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Defense Policy / Programs

• Austin, Milley: President's FY22 Budget Request Sufficient for Defense Mission DoD News 27 May 2021 -- The president's budget request for fiscal year 2022 is expected to contain $715 billion in funding for the Defense Department. DOD leaders have said they believe this is ample to accomplish things the department wants to do in the coming year.
• Statement by Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III on the Confirmation of Christine Wormuth as Secretary of the Army DoD 27 May 2021
• Tomahawk Strike Team Conducts Training Exercise Aboard USS Rafael Peralta US Navy 27 May 2021 -- The U.S. Navy conducted a Tomahawk Land Attack Missile (TLAM) strike scenario in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations as part of a fleet-level training exercise, May 20 and 25.
• USS Hershel "Woody" Williams Participates in Exercise Phoenix Express 2021 US Navy 27 May 2021 -- The Expeditionary Sea Base USS Hershel "Woody" Williams (ESB 4) participates in the 16th iteration of exercise Phoenix Express 2021 (PE21) off the coast of Tunis, Tunisia, with Allied and partner nations during the at-sea portion of the multinational maritime exercise in North Africa May 22-26, 2021.
• Allied and Partner Navies Set Sail for Exercise Phoenix Express 2021 US Navy 27 May 2021 -- Allied and partner navies participating in exercise Phoenix Express 2021 got underway from Tunis, Tunisia, for the start of the at-sea portion of the multinational North African maritime exercise in the Mediterranean Sea on May 22, 2021.
• The French FS Forbin destroys a supersonic target with a combat loaded Aster 30 fire during At-Sea Demo/Formidable Shield 2021 US Navy 27 May 2021 -- The sea off the Scottish coast is rough on May 21, 2021. As part of the international force deployed for At-Sea Demo/Formidable Shield, the French anti-air warfare destroyer (AAWD) Forbin is assigned a simulated mission to protect the priority maritime facilities of an Allied country. In this scenario, the crew is at battle stations and the surface-to-air missile defence system, PAAMS , is ready to fire.
• U.S. Navy destroyer joins French Carrier Strike Group in the Mediterranean US Navy 27 May 2021 -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Thomas Hudner (DDG 116) joined French Navy Charles de Gaulle Strike Group (CDG CSG), May 26, 2021 in the Mediterranean in support of joint operations and interoperability training, demonstrating mutual commitment to stability and security throughout the European Region.
• STRIKFORNATO training to defend against supersonic threats US Navy 27 May 2021 -- "Missile detected!" is announced over the ships speakers. Quickly, the commander orders a response and fires a missile to shoot the threat before it can reach its target. A service member pushes a single button, everyone collectively holds their breath, watching a computer screen as the missiles track toward each other in outer space. Finally, the room breaks out in cheers as the missile intercepts and destroys the threat.
• USS San Antonio Arrives in Souda Bay, Greece US Navy 27 May 2021 -- The amphibious transport dock ship USS San Antonio (LPD 17), operating as part of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Readiness Group (IWOARG), arrived in Souda Bay, Greece, May 27.
• U.S. Navy and Coast Guard Conduct Joint Service Training US Navy 27 May 2021 -- During a series of tactical training exercises, Maritime Prepositioning Ships Squadron 3 (MPSRON 3), Coastal Riverine Group 1, Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 25, and U.S. Coast Guard Sector Guam refined some of their operational skills during joint service training near Guam April 14-18.
• Navy Tests New Hypersonic Rocket Motor US Navy Press Release 27 May 2021 -- Navy Strategic Systems Programs (SSP) successfully conducted a test of the First Stage Solid Rocket Motor (SRM) on May 27th in Promontory, Utah as part of the development of the Navy's Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS) offensive hypersonic strike capability and the Army's Long Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW).
• SERMC Completes Milwaukee Selected Restricted Availability On Time US Navy Press Release 27 May 2021 -- The Freedom-class Littoral Combat Ship USS Milwaukee (LCS 5) was delivered to the fleet on time after completing a Selected Restricted Availability (SRA) at Southeast Regional Maintenance Center (SERMC).
• Army looks to increase awareness of maritime domain in Indo-Pacific Army News 27 May 2021 -- Despite the Army's primary focus on land, leveraging the maritime domain in the Indo-Pacific can still have lasting effects, the deputy commander of U.S. Army Pacific said last week.
• 405th AFSB prepares hundreds of M-ATVs for shipment to U.S.-based MP units Army News 27 May 2021 -- The 405th Army Field Support Brigade's Africa battalion maintains a robust stock of some of the most modernized and lethal vehicles and equipment pieces in the Army's inventory.
• MCSC modernizing communication gear to enhance electronic warfare USMC News 27 May 2021 -- The Marine Corps is modernizing and reshaping its force for the future naval expeditionary fight. Future naval warfare, specifically in the Indo-Pacific region, will require increased mobility and active communication to circumvent difficult situations. Improving battlefield communication is a major aspect of the Marine Corps' modernization efforts to meet this future fight.
• Biden's military budget seeks greater China deterrence, nuclear funding Press TV 27 May 2021 -- US President Joe Biden will submit a military budget proposal that aims to modernize the country's nuclear arsenal in order to deter China, according to sources.
• Washington National Guard prepares for wildfire season Army News 27 May 2021 -- Washington National Guard Soldiers and Airmen are transitioning from COVID-19 response and civil disturbance missions to prepare for what could be another catastrophic wildfire season.
• Secretary General visits HMS Queen Elizabeth on NATO exercise Steadfast Defender NATO 27 May 2021 -- NATO ships, submarines, and aircraft are training off the coast of Portugal to practice NATO's ability to defend sea lines of communication between North America and Europe. Among the 20 ships participating in exercise Steadfast Defender is the Royal Navy's flagship aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth on its maiden deployment.
• Secretary Blinken's Call with NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg US Dept. of State 27 May 2021
• NATO Deputy Secretary General meets with Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister NATO 27 May 2021 -- Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoană welcomed Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories of Ukraine Oleksii Reznikov to NATO headquarters on Thursday (27 May 2021).
• Royal Navy warship 'expelled from Crimean coast' by Russian forces, FSB reveals Press TV 27 May 2021 -- A British Royal Navy destroyer has been 'expelled' from waters off the Crimean coast after crossing into Russian territory, Russia's security service claims.
• Russia says monitoring US nuclear arms upgrade for compliance with New START treaty Press TV 27 May 2021 -- Russia says it is closely monitoring the United States' nuclear modernization activities to ensure their compliance with the New START nuclear arms control treaty, amid concerns over Washington's implementation of the key accord.
• Cornerstone of China's strategic deterrence against the US: more nuclear missiles and warheads Global Times 27 May 2021 -- As the US strategic containment of Chinas has increasingly intensified, I would like to remind again that we have plenty of urgent tasks, but among the most important ones is to rapidly increase the number of commissioned nuclear warheads, and the DF-41s, the strategic missiles that are capable to strike long-range and have high-survivability, in the Chinese arsenal. This is the cornerstone of China's strategic deterrence against the US.
• China’s Z-20 chopper shows all-weather capability in nighttime drill Global Times 27 May 2021 -- The People's Liberation Army (PLA) recently held a nighttime exercise with Z-20s, China's latest military utility helicopter, with analysts saying on Thursday that the Z-20 has displayed initial all-weather combat capability, and related tactics and techniques would come in handy in surprise attacks.
• £274-million training boost for RAF UK MOD 27 May 2021 -- Pilots and engineers who operate the UK's C-17 Globemaster aircraft are to benefit from world-leading interactive training, following a £274-million contract award.
• Secretary Blinken's Call with Vietnamese Foreign Minister Son US Dept. of State 27 May 2021
• Briefing with Acting Assistant Secretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs Julie Chung On the Secretary's Upcoming Travel to San Jose, Costa Rica US Dept. of State 27 May 2021
• Secretary Blinken's Call with UN Special Coordinator Wennesland US Dept. of State 27 May 2021
• Secretary Blinken's Call with Qatari Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani US Dept. of State 27 May 2021
• Remarks by President Biden Before Boarding Air Force One The White House 27 May 2021
• Press Gaggle by Press Secretary Jen Psaki The White House 27 May 2021
• Secretary Blinken's Call with Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud US Dept. of State 27 May 2021
• Statement by NSC Spokesperson Emily Horne on National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan's Meeting with Minister of External Affairs Subrahmanyam Jaishankar of India The White House 27 May 2021

Defense Industry

• Contracts For May 27, 2021

Other Conflicts

• 27 May 2021 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 27 May 2021
• UK boost for UN peacebuilding will help prevent conflicts and humanitarian crises UK FCDO 27 May 2021 -- UK aid will support UN with global peacebuilding efforts, to prevent and manage conflicts and reduce humanitarian suffering.
• Three civilians killed as Saudi-led forces shell border area in northern Yemen Press TV 27 May 2021 -- At least three people have been killed in an artillery attack by the Saudi-led military coalition in Yemen's northwestern province of Sa'ada, as the Riyadh regime and its allies continue their aggression against the impoverished Arab country.
• UN Human Rights Chief Suggests Israeli Strikes in Gaza May Amount to War Crimes VOA 27 May 2021 -- U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet said Thursday Israel's airstrikes on Gaza may constitute war crimes, while stressing rocket attacks by Hamas were also a violation of international law.
• Calls for Israeli Accountability Dominate UN Session on Palestinians VOA 27 May 2021 -- A U.N. human rights council special session to address the human rights situation in Palestinian territory was dominated by calls for Israel to be held accountable for alleged abuses. No European or North American country was among the more than 60 member and observer states that supported the request.
• UN launches emergency plan to support Palestinians affected by Israel's recent war Press TV 27 May 2021 -- The United Nations has launched an emergency plan to support those Palestinians affected by Israel's recent war on the besieged Gaza Strip.
• Israel endorses construction of hundreds of new settler units in occupied West Bank Press TV 27 May 2021 -- Israeli authorities have approved plans for the construction of hundreds of new settler units in the occupied West Bank, irrespective of the international outcry against the Tel Aviv regime's illegal settlement expansion activities and land grab policies in Palestinian territories.
• UN rights chief calls for inclusive peace process to end Palestine occupation UN News 27 May 2021 -- UN rights chief Michelle Bachelet called on Thursday for a "genuine and inclusive peace process" to end the Israeli occupation of Palestine and a repeat of recent deadly clashes that have been marked by possible war crimes by Israeli security forces.
• Israel-Palestine: Political solution only way to end 'senseless' cycles of violence UN News 27 May 2021 -- Only a political solution will end the "senseless and costly cycles of violence" between Israelis and Palestinians, UN Middle East envoy Tor Wennesland said in a briefing to the Security Council on Thursday.
• Urging a longer-term political horizon in the Middle East UK FCDO 27 May 2021 -- Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward, UK Permanent Representative to the UN, at the Security Council briefing on the situation in the Middle East
• France Had Role in 1994 Rwanda Genocide, Macron Says VOA 27 May 2021 -- French President Emmanuel Macron was in Rwanda's capital Thursday, where he acknowledged France's role in the 1994 Rwandan genocide and said he hoped for forgiveness.
• Detention of Armenian Soldiers US Dept. of State 27 May 2021 -- The United States is concerned by recent developments along the international border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, including the detention of several Armenian soldiers by Azerbaijani forces.
• Armenia calls for deployment of intl. observers to border with Azerbaijan amid simmering dispute Press TV 27 May 2021 -- Armenia's acting Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has called for the deployment of international observers from Russia or other countries to a portion of Armenia's border with Azerbaijan, where he said the atmosphere was tense.
• Azerbaijan Captures Six Armenian Soldiers In Latest Border Incident RFE/RL 27 May 2021 -- Azerbaijani forces have captured six Armenian servicemen amid growing border tensions between the two South Caucasus neighbors after last year's war over the breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh region, prompting calls from Washington for both sides to "urgently and peacefully" resolve the issue.
• As Tensions Rise Again, Turkish and Greek Officials to Meet VOA 27 May 2021 -- Turkey's foreign minister is scheduled to hold talks in Athens with his Greek counterpart Monday in the latest efforts to deescalate tensions between the two NATO members.

News Reports

• US Senate Republicans Set to Block Capitol Riot Inquiry Panel VOA 27 May 2021 -- Republicans in the U.S. Senate are expected Thursday to block legislation calling for the creation of a panel to investigate the deadly Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol aimed at preventing the certification of Democrat Joe Biden's presidential victory over Donald Trump.
• ODNI Statement on COVID-19 Origins Director of National Intelligence 27 May 2021 -- Assistant Director of National Intelligence for Strategic Communications Amanda Schoch today issued the following statement on COVID-19 Origins:
• US to Make Intelligence on COVID-19 Origins Public VOA 27 May 2021 -- The United States will share the results of a new deep-dive by its top intelligence agencies into the origins of the coronavirus pandemic that has killed millions of people across the globe.
• Biden gives intel agencies 90 days to pinpoint COVID origins as lab leak theory debated Press TV 27 May 2021 -- President Joe Biden has tasked the US intelligence community with reporting on the origin of COVID-19 within 90 days, saying rival theories including the possibility of a laboratory accident in China are being pursued.
• DHS Announces New Cybersecurity Requirements for Critical Pipeline Owners and Operators DHS 27 May 2021 -- Today, the Department of Homeland Security's Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced a Security Directive that will enable the Department to better identify, protect against, and respond to threats to critical companies in the pipeline sector.
• Mali's interim president, prime minister resign after arrest by army Press TV 27 May 2021 -- Mali's interim president and prime minister have resigned, two days after they were arrested by the military and were transferred to a military base outside the capital, an aide to the vice president says.
• Mali President, PM Released From Military Custody VOA 27 May 2021 -- Officials in Mali say the country's interim president and prime minister have been released, one day after they resigned while in military custody.
• Russian Court Fines Twitter, Google, TikTok For Refusing To Delete Content RFE/RL 27 May 2021 -- A Moscow court has fined Twitter 19 million rubles ($259,000) for failing to delete content Russia deems illegal, in the latest chapter of a long-running dispute between authorities and the social network giant.
• Khodorkovsky-Founded Opposition Group Says Its Ending Activities In Russia RFE/RL 27 May 2021 -- Open Russia, a British-based pro-democracy movement founded by Kremlin critic Mikhail Khodorkovsky, says it has decided to end its operations in Russia.
• EU Criticizes Russia For Labeling Three German NGOs 'Undesirable' RFE/RL 27 May 2021 -- The European Union has rejected a decision by Russian prosecutors to designate three German nongovernmental groups as "undesirable organizations," calling the move "the most recent example of the Russian authorities' disregard for a vibrant civil society."
• Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's statement and answers to media questions at a joint news conference following talks with Foreign Minister of Gabon Pacome Moubelet-Boubeya, Moscow, May 27, 2021 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 27 May 2021
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian's Regular Press Conference on May 27, 2021 PRC MofA 27 May 2021
• PRC Sanctions on a Former U.S. Official US Dept. of State 27 May 2021 -- "The United States condemns the People's Republic of China's (PRC) sanctions on a former U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) commissioner."
• Denial of Democracy in Hong Kong US Dept. of State 27 May 2021 -- The Chinese government continues to undermine the democratic institutions of Hong Kong, denying Hong Kong residents the rights that the People's Republic of China (PRC) itself has guaranteed.
• Hong Kong Bans Tiananmen Vigil on June 4 For Second Consecutive Year Radio Free Asia 27 May 2021 -- Authorities in Hong Kong have once more banned a candlelight vigil marking the 1989 Tiananmen massacre that was held once annually over three decades, citing coronavirus pandemic restrictions on public gatherings.
• Jimmy Lai's bank accounts were frozen in relation to crimes: Hong Kong police Global Times 27 May 2021 -- Hong Kong's security chief John Lee said that media tycoon Jimmy Lai's bank accounts were frozen because the frozen assets are suspected of being involved in crimes under the national security law, and it isn't the same thing as interfering in ordinary people's assets, according to a report by news.rthk.hk on Thursday.
• Australian Chinese Academic On Trial for Espionage in China VOA 27 May 2021 -- Australia is urging China to apply "basic international standards of justice" to the case of a Chinese-born Australian writer on trial in Beijing for espionage.
• US will be careful in how to lift Iran sanctions: Treasury secretary Press TV 27 May 2021 -- US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen says her country will be careful in how it decides to lift sanctions from Iran if current talks in Austria on reviving the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, better known as JCPOA, bear fruit.
• It's US actions, not Iran election, that determine course of Vienna talks: Official Press TV 27 May 2021 -- An Iranian official has rejected speculation that the results of the country's upcoming presidential election could influence the negotiations in Vienna on a potential revival of the 2015 nuclear deal, saying it is in fact the United States' actions, not the vote, that determine the course of the talks.
• Leader backs up Constitutional Council, urges Iranians to participate in June 18 election Press TV 27 May 2021 -- Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has backed up the Constitutional Council against recent criticism of its disqualification of some presidential hopefuls.
• Iranian Supreme Leader Backs Disqualification Of Key Presidential Candidates RFE/RL 27 May 2021 -- Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has expressed support for the Guardians Council's disqualification of prominent moderate candidates seeking to run in the country's June 18 presidential election.
• Iran Harassing Families Of Those Killed In Downed Ukrainian Plane, Says Rights Watchdog RFE/RL 27 May 2021 -- Iranian security agencies have harassed and abused families of the victims of the Ukrainian passenger jet shot down by the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) after takeoff from Tehran last year, Human Rights Watch said on May 27.
• Pro-Democracy Brother of Myanmar Junta's Deputy Home Affairs Minister Dies in Military Custody Radio Free Asia 27 May 2021 -- The pro-democracy activist brother of a high-ranking official in Myanmar's military junta died under suspicious circumstances while in custody of the junta's security forces this week, their family told RFA.
• ASEAN Lobbying to Remove Arms Embargo Call from UN Resolution on Myanmar Radio Free Asia 27 May 2021 -- ASEAN wants the United Nations to drop a call to suspend arms sales to the Myanmar military, which has killed hundreds of civilians since mounting a coup in February, a European diplomat told BenarNews on Thursday.
• G7 Foreign Ministers' Statement on Belarus US Dept. of State 27 May 2021 -- The text of the following statement was released by the G7 foreign ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States of America and the High Representative of the European Union.
• Belarus: Foreign Secretary welcomes ICAO fact-finding mission into diverted flight UK FCDO 27 May 2021 -- The UK welcomes decision by the International Civil Aviation Organization to open a fact-finding mission into diverted Ryanair flight.
• Swiss Firm Doesn't See 'Credible Evidence' Backing Belarusian Claim On Plane Diversion RFE/RL 27 May 2021 -- E-mail provider Proton Technologies AG says it has not seen "credible evidence" to back up the claim by Belarus that it received an e-mailed bomb threat before diverting a passenger plane to Minsk.
• Belarusian Rights Group Declares Sapega A Political Prisoner RFE/RL 27 May 2021 -- The Belarusian rights group Vyasna has designated Sofia Sapega a political prisoner after a passenger flight she was on from Athens to Vilnius was diverted to Minsk, where she was detained along with her boyfriend, journalist Raman Pratasevich.
• EU Discusses Economic Sanctions On Belarus; G7 Urges Pratasevich's 'Immediate And Unconditional' Release RFE/RL 27 May 2021 -- European Union foreign ministers are discussing possible economic sanctions against Belarus as the Group of Seven (G7) industrialized countries called for journalist Raman Pratasevich's "immediate and unconditional release" amid a wave of international condemnation over Pratasevich's arrest after a flight he was travelling on was diverted to Minsk by Belarusian authorities.
• Amid A Disinformation Cacophony From Minsk, Analysts Say 'Putin Benefits' RFE/RL 27 May 2021 -- When Belarusian strongman Alyaksandr Lukashenka announced in April that he had been the target of a failed assassination plot allegedly backed by the CIA, few outside the country batted an eyelid. That's because the outspoken former collective farm boss who has ruled the ex-Soviet state since 1994 has peddled various outlandish theories since protests erupted over his widely disputed reelection in August.
• Rule of Law in Iraq US Dept. of State 27 May 2021 -- The United States is outraged that peaceful demonstrators who took to the streets to urge reform were met with threats and brutal violence.
• Bashar al-Assad overwhelmingly wins Syria's presidential election Press TV 27 May 2021 -- Syria's President Bashar al-Assad wins the country's presidential election by a landslide, securing 95.1 percent of the popular vote.
• Somalia Leaders Agree to Hold Election Within 60 Days VOA 27 May 2021 -- Political leaders in Somalia agreed Thursday on a framework for long-delayed national elections, hoping to avert a crisis that could push the fragile Horn of Africa country into political violence.
• Somalia's Electoral Agreement US Dept. of State 27 May 2021 -- The United States welcomes the May 27 agreement between Somalia's national and Federal Member State leaders to proceed with parliamentary and presidential elections on the basis of the September 17, 2020, framework.
• Spike in Global Debt During Pandemic Leaves Some Countries on Shaky Ground VOA 27 May 2021 -- In the year since the COVID-19 pandemic threw the global economy into a tailspin, the level of global debt — money owed by governments, businesses and households — has jumped by 12% to $289 trillion. And while some countries appear to have begun the task of reducing overall indebtedness, many governments in countries transitioning to full market economies are finding it difficult to do so.