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News Reports

Current Operations

• Diplomats, Defense Officials Try to Ease Fears Over US Withdrawal From Afghanistan VOA 20 May 2021 -- Key U.S. diplomats and defense officials are pushing back against concerns that the withdrawal of American and coalition troops from Afghanistan could backfire, telling lawmakers there is reason to believe that the country will never again become the launching pad for terrorist attacks against the United States.
• Taliban Capture Eastern Afghan District VOA 20 May 2021 -- Taliban insurgents have captured a district in eastern Afghanistan and negotiated a temporary truce with government forces in another, as U.S.-led foreign troops continue to withdraw from the country.
• Taliban 'Uneven' in Compliance With Afghan Peace Deal Reached With US, Pentagon Official Says Sputnik 20 May 2021 -- The Taliban opposition movement is "uneven" in its compliance with the Afghanistan reconciliation deal by refraining from attacking US troops, but engaging in a very high level of violence against local government forces, US Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense David Helvey said in a congressional hearing on Thursday.
• DOD: Moral Obligation to Help Those in Afghanistan Who Helped U.S. DoD News 20 May 2021 -- The U.S. military is currently conducting retrograde operations to leave Afghanistan. U.S. military personnel there now will come home, and equipment in the country will also be shipped back, sold, destroyed or moved elsewhere. The deadline for withdrawal is Sept. 11, 2021.
• At Least 16 Killed In Attacks Across Afghanistan As Taliban Takes Over Eastern District RFE/RL Gandhara 20 May 2021 -- Afghan officials say at least 16 people have been killed in separate attacks across the war-torn country.
• Task Force Phoenix rises again in the Middle East CENTCOM 20 May 2021 -- After more than two years of preparation and training, the 40th Combat Aviation Brigade, as Task Force Phoenix, formally assumed its overseas mission during a Transfer of Authority ceremony here.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Department of Defense Leaders Update Reporters on DOD COVID-19 Efforts DoD 20 May 2021 -- Acting Assistant Secretary Of Defense For Health Affairs Dr. Terry Adirim; Army Lieutenant General Ronald J. Place, Director, Defense Health Agency
• US Navy Exercises Option for its Second Guided Missile Frigate US Navy 20 May 2021 -- The Navy awarded a contract option to Fincantieri Marinette Marine to build its second Constellation Class Guided Missile Frigate, officials announced.
• Northern Edge 21 achieves operational test advances for Airmen, weapons systems US Air Force 20 May 2021 -- As Northern Edge 21 concludes, the 53rd Wing is returning home having achieved major test objectives for multiple weapons systems May 3-14.
• Joint Force Command Norfolk Kicks off Part 1 of NATO's Steadfast Defender 2021 US Navy 20 May 2021 -- A dynamic NATO maritime live exercise (LIVEX) has begun off the coast of Portugal with participation from 11 Allied Nations from North America and Europe as a part of Steadfast Defender 2021, May 20.
• Joint Light Tactical Vehicles arrive at APS-2 site in Mannheim Army News 20 May 2021 -- The Humvee has been the go to vehicle for Soldiers since it replaced the Jeep in the '80s, but now there's a new sheriff in town and the Army Prepositioned Stock-2 site in Mannheim is the first APS site in the world to receive the new Joint Light Tactical Vehicles.
• III Corps welcomes new British general, says farewell to another Army News 20 May 2021 -- At a ceremony here May 14, III Corps and community leaders bid farewell to Maj. Gen. Gerald "Gez" Strickland, May 14, while simultaneously welcoming Maj. Gen. Michael Keating as the new deputy commander for support (U.K.) of III Corps and Fort Hood.
• Fort Hood construction projects aimed at improving infrastructure Army News 20 May 2021 -- Progress is being made on the multiple construction projects currently going on here at the Great Place.
• Readout of Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Dr. Colin Kahl Virtual Meeting with France, Germany, and the UK DoD 20 May 2021
• Future of Warfare, Strategy Will Dictate Special Ops Action DoD News 20 May 2021 -- The future of warfare will dictate how special operations forces operate, Army Gen. Richard Clarke, the commander of U.S. Special Operations Command, said Tuesday.
• Energy, Water Resilience on Installations Critical to Operational Security DoD News 20 May 2021 -- The Defense Department's evaluation of new heat pump technology at a National Guard installation proved the technology viable and meant the department now has another tool to enhance energy security, said the deputy assistant secretary of defense for environment and energy resilience.
• US-Africa Military Collaboration Still Functions in a Virtual World VOA 20 May 2021 -- For 11 years, land forces chiefs in Africa and the U.S. Army have met annually at the African Land Forces Summit, a four-day event where the group discusses security threats on the continent and how these joint forces can tackle the threats together.
• US Seeking New Security Arrangements in Central Asia VOA 20 May 2021 -- As the United States moves to withdraw its last forces from Afghanistan, it is eyeing Central Asia more closely than at any other time since the early 2000s as a potential launching pad for residual counterterrorism operations in the region.
• Washington Rallies Support Over Arctic Buildup; Moscow Worried Over Deployments In Norway RFE/RL 20 May 2021 -- The United States and Russia have clashed over the military and economic development of the Arctic as the region deals with the effects of climate change.
• US, Russia Spar Over Military Buildup at Arctic Summit VOA 20 May 2021 -- U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken voiced alarm at Russia's military build up in the Arctic region, at a summit of the Arctic Council in Iceland late Thursday.
• Russian parliament house endorses bill on quitting Open Skies Treaty People's Daily 20 May 2021 -- The Russian State Duma, or the lower house of parliament, unanimously approved a bill on Wednesday on the country's withdrawal from the arms-control Treaty on Open Skies.
• China Reportedly Builds Highly Fortified, Secluded Facility for Its Bomber, Drone-Equipped Regiment Sputnik 20 May 2021 -- There is yet to be visual confirmation as to what types of aircraft the new facility hosts, and it remains unclear why it is so rigorously fortified.
• INS Rajput to be Decommissioned on 21 May 21 India PIB 20 May 2021 -- On the 21st of May, a glorious era will come to an end with the decommissioning of the first destroyer of the Indian Navy - INS Rajput.
• Iranian Navy dispatches 76th flotilla of warships to high seas on combat-training mission Press TV 20 May 2021 -- The Iranian Navy has dispatched the Alborz destroyer and the Khark logistics ship — the country's largest — to the high seas on a routine combat, reconnaissance and training mission aimed at safeguarding international shipping routes.
• Japan must 'radically' speed up upgrading of military to counter China: Japanese defense min. Press TV 20 May 2021 -- Japan's defense minister says the country must strengthen its military might at a "radically different pace" compared to the past in an attempt to counter China's increasing power.
• Japan May Axe 1 Percent GDP Cap on Defence Spending Sputnik 20 May 2021 -- Since the 1990s, the only year Japan's defence expenditure topped 1 percent of GDP was fiscal 2010, when GDP plunged after the global financial crisis.
• Carrier Strike Group sets sail for first operational deployment UK MOD 20 May 2021 -- HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales meet at sea for the first time following Exercise Strike Warrior 21
• Carrier Strike Group completes final exercise before setting sail for first operational deployment this weekend UK MOD 20 May 2021 -- Twenty warships, three submarines and 150 aircraft have taken part in a UK-led multinational military exercise to test the UK Carrier Strike Group's response to a range of crisis and conflict situations.
• International exercise a 'learning experience' Australia DOD 20 May 2021 -- HMAS Parramatta has completed Exercise ARC21 off the coast of Japan, which included blue-water combat, amphibious and aviation training serials with partner navies.
• Readout of President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Call with President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi of Egypt The White House 20 May 2021
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken Intervention at Arctic Council Ministerial US Dept. of State 20 May 2021
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken, Greenlandic Premier Mute Egede, Greenlandic Foreign Minister Pele Broberg, And Danish Foreign Minister Jeppe Kofod At a Joint Press Availability US Dept. of State 20 May 2021
• Secretary Blinken's Meeting with Greenlandic Premier Egede US Dept. of State 20 May 2021
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jen Psaki, May 20, 2021 The White House 20 May 2021

Defense Industry

• Contracts For May 20, 2021
• First detailed images from the Pléiades Neo 3 satellite Airbus 20 May 2021 -- Today, Airbus released a first collection of sharp images at 30cm native resolution from the Pléiades Neo 3 satellite, recently safely launched and secured in orbit. The successful acquisitions and delivery of these first images are the start of a new era for both commercial and government geospatial applications requiring a high level of accuracy and the ability to see fine details.

Other Conflicts

• 20 May 2021 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 20 May 2021
• A Record 55 Million People Displaced Last Year VOA 20 May 2021 -- The Internal Displacement Monitoring Center reports the number of people displaced inside their own countries because of conflict, violence and weather-related disasters reached an all-time high of 55 million by the end of 2020.
• 7th Fleet conducts Freedom of Navigation Operation US Navy 20 May 2021 -- On May 20 (local time), Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG 54) asserted navigational rights and freedoms in the vicinity of the Paracel Islands, consistent with international law.
• US Navy Denies China Claim American Destroyer 'Expelled' From South China Sea Sputnik 20 May 2021 -- The US Navy's 7th Fleet on Thursday rejected as false a Chinese report of expelling the American guided-missile destroyer USS Curtis Wilber from the South China Sea.
• UPDATE: PLA drives away 'accident-risking' US warship intruding territorial waters in South China Sea Global Times 20 May 2021 -- Two days after monitoring a provocative US warship transit in the Taiwan Straits, Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) forces drove away the same US vessel which intruded Chinese territorial waters in the South China Sea on Thursday. as the US move was deemed an act of navigational hegemony and public opinion manipulation that seriously violated China's sovereignty and safety and risked misjudgment and accidents.
• China calls US 'out-and-out risk creator' in South China Sea Press TV 20 May 2021 -- China has called the United States a "risk creator" in the South China Sea, after an American warship sailed through Chinese territorial waters near the disputed Spratly Islands.
• Beijing Says US Warship Illegally Entered Its Territorial Waters in South China Sea Sputnik 20 May 2021 -- The US regularly dispatches military vessels to the region, which is experiencing territorial disputes between China and neighbouring countries.
• Chinese military warns off US warship trespassing into China's territorial waters PLA Daily 20 May 2021 -- According to the statement of Air Force Senior Colonel Tian Junli, spokesperson for the PLA Southern Theater Command, the US guided-missile destroyer USS Curtis Wilbur trespassed into China's territorial waters of Xisha Islands on May 20 without Chinese government's permission. The naval and air forces of the PLA Southern Theater Command conducted whole-process tracking and monitoring, and warned off the US destroyer.
• The United States Designates Houthi Militants US Dept. of State 20 May 2021 --"Today, the United States is taking action against two senior leaders of Houthi forces in Yemen who are involved in military offensives that exacerbate the humanitarian crisis, pose a dire threat to civilians, and destabilize Yemen."
• Treasury Sanctions Senior Houthi Military Official Overseeing Group's Offensive Operations US Treasury 20 May 2021 -- The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is taking action today against a key senior military official of Ansarallah, sometimes referred to as the Houthis, whose actions prolong Yemen's civil war and exacerbate the country's humanitarian crisis.
• Remarks by President Biden on the Middle East The White House 20 May 2021
• Israel, Hamas Begin 'Mutual, Unconditional Cease-Fire' VOA 20 May 2021 -- U.S. President Joe Biden said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu informed him Thursday that Israel "has agreed to a mutual, unconditional cease-fire" with the Hamas militant group.
• Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Phone Call With Israeli Minister of Defense Benjamin "Benny" Gantz DoD 20 May 2021
• Israel-Gaza ceasefire: Foreign Secretary's statement UK FCDO 20 May 2021 -- The Foreign Secretary has welcomed the ceasefire reached in Israel and Gaza today.
• UN chief welcomes Gaza ceasefire announcement between Israel and Hamas UN News 20 May 2021 -- The UN chief has welcomed the ceasefire declared between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas, following 11 days of rocket and air attacks, which have left more than 240 reportedly dead and thousands injured, the majority in the occupied Palestinian enclave of Gaza.
• Israeli PM Netanyahu's Office Announces Ceasefire Between Tel Aviv, Hamas Sputnik 20 May 2021 -- Earlier in the week, contradicting reports emerged in regard to a possible ceasefire between Israel and Hamas after tensions erupted in May. On Wednesday, a senior Hamas official, Mousa Abu Marzook, said he expected a ceasefire to happen "within a day or two".
• Israel gives in to ceasefire amid resistance's heavy rocket barrage Press TV 20 May 2021 -- The Israeli regime's "security cabinet" unanimously approves, what the regime has identified as, "Egypt's proposal" for a ceasefire amid continued avalanche of retaliatory attacks from the Gaza Strip in response to Tel Aviv's escalation.
• Hamas: We declare victory, Netanyahu suffered a great defeat Press TV 20 May 2021 -- Hamas declares victory in its now-10-day-long struggle against the Israeli regime's huge escalation targeting the Gaza Strip, calling the regime's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu the big loser of the confrontation.
• Gaza children living in ‘hell on earth’, UN chief says, urging immediate end to fighting UN News 20 May 2021 -- The past ten days have witnessed a "dangerous and horrific" surge in deadly violence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT), particularly Gaza, and in Israel, the UN chief told the General Assembly on Thursday.
• WHO appeals for regular access to Palestinian enclave amid ongoing Israeli strikes UN News 20 May 2021 -- The UN health agency has added its weight to calls for regular humanitarian access to Gaza, where two dozen medical facilities have now come under attack through Israeli air strikes, along with healthcare personnel.
• 256 dead, including 69 children, in Mideast hostilities: UN People's Daily 20 May 2021 -- The United Nations' casualty count from hostilities in Gaza, the West Bank and Israel on Wednesday showed 256 people dead - including 69 children and an Israeli soldier - and thousands of people injured.
• Palestine's FM Maliki says Israel forcefully displaces Palestinians to change al-Quds' identity Press TV 20 May 2021 -- Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki says Israel forcefully displaces Palestinians from the occupied Jerusalem al-Quds in an attempt to change the identity of the holy city.
• Over 75,000 displaced in Gaza due to Israeli aggression, UN agency says Press TV 20 May 2021 -- The UN's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) says the Israeli regime's ongoing onslaught on the besieged Gaza Strip has left more than 75,000 Palestinians displaced in the besieged coastal enclave.
• Gaza to face dire food, medicine shortages without ceasefire: UN official Press TV 20 May 2021 -- A top official at the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) says Palestinians are facing growing shortages of vital commodities, including food, fuel, and medicine, in the Gaza Strip, adding that the already dire humanitarian situation in the besieged territory will dramatically worsen if Israel continues to bomb the enclave.
• Violence across Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories must stop UK FCDO 20 May 2021 -- Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward, UK Permanent Representative to the UN, at the General Assembly on the situation in the Middle East
• UK aid package to help provide emergency relief for civilians in Gaza UK FCDO 20 May 2021 -- New funding for UNRWA announced following recent escalation in violence
• UN Chief Demands Immediate Israeli-Palestinian Cease-fire VOA 20 May 2021 -- U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Thursday that there must be an immediate cease-fire between Israel and Hamas, as deaths and destruction mount.
• Secretary Blinken's Calls with Israeli Foreign Minister Ashkenazi US Dept. of State 20 May 2021
• New Clashes Between Myanmar's Military and Ethnic Armies Exacerbates Refugee Crisis Radio Free Asia 20 May 2021 -- At least 10 military junta troops were killed and around 20 critically wounded in five clashes over the last two days in Myanmar's Chin state, militia groups said Thursday, while tens of thousands of civilians have fled and are living in dire conditions as fighting has intensified in the region.
• Zelenskiy Says Russia's Distribution Of Passports In Ukraine's Volatile East Is Step Toward Annexation RFE/RL 20 May 2021 -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has called Moscow's recent move to distribute Russian passports to residents in the eastern Ukrainian regions of Donetsk and Luhansk - jointly known as the Donbas - "a big problem" and the first step toward the annexation of the area.
• Abkhazia Separatist Leader Meets Syrian President In Damascus RFE/RL 20 May 2021 -- The de facto president of Georgia's breakaway region of Abkhazia, Aslan Bzhania, has wrapped up a three-day visit to Syria, his office said on May 19.
• Armenia Fires Warning Shots at Border With Azerbaijan, Defence Ministry Says Sputnik 20 May 2021 -- Earlier this week, Yerevan accused Baku of staging provocations on the border, saying the Azerbaijani military attempted to move their posts deeper inside Armenian territory in the provinces of Syunik and Gegharkunik.
• Cameroon Unity Day Marred by Violence in Separatist Regions VOA 20 May 2021 -- Unity Day activities in Cameroon were marred this week by clashes between separatists and government troops. The violence left at least 16 people dead and 60 houses burned.

News Reports

• ICE to Close Two Detention Centers DHS 20 May 2021 -- Today, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas directed U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to discontinue use of the C. Carlos Carreiro Immigration Detention Center in North Dartmouth, Massachusetts by transferring the remaining detained noncitizens out of the facility and terminating the Intergovernmental Services Agreement with the Bristol County Sheriff's Office (BCSO) and the 287(g) agreement with the BCSO that is no longer operationally needed.
• U.S. Lawmakers Urge Biden To Lift Nord Stream 2 Sanction Waivers, Citing Security RFE/RL 20 May 2021 -- U.S. lawmakers have urged President Joe Biden to reconsider his decision to waive some sanctions related to the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline between Russia and Germany, saying the move was against "both U.S. national and transatlantic security interests."
• US Senators Introduce Bill to Reverse Biden's Nord Stream 2 Sanctions Waiver Sputnik 20 May 2021 -- A group of 14 Republican US Senators introduced a draft legislation to override the Biden administration's decision to waive sanctions on the company in charge of Russia's Nord Stream 2 pipeline exporting gas in Europe, Senator Kevin Cramer, a cosponsor of the initiative, announced.
• EU Views US Waiver of Nord Stream 2 Sanctions as Sign of Improving Relations, Spokesman Says Sputnik 20 May 2021 -- The decision not to sanction the operator of the Russian-led gas project Nord Stream 2 points to the United States' desire to improve relations with the European Union, European Commission spokesman Peter Stano told Sputnik on Thursday.
• Kremlin Says 'Positive Signals' In U.S.-Russian Relations Despite 'Serious Differences' RFE/RL 20 May 2021 -- The Kremlin has said that what it called constructive talks between the top U.S. and Russian diplomats were a "positive signal" for holding a potential summit between President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Joe Biden.
• Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's press point following talks with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Reykjavik, May 19, 2021 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 20 May 2021
• Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's opening remarks at a meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on the sidelines of the Arctic Council Ministerial Meeting, Reykjavik, May 19, 2021 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 20 May 2021
• Expelled Russian Diplomat Left North Macedonia, Russian Embassy Says Sputnik 20 May 2021 -- The Russian diplomat expelled by North Macedonia left the territory of the republic, the Russian embassy in Skopje told Sputnik.
• Andrei Sakharov And The Massive 'Tsar Bomba' That Turned Him Against Nukes RFE/RL 20 May 2021 -- For most of the world, Andrei Sakharov, who was born 100 years ago this week, is remembered as a fearless and tireless champion of human rights and freedoms in the Soviet Union.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian's Regular Press Conference on May 20, 2021 PRC MofA 20 May 2021
• U.S. Bill Seeks Funding For 5G Networks In Eastern Europe To Counter Chinese Influence RFE/RL 20 May 2021 -- Legislation has been reintroduced in the U.S. Congress to increase funding for 5G telecommunications and digital infrastructure development in Eastern European countries.
• GT Voice: Temporary setback won't hamper progress of BRI Global Times 20 May 2021 -- While a potential Belt and Road project may face risk of suspension in the Pacific island nation of Samoa, a minor setback like this will not affect the long-term trend toward mutually beneficial cooperation in other countries which are participating in the Belt and Road Initiative.
• European Parliament votes through motion to freeze China investment deal, risking bloc's economy amid political self-entertainment Global Times 20 May 2021 -- The European Parliament voted through a motion on Thursday to freeze the China-EU Comprehensive Agreement on Investment (CAI), putting the brakes on ratifying the massive deal that is envisioned to assist the 27-nation bloc's economic recovery amid lingering COVID-19 woes.
• Absconders to be 'pursued for life' under national security law: HK Secretary for Security Global Times 20 May 2021 -- Fugitives who have fled overseas under charges related to national security will be pursued for life under the national security law for Hong Kong, John Lee, the Secretary for Security of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, warned on Wednesday.
• Chinese Cars to Teach Occupants About Xi Jinping Thought Radio Free Asia 20 May 2021 -- China's largest automaker has launched a car that can teach its occupants the ideology of ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) leader Xi Jinping.
• Man Jailed Over Photo of Chinese Leader's Daughter 'Soon to be Transferred' Radio Free Asia 20 May 2021 -- Authorities in the southern Chinese province of Guangdong are preparing to transfer website administrator Niu Tengyu to a different jail at the start of his 14-year jail term for allegedly posting a photo of the daughter of ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) general secretary Xi Jinping online.
• Chinese Rights Lawyer Still Under House Arrest on 50th Birthday Radio Free Asia 20 May 2021 -- Authorities in the central Chinese province of Henan are continuing to hold prominent human rights lawyer Jiang Tianyong under house arrest at his home in Luoyang city, RFA has learned.
• Lithuanian Parliament Passes Motion Condemning Uyghur Genocide Radio Free Asia 20 May 2021 -- The Lithuanian parliament on Thursday passed a motion condemning China for what it called China's policy of genocide against Uyghur Muslims in the northwestern Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, becoming the latest government or legislature to make the designation.
• Department of State Participation in Taiwan-hosted Event on Open Government and Anti-Corruption US Dept. of State 20 May 2021
• North Korean Security Services Given Food for a Year While Others Go Hungry Radio Free Asia 20 May 2021 -- North Korean authorities have distributed food supplies for a year to law enforcement and other security agencies in a move to shore up loyalty to the regime at a time of general shortages across the country, North Korean sources say.
• South Korean President to Meet Biden at White House Friday VOA 20 May 2021 -- South Korean President Moon Jae-in will be the second world leader to meet face-to-face with U.S. President Joe Biden at the White House on Friday. The visit may be his final visit to the United States as head of state and and last chance to fulfill campaign pledges before his term ends.
• Background Press Call by A Senior Administration Official on the Official Working Visit of the Republic of Korea The White House 20 May 2021
• Iran's Rohani Says Broad Outline Of Deal Reached With World Powers, Details Remain RFE/RL 20 May 2021 -- Iranian President Hassan Rohani says the broad outline of a deal to end major sanctions on his country has been reached during talks with world powers aimed at restoring a 2015 troubled nuclear deal, although some difficult issues remain.
• Rouhani says JCPOA parties in agreement over removal of all main sanctions Press TV 20 May 2021 -- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani says the parties in Vienna talks have accepted to remove all main sanctions targeting the country's oil, petrochemical, shipping and insurance sectors as well as the Central Bank of Iran.
• Araghchi: Time for US to return to JCPOA, lift sanctions IRNA 20 May 2021 -- Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister for political affairs Abbas Araghchi said it was time for the United States to return to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and lift the sanctions.
• Araghchi: Very good progress achieved in negotiations IRNA 20 May 2021 -- Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Seyyed Abbas Araghchi said in Vienna on Wednesday evening that good progress has been achieved at the Joint JCPOA Commission meeting about nuclear and sanctions issues.
• Few Serious Takers for Myanmar Junta's Election Commission Meeting Radio Free Asia 20 May 2021 -- Deposed leader Aung San Suu Kyi's party and other groups in Myanmar's pro-democracy camp are shunning a meeting on Friday of an election commission set up by the military junta that overthrew the government, with one party condemning the army regime for having "rejected the democratic path chosen by the people."
• Myanmar: Rights expert welcomes fresh sanctions against junta, urges other nations 'step up' UN News 20 May 2021 -- The announcement this week of new coordinated sanctions against Myanmar's military rulers by a handful of Western governments has been welcomed by the UN independent expert monitoring the human rights situation in the country.
• Pakistani Opposition Leader Sees Government Crumbling Amid Ruling Party Rift RFE/RL Gandhara 20 May 2021 -- The leader of a major opposition alliance in Pakistan says the administration of Prime Minister Imran Khan has lost the right to rule after a split in his ruling Pakistan Tehrik-e Insaf (PTI) political party.
• Deputy Leader of Cambodia's Banned Opposition Jumps Ship to Join New Party Radio Free Asia 20 May 2021 -- A senior leader from the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) has left the banned political group and joined a new party after the country's King Norodom Sihamoni granted his request for "political rehabilitation" on Thursday.
• At Kyrgyzstan's Kumtor Mine, Not All That Glitters Is Gold RFE/RL 20 May 2021 -- Mining the Kumtor gold deposits in the mountains of Kyrgyzstan was supposed to bring economic salvation to the former Soviet republic in Central Asia.
• 'Spirt of unity, partnership and collaboration' needed to realize Sudan's aspirations UN News 20 May 2021 -- Moving from Sudan's current fragile transition period towards stable civilian rule, requires a continued "spirt of unity, partnership and collaboration", a senior UN official told the Security Council on Thursday.
• Kenya Launches New Port in Northern City of Lamu VOA 20 May 2021 -- Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta on Thursday presided over the opening of the nation's new port at Lamu.
• Bulgaria's Former Leader Battles Corruption Claims as Caretaker Government Starts Clean-Up VOA 20 May 2021 -- Bulgaria's caretaker government appears poised to approve a series of freedom-of-information requests from the country's media which are likely to fuel explosive allegations of corruption against former prime minister Boyko Borissov and a group of his business associates, say local journalists.