Monday, July 26, 2021

Mustafa al-Kadhimi | July 26, 2021

 2 - White House News in Chinese (weebly.com)

1 - White House News in Chinese (weebly.com)

Clarity over US troops in Iraq to dominate Biden-Kadhimi meeting
Jul 26, 2021
Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Khadimi will meet US President Joe Biden at the White House later on Monday. High on the agenda is the US troop withdrawal from Iraq. Pentagon officials maintain support will continue as combat troops leave amid a continued threat from ISIL (ISIS). The US in April tentatively agreed to the withdrawal, which is part of Baghdad’s careful balancing of competing Iranian and US influence in the country.
US President Joe Biden welcomes Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhemi at the White House for the leaders' first meeting on Monday
Biden to welcome weakened Iraq PM amid Iran hostility

Jul 26 - ...Although Mr. Biden has initiated a pullout from Afghanistan and could soon do the same from Iraq, the U.S. will still have about 900 troops stationed in Syria. There appear to be no immediate plans to bring those forces home.

That means that even if the U.S. withdraws from Iraq, the Iran-backed militias theoretically still could target American forces in Syria or elsewhere across the Middle East.
Pentagon officials have warned that those groups will face retaliation for targeting Americans, presumably even if attacks originate from Iraq.

“We seek to make clear to Iran and Iran-backed militia groups that there will be serious consequences if they continue to attack, or to arm, fund and train militia groups that attack our people,” A Pentagon spokesperson, Cmdr. Jessica McNulty, said in a statement several weeks ago after the most recent U.S. airstrikes on the militias.


“We will take necessary and appropriate measures to defend U.S. personnel, partners and allies in the region,” she said.     quoted from


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Iran-backed militia fighters march in central Baghdad, Iraq, June 29, 2021. Iraqi Shiite militias are showing a degree of defiance of their patron Iran by escalating rocket and drone attacks on the U.S. presence in the country.
Pro-Iranian Militia Commander Threatens Attacks Against US Forces Unless They Leave Iraq

Jul 25 - The commander of Iraq's self-styled pro-Iranian "resistance" forces has threatened to mount more attacks on U.S. forces inside the country if they don't withdraw.
The threat by the commander, Khais al Khazali, coincided with a drone attack overnight that targeted U.S. forces in Kurdistan.

​A U.S. coalition spokesman in Iraq confirmed in a statement Saturday that there had been a drone attack on U.S. forces at the Qiyyara base and said there had been no casualties.
In addition to promising more attacks on U.S. forces, Khazali said opposition forces would retaliate if the U.S. attacked them...     more
Iraq Expects Announcement to End US Combat Mission

Jul 23 - Members of a top Iraqi delegation expect to reach an agreement Friday with the Biden administration to end the U.S. combat mission in Iraq, the country’s foreign minister told VOA on Thursday.

In an exclusive interview with VOA’s Kurdish Service, Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein discussed the proposed nature of cooperation between his country and U.S. forces once an agreement is reached, particularly in the fight against the Islamic State group.

​“In my opinion, we will reach the agreement on Friday and then it will be announced that [American] fighting forces — I am talkingm technical matters and other issues related to the security of the forces,” Hussein told VOA...     more


Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi will meet with US President Joe Biden at the White House on Monday
Clarity over US troops in Iraq to dominate Biden-Kadhimi meeting

Iraqi PM will push for a clearer timeline for removal of US ‘combat’ troops as Biden seeks to stop armed group attacks.

Jul 26 - United States President Joe Biden will host Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi at the White House on Monday, the latest step in weeks of “strategic dialogue” over the future of US troops in Iraq, attacks by Iran-aligned groups, and fears of a resurgence of ISIL (ISIS).

At the top of the agenda for al-Kadhimi, the former director of the Iraqi National Intelligence Service who became prime minister in May 2020, will be attaining a more concrete timeline for the withdrawal of US “combat” troops, a category that the Biden administration has yet to define.

The US in April tentatively agreed to the withdrawal, which is part of Baghdad’s careful balancing of competing Iranian and US influence in the country...     more 


Related Articles:
Iraqi PM al-Kadhimi: Iraq does not need US combat troops
Baghdad bombing: 35 killed in attack on packed Iraq market
Coalition says Iraq base housing US troops hit in drone attack

...Upon assuming power, al-Kadhimi promised to guide Iraq through a serious financial crisis, saying the state treasury was “nearly empty” after years of waste and declining oil prices. Al-Kadhimi's cabinet vowed to reduce public spending and audit salaries granted to millions of Iraqis but retracted the plan after public criticism. In August 2020, he hired hundreds of unemployed Iraqis at the Ministry of Defense, but not enough to halt sit-ins outside other public sector offices demanding jobs. He has few allies in government and parliament is heavily dominated by pro-Iran MPs who have balked at his references to protester demands. He has also struggled to fulfill his promise to bring the security forces to justice who were allegedly responsible for the deaths of nearly 600 protesters and activists since October 2019. In addition, al-Kadhimi pledged to investigate the recent murders of journalists and political activists that have increased in the past year, but no one has been brought to justice yet.[15]

Iran and its allied Fatah Alliance opposed al-Kadhimi's appointment. In April 2020, Kata'ib Hezbollah, an Iraqi militia with close links to Iran and ties to the Popular Mobilization Forces, published a statement that accused al-Kadhimi of being culpable for the deaths of its leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis and Iranian General Qassem Soleimani and charged him with working with the United States.[1] In the meantime, al-Kadhimi directed the Counter Terrorism Service (CTS) to investigate rocket attacks against the International Zone, and promised to confront the disobedient paramilitaries     quoted from Wikipedia


Absorber columns at the Gazprom PJSC Slavyanskaya compressor station, the starting point of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, in Ust-Luga, Russia, on Thursday, Jan. 28, 2021. Nord Stream 2 is a 1,230-kilometer (764-mile) gas pipeline that will double the capacity of the existing undersea route from Russian fields to Europe

​U.S., Germany Send Russia Warning in Draft Nord Stream 2 Accord

Jul 20 - The U.S. and Germany are close to a deal on the Nord Stream 2 pipeline that would threaten sanctions and other retaliation if Russia tries to use energy as a weapon against Ukraine, according to a draft text of the deal obtained by Bloomberg News.

Under the agreement, Germany would take unspecified national action if Russia commits such actions, a decision that may mark a concession from Chancellor Angela Merkel, who had previously balked at making independent moves against the Kremlin over the gas pipeline that will run from Russia to Germany.

If Russia attempted to use energy as a weapon or commit aggression against Ukraine, Germany would take action itself while also pressing for measures at the European level, including sanctions to limit Russia’s energy exports, according to the accord.
A senior U.S. official, who asked not to be identified discussing the terms of the deal, said the language was intentionally ambiguous because the administration didn’t want to give Russia a road map of its response to any malign behavior. The official didn’t rule out that such action could include limiting gas flows from Russia to Germany.

While suggesting the possibility of limits to Russian gas flows, that language will almost certainly disappoint critics -- including many U.S. lawmakers -- who say that the Biden administration hasn’t done enough to stop the pipeline, which was more than 90% complete when President Joe Biden came into office...     more

“北风之神”-A首次参演 普京出席俄最大规模海上阅兵 20210725 |《今日关注》CCTV中文国际
Jul 26, 2021

Saturday, July 24, 2021

ANDSF | July 24, 2021

 2 - White House News in Chinese (weebly.com)

1 - White House News in Chinese (weebly.com)

​A family flees Panjwai district in Kandahar province on July 4, 2021, after the Taliban captured the area.

Afghanistan: Threats of Taliban Atrocities in Kandahar

Insurgent Forces Hold Hundreds; Executions of Residents Linked to Government

Jul 24 - Taliban forces that have taken control of districts in Afghanistan’s southern Kandahar province have detained hundreds of residents whom they accuse of association with the government, Human Rights Watch said today. The Taliban have reportedly killed some detainees, including relatives of provincial government officials and members of the police and army.

Journalists told Human Rights Watch by phone that after Taliban forces took control of Kandahar’s Spin Boldak border crossing with Pakistan on July 8, 2021, and the Spin Boldak district center on July 16, they conducted searches to identify residents who have worked for the local government or security forces. Taliban forces that control areas around Kandahar city have carried out similar searches and have evicted some residents. Local media have reported that the Taliban have taken more than 300 people into custody and have detained them in unidentified locations....     more

US strikes Taliban and captured equipment in support of Afghan forces

Jul 23 - The US military carried out two strikes against the Taliban overnight in support of Afghan forces in the Kandahar province, multiple defense officials said, targeting captured equipment.

The military has retained the authority to carry out strikes in support of the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF) during the final stages of the withdrawal of US troopsbut the pace of these strikes has decreased in recent weeks. According to a defense official, the US military has carried out approximately six or seven strikes in the past 30 days, mostly using drones to launch the strikes. Previously, the US launched strikes in support of Afghan forces on a more frequent basis, a different defense official said.

​"I can say that in the last several days, we have acted through airstrikes to support the ANDSF, but I won't get into technical details of those strikes," Pentagon press secretary John Kirby said at a press briefing Thursday...     more
The Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF), also known as the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF), consist of:


...The ANSF are the national armed forces of Afghanistan. The NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan (NTM-A) is responsible for the ANSF’s institutional training, education and professional development activities, as set out by the Afghan Ministries of Defence and Interior...     quoted from

Readout of President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Call with President Ashraf Ghani of Afghanistan

JULY 23, 2021•STATEMENTS AND RELEASES

President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. spoke today with President Ashraf Ghani of Afghanistan.  President Biden and President Ghani discussed the situation in Afghanistan and reaffirmed their commitment to an enduring bilateral partnership.  President Biden emphasized continued U.S. support, including development and humanitarian aid, for the Afghan people, including women, girls, and minorities.  President Biden and President Ghani agreed that the Taliban’s current offensive is in direct contradiction to the movement’s claim to support a negotiated settlement of the conflict.  President Biden also reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to continue supporting the Afghan security forces to defend themselves. The FY2022 request to Congress for $3.3 billion for the Afghanistan Security Forces Fund prioritizes:
  1. $1 billion to ensure the Afghan Air Force and Special Mission Wing have the capabilities and maintenance to support ongoing combat operations, including by delivering additional aircraft, such as the three newly-refurbished UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters delivered to Kabul on July 16;
  2. $1 billion to purchase and deliver key supplies for Afghan forces such as fuel, ammunition, and spare parts; and
  3. $700 million to fund continued payment of salaries for Afghan soldiers.

​They deplored the loss of innocent Afghan lives, including through continued targeted killings, as well as displacement of the civilian population, looting and burning of buildings, destruction of vital infrastructure, and damage to communication networks. The United States recently announced more than $266 million in additional humanitarian assistance and released $300 million in development and other non-humanitarian assistance to help the Afghan people. The President has also requested an additional $364 million in development and other non-humanitarian assistance for the State Department and USAID for FY2022.  

President Biden urged continued work for unity among Afghan leaders on behalf of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the values on which it is based.  The two leaders discussed the importance of Afghans coming together to support their common interest in security and peace, and President Biden underscored continued U.S. diplomatic engagement in support of a durable and just political settlement.      source from
新五代机“将军”瞄准F-35 俄欲“将美一军”?20210723 |《今日关注》CCTV中文国际
Jul 24, 2021
Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby Holds an Off-Camera Press Briefing

JULY 22, 2021

Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby

Jul 22 - ...Q: Yeah, thank you so much.
Yeah, I had a question on Afghanistan. I wanted to ask (inaudible) yesterday. What -- what's the current assessment of the Pentagon of Pakistan's role inside Afghanistan? And have you seen any evidence that the Pakistani Air Force has helped Taliban in gaining grounds, especially in the Kandahar Province?

MR. KIRBY: I'm not going to speak for operational details here, Joe, you know that, and we -- we've talked about this before. The -- we -- we recognize that Pakistan has a stake in a stable, secure Afghanistan, the long border there, and we've long recognized that the border between those two countries has been used in the past as safe haven for some of these terrorist groups, including the Taliban, and that the Pakistani people themselves have fallen victim to terrorist attacks that have emanated from that border region.

Friday, July 23, 2021

Cuba | July 23, 2021

 1 - White House News in Chinese (weebly.com)

2 - White House News in Chinese (weebly.com)

“This is just the beginning — the United States will continue to sanction individuals responsible for oppression of the Cuban people,” Biden said in a statement. 

​US sanctions Cuba officials over protest response, Biden warns more to come

The United States imposed sanctions on Cuba’s defense minister and a special forces unit Thursday for repressing peaceful protests, a step President Joe Biden warned is “just the beginning” of punitive measures against Havana.

Jul 23 - The US Treasury Department said its Office of Foreign Assets Control froze the assets of minister Alvaro Lopez Miera and the Special National Brigade (SNB), a division of Cuba’s interior ministry, in relation to human rights abuses committed during a crackdown on protests on the island earlier in July.

“This is just the beginning—the United States will continue to sanction individuals responsible for oppression of the Cuban people,” Biden said in a statement.

The sanctions were imposed under the Magnitsky act, which allows a US president to take action against human rights abuses and corruption...     more details


FACT SHEET: Biden-Harris Administration Measures on Cuba

JULY 22, 2021•STATEMENTS AND RELEASES

​“The United States stands with the brave Cubans who have taken to the streets to oppose 62 years of repression under a communist regime.”

– President Biden

more details




Biden administration sanctions Cuban regime in wake of protests

Jul 23 - The Treasury Department announced in a press release that it was designating Alvaro Lopez Miera, who leads Cuba's Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces, as well as the National Special Brigade of the Ministry of the Interior -- known locally as the Boinas Negras or the "black berets" -- "in connection with the repression of peaceful, pro-democratic protests in Cuba that began on July 11."

"The Cuban people are protesting for the fundamental and universal rights they deserve from their government," Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said in a statement. "Treasury will continue to enforce its Cuba-related sanctions, including those imposed today, to support the people of Cuba in their quest for democracy and relief from the Cuban regime."

The Boinas Negras are an elite Cuban special forces unit that the government has deployed to crack down on protesters following the widespread anti-government demonstrations on the communist island.

Lopez Miera and the unit were sanctioned under authorities of the Global Magnitsky Act -- which allows for sanctions against those involved in significant human rights abuses or corruption.

Cuba's foreign minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla responded angrily to the announcement on Twitter
...     more details
Corps General Álvaro López Miera is a Cuban military and political leader and the incumbent Minister of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Cuba.

Cuba Appoints New Minister of the Revolutionary Armed Forces

Cuba Council of State appointed Army Corps General Alvaro Lopez Miera as new minister of the Revolutionary Armed Forces

Published on April 15, 2021

The Cuban Council of State appointed as the new minister of the Revolutionary Armed Forces Army Corps General Alvaro Lopez Miera, member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of the island (PCC).

At the proposal of the First Secretary of the political organization, Army General Raúl Castro, and the President of the Republic, Miguel Díaz-Canel, the Council decided to relieve Army Corps General Leopoldo Cintra Frías, who had served as head of that ministry since 2011.

In the official note released Thursday, the Council of State recognizes the career of Cintra Frías, who, in addition to being a Hero of the Republic of Cuba, ‘treasures an extensive and brilliant record of service to the Homeland.’

It also notes that from an early age, the former minister served as a combatant in the Rebel Army, alongside the historic leader Fidel Castro and fulfilled ‘honorable internationalist missions and high responsibilities’.

On the other hand, the official text also highlights Alvaro Lopez’s career as an officer, who from a very young age also joined the defense of the country and fulfilled important tasks in other nations.

Army Corps General Leopoldo Cintra Frías will be assigned other tasks, the note said.     source from

U.S. donates 500,000 Rapid Diagnostic Tests to Sri Lanka for early COVID-19 detection

Jul 23 - The United States donated 500,000 Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs) as part of its commitment to support Sri Lanka’s fight against COVID-19. These tests, worth 300 million Sri Lankan rupees (USD 1.5 million), were delivered to the Sri Lanka Ministry of Health through the United States Government’s development arm, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). These RDTs come in addition to over 1.5 million Moderna vaccines the American people donated to Sri Lanka on Friday, July 16.

​“By enabling rapid detection of the virus, these tests donated by the American people will save lives and protect public health in Sri Lanka,” said USAID Mission Director to Sri Lanka and Maldives, Reed Aeschliman. “This donation builds on previous U.S. support to the Sri Lankan government’s pandemic response and reflects our strong, long-standing partnership”...     more
Biman Bangladesh is the national carrier of Bangladesh, operating out of Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka

Bangladesh Domestic Flights Can Only Carry International Passengers

Jul 23 -We’ve seen a lot of strange airline operations due to the global health crisis. This includes flights operating with one passenger as well the use of widebodies on short routes that typically see much smaller aircraft. Bangladesh’s latest lockdown policy, which came in to effect at 06:00 today, has resulted in another abnormal policy, where domestic flights are only allowed to carry international passengers.

A strict lockdown

With the country’s recent spike in COVID-19 cases, Bangladesh is in lockdown, with the Dhaka Tribune reporting that more severe restrictions will come into force at 08:00 local time today. This will continue through to at least midnight on August 5th with police, Bangladesh Border Guard, and the Army deployed to the streets to ensure compliance.

This lockdown will also see travel via domestic flight banned, well, mostly. There are a few exceptions, including medevac/humanitarian/relief flights, cargo flights, and the transport of international passengers...     quoted from

驻军亚太 打造无人机“蜂群” 英军要加入“大国竞争”?20210722 |《今日关注》CCTV中文国际
Jul 23, 2021

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