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09 July 2021 Military News

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Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
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Current Operations

Fear of Terror Revival Grows in Afghanistan as US Troops Withdraw VOA 09 Jul 2021 -- With U.S. and coalition combat troops all but gone from Afghanistan, Western officials are preparing to face down terrorist threats with the promise of "over-the-horizon" capabilities that may be ill-suited to the danger that groups such as al-Qaida and Islamic State currently pose.
Taliban Willing to Halt Attacks on Cities — Temporarily VOA 09 Jul 2021 -- A Taliban delegation in Moscow said Friday that the group would not attack provincial capitals even as news emerged that Taliban militants had attacked the capital of Afghanistan's Kandahar province.
Taliban Impose New Restrictions on Women, Media In Afghanistan's North VOA 09 Jul 2021 -- Many Afghans who hoped the Taliban would reform their extreme views amid ongoing talks with the Afghan government and the U.S. troop withdrawal have been disappointed by the new severe restrictions imposed on the local population in some of the districts that they have recently captured.
US Reflects on End of Its 'Forever War' VOA 09 Jul 2021 -- As the United States prepares to pull the last of its troops from Afghanistan, most recently abruptly turning over Bagram Airfield to Afghan authorities, the journey the U.S. has taken from the beginning of its longest war to what appears to be its end is one that many Americans would just as soon forget.
WHO: Health Care Under Siege in Afghanistan VOA 09 Jul 2021 -- The World Health Organization said health care is under siege in Afghanistan as the United States accelerates its troop withdrawal from the country.
Biden Explains Reasoning Behind Afghanistan Decision, Thanks U.S. Vets of the Fight DoD News 09 Jul 2021 -- In making his decision to end the war in Afghanistan, President Joe Biden determined he would "not send another generation of Americans to war in Afghanistan with no reasonable expectation of achieving a different outcome."
Moscow, Taliban Cite Militant Gains In Afghanistan Amid International Concerns RFE/RL Gandhara 09 Jul 2021 -- Russia and Taliban representatives have asserted that the fundamentalist group's fighters control a growing amount of territory in Afghanistan, including large stretches of the border, while insisting that Taliban gains don't threaten international security.
Once A Bastion Of Taliban Resistance, Afghanistan's Badakhshan On Brink Of Falling To Militants RFE/RL Gandhara 09 Jul 2021 -- Afghanistan's vast and remote northern province of Badakhshan -- which straddles the borders with Pakistan, China, and Tajikistan -- was once a bastion of resistance to the Taliban and never conquered by the extremist Islamist group during its five years in power.
Oxfam Names Afghanistan As Hunger 'Hot Spot' Amid World Famine Rise RFE/RL Gandhara 09 Jul 2021 -- The international charity Oxfam says 11 people around the world die of hunger each minute of every day, well above the global death rate of COVID-19, with war making Afghanistan one of "the worst hunger hot spots."
U.S. military mission in Afghanistan to end on Aug. 31: Biden People's Daily 09 Jul 2021 -- U.S. President Joe Biden said on Thursday that U.S. military mission in Afghanistan will conclude on Aug. 31, days ahead of his original Sept. 11 deadline.
Taliban Seize Another Checkpoint on Afghan-Iranian Border, Reports Say Sputnik 09 Jul 2021 -- The Taliban* movement on Friday captured another checkpoint on the Afghan-Iranian border, the Pajhwok news agency reported, citing sources.
As Taliban 'Seizes' Key Crossing With Iran, Moscow Says Group Controls 2/3 of Afghan-Tajik Border Sputnik 09 Jul 2021 -- Earlier, Taliban militants raised their flag on the bridge across the border River Panj, which separates Tajikistan and Afghanistan.

Defense Policy / Programs

Hicks Assesses DOD Modernization, Innovation DoD News 09 Jul 2021 -- Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen H. Hicks is on a trip to New England to assess the Defense Department's innovation and modernization efforts and partners' capabilities to better enable the warfighter with the latest technology.
Largest Marine Aircraft Wing kicks off exercise with long-range strike USMC News 09 Jul 2021 -- Marines with 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing begin Exercise Summer Fury 21 with a long-range maritime strike off the coast of Washington. Summer Fury is the largest Marine aviation exercise on the West Coast, and provides 3rd MAW opportunity to improve warfighter readiness in support of a Marine Expeditionary Force maritime campaign.
U.S. Naval Forces Africa, Europe Participates in International Maritime Defence Conference US Navy 09 Jul 2021 -- U.S. Naval Forces Africa, Europe and U.S. Sixth Fleet Chief of Staff, Rear Adm. Nancy S. Lacore, virtually attended a two-day International Maritime Defence and Exhibition Conference 2021 (IMDEC 21) hosted by the Ghanaian Navy, July 7-8, 2021.
ESG2 achieves "Fully Operational Capable" Status US Navy 09 Jul 2021 -- Expeditionary Strike Group 2 completed a major landmark in operationalizing its staff when its commander, Rear Adm. Robert Katz, declared the Echelon IV Maritime Command Element "fully operationally capable" following the recent completion of the Baltic Operations Exercise 2021.
Spanish Minister of Defense Visits USS Hershel "Woody" Williams US Navy 09 Jul 2021 -- Spanish Minister of Defense Margarita Robles received a ship tour aboard the Expeditionary Sea Base USS Hershel "Woody" Williams (ESB 4), July 7, 2021.
U.S., Allied Forces Conduct Exercise Pacific Vanguard 2021 Off Coast of Australia US Navy 09 Jul 2021 -- Maritime forces from Australia, Japan, Republic of Korea, and the United States met in the waters off the eastern coast of Australia to conduct cooperative maritime exercise Pacific Vanguard (PACVAN) 2021 beginning July 5.
America ARG-31st MEU Team Implements Ambulance During Exercise US Navy 09 Jul 2021 -- During a recent light armored reconnaissance raid exercise on Okinawa, the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) and the amphibious dock landing ship USS Germantown (LSD 42) employed a medical evacuation tactic not commonly used since World War II.
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III and French Minister of the Armed Forces Florence Parly Opening Remarks at Bilateral Meeting DoD 09 Jul 2021
Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin's Bilateral Meeting With France Minister of the Armed Forces Florence Parly DoD 09 Jul 2021
French, U.S. Defense Leaders Discuss Ways to Further Cooperation DoD News 09 Jul 2021 -- Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III welcomed French Minister of the Armed Forces Florence Parly to the Pentagon today and discussed myriad ways the United States and France can work together.

New light-duty tank delivered to PLA Navy's amphibious force PLA Daily 09 Jul 2021 -- China's ZTQ-15 light tank has been delivered to the amphibious force of the People's Liberation Army Navy, according to the Navy.

Ex Pacific Vanguard starts with a bang Australia DOD 09 Jul 2021 -- Exercise Pacific Vanguard started with a bang this week after warships from Australia, Japan, South Korea and the US converged on the East Australian Exercise Area (EAXA).

'Important Milestone' as Norway, Germany Conclude 'Gigantic' Submarine Deal Sputnik 09 Jul 2021 -- The agreement is said to lift the Norwegian-German collaboration, spanning several decades, to a new level, as well as boost technology development and lead to the creation of jobs for highly skilled workers.

Most Vessels of US-Led Sea Breeze Drills to Remain in Black Sea for Some Time, US Navy Says Sputnik 09 Jul 2021 -- The majority of the ships that joined the US-led Sea Breeze military exercise in the Black Sea will stay in the area for some time since they are also taking part in another exercise - the Bulgarian-led Breeze naval drills, US Navy Capt. Stuart Bauman said during a telephone briefing on Friday.

Remarks by President Biden Before Air Force One Departure The White House 09 Jul 2021
Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jen Psaki, July 9, 2021 The White House 09 Jul 2021
Secretary Blinken's Call with Qatari Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Al-Thani US Dept. of State 09 Jul 2021
Secretary Blinken's Call with Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Al-Sabah US Dept. of State 09 Jul 2021
Secretary Blinken's Call with Pakistani Foreign Minister Qureshi US Dept. of State 09 Jul 2021
Department Press Briefing – July 9, 2021 US Dept. of State 09 Jul 2021

Defense Industry

Contracts For July 9, 2021

Other Conflicts

9 July 2021 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 09 Jul 2021

Iran: Any assistance to Syria must respect its national sovereignty IRNA 09 Jul 2021 -- Iran's representative in the 16th round of talks on Syria, known as the Astana Process, Aliasghar Khaji stressed that any humanitarian aid to Syria must be through its government with respect to the national sovereignty and territorial integrity of this country.
UN Approves Resolution Agreed By Russia, U.S. On Humanitarian Aid For Syria RFE/RL 09 Jul 2021 -- The UN Security Council has approved an extension of a cross-border aid operation for millions of desperate people in Syria after Russia agreed to a compromise in last-minute talks with the United States in a move commended by U.S. President Joe Biden and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in a phone call.
'The minimum necessary to meet the humanitarian needs of the Syrian people' UK FCDO 09 Jul 2021 -- Explanation of Vote by Ambassador Barbara Woodward following the Security Council adoption of resolution on Syria
Foreign Secretary statement on Bab Al-Hawa crossing UK FCDO 09 Jul 2021 -- UK Foreign Secretary welcomes UN Security Council Resolution on Syria aid access.
Syria: UN chief welcomes Security Council extension of vital cross-border aid operation UN News 09 Jul 2021 -- The UN chief has welcomed a decision on Friday by the Security Council to extend the UN cross-border aid operation in northwest Syria for another 12 months, providing a lifeline for more than 3.4 million people in need, including some one million children.
UN Security Council Extends Cross-border Aid to Syria for 1 Year VOA 09 Jul 2021 -- The United States and Russia reached a last-minute compromise Friday to keep humanitarian aid flowing for another year from Turkey to millions of people in northwestern Syria.

Kyrgyz Soldier Dead After Latest Incident On Tajik Border RFE/RL 09 Jul 2021 -- Kyrgyz and Tajik border guards have exchanged fire along the Central Asian states' disputed border, leaving one Kyrgyz soldier dead and another wounded in an incident each side blamed on the other.

United States Welcomes Announcement of Israel and Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan Agreements on Water and West Bank Trade US Dept. of State 09 Jul 2021

UN Urges International Community Not to Give Up on South Sudan VOA 09 Jul 2021 -- As South Sudan marks its 10th year of independence, the U.N. refugee agency is calling on countries to continue support for the world's youngest nation, which, it says, shows promising signs of creating a better future for its beleaguered population.
South Sudan President Says Better Days Ahead After 'Lost Decade' VOA 09 Jul 2021 -- On South Sudan's 10th anniversary of independence Friday, President Salva Kiir pledged to improve security across the country and initiate widespread economic reforms – but many citizens said there is little to celebrate after living through a civil war, poverty and widespread hunger.

Rwanda Sends 1,000 Soldiers, Police to Fight Mozambique Militants VOA 09 Jul 2021 -- Rwanda says it is sending 1,000 security personnel to Cabo Delgado province in northern Mozambique to help fight Islamist militants who have terrorized the region.

News Reports

U.S. Will 'Take Any Necessary Action' After Latest Massive Ransomware Attack, Biden Tells Putin RFE/RL 09 Jul 2021 -- U.S. President Joe Biden has urged Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in a phone call to "take action" against ransomware groups operating in Russia, the White House said.
Putin, Biden Discuss Ransomware Attacks During Phone Call, White House Says Sputnik 09 Jul 2021 -- According to the White House, US President Joe Biden highlighted the need for Moscow to take action in a bid to disrupt ransomware groups allegedly operating in Russia. The Kremlin has repeatedly denied any role in the latest cyberattack
Biden, Putin Discuss Ransomware Attacks From Russia VOA 09 Jul 2021 -- U.S. President Joe Biden said he discussed recent ransomware attacks on the U.S. from Russia in a phone call Friday with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Ukraine Blames Russian Hackers For Attack On Navy Website RFE/RL 09 Jul 2021 -- Ukraine's Defense Ministry said Russian government hackers attacked the website of the Ukrainian Navy to spread disinformation about the ongoing multinational Sea Breeze military exercises in the Black Sea.

Haiti Requests US, UN Troops to Secure Infrastructure VOA 09 Jul 2021 -- Haiti has asked the United States and the United Nations to deploy troops to the country to protect key infrastructure in the aftermath of the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse.
US Sending FBI, Homeland Security Officials to Assist Haiti VOA 09 Jul 2021 -- The Biden administration is sending senior Federal Bureau of Investigation and Department of Homeland Security officials to Port-au-Prince, Haiti, in response to a request from the Haitian government for security and investigative assistance after the assassination of President Jovenel Moise.
Haitian Officials: 17 Members of Hit Squad Detained in Killing of President VOA 09 Jul 2021 -- More than a dozen people have been detained in the assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moise, officials said late Thursday.
Rejecting UN-Approved Leader, Haiti's Senate Proclaims Joseph Lambert as Interim President - Report Sputnik 09 Jul 2021 -- Haiti's Senate, the only remaining body of elected officials in the country's government, voted on Friday to elect Senate President Joseph Lambert as the country's interim leader - a direct challenge to acting Prime Minister Claude Joseph, who has declared himself the leader and has the backing of the United States and United Nations.
Haiti's Interim Gov Reportedly Requests Troop Deployments by US, UN to Ensure Country's Security Sputnik 09 Jul 2021 -- Mathias Pierre, Haiti's minister of elections, announced Friday that the Haitian government had requested the US to deploy troops to the island nation to protect key infrastructure after the Biden administration offered the country aid in the wake of the assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse earlier this week.
A third of Haiti's children in urgent need of emergency aid: UNICEF UN News 09 Jul 2021 -- Nearly a third of all children in Haiti – numbering around 1.5 million - are in urgent need of emergency relief due to rising violence, insufficient access to clean water, health and nutrition, said the UN Children's Fund UNICEF on Friday.

Telephone conversation with US President Joseph Biden President of Russia 09 Jul 2021
The Week In Russia: Strategy And Tactics -- Putin's 'Bleak' New Security Blueprint RFE/RL 09 Jul 2021 -- President Vladimir Putin has signed a National Security Strategy that takes criticism of the West to a new level, claiming that Russia's "cultural sovereignty" is at risk and that its "traditional values" are "under active attack by the United States and its allies." Analysts say the Kremlin's main motive may be self-preservation, not the security of the nation.
Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's statement and answers to media questions at a joint news conference following talks with Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Moscow, July 9, 2021 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 09 Jul 2021
Briefing by Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, Moscow, July 9, 2021 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 09 Jul 2021
Russia's Continuing Repression of Members of Religious Minority Groups US Dept. of State 09 Jul 2021 -- "We are deeply concerned by a Russian court's decision to uphold the designation of the Khakassia regional branch of Falun Gong as "extremist" and criminalize the peaceful practice of their spiritual beliefs."
Continued crackdown on civil society in Russia: UK statement UK FCDO 09 Jul 2021 -- Ambassador Neil Bush expresses UK concerns about the shrinking space for independent civil society in Russia.
Readout of President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Call with President Vladimir Putin of Russia The White House 09 Jul 2021
Background Press Call By Senior Administration Officials On President Biden's Call With President Putin of Russia The White House 09 Jul 2021

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin's Regular Press Conference on July 9, 2021 PRC MofA 09 Jul 2021
China urges U.S. to stop obstructing China's implementation of 'One Country, Two Systems' People's Daily 09 Jul 2021 -- The Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on Tuesday expressed indignation and condemnation over the so-called "continuation of the national emergency with respect to Hong Kong" and the extension of relevant Hong Kong-related sanctions announced by the White House on Wednesday, saying it constitutes another proof of the unrepentant interference of the U.S.
Wang Yi reiterates China's resolve on HK issue during EU meeting, opposes hypocritical 'lecturers' Global Times 09 Jul 2021 -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi held a video conference with EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell on Thursday, during which Wang urged Brussels to cast aside all obstructions and push bilateral ties forward, and reiterated China's stance on issues related to Hong Kong, Xinjiang and human rights, saying that China confronts all sorts of hypocritical "lecturers."
One year on, facts and figures about national security law in Hong Kong People's Daily 09 Jul 2021 -- One year after coming into force, the national security law in Hong Kong has brought back peace and stability and created conditions for the global financial hub gripped by violence and vandalism in 2019 to forge ahead and open a new chapter.
Mainland will thwart DPP's interference in HK affairs: spokesperson People's Daily 09 Jul 2021 -- The Chinese mainland will resolutely thwart the attempts of Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authority to meddle in Hong Kong affairs, a mainland spokesperson said Thursday.
Commissioner's office of Chinese foreign ministry in HKSAR urges U.S. consular official to stop interfering in HK's judicial proceedings People's Daily 09 Jul 2021 -- The Office of the Commissioner of the Chinese Foreign Ministry in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Thursday expressed strong disapproval and firm opposition, condemning the act of a U.S. consular official who openly exerted pressure on judicial proceedings in the HKSAR, grossly interfered in the internal affairs of the HKSAR and its judicial independence, and attempted to whitewash anti-China, destabilizing forces in Hong Kong suspected of violating the law.
HKSAR gov't condemns latest U.S. move for blatant interference in China's internal affairs People's Daily 09 Jul 2021 -- The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government Thursday condemned the so-called "continuation of the national emergency with respect to Hong Kong" announced by the White House, describing it as a continuation of the U.S.' blatant interference in China's internal affairs.
Top Hong Kong Law Enforcers 'Apologize' Over Illegal Dinner Gathering Radio Free Asia 09 Jul 2021 -- Three high-ranking officials in Hong Kong law enforcement on Friday apologized for attending a dinner at an exclusive club in March despite restrictions on public gatherings of more than four people.
Commerce Department Adds 34 Entities to the Entity List to Target Enablers of China's Human Rights Abuses and Military Modernization, and Unauthorized Iranian and Russian Procurement US Dept. of Commerce 09 Jul 2021 -- The Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) added 34 entities to the Entity List for their involvement in, or risk of becoming involved in, activities contrary to the foreign policy and national security interests of the United States. Of these 34 entities, 14 are based in the People's Republic of China (PRC) and have enabled Beijing's campaign of repression, mass detention, and high-technology surveillance against Uyghurs, Kazakhs, and members of other Muslim minority groups in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Regions of China (XUAR), where the PRC continues to commit genocide and crimes against humanity. Commerce added another five entities directly supporting PRC's military modernization programs related to lasers and C4ISR programs to the Entity List.
U.S. Adds 34 To Entities Blacklist, Including 14 Chinese Companies Tied To Abuse Of Uyghurs RFE/RL 09 Jul 2021 -- The United States has added 14 Chinese companies to its economic blacklist over alleged human rights abuses and surveillance of Uyghurs, Kazakhs, and other members of Muslim minority groups in China's Xinjiang Province.
US Blacklists More Chinese Companies Over Human Rights Abuses in Xinjiang Radio Free Asia 09 Jul 2021 -- The U.S. Commerce Department on Friday added 14 Chinese companies to its Entity List, for direct involvement in human rights abuses in China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR), saying they have "enabled Beijing's campaign of repression, mass detention, and high-technology surveillance" against Uyghurs, Kazakhs, and members of other Muslim minority groups.
China Mulls Crackdown on National Pastime: Singing Karaoke Radio Free Asia 09 Jul 2021 -- China's ministry of culture is planning a clampdown on one of the nation's favorite pastimes -- belting out a few favorite tunes on a karaoke night with friends.

Japanese FM vaguely responds to question about Japan's position on the island of Taiwan Global Times 09 Jul 2021 -- Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a reply to the Global Times on Thursday that they have no comments on the Japanese Deputy Prime Minister Taro Aso's wrong remarks on the island of Taiwan, but said it is "expected the parties concerned to peacefully resolve [the issue] through direct dialogue, which is the government's position from the past to the present."

One Million Children Unvaccinated in Myanmar Amid Post-Coup Turmoil Radio Free Asia 09 Jul 2021 -- Nearly one million children in Myanmar have been denied routine vaccinations amid the political upheaval of the military's coup d'état, healthcare workers said Friday, while the ongoing turmoil has stymied efforts to control a new coronavirus outbreak in the capital Naypyidaw, according to residents.
Myanmar Junta Reportedly Arresting Dissidents' Family Members VOA 09 Jul 2021 -- Myanmar's post-coup ruling State Administration Council has, since the last week of February, been arresting family members of dissidents in an effort to pressure the dissidents to turn themselves in, according to dissidents, lawyers helping those charged, and an official of the opposition National Unity Government.

More Raids On Independent News Outlets As Belarus Steps Up Crackdown RFE/RL 09 Jul 2021 -- Belarusian authorities raided the offices of several media outlets outside the capital, Minsk, and searched the homes of independent journalists on July 9 in the second straight day of the country's latest crackdown on independent press critical of authoritarian leader Alyaksandr Lukashenka.
Lithuania Starts Border Fence To Stem Migrant Surge From Belarus RFE/RL 09 Jul 2021 -- Lithuania has started construction of a barrier on its border with Belarus amid a surge in illegal migrant crossings that Vilnius says Minsk is purposely organizing in retaliation for European Union sanctions.

Montenegro Says Deal Reached To Temper Blow Of Massive China Loan RFE/RL 09 Jul 2021 -- Montenegro's finance minister has announced a deal with three Western banks to help Podgorica hedge payments on a controversial billion-dollar Chinese loan for a highway project that put the small Balkan country in perilous financial straits.

In 'Key Country' Serbia, Orban Presses For EU Enlargement In Balkans RFE/RL 09 Jul 2021 -- Hungarian Prime Minister and vociferous EU critic Viktor Orban has used a visit to Serbia to press for the bloc to accept that country and thus unlock the Western Balkans to inject "new energy" before it's too late.

South African Court Rejects Zuma's Request to Stay Arrest Over Court Contempt, Reports Suggest Sputnik 09 Jul 2021 -- South Africa's Pietermaritzburg High Court has dismissed former President Jacob Zuma's application to overturn a previous decision to sentence him to fifteen months in prison for contempt of court, national media reported on 9 July.

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