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News Reports

Current Operations

• Remarks by President Biden on Evacuations in Afghanistan The White House 20 Aug 2021
• Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby Holds a Press Briefing DoD 20 Aug 2021
• US Evacuated 3,000 from Kabul on Thursday VOA 20 Aug 2021 -- U.S. forces in Afghanistan evacuated about 3,000 people from Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul on Thursday, according to the White House.
• After Pause in Flights Out of Kabul, Evacuations are Continuing, General Says DoD News 20 Aug 2021 -- Pentagon officials provided a status update on the evacuation of Americans and eligible Afghans from Kabul.
• U.S. Central to One of Largest, Most Difficult Airlifts in History, Biden Tells Nation DoD News 20 Aug 2021 -- The civilian evacuations in Afghanistan involve one of the largest and most difficult airlifts in history, and the only country in the world capable of projecting that much power is the United States, President Joe Biden said in a televised address to the country today.
• Official Says DOD Is Shifting to a Strategic Readiness Posture DoD News 20 Aug 2021 -- Strategic readiness is vital to mission success and should be woven into everything the Defense Department does, said the assistant secretary of defense for readiness.
• Explainer: What Does China Want From Afghanistan After The Taliban Takeover? RFE/RL Gandhara 20 Aug 2021 -- The sudden takeover of Afghanistan by the Taliban ahead of the withdrawal of U.S. troops from the country has left China facing a precarious mix of opportunity and risk as it prepares to deal with the new power brokers in Kabul.
• Biden Touts 'Significant Progress' As He Defends Chaotic Afghanistan Exit RFE/RL Gandhara 20 Aug 2021 -- U.S. President Joe Biden pledged on August 20 to get all Americans out of Afghanistan as his administration faced criticism at home and abroad for its chaotic handling of the U.S. withdrawal with the Taliban suddenly seizing control of Kabul last weekend.
• Taliban 'Tortured, Massacred' Ethnic Hazara In Afghanistan RFE/RL Gandhara 20 Aug 2021 -- Amnesty International says Taliban fighters last month "massacred" and brutally tortured several members of Afghanistan's mainly Shi'ite Hazara minority, in what the watchdog called a "horrifying indicator" of the hard-line Sunni militant group's rule.
• NATO Allies Call On Taliban To Facilitate Safe Evacuation Of Foreigners, Afghans RFE/RL Gandhara 20 Aug 2021 -- NATO has called on the Taliban to facilitate the "safe and orderly" evacuation of foreigners and eligible Afghans from Afghanistan amid reports that some people were having difficulties reaching Kabul's international airport.
• Statement by NATO Foreign Ministers on Afghanistan NATO 20 Aug 2021
• Joint Statement by The NATO Foreign Ministers on Afghanistan US Dept. of State 20 Aug 2021 -- The following is the text of a Joint Statement by The NATO Foreign Ministers on Afghanistan.
• Foreign Secretary meets NATO Allies to discuss Afghanistan UK FCDO 20 Aug 2021 -- The Foreign Secretary met NATO Allies to discuss Afghanistan, calling for a unified approach to counter the threat of terrorism and safeguard aid access.
• Gratitude to the UAE for Facilitating the Transit of U.S. Citizens, Embassy Personnel, and Others from Afghanistan US Dept. of State 20 Aug 2021 -- The United States is grateful to the United Arab Emirates for its humanitarian efforts and its gracious offer to facilitate the safe transit of U.S. citizens, embassy personnel, and foreign nationals evacuated from Kabul to third countries.
• Gratitude to Bahrain for Facilitating the Transit of U.S. Citizens and Embassy Personnel from Afghanistan US Dept. of State 20 Aug 2021 -- The United States is grateful to Bahrain for its humanitarian efforts and its gracious offer to facilitate the safe transit of U.S. citizens and evacuees.
• Deputy Secretary Sherman's Call with Uzbekistan Foreign Minister Kamilov US Dept. of State 20 Aug 2021
• Secretary Blinken's Call with Qatari Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Al-Thani US Dept. of State 20 Aug 2021
• Readout of President Joe Biden's Call with Amir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani of Qatar The White House 20 Aug 2021
• Readout of President Joe Biden's Call with Prime Minister Mario Draghi of Italy The White House 20 Aug 2021
• 'No way out' for imperilled Afghans, broader international response needed UN News 20 Aug 2021 -- Despite a prevailing "sense of fear" among vulnerable citizens, UN humanitarian agencies and their partners reiterated their commitment to the people of Afghanistan on Friday, informing that they are still accessing those in need throughout the country.
• Gratitude to Our Allies and Partners for Supporting U.S. Efforts to Evacuate U.S. Citizens, Partners, and At-Risk Afghans US Dept. of State 20 Aug 2021 -- Over the past several days, the United States has mobilized an unprecedented, global effort through our diplomatic channels to evacuate U.S. citizens, personnel from partner nations, and at-risk Afghans from Kabul.
• How the Afghanistan Withdrawal Looks from South Korea, America's Other 'Forever War' VOA 20 Aug 2021 -- U.S. President Joe Biden this week was asked what the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan means for Washington's other global military commitments. In response, Biden stressed the "fundamental difference" between Afghanistan and places like South Korea, where the U.S. also has a major troop presence.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Army to field laser-equipped Stryker prototypes in FY 2022 Army News 20 Aug 2021 -- The Army recently conducted a successful evaluation of a new directed-energy capability, moving the service one step closer to fielding a platoon of four laser-equipped Stryker combat vehicle prototypes next fiscal year, program leads said Wednesday.
• Go For Broke in JBLM, Army Reserve Infantry Unit relocates across the Pacific Army News 20 Aug 2021 -- American Samoa, a U.S. territory with a land area of 77 squares miles and a population of roughly 56,000 people, yields the highest rate of military enlistment of any U.S. State or territory. However, the island bids a warm "Tofa Soifua" to the infamous, 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry Regiment's Charlie Company, as they transition from American Samoa to Joint Base Lewis McChord, Washington.
• 20th SEACAT Concludes, Puts Cooperative Maritime Security First US Navy 20 Aug 2021 -- The 20th annual Southeast Asia Cooperation and Training (SEACAT) exercise concluded Aug. 20, following 10 days of in-person and at-sea engagements that enhanced collaboration among Indo-Pacific partners and focused on shared maritime security challenges of the region.
• Navy to Christen Amphibious Transport Dock Ship Fort Lauderdale US Navy 20 Aug 2021 -- The Navy will christen its newest amphibious transport dock, the future USS Fort Lauderdale (LPD 28), during a 10 a.m. CDT ceremony Saturday, Aug. 21, at the Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) Ingalls Division shipyard in Pascagoula, Mississippi.
• Press conference by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg following the extraordinary meeting of NATO Ministers of Foreign Affairs NATO 20 Aug 2021
• Australia & Solomon Islands deepen explosive ordinance disposal cooperation Australia DOD 20 Aug 2021 -- Australia and Solomon Islands are deepening cooperation on explosive ordnance disposal, with a $15 million package of infrastructure works, equipment and training announced in Honiara today.
• U.S. reiterates commitment to Taiwan after exit from Afghanistan CNA 20 Aug 2021 -- The U.S. State Department has reaffirmed its "abiding" commitment to Taiwan, amid concerns that its withdrawal from Afghanistan, which led to the country's takeover by the Taliban, had damaged Washington's credibility overseas.
• Department Press Briefing – August 20, 2021 US Dept. of State 20 Aug 2021

Defense Industry

• Contracts For Aug. 20, 2021

Other Conflicts

• 20 August 2021 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 20 Aug 2021
• Analysts: Malaysia's Navy Drill Sends Strong Message to South China Sea Claimants Radio Free Asia 20 Aug 2021 -- Malaysia's successful test-fire of three live anti-ship missiles last week clearly shows it is prepared to deal with intrusions into its South China Sea territory, analysts said on Friday.
• Burkina Faso: UN chief condemns deadly attack on northern town, 80 reported dead UN News 20 Aug 2021 -- UN Secretary-General António Guterres has strongly condemned an armed attack on a convoy near the town of Arbinda, in the north of Burkina Faso, on Wednesday, which has reportedly led to the death of some 80 people.

News Reports

• The Week In Russia: 'An Absolutely Bright And Beautiful Future' RFE/RL 20 Aug 2021 -- In August 1991, the collapse of an attempted coup by hard-liners bent on reversing reforms hastened the breakup of the Soviet Union, which was gone by the end of the year -- replaced by 15 independent states. In Russia, how far back will Vladimir Putin turn the clock?
• Russian Justice Ministry Declares Dozhd TV A 'Foreign Agent' RFE/RL 20 Aug 2021 -- Russia's Justice Ministry on August 20 declared the Dozhd television channel (TV Rain) a "foreign agent," part of what Kremlin opponents say is a crackdown on critical media before parliamentary elections next month.
• On Poisoning Anniversary, Merkel Urges Putin To Release Navalny, Britain Sanctions More Russians RFE/RL 20 Aug 2021 -- On the anniversary of Aleksei Navalny's poisoning, Britain and the United States imposed targeted sanctions on Russian intelligence operatives as German Chancellor Angela Merkel urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to release the jailed opposition politician.
• Imposition of Sanctions in Connection with Nord Stream 2 US Dept. of State 20 Aug 2021 -- The Department of State has submitted a report to Congress pursuant to the Protecting Europe's Energy Security Act of 2019 (PEESA), as amended.
• U.S. Imposes Additional Costs on Russia for Aleksey Navalny Poisoning US Dept. of State 20 Aug 2021 -- The United States, in concert with the United Kingdom, is imposing additional costs on the Russian Federation on the one-year anniversary of the poisoning of Russian opposition figure Aleksey Navalny with a Novichok nerve agent.
• Joint Statement on the Anniversary of Mr. Alexey Navalny's Poisoning US Dept. of State 20 Aug 2021 -- The text of the following statement was released by the Governments of the United States of America and the United Kingdom on the anniversary of Mr. Alexey Navalny's poisoning.
• Treasury Sanctions Russian Operatives and Entities Linked to the Poisoning of Aleksey Navalny, Chemical Weapons Program US Treasury 20 Aug 2021 -- Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) and the U.S. Department of State joined the United Kingdom in imposing additional sanctions on Russia in response to the state-sponsored poisoning of Russian opposition leader Aleksey Navalny that took place one year ago today.
• UK sanctions Russian FSB operatives over poisoning of Alexey Navalny UK FCDO 20 Aug 2021 -- The UK has sanctioned the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) operatives directly responsible for the Novichok attack on Alexey Navalny.
• Letter to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President of the Senate on Blocking Property with Respect to Certain Russian Energy Export Pipelines The White House 20 Aug 2021
• Executive Order on Blocking Property with Respect to Certain Russian Energy Export Pipelines The White House 20 Aug 2021
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying's Regular Press Conference on August 20, 2021 PRC MofA 20 Aug 2021
• US Sidelined by Chinese Influence Campaign in Africa VOA 20 Aug 2021 -- China's global ambitions may have taken a hit in the United States, Europe, Australia, Japan and India, but in Africa, its sustained power and influence are forcing Washington to recalibrate its strategy toward the continent, home to 54 nations.
• China Postpones Decision on Foreign Sanctions Law For Hong Kong Radio Free Asia 20 Aug 2021 -- China appears to be backing away from requiring financial institutions in Hong Kong to comply with its sanctions of foreign individuals and organizations, imposed in retaliation for U.S. and other countries' sanctions of its officials linked to rights violations in Xinjiang and Hong Kong.
• Renewed Taliban Rule in Afghanistan Adds to Fears of China's Uyghurs Radio Free Asia 20 Aug 2021 -- The Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan has made Uyghurs and other Turkic Muslims in Xinjiang region fearful that China will use the turmoil in Kabul to double down on the repressive policies that have drawn international condemnation and genocide accusations, activists and analysts said.
• Xi Personality Cult Predictive of a Third Term in Office For China's Leader Radio Free Asia 20 Aug 2021 -- A growing trend for extra-large public portraits of ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) general secretary Xi Jinping is a further indicator that China's leader will likely remain in office for a third term after the country's rubber-stamp parliament removed term limits from the job in March 2018.
• Chinese Astronauts Conduct Second Space Walk Outside New Space Station Module VOA 20 Aug 2021 -- The China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) says two of the three crew members on board the Chinese space station module Tianhe have conducted their second spacewalk since the crew arrived there in June.
• Arrests of North Korean Wives of Chinese Men Spooks Refugee Community Radio Free Asia 20 Aug 2021 -- A spate of arrests of North Korean wives of Chinese men—raids seizing long-time residents in front of their families—has the put the refugee community in northeastern China on edge, sources in China told RFA.
• Increased Controls on Myanmar's Banking Sector Stokes Fears of Lender Defaults Radio Free Asia 20 Aug 2021 -- Nearly seven months after Myanmar's junta seized power in a coup d'état and amid a new outbreak of the coronavirus, the country's banking sector is in shambles and cash is in short supply, leaving account holders fearful about the security of their savings.
• Merkel Makes Farewell Trip To Meet Putin Amid 'Deep Disagreements' RFE/RL 20 Aug 2021 -- German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Russian President Vladimir Putin had a long list of contentious topics to discuss during Merkel's last official visit to Russia before retiring from politics after next month's general elections.
• Merkel Makes Final Visit to Russia as German Chancellor VOA 20 Aug 2021 -- German Chancellor Angela Merkel, scheduled to leave office later this year after nearly 16 years, is in Moscow for one final meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
• Bulgaria Moves Closer To Third Election This Year After GERB Party Fails To Form Cabinet RFE/RL 20 Aug 2021 -- Bulgaria's political crisis has deepened, moving the country closer to its third parliamentary elections this year, after GERB became the second political party to give up efforts to form a new government since last month's inconclusive vote.
• The United States Takes Action to Restrict Visas of Election Officials and Party Members Complicit in Ortega-Murillo Government's Assault on Democracy US Dept. of State 20 Aug 2021 -- he Department of State has taken steps to impose visa restrictions on 19 Nicaraguan election officials and political party officials who have enabled the Ortega-Murillo government's attack on democracy.
• UN deputy chief praises resilience of Haiti's people, says 'incredible' relief effort underway UN News 20 Aug 2021 -- On a two-day mission to Haiti, the UN deputy chief said on Friday that relief teams are "working day and night", and that she was struck by the resilience of the Haitian people, who had mobilized quickly to support their neighbours in the aftermath of last week's massive earthquake and subsequent tropical storm.
• More Than 1 Million Haitians Affected by Quake, UN Estimates VOA 20 Aug 2021 -- The United Nations warned Friday that desperation was growing among hundreds of thousands of Haitian earthquake survivors who have little or no access to the shelter, food, medical care and other essential relief they need.
• Kenyan Court Blocks Attempt to Change Constitution VOA 20 Aug 2021 -- Kenya's Court of Appeal ruled Friday that a plan by President Uhuru Kenyatta and opposition leader Raila Odinga to change the Constitution was unlawful.
• Malaysia's King Names New Prime Minister from Corruption-Mired Party VOA 20 Aug 2021 -- Malaysia's king on Friday appointed Ismail Sabri Yaakob the country's new prime minister, returning a member of the corruption-mired United Malays National Organization to the top job three years after Malaysians voted the party out of office.