Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• NAVCENT Stands Down Task Force Supporting Afghanistan Evacuation US Navy 14 Sep 2021 -- On Sept. 14, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) stood down a task force established last month to temporarily assist the safe evacuation of personnel from Afghanistan.

Defense Policy / Programs

• MQ-25 conducts first air-to-air refueling with F-35C US Navy 14 Sep 2021 -- The Navy's Unmanned Carrier Aviation (PMA-268) program completed its first aerial refueling of an F-35C Lightning II aircraft by the Boeing-owned MQ-25 test asset, known as T1, as part of the Navy's broader initiative to field unmanned systems that transform and enhance the fleet's capability, capacity and lethality.
• USS Porter Begins Fleet Operational Sea Training US Navy 14 Sep 2021 -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Porter (DDG 78) began Fleet Operational Sea Training (FOST), Sept. 13, 2021 following a scheduled port visit in Plymouth, England.
• Essex Amphibious Ready Group Enters 5th Fleet US Navy 14 Sep 2021 -- Amphibious assault ship USS ESSEX (LHD 2), flagship of the ESSEX Amphibious Ready Group (ESX ARG), along with amphibious transport dock USS Portland (LPD 27), dock landing ship USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52) and embarked 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) entered the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations, Sept. 12.
• Directorate leads KC-135 upgrade for Turkish Air Force US Air Force 14 Sep 2021 -- The first of seven Turkish KC-135R Stratotanker aircraft recently returned to Turkey after receiving a major flight deck upgrade at Field Aerospace, Oklahoma City.
• Corps views new ship-killing system as key to Force Design modernization USMC News 14 Sep 2021 -- The Marine Corps' top modernization priority is fulfilling the requirement for a ground-based anti-ship missile capability.
• New Book: Top US Military Leader Moved to Thwart Possible Overseas Attack VOA 14 Sep 2021 -- The top U.S. military leader, fearful that former President Donald Trump could "go rogue" in the final weeks of his White House tenure, acted unilaterally to assure China that the U.S. would not launch an attack during Trump's last days in office, according to a new book.
• PLA's Y-9 transport aircraft makes record-breaking 40 hours flight Global Times 14 Sep 2021 -- In a recent mission abroad, a Y-9 transport aircraft of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) broke several records by taking off and landing in an airfield in a high-elevation plateau region and flying for nearly 40 consecutive hours and more than 10,000 kilometers, China Central Television (CCTV) reported on Tuesday.
• PLA warships reportedly sail near Alaska, 'display of far-sea capabilities or countermeasure against US provocation' Global Times 14 Sep 2021 -- A website affiliated with the US Defense Department reported on Sunday that a naval flotilla of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), featuring one of China's most powerful warships, recently sailed in international waters near Alaska. However, the report was deleted for unknown reasons on Monday.
• China Adds Powerful New Ship to Maritime Patrol Fleet Radio Free Asia 14 Sep 2021 -- China has added a new powerful ship to its fleet of maritime patrol vessels in the South China Sea, state media has reported.
• Senior commander urges Armed Forces to catch enemies off guard with 'stunning weaponry' Press TV 14 Sep 2021 -- A senior Iranian military commander has urged the Iranian Armed Forces to make major strides in boosting the country's defensive technology and military weaponry to such an extent that would catch the Islamic Republic's enemies off guard.
• Iran Plans to Build Another Long-Range Mobile Forward Base, Conduct New Trans-Oceanic Missions Sputnik 14 Sep 2021 -- A pair of Iranian warships recently carried out a 133-day, 45,000km trek across three oceans and continents, returning to their home port last Tuesday. Iranian officials and military leaders hailed the trip as evidence of the Islamic Republic's growing naval might.
• US Think Tank Claims Iran Could Have Enough Weapons-grade Uranium for Nuke in a Month Sputnik 14 Sep 2021 -- US and Israeli officials have spent much of the past decade claiming that Iran is on the brink of achieving nuclear weapons capability, alleging that the Islamic Republic may be just "months" or "weeks" away from building a nuke. Tehran denies having any intention to obtain nuclear arms, or weapons of mass destruction of any kind.
• Han Kuang Tamsui River, critical infrastructure defense drills held CNA 14 Sep 2021 -- A second day of annual Han Kuang military exercises was held across Taiwan Tuesday, featuring anti-amphibious landing and critical infrastructure defense drills in the north and nighttime armored vehicle maneuvers in the east, to test Taiwan's ability to repel a Chinese invasion.
• Defence Secretary announces National Ship Building Office UK MOD 14 Sep 2021 -- Defence Secretary Ben Wallace announces National Ship Building Office during DSEI 2021
• £72.5m investment for laser and radio frequency weapons UK MOD 14 Sep 2021 -- Three contracts awarded to produce new Directed Energy Weapons advanced demonstrators for British Army vehicles and Royal Navy frigate
• Statement by NSC Spokesperson Emily Horne on National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan's Call with Bogdan Aurescu, Foreign Minister of Romania and National Security Advisor to the President The White House 14 Sep 2021
• Press Gaggle by Principal Deputy Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre En Route Arvada, Colorado The White House 14 Sep 2021
• Counselor Chollet's Meeting with Tunisian Foreign Minister Jerandi US Dept. of State 14 Sep 2021

Defense Industry

• Contracts For Sept. 14, 2021

Other Conflicts

• Opening Remarks by Secretary Antony J. Blinken Before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee US Dept. of State 14 Sep 2021
• Briefing With Senior U.S. Government Officials On Operation Allies Welcome Relocation Assistance Efforts for Non-SIV Holders US Dept. of State 14 Sep 2021
• Blinken: US Will Not Lift Sanctions, Will Ensure Aid to Afghans VOA 14 Sep 2021 -- The United States says it will not lift existing sanctions on the Taliban, but it will ensure lifesaving humanitarian aid to vulnerable Afghans amid what the United Nations describes as "a looming crisis" in the country.
• Blinken Faces Further Scrutiny Over US Withdrawal from Afghanistan VOA 14 Sep 2021 -- U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken pledged to continue humanitarian aid to the Afghan people through United Nations agencies and nongovernment organizations, a day after the United States said it would provide nearly $64 million in new humanitarian assistance.
• Blinken: Cable From US Embassy in Kabul Did Not Warn of Govt. Collapse Before US Pullout Sputnik 14 Sep 2021 -- Secretary of State Antony Blinken confirmed during a congressional testimony that he had received a cable from the US embassy in Kabul about the likely collapse of the Afghan government after the United States withdrawal from Afghanistan on 31 August but pointed out the cable did not suggest a collapse before the withdrawal.
• Blinken Begins Second Day Of Questioning With Defense Of U.S. Withdrawal From Afghanistan RFE/RL Gandhara 14 Sep 2021 -- U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has reiterated that "it was time to end America's longest war" as he started a second round of testy congressional questioning on the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.
• US Spots 'Potential Movement' of al-Qaida to Afghanistan VOA 14 Sep 2021 -- There are growing indications that supporters of both the al-Qaida and Islamic State terror groups have their sights set on Afghanistan, emboldened by the Taliban takeover of the country late last month.
• Taliban Denies Deputy Prime Minister Baradar Shot Dead Over Internal Dispute RFE/RL Gandhara 14 Sep 2021 -- The Taliban is denying reports that the former head of their political office in Doha has been killed in a shoot-out with another senior Taliban figure during an argument over how to divide power in a Taliban-led caretaker government.
• Taliban reject rumors about co-founder's death in armed clashes Press TV 14 Sep 2021 -- The Taliban have denied rumors that the group's co-founder and new deputy prime minister of Afghanistan, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, has been killed or injured in armed clashes with rival factions.
• Taliban Welcome Aid, Push Back Against US Criticism on Interim Government VOA 14 Sep 2021 -- The Taliban applauded the global community Tuesday for pledging hundreds of millions of dollars in emergency assistance to Afghanistan but dismissed criticism of their week-old interim government by the United States and others.
• Taliban Denies War Crime Allegations After Damning Watchdog Report Sputnik 14 Sep 2021 -- The Taliban* denies all accusations of war crimes and crimes against humanity, the Deputy Minister of Culture and Information of Afghanistan Zabiullah Mujahid said on Tuesday.
• Turkey Resists Pressure to Take Afghan Refugees, Calls for Global Response VOA 14 Sep 2021 -- Turkey is calling for collective international action to deal with the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan. The call comes as Turkey, already hosting the largest number of refugees globally, warns it cannot take any more.
• Tajik Foreign Ministry Issues Verbal Note Of Protest Over Biden Comments RFE/RL Gandhara 14 Sep 2021 -- Tajikistan's Foreign Ministry summoned the U.S. ambassador to the Central Asian nation, John Pommersheim, to make a verbal protest over President Joe Biden's recent comments about the Central Asian nation in relation with the U.S. troops withdrawal from Afghanistan.
• Iran ready to facilitate dispatch of humanitarian aid to Afghanistan by various countries: FM ISNA 14 Sep 2021 -- Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian addressed a virtual meeting on the "Humanitarian Situation in Afghanistan" chaired by UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Monday afternoon.
• EU says has no choice but to engage with Taliban Press TV 14 Sep 2021 -- The European Union (EU)'s top diplomat says the bloc has no choice but to hold talks with the Taliban in Afghanistan and that Brussels will try to coordinate with member states to organize a diplomatic presence in Kabul, following the group's shock seizure of the war-torn country that ended a 20-year-long foreign presence.
• Qatar won't take 'responsibility' for running Kabul airport without Taliban agreement Press TV 14 Sep 2021 -- Qatar's foreign minister says the Persian Gulf state would not take responsibility for Kabul's airport, a vital lifeline with the outside world as well as Afghanistan's mountainous territory, without "clear" agreements with the new Taliban rulers about the airport's operations.
• Afghan Women Fight Back On Social Media Amid Growing Concerns Over Rights RFE/RL Gandhara 14 Sep 2021 -- Afghan women are using a social media campaign to fight back against a strict new dress code for female students amid fears that the Taliban-led government will return to the strict interpretation of Islamic law that it employed during the militants' first time in power in the 1990s.
• Former Afghan President Karzai Still Working For An Inclusive Taliban Government RFE/RL Gandhara 14 Sep 2021 -- Former Afghan President Hamid Karzai says he's hopeful the Taliban-led government will eventually become inclusive and draw its strength from domestic legitimacy, which he says is the key to earning international recognition.
• Donors pledge $1.1 billion in aid for Afghanistan amid looming catastrophe Press TV 14 Sep 2021 -- Donors have pledged more than $1.1 billion in aid for Afghanistan, where poverty and hunger are spiraling as foreign grants have dried up since the Taliban's takeover last month.
• First humanitarian flight to Kabul marks 'turning point' in crisis: WFP UN News 14 Sep 2021 -- The return of humanitarian flights to Kabul since the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan is a turning point in the crisis, the UN World Food Programme (WFP) said on Tuesday.
• Saudi Arabia rejects UN report on egregious violations in Yemen Press TV 14 Sep 2021 -- The Saudi-led coalition has rejected the findings of a report by the UN Human Rights Council that strongly condemns the egregious violations committed by the foreign forces in Yemen.
• Yemen downs Saudi reconnaissance drone flying over Sa'ada Press TV 14 Sep 2021 -- Yemeni armed forces have shot down an unmanned aerial vehicle belonging to the Saudi-led military coalition flying over the northeastern province of Sa'ada.
• UN Human Rights Council 48: UK Statement for the Interactive Dialogue with the Group of Eminent Experts on Yemen UK FCDO 14 Sep 2021 -- The UK's International Ambassador for Human Rights, Rita French, delivered this statement during the Interactive Dialogue with the Group of Eminent Experts on Yemen.
• After 10 years of war in Syria, siege tactics still threaten civilians UN News 14 Sep 2021 -- The future for Syria's people is "increasingly bleak", UN-appointed rights experts said on Tuesday, highlighting escalating conflict in several areas of the war-ravaged country, a return to siege tactics and popular demonstrations linked to the plummeting economy.
• UN Probe Finds Uptick in Fighting, War Crimes 10 Years Into Syrian Conflict VOA 14 Sep 2021 -- A U.N. investigative body finds what it calls, an alarming upsurge in fighting and violence, with some incidents amounting to war crimes and crimes against humanity, ten years into Syria's civil war. The report by the U.N. Syria Commission of Inquiry will be submitted to the U.N. Human Rights Council.
• Christians Concerned About Turkish Attacks in Northeast Syria VOA 14 Sep 2021 -- Syrian Christian leaders are expressing concerns over escalating Turkish attacks in northeast Syria, saying the recent military activity has driven many Christians and members of other minority groups from their homes.
• Putin criticizes foreign forces in Syria at Kremlin meet with Assad Press TV 14 Sep 2021 -- Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has paid a surprise visit to Moscow where Russian President Vladimir Putin told him that the presence of foreign forces without a UN mandate is hindering the Arab country's recovery.
• Meeting with President of Syria Bashar al-Assad President of Russia 14 Sep 2021 -- Yesterday Vladimir Putin had a meeting at the Kremlin with President of the Syrian Arab Republic Bashar al-Assad, who is currently in Russia on a visit.
• Putin, Assad Meet For First Time In Over A Year RFE/RL 14 Sep 2021 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has met with Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad in Moscow to discuss military cooperation against the remaining rebel-held areas in Syria, state media in Damascus reported on September 14.
• Presence of US Troops in Eastern Syria is 'De Facto Partition', Russian Foreign Ministry Says Sputnik 14 Sep 2021 -- Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov warned Tuesday that the continued presence of American troops in eastern Syria amounts to a de facto partition of the country.
• Chin State Coalition Overruns Myanmar Military Outpost, Killing 12 Soldiers Radio Free Asia 14 Sep 2021 -- Anti-junta resistance forces in Myanmar joined up with an ethnic rebel group over the weekend and took over a military outpost in Chin state near the Indian border, killing 12 regime soldiers in the firefight, sources told RFA.
• Colombia, Venezuela tensions rising as Bogota boosts troop presence on border Press TV 14 Sep 2021 -- Colombia has increased its troop presence on the joint border with Venezuela after five Colombian soldiers were killed and several others wounded in an attack.
• China Closes Tibetan School in Qinghai, Leaving Many Students Adrift Radio Free Asia 14 Sep 2021 -- Authorities in a Tibetan-populated county of northwestern China's Qinghai province have shut down a Tibetan-run private school, forcing some students to enroll in government schools but leaving others who have no families to fend for themselves, Tibetan sources say.
• Al-Shabab Attack Kills 11 in Mogadishu VOA 14 Sep 2021 -- An explosion from suicide bombing has killed at least 11 people Tuesday in the Somali capital, witnesses and officials said.
• UN mission responding to evolving needs in Sudan transition process UN News 14 Sep 2021 -- Despite setbacks and challenges, Sudan continues its transition towards democracy, the head of the UN special political mission in the country told the Security Council on Tuesday.
• Greater cooperation for the success of Sudan's transition UK FCDO 14 Sep 2021 -- Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki at the Security Council briefing on Sudan.
• Cameroon Military Denies Reprisal Attacks Kill Civilians VOA 14 Sep 2021 -- Witnesses in the northwest Cameroon town of Kumbo have accused the military of killing several civilians during retaliatory raids Monday on separatists. Cameroon's military denies any civilians were killed. The clashes followed the deaths of seven troops when their armored vehicle hit an improvised explosive device. Cameroon's Presbyterian Church is calling for an independent investigation into reports of civilian deaths.
• Cameroon Police Say Civilian Attacks on Police Increasing VOA 14 Sep 2021 -- Officials in Cameroon say there has been a jump in cases of civilians assaulting police officers. Videos shared on social media in Cameroon show citizens mocking and battering police in response to alleged brutality and corruption.
• Aid Group Implores Burkina Faso Government to Accept Assistance in Registering Newly Displaced VOA 14 Sep 2021 -- International aid groups are calling on Burkina Faso's government to let them help register the country's internally displaced people. The Norwegian Refugee Council says the government is taking weeks to register IDPs for food and other aid, forcing some back into dangerous areas.

News Reports

• US Accuses Russia of Stonewalling on Cybercrime VOA 14 Sep 2021 -- U.S. warnings to Russian President Vladimir Putin over shielding cybercriminals holed up in Russia appear to have made little impact, according to top U.S. law enforcement and cyber officials.
• Al-Qaeda May Have Capacity to Threaten US From Abroad in 1-2 Years, DIA Director Says Sputnik 14 Sep 2021 -- The al-Qaeda terror group (banned in Russia) could have the capability to threaten the US mainland from Afghanistan in one to two years, Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) Director Scott Berrier said at the Intelligence and National Security Summit on Tuesday.
• Three Former U.S. Intelligence Community and Military Personnel Agree to Pay More Than $1.68 Million to Resolve Criminal Charges Arising from Their Provision of Hacking-Related Services to a Foreign Government US Dept. of Justice 14 Sep 2021 -- Services, Including a Sophisticated 'Zero Click' Exploit, Violated U.S. Export Control and Computer Fraud and Abuse Laws
• 76th General Assembly get underway at UN Headquarters in New York UN News 14 Sep 2021 -- The COVID-19 pandemic has proved to be the most challenging period the world has seen since the Second World War, said the UN Secretary-General on Tuesday – as the 75th session of the General Assembly gave way to the new – deepening inequalities, decimating economies and plunging millions into extreme poverty.
• More Preelection Censorship: Internet Regulator Shuts Down Website Focused On Putin's Future RFE/RL 14 Sep 2021 -- In the latest example of the Russian authorities' widening censorship campaign ahead of State Duma elections, the country's Internet regulator has ordered the shutdown of an independent website aimed at helping voters learn about candidates.
• Russian Media Outlets, NGOs Launch Petition Demanding Cancellation Of 'Foreign Agent' Law RFE/RL 14 Sep 2021 -- More than 150 media and nongovernmental organizations in Russia have launched a petition urging the authorities to cancel the controversial "foreign agent" law, which is widely seen as a tool used by the Kremlin to stifle civil society and independent media.
• Russia Fines Social Media Giants for Not Deleting Banned Content VOA 14 Sep 2021 -- A Russian court has fined Facebook, Twitter and Telegram, saying the companies failed to delete content that Russian internet regulator Roskomnadzor said violates Russian law.
• Tabloids Raise Row Over Russian 'Spy Ship' With Undersea Cable-Cutting Capability Near UK Waters Sputnik 14 Sep 2021 -- At least one British warship is thought to have been assigned to escort the Russian vessels as it crossed the Channel, which serves as a major transit artery for the nations of northern and eastern Europe.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian's Regular Press Conference on September 14, 2021 PRC MofA 14 Sep 2021
• China FM visits Singapore in bid to challenge US regional influence Press TV 14 Sep 2021 -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has held talks with the Singaporean leader, foreign and deputy prime ministers in separate meetings on his two-day visit to Singapore.
• Chinese language course set up at Madagascar's Ministry of National Defense Global Times 14 Sep 2021 -- A Chinese language course has been set up at Madagascar's Ministry of National Defense, the Chinese Embassy in Madagascar said in a notice on Monday, in the hope that the two sides and their militaries will establish a broader, smoother and sounder communication channel through the course.
• Carrie Lam confident in Hong Kong better integrating into national development People's Daily 14 Sep 2021 -- Hong Kong needs to understand the overall planning of the entire country, find its own position in it, and better fit into the national development while sharpening its advantages, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Carrie Lam said Monday.
• Hong Kong braces for Election Committee elections for a better future People's Daily 14 Sep 2021 -- The 2021 Election Committee's subsector ordinary elections in China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) will be held on Sept. 19.
• China's new blueprints inject vitality into Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area People's Daily 14 Sep 2021 -- The Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and the State Council recently issued a general plan for building a Guangdong-Macao in-depth cooperation zone in Hengqin New Area of south China's Guangdong province and a plan for comprehensively deepening the reform and opening-up of the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Cooperation Zone, which will fuel the construction of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
• Hong Kong to Add More National Security 'Crimes' With New Law Radio Free Asia 14 Sep 2021 -- Authorities in Hong Kong will table further national security legislation that creates a list of further "national security" offenses, to supplement those already listed in a law imposed on the city by the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP), ushering in a crackdown on political opposition and peaceful dissent.
• Hong Kong Prison Support Group Disbands After Security Chief Comments Radio Free Asia 14 Sep 2021 -- Hong Kong prisoner support group Wall-fare announced it is disbanding on Tuesday, to mitigate the risk of being pursued under a draconian national security law imposed on the city by the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
• Indebted Evergrande expects 'significant continuing decline' in September sales Global Times 14 Sep 2021 -- Indebted Chinese property developer Evergrande said Tuesday that its contract sales are expected to see "significant continuing decline" in September, thereby resulting in the continuous deterioration of cash collection and would place "tremendous pressure" on the group cash flow and liquidity.
• Cambridge University Business School Has Links to China's Huawei: Report Radio Free Asia 14 Sep 2021 -- A top business school at the University of Cambridge has close ties with Chinese technology giant Huawei, with three out of five board members linked with the company, a U.K. newspaper reported on Monday.
• China Issues Guidelines to Inculcate Ideological Values Through Internet Sputnik 14 Sep 2021 -- The Chinese authorities issued guidelines on Tuesday to promote socialist values in Chinese national cyberspace among internet users.
• Beijing Targets Megastars and Their Fan Clubs VOA 14 Sep 2021 -- After a spate of scandals involving megawatt stars, China is undergoing what state-backed media bills as "much-needed" reform -- a crackdown on the entertainment industry that has some analysts hearing echoes from the Cultural Revolution of the 1960s and 1970s.
• Mainland opposes DPP's move seeking to rename representative office in U.S. People's Daily 14 Sep 2021 -- The Chinese mainland resolutely opposes the development of official ties or the establishment of official entities between China's Taiwan region and countries that have diplomatic ties with China, a spokesperson said on Monday.
• China warns U.S. against attempt to rename TECRO People's Daily 14 Sep 2021 -- China on Monday warned the United States against any attempt to elevate relations in essence or engage in official interactions with Taiwan, including allowing the change of the name of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office (TECRO) in the United States.
• U.S. remains prepared to engage with DPRK after missile tests People's Daily 14 Sep 2021 -- The White House said on Monday that the United States remains prepared to engage with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), after Pyongyang tested a new type of long-range cruise missiles over the weekend.
• After Pyongyang's test-fire, US, South Korea, Japan representatives meet on North Korea Press TV 14 Sep 2021 -- Officials from the United States, South Korea, and Japan have held a meeting in Tokyo to discuss North Korea, a day after Pyongyang said it had conducted a "strategic" missile launch inside its own territorial waters.
• Special Representative for the DPRK Sung Kim's Trilateral Meeting with Japanese Director General Funakoshi and Republic of Korea Special Representative Noh in Tokyo US Dept. of State 14 Sep 2021
• US, Japan, South Korea Hold Talks in Tokyo on North Korea Nukes VOA 14 Sep 2021 -- Special envoys from the United States and South Korea met with their Japanese counterpart Tuesday in Tokyo for talks on North Korea's nuclear weapons program, following tests conducted by the rogue state Saturday and Sunday.
• Officials Called upon to Take Responsibility for Development of Their Areas KCNA 14 Sep 2021 -- Leading newspapers of the DPRK Tuesday in editorials say that cities and counties are the lowest-level guidance and executive units for implementing our Party's policies, local strongholds directing the rural management and local economy and powerful fortresses supporting the overall development of the country.
• New Successes Witnessed in Hydroelectric Power Field KCNA 14 Sep 2021 -- The field of hydroelectric power has further cemented the material and technical foundations of power production by dint of science and technology.
• Florida Residents Charged with Conspiring to Violate Iran Sanctions, Other Crimes US Dept. of Justice 14 Sep 2021 -- Three Florida residents have been charged in federal district court in Miami with crimes related to their alleged violations of U.S. sanctions on Iran, and money laundering.
• Iranian National Sentenced for Illegally Exporting Military Sensitive Items US Dept. of Justice 14 Sep 2021 -- An Iranian national was sentenced today to 63 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for violating the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).
• Gharibabadi: Restrictive security moves at Iran's facilities logical IRNA 14 Sep 2021 -- Kazem Gharibabadi, Iran's ambassador and permanent representative at Vienna-based international organizations said on Tuesday that the strict security measures adopted at Iran's nuclear facilities is quite logical and justifiable.
• Iranian government in process of consultations on how to continue Vienna talks: FM ISNA 14 Sep 2021 -- British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab in a phone conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian, congratulated him on his appointment and expressed hopes, under the new government in the Islamic Republic of Iran, relations and exchanges between the two countries in different fields expand based on mutual understanding.
• Telephone conversation with President of Iran Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi President of Russia 14 Sep 2021 -- Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi.
• Raeisi, Putin discuss promotion of Iran-Russia ties in all fields Press TV 14 Sep 2021 -- Iranian President Ebrahim Raeisi says the Islamic Republic is determined to boost relations with Russia in all fields, including in the production of a joint vaccine to fight the deadly coronavirus pandemic.
• Iran eyes 8GW in nuclear power capacity: Atomic chief Press TV 14 Sep 2021 -- The new head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) says the country's nuclear electricity production capacity should reach a target of 8 gigawatts (GW) over the short run.
• Iran nuclear chief visits new projects at Bushehr power plant Press TV 14 Sep 2021 -- The head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) has visited new projects under construction at Bushehr nuclear power plant.
• More Than Seven Dozen Reporters Arrested Since Myanmar Coup Radio Free Asia 14 Sep 2021 -- Authorities in Myanmar have arrested over seven dozen journalists since the junta seized control of the country more than seven months ago, and the number is rising as political tensions reach a new high with the shadow National Unity Government's (NUG) declaration of war on the regime last week.
• Aung San Suu Kyi Trial Resumes in Myanmar After a Day's Delay Over Health Concerns Radio Free Asia 14 Sep 2021 -- Detained Myanmar State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi returned to court on Tuesday after an absence due to poor health the previous day interrupted the re-start of her trial in the capital Naypyidaw this week, sources said.
• UK to delay post-Brexit border checks to ease supply chain crisis Press TV 14 Sep 2021 -- Britain is set to push back its implementation of full post-Brexit borders checks on imported goods from the European Union (EU), as the challenges for supply chains surge in the UK.
• Ukraine Says It Expects Second IMF Tranche, Even As Judicial Reform Stumbles RFE/RL 14 Sep 2021 -- Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal has said Kyiv expects to receive a second tranche from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) under a $5 billion loan program before the end of the year, even as the nation's crucial judicial reform stumbles.
• Prague Court Sends Russian Citizen Wanted By Ukraine To Detention Pending Extradition Decision RFE/RL 14 Sep 2021 -- The Prague City Court has remanded Russian citizen Aleksandr Franchetti, who is wanted by Ukraine on an international arrest warrant, in custody until a decision is made on his possible extradition to Kyiv.
• Who Is Aleskandr Franchetti, The Russian Arrested In Prague And Wanted By Kyiv For His Actions In Crimea? RFE/RL 14 Sep 2021 -- For years, Aleksandr Franchetti lived a double life. In Prague, his home off and on since the 1990s, information about the middle-aged Russian man arrested over the weekend for his alleged actions during Moscow's seizure of Crimea in 2014 is hard to come by.
• What Did Merkel Achieve During Her 16 Years at Germany's Helm? VOA 14 Sep 2021 -- When Germany's long-standing chancellor, Angela Merkel, steps down following federal elections later this month, it will mark the end of an era, not only for Germany but also for the European Union.
• EU Integration Tops Agenda Of Merkel's Farewell Trip To Balkans RFE/RL 14 Sep 2021 -- German Chancellor Angela Merkel continues a farewell trip to the Balkans with a stop on September 14 in Tirana, where she is scheduled to meet Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama and the leaders of four other Western Balkan states that strive for membership in the European Union.
• Merkel Tells Western Balkan Leaders 'The EU Must Keep Its Word' On Accession RFE/RL 14 Sep 2021 -- German Chancellor Angela Merkel has wrapped up her farewell trip to the Balkans by pledging in Tirana that "regardless of how the German elections turn out, any new German chancellor will have a heart for the region."
• Somali President Appoints Commission to Investigate Death of Female Spy VOA 14 Sep 2021 -- Somalia's president is forming a committee to investigate the case of a missing spy, declared dead by the country's National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA), though the time and circumstances of her demise remain unknown.
• Guinea's Junta Begins Meetings to Form Transitional Government VOA 14 Sep 2021 -- The junta that overthrew Guinea's government more than a week ago began four days of meetings Tuesday that it says will result in the formation of a transitional government.
• Pre-Election Crackdown on Civil and Political Rights in Nicaragua Worsens VOA 14 Sep 2021 -- A report submitted to the U.N. Human Rights Council blasts the Nicaraguan government's harsh crackdown on opposition leaders in advance of November 7 Presidential and Parliamentary elections.