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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF / OND / OEF / OIR / OFS Casualty Update 20 Nov 2017[PDF]
• Officials Provide Details of Latest Strikes Against ISIS AFPS 20 Nov 2017 -- U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, conducting 16 strikes consisting of 29 engagements Nov. 17-19, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.
• Department of Defense Press Briefing by General Nicholson via teleconference from Kabul, Afghanistan DoD 20 Nov 2017 -- Presenter: General John W. Nicholson Jr., commander, Resolute Support and U.S. Forces Afghanistan
• U.S., Afghan Forces Target Taliban Drug Labs, Hit 'Where it Hurts' AFPS 20 Nov 2017 -- U.S. and Afghan forces conducted a series of strikes over the past 24 hours against Taliban drug labs, to target the revenue streams of the terrorists, according to the Resolute Support mission and U.S. Forces Afghanistan commander.
• Leaked Memo Fuels New Allegations Of Ethnic Bias In Afghan Government RFE/RL 20 Nov 2017 -- The letter, sent earlier this month by an Afghan police commander, requested recruits for a new antiriot force in the capital, Kabul. Officer candidates should come from the country's main ethnic groups - Hazara, Uzbek, and Pashtun.
• US Launches Airstrikes in First Operation Targeting Afghan Opium VOA 20 Nov 2017 -- The United States has launched its first counter-narcotics military offensive in partnership with local allies in Afghanistan to try to deprive the resurgent Taliban of its largest source of funding. The move follows years of criticism that international forces are not doing enough to curb the opium trade.
• Afghan Local Police, the Controversial Force That Fills a Security Gap VOA 20 Nov 2017 -- He leads a group of men who wear irregular fatigues, let their hair grow below the shoulders, and drive around in white pick-up trucks, looking like the militants they have vowed to fight.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Readout of Deputy Secretary of Defense Shanahan's Meeting with acting Afghanistan Minister of National Defense Bahrami DoD 20 Nov 2017
• South Carolina National Guard, Colombian Army Share Field Artillery Expertise AFPS 20 Nov 2017 -- Colombian army leaders joined the South Carolina Army National Guard during a live-fire exercise with the 1st Battalion, 178th Field Artillery Regiment, at the McCrady Training Center here, Nov. 18.
• USS Donald Cook Returns to Port Following FDNF Patrol NNS 20 Nov 2017 -- The Arleigh Burke class guided missile destroyer USS Donald Cook (DDG 75) returned to Naval Station Rota, Nov. 17, after conducting its sixth forward-deployed naval forces patrol.
• US to Spend $1.2 Trillion to Modernize, Maintain Nuclear Forces Sputnik 20 Nov 2017 -- The United States will need to spend more than $1.2 trillion over the next 30 years to follow through with plans to modernize and manage its nuclear deterrent, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) said in an estimate released on Monday.
• NATO Chief Stresses Unity of North Atlantic Alliance AFPS 20 Nov 2017 -- The Atlantic Ocean doesn't divide the North Atlantic Treaty Organization alliance, it unites it, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said at the Halifax International Security Forum, Nov. 17.
• Mobility aircraft deliver U.S. Navy's undersea rescue capabilities to Argentina AFNS 20 Nov 2017 -- Two C-17 Globemaster IIIs and a C-5M Super Galaxy delivered U.S. Navy's undersea rescue capabilities to Argentina to aid in the search for the A.R.A. San Juan, an Argentine navy submarine that went missing in the southern Atlantic Ocean Nov. 15, 2017.
• Search Effort Stepped Up for Missing Argentine Sub With 44 Aboard VOA 20 Nov 2017 -- Argentina's navy says efforts to locate a submarine missing since last week have been stepped up by a multinational team in the South Atlantic Ocean.
• Erdogan's Top Aide Reportedly Calls to Reconsider Turkey's Membership in NATO Sputnik 20 Nov 2017 -- The relations between the military alliance and its member state Turkey have been deteriorating recently with the latest instance of Ankara withdrawing its troops from the military exercises in Norway.
• PLA opens website for tip-offs People's Daily 20 Nov 2017 -- The Central Military Commission (CMC) has announced the opening of an online report site on Sunday that the public can use to report or provide information on illegal behavior related to the military, either anonymously or by real name.
• India Calls off $500 Mln Spike Missile Deal With Israel Sputnik 20 Nov 2017 -- Israel's Spike had won the global bid in 2014 but could not sign the final contract with India due to a single-vendor situation. Now, India's state-owned defense firm DRDO is locally producing anti-tank guided missiles that match the requirements of the Indian armed forces.
• Romania to buy US Patriot missiles in 2019: Defense minister Press TV 20 Nov 2017 -- Romania's Defense Minister Mihai Fifor says the country will purchase Patriot missile systems from the United States in the first half of 2019.
• Control Yuan to probe disappearance of Mirage fighter jet CNA 20 Nov 2017 -- Three Control Yuan members filed an application Monday to investigate the recent disappearance of a Mirage-2000 fighter jet during a regular training exercise.
• UK and France increase security cooperation in the Channel UK MOD 20 Nov 2017 -- In his first bilateral meeting in the UK with French Minister for the Armed Forces Florence Parly, Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson has agreed to increase maritime intelligence sharing.
• The British Army combat the illegal trade in wildlife by partnering with African parks and the Malawian Department of National Parks and Wildlife UK MOD 20 Nov 2017 -- This summer, a team of seven British soldiers deployed to Liwonde National Park in Malawi to support African Parks' rangers counter-poaching effort.
• Georgia - Javelin Missiles and Command Launch Units DSCA 20 Nov 2017 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Georgia for Javelin Missiles and Command Launch Units for an estimated cost of $75 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on November 17, 2017.
• Remarks by President Trump Before Cabinet Meeting The White House 20 Nov 2017

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for November 20, 2017

Other Conflicts

• 20 November 2017 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 20 Nov 2017
• Millions in Yemen face death due to Saudi blockade: WFP Press TV 20 Nov 2017 -- The World Food Program says Saudi Arabia's continued blockade threatens the lives of millions in Yemen as aid deliveries cannot get to the needy.
• Syrian army, allies make new advances against terrorists across country Press TV 20 Nov 2017 -- Syrian government forces, backed by allied fighters from popular defense groups, have made fresh territorial gains against foreign-sponsored Takfiri terrorists across the conflict-plagued Arab country.
• Iraqi police forces seize major Daesh chemical depot in Anbar Press TV 20 Nov 2017 -- Iraqi security forces have uncovered a major chemical depot belonging to Daesh Takfiri terrorists in the country's western province of Anbar, as government forces, backed by fighters from the Popular Mobilization Units, are purging the territory of the last remnants of the terror group.
• Israeli tank targets Syrian military post in Golan Heights Press TV 20 Nov 2017 -- An Israeli tank has targeted a Syrian military post in the Golan Heights, the second of such incidents to occur in just 24 hours.
• Genuine change in Gaza could help restore confidence in peace process, UN envoy tells Security Council UN News 20 Nov 2017 -- Noting that with the signing last month of the Cairo agreement, Palestinians have set out on a path towards reconciliation, a senior United Nations official underscored on Monday the urgency to resolve the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip and to return the enclave to full civilian and security control of the Palestinian Authority.

News Reports

• Mugabe Heads for Impeachment After Ignoring Resignation Deadline VOA 20 Nov 2017 -- When Zimbabwe's military sent tanks into the capital, Harare, and took President Robert Mugabe into custody nearly a week ago, it was clear they wanted a quick resolution to the growing discontent with the longtime president.
• Zimbabwe's Mugabe defies own party, refuses to resign Press TV 20 Nov 2017 -- Speaking while under house arrest, Zimbabwe's embattled President Robert Mugabe has shocked the nation by making no mention of resignation despite a military takeover and a deadline set by his own party for him to cede power.
• No Word From Mugabe as Zimbabwe's Ruling Party Ultimatum on Resignation Expires Sputnik 20 Nov 2017 -- Zimbabwe's incumbent President was given until noon (10:00 GMT) by the country's ruling party Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU PF) to step down or to face impeachment. After this term was expired, several actions have been made.
• Zimbabwe's Mugabe says to chair ZANU-PF congress in December despite recall from ruling party People's Daily 20 Nov 2017 -- Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe told his countrymen on live television on Sunday evening that he will chair the ruling party's congress in December to resolve problems afflicting the ZANU-PF.
• Zimbabwe's Mugabe could be impeached within two days: Ruling party Press TV 20 Nov 2017 -- Zimbabwe's ruling ZANU-PF party says President Robert Mugabe could be impeached within two days as the longtime leader ignored the party's midday deadline to step down less than a week after the military seized power in the African country.
• Kenya court upholds Kenyatta's presidential election win, triggers counter rallies Press TV 20 Nov 2017 -- Kenya's top court has upheld the validity of President Uhuru Kenyatta's reelection in a repeat vote last month, triggering a new wave of rallies for and against the ruling.
• Kenyan Supreme Court Upholds October Election Results VOA 20 Nov 2017 -- Kenya's Supreme Court ruled unanimously Monday that Uhuru Kenyatta won last month's presidential election, striking down arguments that the law was not followed in conducting the repeat poll.
• US Returning North Korea to List of States Sponsoring Terrorism VOA 20 Nov 2017 -- The United States is returning North Korea to its list of states sponsoring terrorism after a 10-year absence, a move that will put additional financial and diplomatic pressure on the Pyongyang government.
• Learn a lesson from history KCNA 20 Nov 2017 -- The US Department of Defense has caused a stir by unveiling a report that says that "putting US combat troops on the ground is the only way to remove north Korea's nuclear weapons".
• Rodong Sinmun decries Trump's accusations against DPRK KCNA 20 Nov 2017 -- Trump betrayed his true colors as an old lunatic, mean trickster and human reject during his one night and two days stay in south Korea, says Rodong Sinmun on November 15 in a commentary.
• Trump designates North Korea as a state sponsor of terror Press TV 20 Nov 2017 -- US President Donald Trump has designated North Korea as a state sponsor of terrorism, a move designed to punish the Asian nation over its nuclear and missile programs.
• N Korea may strike US mainland with ICBM this year: South's spy agency Press TV 20 Nov 2017 -- The South Korean intelligence service has told parliamentarians that the North could possibly develop an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) capable of reaching the US mainland by the end of this year.
• Trump Designates North Korea as State Sponsor of Terrorism - White House Sputnik 20 Nov 2017 -- As the North Korean crisis shows no signs of abating, US President Donald Trump has announced new restrictive measures against Pyongyang.
• Trump: US to Redesignate North Korea as State Sponsor of Terror VOA 20 Nov 2017 -- The United States will redesignate North Korea a state sponsor of terrorism, a move meant to put additional financial and diplomatic pressure on the totalitarian government.
• Visit of China Envoy to North Korea Watched Closely VOA 20 Nov 2017 -- Envoys from the United States and China recently traveled to the Korean peninsula, just days after President Donald Trump wrapped up his first trip to the region. The visits, particularly the journey of a Chinese envoy to North Korea, which Trump has called a "big move," has raised expectations that efforts toward a diplomatic solution may be gaining some traction.
• Germany coalition talks collapse as FDP walks out Press TV 20 Nov 2017 -- Marathon talks on forming a coalition government in Germany have collapsed, plunging the eurozone's largest economy into a political crisis and casting doubt on Chancellor Angela Merkel's fourth term.
• Belarusian KGB Says It's Holding Ukrainian Journalist, Claims He's A Spy RFE/RL 20 Nov 2017 -- The Belarusian Committee for State Security (KGB) says it has arrested a Ukrainian journalist on suspicion of espionage, accusing him of being a military intelligence agent - a claim immediately rejected by Ukraine.
• Cabinet Minister Indicates Israel Has Had Secret Contacts With Saudis Over Iran Concerns RFE/RL 20 Nov 2017 -- An Israeli cabinet minister has indicated that Israel has had secret contacts with Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries over their mutual concerns about Iran, an apparent first acknowledgment by a senior official about covert dealings.
• Israel Moves to Deport 40,000 African Migrants VOA 20 Nov 2017 -- The fate of 40,000 African migrants in Israel remains unclear after lawmakers approved a proposal to deport them.
• Iran Claims Arab League Accusations 'Full Of Lies' RFE/RL 20 Nov 2017 -- Iran has criticized an Arab League resolution accusing Tehran and the allied Lebanese Shi'ite group Hizballah of destabilizing the region, contending that it is "full of lies."
• Iraq court rules Kurdistan secession vote unconstitutional Press TV 20 Nov 2017 -- Iraq's Supreme Federal Court has ruled Kurdistan's controversial secession referendum as unconstitutional, saying the results of the vote are void.
• Iraq's Top Court Rules Kurdish Referendum Unconstitutional VOA 20 Nov 2017 -- Iraq's top court ruled Monday that a Kurdish independence referendum was unconstitutional.
• UK preparing to launch US rockets into space: Report Press TV 20 Nov 2017 -- The UK could soon be launching US spacecraft into space as part of its plans to foray into new markets after leaving the European Union (EU), according to a new report.
• Turkey detains 51 more teachers over alleged links to coup plotters Press TV 20 Nov 2017 -- Turkey has detained 51 more teachers as part of a massive crackdown on those accused of having links to plotters of a coup attempt last year.
• Saakashvili Tells Protesters In Kyiv He Is Ready To Become Ukraine's Prime Minister RFE/RL 20 Nov 2017 -- Mikheil Saakashvili, the former governor of Ukraine's Odesa region, told a protest rally in Kyiv that he is ready to "create a new government of Ukraine" and to become the country's prime minister.
• Georgian Justice Ministry Says Not Involved In Deporting Saakashvili's People From Ukraine RFE/RL 20 Nov 2017 -- Georgian Justice Minister Tea Tsulukiani says her ministry was not involved in the recent deportation of eight Georgian nationals from Ukraine.
• At Final Press Conference, Kyrgyz President Plots His Political Future RFE/RL 20 Nov 2017 -- Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambaev has vowed to remain in politics after he leaves office later this week, saying that he plans to lead the ruling Social Democratic Party in parliamentary elections in 2020.
• Lavrov In Armenia After Talks In Azerbaijan On Karabakh, Bilateral Ties RFE/RL 20 Nov 2017 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has arrived in the Armenian capital of Yerevan as part of a regional tour that included talks in neighboring Azerbaijan.
• Continuing support for Burundi political process only way forward, Security Council told UN News 20 Nov 2017 -- Despite challenges towards inclusive dialogue in Burundi, the United Nations must continue to support the political process there, the Organization's envoy to the east African country told the Security Council on Monday.
• South Korea Vying with China as New Benefactor for Philippines VOA 20 Nov 2017 -- South Korea is vying with China to help develop the Philippines, as the aid recipient's president crafts a multi-country foreign policy with no clear favorite.