23 August 2018 Military News

Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

U.S. To Appoint Special Envoy On Afghanistan To Promote Peace: Reports RFE/RL 23 Aug 2018 -- U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is expected to appoint Zalmay Khalilzad, an Afghan-born former U.S. ambassador to Kabul, as his special envoy on Afghanistan, media reported on August 22.

Defense Policy / Programs

MALD-X Project Completes Free Flight Demonstration DoD 23 Aug 2018 -- The Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering's Strategic Capabilities Office (SCO), with Air Force Miniature Air Launch Decoy (MALD) Program Office, and Naval Air Warfare Center Point Mugu successfully completed a series of free flight demonstrations of the MALD-X on August 20 and 22.
Marines test future of wireless communications USMC News 23 Aug 2018 -- Marines with 7th Communication Battalion, III Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group conducted field testing of a new Free Space Optics system at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, Aug. 21.
Hurricane Hunters fly Hurricane Lane as storm targets Hawaiian Islands AFNS 23 Aug 2018 -- The Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunters are continuing to monitor Hurricne Lane which is projected to hit the main Hawaiian Islands the afternoon of Aug. 23.
Hospital Ship to Support Humanitarian Effort in Latin America AFPS 23 Aug 2018 -- The Navy's Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Comfort will deploy to Central America and South America in late September to begin a two-month humanitarian mission with stops in Colombia and elsewhere in the region.
Navy Accepts Delivery of Future USS Sioux City and USS Wichita NNS 23 Aug 2018 -- The U.S. Navy accepted delivery of two Littoral Combat Ships (LCSs), the future USS Sioux City (LCS 11) and USS Wichita (LCS 13), during a ceremony at the Fincantieri Marinette Marine shipyard on August 22.
CNO Motivates SPAWAR Workforce, Discusses Today's Increasingly Technological Environment NNS 23 Aug 2018 -- The Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) visited Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR) Aug. 22, where he focused on how to compete and win in today's increasingly competitive environment.
Fleet Forces Commander Sees Warfare Center's Latest Advances NNS 23 Aug 2018 -- Adm. Christopher Grady, commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, spent a full day at Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC), Corona Division Aug. 21 to get a first-hand look into the command's leading role in independent assessment, data analytics, measurement science and fleet live, virtual, constructive (LVC) training.
Kearsarge ARG Underway for Pre-deployment Exercise NNS 23 Aug 2018 -- The units of Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) departed their respective homeports for an ARG, Marine Expeditionary Unit exercise (ARGMEUEX), Aug. 21 - 22.
NMRC Researchers Seek Ways to Improve the Safety, Comfort and Survivability of the Warfighter NNS 23 Aug 2018 -- Researchers from Naval Medical Research Center (NMRC) presented their work: Enhancing Human Performance & Survivability in Extreme Environments during a breakout session at the Military Health System Research Symposium Aug. 21.
Lethal, Capable, Ready: CNO visits Surface Community's Warfighting Development Center NNS 23 Aug 2018 -- Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson visited Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center (SMWDC) onboard Naval Base San Diego, August 22.

State Dept Warns of Possible Sanctions on Any Country Purchasing Russia's S-400 Sputnik 23 Aug 2018 -- US State Department doesn't rule out that a purchase of Russian S-400 air defense systems may cause sanctions on any country around the world.

Beijing, New Delhi to boost military ties People's Daily 23 Aug 2018 -- China and India will strengthen cooperation between their militaries and maintain peace along their shared border, the two sides pledged during a meeting in New Delhi on Tuesday between State Councilor and Defense Minister Wei Fenghe and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Live-fire exercise at Taiping Island does not endanger others: CGA CNA 23 Aug 2018 -- Routine annual live-fire exercises carried out at Taiping Island in the Spratly Island chain in the South China Sea do not endanger the ships of other countries, the Coast Guard Administration (CGA) said Thursday.

Department Press Briefing - August 23, 2018 US Dept. of State 23 Aug 2018

Defense Industry

DoD News: Contracts for August 23, 2018

Other Conflicts

23 August 2018 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 23 Aug 2018

At least 31 civilians, mostly children, killed in Saudi-led airstrike in Yemen's Hudaydah Press TV 23 Aug 2018 -- At least 31 civilians, mostly children, have been killed after a Saudi-led airstrike hit their vehicle in Yemen's Hudaydah province, only two weeks after a strike by the invading military coalition hit a school bus in the impoverished country and killed scores of Yemeni children.
Scores of Saudi mercenaries slain, injured in Yemeni army offensives Press TV 23 Aug 2018 -- Scores of Saudi-sponsored militiamen loyal to Yemen's former president Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi have lost their lives when Yemeni army soldiers and fighters from allied Popular Committees launched separate offensives against their positions across the crisis-hit Arab country.
Saudi-Led Coalition Thwarts Houthi Attack on Commercial Ship in Red Sea - Media Sputnik 23 Aug 2018 -- Meanwhile, the Yemeni Houthi movement claimed they had been targeting a military vessel. The incident involved a missile launch conducted by rebels from Yemeni territory targeting different cities in Saudi Arabia.
Yemenis kill 2 Saudi-led coalition's military men IRNA 23 Aug 2018 -- Yemeni Army's snipers unit gunned down two Saudi-led coalition military men in Jizan, south of Saudi Arabia.

Alive Not Dead? Daesh Releases New Recording Allegedly by Leader Al-Baghdadi Sputnik 23 Aug 2018 -- Despite numerous reports of his death or injury, Daesh's* shadowy leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi appears to be more alive than dead, even though his whereabouts are unknown, and he has not been heard from in almost a year.
Daesh ringleader urges terror attacks in purported audio recording Press TV 23 Aug 2018 -- Daesh ringleader Ibrahim al-Samarrai, aka Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, has called on followers of the Takfiri outfit to keep up their terror attacks after the militant group suffered a crushing defeat in Iraq and Syria and lost all the territories it had seized there.

West leading campaign of hypocrisy on use of chemical weapons: Syria Press TV 23 Aug 2018 -- Syria has denounced a recent statement by the US, Britain and France on the alleged use of chemical weapons by the Damascus government, saying the trio is leading a campaign of misinformation against the Arab country in line with their support for terrorists.
Pompeo, Lavrov Discuss US Concerns About Possible Military Activity in Idlib Sputnik 23 Aug 2018 -- US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov addressed over the telephone on Thursday Washington's serous concerns about a possible military activity in the Syrian city of Idlib, Department of State spokesperson Heather Nauert told reporters.
Moscow calls on Washington to withdraw forces from Syria IRNA 23 Aug 2018 -- Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova called on Washington to fulfill its international legal obligations and withdraw its forces from Syria, reaffirming that their presence is illegal.
Syria strongly condemns Western countries statement IRNA 23 Aug 2018 -- Syria strongly condemned the statement issued by the US, France and UK 'in form and substance', stressing that the campaign of threats and hypocrisy led by these countries against Syria comes within the framework of continued support for armed terrorists.

Iraqi military aircraft kill more Daesh members in Salahuddin Press TV 23 Aug 2018 -- Iraqi military aircraft have launched a series of aerial attacks against the remnants of the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group in the country's north-central province of Salahuddin, killing a number of extremists in the process.

UNICEF warns of 'lost generation' of Rohingya youth, one year after Myanmar exodus UN News 22 Aug 2018 -- The refugee crisis in Bangladesh sparked by the mass exodus of people from Myanmar almost a year ago risks creating a "lost generation" of Rohingya children who lack the life skills they will need in future, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has warned.
UNICEF warns of 'lost generation' of Rohingya children Press TV 23 Aug 2018 -- The United Nations says hundreds of thousands of Rohingya Muslim children lack proper education both in Myanmar and border camps in Bangladesh, warning that the Myanmarese kids could become "a lost generation."
UN: Rohingya Refugee Children Denied Education Face Bleak Future VOA 23 Aug 2018 -- One year after violence and persecution in Myanmar forced the mass exodus of Rohingya refugees, the U.N. Children's Fund warns of a lost generation of children in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, because they are being denied the education they need to carve out a viable future. The warning comes as UNICEF announced the launch of a study "Futures in the Balance: Building Hope for a Generation of Rohingya Children."

Five Ukrainian Soldiers Killed In Fighting In Bloodiest Day In Months RFE/RL 23 Aug 2018 -- Five Ukrainian soldiers have been killed and seven others wounded in clashes with Russia-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine.

UN requires $4.5 million to pay for fuel in Gaza Strip Press TV 23 Aug 2018 -- The United Nations has announced that it lacks sufficient funds to continue paying for fuel in critical facilities in the Gaza Strip.

News Reports

How Autocracy Is Trending Again RFE/RL 23 Aug 2018 -- In 1967, with the Cold War simmering and conflicts raging from Guatemala to the Sinai, 34 of the world's governments were democracies and 120 were autocracies* [Source: Freedom House via V-Dem Institute's Regimes of the World index.]. It was the year the Soviet Union marked 50 years since the Bolshevik Revolution, the Apollo and Soyuz space programs suffered deadly setbacks, and the United States announced the Vietnam War was finally turning in its favor.

CIA-Backed Firm Tipped Off Facebook to 'Inauthentic' Accounts Sputnik 23 Aug 2018 -- Facebook removed 652 pages, groups and accounts on Tuesday for "coordinated inauthentic behavior" after it was tipped off to the accounts by FireEye, a cybersecurity firm bankrolled by the Central Intelligence Agency.
US Democrats Correct Record: Reported Database Hack Alarm Was False - Official Sputnik 23 Aug 2018 -- The Democratic National Committee (DNC) has walked back its announcement about a suspected attempt to hack into its voter systems, saying the incident was actually an unauthorized test, according to a statement released by the committee's security chief Bob Lord on Thursday.

Bolton Says He Warned Russia Against Meddling in November Elections VOA 23 Aug 2018 -- U.S. National Security Advisor John Bolton says he warned his Russian counterpart not to interfere in the U.S. mid-term elections in November.
'U.S. Won't Tolerate Election Meddling,' Bolton Tells Russia's Patrushev RFE/RL 23 Aug 2018 -- White House national security adviser John Bolton said he warned Moscow in talks in Geneva on August 23 that the United States "wouldn't tolerate meddling" in the upcoming midterm elections.

Report Claims Manafort Promoted Russia's Interests In Kyrgyzstan RFE/RL 23 Aug 2018 -- A team of Russian investigative journalists has reported that U.S. President Donald Trump's former campaign chief, Paul Manafort, worked in Kyrgyzstan in 2005 to promote the Kremlin's geopolitical interests -- including the closure of a U.S. military installation near Bishkek that was the main logistics hub for NATO forces in Afghanistan.
Trump's Ex-Lawyer Ready To Talk With Russia Investigators, His Lawyer Says RFE/RL 23 Aug 2018 -- U.S. President Donald Trump's former personal lawyer has information "on certain subjects that should be of interest" to the special prosecutor investigating ties between Russia and his 2016 election campaign, his lawyer says.

Briefing by Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova on the sidelines of the Second Eurasian Women’s Forum, St Petersburg, September 20, 2018 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 23 Aug 2018
Russia to Take Into Account US Sanctions When Deciding on Next 'Practical Steps' Sputnik 23 Aug 2018 -- Russia will take into consideration the new round of US sanctions when planning its next practical steps, a high-ranking source told Sputnik.

Lithuania Not to Appeal European Court Ruling Over US CIA Prisons - Official Sputnik 23 Aug 2018 -- Lithuania decided not to appeal the ruling of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) that the Baltic country hosted a secret CIA jail, where the agency held and interrogated terrorism suspects, the press service of Lithuania's representative at the court said in a statement on Thursday.

Former German Spy Chief Warns of Perils of Intel Sharing With Austria VOA 23 Aug 2018 -- A former German intelligence chief says NATO secrets aren't safe to share with Austria, adding his alarm to growing concern among Western intelligence agencies about close ties between senior Austrian ministers and Russia.

Pompeo Announces Special Envoy to N Korea to Oversee Denuclearization Progress Sputnik 23 Aug 2018 -- US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced on Thursday that Ford Motor Company International Governmental Affairs Vice President Stephen Biegun will be the Department of State's special representative for North Korea.
North Korea Appears to Halt Dismantlement of Key Missile Site – Reports Sputnik 23 Aug 2018 -- North Korea seems to have stopped dismantling what it calls a satellite launching station, believed to be a test site for intercontinental ballistic missiles, a US-South Korean monitoring website said.
Remarks on the Appointment of Special Representative for North Korea Stephen Biegun US Dept. of State 23 Aug 2018 -- Remarks by Michael R. Pompeo, Secretary of State
Ford Executive Named US Envoy to North Korea VOA 23 Aug 2018 -- U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has named Ford Vice President Stephen Biegun as Special Representative to North Korea.

EU sees idea to create 'independent SWIFT' to secure Iran Deal: Source IRNA 23 Aug 2018 -- The European Union views German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas' idea of creating a European equivalent of the SWIFT payment system as a contribution to the efforts to preserve the Iran nuclear deal following the United States' withdrawal, an EU source told Sputnik on Wednesday.
EU Earmarks $20Mln for Iran in Effort to Offset US Sanctions Sputnik 23 Aug 2018 -- The European Union is working hard to salvage the 2015 nuclear agreement with Iran, which the US withdrew from earlier this year, and widen economic relations "in areas that are of direct benefit to our citizens."
Iran says Israel, U.S. to be targeted if Washington attacks People's Daily 23 Aug 2018 -- Iran's Revolutionary Guards said on Wednesday that they would strike Israeli cities with missiles if the Islamic country was threatened, according to local Mizan News Agency.
US raises the issue of tightening Iran sanctions with Russia: Bolton Press TV 23 Aug 2018 -- US National Security Adviser John Bolton says he has said raised the issue of tightening economic sanctions against Iran with the head of Russia's National Security Council, but provided no details.
New US Sanctions on Iran to Give Little Room to Waivers - Bolton Sputnik 23 Aug 2018 -- The United States will continue exerting maximum pressure on Iran, resulting in very few waivers being granted to those wanting to do business with it, the US national security adviser said.
US putting maximum pressure on Iran to change its behavior: Bolton Press TV 23 Aug 2018 -- US President Donald Trump's National Security Adviser John Bolton has said the United States is exerting "maximum pressure" on the government of Iran to change its behavior, adding that Washington is prepared to use sanctions to drive Iranian oil exports down to zero.
UN Expert Blasts 'Unjust, Harmful' U.S. Sanctions On Iran RFE/RL 23 Aug 2018 -- A United Nations expert has criticized the reimposition of U.S. sanctions on Iran following the withdrawal of the United States from the 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers, saying they are driving "millions of people into poverty."
British Airways, Air France to halt direct flights to Iran next month Press TV 23 Aug 2018 -- Flagship airlines British Airways and Air France have announced that they are to suspend all their direct flights to Iran, saying the route is "not commercially viable," as the United States has re-imposed sanctions against the Islamic Republic prohibiting foreign businesses from operating in the country.
British Airways, Air France To End Direct Flights To Iran RFE/RL 23 Aug 2018 -- British Airways and Air France say they will suspend direct flights to Iran next month, blaming low profitability.
British Airways, Air France to Suspend Flights to Tehran Since September Sputnik 23 Aug 2018 -- The last British Airways' flight to Tehran will be on September 22, with the return flight to London on September 23, while Air France cancels all flights to Tehran starting September 18.

China Files Lawsuit With WTO Against New US Tariffs - Commerce Ministry Sputnik 23 Aug 2018 -- The US and China both have imposed reciprocal tariffs on a combined $100 billion in products since July, with more restrictions coming.
US, China Exchange New Round of Tariffs in Trade War VOA 23 Aug 2018 -- A new set of tit-for-tat tariffs imposed by the United States and China on each other's goods took effect Thursday.

Statement from the Press Secretary on El Salvador The White House 23 Aug 2018
Premier reiterates Taiwan's non-nuclear goal CNA 23 Aug 2018 -- Premier Lai Ching-te (賴清德) said Wednesday that the government remains committed to its goal of making Taiwan a non-nuclear homeland by 2025 and that there is no need for the public to worry about a resulting power shortage.
Honduras, Nicaragua envoys affirm ties with Taiwan CNA 23 Aug 2018 -- Ambassadors from two of Taiwan's Central American allies reaffirmed Thursday their respective governments' commitment to maintaining diplomatic relationship with the Republic of China (Taiwan), two days after neighboring El Salvador announced its change of allegiance from Taipei to Beijing.
Tsai marks anniversary of Kinmen bombardment, vows to safeguard Taiwan CNA 23 Aug 2018 -- President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) released a recorded statement Thursday to mark the 60th anniversary of the bombardment of Kinmen Island by Chinese communist forces, saying her administration was committed to safeguarding Taiwan and calling for unity among the people.
U.S. relies on Taiwan in regional peace and stability: AIT head CNA 23 Aug 2018 -- The United States relies on Taiwan to promote regional peace and stability and will continue to support the country as it expands its significant global contributions and as it resists efforts to constrain its participation on the world stage, the de facto U.S. ambassador to Taiwan said Thursday.
China rejects US criticism of El Salvador's decision People's Daily 23 Aug 2018 -- Beijing said on Wednesday that there is no reason for anyone to interfere with El Salvador's decision to establish diplomatic ties with China, and it urged Washington to refrain from sending the "wrong signals" to pro-independence forces in Taiwan.

Saudi Arabia Dustbinning Historic Aramco Public Stock Offering - Report Sputnik 23 Aug 2018 -- Reports Wednesday from senior industry sources suggest that Saudi Arabia is cancelling or postponing the public offering of its state oil producer and the world's most profitable company, Saudi Aramco, billed by many as the biggest such deal in history.

Former Indiana Resident Charged With Providing and Conspiring to Provide Material Support to ISIS US Dept. of Justice 23 Aug 2018 -- Samantha Marie Elhassani, aka Samantha Sally, 32, formerly of Elkhart, Indiana, was charged on Aug. 22, in a two count indictment with conspiring to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), a designated terrorist organization, and aiding and abetting individuals in providing material support to ISIS.

Turkey: Bolton's remarks prove US waging economic war on NATO ally Press TV 23 Aug 2018 -- Ankara has censured US National Security Adviser John Bolton's latest comments about the Turkish financial crisis, saying the remarks prove that Washington is waging an economic war against its NATO ally.
US Policies Violate NATO Principles, Erdogan Spokesman Says Sputnik 23 Aug 2018 -- Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's spokesman on Wednesday criticized Washington for the attempts to intervene into detained pastor Andrew Brunson's case.

'All options on table,' UK Labour Party now open to second Brexit vote Press TV 23 Aug 2018 -- In a surprising U-turn, the UK Labour Party has announced that it is open to the idea of holding a second Brexit referendum if the parliament sees it necessary.

Egypt detains Sisi's leading political opponents Press TV 23 Aug 2018 -- Egyptian authorities have detained three leading opposition figures, including a former senior diplomat, as part of an ongoing crackdown in the country.

More ministers quit embattled Australian PM's cabinet Press TV 23 Aug 2018 -- Three more ministers have resigned from the cabinet of embattled Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, further lowering his chances of continued leadership, as a second premiership vote looms at parliament.
In Leadership Fight, Australia's Prime Minister Threatens to Quit Parliament VOA 23 Aug 2018 -- Australia's latest political crisis escalated Thursday with the ruling Liberal Party shutting down Parliament after Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull lost the support of a key member of his Cabinet, paving the way for a second challenge to his leadership of the party.
Australian Prime Minister Sets Conditions for Resignation Sputnik 23 Aug 2018 -- Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said Thursday he would step down if his ruling Liberal party called a leadership ballot.

Dodon: Moldova's Biggest Problem Is Population Loss, Not Corruption RFE/RL 23 Aug 2018 -- Moldova's No. 1 problem after more than a quarter of a century of independence isn't poverty or corruption, it is depopulation, President Igor Dodon has told RFE/RL.

Greater support needed for refugees and migrants from Venezuela - UN UN News 23 Aug 2018 -- As hundreds of Venezuelans continue to pour into neighbouring countries due to social and political upheaval at home, the heads of the United Nations refugee and migration agencies called for greater international support to meet the most basic needs of the displaced.

Zimbabwe Awaits Friday Court Ruling on Election Challenge VOA 23 Aug 2018 -- This was supposed to be the poll that set Zimbabwe free: free from the longtime, increasingly oppressive rule of Robert Mugabe. Free from the suspicions and violence that have come to characterize elections, and free from the expectation that, yet again, the powerful ruling party would prevail, as it has since this nation won independence in 1980.

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