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Current Operations

Defense Policy / Programs

• NATO supports Afghan Evacuees NATO 06 Sep 2021 -- The NATO Response Force (NRF) is supporting evacuation and relocation endeavours alongside Allies and the international community.
• NATO Secretary General sets out arms control priorities NATO 06 Sep 2021 -- Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on Monday (06 September 2021) said Allies must work more together to preserve the Non-Proliferation treaty, strengthen and modernise arms control, and respond to violations.
• Deputy Secretary General welcomes Ghanaian Defence Minister at NATO Headquarters NATO 06 Sep 2021 -- On Monday (6 September 2021), NATO's Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoană welcomed Defence Minister Nitiwul of Ghana at NATO Headquarters. During their meeting, Mr. Geoană and Mr. Nitiwul discussed potential opportunities for cooperation between Ghana and NATO. They also exchanged views on current security challenges.
• PLA sends 19 aircraft near Taiwan island in routine drill Global Times 06 Sep 2021 -- The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) reportedly sent 19 aircraft, most of them fighter jets and bombers, near the island of Taiwan on Sunday in a move Chinese mainland analysts said was a part of a routine drill, which displayed the unshakable power gap between the PLA and the armed forces on the island despite Taiwan's recent military spending proposal targeting the PLA.
• Tank repair vehicle developed from Type 15 light tank makes plateau debut Global Times 06 Sep 2021 -- A new tank repair vehicle based on the Type 15 light tank has been confirmed in active service with the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Tibet Military Region after it made its first public appearance in a recent plateau exercise.
• Taiwan warplanes to take part in highway landing drill: source CNA 06 Sep 2021 -- A scheduled military aircraft emergency takeoff and landing drill on a regular roadway will take place early in the morning on Sept. 15 and feature all three models of fighter jets in Taiwan's fleet, a military source told CNA on Monday.
• Exercise strengthens ties with Singapore Australia DOD 06 Sep 2021 -- The longstanding bilateral defence partnership between Singapore and Australia was again on display during Indo-Pacific Endeavour 2021 (IPE21).
• Warfighting in the Top End Australia DOD 06 Sep 2021 -- More than 2000 troops from the Australian Defence Force and Marine Rotational Force-Darwin (MRF-D) have completed a high-end live-fire warfighting exercise at Bradshaw Field Training Area in the Northern Territory.
• RAAF strengthens ties with US in Alaska Australia DOD 06 Sep 2021 -- The Royal Australian Air Force has successfully completed Exercise Red Flag Alaska 21-3, a two-week bilateral training exercise with the United States Air Force.
• ROYAL AUSTRALIAN NAVY AND INDIAN NAVY COMMENCE BILATERAL EXERCISE – 'AUSINDEX' India PIB 06 Sep 2021 -- Indian Navy Task Group comprising IN Ships Shivalik and Kadmatt, under the Command of Flag Officer Commanding, Eastern Fleet, Rear Admiral Tarun Sobti, VSM is participating in the 4th edition of AUSINDEX from 06 to 10 Sep 21.
• Secretary Blinken's Meeting with Qatari Amir Sheikh Al Thani US Dept. of State 06 Sep 2021
• Visiting Blinken Thanks Qataris Over Afghan Airlift As Four More Americans Evacuated RFE/RL Gandhara 06 Sep 2021 -- U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Doha on September 6 for Afghan crisis talks and to thank Qatar's leaders for their help so far and work to ensure more evacuations from Afghanistan.
• Secretary Blinken's Call with Kosovo Prime Minister Kurti US Dept. of State 06 Sep 2021
• Secretary Blinken's Call with Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Al-Sabah US Dept. of State 06 Sep 2021

Defense Industry

Other Conflicts

• Leader of anti-Taliban forces in Panjshir calls for 'national uprising' in Afghanistan Press TV 06 Sep 2021 -- The leader of anti-Taliban forces in Panjshir Valley, north of the capital Kabul, has called for a "national uprising" against the Taliban.
• Despite Taliban Claim Of Panjshir 'Victory,' Afghan Resistance Leader Urges 'National Uprising' RFE/RL Gandhara 06 Sep 2021 -- The leader of the resistance movement in Afghanistan's Panjshir Valley is calling for a "national uprising" against the Taliban, who claimed to have taken complete control of the province where opposition forces had been holding out.
• Taliban Claim Victory Over Resistance, but Massoud Vows to Fight VOA 06 Sep 2021 -- The Taliban said road links to Panjshir valley are now open, and food and other supplies can now be transported. Soon after declaring they had taken over the valley and ended remnants of resistance against their rule, the group said electricity, cellphone and internet services would be restored soon.
• Iran strongly condemns recent attacks on Panjshir ISNA 06 Sep 2021 -- Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh announced that the Islamic Republic has condemned, in the strongest terms, the last night attacks on Panjshir province.
• Taliban completely captures Panjshir province: spokesman People's Daily 06 Sep 2021 -- The Taliban armed forces have seized eastern Panjshir province following heavy fightings on Monday, gaining control over the last province of Afghanistan's 34 provinces, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid confirmed.
• Taliban say Panjshir captured, resistance vows fight for stronghold to continue Press TV 06 Sep 2021 -- The Taliban say they now have full control over Panjshir, the last pocket of territory north of Kabul still outside their rule, but resistance forces have vowed the fight for their stronghold is far from over.
• Iran slams attacks on Panjshir Valley, urges Taliban to honor commitments Press TV 06 Sep 2021 -- Iran has condemned in the strongest terms the Sunday night attacks against the Panjshir Valley, saying the Taliban must live up to their commitments, while expressing concern about the news emerging from the province.
• Taliban Militants 'Used Force' To Disperse Rally For Women's Rights In Northern Afghanistan RFE/RL Gandhara 06 Sep 2021 -- Taliban militants have violently dispersed a crowd of women who had taken to the streets of the northern Afghan city of Mazar-e Sharif to call for their rights be preserved and their participation in the new government, according to a protest organizer.
• Taliban Imposes New Dress Code, Segregation Of Women At Afghan Universities RFE/RL Gandhara 06 Sep 2021 -- The Taliban has imposed a new dress code and gender segregation for women at private universities and colleges in Afghanistan, in line with a decree issued to educational institutions and obtained by RFE/RL.
• Abdullah Abdullah holds phone talks with Iran FMs ISNA 06 Sep 2021 -- Head of Afghanistan's High Council for National Reconciliation Abdulalh Abdulalh has congratulated Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian on his appointment as the Islamic Republic's top diplomat.
• North Macedonia President Warns Of Refugee Influx In Balkans From Afghan Turmoil RFE/RL 06 Sep 2021 -- The president of North Macedonia, Stevo Pendarovski, has predicted a massive influx of refugees stemming from Afghan tensions comparable to the migrant crisis that polarized Europe and made his Balkan state a symbol of the political battle over immigration in 2015-16.
• Taliban: Pakistan's Terror-Related Security Concerns Addressed VOA 06 Sep 2021 -- Afghanistan's Taliban said Monday they had discussed bilateral security cooperation with Pakistan, including measures needed at border crossings between the two countries to stem the movement of terrorists into Pakistan.
• Foreign Secretary statement on Afghanistan response UK FCDO 06 Sep 2021 -- The Foreign Secretary has updated Parliament on the UK's international response to the situation in Afghanistan.
• At least 30 civilians killed in northeast DR Congo by suspected ADF rebels Press TV 06 Sep 2021 -- At least 30 civilians in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have been killed in a weekend massacre in the restive northeast of the Central African nation, local officials said.
• In DR Congo, militants raid villages and kill civilians Press TV 06 Sep 2021 -- Militants have hacked to death at least 30 people in a new massacre in the restive northeast of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
• Families Of MH17 Crash Victims Put Blame Squarely On Russia In Trial RFE/RL 06 Sep 2021 -- Families of victims from Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 that was shot down over Ukraine in 2014 have demanded justice from Russia in testimony against four suspects - three Russians and one Ukrainian - being tried in absentia over the crash.
• Russia Jails Crimean Tatar Leader On Charges Dismissed By Ukraine As Fabricated RFE/RL 06 Sep 2021 -- A court in Russian-annexed Crimea ordered Crimean Tatar leader Nariman Dzhelyal to be held in custody for two months on September 6 on suspicion of involvement in an attack on a gas pipeline, a charge dismissed by Ukraine as fabricated.
• Cameroon Separatists Allow Schools to Reopen After 3 to 5 Years VOA 06 Sep 2021 -- The school year in Cameroon starts Monday with hundreds of schools in the troubled western regions reopening their doors for the first time in three to five years. Anglophone separatists previously used threats to keep the schools closed, but some rebels, for the first time, are saying they should be spared from the conflict.

News Reports

• Berlin Protests To Moscow Over Preelection Cyberattacks RFE/RL 06 Sep 2021 -- Germany says it has protested to Russia over attempts to steal data from politicians in what it suspects could be an attempt to spread "disinformation" ahead of German elections later this year.
• Guinea Junta Leader Promises 'Government of National Union' VOA 06 Sep 2021 -- The military leaders who seized power and dissolved Guinea's National Assembly said Monday they would set up a transitional government.
• Political Analysts Weigh in on Guinean Coup VOA 06 Sep 2021 -- A Guinean army unit seized control of the country Sunday and announced it had deposed President Alpha Conde. The soldiers expressed frustration over widespread poverty and corruption in Guinea.
• Guinea coup leader bars foreign travel for government officials until further notice Press TV 06 Sep 2021 -- The head of Guinea's elite army unit who carried out the recent coup in the West African nation and ousted President Alpha Conde has barred government officials from leaving the country until further notice, ordering them to hand over their official vehicles as well.
• UK condemns the military seizure of power in Guinea: Minister Duddridge statement UK FCDO 06 Sep 2021 -- UK Minister for Africa, James Duddridge supports regional calls to engage in peaceful dialogue.
• Sergey Lavrov's answers to media questions following a visit to Leningrad region, St Petersburg, September 6, 2021 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 06 Sep 2021
• Works on new Russian gas pipeline to Europe to end next week: Contractor Press TV 06 Sep 2021 -- Russia's new gas pipeline to Europe, known as Nord Stream 2, will be fully ready next week, says an Austrian contractor, despite repeated objections raised by the United States about the key project and its impacts on the energy security in Europe.
• Nord Stream 2's Final Section Welded Into Place RFE/RL 06 Sep 2021 -- The operator of the controversial $12 billion Nord Stream 2 pipeline says the final section of the link has been welded into place.
• Russian Elections Snapshot: Using Doppelgangers To Confuse Voters RFE/RL 06 Sep 2021 -- There are three Boris Vishnevskys running for seats on the St. Petersburg municipal legislature, called the Legislative Assembly. One is lawmaker Boris Vishnevsky, leader of the Yabloko party's local branch and an assembly member since 2016. The other two are an official tied to the ruling United Russia party and a salesman for a car-repair company, both of whom changed their names ahead of the September 17-19 vote.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin's Regular Press Conference on September 6, 2021 PRC MofA 06 Sep 202
• European Parliament clamors for tougher line on China Global Times 06 Sep 2021 -- Some members of the European Parliament are continuously using the Taiwan question to provoke China's sovereignty and are urging the EU to reduce its reliance on China and to display a tougher and more united stance toward Beijing, but these activities are harming the mutually beneficial China-EU ties and adding uncertainties to the EU's future, Chinese experts said.
• Liaison office of Chinese central gov't in HKSAR says collapse of anti-China group inevitable People's Daily 06 Sep 2021 -- The Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region said Sunday that the collapse of the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China will be inevitable and there will be no room in Hong Kong for anti-China groups anymore.
• Jimmy Lai's Next Digital Heads For Liquidation After National Security Raid Radio Free Asia 06 Sep 2021 -- A Hong Kong media empire founded by pro-democracy media mogul Jimmy Lai has announced it is going into liquidation, citing a draconian national security law imposed on the city by the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) from July 1, 2020.
• China Cracks Down on Tech Sector as Curbs on User Data Take Effect Radio Free Asia 06 Sep 2021 -- Chinese regulators have ordered tech giants to "rectify" their business models amid an ongoing crackdown on the private technology sector.
• China Announces Border 'Cooperation' Zone in Macau, Eyes High-End Chip Development Radio Free Asia 06 Sep 2021 -- The ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has unveiled plans for a semi-conductor research and development base jointly administered by authorities in the southern province of Guangdong and the formerly Portuguese city of Macau, paving the way for a blurring of the border between the two jurisdictions.
• Commander of IRGC Ground Force warns Iraqi Kurdistan ISNA 06 Sep 2021 -- Pointing to the misuse of the northern part of Iraq by terrorist groups to create insecurity in the border areas of Iran, the Commander of IRGC Ground Force stressed that the continuation of this condition is intolerable for Iran and it will give necessary response to the terrorists.
• Political exploitation of IAEA entails different response from Iran: Spox IRNA 06 Sep 2021 -- Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh warned on Monday that political exploitation of the UN nuclear watchdog body would entail a different response from Iran and no side should miscalculate.
• Iran supporter of useful negotiations; sanctions against Iran must be lifted ISNA 06 Sep 2021 -- Welcoming the French President's proposal to review relations between the two countries and start a new chapter in bilateral relations and Tehran-Paris regional cooperation, Iranian President said, "The Iranian government welcomes the development of relations with France, especially in the economic and trade fields, and we are ready to start comprehensive cooperation with Europe from France".
• FM spokesman: Talks on JCPOA revival will continue, must guarantee Iranian people's interests Press TV 06 Sep 2021 -- Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman says negotiations on the revival of the landmark nuclear deal between Iran and world powers, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), will continue in essence under the new administration.
• Iran Says It Will 'Definitely' Continue Nuclear Talks RFE/RL 06 Sep 2021 -- The Iranian Foreign Ministry says Tehran will "definitely" continue talks in Vienna aimed at reviving the country's nuclear deal with world powers.
• Myanmar junta agrees to 4-month ceasefire to distribute aid, ASEAN envoy says Press TV 06 Sep 2021 -- Myanmar's military rulers have agreed to an ASEAN call for a four-month ceasefire by all sides in the conflict to ensure the smooth distribution of humanitarian aid expected as early as mid-September, a special ASEAN envoy to Myanmar said.
• UN to Discuss Myanmar Representation at General Assembly VOA 06 Sep 2021 -- Myanmar is awaiting a U.N. General Assembly decision that could play a role in who leads the country in the future. Myanmar is still grappling with the aftermath of a military coup that ousted the democratically elected government February 1.
• For Years, Lukashenka Has Held The Kremlin At Arm's Length. That May All Be About To Change. RFE/RL 06 Sep 2021 -- More than 20 years ago, leaders from Belarus and Russia signed a treaty on creating a union state, drawing the two former Soviet republics tightly together. Details, however, have never been agreed on by the two sides.
• Polish Lawmakers Back State Of Emergency Over Belarus Border Crisis RFE/RL 06 Sep 2021 -- Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki cited a threat from Russia and Belarus as he secured support from parliament for a state of emergency along the country's border with Belarus on September 6.
• West Condemns Belarus After Two Opposition Activists Handed Harsh Jail Terms RFE/RL 06 Sep 2021 -- Two leading Belarusian opposition figures, Maryya Kalesnikava and Maksim Znak, have been handed lengthy prison sentences for conspiracy in a process the United States called "shameful" amid an ongoing crackdown on pro-democracy activists and groups by authoritarian ruler Alyaksandr Lukashenka.
• The Sentencing of Belarusian Opposition Figures Maria Kalesnikava and Maksim Znak US Dept. of State 06 Sep 2021 -- The United States condemns the politically motivated conviction and shameful sentencing today of Belarusian opposition figures Maria Kalesnikava and Maksim Znak.
• US Condemns Prison Sentences for Belarusian Opposition Leaders VOA 06 Sep 2021 -- U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken condemned the sentencing Monday of two Belarusians who organized protests against longtime president Alexander Lukashenko.
• Libya frees Saadi Gaddafi, son of ex-ruler Muammar Gaddafi Press TV 06 Sep 2021 -- The Libyan transitional government has released Saadi Gaddafi, a son of the former ruler Muammar Gaddafi, after seven years of imprisonment, authorities said.
• Romanian Junior Partner To Quit Coalition, Clear Way For No-Confidence Vote RFE/RL 06 Sep 2021 -- The ministers for a junior grouping in Romania's centrist coalition will resign on September 7 in a move that opens the door to a no-confidence vote against Prime Minister Florin Citu's government, according to a party leader.
• Sudan launches investigation into weapons flown in from Ethiopia Press TV 06 Sep 2021 -- Sudanese authorities have launched an investigation to determine why a cargo of weapons has arrived by air from Ethiopia amid heightened tensions between the two African neighbors, according to Sudan's state news agency.
• EU Holding Up Hungarian, Polish Pandemic Stimulus Funds Over 'Rule Of Law Concerns' RFE/RL 06 Sep 2021 -- Concerns about safeguarding the rule of law in Hungary and Poland are delaying the European Union's approval of pandemic stimulus plans that could free up tens of billions of euros in assistance, according to a top EU official.
• Dispute Over Spy Chief Could Portend New Power Struggle in Somalia VOA 06 Sep 2021 -- A fresh political rift between Somalia's president and prime minister appears to be opening a power struggle between the two top leaders of the country, which is struggling to hold elections and prevent frequent terrorist attacks.
• Somali President and PM Clash Over Spy Chief Suspension VOA 06 Sep 2021 -- Somalia's president and prime minister were in a standoff Monday over the prime minister's suspension of the country's top spy chief.