COVID-19 - Daily News

21 September 2021 Military News

Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

3 American combat units to leave Iraq by end of September: Military official Press TV 21 Sep 2021 -- An Iraqi military official says three American combat units are expected to leave major Iraqi military bases that host the United States' forces in the Arab country, by the end of this month.
NY Times: US deploying 2,000 soldiers to Iraq for nine months Press TV 21 Sep 2021 -- The United States is deploying around 2,000 troops to Iraq despite an announcement to end the American combat mission in the Arab country, The New York Times reports.

Defense Policy / Programs

U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Trains with Indonesia's Maritime Security Agency US Navy 21 Sep 2021 -- The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Munro (WMSL 755) conducted operations and exercises with the Indonesian Maritime Security Agency and coast guard, the Badan Keamanan Laut (known as BAKAMLA), September 20, in the Singapore Strait.
Air Force update for COVID-19 US Air Force 21 Sep 2021
Raymond describes Space Force achievements, plans, challenges ahead US Air Force 21 Sep 2021 -- Chief of Space Operations Gen. John W. "Jay" Raymond used a list of "firsts" and achievements across the Space Force's brief history Sept. 21 to illustrate how the nation's newest military service is "purpose built" for success at a time when the nation "can no longer take space for granted."
NATO gets a boost from the Texas National Guard in the Netherlands Army News 21 Sep 2021 -- Participants from 12 NATO Allied forces and local citizens paid homage to the 77th Anniversary of Operation Market Garden by gathering at a series of drop zones across the Netherlands and Belgium to observe one thousand Soldiers parachuting from U.S. Air Force C-130s and Allied force aircrafts during Falcon Leap, NATO's largest technical Airborne exercise Sept. 11-19, in the Netherlands.
US, NATO, Ukraine enhance interoperability with Rapid Trident exercise Army News 21 Sep 2021 -- Allied and partner service members from 15 nations officially started Rapid Trident 21, an annual Ukrainian-American training exercise, Sept. 20, with an opening ceremony at Central City Stadium, near Yavoriv, Ukraine.
US Army's Dynamic Front 21 Phase 2 wraps up in Turkey Army News 21 Sep 2021 -- Dynamic Front 21 came to close Sept. 20, as the last of the Soldiers from the Illinois Army National Guard began packing their gear and getting ready for the trip back to the U.S. from the Polatli Training Area in Turkey, that served as their home for a month.
US Army partnerships in the Arctic Circle result in success of exercise "Thunder Cloud" Army News 21 Sep 2021 -- The U.S. Army's newly activated 2nd Multi-Domain Task Force, and 1st Battalion, 6th Field Artillery Regiment, 41st Field Artillery Brigade, converged with allies and partners to test and expand modernization efforts Sept. 9-20, 2021.
USNS Choctaw County Arrives in Lebanon for First-Ever Central Partnership Station CENTCOM 21 Sep 2021 -- The CPS mission in Lebanon is designed to build partner capacity through subject-matter-expert exchanges, enhancing interoperability and the military-to-military relationship between the U.S. Navy and Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF).
Deputy Defense Secretary, U.K. Counterpart Discuss Defense, Security Priorities DoD News 21 Sep 2021 -- Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen H. Hicks met with U.K. National Security Advisor Sir Stephen Lovegrove to reaffirm the U.S.-U.K. bilateral relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom, a Defense Department spokesman said.

NATO Secretary General attends opening of UN General Assembly NATO 21 Sep 2021 -- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg joined world leaders at the opening of the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Tuesday (21 September 2021). This year's General Assembly marks the sixth that Mr Stoltenberg has attended at the helm of the Alliance.

EU Rallies Behind Macron as France's Dispute With US, Britain Worsens VOA 21 Sep 2021 -- The Australian decision to cancel a $66 billion deal to buy 12 French diesel-electric submarines and to purchase instead at least eight more sophisticated nuclear-powered attack boats from Britain and America continues to reverberate with French officials smarting at what they see as a betrayal by London and Washington.
Biden seeks phone call with Macron amid submarine deal rift People's Daily 21 Sep 2021 -- U.S. President Joe Biden is seeking to hold a phone call with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron, U.S. officials said on Monday, an effort to reduce tensions caused by a controversial submarine deal.
EU analyzing AUKUS deal's impact on trade talks with Australia: Commission spokesperson People's Daily 21 Sep 2021 -- The European Commission is currently analyzing the impact the new security partnership between Australia, the United Kingdom (UK) and the United States (U.S.), dubbed AUKUS, on the next round of its trade negotiations with Australia, a Commission spokesperson said here on Monday.
'Something is broken' in the US-EU alliance: EU commissioner Press TV 21 Sep 2021 -- Tensions between European leaders and the United States have increased after President Joe Biden "stabbed in the back" of France and joined a multibillion nuclear submarine deal with Australia, with one EU official saying "something is broken" in the transatlantic alliance.
EU ministers say submarine row 'wake-up call' for Europe, not only a French matter Press TV 21 Sep 2021 -- The European Union (EU)'s top officials have branded as a "wake-up call" the recent decision by the United States and Britain to exclude France from a $40-billion agreement to supply conventional submarines to Australia.
EU rallies behind France in submarine row as Paris demands clarification from US Press TV 21 Sep 2021 -- European Union has expressed its support and solidarity with France as a row deepens over Australia's scrapping of a $40bn submarine order with Paris in favor of a US and British deal.

Philippines Throws Support Behind AUKUS Pact Radio Free Asia 21 Sep 2021 -- The Philippines backs a new U.S.-U.K.-Australia defense pact that addresses a military "imbalance" in Southeast Asia, Manila's top diplomat said Tuesday, in remarks that contrasted sharply with Indonesian and Malaysian concerns about a regional arms race.

Dems funding for Israel's Iron Dome from upcoming budget Press TV 21 Sep 2021 -- US Democratic lawmakers are moving to remove the funding for the Israeli regime's so-called Iron Dome in the upcoming budget to avert a shutdown.
US Democrats Strike Down $1Bln in Israel Defense Aid to Keep US Govt Running, Reports Say Sputnik 21 Sep 2021 -- Democrat lawmakers in US Congress will drop $1 billion of US aid for an Israeli air defense system in order to keep the US federal government funded over the next 2 months, political news site The Hill reported on Tuesday.

PLA holds Y-20 aircraft transport mission, landing drills in South China Sea Global Times 21 Sep 2021 -- In two recent, separate moves in the South China Sea, the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) dispatched Y-20 large transport aircraft to reefs for troop transport missions, and conducted amphibious landing drills under complex conditions, showing the PLA's capabilities in safeguarding peace and stability in the region, analysts said on Tuesday.

Taiwan's first F-16V combat wing soon to be commissioned: source CNA 21 Sep 2021 -- Taiwan's first F-16V combat wing is expected to be commissioned into the Air Force in November, a military source told CNA on Tuesday.

Briefing with Senior State Department Officials On U.S. Engagements at the United Nations and on the Margins of High-Level Week US Dept. of State 21 Sep 2021
Remarks by Vice President Harris and Prime Minister Boris Johnson of the United Kingdom Before Bilateral Meeting The White House 21 Sep 2021
Readout of Vice President Kamala Harris's Meeting with Prime Minister Boris Johnson of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland The White House 21 Sep 2021
Readout of President Joseph R. Biden Jr.'s Meeting with Prime Minister Boris Johnson of the United Kingdom The White House 21 Sep 2021
Remarks by President Biden and Prime Minister Johnson of the United Kingdom Before Bilateral Meeting The White House 21 Sep 2021
Readout of President Joseph R. Biden Jr.'s Meeting with Prime Minister Scott Morrison of Australia The White House 21 Sep 2021
Remarks by President Biden and Prime Minister Morrison of Australia Before Bilateral Meeting The White House 21 Sep 2021
Foreign Secretary meeting with Antony Blinken, US Secretary of State, 20 September 2021 UK FCDO 21 Sep 2021 -- Foreign Secretary Liz Truss met US Secretary of State Antony Blinken during the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Readout of President Joseph R. Biden, Jr.'s Meeting with President Barham Saleh of Iraq The White House 21 Sep 2021
Secretary Antony J. Blinken and Brazilian Foreign Minister Carlos Franca Before Their Meeting US Dept. of State 21 Sep 2021
Secretary Blinken's Meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Çavuşoğlu US Dept. of State 21 Sep 2021
Secretary Antony J. Blinken and Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu Before Their Meeting US Dept. of State 21 Sep 2021
Joint Statement of the C5+1 on Addressing the Climate Crisis US Dept. of State 21 Sep 2021 -- The text of the following statement was issued by the Governments of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Republic of Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, the Republic of Uzbekistan, and the United States of America, on the occasion of the C5+1 Climate Ministerial held virtually on September 16, 2021.
Press Gaggle by Press Secretary Jen Psaki En Route Washington, D.C. The White House 21 Sep 2021

Defense Industry

Contracts for September 21, 2021

Other Conflicts

US plan to increase refugee resettlement welcomed by UNHCR UN News 21 Sep 2021 -- United States President Joe Biden's proposal to raise the target for refugee resettlement there in the coming fiscal year to 125,000 people, has been welcomed by the UN refugee agency (UNHCR).

At UN, Afghanistan's Neighbors Urge Peace and Security VOA 21 Sep 2021 -- Afghanistan's neighbors reacted to last month's U.S. military withdrawal and the Taliban takeover at the U.N. General Assembly on Tuesday, calling for peace and stability in their region.
Afghanistan: 'Palpable' fear of 'brutal and systemic repression' of women grows UN News 21 Sep 2021 -- Since the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan last month, they have made some commitments to uphold human rights. However, their subsequent actions have "sadly contradicted" those promises, the UN rights chief told a side event of the General Assembly on Tuesday.
Taliban Expands Afghan Cabinet List But Again Fails To Include Women RFE/RL Gandhara 21 Sep 2021 -- The Taliban-led government has expanded its interim cabinet, releasing a list of deputy ministers solely comprising men despite increasing international criticism that the hard-line Islamist group's actions were failing to live up to its early pledges of inclusion for women.
Taliban name new cabinet members, say working on reopening girls' schools Press TV 21 Sep 2021 -- Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid has announced the names of the remaining members of Afghanistan's interim cabinet, and elaborated on some of the movement's plans and policies.
Taliban Official Says Acting PM Meets With Russian, Chinese, And Pakistani Envoys In Kabul RFE/RL Gandhara 21 Sep 2021 -- The acting head of Afghanistan's Taliban-led government, Mullah Muhammad Hassan Akhund, has met in Kabul with representatives from Russia, China, and Pakistan, Taliban official Ahmadullah Muttaqi tweeted on September 21.
Afghanistan's Former Prosecutors Hunted By Criminals They Helped Convict RFE/RL Gandhara 21 Sep 2021 -- Afghanistan's former prosecutors once worked to rid their country of its most dangerous criminals by building court cases to put them behind bars.
WHO chief meets Taliban leaders to assess humanitarian situation in Afghanistan Press TV 21 Sep 2021 -- The head of the World Health Organization (WHO) has met with senior Taliban officials in the Afghan capital to assess and address the deepening humanitarian crisis in the war-ravaged country.
Taliban Say No Al-Qaeda Members Present in Afghanistan Sputnik 21 Sep 2021 -- There are no members of the al-Qaeda* terrorist group (banned in Russia) in Afghanistan, TOLOnews said Tuesday, citing Taliban* spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid.
Taliban Claim No Al-Qaida or Islamic State in Afghanistan VOA 21 Sep 2021 -- Afghanistan's Taliban have rejected as "baseless propaganda" American concerns that al-Qaida, or militants linked to the Middle East-based Islamic State terrorist group, maintains a presence in the South Asian country.

China Survey Ship Lingering in EEZ Poses Dilemma for Indonesia Radio Free Asia 21 Sep 2021 -- Three weeks ago, a Chinese survey ship sailed uninvited into Indonesia's exclusive economic zone. It began criss-crossing a small stretch of the North Natuna Sea in a lawn-mowing pattern typical for maritime survey vessels. It remained there Tuesday, amid unanswered questions about what exactly it is doing there.

UN: Yemen Warring Parties Violate Civilians' Human Rights VOA 21 Sep 2021 -- The U.N. Human Rights Office warns civilians in Yemen are increasingly being used as fodder by all warring parties in their quest to gain control of the country, a situation that continues to elude them all after seven years of civil war.

Libya's eastern-based parliament passes no-confidence vote in unity government Press TV 21 Sep 2021 -- Libya's eastern-based parliament has withdrawn confidence from the country's unity government, deepening the political crisis just three months before planned national elections.

Attacks on Military on The Rise in Myanmar's Ethnic Regions After NUG Declaration of War Radio Free Asia 21 Sep 2021 -- Attacks on the military have seen a significant increase in wide swathes of Myanmar in the two weeks since the country's shadow National Unity Government (NUG) declared war on the junta, ethnic army representatives said Tuesday.

French Defense Minister Warns Mali Against Hiring Russian Security Firm Vagner RFE/RL 21 Sep 2021 -- France's defense minister has warned her Malian counterpart against hiring Russian private security firm Vagner to fight Islamic militants in the Sahel.

US: Ethiopia, Tigray Actors Can Avoid Sanctions by Ending Conflict VOA 21 Sep 2021 -- The U.S. government is urging the Ethiopian government, rebel group Tigray People's Liberation Front, and other warring factions to end the conflict in Ethiopia's northern Tigray region and allow humanitarian aid to reach millions in need of assistance. Unless the conflict stops, key officials could be facing U.S. travel and financial sanctions.

News Reports

Remarks by President Biden Before the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly The White House 21 Sep 2021
At UN, Biden Touts New Era Of 'Relentless Diplomacy' RFE/RL Gandhara 21 Sep 2021 -- President Joe Biden defended the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in his first speech to the United Nations, saying his administration seeks to focus on diplomacy to address numerous global challenges.
At UN, Biden pledges new era of 'relentless diplomacy' to tackle global challenges UN News 21 Sep 2021 -- In his inaugural address to the annual gathering of world leaders at the UN, United States President Joseph Biden on Tuesday called for a new era of global unity against the compounding crises of COVID-19, climate change and insecurity.
In UNGA Speech, Biden Urges Unity in Confronting Global Challenges VOA 21 Sep 2021 -- With promises of "aggressive diplomacy," and a vow to not seek "a new Cold War," U.S. President Joe Biden used his first address before the U.N. General Assembly on Tuesday to push a globalist agenda, with the leader of the world's top military force saying that "U.S. military power must be our tool of last resort, not our first."
UN Chief Tells World to 'Wake Up' to Crises VOA 21 Sep 2021 -- U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told the world Tuesday to "wake up" to the greatest "cascade of crises" in our lifetimes.
Restore trust and inspire hope, UN chief says in message to UNGA76 UN News 21 Sep 2021 -- With humanity on the edge of an abyss, and moving in the wrong direction, the world must wake up, Secretary-General António Guterres said in his keynote address to the UN General Assembly on Tuesday.
'Power of humanity' can overcome COVID-19, climate challenges – Assembly President UN News 21 Sep 2021 -- The President of the UN General Assembly on Tuesday opened the annual General Debate, this year held as a hybrid in-person and virtual event, reflecting on the darkest days of the pandemic, "when cities were shuttered and vaccines still a dream" and how the world's peoples "came together as never before".
On Afghanistan, Qatar calls for separating aid from political differences UN News 21 Sep 2021 -- The international community must continue to support Afghanistan, the Emir of the State of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, told the UN General Assembly on Tuesday, warning against potential boycott in the wake of the Taliban takeover.
Colombia calls for global financial consensus to avert COVID debt crisis UN News 21 Sep 2021 -- The President of Colombia on Tuesday warned that many developing countries have increased their fiscal deficit to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, putting at risk their financial capacity to act on other priorities, such as climate change.
'World on edge of an abyss,' UN Secretary General Guterres warns Press TV 21 Sep 2021 -- United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has warned global leaders that today's world is the most threatened and divided one, as "we face the greatest cascade of crises in our lifetime."
Brazilian President commits country to climate neutrality by 2050 UN News 21 Sep 2021 -- Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro highlighted this Tuesday, in New York, his country's work on environmental preservation and the fight against climate change.
Republic of Korea calls for UN-led 'era of global community' UN News 21 Sep 2021 -- The UN needs to usher in and lead a new "era of global community", and the Republic of Korea will do all it can to support a revived world order based on solidarity and cooperation, the nation's President, Moon Jae-in, told the UN General Assembly on Tuesday.
Philippines President urges world to 'reverse course' on inequality UN News 21 Sep 2021 -- President Rodrigo Duterte of the Philippines urged on Tuesday all United Nations Member States to reverse course on inequality, saying the issue will define humanity's future.
Somali President underscores need for COVID-19 vaccines for all UN News 21 Sep 2021 -- Despite the heavy impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, Somalia has continued on the path to economic reform, President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed said in a pre-recorded speech to the 76th session of the UN General Assembly on Tuesday.
DR Congo President asks for materialization of 'all the promises made to Africa' UN News 21 Sep 2021 -- The President of Democratic Republic of Congo, Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, asked for United Nations Member States to "materialize all the promises made to Africa in compensation for the sacrifices agreed to protect humanity against global warming."

US Domestic Terrorism Caseload 'Exploding' VOA 21 Sep 2021 -- U.S. national security and law enforcement agencies are battling what they describe as a "significant jump" in threats from domestic terrorists, many of whom are acting on their own and motivated by racial animosity or anti-government ideology.

Treasury Takes Robust Actions to Counter Ransomware US Treasury 21 Sep 2021 -- As part of the whole-of-government effort to counter ransomware, the U.S. Department of the Treasury today announced a set of actions focused on disrupting criminal networks and virtual currency exchanges responsible for laundering ransoms, encouraging improved cyber security across the private sector, and increasing incident and ransomware payment reporting to U.S. government agencies, including both Treasury and law enforcement.
US Slaps Sanctions on Crypto Exchange in Effort to Curb Ransomware Attacks VOA 21 Sep 2021 -- The U.S. Treasury Department says it is sanctioning a cryptocurrency exchange for its alleged role in processing illicit proceeds from ransomware attacks.
U.S. Sanctions Russian-Based Cryptocurrency Exchange For Laundering Ransomware Money RFE/RL 21 Sep 2021 -- The United States has imposed sanctions on a Russian-based cryptocurrency exchange over its alleged role in facilitating illegal payments from ransomware attacks.

Political Operatives Indicted for Alleged Scheme Involving Illegal Campaign Contribution to 2016 Presidential Campaign US Dept. of Justice 20 Sep 2021 -- An indictment was unsealed today in the District of Columbia charging a Kentucky man and a Florida man both with conspiracy to solicit and cause an illegal campaign contribution by a foreign national, effect a conduit contribution and cause false records to be filed with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) and related substantive offenses.

Europe Rights Court Rules Russia Responsible For Litvinenko Death RFE/RL 21 Sep 2021 -- The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has ruled that Russia was responsible for the "assassination" of former Russian security officer Aleksandr Litvinenko in London in 2006.
Russia says Europe's court claim on Litvinenko poisoning 'unfounded' Press TV 21 Sep 2021 -- The Kremlin has categorically rejected a ruling by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) that Russia was responsible for the 2006 killing of former agent Alexander Litvinenko.

3rd Russian in Skripal Poisoning Could Be Charged VOA 21 Sep 2021 -- Police in Britain said Tuesday they have enough evidence to charge a third Russian in the 2018 nerve agent attack against a former Russian spy in the city of Salisbury, England.
Britain Authorizes Charges Against Third Russian In Connection With Skripal Poisoning RFE/RL 21 Sep 2021 -- British police have confirmed that charges have been authorized against a third person in relation to the ongoing investigation into the Novichok attack on Sergei Skripal, the former Russian double agent who was poisoned in 2018.

U.S. Supports Sudan's Civilian-led Transition, Condemns Attempted Seizure of Power US Dept. of State 21 Sep 2021
Sudan Blames Failed Coup Attempt on Bashir Loyalists VOA 21 Sep 2021 -- A coup attempt thwarted in Sudan Tuesday was planned by military and civilian operatives associated with former President Omar al-Bashir, the country's prime minister said in a televised statement.
Sudan says attempted coup thwarted, situation under control Press TV 21 Sep 2021 -- Sudan authorities say they have thwarted an attempted coup in the early hours of Tuesday, after containing "a limited number of people involved" in the putsch.

Briefing by Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, Moscow, September 21, 2021 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 21 Sep 2021
Russia demands US explanation on cyberattacks targeting online voting platform Press TV 21 Sep 2021 -- Fresh tensions have erupted between Moscow and Washington after Russia accused the United States of being behind cyberattacks during last week's parliamentary elections.
Preliminary Results Give Kremlin-Backed United Russia Constitutional Majority In Elections Seen As Tainted RFE/RL 21 Sep 2021 -- Full preliminary results show the Kremlin-backed United Russia party maintained its constitutional majority in the lower house of parliament in elections denounced by the West and described by an independent monitoring agency as "one of the dirtiest" in Russian history.
For Russia's Opposition, 'The Least-Worst Option' Was Key In the Duma Vote. Did It Work? RFE/RL 21 Sep 2021 -- Earlier this year, Sergei Rimsky resigned as a police officer in the city of Ivanovo, a depressed former industrial textile town of 400,000 northeast of Moscow.

Hong Kong reaches new milestone in implementing "patriots governing Hong Kong": HKSAR gov't People's Daily 21 Sep 2021 -- The successful holding of the 2021 Election Committee's subsector ordinary elections in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) symbolized that the HKSAR has reached a new milestone in the implementation of the principle of "patriots governing Hong Kong" in the political system, the HKSAR government said Monday.
Hong Kong police arrest 3 members of Student Politicism People's Daily 21 Sep 2021 -- Hong Kong police on Monday arrested three student members of the Student Politicism group on suspicion of conspiracy to incite subversion against state power.
Central government office hails HKSAR's Election Committee election success People's Daily 21 Sep 2021 -- A Chinese central government spokesperson Monday hailed the successful holding of the 2021 Election Committee's subsector ordinary elections in China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) as opening new prospects and bringing new hope.
Hong Kong Rights Lawyers Concern Group Disbands After Police Letter Radio Free Asia 21 Sep 2021 -- A Hong Kong group that once campaigned for China's embattled human rights lawyers announced on Tuesday it would disband after being investigated by national security police under a city-wide crackdown on public dissent and peaceful opposition.
Evergrande chairman projects confidence amid debt crisis Global Times 21 Sep 2021 -- Xu Jiayin, chairman of embattled Chinese real estate giant Evergrande Group, on Tuesday sought to project confidence that the company will recovery from its debt crisis, as concerns are mounting over whether the over-stretched Chinese property giant will emerge from its debt-induced woes.
China's cargo craft docks with space station core module PLA Daily 21 Sep 2021 -- China's cargo spacecraft Tianzhou-3, carrying supplies for the upcoming Shenzhou-13 crewed mission, successfully docked with the space station core module Tianhe on Monday, according to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA).
China headed towards carbon neutrality by 2060; President Xi Jinping vows to halt new coal plants abroad UN News 21 Sep 2021 -- China is set to provide more COVID-19 vaccines to the world and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060, President Xi Jinping told the UN General Assembly on Tuesday, urging global leaders to strengthen solidarity, promote mutual respect while rejecting "forming small circles or zero-sum games."

North Korean Food Shortages Hobble Autumn Holiday Rituals and Feasts Radio Free Asia 21 Sep 2021 -- Major food shortages in North Korea left many of the country's citizens unable to properly celebrate one of its most important holidays, sources in the country told RFA.

Sanctions are 'US way of war', Iranian President at UN UN News 21 Sep 2021 -- In his speech to the high-level General Debate at the UN General Assembly on Tuesday, Iranian President Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi called for an end to United States sanctions against his country, describing them as a method of waging war.
JCPOA Joint Commission meeting not on agenda: Spox IRNA 21 Sep 2021 -- Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh said that a meeting of Joint Commission of the JCPOA was not on the agenda and Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahanian would meet bilaterally with JCPOA participants.
Iran, IAEA agreed to establish ties based on mutual respect, good will IRNA 21 Sep 2021 -- Head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Mohammad Eslami and Managing Director of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Grossi in a meeting in Vienna on Monday agreed that setting the foundations for relations based on mutual respect and good will is necessary.
Iran, Germany discuss latest developments around JCPOA IRNA 21 Sep 2021 -- Head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Mohammad Eslami and Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy Peter Altmaier, in a meeting in Vienna on Tuesday, reviewed the latest developments surrounding a 2015 Iran nuclear deal – known as JCPOA.
Biden voices his readiness to resume nuclear talks with Iran Press TV 21 Sep 2021 -- US President Joe Biden has announced his willingness to rejoin the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran and resolve the issue with the Islamic Republic over its peaceful nuclear program.
Iran nuclear chief: US should remove all sanctions to resume JCPOA revival talks Press TV 21 Sep 2021 -- Iran's nuclear chief says the United States should remove all sanctions it has imposed on the Islamic Republic in order for the stalled negotiations on the revival of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), to resume.
In NYC for UN event, FM stresses pursuing 'balanced' foreign policy Press TV 21 Sep 2021 -- Upon arriving in New York for the 76th United Nations General Assembly Session, Iran's foreign minister outlines the foreign policy objectives he intends to pursue during his upcoming meetings with his counterparts from across the world.
EU's Borrell Says No Ministerial Meeting Planned At UN On Iran Nuclear Talks RFE/RL 21 Sep 2021 -- European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell says he will meet with his new Iranian counterpart on September 21 on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, but Borrell said no ministerial meeting of the parties to the 2015 nuclear deal is on the agenda.
Iran Says Nuclear Talks To Resume In Vienna 'Soon' RFE/RL 21 Sep 2021 -- New Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi wants talks with world powers to revive the landmark 2015 nuclear deal to lead to the removal of all U.S. sanctions.

Myanmar's Suu Kyi pleads not guilty in incitement trial Press TV 21 Sep 2021 -- Myanmar's junta has put deposed leader Aung San Suu Kyi on trial for incitement of violence, the latest on a string of charges that could lead to decades of imprisonment.

UN Agencies Request Access To Asylum Seekers Stranded At EU Border With Belarus RFE/RL 21 Sep 2021 -- Two United Nations agencies have requested immediate access to asylum seekers stranded at Belarus's border with European Union members Poland and Lithuania, after four migrants were found dead in the area.
UN agencies shocked by deaths near Belarus-Poland border UN News 21 Sep 2021 -- The UN refugee agency, UNHCR, and migration agency IOM, called on Tuesday for an immediate investigation into the deaths of four people near the border between Poland and Belarus, due to causes yet to be determined.

After Merkel: Who Will Win the German Election? VOA 21 Sep 2021 -- Berlin is basking in late summer sunshine. Along the banks of the River Spree, residents enjoy the last warm days before the change of season. Germany – and the rest of Europe – are about to witness the end of an era: after 16 years, the sun is setting on Chancellor Angela Merkel's time in power.

Lebanon's new govt. wins confidence vote, vows to liberate Israeli-occupied territories Press TV 21 Sep 2021 -- Lebanon's new government has managed to secure a vote of confidence from the parliament, putting an end to a 13-month political deadlock that worsened the financial crisis gripping the Mediterranean country.

Vietnamese Border Region Residents Remove China's Electrified Fencing Radio Free Asia 21 Sep 2021 -- Residents of a region of Vietnam that borders the southwestern Chinese region of Guangxi have cut through a barbed wire fence recently constructed by the Chinese authorities along the 1,000-km (620-mile) border, RFA has learned.

Internet Freedom Collapses in Myanmar, But China Still 'Worst' in Rankings: Report Radio Free Asia 21 Sep 2021 -- Internet freedom dropped sharply in Myanmar after the military coup that ousted the country's democratically elected government on Feb. 1, with Myanmar's new military rulers cutting off online access and blocking social media platforms to contain opposition, Freedom House said in an annual report on Tuesday.

Canada's New Trudeau Government Faces Old Policy Challenges VOA 21 Sep 2021 -- This week's Canadian election, returning Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to power with another minority government, has done little to shift the balance of power at home but has put sharper edges on several of the nation's ongoing foreign policy debates.

NEWSLETTER

Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list