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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
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Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• Afghan Officials: Islamic State Fighters Finding Sanctuary in Afghanistan VOA 18 Nov 2017 -- Battered and beaten in Iraq and Syria, the Islamic State terror group is surging fighters into Afghanistan, rebuilding its presence and perhaps setting up a new base for attacks on both the West and Russia.

Defense Policy / Programs

• US nuclear commander: I'd resist Trump's 'illegal' nuke strike order Press TV 18 Nov 2017 -- A top nuclear commander in the United States says he would resist an "illegal" nuclear attack order from President Donald Trump.
• Japanese Tug Loses Propulsion, Drifts into USS Benfold NNS 18 Nov 2017 -- The guided-missile destroyer USS Benfold (DDG 65) was participating in a scheduled towing exercise in Sagami Wan Nov. 18, when the tug boat lost propulsion and drifted into the ship.
• USS Wayne E. Meyer Conducts Search and Rescue NNS 18 Nov 2017 -- Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Wayne E. Meyer (DDG 108) rescued three mariners from a sinking vessel, Nov. 18.
• NATO warns of military, economy power shift to China, Russia Press TV 18 Nov 2017 -- A top commander of the NATO military alliance has highlighted a shift in global economic and military power from the West to other countries, particularly Russia and China, warning of a growing "risk of a major interstate conflict."
• Erdogan Rejects NATO Apology For Appearing on Bloc's 'Enemy Poster' Sputnik 18 Nov 2017 -- The Turkish president has reacted to the apology over an incident during drills in Norway made by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg a day earlier.
• 'Flying Radar': Russian A-100 AWACS Aircraft Makes Maiden Flight Sputnik 18 Nov 2017 -- The newest Russian AWACS aircraft can detect up to 300 targets.
• Super Boomer: What's So Special About Russia's New Borei-A Missile Sub? Sputnik 18 Nov 2017 -- With Russia's first modernized Borei-A-class strategic nuclear-powered Knyaz (Prince) Vladimir missile submarine floated out at the Sevmash shipyard on Friday, a RIA Novosti commentator analyzes how this 15,000-ton behemoth differs from its predecessors.
• US authorizes $10.5bn Patriot missile sale to Poland Press TV 18 Nov 2017 -- The US State Department has authorized the sale of $10.5 billion in Patriot missile systems to Poland, the linchpin of the NATO military alliance's Eastern frontier against Russia.
• China Creates Advanced Catapult for Planes 'Outperforming' the US Sputnik 18 Nov 2017 -- It is expected to significantly improve the country's aircraft carrier fleet's combat capacities.
• That's a Wrap: Israel's Titanic Eight-Nation Air Force Exercise Concludes Sputnik 18 Nov 2017 -- The largest air exercises ever held in the history of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) wrapped up on Friday. Blue Flag, an eight-nation war game contested in the skies of southern Israel, set numerous records - including largest aerial war game of 2017.
• Indian Army's Mega Purchase: Surveillance UAVs for Tactical Battle Areas Sputnik 18 Nov 2017 -- The $670 million contract is intended for local industry. However, a lack of technology and short delivery deadline may force Indian firms to forge partnerships with foreign manufacturers.
• Air Force to review bids for Mirage-2000 salvage mission on Monday CNA 18 Nov 2017 -- The Republic of China (Taiwan) Air Force has announced a formal request for tenders (RTF) for companies to conduct a marine salvage mission to retrieve the black box of a Mirage-2000 fighter jet that went missing on Nov. 7.
• US to arm Ukraine with anti-missile tanks: Report Press TV 18 Nov 2017 -- Senior advisers to US President Donald Trump have decided to present him with a new plan to finance and sell more weapons to Ukraine, in an attempt to counter what they call Russian aggression in the region, a report says.
• U.S. Navy to Deploy Undersea Rescue Capabilities to Argentina NNS 18 Nov 2017 -- The U.S. Navy has ordered its Undersea Rescue Command (URC) based in San Diego, Calif., to deploy to Argentina, Nov. 18 to support the South American nation's ongoing search for the Argentinean Navy submarine A.R.A. San Juan in the Southern Atlantic.
• U.S. Navy P-8A Poseidon to Support Argentina Search for Submarine NNS 18 Nov 2017 -- U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) directed the U.S. Navy to deploy a P-8A Poseidon multi-mission maritime aircraft to Bahia Blanca, Argentina, Nov. 18 to support the South American nation's ongoing search for the submarine A.R.A. San Juan in the waters of the Southern Atlantic.
• NASA Gives Helping Hand in Search for Argentine Submarine Sputnik 18 Nov 2017 -- A NASA aircraft has started searching for a missing Argentine submarine and its crew of 44, a defense official has told USNI News.
• Argentine President Ready to Accept Int'l Help in Search for Missing Submarine Sputnik 18 Nov 2017 -- The ARA San Juan submarine with 44 crew members has been missing for several days.
• Chile, UK, US Offer Argentina Help in Hunt for Missing Submarine Sputnik 18 Nov 2017 -- Chilean, UK and US authorities have offered Argentina their assistance in the search for a missing submarine that went off the radar three days ago, the Argentinian Foreign Ministry has said.
• Argentina Intensifies Search for Navy Submarine With 44 Crew Members VOA 18 Nov 2017 -- The Argentine navy said Saturday it has intensified its search for a submarine carrying 44 crew members that went missing Wednesday, but efforts are being hindered by strong winds and six-meter waves.
• Armenian Parliament Extends Amnesty-For-Cash For Draft Dodgers RFE/RL 18 Nov 2017 -- Armenian lawmakers on November 17 approved legislation to provide young men who have illegally evaded compulsory military service an opportunity for amnesty if they pay a hefty sum.

Defense Industry

Other Conflicts

• Saudi blockade hinders delivery of desperately needed medicine to Yemenis: MSF Press TV 18 Nov 2017 -- The international medical charity Doctors Without Borders says it has not been able to deliver vital medical and humanitarian assistance to the people in the Yemeni capital, Sana'a, due to a tight blockade the Saudi-led military coalition has imposed on the impoverished nation.
• Confidential UN brief reveals no missiles sent to Houthis by Iran IRNA 18 Nov 2017 -- A confidential letter by a UN panel has put under question Saudi claims that the missiles used by Yemeni revolutionary fighters against Saudi Arabia have been provided by Iran.
• Security Council-appointed panel says no missiles sent to Houthis, refuting Saudi Arabia claim Press TV 18 Nov 2017 -- A United Nations Security Council-appointed panel has said in a confidential memo that it has seen no evidence to support Saudi Arabia's claims that missiles have been transferred to Yemen's Houthis fighters by external sources.
• Daesh suicide attack on eastern Syria leaves 20 dead, injures 30 IRNA 18 Nov 2017 -- The suicide strike by terrorist group Daesh on Deir ez-Zor, eastern Syria resulted in killing 20 people and injured 30 others, Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reported.
• Russia vetos Japan-drafted UN resolution on chemical attacks probe in Syria People's Daily 18 Nov 2017 -- Russia on Friday vetoed a Japanese-drafted UN securiy council resolution on renewing a joint mechanism to investigate who is behind chemical weapons attacks in Syria.
• US won't be constrained by UN Security Council in Syria: Haley Press TV 18 Nov 2017 -- The United States does not consider itself constrained by the UN Security Council and may seek "justice" in Syria on its own terms, says the US representative to the UN, Nikki Haley.
• Russia vetoes Japan-drafted resolution on chemical attacks in Syria Press TV 18 Nov 2017 -- Russia has cast a second veto in the United Nations Security Council to block a resolution that sought the renewal of an international inquiry into chemical weapons attacks in Syria.
• Russia Again Vetoes Chemical Weapons Resolutions on Syria VOA 18 Nov 2017 -- Russia has again vetoed a U.N. Security Council resolution that would have extended an international probe into chemical weapons use in Syria, one day after it rejected a similar resolution.
• 7 killed as police attack pro-independence fighters in Kashmir Press TV 18 Nov 2017 -- Fierce clashes between Indian security forces and a group of pro-independence fighters in restive Indian-controlled Kashmir have left at least seven people dead.
• Report: ONLF Rebel Leader Illegally Extradited to Ethiopia VOA 18 Nov 2017 -- The controversial extradition of a prominent ONLF rebel leader to Ethiopia was illegal, a report by a Somali parliamentary commission said Saturday.

News Reports

• Sources: Mugabe's Ruling Party to Meet Sunday to Discuss His Ouster VOA 18 Nov 2017 -- Officials of Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe's own ZANU-PF party said Saturday that they would meet Sunday to discuss dismissing the longtime ruler.
• Zimbabwe's ZANU-PF party set to sack leader Mugabe: Report Press TV 18 Nov 2017 -- Zimbabwe's ZANU-PF party is reportedly planning an emergency meeting to dismiss the party leader and the country's president, Robert Mugabe.
• Zimbabwe's ruling party calls on Mugabe to step down after military takeover Press TV 18 Nov 2017 -- Eight of the 10 regional branches of Zimbabwe's ruling ZANU-PF party have joined calls for President Robert Mugabe to step down three days after the military seized power in the African country, state TV says.
• Zimbabwe's Ruling Party Calls on President Mugabe to Step Down Sputnik 18 Nov 2017 -- Zimbabwe's ruling party Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (ZANU–PF) calls on the country's president, Robert Mugabe, to resign amid ongoing political crisis in the country, local media reported Friday.
• Lebanon's Hariri in Paris, 2 children stay behind in Riyadh Press TV 18 Nov 2017 -- Saad Hariri, who unexpectedly resigned as Lebanon's prime minister while in Saudi Arabia and was widely known to have been under restrictions there, has arrived in France, but two of his children have stayed behind in Riyadh.
• Saad Hariri arrives in Paris IRNA 18 Nov 2017 -- Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri arrived at Paris Airport on Saturday, according to the Lebanese news networks.
• PM Hariri says will clarify stance on Lebanon after returning home Press TV 18 Nov 2017 -- Lebanon's Prime Minister Saad Hariri has said he will announce his position with regard to the ongoing crisis in the country after he returns to Lebanon in the coming days.
• Hariri In Paris As France Tries To Mediate Crisis RFE/RL 18 Nov 2017 -- Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri arrived in France from Saudi Arabia on November 18 for talks with French President Emmanuel Macron amid a political crisis.
• Hariri Says He'll Return to Lebanon in Coming Days, Announce His Position VOA 18 Nov 2017 -- Lebanon's Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri said Saturday at the Elysee presidential palace in Paris that he would return to Beirut in the coming days and announce his position on the crisis in his country after holding talks with Lebanese President Michel Aoun.
• China, N Korea must work to deepen bilateral ties: Beijing envoy Press TV 18 Nov 2017 -- China has hailed the "traditional friendship" with North Korea as "valuable wealth" for both nations, emphasizing the need to further promote bilateral relations as Beijing's envoy visits Pyongyang amid tensions over the North's military program.
• 'Deterring' N Korea: US Reportedly Weighing Up Missile-Firing Drones, Cyber Arms Sputnik 18 Nov 2017 -- Worried that the existing US missile defense system might fail to deter a possible North Korean missile strike, Washington is looking for other ways to confront Pyongyang, like cyber weapons and armed drones, The New York Times has reported.
• Turkish Minister Says U.S. Iran Sanctions Case 'Fabricated,' 'Politically Motivated' RFE/RL 18 Nov 2017 -- Turkey's foreign minister has accused the United States of bringing what he called a "politically motivated" and "fabricated" case against a Turkish-Iranian businessman accused of helping Iran evade U.S. sanctions.
• Delta II US Carrier Rocket With New Generation Satellite Lifts Off Sputnik 18 Nov 2017 -- The JPSS is a new-generation US polar-orbiting operational environmental satellite system. The satellites will circle the Earth from pole-to-pole and cross the equator about 14 times daily.
• China to Launch Four More Fengyun Satellites in Next Four Years Sputnik 18 Nov 2017 -- China will launch four Fengyun satellites from 2018 to 2021, the Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation has told Xinhua News Agency.
• Celestial Empire Aims for the Stars: China Unveils Ambitions Space Program Sputnik 18 Nov 2017 -- China is all set to boost its space transportation system as it implements its strategic goal of becoming a space superpower, according to a roadmap for 2017-2047 posted on China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation's website.
• EU reduces Turkey's pre-accession funds in 2018 budget amid strained ties Press TV 18 Nov 2017 -- The European Union has reduced some of the money earmarked in its 2018 budget deal for Turkey to join the 28-member politico-economic bloc in a clear sign of increasingly sour relations between the union and the Ankara government.
• EU gives UK PM Theresa May new Brexit ultimatum Press TV 81 Nov 2017 -- European Union President Donald Tusk has warned Britain that it has two weeks to make "much more progress" on Brexit negotiations in order to begin talks by the end of the year about a future trade deal after the UK's planned withdraw from the bloc.
• When An Anticorruption Campaign Isn't About Fighting Corruption RFE/RL 18 Nov 2017 -- Anticorruption campaigns in Central Asia, and investigations into corruption there in general, are fascinating to observe.