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Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• Van Ovost: 'No Other Military or Transportation Enterprise Could Have Executed' Afghanistan Evacuation DoD News 19 Oct 2021 -- The noncombatant evacuation operation in Afghanistan in August illustrated a resolvable logistics enterprise and highlighted the compassion of the military and U.S. partners around the world, Air Force Gen. Jacqueline D. Van Ovost, commander of U.S. Transportation Command, said.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Readout from Gen. Frank McKenzie's visit with the United Arab Emirates' Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, Oct. 19, 2021 CENTCOM 19 Oct 2021 -- U.S. Central Command commander Gen. Frank McKenzie met with the United Arab Emirates' Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Armed Forces Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Hamad Mohammed Thani Al Rumaithi in Abu Dhabi today.
• DAF COVID-19 Statistics - Oct. 19, 2021 US Air Force 19 Oct 2021
• Climate Change in East Asia and the Pacific Impacts DOD DoD News 19 Oct 2021 -- The defense secretary has called climate change an "existential threat." Last spring, at the Leaders Summit on Climate, Lloyd J. Austin III highlighted particular challenges in the Pacific associated with the ways "rising sea levels and more frequent and intense storms put individuals, families and whole communities at risk — while pushing the limits of our collective capacity to respond."
• Marine Corps Establishes the Information Development Institute USMC News 19 Oct 2021 -- The Deputy Commandant for Information established the Information Development Institute, the IDI Portal and available learning and development resources for information technology, cyber and intelligence civilian Marines reflected in MARADMIN 457/21 released on Aug. 31.
• U.S. Navy and Jamaica Defence Force Coast Guard Conduct a Joint Exercise US Navy 19 Oct 2021 -- The Freedom-variant littoral combat ship USS Billings (LCS 15) and Jamaica Defence Force Coast Guard offshore patrol vessel HMJS George William Gordon conducted a bilateral maritime exercise in the Caribbean Sea, Oct. 16, 2021.
• Austin Works With Allies, Partners to Deter Russian Malign Activities DoD News 19 Oct 2021 -- In 2014, Russia occupied and illegally annexed Crimea from Ukraine and then fomented a war in Eastern Ukraine that has so far killed 14,000 Ukrainians.
• US signs military pact with Georgia, condemns Russia Press TV 19 Oct 2021 -- The United States has signed a military pact with Georgia which will last for six years, and condemned "Russia's ongoing occupation of Georgia."
• China demands US explain USS Connecticut's collision with 'unknown object,' questions intentions behind cover-up Global Times 19 Oct 2021 -- China is seriously concerned about the USS Connecticut's collision with an "unknown object" in international waters in the South China Sea, and said the US is obligated to explain the incident in detail, China's Ministry of National Defense said on Tuesday.
• Beijing Demands US Provide Full Details of Nuclear Submarine Incident Sputnik 19 Oct 2021 -- The Chinese Defense Ministry said on Tuesday it was gravely concerned over the recent incident with an American nuclear submarine in the Indo-Pacific and demanded that the United States provide full details of the accident soon.
• Pentagon Chief: No Country Has 'Veto' on Ukraine's NATO Aspirations VOA 19 Oct 2021 -- U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin says no third country has a veto on Ukraine's aspirations to join the NATO military alliance.
• U.S., Ukraine Aim to Implement Strategic Defense Framework DoD News 19 Oct 2021 -- Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III met with Ukrainian leaders in the capital city of Kyiv to strengthen ties between the nations and look for ways to implement the Strategic Defense Framework that was signed at the end of August.
• Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Remarks at Ukraine Ministry of Defense Post-Bilat Joint Press Event DoD 19 Oct 2021
• Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Visit to Ukraine DoD 19 Oct 2021
• Visiting Pentagon Chief Says U.S. Will Continue To Support Ukraine Against Russian 'Aggression' RFE/RL 19 Oct 2021 -- U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has reiterated Washington's "unwavering" support for Ukraine's territorial integrity during a visit to Kyiv as Russia continues to be an "obstacle" to the peaceful resolution of the deadly conflict in eastern Ukraine.
• NATO Deputy Secretary General meets with Hungary's Minister for Innovation and Technology NATO 19 Oct 2021 -- On Monday (18 October 2021), NATO's Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoană met with Hungary's Minister for Innovation and Technology László Palkovics at NATO Headquarters to discuss how the Alliance will maintain its technological edge.
• Russia halts mission to NATO, alliance's bodies in Moscow People's Daily 19 Oct 2021 -- The Russian Foreign Ministry announced Monday that Moscow has decided to suspend the operation of the Russian Permanent Mission to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in retaliation for the alliance's "unfriendly actions."
• US hypes 'nuclear threat' from China, Russia to legitimize absolute security and arms race Global Times 19 Oct 2021 -- Senior US officials and Western media have spared no efforts to hype the so-called "nuclear threat" from China, even after China clarified an inaccurate report about a "hypersonic missile test in August," as the test was about a reusable spacecraft, with the Chinese Foreign Ministry saying on Tuesday that the US is hyping the "China threat theory" to pursue absolute security and expand military power. Experts stressed that Washington is the one that should be held accountable for intensifying the arms race between major nuclear powers.
• Russia backs China's right to test hypersonic missiles Press TV 19 Oct 2021 -- The Russian government has backed China's reported test of a hypersonic missile, saying that the test did not breach any of Beijing's international obligations, posed no threat to Russia, and followed similar moves by the US.
• 'We Really Need a Wake-Up Call,' Rep. Gallagher Says on China's Defense Advancements Sputnik 19 Oct 2021 -- Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-WI), slammed the Biden administration after China reportedly tested a hypersonic missile with nuclear capabilities, and warned the US of falling behind Chinese defense advancements.
• Chinese, Russian warships' 1st joint patrol sails through Tsugaru Strait in line with intl law, 'could feature encirclement of Japan or approach US' Global Times 19 Oct 2021 -- Right after China and Russia wrapped up a joint naval exercise in the Sea of Japan on Sunday, 10 powerful warships from the two countries switched to the next mission and sailed through the Tsugaru Strait into the Pacific Ocean on Monday in their first joint maritime patrol, which experts said on Tuesday could see the joint task force encircle Japan or approach the US.
• China, Russia vessels sail through Tsugaru Strait for first time, Japan claims Press TV 19 Oct 2021 -- A group of Russian and Chinese naval vessels have for the first time on record sailed through a strait separating the Sea of Japan from the Pacific, Japan has claimed.
• Taiwan closely watching China's latest weapon development: military CNA 19 Oct 2021 -- Taiwan is closely monitoring China's latest advanced weapon development, a military spokesman said Tuesday, in response to media reports that Beijing tested a nuclear-capable hypersonic missile earlier this year, raising concerns of the United States.
• New patrol boat launched Australia DOD 19 Oct 2021 -- The first of six Evolved Cape-class patrol boats was recently launched at the Austal Ships shipyard in Henderson, Western Australia.
• China Calls for Restraint After New North Korean Missile Launches Sputnik 19 Oct 2021 -- China urges all sides on the Korean peninsula to exercise restraint and adhere to the political settlement of disagreements, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said at a briefing on Tuesday, commenting on the latest missile launches by North Korea.
• North Korea Launches SLBM, Amid Fears of Korean Arms Race VOA 19 Oct 2021 -- North Korea test-fired a submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) Tuesday, South Korea's military reported, just a month after Seoul conducted its own SLBM test.
• North Korea launches new ballistic missile after US-S Korea talks: Seoul Press TV 19 Oct 2021 -- Seoul says North Korea has fired at least one ballistic missile off its east coast, shortly after the US and South Korean envoys met in Washington to discuss Pyongyang's nuclear program.
• North Korea Reportedly Used Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile in Latest Test Sputnik 19 Oct 2021 -- South Korea believes North Korea conducted a short-range ballistic missile test on Tuesday morning, the Yonhap news agency reported, citing representatives of the country's National Security Council.
• DPRK Fired One Ballistic Missile Towards Sea of Japan, South Korean Media Report Sputnik 19 Oct 2021 -- North Korea has recently conducted several tests of newly developed weapon systems in the region. Earlier this month, the Japanese coast guard reported a violation of its economic zone by a North Korean ship with an alleged missile on board.
• Iran's military chief urges development of defense ties with Russia Press TV 19 Oct 2021 -- Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, Major General Mohammad Baqeri urges development of the country's defense ties with the Russian Federation.
• Tokyo 'Closely Watching' Naval Activities Near Japan in Wake of Russia-China Joint Drills Sputnik 19 Oct 2021 -- On Tuesday, the Japanese Defence Ministry underlined that naval vessels from Russia and China had passed through the Tsugaru Strait in full compliance with international norms.
• Japan to Boost Defence Capabilities in Wake of North Korean Missile Launches, PM Kishida Says Sputnik 19 Oct 2021 -- The Japanese government strongly condemns North Korea's missile launches, which violate resolutions of the UN Security Council, and plans to build up the country's defence capabilities, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said on Tuesday.
• Pakistan military claims it blocked Indian submarine incursion Press TV 19 Oct 2021 -- Pakistan's military claims it "detected and blocked" an Indian military submarine from entering Pakistani territorial waters earlier this week.
• Pakistan Claims to Have Prevented 'Indian Submarine' From Violating Its Maritime Borders Sputnik 19 Oct 2021 -- The incident was reported by the Pakistan Navy amid a strict ceasefire at the border that has been followed by the two South Asian rivals since February this year.
• Pakistan Says it Blocked Indian Submarine Attempt to Enter its Waters VOA 19 Oct 2021 -- Pakistan said Tuesday its naval forces had detected and blocked an Indian submarine from entering Pakistani territorial waters.
• UK Plans to Create 'Persistent' Military Presence in Indo-Pacific Region Sputnik 19 Oct 2021 -- The United Kingdom plans to maintain an ongoing and "persistent" but not continuous security presence in the Indo-Pacific region, Chief of the Defense Staff Gen. Nicholas Carter said on Tuesday.
• Secretary Blinken's Call with Brazilian Foreign Minister França US Dept. of State 19 Oct 2021
• Secretary Blinken's Call with UN Special Envoy to Yemen Grundberg US Dept. of State 19 Oct 2021
• Secretary Blinken's Call with Colombian Vice President and Foreign Minister Ramírez US Dept. of State 19 Oct 2021
• Secretary Blinken's Call with Chilean Foreign Minister Allamand US Dept. of State 19 Oct 2021
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken Remarks at a Roundtable with Democracy Activists and Civil Society US Dept. of State 19 Oct 2021
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken and Ecuadorian Foreign Minister Mauricio Montalvo at a Joint Press Availability US Dept. of State 19 Oct 2021
• Secretary Blinken's Meeting with Ecuadorian President Lasso and Foreign Minister Montalvo US Dept. of State 19 Oct 2021
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken at Top of Working Lunch with Ecuadorian President Guillermo Lasso and Ecuadorian Foreign Minister Mauricio Montalvo US Dept. of State 19 Oct 2021
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jen Psaki, October 19, 2021 The White House 19 Oct 2021
• Secretary Blinken's Meeting with IAEA Director General Grossi US Dept. of State 19 Oct 2021

Defense Industry

• Contracts For Oct. 19, 2021
• UK Stops US Firm Buying British Defence Contractor on 'National Security Grounds' Sputnik 19 Oct 2021 -- This is the second acquisition of a UK-based defence contractor, in which the Government has intervened. The last time it stopped a deal was when American private equity firm Advent wanted to buy Ultra Electronics.

Other Conflicts

• 19 October 2021 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 19 Oct 2021
• IMF Warns Of Impact Refugee Crisis Could Have On Afghanistan's Economy, Neighbors RFE/RL Gandhara 19 Oct 2021 -- The International Monetary Fund (IMF) says Afghanistan's economy could contract up to 30 percent this year, threatening to push millions of Afghans into poverty and trigger "important economic and security spillover" into neighboring countries, Turkey, and Europe.
• Taliban Interior Minister Haqqani Praises Suicide Bombers, Promises Land To Relatives RFE/RL Gandhara 19 Oct 2021 -- The Taliban's acting interior minister, Sirajuddin Haqqani, a wanted global terrorist and one of the country's most senior officials, has praised suicide attackers and promised their relatives money and land.
• US envoy for Afghanistan resigns following humiliating defeat Press TV 19 Oct 2021 -- US Special Representative for Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad has resigned following the American military's humiliating defeat in the twenty-year war in the country and the failure of the so-called peace process, the State Department has confirmed.
• US-Wanted Taliban Leader Praises Suicide Bombers, Doles Out Rewards to Heirs VOA 19 Oct 2021 -- The Taliban's acting interior minister, listed as a global terrorist by the United States, has hosted a ceremony in Kabul to honor suicide bombers responsible for the killings of thousands of U.S. and allied troops in Afghanistan.
• Indonesia takes cautious stance as China survey ship lingers Radio Free Asia 19 Oct 2021 -- A month and a half after a large Chinese survey vessel entered the Natuna Sea, Indonesia seems to still be pursuing a quiet, cautious approach at sea, despite public pressure.
• UNICEF: 10,000 Children Killed or Maimed in Yemen Conflict VOA 19 Oct 2021 -- The U.N. children's fund reports 10,000 children in Yemen have been killed or maimed since conflict erupted in March 2015 between the Saudi Arabia-backed government and Iranian-supported Houthi rebels.
• Protracted war in Yemen has killed or maimed 10,000 children: UNICEF Press TV 19 Oct 2021 -- The protracted war in Yemen has killed or maimed at least 10,000 children since the conflict began in March 2015, which is equivalent to four children every day, the UN children's agency says.
• Yemen war reaches 'shameful milestone' - 10,000 children now killed or maimed UN News 19 Oct 2021 -- Another "shameful milestone" has been reached in the conflict in Yemen with 10,000 children killed or maimed since fighting started in March 2015, the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) said on Tuesday.
• Rohingya laud deal to allow UNHCR to operate on Bhashan Char Radio Free Asia 19 Oct 2021 -- Rohingya leaders on a remote Bangladesh island say they expect greater freedom of movement for its exclusive refugee population when a United Nations agency takes over humanitarian activities there, while the prospect has already reduced "the trend of fleeing" that led to drownings.
• Israel moves to build 7,000 new settler units in occupied Golan Heights, reports say Press TV 19 Oct 2021 -- Israel has decided to push ahead with a plan to build 7,000 new settler units in the occupied side of Syria's Golan Heights, despite global outcry.
• China revokes grazing permits for Tibetan nomads in Qinghai province Radio Free Asia 19 Oct 2021 -- Chinese authorities are revoking permits for Tibetan nomads in Qinghai province to use their traditional grazing lands, under a 50-year-old agreement that transfers ownership to the state, sources in the area told RFA.
• China's PLA Ramps Up Scale, Military Drills Duration Near Arunachal Pradesh, Indian General Warns Sputnik 19 Oct 2021 -- The 3,488-kilometre-long India-China border has never been clearly demarcated. The two Asian giants have been embroiled in a deadly standoff in the western section of the Line of Actual Control since last year.
• Witnesses Say Civilians Killed as Airstrikes Hit Tigray Capital VOA 19 Oct 2021 -- Witnesses in Ethiopia's Tigray region said at least two people were killed and several others were injured in two airstrikes Monday carried out by government forces on the regional capital, Mekelle.

News Reports

• US House January 6 Probe Set to Advance Bannon Contempt Citation VOA 19 Oct 2021 -- The House of Representatives committee investigating the rioting at the U.S. Capitol on January 6 appears headed Tuesday to initiating contempt of Congress charges against Steve Bannon, one of former President Donald Trump's longest-standing advisers, for refusing to cooperate with the probe.
• FBI Raids Washington, New York Properties Linked To Russian Oligarch Deripaska RFE/RL 19 Oct 2021 -- FBI agents have been conducting "court-authorized law enforcement activity" at properties in Washington and New York linked to Oleg Deripaska, a U.S.-blacklisted Russian oligarch with ties to the Kremlin, news agencies reported on October 19, citing a spokesperson for the law enforcement agency.
• Putin's Power Play? Tatarstan Activists Say Loss Of 'President' Title Would Be An Existential Blow RFE/RL 19 Oct 2021 -- One of the first bills to be submitted to Russia's newly elected State Duma, even before the lower house of parliament convened for its first session on October 12, is a measure that would unify the titles of the executive-branch heads of all Russia's regions.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin's Regular Press Conference on October 19, 2021 PRC MofA 19 Oct 2021
• Hong Kong jails five students as row over Tiananmen sculpture intensifies Radio Free Asia 19 Oct 2021 -- A court in Hong Kong on Tuesday handed down jail terms of nearly five years to five students in connection with the siege by riot police of the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) in November 2019.
• China Names Former Xinjiang Security Chief as New Communist Party Chief in Tibet VOA 19 Oct 2021 -- Chinese state-run media says a high-ranking official sanctioned by the West for alleged human rights abuses in the country's far northwestern Xinjiang province has been selected by the ruling Communist Party to oversee Tibet.
• China successfully tests 500-ton solid rocket engine Global Times 19 Oct 2021 -- Closely following the heart-stopping and spectacular launch of the Shenzhou-13 manned spacecraft on Saturday, China has made another breakthrough in its aerospace technology, as researchers at the Academy of Aerospace Solid Propulsion Technology (AASPT) announced on Tuesday they conducted a successful running test of a domestically developed solid rocket engine, with a thrust of more than 500 tons, in Xi'an, capital of Northwest China's Shaanxi Province, setting a world record in the field,
• Taiwan's foreign minister planning trip to Europe: MOFA CNA 19 Oct 2021 -- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) confirmed Tuesday that Foreign Minister Joseph Wu (吳釗燮) is planning to visit Europe, but did not provide any further details, saying his itinerary was still being arranged.
• Special Representative for the DPRK Kim's Trilateral Meeting with Republic of Korea Special Representative Noh and Japanese Director General Funakoshi in Washington, D.C. US Dept. of State 19 Oct 2021 -- Today in Washington, D.C., U.S. Special Representative for the DPRK Sung Kim participated in a trilateral meeting with Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director General for Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau Funakoshi Takehiro and ROK Special Representative for Korean Peninsula Peace and Security Affairs Noh Kyu-duk to discuss U.S.-ROK-Japan cooperation on the DPRK.
• DPRK Growing Stronger under Guidance of Great Leader KCNA 19 Oct 2021 -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) is not so big in terms of territory, but it is a powerful country guided by the great leader.
• Iran Uses Nuclear Talks to Buy Time to Reach Weapons-Grade Uranium, Israel Envoy to UN Says Sputnik 19 Oct 2021 -- Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations Gilad Erdan on Tuesday accused Iran of using the nuclear diplomacy talks in Vienna to buy time to achieve near weapons-grade uranium enrichment.
• Iran Says Nuclear Envoy Will Go to Brussels, But Doubts Persist Over Tehran's Seriousness VOA 19 Oct 2021 -- Hopes are fading fast of coaxing Tehran back into serious nuclear talks. EU officials failed last week to persuade Iran's new hardline administration to agree on a date to resume negotiations in Vienna over reviving a 2015 pact President Barack Obama struck with Tehran.
• Over-compliance with US sanctions hurting Iran's 'butterfly kids' UN News 19 Oct 2021 -- Over-compliance with United States-imposed sanctions against Iran is harming the right to health, and people with a rare skin disease are among those affected, many of them children, experts appointed by the UN Human Rights Council said on Tuesday.
• Myanmar frees thousands of political prisoners, then re-arrests some Press TV 19 Oct 2021 -- Myanmar's junta has freed thousands of political prisoners, including deposed leader Aung San Suu Kyi's party spokesman, but swiftly re-arrested dozens of them, according to the local media and a rights group.
• Myanmar: Three million in urgent need of life-saving assistance, protection UN News 19 Oct 2021 -- The UN Country Team in Myanmar remains "deeply concerned over the humanitarian impact" of the country's ongoing crises stemming largely from the military coup in February, the UN Spokesperson said on Tuesday.
• Poland Deploys 6,000 Soldiers to Guard Border With Belarus Sputnik 19 Oct 2021 -- Warsaw deployed nearly 6,000 Polish soldiers to guard the border with Belarus amid the ongoing migration crisis, Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak said on Tuesday.
• Turkey summons ambassadors of 10 western countries over activist's case Press TV 19 Oct 2021 -- Turkey's Foreign Ministry has summoned the ambassadors of 10 western countries, including the United States and France, to protest against their "irresponsible" statement regarding the case of Osman Kavala, a civil society leader.
• Ukrainian Lawmakers Approve Bill To Strengthen National Anti-Corruption Bureau's Independence RFE/RL 19 Oct 2021 -- Ukrainian lawmakers have approved a bill to strengthen the independence of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU), a move that will move it toward securing more loans from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) under a $5 billion loan deal.
• Poland accuses EU of blackmail in dispute over primacy of laws Press TV 19 Oct 2021 -- A war of words between Poland and the European Union (EU) escalates as Warsaw accuses the EU of blackmail while Brussels vows to punish Poland for challenging the bloc's laws.
• Kyrgyzstan's Supreme Court Reinstates Former President Atambaev's Prison Sentence RFE/RL 19 Oct 2021 -- The Supreme Court of Kyrgyzstan has reinstated former President Almazbek Atambaev's 11-year prison sentence over the illegal release of a notorious crime boss in 2013.
• UNHCR responding to worst flooding in decades in South Sudan UN News 19 Oct 2021 -- The UN refugee agency, UNHCR, is supporting the Government of South Sudan in assisting people hit hard by the worst flooding there in decades.
• Venezuela Looms Large as Blinken Heads to Ecuador, Colombia VOA 19 Oct 2021 -- U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken visits Latin America this week to discuss ways to tackle irregular migration, as Colombia hosts nearly 2 million Venezuelan migrants and Ecuador also hosts a large number.
• EU Weighing Options for Poland Response VOA 19 Oct 2021 -- The European Commission is considering potential legal and financial responses after Poland's constitutional court challenged the supremacy of EU law, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Tuesday.
• Beirut Reels From Last Week's Gun Battle as Probe Gets Underway VOA 19 Oct 2021 -- Lebanon's defense minister says no one should jump to conclusions about the deadly sectarian violence that erupted last Thursday in the capital, Beirut. However, the leader of the powerful Shiite faction Hezbollah lashed out Monday, accusing the Christian Lebanese Forces of stoking civil war.
• Ugandan Writers Ignore Risks to Provoke Museveni VOA 19 Oct 2021 -- The Ugandan government is known for cracking down on writers who express strong dissent to President Yoweri Museveni, who has ruled the African country for 35 years. Despite the risks, two writers recently composed deliberately provocative pieces criticizing the president.