Af/Pak & Other News (5/21/2021)

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Taliban Control In Afghanistan

https://gandhara.rferl.org/a/taliban-control-afghanistan/31267180.html



Taliban may grab US military equipment as American troops leave Afghanistan

https://www.militarytimes.com/news/pentagon-congress/2021/05/20/taliban-may-grab-us-military-equipment-as-american-troops-leave-afghanistan/



House Committees Grill U.S. Envoy Over Taliban Control in Post-U.S. Afghanistan

https://www.newsweek.com/house-committees-grill-us-envoy-over-taliban-control-post-us-afghanistan-1593527



NATO to continue Afghan troop training after leaving country

https://apnews.com/article/government-and-politics-2b77a776c0f61567e0147113618d7270



District In Afghanistan's Maidan Wardak Province Falls To Taliban

https://gandhara.rferl.org/a/afghan-maidan-wardak-district-falls-to-taliban/31266871.html



Inside Washington’s Fight to Save Afghans Who Saved Americans

https://foreignpolicy.com/2021/05/19/afghan-interpreter-visa-congress-state-department-pentagon-biden-white-house/



Bomb targeting Islamist leader’s car kills 7 in Pakistan

https://apnews.com/article/middle-east-pakistan-7a6c58eaa71761b8d1f5adef1b302b8b









Third Crash of Indian MiG-21 in 2021

https://www.defenseworld.net/news/29616/Third_Crash_of_Indian_MiG_21_in_2021









Iran unveils new missiles, ‘Gaza’ drones - analysis

https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/iran-unveils-new-missiles-gaza-drones-analysis-668763



Iran uses crypto mining to lessen impact of sanctions, study finds

https://www.reuters.com/technology/iran-uses-crypto-mining-lessen-impact-sanctions-study-finds-2021-05-21/



Iran Enlists Its Intelligence Agency to Crack Down on Illegal Crypto Mining

https://www.coindesk.com/iran-intelligence-agency-illegal-crypto-mining



Iran's Deadly Grip Reaches Into Africa

https://www.newsweek.com/irans-deadly-grip-reaches-africa-opinion-1593395



In tactical shift, Iran grows new, loyal elite from among Iraqi militias

https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/exclusive-tactical-shift-iran-grows-new-loyal-elite-among-iraqi-militias-2021-05-21/



Did Iran use Iraqi militias to fly drone into Israel? - analysis

https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/did-iran-use-iraqi-militias-to-fly-drone-into-israel-analysis-668719









The US and its allies are likely to run into a Russian-Turkish wall in Syria

https://www.arabnews.com/node/1862321



Putin’s Shadow Warriors Stake Claim to Syria’s Oil

https://foreignpolicy.com/2021/05/17/putin-shadow-warriors-stake-claim-syria-oil-energy-wagner-prigozhin-libya-middle-east/









Israel and Hamas cease fire but Jerusalem clashes break out again

https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/gaza-truce-between-israel-hamas-begins-mediated-by-egypt-2021-05-20/



Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Agreed, To Be Monitored By Egypt

https://www.overtdefense.com/2021/05/20/israel-hamas-ceasefire-agreed-to-be-monitored-by-egypt/



Cease-fire in Gaza: What we know about the Israel, Hamas agreement

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2021/05/21/cease-fire-gaza-what-we-know-israel-hamas-agreement/5189517001/



On the sidelines, Hezbollah looms large over Gaza battle

https://apnews.com/article/hezbollah-beirut-lebanon-middle-east-business-a113a62bc6816ef98512fc5280385484



'Metro' in firing line of Israel strikes on Gaza

https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20210521-metro-in-firing-line-of-israel-strikes-on-gaza



What IDF Special Operations Reveal About Hamas's Rockets and Tunnels

https://sofrep.com/news/what-idf-special-operations-reveal-about-hamass-rockets-and-tunnels/



There Is No Equivalence in How Hamas and Israel Wage War

https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/there-no-equivalence-how-hamas-and-israel-wage-war-185712



Hamas dealt heavy blow, ‘surprised’ by Israeli response, analysts say

https://www.jpost.com/arab-israeli-conflict/hamas-dealt-heavy-blow-surprised-by-israeli-response-analysts-say-668585



EXPLAINER: What was the outcome of the latest Gaza war?

https://apnews.com/article/what-was-the-outcome-of-israel-gaza-war-4f94e80a9d6f53ecd5353db83ed27526









Egypt, Sudan to hold joint drill amid Ethiopia Nile dispute

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/egypt-sudan-to-hold-joint-drill-amid-ethiopia-nile-dispute/2021/05/21/6a6331e8-ba5c-11eb-bc4a-62849cf6cca9_story.html




Tunisian Air Force Buys ANKA-S Model UAV’s from Turkey

https://www.overtdefense.com/2021/05/21/tunisian-air-force-buys-anka-s-model-uavs-from-turkey/




Nigerian army investigating reports that Boko Haram leader died blowing himself up to avoid capture

https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/21/africa/army-investigate-abubakar-shekau-boko-haram-leader-death-intl/index.html




Separatist Movements in Nigeria and Cameroon Are Joining Forces

https://foreignpolicy.com/2021/05/20/separatists-nigeria-cameroon-biafra-ipob-ambazonia-anglophone-joining-forces/




French Air and Space Force engages MQ-9 Reaper Block 5 UAV against terrorists in Africa

https://www.airrecognition.com/index.php/news/defense-aviation-news/2021/may/7327-french-air-and-space-force-engages-mq-9-reaper-block-5-uav-against-terrorists-in-africa.html









Ukrainian Army Receives Modernized T-64 Tanks

https://www.defenseworld.net/news/29624/Ukrainian_Army_Receives_Modernized_T_64_Tanks



The devastating human, economic costs of Crimea’s annexation

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/5/21/the-devastating-human-economic-costs-of-crimeas-annexation



Putin’s passport ploy in Ukraine may pave way for Russia’s next annexation

https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/ukrainealert/putins-passport-ploy-in-ukraine-may-pave-way-for-russias-next-annexation/



Air Defense: Russia Goes Passive

https://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htada/articles/20210521.aspx



As the US and Russia spar over the Arctic, Putin creates new facts on the ground

https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/21/europe/russia-arctic-military-intl-cmd/index.html



Russian Defense Ministry Approves Existing Mi-28 Helicopters to Be Upgraded to The Mi-28NM Standard

https://www.overtdefense.com/2021/05/21/russian-defense-ministry-approves-existing-mi-28-helicopters-to-be-upgraded-to-the-mi-28nm-standard/





US, Russia hold parallel military drills in the Balkans

https://apnews.com/article/russia-europe-government-and-politics-bc104a4e60b9efbd35c2e79472b4a787




Airplane used by Romanian dictator Ceausescu up for auction

https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/plane-used-by-dictator-ceausescu-auctioned/index.html




Croatia Could Soon Buy 12 Used Rafale Jets for Euro 1 Billion

https://www.defenseworld.net/news/29627/Croatia_Could_Soon_Buy_12_Used_Rafale_Jets_for_Euro_1_Billion




Italy’s Secretive Submarine Deal With Qatar: New Intelligence

https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2021/05/italys-secretive-submarine-deal-with-qatar-new-intelligence/




US Army prepositions first JLTVs to Germany

https://defbrief.com/2021/05/21/us-army-prepositions-first-jltvs-to-germany/




Spanish Eurocopter Tiger struck power line during Adriatic Strike 2021

http://alert5.com/2021/05/21/spanish-eurocopter-tiger-struck-power-line-during-adriatic-strike-2021/



Ceuta migration crisis: Spain accuses Morocco of 'blackmail'

https://www.france24.com/en/tv-shows/eye-on-africa/20210521-ceuta-migration-crisis-spain-accuses-morocco-of-blackmail




France begins Rafale F4 flight trials

https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/france-begins-rafale-f4-flight-trials




FCAS developers chasing the sweet spot in mix of fighter, drone designs

https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2021/05/21/fcas-developers-chasing-the-sweet-spot-in-mix-of-fighter-drone-designs/



Why Does the U.K. Want More Nuclear Weapons?

https://www.realcleardefense.com/articles/2021/05/21/why_does_the_uk_want_more_nuclear_weapons_778154.html



The Navy sub commanded by artificial intelligence

https://www.bbc.com/news/business-56993035



Two massive British aircraft carriers sail together

https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/two-massive-british-aircraft-carriers-sail-together/









Ex-Green Berets jailed in bungled Venezuela coup may have been duped, negotiator says

https://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/nation-world/world/latin-america/article251547193.html









China Is Testing A Beastly 20-Barrel Naval Gatling Gun

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/40713/china-is-testing-a-20-barrel-gatling-gun-naval-close-in-weapon-system



China building villages all along Tibet border, disputed with India, Bhutan

https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/china-building-villages-all-along-tibet-border-disputed-with-india-bhutan-101621583628346.html



China’s Media Uses Computer-Generated Photo to Liken G-7 to 19th Century Foes

https://www.voanews.com/east-asia-pacific/voa-news-china/chinas-media-uses-computer-generated-photo-liken-g-7-19th-century



China puts upgraded HQ-9 missile system to extreme test

https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3134360/china-puts-upgraded-hq-9-missile-system-extreme-test



China’s J-10 comes of age with indigenous engine

https://www.flightglobal.com/defence/chinas-j-10-comes-of-age-with-indigenous-engine/143852.article



Why Does China Want a Naval Base in the Atlantic Ocean?

https://www.19fortyfive.com/2021/05/why-does-china-want-a-naval-base-in-the-atlantic-ocean/



China Goes Twin-Engine MPA

https://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htnavai/articles/20210521.aspx



China to Try Australian on Spy Charge, Adding to Diplomatic Tensions

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/21/world/asia/china-australia-yang-hengjun.html



Risk of Taiwan Strait conflict ‘at all-time high’, Beijing-backed think tank says

https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3134248/risk-taiwan-strait-conflict-all-time-high-beijing-backed-think





Taiwan: RoCN Albatross UAV crashes

http://alert5.com/2021/05/21/rocn-albatross-uav-crashes/





Indonesia’s submarine sinking highlights military’s shortfalls

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/5/21/indonesian-militarys-ageing-equipment-in-focus-after-sub-sinking





What a bridge on North Korea's secret border says about China's cold war with the West

https://news.yahoo.com/analysis-bridge-north-koreas-secretive-231646542.html



North Korea ‘unlikely to surrender its nuclear stockpile', says USFK commander nominee

https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/north-korea-unlikely-to-surrender-its-nuclear-stockpile-says-usfk-commander-nominee





U.S. Nears Extension on Philippine Basing Pact

https://foreignpolicy.com/2021/05/20/biden-duterte-philippines-defense-pentagon/





Kiribati’s China-backed airstrip upgrade fuels political divisions in Pacific nation

https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3134157/kiribatis-china-backed-airstrip-upgrade-fuels-political





Japan Paper: Sea-based missile defense double cost of land-based plan

http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/14354941









Canada: Soldier Charged After She Allegedly Served Weed Cupcakes to Troops During Live-Fire Training

https://www.newsweek.com/soldier-charged-after-she-allegedly-served-weed-cupcakes-troops-during-live-fire-training-1593669










From UFO to UAP: how flying saucers became legitimate

https://www.msn.com/en-au/news/australia/from-ufo-to-uap-how-flying-saucers-became-legitimate/ar-AAKd7kN



Harry Reid: What We Believe About U.F.O.s

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/21/special-series/harry-reid-ufo.html



PAC Launched To Press Feds To Release More Info On UFOs

https://www.forbes.com/sites/jackbrewster/2021/05/20/pac-launched-to-press-feds-to-release-more-info-on-ufos/



Why Scientists Run from Unidentified Aerial Phenomena

https://medium.com/on-the-trail-of-the-saucers/science-uap-a29ad659f70d



A Close Look at Air Force One’s Visit to Detroit and the Presidential Motorcade.

https://theaviationist.com/2021/05/21/air-force-one-detroit/



Here’s Why Aggressor Learjets Were Making Mock Attack Runs Towards Philly Last Night

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/40718/heres-why-aggressor-learjets-were-making-mock-attack-runs-toward-philly-yesterday



Senators threaten to cut the Pentagon’s allowance if it can’t pass an audit next year

https://taskandpurpose.com/news/senators-dod-pentagon-pass-audit/



NSA outlines its information-sharing duties under Biden cyber EO

https://insidedefense.com/insider/nsa-outlines-its-information-sharing-duties-under-biden-cyber-eo



Researchers Are Trying to Create an Unhackable Computer Processor

https://gizmodo.com/researchers-are-trying-to-create-an-unhackable-computer-1846934571



Microsoft, SOCOM Highlight Need for Ethical Use of Artificial Intelligence

https://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/articles/2021/5/20/sofic-news-microsoft-investing-in-ai-ethics-rd



Drones Flying Near Airports, Infrastructure Prompt U.S. Action

https://www.wsj.com/articles/drones-flying-near-airports-infrastructure-prompt-u-s-action-11621533604



Aerospace & Defense Roundup: May. 20

https://aviationweek.com/defense-space/z/aerospace-defense-roundup-may-20-0



Congressional Budget Office Primer on U.S. Military’s Force Structure

https://news.usni.org/2021/05/21/congressional-budget-office-primer-on-u-s-militarys-force-structure



New Liquid Coating Could Make Stealth Aircraft Invisible and Hypersonic

https://thedebrief.org/new-liquid-coating-could-make-stealth-aircraft-invisible-and-hypersonic/



DARPA ‘Likely’ To Demo Only 2 Blackjack Payloads

https://breakingdefense.com/2021/05/exclusive-darpa-likely-to-demo-only-2-blackjack-payloads/



Army SOF Units Are Getting Smaller, More Self-Reliant as Focus Shifts to China, Russia

https://www.defenseone.com/technology/2021/05/socoms-wish-list-competing-china-and-russia/174208/



Hoverfly demonstrates LiveSky 6205 Group 1 UAV at ANTX

https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/sofic-2021-hoverfly-demonstrates-livesky-6205-group-1-uav-at-antx



Special Operations Command Is Now Seeking A High-Speed VTOL Aircraft

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/40712/special-operations-command-is-now-seeking-a-high-speed-vtol-aircraft



USSOCOM launches MELB-X

https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/sofic-2021-ussocom-launches-melb-x



Paratroopers Pioneer New Army Network, Tactics

https://breakingdefense.com/2021/05/paratroopers-pioneer-new-army-network-tactics/



USAF plans to build AIM-120s in-theater, starting with solid rocket motor factory in a shipping container

http://alert5.com/2021/05/21/usaf-plans-to-build-aim-120s-in-theater-starting-with-solid-motor-factory-in-a-shipping-container/



The U.S. Air Force’s F-15EX Could Lob A New ‘Outsize’ Air-To-Air Missile Nearly 200 Miles

https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2021/05/21/the-us-air-forces-f-15ex-could-lob-a-new-outsize-air-to-air-missile-nearly-200-miles/



US Air Force tests using F-15’s EPAWSS to clear path for F-35

https://www.flightglobal.com/fixed-wing/us-air-force-tests-using-f-15s-epawss-to-clear-path-for-f-35/143828.article



F-15Es with EPAWSS allowed the F-35 to get closer to the enemy

http://alert5.com/2021/05/21/f-15es-with-epawss-allowed-the-f-35-to-get-closer-to-the-enemy/



F-15EX Wins Some, Loses Some in Northern Edge

https://www.airforcemag.com/f-15ex-wins-some-loses-some-in-northern-edge/



How General Atomics Is Going All-In On Making Its Drones Relevant In A Peer-State Conflict

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/40698/how-general-atomics-is-going-all-in-on-making-its-drones-relevant-in-a-peer-state-conflict



GDBIW launches US Navy’s milestone 70th Arleigh Burke destroyer

https://defbrief.com/2021/05/21/gdbiw-launches-us-navys-milestone-70th-arleigh-burke-destroyer/



USSOCOM eyes digital engineering for next-gen Dry Combat Submersible

https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/ussocom-eyes-digital-engineering-for-next-gen-dry-combat-submersible



Ghost Fleet Ship ‘Nomad’ Transited Panama Canal, Headed to California

https://news.usni.org/2021/05/20/ghost-fleet-ship-nomad-transited-panama-canal-headed-to-california



US Navy funds construction of second Constellation-class frigate ‘Congress’

https://defbrief.com/2021/05/21/us-navy-funds-construction-of-second-constellation-class-frigate-congress/



Fincantieri dedicates all its US shipyards for Navy frigate orders

https://www.defensenews.com/industry/2021/05/21/fincantieri-dedicates-all-its-us-shipyards-for-navy-frigate-orders/