• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

Defense Policy / Programs

• DAF COVID-19 statistics - Oct. 5, 2021 US Air Force 06 Oct 2021
• Exercise Noble Jaguar: Navy-Marine Corps team brings integrated lethality in the littorals USMC News 06 Oct 2021 -- U.S. Marines and Sailors from across III Marine Expeditionary Force and elements of U.S. 7th Fleet executed Noble Jaguar, an integrated naval exercise in and around Japan, Sept. 27-30.
• Commander, Naval Air Force Reserve Supports First CMV-22B Osprey Carrier Strike Group Deployment US Navy 06 Oct 2021 -- Commander, Naval Air Force Reserve (CNAFR) assisted the "Titans" of Fleet Logistics Multi-Mission Squadron (VRM) 30, Detachment (DET) 1, to became the first-ever CMV-22B "Osprey" squadron to deploy with a carrier strike group (CSG) Aug. 2., when the detachment deployed from San Diego as part of the Carl Vinson CSG.
• More Stable Networks Among DOD Cloud Goals for Outside U.S. DoD News 06 Oct 2021 -- This spring, the Defense Department spelled out a strategy for cloud computing outside the continental United States, or OCONUS, including ways to better support service members at the tactical edge.
• Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III and Polish Minister of National Defence Mariusz Błaszczak Opening Remarks at Pentagon Meeting DoD 06 Oct 2021
• Austin Welcomes Polish Counterpart to Pentagon for Discussions DoD News 06 Oct 2021 -- The Navy Band played the spritely airs of the Polish national anthem — a mazurka — as Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III welcomed Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak to the Pentagon for meetings today.
• Official Says Peace, Security in Middle East Are Possible Through Partnerships DoD News 06 Oct 2021 -- Integrated deterrence and a whole-of-government approach with allies and partners across the Middle East is key to enabling peace and stability in the region, a Defense Department official said.
• U.S. Navy sells two former aircraft carriers to shipbreaker for 1 cent each People's Daily 06 Oct 2021 -- The U.S. Navy has sold two former aircraft carriers, USS Kitty Hawk and USS John F. Kennedy, to a Texas shipbreaking company for one cent each, the Naval Sea Systems Command said on Tuesday.
• F-35A complete 5th generation fighter test milestone with refurbished B61-12 nuclear gravity bombs US Air Force 06 Oct 2021 -- Two F-35A Lightning II aircraft recently released B61-12 Joint Test Assemblies, or JTAs, during the F-35A's first Full Weapon System Demonstration, completing the final flight test exercise of the nuclear design certification process.
• U.S. Sixth Fleet CTF 68 Operates Throughout NAVEUR-NAVAF US Navy 06 Oct 2021 -- In recent weeks, personnel assigned to U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa/U.S. Sixth Fleet's (NAVEUR-NAVAF-SIXTHFLT) Commander, Task Force 68 and Commander, U.S. Sixth Fleet Mine Countermeasures (MCM) Detachment (Det.) Rota (CTG 68.3) have participated in exercises and operations throughout Europe.
• US State Department reveals number of nukes in stockpile for first time since 2017 Press TV 06 Oct 2021 -- The US State Department has revealed the number of nuclear weapons in the country's arsenal for the first time since 2018, when former US President Donald Trump decided to keep the figures secret.
• Secretary General stresses the importance of Europe and North America standing together in NATO NATO 06 Oct 2021 -- On Tuesday (5 October), speaking at an event hosted by Brookings Institution and Georgetown University in Washington D.C., NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said: "The need for transatlantic unity is greater today than at any time since the end of the Cold War".
• NATO to Expel Eight Russian Diplomats Over Alleged Malign Activities Sputnik 06 Oct 2021 -- The decision comes just a day after NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg urged the alliance to maintain relations with Russia to avoid another cold war or a new arms race.
• NATO Expels Eight Members of Russia's Mission VOA 06 Oct 2021 -- NATO said Wednesday it expelled eight members of Russia's mission to the military alliance for allegedly working in secret as intelligence officers.
• NATO Halves Size Of Russia's Mission, Accuses Moscow Of 'Aggressive Actions' RFE/RL 06 Oct 2021 -- NATO has expelled eight members of Russia's mission to the alliance after they were revealed to belong to Moscow's intelligence services and cut the mission's size in half, a NATO official told RFE/RL.
• North Korea's Ship With Missile Sighted Off Japan Coast, Reports Say Sputnik 06 Oct 2021 -- The Japan Coast Guard has spotted a man-portable surface-to-air missile system on one of the North Korean patrol ships that entered Japan's exclusive economic zone, media reported.
• Pakistan Names New Spy Chief; Outgoing Head Takes Army Post VOA 06 Oct 2021 -- Pakistan has appointed Lieutenant General Nadeem Anjum as the country's new spy chief.
• Taiwan military confirms 'Yun Feng' missile's existence CNA 06 Oct 2021 -- Taiwan's military has publicly confirmed for the first time the existence of the "Yun Feng" (Cloud Peak) medium-range surface-to-surface missile, which has been under development since the 1990s.
• Construction begins on Navy's second Tuo Chiang-class vessel CNA 06 Oct 2021 -- The construction of Taiwan's second Tuo Chiang-class corvette began in Yilan County Wednesday, with the navy aiming to have six of the vessels by the end of 2023, said Navy Commander Admiral Liu Chih-pin (劉志斌).
• Landing a first on Lord Howe Island Australia DOD 06 Oct 2021 -- Scenic views and friendly locals are not the only things that make Lord Howe Island special.
• Electric pushies finding role on battlefield Australia DOD 06 Oct 2021 -- The subtle buzz of a battery-powered motor is all you will hear from the 2nd/14th Light Horse Regiment's (Queensland Mounted Infantry) (2/14LHR [QMI]) trial stealth reconnaissance e-bikes.
• FIVE POWERS ON DISPLAY Australia DOD 06 Oct 2021 -- Australia's commitment to regional security is on display during the Golden Jubilee (50th anniversary) of the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA).
• Turkey And Azerbaijan Launch Joint Military Drills RFE/RL 06 Oct 2021 -- Turkey and Azerbaijan have launched joint military drills as the two nations expand defense ties in the wake of last year's war against Armenian forces over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region.
• Blinken: 'Very Productive' Talks With France VOA 06 Oct 2021 -- U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Wednesday that his talks this week with top French officials were "very productive" and could lead to new collaboration between Washington and Paris to contain China's military ventures in the Indo-Pacific region.
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jen Psaki, October 6, 2021 The White House 06 Oct 2021
• Deputy Secretary Sherman's Meeting with Indian Foreign Secretary Harsh Shringla US Dept. of State 06 Oct 2021
• Deputy Secretary Sherman's Meeting with Indian Minister of External Affairs Dr. S. Jaishankar US Dept. of State 06 Oct 2021
• Secretary Blinken's Meeting with Spanish Foreign Minister Albares US Dept. of State 06 Oct 2021
• Secretary Blinken's Meeting with Italian Foreign Minister Di Maio US Dept. of State 06 Oct 2021
• Secretary Blinken's Meeting with Colombian Vice President and Minister of Foreign Affairs Marta Lucía Ramírez US Dept. of State 06 Oct 2021
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken and Colombian Vice President and Foreign Minister Marta Lucia Ramirez De Rincon Before Their Meeting US Dept. of State 06 Oct 2021
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken and Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares Before Their Meeting US Dept. of State 06 Oct 2021
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken and OECD Secretary-General Mathias Cormann at a Joint Press Availability US Dept. of State 06 Oct 2021
• Remarks by President Biden After Marine One Arrival The White House 06 Oct 2021

Defense Industry

• Contracts For Oct. 6, 2021
• Crane Company Agrees to Pay More Than $4.5 Million to Resolve False Claims Act Lawsuit for Non-Compliance with Military Specifications US Dept. of Justice 06 Oct 2021 -- Crane Company (Crane) has agreed to pay to the United States over $4.5 million to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by failing to comply with Military Specification (Mil Spec) Mil-V 24624 for certain high performance butterfly valves and requirements for inclusion on the Qualified Products List (QPL) where the valves appeared. The valves were supplied for use in U.S. Navy ships.

Other Conflicts

• 6 October 2021 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 06 Oct 2021
• Afghanistan's Humanitarian Crisis Grows as Winter Looms VOA 06 Oct 2021 -- The head of the World Food Program in Afghanistan said Wednesday that the humanitarian crisis in that country is growing at "an incredible pace," and it is now a "race against time" before winter sets in.
• Afghan Hazaras Fear The Worst After Forced Taliban Evictions RFE/RL Gandhara 06 Oct 2021 -- Jamilah and her six children live out in the open, exposed to the elements, with little food or water.
• Taliban Claims Arrest Of Four Islamic State Militants Near Kabul RFE/RL Gandhara 06 Oct 2021 -- The Taliban says it has arrested four members of the rival Islamic State (IS) extremist group north of the Afghan capital, while at least two Taliban fighters were killed in an attack in the country's east.
• Kyiv Urged To Evacuate Ukrainian Passport-Holders When Kabul Flights Resume RFE/RL Gandhara 06 Oct 2021 -- Human Rights Watch (HRW) is calling on Ukraine's government to evacuate Ukrainian passport-holders from Afghanistan as soon as flights from Kabul resume.
• Hundreds Gather Outside Kabul Passport Office On Day Of Reopening RFE/RL Gandhara 06 Oct 2021 -- Hundreds of people have gathered outside the passport office in Kabul to apply for travel documents after the service opened for the first time since the Taliban seized power in mid-August.
• Afghanistan: Humanitarians call for greater support as winter approaches UN News 06 Oct 2021 -- UN humanitarian agencies and their partners on Tuesday urged countries to honour their pledges to Afghanistan, as they rush to scale-up delivery of lifesaving aid ahead of the coming winter season there.
• Yemeni air defenses shoot down Saudi-led reconnaissance drone in Ma'rib Press TV 06 Oct 2021 -- Yemeni army forces have intercepted and targeted an unmanned aerial vehicle belonging to the Saudi-led military coalition flying in the skies over Yemen's central province of Ma'rib.
• Slain Rohingya Leader's Relatives in Bangladesh Say They Are Being Threatened Radio Free Asia 06 Oct 2021 -- Family members of a Rohingya refugee leader, who was gunned down in his Cox's Bazar office last week, said Wednesday they have been receiving threatening phone calls asking them to withdraw a case they filed on the killing.
• Forty Junta Soldiers Are Killed in Attack on Military Convoy, Militia Group Says Radio Free Asia 06 Oct 2021 -- Anti-junta forces in central Myanmar attacked a 50-vehicle military convoy Tuesday, killing more than 40 soldiers and injuring 30 others, members of the attacking militia told RFA.
• Ethnic Soldiers in Eastern Myanmar See Increase in Clashes With Junta Forces Radio Free Asia 06 Oct 2021 -- Ethnic rebels and militiamen engaged in 265 armed clashes with Myanmar junta forces in September, killing nearly 300 national soldiers in Kayin and Kayah states, officials from the groups said Wednesday, amid an intensified effort by ethnic soldiers to resist the military regime that overthrew the elected government eight months ago.
• Mali summons French ambassador over Macron's comments Press TV 06 Oct 2021 -- Mali's Foreign Ministry has summoned France's ambassador to Bamako after President Emmanuel Macron accused the country's junta of "non-work."
• Mozambique rescues kidnapped children: UNICEF Press TV 06 Oct 2021 -- The United Nations says Mozambique has rescued a number of children who had been abducted by the al-Shabab terrorist group to be forcefully recruited as child soldiers.
• UN Chief to Ethiopian Government: Show Me Evidence of Misconduct VOA 06 Oct 2021 -- The U.N. Secretary-General told Ethiopia's government Wednesday that it should show him any documents or evidence the country has to substantiate accusations related to the expulsion of seven senior humanitarian officials from the country.
• Guterres criticizes 'unprecedented expulsion' of staff from Ethiopia; calls for focus on saving lives UN News 06 Oct 2021 -- UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Wednesday urged authorities in Ethiopia to allow vital humanitarian work there to continue, following the recent decision to declare seven of the Organization's staff persona non grata and expel them from the country.
• The United States Welcomes the Appointment of Staffan de Mistura as the UN Secretary General's Personal Envoy for Western Sahara US Dept. of State 06 Oct 2021

News Reports

• US Rolls Out New Cybersecurity Requirements for Rail, Air VOA 06 Oct 2021 -- The United States is taking new steps to make sure the country's air and surface transportation sectors will not be crippled by ransomware or cyberattacks.
• Pentagon asks US diplomatic staff to be on alert for Havana Syndrome Press TV 06 Oct 2021 -- The Pentagon has urged the US diplomatic staff all around the world to immediately evacuate their surrounds if they found symptoms related to the mysterious Havana Syndrome.
• CIA admits informants captured, killed or compromised: NYT Press TV 06 Oct 2021 -- Top US counterintelligence officials warned that a concerning number of CIA informants were being captured and executed, according to The New York Times.
• Secretary Blinken's Call with Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov US Dept. of State 06 Oct 2021
• Putin says Europe to blame for gas price spike, energy crisis Press TV 06 Oct 2021 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin says Europe is to blame for its ongoing energy crisis, rejecting accusations that Moscow has been withholding gas supplies to pressure the West.
• Chechnya's Kadyrov Vows To 'Protect Human Rights' As Ruthless Ruler Starts Fourth Term RFE/RL 06 Oct 2021 -- Chechen strongman Ramzan Kadyrov, known for his ruthless rule and threatening to kill his critics, has vowed to "protect human rights" at his inauguration for a fourth term leading the Caucasus region.
• Fifteen Years After Her Murder, Journalists Say Politkovskaya's Fears Have Been Realized RFE/RL 06 Oct 2021 -- Natasha Zotova was in ninth grade when Anna Politkovskaya, a pathbreaking investigative journalist at the independent newspaper Novaya gazeta, was shot dead in her Moscow apartment building on October 7, 2006.
• Press release on the Missile Technology Control Regime Plenary Meeting Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 06 Oct 2021
• Address by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Sergey Ryabkov at the opening of the Plenary Meeting of the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), Sochi, 6 October 2021 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 06 Oct 2021
• To the Participants of the Plenary Meeting of the Missile Technology Control Regime, Moscow, 6 October 2021 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 06 Oct 2021
• Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's telephone conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 06 Oct 2021
• US-China Tensions Rising Over Trade, Taiwan VOA 06 Oct 2021 -- The White House said Wednesday a virtual summit between President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping is being planned for later this year.
• Readout of National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan's Meeting with Politburo Member Yang Jiechi The White House 06 Oct 2021
• Senior Chinese diplomat to meet with US national security advisor Global Times 06 Oct 2021 -- Yang Jiechi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, will meet with US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan in Zurich, Switzerland, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson announced on Wednesday.
• Lam's policy address ensures HKSAR's continued integration with mainland Global Times 06 Oct 2021 -- Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Chief Executive Carrie Lam on Wednesday stressed that the city has returned to a right track under the national security law and will "thrive and flourish" under the "one country, two systems," in the final policy address of her tenure that also outlined several major projects and policy initiatives to tackle national security and livelihood issues.
• Hong Kong to actively push for local legislation on safeguarding national security: Carrie Lam People's Daily 06 Oct 2021 -- Hong Kong will take forward proactively the enactment of local legislation on safeguarding national security to implement Article 23 of the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), HKSAR Chief Executive Carrie Lam said Wednesday.
• HKSAR gov't plans to restructure policy bureaus People's Daily 06 Oct 2021 -- Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Carrie Lam proposed to restructure policy bureaus of the HKSAR government in the annual policy address delivered Wednesday.
• Integration into national development brings new impetus to Hong Kong's economy: Carrie Lam People's Daily 06 Oct 2021 -- Only by leveraging the central government's favorable policies can Hong Kong give full play to its unique strengths, which will in turn bring continuous impetus to its economy, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Carrie Lam said Wednesday.
• Hong Kong back on right track of "one country, two systems": Carrie Lam People's Daily 06 Oct 2021 -- The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) has got back on the right track of "one country, two systems" and governance has returned to normal under the protection of the national security law in the HKSAR and the principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong," Chief Executive of the HKSAR Carrie Lam said Wednesday.
• HKSAR chief executive delivers 2021 policy address, economic issues highlighted People's Daily 06 Oct 2021 -- Chief Executive of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Carrie Lam started Wednesday morning to deliver the 2021 policy address at a Legislative Council meeting.
• Hong Kong to actively push for local legislation on safeguarding national security: Carrie Lam PLA Daily 06 Oct 2021 -- Hong Kong will take forward proactively the enactment of local legislation on safeguarding national security to implement Article 23 of the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), HKSAR Chief Executive Carrie Lam said Wednesday.
• More National Security Work to be Done, Warns Hong Kong's Leader Amid Crackdown Radio Free Asia 06 Oct 2021 -- Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam on Wednesday vowed to extend a citywide crackdown on anyone trying to "destabilize" the city and oppose China, with new laws in the pipeline targeting the media and online service providers, as well as expanded definitions of "espionage" and "terrorism."
`
• China Will Have Capacity For 'Full-Scale Invasion' of Taiwan by 2025: Defense Minister Radio Free Asia 06 Oct 2021 -- China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) will have the capacity for a "full-scale invasion" of Taiwan by 2025, the democratic island's defense minister warned on Wednesday.
• China capable of full scale Taiwan invasion by 2025: Defense minister CNA 06 Oct 2021 -- Taiwan's Minister of National Defense Chiu Kuo-cheng (邱國正) on Wednesday said that China will be militarily capable of launching a full-scale invasion of Taiwan by 2025.
• US, China agree to abide by Chinese Taipei agreement: Biden Press TV 06 Oct 2021 -- US President Joe Biden says he and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, have agreed to abide by an agreement on Chinese Taipei, after they talked about the self-ruled island amid heightened tensions between the two sides.
• Taipei Says US' Commitment 'Rock Solid' After Cryptic 'Taiwan Agreement' Remark by Biden Sputnik 06 Oct 2021 -- Taiwanese officials seeking clarification on ambiguous comments by US President Joe Biden reported on Wednesday that Washington's commitment to the autonomous island was "rock solid."
• China should abide by 'Taiwan agreement': U.S. president CNA 06 Oct 2021 -- United States President Joe Biden has responded to China's military sorties near Taiwan for the first time since taking office, saying that China's leader Xi Jinping should stick to the "Taiwan agreement."
• French senate delegation touches down in Taiwan CNA 06 Oct 2021 -- A delegation of French senators led by Alain Richard, head of the French Senate's Taiwan Friendship Group, arrived in Taiwan early Wednesday morning for a five-day visit.
• Australia Urged to Boost Military Cooperation with Taiwan VOA 06 Oct 2021 -- Taiwan has asked has Australia for help following the increase in recent days of incursions by Chinese jet fighters into Taiwan's air defense identification zone.
• Return to talks on JCPOA revival 'not in a distant future': Russia envoy Press TV 06 Oct 2021 -- The Russian ambassador to international organizations in Vienna says the resumption of talks on the revival of Iran's nuclear deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), is only a matter of time and will take place "not in a distant future."
• Blinken, Lavrov Discuss Iran Nuclear Deal As Tehran Signals Talks 'Days' Away RFE/RL 06 Oct 2021 -- The top U.S. and Russian diplomats have discussed their shared interest in the restoration of the nuclear deal between Iran and world powers.
• Blinken Speaks With Russia's Lavrov About Restoring Iran Nuclear Deal VOA 06 Oct 2021 -- U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Wednesday that he had spoken with his Russian counterpart about restoring Iran's nuclear deal and that the issue is of mutual concern to the United States and Russia.
• Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's opening remarks during talks with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, Moscow, October 6, 2021 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 06 Oct 2021
• Malaysia: Will Talk With Myanmar's Shadow Government if ASEAN Efforts Fail Radio Free Asia 06 Oct 2021 -- Malaysia said Wednesday it would open talks with Myanmar's shadow government if the junta fails to cooperate with ASEAN's conflict resolution efforts – the first such declaration by a member of the regional bloc.
• Germany's Greens, Free Democrats Hold Coalition Talks With Social Democrats VOA 06 Oct 2021 -- Germany's Social Democrats (SPD), winners of last month's nationwide parliamentary elections, said Wednesday they are holding talks with the nation's Green Party and Free Democratic Party (FDP) — the respective third- and fourth-place finishers in the election, to try to form a ruling coalition.
• EU Leaders Reaffirm Western Balkans' 'European Perspective,' Give No Timeline For Accessions RFE/RL 06 Oct 2021 -- EU leaders have reaffirmed the bloc's commitment to the stalled enlargement process for six Western Balkans states, but they brushed aside calls for a concrete timeline at a summit in Slovenia on October 6.
• Bulgaria, North Macedonia Map Path Out Of Standoff Blocking EU Progress RFE/RL 06 Oct 2021 -- Leaders from North Macedonia and EU member Bulgaria appear to have mapped out a possible exit from a yearlong dispute over shared culture that has stalled Macedonian hopes for progress toward accession talks with the bloc.
• Controversy And Confusion Again In Kyrgyzstan's Parliamentary Elections RFE/RL 06 Oct 2021 -- Suspicions of election irregularities that marred two previous parliamentary elections in Kyrgyzstan triggered revolutions that ousted two separate presidents.
• Moldova's Top Prosecutor Detained On Corruption Charges RFE/RL 06 Oct 2021 -- Moldova's top prosecutor has been suspended and detained for alleged corruption as President Maia Sandu vowed that nobody in the Eastern European country would remain above the law.
• Hundreds in Burkina Faso, Including Minors, Await Trial on Terrorism Charges VOA 06 Oct 2021 -- In Burkina Faso, at least 400 people have been awaiting trial on terrorism charges for years, including several minors.
• Facing Hezbollah Resistance, Judge in Beirut Blast Keeps Going VOA 06 Oct 2021 -- The investigation into last year's massive explosion in Beirut has been slow due to what observers say is interference by the powerful Iran-backed Hezbollah group. Lebanese judge Tarek Bitar has survived two removal attempts. The latest was Monday when a court dismissed complaints against Bitar, but Hezbollah continues to oppose him and the probe he is conducting. Observers say a real national front is needed to confront obstacles posed by Hezbollah, while getting Lebanon on track to start needed economic and political reforms.