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News Reports

Current Operations

• Situation in Afghanistan Hinges on Afghan Civilian, Military Leaders DoD News 09 Aug 2021 -- The situation in Afghanistan hinges on Afghan civilian and military leadership, the Pentagon press secretary said today during a news conference.
• Battle Between Taliban, Afghan Government Now Seeing Return of Warlords VOA 09 Aug 2021 -- The beleaguered Afghan government is having to turn to veteran warlords to try to fend off the Taliban as international forces withdraw from the country.
• US Admits Afghanistan 'Not Going in the Right Direction' VOA 09 Aug 2021 -- The combination of U.S. over-the-horizon military capabilities and Afghan security forces appear to be no match for Taliban fighters in Afghanistan, who continue to beat back better-equipped and more numerous government troops in a bid to exert control over the war-torn country.
• Taliban Overruns Sixth Provincial Capital In Less Than One Week RFE/RL Gandhara 09 Aug 2021 -- The Taliban on August 9 seized a sixth Afghan provincial center in less than a week, overrunning Aybak, the capital of the northern Samangan Province, according to multiple reports, while Afghan security forces battled militants in another three northern provinces -- Balkh, Takhar, and Kunduz.
• Taliban capture sixth Afghan provincial capital, Aibak: Deputy governor says Press TV 09 Aug 2021 -- The Taliban militants have captured Aibak, the sixth Afghan provincial capital, the deputy governor of the province says, as the militants press on with their northern offensive following the weekend's rapid advances.
• Taliban warn US against 'interference' in Afghan affairs Press TV 09 Aug 2021 -- The Taliban have issued a "warning" against "US interference" in Afghanistan as the militants continue their push in several provinces amid a vow by Afghan officials that "resistance" will persist.
• US presence in Afghanistan caused 'immense suffering' to civilians: Karzai tells Press TV Press TV 09 Aug 2021 -- Afghanistan's former President Hamid Karzai says the US military presence in the country on the pretext of fighting terrorism has caused "immense suffering" to the civilians and the country's infrastructure.
• Pakistan to host neighboring FM's on Afghan peace IRNA 09 Aug 2021 -- Pakistan, which was set to hold an Afghan peace conference last month, is now preparing to host a meeting of foreign ministers from neighboring countries, including the Islamic Republic of Iran, to help overcome Afghan crisis.
• Afghanistan Government to Arm Civilian Militias Amid Taliban Advance Sputnik 09 Aug 2021 -- Afghanistan decided on Monday to arm civilian militias in view of the onslaught of the Taliban (a terrorist group, outlawed in Russia) across the coutnry, the presidential office said.
• German Defense Chief Rules Out Return to Afghanistan as Taliban Gain Ground Sputnik 09 Aug 2021 -- German Defense Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer ruled out on Monday sending troops back to Afghanistan, even as militants continued to tighten their grip on the country.
• Taliban Claims to Have Entered Capitals of Samangan and Balkh Provinces Amid Major Offensive Sputnik 09 Aug 2021 -- The Taliban* forces have entered Aybak, the capital of the Afghan northern province of Samangan, and released inmates from the local jail, a source told Sputnik. Government forces have left the occupied areas, the source added.
• Kunduz Not Captured in Taliban Offensive, Russian Foreign Ministry Says Sputnik 09 Aug 2021 -- Russia currently has no confirmation that the Taliban* have captured the strategic city of Kunduz as the militants intensify their offensive across Afghanistan, the special presidential representative for Afghanistan told Sputnik.
• Denmark Promises to Evacuate Afghans Who Helped US-Led Mission, Sweden Says No Sputnik 09 Aug 2021 -- Amid the termination of the international mission in Afghanistan and the pullout of troops, violence has surged in the war-torn country, with the Taliban going on the offensive and winning swaths of territory.
• UK Defence Secretary Slams 'Rotten' US-Taliban Deal, Says NATO Shunned Calls to Stay in Afghanistan Sputnik 09 Aug 2021 -- Violence in Afghanistan has been on the rise since American and NATO troops began to withdraw from the country over the past several months, in sync with an agreement reached between the Taliban and the US in Doha in February 2020.
• Shocking' escalation of grave violations against children in Afghanistan: UNICEF UN News 09 Aug 2021 -- The UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) expressed shock on Monday at the rapid escalation of grave violations against children in Afghanistan, following the deaths of 27 children in the country in the past 72 hours, and 136 who were injured.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Statement by President Joe Biden on COVID-19 Vaccines for Service Members The White House 09 Aug 2021
• Secretary of Defense Message to the Force DoD 09 Aug 2021
• Austin Seeks Presidential Approval for Mandatory Troop Vaccinations by Mid-September DoD News 09 Aug 2021 -- The COVID-19 vaccine will be mandatory for service members by mid-September, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III said in a message to the force released today.
• US Military to Mandate COVID Vaccines by Mid-September VOA 09 Aug 2021 -- The U.S. military will start requiring service members to receive a COVID-19 vaccine by the middle of September, anticipating full regulatory approval of a vaccine by then.
• US Military Requires Troops to Get Coronavirus Vaccines By September 15 Sputnik 09 Aug 2021 -- Members of the US military will have to receive coronavirus vaccines by September 15, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said in a memorandum to soldiers, obtained by Associated Press on Monday.
• Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby Holds a Press Briefing DoD 09 Aug 2021
• Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin's Call With Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff, General Qamar Javed Bajwa DoD 09 Aug 2021
• Andersen AFB provides COVID-19 relief to Vietnam US Air Force 09 Aug 2021 -- The 36th Contracting Squadron at Andersen Air Force Base recently partnered with the government of Vietnam to help bring COVID-19 relief by purchasing and sending 77 ultra-low temperature freezers at a total value of $691,000.
• US-Israeli training builds capabilities, partnerships, readiness US Air Force 09 Aug 2021 -- Army and Air Force civil engineers recently partnered with Israeli Air Force engineers to successfully test new airfield damage repair technologies in Israel.
• Exercise Cutlass Express 2021 Concludes AFRICOM 09 Aug 2021 -- Maritime forces from 15 East African, European, North America and West Indian Ocean nations joined several international organizations in celebrating the successful conclusion of multinational maritime exercise Cutlass Express 2021 (CE 21), Aug. 6, 2021.
• China, Russia Showcase Growing Ties With Joint Military Exercises RFE/RL 09 Aug 2021 -- In the latest display of deepening ties between Beijing and Moscow, Chinese and Russian troops kicked off five days of military exercises in northwestern China on August 9.
• Aircraft carrier Liaoning's latest voyage lays down foundation for enhanced night combat Global Times 08 Aug 2021 -- During the latest voyage by the aircraft carrier Liaoning, fighter jet pilot instructors from the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Naval Aviation University reportedly received certification to operate on carriers at night, marking the stage that the university can now coach pilot cadets nighttime carrier operations. This means China's aircraft carriers will get night combat-capable pilots faster than before, analysts said on Sunday.
• China's Submarines Attempt to Shadow UK Aircraft Carrier Heading to Pacific, British Media Claims Sputnik 08 Aug 2021 -- Chinese nuclear submarines tried to secretly follow UK aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth that was moving into the Pacific Ocean, but were soon identified, the Express newspaper reported on Sunday.
• Israeli submarine on heavily discouraged op potentially targeting Iran Press TV 09 Aug 2021 -- An Israeli submarine has reportedly entered the Red Sea, where it could pass through the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait and head towards the Persian Gulf, in a heavily discouraged mission potentially meant against Iran.
• Minsk Interested in Russian S-400 Air Defense Systems, Lukashenko Says Sputnik 09 Aug 2021 -- Minsk is interested in Russian S-400 air defence systems, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said on Monday, adding that he is sure that the country will receive the systems.
• Increase in Budget for Army India PIB 09 Aug 2021
• Indian Naval Ships Shivalik and Kadmatt at Brunei to enhance Bilateral Ties India PIB 09 Aug 2021 -- In pursuance of India's 'Act East' Policy, Indian Naval Ships Shivalik and Kadmatt arrived at Muara, Brunei as part of their deployment to South East Asia on 09 Aug 21. During the stay at Muara, Brunei, the crew of both the ships will participate in various bilateral professional interactions with Royal Brunei Navy.
• KEEL LAYING CEREMONY FOR 1st WARSHIP OF ASW SHALLOW WATER CRAFT PROJECT AND 3rd WARSHIP OF SURVEY VESSEL LARGE PROJECT India PIB 06 Aug 2021 -- Keels of the first warship of the Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASWSWC) project and the third warship of Survey Vessel Large (SVL) project for the Indian Navy were laid virtually on 06 Aug 2021 by VAdm SN Ghormade, Vice Chief of Naval Staff.
• £9.5m investment for military space communications UK MOD 09 Aug 2021 -- The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) have awarded a £9.5 million contract to In-Space Missions Ltd for the build of the Titania satellite, which will undertake vital research on the next-generation of communications technology.
• Radar systems put to the test Australia DOD 09 Aug 2021 -- Air Force radar and satellite systems were an important capability tested during Exercise Talisman Sabre 2021 (TS21).
• Frigate kept busy defending task group Australia DOD 09 Aug 2021 -- Defending a large task group comprising five nations was a challenge for one Australian warship – but with the assistance of her embarked helicopter, it was mission success.
• Domestic Renewal as a Foreign Policy Priority US Dept. of State 09 Aug 2021 -- Speech by Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State
• Readout from NSC Spokesperson Emily Horne on National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan's Call with Prime Minister Kaja Kallas of Estonia The White House 09 Aug 2021
• Statement by NSC Spokesperson Emily Horne on National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan's Meeting with Takeo Akiba, Secretary General of Japan's National Security Secretariat The White House 09 Aug 2021
• Secretary Blinken's Call with Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud US Dept. of State 09 Aug 2021
• Secretary Blinken's Meeting with Japanese National Security Advisor Akiba US Dept. of State 09 Aug 2021

Defense Industry

• Contracts For Aug. 9, 2021
• U.S. Department of State Concludes $6.6 Million Settlement of Alleged Export Violations by Keysight Technologies, Inc. US Dept. of State 09 Aug 2021 -- The Department of State has concluded an administrative settlement with Keysight Technologies, Inc. (Keysight) of Santa Rosa, California, to resolve alleged violations of the Arms Export Control Act (AECA), 22 U.S.C. § 2751 et seq., and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), 22 C.F.R. Parts 120-130.

Other Conflicts

• 9 August 2021- Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 09 Aug 2021
• Paper: UK forces arrive in Yemen to 'hunt' alleged attackers on Israeli tanker Press TV 09 Aug 2021 -- British special forces have arrived in Yemen to hunt down those whom the UK alleges are behind a recent drone attack on an Israeli-linked tanker in which a British security guard died, the Daily Express reports.
• Infiltration attempts at The International Border India PIB 09 Aug 2021 -- As per the report of Security Forces/Ministry of Home Affairs, the number of infiltration cases and number of infiltrators who were killed and apprehended during 2021 (upto 30.06.2021) are as under:
• Two Pakistani Policemen Killed In Attacks Claimed by Baluch Liberation Army RFE/RL Gandhara 09 Aug 2021 -- Two Pakistani policemen were killed and eight others injured on August 8 in a blast in Quetta, the capital of the country's southwestern Balochistan Province.
• 12 soldiers killed in attack in northwest Burkina Faso Press TV 09 Aug 2021 -- At least 12 soldiers have been killed and eight others wounded in an attack in northwestern Burkina Faso, the government said.
• Mozambican, Rwandan forces retake key port city from rebels Press TV 09 Aug 2021 -- Rwandan and Mozambican forces have recaptured the port town of Mocimboa da Praia, believed to be the last rebel stronghold in northern Mozambique, the Rwandan military said.
• Tigray: Intensified fighting across borders 'disastrous' for children UN News 09 Aug 2021 -- UN agencies continue to sound the alarm over the growing "humanitarian catastrophe" in northern Ethiopia, sparked by the conflict in the Tigray region, now in its ninth month.
• Food Aid Only Reaching Half of Tigrayans in Need VOA 09 Aug 2021 -- Food aid from the United Nations only reached half of its intended recipients in the Tigray region of Ethiopia, the World Food Program (WFP) said Monday.
• Myanmar's Military Blocks Supply Routes to 50,000 Refugees in Chin State Amid Renewed Fighting Radio Free Asia 09 Aug 2021 -- The military junta has cut all supply routes to a hilly town in western Myanmar's Chin state, putting as many as 50,000 refugees from months of fighting under siege with only two weeks supply of food, sources in the embattled region told RFA.

News Reports

• UN Chief: Climate Change Report 'Code Red for Humanity' VOA 09 Aug 2021 -- Humanity is unequivocally to blame for global climate change, and massive cuts to greenhouse gas emissions are urgently required if the world is to avoid catastrophic warming, according to a landmark report from the United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), published Monday.
• Global warming 'unequivocally' human driven, at unprecedented rate: IPCC UN News 09 Aug 2021 -- Climate change is widespread, rapid, and intensifying, and some trends are now irreversible, at least during the present time frame, according to the latest much-anticipated Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report, released on Monday.
• Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Working Group I Contribution to the Sixth Assessment Report US Dept. of State 09 Aug 2021 -- The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's (IPCC) newest report makes it clear – climate change is already a crisis.
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken At the United Nations Security Council Meeting on Maintenance of International Peace and Security: Maritime Security US Dept. of State 09 Aug 2021
• Boeing Says Starliner August Test Launch Still Possible VOA 09 Aug 2021 -- The aerospace company Boeing said Monday it could still test launch its Starliner crew capsule this month. The company had canceled a scheduled launch of the craft last week.
• DNI Haines Holds Joint Intelligence Community Council Director of National Intelligence 09 Aug 2021 -- Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines late Friday convened the Joint Intelligence Community Council (JICC) to promote and strengthen coordinated Intelligence Community support to the existing interagency efforts to address anomalous health incidents (AHI) affecting U.S. Government personnel and their families.
• Russian Opposition Politician Shlosberg Barred From Duma Election RFE/RL 09 Aug 2021 -- Russian opposition politician Lev Shlosberg of the Yabloko party says he has been barred from seeking election to the parliament's lower chamber, the State Duma, next month.
• Moscow Sanctions Several UK Citizens in Response to Statement on Human Rights in Chechnya Sputnik 09 Aug 2021 -- Moscow has imposed personal sanctions against a number of UK citizens in response to London's statement on the human rights situation in Russia's Chechen Republic, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Monday.
• Hong Kong's RTHK to Air More 'Patriotic' Content Lauding Ruling Party Radio Free Asia 09 Aug 2021 -- Hong Kong's public broadcaster will soon be required to step its "patriotic" content and air shows and movies lauding the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP), the city's leader has revealed.
• Thousands Evacuate Homes as Heavy Rains Flood North Korea Radio Free Asia 09 Aug 2021 -- Rainy season flooding has forced thousands of North Koreans to evacuate their homes and entire cities went without power as rising waters damaged buildings in distant parts of the country, sources in the region told RFA.
• Measures against Flood Damage Taken in Different Sectors of National Economy KCNA 09 Aug 2021 -- Foresighted measures for preventing the flood damage are being taken in various sectors of the national economy and major construction sites.
• Raisi: Iranian rights must be upheld in any negotiation IRNA 09 Aug 2021 -- Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi said on Monday that the rights of the Iranian people must be upheld in any negotiation.
• Iranian nation's rights must be guaranteed in any negotiations: President Raeisi Press TV 09 Aug 2021 -- Iran's President Ebrahim Raeisi says the rights of the Iranian nation must be guaranteed in any negotiations and its interests must be met.
• Iran terms security of Persian Gulf 'red line', slams UK for siding with Israel Press TV 09 Aug 2021 -- Iran has termed the security of the Persian Gulf as its "red line", while denouncing "baseless accusations" by British government officials against Tehran over recent incidents in the regional waters.
• France Urges Iran To Resume Talks On Reviving 2015 Nuke Deal RFE/RL 09 Aug 2021 -- French President Emmanuel Macron has urged Iran to resume talks on reviving the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers but Iran's new hard-line president, Ebrahim Raisi, says that Iran's "rights" must first be guaranteed.
• Iran's Raisi Reportedly Tells Macron EU, US Must Fulfill Nuclear Deal Obligations Sputnik 09 Aug 2021 -- Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi urged European countries and the United States on Monday to follow through on their nuclear deal obligations, official IRNA news reported.
• Interview: 'I Do Not Feel Worried at All Now,' Myanmar Envoy Says of Foiled Attack Radio Free Asia 09 Aug 2021 -- The U.S. Attorney's Office in the Southern District of New York announced on Aug. 6 the arrest of two Myanmar citizens residing in the city who had "plotted to seriously injure or kill Myanmar's ambassador to the United Nations." The court filing states that Phyo Hein Htut, 28, and Ye Hein Zaw, 20, were involved in plans to attack Ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun by tampering with the tires on his car to cause a crash while he was inside.
• Statement by President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. on Belarus The White House 09 Aug 2021
• FACT SHEET: Executive Order Imposing Costs on Alyaksandr Lukashenka and Belarusian Authorities for Ongoing Attacks Against Democratic Freedoms, Human Rights, and International Norms The White House 09 Aug 2021
• Letter to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President of the Senate on Blocking Property of Additional Persons Contributing to the Situation in Belarus The White House 09 Aug 2021
• Executive Order on Blocking Property of Additional Persons Contributing to the Situation in Belarus The White House 09 Aug 2021
• Holding the Lukashenka Regime to Account on the Anniversary of the Fraudulent Presidential Belarusian Election US Dept. of State 09 Aug 2021 -- On the one-year anniversary of Belarus's fraudulent presidential election, the United States government has taken decisive action against forty-four individuals and entities in order to hold Alyaksandr Lukashenka and his regime to account for its continued, violent repression of Belarusians inside and outside the country.
• Treasury Holds the Belarusian Regime to Account on Anniversary of Fraudulent Election US Treasury 09 Aug 2021 -- Today, on the one-year anniversary of Belarus's fraudulent August 9, 2020 presidential election, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned 23 individuals and 21 entities pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13405, as well as a new E.O. of August 9, 2021 "Blocking Property of Additional Persons Contributing to the Situation in Belarus" (E.O. of August 9, 2021) that expands Belarus sanctions authorities.
• Belarus: UK imposes significant new package of economic sanctions on Belarus on anniversary of fraudulent election UK FCDO 09 Aug 2021 -- The UK has imposed new sanctions on Belarus.
• Belarus pres. Lukashenko dismisses UK, US sanctions, says London could 'choke on them' Press TV 09 Aug 2021 -- Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has decried new sanctions imposed by the United States and the United Kingdom on his country as part of attempts to pressure him to resign, saying London should "choke on" the restrictive measures.
• US, Along With UK and Canada, Slaps More Sanctions on Belarus VOA 09 Aug 2021 -- The United States, in coordination with Britain and Canada, rolled out new sanctions on Belarus on Monday, the one-year anniversary of the start of protests in the eastern European country against elections that were widely seen as fraudulent.
• UK imposes 'significant' new sanctions on Belarus Press TV 09 Aug 2021 -- In a sign of sustained tensions between the UK and Belarus, the Foreign Office has announced the imposition of "significant new package of economic sanctions".
• West Tightens Sanctions On Belarus On Anniversary Of Disputed Vote RFE/RL 09 Aug 2021 -- Britain has slapped new trade and financial sanctions on Belarus on the first anniversary of a presidential election that authoritarian Belarusian leader Alyaksandr Lukashenka's opponents say was rigged so that he could extend his decades-long rule.
• Brexit red tape hits UK manufacturing of goods from cars to fridges Press TV 09 Aug 2021 -- The United Kingdom's manufacturing of goods from cars to fridges is getting hit by Brexit red tape, which holds up supply chains, according to The Independent.
• Afghanistan, Coronavirus Lend Extra Weight To Central Asian Leaders' Summit RFE/RL 09 Aug 2021 -- All five Central Asian heads of state gathered at a resort on Turkmenistan's Caspian coast on August 6. And while there was something familiar about their talk of cooperation, new realities lent greater urgency to the discussions.
• In Lebanon, Discontent Grows With Hezbollah's Political, Military Might VOA 09 Aug 2021 -- There is growing discontent among Lebanese with political and military powerhouse Hezbollah calling the shots in the country.
• Thai Protesters Claim 'Change of Heart' as They Take to Streets to Reject PM Prayuth VOA 09 Aug 2021 -- A loud convoy of luxury cars cruised through Bangkok's richest neighborhood Sunday calling for Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha to resign, as Thailand's pro-democracy protesters are boosted by old political foes who have switched sides.
• Sudan summons ambassador to Ethiopia as tensions mount Press TV 09 Aug 2021 -- Sudan has summoned its ambassador to Ethiopia for consultations after Ethiopian officials turned down Khartoum's offer to help resolve the ongoing conflict in the restive northern Tigray region.
• Former Kyrgyz President Akaev Admits 'Mistakes' Over Kumtor Gold-Mine Project RFE/RL 09 Aug 2021 -- Former Kyrgyz President Askar Akaev returned to Moscow on August 8 after a weeklong visit to Kyrgyzstan during which he was questioned by authorities over alleged corruption around the development of the Kumtor gold-mine project.