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Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

Defense Policy / Programs

• Test of Arrow 3 Missile Defense System Completes Successfully AFPS 19 Feb 2018 -- Today at 2:30 a.m. local time, the Missile Defense Agency and the Israel Missile Defense Organization successfully completed a flight test of the Arrow 3 weapons system that is designed to defend against ballistic missiles outside of the atmosphere.
• Israel, US Successfully Test Hetz 3 Exoatmospheric Anti-Missile System Sputnik 19 Feb 2018 -- Israel and the United States have conducted a successful test of the Hetz 3 ("Arrow-3") long-range missile system, capable of intercepting ballistic missiles in space, the Israeli Defense Ministry said Monday.
• Exercise Khunjar Haad Concludes NNS 19 Feb 2018 -- The U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, Royal Navy of Oman, United Kingdom's Royal Navy and French Marine Nationale concluded Exercise Khunjar Haad, Feb. 8.
• Cobra Gold 18: U.S. Navy, Royal Thai Navy and Republic of Korea Navy Underwater Construction Teams Work Together NNS 19 Feb 2018 -- The underwater construction teams of partnering nations train and operate together on the Thung Prong Bay Sattahip Navy Base in Thailand throughout the 37th annual Exercise Cobra Gold, which ends Feb. 23.
• USS Bonhomme Richard Kicks Off Cobra Gold Exercise NNS 19 Feb 2018 -- The amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) departed Laem Chabang, Thailand, Feb. 14, following a scheduled port visit and an opening ceremony for Exercise Cobra Gold 2018 (CG18).
• US Aircraft Carrier to Dock in Vietnam Port for First Time Since 1964 Sputnik 19 Feb 2018 -- The US vessel is set to visit Vietnam next month. It will mark the first time a US aircraft carrier has visited the country since the end of the Vietnam War.
• NATO launches defence capacity building project for Jordan NATO 19 Feb 2018 -- NATO launched a Defence Capacity Building Project on "Enhancing Jordan's capacity for Crisis Management, Continuity of Government and Exercises" on Monday (19 February 2018). The three-year project will assist the Jordanian National Centre for Security and Crisis Management in achieving full operational capability, and will enhance Jordan's capacity in national resilience, continuity of government and crisis management.
• High-Tech Enemy Probably Attacks Russia in 5 Sectors - General Staff Sputnik 19 Feb 2018 -- The nature of military conflicts has evolved significantly, with a potential high-tech enemy now having the ability conduct them simultaneously on the ground, in the air, at sea, in space as well as cyberspace, Col. Gen. Sergey Rudskoy, said.
• Russian Navy Pilots Practice Air Refueling on Su-30SM Jets for 1st Time Sputnik 19 Feb 2018 -- Pilots of the Russian Navy's fleet air have practiced air-to-air refueling on Su-30SM multirole fighter jets for the first time, the Krasnaya Zvezda, the official newspaper of the Russian Defense Ministry, reported.
• Plot Thickens as Finland Braces for Historic Fighter Jet Acquisition Sputnik 19 Feb 2018 -- With the Nordic nation's existing fleet of 64 US F-18 Hornet jets becoming increasingly obsolete and expensive to maintain, five contenders are expected to run in the upcoming tender.
• Germany Fails to Fulfill NATO Rapid Response Force Requirements - Reports Sputnik 19 Feb 2018 -- The German Armed Forces lack bulletproof vests, winter uniforms, and tents to fulfill their NATO duties in establishing a rapid response force group, the Rheinische Post newspaper reported, citing a German Defense Ministry document.

Defense Industry

Other Conflicts

• 19 February 2018 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 19 Feb 2018
• Turkey will confront Syrian forces if they enter Afrin to help YPG: FM Cavusoglu Press TV 19 Feb 2018 -- Turkish foreign minister says it will confront any Syrian pro-government forces entering in the Kurdish-controlled enclave of Afrin to protect the US-backed People's Protection Units (YPG), as Damascus reportedly intends to send pro-government forces to the flashpoint region to join forces with the Kurds against Turkish troops.
• No One Can Stop Turkish Forces if Syrian Army Enters Afrin - FM Sputnik 19 Feb 2018 -- The Turkish foreign minister has commented on recent reports made by Syrian state TV that pro-Syrian government forces would enter Syria's Afrin "within hours."
• Turkish Foreign Minister Warns Syria About Military Intervention VOA 19 Feb 2018 -- With Turkish-led forces stepping up their military operations against the Syrian Kurdish militia, the YPG, in Syria's Kurdish-controlled Afrin enclave, Ankara has reacted cautiously to reports that Damascus is set to intervene militarily.
• During addressing Valdai conference in Moscow; Zarif says Iran has no military bases in Syria ISNA 19 Feb 2018 -- Iranian foreign minister announced that the Islamic Republic of Iran has no military bases in Syria, stressing that US presence in Syria is too dangerous.
• Russia says Nusra terrorists 'recovering strength' in US-controlled zone in S Syria Press TV 19 Feb 2018 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has strongly urged the US to immediately shut down its so-called zone of control in southern Syria, saying Washington has practically made the area a safe haven for terrorists of the Jabhat Fateh al-Sham Takfiri terrorist group, formerly known as al-Nusra Front.
• Syria facing 'new wave' of US intervention, Iran's Zarif says Press TV 19 Feb 2018 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says Syria is facing a "new wave" of US intervention, where Washington is still pursuing geoeconomic interests in the Arab country.
• Syria sends forces to Afrin amid Turkish siege: TV Press TV 19 Feb 2018 -- Syria's state television says government-backed forces will soon enter the northern region of Afrin, which has been under Turkish attacks for a month now.
• At least five killed, seven injured as bomb rocks Syria's Hasakah Press TV 19 Feb 2018 -- At least five people have been killed by a car bomb in Syria's northeastern Hasakah province.
• If Syrian Forces Enter Afrin, It Will Lead to Catastrophe - Turkish Deputy PM Sputnik 19 Feb 2018 -- Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Bekir Bozdag has commented on reports about the possible deployment of Syrian government forces to Afrin during a news conference following a cabinet meeting.
• 'Don't Play With Fire': Lavrov Slams US Attempts to Break Up Syria Sputnik 19 Feb 2018 -- Lavrov called on the US not to "play with fire" in Syria and emphasized that the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity must be preserved.
• Iran Has No Military Bases in Syria - FM Zarif Sputnik 19 Feb 2018 -- Iran has no military bases or military presence in Syria, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said Monday.
• Israel escalates Gaza attacks with new airstrike Press TV 19 Feb 2018 -- Israeli warplanes have bombed areas in the southern part of the besieged Gaza Strip amid escalating tensions in region.
• EU, Serbia Hit Out At Albania-Kosovo 'Single President' Idea RFE/RL 19 Feb 2018 -- The European Union has warned Albania against "interference" in neighboring countries and Serbian officials accused Tirana of wanting to build a "Greater Albania," after the Albanian prime minister said his country and Kosovo could one day have a single president.
• Macedonia PM Expects To Settle Name Dispute With Greece By July RFE/RL 19 Feb 2018 -- Macedonia hopes to settle its decades-old name dispute with Greece by the time of a NATO summit in the summer, Prime Minister Zoran Zaev said on February 19.
• Bangladesh says to meet with Myanmar on Rohingya trapped at border Press TV 19 Feb 2018 -- Representatives from Bangladesh and Myanmar are set to meet to discuss the repatriation of thousands of Rohingya Muslims trapped on a strip of unclaimed land between the two countries, Bangladeshi officials say.
• Philippines arrests suspected former leader of Daesh Press TV 19 Feb 2018 -- Philippine police have arrested a suspected former leader of the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group during a raid on his apartment in the capital Manila.
• Somalia Appoints New Security Chiefs to Combat al-Shabab VOA 19 Feb 2018 -- The Somali government has appointed new security chiefs, nearly four months after firing the previous commanders after a series of deadly al-Shabab attacks. But experts warn that the new security chiefs are not "miracle" workers and need support from the public and their own government to win the war against the militants.

News Reports

• US officials advise EU foreign policy elite to ignore Trump's tweets Press TV 19 Feb 2018 -- US national security officials and members of Congress assure Europe's foreign policy elite that Washington remains committed to its European allies amid anxiety about President Donald Trump's approach to global affairs.
• Russia says 'no indications' it meddled in 2016 US presidential election Press TV 19 Feb 2018 -- The Kremlin says there is no evidence that the Russian government meddled in the 2016 US presidential election after Washington indicted a number of Russian individuals and companies for their alleged covert efforts to sway American voters in favor of then Republican candidate Donald Trump.
• Kremlin Says No Evidence Russian State Meddled In U.S. Election RFE/RL 19 Feb 2018 -- Days after the U.S. Justice Department formally accused 13 Russians and several companies of meddling in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, President Vladimir Putin's spokesman has reiterated the claim that the Russian state did not interfere.
• After US Indictments, Russia Denies Election Meddling VOA 19 Feb 2018 -- The Kremlin on Monday denied Russian government involvement in interfering with the 2016 U.S. presidential election.
• Tillerson Says U.S. Considering Additional Sanctions Against Russians RFE/RL 19 Feb 2018 -- U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson says the United States is considering additional sanctions against Russian individuals amid bipartisan criticism for the administration's delay in enforcing a law strengthening restrictions imposed on Moscow.
• Maldives leader seeks approval to extend state of emergency Press TV 19 Feb 2018 -- Maldives President Abdulla Yameen has called for parliamentary approval to extend a state of emergency by 30 days as political turmoil continues in the South Asian island country.
• Maldivian President Seeks to Prolong Emergency State by 15 Days – Reports Sputnik 19 Feb 2018 -- President of the Maldives Abdulla Yameen on Monday requested his parliament to extend the country's state of emergency by an additional 15 days, Avas Online media outlet reported.
• KCNA Commentary on U.S. Moves to Resume Joint Military Exercises after Olympics KCNA 19 Feb 2018 -- Displeased with the atmosphere for detente being created on the Korean peninsula thanks to the peace-loving and proactive measure taken by the DPRK, the U.S. is openly going against it.
• North Korea warns US against ruining rapprochement with South Press TV 19 Feb 2018 -- North Korea says the United States will be responsible for the potential ruining of a recent rapprochement between Pyongyang and Seoul if America resumes its military drills with South Korea.
• DPRK Media Denounces US Plans to Resume War Games With South Korea Sputnik 19 Feb 2018 -- North Korea has warned the US against holding planned military drills with South Korea.
• US Open to Discussing Talks With North Korea VOA 19 Feb 2018 -- The U.S. is indicating a new willingness to talk with North Korea, but it is still difficult to see a peaceful resolution to the nuclear crisis on the Korean peninsula in the near future.
• France says will keep talking to European, US allies on JCPOA Press TV 19 Feb 2018 -- France has stressed the importance of the strict implementation of the multilateral nuclear agreement, saying it would hold more talks with its European and US allies on the Iranian nuclear program.
• President Says Time's Up For 'Mad Dog' Uzbek Security Service RFE/RL 19 Feb 2018 -- Uzbekistan's National Security Service (SNB) has wielded immense power for decades but its "time is up," according to the new sheriff in town.
• Was Britain's Labour Leader a Communist Spy? VOA 19 Feb 2018 -- A former Czech spy who was expelled by the British government in the 1980s has claimed Britain's leader of the opposition, Jeremy Corbyn, was a source of his – one of 15 senior Labour lawmakers he met regularly when based in London. And the former spy says they knew he was an intelligence officer rather than a diplomat, which was his official cover.
• Iraqi court sentences Turkish woman to death over joining Daesh terror group Press TV 19 Feb 2018 -- A court in Iraq has sentenced a female Turkish citizen to death and handed down life terms to ten other foreign women for membership in the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group and carrying out acts of terror in the war-ravaged Arab country.
• Zimbabweans Pay Tribute to Tsvangirai; Interment Expected Tuesday VOA 19 Feb 2018 -- Average Zimbabweans turned out Monday to commemorate the life of the country's dogged, long-time opposition leader, Morgan Tsvangirai, ahead of his burial, expected Tuesday.
• Pakistan Hopes Not to Be Placed on Terrorist Financing Watch List VOA 19 Feb 2018 -- The United States and its European allies are trying to put Pakistan on a global terrorist-financing watch list for failing to comply with anti-terrorist financing and anti-money laundering regulations.