Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• As Taliban Advances, Europe Fears an Afghan Migration Crisis VOA 02 Aug 2021 -- Every day sees more Afghan refugees reach Turkey after a grueling trek across Iran. As far as they're concerned their journey is far from over — they want to get to the countries of the European Union — for them the Promised Land.
• Ghani Announces Afghanistan Security Plan, Promises Improvements in 6 Months VOA 02 Aug 2021 -- Afghanistan's President Ashraf Ghani announced Monday that he finally has a clear plan to counter Taliban offensives across the country after his government was heavily criticized for its seeming lack of strategy in the last three months.
• US Envoy: Afghanistan Will Become 'Pariah State' if Taliban Takes Country by Force VOA 02 Aug 2021 -- The U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan reconciliation, Zalmay Khalilzad, says the United States remains committed to promoting a political settlement between warring Afghans, stressing that neither side to the conflict can win militarily.
• US Expands Eligibility for Afghan Refugee Resettlement VOA 02 Aug 2021 -- The United States announced Monday it is expanding eligibility for resettling refugees from Afghanistan who may be at risk of Taliban retaliation due to affiliation with U.S. entities.
• US to Expand Resettlement Program for Afghan Refugees, State Department Says Sputnik 02 Aug 2021 -- The United States will expand the resettlement program for the Afghans who aided the US troops amid growing threat from the radical Taliban* movement and expects to admit thousands of people from the conflict-torn country, the US State Department said Monday.
• Nearly 40 Talibs Killed as Afghan Forces Thwart Attempt to Storm Prison in Lashkar Gah Sputnik 02 Aug 2021 -- The Afghan government forces have killed 38 members of the Taliban* movement and injured two others when the insurgents attempted to storm a prison in the southwestern city of Lashkar Gah, Afghan defence ministry spokesman Fawad Aman said on Monday.
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken Remarks to the Press on the Announcement of a U.S. Refugee Admissions Program Priority 2 Designation for Afghan Nationals US Dept. of State 02 Aug 2021
• Briefing with Senior State Department Officials On the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program Priority 2 (P-2) Designation for Afghan Nationals US Dept. of State 02 Aug 2021
• U.S., Britain Accuse Taliban Of Civilian 'Massacre' In Afghan South As Ghani Laments Insecurity RFE/RL Gandhara 02 Aug 2021 -- The United States and Britain have said the Taliban may have committed "war crimes" and accused the militant group of "massacring" Afghan civilians when it captured the southern town of Spin Boldak in July.
• U.S. Expands Afghan Resettlement Plan To Include Aid Workers, Journalists RFE/RL Gandhara 02 Aug 2021 -- The United States has announced an expansion of its push to evacuate at-risk Afghan citizens from Afghanistan amid a surge in Taliban violence as a U.S. military pullout enters its final weeks.
• Afghan president: We have plan to restore stability in country in six months Press TV 02 Aug 2021 -- Afghanistan's President Ashraf Ghani says Kabul has a plan to restore stability in the country in six months despite the fast-deteriorating security situation.
• Afghan forces battle to stop Taliban from advancing on provincial cities Press TV 02 Aug 2021 -- Violent clashes between the Taliban and Afghan government forces are surging across Afghanistan, with President Ashraf Ghani blaming the worsening security situation on the ill-planned and "sudden" withdrawal of American troops.
• U.S. Africa Command supports Somali partners against al-Shabaab AFRICOM 02 Aug 2021 -- In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command forces conducted an airstrike against al-Shabaab in the vicinity of Qeycad, Somalia August 1.

Defense Policy / Programs

• AFRL's drone killer, THOR will welcome new drone "hammer" US Air Force 02 Aug 2021 -- The Air Force Research Laboratory's Directed Energy Directorate is seeking partners to build a new counter electronics weapon system, to defend against the ever increasing threat of adversarial drone activity.
• USAF delivers helicopters, bolsters Australian alliance US Air Force 02 Aug 2021 -- As part of the U.S. Defense Department's Foreign Military Sales program, 9th Airlift Squadron aircrew from Dover Air Force Base transported two CH-47F Chinook helicopters aboard a C-5M Super Galaxy from Dover AFB to Royal Australian Air Force Base Townsville, Australia, in early July, further reinforcing the alliance between the two countries.
• Sea Service Leaders Emphasize Integration and Tri-Service Maritime Strategy at SAS 2021 US Navy 02 Aug 2021 -- The tri-service maritime strategy was at the forefront of the first day of the Sea-Air-Space 2021 Exposition (SAS), an annual event hosted by the Navy League of the United States. Leaders from the sea services discussed integration, Arctic domain readiness, facilities and maintenance readiness, and Indo-Pacific security during the first day of the exposition. The exposition, which is held August 2-4 at Gaylord National Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland brings together U.S. defense industrial base, private-sector U.S. companies, and key military decision makers for an innovative, educational, and professional maritime-based event.
• VP-10 Continues to Thrive in U.S. 4th Fleet US Navy 02 Aug 2021 -- The "Red Lancers" of Patrol Squadron (VP) 10, currently operating out of Cooperative Security Location (CSL) in Comalapa, El Salvador, continue their success across the U.S. 4th Fleet area of operations (AOO).
• Chief of Naval Operations Visits Guam, Highlights LCS Integration, Capability US Navy 02 Aug 2021 -- Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday visited the Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18) during his visit to Joint Region Marianas (JRM) and Naval Base Guam (NBG), July 30.
• Milley Discusses What It Takes to Remain World's Preeminent Fighting Force DoD News 02 Aug 2021 -- The United States has always been a maritime nation, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said.
• Leaders Discuss Tri-Service Maritime Strategy to Deterring Conflict DoD News 02 Aug 2021 -- Leaders of the three military sea services spoke today about the challenges ahead and how the services plan to navigate through the rough waters.
• Russian, Uzbek troops begin joint drills near border with Afghanistan Press TV 02 Aug 2021 -- Moscow says troops from Russia and Uzbekistan have begun joint military drills near the border with Afghanistan, where the Taliban militant group has over the past month ramped up offensives against Afghan government forces to seize further territory.
• PLA planes conduct mock battles in typhoon, 'show all-weather combat readiness' Global Times 02 Aug 2021 -- As a strong typhoon hit East China's Zhejiang Province last week, the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) seized the opportunity for practice and organized warplane mock battles amid heavy thunderstorms and low visibility, in a move analysts said on Monday demonstrated the PLA's all-weather combat readiness.
• Building a peace-loving world-class military People's Daily 02 Aug 2021 -- When extremely heavy rainstorms devastated central China in July, it was hard not to notice the troops of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) on dams, reservoirs and riverbanks -- the most dangerous areas in the battle against floods.
• China Coast Guard carries out fishery law enforcement cruise in high seas of North Pacific Ocean PLA Daily 02 Aug 2021 -- Two coast guard ships "Qushan" and "Haimen" dispatched by the China Coast Guard (CCG) set sail from Shanghai on July 30 to carry out a 31-day fishery law enforcement cruise mission in the high seas of the North Pacific Ocean.
• India - Harpoon Joint Common Test Set (JCTS) DSCA 02 Aug 2021 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of India of Harpoon Joint Common Test Set (JCTS) and related equipment for an estimated cost of $82 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.
• EQUIPMENT PRODUCED UNDER "MAKE-IN-INDIA" SCHEME India PIB 02 Aug 2021 -- Many significant projects including 155mm Artillery Gun system 'Dhanush', Bridge Laying Tank, Light Combat Aircraft 'Tejas', 'Akash' Surface to Air Missile system, Submarine 'INS Kalvari', Inshore Patrol Vessel, Offshore Surveillance Ship, 'INS Chennai', Anti-Submarine Warfare Corvette (ASWC), Arjun Armoured Repair and Recovery Vehicle, Landing Craft Utility, Bridge Laying Tank, Bi-Modular Charge System (BMCS) for 155mm Ammunition, Thermal Imaging Sight Mark-II for T-72 tank, 25 T Tugs, Water Jet Fast Attack Craft, Offshore Patrol Vessel, Fast Interceptor Boat, INS Kalvari, INS Khanderi, Medium Bullet Proof Vehicle (MBPV), Lakshya Parachute for Pilotless Target Aircraft, etc
• LATEST TECHNOLOGY TO THE ARMED FORCES India PIB 02 Aug 2021 -- DRDO has developed state-of-the-art platforms, weapon systems and sensors in the country which in turn have led to improving the combat capabilities and providing technological edge to Armed Forces.
• EFFORTS TO ENCOURAGE DOMESTIC MANUFACTURING India PIB 02 Aug 2021 -- The Government has taken several policy initiatives and brought reforms to promote self-reliance in defence manufacturing
• PRODUCTION OF DEFENCE PRODUCTS IN THE COUNTRY India PIB 02 Aug 2021 -- The Government has taken several policy initiatives and brought reforms to promote self-reliance in defence manufacturing. These policy initiatives are aimed at encouraging indigenous design, development and manufacture of defence equipment in the country, thereby reducing dependency on imports in long run.
• MODERNISATION OF AIRFORCE India PIB 02 Aug 2021 -- Modernisation of Airforce is being undertaken following a multi-pronged approach involving indigenization, upgradation and integration. There has been induction of new weapon systems/platforms, advanced aircraft, air defence systems and modern technology.
• Eastern Fleet Ships on Overseas Operational Deployment India PIB 02 Aug 2021 -- In pursuit of India's 'Act East' policy and to enhance military cooperation with friendly countries, a Task Force of Indian Navy's Eastern Fleet is scheduled to proceed on an Overseas Deployment to South East Asia, the South China Sea and Western Pacific from early Aug 2021 for over two months.
• Fleet of Ghadir-class submarines testament to Iran's growing naval combat power Press TV 02 Aug 2021 -- Iran has taken giant strides to achieve self-sufficiency in producing sophisticated military equipment, including the world's best submarines, despite decades-long sanctions and an arms embargo.
• Delayed Han Kuang emergency jet landing drill planned for September: source CNA 02 Aug 2021 -- The postponed live-fire component of this year's Han Kuang military exercises is scheduled to take place in September and will feature fighter jets conducting emergency takeoffs and landings on public highways, a military source said Monday.
• Briefing With Senior State Department Officials Previewing Secretary Blinken's Participation in This Week's ASEAN-Related Ministerials US Dept. of State 02 Aug 2021
• Readout of President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Call with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada The White House 02 Aug 2021
• Statement by NSC Spokesperson Emily Horne on National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan's Meeting with Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi of Indonesia The White House 02 Aug 2021
• Readout of National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan's Meeting with Incoming Israeli National Security Advisor Dr. Eyal Hulata The White House 02 Aug 2021
• Department Press Briefing – August 2, 2021 US Dept. of State 02 Aug 2021

Defense Industry

• Contracts For Aug. 2, 2021

Other Conflicts

• 2 August 2021 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 02 Aug 2021
• UK, Germany 'seek balance' with warship transits in South China Sea despite US pressure Global Times 02 Aug 2021 -- As a UK aircraft carrier task force left the South China Sea on Monday after only a week in the region, apparently without making provocative moves on China like UK reports previously claimed, a German warship reportedly set sail for a tour to the Indo-Pacific Region on the same day, eyeing a transit in the South China Sea without confronting China, and a port visit in Shanghai.
• India Asserts Maritime Presence in South China Sea As US Calls to Halt Beijing's 'Aggression' Sputnik 02 Aug 2021 -- The announcement that warships have been deployed in the South China Sea comes despite speculation from local analysts that India would not make a great effort to assert its presence in the maritime sphere because a lot of money has already been allocated to secure its land border with China.
• Iran Threatens 'Prompt, Strong' Response To Threats As U.K. Chides Tehran Over Deadly Tanker Attack RFE/RL 02 Aug 2021 -- Tehran warned on August 2 that it would respond swiftly to any threat to its security, as the United Kingdom summoned the Iranian ambassador over what London and allies say was a deadly attack on a commercial ship off the coast of Oman ordered by Tehran.
• Iran defender of innocent passage of ships: Spox IRNA 02 Aug 2021 -- Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh said on Monday that Iran is a defender of innocent passage of ships in the Persian Gulf and the International waters.
• UK's blaming of Iran for ship attack ill-advised IRNA 02 Aug 2021 -- The UK hastily followed suite with the Israeli regime in blaming Iran for the deadly ship attack off Oman coast, neglecting the fact that the ill-advised measure won't have a positive effect on its ties with Iran, as the new Iranian president is nearly taking office.
• No indication of Iran's involvement in Israeli tanker attack: Russia Press TV 02 Aug 2021 -- A senior Russian foreign ministry official strictly rejects existence of any indications pointing to Iran's likely involvement in a recent attack on an Israeli oil tanker off the Omani coast.
• US, UK join Israel in accusing Iran of tanker attack, give green signal for 'response' Press TV 02 Aug 2021 -- The United States and the United Kingdom have joined Israel in accusing Iran of orchestrating Thursday's attack on an Israeli tanker off the coast of Oman, despite Tehran's firm denial.
• Israeli Defense Minister Says Attack on Mercer Street Vessel Constitutes 'Escalation' Sputnik 02 Aug 2021 -- Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz said on Monday that Iran's alleged involvement in the attack on the Mercer Street tanker in the Indian Ocean violated international law and was an act of "escalation."
• Joint Press Release of the 12th Round of China-India Corps Commander Level Meeting PLA Daily 02 Aug 2021 -- The 12th round of India-China Corps Commander Level Meeting was held at the Chushul-Moldo border meeting point on the Indian side.
• JOINT PRESS RELEASE Of The 12th ROUND OF INDIA-CHINA CORPS COMMANDER LEVEL MEETING India PIB 02 Aug 2021 -- The 12th round of India-China Corps Commander Level Meeting was held at the Chushul-Moldo border meeting point on the Indian side.
• Local Government in Gansu Shuts Down Tibetan Temple, Evicts Monks, Nuns Radio Free Asia 02 Aug 2021 -- Authorities in the northwestern Chinese province of Gansu have forcibly shut down a Tibetan monastery in the Linxia Hui Autonomous Prefecture, evicting the monks and nuns by force, RFA has learned.

News Reports

• CISA and FBI Join Forces to Prevent Bomb-Making with Operation Flashpoint CISA 02 Aug 2021 -- The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) have launched a 90-day pilot program called "Operation Flashpoint" across CISA's southeastern region to build awareness in communities about how to prevent bomb attacks.
• U.S. Rejects Russian Envoy's Claim Diplomats Were Asked To Leave Country RFE/RL 02 Aug 2021 -- The U.S. State Department has rejected a claim by Russia's ambassador to the United States who said Washington had asked 24 Russian diplomats to leave the country by September 3 after their visas expired.
• Russian Court Convicts Ukrainian For Trying To Smuggle Missile-Defense Parts RFE/RL 02 Aug 2021 -- A court in central Russia has sentenced a Ukrainian citizen to more than three years in prison after convicting him of trying to smuggle parts from a Russian missile system to Ukraine.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson's Remarks on Wanton Comments by the US and the EU on the Macao Court of Final Appeal Decision to Dismiss Appeals by Three Candidate Teams PRC MofA 02 Aug 2021
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson's Remarks on State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi Attending the Series of Foreign Ministers' Meetings on East Asia Cooperation via Videoconference PRC MofA 02 Aug 2021
• Hong Kong Popstar, Former Lawmaker Charged With 'Corruption' Over Campaign Rally Gig Radio Free Asia 02 Aug 2021 -- Authorities in Hong Kong have charged a pop-star and a former opposition lawmaker with "corruption" after the singer appeared at a political rally during campaigning for a 2018 byelection.
• Hong Kong Pop Star Arrested Over 2018 Performance VOA 02 Aug 2021 -- A well-known Hong Kong pop singer and pro-democracy proponent was arrested Monday for performing songs at a political rally three years ago.
• As Winter Olympics Near, China Ups Intimidation of Foreign Media VOA 02 Aug 2021 -- In six months, throngs of foreign media will arrive in Beijing for the 2022 Winter Olympics. They may be welcomed by a wide-ranging Chinese government campaign to foment public anger against Western journalists, who have been increasingly harassed because of their reporting.
• DPRK slams U.S.-South Korea military drills, casts doubt on North-South summit People's Daily 02 Aug 2021 -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Sunday night urged South Korea to cancel its regular joint military exercises with the United States and said a North-South leader-level summit remains unlikely in the short term, the official Korean Central News Agency reported.
• North Korea warns US-South Korea war games to hamper diplomacy Press TV 02 Aug 2021 -- Kim Yo-jong, the influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, has warned that a planned joint US-South Korea military exercise will undercut a renewed push for diplomacy on the Korean Peninsula, state-run media reported.
• No new deal on Iran nuclear program possible, no alternative to JCPOA: Top Russia negotiator Press TV 02 Aug 2021 -- Russia's lead negotiator at the Vienna talks on the revival of a 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and major world powers says it is not possible to reach a new agreement on the Iranian nuclear program.
• Spokesman: Any adventurism will be met with Iran's immediate, powerful response Press TV 02 Aug 2021 -- The spokesman for Iran's Foreign Ministry has warned against any possible act of adventurism against the country's interests, pledging "immediate, powerful, and serious" response to any such move.
• Official: Iran will give crushing response to any measure against its interests, national security Press TV 02 Aug 2021 -- An informed Iranian source says the country will give a strong and crushing response to any measure taken against its national interests and security, blaming Britain and the US for the consequences of such moves against Tehran.
• Myanmar's shadow government slams junta ruler for taking PM position Press TV 02 Aug 2021 -- Myanmar's shadow government set up by pro-democracy activists and anti-coup people has denounced the junta ruler for taking on the role of prime minister in a caretaker administration.
• Myanmar's Junta Releases Jailed Anti-Coup Activists And Government Employees Radio Free Asia 02 Aug 2021 -- Myanmar's junta on Monday released jailed political activists and government employees who took part in anti-coup protests, a day after announcing that it would extend its hold on power, in what observers say was a move meant to appease international critics of its rule.
• Myanmar Junta Forms Caretaker Government; Min Aung Hlaing is Prime Minister VOA 02 Aug 2021 -- Myanmar's ruling State Administrative Council said Sunday it has become a caretaker government and its leader, Min Aung Hlaing, is to be prime minister.
• Belarusian Journalist Sentenced To 18 Months In Prison For 'Insulting' Lukashenka RFE/RL 02 Aug 2021 -- A Belarusian journalist has been sentenced to 18 months in prison after being found guilty of insulting the country's authoritarian leader, Alyaksandr Lukashenka, and slandering two police officers.
• Analysts, Activists Demand Action to End Lebanon's Rampant Corruption VOA 02 Aug 2021 -- Analysts and activists alike are demanding that rampant corruption that has eroded Lebanon's governing system be uprooted. Supported by the United States, the European Union's recent adoption of a new sanctions regime on Lebanon's corrupt players is seen by observers as one way forward to tackling the endemic problem while pressing for the formation of a new government.
• Lebanon's Mikati says formation of new government slower than expected Press TV 02 Aug 2021 -- Lebanon's new Prime Minister-designate Najib Mikati has acknowledged that the formation of his cabinet is slower than expected, as the cash-strapped Arab country is desperately in need of filling a persisting political vacuum and addressing the ongoing socioeconomic crisis.
• Malaysia's Mahathir, Anwar lead march on parliament to demand PM Muhyiddin resign Press TV 02 Aug 2021 -- Malaysian opposition lawmakers have staged a march on the parliament building in Kuala Lumpur demanding that Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin resign after the embattled premier canceled a parliamentary session amid political turmoil.
• Nigeria's Kaduna state seeks to foil Zakzaky's release by filing new charge: Lawyer Press TV 02 Aug 2021 -- A prominent Nigerian lawyer and human rights activist has revealed that the Kaduna state government has hastily filed a new charge against Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky, leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, and his wife in a desperate move to block their release.
• Cambodia Jails Activists Over 2020 Paris Peace Petitions Radio Free Asia 02 Aug 2021 -- A Cambodian court on Monday sentenced nine activists, including a lawmaker from the outlawed main opposition party, to prison terms ranging from 12 to 20 months on incitement charges for issuing pro-democracy petitions last year, the daughter of one of the defendants said.
• Jailed Vietnamese Democracy Advocate Vows Hunger Strike to His Death Radio Free Asia 02 Aug 2021 -- Jailed Vietnamese democracy activist Tran Huynh Duy Thuc has ended a months-long hunger strike, his third since October, but said he will starve himself to death if his 16-year sentence for subversion is not reduced to five years, family members say.
• Kyrgyz Ex-President Akaev Returns For Questioning Over Gold Mine At Center Of International Dispute RFE/RL 02 Aug 2021 -- The ousted first president of independent Kyrgyzstan has returned from Russian exile to Bishkek for questioning in connection with an investigation into possible corruption around one of the world's biggest gold mines.
• Armenian President Appoints Pashinian To Prime Minister's Post RFE/RL 02 Aug 2021 -- Armenian President Armen Sarkisian appointed acting Prime Minister Nikola Pashinian to the post of prime minister on August 2, the first day of the parliament's new term following an election six weeks ago.