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Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• U.S. Central Command statement on counterterrorism strike on ISIS-K planner CENTCOM 27 Aug 2021 -- U.S. military forces conducted an over-the-horizon counterterrorism operation today against an ISIS-K planner. The unmanned airstrike occurred in the Nangarhar Province of Afghanistan. Initial indications are that we killed the target. We know of no civilian casualties.
• Air Force General Glen D. VanHerck, Commander, U.S. Northern Command, NORAD, and Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby Press Briefing DoD 27 Aug 2021
• Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby and Major General Hank Taylor, Deputy Director of the Joint Staff For Regional Operations Press Briefing DoD 27 Aug 2021 -- Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby; Major General Hank Taylor, Deputy Director of the Joint Staff For Regional Operations, J-35
• Statement by Press Secretary Jen Psaki on the President and Vice President's Meeting with Their National Security Team on Afghanistan The White House 27 Aug 2021
• DOD Building Capacity to Support up to 50,000 Afghan Evacuees DoD News 27 Aug 2021 -- As part of Operation Allies Refuge, the Defense Department is building capacity to house up to 50,000 Afghan evacuees on seven different military installations across the United States.
• General Says Despite Attack, 'Noble Mission' of Evacuation Will Continue DoD News 27 Aug 2021 -- Despite a suicide attack near the entrance to Afghanistan's Hamid Karzai International Airport that killed 13 U.S. service members and injured others, the "noble mission" to evacuate American and eligible Afghans out of the country will continue, said the Joint Staff deputy director for regional operations.
• Taliban Denies Fighters Killed In Kabul Airport Attack RFE/RL Gandhara 27 Aug 2021 -- The Taliban says none of its fighters guarding the perimeter of Kabul's airport were killed in the explosions on August 26 that claimed more than 100 lives, including 13 U.S. troops, and deflected blame for the attack on the United States.
• UN Refugee Agency Preparing For Half Million Refugees Fleeing Afghanistan RFE/RL Gandhara 27 Aug 2021 -- The UN refugee agency says it is bracing for around half a million refugees from Afghanistan by the end of the year as an upsurge of violence causes further displacement.
• 'Credible Threats' Against Kabul Airlift Persist After Deadly Bombing, Pentagon Says RFE/RL Gandhara 27 Aug 2021 -- The U.S. military believes there are still "credible threats" against a major airlift operation at Kabul airport a day after a suicide attack on a crowd trying to flee Taliban-controlled Afghanistan killed more than 100 people, including 13 U.S. troops.
• China strongly condemns Kabul airport terror attacks Global Times 27 Aug 2021 -- China strongly condemns and was shocked by the number of casualties in the terror attacks at Kabul airport in Afghanistan which has killed 103 people including 13 US service members and injured more than 140, said Zhao Lijian, spokesperson of Chinese Foreign Ministry at a regular press conference on Friday.
• Death toll from Kabul airport attacks rises to 103, Taliban official says no evacuation deadline extension People's Daily 27 Aug 2021 -- An unnamed Taliban official, quoted by media reports Friday, has said there is no reason to extend the deadline for foreign forces to leave the country as the death toll from the Kabul airport attacks on Thursday has reportedly risen to at least 103.
• Biden vows retribution as death toll rises to 103 in Kabul attacks, says U.S. evacuation continues People's Daily 27 Aug 2021 -- U.S. President Joe Biden said Thursday the United States will avenge militarily the bombing attacks earlier in the day in the Afghan capital of Kabul that have killed at least 103 people, adding the ongoing evacuation in Afghanistan will continue uninterrupted.
• Pentagon officials: Another Kabul attack 'likely' before US leaves Press TV 27 Aug 2021 -- Pentagon and White House national security officials have warned US President Joe Biden that another terrorist attack in Kabul is "likely" in the final days of the 20-year-long American occupation of Afghanistan.
• UN warns about 'catastrophic' humanitarian situation in Afghanistan Press TV 27 Aug 2021 -- The United Nations (UN) has raised the alarm about the "catastrophic" humanitarian situation in Afghanistan following years of conflict exacerbated by the US-led invasion of the war-torn country and the coronavirus pandemic.
• Taliban 'planning to establish inclusive caretaker government' in Afghanistan Press TV 27 Aug 2021 -- The Taliban say they are planning to establish an inclusive caretaker government in Afghanistan that would include leaders from all ethnicities and tribal backgrounds, following their takeover of the country earlier this month.
• Turkey says received request from Taliban to operate Kabul airport Press TV 27 Aug 2021 -- Turkey says it has received a request from the Taliban in Afghanistan to operate the international airport in Kabul, shortly after Ankara reversed a decision to provide security for the airfield at the behest of the United States due to the deteriorating security situation in the country.
• China warns about 'severe' Afghan security situation in wake of Kabul attacks Press TV 27 Aug 2021 -- China has expressed concern about Afghanistan's "complex and severe" security situation in the wake of two deadly explosions near the Kabul airport, which came amid a chaotic US withdrawal from the country.
• Secretary Blinken's Call with Norwegian Foreign Minister Søreide US Dept. of State 27 Aug 2021
• Secretary Blinken's Call with Qatari Minister of Foreign Affairs and Deputy Prime Minister Al-Thani US Dept. of State 27 Aug 2021
• British victims of Kabul terror attack: Foreign Secretary's statement UK FCDO 27 Aug 2021 -- Two British nationals and the child of another British national were killed in the Kabul terror attack on 26 August, the Foreign Secretary has said.
• Kabul evacuation enters its final stages UK MOD 27 Aug 2021 -- The UK Armed Forces have now entered the final stages of the evacuation from Hamid Karzai Airport (HKIA) in Kabul.
• UN entities condemn 'abhorrent' terrorist attack at Kabul airport UN News 27 Aug 2021 -- The UN Security Council on Friday underlined the importance of combatting terrorism in Afghanistan following the deadly attack at the airport in the capital, Kabul.
• WHO 'exploring all options' to get medical supplies into Afghanistan UN News 27 Aug 2021 -- With medical stocks dwindling in Afghanistan, and insecurity at the airport in the capital, Kabul, following the terrorist attack on Thursday, the World Health Organization (WHO) continues to examine ways to deliver much-needed supplies to the country, a senior official told journalists in Geneva.
• Explainer: Who Are Islamic State-Khorasan And What Are They After? RFE/RL Gandhara 27 Aug 2021 -- Islamic State-Khorasan (IS-K), the Islamic State offshoot that claimed responsibility for the August 26 suicide attack outside Kabul airport, has been behind some of the deadliest operations against Afghan civilians.
• DOD Awards $6.5 Million Contract to U.S. Cotton, LLC, to Increase Domestic Production Capacity of Polyester-Tipped Swabs DoD 27 Aug 2021 -- On August 27, 2021, the Department of Defense (DOD), on behalf of and in coordination with the Department of Health and Human Services, awarded $6.5 million to U.S. Cotton, LLC, a subsidiary of Parkdale, Inc., to increase domestic production capacity of the polyester-tipped swabs used in COVID-19 home test kits and mass testing settings.
• Army Study Evaluates Use of Dogs in COVID-19 Detection DoD News 27 Aug 2021 -- Scientists at the Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Chemical Biological Center are partnering with the University of Pennsylvania and various canine training facilities to continue research on how canines can aid in the fight against COVID-19 and other chemical biological threats.

Defense Policy / Programs

• US army decides against purchasing more Iron Dome missile batteries from Israel Press TV 27 Aug 2021 -- The US military has decided not to purchase Israel's Iron Dome to intercept and destroy short-range rockets and artillery shells after testing the purported all-weather aerial missile system earlier this summer.
• Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Call with Qatar Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defense Affairs, His Excellency Dr. Khalid bin Mohammed Al-Attiyah DoD 27 Aug 2021
• Readout of Dr. Mara Karlin's Call with Estonian Ministry of Defence Permanent Secretary Kusti Salm DoD 27 Aug 2021
• DOD's Office of Industrial Policy Promotes Defense Industrial Workforce Strategy at Stakeholder Summit DoD 27 Aug 2021 -- On Aug. 25, 2021, the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Policy, Jesse Salazar, presented the "Department of Defense's Perspectives on Industrial Workforce Challenges" at the Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing (ATDM) Summit in Danville, Virginia.
• Indo-Pacific Endeavour 21 launches from Darwin Australia DOD 27 Aug 2021 -- HMA Ships Canberra and Anzac set sail from Darwin last night, marking the start of Indo-Pacific Endeavour 21 (IPE21), Australia's flagship regional engagement activity.
• Collaboration Between China, Russia Compounds Threat, Stratcom Commander Says DoD News 27 Aug 2021 -- During the Cold War, the U.S. faced one peer competitor, the Soviet Union. Today, Russia and China, both peer competitors, are seen as sometimes collaborating in opportunistic ways, the commander of U.S. Strategic Command said.
• U.S. Navy, Coast Guard Transit Taiwan Strait US Navy 27 Aug 2021 -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Kidd (DDG 100) and legend-class U.S. Coast Guard National Security Cutter Munro (WMSL 755) conducted routine Taiwan Strait transits Aug. 27 (local time) through international waters in accordance with international law. The ships' lawful transit through the Taiwan Strait demonstrates the U.S. commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. The United States military flies, sails, and operates anywhere international law allows.
• USS George H.W. Bush Completes Drydocking Planned Incremental Availability at Norfolk Naval Shipyard US Navy 27 Aug 2021 -- USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) departed Aug. 26 for sea trials, marking completion of one of the largest and most complex aircraft carrier availabilities conducted at Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY).
• Automated parts storage system improves efficiency at Fleet Readiness Center East US Navy 27 Aug 2021 -- At Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE), the challenge or organizing the thousands of parts from an aircraft that comes in for maintenance or repair is being managed using a new software application called WISK, short for Work-in-Process Inventory, Storage and Kitting.
• Russia-Led CSTO To Hold Military Drills In Central Asia Due To Situation In Afghanistan RFE/RL 27 Aug 2021 -- The Russia-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) says it plans to hold military exercises in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan due to the ongoing situation in Afghanistan.
• China-Russia drill signals new era in joint exercises: spokesperson Global Times 27 Aug 2021 -- A joint military exercise between China and Russia, code-named ZAPAD/INTERACTION-2021, has charted the course for a new high-point in bilateral relations, opened new horizons for military drills between major countries, and explored new models for planning exercises together, a Chinese military spokesperson told a press conference on Thursday.
• China-Russia drill signals new era in joint exercises: spokesperson PLA Daily 27 Aug 2021 -- A joint military exercise between China and Russia, code-named ZAPAD/INTERACTION-2021, has charted the course for a new high-point in bilateral relations, opened new horizons for military drills between major countries, and explored new models for planning exercises together, a Chinese military spokesperson told a press conference on Thursday.
• Boost to 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' in defence India PIB 27 Aug 2021 -- Ministry of Defence (MoD) has concluded a contract with Mahindra Defence Systems Limited for procurement of 14 Integrated Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Defence Suites (IADS) at a cost of Rs 1,349.95 crore in New Delhi on August 27, 2021.
• Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Phone Call With Turkish Minister of National Defense Hulusi Akar DoD 27 Aug 2021
• Readout of President Joseph R. Biden, Jr.'s Meeting with Prime Minister Naftali Bennett of Israel The White House 27 Aug 2021
• Remarks by President Biden and Prime Minister Bennett of the State of Israel Before Expanded Bilateral Meeting The White House 27 Aug 2021
• Statement by NSC Spokesperson Emily Horne on NSA Sullivan's Call with Foreign Minister Hussein of Iraq The White House 27 Aug 2021
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jen Psaki, August 27, 2021 The White House 27 Aug 2021
• Department Press Briefing – August 27, 2021 US Dept. of State 27 Aug 2021

Defense Industry

• Contracts For Aug. 27, 2021

Other Conflicts

• 27 August 2021 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 27 Aug 2021
• More children than ever before live as migrants or refugees, outside their birth countries – UNICEF UN News 27 Aug 2021 -- More girls and boys than ever are on the move, with 35.5 million having lived outside their country of birth in 2020 and an additional 23.3 million displaced internally, according to a new report by the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) published on Friday.
• Manila Protests Beijing's Use of Warning Flares Above Disputed Waters Radio Free Asia 27 Aug 2021 -- The Philippines has lodged a diplomatic protest with China for its reported use of flares to warn off Filipino surveillance planes as they flew over contested portions of the South China Sea in June, Manila's national security adviser said Friday.
• China voices support for Syria reconstruction, improving Syrians' livelihood Press TV 27 Aug 2021 -- Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang says his country attaches great importance to developing relations with Syria and is keen to support the Arab country in combating the coronavirus pandemic, improving the livelihood of its people and accelerating reconstruction.
• Yerevan Says Azerbaijan Has Unblocked Road Connecting Two Parts Of Armenian Region RFE/RL 27 Aug 2021 -- Azerbaijan has unblocked a major Armenian highway between two parts of Armenia's southern region of Syunik after nearly two days of closure, Armenia's National Security Service (NSS) said on August 27.

News Reports

• Statement by President Joe Biden on the Investigation into the Origins of COVID-19 The White House 27 Aug 2021
• President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Approves Louisiana Emergency Declaration The White House 27 Aug 2021
• Readout of President Biden's Call with Gulf Coast Governors in Advance of Hurricane Ida The White House 27 Aug 2021
• Winter Is Coming: Europe's Gas Markets Hit Unusual Turbulence -- And Eyes Turn To Moscow RFE/RL 27 Aug 2021 -- Typically this time of year, energy utilities across Europe are topping off their tanks, replacing old wires, locking in gas contracts, and doing the sort of routine maintenance needed to prepare for the coming winter.
• Russian Independent Media Join Forces To Urge Putin To End 'Foreign Agent' Label RFE/RL 27 Aug 2021 -- A number of leading Russian news journals and websites have joined forces to protest against the targeting by authorities of a growing number of independent media outlets and journalists under Russia's controversial "foreign agent" law.
• Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's statement and answers to media questions at a joint news conference with Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Luigi Di Maio following talks in Rome, August 27, 2021 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 27 Aug 2021
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian's Regular Press Conference on August 27, 2021 PRC MofA 27 Aug 2021
• China tries to keep calm as US steps up drills, Asia visits Press TV 27 Aug 2021 -- China has stressed its "indisputable" sovereignty over a series of islands in the South China Sea amid drills by the US and several other allies in an unprecedented show of force against Beijing.
• HK lawmaker who insulted national flag removed from LegCo, 'shows govt's commitment to restoring political life security in city' Global Times 27 Aug 2021 -- Cheng Chung-tai, a Hong Kong lawmaker, was removed from the Legislative Council (LegCo) on Thursday, after the vetting committee examined his qualifications and decided that he does not fit for the role which requires candidates to pledge allegiance and being loyal to Hong Kong, making him the first person to fail in the vetting process after the committee was established.
• Hong Kong Newspaper Treated as Agent of Foreign State in US Radio Free Asia 27 Aug 2021 -- The Department of Justice (DOJ) has ordered the U.S. subsidiary of a Hong Kong-based Chinese-language newspaper to register as a foreign agent, recent filings show.
• China ups rectification of 'fan circle' culture which distorts minors' values, endangers social governance Global Times 27 Aug 2021 -- China's cyberspace regulator on Friday enhanced rectification with specific measures over the sick parts of "fan circle" culture in the entertainment industry, tackling the long-controversial moves by teenage fans that blindly idolize celebrities, excessively spend money on their "idols," and exclude others, as distorted values within the circles have also bred cyberbullying and illegal fundraising.
• China's Ruling Party Extends Purge of Celebrities, Fan Culture Radio Free Asia 27 Aug 2021 -- China's internet regulator is cracking down on online celebrity and fan club culture, as a popular actress had all of her work removed from public view after being designated an "inferior artist."
• China's Crackdown on The Private Sector Raises Risks Radio Free Asia 27 Aug 2021 -- China's new measures to rein in property investment are raising questions about a wave of crackdowns on private enterprises, internet platforms and tech firms.
• China lodges firm representations with Japan over its security dialogue with DPP of Taiwan, whose illusion into external support 'will cut own throat' Global Times 27 Aug 2021 -- China on Friday expressed strong opposition to the first-ever security talks between the ruling parties of Japan and Taiwan island, and has lodged firm representations with Japan. Although the virtual dialogue was viewed as warming ties between Japan and the island, mainland experts warned that such attempts of self-comfort and catering to the US' Indo-Pacific strategy to contain the mainland may provoke a strong backlash from Beijing.
• Seeking "Taiwan independence" leads to dead end: spokesperson People's Daily 27 Aug 2021 -- A Chinese military spokesperson Thursday warned Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authority that seeking "independence" by military means will lead to a dead end.
• More Than Half of Americans Would Support Military Defense of Taiwan Radio Free Asia 27 Aug 2021 -- More than 50 percent of the American public would support U.S. military intervention to defend Taiwan against invasion by China, according to a recent opinion survey in the U.S.
• Ethnic Chinese Leaving North Korea Sign Pledge Not to Return Through 2023 Radio Free Asia 27 Aug 2021 -- Ethnic Chinese stranded in North Korea when the border was closed last year amid coronavirus concerns have been allowed by Pyongyang to return home, but only after promising not to return to the reclusive country before the end of 2023, sources say.
• Pakistan army says 58% of fence along Iran border completed IRNA 27 Aug 2021 -- Spokesman for Pakistan Army says his country is determined to guard its international borders with its neighbors as situation in Afghanistan evolves adding that 58 percent of fencing work on border with Iran has been completed.
• Vienna talks acceptable only when Iran's rights secured, results tangible: FM Press TV 27 Aug 2021 -- Iran's new Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian says the Vienna talks aimed at reviving the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers will be acceptable only when there come tangible results from high-level negotiations and the interests of the Islamic Republic are secured.
• Iran, Russia discuss mutual cooperation, re-launch of Vienna talks on JCPOA revival Press TV 27 Aug 2021 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov have underlined the need for further development of bilateral collaboration in the international arena, particularly with regard to Afghanistan.
• Iran Nuclear Deal Is Main Topic Of Biden's First Meeting With Israeli PM RFE/RL 27 Aug 2021 -- President Joe Biden told Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett that the United States is "putting diplomacy first" in efforts to revive the Iran nuclear deal, but if that fails Washington is "ready to turn to other options."
• More Than Three Dozen Civilians Dead Following Military Interrogation Since Coup in Myanmar Radio Free Asia 27 Aug 2021 -- More than three dozen civilians have died after being interrogated by the junta since Myanmar's military seized power in a Feb. 1 coup d'état, including an elderly man who told fellow villagers about how he was brutally tortured before succumbing to his injuries last week.
• A Year After Fleeing Belarus, Veranika Tsapkala Still Battling Lukashenka's 'Inhumane Regime' RFE/RL 27 Aug 2021 -- Veranika Tsapkala has been an integral part of the largely female-led push to unseat Alyaksandr Lukashenka, the authoritarian leader of Belarus since 1994.
• Belarus Closes Journalists' Association Amid Ongoing Crackdown On Media RFE/RL 27 Aug 2021 -- Belarus has ordered the closure of the country's largest independent journalists' organization as a crackdown on media and civil society intensifies following last year's disputed presidential election.
• Cambodia Says 'Loopholes' May Have Led to Oil Theft as NGOs Urge Probe Radio Free Asia 27 Aug 2021 -- A tanker with nearly 300,000 barrels of crude oil that went missing last month may have left Cambodia unnoticed due to "loopholes" in enforcement, a ruling party spokesman said Friday, while local NGOs called on the government to investigate any possible official role in the alleged theft.
• Hoping Third Time's A Charm, Bulgarian President Asks Socialists To Form Government RFE/RL 27 Aug 2021 -- Bulgaria's President Rumen Radev has given a third and final mandate to form a government to the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) after two other political parties gave up efforts to set up a coalition following last month's inconclusive vote.
• Bulgaria Sends Troops To Border As EU Braces For Afghan Migrant Flows RFE/RL 27 Aug 2021 -- Bulgaria announced on August 26 that it will bolster its border with Greece and Turkey with between 400 and 700 soldiers amid growing concern in Europe over an influx of migrants from Afghanistan.
• Kyrgyz President Signs Bill On Changes To Electoral Law RFE/RL 27 Aug 2021 -- Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov has signed into law a series of changes to the country's electoral laws that include a reduction in the number of parliamentarians, the president's press service announced on August 27.
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