14 May 2018 Military News

Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

OIF / OND / OEF / OIR / OFS Casualty Update 14 May 2018 [PDF]

Defense Policy / Programs

The French Connection: CNO Observes Historic Combined Training Aboard USS George H.W. Bush NNS 14 May 2018 -- Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson met with his counterpart, Chief of Staff of the French Navy Adm. Christophe Prazuck, aboard the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) May 14 to observe high-end combined training currently underway between the U.S and French navies.
Air Force transitions to a single combat uniform AFNS 14 May 2018 -- Air Force leaders announced the service will move to a single combat utility uniform, adopting the Operational Camouflage Pattern, or OCP, already in use by the Army and Airmen in combat zones and in certain jobs across the Air Force.
Dunford Arrives in Brussels for NATO Meetings AFPS 14 May 2018 -- Marine Corps Gen. Joe Dunford, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, arrived here today to participate in NATO Military Committee chiefs of defense meetings that will set the stage for the alliance defense ministerial conference next month and the NATO summit in July.
USS Farragut Departs Bodo NNS 14 May 2018 -- The guided-missile destroyer USS Farragut (DDG 99) departed Bodo, Norway, May 11, following a scheduled port visit.
IP Afloat Program Puts IPs on CGs, DDGs & LSDs NNS 14 May 2018 -- Information Professional (IP) restricted line officers are going to sea as Communications Officers (COMMO) on combatants - destroyers (DDG), cruisers (CG), and amphibious dock landing (LSD) ships - in a program called the Afloat Network Security Initiative (ANSI).
Arleigh Burke Conducts PASSEX with Egyptian Navy NNS 14 May 2018 -- The guided-missile destroyer USS Arleigh Burke (DDG 51) and Egyptian navy ship El Zafer (F951) conducted a passing exercise (PASSEX), May 6.
Seabees Break Ground on Helicopter Mooring Pads NNS 14 May 2018 -- Ten Seabees assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 11 began construction of a helicopter mooring pad project for the U.S. Army's 1st Air Calvary Brigade (ACB) in support of the European Deterrence Initiative build-up, April 16, 2018.
USS Coronado (LCS 4) Blue Crew Awarded Battle "E" NNS 14 May 2018 -- USS Coronado (LCS 4) Blue Crew was presented with the 2017 Battle Effectiveness "E" award by Capt. Matthew McGonigle, commander, Littoral Combat Ship Squadron ONE, May 11.
The French Connection: GHWBCSG Underway for Chesapeake 2018 NNS 14 May 2018 -- The wing of a French Rafale Marine crests the horizon, on glidescope to be the first French navy (Marine Nationale) fighter jet to touch down as part of an historic combined flight operation aboard the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77).
US Navy to buy 7,000 rockets from UK arms maker Press TV 14 May 2018 -- The US Navy has awarded British weapons manufacturer BAE Systems a $175 million contract to produce more than 7,000 laser-guided rockets.
National Guard Conducts Annual Nationwide Cybersecurity Exercise AFPS 14 May 2018 -- The Cyber Shield 2018 cybersecurity exercise is part of the National Guard's ongoing effort to be a versatile capability for governors of all 54 states and territories.

NATO Secretary General praises France as ''champion of multilateralism'' NATO 14 May 2018 -- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg praised France for its important contributions to collective security and for its role as a champion of multilateralism. Mr Stoltenberg started a two-day visit to Paris today (14 May 2018) by meeting the French minister for the armed forces Florence Parly. They discussed NATO's continued adaptation to face current security challenges, as part of preparations for the Alliance Brussels Summit in July.

First carrier designed in China begins sea trial People's Daily 14 May 2018 -- Tests will focus on reliability, capability of new vessel's propulsion systems
China's new aircraft carrier ranks among world's most advanced warships People's Daily 14 May 2018 -- China's first domestically designed aircraft carrier left a Dalian Shipbuilding Industry's shipyard to begin its maiden trial at sea last Sunday.

Report of Chinese aircraft flying along M503 untrue: MND CNA 14 May 2018 -- The Ministry of National Defense (MND) on Monday dismissed as untrue a television news report that a Chinese military aircraft was spotted traveling along the M503 aviation route in the Taiwan Strait earlier that day.
Taiwan aiming to build 3 corvette class warships by 2025 CNA 14 May 2018 -- Taiwan plans to construct three corvette class warships by 2025 and move up its schedule for the construction of another eight vessels, Minister of National Defense Yen De-fa (嚴德發) said Monday.

UK to Invest 2.5Bln for Submarine Construction – Defense Secretary Sputnik 14 May 2018 -- UK Defense Secretary Gavin Williamson announced that 2.5 billion pounds ($3.4 billion) would be put into the construction of new submarines for the Royal Navy, the UK government said in a statement.
UK Risks Losing Influence on EU Security, Defence Ops After Brexit - Report Sputnik 14 May 2018 -- London risks losing leverage over EU Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) missions and operations in the post-Brexit period, and thus should seek to negotiate observer status in the EU planning and decision-making bodies on the issue, a report by the European Union Committee in the UK House of Lords said.
Defence Secretary announces massive £2.5bn investment in UK nuclear submarines UK MOD 14 May 2018 -- Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson today announced the Ministry of Defence is investing a massive £2.5 billion in boosting Britain's submarine building projects.

S. Korea Launches New Large-Scale Transport Ship KBS World Radio 14 May 201 8-- South Korea on Monday launched a large Dokdo-class transport ship at the Busan shipyard of Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction, which built the vessel.

Press Briefing by Principal Deputy Press Secretary Raj Shah The White House 14 May 2018

Defense Industry

DoD News: Contracts for May 14, 2018

Other Conflicts

14 May 2018 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 14 May 2018

Yemeni ballistic missile targets Saudi Aramco oil facility in Jizan: Report Press TV 14 May 2018 -- Yemeni army forces, backed by allied fighters from Popular Committees, have fired a short-range domestically-manufactured ballistic missile at a Saudi Aramco facility in the kingdom's southwestern region of Jizan, in retaliation for the Saudi regime's campaign against the impoverished country, Yemeni media report.
Saudi Arabia deploys troops to Yemen's Socotra after UAE's military build-up Press TV 14 May 2018 -- Saudi Arabia has deployed troops to Yemen's Socotra amid anger over the UAE's military build-up on the island as rivalry grows between the two allies.
Houthis Fire Missile at Aramco Distribution Center in Saudi Arabia - Reports Sputnik 14 May 2018 -- Yemeni Houthis have reportedly launched a missile at the Aramco Fuel Research Center in Jizan, Saudi Arabia, according to the Houthis' Al-Masirah channel. No confirmation has yet been received from the Saudi authorities.

Syria peace talks begins in Astana IRNA 14 May 2018 -- Iran, Russia and Turkey began a new round of peace talks on the Syrian crisis in Kyrgyzstan's capital on Monday.
6th batch of terrorists to be evacuated from Homs, Hama IRNA 14 May 2018 -- Preparations are underway to evacuate the sixth batch of terrorists and their families from the northern Homs and southern Hama countryside to north Syria.
Syrian Army inflicts heavy losses on terrorists in Hajar al-Aswad IRNA 14 May 2018 -- Units of the Syrian Arab Army advanced in the northern part of Hajar al-Aswad neighborhood in southern Damascus.
Iran, Russia, Turkey meet on Syria crisis in Astana amid growing regional fears Press TV 14 May 2018 -- Iran, Russia and Turkey have held talks in Kazakhstan's capital, Astana, with the aim of making progress towards a political solution to the Syria crisis as diplomatic tensions fan out across the region.
Ninth Round Of Syria Peace Talks Under Way In Astana RFE/RL 14 May 2018 -- The ninth round of Syria peace talks sponsored by Iran, Russia, and Turkey began on May 14 in Kazakhstan's capital, Astana.
US Military Presence Near At-Tanf Base in Syria 'Aggression' - Damascus Sputnik 14 May 2018 -- The US military presence near the At-Tanf military base and nearby Rukban refugee camp in the south of Syria is "pure aggression and occupation," head of the Syrian government delegation to the Astana reconciliation talks Bashar Jaafari told reporters.
IS Vows to Fight to Death in Battle for Areas Near Deir el-Zour VOA 14 May 2018 -- Islamic State (IS) militants pledged to fight to the death after U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) announced the start of the final push to liberate the last IS pockets in the eastern countryside of Deir el-Zour.

Iraq launches airstrike on strategic Daesh position in Syria Press TV 14 May 2018 -- Iraqi military aircraft have pounded a strategic position of the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group in Syria's northeastern province of Hasakah as Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi pledges to continue airstrikes on the strongholds of the extremists in the neighboring war-ravaged country.
Iraqi Air Force Destroys Daesh Command Center in Syria - Reports Sputnik 14 May 2018 -- The Iraqi military continues to clear the territory along the country's border with Syria, attacking militants as a part of their major crackdown on terrorists. The decision to continue military advance in Syria was announced after the last year defeat of Daesh in the country.

Over dozen PKK terrorists slain in Turkish airstrikes in northern Iraq Press TV 14 May 2018 -- The Turkish military says more than a dozen members of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) militant group have been killed in a series of airstrikes carried out in Iraq's northern semi-autonomous Kurdistan region late last month.

President Donald J. Trump Keeps His Promise To Open U.S. Embassy In Jerusalem, Israel The White House 14 May 2018
Violence Engulfs Gaza as US Opens Embassy in Jerusalem VOA 14 May 2018 -- Dozens of Palestinians were killed and more than 2,000 wounded in clashes with Israeli forces Monday along the Gaza border as thousands demonstrated against the opening of a new U.S. embassy in Jerusalem.
US Embassy's Move in Israel Draws Criticism from Around the World VOA 14 May 2018 -- Many of the United States' allies, along with its foes, expressed criticism of the U.S. decision to open its embassy in Jerusalem Monday, saying it would increase tensions in the Middle East.
Why New US Embassy Isn't Entirely in Israel VOA 14 May 2018 -- The new United States embassy for Israel, housed in a U.S. consulate built in Jerusalem in 2010, is located partly on a plot of land that Washington does not officially recognize as Israeli territory.
On the Opening of U.S. Embassy Jerusalem US Dept. of State 14 May 2018
Avoid further bloodshed, UN chief urges, as Gaza violence leaves dozens dead UN News 14 May 2018 -- Following reports that dozens of Palestinians have been killed, demonstrating along the border of the Gaza Strip on Monday, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres urged both sides of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to show restraint.
Turkey accuses Israel of genocide as Kuwait calls for UNSC meeting over Palestine killings Press TV 14 May 2018 -- Kuwait has called for an emergency UN Security Council meeting after over 50 Palestinian demonstrators were killed in clashes with Israeli forces.
World leaders warn US embassy relocation would escalate Mideast tension Press TV 14 May 2018 -- Both friends and foes of the United States have voiced criticism after Washington relocated its embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem al-Quds, saying the controversial move would ignite tensions across the Middle East region.
Israeli fighter jet hits Hamas positions in northern Gaza Strip amid massacre of protesters Press TV 14 May 2018 -- An Israeli warplane has targeted several positions of the Palestinian Hamas resistance movement in the northern part of the besieged Gaza Strip where the Tel Aviv regime killed over 50 Palestinian demonstrators on Monday coinciding with the inauguration of US embassy in Jerusalem al-Quds.
US lost 'mediator role' in Middle East with embassy move, says Turkish president Press TV 14 May 2018 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says the United States has lost its role as mediator in the Middle East by moving its embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem al-Quds
US embassy opened in Jerusalem al-Quds amid Palestinian protests Press TV 14 May 2018 -- The United States has officially announced the opening of its new embassy in Jerusalem al-Quds amid deadly Israeli crackdown on peaceful protests by Palestinians in the occupied territories.
Israeli snipers target protesters on Gaza 'day of rage', kill scores Press TV 14 May 2018 -- Israeli troops have opened fire on Palestinians who have gathered near a Gaza fence for the climax of a six-week demonstration coinciding with the inauguration of US embassy in Jerusalem al-Quds.
Dozens Of Palestinians Killed As U.S. Opens Jerusalem Embassy RFE/RL 14 May 2018 -- At least 55 Palestinians have been reported killed by Israeli troops in clashes on the Gaza border, as the United States opened a controversial embassy in Jerusalem.
White House Blames Hamas for Civilian Deaths in Gaza Sputnik 14 May 2018 -- The terrorist group Hamas is responsible for the deaths of dozens of civilians during protests in Gaza earlier today, White House spokesperson Raj Shah said in a press briefing.
Iranian FM Lambasts Opening of US Embassy in Jerusalem as 'Day of Great Shame' Sputnik 14 May 2018 -- Iran's top diplomat has lashed out at the US, Arab "collaborators" following the festive opening of the US Embassy and a violent climax of clashes on the Gaza Strip's border between Palestinian protesters and the Israeli military.
Palestinian Leader Rejects US Peace Mediation Amid Israeli 'Massacres' in Gaza Sputnik 14 May 2018 -- Amid Monday's protests against US embassy's relocation to Jerusalem, at least 52 Palestinians have been killed and over 2,400 wounded by Israeli fire, according to the latest date from the Gaza Health Ministry.
Netanyahu Explains Israel Actions in Gaza by 'Obligation to Defend Its Borders' Sputnik 14 May 2018 -- The situation along the Israel-Gaza border remains agitated by the ongoing mass protests of about 15,000 Palestinians against the US Embassy's relocation to Jerusalem.

Sudanese president endorses major cabinet reshuffle Press TV 14 May 2018 -- Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir has approved a sweeping cabinet shake-up, which will affect nearly two dozen of its members, state media say.
Step up humanitarian support to 7.1 million people and invest in Sudan's development: UN relief chief UN News 14 May 2018 -- The United Nations humanitarian chief urged the international community to step up life-saving humanitarian support to 7.1 million vulnerable Sudanese on Monday, and invest more in the country's social-economic development.

Algeria dismisses Morocco's new claims of backing Polisario Press TV 14 May 2018 -- Algeria has roundly rejected and denounced fresh claims by the Moroccan foreign minister that it played an "operational" role in alleged Iranian support for a pro-independence Western Sahara movement.

'Never forget children,' UNICEF warns of escalating violence in Central African Republic UN News 14 May 2018 -- At least 350,000 children in the Central African Republic (CAR) are out of school and lack access to health and other basic services, including nearly 29,000 who have fled escalating violence this year, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has warned, urging warring parties to stop the fighting.

News Reports

New Bill Would Jail Russians For Adhering To Western Sanctions RFE/RL 14 May 2018 -- Russians who adhere to economic sanctions imposed by the United States could be imprisoned for four years under legislation due to be considered in parliament.
Russia's Kudrin May Get Top Audit Chamber Position -- But No Kremlin Post RFE/RL 14 May 2018 -- Longtime former Finance Minister Aleksei Kudrin may soon become the head of Russia's Audit Chamber, bringing him closer to President Vladimir Putin's government after years without a state position.
Putin: Russia Develops Nuclear Industry in Line With Nonproliferation Treaty Sputnik 14 May 2018 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin assured Yukiya Amano, the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), that Russia if fulfilling its obligations and develops its nuclear power industry in strict accordance with restrictions on nonproliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

Russia, Daesh threaten EU: UK spy chief Press TV 14 May 2018 -- Russia and the terrorist group Daesh are the two main threats that the European Union (EU) faces today, UK spy agency MI5's chief Andrew Parker will warn in rare public speech later on Monday.
MI5 Chief: Russia Has Unleashed A 'Fog Of Lies' And Risks Becoming An 'Isolated Pariah' RFE/RL 14 May 2018 -- Russia is seeking to undermine European democracies and sow doubt in the West through malign activities and a "fog of lies," the head of Britain's domestic spy agency has told European intelligence chiefs.
MI5 Chief Seeks Boosted Intel Sharing With EU Post-Brexit Amid "Russian Threat" Sputnik 14 May 2018 -- On Monday, MI5 Director General Andrew Parker is due to deliver a rare speech outside Britain, in which he will address the Counter Terrorism Group of 30 European security services.

Skripal Visited Estonia in 2016 to Meet With Local Intelligence - Reports Sputnik 14 May 2018 -- Former GRU colonel Sergei Skripal, who was poisoned in the UK town of Salisbury in March, secretly visited Estonia in 2016, where he met with local intelligence officers, something that London possibly helped to organize, New York Times reported on Monday.
Foreign Minister Thinks Czech Agents Benefited From Skripal Meetings RFE/RL 14 May 2018 -- Czech Foreign Minister Martin Stropnicky says he believes his country's intelligence services benefited from being briefed six years ago by Sergei Skripal, the Russian former double agent who was poisoned with a nerve toxin along with his daughter in England in March.

Inter-Korean summit conducive to regional stability: Tsai CNA 14 May 2018 -- As a new page of history is turned in the Asia-Pacific with the recent inter-Korean summit, President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) said she hoped that the peace initiatives broached during the event spread to the rest of the region, according to a press release issued by the Presidential Office.
Pompeo outlines U.S. plans to help DPRK in exchange for denuclearization People's Daily 14 May 2018 -- U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Sunday outlined the United States' plans to help the development of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) if the country agrees to complete denuclearization.
UN chief welcomes North Korean plan to close nuclear site Press TV 14 May 2018 -- United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres has hailed North Korea's move to close its nuclear test site as an important step toward peace and denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.
'Problems can be solved' by cooperation says UN chief, welcoming North Korean pledge to close nuclear test site UN News 14 May 2018 -- United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has welcomed the commitment by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to dismantle its nuclear test site at Punggye-ri as an important "confidence-building measure" that that will support efforts towards sustainable peace and verifiable denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.

FM Zarif slams US anti-Quds move IRNA 14 May 2018 -- The Iranian foreign minister in a message condemned US President Donald Trump's shameful act of relocating US embassy from Tel Aviv to Holy Quds.
Judiciary chief: Iran not to put aside missile capability IRNA 14 May 2018 -- Iran's Judiciary chief Ayatollah Sadeq Amoli Larijani said on Monday that despite all the pressures, Iran will never retreat from its defensive and missile capabilities.
IAEA chief: No JCPOA Violation by Iran IRNA 14 May 2018 -- Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency Yukiya Amano in a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Sochi said that the IAEA has found no case of violation of nuclear deal by Iran so far, a senior diplomat revealed.
President Rouhani defends JCPOA against critics IRNA 14 May 2018 -- The Office of the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran in a statement on Monday reacted to calls by 'some parties' inside the country urging President Hassan Rouhani to apologize for signing the Iran nuclear deal.
Iran FM: Moscow's position regarding JCPOA encouraging IRNA 14 May 2018 -- Visiting Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad-Javad Zarif said here on Monday that Moscow 's position regarding the 2015 nuclear deal is encouraging.
French FM: Iran Deal can still be effective IRNA 14 May 2018 -- French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said that Iran nuclear deal also known as Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) can still be effective.
US has failed to abide by its commitments under JCPOA: Zarif ISNA 14 May 2018 -- The United States has consistently failed to abide by its commitments under the JCPOA, wrote Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in a letter to the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
P4+1 to soon define assurance of Iran`s interests under JCPOA: Zarif ISNA 14 May 2018 -- Iranian Foreign Minister described his meetings in Moscow and Beijing positive, saying that P4+1 will soon define how to secure Iran`s interests under Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and maintain the unique achievement.
Russia's official stance on JCPOA very promising: Zarif ISNA 14 May 2018 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif held talks with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov on Monday.
President in a phone call with British PM: Saving JCPOA possible without US, impossible without serving Iran's interests ISNA 14 May 2018 -- Iranian President said that survival of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) is possible without the United States, but impossible without Iran's interests being served.
Putin reaffirms Russia's commitment to Iran nuclear deal Press TV 14 May 2018 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has underscored Moscow's readiness to remain committed to a landmark nuclear deal Iran signed with major powers in 2015 despite the US move to pull out from the agreement.
Zarif: US exit from nuclear deal 'complete disregard for intl. law' Press TV 14 May 2018 -- Iran says US President Donald Trump's "unilateral and unlawful" decision to withdraw from a key 2015 nuclear agreement and to re-impose nuclear-related sanctions shows "a complete disregard for international law."
Iran says oil exports undisrupted as sanctions loom Press TV 14 May 2018 -- A top Iranian oil official says all of the country's oil cargoes have designated customers worldwide, stressing that the potential US sanctions have not thus far undermined the flow of oil supplies to international markets.
Lavrov, Zarif, Meet In Moscow On Iran Nuclear Deal RFE/RL 14 May 2018 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif have agreed to remain in "close contact" over the nuclear deal between Iran and six powers in the wake of Washington's withdrawal from the landmark agreement.
Secretary Pompeo's Calls With French Foreign Minister Le Drian, UK Foreign Secretary Johnson, and German Foreign Minister Maas US Dept. of State 14 May 2018
Key Week as Europe Scrambles to Salvage Iran Deal VOA 14 May 2018 -- When Tehran-bound AF 378 took off from Paris in April 2016, it was a heady moment for European diplomacy and commercial interests.

Moqtada al-Sadr alliance takes lead in Iraqi elections Press TV 14 May 2018 -- Partial results have shown that cleric Moqtada al-Sadr's alliance is in the lead of Iraq's parliamentary elections.
Al-Abadi Calls on Iraq to Respect Election Results VOA 14 May 2018 -- As votes were being counted in Iraq's first election since defeating Islamic State, current prime minister Haider al-Abadi urged his supporters to respect the results of Monday's poll.

U.S., China working to get ZTE back into business: Trump People's Daily 14 May 2018 -- U.S. President Donald Trump said on Sunday that Washington and Beijing are working to get Chinese telecom equipment maker ZTE, which is suffering from a U.S. exports ban, back into business.

UK Intelligence Chief Says 12 Terrorist Attacks Foiled Since March 2017 Sputnik 14 May 2018 -- Twelve terrorist attacks were thwarted in the United Kingdom in the last 12 months, but the victory over Islamist terrorists requires further international attention, the head of the UK Security Service (MI5), Andrew Parker, said at a security conference in Berlin.

'Much work to do and no time to waste' in cybercrime fight, says UN chief UN News 14 May 2018 -- The UN body focussing on crime prevention and criminal justice, opened its annual session in Vienna on Monday, calling for a more integrated global response to continuing and emerging challenges, including cybercrime.

Turkish Currency Woes Put Erdogan in Tight Spot in Re-Election Bid VOA 14 May 2018 -- The Turkish lira is increasingly under siege amid mounting international investors' concerns. The publication Monday of unexpectedly poor economic data saw the lira approach record lows. The increasing financial turbulence comes as opposition parties begin to narrow the gap ahead of the June 24 presidential and general elections and voter concerns over the economy grow.

Pashinian Assures Putin 'Strategic Partnership' Not In Doubt RFE/RL 14 May 2018 -- Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian has thanked Russian President Vladimir Putin for what he called Moscow's "balanced position" amid the political upheaval that brought him to power in Yerevan, and reassured the Kremlin that the "strategic alliance" between the countries is not in doubt.

Pashinian Assures Putin 'Strategic Partnership' Not In Doubt RFE/RL 14 May 2018 -- Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian has thanked Russian President Vladimir Putin for what he called Moscow's "balanced position" amid the political upheaval that brought him to power in Yerevan, and reassured the Kremlin that the "strategic alliance" between the countries is not in doubt.

Tbilisi Protesters Warn Rallies Will Resume If Demands Not Met RFE/RL 14 May 2018 -- Georgians who mounted weekend protests over police antidrug raids say they will be back on the streets for a new demonstration on May 19 if their demands are not met.

EU Leaders Express Anxiety Over Likely Populist Government in Italy VOA 14 May 2018 -- After weeks of post-election wrangling, Italy appears set to get a new-generation populist government amid fears it might bankrupt the country and clash with Brussels by violating European Union spending rules.

NEWSLETTER

Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list