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Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• Fate of US Training Mission Uncertain as Afghan Withdrawal Nears End VOA 02 Jun 2021 -- The fate of the international effort to train Afghan national security forces has become increasingly unclear as Pentagon officials point to other priorities with only about three months left until U.S. and NATO forces complete their troop withdrawal from the war-torn country.
• Absence of Afghan Peace Deal Will Fuel Chaos, Terrorism After US Exit, Pakistan Warns VOA 02 Jun 2021 -- Pakistan's prime minister warned Wednesday that if warring parties in Afghanistan fail to reach a peace arrangement, "anarchy" will erupt in the turmoil-hit neighbor after the withdrawal of the United States and allied troops, threatening regional stability.
• At least 10 killed, 12 wounded in bomb attacks in Kabul Press TV 02 Jun 2021 -- Three bomb explosions have rocked the Afghan capital city of Kabul, claiming the lives of at least 10 people and plunging the city into darkness, according to Afghan government officials.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby Holds an Off-Camera Press Briefing DoD 02 Jun 2021
• Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Call With Saudi Minister of Defense His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman DoD 02 Jun 2021
• Nigerien and U.S. forces mark a series of firsts for Humanitarian Aid operations at Airbase 201 AFRICOM 02 Jun 2021 -- Nigerien and U.S. Civil Affairs teams from Airbase 201 partnered to deliver humanitarian aid to the citizens of Beital, Niger, 30 km north of Agadez on May 18, 2021. The donation consisted of 3,000 kilograms of rice, 120 mats, and 120 buckets.
• Total Force Integration proved at Prince Sultan Air Base CENTCOM 02 Jun 2021 -- Rooted in a sea of sand, the U.S. Air Forces Central (AFCENT) mission is, in-part, seamlessly accomplished by both active duty and the Air National Guard—proving the concept of Total Force Integration (TFI).
• Lebanese Armed Forces Remain Top-Notch Security Partner DoD News 02 Jun 2021 -- The exercise Resolute Union 21 closed out May 28 in Lebanon. Over the 11-day multinational and joint exercise, the Lebanese Armed Forces, or LAF — security partners of the U.S. — exhibited top-notch performance, said the deputy director of strategy, plans and policy with U.S. Central Command.
• Official Talks DOD Policy Role in Chinese Pacing Threat, Integrated Deterrence DoD News 02 Jun 2021 -- Colin Kahl, the undersecretary of defense for policy, explained how his office will flesh out Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's wish that "resources must be matched to strategy, strategy matched to policy and policy matched to the will of the American people."
• Combating Climate Change Factors Into Defense Budget Request DoD News 02 Jun 2021 -- Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III has said there is little that the department does that isn't impacted by climate change. The President's Fiscal 2022 Defense Budget Request reflects that reality.
• Poseidon's Watchtower 21 | 3d MLG, NMCB-4 rehearse Naval integration, EABO concepts USMC News 02 Jun 2021 -- Marines and Sailors with 3rd Marine Logistics Group and Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 4 are conducting Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations training on islands around Okinawa, Japan, during exercise Poseidon's Watchtower from June 2-17.
• VP-4 Successfully Employs Harpoon during Joint Missile Defense Exercise US Navy 02 Jun 2021 -- Patrol Squadron FOUR (VP-4) successfully conducted a coordinated missile launch with VP-40 using two Air to Surface Missile (AGM-84D) Harpoons against a target barge off the coast of Norway during exercise At-Sea Demo/Formidable Shield (ASD/FS), May 31, 2021.
• CTF 71 Establishment Enhances Readiness in 7th Fleet US Navy 02 Jun 2021 -- Nearing 50 years as the Navy's largest forward-deployed destroyer squadron (DESRON) and U.S. 7th Fleet's principal surface force, commander, DESRON 15 was established as Commander, Task Force (CTF) 71, Jan. 1, 2021.
• Truman Presented 2020 Battenberg Cup Award, Recognized as Best Ship in the Atlantic Fleet US Navy 02 Jun 2021 -- The crew of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) received the 2020 Battenberg Cup Award in a ceremony aboard the ship, June 1, 2021.
• CNO Visits Denmark to Discuss Maritime Security, Continued Cooperation US Navy Press Release 02 Jun 2021 -- Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday travelled to Denmark to meet with his Navy counterpart as well as other senior Danish leadership to discuss areas for continued mutual cooperation, June 2.
• Secretary General lauds UK's role in NATO, discusses Summit plans with Prime Minister Johnson NATO 02 Jun 2021 -- Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg hailed the UK as a key Ally in talks with Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Wednesday (2 June 2021), focused on preparations for the NATO Summit on 14 June.
• NATO Defence Ministers endorse new policy on preventing and responding to Conflict-Related Sexual Violence (CRSV) NATO 02 Jun 2021 -- At their virtual meeting on 1 June 2021, Defence Ministers have endorsed NATO's new policy on preventing and responding to Conflict-Related Sexual Violence.
• NATO ministers agree on continued support in Afghanistan after military withdrawal People's Daily 02 Jun 2021 -- NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) foreign and defence ministers agreed on Tuesday to continue supporting the Afghan community even after the withdrawal of forces from Kabul, according to the alliance's Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.
• Russia Takes Further Step Toward Exiting Open Skies Treaty RFE/RL 02 Jun 2021 -- The Russian parliament's upper chamber, the Federation Council, has voted to withdraw the country from the Open Skies Treaty allowing surveillance flights over military facilities, following the departure from the accord by the United States late last year.
• Drill by PLA warships in Pacific via Osumi Strait 'indicates far sea capability boost, warning to Japan' Global Times 02 Jun 2021 -- A Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy flotilla reportedly entered the Pacific Ocean for exercises via the Osumi Strait on Monday, a move experts said on Wednesday was normal and an indication of the increasing far sea operational capability of the PLA Navy.
• Iranian Warship Sinks in Gulf of Oman VOA 02 Jun 2021 -- Iranian state media reported Wednesday the largest warship in the country's navy caught fire and sank in the Gulf of Oman.
• Iranian naval vessel IRIS Kharg sinks after blaze in Gulf of Oman Press TV 02 Jun 2021 -- The Iranian Navy's support vessel IRIS Kharg has sunk off the southern port city of Jask, following a blaze on board that could not be extinguished after an hours-long battle.
• Iran's Largest Navy Ship Sinks After Catching Fire; Crew Evacuated RFE/RL 02 Jun 2021 -- The Iranian Navy's largest vessel sank in the Gulf of Oman after catching fire early June 2 under unknown circumstances, but the entire crew was evacuated safely.
• Japan May Deploy Four F-35A Fighter Jets in Ishikawa in 2025, Official Says Sputnik 02 Jun 2021 -- Japan is planning to deploy four fifth-generation fighter jets F-35A at the Komatsu air base in the Ishikawa prefecture in 2025, Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato said.
• Ukraine has alternative for security before joining NATO: president People's Daily 02 Jun 2021 -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that the security guarantees provided by the European Union and the United States could become an alternative to Ukraine's joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), the president's press service reported Tuesday on its official website.
• Russia says NATO plans to transfer modern weapons to Ukraine Press TV 02 Jun 2021 -- As NATO and Russia continue a dispute over Ukraine's eastern region of the Donbass, a Russian military official has said modern weapons will be delivered to Ukraine under the guise of NATO's annual military drill in the strategic Black Sea.
• Visiting U.S. Senators Pledge Continued Support For Ukraine Amid 'Russian Aggression' RFE/RL 02 Jun 2021 -- A U.S. bipartisan congressional delegation visiting Kyiv has encouraged Ukraine to continue reforms to solidify its democracy and expressed solidarity with the country in the face of Russian "aggression."
• Citing Risks, Indonesia Ends Efforts to Salvage Sunken Submarine's Wreckage Radio Free Asia 02 Jun 2021 -- Indonesia has ended a month-long effort to salvage a submarine that sank near Bali in April with 53 sailors on board, as officials said Wednesday that the difficulty and risk involved in bringing the broken vessel to the surface was too great.
• Secretary Blinken's Meeting with Foreign Ministers from Central America and Mexico US Dept. of State 02 Jun 2021
• Secretary Blinken's Meeting with Mexican Foreign Secretary Ebrard US Dept. of State 02 Jun 2021
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jen Psaki, June 2, 2021 The White House 02 Jun 2021
• Department Press Briefing – June 2, 2021 US Dept. of State 02 Jun 2021

Defense Industry

• Contracts For June 2, 2021

Other Conflicts

• 2 June 2021 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 02 Jun 2021
• PLA aircraft training in S.China Sea abide by intl law without entering others' airspace Global Times 02 Jun 2021 -- Chinese Air Force planes did not violate the airspace of other countries when the People's Liberation Army (PLA) reportedly dispatched 16 aircraft comprising strategic transport planes to the South China Sea for routine flight training on Monday.
• South China Sea drama: Malaysia scrambles jets to intercept Chinese aircraft, plans diplomatic protest Press TV 02 Jun 2021 -- The South China Sea has turned into the scene of a fresh drama, with Malaysia complaining that a recent maneuver by Chinese military aircraft near its airspace was an intrusion and a breach of its sovereignty, and China insisting that the routine flight training was completely within international law.
• Malaysia Accuses Chinese Military of Violating its Airspace VOA 02 Jun 2021 -- Malaysia's foreign ministry says it will lodge a formal protest with China over an "intrusion" of 16 Chinese warplanes into its airspace earlier this week.
• Staggering health needs emerge in Gaza, following Israel-Hamas conflict UN News 02 Jun 2021 -- Senior UN health agency officials on Wednesday called for unhindered humanitarian access to the Gaza Strip, citing growing concerns about urgent health needs there.
• Israel claims destroying Syrian army post in occupied Golan Heights Press TV 02 Jun 2021 -- The Israeli military says it has blown up a Syrian army post in the Golan Heights, using ground forces to detonate the site instead of targeting it from the air in order to send a message to Syria and Lebanese resistance group Hezbollah.
• Armenian Defence Ministry Refutes Baku's Accusation of Illegal Border Crossing Sputnik 02 Jun 2021 -- The Armenian Defense Ministry refuted on Wednesday as disinformation Baku's claims about illegal border crossing by the Armenian military.
• Western Sahara independence leader lands in Algiers amid diplomatic row between Morocco, Spain Press TV 02 Jun 2021 -- Brahim Ghali, the leader of the Western Saharan independence movement has arrived in Algeria, amid an escalation of tensions between Morocco and Spain over his reception for medical treatment by the latter.
• Newly Elected Sikyong Open to 'New' Channels of Communication With Beijing on Tibetan Autonomy Radio Free Asia 02 Jun 2021 -- Penpa Tsering, Sikyong of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), said Wednesday that he is willing to forgo traditional channels of communication to revive talks with Beijing over Tibetan autonomy under Chinese rule, days after being sworn in as the head of Tibet's India-based government-in-exile.
• UN Officials Endorse Bangladesh's Program to Move Rohingya to Island Radio Free Asia 02 Jun 2021 -- United Nations officials on Wednesday for the first time endorsed Bangladesh's decision to relocate Rohingya to a remote island, but said economic activities should be created for residents of the "isolated" site in the Bay of Bengal.
• UN chief condemns deadly attacks targeting displaced people in DR Congo UN News 02 Jun 2021 -- UN Secretary-General António Guterres has urged authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to investigate recent deadly attacks by insurgents in the east and bring the perpetrators to account.
• Twitter Deletes Nigerian President's Tweet Invoking Civil War VOA 02 Jun 2021 -- Twitter deleted a post by Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari Wednesday invoking the country's civil war.
• Calling on Russia to immediately cease its aggression against Ukraine and end its occupation of Crimea UK FCDO 02 Jun 2021 -- Joint Statement Following Russia's Informal Arria-formula Meeting on Ukraine

News Reports

• Man Pleads Guilty to Obstruction of an Official Proceeding for Breaching U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 US Dept. of Justice 02 Jun 2021 -- Defendant Illegally Entered U.S. Capitol, Walked in the Senate Chamber, Took a Selfie and Stood with Other Individuals
• Meat Producer JBS Back Online After Cyberattack VOA 02 Jun 2021 -- Meatpacking giant JBS says it has made "significant progress" in resolving a cyberattack that affected its operations in North America and Australia.
• White House: Biden to Discuss Cyberattack on Meat Producer With Russia's Putin VOA 02 Jun 2021 -- U.S. President Joe Biden will discuss with Russian President Vladimir Putin later this month the harboring of cyber attackers like those believed to have targeted meatpacking giant JBS, the White House said Wednesday.
• Rewards for Justice – Reward Offer for Information on Abu Ubaydah Yusuf al-Anabi US Dept. of State 02 Jun 2021 -- The U.S. Department of State's Rewards for Justice program, which is administered by the Diplomatic Security Service, is offering a reward of up to $7 million for information leading to the location or identification of Abu Ubaydah Yusuf al-Anabi, the leader of the terrorist organization al-Qa'ida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM).
• Mali: Military must 'scrupulously' respect human rights and free civilian leaders UN News 02 Jun 2021 -- A UN independent human rights expert said on Wednesday that Mali's new military authorities should "scrupulously respect human rights" and release all leaders detained in last week's coup.
• African Union suspends Mali over coup, says soldiers belong in barracks Press TV 02 Jun 2021 -- Mali's second military coup in nine months has elicited a chorus of condemnation, with the latest stern rebuke coming from the African Union, which has both suspended the country with immediate effect and threatened it with more sanctions.
• UK reiterates condemnation of Mali coup: Minister Duddridge statement UK FCDO 02 Jun 2021 -- UK Minister for Africa, James Duddridge supports regional efforts to encourage a return to democratic, constitutional rule.
• European countries urge explanation on alleged U.S. spying on Merkel, officials People's Daily 02 Jun 2021 -- European countries demanded the United States and Denmark for an explanation as soon as possible on reports that the U.S. intelligence agency had used Danish infrastructure to spy on senior European officials, including German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
• Russian Parliament Passes Bill Barring Navalny Associates from Running in Elections VOA 02 Jun 2021 -- Russia's upper house of parliament, the Federation Council, has approved a bill that would ban supporters and members of organizations designated as "extremist" from being elected to any post -- a move making it virtually impossible for anyone connected to jailed opposition politician Alexey Navalny to gain public office.
• Navalny's Request To Cancel His Status As 'Flight Risk' Rejected RFE/RL 02 Jun 2021 -- A court in Russia's Vladimir region has rejected imprisoned opposition leader Aleksei Navalny's request to annul his designated status as a "flight risk," which subjects him to hourly nighttime checks while he is incarcerated at a penal colony.
• Russian Bill Barring Navalny Associates From Running In Elections Passed RFE/RL 02 Jun 2021 -- Russia's upper house of parliament, the Federation Council, has approved a bill that would ban supporters and members of organizations designated as "extremist" from being elected to any post - a move making it virtually impossible for anyone connected to jailed opposition politician Aleksei Navalny to gain public office.
• 'This Is A Purge': Russian Authorities Dig Up Old Incidents To Sideline Potential Opponents RFE/RL 02 Jun 2021 -- In late April, a court in Arkhangelsk sentenced a former coordinator of opposition leader Aleksei Navalny's local office in the northern city to 2 1/2 years in prison for sharing a music video in 2014 that the Russian government later deemed to be pornographic.
• Pivovarov Calls Situation In Russia A 'Farce' After Court Detains Him For Two Months RFE/RL 02 Jun 2021 -- A court has ordered the detention of the former executive director of Open Russia, a pro-democracy movement, for two months after he was removed from a Warsaw-bound plane in St. Petersburg just before departure.
• Russia's State Duma OKs Controversial Bill Allowing Government To Standardize Indigenous Languages RFE/RL 02 Jun 2021 -- The Russian parliament's lower chamber, the State Duma, has approved in its third and final reading a controversial bill that would allow the government to regulate the basic pillars of minority languages in the country, including indigenous ethnic groups from Siberia and the Far East.
• Austrian Ex-Foreign Minister Kneissl Becomes Rosneft Board Member RFE/RL 02 Jun 2021 -- Russian state oil giant Rosneft has confirmed Austria's former Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl, whose wedding in 2018 was attended by President Vladimir Putin, to its board of directors.
• Berlin Stresses Importance of Preservation of Ukrainian Transit Along With Nord Stream 2 Sputnik 02 Jun 2021 -- The German government considers the preservation of Ukrainian transit along with the operation of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project to be very important, the German Foreign Ministry said, commenting on Moscow's statement about interest in this route of Russian gas deliveries.
• Russian Minister Says 'Easy' to Renounce Gas in Summer Amid EU Calls Against Arctic LNG 2 Sputnik 02 Jun 2021 -- It is easy to give up Russian gas in the summer when there is no need for heating, Russian Energy Minister Nikolai Shulginov told Sputnik on Wednesday, commenting on recent calls in Europe against the Russian-led Arctic LNG 2 gas project.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin's Regular Press Conference on June 2, 2021 PRC MofA 02 Jun 2021
• Hong Kong Officials Shut Down Massacre Museum Ahead of Anniversary Radio Free Asia 02 Jun 2021 -- Authorities in Hong Kong have shut down a museum commemorating the anniversary of the military massacre of civilians in early June 1989 that ended weeks of student-led protests on Tiananmen Square and across China.
• China's three-child policy to improve demographic structure People's Daily 02 Jun 2021 -- China's new birth policy, raising the limit to three children per couple, is expected to maximize the population's role in driving economic and social growth and address the risks of a downward trend in fertility, according to the country's health authority.
• China needs a voice that matches its national strength, international status: Xi Global Times 02 Jun 2021 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping said China needs "to develop a voice in international discourse that matches China's comprehensive national strength and international status," as Chinese top leaders had a group study session on strengthening China's capacity for international communication on Monday, with experts saying China will not keep silent amid a stigmatization and propaganda warfare launched by the US and its allies, and China has the confidence to shape a more "reliable, admirable and respectable image."
• Non-financial institutions to be held accountable Global Times 02 Jun 2021 -- Non-financial institutions including real estate brokerages and traders of precious metals will be held accountable for money-laundering activities, according to a draft proposal for the revision of China's anti-money-laundering law that is seeking public input.
• North Korea's Kim Jong Un Establishes New Deputy Post Amid Speculation Sister is Possible Successor Sputnik 02 Jun 2021 -- Citing an unidentified source, Yonhap News Agency on Tuesday said that Kim Jong Un, the leader of North Korea, established a first secretary post during a Supreme People's Assembly meeting in Pyongyang in January. There has been speculation over who will hold the position, with some sources naming his sister, Kim Yo Jong, as a candidate.
• Deputy FM: Disputes not unresolvable in Vienna talks IRNA 02 Jun 2021 -- Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Abbas Araghchi emphasized on Wednesday that disputes in Vienna talks have reached a point where everyone believes they are not unresolvable.
• Upbeat speculations on revival of JCPOA IRNA 02 Jun 2021 -- Positive and hopeful comments made by the parties involved in the fifth round of the Joint Commission meetings of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) enhance optimism for the revival of the deal before the end of President Hassan Rouhani's term.
• Vienna talks: Iran says all participants agree issues of dispute are resolvable Press TV 02 Jun 2021 -- Iran's top negotiator says there are still sticking points in Vienna talks on the revival of the 2015 nuclear deal between the Islamic Republic and world powers, but all parties agree that the issues of dispute are not irresolvable and could be worked out.
• Russia on Vienna talks: Nothing is agreed until everything is agreed Press TV 02 Jun 2021 -- Russia's representative to the international organizations in Vienna says talks underway in the Austrian capital on a potential revival of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal may need "additional time" to reach a breakthrough, emphasizing that nothing is agreed until everything is agreed.
• Huge Fire Breaks Out At Tehran Refinery RFE/RL 02 Jun 2021 -- A massive fire broke out at a state-owned refinery to the south of Tehran, Iranian state media reported, sending thick plumes of black smoke over the city.
• US, Indonesia to ASEAN: Act Urgently on Myanmar, Talk to All Parties Radio Free Asia 02 Jun 2021 -- ASEAN should speed up diplomatic efforts on Myanmar, top U.S. and Indonesian diplomats said Wednesday amid indications that some officials from the Southeast Asian bloc may travel to the strife-torn country this week.
• ASEAN Ignores Pressure to Censure Myanmar on Human Rights, Analysts Say VOA 02 Jun 2021 -- Southeast Asia's powerful negotiating bloc has ignored pressure to chase Myanmar over violence and suspected human rights problems, ensuring that a negative spotlight does not turn on other members or threaten the group's prized neutrality, analysts believe.
• What Is The Belarusian 'Pressure Chamber' Threat That Drove This Activist To Attempt Suicide? RFE/RL 02 Jun 2021 -- Belarusian activist Stsyapan Latypau, jailed for more than six months on charges he denies, was locked behind bars in a Minsk courtroom on June 1 when he was given the chance to question a character witness who had been called to testify on his behalf.
• Will Lukashenka's 'Outrageous' Conduct Hit Wealth Of Serbian Brothers Once Close To Milosevic? RFE/RL 02 Jun 2021 -- A $3.5 billion residential and commercial real-estate project being developed on the site of a former aerodrome in Minsk is expected to change the face of the Belarusian capital.
• Associates Of Jailed Belarusian Blogger Tsikhanouski Given Prison Terms RFE/RL 02 Jun 2021 -- Three associates of jailed Belarusian blogger Syarhey Tsikhanouski, the husband of opposition leader Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya, have been handed prison terms in the western city of Hrodna as the authorities continue to tighten their clampdown on dissent.
• Belarus Bans Most Citizens From Foreign Travel, Citing COVID-19 RFE/RL 02 Jun 2021 -- Belarus has temporarily banned most of its citizens from crossing the border, citing the COVID-19 pandemic, a move the opposition says is a further step to limit freedoms amid a brutal crackdown on dissent by authoritarian ruler Alyaksandr Lukashenka.
• NATO's Stoltenberg, Britain's Johnson Support Action Against Belarus VOA 02 Jun 2021 -- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson each expressed support Wednesday for a strong response against Belarus for its actions in arresting an opposition journalist.
• Statement from President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. on the Election of Isaac Herzog as the 11th President of the State of Israel The White House 02 Jun 2021
• Two key Netanyahu rivals reach agreement to unseat Israel's longest-sitting PM Press TV 02 Jun 2021 -- Israel's so-called centrist opposition figure Yair Lapid is closer than ever to unseat 12-year prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu after reaching an agreement to form a coalition cabinet.
• Israeli's Lapid Informs President Rivlin He Has Formed a Government, Ousting Netanyahu Sputnik 02 Jun 2021 -- By the terms of the Basic Law on Government, the new Israeli coalition government will have rotating offices, with Yamina chairman Naftali Bennett serving as prime minister for two years and Yesh Atid chairman Yair Lapid as alternate, then they will switch.
• Israeli Politicians Face Deadline to Form Government VOA 02 Jun 2021 -- An ideologically broad group of Israeli political parties trying to unseat longtime Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have until the end of the day Wednesday to seal an agreement to form a coalition government.
• Ahead of Biden meeting, Erdogan warns US could lose 'reliable partner by cornering Turkey' Press TV 02 Jun 2021 -- Almost a fortnight prior to his meeting with US President Joe Biden, Turkey's Recep Tayyip Erdogan has recounted some of the tensions in relations with the US administration and warned Washington that it could "lose a precious friend" by seeking to corner Ankara.
• Erdogan Plans to Discuss With Biden Reasons for Tension in Turkey-US Relations Sputnik 02 Jun 2021 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he plans to discuss at a meeting with US President Joe Biden the reasons for the tension in relations between Ankara and Washington.
• U.S. Sanctions Bulgarian Power Broker, Gambling Tycoon Over Corruption RFE/RL 02 Jun 2021 -- The United States has sanctioned three Bulgarian individuals, including a power broker and a gambling tycoon, and dozens of companies they allegedly own or control for their "extensive roles" in corruption in the Southeast European country.
• Public Designation of Five Bulgarian Public Officials Due to Involvement in Significant Corruption US Dept. of State 02 Jun 2021 -"Today, we are announcing the public designation of former Bulgarian public officials Alexander Manolev, Petar Haralampiev, Krasimir Tomov, and Delyan Slavchev Peevski, as well as current Bulgarian public official Ilko Dimitrov Zhelyazkov, due to their involvement in significant corruption."
• Treasury Sanctions Influential Bulgarian Individuals and Their Expansive Networks for Engaging in Corruption US Treasury 02 Jun 2021 -- Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned three Bulgarian individuals for their extensive roles in corruption in Bulgaria, as well as their networks encompassing 64 entities.
• G7 Ministers' Statement on the UN General Assembly Special Session Against Corruption US Dept. of State 02 Jun 2021 -- The text of the following statement was released by the G7 ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America, and the High Representative of the European Union.
• UN tribunal for Lebanon's Hariri assassination risks closure over funding Press TV 02 Jun 2021 -- A UN-backed tribunal set up by the Security Council in 2009 to prosecute those responsible for the 2005 assassination of Lebanon's former Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri will have to close after July if its acute funding shortage is not resolved.
• Cambodia Opposition Hopeful For Election Bid Following Visit by US Diplomat Radio Free Asia 02 Jun 2021 -- Washington reiterated its support of Kem Sokha as Cambodia's opposition leader during a visit by a top-ranking diplomat to Phnom Penh, his lawyer said Wednesday, expressing hope that Phnom Penh will pursue a politically "softer stance" that could see his banned party join upcoming elections.