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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• Stealth jets fight Daesh in first combat missions from HMS Queen Elizabeth UK MOD 22 Jun 2021 -- The UK's Carrier Strike Group has joined the fight against Daesh with F-35 jets carrying out their very first combat missions from HMS Queen Elizabeth.
• Update on withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan June 22, 2021 CENTCOM 22 Jun 2021 -- U.S. Central Command provides the following update on the orderly and responsible withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan, as of 10 a.m. on June 21, 2021.
• As Taliban Extend Territorial Gains, US Suggests Slower Afghan Pullout VOA 22 Jun 2021 -- Fierce fighting continues to rage across Afghanistan, where officials reported Tuesday security forces had reversed some of the recent advances by the Taliban, as U.S. and NATO allies wind up two decades of military presence in the country.
• UN Urges Afghan Parties to Return to Peace Talks VOA 22 Jun 2021 -- The U.N.'s top official in Afghanistan warned Tuesday that time is running out to prevent a "worst-case scenario" and urged the warring parties to abandon violence and make peace.
• Time running out to prevent 'worst case scenario' arising in Afghanistan UN News 22 Jun 2021 -- With all the major indicators for Afghanistan's security and development looking "negative or stagnant" as international troops withdraw, the threats that lie ahead cannot be overstated, the top UN official in the country told the Security Council on Tuesday.
• Intensifying international support for the peace process in Afghanistan UK FCDO 22 Jun 2021 -- Statement by Lord Tariq Ahmad of Wimbledon, Minister of State for the Commonwealth, the United Nations and South Asia at the Security Council briefing on UNAMA
• Taliban Launches Wave Of Offensives, 'Captures' Afghan Border Crossing With Tajikistan RFE/RL Gandhara 22 Jun 2021 -- Taliban militants have conducted multiple of offensives in Afghanistan's north in recent days, overrunning dozens of districts since May 1, when U.S. and NATO troops began their final withdrawal from the war-wracked country and reportedly capturing the main border crossing with Tajikistan.
• Pakistani Support Base Bolsters Taliban As U.S. Exits RFE/RL Gandhara 22 Jun 2021 -- Hafiz Naimatullah had his life ahead of him. Earlier this year he got married, and his conservative family had sent him to an Islamic school in the southwestern Pakistani province of Balochistan to study as a mullah or Muslim cleric.
• UN Says It Remains Concerned By Child Casualties in Afghanistan RFE/RL Gandhara 22 Jun 2021 -- The United Nations says it continues to be concerned by the high number of children killed and maimed by all parties in the Afghan conflict - at least 2,619 last year.

Defense Policy / Programs

• U.S., Republic of Singapore Navies Strengthen Partnership during Pacific Griffin 2021 US Navy 22 Jun 2021 -- U.S. and Republic of Singapore navies join together in Guam for exercise Pacific Griffin 2021, June 21 through July 7, to conduct advanced maritime training.
• Air Force update for COVID-19 US Air Force 22 Jun 2021
• 7th Fleet Destroyer Transits Taiwan Strait US Navy 22 Jun 2021 -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG 54) conducted a routine Taiwan Strait transit June 22 (local time) through international waters in accordance with international law.
• Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III Statement on the Conclusion of Independent Review Commission DoD 22 Jun 2021 -- "Yesterday, I received the final recommendations and complete report of the Independent Review Commission on Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment."
• USS Mustin departs Yokosuka, Celebrates 15 years Forward Deployed US Navy 22 Jun 2021 -- USS Mustin (DDG 89) departed Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan, June 22, following 15 years of service forward-deployed to U.S. 7th Fleet.
• Official Details DOD Efforts to Improve Housing, Climate Resilience, Energy Efficiency DoD News 22 Jun 2021 -- Military installations are a vital aspect of readiness. They afford the Defense Department important power projection capabilities, especially in today's world where the U.S. is no longer a sanctuary, the official performing the duties of the assistant secretary of defense for sustainment said.
• Hicks Announces New Artificial Intelligence Initiative DoD News 22 Jun 2021 -- The integration of artificial intelligence technology is about trust, and a responsible AI ecosystem is the foundation for that trust, Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen H. Hicks said today.
• Milley Meets Israeli Counterpart at Pentagon DoD News 22 Jun 2021 -- Army Gen. Mark A. Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, met with his Israeli counterpart, Lt. Gen. Aviv Kohavi, at the Pentagon to discuss the state of the relationship between the U.S. and Israel and to also discuss Middle Eastern issues.
• PLA amphibious assault ship Hainan stages chopper drill, shows confidence in performance Global Times 22 Jun 2021 -- The Hainan, the first Type 075 amphibious assault ship of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy, recently staged a helicopter aviation drill, and for the first time revealed its interior in a state broadcast report on Tuesday, showing that the warship is rapidly gaining operational capability, and the PLA is confident in its performance, analysts said.
• China's space-tracking ship completes tasks for Tianzhou-2, Shenzhou-12 missions PLA Daily 22 Jun 2021 -- China's Yuanwang-6 space-tracking ship returned to its homeport on Monday after completing its telemetry, tracking and command (TT&C) tasks for the Tianzhou-2 cargo spacecraft and Shenzhou-12 manned spaceship missions.
• Dry dock a national landmark Australia DOD 22 Jun 2021 -- The Captain Cook Graving Dock at Sydney's Garden Island, built during World War II, has been recognised as a National Engineering Landmark by Engineers Australia.
• INDIAN NAVY - US NAVY India PIB 22 Jun 2021 -- Indian Naval Ships Kochi and Teg along with P8I and MiG 29K aircraft are participating in a Passage Exercise with US Navy Carrier Strike Group Ronald Reagan during its transit through Indian Ocean Region on 23 and 24 Jun 2021.
• IAF AND USN IN IOR India PIB 22 Jun 2021 -- As a strategic outreach exercise with the defence forces of friendly foreign countries in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), Indian Air Force will participate in operational engagements with the US Navy in an exercise to be carried out with Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group (CSG) on 23 and 24 Jun 21. The CSG is currently deployed in the IOR.
• MoD signs contract with GSL for construction of two Pollution Control Vessels for Indian Coast Guard India PIB 22 Jun 2021 -- Ministry of Defence signed a contract with Goa Shipyard Ltd (GSL) for construction of two Pollution Control Vessels (PCVs) for Indian Coast Guard (ICG) at a cost of about Rs 583 crore, on June 22, 2021.
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jen Psaki, June 22, 2021 The White House 22 Jun 2021
• Department Press Briefing – June 22, 2021 US Dept. of State 22 Jun 2021

Defense Industry

• Contracts For June 22, 2021

Other Conflicts

• 22 June 2021 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 22 Jun 2021
• Famine knocking at the door of 41 million worldwide, WFP warns UN News 22 Jun 2021 -- Famine is already present in four countries but millions more people are at risk, the World Food Programme (WFP) warned on Tuesday, underscoring the need for urgent funding and humanitarian access to reach those in need.
• Turkey Under Pressure Over Military Presence in Libya VOA 22 Jun 2021 -- Analysts say Turkey is expected to come under pressure to remove its military from Libya when world leaders gather Wednesday at a conference in Berlin. The meeting will include discussions on elections and the withdrawal of foreign forces from the war-torn north African country.
• Blinken Heads to Europe for Libya Conference VOA 22 Jun 2021 -- U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken travels Tuesday to Germany where he will take part in a conference on Libya and discuss with his German counterpart ways to counter Holocaust denial and antisemitism.
• New UN Report Accuses Eritrea of Committing Heinous Crimes in Ethiopia VOA 22 Jun 2021 -- A report submitted to the U.N. Human Rights Council accuses the Eritrean government of involvement in Ethiopia's conflict in the Tigray region and of committing serious human rights violations against Eritreans who have sought asylum in Tigray.

News Reports

• Joint EU-US statement following the EU-US Justice and Home Affairs Ministerial Meeting DHS 22 Jun 2021 -- On 22 June 2021, the Portuguese Presidency of the Council of the European Union hosted the EU-U.S. Ministerial Meeting on Justice and Home Affairs in Lisbon.
• Joint EU-U.S. Statement Following the EU-U.S. Justice and Home Affairs Ministerial Meeting US Dept. of Justice 22 Jun 2021 -- On 22 June 2021, the Portuguese Presidency of the Council of the European Union hosted the EU-U.S. Ministerial Meeting on Justice and Home Affairs in Lisbon.
• Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's statement and answers to media questions at a joint news conference following talks with Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza, Moscow, June 22, 2021 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 22 Jun 2021
• Moscow Court Delays Hearing Navalny's 'Flight-Risk' Case RFE/RL 22 Jun 2021 -- A Moscow district court has postponed until June 25 the hearing of a suit by imprisoned opposition leader Aleksei Navalny asking the court to rescind a decision by prison officials designating him as a "flight risk."
• On 80th Anniversary Of Nazi Invasion Of Soviet Union, Putin Claims He Wants 'Partnership' With Europe RFE/RL 22 Jun 2021 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has marked the 80th anniversary of the Nazi invasion of the U.S.S.R. by hailing the sacrifices made by the Soviets during the war while claiming that European security has been "dramatically degraded" amid "escalating tensions."
• European Court Orders Russia To Pay Almost $2.4 Million To Relatives Of People Missing In Chechnya RFE/RL 22 Jun 2021 -- The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has ordered Russia to pay almost two million euros ($2.4 million) to the relatives of 11 people who went missing in Chechnya in 2005 during a special operation by the Vostok (East) military unit.
• U.S. Ambassador To Russia To Return This Week RFE/RL 22 Jun 2021 -- U.S. Ambassador John Sullivan will return to Moscow "this week," two months after leaving the post amid worsening relations between the United States and Russia, Department of State spokesman Ned Price said on June 21.
• Statement by Sergey Lavrov at the Opening Ceremony of the High-Level Policy Dialogue "ASEM at 25: Strengthening Asia-Europe Partnership in a Transforming World", Moscow, 22 June 2021 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 22 Jun 2021
• Five People, Including Russian National, Charged With Violation Of U.S. Arms Export Control Act RFE/RL 22 Jun 2021 -- The U.S. Justice Department has charged five individuals, including a Russian citizen, with conspiring to illegally export defense articles to Russia in violation of the Arms Export Control Act.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian's Regular Press Conference on June 22, 2021 PRC MofA 22 Jun 2021
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson's Remarks on the Statement by Friendly Countries in Support of China at the 47th Session of the Human Rights Council PRC MofA 22 Jun 2021
• More than 90 countries express support to China amid rampant anti-China campaign at UN human rights body Global Times 22 Jun 2021 -- More than 90 countries expressed their support and understanding to China's stance and 65 of them clearly opposed interference with China's domestic affairs on its Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and Tibet Autonomous Region under the excuse of human rights.
• China opposes UN High Commissioner for Human Rights' remarks on Hong Kong, Xinjiang: Chinese spokesperson People's Daily 22 Jun 2021 -- The remarks made by the United Nations (UN) High Commissioner for Human Rights on Hong Kong and Xinjiang related issues at the Human Rights Council on Monday were "erroneous" and "in disregard of facts," and interfered in China's internal affairs, said the spokesperson of the Chinese Mission to the UN at Geneva.
• US not qualified to blackmail, threaten China on coronavirus origins probe: FM Global Times 22 Jun 2021 -- The US has no right to blackmail or threaten China on the issue of the coronavirus origins probe, a spokesperson of China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in response to the White House's announcement that the US and its allies will "work together" to exercise necessary pressure on China regarding this issue.
• Mistrial of UT associate professor over false spying accusation latest example of US intelligence agencies' political manipulation, shattered credibility: FM Global Times 22 Jun 2021 -- The declared mistrial of Hu Anming, a Chinese national and former associate professor at the University of Tennessee, due to a failed accusation of espionage, has exposed the consistent tactics used by US intelligence agencies in conducting investigations based on presumption of guilt, and it is also another example of their political manipulation, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said on Tuesday.
• Hong Kong Pro-Democracy Paper Shuts Down English-Language News Site Radio Free Asia 22 Jun 2021 -- Hong Kong's pro-democracy Apple Daily newspaper shut down its online English news service on Tuesday, after a national security raid last week that saw five executives arrested for "colluding with a foreign power," and the paper's assets frozen.
• National security law for HK cannot be 'empty shell' and press freedom no 'amulet:' Lam and mainland officials on Apple Daily fate Global Times 22 Jun 2021 -- Chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government Carrie Lam said on Tuesday the national security law for Hong Kong is not an empty shell, and freezing assets is international practice to prevent relevant people from using them to endanger national security.
• Nations, Lawmakers Urge UN Investigation Into Abuses in China's Xinjiang Radio Free Asia 22 Jun 2021 -- An alliance of 40 countries led by Canada called on China on Tuesday to allow the U.N.'s human rights chief access to the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) to look into reported abuses of ethnic Uyghurs, including arbitrary detentions, torture, and forced labor.
• Chinese Authorities Reduce Life Sentence of Uyghur Prisoner Radio Free Asia 22 Jun 2021 -- Chinese authorities in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) have reduced to 19 years the life sentence of a Muslim Uyghur woman imprisoned for her alleged leadership role in deadly 2009 unrest, after she signed a written statement of remorse her supporters say was likely forced, a police officer said.
• Coalition of Countries Calls for Access to Uyghur Internment Camps in Xinjiang Region VOA 22 Jun 2021 -- A coalition of 41 countries is calling for access to internment camps in China's Xinjiang region to check on the situation of an estimated one million Muslim Uyghurs who allegedly are being detained under abusive conditions.
• National political advisors discuss implementing five-year plan People's Daily 22 Jun 2021 -- The Standing Committee of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) on Monday opened its 17th session on implementing the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) and fostering the new development paradigm.
• 'Lie Down' Merchandise Removed From China's Online Stores Radio Free Asia 22 Jun 2021 -- Major online shopping sites in China are removing T-shirts and other products referring to "lying down," a social phenomenon in which young people are increasingly refusing to cooperate with pressures to find a good job, get a mortgage, or marry, among other things.
• Shanghai Police Formally Arrest Maths Lecturer For Fudan Murder Radio Free Asia 22 Jun 2021 -- Authorities in Shanghai have formally arrested an associate math professor at Fudan University on suspicion of murder following a stabbing attack that left his departmental ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) secretary dead.
• U.S. voices support for Taiwan amid Hong Kong office woes CNA 22 Jun 2021 -- The United States will stand by Taiwan as it faces intimidation from China, State Department spokesman Ned Price said Monday, after Taiwanese staffers at the country's representative office in Hong Kong were forced to return home due to visa issues.
• DPP urged to cease all actions disrupting Hong Kong People's Daily 22 Jun 2021 -- A mainland spokesperson on Monday urged the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authority in Taiwan to end the illusion of colluding with external forces to seek "Taiwan independence," and to immediately cease all actions aimed at disrupting Hong Kong under the guise of "assisting Hong Kong."
• DPP's political manipulation over vaccines harms Taiwan people: spokesperson People's Daily 22 Jun 2021 -- A Chinese mainland spokesperson said Monday that Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authority is harming the lives and health of the Taiwan people by conducting its political manipulation over vaccines.
• Kim Yo Jong Releases Press Statement KCNA 22 Jun 2021 -- Kim Yo Jong, vice department director of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, released the following press statement on June 22:
• North Korea Sends Mixed Messages on Possibility of Talks with US VOA 22 Jun 2021 -- North Korea on Tuesday downplayed the possibility of talks with the United States, several days after its leader Kim Jong Un hinted at the possibility of dialogue.
• North Korean Women Say No to Motherhood Due to Economic Difficulties Radio Free Asia 22 Jun 2021 -- North Korean women are becoming more and more reluctant to have children due to poor economic conditions and food insecurity, rejecting government propaganda aimed at increasing the plummeting birthrate, sources in the country told RFA.
• Voters Send A Message To Iran's Leaders After Dismal Turnout For Presidential Election RFE/RL 22 Jun 2021 -- The Iranian leadership has a problem: a record number of voters - more than half of them - turned their back on the presidential election by not taking party in the vote.
• Notices On Iran-Affiliated Sites, Tehran Says They Have Been Seized By U.S. RFE/RL 22 Jun 2021 -- U.S. authorities have seized several Iranian state-linked news website domains, accusing the sites of spreading "disinformation."
• US Seizes Iranian State News Sites VOA 22 Jun 2021 -- The U.S. Justice Department on Tuesday seized nearly three dozen Iran-linked news websites, which it accused of spreading disinformation.
• Deputy Secretary Sherman's Meeting with UN Special Envoy on Myanmar Burgener US Dept. of State 22 Jun 2021
• 4 'Terrorists' Killed in Clash Between Myanmar Soldiers and Anti-Coup Militia, Junta Says VOA 22 Jun 2021 -- Myanmar's ruling junta says fighting between coup protesters and security forces in Mandalay Tuesday left four demonstrators dead.
• At Least Three Dead as Myanmar's Junta Battles Militia in Streets of Mandalay Radio Free Asia 22 Jun 2021 -- Open warfare broke out Tuesday between troops loyal to Myanmar's junta and members of the People's Defense Force (PDF) militia in the country's second largest city of Mandalay, leaving at least three people dead and one injured and prompting calls from foreign embassies for a cessation of violence.
• Belarus Says Western Sanctions Border 'Declaration of Economic War' VOA 22 Jun 2021 -- Belarus perceives planned Western sanctions against the eastern European country as a near declaration of economic war, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement Tuesday.
• Seven Non-EU Countries Align Themselves With Belarus Flight Sanctions RFE/RL 22 Jun 2021 -- The European Union says seven non-aligned European states have agreed to deny permission to any aircraft operated by Belarusian air carriers to land in, take off from, or overfly their territories following Minsk's forced diversion of a passenger flight last month that allowed for the arrest of a dissident journalist.
• Targeted: The Lukashenka Allies And Kin Hit With Western Sanctions RFE/RL 22 Jun 2021 -- By the end of last week, Western countries had hit authoritarian Alyaksandr Lukashenka's ruling apparatus with three rounds of sanctions since he claimed victory in an August 2020 presidential vote that many Belarusians believe was blatantly rigged.
• Prosecutor Seeks Stiff Sentence For Would-Be Belarusian Presidential Candidate RFE/RL 22 Jun 2021 -- The prosecution has asked a Belarusian court to sentence Viktar Babaryka, a former Belarusian banker whose bid to challenge authoritarian ruler Alyaksandr Lukashenka in last year's disputed election was halted by his arrest, to 15 years in prison on corruption charges he says are politically motivated.
• Armenians Urged To Respect Rule Of Law Following Snap Elections RFE/RL 22 Jun 2021 -- Acting Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian has cemented his position with a landslide election victory called to end a political crisis that erupted after ethnic Armenian forces lost a six-week war against Azerbaijan last year and ceded territory in and around the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh.
• Laos in Push to Inspect Dams Before Rainy Season Begins Radio Free Asia 22 Jun 2021 -- Lao authorities have ordered owners of the country's 78 dams to monitor water levels and safety conditions ahead of the start of this year's rainy season, fearing a repeat of past structural collapses and deadly floods, sources in the Southeast Asian country say.
• More Than 100 Activists Urge China to Halt Bangladesh Coal Power Project Radio Free Asia 22 Jun 2021 -- More than 100 activists from 21 countries sent a letter to China's government on Tuesday calling for it to end financing of a coal-fired power plant in Bangladesh, saying Beijing had notified Dhaka in February that it would no longer support highly polluting projects.
• Spain Pardons Catalan Separatist Leaders VOA 22 Jun 2021 -- Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has pardoned nine jailed leaders of the Catalonia region's 2017 move for independence.
• WFP: Catastrophic Hunger Descending on Southern Madagascar VOA 22 Jun 2021 -- The head of the World Food Program said Tuesday that more than a million people in southern Madagascar are "marching toward" starvation, and some 14,000 are already in famine-like conditions.