01 February 2018 Military News

Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

OIF / OND / OEF / OIR / OFS Casualty Update 01 Feb 2018 [PDF]

Taliban, IS Fighting Causes Families to Flee in Northern Afghanistan VOA 01 Feb 2018 -- Clashes between Taliban insurgents and the Islamic State (IS) militants have forcibly displaced nearly a thousand families in Afghanistan's northern Jawzjan province.
Afghanistan says it has evidence attackers trained in Pakistan Press TV 01 Feb 2018 -- Senior Afghan authorities say they have given neighboring Pakistan evidence showing that the militants who carried out a recent series of deadly attacks were trained on Pakistani soil.
Protest Held In Kabul Amid Tense Afghan-Pakistani Ties RFE/RL 01 Feb 2018 -- Dozens of angry protesters have gathered outside the Pakistani Embassy in Kabul, chanting slogans such as "Death to Pakistan" and burning flags of the country.
'Dozens' Of Taliban Militants Killed In Southern Afghanistan RFE/RL 01 Feb 2018 -- An Afghan security official says 83 Taliban fighters were killed during an operation by intelligence forces in the southern province of Kandahar late on January 31.

Defense Policy / Programs

Report: Trump Nuclear Posture Review Overstates China’s Nuclear Arsenal Modernization Plans UCS 01 Feb 2018 -- A leaked draft of the Trump administration’s Nuclear Posture Review (NPR) misrepresents the status of China’s nuclear forces, according to a white paper released today by the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS).
19th Air Force commander directs T-6 operational pause AFNS 01 Feb 2018 -- The 19th Air Force commander has issued an operational pause for all T-6 Texan II operations to ensure aircrew safety after a cluster of unexplained physiological events occurred at Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi, Vance AFB, Oklahoma, and Sheppard AFB, Texas within the last week.
Navy Must Fulfill Maritime Responsibilities to Nation, Admiral Says AFPS 01 Feb 2018 -- Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John M. Richardson outlined his vision of the Navy the nation needs to fulfill its maritime responsibilities based on the national defense strategy during a discussion at the Heritage Foundation here today.
APS-5 combat configuration concept put to test during rapid issue exercise Army News 01 Feb 2018 -- The 401st Army Field Support Brigade issued 257 pieces of equipment from an Army Prepositioned Stocks-5 armored brigade combat team set during an issue exercise here, Jan. 27.
Department Of Defense Press Briefing By Pentagon Chief Spokesperson Dana W. White And Joint Staff Director Lt. Gen. Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr. In The Pentagon Briefing Room DoD 01 Feb 2018 -- Presenter: Pentagon Chief Spokesperson Dana W. White; Joint Staff Director Lieutenant General Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr.
Navy to Commission Littoral Combat Ship Omaha DoD 01 Feb 2018 -- The Navy will commission its newest Independence-variant littoral combat ship (LCS), the future USS Omaha (LCS 12), during a 10:00 a.m. PST ceremony Saturday, February 3, at the Broadway pier in San Diego, California.
Readout from Secretary James Mattis' Bilateral Meeting with UK Secretary of State for Defense Gavin Williamson DoD 01 Feb 2018
Ex-US Navy commander admits to trading info for prostitutes Press TV 01 Feb 2018 -- A high-ranking US Navy commander has pleaded guilty to charges of bribery and prostitution in what has become known as the largest corruption scandal in the force's history.
Pentagon Waives Billions in Expenses to Promote Foreign Arms Sales Sputnik 01 Feb 2018 -- The Department of Defense has waived $16 billion that could have been collected from foreign buyers of American military equipment during the past six years by citing numerous foreign policy and national concerns, the General Accountability Office (GAO) said in a report published on Wednesday.
U.S. missile defense test in Hawaii reportedly fails People's Daily 01 Feb 2018 -- A test of U.S. ballistic missile defense reportedly failed to intercept an incoming target in Hawaii on Wednesday.
US Missile Defense Test Fails VOA 01 Feb 2018 -- The Pentagon says the military conducted an unsuccessful missile defense test over Hawaii on Wednesday.
Pentagon Official: Nuclear Posture Review Calls for Credible Deterrent AFPS 01 Feb 2018 -- The Nuclear Posture Review being rolled out tomorrow at the Pentagon requires an "investment in a credible nuclear deterrent with diverse capabilities," chief Pentagon spokesperson Dana W. White said today.
US Air Force Seeks New ICBM Launch System for Airborne Command Center Sputnik 01 Feb 2018 -- The US Air Force has earmarked $81 million to design and prototype a system to launch intercontinental ballistic nuclear missiles from an airborne command center that would presumably survive an enemy nuclear attack, the defense and aerospace contractor Lockheed Martin announced in a press release.

NATO Deputy Secretary General begins visit to Latvia NATO 01 Feb 2018 -- NATO Deputy Secretary General Rose Gottemoeller began a two-day trip to Latvia with a visit to the NATO multinational battlegroup in Ādaži on Thursday (1 February 2018). Led by Canada, the battlegroup is one of four operational in the eastern part of the Alliance.

Russian Military Talks Tough After 'Unsafe' Black Sea Flyby RFE/RL 01 Feb 2018 -- Moscow is talking tough after being reprimanded by the United States over an "unsafe" incident in which a Russian military jet flew within 1.5 meters of a U.S. Navy surveillance plane over the Black Sea.
Russia to Deploy Combat Jets on Kuril Island of Iturup Sputnik 01 Feb 2018 -- In November 2017, Russia made a decision to build a naval facility in the Kurils which is planned to be located on the island of Matua in the center of the archipelago.

Huge new Atlas aircraft hangar opened by Defence Minister UK MOD 01 Feb 2018 -- A £70 million hangar large enough to contain three of the RAF's new Atlas transport aircraft at the same time was officially opened by Defence Minister Guto Bebb at RAF Brize Norton today.
Defence Secretary discusses threats with US counterpart UK MOD 01 Feb 2018 -- The Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson and his US counterpart, Jim Mattis, have been discussing how to tackle the increasing threats faced by both allies.

Qatar Looks to Make Military Relationship With US Permanent Sputnik 01 Feb 2018 -- The Qatari defense minister told reporters in Washington this week that the nation is planning to build hundreds of new houses for American families to live in while their loved ones are serving at the US Air Force's Central Command headquarters in the Persian Gulf.
Qatar Abides by US Sanctions Regime, Purchase of S-400s Not Yet Finalized - Doha Sputnik 01 Feb 2018 -- The Persian Gulf nation of Qatar will honor US sanctions in signing new agreements, including negotiating a deal to purchase the S-400 air defense systems from Russia, Qatari Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said in Washington, DC on Thursday.

Honey-Trapped Indian Air Force Officer Held for Passing on Info to Foreign Spy Sputnik 01 Feb 2018 -- Indian intelligence agencies have busted a mole in the Indian Air Force (IAF) who had been compromising sensitive information including classified documents of the IAF headquarters in New Delhi.

Iran never to let enemies eye its territory: Top military official IRNA 01 Feb 2018 -- Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Hossein Bagheri said on Thursday that the Islamic Republic of Iran under no circumstances will let the enemies come close to its territory to violate its defense authority or its missile might.

'China threat' theory reflects narrow-minded mentality People's Daily 01 Feb 2018 -- On Jan. 19, the U.S. Department of Defense published a summary of the 2018 National Defense Strategy (NDS), which labels China as a "revisionist country" that poses security challenges to the United States.

Australia Gunning for Spot Among World's Top Arms Exporters Sputnik 01 Feb 2018 -- Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull unveiled plans for a $3 billion fund on Monday dedicated to help Canberra become one of the world's top weapons exporters.

Department Press Briefing - February 01, 2018 US Dept. of State 01 Feb 2018

Defense Industry

DoD News: Contracts for February 01, 2018

Other Conflicts

1 February 2018 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 01 Feb 2018

Giving voice to Yemen's voiceless: Jamie McGoldrick reflects on two years leading UN's relief effort UN News 01 Feb 2018 -- This year's UN Response Plan for Yemen, describes the war-torn country as "the worst man-made humanitarian crisis" in the world, with more than 22 million people – around three-quarters of the total population – in need of help.
S Arabia, UAE Reportedly Trying to Soothe Tensions Amid Fresh Fighting in Yemen Sputnik 01 Feb 2018 -- The envoys from Riyadh and Abu Dhabi have met with the forces loyal to President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi who were residing in the southern city of Aden and the militant group that had taken control over the city amid the ongoing civil war in the country that has been called by the UN one of the worst humanitarian crises ever.
Russia's UN Envoy: U.S. 'Hasn't Proved' Iran Action In Yemen RFE/RL 01 Feb 2018 -- Russia's United Nations envoy says his country does not believe Washington has made a sufficient case that Iran has supplied missiles to Yemen's Huthi rebels, indicating he would oppose increased sanctions against Tehran.
Yemeni retaliatory attacks leave five Saudi soldiers dead Press TV 01 Feb 2018 -- At least five Saudi soldiers have been killed when Yemeni army soldiers and fighters from allied Popular Committees launched separate attacks in Saudi Arabia's southwestern border region of Jizan as they continue their retaliatory raids against the Riyadh regime's aerial bombardment campaign.
Yemenis target Saudi base with ballistic missile: Report Press TV 01 Feb 2018 -- Yemeni army forces and Popular Committees have launched a locally-designed and -manufactured ballistic missile toward a military base run by the Saudi-led invading coalition in Yemen's central province of Ma'rib, a report says.

Turkey rejects France warning on Syria operation as 'insults' Press TV 01 Feb 2018 -- Turkey has hit back at France's warning over Ankara's military campaign against US-backed Kurdish militants in Syria, describing it as insulting.
Turkish aerial attacks kill 49 PKK militants in northern Iraq Press TV 01 Feb 2018 -- At least 49 militants of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) have been killed when Turkish warplanes carried out a string of aerial attacks against their positions in northern Iraq.
Rocket Fire From Afrin Injures Civilian in Turkey's Kilis - Reports Sputnik 01 Feb 2018 -- As Ankara's operation in Syria's Afrin has been underway for over a week already, retaliatory strikes from Afrin's Kurdish groups has led to several casualties and many more injured civilians in Turkey's border regions.
Turkish Strikes Kill 49 PKK Militants in Northern Iraq - General Staff Sputnik 01 Feb 2018 -- A total of 49 members of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), listed as a terrorist organization in Turkey, were killed in airstrikes carried out by the Turkish Air Force in northern Iraq, the Turkish General Staff said on Thursday.
Syria complains to UN about Turkey's 'assault, occupation' Press TV 01 Feb 2018 -- Damascus has complained to the UN about Turkey's military campaign in northern Syria, denouncing the operation as "an assault and occupation" of the Syrian territory.

Militant shelling kills 7 civilians in Damascus district Press TV 01 Feb 2018 -- At least seven civilians have been killed and 13 others wounded in militant shelling on a neighborhood of the Syrian capital, Damascus.
Aid Crisis In Besieged Syrian Areas 'Worst Since 2015' RFE/RL 01 Feb 2018 -- UN humanitarian adviser Jan Egeland has said that aid deliveries to hundreds of thousands of civilians trapped inside "besieged areas" in Syria have fallen to their lowest level since 2015, with not a single humanitarian convoy reaching these spots since November.
Syria Facing Worst Humanitarian Crisis Since 2015 VOA 01 Feb 2018 -- U.N. humanitarian adviser Jan Egeland warns Syria is facing the worst humanitarian crisis since 2015. He is calling for a humanitarian pause to allow the delivery of life-saving aid to hundreds of thousands of civilians trapped in besieged areas.

At OSCE, U.S. Says Russia 'Fomenting, Perpetuating' War In Ukraine RFE/RL 01 Feb 2018 -- The U.S. Mission to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) has issued a harshly worded statement accusing Russia of "ongoing violations of international law" in Ukraine.

Security operations by Myanmar show 'established pattern' of domination over ethnic groups - UN expert UN News 01 Feb 2018 -- What Myanmar's Government has claimed are military and security operations are "actually an established pattern" of domination and aggression against ethnic groups, the United Nations independent expert on the rights situation there said on Thursday, reporting on her visit to nearby countries, including Bangladesh, which is hosting nearly 900,000 Rohingya refugees.

Boko Haram kills five loggers in northeastern Nigeria Press TV 01 Feb 2018 -- Takfiri militants from the Boko Haram terrorist group have killed at least five loggers and injured some others in northeast Nigeria, local civilian militia says.
UNHCR appeals for $157mn for those fleeing Boko Haram Press TV 01 Feb 2018 -- The UN refugee agency has appealed for $157 million to help over 280,000 people affected by the Boko Haram Takfiri terrorist group.

Palestinian President to Address UN Security Council VOA 01 Feb 2018 -- Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas will address the U.N. Security Council on February 20, the council president announced Thursday.
Arab League calls for UN-backed 'multilateral' push for peace in Palestine Press TV 01 Feb 2018 -- The Arab League has called for the US-brokered efforts to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to be replaced by a "multilateral mechanism" that is also backed by the United Nations, after US President Donald Trump undermined the process by recognizing Jerusalem al-Quds as Israel's capital.
Fuel shortage leads to closure of seven medical centers in Gaza Press TV 01 Feb 2018 -- Seven medical centers have been shut down in different parts of the Israeli-blockaded Gaza Strip after running out of fuel for their electric generators, the Gazan Health Ministry says.

Human cost of conflict in South Sudan has reached 'epic proportions,' warns UN refugee agency chief UN News 01 Feb 2018 -- The human cost of South Sudan's long-running conflict has reached "epic proportions" with the number of refugees set to rise beyond three million by the end of this year, potentially making it Africa's largest refugee crisis since the mid-1990s, the head of the UN refugee agency said on Thursday.

Mali human rights situation still a concern - UN report UN News 01 Feb 2018 -- Despite the signing of a 2015 Peace Agreement, the human rights situation in Mali still remains a concern, according to a United Nations report published on Thursday.

News Reports

FBI, Trump clash over Republican memo about Russia probe Press TV 01 Feb 2018 -- The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has warned it has "grave concerns" over the accuracy of a secret memo by Republican lawmakers in Congress alleging bias against US President Donald Trump within the Department of Justice.
In New Letter To DNI Director Coats, Senate Democratic Leader Schumer Demands Answers On Top Russian Spy Chief's Seemingly Authorized Trip To U.S. And His Meetings With U.S. Intel Officials; Letter Comes In Wake Of Trump Admin's Announcement Of No New Sanctions On Russia Senate Democrats 01 Feb 2018 -- U.S. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) today demanded answers from the Director of the Office of National Intelligence, Dan Coats, in light of the news that the chief of Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service, Sergey Naryshkin, was allowed into the country to meet with top American intelligence officials despite U.S. sanctions forbidding his entry without the Trump Administration's approval.
Trump at Odds with FBI, Justice Dept. Over Release of Classified Russia Memo VOA 01 Feb 2018 -- U.S. President Donald Trump is at odds with both the FBI and the Justice Department over whether to release a classified memo alleging that top law enforcement officials were biased against the president.

CIA Director Defends Meeting With Russian Spy Chiefs RFE/RL 01 Feb 2018 -- The director of the CIA has defended his decision to meet in Washington with the chiefs of Russian intelligence agencies, saying there was nothing untoward about it and that it was a routine practice.
Chiefs Of Three Russian Intelligence Agencies Travel To Washington RFE/RL 01 Feb 2018 -- The directors of Russia's three main intelligence and espionage agencies all traveled to the U.S. capital in recent days, in what observers said was a highly unusual occurrence coming at a time of heightened U.S.-Russian tensions.
CIA Would Put US Lives at Greater Risk if It Does Not Work With Russia - Pompeo Sputnik 01 Feb 2018 -- US Central Intelligence Agency agents would be putting American lives at risk if they failed to work with their Russian counterparts, CIA Director Mike Pompeo said on Thursday in a letter to Democratic Senator Charles Schumer.

Second Taiwanese man questioned about oil sales to North Korea CNA 01 Feb 2018 -- A second Taiwanese man is suspected of selling oil to North Korea in violation of United Nations sanctions imposed on Pyongyang last year, after a similar case earlier this year, an official from the Kaohsiung District Prosecutors Office said on Thursday.
DPRK Foreign Minister Sends Letter to UN Secretary General KCNA 01 Feb 2018 -- Ri Yong Ho, minister of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, on Wednesday sent a letter to Antonio Manuel de Oliveira Guterres, secretary general of the United Nations.
Some Trump advisers want US to give 'bloody nose' to North Korea Press TV 01 Feb 2018 -- A new report shows some advisers inside the Donald Trump administration want the United States to carry out a military action against North Korea to give it a "bloody nose," but some others are cautioning about such action.

Iran Parliament reviews Government's latest JCPOA report IRNA 01 Feb 2018 -- The eighth report on the implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), also known as the Iran nuclear deal, was reviewed by lawmakers, said the head of Parliament's (Majlis) the National Security and Foreign Policy Commission.
Russian experts to visit Fordow enrichment facility: Iranian official Press TV 01 Feb 2018 -- An Iranian nuclear official says a team of Russian specialists will visit the Fordow enrichment facility on Sunday as part of a project on stable isotopes.

Xi stresses developing modernized economy People's Daily 01 Feb 2018 -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, has called for the development of a modernized economy to push the country's economic development to a new level.

Russian Ex-Governor Given Eight Years In High-Profile Bribery Case RFE/RL 01 Feb 2018 -- A Moscow court has sentenced former Kirov Oblast Governor Nikita Belykh to eight years in prison following his conviction on bribery charges.
NATO Intervention Lead to Libyan Conflict - Lavrov Sputnik 01 Feb 2018 -- Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov after talks with his Italian counterpart Alfano, who is currently in Russia with a working visit as the chairperson-in-office of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), spoke about the conflict in Libya, Syrian peace process as well as areas of cooperation with the OSCE.

Putin Gives Nod to Creation of Russian Super Heavy-Lift Launch Vehicle Sputnik 01 Feb 2018 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree on the creation of a new Russian super heavy-lift launch vehicle (SHLLV), which is supposed to be used for missions to the Moon and Mars, Roscosmos Director General Igor Komarov told journalists on Thursday.

Turkey Judiciary Draws Fire for Continued Incarceration of Rights Activist VOA 01 Feb 2018 -- Turkey's judiciary is facing growing international condemnation for the ongoing imprisonment of the local head of Amnesty International.

UN Mediator Meets With Macedonian Leaders On Name Dispute RFE/RL 01 Feb 2018 -- UN negotiator Matthew Nimetz on February 1 voiced optimism that Balkan neighbors Macedonia and Greece could resolve a name dispute that has strained relations between the two countries for more than a quarter of a century.

Poland's Senate Passes Bill Against Linking Polish State To Nazi Crimes RFE/RL 01 Feb 2018 -- The Polish Senate has passed a controversial bill designed to defend the country's image that regulates Holocaust speech, defying a warning from the United States and in the face of anger from Israel.

Tillerson Warns Against China, Russia Engagement in Latin America VOA 01 Feb 2018 -- U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson warned Thursday that China and Russia were assuming "alarming" roles in Latin America, and he urged regional powers to work with the United States instead.

US Expresses Grave Concerns About Kenyan's 'Self-Inauguration' VOA 01 Feb 2018 -- The United States expressed grave concerns Thursday about Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga's "self-inauguration" and rejected actions that undermine Kenya's Constitution and the rule of law, while urging the government to respect freedom of expression and implement court orders calling for restoration of television broadcasts.

DRC: Kabila Will Name Successor Candidate by July VOA 01 Feb 2018 -- A spokesman for the Democratic Republic of Congo says President Joseph Kabila intends to respect the constitution and relinquish power after elections scheduled for December.

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