USA 2020 Timeline

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Showing 75 events on this page. Use search or category filters to narrow the year.
Jun
30
War / Conflict / Security

Afghan peace process Taliban spokesman Suhail Shaheen says on Twitter that there was a videoconference on Monday between U.S.

Afghan peace process Taliban spokesman Suhail Shaheen says on Twitter that there was a videoconference on Monday between U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Taliban official Mullah Baradar to discuss the peace process. The group reiterated its commitments to not attack American personnel, to engage in intra-Afghan talks and "not let anyone to use its soil to attack other countries". The meeting was confirmed by the U.S. State Department. (Reuters)

Jun
30
War / Conflict / Security

Taliban spokesman Suhail Shaheen says on Twitter that there was a videoconference on Monday between U.S.

Taliban spokesman Suhail Shaheen says on Twitter that there was a videoconference on Monday between U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Taliban official Mullah Baradar to discuss the peace process. The group reiterated its commitments to not attack American personnel, to engage in intra-Afghan talks and "not let anyone to use its soil to attack other countries". The meeting was confirmed by the U.S. State Department. (Reuters)

Jul
02
War / Conflict / Security

COVID-19 pandemic in Texas Texas Governor Greg Abbott orders citizens must wear face coverings when in public.

COVID-19 pandemic in Texas Texas Governor Greg Abbott orders citizens must wear face coverings when in public. This follows yesterday's reported state record daily high of more than 8,000 virus cases. Those who do not comply will receive an initial warning; those who refuse will face a fine of up to $250. (BBC News)

Jul
03
War / Conflict / Security

At least eight police officers are killed and five others injured in Uttar Pradesh, India, in an ambush as they were attempting to arrest a suspect for murder.

At least eight police officers are killed and five others injured in Uttar Pradesh, India, in an ambush as they were attempting to arrest a suspect for murder. The attack was carried out by several gunmen, two of whom were later killed by other officers. (Al Jazeera)

Jul
05
War / Conflict / Security

American-led intervention in Iraq (2014–2021) A Katyusha rocket falls in the Green Zone of Baghdad, Iraq, injuring a child and damaging a house.

American-led intervention in Iraq (2014–2021) A Katyusha rocket falls in the Green Zone of Baghdad, Iraq, injuring a child and damaging a house. Iraqi security forces also thwart another rocket launched at Camp Taji, which houses U.S. troops. Also, a MIM-104 Patriot defense system shoots down a missile launched against the U.S. embassy. (Al Arabiya)

Jul
09
War / Conflict / Security

Insurgency in the Sahel The United States says it is "deeply concerned" about abuses by state security forces in the Sahel and threatens to cut aid to the G5 na

Insurgency in the Sahel The United States says it is "deeply concerned" about abuses by state security forces in the Sahel and threatens to cut aid to the G5 nations that form a coalition in the area – Burkina Faso, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, and Chad – if those issues are not addressed. The U.S. also welcomes a summit to be held between the G5 nations and France and Spain. (Reuters)

Jul
09
War / Conflict / Security

The United States says it is "deeply concerned" about abuses by state security forces in the Sahel and threatens to cut aid to the G5 nations that form a coalit

The United States says it is "deeply concerned" about abuses by state security forces in the Sahel and threatens to cut aid to the G5 nations that form a coalition in the area – Burkina Faso, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, and Chad – if those issues are not addressed. The U.S. also welcomes a summit to be held between the G5 nations and France and Spain. (Reuters)

Jul
11
War / Conflict / Security

COVID-19 pandemic in the United States COVID-19 pandemic in Louisiana Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards issues an executive order requiring people to wear fac

COVID-19 pandemic in the United States COVID-19 pandemic in Louisiana Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards issues an executive order requiring people to wear face masks in public. (Axios) COVID-19 pandemic in New York The COVID-19 hospitalizations and average three-day death toll in New York reach lower levels for the first time since March. (CBS News)

Jul
11
War / Conflict / Security

Police respond to a shooting and hostage situation at a pentecostal church in Zuurbekom, Gauteng, South Africa.

Police respond to a shooting and hostage situation at a pentecostal church in Zuurbekom, Gauteng, South Africa. At least five people are killed. South African police free an undetermined number of hostages, and arrest more than 40 people. Among those arrested were members of the police, defense forces and correctional services. The attackers reportedly were part of a splinter group in a leadership dispute at the long-troubled church. (Reuters) (BBC News) (AP)

Jul
12
War / Conflict / Security

Police in Boston and in New York are investigating attacks on statues of the Virgin Mary at local Catholic churches.

Police in Boston and in New York are investigating attacks on statues of the Virgin Mary at local Catholic churches. In Boston, a statue outside St. Peter’s Church in Dorchester neighborhood was set on fire, causing serious damage. In New York, an unidentified man was shown on security videotape painting the word “idol” on a statue outside Cathedral Prep School in Queens. (Catholic News Agency)

Jul
12
War / Conflict / Security

COVID-19 pandemic in Japan, Japan–United States relations U.S.

COVID-19 pandemic in Japan, Japan–United States relations U.S. military officials report 61 cases of COVID-19 at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma and Camp Hansen. Governor of Okinawa Prefecture Denny Tamaki said late on Saturday that "Okinawans are shocked by what we were told", and demanded more action from the U.S. military which has since put the two bases under lockdown. (AP News)

Jul
17
War / Conflict / Security

COVID-19 pandemic in the United States COVID-19 pandemic in California Manhattan Beach announces it will fine people who do not wear masks.

COVID-19 pandemic in the United States COVID-19 pandemic in California Manhattan Beach announces it will fine people who do not wear masks. (Los Angeles Times) California Governor Gavin Newsom lays out new rules for schools with high COVID-19 rates to do virtual learning and close campuses until they meet certain health standards. (Politico) COVID-19 pandemic in Florida Officials in Miami announce that they will impose a curfew at South Beach as Florida tops 10,000 cases. (CBS News) Military medics are deployed to hospitals in Texas and California as cases surge. (The Chicago Tribune)

Jul
22
War / Conflict / Security

2020 Atlantic hurricane season, 2020 Pacific hurricane season Two tropical storms, one in the Atlantic Ocean (Gonzalo) and the other in the Pacific (Douglas), a

2020 Atlantic hurricane season, 2020 Pacific hurricane season Two tropical storms, one in the Atlantic Ocean (Gonzalo) and the other in the Pacific (Douglas), are expected to become hurricanes Thursday. Gonzalo, with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph, is east of Barbados in the Windward Islands, moving toward the west near 12 mph (19 km/h), leading Barbados to issue a Hurricane watch. Douglas's maximum sustained winds have increased to near 100 mph (155 km/h), and landfall on Hawaii is expected Sunday. (USA Today) (The Washington Post)

Jul
22
War / Conflict / Security

Two tropical storms, one in the Atlantic Ocean (Gonzalo) and the other in the Pacific (Douglas), are expected to become hurricanes Thursday.

Two tropical storms, one in the Atlantic Ocean (Gonzalo) and the other in the Pacific (Douglas), are expected to become hurricanes Thursday. Gonzalo, with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph, is east of Barbados in the Windward Islands, moving toward the west near 12 mph (19 km/h), leading Barbados to issue a Hurricane watch. Douglas's maximum sustained winds have increased to near 100 mph (155 km/h), and landfall on Hawaii is expected Sunday. (USA Today) (The Washington Post)

Jul
25
War / Conflict / Security

2020 Atlantic hurricane season Hurricane Hanna Tropical Storm Hanna is upgraded to a hurricane and heads toward the Texas coast, threatening to bring heavy rain

2020 Atlantic hurricane season Hurricane Hanna Tropical Storm Hanna is upgraded to a hurricane and heads toward the Texas coast, threatening to bring heavy rain, storm surge and possible tornadoes. Hanna is reported as the first hurricane of the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season by the U.S. National Hurricane Center. (AP)

Jul
25
War / Conflict / Security

Hurricane Hanna Tropical Storm Hanna is upgraded to a hurricane and heads toward the Texas coast, threatening to bring heavy rain, storm surge and possible torn

Hurricane Hanna Tropical Storm Hanna is upgraded to a hurricane and heads toward the Texas coast, threatening to bring heavy rain, storm surge and possible tornadoes. Hanna is reported as the first hurricane of the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season by the U.S. National Hurricane Center. (AP)

Jul
25
War / Conflict / Security

Tropical Storm Hanna is upgraded to a hurricane and heads toward the Texas coast, threatening to bring heavy rain, storm surge and possible tornadoes.

Tropical Storm Hanna is upgraded to a hurricane and heads toward the Texas coast, threatening to bring heavy rain, storm surge and possible tornadoes. Hanna is reported as the first hurricane of the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season by the U.S. National Hurricane Center. (AP)

Jul
25
War / Conflict / Security

American-led intervention in Iraq (2014–2021) CJTF–OIR hands over control of Besmaya Range Complex in Baghdad Governorate, which houses Spanish troops, to Iraqi

American-led intervention in Iraq (2014–2021) CJTF–OIR hands over control of Besmaya Range Complex in Baghdad Governorate, which houses Spanish troops, to Iraqi security forces. It is the seventh military base to be handed over to Iraqi forces since the beginning of the withdrawal of U.S. and coalition troops. (Xinhua)

Jul
30
War / Conflict / Security

2020 Atlantic hurricane season Hurricane Isaias Hurricane Isaias is expected to head towards Florida, prompting the state to close their COVID-19 test sites.

2020 Atlantic hurricane season Hurricane Isaias Hurricane Isaias is expected to head towards Florida, prompting the state to close their COVID-19 test sites. The hurricane has made landfall in Puerto Rico, causing landslides, flooding, and power outages. (CBS News) (CNN)

Aug
01
War / Conflict / Security

2020 Atlantic hurricane season Hurricane Isaias Category One Isaias makes landfall on northern Andros Island heading toward Grand Bahama.

2020 Atlantic hurricane season Hurricane Isaias Category One Isaias makes landfall on northern Andros Island heading toward Grand Bahama. The storm, strength slightly reduced to 75 mph (120 km/h) with heavy rains and coastal flooding, will move over the Straits of Florida tonight and approach the southeast coast of Florida early Sunday. North Carolina orders the evacuation of Ocracoke Island. (USA Today) (National Hurricane Center)

Aug
01
War / Conflict / Security

Category One Isaias makes landfall on northern Andros Island heading toward Grand Bahama.

Category One Isaias makes landfall on northern Andros Island heading toward Grand Bahama. The storm, strength slightly reduced to 75 mph (120 km/h) with heavy rains and coastal flooding, will move over the Straits of Florida tonight and approach the southeast coast of Florida early Sunday. North Carolina orders the evacuation of Ocracoke Island. (USA Today) (National Hurricane Center)

Aug
01
War / Conflict / Security

Hurricane Isaias Category One Isaias makes landfall on northern Andros Island heading toward Grand Bahama.

Hurricane Isaias Category One Isaias makes landfall on northern Andros Island heading toward Grand Bahama. The storm, strength slightly reduced to 75 mph (120 km/h) with heavy rains and coastal flooding, will move over the Straits of Florida tonight and approach the southeast coast of Florida early Sunday. North Carolina orders the evacuation of Ocracoke Island. (USA Today) (National Hurricane Center)

Aug
02
War / Conflict / Security

A tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph (100 km/h), Isaias is less than a mile off the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on Florida's Atlantic Co

A tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph (100 km/h), Isaias is less than a mile off the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on Florida's Atlantic Coast, moving north-northwest at about 8 mph (13 km/h). Tropical storm warnings have been issued as far north as Surf City, North Carolina. (Orlando Sentinel) (National Hurricane Center)

Aug
03
War / Conflict / Security

2020 Atlantic hurricane season Hurricane Isaias Isaias regains hurricane strength with maximum winds of 75 mph (120 km/h) after leaving 2-4 inches of precipitat

2020 Atlantic hurricane season Hurricane Isaias Isaias regains hurricane strength with maximum winds of 75 mph (120 km/h) after leaving 2-4 inches of precipitation and causing minor power outages along the Florida coast. The storm is moving north-northeast at 16 mph (26 km/h), and is expected to make landfall in eastern North Carolina early Tuesday and then continue along the Mid-Atlantic coast heading toward the northeastern states. The storm surge will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded with rising waters before moving inland. (NPR) (National Hurricane Center)

Aug
03
War / Conflict / Security

Hurricane Isaias Isaias regains hurricane strength with maximum winds of 75 mph (120 km/h) after leaving 2-4 inches of precipitation and causing minor power out

Hurricane Isaias Isaias regains hurricane strength with maximum winds of 75 mph (120 km/h) after leaving 2-4 inches of precipitation and causing minor power outages along the Florida coast. The storm is moving north-northeast at 16 mph (26 km/h), and is expected to make landfall in eastern North Carolina early Tuesday and then continue along the Mid-Atlantic coast heading toward the northeastern states. The storm surge will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded with rising waters before moving inland. (NPR) (National Hurricane Center)

Aug
03
War / Conflict / Security

Isaias regains hurricane strength with maximum winds of 75 mph (120 km/h) after leaving 2-4 inches of precipitation and causing minor power outages along the Fl

Isaias regains hurricane strength with maximum winds of 75 mph (120 km/h) after leaving 2-4 inches of precipitation and causing minor power outages along the Florida coast. The storm is moving north-northeast at 16 mph (26 km/h), and is expected to make landfall in eastern North Carolina early Tuesday and then continue along the Mid-Atlantic coast heading toward the northeastern states. The storm surge will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded with rising waters before moving inland. (NPR) (National Hurricane Center)

Aug
03
War / Conflict / Security

Authorities announce the arrest of a 48-year-old man two days earlier in San Antonio, Texas, US, for threatening to commit a mass shooting at Fort Hood in retal

Authorities announce the arrest of a 48-year-old man two days earlier in San Antonio, Texas, US, for threatening to commit a mass shooting at Fort Hood in retaliation for the killing of Vanessa Guillén there in April. He is being charged with making terroristic threats. (San Antonio Express-News)

Aug
08
War / Conflict / Security

LGBT rights in Poland The Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe Dunja Mijatović urges Polish authorities to "immediately release" an LGBT right

LGBT rights in Poland The Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe Dunja Mijatović urges Polish authorities to "immediately release" an LGBT rights activist detained on Friday. The activist was arrested on charges of hooliganism and vandalism. Yesterday, 48 pro-LGBT protesters were also arrested when they tried to stop police from detaining the activist. (The First News) Thousands of protesters march in front of the Palace of Culture and Science in Warsaw, demanding the release of the activist. (Reuters)

Aug
14
War / Conflict / Security

Moro conflict Moro National Liberation Front chairman Nur Misuari surrenders Abduljihad Susukan, a sub-commander of the ISIL-affiliated Abu Sayyaf militant grou

Moro conflict Moro National Liberation Front chairman Nur Misuari surrenders Abduljihad Susukan, a sub-commander of the ISIL-affiliated Abu Sayyaf militant group, to the Philippine National Police in Davao City, following the latter's involvement in the 2015 Roseller Lim and Samal Island kidnappings and beheadings. Susukan surrendered to Misuari in April 2020. (AP via CBC News)

Aug
17
War / Conflict / Security

Insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir Militants kill a policeman and two paramilitary officers in Srinagar.

Insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir Militants kill a policeman and two paramilitary officers in Srinagar. A spokesman for the police says they thwarted another attack when they recovered improvised explosive devices placed under a bridge. This has been seen as an increase in attacks on security forces in recent months. (Reuters)

Aug
18
War / Conflict / Security

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the military South Korea–United States relations, Korean conflict The United States Armed Forces resume joint military exerci

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the military South Korea–United States relations, Korean conflict The United States Armed Forces resume joint military exercises with the Republic of Korea Armed Forces after several COVID-19 cases were confirmed at United States Forces Korea bases since February. (AFP via The Manila Times)

Aug
18
War / Conflict / Security

South Korea–United States relations, Korean conflict The United States Armed Forces resume joint military exercises with the Republic of Korea Armed Forces afte

South Korea–United States relations, Korean conflict The United States Armed Forces resume joint military exercises with the Republic of Korea Armed Forces after several COVID-19 cases were confirmed at United States Forces Korea bases since February. (AFP via The Manila Times)

Aug
20
War / Conflict / Security

Travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic COVID-19 pandemic in Europe COVID-19 pandemic in Germany, COVID-19 pandemic in Croatia The Robert Koch Inst

Travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic COVID-19 pandemic in Europe COVID-19 pandemic in Germany, COVID-19 pandemic in Croatia The Robert Koch Institute declares the Sibenik-Knin and Split-Dalmatia regions in Croatia as COVID-19 high-risk regions, issuing a travel warning against the two regions, which are popular with tourists. (Reuters) COVID-19 pandemic in North America COVID-19 pandemic in Costa Rica, COVID-19 pandemic in the United States Costa Rica reopens for traveling for Americans in Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, and Vermont. (CNN)

Aug
20
War / Conflict / Security

Sanctions against Iran U.S.

Sanctions against Iran U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announces his intention to invoke the "snap back" provision of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2231, an endorsement of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) which would reimplement all of the United Nations' sanctions on Iran. The U.S., however, had withdrawn from JCPOA in 2018. (The Guardian)

Aug
21
War / Conflict / Security

Iran–United States relations A U.S.

Iran–United States relations A U.S. attempt to extend United Nations sanctions against Iran under a JCPoA "snapback" provision is opposed by 13 Security Council members, who argue that the U.S. left the agreement with Iran in 2018. (The Guardian)

Aug
22
War / Conflict / Security

Department of Homeland Security officers force demonstrators out of a plaza near Multnomah County Justice Center as dueling demonstrations in Portland, Oregon b

Department of Homeland Security officers force demonstrators out of a plaza near Multnomah County Justice Center as dueling demonstrations in Portland, Oregon by right-wing and left-wing protesters turn violent. Images show hundreds of people involved, many of them wearing helmets and carrying makeshift shields. Some demonstrators appeared to use pepper spray and at least one person appeared to pull a gun, but no arrests have been made so far. (NBC News)

Aug
22
War / Conflict / Security

George Floyd protests in Portland, Oregon Department of Homeland Security officers force demonstrators out of a plaza near Multnomah County Justice Center as du

George Floyd protests in Portland, Oregon Department of Homeland Security officers force demonstrators out of a plaza near Multnomah County Justice Center as dueling demonstrations in Portland, Oregon by right-wing and left-wing protesters turn violent. Images show hundreds of people involved, many of them wearing helmets and carrying makeshift shields. Some demonstrators appeared to use pepper spray and at least one person appeared to pull a gun, but no arrests have been made so far. (NBC News)

Aug
23
War / Conflict / Security

Hurricane warnings are issued for the state of Louisiana and parts of Mississippi as it is expected that Tropical Storm Marco will become a hurricane later toda

Hurricane warnings are issued for the state of Louisiana and parts of Mississippi as it is expected that Tropical Storm Marco will become a hurricane later today. Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Laura is also advancing toward the United States after leaving torrential rain in parts of Haiti and the Dominican Republic. The Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards requests a federal emergency declaration; Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves declares a state of emergency. (The Guardian) (ABC News)

Aug
24
War / Conflict / Security

COVID-19 pandemic in France, COVID-19 pandemic in Germany German Federal Foreign Office issue a travel warning for Île-de-France region, which includes Paris, a

COVID-19 pandemic in France, COVID-19 pandemic in Germany German Federal Foreign Office issue a travel warning for Île-de-France region, which includes Paris, and Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, which includes Marseille and Nice, as well as French Guiana and other overseas French territories against "unnecessary tourism" due to rising COVID-19 infections in these regions. (RFI)

Aug
24
War / Conflict / Security

German Federal Foreign Office issue a travel warning for Île-de-France region, which includes Paris, and Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, which includes Marseille an

German Federal Foreign Office issue a travel warning for Île-de-France region, which includes Paris, and Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, which includes Marseille and Nice, as well as French Guiana and other overseas French territories against "unnecessary tourism" due to rising COVID-19 infections in these regions. (RFI)

Aug
24
War / Conflict / Security

Travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic COVID-19 pandemic in France, COVID-19 pandemic in Germany German Federal Foreign Office issue a travel warn

Travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic COVID-19 pandemic in France, COVID-19 pandemic in Germany German Federal Foreign Office issue a travel warning for Île-de-France region, which includes Paris, and Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, which includes Marseille and Nice, as well as French Guiana and other overseas French territories against "unnecessary tourism" due to rising COVID-19 infections in these regions. (RFI)

Aug
24
War / Conflict / Security

Moro conflict 2020 Jolo bombings Militants believed to be Abu Sayyaf jihadists detonate two bombs in Jolo, Sulu, Philippines, killing 14 people and wounding 75

Moro conflict 2020 Jolo bombings Militants believed to be Abu Sayyaf jihadists detonate two bombs in Jolo, Sulu, Philippines, killing 14 people and wounding 75 others. The first occurred as army personnel were assisting in carrying out COVID-19 humanitarian efforts. The second was carried out by a female suicide bomber near the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral, which was bombed in 2019. (The New York Times)

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