Thursday,September 16, 2021

*) Taliban denies reports of leadership row over make-up of govt In Afghanistan, there have been reports of a row between Taliban leaders over the make-up of the new government. Senior Taliban officials have told British media that two rival parties allegedly fought at the presidential palace, but the Taliban has officially denied this. The group seized control of Afghanistan last month, and their new interim cabinet is made up of senior Taliban figures. *) US, UK and Australia announce national security initiative Leaders of the UK, Australia and the US have announced a trilateral security partnership that will allow for greater sharing of defence capabilities. As part of the landmark security pact - dubbed AUKUS - Washington has agreed to help Australia acquire a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines. While the leaders made no direct mention of China, the initiative is seen as a strategic move at countering a more assertive Beijing. US President Joe Biden says AUKUS will strengthen stability in the Indo-Pacific. *) Turkish, Azerbaijani air forces hold joint military exercise Turkey and Azerbaijan have held joint military exercises in the Turkish city of Konya, as Ankara says it will continue to support its allies. Eight combat aircraft, air defence systems and a large number of military personnel took part in the event called 'TURAZ Hawk 2021'. National defense ministers of both countries have joined the military drill. Turkey supported Azerbaijan in its war with Armenia over Nagorno-Karabakh last year. Azerbaijan liberated several cities and villages from the nearly three-decade occupation. The Turkish defense minister has said Turkey will continue to support its allies. *) Both North and South Korea test-fire ballistic missiles Tensions continue to escalate in the Korean peninsula as both North and South Korea test-fires ballistic missiles on Wednesday. The US and the United Nations condemned Pyongyang's missile launch, saying that it threatens regional stability. North Korean state ne