13 September 2018 Military News

Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

OIF / OND / OEF / OIR / OFS Casualty Update 13 Sep2018 [PDF]

Operation Inherent Resolve Transitions Commanders for Defeat-ISIS Mission AFPS 13 Sep 2018 -- Army Lt. Gen. Paul J. LaCamera, commanding general of the XVIII Airborne Corps, assumed command of Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve from Army Lt. Gen. Paul E. Funk II, the III Armored Corps commanding general, today during a ceremony in Baghdad.

Afghanistan Peace Talks Stick on Bases: US Wants 2, Taliban None VOA 13 Sep 2018 -- Negotiations between the United States and the Afghan Taliban for a political settlement to end the protracted war in Afghanistan are stuck over the issue of maintenance of U.S. military bases in the country, according to Waheed Muzhda, a former Taliban official in Kabul who remains in regular contact with Taliban leaders.

More than 7,000 Service Members 'Leaning Forward' to Aid Fellow Citizens AFPS 13 Sep 2018 -- More than 7,000 service members -- National Guard and active duty -- are standing by ready to assist as Hurricane Florence hits the Carolina coast, DoD officials said here today.
Army response to Hurricane Florence Army News 13 Sep 2018 -- As Hurricane Florence makes landfall, the Army braces for its impact and echoes FEMA's message: "Please evacuate NOW if told to do so by local officials. If you need a safe place to go, text SHELTER & your zip code to 43362."
Department of Defense News Briefing on Preparations for Hurricane Florence by Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense and Global Security Kenneth P. Rapuano and Air Force General Terrence J. O'Shaughnessy, Commander, Northern Command DoD 13 Sep 2018 -- Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense and Global Security Kenneth P. Rapuano; Air Force General Terrence J. O'Shaughnessy, Commander, Northern Command; Colonel Rob Manning, Director, Defense Press Office
Florida Reservists deploy for Georgia to provide hurricane relief AFNS 13 Sep 2018 -- Approximately 140 Reserve Airmen from the 920th Rescue Wing deployed to Georgia Sept. 13, to provide hurricane relief.
Alaksa ANG mobilizes in advance of Hurricane Florence AFNS 13 Sep 2018 -- Thirty-six Alaska Air National Guardsmen from the 176th Wing, and approximately three short tons of Alaska Air Guard equipment, departed Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson Sept. 12 to assist with emergency response efforts for Hurricane Florence.
Northern Command Provides Response Support for Hurricane Florence AFPS 13 Sep 2018 -- In support of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Northern Command is leaning forward and actively posturing Defense Department forces in preparation for Hurricane Florence.
Virginia National Guard staged and ready for Hurricane Florence support Army News 13 Sep 2018 -- The Virginia National Guard has more than 1,300 personnel staged and ready to support local and state emergency management officials with response to Hurricane Florence Sept. 12, 2018. VNG Soldiers, Airmen and members of the Virginia Defense Force are staged at key locations across the commonwealth in order to rapidly respond if needed.
West Virginia and other states send hurricane teams Army News 13 Sep 2018 -- The West Virginia National Guard was ramping up efforts today to prepare for the impact of Hurricane Florence on the Mountain State, while simultaneously lending support to neighboring National Guard units and federal agencies.

Defense Policy / Programs

Joint Forces team up for Spartan Shield Army News 13 Sep 2018 -- Soldiers from Rhine Ordnance Barracks, Ansbach, Baumholder and Airman from Aviano Air Force Base joined forces September 10-13 to sharpen their Integrated Air and Missile Defense warfighting skills.
Cross-functional teams already producing results, says Futures Command general Army News 13 Sep 2018 -- Cross-functional teams, which are part of the new U.S. Army Futures Command, are hard at work to put new capability into the hands of warfighters in the next three to five years, said Gen. John M. Murray.
Seymour Johnson AFB repositions aircraft in preparation for Hurricane Florence AFNS 13 Sep 2018 -- Seymour Johnson Air Force Base repositioned approximately 60 F-15E Strike Eagles from the 4th Fighter Wing and six KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft from the 916th Air Refueling Wing Sept. 12, 2018, to Barksdale AFB, Louisiana.
Digital Engineering Strategy Streamlines How Defense Systems Are Designed, Official Says AFPS 13 Sep 2018 -- While the 2018 National Defense Strategy directs reform as one of its key efforts, the Defense Department is undergoing considerable change in how it does business -- including how it improves the outcome of national defense systems.
Wasp ESG Provides Air Support to CNMI Recovery Efforts NNS 13 Sep 2018 -- The USS Wasp (LHD 1) Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG), with embarked 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), provided air assistance to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) following Typhoon Mangkhut Sept 12.
U.S., Canada Wrap Up Bilateral Maritime Ops NNS 13 Sep 2018 -- The Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group (HSTCSG) and the Royal Canadian Navy concluded three days of bilateral operations in the North Atlantic, Sept.12.
ITF Team Nears Historic Testing with HMS Queen Elizabeth NNS 13 Sep 2018 -- The F-35 Patuxent River Integrated Test Force (ITF) is nearing another milestone as they prepare to embark two F-35Bs on board the United Kingdom's newest aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth for First of Class Flight Trials (Fixed Wing), or FOCFT (FW), this fall.
USS Rhode Island Returns from Sea Trials NNS 13 Sep 2018 -- USS Rhode Island (SSBN 740) returned to Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, Ga., Sept. 12, after successfully completing their first at-sea period in two-and-a-half years.
US Army Orders Emergency Fix on Apache Chopper's Rotor Blades Sputnik 13 Sep 2018 -- Aviation units within the US Army have been conducting an emergency retrofit to AH-64E Apache helicopters since June in order to make sure that fasteners on rotor blades are not defective, it was revealed this week.

US Air Force F-22s intercept Russian nuclear bomber off Alaska Press TV 13 Sep 2018 -- The US Air Force has intercepted two Russian nuclear-capable jets flying near Alaska, according to a statement by the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD).
US Fighter Jets Intercept Russian Tu-95 Bombers West of Alaska - NORAD Sputnik 13 Sep 2018 -- The Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement Wednesday that Tu-95MS strategic bombers have carried out patrol flights over the three northern seas surrounding the country and the Arctic Ocean as part of the international large-scaled Vostok-2018 military war games.

NATO, Russia Drill Their Military Forces Amid Raised Tensions RFE/RL 13 Sep 2018 -- British, French, Italian, and German jets have simulated flight interceptions over Western Europe as part of NATO maneuvers to deter Russian planes from entering alliance airspace.

Greece, US Discuss Creation of Air Base on Karpathos - Reports Sputnik 13 Sep 2018 -- Greece and the United States are discussing the establishment of another US military base on Greek territory, specifically plans to deploy US Patriot air defense missile systems and F-22 Raptor fighters to the island of Karpathos, the Wall Street Journal newspaper reported on Thursday.
Greek Military Drone Crashes Near Northern City of Komotini - Army Sputnik 13 Sep 2018 -- A SAGEM Sperwer reconnaissance UAV crashed on Thursday not far from the airport in the city of Komotini in the north-eastern part of Greece, the Hellenic Army's General Headquarters said.

Putin vows to beef up army to better defend Russia, allies Press TV 13 Sep 2018 -- Russia's President Vladimir Putin says his country's military practices are defensive and offensive in nature, and has pledged to strengthen Russia's armed forces and provide them with the "latest weapons and technologies" to help them better protect the country and its allies.
Vostok-2018 Drills Show Russian Army Capable of Countering Threats - Putin Sputnik 13 Sep 2018 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived on Thursday at the Tsugol Range in Russia's Zabaikalsky Territory to attend the main stage of the Vostok-2018 maneuvers.

Iran's missile strike on Iraq-based terrorists sends message to enemies: IRGC cmdr. Press TV 13 Sep 2018 -- The chief commander of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) says the recent retaliatory missile strike against the terrorists based in Iraq's semi-autonomous Kurdistan region sends a "meaningful" message to the enemies, who imagine they can bully Iran.
IRGC cmdr warns all terrorists within radius of 2000 km IRNA 13 Sep 2018 -- Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps Major General Mohammad Ali Jafari referred to recent missile attack on terrorist positions in Iraqi Kurdistan saying it was a warning to all terrorists within the radius of 2000 km.

Japan Successfully Tests Missile Interceptor off Hawaiian Coast Sputnik 13 Sep 2018 -- The Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force successfully demonstrated its ability to intercept and destroy a ballistic missile in a Tuesday test off the coast of Hawaii, marking another step toward self-sufficiency in missile defense as the US Navy grows weary of performing the role in Japanese waters.
Japan Successfully Tests Ship-Launched Interceptor Rocket Over Pacific Sputnik 13 Sep 2018 -- The Japanese navy, in its first test of an upgraded ship-launched SM-3 interceptor rocket, successfully destroyed a ballistic missile target over the Pacific Ocean, the US defense contractor Raytheon announced in a press release on Wednesday.

Korea - P-8A Aircraft and Associated Support DSCA 13 Sep 2018 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Republic of Korea (ROK) of six (6) P-8A Patrol Aircraft for an estimated cost of $2.10 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.
Korea - Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE) Missiles DSCA 13 Sep 2018 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Republic of Korea (ROK) of sixty-four (64) Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE) missiles for an estimated cost of $501 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.

Israel Rejects Reported Selling of Its Iron Dome Missile Systems to Saudi Arabia Sputnik 13 Sep 2018 -- Iron Dome is a sophisticated vehicle-mounted system capable of detecting threats and eliminating incoming missiles and rockets using a shotgun-like blast.
Saudi Arabia buys Israeli 'Iron Dome' system amid détente: Report Press TV 13 Sep 2018 -- Saudi Arabia has reportedly purchased a missile system owned and operated by Israel as the two regimes move towards making their secret relations public.
Target Yemen: Spain, US Confirm Support for Riyadh After Civilian Massacres Sputnik 13 Sep 2018 -- The Spanish government walked back its cancellation on Thursday of the sale of 400 laser-guided bombs to Saudi Arabia, which has been devastating Yemen's infrastructure and killing civilians in an effort to oust the Houthi government.

Kosovar Cabinet Approves Draft Law On Reforming Security Forces RFE/RL 13 Sep 2018 -- Kosovo's government has approved a draft law to gradually transform the country's security forces.

Department Press Briefing - September 13, 2018 US Dept. of State 13 Sep 2018

Defense Industry

DoD News: Contracts for September 13, 2018

Other Conflicts

13 September 2018 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 13 Sep 2018
Scourge of genocide remains a 'threat and a reality' today: UN human rights chief UN News 13 Sep 2018 -- Genocide remains a "threat and a reality" in the 21st century, UN rights chief Michelle Bachelet said on Thursday, in an appeal to States to do more to act on the "warning signs" that often precede grave violations of international law.
Blockades 'expose' the innocent, to the 'ravages of economic war' - UN sanctions expert warns UN News 13 Sep 2018 -- Economic sanctions must not be allowed to degenerate into blockades which "expose people to the ravages of economic war in peacetime" said the UN independent expert on the effects of sanctions on human rights.

Security Council extends mandates of UN peace operations in Libya, Colombia through next September UN News 13 Sep 2018 -- By unanimous agreement on Thursday, the Security Council extended the mandates of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) and the Organization's Verification Mission in Colombia.

Deputy Secretary Sullivan's Meeting With Humanitarian Organizations on the Situation in Yemen US Dept. of State 13 Sep 2018
Scores of Saudi mercenaries killed, injured in Yemeni army offensives Press TV 13 Sep 2018 -- Dozens 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 offensives against their positions in the country's strategic western province of Hudaydah.
US Senator eviscerates White House over Saudi crimes in Yemen Press TV 13 Sep 2018 -- A US Senator has given the administration of US President Donald Trump a dressing-down for brazenly denying the evident killing of Yemeni civilians by Saudi Arabia and its allies and for continuing to assist a Saudi-led coalition in an invasion of Yemen.
Yemeni forces attack Saudi military base in Najran with ballistic missile Press TV 13 Sep 2018 -- The Yemeni army's missile units, backed by allied fighters from Popular Committees, have retaliated against the Saudi-led coalition's devastating attacks on Yemen by firing another homegrown ballistic missile on a Saudi military base in Najran.
Yemen war a 'living hell' for children, warns UNICEF Press TV 13 Sep 2018 -- A representative for the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) says the ongoing conflict in Yemen has made the impoverished Arab country a "living hell" for children.
UN warns about worsening humanitarian situation in Yemen's Hudaydah Press TV 13 Sep 2018 -- The United Nations has warned about the rapidly worsening humanitarian situation in Yemen's blockaded Hudaydah as fighting between the country's army troops, backed by fighters from the Houthi Ansarullah movement, and militiamen loyal to former president Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi resumed in the port city following the collapse of the latest round of UN-brokered peace talks.
Arab Media: Saudi, Coalition Cut Off Main Road From Port of Hodeida VOA 13 Sep 2018 -- The Saudi-led coalition in Yemen appears to be making gains around the port of Hodeida, which is held by Houthi rebels. Media reports say forces loyal to Yemen's internationally recognized government have captured "Kilometer 16," a strategic corridor linking Hodeida to the capital, Sana'a, cutting off a key supply route used by the rebels. The development comes days after the Houthis missed U.N.-sponsored peace talks in Geneva.

Scores of Jabhat al-Nusra terrorists killed by Syrian Army IRNA 13 Sep 2018 -- Syrian Army units on Thursday inflicted heavy losses upon terrorists affiliated to Jabhat al-Nusra terror organization spread in the countryside of Idleb and Hama Province.
France Suspects Damascus of Possessing Clandestine Chemical Weapons Facilities Sputnik 13 Sep 2018 -- The French Foreign Ministry has doubts about whether Syria has indeed completely destroyed the country's chemical weapons arsenal, the ministry's representative said at a briefing on Thursday.
Any Military Operation Would be Disastrous for Idlib - Turkish Defense Minister Sputnik 13 Sep 2018 -- Any possible military operation in Syria's Idlib would be disastrous, Turkey's Defence Minister Hulusi Akar said as quoted by the Anadolu news agency, adding that Turkey was working alongside Russia and Iran to avoid the crisis.
US Ambassador Haley Seethes at Syria and Russia Over Contrived Chemical Threat Sputnik 13 Sep 2018 -- Late last month, the Russian Center for Syrian Reconciliation reported that representatives of the White Helmets group had delivered a large shipment of toxic substances to a warehouse used by Ahrar al-Sham militants in Idlib province.
Diplomatic Moves Boosted to Prevent Idlib, Syria, Bloodbath VOA 13 Sep 2018 -- A senior U.N. official reports a readiness plan has been developed to assist hundreds of thousands of civilians trapped in Syria's northern province of Idlib, while diplomatic moves to prevent all-out war accelerate.

Israel not prepared to launch new war on Lebanon: Hezbollah official Press TV 13 Sep 2018 -- "Israel has some political and military circumstances that do not allow it to think of waging a war against Lebanon at this time," Arabic-language online newspaper Elnashra quoted Hezbollah Deputy Secretary General Sheikh Naim Qassem as saying on Thursday.
UN Says Gaza Could Become Uninhabitable by 2020 VOA 13 Sep 2018 -- A UN report finds Israel's decade-long blockade of the Gaza Strip is making it impossible for the Palestinians in the enclave to develop their economy. The UN Conference on Trade and Development warns this tiny territory could soon become unfit for humans to live in by 2020 if current trends are not reversed. UNCTAD has released its annual report on its assistance to the Palestinian people.
UN warns of 'catastrophic' situation in Gaza amid Israeli siege Press TV 13 Sep 2018 -- The United Nations warns that the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip is "catastrophic" due to a decade-long "economic siege" imposed by Israel on the densely-populated Palestinian coastal enclave.

Myanmar's leader Suu Kyi attempts to downplay genocide Press TV 13 Sep 2018 -- Aung San Suu Kyi, the leader of Myanmar, whose military has killed, maimed, tortured, and detained thousands of minority Rohingya Muslims, has sought to downplay the atrocities, which the United Nations (UN) has conclusively said constitute genocide.

U.S. Condemns Separatist Plan For 'Elections' In Eastern Ukraine RFE/RL 13 Sep 2018 -- The United States has joined the European Union in condemning plans by Russia-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine to hold "elections," calling them "phony procedures" that undermine peace efforts in the region.
EU Court Upholds Sanctions On Russian Energy Companies, Banks RFE/RL 13 Sep 2018 -- The European Union's General Court has upheld the bloc's sanctions regime against Russian bank and energy companies over Russia's involvement in the crisis in Ukraine.
EU Prolongs Russia Sanctions Until March 2019 RFE/RL 13 Sep 2018 -- The European Union has extended by another six months visa bans and asset freeze against 155 Russian and Ukrainian individuals, as well as 44 companies, for undermining or threatening the independence of Ukraine.

Landmark South Sudan deal offers hope, but trust 'still lacking' between parties - UN envoy UN News 13 Sep 2018 -- Rebuilding trust and overcoming suspicion will be key to ensure the success of Thursday's landmark peace agreement between the South Sudanese Government and main political opposition, the top United Nations official in the country has said.

Somalia's destiny lies in the hands of the people, highlights outgoing UN envoy UN News 13 Sep 2018 -- Despite remarkable achievements in Somalia in the recent past, structural challenges remain and continue to undermine the country's security and political stability, the United Nations envoy for the country has warned.

Colombian Rebels Release Hostages Amid Stalled Peace Talks VOA 13 Sep 2018 -- Colombia's last remaining rebel group, the ELN, has released six people it kidnapped last month.

News Reports

Statement by Attorney General Sessions on the Election Security Executive Order US Dept. of Justice 13 Sep 2018 -- Attorney General Sessions today issued the following statement on the Election Security Executive Order:
President Trump authorizes sanctions against U.S. elections meddling People's Daily 13 Sep 2018 -- U.S. President Donald Trump has signed an executive order on Wednesday to punish any foreign interference in U.S. elections, a latest attempt by the administration to show its resolution to fight against elections meddling, said U.S. officials.

HRW Slams Russia's 'Strong-Arm Response' To Peaceful Protesters RFE/RL 13 Sep 2018 -- Russian police arbitrarily detained hundreds of protesters, including "older people and children," taking part in September 9 peaceful demonstrations against the government's plan to raise the retirement age, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said.
U.S. Warns Sanctions Possible On Nord Stream 2 Pipeline RFE/RL 13 Sep 2018 -- Washington may follow through on threats to impose sanctions over the construction of an underwater natural gas pipeline between Russia to Germany, U.S. Energy Secretary Rick Perry has said.
Top Republican Lawmaker Calls For Stronger U.S. Action Against Russia RFE/RL 13 Sep 2018 -- A top U.S. Republican lawmaker has called for more to be done to punish Russia for its "aggressive acts" in Syria, Ukraine, and elsewhere, as pressure grows in Congress to move more forcefully against Moscow.
US Believes Sanctions Have Cost Moscow Tens of Billions of Dollars - State Dep't Sputnik 13 Sep 2018 -- US sanctions against Russia have cost Moscow dozens of billions of dollars, Assistant Secretary of State for Economic and Business Affairs Manisha Singh said during a congressional hearing on Thursday.

Russians Accused in UK Poisoning: 'Coincidence' They Were in Salisbury VOA 13 Sep 2018 -- Two Russian men accused by Britain of carrying out the March poisoning of a former Russian spy in Salisbury, England, said Thursday it was just an "incredible, fatal coincidence" they were in the city at the time of the attack.
UK rejects poisoning suspects' claims, reiterates they were Russia agents Press TV 13 Sep 2018 -- Authorities in Britain have rejected claims by two Russians suspected of poisoning a double spy in March in the English town of Salisbury, repeating their previous statements that the pair were Moscow's agents and had carried out the attack on Sergei Skripal and his daughter.
Russian Novichok Suspects Claim They Visited Salisbury As Tourists RFE/RL 13 Sep 2018 -- Two men accused by London of poisoning former spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter with a military-grade nerve agent have told Russia's state-funded RT television station they visited the British city of Salisbury in March as tourists.
Skripal Poisoning "Suspects" Tell Sputnik, RT Editor-in-Chief They're Not Agents Sputnik 13 Sep 2018 -- The statement comes following an announcement from Sputnik and RT editor-in-chief Margarita Simonyan that the "suspects" in the Skripal poisoning case had agreed to be interviewed by RT and Sputnik.

UK mass spying regime violated human rights: European Court of Human Rights Press TV 13 Sep 2018 -- The UK government's mass surveillance program known as "Big Brother" violated human rights and had "no real safeguards," the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has said in a landmark ruling.
Big Win: Britain's GCHQ Spygrid Violates Right to Privacy, ECHR Rules Sputnik 13 Sep 2018 -- A major court ruling on Thursday said that the UK had violated European law, serving as a victory to privacy advocates worldwide. The news comes days after five nations charged with global surveillance released a memo urging tech companies to use workarounds to internet encryption.

Korean officials meet to discuss past, future agreements Press TV 13 Sep 2018 -- Military officials from South and North Korea have begun working-level talks to formulate the details of former agreements and lay out the contours of a deal to be signed at the end of an upcoming summit between the leaders of the two former foes.
Treasury Targets North Korea-Controlled Information Technology Companies in China and Russia US Treasury 13 Sep 2018 -- The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) today announced North Korea-related designations, continuing the implementation of existing sanctions. Today's action against two entities and one individual targets the revenue North Korea earns from overseas information technology (IT) workers.

Russia expects IAEA to ensure implementation of Iran nuclear deal IRNA 13 Sep 2018 -- Russia expects the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to ensure stable implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action on the Iranian nuclear program, Russia's Permanent Representative to the Vienna-based international organizations Mikhail Ulyanov stated during the session of the IAEA board of governors.

Myanmar's Aung San Suu Kyi Defends Conviction of Reuters Journalists VOA 13 Sep 2018 -- Myanmar de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi has defended her country against criticism of last week's conviction of two Reuters journalists on charges of violating the country's colonial-era Official Secrets Act.

Turkey gives Fethullah Gulen's foster son 30-year jail term Press TV 13 Sep 2018 -- A court in Turkey's southeastern province of Sanliurfa has handed down a 30-year jail term to the foster son of the US-based opposition cleric Fethullah Gulen, whom the Ankara government accuses of having masterminded the July 2016 coup attempt against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Turkey's Central Bank Defies Erdogan, Hikes Rates VOA 13 Sep 2018 -- The Turkish central bank caught international markets by surprise Thursday as it aggressively hiked interest rates in an effort to strengthen consumer confidence, stem inflation and rein in the currency crisis.

Kushner was behind clandestine Saudi-Israeli alliance: Bob Woodward's book Press TV 13 Sep 2018 -- US President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner was behind the clandestine alliance between Israel and Saudi Arabia, American investigative journalist Bob Woodward has claimed in his new book, "Fear."

Macron admits systematic use of torture in Algeria war Press TV 13 Sep 2018 -- France has admitted that it instigated a "system" that led to torture during Algeria's independence war in the 1950s and 1960s as it comes to grips with its long-suppressed legacy of colonial crimes.

India Continues to Use Foreign Launchers for Heavy Satellites Sputnik 13 Sep 2018 -- Against speculations that India was planning to completely ditch foreign agencies for satellite launches, the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has engaged Arianespace for the launch of two crucial telecommunications satellites, GSAT-31 and GSAT-30.

Russian Spacecraft Under Careful Scrutiny After ISS Air Leak Incident - Source Sputnik 13 Sep 2018 -- Experts from the Energia Rocket and Space Corporation are checking the Soyuz MS-10 and Progress MS-11 spacecraft at the Baikonur Cosmodrome after the air leak incident at the Soyuz spacecraft docked to the International Space Station (ISS), a source in the rocket and space industry told Sputnik.

Mogherini Tells Macedonians To Seize 'Historic Opportunity' In Name-Change Referendum RFE/RL 13 Sep 2018 -- European Union foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini on September 13 urged Macedonians to vote in this month's referendum on changing the country's name, saying they "hold the key to the future" of their country.

European Parliament Votes In Favor Of Talks On Visa Liberalization For Kosovo RFE/RL 13 Sep 2018 -- The European Parliament has approved the opening of negotiations with the European Council on visa liberalization for citizens of Kosovo.
Vucic Says Deal With Kosovo Should Guarantee Serbia's Eventual EU Membership RFE/RL 13 Sep 2018 -- Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic says any deal with neighboring Kosovo to settle their long-standing disputes would need to include a guarantee of membership from the European Union.

NEWSLETTER

Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list