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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• Afghan helicopter shot down, 5 killed IRNA 15 Sep 2018 -- A helicopter of Afghanistan Army was shot down reportedly by the terrorist group of Taliban, killing five crews, sources said.
• Five killed in military helicopter crash in Afghanistan Press TV 15 Sep 2018 -- A military helicopter carrying Afghan security forces has crashed in the country's western province of Farah, killing all five people on board, including the pilot.
• Afghan Military Helicopter Crash Kills Five RFE/RL 15 Sep 2018 -- An Afghan official says at least five army personnel, all crew members of a military helicopter, were killed when their aircraft made an emergency landing and caught fire in the western Farah Province.
• Pakistani Foreign Minister Talks Peace, Security With Afghanistan's President RFE/RL 15 Sep 2018 -- Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani has met with Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi to discuss peace and security between the two neighbors.
• Virginia National Guard sending support to North Carolina Army News 15 Sep 2018 -- The Virginia National Guard is sending approximately 40 Soldiers and 20 light medium tactical vehicles to support the North Carolina National Guard with recovery efforts after Hurricane Florence caused widespread flooding. The Soldiers departed Saturday.
• Northern Command Actively Supporting FEMA Hurricane Efforts AFPS 15 Sep 2018 -- U.S. Northern Command, the National Guard and military services are actively supporting Federal Emergency Management Agency along with state and local responders in the wake of Hurricane Florence's landfall.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Sortied Navy Assets Return to Hampton Roads NNS 15 Sep 2018 -- Nearly 30 ships and 128 aircraft will return to the Hampton Roads area starting Saturday, Sept. 15, and will continue to return to homeport over the next several days.
• NATO Chief Lists Benefits of Alliance to United States AFPS 15 Sep 2018 -- The North Atlantic Treaty Organization is as important to the United States as it is to Europe, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said here at the Heritage Foundation yesterday.
• Russia holds largest military drill since Cold War Press TV 15 Sep 2018 -- Russia has held its largest-ever military drills in the Sea of Japan, amid rising tensions between Moscow and NATO.
• Russian Air Force Destroys 'Hostile' Airbase During Scaled Vostok-2018 Drills Sputnik 15 Sep 2018 -- More than 10 Russian Tu-22M3 bombers carried out an airstrike on an airfield of the simulated enemy in the Zabaikalsky Territory as part of the Vostok-2018 drills, the Russian Defense Ministry's press service said on Saturday in a statement obtained by Sputnik.
• Russian 'hybrid warfare' targeting German troops in NATO: Merkel Press TV 15 Sep 2018 -- Germany says it is boosting military cyber capabilities to respond to Russian "hybrid warfare" techniques, targeting "NATO forces deployed in Eastern Europe".
• Turkey's S-400 purchase from Russia matter of 'national decision': NATO chief Press TV 15 Sep 2018 -- Secretary General of the US-led North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Jens Stoltenberg has described as a matter of "national decision" Turkey's plan to purchase the advanced Russian-built S-400 air defense missile system, regardless of strong opposition and warnings from the United States.
• Pentagon Orders Hydra Rockets for Nigeria, Afghanistan, Lebanon, Philippines Sputnik 15 Sep 2018 -- Hydra rockets are lightweight weapons designed for use against point and area targets. They are fired from seven and 19 tube launchers that are mounted on aircraft such as the US Army's Apache helicopter and the US Air Force F-16 combat jet.

Defense Industry

Other Conflicts

• Yemen downs Saudi spy drone IRNA 15 Sep 2018 -- Yemen foiled a Saudi army operation to advance in Jizan and downed a spy drone belonging to Saudi coalition, Yemeni TV Channel 'Al-Masirah' reported.
• Ansarullah: Washington looking at Yemeni war as trade opportunity IRNA 15 Sep 2018 -- Washington is considering war in Yemen as a trade opportunity for gaining money, Spokesman of Yemen's Ansarullah Movement Mohammad Abdul Salam said.
• WFP depot targeted by Saudis in Yemen IRNA 15 Sep 2018 -- The Saudi warplanes targeted World Food Programme (WFP) depot in Al Hudaydah Province, western Yemen on Friday, Yemeni TV Channel 'Al-Masirah' reported.
• Saudi airstrikes kill 15 on Hudaydah-Sana'a highway Press TV 15 Sep 2018 -- At least 15 people have lost their lives in fresh air raids conducted by Saudi warplanes on a strategic road linking the Yemeni port city of Hudaydah to the capital, Sana'a.
• Syrian army advances further in Toloul al-Safa in Sweida IRNA 15 Sep 2018 -- Syrian Army units in Sweida advanced more along the line of Ard Qa'a al-Banat to the northwest of Toloul al-Safa and established control over more areas in the depth of the rough cliffs after fierce clashes with Daesh terrorists.
• Syrian military downs Israeli missiles fired at Damascus airport Press TV 15 Sep 2018 -- Syrian military has announced that its missile defense system successfully intercepted and downed Israeli missiles fired at an airport in the capital Damascus.
• Syrian Air Defense Repels Israeli Air Strike on Damascus Sputnik 15 Sep 2018 -- Syrian air defenses downed several projectiles fired by Israeli military assets near Damascus airport on Saturday night, the Syrian state media reported.
• Syrian Army Shoot Down Spy Drones in Latakia Sputnik 15 Sep 2018 -- A source in the Syrian Arab Army has told Sputnik that artillery managed to shoot down several spy UAVs, which are said to have been launched by Nusra terrorists, east of the city of Latakia.
• Syrian Army Strike Militant Positions Near US Military Base in al-Tanf Sputnik 15 Sep 2018 -- The development comes nearly two weeks after a spokesperson for the US-led coalition's Operation Inherent Resolve against Daesh told Sputnik that there was no terrorist camp near its military base in Syria's al-Tanf.
• UNHCR: $270M Needed for Syrian Refugees, Displaced VOA 15 Sep 2018 -- The U.N. refugee agency (UNHCR) warns it is running out of cash to provide life-saving assistance to millions of Syrian refugees and internally displaced living in dire and extremely precarious conditions.
• DPR Head's Murder Committed With Assistance of Western Intel Services Sputnik 15 Sep 2018 -- One man was detained on suspicion of involvement in the assassination of the head of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) Alexander Zakharchenko, he gave testimony, the republic's acting head Denis Pushilin told journalists.
• Putin, Abe Reportedly Discussed Upcoming Peace Treaty Negotiations Sputnik 15 Sep 2018 -- Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Russian President Vladimir Putin exchanged opinions about the upcoming talks after Putin expressed his initiative on the peace treaty between the two countries, local media reported.
• South Sudanese government must bring soldiers under control, urges UN mission chief, as peacekeeper is shot and injured UN News 15 Sep 2018 -- A "lack of command and control" on the part of South Sudan's government, just days after signing a new peace agreement to end years of brutal civil conflict, is one of the factors which led to the shooting of a United Nations peacekeeper on Saturday, the UN mission chief in the country has said.

News Reports

• Russian Orthodox Church Warns Of Violence As It 'Cuts Ties' With Bartholomew RFE/RL 15 Sep 2018 -- The Russian Orthodox Church has announced it will no longer take part in structures chaired by the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople and that a deepening row in Orthodox Christianity over the Ukrainian Church's bid to formally break away from Russia's orbit may lead to violence.
• Swiss Confirm Russians Tried To Hack Lab Analyzing Skripal Samples RFE/RL 15 Sep 2018 -- The Swiss government has confirmed reports that Dutch authorities had arrested and expelled two suspected Russian spies earlier this year after the two allegedly tried to hack a Swiss laboratory that conducts chemical weapons tests.
• WADA Defends Russian Anti-Doping Agency Reinstatement Recommendation Amid Criticism RFE/RL 15 Sep 2018 -- The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has defended its review committee's decision to recommend reinstatement of Russia's antidoping organization amid criticism about transparency and the resignation of a Canadian Olympic champion from the panel.
• US forming international coalition to hunt shipments to North Korea Press TV 15 Sep 2018 -- The United States is convening a multinational coalition to better track ships supplying fuel to North Korea in violation of UN sanctions, an American daily reports.
• Pompeo says Russia is in breach of sanctions against North Korea Press TV 15 Sep 2018 -- US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has accused Russia of working to undermine economic sanctions imposed on North Korea, arguing that implementing the bans is the only way to force Pyongyang to give up its nuclear weapons.
• U.S. Calls Urgent Security Council Meeting To Discuss North Korea Sanctions RFE/RL 15 Sep 2018 -- The United States has called an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council for September 17 as it steps up pressure on countries it says are violating sanctions against North Korea.
• US to Form Coalition to Track Ships Violating Sanctions on N Korea – Reports Sputnik 15 Sep 2018 -- The United States will create a multinational coalition on tracking ships supplying North Korea with fuel in violation of the UN sanctions, The Wall Street Journal reported.
• EU looking at payment system with Iran to thwart US sanctions IRNA 15 Sep 2018 -- The European Union's biggest economic powers are planning to create a "special purpose" financial company to thwart US President Donald Trump's sanctions and help Iran continue to sell oil in Europe and do business transactions.
• Iran to increase uranium enrichment if EU acts passively, FM Zarif says ISNA 15 Sep 2018 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif asserted that the Europeans needed to decide whether they are ready to let deeds follow their words or would submit to American demands.
• Germany looking at payment system with Iran to save JCPOA ISNA 15 Sep 2018 -- Germany and its European partners are considering setting up a payment system with Iran to save 2015 nuclear deal known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), Reuters reported.
• Pompeo criticizes Kerry for 'advocating' Iran nuclear deal Press TV 15 Sep 2018 -- US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has criticized former Secretary of State John Kerry for holding talks with Iranian diplomats.
• FM Zarif: Iran to raise enrichment if EU acts passively Press TV 15 Sep 2018 -- Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says Iran could increase uranium enrichment should the European Union continue to act passively in the wake of the US withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal.
• US studying possible Iran sanctions waivers: Pompeo Press TV 15 Sep 2018 -- US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says Washington is studying issuing possible waivers for countries and businesses that want to continue buying oil from Iran beyond November 4, the White House's designated deadline for them to halt oil imports from the Islamic Republic or face punishments.
• Trump, Pompeo Blast Kerry For Meeting With Iranians RFE/RL 15 Sep 2018 -- U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo criticized predecessor John Kerry for meeting several times recently with Iran's foreign minister, saying the Obama-era official was "actively undermining" U.S. policy toward Tehran.
• New Delhi attaches 'highest importance' to ties with Moscow: Indian FM Press TV 15 Sep 2018 -- Senior Indian and Russian officials have discussed ways to develop trade ties and remove barriers in investment, science and technology as well as other issues of mutual interests.
• Former Anbar governor elected Iraqi parliament speaker Press TV 15 Sep 2018 -- Iraq's parliament has elected speaker Mohammed al-Halbousi, former governor of the western province of Anbar, marking the first step towards forming a new government four months after national elections.
• Iraqi PM Abadi Says He Won't 'Cling To A Second Term' RFE/RL 15 Sep 2018 -- Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi has indicated he may not seek a second term amid power struggles in the country, although observers say it was unclear if he was actually giving up any claim to power.
• Brussels Establishes Special Office for Monitoring 'Russian Cyberthreat' Sputnik 15 Sep 2018 -- The Belgian General Information and Security Service has established a position for monitoring the so-called Russian and Chinese cyberthreat, the country's Parliamentary Committee on Defense said in a report.
• JAXA Postpones Launch of Cargo Vehicle to ISS Without Explanations - NASA Sputnik 15 Sep 2018 -- The unmanned H-II Transfer Vehicle-7 (HTV-7) was loaded with more than five tons of supplies, water and spare parts for the crew aboard the ISS, with a half dozen of new lithium-ion batteries upgrades ISS's power grid upgrades, NASA said.
• Taiwan expresses gratitude for U.S.' 'unwavering' support CNA 15 Sep 2018 -- Presidential Office spokesman Sidney Lin (林鶴明) said Saturday that Taiwan sincerely appreciates the goodwill and continued support extended by the executive and legislative branches of the United States government.
• US-based OAS urges 'military intervention' to topple Venezuela's Maduro Press TV 15 Sep 2018 -- US-based Organization of American States (OAS) has called for a "military intervention" to overthrow Venezuela's government days after reports of a US-led coup plot against President Nicolas Maduro.
• OAS Chief Not Ruling Out Military Invasion of Venezuela - Reports Sputnik 15 Sep 2018 -- The head of the Organization of American States (OAS), Luis Almagro, warned Friday that military solution of Venezuela's economic and political crisis must not be ruled out, AFP Reported.
• Venezuelan Exodus Plunging Region Into Chaos VOA 15 Sep 2018 -- The U.N. World Food Program (WFP) says the mass migration of Venezuelans throughout South America in search of asylum and economic relief is plunging the entire region into crisis.
• U.S. Ambassador to Zimbabwe Says Removal of ZIDERA, Sanctions Contingent on Reforms VOA 15 Sep 2018 -- Newly appointed United States Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Brian Nichols, said he is looking forward to seeing Zimbabwe return to being the powerhouse it used to be, once it embarks on a path of reviving its economy through agriculture, tourism and the use of its resources.