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Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• Pentagon Suggests Iran-backed Group Responsible for Rocket Attack in Syria VOA 29 Jun 2021 -- The Pentagon is suggesting that Monday's rocket attack against U.S. forces in Syria was launched by Iranian-backed militia forces.
• US House Repeals 1991 Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Sputnik 29 Jun 2021 -- The US House of Representatives on Tuesday passed two bills to repeal the authorities it gave to the US president to launch, without first gaining congressional approval, the 1991 war against Iraq and to fight communism in the Middle East.
• Update on withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan June 28, 2021 CENTCOM 29 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 28, 2021.
• Taliban Gains Worry Top US General in Afghanistan VOA 29 Jun 2021 -- The commander of American troops in Afghanistan said Tuesday he was deeply concerned about the deteriorating security situation in the country, as U.S. and NATO militaries plan to fully withdraw by September 11.
• 'Not Good': U.S. General Warns Taliban Over Offensive Operations In Afghanistan RFE/RL Gandhara 29 Jun 2021 -- The top U.S. and NATO commander in Afghanistan has not ruled out conducting air strikes against the Taliban if the insurgents press on with their campaign to seize territory across the war-torn country.
• Afghanistan May Collapse in Civil War After Troop Withdrawal, Top US General Says Sputnik 29 Jun 2021 -- Afghanistan may collapse into civil war after the full US military withdrawal is completed, commanding General Austin Miller said on Tuesday.
• Germany Removes All Troops From Afghanistan, Ends Near 20-Year Military Stay Sputnik 29 Jun 2021 -- Ahead of the confirmation, German officials had mostly kept mum on details stemming from the troop removal process, with Defense Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer previously telling reporters that withdrawal procedures were being conducted in an orderly manner.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Air Force update for COVID-19 US Air Force 29 Jun 2021
• UOTT pushes boundaries of F-35 operational testing US Air Force 29 Jun 2021 -- A team of engineers, analysts, and pilots are pushing the boundaries of F-35 combat aircraft operational testing. The United States Operational Test Team is partnered with Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center Detachment 6.
• USS Theodore Roosevelt to Change Homeport for Planned Maintenance, Upgrades US Navy 29 Jun 2021 -- The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) will depart San Diego July 16 in order to change its homeport to Bremerton, Washington and conduct a docking planned incremental availability (DPIA) at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard (PSNS).
• GE parts reclamation program saves time, money for FRCE engine lines US Navy 29 Jun 2021 -- FRCE has recently engaged in a parts reclamation program offered by GE Aviation, the manufacturer of the T64 and F404 engines that power the H-53 and F/A-18 aircraft, respectively. Under this program, the company will take worn components back to its plant in lots of 35,000 pounds to be demilitarized and recycled. As an added bonus, Naval Air Systems Command receives a credit for the amount of materials, which can be used toward other T64 or F404 components.
• US Coast Guard Considering Arctic 'FONOPS' to Counter Russian Presence at North Pole Sputnik 29 Jun 2021 -- The US needs to expand its operations in the Arctic to counter Russia's presence there, the head of the US Coast Guard said on Monday. That could include "freedom of navigation operations" (FONOPS) like the US uses to challenge maritime claims of other nations of which it does not approve.
• NATO's Largest-Ever 'Sea Breeze' Naval Drills Begin in Black Sea Amid HMS Defender Fracas Sputnik 29 Jun 2021 -- The US and its allies have begun using "freedom of navigation operations" to provoke incidents at sea with Russia, China, and other nations by deliberately sailing their warships through those nations' claimed territorial waters. The US claims to be enforcing the UN Convention on the Laws of the Sea, but it's never ratified the document itself.
• Russian Jets Flew by Dutch Ship at Safe Distance in Black Sea to Prevent Border Violation - Video Sputnik 29 Jun 2021 -- The incident apparently happened the day after a Russian warship and fighter jet were forced to fire warning shots in order to drive the Royal Navy's HMS Defender from Russia's territorial waters near the Crimean Peninsula after the British vessel ignored calls to leave.
• Russia Tests Air-Defense Systems In Occupied Crimea Amid Multinational Black Sea Drills RFE/RL 29 Jun 2021 -- Russia has tested its air-defense systems in occupied Crimea as multinational military drills co-hosted by Ukraine and the United States were under way in the Black Sea.
• Russia's Avangard & Kinzhal Hypersonic Missiles Put On Combat Alert, S-500 About to Wrap Up Trials Sputnik 29 Jun 2021 -- Russia's cutting-edge Avangard and Kinzhal hypersonic weapons have been put on combat alert, while other state-of-the-art arms, including the new-generation S-500 Prometheus surface-to-air missile system, are completing trials, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated on Monday.
• Russia Checking S-400 Systems in Crimea Amid NATO's Sea Breeze Drills Sputnik 29 Jun 2021 -- Russia has carried out target detection training to test the readiness of its S-400 air defence systems deployed in Crimea against the backdrop of NATO's Sea Breeze drills in the Black Sea, spokesman for the Black Sea Fleet Capt. 2nd Rank Alexei Rulyov said on Tuesday.
• Chinese navy fleet returns from escort missions PLA Daily 29 Jun 2021 -- A Chinese naval fleet on Tuesday returned to a military port in Zhanjiang, south China's Guangdong Province, after concluding escort missions in the Gulf of Aden and the waters off Somalia.
• Serbia Shows Off Its Weaponry To A Weary Balkan Public (And A Wary Europe) RFE/RL 29 Jun 2021 -- By land and by air. From the Peshterska Plateau in the southwest to a historic Serbian capital farther north. With tanks, heavy weapons, and drones to go along with around 2,300 troops. Serbia's army and air force this month put on a display of military might and diplomatic clout in two weeks of exercises, dubbed Lightning Strike, that marked the seventh such tactical drills so far this year.
• Remarks by President Biden Before Marine One Departure The White House 29 Jun 2021
• Press Gaggle by Press Secretary Jen Psaki En Route La Crosse, WI The White House 29 Jun 2021
• Department Press Briefing – June 29, 2021 US Dept. of State 29 Jun 2021

Defense Industry

• Contracts For June 29, 2021

Other Conflicts

• 29 June 2021 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 29 Jun 2021
• 'Highest standards of conduct' required for successful UN peacekeeping UN News 29 Jun 2021 -- Successful peacekeeping requires the "highest standards of conduct" by civilian and uniformed peacekeepers, the UN chief told a High-Level Meeting this week on Strengthening the Conduct of Peacekeeping Personnel.
• U.S. Support for the People of Syria US Dept. of State 29 Jun 2021
• UK Minister visits Syria border to push for continued humanitarian access UK FCDO 29 Jun 2021 -- Minister for the European Neighbourhood, Wendy Morton, visited the Bab al-Hawa border crossing between Turkey and northern Syria and reiterated the UK's call for the essential aid corridor to remain open.
• UN Report Says Russia Carries Out Abuses In Central African Republic RFE/RL 29 Jun 2021 -- Russian military instructors and Central African Republic (CAR) forces they are supporting have carried out indiscriminate killings, used excessive force against civilians, and looted in the war-torn country, according to a UN report.
• India Expresses Concern Over Use of Drones by Terrorist Groups After Attack on IAF Base Sputnik 29 Jun 2021 -- India has said that internet and social media platforms have turned into an "indispensable toolkit" for global terrorist networks, as it urged all UN member states to come together to combat the scourge of terrorism being propagated through the use of emerging technologies. The remarks were made at a UN-sponsored counter-terrorism summit.
• Kyrgyz President Calls April Deadly Border Clashes 'Heavy Test' RFE/RL 29 Jun 2021 -- Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov has called deadly clashes along a disputed segment of the Kyrgyz-Tajik border "a heavy test for both nations."
• Pakistani Terrorist, Top Lashkar-e-Taiba Commander Gunned Down in Kashmir Encounter Sputnik 29 Jun 2021 -- The killing of the two terror suspects in the volatile Kashmir region comes against the backdrop of the first-ever drone attack on an Indian Air Force (IAF) base in the region, close to the Pakistani border. Several other drones have since been spotted in Jammu and Kashmir's airspace, prompting Indian intelligence agencies to be on high alert.
• World Awaits Clarity on Tigray Cease-fire VOA 29 Jun 2021 -- A day after the Ethiopian federal government abruptly suspended nearly eight months of military operations against rebels in its Tigray region, communications with the country's northern region remained sketchy at best, and humanitarians were hopeful the truce would hold so aid could reach the hundreds of thousands of people struggling in famine-like conditions.
• Unilateral Ethiopia Cease-fire Takes Effect in Tigray VOA 29 Jun 2021 -- Rebels in Ethiopia's embattled Tigray region warned Tuesday their troops would seek to destroy the capabilities of Ethiopian and Eritrean forces, despite the Ethiopian government's declaration of a unilateral cease-fire in the region.
• Hospitals barely functioning, famine still looming in Ethiopia's Tigray region UN News 29 Jun 2021 -- UN humanitarians expressed concern on Tuesday at the uncertain situation in Ethiopia's conflict-ravaged Tigray region despite a ceasefire call from the Government, highlighting the ongoing famine-like conditions there and the potential for disease outbreaks.
• Malian authorities urged to 'break the cycle of impunity' for human rights violations UN News 29 Jun 2021 -- Rampant impunity for human rights violations in Mali is posing serious risks for the protection of civilians in the West African country, UN rights chief Michelle Bachelet said on Tuesday.
• Experts Concerned as Boko Haram Terrorists Pledge Support to Islamic State VOA 29 Jun 2021 -- A 13-minute-long video shows fighters from both factions chanting in solidarity. Soon afterward, the Boko Haram fighters pledge their support for the newly appointed Islamic State West African Province (ISWAP) commander, known as "Khalifa Muslimai," meaning, "The leader of all Muslims."

News Reports

• US Capitol Riot Arrests Mount While Some Defendants Plead Out VOA 29 Jun 2021 -- Sandy Weyer is the latest Trump supporter to be arrested in connection with the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.
• Terrorism Spreading 'Unabated' Across Africa, Warns US Commander VOA 29 Jun 2021 -- The United States and its Western allies are being forced to confront a grim reality in Africa where years of work to blunt the spread of terrorism, whether inspired by al-Qaida, the Islamic State or local groups, has fallen short, and could soon be eclipsed by the need to focus on adversaries like China and Russia.
• Putin Signs Law Criminalizing Links To 'Undesirable' Organizations RFE/RL 29 Jun 2021 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed into law a bill that criminalizes participation in the activities of foreign nongovernmental organizations recognized as "undesirable" in Russia.
• Russia Adds Navalny Associate Zhdanov To International Wanted List RFE/RL 29 Jun 2021 -- Russia has placed Ivan Zhdanov, the director of jailed Russian opposition politician Aleksei Navalny's Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK), on an international wanted list and shared the details of his case with Interpol.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin's Regular Press Conference on June 29, 2021 PRC MofA 29 Jun 2021
• China urges US lawmakers to stop political manipulation on China-related issues; biggest enemy itself: FM Global Times 29 Jun 2021 -- How the US seeks to develop and enhance its competitiveness is its own business, and the US should not see China as an imaginary enemy, Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday, urging lawmakers in the US to abandon the Cold-War mentality and zero-sum game mindset, and stop political manipulation on China-related issues.
• Xi, Putin announce extension of friendship treaty ahead of CPC centenary Global Times 29 Jun 2021 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin jointly announced the extension of the China-Russia Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation on Monday, three days ahead of the centennial of the Communist Party of China (CPC), while Putin congratulated Xi on the CPC's centenary and expressed hopes for enhanced China-Russia inter-party exchanges.
• Xi says China, Russia will firmly move ties forward People's Daily 29 Jun 2021 -- Under the guidance of the China-Russia Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation, the two countries will continue to make concerted efforts and firmly move forward despite difficulties and obstacles ahead, Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Monday.
• Xi calls on Party to advance toward second centenary goal People's Daily 29 Jun 2021 -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, on Tuesday called on CPC members and officials to boldly advance toward the second centenary goal of fully building a modern socialist country, as well as the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation.
• Xi says CPC writes splendid chapter in history People's Daily 29 Jun 2021 -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, on Tuesday said the CPC has written a splendid chapter in the history of the Chinese nation's development and that of humanity's progress over the past century.
• Voices From The CCP's Past Lauded Democratic Politics, Free Speech Radio Free Asia 29 Jun 2021 -- The Chinese Communist Party (CCP), which came to power with the proclamation of the People's Republic of China by Mao Zedong in 1949, and which marks its centenary on July 1, spent much of its early life talking about democracy.
• Hong Kong Journalists Expect More Media Arrests, Say Freedom 'in Free Fall' Radio Free Asia 29 Jun 2021 -- Journalists in Hong Kong are warning that more and more people working for media organizations are likely to be targeted for arrest under a draconian national security law imposed by China one year ago.
• Hong Kong Democracy Activist Still Pushing for Change VOA 29 Jun 2021 -- For decades, Hong Kong was the only city in China where residents were allowed to publicly mark the anniversary of the bloody June 4, 1989, crackdown on pro-democracy protesters in Tiananmen Square. Each year, one group, the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China, organized several memorials for June 4, including the annual candlelight vigil at Victoria Park, which drew tens of thousands of people.
• China to launch fishing moratorium on high seas People's Daily 29 Jun 2021 -- China will officially launch its voluntary fishing moratorium on the high seas from July this year to preserve squid resources in open waters, said the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Monday.
• China to carry out fishing moratorium on high seas to conserve squid resources Global Times 29 Jun 2021 -- China's fishery authority will carry out fishing moratoriums on some part of high seas to conserve squid resources, starting on Thursday. Experts said that the three-month moratorium will be conducive to the sustainable development of fishing on the high seas.
• Acting head of Taiwan office in Macao forced home CNA 29 Jun 2021 -- The acting head of Taiwan's representative office in Macau has been forced to return home after the Macao government refused to grant him a visa extension, the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) said Monday.
• North Korea Launches Investigation to Stop Gossip about Kim Jong Un's Health Radio Free Asia 29 Jun 2021 -- North Korea has launched an investigation into gossip about the health of the country's leader Kim Jong Un, after he appeared on state media looking thinner after a lengthy absence, sources in the country told RFA.
• Biden Vows Iran Will Not Get Nuclear Weapons In Meeting With Israeli President RFE/RL 29 Jun 2021 -- U.S. President Joe Biden assured Israel on June 28 that Iran will never acquire a nuclear weapon, as he met with outgoing Israeli President Reuven Rivlin at the White House.
• Iran not to give up its rights in nuclear negotiations: Gov't spokesman IRNA 29 Jun 2021 -- Iran's government spokesman Ali Rabiei said on Tuesday that the Iranian government will not give up the rights of the nation for the sake of nuclear negotiations to be concluded soon.
• Iran considering need, possibility of extending agreement with IAEA: Government spokesman ISNA 29 Jun 2021 -- Iran's government spokesman Ali Rabiei announced that the country is considering the need and possibility of extending the agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and all the option are on the table.
• 'Tired, Desperate, And Hungry': Energy-Sector Strikes Put Pressure On Iranian Regime RFE/RL 29 Jun 2021 -- "Tired, desperate and hungry" is how an Iranian contract oil worker described himself and his colleagues who in recent days went on strike to demand higher wages and better working conditions.
• Myanmar Court Dismisses Objection to 'Evidence' in Aung San Suu Kyi Incitement Trial Radio Free Asia 29 Jun 2021 -- A court in Myanmar on Tuesday dismissed an objection by former State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi to documents presented by military prosecutors as evidence in her trial on "incitement" charges, although her defense team vowed to fight the decision in an appeal.
• Ousted Myanmar Leader Suu Kyi Will Return to Court Next Week VOA 29 Jun 2021 -- Ousted Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi will return to court next week after two hearings on criminal charges brought against her by the military junta.
• U.S. Bans Air Travel Between Belarus Over Ryanair Flight Incident RFE/RL 29 Jun 2021 -- The United States banned the sale of plane tickets to and from Belarus in its latest response to the forced diversion of a passenger flight to Minsk last month that led to the arrest of a dissident journalist and his girlfriend.
• Czechs To Set Up Representative Office For Belarusian Opposition RFE/RL 29 Jun 2021 -- The Czech Republic has agreed to establish an official office in Prague for the Belarusian opposition as it battles a brutal crackdown at home under the direction of authoritarian leader Alyaksandr Lukashenka.
• The Opening of the Israeli Embassy in the United Arab Emirates US Dept. of State 29 Jun 2021
• Balochistan Court Claims Right to Name Commission To Probe Politician's Death RFE/RL Gandhara 29 Jun 2021 -- The top court in Pakistan's southwestern province of Balochistan has said it, not the provincial government, should nominate the members of a proposed judicial commission to investigate the recent death of opposition politician Usman Khan Kakar.
• South Africa's ANC Urges 'Calm' From Members After Ex-President Zuma Sentenced to Jail Sputnik 29 Jun 2021 -- Jacob Zuma has already spent time in prison under the apartheid system from 1963 to 1973 for conspiring to overthrow the government as a member of the ANC's armed wing uMkhonto we Size ANC members and his family have vowed to fight any attempt to jail him again.
• Ex-South African President Zuma Sentenced to 15 Months in Jail VOA 29 Jun 2021 -- Former South African President Jacob Zuma has been ordered to spend 15 months in jail after failing to appear before an inquiry looking into the numerous corruption scandals during his presidency.
• Rights Groups Slam Turkey's Increasing Use of Renditions VOA 29 Jun 2021 -- International human rights groups are voicing growing concern over Turkey's increasing practice of abducting people from abroad who are accused of terrorism offenses.
• Pandemic Plunges Turkey Refugees into Debt Crisis VOA 29 Jun 2021 -- The coronavirus pandemic has forced millions of Syrian refugees living in Turkey deeper into poverty, with many having to take on large debts to survive, according to research by the Turkish Red Crescent and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.
• Ukrainian Lawmakers OK Bills On Reforms Requested By Western Donors RFE/RL 29 Jun 2021 -- Ukraine's parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, has approved several draft laws aimed at reforming the judiciary and curbing corruption as Kyiv seeks to secure more loans from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) under a $5 billion financing program approved last year.