Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• US-run Ain al-Assad Airbase in Iraq comes under rocket attack Press TV 04 May 2021 -- A rocket attack has hit the Ain al-Assad Airbase hosting US troops in the western Iraqi province of al-Anbar, the third such incident to target the American interests in the Arab country in as many days.
• Update on withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan May 4, 2021 CENTCOM 04 May 2021 -- U.S. Central Command provides the following update on the orderly and responsible withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan, as of 10 a.m. on May 4, 2021.
• US Intelligence Assessment Backs Fears for Afghan Women VOA 04 May 2021 -- A newly declassified U.S. intelligence assessment warns that women in Afghanistan are likely to see their rights disappear should the Taliban come to power following the withdrawal of U.S. forces.
• US Presses Taliban to Ease Violence, Resume Peace Talks VOA 04 May 2021 -- The United States appears upbeat about the resumption of stalled peace talks between warring parties in Afghanistan, even as fighting escalates amid the withdrawal of U.S. and NATO troops from the country.
• Afghan forces fighting back huge Taliban offensive after missed US withdrawal deadline Press TV 04 May 2021 -- Afghan security forces have attempted to confront a huge Taliban offensive in Afghanistan's southern Helmand Province, as militants launch raids around the war-torn Asian country following a missed US troop withdrawal deadline for May 1.
• Thousands Of Afghans Flee Homes As The Taliban Launches Major Offensive RFE/RL Gandhara 04 May 2021 -- Thousands of people have fled their homes in Afghanistan's southern province of Helmand as Afghan security forces fought back a large-scale offensive after the United States began to pull its forces from the war-torn country.
• Afghan Army Airstrike Kills 10 Talibs in Northern Afghanistan Sputnik 04 May 2021 -- Afghan government forces carried out an airstrike on a Taliban* convoy in the northern Faryab province, reportedly killing 10 militants, including senior members of the movement, the defense ministry said in a statement to Sputnik on Tuesday.

Defense Policy / Programs

• DOD Expands Hacker Program to All Publicly Accessible Defense Information Systems DoD News 04 May 2021 -- Ethical hackers now have many more targets within the Defense Department, DOD officials announced. The department is expanding its Vulnerability Disclosure Program to include all publicly accessible DOD information systems.
• US Transfers Remaining Prisoners Out of Secretive 'Camp 7' at Guantanamo, Pentagon Says Sputnik 04 May 2021 -- The United States has transferred all of the remaining detainees out of the notorious Camp 7 at Guantanamo Bay and consolidated the 40 remaining prisoners in two units at the prison camp on the eastern edge of Cuba, the Defence Department said on Tuesday.
• Air Force update for COVID-19 US Air Force 04 May 2021
• APS-2 equipment, vehicles issued to units in Estonia for DEFENDER-Europe 21 Army News 04 May 2021 -- DEFENDER-Europe 21 involves about 28,000 U.S., NATO and partner militaries from 26 nations conducting live fire exercises, airborne operations, missile defense activities and a multitude of complex, bilateral operations simultaneously.
• Naval Sustainment System – Shipyards effort now in full swing at Norfolk Naval Shipyard US Navy 04 May 2021 -- How do you improve the highly complex business of ship maintenance to support on-time delivery back to the Fleet?
• U.S. Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group Begins Exercise Northern Edge 2021 US Navy 04 May 2021 -- The Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group (TRCSG) began Exercise Northern Edge 2021 (NE21) in the Gulf of Alaska, May 3.
• U.S Coast Guard Builds Ties with Partners in Tunisia US Navy 04 May 2021 -- The Sentinel-class fast response cutters USCGC Charles Moulthrope (WPC 1141) and USCGC Robert Goldman (WPC 1142) departed Tunis, Tunisia, after a routine logistics visit and key leader engagements, April 25, 2021.
• U.S. Coast Guard conducts port visit in Batumi, Georgia US Navy 04 May 2021 -- The Legend-class national security cutter USCGC Hamilton (WMSL 753) arrived in Batumi, Georgia for engagements with Georgian coast guard leadership and local Georgia representatives, May 4, 2021.
• Indonesian Navy: Salvaging Sunken Sub a Challenging Task Radio Free Asia 04 May 2021 -- Underwater waves and the presence of live torpedoes could complicate attempts to salvage the wreck of an Indonesian military submarine that sank off Bali last month with 53 sailors onboard, Navy officials said Tuesday.
• Beijing Promises Aircraft Carriers to Drill 'Regularly' as Shandong Returns From South China Sea Ops Sputnik 04 May 2021 -- China's navy is already more numerous than the US Navy, but its blue-water power projection is only beginning to emerge as it rapidly modernizes and, more importantly, builds new aircraft carriers and large strike ships.
• thyssenkrupp Marine Systems hands over "INS Oz" in Kiel to the Israeli Navy as second SA'AR 6 corvette Thyssenkrupp 04 May 2021 -- thyssenkrupp Marine Systems today officially handed over the second of four corvettes to the Israeli Navy.
• Egypt acquires 30 additional Rafale fighters Dassault Aviation 04 May 2021 -- The Arab Republic of Egypt has decided to purchase an additional 30 Rafales to equip its air force.
• France to sell 30 Rafale fighter jets to Egypt in $4.5B deal TRT 04 May 2021 -- Egypt's defence ministry said the sale would be financed through a loan to be repaid over at least 10 years.
• Egypt Purchases 30 More French Rafale Fighter Jets to Boost 'National Security' Sputnik 04 May 2021 -- French Defence Minister Florence Parly hailed the Rafale deal between the two strategic allies as something that she stressed would be of importance to her country's sovereignty.
• ADF supports Vietnam in UN mission Australia DOD 04 May 2021 -- An Air Force C-17A Globemaster III airlifted Vietnamese military personnel and equipment to Africa in support of Vietnam's contribution to the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).
• Joint Statement on the C5+1 Virtual Ministerial US Dept. of State 04 May 2021 -- The text of the following statement was released by the Governments of the United States of America, the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Republic of Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and the Republic of Uzbekistan on the occasion of the C5+1 Virtual Ministerial.
• Secretary Blinken's Meeting with EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Borrell US Dept. of State 04 May 2021
• Secretary Blinken's Meeting with UK Prime Minister Johnson US Dept. of State 04 May 2021
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken and United Kingdom Prime Minister Boris Johnson Before Their Meeting US Dept. of State 04 May 2021
• Secretary Blinken's Meeting with German Foreign Minister Maas US Dept. of State 04 May 2021
• Secretary Blinken's Meeting with French Foreign Minister Le Drian US Dept. of State 04 May 2021
• Readout of President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Call with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohamed bin Zayed The White House 04 May 2021
• Department Press Briefing – May 4, 2021 US Dept. of State 04 May 2021
• Briefing with Senior State Department Officials to Traveling Press US Dept. of State 04 May 2021
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jen Psaki, May 4, 2021 The White House 04 May 2021

Defense Industry

• Contracts For May 4, 2021

Other Conflicts

• 4 May 2021 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 04 May 2021
• China urges respect for its sovereignty over Huangyan Island, etiquette from Philippine diplomat Global Times 04 May 2021 -- China urged on Tuesday the Philippines to respect China's sovereignty. It also demanded the country stop taking actions that complicate the situation, after Philippine foreign minister made expletive-laced remarks against China.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin's Remarks on China-related Remarks by Philippine High-level Official PRC MofA 04 May 2021
• Philippines Foreign Secretary Apologizes for Using Profanity Against China Radio Free Asia 04 May 2021 -- Manila's top diplomat apologized to Beijing's ambassador for his expletive-laced public criticism of Chinese actions in the South China Sea, a Philippine government spokesman said Tuesday, adding that only President Rodrigo Duterte was allowed to use profanity.
• G-7 Nations Vow to End Syrian War, Top US Diplomat Says VOA 04 May 2021 -- U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Tuesday that the Group of 7 industrialized nations have vowed to end the 10-year civil war in Syria.
• Libya calls on Turkey to help evacuate foreign forces People's Daily 04 May 2021 -- Libyan Foreign Minister Najla Mangoush on Monday met with her Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu in the capital Tripoli and called on Turkey to cooperate to evacuate foreign forces from Libya.
• Standing next to top Turkish diplomat, Libyan FM urges departure of foreign forces Press TV 04 May 2021 -- Libya's Foreign Minister Najla al-Manqoush has called for an end to the presence of foreign forces and mercenaries in the North African country, urging Turkey to do its part to accomplish that goal.
• Four Soldiers Killed, Several Injured in Clash between Myanmar Military and Chin State Militia Radio Free Asia 04 May 2021 -- At least four government soldiers were killed and several injured in Myanmar amid clashes between the military and a local defense militia in Chin state, residents said Tuesday, as fighting continued to intensify between the junta regime and the country's ethnic groups in the aftermath of a February coup.
• DRC president orders military, police to take over northeastern provinces under state of siege People's Daily 04 May 2021 -- The civilian authorities in two northeastern provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), where a state of siege was declared days ago to curb surging violence by armed groups, will be replaced by military administrations, said a presidential order issued late Monday.
• DR Congo imposes military rule in two violence-hit eastern regions Press TV 04 May 2021 -- The Democratic Republic of the Congo has ordered the military to take over civil authorities in two eastern regions where dozens of armed groups operate and civilians have been subjected to horrifying abuses.
• Lebanon, Israel resume indirect talks on disputed maritime border Press TV 04 May 2021 -- Beirut and Tel Aviv have resumed indirect negotiations on the demarcation of Lebanon's southern maritime border with the occupying regime of Israel.
• Kyrgyz-Tajik Border Area Calm As Finger-Pointing Continues RFE/RL 04 May 2021 -- The situation on the Kyrgyz-Tajik border remains stable after deadly clashes in recent days as both sides continue to blame each other for the violence.

News Reports

• Russia says ready to leave SWIFT, plans to join Iran's Sepam Press TV 04 May 2021 -- Russia says it is preparing to leave US-dominated international payment system SWIFT and pairing with alternative systems, including Iran's electronic financial messaging platform Sepam.
• A Siberian Muckraker Exposed Massive Oil Theft. Now Russia Wants To Imprison Him For 11 Years. RFE/RL 04 May 2021 -- From the time Eduard Shmonin was a young man, he always wanted to be a gangster.
• Hong Kong Government Researching Law Banning 'Fake News': Lam Radio Free Asia 04 May 2021 -- Authorities in Hong Kong are researching proposed new legislation banning "fake news," amid an ongoing crackdown on public dissent and peaceful political opposition under a national security law imposed on the city by the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
• Chinese Censors Delete Meme Mocking COVID-19 Deaths in India Radio Free Asia 04 May 2021 -- Censors in China have deleted a post from an account backed by the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) that drew a mocking comparison between the fires under a Chinese rocket and mass cremations of COVID-19 victims in India.
• Activists Vow to Defy South Korean Ban on Sending Anti-North Leaflets Despite Legal Threat Radio Free Asia 04 May 2021 -- Activists in Seoul vowed on Tuesday to keep sending anti-North Korean leaflets by balloon into the North's territory, shrugging off a South Korean investigation into a balloon launch last week in defiance of a law banning the practice, which Pyongyang called an act of "dirty human scum."
• US, EU top diplomats discuss JCPOA on margins of G7 summit Press TV 04 May 2021 -- US Secretary of State Antony Blinken held talks with the European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell on a range of issues on the sidelines of the G7 ministerial in London on Tuesday.
• Top EU diplomat: Current opportunity should be seized to return US to JCPOA Press TV 04 May 2021 -- The EU foreign policy chief has stressed the necessity of seizing the existing diplomatic opportunity to make the United States return to the 2015 Iran nuclear deal and pave the way for the full implementation of the landmark agreement.
• Principlist body backs Judiciary Chief Ebrahim Raeisi as top choice in June presidential vote Press TV 04 May 2021 -- Iran's Judiciary Chief Ebrahim Raeisi is facing mounting calls by his supporters and associated political figures to join the 2021 presidential race, with a top body of Principlists now backing him as its top choice.
• Explosion in Myanmar's Bago Region Kills at Least 5 People, Reports Say Sputnik 04 May 2021 -- At least five people, including three former police officers and an elected lawmaker, have been killed in a blast in Myanmar's Bago Region, the news portal Myanmar Now reported on Tuesday, citing sources.
• Former Belarus Soldiers, Law Enforcement Officers Deprived Of Their Ranks RFE/RL 04 May 2021 -- Belarusian authoritarian ruler Alyaksandr Lukashenka has issued an order to deprive more than 80 former servicemen and law enforcement officers of their ranks accusing them of actions that are "incompatible" with their status, amid an ongoing crackdown on dissent following a disputed election last year.
• Four Tsikhanouskaya Associates Handed Prison Terms RFE/RL 04 May 2021 -- Four associates of Belarusian opposition leader Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya have been sentenced to lengthy prison terms for organizing protests against authoritarian ruler Alyaksandr Lukashenka in the southeastern city of Homel.
• Belarus Media Is Under 'Wave of Repression' VOA 04 May 2021 -- Belarus has never had a strong tradition for media freedom but a mass crackdown after contested elections last year has made an already repressive situation even more dire, local journalists say.
• Talk of Coups Unnerves France VOA 04 May 2021 -- Paris is once again full of rumblings about the political ambitions of the French military — 60 years after France's iconic leader Charles de Gaulle saw off a coup bid by disaffected generals, who were furious at his decision to withdraw from Algeria.
• Prime Minister welcomes new era in UK-India relationship UK FCDO 04 May 2021 -- Boris Johnson and Indian Prime Minister Modi have agreed ambitious plans for the next decade of the UK-India relationship.
• INDIA-UK VIRTUAL SUMMIT India PIB 04 May 2021 -- Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and The Rt Hon'ble Boris Johnson, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom held a Virtual Summit today.
• Israeli President Says Received Mandate to Form Gov't Back as Netanyahu Misses Deadline Sputnik 04 May 2021 -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has failed to form a government coalition three times in the past two years. Now, Israeli President Reuven Rivlin has three days to decide the fate of the mandate to form the government.
• Netanyahu Faces Midnight Deadline to Form New Government VOA 04 May 2021 -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has until the end of Tuesday to form a new government.
• Israel headed for continued political crisis as Netanyahu's coalition deadline almost expires Press TV 04 May 2021 -- A political crisis is dragging on for the Israeli regime as embattled Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's deadline to form a new cabinet is due to expire shortly with no sign of success.
• Ukraine's 'Internal Threat' On Blinken's Plate After Naftogaz CEO Fired RFE/RL 04 May 2021 -- When U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken visits Kyiv this week and meets with President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, he will seek to demonstrate strong Western support for Ukraine from the external threat of Russian aggression.
• Blinken: US, Allies to Pressure Caracas Until Venezuela 'Returns to Democracy' Sputnik 04 May 2021 -- The United States and its allies will continue to pressure the Venezuelan government to return the country to democracy, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Tuesday.
• G-7 Foreign Ministers Meet in London as Russia, China Top Agenda VOA 04 May 2021 -- Foreign ministers of the Group of Seven (G-7) industrialized nations are meeting in London this week, with climate change, Russia and China among the challenges topping the agenda. It is the first face-to-face G-7 meeting in two years, after the coronavirus pandemic forced the Pittsburgh 2020 foreign ministers' meeting to be held via video link.
• UK unites G7 to take action against democratic threats UK FCDO 04 May 2021 -- At the London G7 Foreign and Development Ministers' Meeting, leading democracies will discuss global issues that threaten to undermine democracy and human rights.
• UN human rights office urges calm, after bloodshed in Colombian city of Cali UN News 04 May 2021 -- The United Nations human rights office (OHCHR) on Tuesday voiced deep alarm over the violence in the city of Cali in Colombia overnight, as a number of people were reportedly killed and wounded when police opened fire on demonstrators.
• Kenyan, Tanzanian Presidents Sign Pipeline Deal VOA 04 May 2021 -- Kenya and Tanzania have signed a deal for a gas pipeline that will run between the coastal cities of Mombasa and Dar es Salaam. The signing took place Tuesday, as Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan made her first visit to Kenya following the death of her predecessor, John Magufuli.