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Defense Policy / Programs

• US Postpones Missile Tests to Lower Tensions with China on Taiwan VOA 04 Aug 2022 -- The White House announced a series of steps aimed to defend a "free and open Indo-Pacific" following Chinese firing of at least 11 ballistic missiles into waters encircling Taiwan on Thursday, a day after U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi wrapped up a visit to the island that enraged Beijing.
• US Reportedly Delaying Minuteman III Missile Test Amid Taiwan Tensions Sputnik 04 Aug 2022 -- The United States is delaying routine Minuteman III missile test launches to avoid further provoking tensions with China following US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's contentious trip to Taiwan, the Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday.
• National Reconnaissance Office Looks for More Commercial Services DoD News 04 Aug 2022 -- In May, the National Reconnaissance Office announced the award of three contracts to private-sector companies for commercial imagery. It's something the agency would like to do more of, said its director.
• SecAF receives F-35 engine update at Tinker AFB US Air Force 04 Aug 2022 -- Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall visited Tinker Air Force Base July 28 for an update on the base's support to the F-35 Lightning engine program.
• Pacific Partnership 2022 kicks off in the Philippines US Navy 04 Aug 2022 -- Pacific Partnership 2022 kicked off in Puerto Princesa, Philippines, July 27.
• Naval Oceanography Executes RIMPAC 2022 US Navy 04 Aug 2022 -- Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command (Naval Oceanography) is actively a part of the U.S. Navy efforts alongside our international partners in the biennial, 28th edition of Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2022 exercise, June 29- Aug. 4.
• NAVSUP, mission partners in Europe support Kearsarge ARG'S logistics and maintenance periods US Navy 04 Aug 2022 -- Naval Supply Systems Command Fleet Logistics Center Sigonella's (NAVSUP FLCSI) logisticians and contracting specialists, along with their mission partners, coordinated the maintenance scheduling and procurement and delivery of repair parts for several ships assigned to the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), in July 2022.
• Multinational Partnerships in Air, Space Battle Management Deliver at RIMPAC 22 US Navy 04 Aug 2022 -- You will find plenty of great images of ordnance flying down range at exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 22. Whether it was one of the two sinking exercises, or the many other simulated engagements throughout the exercise, they all had one thing in common: there were controllers helping to plan and then guide aircraft into their airspace, and on to the target.
• USS Wasp Returns to Norfolk US Navy 04 Aug 2022 -- The amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) returned to Naval Station Norfolk, July 28, 2022, after spending nearly 18 months in dry-dock selected restricted availability (DSRA).
• Drones of the Water US Navy 04 Aug 2022 -- Colloquially called drone ships, multiple unmanned platforms participated in Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2022, in concert with manned platforms.
• Exercise PANAMAX 2022 Kicks Off in Mayport, Florida US Navy 04 Aug 2022 -- U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet is hosting the Combined Force Maritime Component Command (CFMCC) Staff participating in exercise PANAMAX 2022, in Mayport, Fla., Aug. 1-12, 2022.
• Amphibious Training Taken to New Heights during RIMPAC 2022 US Navy 04 Aug 2022 -- You know who has got your back on real-life operations when you have practiced it in training. That's why Landing Forces for Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2022 are putting their training to the test in a multi-national reconnaissance mission.
• SIOP Contract Awarded for Dry Dock Upgrade, Berth Repairs at NNSY US Navy 04 Aug 2022 -- Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC) Mid-Atlantic awarded AECOM Technical Services Inc., a $91,484,397 firm-fixed-price with award fee task order July 29 under a previously-awarded multiple-award construction contract for berth repairs at Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) in Portsmouth, Virginia.
• Oklahoma National Guard Soldiers Train in Iowa Army News 04 Aug 2022 -- More than 200 Soldiers with the 700th Brigade Support Battalion, 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Oklahoma National Guard, trained at the Sustainment Training Center in Iowa in July.
• U.S. Navy Guided Missile Destroyer Delbert D. Black Underway for First Deployment US Navy 04 Aug 2022 -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Delbert D. Black (DDG 119) departed Naval Station Mayport on the ship's inaugural deployment, Aug. 2.
• NATO Chief Says Ukraine War Poses Greatest Danger For Europe Since WWII RFE/RL 04 Aug 2022 -- NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg says Russia must not be permitted to win in the war it launched against Ukraine, which has given rise to the most dangerous moment for Europe since World War II.
• NATO Chief: World Will Be a More Dangerous Place if Russia Wins Ukraine War VOA 04 Aug 2022 -- NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said Thursday the Western military alliance has the joint tasks of both supporting Ukraine in its fight against a Russian invasion and to prevent the conflict from spreading into a war between Russia and NATO.
• NATO Secretary General on Utøya: we must stand for our values, support Ukraine NATO 04 Aug 2022 -- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg addressed the Workers' Youth League (Arbeidernes ungdomsfylking, AUF) on the Norwegian island of Utøya on Thursday (4 August 2022), underscoring the importance of continued support for Ukraine.
• NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg's speech to the AUF summer camp NATO 04 Aug 2022
• Canada's Air Task Force - Romania begins NATO Air Policing mission Canada 04 Aug 2022 -- As part of Canada's support to NATO and European security, Air Task Force Romania (ATF-R) assumed NATO enhanced Air Policing duties today at a ceremony at Mihail Kogălniceanu Air Base, alongside the Romanian Air Force, and other allies.
• US Senate overwhelmingly votes to add Finland, Sweden to NATO Press TV 04 Aug 2022 -- The US Senate has ratified the entry of Finland and Sweden into NATO, becoming the 23rd of the 30 member states to pave the way for one of the most significant expansions of the Western military alliance in decades.
• Press release on the ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty by East Timor Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 04 Aug 2022
• With Pelosi Gone, China Circles Taiwan with Missiles VOA 04 Aug 2022 -- China fired at least 11 ballistic missiles into water encircling Taiwan Thursday, according to Taiwanese authorities, a day after U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi wrapped up a visit that enraged Beijing.
• China kicks off war games with ballistic missiles into the sea off Taiwan Radio Free Asia 04 Aug 2022 -- Unprecedented Chinese live-fire maritime drills got underway on Thursday with the People's Liberation Army (PLA) launching ballistic missiles into the waters around Taiwan, the Taiwanese defense ministry said.
• China fires multiple Dongfeng missiles into waters near Taiwan: MND CNA 04 Aug 2022 -- The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) fired multiple ballistic missiles into waters near Taiwan Thursday as part of military exercises that commenced near the island at noon, Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense (MND) has confirmed.
• 22 Chinese aircraft cross Taiwan Strait median line as PLA launches drills CNA 04 Aug 2022 -- Twenty-two Chinese aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait on Thursday, the first day of live-fire drills held by China's military in multiple locations around Taiwan, according to the Ministry of National Defense (MND).
• China fires 11 Dongfeng ballistic missiles into waters off Taiwan: MND CNA 04 Aug 2022 -- The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) fired 11 ballistic missiles into waters near Taiwan Thursday afternoon, Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense (MND) confirmed, adding that it had "activated" related defense systems, and is closely monitoring the situation.
• PLA aircraft carrier group with nuclear-powered submarine joins drills around Taiwan: expert Global Times 04 Aug 2022 -- The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) has sent an aircraft carrier group featuring at least one nuclear-powered submarine to the ongoing drills around the island of Taiwan for its first carrier deterrence exercise, said an expert affiliated with the PLA on Thursday.
• PLA launches long-range rocket artillery, conventional missiles in drills around Taiwan Global Times 04 Aug 2022 -- The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) launched large-scale military exercises surrounding the island of Taiwan on Thursday, starting with live-fire shooting of long-range rocket artillery into the designated areas in the eastern part of Taiwan Straits and test launches of conventional missiles to designated waters in the east of Taiwan island.
• Defense Ministry spokesperson Tan Kefei's remarks on PLA's military countermeasures PLA Daily 04 Aug 2022 -- Senior Colonel Tan Kefei, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, made remarks Thursday on the series of military countermeasures taken by the Chinese People's Liberation Army in response to the U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to China's Taiwan region. The following is the full text of the remarks:
• PLA rocket force completes missile assault drill in eastern waters off Taiwan Island with all targets hit PLA Daily 04 Aug 2022 -- Senior Colonel Shi Yi, spokesperson for the Eastern Theater Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), released a written statement on Thursday that the combat units of the rocket force under the PLA Eastern Theater Command conducted a multi-zone fire assault drill in the predetermined sea areas of the open waters off eastern Taiwan Island on the afternoon of August 4.
• PLA conducts live-fire exercise in eastern Taiwan Strait PLA Daily 04 Aug 2022 -- The ground force under the Eastern Theater Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) conducted long-range live-fire gunnery training exercise in the Taiwan Strait on Thursday at around 13:00, carrying out precision strikes on specific areas in the eastern part of the Taiwan Strait, and expected results have been achieved.
• China starts live-fire exercises around Taiwan in response to Pelosi visit Press TV 04 Aug 2022 -- China has begun large-scale military sea and air exercises around Chinese Taipei in response to US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to the island and amid soaring tensions between Washington and Beijing over the highly-controversial trip.
• Chinese drills could provide lessons on tackling future threats: Experts CNA 04 Aug 2022 -- China's ongoing live-fire drills around Taiwan could provide insights into how to meet future threats from the People's Liberation Army (PLA), experts said Thursday at a forum in Taipei.
• Army fires warning flares at Chinese drone spotted over Kinmen CNA 04 Aug 2022 -- Army units in Kinmen fired warning flares on two occasions at a Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) drone spotted flying in the vicinity of the offshore county Wednesday night, Taiwan's military said Thursday.
• Press Statement of DPRK Permanent Mission to UN KCNA 04 Aug 2022 -- The Permanent Mission of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to the United Nations on Aug. 3 released the following press statement regarding the anti-DPRK confrontational clamor by the United States and some servile States Parties with unwarranted accusations against the DPRK at the 10th Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT):
• DRDO successfully test fires indigenously developed laser-guided ATGMs India PIB 04 Aug 2022 -- Indigenously developed Laser-Guided Anti-Tank Guided Missiles (ATGM) were successfully test-fired from Main Battle Tank (MBT) Arjun by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Indian Army at KK Ranges with support of Armoured Corps Centre & School (ACC&S) Ahmednagar in Maharashtra on August 04, 2022. The missiles hit with precision and successfully destroyed the targets at two different ranges. Telemetry systems have recorded the satisfactory flight performance of the missiles.
• India Reportedly Monitoring Chinese Surveillance Warship En Route to Sri Lanka Port Sputnik 04 Aug 2022 -- India is closely monitoring a Chinese navy vessel headed to Sri Lanka to top up its oil tank and has concerns over the ship's equipment including tracking antennas and sensors, Indian broadcaster NDTV reported on Thursday, citing sources.
• US Donates Military Vehicles to AU Troops in Somalia VOA 04 Aug 2022 -- The United States has donated 24 armored personnel carriers to the African Union peacekeeping mission in Somalia, three months after the deadliest attack in years on the U.S.-backed peacekeeping mission.
• Russia to Send More Military Instructors to CAR at Request of Authorities, Head of OUIS Says Sputnik 04 Aug 2022 -- Moscow will ramp up the number of Russian instructors in the law enforcement agencies of the Central African Central African Republic (CAR) upon the request of the country's leadership, Alexander Ivanov, the director general of the Officers Union for International Security (OUIS), said on Thursday.
• Worries About China Cloud Run-Up to US Visit to Solomons VOA 04 Aug 2022 -- U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman and U.S. Ambassador to Australia Caroline Kennedy will travel to the Solomon Islands this week to commemorate the start of the U.S. battle there 80 years ago during World War II. The visit will highlight the current contest between the U.S. and China over which country has more influence in the Pacific Island region.
• Notice on the Continuation Of The National Emergency With Respect To Export Control Regulations The White House 04 Aug 2022
• Letter on the Continuation Of The National Emergency With Respect To Export Control Regulations The White House 04 Aug 2022
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken And Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen Before Their Meeting US Dept. of State 04 Aug 2022
• Deputy Secretary Sherman's Meeting with Samoan Prime Minister Fiame US Dept. of State 04 Aug 2022
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken And Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi Before The ASEAN-U.S. Ministerial Meeting US Dept. of State 04 Aug 2022
• Secretary Blinken's Meeting with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen US Dept. of State 04 Aug 2022
• Secretary Blinken's Meeting with Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Sabry US Dept. of State 04 Aug 2022
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken And Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Ali Sabry Before Their Meeting US Dept. of State 04 Aug 2022
• Secretary Blinken's Meeting with European Union High Representative Borrell US Dept. of State 04 Aug 2022
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken And Qatari Foreign Minister Mohammed Bin Abdulrahaman Al Thani After Their Meeting US Dept. of State 04 Aug 2022
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken And European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the European Commission Josep Borrell Before Their Meeting US Dept. of State 04 Aug 2022
• At the YSEALI Environmental Responsibility Town Hall US Dept. of State 04 Aug 2022 -- Remarks by Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State
• At the Agribusiness Showcase and Announcement of Food Security Funding US Dept. of State 04 Aug 2022 -- Remarks by Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State
• EU-US: Remarks by High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell before meeting with Secretary of State Antony Blinken European External Action Service (EEAS) 04 Aug 2022 -- Check against delivery!
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre and NSC Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby The White House 04 Aug 2022
• Secretary Blinken's Meeting with Indian External Affairs Minister Jaishankar US Dept. of State 04 Aug 2022
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken And Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar Before Their Meeting US Dept. of State 04 Aug 2022

Defense Industry

• Contracts For Aug. 4, 2022

Other Conflicts

Ukraine Conflict News
• 4 August 2022 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 04 Aug 2022
• Taliban Claim Ignorance about Slain Al-Zawahiri's Presence in Kabul VOA 04 Aug 2022 -- Afghanistan's Taliban administration claimed Thursday that it had "no knowledge" that slain al-Qaida leader Ayman al-Zawahiri was residing in Kabul and warned of unspecified "consequences" if the United States breached Afghan territorial sovereignty in the future.
• Taliban Claims It Was 'Unaware' Zawahri Was In Afghanistan, Launches Investigation RFE/RL Gandhara 04 Aug 2022 -- The Taliban says it is investigating "claims" that Al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahri was killed in a U.S. drone strike in Kabul and said it had no information about him "entering and living" in the Afghan capital.
• Two Taliban Police Officers Killed In Kabul By Alleged Islamic State-Khorasan Gunman RFE/RL Gandhara 04 Aug 2022 -- A gunbattle in Afghanistan's capital on August 3 left at least five people dead, including two Taliban police officers, the Taliban spokesman for the Kabul police chief said.
• Former U.S. Diplomats Urge UN To Reimpose Travel Ban On Taliban Leaders RFE/RL Gandhara 04 Aug 2022 -- A group of former U.S. ambassadors has called on the United Nations to reimpose travel restrictions on Taliban leaders in response to the radical group increasingly reverting to its practices from the years when it first ruled Afghanistan.
• UN Security Council Welcomes Truce in Yemen, Hopes for Political Settlement Sputnik 04 Aug 2022 -- The UN Security Council issued a statement on Thursday saying that it welcomes the renewal of the truce in Yemen and hopes it will lead to a comprehensive political settlement, the Office of the Spokesperson of the UN Secretary-General said in a statement on Thursday.
• PM Yair Lapid Speaks with Southern Local Authority Heads Israel - Prime Minister 04 Aug 2022
• PM Lapid Holds Security Assessment Israel - Prime Minister 04 Aug 2022
• PM Lapid and Defense Minister Gantz Hold Security Consultation Israel - Prime Minister 04 Aug 2022
• Israeli regime approves construction of 1,400 illegal settler units in WB Press TV 04 Aug 2022 -- Israel has approved construction of as many as 1,400 new illegal settler units next to an illegal settlement in the holy occupied city of al-Quds.
• New evidence exposes Myanmar's military's brutal purge of the Rohingya Muslims Press TV 04 Aug 2022 -- War crimes investigators have obtained thousands of documents that shed new light on the Myanmar military's planning around the forcible expulsion of the Southeast Asian country's Muslim minority from their homeland of Rakhine state.
• Ethnic Armenian Forces Say Situation In Nagorno-Karabakh Stable After Deadly Cease-Fire Violations RFE/RL 04 Aug 2022 -- De facto ethnic Armenian military authorities in Nagorno-Karabakh say the situation in the breakaway region has stabilized after a flare-up in violence with Azerbaijani forces that left three soldiers dead and prompted Baku to take control of several strategic heights in the disputed region.
• Foreign Ministry statement on the aggravation of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 04 Aug 2022
• Russian Peackeepers Detect 4 Nagorno-Karabakh Ceasefire Violations by Azerbaijan Over Past 24 Hours Sputnik 04 Aug 2022 -- Russia is concerned over the escalation in Nagorno-Karabakh, and calls on Armenia and Azerbaijan to exercise restraint and implement trilateral agreements, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Thursday.
• DR Congo: UN regrets Government move to expel Mission spokesperson UN News 04 Aug 2022 -- The United Nations continues to engage with authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in the wake of the deadly shooting this past weekend involving peacekeepers from its Mission there, MONUSCO.
• UN peacekeeping mission regrets DR Congo's decision to expel its spokesperson People's Daily 04 Aug 2022 -- The United Nations Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) deeply regrets the Congolese government's recent decision to expel its spokesperson, read a statement released Thursday morning.

News Reports

• Statement on Deputy Secretary of Defense Hicks Memo on Records Retention DoD 04 Aug 2022
• US Declares Monkeypox Outbreak a Public Health Emergency VOA 04 Aug 2022 -- Amid criticism he has been slow to adequately respond to the fast-spreading outbreak of the monkeypox virus, a top U.S. health official Thursday declared an emergency response.
• US Declares Monkeypox Public Health Emergency - HHS Secretary Sputnik 04 Aug 2022 -- The United States declared monkeypox a public health emergency amid a growing number of cases across the country, Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra said in a telephone briefing with reporters on Thursday.
• FBI: Al-Qaida Determined to Strike at US Despite Leader's Killing VOA 04 Aug 2022 -- FBI Director Christopher Wray said on Thursday that he remains worried about the potential for a large-scale attack planned or inspired by al-Qaida despite the killing of its top leader in a U.S. drone strike in Afghanistan last weekend.
• Will US Hit Most-Wanted Haqqanis in Afghanistan? VOA 04 Aug 2022 -- Sirajuddin Haqqani has not responded to allegations that al-Qaida leader Ayman al-Zawahiri lived under his protection in Kabul and he has not appeared in public since al-Zawahiri's killing was reported, but Sirajuddin Haqqani still carries a $10 million bounty on his head for his alleged terrorist activities.
• Foreign Ministry statement on the results of the Russia - ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 04 Aug 2022
• Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's remarks at the Russia-ASEAN Post Ministerial Conference, Phnom-Penh, August 4, 2022 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 04 Aug 2022
• Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Laos Saleumxay Kommasith Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 04 Aug 2022
• Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's opening remarks at a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Laos Saleumxay Kommasith, Phnom Penh, August 4, 2022 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 04 Aug 2022
• Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's opening remarks at a meeting with Prime Minister of Cambodia Hun Sen, Phnom Penh, August 4, 2022 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 04 Aug 2022
• Statement by President Joe Biden on the Sentencing of Wrongfully Detained American Brittney Griner The White House 04 Aug 2022
• Russian Foreign Ministry Says Norwegian Diplomat Should Leave Country Over 'Russophobic' Insults RFE/RL 04 Aug 2022 -- Russia's Foreign Ministry says a Norwegian diplomat should leave the country because of "Russophobic" statements she made.
• Commission welcomes international condemnation of Russia for violation of aviation rules and EU sanctions * European Commission 04 Aug 2022 -- The Commission welcomes the decision by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to call on the Russian Federation to immediately cease its infractions of international aviation rules, in order to preserve the safety and security of civil aviation.
• Russia again blames bans for non-delivery of turbine, resultant cutting of gas flow to Europe Press TV 04 Aug 2022 -- Russia's energy giant Gazprom says the sanctions imposed by the West against Moscow have made it impossible for the company to receive a turbine needed to keep gas flowing to Europe.
• Boom To Bust: Putin Sacrifices Gazprom's Lucrative European Market, 'Geopolitical Heft' In War With Ukraine RFE/RL 04 Aug 2022 -- When senior managers at Kremlin-controlled natural gas producer Gazprom arrived in New York in February 2020 to present a business update to U.S. investors, the company had just wrapped up the best three-year stretch in its export history.
• Former Russian Deputy Education Minister Remanded In Custody On Embezzlement Charges RFE/RL 04 Aug 2022 -- Former Russian Deputy Education Minister Marina Rakova has been remanded in custody on embezzlement charges.
• Russian Lawmaker Put On Most-Wanted List After Failing To Attend Hearing Giving Him 10-Year Sentence RFE/RL 04 Aug 2022 -- Russian lawmaker Vadim Belousov has been added to the country's most-wanted list after he failed to show at a court hearing where he was sentenced to 10 years in prison on bribery charges.
• Griner Sentenced To Nine Years By Russian Court; Biden Calls It 'Unacceptable' RFE/RL 04 Aug 2022 -- A Russian court has found U.S. basketball star Brittney Griner guilty of drug smuggling and sentenced her to nine years in prison, a punishment that sparked anger from teammates and athletes around the world and which U.S. President Joe Biden called "unacceptable."
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying's Regular Press Conference on August 4, 2022 PRC MofA 04 Aug 2022
• Vietnamese garment manufacturers struggle to comply with U.S. ban on Xinjiang cotton Radio Free Asia 04 Aug 2022 -- Vietnam's heavy reliance on cotton imports from China could lead it to fall foul of a U.S. ban on cotton produced by forced labor in Xinjiang province. Vietnamese manufacturers say it is hard to prove where the fabric in their garments comes from.
• Tokyo Lodges Protest With Beijing After 5 Chinese Missiles Fell in Japan's EEZ, Reports Say Sputnik 04 Aug 2022 -- Tokyo has lodged a protest with Beijing after five Chinese missiles fell in the exclusive economic zone of Japan, the Kyodo news agency reported on Thursday.
• President Tsai calls China's live-fire drills 'irresponsible act' CNA 04 Aug 2022 -- President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) said China firing missiles near busy international flight and sea routes around Taiwan on Thursday is an irresponsible act that stirs up tensions in the Indo-Pacific region, demanding Beijing act with greater self-restraint.
• G7, EU urge China to refrain from 'aggressive military activity' CNA 04 Aug 2022 -- The Group of Seven (G7) leading industrial nations and the European Union have called on Beijing to refrain from "aggressive military activity" in the Taiwan Strait, one day after China said it would hold live-fire exercises near Taiwan starting Thursday.
• China cannot stop world leaders from visiting Taiwan: Pelosi CNA 04 Aug 2022 -- U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi said that despite China's best efforts to sideline Taiwan on the international stage, Beijing could not prevent world leaders from traveling to the self-ruled democracy.
• Flights, ships rerouted to avoid Chinese military drills CNA 04 Aug 2022 -- As a result of the live-fire drills around Taiwan being conducted by the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), a total of 74 passenger flights and 35 ships took alternative routes in and out of the nation Thursday from noon until 4 p.m., according to Taiwan's transportation authorities.
• MAC issues China travel advisory in wake of activist arrest report CNA 04 Aug 2022 -- The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) has urged Taiwanese citizens to assess the risks of visiting China after Taiwanese activist Yang Chih-yuan (楊智淵) was reportedly arrested on national security and anti-secession charges in Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province Wednesday.
• China-Japan FM talks cancelled after G7 unjustly criticizes China over Taiwan question Global Times 04 Aug 2022 -- Talks between the Chinese and Japanese foreign ministers, which were reportedly scheduled for Thursday afternoon on the sidelines of ASEAN events in Phnom Penh, have been cancelled, after Japan with other Group of Seven (G7) members and the European Union (EU) issued a statement that unjustly accused China over the Taiwan question, a spokesperson of the Chinese Foreign Ministry confirmed on Thursday afternoon.
• US only brings about disaster to people they said they stand with: Chinese FM responds to Pelosi's provocative claim and visit to island of Taiwan Global Times 04 Aug 2022 -- History repeatedly proves that US politicians will only bring about chaos and disaster to the people they said they stand with, Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Thursday in response to Nancy Pelosi's statement that her visit to the island of Taiwan "should be seen as a strong statement that America stands with Taiwan."
• China's comprehensive measures are necessary, timely defensive countermeasures: State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi Global Times 04 Aug 2022 -- China's current and future comprehensive measures are necessary and timely defensive countermeasures. They have been carefully considered and evaluated, are aimed at safeguarding national sovereignty and security and are in line with international and domestic laws, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said during the foreign ministers' meetings on East Asia cooperation in Cambodia on Thursday when elaborating China's position on the provocative actions of the US that are in violation of China's sovereignty.
• G7 statement over Taiwan 'shameless,' reminiscent of 'Eight-Power Allied Forces': Chinese FM, Mission to EU Global Times 04 Aug 2022 -- The Chinese Foreign Ministry and the Chinese Mission to the EU on Thursday slammed the statement of the G7 foreign ministers and the EU high representative over China's Taiwan region following US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to the island, saying it is "ugly" and "shameless," and is reminiscent of the "Eight-Power Allied Forces" that invaded China a hundred years ago.
• Beijing Warns Washington's Taiwan Policies Will Fail as Chinese Military Launches Major Drills Sputnik 04 Aug 2022 -- On Wednesday, top Chinese diplomat Wang Yi condemned US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan, pledging to slap "tough" sanctions in a retaliation move.
• Hong Kong toes party line on Taiwan as Chinese diplomat threatens 're-education' Radio Free Asia 04 Aug 2022 -- Senior officials in Hong Kong's new administration have been lining up to show their loyalty to the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) by condemning U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan, as U.K. lawmakers were reportedly planning their own Taiwan trip.
• Taiwan warns citizens to be cautious of going to China after activist arrest Radio Free Asia 04 Aug 2022 -- Authorities in Taiwan on Thursday warned the democratic island's 23 million citizens not to travel to China unless absolutely necessary, after police in China's Zhejiang announced the arrest of a Taiwanese national for "separatism."
• ASEAN urges 'maximum restraint' as China launches missile exercises around Taiwan Radio Free Asia 04 Aug 2022 -- Southeast Asian nations called for "maximum restraint" as China launched ballistic missiles into the waters around Taiwan on Thursday, while Western nations urged Beijing not to escalate tensions further after U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited the island.
• US Expects Further Incursions From China's Military in Taiwan Territory - Kirby Sputnik 04 Aug 2022 -- The US government expects China's People's Liberation Army to proceed with further military incursions in Taiwan's territory, National Security Council Strategic Communications Coordinator John Kirby said on Thursday.
• Kremlin: China's Military Exercises Off Taiwan Its Sovereign Right Sputnik 04 Aug 2022 -- China's military exercises near Taiwan are its sovereign right, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Thursday, noting that tensions in the region were artificially provoked by the visit of US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to the island.
• G7 statement over Taiwan 'shameless,' reminiscent of 'Eight-Power Allied Forces': Chinese Mission to EU Global Times 04 Aug 2022 -- The Spokesperson of the Chinese Mission to the EU on Thursday slammed the statement of the G7 foreign ministers and the EU high representative over China's Taiwan region following US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to the island, saying it is "ugly" and "shameless," and is reminiscent of the "Eight-Power Allied Forces" that invaded China a hundred years ago.
• Zhejiang state security organ summons Taiwan-born suspect for secession investigation Global Times 04 Aug 2022 -- The state security bureau in Wenzhou city, East China's Zhejiang Province, summoned Yang Zhiyuan, a suspect from Taiwan, on Wednesday for investigation of his alleged involvement in "Taiwan independence" secessionist activities and of suspicion of endangering national security.
• PLA to start live fire drills 2 days after Pelosi's visit, leaves time for ship evacuations, airline adjustments Global Times 04 Aug 2022 -- Shortly after US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi landed in Taiwan for her provocative visit on Tuesday night, the Xinhua News Agency announced that the People's Liberation Army (PLA) would conduct a series of live fire military drills from Thursday to Saturday in six different areas that encircle the island from all directions.
• Taiwan's return to motherland a historical inevitability: Chinese FM People's Daily 04 Aug 2022 -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Wednesday made clear here China's solemn position on Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi's visit to China's Taiwan region.
• China firm as rock in its resolution to achieve reunification of the motherland People's Daily 04 Aug 2022 -- In disregard of China's strong opposition and serious representations, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi visited China's Taiwan region.
• Tsai Ing-wen's words confound right and wrong: mainland spokesperson People's Daily 04 Aug 2022 -- A Chinese mainland spokesperson on Wednesday blasted Taiwan leader Tsai Ing-wen's words for confusing right and wrong.
• Taiwan resident suspected of endangering national security detained in E China People's Daily 04 Aug 2022 -- Yang Chih-yuan, a Taiwan resident suspected of engaging in separatist activities and endangering national security, was detained by the national security organ of Wenzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province on Wednesday.
• Ministry of Machine-building Industry Fulfills National Economic Plan KCNA 04 Aug 2022 -- Officials and workers of the Ministry of Machine-building Industry in the DPRK fulfilled the national economic plan for July.
• Efforts Made in DPRK to Increase Operational Rate of Farm Machines KCNA 04 Aug 2022 -- The Agricultural Commission of the DPRK concentrates its efforts on maximizing the operational rate of the existing farm machines.
• After stirring up controversy with Taiwan trip, Pelosi to visit DMZ on North Korea border Press TV 04 Aug 2022 -- US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi is planning to visit the demilitarized zone on South Korea's border with the North, after raising controversy elsewhere in the region by visiting Chinese Taipei.
• Mining, fishing become deadly side jobs for cash-strapped North Korean farmers Radio Free Asia 04 Aug 2022 -- Cash-strapped collective farms in North Korea are sending workers to the mines and fisheries to raise operating funds to meet food production targets — a policy that cost the lives of 10 farmers in a gold mine collapse last month, sources inside the country said.
• Nuclear chief says Iran will turn on cameras after accusations withdrawn IRNA 04 Aug 2022 -- Mohammad Eslami, the head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), said on Thursday that the country will turn on the UN nuclear watchdog's cameras provided that all accusations levelled against the Islamic Republic are withdrawn.
• US must give assurances Iran will fully enjoy JCPOA economic benefits: UN ambassador Press TV 04 Aug 2022 -- Tehran's ambassador to the United Nations says the main obstacle to the revival of the 2015 Iran deal is Washington's failure to give assurances that the Islamic Republic will fully enjoy the economic benefits of the accord.
• Talks On Saving 2015 Nuclear Accord With Iran Restart In Vienna RFE/RL 04 Aug 2022 -- Negotiators have begun a new round of talks in Vienna on August 4 on salvaging a landmark 2015 nuclear accord between Iran and world powers.
• Talks on removal of anti-Iran sanctions, JCPOA revival resume in Vienna Press TV 04 Aug 2022 -- Talks over the removal of anti-Tehran sanctions and reviving the Iran nuclear deal have resumed in the Austrian capital of Vienna, as Iran's lead negotiator Ali Bagheri Kani meets with the European Union's deputy foreign policy chief, Enrique Mora.
• Iran top nuclear negotiator meets EU coordinator in Vienna IRNA 04 Aug 2022 -- Iran's Top Nuclear Negotiator Ali Bagheri Kani met with the European Union's coordinator of the JCPOA revival talks, Enrique Mora.
• Iranian, Chinese delegates to JCPOA talks meet in Vienna IRNA 04 Aug 2022 -- The Iranian and Chinese negotiators in the talks over the revival of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, known as the JCPOA, held talks in Vienna on Thursday.
• Iran, Russia negotiators hold talks in Vienna IRNA 04 Aug 2022 -- Iranian and Russian negotiators started talks minutes ago in Vienna, Austria, on Thursday.
• Iran Intel Ministry arrests 10 Daesh terrorists plotting attacks in Muharram Press TV 04 Aug 2022 -- Iran's Intelligence Ministry says it has identified and arrested 10 members of a Daesh Takfiri terrorist group that aimed to conduct acts of terror across the country during the mourning month of Muharram.
• Iran Arrests 10 Alleged Islamic State Militants On Suspicion Of Plotting Attacks On Religious Processions RFE/RL 04 Aug 2022 -- Iran says it has arrested 10 militants affiliated with the extremist Islamic State (IS) group who were planning to carry out attacks on religious processions during the Islamic month of Muharram, which started on July 30.
• Iran urges U.S. to seize chance of upcoming nuke talks People's Daily 04 Aug 2022 -- Iran's chief nuclear negotiator said on Wednesday that the United States should seize the opportunity of a new round of negotiations to revive the Iranian nuclear agreement.
• UK announces agreement to strengthen ties with Southeast Asia and scale-up security and development links UK FCDO 04 Aug 2022 -- During the first UK-ASEAN ministerial meeting in Cambodia, Minister Milling and ASEAN foreign ministers agreed a Plan of Action for 2022 to 2026.
• Secretary Blinken's Call with Turkish Foreign Minister Cavusoglu US Dept. of State 04 Aug 2022
• Erdogan and Putin to Meet in Sochi for 2nd Time in a Month VOA 04 Aug 2022 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is due to meet his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, in the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi. A just-concluded deal on freeing up Ukrainian grain, along with Russian backing for a new Turkish offensive against Syrian Kurdish forces will be on the agenda.
• Government says, India's satellite-based navigation system, NavIC, is as good as GPS of the United States in terms of position accuracy and availability in its service region India PIB 04 Aug 2022 -- Government says, India's satellite-based navigation system, NavIC, is as good as GPS of the United States in terms of position accuracy and availability in its service region.
• Sadr urges supporters to continue sit-in in Iraqi parliament Press TV 04 Aug 2022 -- Iraqi Shia cleric Muqtada Sadr has called on his supporters to continue a sit-in inside the parliament until his demands are met, days after they breached Baghdad's heavily fortified "green zone" and occupied the country's legislature.
• Hungarian Prime Minister Shows Why American Right Embraces Him VOA 04 Aug 2022 -- Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban received a warm reception Thursday in Texas, where he was a featured speaker at the Conservative Political Action Conference, a major event on the calendar of the right wing of the Republican Party.
• President Mnangagwa says Zimbabwe will prosper despite Western sanctions People's Daily 04 Aug 2022 -- Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Wednesday vowed to continue working for the development of Zimbabwe, warning that Western countries that have imposed sanctions on the country will not succeed in their machinations to derail the nation.
• Sri Lankan president urges political parties to work for an all-party gov't People's Daily 04 Aug 2022 -- Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe on Wednesday urged political parties to join him in establishing an all-party government that can lead Sri Lanka out of the economic crisis.
• Nicaragua: Statement by the Spokesperson on closure of radio stations and shutdown of civil society organisations European External Action Service (EEAS) 04 Aug 2022 -- The EU condemns the arbitrary closure of seven Catholic radio stations by the Nicaraguan authorities on 1 August and two more community radio/TV stations shortly after. Excessive police force was used to occupy the installations and to intimidate and disperse unarmed protesters with tear gas and gunshots. This constitutes yet another violation of freedom of expression and freedom of religion or belief.
• Maduro Demands Return of Plane Detained in Argentina to Venezuela Sputnik 04 Aug 2022 -- Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro demanded the return of the Boeing 747-300M transport aircraft detained in Argentina.
• South Sudan Leaders Extend Transitional Government Rule VOA 04 Aug 2022 -- South Sudan leaders said Thursday the country's transitional leadership will stay in power for another 24 months to complete the political, security and electoral reforms needed to move the country forward.
• ASEAN Leaders Expected to Focus on Ukraine During Cambodia Gathering VOA 04 Aug 2022 -- Foreign ministers from ASEAN's member states and its dialogue partners are arriving in Phnom Penh for a summit likely to focus largely on regional and global crises, including the murderous military regime in Myanmar, Russia's unprovoked war on Ukraine and climate change.