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News Reports

Current Operations

• Afghan War Causes Record Bloodshed Amid US Troop Exit VOA 01 Jul 2021 -- The simmering war in Afghanistan, if official accounts are to be accepted, has killed more people last month than in any other month since 2001, when the United States and NATO troops invaded the country.
• US Vows to Speed Up Visa Processing for Afghans who Helped Americans VOA 01 Jul 2021 -- The United States on Wednesday reaffirmed ongoing support to relocate tens of thousands of Afghans who helped American forces during the nearly two-decade war in Afghanistan.
• Pakistan Intel Chief Gives 8-Hour Briefing on Afghanistan VOA 01 Jul 2021 -- Senior Pakistani military and intelligence officials told members of Parliament during a closed, eight-hour briefing Thursday that they are losing influence over the Taliban and building up border defenses for fear of increased violence in neighboring Afghanistan once the U.S. withdrawal is complete.
• As U.S. Pledges Continued Support, Afghanistan's Future Is Still On The Line RFE/RL Gandhara 01 Jul 2021 -- Last week, the United States reiterated its "enduring partnership" with Afghanistan during a visit of Afghan leaders to Washington. It pledged continued security and humanitarian assistance to Kabul as Afghanistan faces a rising tide of Taliban violence amid the withdrawal of international forces and stalled peace talks with the hard-line Islamist group.
• Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Call With Minister of Defense of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Bismillah Khan Mohammadi DoD 01 Jul 2021

Defense Policy / Programs

• Readout of Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Dr. Colin Kahl Meeting With Lithuanian Vice Minister of National Defence Margiris Abukevicius DoD 01 Jul 2021
• 82nd Airborne Soldiers airdrop test new Infantry Squad Vehicle at Ft. Bragg Army News 01 Jul 2021 -- Infantry Soldiers here are testing the new Infantry Squad Vehicle to see if it allows rapid battlefield movement without having to wait on a ride or moving by foot.
• Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Meeting With the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan Abdulaziz Kamilov DoD 01 Jul 2021
• Leaders Committed to Transparency With African Partners DoD News 01 Jul 2021 -- China, Russia and the United States are all on the African continent, each with their own interests. But while the commander of U.S. Africa Command said the U.S. would not ask African nations to choose between the U.S. and other countries as a partner, he did say they should pay close attention to what partnering will actually mean.
• Changing the fight: Marine Corps fields new rocket system to infantry Marines USMC News 01 Jul 2021 -- Marines have begun receiving a new, explosive rocket launcher that provides additional protection and lethality in urban environments.
• NATO marks 60th anniversary of European air patrols NATO 01 Jul 2021 -- NATO on Thursday, July 1, marked the 60th anniversary of the Alliance's work to keep European skies and territories secure. Since July 1, 1961, Allies have been working together and integrating their Air Defence arrangements and assets to provide coordinated, interlinked and collective Air Defence. This NATO enduring mission continues unabated today and will evolve to meet future security challenges.
• NATO Secretary General reaffirms NATO's commitment to its KFOR mission and to stability in the Western Balkans NATO 01 Jul 2021 -- Today (01 July 2021), NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg travelled to the NATO-led Kosovo Force (KFOR), where he met with the KFOR Commander (Major General Franco Federici), personnel from 27 troop contributing nations (including NATO Allies and partners), and the Director of the NATO Advisory and Liaison Team (Brigadier General Jörg RÜTER).
• NATO's Stoltenberg Tells Kosovo That KFOR Mission Is There To Stay RFE/RL 01 Jul 2021 -- During a visit to Kosovo, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said the alliance-led peacekeeping force will remain in the country to secure "peace and stability" in the Western Balkans, and urged local leaders to work toward normalizing relations with neighboring Serbia.
• Russian Fleet Monitoring Italian Frigate That Entered Black Sea Sputnik 01 Jul 2021 -- This comes as the Russian Navy has carried out a live fire training exercise in the Black Sea following the Sea Breeze drills, led by Ukraine and the United States.
• US Sees China's Accelerated Buildup of Nuclear Arms as 'Concerning' - State Dept. Sputnik 01 Jul 2021 -- The United States is concerned about China's accelerated buildup of its nuclear arsenal, US State Department spokesperson Ned Price said on Thursday.
• China Constructing Over 100 New Ballistic Missile Silos – Reports Sputnik 01 Jul 2021 -- China has begun constructing over 100 new ballistic missile silos near the city of Yumen in the province of Gansu, US media reported.
• New large military chopper debuts at CPC centenary event with CPC flag Global Times 01 Jul 2021 -- A new type of large military transport helicopter, dubbed by military observers as the Z-8L, made its debut by hanging a flag of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and leading the aerial performance during CPC centenary celebrations on Thursday.
• JEF defence ministers set direction for cooperation on northern European security UK MOD 01 Jul 2021 -- Defence Minister James Heappey and fellow Ministers from the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) member nations have signed a new Policy Direction for the multinational force.
• £3.5-million investment for smarter missile systems UK MOD 01 Jul 2021 -- The Defence Science Technology Laboratory (Dstl) has been awarded £3.5 million to develop innovative new missile systems.
• Kuwait - Heavy Tactical Vehicles DSCA 01 Jul 2021 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Kuwait of Heavy Tactical Vehicles with support and related equipment for an estimated cost of $445 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.
• Burkina Faso's President Sacks Defense Minister VOA 01 Jul 2021 -- Burkina Faso's President Roch Kabore has dismissed the country's defense minister in the wake of widespread protests Saturday against insecurity.
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken And Tajikistan Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Muhriddin Before Their Meeting US Dept. of State 01 Jul 2021
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken And Uzbek Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Kamilov Before Their Meeting US Dept. of State 01 Jul 2021
• Secretary Blinken's Meeting with Uzbekistan Foreign Minister Kamilov US Dept. of State 01 Jul 2021
• Secretary Blinken's Meeting with Tajikistan Foreign Minister Muhriddin US Dept. of State 01 Jul 2021
• Secretary Blinken's Call with Chilean Foreign Minister Allamand US Dept. of State 01 Jul 2021
• Statement by NSC Spokesperson Emily Horne on National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan's Call with Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh of Vietnam The White House 01 Jul 2021
• Press Gaggle by Principal Deputy Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre En Route Miami, FL The White House 01 Jul 2021
• Department Press Briefing – July 1, 2021 US Dept. of State 01 Jul 2021

Defense Industry

• Contracts For July 1, 2021

Other Conflicts

• 1 July 2021 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 01 Jul 2021
• Syrian Families Released from Camp Face Challenges at Home VOA 01 Jul 2021 -- Many displaced residents of the Syrian town of Sarrin are returning to their homes after spending years in al-Hol camp, which hosts thousands of people who lived under Islamic State (IS) rule.
• Rakhine NGOs Raise Concern Over Rising Number of Child Rape Cases in Western Myanmar Radio Free Asia 01 Jul 2021 -- The number of rape cases, including those involving children, has been on the rise in Myanmar's western Rakhine state for the past few years amid armed conflict and ongoing political instability in the region, according to local aid groups.
• UN Agencies Warn of Worsening Humanitarian Catastrophe in Tigray VOA 01 Jul 2021 -- U.N. aid agencies warn of a looming humanitarian catastrophe in northern Ethiopia's battle-scarred Tigray region if they are prevented from delivering life-saving assistance to this stricken area.

News Reports

• Special Envoy for the Northern Triangle Ricardo Zuniga On Release of the Section 353 Report (aka Corrupt Actors List) US Dept. of State 01 Jul 2021
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken at the 2021 Trafficking in Persons Report Launch Ceremony US Dept. of State 01 Jul 2021
• Briefing with Senior State Department Official On the Release of the 2021 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report US Dept. of State 01 Jul 2021
• Four Charged with Attacks on Media During Capitol Riot VOA 01 Jul 2021 -- U.S. law enforcement authorities in recent days have charged four people with various offenses targeting journalists, including theft and destruction of their camera gear as the journalists covered the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.
• NSA, Partners Release Cybersecurity Advisory on Brute Force Global Cyber Campaign NSA Central Security Service 01 Jul 2021 -- The National Security Agency (NSA), Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the UK's National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) released a Cybersecurity Advisory today exposing malicious cyber activities by Russian military intelligence against U.S. and global organizations, starting from mid-2019 and likely ongoing. This advisory is being released as part of NSA's routine and continuing cybersecurity mission to warn network defenders of nation state threats.
• U.S., British Security Agencies Expose Russia's Global 'Brute Force' Hacking Campaign RFE/RL 01 Jul 2021 -- U.S. and British security agencies have exposed "brute force" methods they say have been used by the Russian military-intelligence agency known as the GRU to conduct malicious cyberactivities against hundreds of government and private organizations.
• US, Britain Warn of Russian 'Brute Force' Cyber Campaign VOA 01 Jul 2021 -- The United States and Britain are sounding another alarm about Russian activity in cyberspace, accusing the Kremlin of repeatedly trying to smash its way into the critical systems of government agencies, defense contractors, universities and even political parties.
• Chinese Hackers Attacked Afghan Council Network, Cybersecurity Firm Says VOA 01 Jul 2021 -- As part of a cyberespionage operation targeting Central Asian countries, Chinese hackers recently sought to breach the computer networks of Afghanistan's National Security Council, researchers at cybersecurity firm Check Point reported.
• Russia Summons Czech Ambassador Over Ammo Depot Blast Row RFE/RL 01 Jul 2021 -- Russia's Foreign Ministry has summoned the Czech ambassador to Russia, Vitezslav Pivonka, after Prague demanded Moscow pay it compensation for a deadly 2014 ammunition depot blast in the Czech Republic that Prague has blamed on Russian intelligence agents.
• Moscow Police Search Navalny Associate's Campaign Offices RFE/RL 01 Jul 2021 -- Police in Moscow have searched the election campaign offices of a close associate of jailed opposition politician Aleksei Navalny who is planning to take part in parliamentary elections in September.
• Russia Labels Khodorkovsky-Linked Groups 'Undesirable' RFE/RL 01 Jul 2021 -- Russian authorities have taken further action against the network of exiled former tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky.
• Putin Signs New Law Obliging Foreign IT Giants to Open Branches in Russia Sputnik 01 Jul 2021 -- Foreign social media giants such as Facebook, YouTube and Twitter would not be blocked in Russia, despite the services often failing to comply with the country's law, President Putin said on Wednesday during a traditional Q&A session.
• Putin Tightens Internet Control, Signs Law Compelling IT Giants To Establish Local Branches RFE/RL 01 Jul 2021 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed into law a bill that obliges foreign IT companies to set up local units or face penalties including a possible ban as Moscow continues to try and tighten its control over the flow of information on the Internet.
• Full Text: Speech by Xi Jinping at a ceremony marking the centenary of the CPC Global Times 01 Jul 2021
• China's Leader Ramps up Rhetoric of National Power On Party Centenary Radio Free Asia 01 Jul 2021 -- The ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP), which marked the centenary of its secret founding in Shanghai on Thursday, is determined to hold onto power and stand up to foreign "bullies," general secretary Xi Jinping told a mass choreographed ceremony of flag-waving crowds in Beijing, punctuated by a fighter-jet flypast.
• Marking Communist Centenary, China Heralds Its Rising Influence RFE/RL 01 Jul 2021 -- China was marking the 100-year anniversary of its ruling Communist Party on July 1 to herald its rise on the world stage, celebrating what it says is its growing influence abroad, along with an array of economic and political victories at home.
• The Chinese Communist Party at 100: Hopes and Disappointments VOA 01 Jul 2021 -- On July 1, the Chinese Communist Party celebrates its centennial, marking its dramatic rise from a small group of idealists to a party of 92 million members that now oversees the world's second largest economy and the world's biggest surveillance state.
• China Won't Be Bullied, 'Anyone Who Dares Try Will Have Their Heads Bashed Bloody', Xi Jinping Warns Sputnik 01 Jul 2021 -- On Thursday, Tiananmen Square in Beijing hosts a ceremonial meeting to mark the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese Communist Party.
• China's Communist Party Celebrates Centennial VOA 01 Jul 2021 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping marked the 100th anniversary of the ruling Communist Party Thursday with a warning that attempts to "bully" his country will end in bloodshed.
• CPC celebrates 100 years, continues modernization push People's Daily 01 Jul 2021 -- The Communist Party of China (CPC), the world's largest governing party, celebrated its centenary on Thursday with a solemn ceremony and the grand accomplishment of "building a moderately prosperous society in all respects."
• Xi declares completion of moderately prosperous society Global Times 01 Jul 2021 -- At a grand ceremony to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in Beijing on Thursday, Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, solemnly declared the completion of the goal of building China into a moderately prosperous society in all respects, marking the culmination of a 2,500-year journey of the Chinese people to pursue xiaokang - a peaceful and happy life, a century of earnest endeavor by the CPC and over four decades of relentless government efforts and Chinese ingenuity.
• Central govt's full jurisdiction over HK, Macao highlighted in Xi's speech Global Times 01 Jul 2021 -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, said Thursday that we will stay true to letter and spirit of the principle of "one country, two systems," ensuring that the central government exercises overall jurisdiction over Hong Kong and Macao, and implement the legal systems and enforcement mechanisms for the two special administrative regions (SARs) to safeguard national security while protecting China's sovereignty, security and development interests.
• Xi reviews CPC historical mission in address Global Times 01 Jul 2021 -- Surrounded by seas of cheers and applause, Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, reviewed the historical mission of the CPC in realizing China's complete reunification and "irreversible" national rejuvenation, and expressed China's unshakable resolve and ability in defending national interests in the face of outside forces, as he addressed the grand ceremony to celebrate the centenary of the CPC.
• Xi rallies Party for "unstoppable" pursuit to national rejuvenation as CPC celebrates centenary People's Daily 01 Jul 2021 -- The Communist Party of China (CPC) on Thursday celebrated the 100th anniversary of its founding, as its top leader declared the achievement of a milestone development goal and announced that the Chinese nation is "advancing with unstoppable momentum toward rejuvenation."
• Xi declares China a moderately prosperous society in all respects People's Daily 01 Jul 2021 -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, announced on Thursday that China has realized its first centenary goal -- building a moderately prosperous society in all respects.
• China advancing with unstoppable momentum toward rejuvenation: Xi People's Daily 01 Jul 2021 -- The image China presents to the world today is one of a thriving nation that is advancing with unstoppable momentum toward rejuvenation, Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, said on Thursday.
• Xi calls for elevating Chinese military to world-class standards People's Daily 01 Jul 2021 -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, said on Thursday China will elevate its armed forces to world-class standards so that "we are equipped with greater capacity and more reliable means for safeguarding our national sovereignty, security, and development interests."
• Xi stresses upholding, developing socialism with Chinese characteristics People's Daily 01 Jul 2021 -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, said Thursday that the Party must uphold and develop socialism with Chinese characteristics.
• CPC must continue to adapt Marxism to Chinese context: Xi People's Daily 01 Jul 2021 -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, said Thursday that the Party must continue to adapt Marxism to the Chinese context.
• Any attempt to divide CPC from Chinese people "bound to fail": Xi People's Daily 01 Jul 2021 -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, said Thursday that any attempt to divide the Party from the Chinese people or to set the people against the Party is bound to fail.
• Firm CPC leadership must be upheld: Xi People's Daily 01 Jul 2021 -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, said Thursday that the firm leadership of the CPC must be upheld.
• Xi says CPC's founding spirit a source of strength People's Daily 01 Jul 2021 -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, on Thursday said the great founding spirit of the CPC is the Party's source of strength.
• Xi summarizes CPC's four great successes People's Daily 01 Jul 2021 -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, on Thursday summed up the four great successes achieved by the CPC in the past century.
• China's national rejuvenation historical inevitability: Xi People's Daily 01 Jul 2021 -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, said on Thursday that the CPC and the Chinese people, through tenacious struggle, have shown the world that China's national rejuvenation has become a historical inevitability.
• China accomplishes building of moderately prosperous society in all respects: Xi People's Daily 01 Jul 2021 -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, announced on Thursday that China has realized the first centenary goal -- building a moderately prosperous society in all respects.
• Xi addresses ceremony marking CPC centenary PLA Daily 01 Jul 2021 -- The Communist Party of China (CPC) on Thursday celebrated the 100th anniversary of its founding, as its top leader declared the achievement of a milestone development goal and announced that the Chinese nation is "advancing with unstoppable momentum toward rejuvenation."
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin's Regular Press Conference on July 1, 2021 PRC MofA 01 Jul 2021
• Hongkongers Line up to Flee Their City Amid China's Crackdown on Dissent Radio Free Asia 01 Jul 2021 -- One year after a draconian national security law took effect in Hong Kong, launching a citywide crackdown on political opposition and peaceful dissent, hundreds of people were lining up at the airport to leave their home for good.
• Police Lock Down Hong Kong Protest Park Amid Gathering Ban Radio Free Asia 01 Jul 2021 -- One year after China imposed a draconian national security law on Hong Kong, police locked down Victoria Park, a former site of mass protest rallies and marches, and cordoned off downtown streets, while supporters of the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) hung flags along the streets and sang revolutionary songs.
• UN Human Rights Council 47: UK statement at the side event on Assessing the National Security Law in Hong Kong UK FCDO 01 Jul 2021 -- The UK's Ambassador to the UN and WTO in Geneva, Simon Manley, delivered this statement during the side event on Assessing the National Security Law in Hong Kong: The First 365 Days.
• Camp Death of Principal, Lengthy Jailing of Six Teachers at Uyghur High School Confirmed Radio Free Asia 01 Jul 2021 -- New information has come to light about the death of a principal and the jailing of six teachers at a Uyghur-language school arrested by authorities in 2017 amid a deepening crackdown on Uyghur education, culture, and language in China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR).
• Beijing's Persecution of Uyghurs Reaches Nearly 30 Countries, Report Finds VOA 01 Jul 2021 -- A new study argued that Beijing's persecution of Uyghurs overseas has spread to nearly 30 countries around the world, largely because the governments of these host countries fear Beijing's power and influence.
• China, Other Asian Nations Cited as State Sponsors of Human Trafficking in US Government Report Radio Free Asia 01 Jul 2021 -- The U.S. State Department named China, North Korea, and Myanmar as state sponsors of the trafficking of persons for the second consecutive year in its annual report on human trafficking released on Thursday, citing the use of forced labor in the two East Asian countries and the recruitment and use of child soldiers in the Southeast Asian nation.
• Australia Urged to Protect Pro-Democracy Students From Chinese 'Harassment' VOA 01 Jul 2021 -- The international rights group Human Rights Watch says Chinese students in Australia have suffered bullying, harassment and intimidation from pro-Beijing peers.
• Taiwan admonishes Beijing after China's Xi pledges reunification CNA 01 Jul 2021 -- Taiwan's top government agency handling relations with China on Thursday admonished the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) after its leader Xi Jinping (習近平) pledged to reunify with Taiwan, during an event to celebrate the centenary of the CCP.
• Xi tackles Taiwan question, shows steel-like determination and confidence in reunification Global Times 01 Jul 2021 -- Prolonged applause rose in Beijing's Tiananmen Square after General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee Xi Jinping expressed steel-like determination and confidence in reunification, as part of his speech at a grand ceremony to mark the centennial of the Party.
• U.S. senators urge gov't to lay groundwork for FTA with Taiwan CNA 01 Jul 2021 -- Forty-two United States senators across party-lines have urged U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai to lay the groundwork for negotiating a free trade agreement (FTA) with Taiwan.
• North Korea's Kim Says Wants to Strengthen Strategic Relations With China Sputnik 01 Jul 2021 -- North Korean leader Kim Jong Un sent a congratulatory message to Chinese President Xi Jinping on the 100th anniversary of the Communist Party of China (CPC), in which he expressed his intention to strengthen strategic relations between the two countries, the state KCNA reported on Thursday.
• US economic war fails to break Iran: President Rouhani IRNA 01 Jul 2021 -- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on Thursday that during the economic war the US wanted to break Iran through an economic blockade, but it failed to do so.
• Iran Appoints Cleric Sanctioned By The West As New Judiciary Chief RFE/RL 01 Jul 2021 -- Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has appointed a hard-line cleric sanctioned by the West as the new chief of the judiciary, replacing President-elect Ebrahim Raisi, who was voted in last month.
• Spate of Civilian Killings in Myanmar Prompts Call to End Violence Radio Free Asia 01 Jul 2021 -- Nearly 40 civilians have been killed in Myanmar in less than two weeks as the result of assassinations by both pro- and anti-junta forces, prompting rights groups to warn that the violence will likely worsen unless the military yields to popular demand and hands power back to a civilian government.
• Report: Corrupt Myanmar Jade Industry Causes Armed Conflict and Enabled Coup Radio Free Asia 01 Jul 2021 -- Corruption in Myanmar's lucrative jade sector has been an engine of armed conflict, with the country's military increasing its control over the industry even as Aung San Suu Kyi's democratically elected government tried to enact reforms in years leading up to the Feb. 1 coup, a corruption watchdog group said Tuesday.
• Interview: UN Vote Shows Myanmar Events 'Unacceptable to Most Countries' Radio Free Asia 01 Jul 2021 -- Kyaw Moe Tun, Myanmar's Permanent Representative of Myanmar to the United Nations, is the most prominent of his country's diplomats to reject the military junta that overthrew the elected government on Feb. 1 and join the anti-regime shadow government known as the National Unity Government (NUG).
• Myanmar's Junta Woos Moscow to Balance Beijing VOA 01 Jul 2021 -- The decision by Myanmar's junta leader Min Aung Hlaing to visit Russia before next-door neighbor China highlights his military's easier relations with Moscow and hopes of drawing the Kremlin closer to avoid relying on Beijing alone, analysts say.
• 8th Forum of Russian and Belarusian Regions President of Russia 01 Jul 2021 -- Vladimir Putin and President of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko took part, via videoconference, in a plenary session of the 8th Forum of Russian and Belarusian Regions.
• Telephone conversation with President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko President of Russia 01 Jul 2021 -- Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with President of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko.
• Putin Vows 'Comprehensive Assistance' To Embattled Lukashenka Regime RFE/RL 01 Jul 2021 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has vowed to continue supporting the regime of Belarus's authoritarian ruler Alyaksandr Lukashenka, which is facing increasing international pressure over its brutal crackdown on dissent in the wake of last year's disputed election.
• Kazakh Police Detain Activists Involved In Xinjiang Protests Outside Chinese Consulate RFE/RL 01 Jul 2021 -- Police in Kazakhstan's largest city, Almaty, have detained several activists who have been involved in ongoing pickets in front of the Chinese Consulate to demand the release of their relatives held in China's Xinjiang-Uyghur Autonomous Region.
• Kazakh Police Detain Hunger Strikers Demanding Release Of Political Prisoners RFE/RL 01 Jul 2021 -- Police in the southern Kazakh city of Shymkent have detained more than a dozen activists, including three who have been on a hunger strike for weeks to push for the release of political prisoners.
• Pakistan's Religious Minorities Say They Were Undercounted in Census VOA 01 Jul 2021 -- Religious minorities in Pakistan claim the country's long-delayed census, released by the government in May, appears to have undercounted them.
• Kuwait Launches Its First 1-Kg Satellite Into Space Sputnik 01 Jul 2021 -- Kuwait has launched the first artificial Earth satellite it has created, a one-kilogram nanosatellite, founder and CEO of the Kuwait-based Orbital Space company, Bassam Alfeeli, told the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA).
• Israel's New Government Offers Opportunity for Reset with Turkey as Obstacles Remain VOA 01 Jul 2021 -- Turkey sees Israel's formation of a new government without Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a chance for the two countries to reset relations that have long been strained. But recent fighting between Hamas and Israel threatens to complicate any effort to improve ties.
• Ukraine Allows Farmland Sales For First Time Since Independence RFE/RL 02 Jul 2021 -- Ukraine has officially ended a 20-year moratorium on the sale of farmland, hoping to unleash productivity and investment in the agricultural sector.
• U.S. Releases Section 353 List of Corrupt and Undemocratic Actors for Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador US Dept. of State 01 Jul 2021 -- The United States is committed to improving social, economic, and political conditions in Central America because U.S. security and prosperity is tied to the success of our regional partners.
• US State Department Names 17 Countries as Worst Offenders in Fighting Human Trafficking VOA 01 Jul 2021 -- The State Department called out 17 countries Thursday for their lack of action regarding human trafficking.
• Somalia Unveils Indirect Election Plan to Defuse Crisis, Aims for October Presidential Vote Sputnik 01 Jul 2021 -- Somalia's military, long structured along clan lines, has struggled to integrate its forces and unite them around a national identity, allowing units to fracture along the lines of regional disagreements and threatening a return to civil war.
• Somalia Opposition Welcomes Election Plan, but Security Threats Remain VOA 01 Jul 2021 -- Somalia's opposition politicians and the public have welcomed a deal to hold delayed indirect presidential elections in October, with lawmakers chosen in July and August. But analysts note unrest and terrorist attacks are still a risk.
• Tanzanian Opposition, Activists Demands Constitutional Changes VOA 01 Jul 2021 -- Tanzanian opposition leaders and rights activists held a forum Thursday urging the government to revise the constitution to allow more political space. The forum, called "Katiba Day," which means constitution day, comes after President Samia Hassan asked Tanzanians to give her time to first fix the economy.