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News Reports

Current Operations

• Pakistan Confirms US Drone Killed Key Militant Leader VOA 21 Jun 2018 -- Pakistan has confirmed its most wanted militant leader was killed in a recent U.S. drone strike in eastern Afghanistan.

Defense Policy / Programs

• DoD Officials: Chinese Actions Threaten U.S. Technological, Industrial Base AFPS 21 Jun 2018 -- Defense Department officials warned lawmakers today about the unprecedented threats DoD is facing to its technological and industrial base, as China and other nations actively seek out advanced technology and intellectual property.
• U.S. Must Act Now to Maintain Military Technological Advantage, Vice Chairman Says AFPS 21 Jun 2018 -- The United States must act or China will achieve its goal of equaling American technological prowess by 2020 and surpassing it by the 2030s, the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said here today.
• U.S., partner countries enhance interoperability during Swift Response Army News 21 Jun 2018 -- National Guard soldiers assigned to the 143rd Airborne Infantry Battalion joined the 173rd Airborne Brigade in exercise Swift Response in Poland this year.
• Comm links up: SPMAGTF-SC, JTF-Bravo communicators learn to work together USMC News 21 Jun 2018 -- Marines with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force - Southern Command's communications section met up with their counterparts in Joint Task Force Bravo's 1st Battalion, 228th Aviation Regiment communications section to sync their equipment in preparation for future joint-level operations in Latin America and the Caribbean, June 19.
• USS Coronado Underway for MQ-8C Fire Scout Testing NNS 21 Jun 2018 -- USS Coronado (LCS 4) began underway operational testing of the Navy's newest unmanned helicopter, the MQ-8C Fire Scout, off the coast of San Diego, June 15.
• U.S., Thailand Conclude CARAT Thailand 2018 NNS 21 Jun 2018 -- The 24th annual Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) exercise between the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, and Royal Thai Navy concluded in Pattaya, Thailand, June 21.
• Pacific Partnership 2018 Concludes NNS 21 Jun 2018 -- The 13th annual Pacific Partnership mission concluded June 21 after completing mission stops in Japan and throughout South and Southeast Asia.
• USNS Mercy Departs Japan NNS 21 Jun 2018 -- Service members participating in Pacific Partnership 2018 (PP18) departed Yokosuka, Japan, aboard Military Sealift Command (MSC) hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19), June 21.
• Truman Arrives in Marseille, France NNS 21 Jun 2018 -- The Nimitz class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) arrived in Marseille, France, for a regularly scheduled port visit, June 21.
• FDRMC Naples and Partners Conduct Voyage Repair on USS Farragut NNS 21 Jun 2018 -- When USS Farragut (DDG 99) suffered an engineering casualty, Forward Deployed Regional Maintenance Center (FDRMC) Naples teamed with U.S. Naval Supply Systems Command Fleet Logistics Center in Italy and Mid-Atlantic Regional Maintenance Center (MARMC) to conduct a voyage repair on the guided missile destroyer in Bergen, Norway.
• NATO Secretary General: UK is vital to keeping the transatlantic bond strong NATO 21 Jun 2018 -- Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg praised the United Kingdom's important contributions to NATO in a visit to London on Thursday (21 June 2018).
• Speech by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg (hosted by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office at Lancaster House) NATO 21 Jun 2018
• NATO's Stoltenberg Sees Strong Europe-U.S. Bonds Despite Differences RFE/RL 21 Jun 2018 -- NATO's secretary-general says he is confident close bonds between Europe and the United States will survive despite current differences over trade and U.S. decisions to withdraw from the Paris climate accord and the Iran nuclear deal.
• Poland Plans to Buy Anti-Submarine Choppers - Defense Minister Sputnik 21 Jun 2018 -- Poland is adjusting its plans to equip the armed forces based on the alleged threat emanating from the East, Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak said.
• Following in US, South Korea's footsteps, Japan cancels own drills Press TV 21 Jun 2018 -- Japan has reportedly decided to suspend a number of drills following the relative easing of tensions on the Korean Peninsula that has come amid renewed diplomacy with North Korea.
• Despite US Senate Vote, Turkey Expects F-35 Jets in 2020 – Foreign Minister Sputnik 21 Jun 2018 -- While voicing concern over Ankara's deal to purchase advanced air and missile defense systems from Russia, the US Senate has blocked the planned delivery of nearly 100 F-35 fighter aircraft to its NATO ally.
• New UK Army Chief Lists Russia Among 'Imminent' Threats to Country Sputnik 21 Jun 2018 -- General Mark Carleton-Smith has given his inauguration speech, becoming the new army chief shortly after replacing General Sir Nick Carter, who has moved on to become chief of the defense staff.
• UK PM May Calls Britain Leading Defense Nation Amid Controversial Rumors Sputnik 21 Jun 2018 -- The alleged comment comes amid ongoing dispute at the Whitehall regarding military spending and ahead of upcoming NATO summit, where the US may again raise the question of greater involvement of its allies in financing the alliance.
• Department Press Briefing - June 21, 2018 US Dept. of State 21 Jun 2018

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for June 21, 2018

Other Conflicts

• 21 June 2018 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 21 Jun 2018
• Peacekeeping chief highlights challenges facing UN Police UN News 21 Jun 2018 -- Top cops from across the globe are meeting at United Nations Headquarters this week to chart a vision for the police components deployed to UN peacekeeping missions.
• UN Envoy 'confident' deal can be reached to avert further violence around key Yemeni port city UN News 21 Jun 2018 -- The United Nations envoy for Yemen expressed confidence on Thursday that a solution can be found to prevent further violence in and around the port city of Hodeida.
• Houthis still in control of Hudaydah airport: Yemeni officials Press TV 21 Jun 2018 -- Yemeni officials say the airport in the strategic port city of Hudaydah is still under the control of the Houthi Ansarullah movement, rejecting reports that the facility had fallen to the hands of Saudi-backed forces.
• Russia skeptical about UN human rights report on Syria's Eastern Ghouta: FM Lavrov Press TV 21 Jun 2018 -- Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says he is "skeptical" about a United Nations report accusing the Syrian government of committing alleged crimes against humanity when its troops carried out a military operation in Eastern Ghouta earlier this year.
• Iraqi Hashd al-Sha'abi pledges 'suitable' response to deadly Syria strike Press TV 21 Jun 2018 -- The Iraqi voluntary and pro-government Popular Mobilization Units have pledged to get revenge for a deadly air raid on their fellow fighters in Syria's eastern province of Dayr al-Zawr earlier this week, blaming the United States or Israel for the attack.
• Syrian Army Steps Up Offensive in Southwest - Reports Sputnik 21 Jun 2018 -- Syrian Army activity has increased significantly in the nation's southwestern region, where rebel-controlled areas border Jordan and the disputed area of Golan Heights.
• Reported Violations of the Southwest Ceasefire US Dept. of State 21 Jun 2018 -- The United States remains deeply troubled by reports of increasing Syrian regime operations in southwest Syria within the boundaries of the de-escalation zone negotiated between the United States, Jordan, and the Russian Federation last year and reaffirmed between Presidents Trump and Putin in Da Nang, Vietnam in November.
• Turkish military will continue striking PKK bases in northern Iraq, says Erdogan Press TV 21 Jun 2018 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says his country's military forces will continue aerial attacks against the positions of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) militant group in Iraq's northern semi-autonomous Kurdistan region.
• Libya's Haftar forces say recaptured two key oil export terminals Press TV 21 Jun 2018 -- Forces loyal to Libya's military strongman general Khalifa Haftar say they have managed to recapture two main oil export terminals in the northeast of the country from rival militia forces.
• Libyan Haftar-Led Forces Retook Sidr, Ras Lanuf Ports From Militants - Reports Sputnik 21 Jun 2018 -- The Libyan army led by military commander Khalifa Haftar liberated the oil ports of Sidr and Ras Lanuf on the Mediterranean coast from armed militants, the Sky News Arabia TV channel reported, citing the army spokesman Ahmed Mismari.
• Myanmar: New UN envoy offers to serve 'as a bridge', recognizes 'positive steps' over Rakhine state UN News 21 Jun 2018 -- Focussing on "listening to all sides" the new United Nations Special Envoy on Myanmar praised "recent positive steps" taken by the government and United Nations to try and ensure the eventual voluntary, safe and dignified return of Rohingya refugees, to their homes in Rakhine state.
• UN chief welcomes 'positive steps' towards peace between Eritrea and Ethiopia UN News 21 Jun 2018 -- The United Nations has announced its readiness to support Eritrea and Ethiopia following recent peace overtures between the two neighbouring States in the Horn of Africa.
• Cameroon Launches Emergency Fund for Victims of Separatist Conflict VOA 21 Jun 2018 -- Cameroon has launched a multi-million dollar emergency humanitarian assistance plan for hundreds of thousands of its citizens who the government says live in precarious and life-threatening conditions in Cameroon and Nigeria due to the ongoing conflict with armed separatists of Cameroon's Anglophone regions seeking to break away from the predominantly French-speaking country. All Cameroonians have been called upon to contribute to the fund.
• Philippines, Muslim Rebel Group Close to Landmark Power-Sharing Deal VOA 21 Jun 2018 -- After four years of talks and one deadly setback, the Philippines is finalizing a law that would offer some autonomy to a flagship Muslim separatist group on the historically troubled southern island of Mindanao.

News Reports

• Planning Underway for Trump-Putin Summit, White House Officials Say VOA 21 Jun 2018 -- Planning is underway for a summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to White House officials.
• Trump Says He's 'Considering' A Meeting With Putin Next Month RFE/RL 21 Jun 2018 -- U.S. President Donald Trump says he is considering a meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin in July.
• Kremlin Confirms Bolton Headed to Moscow to Discuss Summit VOA 21 Jun 2018 -- With World Cup 2018 now firmly under way in Russia, the Kremlin indicated it was back to business Thursday, holding a new round of talks with neighboring Ukraine and hinting at movement toward a possible summit meeting with President Donald Trump as early as next month.
• UN: US Withdrawal from Human Rights Council Uncharted Territory VOA 21 Jun 2018 -- The United Nations has begun the process of filling the seat the United States left vacant at the U.N. Human Rights Council now that it has received official notification that Washington is resigning from the council.
• US, Russia Locked in Battle Over Human Rights Narratives VOA 21 Jun 2018 -- Russia wasted no time in seeking to exploit the U.S. decision Wednesday to withdraw from the U.N. Human Rights Council, putting forward its candidacy for a seat on the Geneva-based body and casting the American exit as a reflection of Washington's new unilateralist approach to global affairs.
• Haley blasts rights groups for siding with Russia, China at UNHRC Press TV 21 Jun 2018 -- US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley has blasted human rights groups for what she calls their push to "thwart reform" at the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) by siding with Russia and China.
• Moscow Disagrees with US Claims of UNHRC's Hostility Toward Israel – Lavrov Sputnik 21 Jun 2018 -- Moscow hopes that the US decision to withdraw from the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) is not final, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has said.
• Strong multilateral institutions key to tackling world's dramatic challenges, UN chief says In Moscow UN News 21 Jun 2018 -- In Moscow on Thursday, Secretary-General António Guterres said multilateralism was vital to tackling climate change, terrorism and other dramatic challenges, and that the United Nations and Russia would continue working together to make global institutions stronger and better able to serve the public good.
• Trump, facing backlash, orders halt to family separations at border People's Daily 21 Jun 2018 -- U.S. President Donald Trump, facing domestic and international backlash, signed an executive order Wednesday to end the administration's controversial practice of separating migrant children from parents crossing the U.S. border illegally.
• Pentagon Confirms It Will House Up to 20,000 Migrant Children VOA 21 Jun 2018 -- The Pentagon has agreed to house on military bases as many as 20,000 unaccompanied migrant children who illegally crossed the U.S. southern border.
• Trump Signs Executive Order on Immigration Amid Fierce Political Backlash Sputnik 21 Jun 2018 -- US President Donald Trump signed an executive order that he said is designed to prevent the separation of children from their parents who illegally cross the US-Mexico border after facing fierce criticism from across the entire political spectrum.
• South Korean President: 'War Is Over' for Korean Peninsula, US Sputnik 21 Jun 2018 -- North Korea is taking real efforts to achieve full denuclearization, the war is over now for South Korea, North Korea and the United States, South Korean President Moon Jae-in said on Thursday.
• Kim Jong Un's Visit to China KCNA 21 Jun 2018 -- The respected Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un met again with Xi Jinping at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse on Wednesday.
• North Korea blowing up nuclear, missile test sites, Trump claims Press TV 21 Jun 2018 -- US President Donald Trump has said that North Korea is blowing up its nuclear and missile test sites and that a process of "total denuclearization ... has already started taking place."
• North Korea Preparing to Destroy ICBM Test Site – Reports Sputnik 21 Jun 2018 -- CBS News identified the site as so-called Sohae Satellite Launching Ground in the North Pyongan province, believed to be the place where the Hwasong-15 long-range missile was reportedly tested and that was capable of hitting the US mainland.
• Pyongyang Has Returned Remains of 200 Fallen US Soldiers – Trump Sputnik 21 Jun 2018 -- Pyongyang's gesture comes in wake of the historic summit in Singapore on June 12, where Trump met North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. During the subsequent news conference, the US president announced that Kim had promised to return the remains of US soldiers who had died during the Korean War "quickly."
• Iran will not hold negotiations with US as 'rogue' state: Zarif Press TV 21 Jun 2018 -- Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says the US is turning into a "rogue state" by repeatedly violating international law, adding that Iran will not negotiate with a country that fails to keep its word and moves to sabotage one multilateral agreement after another.
• Merkel Calls On Europe To Counter Iran's 'Aggressive Tendencies' RFE/RL 21 Jun 2018 -- German Chancellor Angela Merkel has called on Europe to "urgently" take measures to counter Iran's "aggressive" activities in the Middle East.
• Khamenei Slams U.S. For Separating Immigrant Children From Parents RFE/RL 21 Jun 2018 -- Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has severely criticized the United States for a policy of separating children from immigrant parents who try to cross illegally into the United States from Mexico.
• MOFCOM: US unpredictability means China needs to respond in a strong manner People's Daily 21 Jun 2018 -- China has had to respond in a strong manner as the United States is being unpredictable and challenging, and initiated the trade war, spokesman for the Chinese Ministry of Commerce Gao Feng said on Thursday.
• White House, Legislators Discuss Move To Block ZTE Deal On Iran Sanctions RFE/RL 21 Jun 2018 -- U.S. President Donald Trump has met with Republican lawmakers after the Senate moved to block a White House plan to allow Chinese telecom giant ZTE to stay in business despite violating U.S. sanctions against Iran and North Korea.
• Top Iraqi court endorses manual election recount Press TV 21 Jun 2018 -- Iraq's top court has upheld a law mandating a nationwide manual recount of all ballots from last month's parliamentary elections.
• Nine EU Members Plan 'Rapid-Response' Cyberforce In Lithuania-Led Initiative RFE/RL 21 Jun 2018 -- Nine member states of the European Union will establish "rapid-response teams" to counter cyberattacks, according to project leader Lithuania, which has issued warnings about what it calls Russia-directed "hostile cyberactivities."
• The 5th U.S.-Republic of Korea Bilateral Cyber Consultations US Dept. of State 21 Jun 2018 -- The 5th United States-Republic of Korea Bilateral Cyber Consultations were held in Seoul, Republic of Korea, on June 21, 2018, to strengthen our joint commitment to an open, interoperable, reliable, and secure cyberspace.
• First-ever global conference of national counter-terrorism chiefs will strengthen cooperation, build 'resilient' States, says top UN official UN News 21 Jun 2018 -- Heads of counter-terrorism agencies from across the world will be meeting at UN Headquarters in New York next week for the first time, to pool expertise, resources and ideas to fight back against the growing scourge of international terrorism.
• Intl use of China Space Station to bring scientific benefits to world: UN official People's Daily 21 Jun 2018 -- Cooperation between China and the UN Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) is going from strength to strength, head of the office Simonetta Di Pippo said Tuesday.
• Lackluster Erdogan Campaign Faces Rejuvenated Opposition in Turkey VOA 21 Jun 2018 -- Ahead of the general and presidential elections set for June 24, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has acknowledged his ruling AKP could lose its parliamentary majority. The rare admission comes as missteps and a perceived lackluster performance have beset Erdogan's campaign.
• Turkey's ruling AKP may form coalition if fails to secure majority: Erdogan Press TV 21 Jun 2018 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says he might seek to form a coalition government if his ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) fails to secure a majority in the upcoming parliamentary and presidential elections.
• U.S., IMF Praise Ukrainian Anticorruption Law But Say More Work Needed RFE/RL 21 Jun 2018 -- The United States and International Monetary Fund (IMF) are praising Ukraine for enacting legislation to establish an independent anticorruption court, but say more work is needed to complete the reforms and secure more IMF loans.
• Venezuela imprisons eight coup plotters: Rights group Press TV 21 Jun 2018 -- The Venezuelan government has imprisoned five members of the armed forces and three civilians suspected of purported participation in a 2015 coup plot against incumbent president Nicolas Maduro, a rights group says.
• Pakistan Adopts Rules to Fight Terrorism Financing VOA 21 Jun 2018 -- Pakistan's national financial authority has adopted new regulations to fight money laundering and terror financing and to comply with Financial Action Task Force's (FATF) guidelines, a global financial watchdog that recently placed Pakistan on its gray list for its inability to choke terror financing.
• Uganda Scrambles to Stop Assassinations VOA 21 Jun 2018 -- Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni has issued new security measures intended to stop a disturbing trend of assassinations. Addressing parliament, Museveni blamed police, elements of which he said are colluding with criminals.