• 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

• DoD Completes Fourth Annual Department-Wide Financial Statement Audit; Essential Catalyst for Business Transformation and Modernization DoD 15 Nov 2021 -- The Department of Defense (DoD) has completed its fourth consecutive Department-wide financial statement audit. "These audits are a driving force for reaching the Department's transformation goals," says Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller) and Chief Financial Officer Michael McCord.
• DOD Outlines Results of Fourth Annual Department-Wide Audit DoD 15 Nov 2021 -- Michael J. McCord, Undersecretary of Defense (Comptroller); Moderator: Christopher Sherwood, Public Affairs Specialist in the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs
• Statement by Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III on the DoD's Fourth Annual Department-Wide Financial Statement Audit DoD 15 Nov 2021
• Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby Holds a Press Briefing DoD 15 Nov 2021
• Pentagon: Iran Navy Flew Helicopter in 'Unsafe' Proximity to USS Essex VOA 15 Nov 2021 -- An Iranian Navy helicopter flew within 23 meters of U.S. Navy amphibious assault ship while it was traveling in the Gulf of Oman last week, according to the Pentagon.
• Pentagon to respond 'appropriately' after Oklahoma's National Guard defies vaccine mandate Press TV 15 Nov 2021 -- The Pentagon has said it would respond "appropriately" to a decision by Oklahoma's National Guard to defy a Defense Department mandate that all US troops must be vaccinated against COVID-19.
• USS Pearl Harbor Visits Pakistan US Navy 15 Nov 2021 -- The amphibious dock landing ship USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52), conducted a scheduled port visit in Karachi, Pakistan, Nov. 9-11.
• U.S., Brunei Commence Bilateral Exercise CARAT Brunei US Navy 15 Nov 2021 -- U.S. military and Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) are partnering in the 27th annual Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) maritime exercise, virtually and in the South China Sea, Nov. 15.
• Press Conference with Adm. Mike Gilday and Indian Media Aboard USS Carl Vinson US Navy 15 Nov 2021
• Press conference with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Dmytro Kuleba NATO 15 Nov 2021
• NATO Warns Russia Over 'Large, Unusual' Troop Build-Up Near Ukraine RFE/RL 15 Nov 2021 -- NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg called on Russia to be "transparent" about its military activities amid what he called a "large and unusual concentration" of Russian forces close to Ukraine's borders in recent weeks.
• Russian direct-ascent anti-satellite missile test creates significant, long-lasting space debris USSPACECOM 15 Nov 2021 -- Russia tested a direct-ascent anti-satellite (DA-ASAT) missile on Nov. 15, 2021, Moscow Standard Time, that struck a Russian satellite [COSMOS 1408] and created a debris field in low-Earth orbit. The test so far has generated more than 1,500 pieces of trackable orbital debris and will likely generate hundreds of thousands of pieces of smaller orbital debris.
• Russia Conducts Destructive Anti-Satellite Missile Test US Dept. of State 15 Nov 2021 -- On November 15, 2021, the Russian Federation recklessly conducted a destructive test of a direct-ascent anti-satellite missile against one of its own satellites.
• Chinese navy fleet returns from Gulf of Aden escort missions PLA Daily 15 Nov 2021 -- A Chinese naval fleet Monday returned to a military port in Zhoushan, east China's Zhejiang Province, after concluding escort missions in the Gulf of Aden and the waters off Somalia.
• China's aviation industry showcases latest military products at Dubai Airshow PLA Daily 15 Nov 2021 -- The 2021 Dubai Airshow officially kicked off at the Al Maktoum International Airport, Dubai World Center, United Arab Emirates (UAE), on November 14, local time. China's aviation industry brought a series of key military trade products to the exhibition this year, fully showing the innovation-driven development it has made in the military trade products. This is also the first time that the Chinese military aviation sector has systematically exhibited its products in a large comprehensive international airshow abroad since the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Sydney farewells HMAS Sirius Australia DOD 15 Nov 2021 -- The Royal Australian Navy's last Auxiliary Oiler supply ship, HMAS Sirius has been farewelled by Navy's east-coast based Fleet and dignitaries ahead of its decommissioning in Western Australia in December.
• INDIAN NAVY PARTICIPATES IN INDIA, SINGAPORE AND THAILAND TRILATERAL MARITIME EXERCISE 'SITMEX' India PIB 15 Nov 2021 -- Indian Naval Ship (INS) Karmuk, an indigenously built Missile Corvette is participating in the 3rd edition of India, Singapore and Thailand Trilateral Maritime Exercise SITMEX - 21, from 15 to 16 Nov 21 in Andaman Sea.
• Deputy Secretary Sherman's Meeting with Israeli Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Roll US Dept. of State 15 Nov 2021
• Deputy Secretary Sherman's Meeting with German Minister of State Annen US Dept. of State 15 Nov 2021
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jen Psaki, November 15, 2021 The White House 15 Nov 2021
• Department Press Briefing – November 15, 2021 US Dept. of State 15 Nov 2021

Defense Industry

• Contracts For Nov. 15, 2021

Other Conflicts

• 15 November 2021 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 15 Nov 2021
• Afghan Currency Hits Two-Decade Low, Foretelling Higher Food, Fuel Prices RFE/RL Gandhara 15 Nov 2021 -- Afghanistan's national currency has reached its lowest level in the past two decades against the U.S. dollar as the war-ravaged country's economy struggles to stay afloat following the Taliban takeover.
• Taliban target Daesh hideouts in Afghanistan's Kandahar province Press TV 15 Nov 2021 -- The Taliban say they have killed a number of Daesh operatives during an operation against the Takfiri terrorist group's hideouts in southern Afghanistan.
• UN calls for talks over Yemen's Hudaydah as Saudi warplanes strafe port city Press TV 15 Nov 2021 -- A UN monitoring mission in Yemen has called for new talks over Hudaydah, as Saudi warplanes strafed areas south of the port city and Yemeni army forces advanced and gained ground.
• Saudi Arabia pulls brigade out of Yemen's strategic island of Socotra: Report Press TV 15 Nov 2021 -- Saudi Arabia has reportedly withdrawn thousands of its troops from the strategic island of Socotra off the coast of Yemen, three years after the deployment.
• Vietnam construction continues at 3 South China Sea features, imagery shows Radio Free Asia 15 Nov 2021 -- Vietnam is carrying out construction on three islands in the South China Sea at the same time, satellite imagery shows.
• Islamabad negotiating deal with Pakistani Taliban to put stop to attacks: Report Press TV 15 Nov 2021 -- Islamabad has scaled up efforts to quell a recent surge in deadly attacks carried out by the the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), commonly known as the Pakistani Taliban, a banned terrorist outfit based along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.
• Armenian PM accuses Azeri soldiers of fresh border violation, dismisses defense minister Press TV 15 Nov 2021 -- Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has alleged that Azerbaijan's soldiers violated the border again, sacking his Defense Minister Arshak Karapetyan over the incident.
• Armenian PM Accuses Azerbaijan Of Violating Border, Fires Defense Minister RFE/RL 15 Nov 2021 -- Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian has accused Azerbaijani troops of violating the border between the two South Caucasus states and replaced his defense minister over the alleged incident.
• Ethiopia: $40 million in aid relief for victims 'living on a knife-edge' UN News 15 Nov 2021 -- As the humanitarian crisis grows in Ethiopia's conflict-affected north, the UN announced on Monday that $40 million in funds have been made available to scale up emergency operations.
• UN Announces $40 Million to Support Ethiopia Humanitarian Aid VOA 15 Nov 2021 -- U.N. humanitarian chief Martin Griffiths allocated $40 million on Monday to support life-saving aid and civilian protection efforts in Ethiopia amidst ongoing conflict and drought.
• Kenyan, Ethiopian Leaders Discuss Tigray Conflict Ahead of Blinken Visit VOA 15 Nov 2021 -- U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken departs for Kenya on Monday, the first stop on a three-nation tour of Africa. Blinken will meet with Kenya's president, who just returned from Ethiopia, to discuss that country's internal war. Some experts fear Ethiopia's political leadership will not agree to end the yearlong conflict.
• Attack in Burkina Military Outpost Kills 32, Heightens Pressure on Government VOA 15 Nov 2021 -- Burkina Faso's government says at least 32 military police were killed Sunday in the latest attack on security forces. Analysts say security in the West African country has worsened this year and the opposition has threatened to hold protests if the situation doesn't improve.

News Reports

• Trump Ally Steve Bannon Surrenders to FBI After Indictment for Contempt VOA 15 Nov 2021 -- Steve Bannon, the former adviser and longtime ally of former U.S. President Donald Trump, surrendered to federal authorities Monday in Washington after being indicted on two counts of criminal contempt of Congress.
• Britain Raises Terror Threat Level Following Taxi Explosion VOA 15 Nov 2021 -- Britain Monday raised its terror threat level from substantial to severe following an explosion Sunday in a taxi outside a hospital in the city of Liverpool, Interior Minister Priti Patel announced.
• Liverpool Explosion: Three arrested under Terrorism Act after blast kills one Press TV 15 Nov 2021 -- Three men have been arrested by the UK police under the Terrorism Act following a car explosion outside a hospital in Liverpool that resulted in one death.
• Remarks by President Biden and President Xi of the People's Republic of China Before Virtual Meeting The White House 15 Nov 2021
• Background Press Call by Senior Administration Officials on President Biden's Virtual Meeting with President Xi of the People's Republic of China The White House 15 Nov 2021
• 'Utterly Shameful': Uyghurs' Frustration Grows Over Lack Of International Action Against China RFE/RL 15 Nov 2021 -- Four years after Beijing launched a brutal crackdown that swept more than 1 million Uyghurs, Kazakhs, and other Muslim minorities in detention camps and prisons in its western Xinjiang Province, members of the Uyghur diaspora and activists are frustrated over a lack of international recognition for alleged atrocities committed by the Chinese government.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian's Regular Press Conference on November 15, 2021 PRC MofA 15 Nov 2021
• Biden, Xi video summit likely to seek 'guardrails,' damage control Radio Free Asia 15 Nov 2021 -- Damage control, rather than resolution of key differences, is likely to be the main focus when U.S. president Joe Biden meets his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping at a video summit late on Monday Washington time.
• Biden, Xi Come to Table with Clear Strategies VOA 15 Nov 2021 -- Monday's virtual meeting between President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping is their first face-to-face, president-to-president encounter since Biden took office: The two spoke by phone in February and September, and then-Vice President Biden met in person with then-Vice President Xi nearly a decade ago.
• Low Expectations Ahead of Biden-Xi Virtual Meeting VOA 15 Nov 2021 -- The White House says President Joe Biden will hold direct, frank discussions with his Chinese counterpart on a range of issues when the leaders meet virtually Monday evening in their first presidential engagement.
• Chinese Demand for Coal Surges, But Australia Remains Frozen Out VOA 15 Nov 2021 -- China's output of coal increased to its highest level since at least March 2015 after authorities gave permission for mine expansions to boost supply and ease record prices. Chinese coal imports from Russia surged in September, but one of its traditional suppliers — Australia — remains frozen out of the lucrative trade because of diplomatic tensions.
• Visit to Taiwan aimed at learning how U.S. can support its defense: senator CNA 15 Nov 2021 -- A recent visit to Taiwan by a congressional delegation was aimed at learning how the United States can help support Taiwan's defense capabilities and to discuss ways to boost bilateral trade ties, according to a U.S. senator on Sunday.
• Outgoing Honduras President Hernández concludes 3-day visit in Taiwan CNA 15 Nov 2021 -- Outgoing Honduras President Juan Orlando Hernández left Taiwan on Sunday, ending a three-day trip that marked the 80 anniversary of diplomatic relations between his Central American country and Taiwan.
• US statements on Taiwan question gone 'astray, out of tune' Global Times 15 Nov 2021 -- US statements on affairs related to China's Taiwan island have gone astray, out of tune and backward in the past 40 years, deviating from the consensus reached between China and the US when establishing diplomatic relations, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Monday, in response to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's false comments on Taiwan question.
• Taiwan's new submarine, warplanes cannot change widening military gap with mainland: experts Global Times 15 Nov 2021 -- The island of Taiwan will reportedly usher in new progress on several types of weapons and equipment, including the island's first indigenous submarine prototype, F-16V fighter jets and an advanced supersonic jet trainer. However, no matter how the island develops or purchases arms, the great disparity in military strength across the Straits cannot be changed, said experts, warning that resisting reunification by force is bound to meet a dead end.
• Taiwan May Top Biden - Xi Call, But Experts Say Not to Expect Much VOA 15 Nov 2021 -- Taiwan is expected to top the agenda when U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping meet virtually late Monday in Washington to discuss how both countries can "responsibly manage" their ongoing competition, experts say.
• FM Spox: IAEA chief to visit Iran soon IRNA 15 Nov 2021 -- Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh said on Monday that the head of United Nations nuclear watchdog would travel to Tehran soon to meet with the foreign minister and the head of Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI).
• IAEA chief to visit Tehran soon: Khatibzadeh ISNA 15 Nov 2021 -- Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman, Saeed Khatibzadeh announced that the head of the International Atomic Ener
• Husbands of undocumented North Koreans beg China not to deport their wives Radio Free Asia 15 Nov 2021 -- The Chinese husband of a North Korean escapee is pleading with authorities daily to show mercy to his detained wife, after hearing that Beijing will soon repatriate more than 1,100 illegal North Koreans, possibly sending them to their deaths, sources in China told RFA.
• gy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Mariano Grossi will visit Iran soon.
• Iran's top negotiator: Effective removal of US sanctions main priority of Vienna talks Press TV 15 Nov 2021 -- Iran's top negotiator in talks aimed at removing US sanctions imposed on Tehran says ensuring effective removal of sanctions is the main priority of the upcoming talks in the Austrian capital.
• UN Nuclear Watchdog Chief To Visit Tehran 'Probably Soon,' Iran Says RFE/RL 15 Nov 2021 -- The head of the UN nuclear watchdog has been invited to visit Iran "probably soon," the country's Foreign Ministry said, amid concern over a lack of contact with Iranian authorities ahead of the expected resumption of negotiations with world powers on reviving a 2015 nuclear deal.
• Asian envoy visits to Myanmar may signal pressure on junta to honor pledge Radio Free Asia 15 Nov 2021 -- High-level envoys from the three Asian nations with the most influence in Myanmar have visited the strife-torn country in recent days, raising hopes of new international efforts to pressure the junta to honor pledges it made in April on resolving the political crisis sparked by a military coup.
• Myanmar Frees US Journalist Detained Since May VOA 15 Nov 2021 -- After 176 days in a Myanmar prison, American journalist Danny Fenster is finally on his way home.
• Russia says ready to act as 'intermediary' in Belarus migrant crisis Press TV 15 Nov 2021 -- The Kremlin says Moscow is ready to act as an "intermediary" in the migrant crisis between its close ally Belarus and the European Union member Poland on their border.
• Poland urges NATO to take 'concrete steps' amid Belarus border crisis Press TV 15 Nov 2021 -- Poland has called on NATO to take "concrete steps" to resolve the refugee crisis on the country's border with Belarus, a move that is likely to heighten tensions in the region.
• EU To Ratchet Up Sanctions On Belarus Over Migrant Crisis RFE/RL 15 Nov 2021 -- The European Union moved closer to adopting a fresh package of sanctions against Belarus as Poland warned that more migrants were moving toward a border crossing amid an escalating diplomatic row between the bloc and authoritarian Belarusian ruler Alyaksandr Lukashenka.
• 'We Haven't Forgotten': One Year Later, Activists Of Minsk's Change Square Battle Feelings Of Anger, Disappointment RFE/RL 15 Nov 2021 -- On November 15, 2020, the last major protest took place on the informally dubbed Change Square, an apartment-bloc courtyard just north of the center of Minsk.
• Why Cuba Is Preventing Opponents from Protesting VOA 15 Nov 2021 -- Cuban police deployed in large numbers across the city of Havana on Monday to prevent a banned demonstration from taking place on Monday afternoon. Police also arrested protest organizers and surrounded the homes of activists and independent journalists to prevent them from attending. The show of force effectively silenced the event.
• Statement by National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan on Cuba's November 15 Protests The White House 15 Nov 2021
• Cuba Cracks Down on Protest Organizers Ahead of Planned March VOA 15 Nov 2021 -- Cuban authorities are cracking down on activists who have called for a "Civic March for Change" Monday.
• India's Assam Eviction Drive Heightens Insecurities of State's Muslim Population VOA 15 Nov 2021 -- An eviction drive in India's northeastern state of Assam of residents living on government-owned land has heightened insecurities among the state's Muslim population according to rights activists.
• Georgia's Saakashvili Again Prevented From Attending Trial RFE/RL 15 Nov 2021 -- Georgia's Special Penitentiary Service has again barred former President Mikheil Saakashvili from attending his trial on embezzlement charges, saying it created a security risk.
• Tough Coalition Talks Loom In Bulgaria After Inconclusive Elections RFE/RL 15 Nov 2021 -- A newly formed anti-graft party appears to be winning Bulgaria's general elections with more than a quarter of the vote, according to partial official results, opening the door to difficult coalition talks in a deeply divided parliament.
• New Sanctions Following Sham Elections in Nicaragua US Dept. of State 15 Nov 2021 -- The United States is acting to promote accountability for Nicaraguan officials in the wake of the November sham election in Nicaragua. Today, the Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control imposed sanctions against the Nicaraguan Public Ministry and nine Nicaraguan government officials.
• Treasury Sanctions Public Ministry of Nicaragua and Nine Government Officials Following Sham November Elections US Treasury 15 Nov 2021 -- Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated the Public Ministry of Nicaragua (Ministerio Publico de Nicaragua) as well as nine officials of the Government of Nicaragua in response to the sham national elections orchestrated by President Daniel Ortega (Ortega) and Vice President Rosario Murillo (Murillo). This action targets those who are repressing Nicaraguans for exercising their human rights and fundamental freedoms.
• UK imposes sanctions on senior Nicaraguan individuals following rigged elections UK FCDO 15 Nov 2021 -- The UK has imposed new sanctions on eight high-ranking Nicaraguan politicians and officials.
• US Sanctions Nicaragua Over 'Sham' Election VOA 15 Nov 2021 -- In the wake of the recent election in Nicaragua in which President Daniel Ortega was elected for a fourth consecutive time, the Biden administration on Monday announced sanctions on several Nicaraguan officials, calling the elections a "sham."
• Philippine President Duterte to Seek Senate Seat in 2022 Elections VOA 15 Nov 2021 -- Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is running for Senate in next year's elections, avoiding a race for vice-president that would have pitted him against his daughter.