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Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• EU Calls for Permanent Ceasefire in Afghanistan Amid Intensified Fighting Sputnik 05 Aug 2021 -- The European Union calls for end of violence in Afghanistan as fighting escalates, EU foreign policy chief Joseph Borrell and Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarcic said on Thursday in a joint statement.
• Secretary Blinken's Call with Afghanistan High Council for National Reconciliation Chair Abdullah Abdullah US Dept. of State 05 Aug 2021
• No One Can Win in Afghanistan, Pakistan Warns VOA 05 Aug 2021 -- Pakistan is echoing warnings from Washington that neither the Afghan government nor the Taliban can get what they want if they insist on pushing ahead with military campaigns instead of working to reach an agreement through negotiations.
• Afghan Forces Launch Air Strikes In South As Taliban Threatens To Target Other Big Cities RFE/RL Gandhara 05 Aug 2021 -- The Afghan Air Force on August 5 resumed air strikes against Taliban positions in southern Afghanistan as militants made additional gains in the country's north.
• Taliban Warns Of More Attacks Targeting Afghan Government Officials RFE/RL Gandhara 05 Aug 2021 -- The Taliban has warned of more attacks targeting top Afghan government officials after an attack targeting the acting defense minister in Kabul and as insurgents continue their fight for control of cities across the country.
• Taliban Shuts Down Afghanistan's Independent Media In Newly Gained Territory RFE/RL Gandhara 05 Aug 2021 -- Afghanistan's thriving media scene has been hailed as one of the biggest achievements of the past 20 years, following the Taliban's ban of independent media during its brutal former regime that was ousted in 2001.
• HRW Warns Of Justice Failure To Protect Afghan Women Amid Fears Of Worse To Come RFE/RL Gandhara 05 Aug 2021 -- Human Rights Watch (HRW) has issued a new warning on the failures of Afghanistan's justice system to adequately protect women and said gains by Taliban militants currently waging an all-out push for territory "further risk crucial legal protections."
• Taliban say targeting Afghan provincial cities in retaliation for US aerial raids Press TV 05 Aug 2021 -- The Taliban have switched strategy from targeting rural areas of Afghanistan to attacking provincial cities in response to increased US airstrikes across the war-ravaged country, militant sources say.
• Russia: Afghan Taliban offensive running out of steam Press TV 05 Aug 2021 -- A senior Russian foreign ministry official says the Taliban offensive in Afghanistan is "gradually running out of steam" as the militant group lacks resources to seize major cities across the conflict-ridden country.
• Russia to Deploy Strategic Bombers for Joint Drills With Uzbekistan Along Afghan Border Sputnik 05 Aug 2021 -- Large swathes of Afghanistan's northern frontiers have fallen into the hands of the Taliban in recent weeks, leading to concerns among its Central Asian neighbours that instability and terrorism may spread beyond the war-torn nation. The Taliban has assured neighbours that its militants would not engage in any fighting beyond Afghanistan's borders.

Defense Policy / Programs

• USS America Expeditionary Strike Group Participates in Combined and Joint Battle Problem US Navy 05 Aug 2021 -- USS America Expeditionary Strike Group (AMA ESG), along with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), begin operations alongside Royal Australian Navy's HMAS Canberra (L 02) and HMAS Ballarat (FFH 155); and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force JS Makinami (DD 115) in support of the Combined and Joint Battle Problem (CJBP), August 5-8.
• New Force Generation model builds high-end readiness, sustainability for Joint Force US Air Force 05 Aug 2021 -- The Air Force announced today it is in the final phases of transitioning to a new force generation model to balance today's combatant commander needs while building high-end readiness for the future.
• USS Roosevelt Completes 2nd FDNF-E Patrol US Navy 05 Aug 2021 -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Roosevelt (DDG 80) returned to Naval Station Rota, Spain, following the completion of its second Forward-Deployed Naval Forces-Europe (FDNF-E) patrol in the U.S. Sixth Fleet area of operations, Aug. 3, 2021.
• NIWC Atlantic Unveils New Innovation Center US Navy 05 Aug 2021 -- The NIWC Atlantic community attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony on July 27 unveiling the new Expeditionary Systems Integration and Innovation Center (ESIIC) Bay, a state-of-the-art, 36,000-square-foot lab facility at the command's Expeditionary Warfare Department headquarters building.
• Hershel "Woody" Williams Returns to Gulf of Guinea, Strengthening Partnership with Coastal African Nations US Navy 05 Aug 2021 -- Members of the Ghanaian Special Boat Squadron embarked the expeditionary sea base USS Hershel "Woody" Williams (ESB 4) to participate in maritime security training alongside the Nigerian Navy, Aug. 5, 2021.
• U.S. and Royal Saudi air forces continue counter-UAS partnership CENTCOM 05 Aug 2021 -- Protecting U.S. and allied forces against unmanned aerial system attacks continues to be a top priority in the U.S. Central Command theater of operations.
• Department Prioritizes Electromagnetic Spectrum Superiority, Implementing 2020 Strategy DoD 05 Aug 2021 -- The Secretary of Defense Lloyd James Austin III signed the 2020 Electromagnetic Spectrum Superiority Strategy's Implementation Plan (EMSSS I-Plan) on July 15. The Strategy's I-Plan provides the Department of Defense with the direction and executive oversight needed to achieve the Strategy's vision of "freedom of action in the electromagnetic spectrum, at the time, place, and parameters of our choosing."
• Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III Welcomes President of the Republic of Palau, Surangel Whipps Jr. to the Pentagon DoD 05 Aug 2021
• DOD and ROK Conduct First Bilateral Communication Technology Cooperation Committee Forum DoD 05 Aug 2021 -- Leaders from the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) Chief Information Office (CIO) and the Office of Planning and Coordination Republic of Korea (ROK) Ministry of Defense (MOD) met August 4 for the first time for a bilateral Information and Communication Technology Cooperation Committee (ICTCC) Forum.
• Indonesia, US stage joint military drills Press TV 05 Aug 2021 -- Indonesia and the United States are conducting two weeks of joint drills in Sumatra, Kalimantan and Sulawesi.
• PLA holds large drills amid military threats Global Times 05 Aug 2021 -- At a time when the US is holding large-scale military exercises targeting China, and several countries including the UK, Germany and India plan to send or have already sent warships to the South China Sea, China announced it will hold a military exercise from Friday to Tuesday in the South China Sea, setting up a vast navigation restriction zone some observers said resembles a drill conducted last year in which the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) reportedly conducted live-fire "aircraft carrier killer" anti-ship ballistic missiles exercises.
• 16th Chinese peacekeeping engineer contingent to Sudan returns home PLA Daily 05 Aug 2021 -- All peacekeepers of the 16th Chinese peacekeeping engineer contingent to Sudan returned home on the morning of August 4 after successfully completing a ten-month peacekeeping mission. A grand welcome ceremony was held for them at the camp.
• IRGC chief warns Israel: Iran's reaction to any threat will be crushing Press TV 05 Aug 2021 -- The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC)'s chief commander has sternly warned the enemies, especially Israel, against issuing threats against Iran, reminding them that the Islamic Republic's reaction to any act of aggression will be crushing.
• Japan Drops Plans to Procure US-Made Anti-Ship Missiles As Price Spirals Up, Reports Say Sputnik 05 Aug 2021 -- Japan has abandoned plans to purchase US-made anti-ship missiles for its F-15 fighter jets over skyrocketing prices, the Kyodo news agency reported on Thursday.
• Moscow Appreciates Ankara's Stand on S-400, Maintains Contact to Boost Defence Cooperation Sputnik 05 Aug 2021 -- Moscow appreciates Turkey's position on the purchase of S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems and sees significant potential for boosting defence cooperation with Ankara, as relevant departments are already in contact on this issue, Russian Foreign Ministry's Fourth European Department Director Yuri Pilipson said.
• Paladin howitzers will boost Taiwan's precision strike capability: experts CNA 05 Aug 2021 -- The United States' latest proposed arms sale to Taiwan of 40 turreted self-propelled howitzers and related equipment would allow for significantly improved precision strike capability, Taiwanese military analysts said Thursday.
• Taiwan thanks U.S. for approving sale of self-propelled artillery CNA 05 Aug 2021 -- The Presidential Office on Thursday thanked the United States government for approving the sale of 40 M109A6 "Paladin" self-propelled howitzers to help Taiwan beef up its self-defense capabilities.
• U.S. announces sale of self-propelled artillery to Taiwan CNA 05 Aug 2021 -- The United States government announced on Wednesday that it has approved the sale to Taiwan of 40 M109A6 "Paladin" self-propelled howitzers and related equipment at an estimated cost of US$750 million.
• US State Dept. approves potential sale of Howitzer systems to Chinese Taipei Press TV 05 Aug 2021 -- The US State Department has approved the potential sale of 40 Howitzer artillery systems to Chinese Taipei, which would be the first sale of arms to the self-governed Chinese island under US President Joe Biden and will likely inflame further tensions with Beijing.
• Biden Administration Approves First Arms Sale to Taiwan Sputnik 05 Aug 2021 -- Late last year, the Chinese Foreign Ministry imposed sanctions on several US defense contractors, including Lockheed Martin, after learning then-US President Donald Trump's administration approved an arms sale to Taiwan valued at $1.8 billion.
• Milestone capability on Exercise Talisman Sabre Australia DOD 05 Aug 2021 -- Standing up a transportable air operations tower (TAOT) at RAAF Base Scherger represented a significant milestone for air operations, as units under No. 44 Wing control delivered a new level of bare base capability during Exercise Talisman Sabre (TS21).
• Why the Philippines Picked America Over China VOA 05 Aug 2021 -- The Philippine government's decision to restore its Visiting Forces Agreement with the U.S. military after 18 months of threats to scrap it shows that Beijing had not delivered enough to the Southeast Asian country to sustain a friendship or excite common Filipinos, analysts say.
• Indonesia Starts 'New Era' With The US as Washington Courts Southeast Asia Radio Free Asia 05 Aug 2021 -- Indonesia's top diplomat on Thursday signaled the start of "a new era" in ties between Southeast Asia's largest country and the United States, as she wrapped up a visit to Washington.
• U.S.-ROK Director General/Deputy-Level Consultation Meeting US Dept. of State 05 Aug 2021 -- U.S. Deputy Special Representative for the DPRK Dr. Jung Pak hosted the first interagency U.S.-Republic of Korea (ROK) Director General/Deputy-Level Consultation (DLC) meeting with Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Unification, and Blue House officials, along with National Security Council, Treasury, and Defense participants on August 4.
• Secretary Blinken's Meeting with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kuleba and Head of the Presidential Office Yermak US Dept. of State 05 Aug 2021
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken And Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba Before Their Meeting US Dept. of State 05 Aug 2021
• Joint Statement of the Friends of the Mekong "Recovery and Resilience" US Dept. of State 05 Aug 2021 -The text of the following statement was released by the Governments of the United States of America and the Governments and Members of the Friends of the Mekong Group on the occasion of the 2021 Friends of the Mekong Ministerial Meeting.
• Secretary Blinken's Call with Republic of Korea Foreign Minister Chung US Dept. of State 05 Aug 2021
• Secretary Blinken's Participation in the Friends of the Mekong Ministers' Meeting US Dept. of State 05 Aug 2021
• The United States and the Friends of the Mekong: Proven Partners for the Mekong Region US Dept. of State 05 Aug 2021
• Department Press Briefing – August 5, 2021 US Dept. of State 05 Aug 2021

Defense Industry

• Contracts For Aug. 5, 2021
• Hermeus Fully-Funded to Flight with $60 Million U.S. Air Force Partnership Hermeus 05 Aug 2021 -- Hermeus, the aerospace company developing Mach 5 aircraft, announced today the signing of a $60 million U.S. Air Force partnership for flight testing its first aircraft, Quarterhorse. Quarterhorse will validate the company's proprietary turbine-based combined cycle (TBCC) engine, based around the GE J85 turbojet engine, and is the first in a line of autonomous high-speed aircraft.

Other Conflicts

• 5 August 2021 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 05 Aug 2021
• Refugee resettlement numbers yet to recover amid pandemic UN News 05 Aug 2021 -- The number of refugees given shelter in safe host countries plunged last year because of pandemic border restrictions, which continue to hamper the resettlement of vulnerable people.
• World Bank, UN Say Pandemic is Pushing Displaced People to Take Extreme Survival Measures VOA 05 Aug 2021 -- World Bank-U.N. refugee agency survey in eight developing countries finds the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic has worsened conditions for forcibly displaced people, pushing them to take extreme measures to survive. The data was collected from 90,000 phone interviews in Bangladesh, Chad, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Iraq, Kenya, Uganda and Yemen.
• Yemen siege must be removed without preconditions in order for peace to prevail: Houthi Press TV 05 Aug 2021 -- A high-ranking Yemeni official has denounced Saudi Arabia and its regional allies over their blackmail-style tactics against his country, stressing the need for unconditional removal of the tight sea, land and air blockade on Yemen as the prerequisite for peace to prosper in the crisis-stricken country.
• Civilians in southern Syria 'under siege' – UN human rights chief UN News 05 Aug 2021 -- The top UN rights official once more sounded the alarm on Thursday over the plight of civilians in Syria, as intense fighting and indiscriminate shelling by Government forces and armed opposition groups paralyze neighbourhoods in and around the southern city of Daraa.
• Iraqi legislator warns against Turkey's attempts to 'seize control of Mosul, annex it' Press TV 05 Aug 2021 -- An Iraqi lawmaker has condemned Turkey's ongoing military operations in the semi-autonomous Kurdistan region against purported positions of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) militant group, stating that Ankara intends to seize control of the strategic northwestern city of Mosul and annex it to its own territory.
• Fresh Clashes in Myanmar's Remote Ethnic Regions Lead to Casualties, Displacement Radio Free Asia 05 Aug 2021 -- Clashes between the military and rebel groups in Myanmar's remote ethnic regions have left several government troops dead and injured in recent days, according to sources, while vulnerable refugees in camps along the country's northwestern borders are in desperate need of supplies, aid workers said.
• Bangladesh Sees Rise in Rohingya Fleeing Cox's Bazar Camps Radio Free Asia 05 Aug 2021 -- Rohingya refugees are increasingly slipping through barbed wire-topped fences that surround their camps in southeastern Bangladesh in search of work, domestically or abroad, officials said Thursday.
• Israel conducts airstrikes against southern Lebanon Press TV 05 Aug 2021 -- The Israeli regime takes an area in southern Lebanon under airstrikes after launching heavy artillery attack aimed again at the country's south in response to alleged rocket attack.
• Israel Launches Airstrikes on Lebanon after Rocket Attacks VOA 05 Aug 2021 -- Israel launched at least two airstrikes on Lebanon, the most severe such strikes since 2006, after gunmen fired three rockets at Israel on Wednesday. At the same time, Israeli officials stepped up their rhetoric against Iran.
• OSCE Minsk Group issued on 29 July: UK statement UK FCDO 05 Aug 2021 -- Ambassador Neil Bush welcomes continued efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs to secure a sustainable, peaceful and fully negotiated settlement.
• USAID Head Says Ethiopia's Humanitarian Situation Growing Worse VOA 05 Aug 2021 -- The head of the U.S. Agency for International Development highlighted what she called "desperate humanitarian needs that are growing even more acute with every passing day" during talks Wednesday with officials in Ethiopia.
• Indian Police Force End to Kashmir Shop Protest VOA 05 Aug 2021 -- Traders in Indian-administered Kashmir have accused police of forcing them to open their shops in the capital, Srinagar, to "portray normalcy" on the anniversary of the revocation of the region's special autonomy status.

News Reports

• CISA Launches New Joint Cyber Defense Collaborative CISA 05 Aug 2021 -- The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) announced the standup of the Joint Cyber Defense Collaborative (JCDC) today, a new agency effort to lead the development of cyber defense operations plans, and to execute those plans in coordination with partners from the federal interagency, private sector, and state, local, tribal, territorial (SLTT) government stakeholders to drive down risk before an incident and to unify defensive actions should an incident occur.
• Over $1 Billion in Misappropriated 1MDB Funds Now Repatriated to Malaysia US Dept. of Justice 05 Aug 2021 -- The Justice Department announced today that it has repatriated an additional $452 million in misappropriated 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) funds to the people of Malaysia, bringing the total returned to over $1.2 billion.
• US Justice Department Returns More Than $1 Billion in Stolen Malaysian Funds VOA 05 Aug 2021 -- The U.S. Justice Department said Thursday it has returned an additional $452 million stolen from Malaysia's investment fund known as 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), bringing the total amount of money repatriated to the Malaysian government in the last five years to at least $1.2 billion.
• Briefing by Deputy Director of the Foreign Ministry Information and Press Department Alexander Bikantov, Moscow, August 5, 2021 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 05 Aug 2021
• Russia's Restrictions Prevent OSCE Observation of Duma Elections US Dept. of State 05 Aug 2021 -- The United States regrets that restrictions imposed by Russian authorities will prevent the OSCE's Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly from independently observing the Duma elections in September.
• Russian Opposition Politician Shlosberg Returned To Ballot By Regional Election Commission RFE/RL 05 Aug 2021 -- Russian opposition politician Lev Shlosberg of the Yabloko party and his colleague Nikolai Kuzmin have been returned to the list of candidates running for deputy in the Pskov regional parliament.
• Khodorkovsky-Backed Media, Legal Aid Groups Shut Down After Russia Blocks Them RFE/RL 05 Aug 2021 -- Two online publications and a legal aid group backed by exiled Kremlin critic Mikhail Khodorkovsky announced they were ceasing operations on August 5 after the sites were blocked by Russian authorities.
• No OSCE observation of Russia's State Duma elections: UK statement UK FCDO 05 Aug 2021 -- Ambassador Neil Bush voices UK dismay that Russia's unwarranted restrictions have prevented ODIHR from effectively observing its elections in September.
• Memorandum on the Deferred Enforced Departure for Certain Hong Kong Residents The White House 05 Aug 2021
• Safe Haven for Hong Kongers US Dept. of State 05 Aug 2021 -- "At the end of June 2020, the People's Republic of China imposed the sweeping National Security Law on Hong Kong, further undermining Hong Kong's autonomy."
• Statement by White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki on Deferred Enforced Departure for Certain Hong Kong Residents The White House 05 Aug 2021
• Statement from Secretary Mayorkas on Deferred Enforcement Departure for Certain Residents of Hong Kong DHS 05 Aug 2021 -- Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas released the following statement on Deferred Enforcement Departure for certain residents of Hong Kong:
• Biden Gives Hong Kong Residents 'Safe Haven' in US VOA 05 Aug 2021 -- U.S. President Joe Biden on Thursday offered an 18-month "safe haven" to thousands of Hong Kong residents to remain living in the U.S. rather than to face repression by being deported to the Chinese-controlled territory.
• Biden offers temporary 'safe haven' to Hong Kong residents amid tensions with China Press TV 05 Aug 2021 -- US President Joe Biden has offered a temporary "safe haven" to Hong Kong residents in the United States, accusing the Chinese government of cracking down on civil liberties in the Chinese territory.
• Biden Signs Memorandum Giving Temporary Safe Haven to Hong Kong Residents, White House Says Sputnik 05 Aug 2021 -- US President Joe Biden has signed a memorandum that provides a temporary safe haven to the residents of Hong Kong, the White House spokesperson Jen Psaki announced on Thursday.
• 'Drop the illusion. You'll never see that day come again!' Chinese FM slams West for trying to push HK back to chaos Global Times 05 Aug 2021 -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Wednesday warned the US and Japan to "drop the illusion" of pushing Hong Kong back to chaos, refuting their remarks on issues related to Xinjiang and Hong Kong regions and their attacks on China's human rights.
• Hawaii Fishermen Concerned Over Growing Chinese Presence VOA 05 Aug 2021 -- Early morning in Honolulu, yellowfin, bigeye and other types of tuna, along with swordfish, are put up for auction after being offloaded from ships overnight. Longline boats, 145 of them, operate from this port, trailing kilometers-long baited lines. These vessels mostly fish in international waters at least 400 kilometers offshore, alongside boats from Taiwan, China, Japan and South Korea. Wholesale buyers compete for the catch in an early morning auction, and a single high-quality tuna can fetch from several hundred dollars to more than $1,000.
• China denounces approval of US arms sale to Chinese Taipei, says will take counter-measures Press TV 05 Aug 2021 -- China's Foreign Ministry has strongly denounced a recent approval of arms sale by the United States to Chinese Taipei and demanded an end to any form of official or military exchanges with the self-governed Chinese island.
• Mainland vows countermeasures to Biden's 1st Taiwan arms sales Global Times 05 Aug 2021 -- The Biden administration's first arms sales to the island of Taiwan has received US State Department approval, which observers said was "not surprising" as Biden administration is doggedly playing the "Taiwan card" despite the already straining ties.
• US arms sales sound death knell for Taiwan authorities: Global Times editorial Global Times 05 Aug 2021 -- The Pentagon said on Wednesday that the US State Department approved the potential sale of 40 155mm M109A6 Medium Self-Propelled Howitzer artillery systems to the island of Taiwan in a deal worth up to $750 million, according to Reuters. It was the first major arms sale announced since US President Joe Biden took office. Furthermore, Japanese Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi said on Tuesday that Japan was hoping to deploy anti-aircraft and anti-ship missile units to Ishigaki - just 185 miles from Taiwan, Newsweek reported. Japanese media said such deployment involves the deterrence of Japan's Self-defense Forces to help defend Taiwan.
• China slams U.S. approval of arms sale to Taiwan People's Daily 05 Aug 2021 -- China on Thursday expressed firm opposition to the U.S. State Department's approval of an arms sale to Taiwan, and has lodged solemn representations with the U.S. side, according to a Foreign Ministry spokesperson.
• Foreign Ministry spokesperson's Remarks on the US State Department's Approval of Arms Sale to Taiwan PRC MofA 05 Aug 2021
• Raisi Takes Oath as Iran's New President VOA 05 Aug 2021 -- Ebrahim Raisi was sworn in Thursday as Iran's new president.
• New Iranian President Raisi Sworn In Before Parliament RFE/RL 05 Aug 2021 -- Ebrahim Raisi took his oath before parliament on August 5 to complete his inauguration making him Iran's new president.
• Ebrahim Raeisi takes oath of office at parliament as Iran's eighth president Press TV 05 Aug 2021 -- After having his mandate endorsed by Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, Ebrahim Raeisi has taken the oath of office to be officially inaugurated as the eighth president of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
• Ebrahim Raisi takes oath of office as new Iranian president IRNA 05 Aug 2021 -- Iran's new President Ebrahim Raisi took the oath of office in a ceremony held at the Iranian parliament in Tehran on Thursday.
• Ebrahim Raisi Sworn In as New President of Iran Sputnik 05 Aug 2021 -- Ebrahim Raisi took an oath of office as the new president of Iran on Thursday, the IRIB broadcaster reported.
• President Raisi: Iran supports any diplomatic plan to help lift sanctions IRNA 05 Aug 2021 -- Iran's new President said in a swearing-in ceremony on Thursday that the incumbent government elected by the nation will stand up for the interests of the people and bring about justice, and that the new government will support any diplomatic effort or plan to help remove the sanctions.
• Raeisi: Sanctions, pressures will not dissuade Iranians from pursuing their legal rights Press TV 05 Aug 2021 -- Iran's President Ebrahim Raeisi says the US policy of imposing sanctions and mounting pressure on the Iranian nation will not deter the nation from pursuing its legal rights, including the right to development.
• U.S. Urges Raisi's Iran To Resume Nuclear Talks 'Soon' RFE/RL 05 Aug 2021 -- The United States has urged Iran to return to talks on reviving the 2015 nuclear deal after the new hard-line president, Ebrahim Raisi, said he would seek a diplomatic way to end sanctions.
• US Waiting to See What Happens Next After Iran's New President Took Office, White House Says Sputnik 05 Aug 2021 -- The Biden administration waiting to see what happens next with the Iran nuclear talks following President Ebrahim Raisi's inauguration, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said on Thursday.
• FM spox: Iran's response to any stupid move will be decisive IRNA 05 Aug 2021 -- Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh stressed that Iran's response to any kind of foolish act will be harsh.
• Israel Threatens 'Military Action' Against Iran As Regional Tensions Mount RFE/RL 05 Aug 2021 -- Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz said on August 5 that his country is prepared to "take military action against Iran."
• Myanmar's UN envoy reveals purported massacre by the junta Press TV 05 Aug 2021 -- Myanmar's Ambassador to the United Nations (UN) Kyaw Moe Tun, who has refused to leave his post despite being fired after a coup in February, has revealed a purported massacre by the military regime.
• Myanmar's UN Representative Alleges Massacres by Military VOA 05 Aug 2021 -- Myanmar's ambassador to the United Nations has sent a letter to U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres alleging a series of massacres by the military last month in the northwestern part of the country.
• Security on Myanmar's UN Envoy Tightened After Threat Radio Free Asia 05 Aug 2021 -- Myanmar's ambassador to the United Nations, a critic of the country's six-month-old military regime, has been put under heightened security following a threat made against him by an unknown organization, RFA has learned.
• Brunei Diplomat Appointed ASEAN's Special Envoy to Myanmar VOA 05 Aug 2021 -- Foreign ministers from the Association of Southeast Asan Nations have appointed Brunei diplomat Erywan Yusof as its special envoy to military-ruled Myanmar.
• Poland Says Belarus Is Letting Migrants Cross Border In 'Hybrid War' With EU RFE/RL 05 Aug 2021 -- Poland has accused Belarus of sending a growing number of migrants over the border in retaliation for Warsaw's decision this week to give refuge to Belarusian athlete Krystsina Tsimanouskaya who refused to return home from the Tokyo Olympics and arrived in Warsaw overnight under Polish diplomatic protection.
• EU Summons Belarus Envoy, Seeks Iraqi Help Over Migrant Crisis At Lithuania's Border RFE/RL 05 Aug 2021 -- The European Union has summoned Belarus's top diplomat in Brussels and talked to Iraqi officials about suspending that country's flights to Minsk amid accusations that Belarus has "weaponized" migrants to create problems at the bloc's eastern border.
• China urges US to end embargo on Cuba Press TV 05 Aug 2021 -- China has called on the United States to immediately and fully lift its sanctions and decades-long embargo against Cuba, and to stop making excuses to interfere in and destabilize the small Caribbean island.
• Anti-Taliban Pakistani Political Movement Struggles to be Heard VOA 05 Aug 2021 -- When thousands gathered in a former Taliban stronghold in Pakistan's South Waziristan region to denounce the militants' actions in Afghanistan, the mass rally attracted little attention among Pakistani news networks.
• UK becomes Dialogue Partner of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations UK FCDO 05 Aug 2021 -- The UK has agreed a new partnership with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
• Lebanon's PM-designate Mikati reports progress, albeit slow, toward forming cabinet Press TV 05 Aug 2021 -- Lebanon's new Prime Minister-designate Najib Mikati says progress, though slow, has been achieved toward forming a desperately-needed cabinet in the cash-strapped Arab country, stressing that donor countries will not help Lebanon unless it helps itself.
• Anti-Hezbollah accusations over Beirut port blast politically-motivated: Official Press TV 05 Aug 2021 -- A senior Hezbollah official has strongly dismissed accusations against the Lebanese resistance movement over last year's Beirut port explosion that killed more than 200 people, stating that such claims are politically-motivated and meant to tarnish the image of his group.
• Cambodian Committee to Monitor, Discipline Journalists Raises Alarms Radio Free Asia 05 Aug 2021 -- Cambodian journalists and rights groups are voicing concern over the authoritarian government's creation of a new committee to promote "journalism ethics and professional standards" with the power to discipline reporters.
• Tanzania Opposition Supporters Arrested as Leader's Case Postponed VOA 05 Aug 2021 -- Tanzania's main opposition Chadema party held a street protest Thursday with its supporters calling for the government to release their leader, Freeman Mbowe.