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Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• Taliban Takes Another Key District In Northern Afghanistan RFE/RL Gandhara 11 Jun 2021 -- The Taliban has captured yet another key district in the northern Afghan province of Takhar amid increased violence and stalled peace talks between the militants and the Western-backed government in Kabul that have cast uncertainty over the future of the country once U.S.-led international forces leave by September.
• Turkish troops should leave Afghanistan along with others: Taliban Press TV 11 Jun 2021 -- The Taliban have called for the withdrawal of Turkish troops from Afghanistan, effectively rejecting Ankara's proposal to keep forces in Kabul to guard and run the international airport after all foreign forces leave the war-torn county.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Top US general warns of China's rising military might Press TV 11 Jun 2021 -- Head of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff Army General Mark Milley has warned of China's expanding military capabilities, insisting on the need to adopt measures to ensure competitive advantage of American armed forces.
• Official Says Input From Allies on Nuclear Posture Review to Be Important DoD News 11 Jun 2021 -- China is rapidly becoming more capable and assertive and concerns regarding its nuclear modernization and expansion are increasing. Russia's comprehensive modernization of its nuclear capabilities, over 80% complete, includes the addition of new dual-capable systems that threaten the United States and its allies and partners, the acting assistant secretary of defense for strategy, plans and capabilities said.
• DOD Leaders Share Their Intelligence Threat Assessments DoD News 11 Jun 2021 -- The fiscal year 2022 Defense Department's $715 billion budget request includes $23.3 billion for the military intelligence program and defense intelligence leaders addressed the capabilities and gaps of military intelligence.
• Missile Defense Review Will Address Growing Threats From Iran, North Korea, Others DoD News 11 Jun 2021 -- With nations such as North Korea, Iran, Russia and China all maturing their missile technology, the Defense Department plans to launch a review of its own missile defense policies, strategies and capabilities over the next few months, said the deputy assistant secretary of defense for nuclear and missile defense policy.
• Georgia National Guard sustains fight at African Lion 21 Army News 11 Jun 2021 -- It takes an army to sustain an army.
• Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby Holds a Press Briefing DoD 11 Jun 2021
• Border Barrier Money Returns, Ukraine Aid Package Announced DoD News 11 Jun 2021 -- The Biden administration's cancellation of border barriers returns $2.2 billion to the Defense Department, Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby said today.
• USS Laboon Enters Black Sea in Support of NATO Allies and Partners US Navy 11 Jun 2021 -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Laboon (DDG 58) entered the Black Sea on a routine patrol, June 11, 2021, while conducting multi-domain operations with a U.S. Navy P-8A aircraft from Patrol Squadron VP-40 and NATO Airborne Early Warning and Control Force E-3A Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS).
• USS Philippine Sea Completes Homeport Shift to Norfolk US Navy 11 Jun 2021 -- Continuing the Navy's strategic realignment of ships, USS Philippine Sea (CG 58) arrived here today, making Norfolk its new homeport June 10, 2021.
• 18 Nations Conduct Multi-Lateral Combat Training During STRIKFORNATOS BALTOPS 50 Exercise US Navy 11 Jun 2021 -- Sixteen NATO Allies and two partner nations are operating together June 6th to 11th to conduct Combat Enhancement Training and Force Integration Training (CET-FIT) as part of the 50th Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) exercise. Participating nations will focus on real world safety and interoperability led by Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO (STRIKFORNATO).
• Patrol Squadron 40 Completes NATO Exercise Steadfast Defender US Navy 11 Jun 2021 -- The "Fighting Marlins" of Patrol Squadron (VP) 40 operated two P-8A Poseidon aircraft from Naval Air Station Rota, Spain in the NATO-led Steadfast Defender 2021 Maritime Live Exercise from May 20-31, 2021.
• Commander, U.S. Sixth Fleet Visits Five Destroyers in Rota, Spain US Navy 11 Jun 2021 -- Vice Adm. Gene Black, commander, U.S. Sixth Fleet, visited five Arleigh-Burke guided-missile destroyers assigned to Commander, Task Force (CTF) 65 during a visit to Naval Station (NAVSTA) Rota, Spain, June 8, 2021.
• Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet visits USS Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group US Navy 11 Jun 2021 -- Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, Adm. Samuel Paparo met with Commander, Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 5 Rear Adm. Will Pennington and warfare commanders from CSG-5 aboard the Navy's only forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), June 9.
• USS Curtis Wilbur Conducts Bilateral Operations with HMAS Ballarat US Navy 11 Jun 2021 -- Forces from the U. S. Navy and Royal Australian Navy concluded a week of bilateral operations in the South China Sea, June 11.
• Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin's Call With U.K. Secretary of State for Defence Ben Wallace DoD 11 Jun 2021
• NATO Secretary General: Summit will be pivotal moment NATO 11 Jun 2021 -- Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg previewed the 14 June NATO Summit in an online press conference on Friday (11 June 2021), calling the gathering of 30 world leaders a "pivotal moment for our Alliance and for our collective security".
• UK and Montenegro underline shared commitment to NATO on Carrier Strike Group visit UK MOD 11 Jun 2021 -- Coinciding with the visit of HMS Richmond, sailing from the UK Carrier Strike Group, Lady Goldie held high-level meetings to discuss NATO and regional security.
• NATO Chief: Summit Comes at 'Pivotal Moment' for Alliance VOA 11 Jun 2021 -- NATO Chief Jens Stoltenberg, fresh from a meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden, told reporters Friday he expects next week's summit of NATO leaders in Brussel to be a pivotal moment for the alliance and its collective security.
• Defence Secretary meets with NATO Allies on board HMS Queen Elizabeth as Carrier Strike Group visits Italy UK MOD 11 Jun 2021 -- Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has met with counterparts from Italy and Turkey on board HMS Queen Elizabeth during his first visit to the Carrier Strike Group since its departure from Portsmouth in May.
• Russia kicks off huge naval drills in Pacific amid US plan of largest war games Press TV 11 Jun 2021 -- The Russian Pacific Fleet has begun massive naval maneuvers in the central part of the Pacific Ocean shortly after the US military announced plans to hold it largest war games in a generation in the same region this summer.
• China passes law banning defamation of military personnel PLA Daily 11 Jun 2021 -- China has passed a law banning the defamation of military personnel.
• China Passes New Law Banning 'Defamatory' Speech About Military, Police Radio Free Asia 11 Jun 2021 -- The ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has passed a law banning "defamation" or "insults" to military personnel, following the jailing of a blogger for posting about People's Liberation Army (PLA) soldiers during border clashes with Indian troops.
• Defense Department Announces $150 Million in Assistance for Ukraine DoD 11 Jun 2021 -- The Department of Defense announces a new $150 million package for the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI) that includes training, equipment, and advisory efforts to help Ukraine's forces preserve the country's territorial integrity, secure its borders, and improve interoperability with NATO.
• Pentagon Announces $150 Million In Military Aid For Ukraine RFE/RL 11 Jun 2021 -- The U.S. Defense Department announced on June 11 a new military assistance package for Ukraine.
• US Sending Ukraine Millions in Security Assistance VOA 11 Jun 2021 -- The United States is helping Ukraine bolster its defense capabilities, announcing a $150 million security package less than a week before U.S. President Joe Biden is set to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Geneva.
• Cambodia Denies U.S. Full Access to Naval Base During Embassy Visit Radio Free Asia 11 Jun 2021 -- The U.S. embassy in Cambodia said Friday that its defense attaché was denied complete access during an invited visit to the country's largest naval base, but a Cambodian official told RFA that Phnom Penh had never agreed to a full tour.
• Secretary Blinken's Call with Bulgarian President Radev US Dept. of State 11 Jun 2021
• Secretary Blinken's Call with Argentina Foreign Minister Solá US Dept. of State 11 Jun 2021
• Background Press Call by Senior Administration Officials Previewing the G7 Summit and Economic Deliverables The White House 11 Jun 2021
• Department Press Briefing – June 11, 2021 US Dept. of State 11 Jun 2021

Defense Industry

• Contracts For June 11, 2021

Other Conflicts

• 11 June 2021 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 11 Jun 2021
• Pakistani Tribal Leaders Push Back Against Increased Military Drone Use Along Afghan Border RFE/RL Gandhara 11 Jun 2021 -- Pakistani tribal leaders in a conservative border region are complaining about surveillance drones flown by military and security services, saying they are an unwelcome intrusion and a violation of people's privacy.
• 'In The Convoy With The Buk': An Open-Source Investigator Follows The MH17 Trial RFE/RL 11 Jun 2021 -- On June 7, the trial in absentia of four suspects - three Russians and one Ukrainian - in connection with the downing of a passenger jet over eastern Ukraine in 2014 entered the phase during which judges heard the evidence accumulated by prosecutors.
• Food Aid Not Reaching Tigray, People Dying, UN Says VOA 11 Jun 2021 -- The World Food Program warns the food situation in northern Ethiopia's embattled Tigray region has reached catastrophic proportions and people are beginning to die.
• Ensuring accountability for the most serious of crimes committed in Darfur UK FCDO 11 Jun 2021 -- Statement by Chanaka Wickremasinghe at the Security Council briefing on the ICC - Darfur
• Nearly 30 Junta Troops Killed in Myanmar's Chin State as Rights Czar Calls For End to Violence Radio Free Asia 11 Jun 2021 -- Nearly 30 junta troops were killed Thursday in Myanmar's Chin state as fighting between militia groups and the military escalated in the country's remote regions, prompting the United Nations rights czar to warn of a "human rights catastrophe."
• Tanzania Told to End Forced Deportations of Mozambican Asylum Seekers VOA 11 Jun 2021 -- The U.N. refugee agency is repeating its call to Tanzanian authorities to stop forcibly deporting asylum seekers back to Mozambique, where their lives are in danger.
• Mozambique: Violence continues in Cabo Delgado, as agencies respond to growing needs UN News 11 Jun 2021 -- Civilians continue to flee armed conflict and insecurity in northern Mozambique, more than two months after militants attacked the coastal city of Palma, located in Cabo Delgado province, UN agencies reported on Friday.

News Reports

• US Department of Justice Probes Secret Seizure of House Democrats' Data VOA 11 Jun 2021 -- The U.S. Department of Justice Office of Inspector General says it is beginning a review of the department's use of subpoenas to obtain communication records of U.S. lawmakers and members of the media.
• DHS Releases Plan for Use of Border Barrier Funds DHS 11 Jun 2021 -- Today, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released the agency's plan for funds the previous administration was planning to use for construction of a border wall at the Southwest border of the United States. The plan fulfills a requirement of President Biden's Proclamation ending the diversion of funds for border wall, and outlines steps DHS will take to end wall expansion to the extent permitted by law and address life, safety, and environmental concerns.
• DOD Announces Plan to Restore $2.2 Billion in Funding Previously Used for Border Barrier Construction DoD 11 Jun 2021 -- In accordance with President Biden's direction in Presidential Proclamation 10142 issued on January 20, 2021, the Department of Defense has developed a plan for redirecting funds and repurposing contracts as appropriate and consistent with applicable law.
• Daughter of Notorious Mexican Cartel Leader Sentenced for Criminal Violation of the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act US Dept. of Justice 11 Jun 2021 -- The daughter of the leader of the Mexican drug trafficking organization known as the Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generacion (CJNG), a dual U.S.-Mexican citizen, was sentenced today to 30 months in prison for willfully engaging in financial dealings with Mexican companies that had been identified as specially designated narcotics traffickers by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury (OFAC).
• The Week In Russia: Summit Signals And Election Extremes RFE/RL 11 Jun 2021 -- Ahead of a summit with U.S. President Joe Biden in Geneva, Russian President Vladimir Putin advanced a narrative of blame for the bad state of the relationship. Ahead of elections at home, he turned the screws tighter still, barring anyone associated with groups branded "extremist" from seeking office.
• Navalny Ally Says Jailed Kremlin Critic's Health Condition 'Significantly' Better RFE/RL 11 Jun 2021 -- The director of jailed Russian opposition politician Aleksei Navalny's Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK), which was labeled as "extremist" and banned in Russia this week, says the Kremlin critic is in "significantly better" condition as he recovers from a hunger strike that raised fears he may die.
• China calls on UK to 'abandon colonial nostalgia' after report accuses Beijing of stifling dissent Press TV 11 Jun 2021 -- Chinese officials have called on the UK government to "abandon colonial nostalgia" and cease meddling in Hong Kong's internal affairs following London's allegations over Beijing's alleged use of national security law to stifle dissent and suppress alternative political viewpoints in the city.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin's Regular Press Conference on June 11, 2021 PRC MofA 11 Jun 2021
• Secretary Blinken's Call with Politburo Member Yang US Dept. of State 11 Jun 2021
• China Using Law to Curb Dissent, Political Opposition in Hong Kong: UK Radio Free Asia 11 Jun 2021 -- Hong Kong and Chinese officials are engaging in sweeping curbs on dissent and political opposition, a U.K. government report said this week, as European Union officials joined a chorus of international criticism over a draconian national security law.
• Hong Kong Censors to Screen Movies For 'National Security' Breaches Radio Free Asia 11 Jun 2021 -- The Hong Kong government announced on Friday that all films, especially documentaries, will soon be vetted for breaches of a draconian national security law imposed on the city by the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
• China's top legislature adopts multiple laws as standing committee session concludes PLA Daily 11 Jun 2021 -- The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, adopted multiple laws including those on data security, Hainan free trade port and countering foreign sanctions, as it wrapped up a session on Thursday.
• Some Chinese Provinces Suspend College Mergers After Student Protests VOA 11 Jun 2021 -- Education authorities in China's eastern Jiangsu province have suspended a plan to merge independent colleges with vocational institutes after student protests led to a violent confrontation with the police.
• North Korea Preaches Self-Reliance to Struggling Citizens Radio Free Asia 11 Jun 2021 -- North Korea is forcing citizens to attend ideological education sessions promoting self-reliance as the solution to their economic woes, but the people say the sessions are an unhelpful waste of time, sources in the country told RFA.
• Russia Said Ready To Send Advanced Satellite System To Iran RFE/RL 11 Jun 2021 -- The Washington Post has quoted current and former U.S. and Middle Eastern officials as saying that Russia is preparing to supply Iran with an advanced satellite system that could greatly advance Tehran's surveillance in the region and beyond.
• Outgoing Mossad Chief Hints At Israeli Role In Attacks On Iranian Nuclear Targets RFE/RL 11 Jun 2021 -- The departing head of Israel's Mossad intelligence service has hinted at possible Israeli involvement in recent attacks on Iran's nuclear facilities and on an Iranian scientist, though he stopped short of directly claiming responsibility.
• US must first lift Iran sanctions to return to JCPOA: China Press TV 11 Jun 2021 -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi says the United States should first lift all the sanctions it has imposed on Iran in order to return to the 2015 nuclear deal as negotiations continue in the Austrian capital to revive the agreement, which was abandoned by the US three years after its conclusion.
• UN rights chief warns of 'rights catastrophe' in Myanmar Press TV 11 Jun 2021 -- The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has expressed concern over escalating violence in Myanmar, warning of a deepening humanitarian crisis following the February 1 coup in the country.
• Myanmar Dissident Deaths in Custody, Unapproved Autopsies Prompt Calls For Probe Radio Free Asia 11 Jun 2021 -- Several dissidents who spoke critically of the junta takeover of Myanmar's democratically elected government have died in detention and were given crude autopsies before their bodies were returned to their families, prompting observers to call for a probe into the circumstances surrounding their deaths.
• Myanmar Communities Take Up Arms to Resist Junta VOA 11 Jun 2021 -- Communities across Myanmar are forming armed bands with mostly crude guns and explosives in an increasingly violent resistance to the military junta that toppled the country's democratically elected government more than four months ago, raising fears of a sweeping civil war.
• Spike in Myanmar Violence Could Plunge Country Into 'Human Rights Catastrophe', UN Warns VOA 11 Jun 2021 -- The United Nations high commissioner for human rights said Friday that violence in Myanmar is rising, deepening the crisis that began with the February 1 coup that toppled the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi.
• UN Urges ASEAN to Intensify Diplomacy on Myanmar Radio Free Asia 11 Jun 2021 -- The U.N. human rights chief urged ASEAN on Friday to intensify efforts to stop violence in post-coup Myanmar, days after officials from the regional bloc met with the Burmese junta chief but failed to extract a promise to end bloodshed.
• UN rights chief urges accountability for escalating 'catastrophe' in Myanmar UN News 11 Jun 2021 -- Escalating violence across Myanmar including attacks on civilians must be halted to prevent even greater loss of life and a deepening humanitarian emergency, UN rights chief Michelle Bachelet said on Friday.
• U.K. Foreign Minister Says Belarus Moving Toward 'Pariah Status' RFE/RL 11 Jun 2021 -- British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has warned that Belarus may be slipping "into pariah status" after it recently forced a civilian aircraft to land in Minsk to arrest opposition activist Raman Pratasevich and his girlfriend.
• Belarus Sentences Ex-Presidential Candidate's Staff To Prison For 'Preparing Mass Riots' With Laser Pointers RFE/RL 11 Jun 2021 -- Four members of a Belarusian presidential candidate's team have been sentenced to five years in a maximum-security prison for preparing "mass riots" in the wake of last year's contested election that extended strongman Alyaksandr Lukashenka's rule.
• European Parliament Calls For Harsh Economic Sanctions On 'Criminal' Belarusian Regime RFE/RL 11 Jun 2021 -- The European Parliament has called for sweeping economic sanctions and a raft of other measures against Belarus in response to growing repression and the forced landing of a plane flying between two EU capitals to arrest opposition activist Raman Pratasevich.
• UN elects five new members to serve on the Security Council UN News 11 Jun 2021 -- Albania, Brazil, Gabon, Ghana and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) were elected by the 75th session of the General Assembly on Friday to serve as non-permanent members of the UN Security Council for the 2022-2023 term.
• UN General Assembly Confirms 5 Countries to Security Council VOA 11 Jun 2021 -- The U.N. General Assembly voted Friday to give two-year terms on the powerful 15-nation Security Council to five countries.
• U.S. Entertainer/Businessman and Malaysian National Charged with Back-Channel Lobbying Campaign to Drop 1MDB Investigation and Remove Chinese Dissident from U.S. US Dept. of Justice 11 Jun 2021 -- A federal grand jury in the District of Columbia returned a superseding indictment Thursday charging a U.S. entertainer and businessman and a Malaysian national with orchestrating an unregistered, back-channel campaign beginning in or about 2017 to influence the then-administration of the President of the United States and the Department of Justice both to drop the investigation of Jho Low and others in connection with the international strategic and development company known as 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), and to send a Chinese dissident back to China.
• Independent Judiciary Is Sole Guarantor Of Justice, New EU Prosecutor Tells Bulgarians RFE/RL 11 Jun 2021 -- The European Union's chief prosecutor told Bulgarians weary of corruption that judges' independence is the most important condition for a functioning justice system.
• The Most Popular Man In Tajikistan Comes To Visit RFE/RL 11 Jun 2021 -- The most popular man in Tajikistan has arrived for a three-day visit to that country.
• Elections in Ethiopia US Dept. of State 11 Jun 2021 -- On June 21, many Ethiopians will be able to cast ballots in elections, an important exercise of their civil and political rights.
• Peru's Castillo on brink of victory: 'People have awakened' Press TV 11 Jun 2021 -- Socialist Pedro Castillo is closing in on victory in Peru's presidential election, prompting allegations of fraud by conservative rival Keiko Fujimori and the US.
• Presidential Election in Mongolia US Dept. of State 11 Jun 2021 -- The United States congratulates the people and government of Mongolia for their successful presidential election on June 9, the eighth such election since Mongolia's peaceful democratic revolution in 1990.