2021 -- Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas announced early Friday that the legislative elections scheduled for May 22 will be postponed until further notice.
• EU's Borrell calls on Israel to facilitate elections across all Palestinian territories Press TV 30 Apr 2021 -- The European Union has urged Israel to ensure that elections are held across the Palestinian territory, including in East Jerusalem al-Quds, expressing regret over a postponement of planned parliamentary polls.
• Palestinian parliamentary elections delayed, says Abbas, sparking protests Press TV 30 Apr 2021 -- Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has postponed planned parliamentary elections amid a dispute over voting in Israeli-annexed East Jerusalem al-Quds as well as splits in his Fatah movement and its unpopularity, triggering protests in the occupied West Bank and the besieged Gaza Strip.
• Middle East coordinator calls for new and timely Palestinian election date UN News 30 Apr 2021 -- After the postponement of the Palestinian Legislative Council elections, originally scheduled for 22 May, a senior UN official in the region on Friday urged the authorities to set a new date for heading to the polls.
• Foreign Secretary statement on Palestinian elections UK FCDO 30 Apr 2021 -- A statement from the Foreign Secretary, Dominic Raab, on the postponement of elections in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
• Humanitarian needs in Ethiopia's Tigray not being met: UN People's Daily 30 Apr 2021 -- United Nations humanitarians on Thursday said they are failing to meet the emergency response needs of the people in Ethiopia's embattled northernmost Tigray region.
• Conflict On The Kyrgyz-Tajik Border Moves From Sticks And Stones To Bullets And Bombs RFE/RL 30 Apr 2021 -- Feuding factions on both sides of the Kyrgyz-Tajik border implemented a cease-fire on the evening of April 29 that ended some 24 hours of the worst and most widespread fighting the restive region has seen since the breakup of the Soviet Union.
• Cease-Fire Between Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan Holding After Deadly Border Clashes RFE/RL 30 Apr 2021 -- A cease-fire appeared to be holding in the restive border area between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan after Kyrgyz officials said 31 of the country's citizens were killed in clashes with Tajiks, who appear to have recorded fewer casualties.
• Indonesia declares armed criminal group in eastern province Papua as terrorists People's Daily 30 Apr 2021 -- Indonesia's government has declared the armed criminal group locally known as KKB linked to the Papuan separatists in the Southeast Asian country's eastern province of Papua as terrorists, a senior minister said on Thursday.
• Indonesia arrests 52 suspected terrorists linked to cathedral bombing People's Daily 30 Apr 2021 -- The Indonesian police's Densus 88 counterterrorism squad have arrested 52 suspected terrorists linked to a suicide bombing in Makassar cathedral church in South Sulawesi, according to an official source on Thursday.

News Reports

• ODNI Releases Annual Intelligence Community Transparency Report Director of National Intelligence 30 Apr 2021 -- Today, consistent with the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (FISA), as amended (codified in 50 U.S.C. § 1873(b)), and the Intelligence Community's (IC) Principles of Intelligence Transparency, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence released the eighth annual Statistical Transparency Report Regarding Use of National Security Surveillance Authorities.
• DHS Announces Steps to Protect Border Communities from Wall Construction DHS 30 Apr 2021 -- Today, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced initial steps to protect border communities from physical dangers resulting from the previous administration's approach to border wall construction.
• DOD Release Regarding Cancellation of Border Barrier Project Cancellation DoD 30 Apr 2021 -- Today, the Department of Defense released the following statement on the cancellation of all border barrier construction projects paid for with funds originally intended for military missions and projects.
• Pentagon Halts US Border Wall Projects Using Diverted Funds Sputnik 30 Apr 2021 -- The US Defense Department has terminated all southern border wall projects that use money funneled from other missions, Deputy Pentagon spokesperson Jamal Brown said in a statement on Friday.
• With FBI Searches Targeting Trump Lawyer Giuliani, Ukraine Slips Back Into U.S. Politics RFE/RL 30 Apr 2021 -- When FBI agents knocked on the door of Rudy Giuliani's Manhattan apartment just after dawn on April 28, they brought with them search warrants to seize computers and devices like cell phones from the former U.S. attorney and personal lawyer to former President Donald Trump.
• Russian agency designates Navalny's network as 'terrorist, extremist' organization Press TV 30 Apr 2021 -- Russia's financial monitoring agency has designated opposition figure Alexei Navalny's network of regional offices as a "terrorist and extremist" organization.
• Colleagues Say Lawyer For Navalny's Foundation Detained In Moscow RFE/RL 30 Apr 2021 -- Ivan Pavlov, one of Russia's top human rights lawyers who is representing jailed Kremlin-critic Aleksei Navalny's Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK), has been detained for allegedly disclosing classified information relating to an ongoing investigation.
• US Embassy in Moscow cuts visa services as tensions rise Press TV 30 Apr 2021 -- The US has announced it will reduce visa and consular services at its embassy in the Russian capital, due to "the actions of the Russian government," as tensions rise between Washington and Moscow.
• U.S. Embassy In Moscow Announces Reduction In Services After Russia Imposes Staff Limits RFE/RL 30 Apr 2021 -- The U.S. Embassy in Moscow says it is reducing the number of consular services it will provide because of restrictions Russia has imposed over the hiring of local staff.
• State Department Warns Of U.S. Response If Russia Shutters RFE/RL Under 'Foreign Agent' Law RFE/RL 30 Apr 2021 -- The U.S. State Department says press freedom in Russia is under growing threat as authorities slap RFE/RL and other media organizations with restrictive "foreign agent" labels and fines.
• EU Says Reserves Right to Respond to Russia's Entry Ban for Eight EU Officials Sputnik 30 Apr 2021 -- The European Union reserves the right to retaliate following Russia's latest decision on sanctions against EU officials, according to a joint statement by the heads of the European Council, the European Commission and the European Parliament.
• Comment by Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova on EU Ambassador to Russia Markus Ederer being summoned to the Foreign Ministry Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 30 Apr 2021
• Russia Bars Eight EU Citizens From Entry In Tit-For-Tat Move Slammed By Brussels RFE/RL 30 Apr 2021 -- Russia has barred eight officials from European Union countries from entering the country in retaliation for sanctions imposed on Russian citizens by Brussels - a move to which the bloc said it "reserves the right" to respond.
• Bulgaria expels another Russian diplomat People's Daily 30 Apr 2021 -- The Bulgarian Foreign Ministry said on Thursday in a statement that it has declared a diplomat at the Russian Embassy in Sofia persona non grata.
• The Week In Russia: A False Choice And A Punch In The Gut RFE/RL 30 Apr 2021 -- The Russian state's reputation is taking some hits abroad, with rejections of its Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine, mounting evidence of nefarious acts by its military intelligence agency across Europe, and anger over a buildup of military forces that sent tensions skyrocketing. At home, it's hitting out hard at imprisoned Kremlin opponent Aleksei Navalny's already marginalized organizations, seemingly seeking to annihilate a force that President Vladimir Putin fears ahead of parliamentary elections in September.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin's Regular Press Conference on April 30, 2021 PRC MofA 30 Apr 2021
• Hong Kong University Cuts Off Student Union Over Political Participation Radio Free Asia 30 Apr 2021 -- Authorities at a second Hong Kong university have cut ties with the student union, saying that it had become a "platform for political propaganda" following its involvement in recent protest movements.
• Xinjiang Activists In Kazakhstan Dismiss Chinese Film Of Happy Muslims As Propaganda RFE/RL 30 Apr 2021 -- A young Uyghur man says he has turned his dream into reality by opening a popular coffee house at the heart of Kashgar's historic Old City to "blend the old and the new."
• Adrian Zenz's Xinjiang "genocide" claim a widely questioned fallacy: report People's Daily 30 Apr 2021 -- The so-called "genocide" in China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region claimed by Adrian Zenz is a fallacy that has faced doubts and opposition from the international community, a report released by the Xinjiang Development Research Center said on Friday.
• Claim of "forced labor" in Xinjiang cotton industry inconsistent with facts: report People's Daily 30 Apr 2021 -- The claim of so-called German scholar Adrian Zenz that Xinjiang "forced workers of ethnic minority groups to pick cotton by hand" was seriously inconsistent with facts and aimed at depriving cotton farmers of their legal labor rights, says a report, titled "Slanderer Adrian Zenz's Xinjiang-related Fallacies Versus the Truth", on Friday.
• No "forced contraception", "forced sterilization" in Xinjiang: report People's Daily 30 Apr 2021 -- The claim made by so-called German scholar Adrian Zenz about "forced contraception" and "forced sterilization" on Uygur women in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region is a total lie, said a report released by the Xinjiang Development Research Center on Friday.
• China's Ruling Party Takes More Direct Control of Colleges, Universities Radio Free Asia 30 Apr 2021 -- The ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is tightening its ideological grip on higher education in the country, ordering structural changes that will allow a far greater degree of party control in the day-to-day running of colleges and universities.
• Fueled by China, Coal Still Firing in SE Asia Despite Environmental Concerns Radio Free Asia 30 Apr 2021 -- Coal is falling out of favor across the developed world because of concerns over pollution and climate change, but it remains a growing energy choice in many parts of Southeast Asia driven by Chinese investment.
• China would find U.S. strategic clarity 'destabilizing': U.S. spy chief CNA 25 Apr 2021 -- The head of the United States intelligence community said Thursday at a Senate hearing that Beijing would find a shift in U.S. Taiwan policy from ambiguity to clarity "destabilizing."
• Five Chinese military aircraft enter Taiwan's ADIZ CNA 25 Apr 2021 -- Five Chinese military aircraft entered Taiwan's air defense identification zone (ADIZ) on Friday, including two multi-role strike fighters, according to Ministry of National Defense (MND) data.
• US Completes DPRK Policy Review, Will Not Focus on Achieving 'Grand Bargain', White House Says Sputnik 30 Apr 2021 -- The United States has finished its policy review on North Korea and its approach will not focus on achieving a grand bargain with Pyongyang, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki told reporters on Friday.
• President Putin: Russia hopes for full restoration of Iran deal in original format Press TV 30 Apr 2021 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed hope for the revitalization of the 2015 multilateral agreement on Iran's nuclear program within its original format, amid a diplomatic process in Vienna, Austria, aimed at having the United States rejoin the accord.
• Russia: US does not regard non-JCPOA sanctions against Iran as removable Press TV 30 Apr 2021 -- Russia's Permanent Representative to the International Organizations in Vienna Mikhail Ulyanov says the US would not remove all the sanctions it has imposed on the Islamic Republic under different tags.
• Putin Expresses Hope for Full Restoration of Iran Nuclear Deal Sputnik 30 Apr 2021 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed hope on Friday for the full restoration of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.
• Iran welcomes change in Saudi Arabia's tone: Spokesman Press TV 30 Apr 2021 -- Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh says Iran welcomes the recent "change in Saudi Arabia's tone" towards the Islamic Republic, adding that the "important" regional players can start revisiting their relations.
• Myanmar approaching point of economic collapse: UN report UN News 30 Apr 2021 -- The turmoil following the military coup in Myanmar, coupled with the impact of COVID-19 could result in up to 25 million people – nearly half of the country's population, living in poverty by early next year, a United Nations report said on Friday.
• COVID, Military Coup Pushing Half of Myanmar Into Poverty, UN Reports VOA 30 Apr 2021 -- The political fallout from the military coup in Myanmar and the coronavirus pandemic threaten to push half of the country's population into poverty by next year, the United Nations warned Friday.
• Myanmar Fighting, Political Strife Swell Refugee Ranks, Affect Neighboring States Radio Free Asia 30 Apr 2021 -- More than 30,000 Myanmar civilians have fled their villages in the eastern state of Kayin and are hiding in nearby jungles following air strikes in populated areas in response to the seizure of a government military post by a rebel ethnic army, an official from an NGO said Friday.
• Myanmar Journalists Are 'Living in Fear' as Junta Curbs Freedoms Radio Free Asia 30 Apr 2021 -- Not long after enjoying their first taste of freedom, Myanmar's journalists say they are barely able to function, as the soldiers who toppled the country's democratically elected government three months ago have moved to choke off the flow of information through intimidation, arrests, and violence.
• US Sees Russia's Forces Withdrawal From Ukraine Border as Constructive Step, White House Says Sputnik 30 Apr 2021 -- The United States considers Russia's withdrawal of troops from the Ukraine border as a constructive step, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said on Friday.
• Blinken Heads to Ukraine After Russia Sends 150K Troops to Border VOA 30 Apr 2021 -- U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is heading to Ukraine next week as Washington coordinates closely with Kyiv over Russia's recent military buildup along Ukraine border.
• Blinken To Visit Ukraine Amid Russia's 'Ongoing Aggression' RFE/RL 30 Apr 2021 -- U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is scheduled to visit Ukraine next week to reiterate Washington's support for the country amid Russia's "aggression" and to push for further reforms in the former Soviet republic.
• EU, U.S. Criticize Sacking Of Ukraine's Naftogaz CEO RFE/RL 30 Apr 2021 -- Kyiv's Western backers have raised deep concerns over the Ukrainian government's unexpected decision to replace the head of state-owned oil and gas company Naftogaz.
• Will Pamir Kyrgyz Leave The 'Roof Of The World'? RFE/RL Gandhara 30 Apr 2021 -- Resettling an entire ethnic group in another country is a monumental task fraught with legal, political, and logistical complications.
• Thousands Rally Against Czech President Over Russia Stance RFE/RL 30 Apr 2021 -- Thousands of Czechs have rallied in Prague against President Milos Zeman, calling for his removal from office and condemning what opponents say are his pro-Russia views.
• Chad: UN rights office profoundly disturbed over violence against protesters UN News 30 Apr 2021 -- The UN rights office, OHCHR, said on Friday that it is deeply disturbed by security forces in Chad's use of live ammunition during recent protests after the death of former President Idriss Déby, on 19 April.
• Cameroon Groups Call for President's Son to Succeed Father VOA 30 Apr 2021 -- Cameroon's President Paul Biya has been in power for nearly four decades and is Africa's oldest and second longest-serving leader. Critics of Biya's long rule suspect he is seeking a family dynasty after newly established groups this month started calling for his son, Franck, to succeed him.