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Defense Policy / Programs

• Pentagon Chief Issues COVID Vaccination Order for National Guard VOA 01 Dec 2021 -- U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has ordered all National Guard and Reserve service members to be vaccinated against COVID-19 or face the loss of pay and other consequences, according to a memo released Tuesday.
• For Contingencies in Indo-Pacom, Army Will Serve as 'Linchpin' for Joint Force DoD News 01 Dec 2021 -- While the U.S. was involved for 20 years in the Middle East with conflicts in both Iraq and Afghanistan, the Chinese military studied how the U.S. military operates and also embarked on its own large-scale modernization effort.
• Defense Official Says Electromagnetic Spectrum Superiority Is Vital to Security DoD News 01 Dec 2021 -- For decades, the United States has had electromagnetic spectrum superiority over adversaries in all domains. But that superiority can no longer be taken for granted, said a Defense Department official.
• Force Design 2030: Divesting to meet the future threat USMC News 01 Dec 2021 -- The Marine Corps has begun a multiyear process of divesting legacy equipment to increase force readiness, resiliency, mobility and lethality to support the future operating environment around the globe.
• US in hypersonic weapon 'arms race' with China: Air Force chief Press TV 01 Dec 2021 -- A hypersonic weapons "arms race" is well underway between the United States and China, the US Air Force secretary said on Tuesday.
• Construction Begins on Future USS Robert E. Simanek US Navy 01 Dec 2021 -- Construction started on the fifth Expeditionary Sea Base (ESB), the future USS Robert E. Simanek (ESB 7), at General Dynamics National Steel and Shipbuilding Company (GD-NASSCO) in San Diego during a small ceremony, Dec. 1.
• Bangladesh, U.S. Kick Off Bilateral Exercise CARAT Bangladesh US Navy 01 Dec 2021 -- Bangladesh Navy (BN) and U.S. military personnel are partnering in the 27th annual Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) maritime exercise, virtually and in the Bay of Bengal, beginning Dec. 1.
• U.S. Fleet Oiler Conducts Replenishments-at-Sea, Enhances Interoperability with Australia During Annual Exercise US Navy 01 Dec 2021 -- Military Sealift Command's (MSC) Henry J. Kaiser-class replenishment oiler USNS Big Horn (T-AO198) conducted underway replenishments with partners and allies as part of Annual Exercise (ANNUALEX), in the Philippine Sea, Nov. 21-30.
• Maritime Forces from Australia, Canada, Germany, Japan and the U.S. Conclude ANNUALEX 2021 US Navy 01 Dec 2021 -- Naval forces from Australia, Canada, Germany, Japan and the U.S. concluded a nine-day multilateral, multinational annual exercise in the Philippine Sea, Nov. 30, 2021.
• Navy Launches Newest Tech Bridge in Eastern North Carolina US Navy 01 Dec 2021 -- The U.S. Navy established its latest addition to a program designed to bring together regional government, industry and academia to expand an ecosystem focused on innovation when the Nov. 15 signing of a partnership between Fleet Readiness Center East and Craven County, North Carolina, launched the Eastern North Carolina Tech Bridge.
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken at a Press Availability at the NATO Ministerial US Dept. of State 01 Dec 2021
• Foreign Ministers address lessons learned from NATO's engagement in Afghanistan NATO 01 Dec 2021 -- Meeting in Riga on Wednesday (1 December 2021), NATO Foreign Ministers discussed the lessons learned from the Alliance's engagement in Afghanistan over almost two decades. Following the rapid collapse of the Afghan government and forces in August, a comprehensive political and military assessment was conducted over the autumn, with the active involvement of Allies and experts.
• Closing press conference by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg following the meetings of NATO Foreign Ministers in Riga, Latvia NATO 01 Dec 2021
• Keynote interview with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at Reuters Next event NATO 01 Dec 2021 -- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg participating in the Reuters NEXT Virtual Global Conference
• US, South Korea to update war plans against North Korea Press TV 01 Dec 2021 -- Senior military officials from the United States and South Korea are set to meet in Seoul to develop "a new, operational war plan" against North Korea, amid rising tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
• DPRK's New Nukes & Missiles Force US, South Korea to Rethink War Plans - Report Sputnik 01 Dec 2021 -- US and South Korean defense chiefs are expected to propose beginning to draw up new war plans in case of a conflict with the North that takes into account its advances in nuclear weapons and missiles made in recent years.
• US, South Korea Updating War Plans for North Korea VOA 01 Dec 2021 -- The United States and South Korea are preparing to develop "a new, operational war plan" to better address the growing threat from North Korea's military.
• A Message to the Congress on the Agreement between the Government of the United States of America, the Government of Australia, and the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland The White House 01 Dec 2021
• Government of Canada announces key milestone in process to replace Canada's fighter jets Canada 01 Dec 2021 -- As part of its defence policy, Strong, Secure, Engaged, the Government of Canada is acquiring 88 advanced fighter jets for the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) through a competitive process that will ensure the requirements of the RCAF are met while ensuring best value for Canadians.
• Australian Navy completes exercise with Canada, Germany, Japan and US Australia DOD 01 Dec 2021 -- Two Royal Australian Navy (RAN) vessels have finished nine days of maritime warfare training with four nations during ANNUALEX 2021.
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jen Psaki, December 1, 2021 The White House 01 Dec 2021
• Secretary Blinken's Meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Cavusoglu US Dept. of State 01 Dec 2021
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken and Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu Before Their Meeting US Dept. of State 01 Dec 2021

Defense Industry

• Contracts For Dec. 1, 2021

Other Conflicts

• UN Agency Urges Afghanistan's Neighbors To Open Borders, Even To Undocumented RFE/RL Gandhara 01 Dec 2021 -- The United Nations refugee agency is urging Afghanistan's neighbors to open their borders to Afghans seeking to flee their war-torn country -- even if they don't have documentation.
• U.S. Pledges Support For Afghan Humanitarian Aid At Talks With Taliban RFE/RL Gandhara 01 Dec 2021 -- A U.S. delegation pledged to continue to support United Nations efforts to address the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan while also urging the Taliban to protect human rights as it met with senior representatives of the group in Qatar this week, the State Department said.
• Judge, Jury, And Executioner: Taliban Brings Afghanistan's Justice System Under Its Thumb RFE/RL Gandhara 01 Dec 2021 -- Dozens of Taliban gunmen stormed the offices of Afghanistan's Independent Bar Association (AIBA) in Kabul last week and ordered its staff to stop their work.
• Taliban demand unfreezing of Afghan assets in talks with US Press TV 01 Dec 2021 -- Representatives from the Taliban interim government and the United States have concluded a second round of talks in the Qatari capital, Doha.
• WFP appeals for greater support for Afghanistan as hunger increases UN News 01 Dec 2021 -- With millions in Afghanistan facing starvation as winter arrives, the World Food Programme (WFP) on Thursday urged countries to put politics aside and step up support to avert a potential catastrophe.
• Taliban, Iran Say Misunderstanding Sparked Brief Border Clashes VOA 01 Dec 2021 -- Afghanistan's Taliban and Iran confirmed Wednesday that clashes had broken out between the border security forces of the two countries, but neither side reported any casualties.
• Dispute between border area dwellers resolved, managed: Spox IRNA 01 Dec 2021 -- Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh said here on Wednesday that disputes between dwellers of certain border areas which led to armed clashes in Sistan region was resolved and managed by the border guard forces and came to an end.
• Iranian Border Guards Clash With Taliban In 'Misunderstanding' RFE/RL 01 Dec 2021 -- Iran's border guards and the Taliban ended clashes along a segment of the border in what Iranian state media reported was a "misunderstanding" from the Afghan side.
• Indonesian MP: China demanded Jakarta stop drilling in Beijing-claimed waters Radio Free Asia 01 Dec 2021 -- China demanded that Indonesia stop oil and gas drilling at sea, alleging in an unprecedented diplomatic note about two months ago that such activities were occurring in waters it claims as part of its historic rights to the South China Sea, an Indonesian lawmaker said Wednesday.
• Iran Foreign Ministry rejects Saudi allegation of 'maintaining military presence in Yemen' Press TV 01 Dec 2021 -- Iran's Foreign Ministry vehemently rejects Saudi Arabia's allegations that the Islamic Republic maintains a military presence in Yemen, saying such allegations are aimed at deflecting attention away from the crimes committed by the Riyadh-led aggression coalition.
• NATO Warns Russia of 'Serious Consequences' for Ukraine Actions DoD News 01 Dec 2021 -- NATO allies are concerned about Russia's military build-up along the border with Ukraine, and Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Russia will face serious consequences if it once again invades the country.
• U.S. 'Deeply Concerned' Over Russian Military Moves As Kyiv Calls For NATO 'Deterrence Package' RFE/RL 01 Dec 2021 -- Ukraine says it will ask NATO to boost military cooperation with Kyiv and prepare economic sanctions as part of a "deterrence package" to prevent Russia from attacking it as U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Washington has serious concerns that Russia could be planning an invasion.
• Blinken: Russia Apparently Planning to Invade Ukraine, Has Been Warned of Consequences VOA 01 Dec 2021 -- U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Wednesday that Russia appears to be planning to take military action against neighboring Ukraine and warned Moscow of consequences if it moved forward with acts of aggression.
• US, Poland Talk Russian Military Build-Up Near Ukraine VOA 01 Dec 2021 -- The United States is reaching out to allies in response to Russia's military build-up along its border with Ukraine.
• Russia accuses Ukraine of deploying half its army to Donbass Press TV 01 Dec 2021 -- Russia says Ukraine has deployed half of its army, or 125,000 troops, to the ethnic Russian region of Donbass, amid an escalation between Kiev and separatists in the volatile zone.
• Ethiopian Government Says It Recaptured UN World Heritage Site VOA 01 Dec 2021 -- Pro-government forces in Ethiopia have recaptured the northern town of Lalibela, a United Nations World Heritage Site, from Tigray forces, according to the office of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.
• Ethiopia Government Clamps Down on War Coverage VOA 01 Dec 2021 -- Armed with placards that read "Stop BBC," "Stop CNN" and "Stop FAKE news on Ethiopia," supporters of Ethiopia's government are protesting in cities across the world.
• The United Kingdom's position on the status of Jerusalem is clear and long-standing UK FCDO 01 Dec 2021 -- Explanation of vote delivered by Fergus Eckersley, UK Political Coordinator at the UN, at the General Assembly vote on resolution A/76/L.16
• French Military: Forces Did Not Fire into Crowd of Nigerien Protesters VOA 01 Dec 2021 -- A French military spokesperson has denied an accusation that French soldiers shot into a crowd of protesters in Niger late last month. The deteriorating security situation in Africa's Sahel region has been accompanied by protests against the French forces sent to help African governments battle the Islamist militant groups who are increasingly active in the region.

News Reports

• Department of State Offers Reward for Information to Bring Mexican Drug Trafficking Cartel Member to Justice US Dept. of State 01 Dec 2021 -- Today, the U.S. Department of State is announcing a reward of up to $5 million for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of Juan Carlos Valencia Gonzalez, an alleged high-level member of the Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generacion (CJNG - Jalisco New Generation Cartel).
• Russian Man Sentenced for Providing 'Bulletproof Hosting' for Cybercriminals US Dept. of Justice 01 Dec 2021 -- A Russian man was sentenced today for providing "bulletproof hosting" services, which were used by cybercriminals between 2009 to 2015 to distribute malware and attack financial institutions and victims throughout the United States.
• Briefing by Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, Moscow, December 1, 2021 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 01 Dec 2021
• UN Committee: No Change for Now in Afghanistan, Myanmar Envoys VOA 01 Dec 2021 -- The U.N. committee that approves the credentials of representatives at the world body decided Wednesday to postpone a decision on who will represent Myanmar and Afghanistan.
• Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's comment for the media following Government Hour, Moscow, December 1, 2021 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 01 Dec 2021
• Russia satisfied with high-level relations with China: Putin People's Daily 01 Dec 2021 -- Russia enjoys an unprecedentedly high level of interstate relations with China, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday.
• Naval drills signal Russia interest in SE Asia, not a strategic sea change Radio Free Asia 01 Dec 2021 -- Naval ships from Russia and countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are holding their first-ever joint exercise, signalling Moscow's intent to engage the region though not heralding a major shift in its geopolitical strategy, analysts say.
• Russia Orders U.S. Diplomats To Leave In Tit-For-Tat Response RFE/RL 01 Dec 2021 -- Russia has ordered a number of U.S. Embassy staff in Moscow to leave by January 31 in the latest tit-for-tat response between Washington and Moscow amid deteriorating relations.
• Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's remarks at the international interparty forum, Global Challenges of the 21st Century: Interparty Dimension, Moscow, December 1, 2021 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 01 Dec 2021
• Foreign Ministry statement on the planned US "summit for democracy" Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 01 Dec 2021
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin's Regular Press Conference on December 1, 2021 PRC MofA 01 Dec 2021
• Previewing the U.S.-EU Dialogue on China US Dept. of State 01 Dec 2021 -- Special Briefing
• China arrests Macau casino chief in crackdown on cross-border gambling Radio Free Asia 01 Dec 2021 -- Macau's Suncity casino operator has shut down its VIP rooms following the arrest of CEO Alvin Chau on suspicion of cross-border gambling and money-laundering, Reuters reported on Wednesday, as the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) seeks to curb what it sees as a dangerous outflow of capital from mainland China.
• China should think twice about Taiwan invasion: Abe CNA 01 Dec 2021 -- A Chinese invasion of Taiwan would pose a serious threat to the security of Japan and the Japan-United States alliance, former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe warned Wednesday and urged China to think twice before taking military action.
• Whoever dares return to militarism will have his head bloodied: Chinese FM on Abe's Taiwan remarks Global Times 01 Dec 2021 -- China is strongly dissatisfied with and firmly opposes former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe's remarks concerning Taiwan island, and China has lodged solemn representations through diplomatic channels, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday.
• Dutch parliament passes two motions backing Taiwan, Lithuania CNA 01 Dec 2021 -- The Netherlands' House of Representatives adopted two motions supporting Taiwan and Lithuania respectively during a plenary session on Tuesday.
• Taiwan salutes Xiomara Castro on Honduran presidential election win CNA 01 Dec 2021 -- Taiwan on Wednesday congratulated Xiomara Castro on her historic victory in the Honduran presidential election to become that nation's first female president, while indicating it looks forward to working with the next government of the long-term Central American ally.
• Far Eastern Group chairman voices opposition to "Taiwan independence" People's Daily 01 Dec 2021 -- Douglas Tong Hsu, chairman of the Far Eastern Group in Taiwan, said he has always opposed "Taiwan independence" and supported both the one-China principle and the 1992 Consensus, according to an article published on Tuesday bearing his signature.
• Iran's envoy: IAEA report a regular technical document IRNA 01 Dec 2021 -- Iran's Ambassador and Permanent Envoy to the Vienna-based International Organizations Mohammad Reza Ghaebi said on Wednesday that the latest report released by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Iran's nuclear activities is an updated regular technical report.
• Iran top negotiator meets E3 representatives in Vienna IRNA 01 Dec 2021 -- Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister and head of the Iranian team in Vienna talks, Ali Bagheri Kani on Wednesday met and held talks with representatives of three European countries in Vienna.
• New statement of Iran's Foreign Ministry regarding Ukrainian aircraft ISNA 01 Dec 2021 -- Given the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry's statement and also the latest developments regarding a Ukrainian plane's crash, the Public Relations Office of Iran's Foreign Ministry declares the following points to enlighten public opinion.
• US' actions turn ideal of sustainable development into meaningless claim: Ravanchi ISNA 01 Dec 2021 -- Ambassador and permanent representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations, Majid Takht Ravanchi stressed that lack of decisive action on the part of the international community to counter US' illegal and unilateral actions have turned the pivotal ideal of sustainable development into a purely decorative and meaningless claim.
• Iran, P4+1 continue talks in Vienna ISNA 01 Dec 2021 -- The sanctions removal working group held a meeting on Tuesday at the level of experts and with representatives of Iran, the European Union and the 4+1 group of countries in attendance at Vienna's Coburg Hotel.
• Report: Iran delivers 2 million barrels of condensate to Venezuela Press TV 01 Dec 2021 -- Venezuela's state-run firm Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA) has received 2 million barrels of condensate from Iran, S&P Global Platts reports.
• NLD spokesman held for 9 months by Myanmar military rulers dies after release Radio Free Asia 01 Dec 2021 -- A senior party member of Myanmar's National League for Democracy has died of a heart attack less than two months after being freed from a nine-month detention, according to family members and friends.
• Myanmar's Coup Economy Is 'Boom and Bust' VOA 01 Dec 2021 -- Myanmar's economy is crumbling and experts predict more illegal trade and zero growth in 2022.
• Poland Maintains Restrictions On Access To Border With Belarus RFE/RL 01 Dec 2021 -- Poland has extended a controversial state of emergency that allows the government to continue restricting access to its border with Belarus to everyone except people who live, work, or study in the designated zone.
• EU Reportedly Approves Fresh Sanctions On Belarus Over Migrant Crisis RFE/RL 01 Dec 2021 -- EU ambassadors on December 1 agreed on a fifth sanctions package against Belarus that will add 17 people and 11 entities in response to what the bloc considers Minsk's orchestration of a migrant crisis on its border, diplomats said.
• Kremlin Downplays Lukashenka's Gas Threat As Poland Summons Belarus Attaché RFE/RL 01 Dec 2021 -- The Kremlin has downplayed a renewed threat by Belarusian strongman Alyaksandr Lukashenka to cut Russian gas supplies to the European Union in response to Poland's possible move to shut down its border with Belarus over an ongoing migrant crisis.
• Belarus to halt Russian energy flow to Europe amid tensions with Poland Press TV 01 Dec 2021 -- Belarus' President Alexander Lukashenko says his government will suspend Russian energy flows to Europe in response to Poland's closure of the border with his country amid a migrant crisis.
• Homes Of Journalists, Rights Activists Searched Across Belarus RFE/RL 01 Dec 2021 -- MINSK -- Belarusian law enforcement officers have searched the homes of several journalists and rights activists across the country as a crackdown on civil society and dissent continues more than a year after a disputed August 2020 presidential election that authoritarian ruler Alyaksandr Lukashenka claims to have won.
• Iraqi Leaders Maneuver After Initial Certification of Poll Results VOA 01 Dec 2021 -- Iraqi TV reported Wednesday that the country's electoral commission had sent its final results to the country's highest court for final approval, as top political leaders consulted each other to form a new government.
• Honduras Ruling Party Candidate Concedes to Leftist Opponent in Presidential Election VOA 01 Dec 2021 -- Former Honduras first lady Xiomara Castro, whose husband was ousted in a coup 12 years ago, has been elected the Central American nation's first woman president.
• Xiomara Castro elected as Honduras' first female president Press TV 01 Dec 2021 -- Honduras' former first lady Xiomara Castro has won the country's presidential election, and the ruling party's candidate has conceded defeat.
• Provincial Governor in Cambodia Knocked for Plan to Combat 'Nonsense News' VOA 01 Dec 2021 -- Journalists and Cambodia's information minister have publicly rejected a plan by a provincial governor to compel the media to report their activities to local authorities.
• Cambodia's Kem Sokha denies outside pressure in party rift Radio Free Asia 01 Dec 2021 -- Cambodian opposition leader Kem Sokha pushed back online on Wednesday against suggestions he had been forced to post a criticism last week of fellow Cambodia National Rescue Party member Sam Rainsy.
• Kyrgyz Opposition Leader Attacked Amid Calls For New Vote RFE/RL 01 Dec 2021 -- BISHKEK -- Unknown assailants have attacked the leader of a Kyrgyz opposition party that has refused to recognize the results of a weekend parliamentary election.
• Burkina Faso facing 'multitude of challenges' - human rights chief Bachelet UN News 01 Dec 2021 -- Concluding a four-day to visit Burkina Faso, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said on Wednesday that the country faces "a multitude of challenges with severe impacts on a wide range of human rights of its people".