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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• Mattis Says Close U.S.-Russian Jet Encounters Over Syria May Not Be Accidental RFE/RL 17 Dec 2017 -- U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis is questioning whether recent close encounters between Russian and U.S. warplanes over Syria were mistaken or the result of what he called "dangerous" maneuvers by some Russian fighter-jet pilots.
• Taliban militants kill 11 policemen in separate attacks in Afghanistan's Helmand Press TV 17 Dec 2017 -- The Taliban militants have killed at least 11 Afghan policemen in separate attacks on checkpoints in the volatile province of Helmand in southern Afghanistan, officials say.
• At least 11 Afghan Police Killed In Taliban Attack RFE/RL 17 Dec 2017 -- Afghan officials say Taliban militants have attacked two checkpoints in the southern province of Helmand, killing 11 police officers.
• U.S. Hails Afghan Forces' Battlefield Gains, Urges Taliban To Seek Talks With Kabul RFE/RL 17 Dec 2017 -- The U.S. Defense Department has hailed success on the battlefield by Afghan forces and urged Taliban insurgents to embrace "peace and political legitimacy" through a negotiated settlement with the government in Kabul.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Submarine tragedy prompts Argentinean government to fire navy chief Press TV 17 Dec 2017 -- Argentina has dismissed the head of its navy a month after one of its three submarines and the vessel's crew disappeared in the Atlantic Ocean.
• Italy to Decrease Military Presence in Iraq, Afghanistan, Start Mission in Niger Sputnik 17 Dec 2017 -- Italy is set to decrease its military presence in Iraq and Afghanistan in the light of the victory over Daesh terrorist group.
• Pentagon SecDef Mattis Claims DPRK Missiles Cannot Strike US Mainland Sputnik 17 Dec 2017 -- US Secretary of Defense James Mattis claimed on Friday that the People's Democratic Republic of Korea (DPRK) is currently incapable of striking the US mainland with an ICBM, in contrast to claims made by Pyongyang and echoed by global military observers.
• Taiwan Sends Aircraft, Ships to 'Monitor and Deal With' Chinese Transport Plane Sputnik 17 Dec 2017 -- The issue of Taiwan has repeatedly been the reason for tensions between the Trump administration and Beijing since the election of the US president.
• Chinese military reconnaissance and tactical aircraft circle Taiwan CNA 17 Dec 2017 -- Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) military reconnaissance and electronic warfare aircraft circled Taiwan Sunday, flying through the Bashi Channel, which separates Taiwan from the Philippines, and then through the Miyako Strait, between Japan's Miyako and Okinawa Islands, according to Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense (MND).
• US envoy's Iran missile claim ridiculous: Velayati Press TV 17 Dec 2017 -- A senior Iranian official has dismissed as "baseless and ridiculous" the recent US claim about Iran providing missiles to Yemen's Houthi Ansarullah movement, saying even international experts have mocked the accusation.
• UK may fail to pay for new warships, fighter jets: MPs Press TV 17 Dec 2017 -- The UK Ministry of Defense might not be able to fund contracts for new warships, fighter jets and other military equipment, a parliamentary committee has warned.

Defense Industry

Other Conflicts

• China to Place 24/7 Orbital Surveillance Network Over Disputed South China Sea Sputnik 17 Dec 2017 -- Over the next three years, China will launch 10 additional satellites from the island of Hainan to survey the South China Sea, a move analysts view as Beijing's demonstration of its control over contested waters in the region.
• Fresh Saudi airstrike leaves 3 more Yemeni civilians in western Ta'izz Press TV 17 Dec 2017 -- At least three civilians have lost their lives when Saudi military aircraft carried out an aerial assault in Yemen's southwestern province of Yemen as the Riyadh regime presses ahead with its devastating aerial bombardment campaign against its impoverished and conflict-ridden southern neighbor.
• Syria retakes village in Idlib, make gains against militants Press TV 17 Dec 2017 -- Syrian government forces have managed to retake a key village in the militant-controlled province of Idlib in the northwest.
• Mattis warns of unsafe Russia flights in Syria amid Moscow's rejection Press TV 17 Dec 2017 -- US Secretary of Defense James Mattis has warned against Russian jet fighters flying "dangerously" over what he views as "a safe zone" in Syria, a country that has repeatedly censured violation of its ground and air space by American military forces.
• Rohingya Refugees in Bangladesh Unprotected from Cold Winter Ahead VOA 17 Dec 2017 -- The U.N. refugee agency is mounting a multi-million dollar operation aimed at keeping thousands of Rohingya refugees in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh warm during the winter ahead.
• Libya's Haftar insists UN-backed government no longer legitimate Press TV 17 Dec 2017 -- The commander of Libyan National Army Khalifa Haftar has declared that the country's internationally-recognized government based in Tripoli is no longer legitimate as its mandate has already expired.
• Libyan National Army Commander: Government of National Accord Lost Legitimacy Sputnik 17 Dec 2017 -- Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA) lost its legitimacy as the Libyan Political Agreement reached in December 2015 in Skhirat has expired, Libyan National Army Commander Gen. Khalifa Haftar said on Sunday.
• Senior PKK terrorist killed in anti-terror operation in eastern Turkey Press TV 17 Dec 2017 -- Turkish security forces have killed a high-profile member of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) militant group during an anti-terrorism operation in the country's eastern province of Tunceli.
• Ankara to open diplomatic mission in East al-Quds: Erdogan Press TV 17 Dec 2017 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has reiterated his country's support for Palestine in the wake of US President Donald Trump's recognition of Jerusalem al-Quds as Israel's capital, stating that Ankara plans to open an embassy in East Jerusalem al-Quds.
• Palestinian Authority Calls For 'Angry' Demonstrations To Protest Pence Visit RFE/RL 17 Dec 2017 -- Palestinian Authority President Mahmud Abbas' Fatah faction has called for an "angry" demonstration on December 20 to protest against a visit to Jerusalem by U.S. Vice President Mike Pence.
• Erdogan: 'Day is Close' When Turkey Will Open Embassy in East Jerusalem Sputnik 17 Dec 2017 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has reiterated his tough position on the Jerusalem issue days after the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (IOC) emergency summit in Istanbul.
• Former Boko Haram Fighters Wait for Rehabilitation Facility VOA 17 Dec 2017 -- The multinational joint task force fighting the Boko Haram insurgency in Cameroon, Chad and Nigeria says it will hold some 200 former terrorists until Cameroon can construct a rehabilitation center where they will be socially integrated before returning to their communities. The ex-terrorists are currently at the barracks of the multinational joint task force in Mora, on Cameroon's northern border with Nigeria.
• South Sudan Inches Closer to Hybrid Court on Conflict's Four-year Anniversary VOA 17 Dec 2017 -- A court to try alleged war criminals in South Sudan's conflict was one step closer to reality Friday, the fourth anniversary of the day hostilities began.

News Reports

• Readout of President Donald J. Trump's Call with President Vladimir Putin The White House 17 Dec 2017
• Putin thanks Trump for CIA tip used to thwart St. Petersburg terror attack Press TV 17 Dec 2017 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has thanked his US counterpart for CIA tip which helped operations to thwart several bombing attacks in Saint Petersburg.
• Kremlin Says CIA Helped Russia Thwart Terrorist Attacks In St. Petersburg RFE/RL 17 Dec 2017 -- The Kremlin says that the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) provided information that helped Russia thwart planned terrorist attacks in St. Petersburg.
• Kremlin on Putin-Trump Talks: CIA Gave Russia Intel That Helped Foil Terror Act Sputnik 17 Dec 2017 -- Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) announced on Friday that it had prevented the activities of Daesh terrorist group's supporters in St. Petersburg, who planned to carry out a terrorist attack later in December.
• Russia: CIA Information Thwarted St. Petersburg Attack VOA 17 Dec 2017 -- The Kremlin said Sunday that the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency provided Russian authorities with information that thwarted a series of Islamic State bombings planned in St. Petersburg.
• Pyongyang Calls Trump 'Lunatic' as US-N Korea's War of Words Enters New Phase Sputnik 17 Dec 2017 -- The warning comes amid fears that Pyongyang could conduct a new missile test on December 17. The most recent launch, involving the Hwasong-15 ballistic missile, took place on November 28. The missile is believed to be capable of reaching the US mainland.
• Australian Police Arrest Man Suspected of Brokering Missile Parts for N Korea Sputnik 17 Dec 2017 -- An Australian man has been arrested on suspicion of acting as an economic agent for North Korea.
• Militants attack church in Pakistan, kill 9 Press TV 17 Dec 2017 -- A militant attack on a church in the southwestern Pakistani city of Quetta has left nine people dead and more than 40 others wounded.
• Several Killed as Gunmen Assault Pakistan Christian Church VOA 17 Dec 2017 -- At least two heavily armed suicide bombers Sunday assaulted a crowded church in Quetta, southwestern Pakistan, and killed at least nine worshipers from the minority Christian community.
• Saudi FM Reveals Riyadh Has 'Roadmap' for 'Normal' Ties With Israel Sputnik 17 Dec 2017 -- Saudi Arabia and Israel have no official ties, despite hints by several Israeli top officials at "secret contacts" with Arab countries.
• Skirmishes In Kyiv As Protesters Demand Poroshenko's Impeachment, Top Prosecutor's Resignation RFE/RL 17 Dec 2017 -- Police and protesters have skirmished in central Kyiv as several thousand people took to the streets of the Ukrainian capital to call for the impeachment of President Petro Poroshenko and the resignation of the country's top prosecutor.
• South Africa: ANC Prepares to Vote on Zuma Replacement VOA 17 Dec 2017 -- Thousands of delegates prepared Sunday to vote for the next leader of South Africa's ruling ANC party, a vote widely seen as a decisive moment in the country's post-apartheid politics.