• 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

• Two decades of war in Afghanistan failed to bear results: Norway Press TV 19 May 2021 -- NATO member Norway has acknowledged that the two-decade war in and occupation of Afghanistan by the Western military alliance has failed to bear a result and bring peace to the war-torn country.
• US Vows to Transfer Troops Withdrawn From Afghanistan to Neighboring Countries, Intel Chief Says Sputnik 19 May 2021 -- The United States is trying to deploy its troops withdrawn from Afghanistan in neighboring countries, but Russia hopes that its CSTO allies will not meet the Americans halfway, Sergei Naryshkin, the director of the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR), said.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Remarks by President Biden at United States Coast Guard Academy's 140th Commencement Exercises The White House 19 May 2021
• Biden Floats Bigger Role for US Coast Guard VOA 19 May 2021 -- The U.S. Coast Guard will play a greater role in making sure "every country" respects international norms on the seas, President Joe Biden declared Wednesday.
• Georgia Guard completes port operations for African Lion 21 Army News 19 May 2021 -- The Georgia Army National Guard completed port operations May 14, 2021, in Jacksonville, Florida, to deploy vehicles and equipment to Morocco for use in exercise African Lion 21.
• Pentagon Press Secretary Holds an Off-Camera Press Briefing DoD 19 May 2021
• Readout of Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Dr. Colin Kahl Call With France Director General for International Relations and Strategy Alice Guitton DoD 19 May 2021
• Secretary Austin Co-Chairs 4th North American Defense Ministerial Meeting DoD 19 May 2021 -- On May 19, 2021, Secretary Austin co-chaired the fourth North American Defense Ministerial (NADM) meeting hosted by Canadian Minister of National Defence (MND) Harjit Sajjan, and with his Mexican co-chairs Secretary of National Defense Luis Cresencio Sandoval Gonzalez, and Secretary of the Navy Admiral Jose Rafael Ojeda Duran.
• Air Force Can Retire KC-135, Transcom Commander Says DoD News 19 May 2021 -- U.S. Transportation Command is responsible for moving people and materiel around the globe in support of the nation's defense needs. It relies, in part, on the use of the Air Force's aircraft to do that.
• Rapid Acquisition Benefits Special Operations, DOD Official Says DoD News 19 May 2021 -- The Defense Department's top priorities are defending the nation, taking care of its people and succeeding through teamwork. Each of these topline priorities touch everything that personnel do at DOD's acquisition and sustainment office, said the official performing the duties of under secretary of defense for that organization.
• USS Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group departs Yokosuka to support Free and Open Indo-Pacific US Navy 19 May 2021 -- The U.S. Navy's only forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) and its strike group departed Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka (CFAY) May 19 to support security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
• NAVSUP Contracting Helps Ronald Reagan Complete Maintenance Availability on Time US Navy 19 May 2021 -- Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) Fleet Logistics Center (FLC) Yokosuka's contracting department directly supported its mission partner, Ship Repair Facility and Japan Regional Maintenance Center, to ensure contracted commercial shipyard maintenance was executed on time in support of USS Ronald Reagan's (CVN 76) Selected Restricted Availability (SRA). These efforts allowed Ronald Reagan to return to sea on time in support of U.S. 7th Fleet tasking.
• NAVWAR Fusion Cell Identifies Lessons Learned for Future Fleet Readiness US Navy 19 May 2021 -- The Naval Information Warfare Systems Command (NAVWAR) Fleet Readiness Directorate (FRD) concluded its Fusion Cell initiative April 30, successfully delivering more than a year of actionable data for increased agility and improved decision-making in response to the 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
• U.S. Coast Guard conducts port visit in Valletta, Malta US Navy 19 May 2021 -- The Legend-class national security cutter USCGC Hamilton (WMSL 753) is conducting a port visit in Valletta, Malta, May 17-20, 2021, following at sea engagements with Armed Forces of Malta in the Mediterranean Sea.
• Did The U.S. And NATO Deceive Moscow About Expansion? No (But It's Complicated). RFE/RL 19 May 2021 -- Some myths go back millennia. This myth, if it is one, goes back to 1990 -- and just over three decades later, it continues to form a central grievance in Russian President Vladimir Putin's testy narrative about Moscow's ties with the West. It's the question of NATO expansion -- an unhealed scab that, with Russian-Western relations at their lowest ebb since the Cold War, has been picked off yet again and is now bleeding into public view.
• NATO Deputy Secretary General highlights collaboration as key to strong cyber defence at ''Defence Disrupted'' conference NATO 19 May 2021 -- NATO Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoană discussed NATO's role in cyber defence, its approach to cyber security, and the Alliance's responsibility in driving technological innovation in remarks to the ''Defence Disrupted'' conference on Wednesday (19 May 2021).
• Russian Lawmakers, As Expected, Vote To Leave Open Skies Treaty RFE/RL 19 May 2021 -- Russia's State Duma, the lower house of parliament, has voted to withdraw the country from an international treaty allowing surveillance flights over military facilities following the departure from the accord by the United States late last year.
• Russian Lower House of Parliament Unanimously Backs Pullout From Open Skies Treaty Sputnik 19 May 2021 -- The lower house house of the Russian parliament on Wednesday unanimously decided to withdraw from the Open Skies Treaty during a plenary session.
• Two Pilots Killed In Military Plane Crash In Belarus RFE/RL 19 May 2021 -- A military jet exploded after crashing into the ground near private houses on the outskirts of the city of Baranavichy in western Belarus, killing two pilots.
• Chinese ships achieve phased results in rescue assistance of Indonesian sunken submarine PLA Daily 19 May 2021 -- As of May 18, the Chinese rescue fleet, which arrived in Indonesia in early May to assist in the recovery of Indonesia's wrecked submarine, has completed the first-phrase survey task and achieved initial results.
• Iran Navy 76th fleet departs for high seas IRNA 19 May 2021 -- Iranian Navy 76th fleet, consisting of the Alborz destroyer and the Khark helicopter carrier, departed Bandar Abbas on Wednesday for international waters so as to carry out their missions.
• Defence announces Space Division Australia DOD 19 May 2021 -- Defence will establish a Space Division headquarters within the Royal Australian Air Force in early 2022, with personnel from all areas within Defence reflecting the importance of the Space domain.
• New 'Inspiration Class' Type-31 warships named UK MOD 19 May 2021 -- The names of five next-generation Type-31 frigates for the Royal Navy have been announced by the First Sea Lord, Admiral Tony Radakin.
• Take COVID-19 Vaccine or Face Discipline, the UK Army Reportedly Warns Troops Sputnik 19 May 2021 -- Late last week, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson called to accelerate the country's COVID-19 vaccination programme to contain the rapid spread of the Indian variant of the coronavirus, which has now formed clusters in various parts of Britain.
• Greece - FMSO II, CLSSA Services DSCA 19 May 2021 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Greece of FMSO II, CLSSA Services, and related equipment for an estimated cost of $165 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.
• Secretary Blinken's Meeting with U.S.-based Permanent Participants in the Arctic Council US Dept. of State 19 May 2021
• Secretary Blinken's Meeting with Sweden's Minister for Foreign Affairs Linde US Dept. of State 19 May 2021
• Secretary Blinken's Meeting with Norway's Minister for Foreign Affairs Søreide US Dept. of State 19 May 2021
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken and Swedish Foreign Minister Ann Linde Before Their Meeting US Dept. of State 19 May 2021
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken and Norwegian Foreign Minister Ine Marie Eriksen Soreide Before Their Meeting US Dept. of State 19 May 2021
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken and Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto Before Their Meeting US Dept. of State 19 May 2021
• Secretary Blinken's Meeting with Finnish Foreign Minister Haavisto US Dept. of State 19 May 2021
• Secretary Blinken's Meeting with Canadian Foreign Minister Garneau US Dept. of State 19 May 2021
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken and Canadian Foreign Minister Marc Garneau Before Their Meeting US Dept. of State 19 May 2021
• Briefing with Senior State Department Official to Traveling Press US Dept. of State 19 May 2021
• Department Press Briefing – May 19, 2021 US Dept. of State 19 May 2021
• Press Gaggle by Principal Deputy Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre The White House 19 May 2021

Defense Industry

• Contracts For May 19, 2021

Other Conflicts

• 19 May 2021 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 19 May 2021
• US, UN Officials Hail Uzbekistan's Repatriation of IS Families VOA 19 May 2021 -- U.S. and U.N. envoys to Uzbekistan have praised the country's repatriation of Islamic State wives and children in the Middle East, saying other nations should follow suit as a part of a global effort to reduce the risk of IS reemergence in Syria and Iraq.
• Iran to stand by Syrian nation, government in reconstructing their country: Defense Minister ISNA 19 May 2021 -- Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier-General Amir Hatami announced that economic centers of the Defense Ministry are ready for any sort of help and cooperation regarding reconstruction of Syria and meeting the country's needs.
• Syria: Prolonged violence, violation and abuse 'bound to affect generations to come' UN News 19 May 2021 -- Millions of children trapped in protracted conflict in Syria continue to endure severe violence with little support for survivors, according to the UN Secretary-General's third report on the situation, launched on Wednesday.
• Secretary Blinken's Call with Israeli Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi US Dept. of State 19 May 2021
• Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Phone Call With Israeli Minister of Defense Benjamin "Benny" Gantz DoD 19 May 2021
• Readout of President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Call with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel The White House 19 May 2021
• Austin Urges Israeli Counterpart to De-escalate Conflict With Hamas DoD News 19 May 2021 -- Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke with Israeli counterpart Defense Minister Benny Gantz this morning and again urged de-escalation in the conflict between Israel and Hamas, Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby said.
• Ceasefire needed now, to stave off disaster in Gaza says UNICEF chief, as UNRWA launches emergency appeal UN News 19 May 2021 -- At least 60 youngsters have been killed in Gaza and another 444 have been injured in less than 10 days of conflict with Israel, the head of UN Children's Fund has said, in a call for an immediate ceasefire and aid access to "stave off disaster". On Wednesday, the UN relief agency for Palestine refugees (UNRWA) launched a flash appeal for $38 million, to deal with the spiralling humanitarian crisis.
• Israel's Netanyahu Rebuffs Biden's Call for 'Significant De-escalation' of Attacks on Gaza VOA 19 May 2021 -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday rebuffed U.S. President Joe Biden's call for "a significant de-escalation" in Israel's bombardment of Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip leading to a cease-fire in the 10 days of hostilities.
• Israel, Palestinian Cross-Border Attacks Continue for a 10th Day VOA 19 May 2021 -- Israel and Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip exchanged attacks for a 10th day Wednesday despite multiple attempts by regional and international parties, including U.S. President Joe Biden, to bring about a cease-fire.
• Israel-Palestinian Conflict Rages, France Proposes UNSC Resolution Urging Cease-fire VOA 19 May 2021 -- Despite multiple attempts by regional and international parties to bring about a cease-fire, violence between Israel and Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip persisted Wednesday with Israeli airstrikes in Gaza City and militant cross-border rocket fire.
• UN official calls for humanitarian pause in violence in Israel, Gaza People's Daily 19 May 2021 -- UN Undersecretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Mark Lowcock on Tuesday called for a humanitarian pause in the escalating violence in Israel and Gaza.
• 52 Israeli jets bomb Gaza overnight; Palestinian resistance fires 50 rockets Press TV 19 May 2021 -- The Israeli military says its warplanes carried out 122 strikes on Gaza overnight, as the regime continues its bombardment of the besieged enclave, targeting residential buildings in total disregard for civilian lives.
• Palestinian resistance groups launch fresh retaliatory attacks on Israel Press TV 19 May 2021 -- Palestinian resistance groups have launched a fresh round of retaliatory attacks on the occupied territories as the Israeli regime continues with a deadly onslaught against Palestinian civilians in the besieged Gaza Strip despite international calls for a halt to the week-long conflict.
• Biden Tells Netanyahu He Expects 'Significant De-Escalation Today' on Path to Ceasefire Sputnik 19 May 2021 -- Tensions in Israel have been worsening over the past few days, as Hamas has fired thousands of rockets at various Israeli cities and Israel's air force has retaliated by hitting Hamas facilities.
• Israel Retaliates with Artillery Strikes to Rocket Fire from Lebanon VOA 19 May 2021 -- Israel's military launched artillery strikes at "a number of targets" in Lebanon Wednesday in response to four rockets launched from Lebanon toward Israel, the Israeli military said.
• Experts Don't Foresee Larger Hezbollah Involvement Amid Israel-Lebanon Border Tensions VOA 19 May 2021 -- Rockets were fired from Lebanon towards Israel on Wednesday, prompting Israel to launch artillery strikes at targets in Lebanon.
• Israeli Artillery Strikes Targets in Lebanon in Response to Four Rocket Launches Sputnik 19 May 2021 -- Israel has been repelling attacks coming from the Gaza Strip since Hamas and Islamic Jihad launched hundreds of rockets on 10 May, some of them targeting Tel Aviv. So far, the rocket attacks have killed 10 Israelis and injured 50 more.
• Israel fires artillery shells on Lebanon territory after rocket launch Press TV 19 May 2021 -- Amid Israeli bombardment of the besieged Gaza Strip, the Lebanese territory has also been targeted by Israeli artillery shells after rockets were launched from southern Lebanon towards the occupied territories.
• Colombian commandos assassinate ex-FARC rebel in Venezuela: Dissident group Press TV 19 May 2021 -- Colombian commandos have allegedly assassinated a former commander of the now-disbanded Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) in Venezuela.
• FARC Says Its Former Head Jesus Santrich Killed by Colombian Special Forces Sputnik 19 May 2021 -- The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia-People's Army (FARC-EP) said that its former head known as Jesus Santrich had been killed in Venezuela by the Colombian special forces.
• Russia Proposes Armenia-Azerbaijan Commission To Demarcate Border Amid Incursion Row RFE/RL 19 May 2021 -- Russia says it has proposed setting up a joint commission to demarcate the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, amid renewed Yerevan-Baku tensions over the past week over an alleged Azerbaijani military incursion.
• India Wary of Chinese Army's Summer Exercises in Eastern Ladakh Sputnik 19 May 2021 -- Last year, India was caught off guard when the People's Liberation Army, suddenly diverted troops from their annual exercises to undertake multiple incursions into eastern Ladakh in a well-planned manner. In 2020, Chinese and Indian troops engaged in aggressive face-offs and skirmishes along the Line of Actual Control.
• Cameroon Regional Councils Starved of Resources to Solve Anglophone Separatist Crisis VOA 19 May 2021 -- Cameroon's regional councils this week called on the central government to grant promised autonomy and funds that they say would help resolve the country's separatist conflict. The regions have yet to receive a promised 20% of the state budget this year and the power to recruit state workers like hospital staff and teachers.
• UNHCR Calls on Tanzania to Stop Deporting Mozambican Asylum Seekers VOA 19 May 2021 -- The UN refugee agency is reiterating its appeal to Tanzania to stop forcibly deporting asylum seekers fleeing violence in Mozambique's volatile Cabo Delgado province.

News Reports

• US House Votes to Back Probe into January Attack on Capitol VOA 19 May 2021 -- The U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday approved creation of an independent commission to investigate the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on January 6 when a mob of supporters of former president Donald Trump tried to block lawmakers from certifying that he had lost last November's election to Democrat Joe Biden.
• Nord Stream 2 and European Energy Security US Dept. of State 19 May 2021 -- Today, the Department of State submitted a report to Congress pursuant to the Protecting Europe's Energy Security Act (PEESA), as amended, listing four vessels, five entities, and one individual involved in construction of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, including Nord Stream 2 AG and the company's CEO Matthias Warnig.
• US Waives Sanctions on Firm Working on Germany-Russia Pipeline VOA 19 May 2021 -- The U.S. will waive sanctions against the German company leading construction of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, according to a State Department report sent to Congress on Wednesday.
• Germany Confirms That U.S. Won't Put Sanctions On Russian Undersea Pipeline Project RFE/RL 19 May 2021 -- Germany's top diplomat has confirmed reports that the United States will not impose new sanctions on the company in charge of the undersea Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, a move welcomed by the Kremlin.
• Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's remarks at a meeting dedicated to the 25th anniversary of the Arctic Council, May 19, 2021 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 19 May 2021
• Secretary Blinken's Meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov US Dept. of State 19 May 2021
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken And Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov Before Their Meeting US Dept. of State 19 May 2021
• Top US, Russian Diplomats Meet in Iceland to Cooperate on 'Intersecting Interests' VOA 19 May 2021 -- The United States says it is ready to work with Russia to advance areas where the two nations have "intersecting interests," while continuing to defend U.S. interests and respond if Moscow acts aggressively against Washington and its allies.
• Navalny Associates Summoned To Police In Fraud Case RFE/RL 19 May 2021 -- Police in Moscow have summoned dozens of staff members of jailed opposition politician Aleksei Navalny's Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK) as part of an investigation into an alleged fraud case launched against the outspoken Kremlin critic in December 2020.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian's Regular Press Conference on May 19, 2021 PRC MofA 19 May 2021
• China expresses firm opposition to Pelosi's call for 'diplomatic boycott' of 2022 Beijing Olympics Global Times 19 May 2021 -- China expressed strong dissatisfaction after US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called for a "diplomatic boycott" of the 2022 Beijing Olympics over so-called "persecution" of Uygur people.
• China's space station core module Tianhe completes in-orbit tests People's Daily 19 May 2021 -- China's space station core module Tianhe has recently completed its platform function tests and entered the orbit to rendezvous and dock with the Tianzhou-2 cargo spacecraft, according to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) on Tuesday.
• China successfully launches new ocean observation satellite PLA Daily 19 May 2021 -- China sent a new ocean-monitoring satellite on Wednesday into orbit from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China.
• U.S. Navy ship sails through Taiwan Strait, 5th time under Biden CNA 19 May 2021 -- A U.S. Navy destroyer transited the Taiwan Strait on Tuesday, the fifth time a U.S. battleship has navigated the waterway separating Taiwan and China since U.S. President Joe Biden assumed office in January.
• PLA monitors US warship in Taiwan Straits, 'displays control over region' Global Times 19 May 2021 -- The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Eastern Theater Command tracked and monitored a US warship as it sailed through the Taiwan Straits on Tuesday, displaying the PLA's strong capability and confidence in managing and controlling regional situation, analysts said on Wednesday.
• PLA Eastern Theater Command monitors US warship transiting Taiwan Straits Global Times 19 May 2021 -- The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Eastern Theater Command tracked and monitored a US warship as it sailed through the Taiwan Straits on Tuesday, as the US move sent wrong signals to Taiwan secessionists, the command spokesperson announced on Wednesday.
• US should stop turning Taiwan into 'most dangerous place' People's Daily 19 May 2021 -- Chinese military expressed strong opposition on Wednesday morning, as the US guided missile destroyer USS Curtis Wilbur sailed through Taiwan Straits on Tuesday.
• Chinese military denounces US destroyer's provocation in Taiwan Strait PLA Daily 19 May 2021 -- "The US missile destroyer Curtis Wilbur sailed through the Taiwan Strait on May 18 and hyped it publicly. China is firmly opposed to it," said Air Force Senior Colonel Zhang Chunhui, spokesperson for the PLA Eastern Theater Command, in a written statement on Wednesday.
• China says US threatening peace in Taiwan Strait Press TV 19 May 2021 -- China says the United States threatens the peace and stability of the Taiwan Strait, shortly after the US military sent yet another warship to the sensitive waterway.
• Vienna talks to end in victory of Iranian nation: President IRNA 19 May 2021 -- President Hassan Rouhani vowed on Wednesday that the talks in Vienna would end in victory of Iranian nation.
• President Rouhani promises that Vienna talks to end with Iranian nation's victory ISNA 19 May 2021 -- Iran's President referred to the upcoming elections, saying, "These days are very important politically, socially and culturally, the days when the late Imam [Khomeini] (RA) passed away and this year, it is the 1400 elections".
• Diplomats Report Progress In Iran Nuclear Pact Talks In Vienna RFE/RL 19 May 2021 -- Senior diplomats from multiple countries have reported progress in talks to revive the 2015 accord on Iran's nuclear weapons and persuade the United States to rejoin the landmark agreement.
• Intensified fighting in Myanmar forces more people from homes Press TV 19 May 2021 -- People displaced by a surge of fighting between Myanmar's military and anti-coup fighters in the northwestern state of Chin are concerned about shelter and supplies amid growing fears of a civil war.
• EU Slams Belarus For Shutting Independent News Site RFE/RL 19 May 2021 -- The European Union has slammed Belarus for its closure of the country's biggest independent online news publication, Tut.by, as one of its reporters left prison after serving six months for her reporting on the death of a protester killed during a crackdown on demonstrations against authoritarian ruler Alyaksandr Lukashenka.
• Belarus: UK responds to crackdown on journalists UK FCDO 19 May 2021 -- The Foreign Secretary has issued a statement following the recent crackdown on journalists in Belarus.
• Nicola Sturgeon Sworn in Again as Scotland's First Minister VOA 19 May 2021 -- Nicola Sturgeon took the oath of office Wednesday to return as Scotland's first minister following an election earlier this month that saw her Scottish National Party (SNP) win a resounding election victory, allowing her to push ahead with plans for a second independence referendum.
• Zelenskiy Says Medvedchuk Case 'Just Beginning' Of Cutting Oligarchs Down To Size RFE/RL 19 May 2021 -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said the state's case against Viktor Medvedchuk is "just the beginning" of a process of curtailing the power of a handful of tycoons who have dominated the country's economic and political landscape for decades.
• Lebanon FM resigns after remarks on Daesh anger Persian Gulf states Press TV 19 May 2021 -- Lebanon's caretaker Foreign Minister Charbel Wehbe has stepped down from office, shortly after he angered the Persian Gulf kingdoms by blaming them for the rise of the Takfiri Daesh group in Syria and Iraq.
• Lebanon's Foreign Minister Resigns After Seeming to Blame Gulf States for Daesh's Emergence Sputnik 19 May 2021 -- The foreign minister's inflammatory statements were instantly criticised by several Gulf countries. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates each summoned the Lebanese ambassador to their country to deliver a note of protest to the minister's claims.
• Montenegrin President Rejects Changes To Prosecution Law In New Standoff With Government RFE/RL 19 May 2021 -- Montenegrin President Milo Djukanovic has warned that he will not sign changes to the law governing prosecution appointments that were earlier adopted by parliament, in the latest clash between the head of state and the government that took office last year.
• Public Designation of Albanian Sali Berisha Due to Involvement in Significant Corruption US Dept. of State 19 May 2021 -- "Today, I am announcing the public designation of Sali Berisha, a former President of Albania, former Prime Minister of Albania, and former Member of Parliament of Albania, due to his involvement in significant corruption."
• Venezuela Court Seizes El Nacional Media Building in Civil Defamation Case VOA 19 May 2021 -- One of Venezuela's oldest newspapers was evicted from its own building Friday, after members of the National Guard, accompanied by a judge, executed a court order.