Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• More than 60 percent of American troops left Iraq: PM Kadhimi Press TV 04 Jun 2021 -- Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi says Baghdad has over the past months managed to expel more than 60 percent of American occupation forces amid unwavering calls for the pullout of foreign troops from the country.
• Afghan Air Strike Hits Civilians As Taliban Ramps Up Attacks RFE/RL Gandhara 04 Jun 2021 -- An Afghan air strike on an abandoned army base captured by the Taliban has killed multiple civilians in southern Helmand as heavy fighting was reported across the war-torn country.
• Taliban Capture 7th Afghan District as Foreign Forces Pull Out VOA 04 Jun 2021 -- The Taliban seized a district in southern Afghanistan Friday without facing any resistance from Afghan government security forces, bringing to seven the number of districts the insurgents have overrun since the United States and its NATO allies began withdrawing their troops from the country a month ago.
• Continued U.S. Support for a Peaceful, Stable Afghanistan Through New Humanitarian Assistance US Dept. of State 04 Jun 2021 -- As part of our commitment to the people of Afghanistan, the United States is providing more than $266 million in new humanitarian assistance, bringing total U.S. humanitarian aid for Afghanistan to nearly $3.9 billion since 2002.
• U.S. Announces $266 Million In New Aid To Afghanistan RFE/RL Gandhara 04 Jun 2021 -- The United States has announced more than $266 million in new humanitarian assistance for Afghanistan as U.S. troops exit the war-torn country.
• China, Afghanistan, Pakistan reach consensus on promoting Afghan peace process, anti-terrorism PLA Daily 04 Jun 2021 -- The 4th China-Afghanistan-Pakistan Foreign Ministers' Dialogue, hosted by Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, was held in Guiyang on Thursday.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby Holds a Press Briefing DoD 04 Jun 2021
• Department of the Air Force announces fourth Vanguard program US Air Force 04 Jun 2021 -- The Department of the Air Force announced June 4 the designation of Rocket Cargo as the fourth Vanguard program as part of its transformational science and technology portfolio identified in the DAF 2030 Science and Technology strategy for the next decade. Additionally, the U.S. Space Force was designated as the lead service for Rocket Cargo Vanguard, marking the service's first such program.
• Corps modernizing Intel system to reduce size, support CMC's vision USMC News 04 Jun 2021 -- Marine Corps Systems Command is in the process of fielding a modernized version of an intelligence system that provides critical information to commanders on the battlefield.
• Memorandum for the Secretary of Defense on 2020 Unified Command Plan The White House 04 Jun 2021
• Navy to Christen Littoral Combat Ship Canberra DoD 04 Jun 2021 -- The Navy will christen its newest Independence-variant littoral combat ship (LCS), the future USS Canberra (LCS 30), during a 12 p.m. CDT ceremony Saturday, June 5 in Mobile, Ala.
• Readout of Under Secretary Colin Kahl's Call With Maldivian Foreign Minister Abdullah Shahid DoD 04 Jun 2021
• DOD Looking for Advanced Command, Control Solution DoD News 04 Jun 2021 -- The Joint All-Domain Command and Control's strategy goal is to link networks and sensors to warfighters with shared data in all domains — cyber, land, sea, air and space — across all of the military services and combatant commands in a secure manner and at great speed.
• At-Sea Demo/Formidable Shield 2021 Concludes US Navy 04 Jun 2021 -- At-Sea Demo/Formidable Shield (ASD/FS), the largest live-fire Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD) exercise in 2021 led by U.S. Sixth Fleet and conducted by Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO (STRIKFORNATO), concluded June 2, 2021.
• SWRMC Supports Delivery of LCAC 75 from Availability US Navy 04 Jun 2021 -- Landing Craft, Air Cushion (LCAC 75) was returned to Assault Craft Unit FIVE at Camp Pendleton on May 25 after delivering 17 days early from a Post Service Life Extension Program (SLEP) Extension (PSE) availability.
• U.S. Pacific Submarine Force Participates in Exercise Agile Dagger 21 US Navy 04 Jun 2021 -- Multiple submarines departed Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam to participate in Exercise Agile Dagger 2021 (AD21), June 3.
• U.S. 2nd Fleet Breaks Communication Barriers, Seeks to Establish a System Agnostic Approach at Sea US Navy 04 Jun 2021 -- Commander, U.S. Second Fleet (C2F) and Joint Force Command Norfolk (JFCNF) communications staff broke barriers between North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) allies and partners and U.S. Naval forces by establishing a system agnostic approach that allowed users to communicate in a common virtual environment during Exercise Steadfast Defender 21 (STDE 21).
• U.S. 7th Fleet Commander visits USS Ronald Reagan at the start of 2021 deployment US Navy 04 Jun 2021 -- Vice Adm. Bill Merz, commander of U.S. 7th Fleet, visited the U.S. Navy's only forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), June 2.
• U.S. 7th Fleet commander visits USS America US Navy 04 Jun 2021 -- Vice Adm. Bill Merz, commander, U.S. 7th Fleet, visited the Navy's only forward-deployed amphibious assault ship, USS America (LHA 6), at sea, June 2.
• USS Ross Conducts Live Fire Missile Exercise US Navy 04 Jun 2021 -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Ross (DDG 71) fired a Standard Missile – 2 (SM-2) at a subsonic sea skimming target during a Live Fire With a Purpose exercise (LFWAP), June 1, 2021, proving the ship is capable of air defense in a maritime environment.
• Press Conference with Admiral Michael M. Gilday and Rear Admiral Torben Mikkelsen US Navy 04 Jun 2021
• US & French Navy Chiefs meet together in France to discuss maritime security and continued engagement US Navy Press Release 04 Jun 2021 -- U.S. Navy Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday met with Chief of the French Navy Adm. Pierre Vandier June 4, in Toulon, France, to discuss ways to advance high-end interoperability between both navies as well their recently released naval strategies (CNO's Navigation Plan and Adm. Vandier's Mercator: Acceleration 2021).
• "NATO 2030: a transatlantic agenda for the future" - Speech by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg previewing the NATO Summit in Brussels at event organised by NATO, The German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP) and The Brookings Institution NATO 04 Jun 2021
• Secretary General previews NATO Summit in keynote speech NATO 04 Jun 2021 -- Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg previewed the 14 June NATO Summit in an online keynote address on Friday (4 June 2021), co-hosted by NATO, the German Council on Foreign Relations, and the Brookings Institution. Describing a world of growing global competition, he explained that "through NATO 2030, we are adapting to a more competitive world," adding that "ambitions must be high, as the challenges to our security are great."
• Russia scrambles fighter jet to intercept US military plane Press TV 04 Jun 2021 -- Russia has reportedly scrambled a MiG-31 fighter jet to chase away a US military plane over the Barents Sea, amid escalating tensions between Moscow and the West over the recent military build-ups along its borders.
• Defence Acquisition Council, headed by Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh, approves RFP for construction of six submarines at approx cost of Rs 43,000 crore; India PIB 04 Jun 2021 -- The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), in its meeting held under the Chairmanship of Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh on June 04, 2021, has approved proposals concerning Capital Acquisitions of various equipment for modernisation and operational needs of the Armed Forces amounting to approx
• Indian Navy's oldest Hydrographic Survey Ship INS Sandhayak Decommissioned India PIB 04 Jun 2021 -- INS Sandhayak, the Indian Navy's oldest Hydrographic Survey Vessel was decommissioned at Naval Dockyard in Visakhapatnam after serving the nation for 40 glorious years on Friday, 04 Jun 21
• Ballarat trains with Japan Australia DOD 04 Jun 2021 -- The crew of HMAS Ballarat has successfully conducted training with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force ship Murasame during the Regional Presence Deployment.
• Growlers put Ballarat in a jam Australia DOD 04 Jun 2021 -- HMAS Ballarat's crew felt the full force of eight United States Navy EA-18G Growler electronic warfare aircraft when they flew overhead during the ship's Regional Presence Deployment last month.
• Exercise hones coordination of joint forces Australia DOD 04 Jun 2021 -- The Australian Defence Force (ADF) and Marine Rotational Force – Darwin (MRF-D) honed their interoperability during a recent Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) activity in the Norther Territory.
• Thunder strikes over Townsville beaches Australia DOD 04 Jun 2021 -- Sappers from the 3rd Combat Engineer Regiment's, 18th Combat Engineer Squadron, stormed Pallarenda beach, Townsville, during Exercise Thunder Strike, achieving their small-boat certification in the process.
• Training manoeuvres with Brunei Navy a success Australia DOD 04 Jun 2021 -- HMAS Parramatta joined Royal Brunei Navy ships Darulehsan and Syafaat for shared training during a recent visit to Brunei.
• Eyes on China as British Aircraft Carrier Group Heads to South Sea for Military Drill VOA 04 Jun 2021 -- A British-led aircraft carrier group voyage that will take the HMS Queen Elizabeth to the disputed South China Sea would push Beijing further into an angry defensive position, analysts believe.
• Explosions Rock Serbian Ammunition Plant; No Injuries Reported RFE/RL 04 Jun 2021 -- Several explosions rocked an ammunition factory in the Serbian town of Cacak early on June 4, but no injuries or deaths were reported and workers were swiftly evacuated.
• Secretary Blinken's Call with Guatemalan Foreign Minister Brolo US Dept. of State 04 Jun 2021
• Secretary Blinken's Call with Omani Foreign Minister Al Busaidi US Dept. of State 04 Jun 2021
• Statement by NSC Spokesperson Emily Horne on National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan's call with National Security Advisor Thanos Dokos of Greece The White House 04 Jun 2021
• Department Press Briefing – June 4, 2021 US Dept. of State 04 Jun 2021

Defense Industry

• Contracts For June 4, 2021

Other Conflicts

• 4 June 2021 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 04 Jun 2021
• UN's World Food Programme cuts assistance to Syrian refugees in Jordan Press TV 04 Jun 2021 -- The United Nations World Food Program (WFP) announces that funding shortages have forced it to cut its food assistance for thousands of Syrian refugees living in Jordan.
• Boat With 81 Rohingya Lands in Indonesia After Months at Sea Radio Free Asia 04 Jun 2021 -- A boat carrying 81 Rohingya from Myanmar was found stranded in Indonesia's Aceh province on Friday after four months at sea and after India and Malaysia had turned it away, officials and state media said.
• Hunting Traditions, 'Spirit of Resistance' Give Myanmar's 'Tumee' Rifle Militias Edge Over Military Radio Free Asia 04 Jun 2021 -- The volunteer militiamen of Myanmar's Chin state have outgunned their better-equipped antagonists in the military in recent weeks of fighting with little more than decades-old rifles and say their hunting traditions and natural "spirit of resistance" will lead them to victory over the junta.
• Hamas warns of 'another round of confrontation' if Israel continues violations Press TV 04 Jun 2021 -- A spokesman for the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas has warned Israel about its daily incursions into the occupied West Bank, saying "another round of confrontation" could take place if Tel Aviv does not end acts of violation against the Palestinian people.
• Tension Along Disputed Segment Of Kyrgyz-Tajik Border Escalates Again RFE/RL 04 Jun 2021 -- Tensions escalated along a disputed segment of the Kyrgyz-Tajik border as Bishkek said on June 4 that Tajik military personnel had placed a container overnight on what Kyrgyz officials called "a disputed area" along the border between the two Central Asian nations.
• Attacks in Eastern DR Congo Kill Dozens, Force 1,000s to Flee VOA 04 Jun 2021 -- The U.N. refugee agency says at least 57 civilians were killed, including seven children, and nearly 6,000 forced to flee, when their displacement sites came under attack in the Democratic Republic of Congo's eastern Ituri province on May 31.

News Reports

• Questions Linger About Jan. 6 Capitol Riot VOA 04 Jun 2021 -- On the last Friday in May, a vote to establish a bipartisan commission to investigate the Jan. 6 assault on the U.S. Capitol fell six votes short. The vote came in the same U.S. Senate chamber that had been overrun by rioters just minutes after then-Vice President Mike Pence was rushed to safety.
• Latvian National Charged for Alleged Role in Transnational Cybercrime Organization US Dept. of Justice 04 Jun 2021 -- A Latvian national was arraigned in federal court in Cleveland, Ohio, today on multiple charges stemming from her alleged role in a transnational cybercrime organization responsible for creating and deploying a computer banking trojan and ransomware suite of malware known as "Trickbot."
• Putin hopes to 'regularize' damaged ties with US at summit with Biden Press TV 04 Jun 2021 -- Less than two weeks prior to his meeting with his American counterpart, Russian President Vladimir Putin says although the US is trying to hold back Russia's development, the Kremlin needs to find ways to "regularize" deeply damaged relations with the administration of President Joe Biden.
• Russia warns against 'inflated expectations' from Putin-Biden meeting Press TV 04 Jun 2021 -- Moscow has warned against any exaggerated expectations from the upcoming meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his US counterpart Joe Biden, stressing that there is a lot of dispute between the two sides over a range of issues.
• The Week In Russia: Two Countries, Two Crackdowns RFE/RL 04 Jun 2021 -- The Kremlin crackdown continued apace as State Duma elections expected at the end of summer draw closer, with the head of a civil society group that dissolved itself in a bid to spare members from possible prosecution being targeted anyway, among others. Meanwhile, Moscow dismissed Western criticism as Alyaksandr Lukashenka pursued his own harrowing clampdown in Belarus.
• Putin announce completion of key section of Nord Stream 2 despite US opposition Press TV 04 Jun 2021 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced the completion of the first line of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline to Germany despite US attempts to prevent the project.
• Putin Says First Line Of Nord Stream 2 Pipeline Complete RFE/RL 04 Jun 2021 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced that laying the pipes for the first of two lines of the prospective Nord Stream 2 pipeline to Germany has now been "successfully completed."
• Moscow Court Upholds Justice Ministry's Decision To Label Meduza A 'Foreign Agent' RFE/RL 04 Jun 2021 -- A court in Moscow has upheld the Justice Ministry's move to designate the Latvia-based independent Meduza news outlet as a "foreign agent" -- a move that requires it to label itself as such and subjects the media outlet to increased government scrutiny and regulation.
• On Navalny's Birthday, Putin Signs Law Effectively Banning His Associates From Running For Office RFE/RL 04 Jun 2021 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed into law a bill that would ban supporters and members of organizations deemed by authorities as "extremist" from being elected to any post -- a move making it virtually impossible for anyone connected to jailed opposition politician Aleksei Navalny from gaining public office.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin's Regular Press Conference on June 4, 2021 PRC MofA 04 Jun 2021
• Biden expands crackdown on Chinese high-tech firms, but lawsuits prepare to challenge Washington: expert Global Times 04 Jun 2021 -- In its latest move, which was not unexpected under the Joe Biden administration's "competition" goal with China, the US government has ramped up its crackdown on China's rising high tech sector by putting more firms on an investment blacklist. While the Biden administration is set to take even more measures to contain China in an escalating rivalry, it won't disrupt China's future advancement into becoming a technology power, experts said.
• Hong Kong Police Thwart Tiananmen Square Vigil as Activist Arrested VOA 04 Jun 2021 -- For the second year in a row, authorities have banned the annual Tiananmen Square vigil in Hong Kong that usually attracts thousands of people in memory of the Chinese government's crackdown in Beijing in 1989.
• Phones Light up in Hong Kong on Tiananmen Massacre Anniversary Radio Free Asia 04 Jun 2021 -- Hundreds of people gathered in Hong Kong near the site of a banned candlelight vigil on Friday, lighting up their phone flashlights as thousands of police turned out to guard the area and prevent anyone from getting through.
• Tiananmen Mothers Mourn Massacre Victims as China Censors Online Tributes Radio Free Asia 04 Jun 2021 -- Relatives of people killed in the 1989 Tiananmen massacre were escorted by state security police on Friday to pay their respects to those who died in the bloody crackdown by the People's Liberation Army (PLA).
• Tiananmen Massacre Vigil Organizer Arrested as Hong Kong Marks Anniversary Radio Free Asia 04 Jun 2021 -- Police in Hong Kong on Friday arrested the head of a rights group that organized candlelight vigils commemorating the 1989 Tiananmen massacre for three decades, for "publicizing" the now-banned event.
• Look in the mirror: China hits back at US after Blinken's remarks on Tiananmen incident Press TV 04 Jun 2021 -- China has hit back at the United States, asking Washington to face up to its own human rights violations after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's remarks on the 1989 Tiananmen Square incident.
• FM's Commissioner Office backs Macao's decision to ban illegal gathering on Friday Global Times 04 Jun 2021 -- The Office of the Commissioner of the Chinese Foreign Ministry in the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) on Thursday expressed support to the SAR's decision of not approving public gatherings on Friday, reiterating the stance against external interference.
• Uyghur Tribunal Hears Grim Accounts of Rape And Torture in China's Xinjiang Radio Free Asia 04 Jun 2021 -- Witnesses and experts provided grim testimony about torture, rape, and other human rights violations in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) at the opening day of a tribunal in London investigating whether China's treatment of its ethnic Uyghurs and other Turkic Muslims constitutes genocide.
• After Beijing OKs 3 Kids, Many Chinese Are Sticking to 1 and Done VOA 04 Jun 2021 -- "Three kids? I don't think it matters if they say I could have 100 kids. For me, one is more than enough," says Mrs. Sun, a 36-year-old officer worker in Beijing. She is having none of China's latest population policy change that allows married couples to have three children. She told VOA Mandarin she didn't want to reveal her full name for fear of government retaliation.
• Biden blocking 59 Chinese firms in amended Trump order will 'lift a rock only to drop it on its own feet': experts Global Times 04 Jun 2021 -- The Biden administration is seeking a more comprehensive and in-depth strategy to compete with China, Chinese experts said, after US President Joe Biden blocks 59 Chinese companies in amended Trump order on Thursday, but warned that such move will "lift a rock only to drop it on its own feet in the end."
• Biden prohibits US investment in 59 Chinese companies allegedly tied to military Press TV 04 Jun 2021 -- US President Joe Biden has expanded restrictions on Americans investing in certain Chinese companies with alleged ties to the country's military.
• Chinese military early warning plane enters Taiwan's ADIZ CNA 04 Jun 2021 -- A Chinese military aircraft entered the southwest corner of Taiwan's air defense identification zone (ADIZ) Friday, the second day in a row such incursions have taken place.
• Iran's Khamenei Calls For Review Of Barred Presidential Candidates RFE/RL 04 Jun 2021 -- Iran's Guardians Council will review its decision to exclude several prominent candidates for this month's presidential election after Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei criticized the electoral vetting body.
• Leader's remark about 'unjust treatment' of some hopefuls prompts vetting body to issue statement Press TV 04 Jun 2021 -- Iran's Constitutional Council says no erroneous information was used in its vetting of presidential hopefuls, rejecting speculation that some of the hopefuls may have been disqualified based on untrue reports.
• Ayatollah Khamenei: Making right choice in election key to solving Iran's issues Press TV 04 Jun 2021 -- Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has called on all Iranians to not only participate in the upcoming presidential election but also encourage others to do so, saying the key to solving the country's problems is "making the right choice" at the ballot box.
• Leader: Revolution of Imam Khomeini is stronger than ever Press TV 04 Jun 2021 -- Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei says Iran is stronger than ever as the country marks the 32nd anniversary of the passing away of its revolutionary founder Imam Khomeini.
• Iran slams unprofessional behaviors regarding Ukrainian plane; says ready to negotiate Press TV 04 Jun 2021 -- A senior Iranian diplomat has blasted the unprofessional behavior of certain countries in dealing with the 2020 Ukrainian plane crash near Tehran, expressing the Islamic Republic's readiness for negotiation and cooperation on the matter.
• ASEAN Foreign Ministers to Meet Chinese Counterpart amid Myanmar Crisis Radio Free Asia 04 Jun 2021 -- Foreign ministers from ASEAN countries and China are set to meet in person next week for the first time in more than a year, amid a political crisis in neighboring Myanmar and as a new administration in Washington looks to deepen American engagement with Southeast Asia.
• Belarus Aircraft Banned From Flying Over EU VOA 04 Jun 2021 -- The European Union announced Friday it is banning all flights from Belarus from flying over EU airspace and denying them access to all EU airports.
• EU To Seal Off Its Skies, Airports To Belarusian Carriers RFE/RL 04 Jun 2021 -- The European Union has strengthened restrictive measures against Belarus by introducing a ban on the overflight of EU airspace and on access to EU airports by Belarusian carriers in response to Minsk's forced diversion of a passenger flight last month and the arrest of a dissent journalist.
• EU bans Belarus airlines from using its airspace from midnight Press TV 04 Jun 2021 -- The European Union (EU) has banned Belarusian airlines from using the bloc's airspace or airports, as part of punitive measures, amid tense relations over the last month's grounding of an intra-EU flight in Minsk.
• Belarus to cut US diplomatic staff, tighten visa procedures over sanctions Press TV 04 Jun 2021 -- The Belarusian foreign ministry has announced plans for the reduction of US diplomatic staff in the country and tightening visa procedures for the Americans after Washington imposed sanctions against a number of companies in Belarus.
• Tearful 'Confession' By Belarusian Journalist Sparks Fresh Outcry Over His Treatment RFE/RL 04 Jun 2021 -- A new video featuring Raman Pratasevich has sparked a fresh outcry, with the opposition and the parents of the Belarusian journalist saying he had been coerced into making the statements and urging the international community to apply further pressure on strongman Alyaksandr Lukashenka.
• Human Rights Groups Urge Ukraine To Fix Shortcomings In Proposed Reform Of Security Service RFE/RL 04 Jun 2021 -- Human Rights Watch (HRW) and more than 20 other groups have encouraged Ukraine's parliament to address shortcomings in a proposed law to reform the country's security service before passing it.
• Hungary Criticized For Blocking EU Statements On China, Middle East RFE/RL 04 Jun 2021 -- A senior German official has rebuked Hungary for blocking European Union statements on Hong Kong and the Middle East, saying the bloc's common foreign and security policy was being undermined by a failure of unanimity.
• Bulgaria Moves To Blacklist Power Broker, Oligarch Under U.S. Sanctions RFE/RL 04 Jun 2021 -- Bulgaria's government is creating a blacklist of individuals and entities associated with three prominent Bulgarians hit by sanctions imposed by the United States for their alleged "extensive roles in corruption."
• The Ortega Regime Should Immediately Release Opposition Leader Cristiana Chamorro US Dept. of State 04 Jun 2021 -- The United States calls on the Nicaraguan government to immediately release opposition leader Cristiana Chamorro and her two colleagues from the recently shuttered Violeta Barrios de Chamorro Foundation for Reconciliation and Democracy.
• UK statement on detention and disqualification of Cristiana Chamorro by Nicaraguan authorities UK FCDO 04 Jun 2021 -- The UK condemns steps taken to prevent Cristiana Chamorro from taking part in Nicaragua's presidential election and calls for free and fair polls in November.