Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
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News Reports

Current Operations

• Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby Holds a Press Briefing DoD 13 Aug 2021
• UN chief calls on Taliban militants to halt offensive against Afghan govt. forces Press TV 13 Aug 2021 -- United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called on Taliban militants to "immediately halt" their military campaign against government troops and return to the negotiating table in good faith "in the interest of Afghanistan, and its people."
• Afghanistan: UN chief urges Taliban to halt offensive immediately, negotiate 'in good faith' UN News 13 Aug 2021 -- The UN Secretary-General on Friday called on Taliban militants to "immediately halt" their offensive against Government forces and return to the negotiating table in good faith, "in the interest of Afghanistan, and its people."
• Fast-moving Afghanistan crisis 'has hallmarks of humanitarian catastrophe' UN News 13 Aug 2021 -- Afghanistan is on course to witness its highest ever number of documented civilian casualties in a single year since records began, the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) said on Friday.
• Taliban 'Trying to Isolate Kabul,' Pentagon Warns VOA 13 Aug 2021 -- Taliban fighters carrying out a blitzkrieg-like offensive across Afghanistan appear to have the capital, Kabul, in their sights, advancing toward the city even as the first of thousands of U.S. troops to be sent back to the country set foot on the ground.
• Afghan Government Simultaneously Defending Kabul, Seeking Deal with Taliban VOA 13 Aug 2021 -- The administration of President Ashraf Ghani vowed Friday to defend its capital, Kabul, from the Taliban, while efforts by Abdullah Abdullah, head of the country's National Reconciliation Council, to strike a political deal with the group seemed be gaining momentum.
• Where Are the Taliban Getting Their Money? VOA 13 Aug 2021 -- The Taliban's sudden surge across much of Afghanistan, resulting in the capture of about half of the country's provincial capitals, may have stunned some officials and international observers, but it has been driven in part by extensive fundraising that has given the insurgent group access to millions, and perhaps billions, of dollars.
• UN Chief to Afghan Taliban: Halt Your Offensive VOA 13 Aug 2021 -- U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on the Taliban Friday to immediately halt their military offensive and negotiate in good faith for the sake of Afghanistan and its people.
• Taliban Seize Several Major Afghan Provincial Capitals VOA 13 Aug 2021 -- The Taliban said Friday their overnight offensives had fully captured five major provincial capitals in Afghanistan, including southern Kandahar, western Herat, northeastern Qahar-e-Naw, southern, Lashkar Gah and strategically important southeastern Ghazni.
• UNHCR: Afghanistan on Brink of Humanitarian Disaster VOA 13 Aug 2021 -- The U.N. refugee agency is calling for international support to help hundreds of thousands of Afghan civilians fleeing the intensified fighting precipitated by the U.S. and NATO troop withdrawal from the country.
• Al-Qaida Will Return to Afghanistan, British Official Says VOA 13 Aug 2021 -- British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace warned Friday that Afghanistan risks becoming a failed state and predicted a-Qaida will again thrive in the country.
• Troops En Route to Afghanistan Aim to Help Remove Civilians, Pentagon Official Says DoD News 13 Aug 2021 -- U.S. Forces Afghanistan-Forward continue to provide security in Kabul, Afghanistan, at Hamid Karzai International Airport and at the U.S. Embassy, Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby told reporters today during a briefing on the U.S. mission.
• Taliban's Seizure Of Key Cities A 'Game-Changing Event' In Afghan War RFE/RL Gandhara 13 Aug 2021 -- The Taliban's capture of two crucial cities in Afghanistan - Kandahar and Herat - marks a major turning point in the 20-year war between the internationally backed Afghan government and the Taliban insurgency, observers say.
• Taliban Strengthens Grip Over Afghanistan With Capture Of Major Cities RFE/RL Gandhara 13 Aug 2021 -- The Taliban has captured three major Afghan cities and a string of provincial capitals in a sweeping offensive that threatens the capital, Kabul.
• Taliban Captures Herat, Two Other Cities As Afghan Forces Collapse RFE/RL Gandhara 13 Aug 2021 -- The Taliban seized much of Herat, Afghanistan's third-largest city, and captured two other provincial capitals on August 12 as the insurgent group's lightning offensive brought them closer to the capital, Kabul.
• Afghanistan's Neighbors Urged To Keep Borders Open As 'Humanitarian Disaster' Looms RFE/RL Gandhara 13 Aug 2021 -- The United Nations refugee agency is calling on Afghanistan's neighbors to keep borders open as the Taliban continues its lightning offensives across the country.
• U.S. 'Remains Invested' In Afghanistan, Ghani Told, Despite Withdrawal Of Civilians RFE/RL Gandhara 13 Aug 2021 -- The U.S. secretaries of state and defense have told Afghan President Ashraf Ghani that the United States "remains invested in the security and stability of Afghanistan in the face of violence by the Taliban," despite a decision on August 12 to scale down its embassy in Kabul.
• NATO Secretary General statement on Afghanistan NATO 13 Aug 2021 -- NATO Allies met in the North Atlantic Council today to consult on the situation in Afghanistan. We continue to assess the developments on the ground, and we are in constant contact with the Afghan authorities and the rest of the international community.
• Stoltenberg: Taliban Will Not Get International Recognition if It Takes Over Afghanistan by Force Sputnik 13 Aug 2021 -- The Taliban movement* will not be recognised internationally if it takes over Afghanistan by force, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said on Friday.
• U.S. sending troops to Kabul airport to support embassy drawdown People's Daily 13 Aug 2021 -- The United States said on Thursday that it will deploy thousands of troops to Kabul airport to support embassy staff drawdown as the security situation in Afghanistan continues to deteriorate.
• UN chief calls on Taliban militants to halt offensive against Afghan govt. forces Press TV 13 Aug 2021 -- United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called on Taliban militants to "immediately halt" their military campaign against government troops and return to the negotiating table in good faith "in the interest of Afghanistan, and its people."
• Reports: US embassy in Kabul tells staff to destroy sensitive documents Press TV 13 Aug 2021 -- The US embassy in Afghanistan's capital has directed its staff to destroy sensitive documents and computers as well as other material that could be used against the United States, according to American media outlets.
• Intl. community won't recognize Taliban government taken by force in Afghanistan: NATO Press TV 13 Aug 2021 -- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg says the US-led military alliance would support the Afghan government in the face of the Taliban offensive, warning the militants against taking the country by force.
• Taliban militants seize three more Afghan cities Press TV 13 Aug 2021 -- Three more cities in Afghanistan have fallen to the Taliban militant group, which is waging lightning offensive across the country.
• Afghan cities fall one after another amid US 'peace' talks in Doha Press TV 13 Aug 2021 -- A ceasefire plan to end heavy fighting between Afghan government troops and the Taliban has reportedly been almost agreed as the militants ramp up offensives to seize further territory in the conflict-ridden country.
• Iran Expresses Concern, West Draws Down Embassy Staff Over Taliban Advances In Afghanistan RFE/RL Gandhara 13 Aug 2021 -- Iran is calling on the Taliban to ensure the safety of its diplomats and staff at its consulate in the western Afghan city of Herat, as Western embassies and aid groups are evacuating staff from Afghanistan.
• Iran expresses concern over rising violence in Afghanistan IRNA 13 Aug 2021 -- Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh on Friday expressed concern over rising violence in Afghanistan.
• IRGC chief says borders enjoy full security, rejects concerns over Afghanistan developments Press TV 13 Aug 2021 -- The commander of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) says the country's borders enjoy full security, with the IRGC, Army and Police forces closely watching and controlling border areas, as the Taliban militants capture new territories in neighboring Afghanistan.
• Canada's Defense Chief Confirms Special Ops Deployment to Afghanistan Sputnik 13 Aug 2021 -- Canadian Minister of National Defense Harjit Sajjan confirmed reports that special operations troops have been deployed to Afghanistan to secure the remaining staff in the war-torn country as the Taliban advances in its bid to reclaim control of the country.
• Pentagon Says Bulk of 3,000 Troops to Arrive in Afghanistan This Weekend Sputnik 13 Aug 2021 -- The bulk of the 3,000 US troops will arrive in Kabul by the end of the weekend to support the withdrawal operation while some elements of one of the marine infantry battalions are already there, Pentagon spokesperson John Kirby said on Friday.
• Taliban Seize India-Assisted Salma Dam Hydro-Power Project in Herat, Afghanistan Sputnik 13 Aug 2021 -- The Salma dam - renamed the Afghan-India Friendship Dam in 2015 - is one of the biggest infrastructure projects built on Heray Rud river in the Chishti Sharif District of Herat Province in western Afghanistan.
• Taliban Capture 15 of 34 Afghan Provincial Capitals Within One Week Sputnik 13 Aug 2021 -- The Taliban* have captured 15 of 34 Afghan provincial capitals including Kandahar, Herat and Pol-e-Khomri in a spate of one week.
• Taliban Seize City of Lashkar Gah, Capital of Helmand Province, Reports Say Sputnik 13 Aug 2021 -- The Taliban* Islamist movement has established control over the city of Lashkar Gah, the capital of the southern province of Helmand, media reported on Friday.
• Boris Johnson: Military Intervention in Afghanistan is Not Being Considered Sputnik 13 Aug 2021 -- UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson is holding a meeting of the COBRA emergency committee over the deteriorating situation in Afghanistan.
• Military operation established to support the drawdown of British nationals from Afghanistan UK MOD 13 Aug 2021 -- As a result of recent events within Afghanistan, the Prime Minister has agreed the use of military support to facilitate the next phase of drawing down British Nationals from the country, including the use of RAF aircraft should it be needed.
• North and West Africa Response Force conducts engagement in Niger AFRICOM 13 Aug 2021 -- U.S. service members assigned to U.S. Africa Command's North and West Africa Response Force (NARF) conducted a cross-continent strategic engagement in Niger, August 7-9.
• Oregon National Guard deploys to fight wildfires Army News 13 Aug 2021 -- Twenty Airmen with the Oregon Air National Guard's 142nd Wing have departed Portland to help battle wildfires across the state.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Gerald R. Ford, John F. Kennedy Sailors Work Together for Ford-Class Success US Navy 13 Aug 2021 -- USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) is a first-in-class ship with unique equipment and systems found exclusively on Ford-class aircraft carriers. The challenge of manning and operating these systems is not lost on Ford's Sailors, who routinely test the nuances and capabilities of these complex warfighting technologies.
• First Visit by U.S. Warship to Egypt's Berenice Naval Base US Navy 13 Aug 2021 -- Guided-missile cruiser USS Monterey (CG 61) visited Egypt's Berenice Naval Base, Aug. 12, marking the first time a U.S. warship has pulled into the Red Sea base, which officially opened in January 2020.
• Pacific Partnership Concludes in Palau US Navy 13 Aug 2021 -- U.S. Pacific Fleet's annual humanitarian assistance mission, Pacific Partnership 21 concluded in Palau, as U.S. Pacific Fleet and the Center for Excellence in Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance (CFE-DM) cohosted a Humanitarian Assistance/Disaster Relief (HADR) workshop Aug. 10-12, with Taiwan disaster management experts.
• China, Russia joint drills conclude with live-fire anti-terrorism operation featuring J-20 Global Times 13 Aug 2021 -- China and Russia on Friday wrapped up the five-day Zapad/Interaction-2021 joint strategic exercises in Northwest China with the live-fire phase featuring some of the most advanced weapons in the world and strong, saturation firepower that analysts said would be overwhelming to any enemy.
• China-Russia joint exercise ZAPAD/INTERACTION-2021 wraps up PLA Daily 13 Aug 2021 -- The China-Russia joint exercise ZAPAD/INTERACTION-2021 (Xibu Unity-2021) wrapped up at the combined-arms tactical training base of the PLA Army in Qingtongxia City of West China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region on Friday. General Wei Fenghe, Chinese State Councilor and Defense Minister, observed the live-fire drill, held a bilateral talk and witnessed the signing of cooperation paper with Russian Defense Minister General Sergei Shoigu .
• Russian Defence Minister notes the coordination of actions of the Russian and Chinese military personnel in Sibu/Interaction 2021 exercise PLA Daily 13 Aug 2021 -- Russian Defence Minister General of the Army Sergei Shoigu praised the joint actions of Russian and Chinese military personnel during Sibu/Interaction 2021 exercise, the active phase of which took place today in the PRC at the Qintongxia training ground.
• Russia and China increasing the interaction of their armed forces on land, in the air and at sea PLA Daily 13 Aug 2021 -- After the active phase of Sibu/Interaction 2021 exercise at a meeting of the heads of the military departments of Russia and China, the Minister of Defence of the Russian Federation, General of the Army Sergei Shoigu, said that building up cooperation between the Russian and Chinese armed forces on land, in the air and at sea is an important area of military activity. departments of the two countries.
• Exercise ZAPAD/INTERACTION-2021: Live-fire drill kicks off PLA Daily 13 Aug 2021 -- The live-fire drill of joint exercise ZAPAD/INTERACTION-2021 kicked off at the combined-arms tactical training base of the PLA Army in Qingtongxia City of West China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, on August 13.
• Russian commander: Chinese and Russian militaries reach new height in coordinated operations PLA Daily 13 Aug 2021 -- The first-phase joint planning drill of the exercise ZAPAD/INTERACTION-2021 has been successfully wrapped up. Lieutenant-General Mikhail Nosulev, the deputy commander of Russia's Eastern Military District and deputy commander of the exercise's joint command, said that the Chinese and Russian armed forces have reached a new height in coordinated operations through the exercise, and demonstrated their military professionalism and strong determination in combating international terrorism.
• Court approves seizure of US$400 million in Lafayette frigate scandal CNA 13 Aug 2021 -- The Supreme Court has granted a request to seize over US$400 million in funds from the heirs of Andrew Wang (汪傳浦), an arms broker at the center of a scandal involving the Taiwan Navy's purchase of Lafayette frigates from France in the 1990s.
• Quad countries discuss 'peace and security' in Taiwan Strait CNA 13 Aug 2021 -- Senior officials from the United States, Japan, India and Australia discussed the importance of maintaining peace and security in the Taiwan Strait during a virtual meeting on Thursday, according to the U.S. State Department.
• Navy's most advanced warships ready for operations Australia DOD 13 Aug 2021 -- The Royal Australian Navy's most advanced warships are now ready for operational deployment, boosting Australia's capacity to work with our strategic partners and maintain peace and prosperity in our region.
• HMAS Supply conducts first replenishment at sea Australia DOD 13 Aug 2021 -- HMAS Supply is one step closer to supporting Australian and partner nation ships after successfully completing the first Replenishment at Sea (RAS) for the Supply Class.
• Advanced warships ready for operations Australia DOD 13 Aug 2021 -- The Royal Australian Navy's most advanced warships are now ready for operational deployment, boosting Australia's capacity to work with our strategic partners and maintain peace and prosperity in our region.
• Raring to supply the fleet Australia DOD 13 Aug 2021 -- HMAS Supply, one of Navy's two new Auxiliary Oiler Replenishment (AOR) ships, has completed its first ever Replenishment at Sea (RAS) with HMAS Anzac.
• Secretary Blinken's Call with Kazakhstani Foreign Minister Tileuberdi US Dept. of State 13 Aug 2021

Defense Industry

• Contracts For Aug. 13, 2021
• Deputy Secretary Sherman's Call with Lithuanian Foreign Minister Landsbergis US Dept. of State 13 Aug 2021

Other Conflicts

• 13 August 2021 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 13 Aug 2021
• Yemeni army forces, allies will seize control over Ma'rib if pro-Hadi militants dismiss truce, says governor Press TV 13 Aug 2021 -- A senior Yemeni official says the country's army troops and fighters from allied Popular Committees will establish full control over the entire districts of the central province of Ma'rib in case Saudi-led militants refuse calls for a ceasefire in the strategic area.
• More Than 1,100 Myanmar Troops Killed in Clashes With Local Militias Over Two Months Radio Free Asia 13 Aug 2021 -- At least 1,130 Myanmar soldiers were killed and 443 wounded in more than 700 clashes between junta forces and local militias across the country from June 1 to July 31, Myanmar's shadow National Unity Government (NUG) said in a report released on Aug. 9.
• UN experts urge Israel to 'protect and encourage' Palestine rights defenders UN News 13 Aug 2021 -- UN Human Rights Council-appointed experts expressed deep concern on Friday over Israeli military interference in the work of a well-known, independent Palestinian child rights organization, in the occupied West Bank.
• DR Congo: 'Widespread and systematic' violence linked to clashes over gold UN News 13 Aug 2021 -- Rival armed groups in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) are carrying out horrific sexual attacks against women and girls, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) warned on Friday.

News Reports

• DHS Issues New National Terrorism Advisory System (NTAS) Bulletin DHS 13 Aug 2021 -- On August 13, 2021 the Secretary of Homeland Security, Alejandro N. Mayorkas, issued a new National Terrorism Advisory System (NTAS) Bulletin regarding the heightened threat environment across the United States. The threat environment to the Homeland is diverse and challenging, especially leading up to and following the 20th Anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terror attacks as well as religious holidays that could serve as catalyst for targeted violence.
• Efforts Underway to Contain Marburg Disease in Guinea VOA 13 Aug 2021 -- Concerted efforts are underway by local health authorities and World Health Organization experts to prevent the spread of the deadly Marburg disease within Guinea and across borders.
• Russia set to expel BBC journalist in row with Britain Press TV 13 Aug 2021 -- The Russian government has told a BBC journalist working in Moscow to leave the country by the end of this month in retaliation for London's "discrimination" against Russian media in Britain, state TV reported.
• BBC Condemns 'Assault On Media Freedom' After Russia Expels Moscow Correspondent RFE/RL 13 Aug 2021 -- Russia has refused to renew a visa for a BBC journalist in Moscow, effectively expelling her from the country.
• Russia Labels Belgian Rights NGO 'Undesirable,' Effectively Banning It RFE/RL 13 Aug 2021 -- Russian authorities have effectively banned a Belgian nongovernmental organization after declaring it an "undesirable" organization amid a Kremlin clampdown on civil society.
• Russian Prosecutors Seek 'Restricted Freedom' For Yet Another Navalny Aide In 'Sanitary Case' RFE/RL 13 Aug 2021 -- Prosecutors have asked a Moscow court to sentence Kira Yarmysh, the spokeswoman of jailed opposition politician Aleksei Navalny, to two years of so-called "restricted freedom."
• Russia Hands Two Rights Activists Stiff Prison Terms On Drug-Trafficking Charges RFE/RL 13 Aug 2021 -- A Russian court has sentenced two activists linked to the banned Open Russia rights group to lengthy prison sentences for drug charges they say are politically motivated.
• 'We Must Try Our Best to Reduce the Troubles,' Says China's New Envoy to US Radio Free Asia 13 Aug 2021 -- China's new ambassador to the United States, Qin Gang, met with U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman in Washington Thursday, in the first senior diplomatic meeting between China and the U.S. since Qin took up his post in the U.S. capital in July. Qin, 55, had served as vice-minister of foreign affairs since 2018, and from 2011-14, was spokesman for China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Rita Cheng of RFA's Mandarin Service spoke briefly to Qin after his meeting with Sherman, which comes amid the highest level of friction between Beijing and Washington in decades. He said he reiterated China's longstanding positions on Taiwan, a self-governing island over which China claims sovereignty.
• Ambassador states China's position to Sherman at meeting with rare 'eased atmosphere,' but courtesy 'no back down' on issues of principle Global Times 13 Aug 2021 -- Chinese Ambassador to the US Qin Gang on Thursday met with US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy R. Sherman in Washington, amid the most eased of atmospheres for an official meeting in the past couple of years, especially compared with the bilateral talks in Alaska and Tianjin, highlighting the importance of managing differences.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying's Remarks on the US and EU's Wanton Comments on China's Recall of Its Ambassador to Lithuania PRC MofA 13 Aug 2021
• Pro-China Media Keeps up Attacks on Hong Kong Civil Society Radio Free Asia 13 Aug 2021 -- Authorities in Hong Kong on Friday kept up their crackdown on the city's civil society, with march organizers the Civil Human Rights Front the latest in the firing line under a draconian national security law imposed by the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
• China opposes any force using terrorism to seek geopolitical gains, Chinese FM says after Pakistan blames India, Afghanistan for Dasu terror attack Global Times 13 Aug 2021 -- China and Pakistan will keep strengthening security cooperation mechanisms to ensure the safety of Chinese projects, citizens and institutions in Pakistan and China firmly opposes any force using terrorism to seek geopolitical gains, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said after Pakistan announced Indian and Afghan intelligence agencies are apparently involved in the Dasu terrorist attack that killed nine Chinese nationals on July 14.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying's Remarks on the Pakistani Government's Release of the Progress in the Investigation of the Dasu Terrorist Attack PRC MofA 13 Aug 2021
• China's Tutoring Ban Could Bring Millions of Job Losses Radio Free Asia 13 Aug 2021 -- Private tutoring companies in China are already laying off thousands of staff following a ban on out-of-school tutoring by the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
• The United States Designates an Oil Broker Network Supporting Qods Force US Dept. of State 13 Aug 2021 -- The United States is imposing sanctions on members of an international oil smuggling network, the leaders of which have provided support for Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force (IRGC-QF).
• Treasury Targets Oil Broker Network Supporting Qods Force US Treasury 13 Aug 2021 -- Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is designating individuals and businesses involved in an international oil smuggling network that supports Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force (IRGC-QF).
• Araghchi : US freezes deal for releasing prisoners IRNA 13 Aug 2021 -- Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in a Twitter message addressing UK First Secretary of State Dominic Raab stressed that the United States has frozen the deal for releasing prisoners.
• Belarus Slaps 'Extremist' Label On Popular News Sites RFE/RL 13 Aug 2021 -- A court in Belarus has designated leading independent news outlet Tut.by and its new media site, Zerkalo.io, as "extremist."
• IMF Says Hands Tied Amid Calls To Limit Nearly $1 Billion Disbursement To Belarus RFE/RL 13 Aug 2021 -- The International Monetary Fund (IMF) says it's keeping "close watch" on the situation in Belarus amid calls for the global lender to deny Alyaksandr Lukashenka's government access to newly allocated funds intended to help countries navigate the coronavirus crisis.
• Sanctioning Cuban Officials in Response to Violence against Peaceful Protestors US Dept. of State 13 Aug 2021 -- In recent weeks, the United States imposed sanctions on Cuban military and security leaders and units in response to the Cuban regime's violent suppression of peaceful protesters on and after July 11. Today, we are enacting additional sanctions in connection with this repression. We take this action pursuant to Executive Order 13818, which builds upon and implements the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act.
• Treasury Sanctions Cuban Ministry of Interior Officials and Military Unit in Response to Violence Against Peaceful Demonstrators US Treasury 13 Aug 2021 -- Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned two Cuban individuals and one Cuban entity pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13818, which builds upon and implements the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act and targets perpetrators of serious human rights abuse and corruption around the world.
• Israel formally inaugurates diplomatic office in Morocco Press TV 13 Aug 2021 -- Israel has officially inaugurated its diplomatic office in Morocco with the two sides agreeing to open full embassies in the coming months, after they normalized relations in a US-brokered deal last year.
• After Near-Disaster With New Russian Space Module, More Murk Over Mysterious Holes RFE/RL 13 Aug 2021 -- When a newly arrived Russian module sent the International Space Station spinning and nearly knocked it off its orbit, experts and longtime space watchers held their breath, and then exhaled when no lasting damage was detected.
• Cambodian Dam Project Ignored Economic, Social, Cultural Rights, Report Says Radio Free Asia 13 Aug 2021 -- A China-financed hydropower project in Cambodia's northeast has uprooted thousands of local indigenous and ethnic minority people since its completion in 2018, and the developer and the Cambodian government ignored their ethical responsibilities to facilitate its completion, Human Rights Watch said in a report this week.
• Former Kyrgyz President Jeenbekov Questioned As 'Witness' In Kumtor Mine Investigation RFE/RL 13 Aug 2021 -- Kyrgyz authorities have questioned former Kyrgyz President Sooronbai Jeenbekov as part of a widening investigation into alleged corruption during the development of the Kumtor gold-mine project.
• ICC Awaits Sudan's Decision on Bashir VOA 13 Aug 2021 -- Political analysts and rights groups have welcomed reports that Sudan may hand former president Omar al-Bashir to the International Criminal Court. Bashir is wanted by the court for alleged crimes in the Darfur region.