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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• Iran, Russia Seen Vying for Influence in Afghanistan VOA 05 Oct 2018 -- Russia continues to compete for influence in Afghanistan, where international reconciliation efforts are underway, while Iran is playing both sides of the Afghan conflict, according to a top U.S. military official.
• Kabul Rejects Blackwater Plan to Privatize Afghan War as 'Destructive' Sputnik 05 Oct 2018 -- Erik Prince, founder of the private military company formerly known as Blackwater, which is now named Academi, has been floated the idea of his firm privatizing the US war in Afghanistan since 2017.
• Afghan Government Rejects Proposals To Privatize War RFE/RL 05 Oct 2018 -- Afghan officials have rejected a proposal to have foreign military contractors take over training and advising of the Afghan armed forces.

Defense Policy / Programs

• New tech to ease F-35A flight line maintenance AFNS 05 Oct 2018 -- Maintainers on Hill Air Force Base's flight line are beginning to utilize new high-tech, hand-held tablets to work on the F-35A Lightning II, the United States' most advanced multi-role fighter aircraft.
• Department of Defense News Briefing by Admiral James Foggo in the Pentagon Briefing Room on the upcoming Trident Juncture 18 Exercise DoD 05 Oct Presenter: Admiral James G. Foggo III, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Africa; Colonel Rob Manning, Director, Defense Press Office
• Deputy Secretary of Defense delivers Defense Industrial Base Report to President Trump DoD 05 Oct 2018 -- Today, Deputy Secretary of Defense Pat Shanahan, on behalf of Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis, presented a report, Assessing and Strengthening the Manufacturing and Defense Industrial Base and Supply Chain Resiliency of the United States, to President Donald J. Trump, pursuant to Executive Order 13806. e
• US-Japan Advance New Amphibious Capability NNS 05 Oct 2018 -- The amphibious dock landing ship USS Ashland (LSD 48) became the first U.S. Navy ship in the 7th Fleet to conduct amphibious operations with the newly established Japan Ground Self Defense Force (JGSDF) Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade (ARDB) troops and their equipment Oct. 2.
• Government Agencies Train with Military during San Francisco Fleet Week NNS 05 Oct 2018 -- San Francisco Fleet Week is famous for the Blue Angels air shows, the parade of ships, large crowds and service members walking around in their uniforms. One part of fleet week that is not widely known is the Defense Support of Civilian Authorities (DSCA) exercise held annually to train government agencies to work together to respond in the event of a natural disaster.
• Iwo Jima, Gunston Hall, New York, MAGTF Depart for Trident Juncture 18 NNS 05 Oct 2018 -- More than 2,000 Sailors serving aboard amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7), amphibious dock landing ship USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44) and amphibious transport dock ship USS New York (LPD 21) departed Oct. 2-3 for NATO-led exercise Trident Juncture 18.
• Pentagon Sees China as a Threat to US Industry and National Security - Reports Sputnik 05 Oct 2018 -- Two Pentagon-sponsored pieces of research have reported China as a growing threat to US defense, targeting the country's national security through the supply of materials and new informational warfare capabilities.
• Report Warns US Military-Industrial Complex Hopelessly Dependent on China Sputnik 05 Oct 2018 -- According to the report, China is now the only producer of some of the chemicals required for US munitions and missiles, with America also dependent on its Japanese and European allies for materials in other crucial equipment, from rockets to satellites.
• US to Avoid Sea of Azov, to Keep On Operating in Black Sea Region - Admiral Sputnik 05 Oct 2018 -- On Seeking Dialogue With Russia
• Trump Reportedly Mulls Ousting Air Force Chief Over Space Force Memo Sputnik 05 Oct 2018 -- In mid-June, US President Donald Trump instructed the Department of Defense to start creating a Space Force as the sixth branch of the US Armed Forces.
• US Navy Wants Major War Exercise in South China Sea - Report Sputnik 05 Oct 2018 -- Following a dramatic close call between US and Chinese destroyers in the South China Sea, the US Navy's Pacific Fleet wants to put on a major show of force in the body of water before the end of the year.
• 'I Want Them to Be There': US Admiral Wants Russia to See NATO Exercise Sputnik 05 Oct 2018 -- Russia should take up NATO's invitation to send observers to the 2018 Trident Juncture military exercises as it is in Moscow's best interest to observe the readiness and capabilities of the forces involved, US Navy Admiral James G. Foggo III said on Friday.
• Russian MiG-29 Fighter Jet Crashes in Moscow Region Sputnik 05 Oct 2018 -- Both pilots catapulted before the aircraft crashed in the Kolomensky district of the Moscow Region, according to source speaking to Sputnik.
• Defence Secretary announces Devonport will home all new Type 26 frigates UK MOD 08 Oct 2018 -- All of the Royal Navy's next-generation Type 26 frigates will be homed in Devonport, the Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson announced at the Naval Base today.
• US on India's S-400 Deal: CAATSA Not Intended to Damage Allies' Capabilities Sputnik 05 Oct 2018 -- India has signed a $5.4 billion deal to buy five S-400 air defense systems despite the looming threat of US sanctions on countries that trade with Russia's defense and intelligence sectors.
• Indian Air Force to Use Biofuel-Blended ATF to Curb Import Bill Sputnik 05 Oct 2018 -- India, which imports up to 80 percent of its oil needs, will spend $1.5 billion on setting up biofuel refineries that are expected to employ around 15,000 people. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on August 10 that ethanol blending could help the country save $1.7 billion a year on import bills.
• Indian Air Force Aircraft Crashes, No Casualties Reported Sputnik 05 Oct 2018 -- According to initial reports, the two-seater ML-130 microlight aircraft crashed moments after it took off from Hindon airbase in Ghaziabad.
• India, Russia Formally Ink $5.4 billion S-400 Air Defense System Deal - Kremlin Sputnik 05 Oct 2018 -- The delivery of the five advanced S-400 Triumf squadrons will begin in October 2020, despite the threat of US financial sanctions.
• India Seals Deal for Russian Air Defense Systems During Putin Visit VOA 05 Oct 2018 -- India has signed a deal worth more than $5 billion to buy five sophisticated air defense missile systems from Russia that could trigger sanctions by the United States.
• Last Squadron of RSAF Aircraft Arrives in Tunisia For Joint Drills SPA 05 Oct 2018 -- With all their air, technical and support crews, the aircraft of the Royal Saudi Air Forces (RSAF) have completed their arrival in the Republic of Tunisia to participate in the joint air forces drills with the Tunisian Air Force.
• China's military threat against Taiwan growing: U.S. report CNA 05 Oct 2018 -- China's military is posing a growing threat to Taiwan because of improved capabilities to execute a military action against the island, the Heritage Foundation has said in an annual report analyzing the United States' military strength.
• Taiwan military capable of protecting nation: defense minister CNA 05 Oct 2018 -- Minister of National Defense Yen De-fa (嚴德發) on Friday reiterated the ministry's ability to defend the nation.
• US Supports Creation of Kosovo Army With Limited Powers - Embassy Sputnik 05 Oct 2018 -- US warships will continue to operate in the Black Sea for about 250 days a year but are unlikely to enter the Sea of Azov, Admiral James Foggo announced Friday.
• Deliveries of Russian Su-35 to Indonesia Might Fall Under US Sanctions - Reports Sputnik 05 Oct 2018 -- The time frames for the deliveries of Russian Su-35 multi-role fighter jets to Indonesia under a bilateral contract are affected by the restrictions that the United States is ready to introduce as part of its anti-Russia sanctions, as the Kommersant newspaper reported on Friday.
• Remarks With Traveling Press US Dept. of State 05 Oct 2018 -- Remarks by Michael R. Pompeo, Secretary of State

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for October 5, 2018

Other Conflicts

• 5 October 2018 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 05 Oct 2018
• Nobel Peace Prize goes to UN Goodwill Ambassador and Congolese doctor, highlighting sexual violence UN News 05 Oct 2018 -- Nadia Murad, a Yazidi rights activist and the first Goodwill Ambassador for the Dignity of Survivors of Human Trafficking of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), and Denis Mukwege, a gynecologist who helps victims of sexual violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), were awarded the 2018 Nobel Peace Prize on Friday.
• 2018 Nobel Peace Prize Recognizes Warriors Against Sexual Violence VOA 05 Oct 2018 -- The 2018 Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded to Nadia Murad, a Yazidi human rights activist and survivor of sexual slavery by Islamic State in Iraq, and Denis Mukwege, a gynecologist treating victims of sexual violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
• Kurdish Units Refuse to Leave Syria's Manbij, Prepare to Defend Town - Reports Sputnik 05 Oct 2018 -- The Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) did not withdraw from the northern Syrian town of Manbij, as was ordered by Turkey and the United States, and are preparing to defend the town, the Anadolu news agency reported on Friday.
• Ansarullah calls for peace in Yemen IRNA 05 Oct 2018 -- Yemeni Ansarullah leader called for establishment of peace in the war-torn country and urged Saudi Arabia and its allies to stop aggression.
• Concern rising over fate of Rohingya refugees sent home by India: UNHCR UN News 05 Oct 2018 -- The United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) has voiced 'great concern' for the safety and security of seven Rohingya men who have been sent home by Indian authorities, after reportedly being denied access to lawyers, or full consideration of their asylum applications.
• U.S. condemns China for threatening cross-strait stability CNA 05 Oct 2018 -- U.S. Vice President Mike Pence on Thursday condemned Beijing for threatening stability across the Taiwan Strait and accused China of resorting to economic aggression to extend its global reach.
• Somali Government Blocks Ex-Militant from Seeking Political Office VOA 05 Oct 2018 -- The former No. 2 leader of Somalia-based militant group al-Shabab will not be allowed to run for the presidency of the country's South West regional state, the Somali government said Friday.

News Reports

• Russian Prosecutor Linked to Trump Tower Lawyer, Other Kremlin Intrigue, Dies In Chopper Crash RFE/RL 05 Oct 2018 -- A top Russian official accused of directing Natalya Veselnitskaya, the lawyer who met with senior officials of U.S. President Donald Trump's election campaign in Trump Tower in 2016, has died in a helicopter crash.
• Russia Says U.S. Hacking Allegations 'Inciting Tensions,' Warns Of 'Dangerous Path' RFE/RL 05 Oct 2018 -- A top Russian diplomat is warning that the United States is on a "dangerous path" and "deliberately inciting tensions in relations between the nuclear powers" by accusing Russian military intelligence of waging a global hacking campaign against Western institutions.
• Alleged Russian Hackers Suspected of Stealing Belgian Report on Ukraine - Report Sputnik 05 Oct 2018 -- Russian hackers who allegedly sabotaged the computer systems of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) in the Netherlands may be responsible for stealing a confidential report on Ukraine from the Belgian Foreign Ministry in 2014, the Belga news agency reported on Friday.
• Kazakhstan Denies Asylum To Chinese 'Reeducation Camps' Whistle-Blower RFE/RL 05 Oct 2018 -- Kazakhstan has denied asylum to a Chinese national whose court testimony helped expose so-called "reeducation camps" in northwestern China.
• Interpol Head Sought by Agency Is Reportedly Under Probe in China Sputnik 05 Oct 2018 -- Earlier in the day, the French authorities have launched an investigation into the disappearance of Interpol President Meng Hongwei in China, Europe 1 reported on Friday citing sources.
• India and Russia to Jointly Set up Six New Nuclear Reactors in India at 2nd Site Sputnik 05 Oct 2018 -- For the new nuclear projects in India, Russia has agreed to implement "3+ generation" water-water energetic reactor technology and will increase the level of localization, working jointly with local businesses.
• Pakistan Arrests Opposition Leader on Graft Charges VOA 05 Oct 2018 -- Authorities in Pakistan on Friday arrested leader of the opposition, Shahbaz Sharif, on corruption charges as the new government intensifies and broadens its anti-graft crackdown.
• Saudi Crown Prince to Allow Turkey to Search Consulate for Missing Journalist Sputnik 05 Oct 2018 -- The day before, Saudi Arabia's envoy to Ankara was summoned to the Turkish Foreign Ministry over the disappearance of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. He stated that he had no information about the missing journalist.
• Consulate General of the Kingdom in Istanbul says that it is following up what was reported in the media about the disappearance of citizen Jamal Khashoggi after leaving the consulate building .. and confirms that it is carrying out follow-up and coordination with the Turkish authorities to disclose the circumstances of his disappearance SPA 04 Oct 2018 -- The Consulate General of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Istanbul said that it was following up on the media reports of the disappearance of Saudi citizen Jamal Khashoggi after he left the building of the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.
• Russia to Help India in its First Manned Space Mission Sputnik 05 Oct 2018 -- India's first manned spacecraft Gaganyaan is designed to carry three people and will be placed in low earth orbit, 300-400 km above the surface of the planet. India has set an ambitious deadline of 2022 to complete the mission.
• UK aid arrives: Vital relief lands in Indonesia UK MOD 05 Oct 2018 -- An RAF aircraft has successfully delivered 17.5 tonnes of UK aid supplies to those affected by the devastating earthquake and tsunami that struck Indonesia.