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Current Operations

Defense Policy / Programs

• French Fighter Jet Sale to Egypt: Triumph and Questions VOA 15 Feb 2015 -- French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian is due in Cairo Monday to sign off on a $5.9 billion purchase by Egypt of 24 French Rafale fighter jets and a frigate. The deal boosts France's struggling economy and helps bolster Egypt's military arsenal in the face of rising insecurity. Some are questioning why France is going ahead with the sale to a country with a poor human rights record.
• Russia May Finalize its Flagship Aircraft Carrier by 2025 Sputnik 15 Feb 2015 -- The construction of a flagship air carrier for the Russian Navy may be finalized before 2025, a Russian Navy spokesman said.
• Russia Has No Plans to Create Military Bases in Latin America Sputnik 15 Feb 2015 -- Deputy Minister of Defense Anatoly Antonov told Russian media on Sunday that despite increased military and military-technical cooperation with countries in Latin America, Russia has no plans for military bases in the region./li>
• Russia Plans $123.3 Million in Upgrades for Arctic Military Base Sputnik 15 Feb 2015 -- Russia will modernize the base as part of its plans to improve the defense of its northern Arctic territories, where temperatures are rising and NATO is showing newfound interest.
• Obese army officers will not get promotion People's Daily 15 Feb 2015 -- Keep fit or lose rank. Members of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) have been reminded to stay in shape or else they'll lose out on promotions.
• Iran new radar to closely watch enemies: General ISNA 15 Feb 2015 -- A senior Iranian commander said the country is installing a radar which would be able to keep tabs on enemy bases as far as 3,000 kilometers away.

Defense Industry

Other Conflicts

• Moscow urges full implementation of Ukraine truce deal Iran Press TV 15 Feb 2015 -- Moscow says all the terms of a peace deal recently reached in the Belarusian capital, Minsk, to end the fighting in eastern Ukraine must be "unconditionally observed."
• Ukraine Cease-Fire Said To Be Holding Despite Scattered Incidents RFE/RL 15 Feb 2015 -- The cease-fire in Ukraine that came into effect during the night is generally holding, despite some reports of scattered shelling.
• DPR Envoy Says Appealed to OSCE Regarding Ukrainian Army Shelling Horlivka Sputnik 15 Feb 2015 -- Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) envoy Denis Pushilin said Sunday that he has contacted the representatives of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) regarding the shelling of Horlivka, Donbas region by Kiev forces.
• Head of DPR Suggests Ukrainian Troops Leave Debaltsevo Without Weapons Sputnik 15 Feb 2015 -- The head of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DPR), Alexander Zakharchenko suggested Ukrainian troops leave Debaltseve without weapons and military equipment, the Donetsk News Agency said Sunday.
• Donetsk Militia Say OSCE Made No Requests to Visit Debaltseve Sputnik 15 Feb 2015 -- The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) monitoring mission to Ukraine did not request the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) to visit the area of Debaltseve, DPR negotiator said Sunday.
• OSCE to Monitor Ukraine Ceasefire in Debaltseve, Mariupol, Donetsk Airport Sputnik 15 Feb 2015 -- The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) has reinforced its mission in eastern Ukraine to monitor the ceasefire in the conflict's flashpoints, including Debaltseve, Mariupol and the Donetsk Airport, Russia's envoy to the OSCE told RIA Novosti Sunday.
• OSCE Barred From Debaltseve in Breach of Minsk Agreements – Ukrainian FM Sputnik 15 Feb 2015 -- Representatives of the Organization for the Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) are not allowed to enter the city of Debaltseve in eastern Ukraine, in violation of the Minsk agreements, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin said Sunday.
• Ukrainian Ceasefire Comes Into Force: Sides Order to Cease Hostilities Sputnik 15 Feb 2015 -- Ukrainian President ordered all the units on the front line of contact with the independence supporters to cease fire starting from midnight.
• Ukraine Rebels Reject Cease-Fire at Encircled Town VOA 15 Feb 2015 -- Pro-Russian rebels battling Ukrainian forces near the Russian border sought to modify a new truce deal Sunday, saying terms of the cease-fire agreement did not apply to the town where most of the fighting has taken place this month.
• 35 killed as ISIL suffers huge blow in Syria Iran Press TV 15 Feb 2015 -- Battles between ISIL terrorists and Kurdish forces near the Syrian town of Kobani have left at least 35 militants killed.
• Dozens killed in Syria clashes in one week: Monitoring group Iran Press TV 15 Feb 2015 -- Ongoing clashes between the Hezbollah-backed Syrian army and terrorist groups in southern Syria have left dozens dead on both sides over the past week, a monitoring group says.
• ISIL militants kidnap 30 tribesmen in western Iraq Iran Press TV 15 Feb 2015 -- Members of ISIL Takfiri terrorist group have abducted tens of tribesmen in Iraq's strife-stricken western province of al-Anbar.
• Libyan Army Liberates Two Oilfields From ISIL Affiliates Sputnik 15 Feb 2015 -- The government forces liberated two oilfields in central Libya, which had been seized by militants linked to Islamic State (IS), Turkey's Anadolu news agency reported Sunday.
• Niger arrests Boko Haram-affiliated suspects Iran Press TV 15 Feb 2015 -- Niger says it has arrested several dozen people suspected of being affiliated with the Takfiri Boko Haram terrorist group.
• Female Bomber Kills at Least 10 in Northeast Nigeria VOA 15 Feb 2015 -- A female suicide bomber in Nigeria killed at least 10 people and injured 30 more Sunday when she blew herself up at a crowded bus station.
• Explanation of Vote at a Security Council Session on Yemen U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations 15 Feb 2015
• Security Council demands Houthi militias 'immediately' withdraw from capital, begin political process UN News Centre 15 Feb 2015 -- Demanding that secessionist Houthi militias in Yemen 'immediately and unconditionally' withdraw from Government and security institutions, the Security Council this evening called on all Yemeni parties to engage in good faith in the United Nations-brokered political talks being led by Special Adviser Jamal Benomar.
• UN Resolution Demands Restoration of Yemen Government VOA 15 Feb 2015 -- The United Nations Security Council is demanding that Shi'ite Houthi rebels in Yemen restore the Sana'a government and immediately release U.S.-backed President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi. Hadi and his ministers were detained last month when rebels toppled the government.
• Senior UN, European Union relief officials urge protection for vulnerable people in Central African Republic UN News Centre 15 Feb 2015 -- Senior UN, European Union relief officials urge protection for vulnerable people in Central African Republic
• UN Official Sees 'Green Shoots' of Hope Sprouting in CAR VOA 15 Feb 2015 -- A senior United Nations official said he sees hopeful signs of reconciliation beginning to emerge in war-torn Central African Republic.
• South Sudan Leader Seeks Extension of Mandate VOA 15 Feb 2015 -- South Sudan's government plans to send a proposal to parliament on Tuesday for a constitutional amendment to extend President Salva Kiir's term of office, presidential spokesperson Ateny Wek Ateny said.
• Chinese Patrol Ships Enter Disputed Waters Sputnik 15 Feb 2015 -- Japanese officials cried alarm on Sunday as Chinese patrol ships entered the waters of the Japanese-controlled Senkaku Islands, and Chinese officials vowed to increase their presence in the area.

News Reports

• Afghanistan Wakes Up To Islamic State Threat RFE/RL 15 Feb 2015 -- After consistently rejecting the idea, Kabul could no longer ignore what self-declared recruiters and fighters had been telling them for months - the Islamic State (IS) group had indeed arrived in Afghanistan.
• Copenhagen gunman had background in criminal activities: Police Iran Press TV 15 Feb 2015 -- The gunman behind the fatal attacks on a café and a synagogue in the Danish capital Copenhagen had a background in criminal activities, police say.
• Copenhagen Police Kill Man After Deadly Shootings RFE/RL 15 Feb 2015 -- Police in Copenhagen say they have shot and killed a man suspected of carrying out shooting attacks at a free-speech event and then at a Copenhagen synagogue, killing two men, including a member of Denmark's Jewish community.Five police officers were also wounded in the attacks.
• Police Say Suspected Copenhagen Gunman Was Born, Raised In Denmark RFE/RL 15 Feb 2015 -- Danish police say the suspected gunman behind fatal shootings in Copenhagen was 22 years old and born and raised in Denmark.
• Condemning Copenhagen attacks, Ban urges 'strong stand' for tolerance, end to discrimination UN News Centre 15 Feb 2015 -- Strongly condemning this weekend's attacks at a freedom of expression event near a synagogue in Copenhagen, Denmark, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today stressed that there is no justification for attacks against civilians and reaffirmed the need for the world "stand strong" for tolerance and free expression.
• Police Release Details on Suspected Gunman in Copenhagen Attacks VOA 15 Feb 2015 -- Danish police shot and killed a man early Sunday suspected in the slayings of two people in Copenhagen since Saturday, in what the country's prime minister calls a 'cynical act of terror against Denmark.'
• Washington Eyes Denmark Attacks Amid Debate on Authorizing Fight Against IS VOA 15 Feb 2015 -- The U.S. Congress is in recess this coming week, as President Barack Obama prepares to host a summit on confronting violent extremism in American neighborhoods. Attacks in Denmark once again underscore the need for vigilance, and could impact forthcoming congressional deliberations on President Obama's request for authorization to battle Islamic State militants.
• Video Purports to Show IS Beheading Egyptian Hostages VOA 15 Feb 2015 -- A video has emerged that purports to show militants of the Islamic State terrorist group beheading 21 Egyptian Coptic Christians kidnapped in Libya.
• Iran rebukes US State Department for interference in Iran's affairs IRNA 15 Feb 2015 -- Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Marzieh Afkham on Sunday rebuked the US state department for blatant interference in Iran's internal affairs.
• Iran expects China to help settle nuclear dispute with G5+1 IRNA 15 Feb 2015 -- President Hassan Rouhani on Sunday that Iran expects China to help settle nuclear dispute with the western governments. He said that they must show political will for the purpose.
• Chinese-built railway in Angola open to traffic People's Daily 15 Feb 2015 -- A 1,344-kilometer railway built by China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC) for Angola was completed and open to traffic on Saturday, the company told Xinhua.