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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• CENTCOM commander reiterates fear of small drones in secret Iraq visit Press TV 22 May 2021 -- The top US commander for its Middle East military operations has once again expressed concerns about the need to find ways to counter drones targeting American forces in the region, reiterating during a secret visit to Iraq that the US is yet to come up with effective solutions.
• Death Toll From Kabul School Blasts Rises To 100 RFE/RL Gandhara 22 May 2021 -- The death toll from bombings outside a high school in the Afghan capital has risen to 100 dead and 160 wounded, says the office of Sarwar Danish, Afghanistan's second vice president.
• Taliban reportedly seizes key district in central Afghanistan Press TV 22 May 2021 -- The Taliban has reportedly overrun a key district not far from the Afghan capital, Kabul, following days of heavy fighting with the government forces.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Secretary of Defense Austin Remarks for the U.S. Military Academy Graduation Ceremony DoD 22 May 2021 -- Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III
• Defense Secretary Tells Cadets They're Ready to Meet Challenges in Changing World DoD News 22 May 2021 -- Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III today told the graduating class of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York, that when he was a cadet in the 1970s, his leaders taught him valuable lessons that served him well during his 41-year Army career.
• USS Bunker Hill Returns Home from Deployment US Navy 22 May 2021 -- The Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill (CG 52) returned to San Diego, May 22, marking the successful completion of its deployment to U.S. 3rd Fleet and 7th Fleet areas of operation.
• USS Russell Returns from Deployment US Navy 22 May 2021 -- Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Russell (DDG 59) returned to San Diego after a deployment to U.S. 3rd and 7th Fleet areas of operations, May 21. Russell left San Diego in early December 2020 to take part in a sustainment exercise with the Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group (TRCSG) before deploying to the Indo-Pacific, Dec. 23, 2020.
• Navy Commissions Littoral Combat Ship USS Mobile US Navy 22 May 2021 -- The Navy commissioned its newest Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Mobile (LCS 26) during a ceremony in Mobile, Alabama, May 22.
• PSAB hosts joint air defense training with RSAF forces CENTCOM 22 May 2021 -- Airmen from three U.S. Air Forces Central wings joined joint and regional partners for Desert Mirage III --- the third iteration of a bilateral event designed to enhance the interoperability and air defense capabilities between partner nation forces – at Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia May 18-19.
• Pentagon chief unable to set up talks with China's top general despite multiple attempts Press TV 22 May 2021 -- US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has been snubbed by China's top military general in his multiple attempts to set up talks as tensions continue to rise between Washington and Beijing.
• Carrier Strike Group sets sail on seven-month maiden deployment UK MOD 22 May 2021 -- Britain's new flagship aircraft carrier will lead the largest concentration of maritime and air power to be deployed from the UK in a generation.
• Nigerians React to Loss of Nation's Military Chief VOA 22 May 2021 -- Nigerians reacted Saturday to the sudden death of the country's military chief and other officers in a plane crash Friday in central Kaduna state.

Defense Industry

Other Conflicts

• Security Council calls for 'full adherence' to Gaza ceasefire, focus on two-State solution UN News 22 May 2021 -- The UN Security Council on Saturday made it's first statement on the conflict that erupted between Israel and Palestinian armed groups in Gaza, calling for a "full adherence to the ceasefire" that brought 11 days of fighting to an end early on Friday morning.

News Reports

• Ransomware Moves from 'Economic Nuisance' to National Security Threat VOA 22 May 2021 -- The recent cyberattack on Colonial Pipeline, the operator of the largest petroleum pipeline in the U.S., shows how internet criminals are increasingly targeting companies and organizations for ransom in what officials and experts term a growing national security threat.
• U.S. Blacklists 13 Russian Ships In Nord Stream 2, After Exempting Operator, CEO RFE/RL 22 May 2021 -- The United States formally blacklisted more than a dozen Russian ships involved in the construction of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, days after exempting the pipeline's Russian operator and CEO.
• In Russian Action Film, Bullets, Blood, Blasts, Bad Guys - And A Whitewash Of Mercenary Atrocities? RFE/RL 22 May 2021 -- The sweaty, tanned, dirt-stained face drags on a cigarette about three-quarters into the 105-minute film, pensive piano music in the background, and says: "Americans: They're fighting for democracy. And we are [fighting] for justice."
• Russian Police Detain Two At Meeting Of Opposition Figures, As Crackdown Continues RFE/RL 22 May 2021 -- Russian police detained two people at a meeting of opposition figures and municipal deputies in the city of Nizhny Novgorod, in the latest crackdown on Kremlin critics ahead of elections later this year.
• EU's unjustified sanctions strain China-EU relations: FM spokesperson People's Daily 22 May 2021 -- China is unwilling to see the current difficulties in China-European Union (EU) relations caused by EU's unjustified sanctions and the responsibility does not lie with China, a foreign ministry spokesperson said Friday, adding it is hoped that the EU side will make serious reflections.
• China re-stresses crackdown on Bitcoin mining and trading during high-level meeting Global Times 22 May 2021 -- Chinese officials have stressed that the country would crack down on Bitcoin mining and trading during a meeting convened by the State Council Financial Stability and Development Committee on Friday. This comes at a time when Bitcoin price rode a roller coaster in recent days.
• U.S., South Korea reaffirm commitment to stability in Taiwan Strait CNA 22 May 2021 -- U.S. President Joe Biden and South Korea President Moon Jae-in reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait during their first in-person summit in Washington on Friday.
• Biden, Moon voice willingness to engage with DPRK People's Daily 22 May 2021 -- U.S. President Joe Biden and visiting South Korean President Moon Jae-in on Friday expressed a shared willingness to engage with Pyongyang, reaffirming the goal to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula.
• Disgruntled Iranians Say 'No Way,' Call For Boycott Of June Presidential Election RFE/RL 22 May 2021 -- Less than a month before Iran's June 18 presidential election, there are few signs of enthusiasm about the vote.
• Fighters attack jade mining town as Myanmar sleepwalks into civil war Press TV 22 May 2021 -- Fighters affiliated with one of Myanmar's key ethnic groups resisting the military coup in the East Asian nation have attacked army posts at the northwestern jade mining town of Hkamti, marking a major advance into new territory.
• Myanmar Junta Says Deposed Leader to Appear in Court VOA 22 May 2021 -- The head of Myanmar's military government said Saturday that ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi is in good health and would appear in court in coming days.
• Belsat Satellite Network Reports Raid By Belarusian Security Forces RFE/RL 22 May 2021 -- Belarusian security forces raided a Minsk studio used by a Polish-based TV station that has produced investigations critical of authoritarian Belarusian leader Alyaksandr Lukashenka and his associates.
• Virgin Galactic Completes First Human Spaceflight from Spaceport America, New Mexico Virgin Galactic 22 May 2021 -- Virgin Galactic today completed its third spaceflight and the first ever spaceflight from Spaceport America, New Mexico. Today's flight sees New Mexico become the third US state to launch humans into space.
• Syria hails 'massive' turnout of expatriates in presidential election Press TV 22 May 2021 -- The Syrian Foreign Ministry has extended its appreciation to expatriates and refugees for their "massive participation" in presidential election.
• Lebanon's Hariri says will not form govt. catering to president's wishes Press TV 22 May 2021 -- Lebanon's Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri says he will not form a government that simply complies with the wishes of President Michel Aoun, as the cash-strapped Arab country has yet to overcome a persisting political standoff.
• North Macedonia Gets EU Backing From Austria, Czech Republic, Slovenia RFE/RL 22 May 2021 -- North Macedonia received support in its bid to begin European Union membership talks from Austria, the Czech Republic, and Slovenia, a day after Bulgaria said it planned to continue to exercise its veto to block the small Western Balkan nation.