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News Reports

Current Operations

• Playing Fields, Sports Clubs, Gyms Becoming Afghanistan's Bloody New Battlegrounds RFE/RL 12 Sep 2018 -- Sayed Ali Rezwan was lifting dumbbells when an explosion ripped through Kabul's Maiwand sports club, where scores of young wrestlers were in the middle of a training session.
• Death Toll Doubles in Suicide Bombing in Eastern Afghanistan VOA 12 Sep 2018 -- Officials in Afghanistan's eastern Nangarhar province say the death toll from Tuesday's suicide bombing has risen to 68 people, up from the previous figure of 32.
• Afghan Parliament to Review Security Pact With US - Reports Sputnik 12 Sep 2018 -- A majority of lawmakers in Afghanistan's parliament have voted to review their nation's security agreement with the United States, including permission for permanent US military bases to remain in the country, according to reports on Wednesday.
• Hurricane Hunters fly Florence, conduct search and rescue AFNS 12 Sep 2018 -- Members of the U.S. Air Force Reserve's 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron assisted the U.S. Coast Guard with a search and rescue mission Sept. 11, locating a white 41-foot Bali sailing catamaran after completing their mission for Hurricane Florence.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Airmen Monitor Florence, Provide Data to National Hurricane Center AFPS 12 Sep 2018 -- The Air Force Reserve's 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron based here is flying missions over the Atlantic Ocean this week to monitor Hurricane Florence.
• Navy Sets Tropical Cyclone Condition of Readiness Two in Hampton Roads NNS 12 Sep 2018 -- Commander, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic ordered all Navy installations in the Hampton Roads area to set Tropical Cyclone Condition of Readiness Two (II) as Hurricane Florence is forecasted to bring high winds and rain to the Mid-Atlantic coast.
• Weaponry, Technology and Threats Improve Destroyers Over Time NNS 12 Sep 2018 -- With the advancement of technology and weaponry, as well as evolving threats to the United States, the progression of the U.S. Navy destroyer has changed dramatically over the years.
• Navy Announces FY-19 GMT Requirements NNS 12 Sep 2018 -- The Navy announced fiscal year (FY) 2019 General Military Training (GMT) requirements via Naval Administrative Message (NAVADMIN) 226/18, released Sept. 12.
• Navy Afloat Network Undergoes First Upgrade on Forward-Deployed Ship NNS 12 Sep 2018 -- Representatives from the U.S. Navy's Tactical Networks Program Office (PMW 160) visited USS Porter (DDG 78) in Rota, Spain, September 4-7, as part of a first-time technology refresh to a Forward Deployed Naval Force (FDNF) warship and a new approach to training.
• US Seeks to Boost Its Greek Clout Amid Tensions With Turkey Over S-400 – Reports Sputnik 12 Sep 2018 -- Washington has repeatedly warned Ankara against purchasing the Russian S-400 missile defense systems, something that the White House said may prompt it to scrap deliveries of the US F-35 fighter jets to Turkey.
• Citing Russian 'Mischief,' U.S. Defense Secretary To Visit Macedonia RFE/RL 12 Sep 2018 -- U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said he would travel to Macedonia ahead of a crucial referendum on changing the country's name, and he voiced concern about possible Russian "mischief" in the run-up to the vote.
• Concerned About Russian 'Mischief,' US Defense Secretary to Visit Macedonia Sputnik 12 Sep 2018 -- US Defense Secretary James Mattis said he would visit Macedonia ahead of an upcoming referendum on country's name issue, while expressing concern about possible Moscow interference in the process.
• Mattis to Fly to Skopje to Show US Support for Macedonia Joining NATO - Pentagon Sputnik 12 Sep 2018 -- US Secretary of Defense James Mattis has set next Sunday as the date for his promised trip to Macedonia to support the Macedonian government's move to join NATO, the Department of Defense announced in a press advisory on Wednesday.
• US Blocks Russian Surveillance Flights Despite Open Skies Treaty - Russian MoD Sputnik 12 Sep 2018 -- The Open Skies Treaty covers most NATO member states as well as Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Georgia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sweden and Finland. As a rule, flights of Russia and NATO member states are conducted on a reciprocal basis.
• US Lawmakers Reject White House Ruling on Civilian Deaths in Yemen VOA 12 Sep 2018 -- U.S. lawmakers of both political parties rejected the Trump administration's determination that Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are doing enough to prevent civilian casualties in Yemen, where Saudi coalition airstrikes have killed thousands of noncombatants.
• Statement by Secretary of Defense James N. Mattis on Actions of Saudi Arabia and UAE in Yemen DoD 12 Sep 2018
• Pompeo appreciates Saudi respect for civilians in Yemen war, lets aid continue Press TV 12 Sep 2018 -- US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says Washington will continue its military aid to Saudi Arabia and its allies to keep up with the bombardment of its impoverished neighbor, Yemen, arguing their efforts to "reduce the risk of harm to civilians."
• Certification to Congress on Actions of Saudi Arabia and UAE in Yemen Under the NDAA US Dept. of State 12 Sep 2018
• In Russia, a whopping 300,000 troops drilling for readiness Press TV 12 Sep 2018 -- A drill mobilizing at least 300,000 troops, thousands of vehicles, fighter jets, and warships has gotten underway in Russia.
• UK Army Not Expected to Tackle Shortage of 8,200 Troops Before 2022 - Report Sputnik 12 Sep 2018 -- The UK Armed Forces suffer from the lack of skilled personnel in over 100 trades critical for the field, including in intelligence, and will manage to fill over 8,000 currently vacant posts in 2022 in the best case scenario, the Commons Public Accounts Committee said in its report released on Wednesday.
• Fiji Joins US-Led Coalition Against Daesh - Spokesperson Sputnik 12 Sep 2018 -- Fiji has become the latest country to join the US-led coalition against the Daesh* terrorist group (banned in Russia), Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve spokesman Sean Ryan said in a statement on Wednesday.
• China Launches First Home-Made Polar Icebreaker Xuelong 2 Sputnik 12 Sep 2018 -- China's first domestically built polar icebreaker, Xuelong 2, was launched by officials at the Jiangnan shipyard in Shanghai on Monday, highlighting the country's continued efforts to boost polar research and improve expedition capabilities.
• Indian Air Force Chief Raises Concern Over Dearth of Fighter Jets Sputnik 12 Sep 2018 -- Observing that the combined air combat strength of China and Pakistan cannot be matched by India even if it were to add 200 fighter jets to its current fleet, India's air force chief has expressed hope that the addition of Rafale fighter aircraft and S-400 air defense systems would help plug the gap to a large extent.
• Chinook helicopter makes emergency landing near Tehran IRNA 12 Sep 2018 -- Army's Air Force public relations department announced on Wednesday that a Chinook helicopter belonging to the force made emergency landing near Tehran.

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for September 12, 2018

Other Conflicts

• 12 September 2018 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 12 Sep 2018
• 'Collective endeavour' needed to strengthen peacekeeping further, says top UN official UN News 12 Sep 2018 -- Highlighting complex and evolving challenges, the head of UN peacekeeping on Wednesday called for heightened vigilance and a more robust response to existential threats against both peacekeepers and those they strive to defend.
• Yemeni Gov't Forces Block Strategic Road East of Port City of Hodeidah - Source Sputnik 12 Sep 2018 -- Yemeni government forces have blocked a strategic highway located between the western port city of Al Hodeidah and the capital of Sanaa, a source in the local administration told Sputnik on Wednesday.
• Saudi-led airstrikes kill 15 civilians in Yemen's Hudaydah Press TV 12 Sep 2018 -- At least 15 civilians, including one child, have been killed as the Saudi-led coalition resumed its airstrikes on the outskirts of Yemen's port city of Hudaydah despite widespread international criticism over the war's impact on civilians.
• Saudi Arabia, UAE Governments Reduce Harm to Civilians in Yemen – Pompeo Sputnik 12 Sep 2018 -- The United States has certified that the governments of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have made serious steps to ensure that civilians in Yemen are not harmed by their military operations in the country, Secretary of State Michael Pompeo said on Wednesday.
• A record one million Syrians displaced over six months, during six key battles: UN investigators UN News 12 Sep 2018 -- All parties to the seven-year Syria conflict and the States that support them should do "everything in their power" to prevent a full-scale military assault on Idlib, a high-level United Nations-appointed panel of investigators said on Wednesday.
• UN: Idlib Civilians Must Not Be Sacrificed to War VOA 12 Sep 2018 -- U.N. human rights experts warn that all-out war in the northern Syrian enclave of Idlib would result in the massacre of civilians worse than any other seen throughout more than seven years of war.
• OPCW urged to prevent use of chemical weapons in Idleb IRNA 12 Sep 2018 -- Russia called upon the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) not to allow any act of provocation by the use of chemical weapons in Idleb province.
• UN Chief warns of consequences of battle in Idlib IRNA 12 Sep 2018 -- António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations in a message warned of the humanitarian consequences of war in Syrian city of Idlib.
• Syrian army hunts down al-Nusra terrorists in Hama IRNA 12 Sep 2018 -- Units of the Syrian Arab Army carried out operations against dens of Jabhat al-Nusra terrorists in the northern countryside of Hama, inflicting heavy losses upon them in personnel and equipment.
• 2nd round of talks on Syria Constitutional Committee held in Geneva ISNA 12 Sep 2018 -- Four days after the successful meeting of the guarantor states of the Astana process in Tehran, in which the three countries' presidents stressed on the need for continuing cooperation to facilitate the formation of Syria's constitutional committee, their representatives held a meeting on the Arab country's constitution in Geneva, Switzerland.
• Militants kidnap kids to stage chemical weapons attack in Syria's Idlib: Russia Press TV 12 Sep 2018 -- Russia's Defense Ministry says the foreign-backed Takfiri militants have abducted children from Syria's Aleppo to use them in a staged chemical weapons attack in Idlib to be blamed on the Syrian government.
• Iran, Russia call for continued anti-terror fight in Syria at UN Security Council Press TV 12 Sep 2018 -- At the UN Security Council, Iran and Russia have underlined the need to purge Takfiri terrorists from their last major stronghold in Syria amid strong objections by sponsors of militant groups fighting against the Syrian government.
• Geneva talks: Syria guarantors, UN agree on constitutional body candidates Press TV 12 Sep 2018 -- Following a round of talks in Geneva, Russia says the three guarantor states of the Syria peace process have reached a consensus with the United Nations on candidates for the country's constitutional committee.
• France Ready to React in Case of Proven Use of Chemical Weapons in Syria – FM Sputnik 12 Sep 2018 -- Earlier, the Russian military said that it had evidence that militants in the besieged terrorist-held Syrian province of Idlib were preparing to stage a false flag chemical attack to discredit the Syrian government and prompt Western military intervention.
• Russia Calls on OPCW Not To Allow Provocation With Chem Weapons in Idlib - Envoy Sputnik 12 Sep 2018 -- Earlier, the Russian Defense Ministry warned that it had intelligence indicating that militants in the besieged terrorist-held Syrian province of Idlib had started creating footage of fake chemical attacks in an effort to discredit the Syrian government.
• Conditions for elections not yet ripe in Libya, says Prime Minister Seraj Press TV 12 Sep 2018 -- Libyan Prime Minister Fayez Seraj, who leads the UN-brokered transitional government based in Tripoli, says conditions in the conflict-ridden country are too unstable to hold elections in coming months.
• The United States and UN Sanction Libyan Militia Leader Ibrahim Jadhran US Dept. of State 12 Sep 2018 -- Today, the United States, in coordination with the UN Security Council's Libya Sanctions Committee, imposed financial sanctions on Libyan militia leader Ibrahim Jadhran.
• Treasury Sanctions Militia Leader Responsible for Multiple Attacks on Libyan Oil Facilities US Treasury 12 Sep 2018 -- The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) took action today targeting the leader of a militia in Libya that has been the cause of many fatalities this year alone and that has repeatedly attacked critical Libyan oil facilities, causing severe damage to Libya's economy. Ibrahim Jadhran oversaw forces that attacked Libyan oil facilities in the "oil crescent," a lucrative target for rogue militias and criminals, thereby damaging the peace and stability of Libya.
• Myanmar finally grants UN first access to Rakhine before Rohingya returns Press TV 12 Sep 2018 -- The United Nations has begun assessment of conditions in Myanmar's Rakhine state after it was finally given permission to operate there for the first time since violence escalated last year and forced more than 700,000 Rohingya Muslims to flee to neighboring Bangladesh.
• In Surprise Move, Putin Proposes Signing Peace Pact With Japan This Year RFE/RL 12 Sep 2018 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed signing a World War II peace treaty with Japan by the end of the year "without preconditions."
• Economy and living standards of Gaza 'eviscerated' by crippling blockade - UN trade and development report UN News 12 Sep 2018 -- The Occupied Palestinian Territory now suffers the highest unemployment rate in the world, with incomes and agricultural production going down, the United Nations trade and development agency said on Wednesday, noting that women and young people were worst affected, as the Israeli occupation continues.
• Violence Continues to Disrupt Life in Many Parts of Cameroon VOA 12 Sep 2018 -- People are deserting the English-speaking regions of Cameroon after hundreds of armed separatists and the military were involved in Tuesday's bloody conflicts in five towns and villages leaving at least 15 people dead. The population complains that the army was slow in responding to simultaneous attacks by the separatists.

News Reports

• Rule of law in Hungary: Parliament calls on the EU to act European Parliament 12 Sep 2018 -- Parliament has asked EU member states to determine, in accordance with Treaty Article 7, whether Hungary is at risk of breaching the EU´s founding values. (...) This is the first time that Parliament has called on the Council of the EU to act against a member state to prevent a systemic threat to the Union's founding values. These values, which are enshrined in EU Treaty Article 2 and reflected in the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, include respect for democracy, equality, the rule of law and human rights.
• European Parliament Votes To Discipline Hungary Over Democratic Values, Rule Of Law RFE/RL 12 Sep 2018 -- The European Parliament has voted in favor of launching disciplinary proceedings against Hungary for allegedly undermining the European Union's democratic values and the rule of law.
• Juncker Wants EU States To Abandon Unanimity, Play Greater International Role RFE/RL 12 Sep 2018 -- European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker has urged EU member states to abandon the requirement of unanimity for decisions on some foreign policy matters, including human rights issues, and play a greater role on the world stage.
• Not Tough Enough, Say Critics Of Trump Order On Foreign Meddling In U.S. Elections RFE/RL 12 Sep 2018 -- U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a new executive order aimed at punishing foreigners who interfere in U.S. elections, although Democrats and some Republicans immediately said the action did not go far enough.
• Trump signs executive order to sanction foreign meddling in elections Press TV 12 Sep 2018 -- US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order banning any form of foreign meddling in the American elections.
• Trump Issues New Order On Sanctions For Foreign Meddling In U.S. Elections RFE/RL 12 Sep 2018 -- U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a new executive order aimed at punishing foreigners who interfere in U.S. elections.
• US Senator: Nearly $10M Diverted to Immigrant Detention VOA 12 Sep 2018 -- U.S. Homeland Security officials are downplaying the transfer of nearly $10 million from the U.S. disaster response agency to immigration enforcement efforts, first brought to national attention in a TV appearance by a senator Tuesday night.
• UK slams Putin's account on suspected agents in poisoning case Press TV 12 Sep 2018 -- The British government has slammed Russia's most recent clarifications on a spy poisoning case that has caused bilateral relations to sink to historic lows, saying Moscow has responded with nothing but "lies" to requests for more investigation into the issue.
• Putin Says Russia Has Identified U.K.'s Novichok Suspects, Claims They Are Civilians RFE/RL 12 Sep 2018 -- President Vladimir Putin says Russia has identified the men Britain suspects of poisoning former spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter with a military-grade nerve agent, contradicting U.K. authorities by claiming they are civilians.
• US: N. Korea Denuclearization Must Keep Pace With Progress in Inter-Korean Ties VOA 12 Sep 2018 -- The United States said Wednesday the denuclearization of North Korea must follow the same speed as the advancement of inter-Korean relations, after Seoul announced the opening of a new liaison office.
• Much in return for nothing: Putin slams US over North Korea Press TV 12 Sep 2018 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has criticized the United States for not taking a single step in response to North Korea's several moves toward denuclearization, saying Washington instead continues to make "endless demands" from Pyongyang.
• Putin Says North Korea Needs More Encouragement RFE/RL 12 Sep 2018 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that North Korea should be given security guarantees in exchange for steps toward denuclearization, and suggested that Washington is not reciprocating adequately in its dealings with Pyongyang.
• Salehi: Trump on loser's side, won't benefit from JCPOA withdrawal IRNA 12 Sep 2018 -- Iran's nuclear chief said on Tuesday that he hoped the atomic deal between Tehran and world powers survives, but says the program would be in a stronger position than ever if the deal does not survive.
• Mogherini: EU continues supporting Iran Deal IRNA 12 Sep 2018 -- High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy reaffirmed EU's commitment to defend Iran nuclear deal also known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
• Iran nuclear chief hopes deal will survive ISNA 12 Sep 2018 -- Iran's nuclear chief said he hopes Tehran's landmark atomic deal with world powers will survive, warning the Islamic Republic's program stands ready to build advanced centrifuges and further enrich uranium.
• Russia, Iran to thwart US bid to undermine Iran deal: Ryabkov ISNA 12 Sep 2018 -- Russia and Iran will intensify work with Europe and China in coming days to counter U.S. attempts to undermine the Iran nuclear deal, Russian deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said.
• Russia says halting Iran's oil sales 'not feasible' Press TV 12 Sep 2018 -- Russia says US efforts to bring down Iran's oil exports to zero would lead to nothing with a top official describing Washington's objectives in pursuing sanctions against Iran as "unrealistic."
• Iran Calls U.S. Blame Over Iraq Attacks 'Astonishing, Provocative' RFE/RL 12 Sep 2018 -- Iran's Foreign Ministry has described accusations by the United States that Tehran's allies were responsible for recent attacks on U.S. diplomatic missions in Iraq as "astonishing, provocative, and irresponsible," Iranian media report.
• Iran rejects US claims over Basra protests as 'provocative, irresponsible' Press TV 12 Sep 2018 -- Iran has rejected as "provocative and irresponsible" US accusations regarding the recent unrest in the Iraqi city of Basra, saying Washington cannot cover up its involvement in fomenting tension in Iraq by blaming others.
• US threatens Iran over attack on consulate in Basra Press TV 12 Sep 2018 -- The United States has threatened Iran with a response over the unrest in the Iraqi city of Basra, saying Tehran will be held accountable for any possible harm to the American citizens stationed there.
• CPJ: Pakistan's Military Curbing Press Freedoms Using Fear, Intimidation RFE/RL 12 Sep 2018 -- The climate for press freedom in Pakistan is deteriorating as the country's powerful army "quietly, but effectively" restricts reporting through "intimidation" and other means, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) says in a new report.
• Thailand is next ASEAN country to benefit from Chinese satellite technology People's Daily 12 Sep 2018 -- The traffic jams in Bangkok, Thailand's capital, are known to be some of the worst in the world. However, that could soon be a thing of the past, thanks to China's Beidou Navigation System, as China sets out to develop a high-precision positioning system for the city, Chinanews.com reported recently.
• Russian, U.S. Space Officials Downplay Rumors Of Space Station Sabotage RFE/RL 12 Sep 2018 -- U.S. and Russian space officials have tried to downplay rumors of sabotage on the International Space Station (ISS) after a Russian newspaper suggested that U.S. astronauts may have purposely drilled a tiny hole into the station.
• Russia Refuses to Accuse US Astronauts of Soyuz Air Leak - ISS Official Sputnik 12 Sep 2018 -- Making bald assertions that US astronauts were responsible for a recent air leak at the International Space Station (ISS) are unacceptable and dangerous, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Yury Borisov told reporters, commenting on the Kommersant report on Wednesday.
• U.S. reaffirms support for Taiwan after recall of ambassadors CNA 12 Sep 2018 -- The United States reiterated its support for Taiwan Tuesday after recalling its top diplomats to three nations in Central America and the Caribbean for consultations related to recent decisions by those countries to cut diplomatic relations with Taiwan.
• Over 22,000 Taiwanese apply for Chinese residency in 10 days CNA 12 Sep 2018 -- Over 22,000 residents of Taiwan who have lived in China for longer than six months applied for mainland residency between Sept. 1 and Sept. 10, An Fengshan (安峰山), the spokesman for China's Taiwan Affairs Office, said Wednesday, citing unofficial statistics.
• Vucic's 'Great' Milosevic Evokes Ghost Of 'Greater Serbia' RFE/RL 12 Sep 2018 -- Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic might well have offered up a gift last weekend to critics who believe the aphorism about history not repeating itself but often rhyming.
• Opposition Leader Tells Macedonians To Vote 'With Their Conscience' In Name-Change Referendum RFE/RL 12 Sep 2018 -- Macedonia's conservative opposition leader has told supporters to vote "with their conscience" in the upcoming referendum on changing the country's name.
• 'That's Their Plan Now': Duterte Claims Ex-Military Brass Plotting His Death Sputnik 12 Sep 2018 -- President Duterte lashed out at the armed forces on Tuesday and alleged that someone was planning to kill him. In the same interview, he mentioned the political party led by his critic Antonio Trillanes, who was involved in two failed revolts against Duterte's predecessor in 2003 and 2007.