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News Reports

Current Operations

• Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby Holds a Press Briefing DoD 17 Aug 2021 -- Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby; Major General Hank Taylor, Deputy Director of the Joint Staff For Regional Operations, J-35
• DOD Officials Say U.S. Could Evacuate Up to 9,000 a Day From Afghanistan DoD News 17 Aug 2021 -- Air operations at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, continued through the night, getting between 700 and 800 people out of the country, said Army Maj. Gen. William D. "Hank" Taylor, the Joint Staff's deputy director for regional operations.
• US Military 'Communicating' With Taliban Amid Ramped Up Evacuation VOA 17 Aug 2021 -- The U.S. military is communicating with the Taliban while ramping up the air evacuation of Americans and Afghan allies from the international airport in Kabul, Pentagon officials said Tuesday.
• Biden says deteriorating situation in Afghanistan "did unfold more quickly" than U.S. anticipates People's Daily 17 Aug 2021 -- U.S. President Joe Biden on Monday stood by his decision to withdraw U.S. troops from Afghanistan while acknowledging Kabul's collapse to the Taliban came much sooner than Washington had anticipated.
• 'We must move forward,' Biden stands by decision to withdraw from Afghanistan Press TV 17 Aug 2021 -- US President Joe Biden has stood by his decision to withdraw forces from Afghanistan, claiming that "we must move forward from here," after Taliban takes over the country.
• Statement from Commander, U.S. Central Command, Gen Frank McKenzie CENTCOM 17 Aug 2021 -- Today, I had an opportunity to evaluate the situation at Hamid Karzai International Airport and engage with U.S. military leaders on the ground providing security to the airport.
• Afghanistan Developments Tuesday: What We Know VOA 17 Aug 2021 -- At a news conference in Kabul, a Taliban spokesman vowed to respect women's rights "within Islamic law" and form an "inclusive Islamic" government.
• 'Forever War' in Afghanistan Comes to Abrupt, Tragic End VOA 17 Aug 2021 -- The final throes of the United States' 20-year military engagement in Afghanistan guarantee that the war many Americans would have preferred to forget will instead be seared into the country's collective memory with the same permanence as the disastrous fall of Saigon in 1975.
• US occupation over, Afghanistan no longer a battlefield: Taliban in 1st presser Press TV 17 Aug 2021 -- The Taliban militant group says the 20-year-long occupation of Afghanistan by the US-led forces has come to an end, and that no one is after the continuation of war in the country.
• Taliban's rapid victory embarrasses US, smashes image, arrogance Global Times 17 Aug 2021 -- The Afghan Taliban have successfully returned to Kabul and are ready to set up a new government while the hasty US retreat, which had caused deaths to locals, makes the end of the 20-year-long war look increasingly embarrassing to the US.
• McMaster: Trump's 'capitulation agreement' with Taliban led to fall of Kabul Press TV 17 Aug 2021 -- Former US national security adviser H.R. McMaster has said that the rapid Taliban takeover of Afghanistan happened because former President Donald Trump made a "capitulation agreement with Taliban."
• Press briefing on Afghanistan by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg NATO 17 Aug 2021
• NATO Blames Afghan Leaders for Collapse of Afghan Military VOA 17 Aug 2021 -- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Tuesday that Afghanistan's leadership was responsible for the rapid collapse of the Afghan military but noted the alliance should learns lessons on how it conducts military training.
• NATO Chief Warns Taliban Against Turning Afghanistan Into Terrorist Safe Haven Again RFE/RL Gandhara 17 Aug 2021 -- NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has warned the Taliban that the militant group cannot allow Afghanistan to once again become a breeding ground for terrorism after the militants seized power over the weekend.
• UN Appeals to Nations Not to Return Afghan Asylum Seekers VOA 17 Aug 2021 -- The United Nations refugee agency has called for a prohibition on the forced return of Afghan nationals, as thousands scramble to flee the country following the Taliban's takeover.
• Uganda to Host 2,000 Afghan Refugees at US Request VOA 17 Aug 2021 -- Uganda has agreed to temporarily host 2,000 Afghan refugees at the request of the United States.
• North Macedonia To Temporarily Host 450 Afghans Fleeing Taliban RFE/RL Gandhara 17 Aug 2021 -- North Macedonia will take in 450 Afghans fleeing the Taliban and host them while they complete the process of applying for special visas to enter the United States.
• Germany's Merkel urges 'controlled' Afghan refugee response from EU Press TV 17 Aug 2021 -- German Chancellor Angela Merkel has called for coordinated European Union (EU) action to take in the most vulnerable people from Afghanistan amid the takeover of the country by the Taliban militant group.
• Taliban's Capture Of Afghanistan Triggers Migrant Flow Fears In EU RFE/RL Gandhara 17 Aug 2021 -- European officials are calling for a common EU response to a large migrant flow expected from Afghanistan after the Taliban regained control of the war-torn country.
• Afghanistan: UN agencies urge Taliban to make good on promises to protect vulnerable UN News 17 Aug 2021 -- Afghan civilians continue to bear the brunt of the Taliban takeover in the country where humanitarian needs remain critical and widespread among existing and newly displaced populations, UN agencies said on Tuesday.
• Protect human rights defenders in Afghanistan, says UN rights expert UN News 17 Aug 2021 -- Afghanistan faces a "cultural disaster", following the fall of Kabul to Taliban forces, a UN Special Rapporteur said on Tuesday, in a statement urging countries to provide urgent assistance to human rights defenders, including those working on women's and cultural rights, as well as artists, trying to flee the country.
• Afghanistan Confronts Return of Taliban Oppression as US Forces Depart VOA 17 Aug 2021 -- It has been nearly 20 years since the Taliban last enforced their brutal version of Islamic law within the borders of Afghanistan. But the horrifying images of desperate Afghans trying to climb aboard a U.S. military aircraft taking off from Kabul's airport Monday to escape the country demonstrate just how vividly some recall what life was like under the group.
• Taliban Vow to Respect Women's Rights 'Within Islamic Law' VOA 17 Aug 2021 -- The Taliban vowed to respect women's rights "within Islamic law" and form an "inclusive Islamic" government as the radical movement consolidates its hold over the war-torn country.
• Situation for Afghan Children Worsens as Taliban Gains Control VOA 17 Aug 2021 -- U.N. agencies are expressing grave concern about the welfare of Afghanistan's civilian population, especially women and children, as Taliban insurgents tighten their control over the country.
• Will the Taliban Keep Their Promises? VOA 17 Aug 2021 -- Defending his decision to withdraw American forces from Afghanistan President Joe Biden said Tuesday he was making good on his election campaign promise to end America's long-running war in the central Asian country. Afghans — and the world — are now watching nervously to see if the Taliban will keep their word and tread a more moderate path than they did the last time they held power from 1996 to 2001.
• Seeking To Project More Moderate Image, Taliban Vows Respect For Women's Rights 'Within Islam' RFE/RL Gandhara 17 Aug 2021 -- As part of a public relations offensive meant to prove to the world and its own fearful population that the fundamentalist group has changed, the Taliban has pledged to observe women's rights, to provide an amnesty to those who fought them, and to prevent Afghanistan from being used as a launchpad for terrorist attacks.
• Normalcy returns to Afghan capital, Taliban urges gov't workers to return to work People's Daily 17 Aug 2021 -- Normality has returned to Kabul, capital of Afghanistan as the Taliban on Tuesday urged the government employees to return to work, two days after the group took control of the capital.
• Taliban promise peaceful transition as world reacts to chaos in Afghanistan Press TV 17 Aug 2021 -- As world leaders continue to react to the abrupt US military pullout from Afghanistan, which was followed by the Taliban's lightning takeover of the country, the militant group tries to assure the civilians and the international community of a peaceful transition.
• Taliban Say Afghans Who Worked With US Are Safe and Can Stay in Country Sputnik 17 Aug 2021 -- Afghans who cooperated with the United States and other NATO countries can stay in Afghanistan as their safety will be guaranteed, Taliban* spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid said on Tuesday.
• China-US cooperation in Afghanistan depends on US' China policy: Global Times editorial Global Times 17 Aug 2021 -- On Tuesday, US President Joe Biden spoke about the current situation in Afghanistan. He claimed that he stands squarely behind his decision of the US exit from Afghanistan, noting that the US mission in Afghanistan "was never supposed to be about nation-building." Instead, it was about "preventing a terrorist attack on American homeland" all this time. "American troops cannot and should not be fighting in a war and dying in a war that Afghan forces are not willing to fight for themselves," said Biden.
• China: US has left an 'awful mess' in Afghanistan Press TV 17 Aug 2021 -- China says the United States has left an "awful mess" in Afghanistan after the Taliban seized control of the country 20 years after the militants were removed from power following a US-led invasion.
• China Says It's Ready to Work With Taliban VOA 17 Aug 2021 -- With the U.S. military drawdown in Afghanistan, China says it is ready to move ahead in its relations with the Taliban, but foreign policy experts say Beijing remains apprehensive about what comes next and may not devote a vast security and economic commitment to Afghanistan in the near future.
• Chinese Embassy in Afghanistan operating normally; Taliban promises safety of embassy: ambassador Global Times 17 Aug 2021 -- The Chinese Embassy in Afghanistan is operating as normal, and the Taliban has pledged to guarantee its safety, the Chinese ambassador to Afghanistan told the Global Times, who sent a photo of Chinese national flag waving in front of the embassy building.
• US role in Afghanistan lies in destruction, not construction: Chinese FM Global Times 17 Aug 2021 -- "US President [Joe] Biden said the US' mission in Afghanistan was never supposed to have been nation-building, and it's true," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said on Tuesday, slamming the US for leaving turbulence and chaos wherever it goes. "The role of US lies in destruction, not construction."
• China willing to settle Afghan upheaval with US on the premise of mutual respect: Chinese FM Global Times 17 Aug 2021 -- The hasty US withdrawal from Afghanistan has caused a severely adverse impact on the situation in Afghanistan and it would not be responsible if it continues to create new problems, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said during a phone talk with the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday. Wang said that China is willing to coordinate with the US on the premise of mutual respect.
• China, Russia should encourage Taliban to build inclusive political structure: Chinese FM Global Times 17 Aug 2021 -- Exchanging views on opposing the politicization of tracing of the origins of the coronavirus, safeguarding the achievements of World War II, and strengthening coordination on current Afghan situation, the phone call between Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, covering major issues that concern the two countries and the world, shows the high-level mutual trust and solid partnership between China and Russia, and their joint contribution in safeguarding regional stability, analysts said.
• China, US, Russia share consensus in Afghanistan, but Washington 'should correct its mistake to exchange cooperation' Global Times 17 Aug 2021 -- The US has discussed the situation in Afghanistan with China, Russia, Pakistan and its European allies on Tuesday to seek cooperation following its hasty retreat. This was not the first time Washington openly expressed to China its request on the issue, which shows a better attitude that is very different from the US hostility against China in other intense areas.
• Beneath The Gloating, Taliban Takeover Brings Unwelcome New Uncertainty For Moscow RFE/RL Gandhara 17 Aug 2021 -- Chaos enveloped Kabul's main airport, with thousands of Afghans frantically rushing to flee Taliban fighters while U.S. Marines sought to provide security for American diplomats and allies being evacuated.
• Lavrov Says Counterproductive to Impose Any Form of Governance on Afghanistan Sputnik 17 Aug 2021 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov expressed the belief that imposing any form of governance on Afghanistan is counterproductive.
• India Evacuates Diplomatic Staff From Kabul, Top U.S. Diplomat Denies Fleeing RFE/RL Gandhara 17 Aug 2021 -- India has become the latest major country to evacuate its embassy in Kabul, leaving only a handful of embassies from global and regional powers operating in the Afghan capital as the top U.S. diplomat in Kabul dismissed reports that he had left the country.
• More European countries evacuate diplomats, citizens from Afghanistan People's Daily 17 Aug 2021 -- More European countries said on Monday that they were evacuating embassy staff and nationals from Afghanistan following the latest developments in the Asian country.
• FM spox : Iran missions in Afghanistan open, active IRNA 17 Aug 2021 -- Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh said on Tuesday that the Iranian Embassy in Kabul and consulate in Herat are open and active.
• Ashraf Ghani, Other Afghan Leaders Not in Uzbekistan Now, Uzbek Foreign Ministry Says Sputnik 17 Aug 2021 -- Reports about the alleged presence of Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and other Afghan leaders in Uzbekistan do not correspond to reality, the Uzbek Foreign Ministry's Dune news agency reported on 17 August.
• U.S. Southern Command Speeds to Aid Haitians DoD News 17 Aug 2021 -- A U.S. Southern Command joint task force has already begun working to aid the people of Haiti, which was recently hit by a devastating earthquake and is now being flooded by a tropical storm.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Air Force update for COVID-19 US Air Force 17 Aug 2021
• Joint Statement on NORAD Modernization DoD 17 Aug 2021 -- The Minister of National Defence of Canada, the Honourable Harjit Sajjan, and the Secretary of Defense of the United States, Lloyd James Austin III, approve this Joint Statement¹ to guide cooperation between Canada and the United States to enhance the ability of the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) to execute the missions outlined in the NORAD Agreement while facing evolving threats.
• Joint Statement on U.S.-Canada Consultation on Strategic Documents DoD 17 Aug 2021 -- The Department of Defense of the United States of America (DoD) and the Canadian Department of National Defence and Canadian Armed Forces (DND/CAF) recognize the value of strategic dialogue between the United States and Canada.
• 505th CCW supports Navy Large Scale Exercise 21 US Air Force 17 Aug 2021 -- Airmen from the 505th Combat Training Squadron and the 505th Communications Squadron, Hurlburt Field, supported Navy Large Scale Exercise 21 – the biggest U.S. Navy exercise in a generation, according to Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Michael Gilday, July 28-Aug. 16.
• By NAVCENT Public Affairs U.S. Naval Forces Central Command / U.S. 5th Fleet CENTCOM 17 Aug 2021 -- U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) opened the main planning conference for International Maritime Exercise (IMX) 22 in Manama, Bahrain, Aug. 16.
• Three Pilots Die After Military Plane Crashes Near Moscow RFE/RL 17 Aug 2021 -- Three crew members have died after a military plane crashed during a test flight near Moscow on August 17.
• Video: Il-112V Military Transport Aircraft Crashes Outside Moscow During Training Flight Sputnik 17 Aug 2021 -- Last week, the Russian company United Aircraft reported that the first prototype of the Il-112V military transport aircraft had carried out a flight from the city of Voronezh to the city of Zhukovsky, near Moscow, to prepare for participation in the military forum Army-2021.
• Taiwan says contingency plans ready after China stages drills nearby CNA 17 Aug 2021 -- Taiwan military said Tuesday that it has contingency plans in place, following reports earlier in the day that China was conducting military assault drills off the island's southern coasts in response to "provocations" and external "interference."
• UK Says Scrambled Fighter Jets to Intercept Russia's Su-24 Over Black Sea Sputnik 17 Aug 2021 -- The UK's Royal Air Force (RAF) said on Tuesday that it had intercepted a military aircraft identified as Russia's Su-24 in international airspace over the Black Sea off the coast of Romania.
• New Legislation Allows Tajik Men To Pay To Avoid Army Service RFE/RL 17 Aug 2021 -- Tajik men will be able to legally avoid serving their mandatory two-year stint in the country's armed forces by paying a fee to the Defense Ministry.
• Secretary Blinken's Call with Qatari Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Al-Thani US Dept. of State 17 Aug 2021
• Secretary Blinken's Call with Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Al-Sabah US Dept. of State 17 Aug 2021
• Readout of President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Call with Prime Minister Boris Johnson of the United Kingdom The White House 17 Aug 2021
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jen Psaki and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, August 17, 2021 The White House 17 Aug 2021

Defense Industry

• Contracts For Aug. 17, 2021

Other Conflicts

• 17 August 2021 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 17 Aug 2021
• Saudi jets conduct fresh military raids in Yemen, continue ceasefire violations Press TV 17 Aug 2021 -- The Saudi-led military coalition has upped the ante in war-ravaged Yemen, with its fighter jets launching fresh raids in north-western Sa'ada Province.
• Sana'a says waiting for positive UN approach to new Yemeni peace initiative Press TV 17 Aug 2021 -- Sana'a says it is waiting for a positive response from the United Nations and its new special envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, to an initiative put forward by the Houthi Ansarullah resistance movement aimed at helping end the war in Yemen.
• Dozens killed in militant raid on village in western Niger Press TV 17 Aug 2021 -- Suspected militants have shot dead more than three dozen civilians, including several women and children, in a flashpoint region of western Niger, local sources say.
• Karenni Army Marks Anniversary With Vow to 'Fight to The End' Against Myanmar Military Radio Free Asia 17 Aug 2021 -- The ethnic Karenni Army (KA) marked the 73rd anniversary of its founding Tuesday vowing to "fight to the end" to rid Myanmar of its military dictatorship and create a federal union with like-minded groups in the multi-ethnic country.
• Two Armenian soldiers killed in border clashes with Azerbaijan: Yerevan Press TV 17 Aug 2021 -- Armenia says two of its soldiers have been killed in separate exchanges of fire with Azerbaijani troops in the disputed border region between the two Caucasus countries.

News Reports

• Nigeria Says Taliban Victory Puts Africa in Terror Spotlight VOA 17 Aug 2021 -- With the Taliban's swift takeover in Afghanistan, Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari this week warned that the "war on terror" is not over but is shifting to Africa. Writing in the Financial Times newspaper, Buhari said Africa needs more than U.S. military assistance to defeat terrorism – it needs investment.
• Côte d'Ivoire: Ebola vaccination of high-risk populations begins three days after outbreak declared UN News 17 Aug 2021 -- The vaccination against Ebola of high-risk populations began on Monday in Côte d'Ivoire following the discovery of an outbreak in the country three days ago. The swift response came after vaccines manufactured by Merck, which the World Health Organization (WHO) helped to secure to fight a four-month long outbreak in neighbouring Guinea, were quickly sent to the country.
• People at Risk of Ebola in Ivory Coast Get Vaccinated VOA 17 Aug 2021 -- The World Health Organization has begun giving the Ebola vaccine to high-risk people in Ivory Coast, after a woman was diagnosed with the Ebola virus in Abidjan.
• Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's answers to media questions following a visit to the Kaliningrad Region, Kaliningrad, August 17, 2021 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 17 Aug 2021
• Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's remarks and answers to questions during a meeting with the faculty and students at Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University, Kaliningrad, August 17, 2021 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 17 Aug 2021
• Navalny's Request To Cancel His Status Of 'Inclined To Escape' Rejected RFE/RL 17 Aug 2021 -- The Moscow City Court has rejected a request by imprisoned opposition leader Aleksei Navalny to annul his designation as being as a "flight risk," which subjects him to hourly nighttime checks while he is incarcerated at a penal colony.
• Attempts to undermine Nord Stream 2 project doomed to failure: Russia's Lavrov Press TV 17 Aug 2021 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says all future attempts by the US-led Western countries to undermine the Nord Stream 2 project, a sprawling undersea pipeline that will carry Russian gas directly into Germany, are doomed to failure.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying's Regular Press Conference on August 17, 2021 PRC MofA 17 Aug 2021
• Beijing's Row With Lithuania Sets The Stage For Shaky New Era of Europe-China Ties RFE/RL 17 Aug 2021 -- A diplomatic spat between Lithuania and China over Taiwan has pushed Europe's relations with Beijing back into the spotlight as the European Union struggles with how to define its increasingly shaky relationship with the world's second-largest economy.
• Hong Kong's Public Broadcaster to Promote Patriotism Through State Media Partnership VOA 17 Aug 2021 -- Plans by Hong Kong's public broadcaster to partner with Chinese state media have furthered fears that it is aligning closely with Beijing.
• Lam warns HK Law Society of not letting politics override professionalism Global Times 17 Aug 2021 -- Carrie Lam, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government, warned the Hong Kong Law Society of not letting politics override its professionalism, otherwise the government would consider ending cooperation with it.
• China to Discuss Imposing Foreign Sanctions Law on Hong Kong Radio Free Asia 17 Aug 2021 -- China looks set to add its recently passed foreign sanctions law to Hong Kong's statute book this week, after sanctioning a slew of rights activists and former U.S. officials in July.
• Hong Kong's Leader Warns Lawyers to 'Stay Out of Politics' Radio Free Asia 17 Aug 2021 -- Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam on Tuesday warned a lawyers' professional association that it should stay out of politics, while calling on civil society organizations to disband if they cross political "red lines" laid down by the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
• Interview: Taliban Sharing Info with China 'Poses a Danger for Uyghurs' Radio Free Asia 17 Aug 2021 -- Political analyst Bradley Jardine is winding up a two-year fellowship at the Kissinger Institute on China and the United States at the Wilson Center in Washington, with a focus on China's expanding economic and political presence in the countries of the former Soviet Union, and Sino-Russian security issues in Central Asia. He spoke to Kurban Niyaz of RFA's Uyghur Service about the impact on the Uyghurs in Afghanistan and Xinjiang of the fall of the Afghan government to the Taliban.
• China Axes Hundreds of Joint Courses With Foreign Universities Radio Free Asia 17 Aug 2021 -- The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is axing hundreds of Sino-foreign university cooperation arrangements, including around 60 joint programs with universities in the United Kingdom.
• 11 Chinese warplanes enter Taiwan's ADIZ as both sides stage drills CNA 17 Aug 2021 -- Eleven Chinese military aircraft entered Taiwan's southwestern air defense identification zone (ADIZ) Tuesday morning, as Taiwan's military and its Chinese counterparts were staging separate drills near the area.
• PLA holds joint live-fire assault drills near Taiwan island Global Times 17 Aug 2021 -- The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) on Tuesday launched joint live-fire assault drills in multiple locations near the island of Taiwan in response to recent collusion and provocations by the US and Taiwan secessionists.
• PLA holds joint live-fire assault drills near Taiwan island in direct response to collusion, provocations by US, secessionists Global Times 17 Aug 2021 -- The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) on Tuesday launched joint live-fire assault drills in multiple locations near the island of Taiwan as a direct response to the recent collusion and provocations made by the US and the Taiwan secessionists.
• PLA Eastern Theater Command conducts live-fire drills off Taiwan Island PLA Daily 17 Aug 2021 -- On August 17, the Eastern Theater Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) conducted joint live-fire drills involving forces of multiple services including naval warships, anti-submarine aircraft and fighter jets in the sea and airspace surrounding the southwest and southeast of the Taiwan Island, in a bid to test the troops' capability of integrative joint operations, Army Senior Colonel Shi Yi, spokesperson for the PLA Eastern Theater Command, said on a written statement on Tuesday.
• Beijing holds assault drills near Chinese Taipei in response to 'provocations' Press TV 17 Aug 2021 -- Beijing has held military assault drills near Chinese Taipei, in what its armed forces described as a show of force against "provocations" and "external interference" in the mainland's affairs.
• Chinese Army Says Conducting Military Drills Near Taiwan in Response to US, Taipei Actions Sputnik 17 Aug 2021 -- The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) is conducting military drills in the waters and airspace near Taiwan in response to alleged provocations by the United States and Taipei, Senior Colonel Shi Yi, the spokesman for the PLA's Eastern Theater Command said on 17 August.
• China urges US to cut off military connection with Taiwan on 39th anniversary of publishing of August 17 Communiqué Global Times 17 Aug 2021 -- The US arms sales to the island of Taiwan has reached nearly $70 billion, violating the three communiqués that lay the basis for China-US relations, spokesperson of China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Tuesday, which marks the 39th anniversary of the August 17 Communiqué published jointly by Beijing and Washington.
• China Foreign Ministry Urges US to Stop Official Contacts With Taiwan and Cease Arms Sales Sputnik 17 Aug 2021 -- China is calling upon the US to stop official contacts and end arms sales to Taiwan and fully abide by the one-China policy in order to avoid further damaging relations between the two countries, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said on Tuesday.
• North Korea Threatens to Punish China-Based Workers Moonlighting for Local Companies Radio Free Asia 17 Aug 2021 -- North Korea has banned its trade representatives in China from making money on the side to support themselves and will punish those who violate the restrictions for betraying the party and the country's leader Kim Jong Un, sources in China told RFA.
• Iran's nuclear activities fully in line with JCPOA, NPT: FM spox Press TV 17 Aug 2021 -- The Iranian Foreign Ministry says the country's nuclear activities are fully in line with its commitments under the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and the 2015 nuclear deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
• Iran, Russia envoys discuss resumption of talks in Vienna on nuclear deal Press TV 17 Aug 2021 -- Senior diplomats from Iran and Russia have exchanged views about the resumption of talks in Vienna, Austria, on a potential revival of the 2015 nuclear deal, which was suspended amid a power transition in the Islamic Republic following the June presidential election.
• U.S. Concerned About Iran's Uranium Metal Production RFE/RL 17 Aug 2021 -- The United States is urging Tehran to "cease its nuclear escalations" and return to negotiations aimed at reviving a 2015 nuclear agreement with world powers after the UN atomic watchdog reported that Iran continues to produce uranium metal.
• Merkel Blasts Belarus For 'Using Refugees' To Undermine EU Security RFE/RL 17 Aug 2021 -- Germany has again accused Minsk of using refugees as political tools as the European Union pledged to shore up the bloc's border with Belarus to stop a surge in illegal crossings.
• Haiti quake death toll hits 1,419 People's Daily 17 Aug 2021 -- The death toll from the powerful earthquake that struck southwestern Haiti on Saturday climbed to 1,419, authorities announced on Monday.
• UN chief urges support for Haiti to avert 'humanitarian disaster' UN News 17 Aug 2021 -- UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Tuesday urged countries to step up support to Haiti as the country recovers from a deadly earthquake under the clouds of a tropical storm.
• Fuel crisis in Lebanon means potential 'humanitarian catastrophe': senior UN official UN News 17 Aug 2021 -- Reliable fuel and electricity supply are urgently needed in Lebanon to avert a potential "humanitarian catastrophe", the top UN aid official in the country warned on Tuesday.
• Lebanon Government Formation Appears on Hold, Despite Earlier Optimism VOA 17 Aug 2021 -- Lebanese citizens are feeling embittered by the rising death toll of those burned in Sunday's fuel tanker explosion in the northern region of Akkar. People were reportedly desperate to fill plastic containers there with scarce fuel when the blast occurred.
• Malaysia's king urges party leaders to work together in search for new PM Press TV 17 Aug 2021 -- Malaysia's King Al-Sultan Abdullah has met leaders of political parties, asking them to work together to address the economic and health woes facing the country and search for a new prime minister.
• Malaysia's King Begins Search for New Prime Minister VOA 17 Aug 2021 -- Malaysia's king has begun the process of selecting a new prime minister to succeed Muhyiddin Yassin and lead the country out of a political crisis.
• Families of Vietnamese Political Prisoners Ask US Vice President to Pressure Hanoi for Their Release Radio Free Asia 17 Aug 2021 -- The families of political prisoners in Vietnam have written an open letter to U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris prior to her visit to the Southeast Asian country later this month, asking her to pressure Hanoi to release them from their lengthy sentences.
• Laos Says No to Officials Keeping State Cars After Retirement Radio Free Asia 17 Aug 2021 -- Laos will no longer allow high-ranking government officials to use state-owned vehicles for personal use after they retire, a move aimed at saving money and solving a vehicle shortage that Lao citizens told RFA was a step in the right direction.
• North Macedonia Expels Russian Diplomat, Second Since May, No Reason Given RFE/RL 17 Aug 2021 -- North Macedonia has expelled a Russian diplomat, the second since May, without giving an explanation over why the move was taken.