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News Reports

Current Operations

• Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby Holds an Off-Camera Press Briefing DoD 18 Aug 2021 -- Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby
• Secretary of Defense Austin and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Milley Press Briefing DoD 18 Aug 2021 -- Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III; Joint Chiefs Of Staff Chairman General Mark Milley
• Afghanistan Crisis Remains Fluid, Dynamic, DOD Spokesman Says DoD News 18 Aug 2021 -- The crisis in Afghanistan remains fluid and dynamic and it is ever-changing, Pentagon Spokesman John F. Kirby told Pentagon reporters today in an operational update of U.S. military operations in that country.
• Austin, Milley Say DOD Laser-Focused on Kabul Evacuation Mission DoD News 18 Aug 2021 -- The Department of Defense is laser-focused on operations at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III said during a Pentagon news conference today.
• Austin, Milley Understand the Personal Nature of Afghan War DoD News 18 Aug 2021 -- Like 800,000 other service members who served in Afghanistan, the conflict in that nation is personal to Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III and Army Gen. Mark Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
• Biden Says There Was No Way To Exit Afghanistan 'Without Chaos Ensuing' RFE/RL Gandhara 18 Aug 2021 -- President Joe Biden said in his first interview since the Taliban seized Kabul that "chaos" was inevitable once the United States decided to leave Afghanistan after two decades of war.
• After Kabul's Fall To The Taliban, U.S. Watchdog Releases 'Bleak' Assessment Of 20 Years In Afghanistan RFE/RL Gandhara 18 Aug 2021 -- A U.S. government watchdog has painted a bleak portrait of two decades of U.S. intervention in Afghanistan, saying that administrations consistently "underestimated" the time required to rebuild the country and "misunderstood" its context during the United States' longest war.
• US to continue diplomacy in Afghanistan after Aug. 31 if 'safe' Press TV 18 Aug 2021 -- The United States remains open to keeping its diplomatic presence at Kabul's airport following a withdrawal deadline at the end of August if conditions permit, says a State Department spokesman.
• Secretary Blinken's Call with Canadian Foreign Minister Garneau US Dept. of State 18 Aug 2021
• Readout of President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Call with Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany The White House 18 Aug 2021
• Readout of Secretary Mayorkas's Call with Counterparts from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom DHS 18 Aug 2021
• Joint Statement on the Situation of Women and Girls in Afghanistan US Dept. of State 18 Aug 2021 -- This statement has been co-signed by Albania, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, European Union, Honduras, Guatemala, North Macedonia, New Zealand, Norway, Paraguay, Senegal, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America.
• US, EU, Other Countries Urge Taliban to Guarantee Rights of Women, Girls VOA 18 Aug 2021 -- The United States, the European Union and 19 other Western nations called on Afghanistan's Taliban leaders Wednesday to guarantee the rights of women and girls, saying in a joint statement they are "deeply worried" about their rights to education, employment and "freedom of movement."
• U.S., EU 'Deeply Worried' About Future Of Women In Afghanistan RFE/RL Gandhara 18 Aug 2021 -- The European Union, the United States, and 18 other countries have joined together to urge the Taliban to respect the rights and safety of Afghan women and girls.
• How Will the World Help Afghan Refugees? VOA 18 Aug 2021 -- Amid the crisis precipitated by the U.S. military withdrawal from Afghanistan, global discussion on how to aid refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) at risk has led to limited action from Western nations.
• Slow US Visa Process Leaves Afghans Trapped in Taliban-Controlled Kabul VOA 18 Aug 2021 -- For Jeffery A. Trammell, a former U.S. Army officer who served two tours in Afghanistan, the hours and days since the Taliban swept into Kabul have been an unending barrage of phone calls, emails, and text messages, all centered on one object -- trying to get his former Afghan interpreter safely out of the country.
• As Taliban Take Over, US Governors Offer Afghans Refuge VOA 18 Aug 2021 -- A growing number of U.S. governors say they will help resettle Afghan refugees in their states following a rapid Taliban takeover of Afghanistan that blindsided Western nations and left them scrambling to evacuate ambassadors and allies.
• US Continues Diplomatic Outreach to Host At-risk Afghans VOA 18 Aug 2021 -- The United States says it is engaging directly with the Taliban to secure safe passage for "everybody" who is trying to get to the Kabul airport.
• Europe Braces for Fleeing Afghans, But Fearful, Reluctant to Accept Many VOA 18 Aug 2021 -- The interior ministers from the Five Eyes intelligence alliance, comprising the U.S., Britain, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, held a conference call Wednesday to discuss how to coordinate safe and legal migration routes for Afghans fleeing the Taliban.
• Australia Concedes Help Won't Reach Some Former Afghan Staff VOA 18 Aug 2021 -- Australia is sending troops and aircraft to Kabul on a rescue mission to evacuate its citizens and Afghans who worked alongside its military during the decades-long war.
• UN Moves 100 International Staff Out of Afghanistan VOA 18 Aug 2021 -- The United Nations relocated about 100 international staff from Afghanistan to Kazakhstan on Wednesday, as the international community waits to see if the situation will stabilize after the Taliban seized control on Sunday.
• UN: International Community Must Not Abandon Afghan People VOA 18 Aug 2021 -- U.N. agencies are appealing to States not to abandon the Afghan people in the midst of their country's unfolding humanitarian crisis but to offer protection and asylum to those in need.
• Afghanistan: Medical lifeline to millions must not be cut, warns WHO UN News 18 Aug 2021 -- The delivery of lifesaving aid and medical supplies to millions of Afghans must not be cut, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Wednesday, citing a more than threefold rise in the number of trauma cases.
• Ousted Afghan President Ghani in United Arab Emirates VOA 18 Aug 2021 -- Self-exiled Afghan President Ashraf Ghani is in the United Arab Emirates after fleeing Afghanistan earlier this week as the Taliban seized control, the UAE said Wednesday.
• Ghani Arrives In U.A.E. Days After Fleeing Afghanistan RFE/RL Gandhara 18 Aug 2021 -- President Ashraf Ghani, who fled Afghanistan as Taliban militants seized Kabul over the weekend, is in the United Arab Emirates with his family "on humanitarian grounds."
• UAE confirms hosting Afghanistan's Ashraf Ghani, his family Press TV 18 Aug 2021 -- The United Arab Emirates (UAE) says Afghanistan's President Ashraf Ghani, who fled his country before the Taliban militants installed themselves in Kabul on August 15, is now in the Persian Gulf Arab state.
• Ghani Vows Return to Afghanistan to Exact 'Justice' for Afghans, Refutes He Fled With Millions Sputnik 18 Aug 2021 -- Earlier reports detailed that former Afghan President Ashraf Ghani had fled Afghanistan with large sums of money, a figure that some speculated amounted to about $169 million. It was initially believed that he had either fled to Tajikistan or Uzbekistan before it was confirmed earlier Wednesday that he fled to the United Arab Emirates.
• Abu Dhabi Confirms Ghani in UAE Amid Reports He Fled Afghanistan With up to $169 Mln in Cash Sputnik 18 Aug 2021 -- Earlier, reports suggested that the Afghan president fled the country to Tajikistan or Uzbekistan, while others indicated that he had settled in Abu Dhabi. Russia's diplomatic mission in Kabul has alleged that the leader fled the country with vehicles full of cash.
• U.S. Freezes Afghan Central Bank Assets RFE/RL Gandhara 18 Aug 2021 -- The United States has frozen Afghan central bank reserves in U.S. accounts, depriving the Taliban of billions of dollars.
• U.S. freezes Afghan government reserves in its banks People's Daily 18 Aug 2021 -- The U.S. government on Sunday froze Afghan reserves held in its U.S. bank accounts to prevent the Taliban from accessing, the Washington Post reported citing sources.
• Taliban Violently Disperse Protest After Vowing No Retribution VOA 18 Aug 2021 -- The Taliban are continuing to consolidate power in Afghanistan amid reports of violence against protesters in the eastern part of the country, a day after the Islamist group announced the "war is over" and there would be no retribution.
• Reports Of Taliban Violence In Afghanistan As Fugitive Ghani Denies Theft RFE/RL Gandhara 18 Aug 2021 -- The Taliban, seeking to consolidate its grip on power following a blitz offensive that brought most of Afghanistan under its rule and sent the government fleeing, violently broke up a rare protest in eastern Afghanistan as an exodus from the country continues with dozens of evacuation flights leaving Kabul.
• Afghan Ex-President Karzai, Reconciliation Chief Abdullah Talk Peace With Taliban's Anas Haqqani Sputnik 18 Aug 2021 -- After the deadly chaos that gripped Kabul airport amid a Taliban seizure of power on Sunday, thousands of US troops arrived and negotiations began with the Islamic militia to allow US officials and others to leave the country if they wish.
• Afghan Leaders Weigh In on Taliban's Propects VOA 18 Aug 2021 -- Top leaders of Afghanistan's Tajik community warn if the Taliban fail to deliver on their recent commitment to form an "inclusive" government in Kabul, they will not be able to maintain their hold on power.
• Afghanistan: What We Know VOA 18 Aug 2021 -- The United States aims to increase its pace of evacuating people from the airport in Kabul on Wednesday, with officials saying the goal is to fly out between 5,000 and 9,000 people per day. As of Tuesday, the operation had evacuated more than 3,200 people.
• US Says World is Watching Taliban's Treatment of Civilians VOA 18 Aug 2021 -- The Taliban swept through Afghanistan, taking most of its 34 Afghan provincial capitals in about nine days. The insurgent group reached Kabul early Sunday.
• Taliban declares general amnesty, Asian countries evacuate diplomats, citizens People's Daily 18 Aug 2021 -- Taliban urged people in Afghanistan to live their routine lives on Tuesday, while Asian countries including Japan, Nepal, India and the Philippines have evacuated diplomats and citizens from the country, two days after the group took control of the Afghan capital.
• 'There Will Be No Democratic System at All' in Afghanistan, Senior Taliban Figure Says Sputnik 18 Aug 2021 -- Afghanistan's Western-backed government was swept from power on Sunday after Taliban militants captured Kabul. The capital's collapse came less than two weeks after the militants began a push for Afghanistan's major cities, and just over four months after Washington announced that it would be withdrawing from the war-torn country.
• Turmoil In Afghanistan Spills Into Central Asia RFE/RL Gandhara 18 Aug 2021 -- The events that the governments of Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan have been increasingly dreading in recent weeks have begun to happen.
• World countries weighing diplomatic options in dealing with Taliban after Afghan takeover Press TV 18 Aug 2021 -- As the political and security uncertainty in Afghanistan remains far from resolved following the Taliban takeover of the country, international shaming of the US government and NATO over the messy withdrawal continues, with world countries weighing their diplomatic options in dealing with the Taliban while at the same time scrambling to evacuate their citizens from the country.
• Iran's Raeisi, Russia's Putin express readiness to contribute to establishment of peace, security in Afghanistan Press TV 18 Aug 2021 -- Iranian President Ebrahim Raeisi and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, have expressed readiness to contribute to the establishment of peace and security in war-torn Afghanistan.
• Iran: US, NATO talked of democracy, war on terror but only sought 'own interests' in Afghanistan Press TV 18 Aug 2021 -- Iran's outgoing foreign minister says the US and NATO only sought their "own interests" in invading Afghanistan, stressing that they need to compensate for the losses they imposed on the country and failing to achieve their objectives.
• Russia questions West's legacy of crisis left behind in Afghanistan Press TV 18 Aug 2021 -- Russia says the United States and its Western allies left behind a humanitarian and political crisis of a new dimension in Afghanistan as uncertainty reigns in the wake of the Taliban takeover of the war-ravaged country.
• Taliban want an 'inclusive' Afghanistan, British army chief suggests Press TV 18 Aug 2021 -- The Taliban have changed and they want an "inclusive" Afghanistan, the head of the British army has said, representing an apparently sanguine appraisal of the situation in the war-torn country.
• Reactions from across Mideast to Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan Press TV 18 Aug 2021 -- Regional countries, entities and personalities have been reacting to the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan following the United States' abrupt military withdrawal, which put an end to a futile two-decade-long war in the South Asian country.
• Soviet-era president Gorbachev: US must learn from Afghan failure Press TV 18 Aug 2021 -- Mikhail Gorbachev, Russia's last Soviet-era leader, who led the withdrawal of Russian occupation forces from Afghanistan in 1989, has slammed the US military invasion of the war-torn country as doomed from the outset, saying "lessons" should be learned from the conflict.
• Bespoke resettlement route for Afghan refugees announced UK FCDO 18 Aug 2021 -- The Afghan citizens' resettlement scheme to welcome Afghans to the UK who have been forced to flee the country.
• Afghanistan: Foreign Secretary speech UK FCDO 18 Aug 2021 -- The Foreign Secretary, Dominic Raab, made these closing remarks to Parliament at the conclusion of today's debate on Afghanistan.
• The Prime Minister's opening statement on Afghanistan: 18 August 2021 Gov.UK 18 Aug 2021 --  
• Puerto Rico National Guard supports U.S. humanitarian mission in Haiti Army News 18 Aug 2021 -- Puerto Rico National Guard Citizen-Soldiers and helicopters deployed to Haiti Tuesday night as part of U.S. relief efforts at the request of USAID, after a 7.2 magnitude earthquake devastated the southwest area of the country, causing more than 1,940 deaths and leaving at least 10,000 people injured as well as the collapse of vital infrastructure, according to news reports.
• Southern Command Chief Says Speed, Effort Needed to Save Haitian Lives DoD News 18 Aug 2021 -- Speed is essential in saving lives during a disaster like the Haitian earthquake, and U.S. Southern Command is in the business of saving lives, Navy Adm. Craig Faller, the commander of U.S. Southern Command said in an interview Tuesday night.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Civil Air Patrol continues auxiliary efforts for the Total Force US Air Force 18 Aug 2021 -- In 2015, the Air Force Doctrine Volume 2 "Leadership" was updated to include the Civil Air Patrol as an official Air Force auxiliary, and part of the Total Force.
• USS Curtis Wilbur Departs Yokosuka, Japan After 25 years in U.S. 7th Fleet US Navy 18 Aug 2021 -- USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG 54) departed Commander Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan, Aug. 18, following 25 years of service as a forward-deployed ship to U.S. 7th Fleet.
• U.S. Forces Conduct Sinking Exercise US Navy 18 Aug 2021 -- U.S. joint forces conducted coordinated multi-domain, multi-axis, long-range maritime strikes in the Hawaiian Islands Operating Area during a sinking exercise on the decommissioned guided missile frigate ex-USS Ingraham, Aug. 15.
• MiG-29 Fighter Crashes in Russia's Astrakhan Region, Pilot Killed Sputnik 18 Aug 2021 -- According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, the MiG-29 jet fighter crashed in southern Russia's Astrakhan region, near the Ashuluk military training center during a planned flight.
• Russian Anti-Submarine Warfare Destroyer Enters Mediterranean Sputnik 18 Aug 2021 -- Russian warships in the Mediterranean have played an instrumental role in Moscow's counter-terrorism operations in Syria, and have also served to counterbalance the large NATO presence in the region.
• China, Tajikistan conduct joint anti-terrorism drill amid regional changes after Afghan political reshuffle Global Times 18 Aug 2021 -- China and Tajikistan started a two-day joint anti-terrorism drill in Dushanbe on Wednesday, aiming to strengthen coordination of anti-terrorism forces of the two countries in the face of terrorism threats in the region.
• 'JOINT GUIDANCE FOR THE AUSTRALIA – INDIA NAVY TO NAVY RELATIONSHIP' SIGNED BETWEEN INDIAN NAVY & AUSTRALIAN NAVY India PIB 18 Aug 2021 -- A 'Joint Guidance for the Australia – India Navy to Navy Relationship' document was signed between the Indian Navy and Royal Australian Navy today, 18 August 2021.
• INDIAN NAVY UNDERTAKES BILATERAL MARITIME EXERCISE WITH VIETNAM PEOPLE'S NAVY India PIB 18 Aug 2021 -- In continuation with ongoing deployment of Indian Navy ships in the South China Sea, INS Ranvijay and INS Kora undertook bilateral maritime exercise with Vietnam People's Navy (VPN) frigate VPNS Ly Thai To(HQ-012) on 18 Aug 21.
• US Vice President's Visit Set to Improve Ties in Crucial, Yet Wary, Southeast Asia VOA 18 Aug 2021 -- U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris's planned visit next week to Southeast Asia, following other diplomatic overtures from Washington, will help President Joe Biden compete with China for influence in a crucial yet wary region of 660 million people, experts say.
• Statement by Press Secretary Jen Psaki on the Visit of Prime Minister Naftali Bennett of Israel The White House 18 Aug 2021
• Secretary Blinken's Call with Italian Foreign Minister Di Maio US Dept. of State 18 Aug 2021
• Secretary Blinken's Call with UK Foreign Secretary Raab US Dept. of State 18 Aug 2021
• Secretary Blinken's Call with Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud US Dept. of State 18 Aug 2021
• Department Press Briefing – August 18, 2021 US Dept. of State 18 Aug 2021

Defense Industry

• Contracts For Aug. 18, 2021

Other Conflicts

• 18 August 2021 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 18 Aug 2021
• UN launches strategy for digital transformation of peacekeeping UN News 18 Aug 2021 -- The Organization and its 12 peacekeeping missions around the world must fully embrace new technology in the face of ever-changing challenges, the UN chief said on Wednesday as he outlined to the Security Council his Strategy for the Digital Transformation of UN Peacekeeping.
• Turkish warplanes target PMU hospital in northern Iraq: Security source Press TV 18 Aug 2021 -- Turkish warplanes have reportedly bombarded a military hospital belonging to forces of the Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) — or Hashd al-Sha'abi — resistance group in Iraq's northern Nineveh Province.
• Satellite Images Allegedly Show Chinese Infrastructure Upgrades in Region Contested by India Sputnik 18 Aug 2021 -- Satellite imagery of alleged Chinese roads and other infrastructure leading to the Depsang Plains have surfaced online, raising tensions between Beijing and Delhi.
• With engineers and roadway repair crews, Thai blue helmets help keep South Sudan moving UN News 18 Aug 2021 -- Blue helmets from Thailand working with the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) are not only doing their bit to repair and rehabilitate critical infrastructure but are also helping support the mission's COVID-19 response and training local communities about growing their own food.

News Reports

• Press release on the anniversary of "Alexey Navalny case" Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 18 Aug 2021 -- August 20 marks one year since the emergency hospitalisation of Russian blogger Alexey Navalny in Omsk - an incident which, through the purposeful efforts of a group of Western states, was raised to the level of an international event, which led to the bringing of unsubstantiated charges against Russia for allegedly using a "chemical warfare agent" on its territory.
• Russia Labels Independent Election Monitor 'Foreign Agent' Ahead Of September Elections RFE/RL 18 Aug 2021 -- The independent election monitoring group Golos says Russia's Ministry of Justice has designated it a "foreign agent," a move that is likely to hamper the monitor's work during next month's parliamentary and local elections.
• Moscow Police Use Leaked Personal Data To Investigate Navalny Supporters RFE/RL 18 Aug 2021 -- Moscow police are using leaked online personal data from projects linked to jailed opposition politician Aleksei Navalny to investigate people who have supported the Kremlin critic.
• Gorbachev Says Lessons Of Failed 1991 Coup Still Relevant Today RFE/RL 18 Aug 2021 -- On the 30th anniversary of a coup that failed to stop democratic reforms in the Soviet Union and expedited its collapse, the last Soviet leader, Mikhail Gorbachev, said Russian society must stand against "usurping power," the phrase often used by critics of Russia's current President Vladimir Putin.
• Chinese Hackers Used Cyber-disguising Technology Against Israel, Report Finds VOA 18 Aug 2021 -- A major cybersecurity firm says it believes Beijing-backed hackers carried out cyberattacks on Israel while pretending to be operating from Israel's archrival, Iran.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian's Regular Press Conference on August 18, 2021 PRC MofA 18 Aug 2021
• Dissolution of anti-China group Civil Human Rights Front has nothing do to with freedom: Carrie Lam People's Daily 18 Aug 2021 -- Chief Executive of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Carrie Lam said Tuesday that the dissolution of Civil Human Rights Front has nothing do to with freedom, and crimes committed by the anti-China group will not be exonerated by its dissolution.
• Hong Kong Police Arrest Four Students Over Motion Supporting Suicide Attacker Radio Free Asia 18 Aug 2021 -- Police on Wednesday arrested four former University of Hong Kong student union leaders for publicly mourning a man who carried out a suicide attack on a police officer.
• Hong Kong Students Arrested for 'Advocating Terrorism' VOA 18 Aug 2021 -- Four University of Hong Kong students were arrested Wednesday on suspicion of promoting terrorism after they publicly mourned a man who stabbed a police officer and then killed himself in July.
• Xi says China to expand cooperation with Iraq CNA 18 Aug 2021 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping said Wednesday that China stands ready to work with Iran to push for steady and sustained development of their comprehensive strategic partnership.
• 'To Save The Uyghurs Is to Save The World': Interview Radio Free Asia 18 Aug 2021 -- Nathan Duddles is an American scholar whose family has been hiking a nearly 500-mile-long trail in Colorado since July 12 to raise awareness of the human rights crisis involving Muslim Uyghurs in northwestern China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR). Duddles lived and taught in the XUAR and in neighboring Kazakhstan for nearly two decades, learning both Mandarin Chinese and the Uyghur language.
• Taliban Takeover Wins Mixed Reviews, Backlash on China's Internet Radio Free Asia 18 Aug 2021 -- The Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan has prompted mixed reactions on and offline in China, with some deploring attempts by online commentators to play down the Taliban's attitude to women, as the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) tried to present the victorious armed movement as a potential ally for Beijing.
• As Malaysia's surging COVID-19 cases hits chip supply, firms urged to shift production to China Global Times 18 Aug 2021 -- As surging COVID-19 cases in Malaysia disrupted the production of semiconductors and other key components, Chinese experts are suggesting that companies should move certain production lines to the Chinese mainland to ensure the smooth running of their facilities while meeting the huge demand.
• U.S. experts refute comments comparing Afghanistan and Taiwan CNA 18 Aug 2021 -- Although some Taiwanese critics have warned that the island could face a similar fate to that of the U.S.- supported government in Afghanistan if Washington abandons its commitment to Taiwan, American experts on Taiwan affairs on Tuesday dismissed such comments.
• U.S. national security advisor reaffirms commitment to Taiwan CNA 18 Aug 2021 -- U.S. President Joe Biden's national security advisor on Tuesday reaffirmed the United States' commitment to Taiwan amid concerns that the U.S. could abandon it and other U.S. allies to Chinese aggression or terrorists after the U.S. exit from Afghanistan.
• China may become more assertive after 2022 party congress: MAC CNA 18 Aug 2021 -- China is unlikely to dial down its "aggressive" foreign policy after next year's 20th Party Congress and could even emerge from the meeting with a more assertive approach toward Taiwan, according to an official with Taiwan's top agency for China affairs.
• Why the US will abandon island of Taiwan eventually: Global Times editorial Global Times 18 Aug 2021 -- On Wednesday, Taiwan's regional leader Tsai Ing-wen finally made a speech on the panic on the island triggered by Afghanistan's situation. She declared that Taiwan's only option is to make itself stronger, more united and more determined to defend itself. Just before Tsai's speech, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan on Tuesday responded to whether the US will abandon Taiwan. He said that "When it comes to Taiwan, it is a fundamentally different question in a different context" and the US' "commitment" to Taiwan remains "as strong as it's ever been."
• China urges U.S. to honor agreements on Taiwan, stop arms sales People's Daily 18 Aug 2021 -- A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson urged the United States to abide by the provisions of the three China-U.S. joint communiques, sever military links with Taiwan and stop arms sales to the island.
• China urges US to honor pacts on Taipei, halt arms sales to island Press TV 18 Aug 2021 -- China has again called on the US to abide by the provisions of the Beijing-Washington communiques and halt military ties to Chinese Taipei, insisting that the island territory is an inalienable part of China.
• North Korea Warns Citizens Not to Speculate About Leader's Health After Weight Loss Radio Free Asia 18 Aug 2021 -- North Korea has warned citizens to refrain from talking about national leader Kim Jong Un's health after he recently lost weight, calling such gossip as a "reactionary act," sources in the country say.
• FM spox reiterates Iran's full compliance with NPT IRNA 18 Aug 2021 -- Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh reiterated Iran's full compliance with the Non-Proliferation Treaty and said the country fully observes its commitments to it.
• Raeisi calls China ties his pending govt.'s priority Press TV 18 Aug 2021 -- Speaking during a phone call made by Chinese President Xi Jinping, President Ebrahim Raeisi describes the Sino-Iranian relations as a priority for his pending government.
• Iran Confirms IAEA Report Saying It Has Accelerated Production Of Highly Enriched Uranium RFE/RL 18 Aug 2021 -- Iran has confirmed a report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) concluding that the country has expanded its production of weapons-grade uranium to 60 percent purity.
• Iran Treading Cautiously Amid The Taliban Takeover Of Afghanistan RFE/RL 18 Aug 2021 -- Iranian officials are carefully weighing their options after the surprisingly swift Taliban takeover of Afghanistan amid fears of instability, a refugee influx, and extremist groups such as Islamic State (IS) gaining a permanent foothold in its eastern neighbor.
• Cambodia's PM Hun Sen Acknowledges Myanmar Junta Chief Min Aung Hlaing as Head of State Radio Free Asia 18 Aug 2021 -- Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen has acknowledged Senior General Min Aung Hlaing as the head of state in Myanmar in an open letter sent to the junta chief pledging to help control a deadly third wave of the coronavirus that has ravaged the country amid the political unrest of a coup d'état.
• EU Condemns Belarus's 'Aggressive Behavior' At Border RFE/RL 18 Aug 2021 -- The European Union has condemned what it called "aggressive behavior" by Belarus, accusing the country of conducting "a direct attack" by pushing asylum seekers across Belarus's border with the bloc.
• Police Search Homes Of Belarusian News Agency Staff RFE/RL 18 Aug 2021 -- Police in Minsk have searched the homes of several employees of BelaPAN, a private news agency, as a crackdown on independent media and pro-democracy activists in Belarus continues following last year's disputed presidential election that handed victory to authoritarian ruler Alyaksandr Lukashenka.
• Cambodia Hands Maximum Sentence to Union Leader Over Border Comments Radio Free Asia 18 Aug 2021 -- A court in the Cambodian capital Phnom Penh on Wednesday sentenced prominent union leader Rong Chhun to two years in jail for his criticism of the government's handling of a longstanding border dispute with neighboring Vietnam.
• Malaysian King Says Next Prime Minister Must Face Confidence Vote Sputnik 18 Aug 2021 -- The Malaysian king has ruled that the next prime minister would have to face a confidence vote in parliament to confirm his backing by majority of lawmakers, the palace said on Wednesday.
• Haiti: Earthquake leaves mounting death toll, injuries and extensive damage UN News 18 Aug 2021 -- Four days after a devastating 7.2-magnitude earthquake hit south-western Haiti, the level of destruction and desperation is becoming increasingly evident, the United Nations said on Wednesday, noting that the death toll has surged to nearly 2,000.
• Zambia President-elect Faces Massive Economic Hurdles VOA 18 Aug 2021 -- Zambia's newly elected President Hakainde Hichilema says he plans to unveil a set of economic policies aimed at solving the mineral-rich country's deep economic problems after he takes office next week.
• Vietnam Court Sentences Member of 'Provisional Government' to Three-Year Prison Term Radio Free Asia 18 Aug 2021 -- A court in central Vietnam's Nghe An province on Monday sentenced a member of a U.S.-based political opposition group to three years in prison for activities aimed at overthrowing the country's one-party communist government, state media reports said.
• Democracy Dims in Tanzania as Opposition Leader Remains Behind Bars VOA 18 Aug 2021 -- When Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan took office in March, she vowed a U-turn in politics from her predecessor, the late John Magufuli. But the arrest of opposition leader Freeman Mbowe in July has dimmed hopes that Hassan will her turn back on Magufuli's iron-fisted style of rule.