08 November 2018 Military News

Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

US War on Terror Kills Nearly 500,000 in Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan VOA 08 Nov 2018 -- A study released Thursday says the U.S.-led war on terrorism has killed about 507,000 people in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan during its 17 years and is showing a 22 percent increase in deaths in the past two years.

Taliban, US Will Join Russia-Hosted Conference for First Time VOA 08 Nov 2018 -- The United States and the Taliban are both set to attend for the first time a multilateral conference Russia will host Friday in Moscow to discuss how to achieve peace and national reconciliation in Afghanistan.
U.S. Peace Envoy Heading To Afghanistan, Pakistan, U.A.E., Qatar RFE/RL 08 Nov 2018 -- U.S. peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad will visit Afghanistan, Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar this month to push for peace negotiations with the Afghan Taliban, the State Department says.
Taliban attacks central Afghanistan IRNA 08 Nov 2018 -- The terrorist group Taliban attacked Jaghori District, Ghazni Province, central Afghanistan, on Thursday.

Defense Policy / Programs

552nd ACW from Tinker AFB supports NATO Exercise Trident Juncture 18 in Norway AFNS 08 Nov 2018 -- An E-3 Sentry aircraft from the 552nd Air Control Wing located Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, took part in missions supporting NATO Exercise Trident Juncture 18, Oct. 31, 2018.
Richardson Works to Strengthen Pacific Contacts, Alliances AFPS 08 Nov 2018 -- Personal interactions at all levels underpin U.S. military-to-military relations with nations around the world, but these require care and Navy Adm. John M. Richardson tended to these relations during a recent trip through the Pacific.
Navy to Christen Expeditionary Fast Transport Puerto Rico DoD 08 Nov 2018 -- The Navy will christen its newest Expeditionary Fast Transport, the future USNS Puerto Rico (T-EPF 11), during a 10 a.m. CST ceremony Saturday, November 10, at the Austal USA shipyard in Mobile, Alabama.
Remarks by Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Paul J. Selva at the UNC/CFC/USFK Change of Command DoD 08 Nov 2018
Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit 202 Helps Set Stage at Camp Frigaard NNS 08 Nov 2018 -- Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit 202 (CBMU 202) expected to gain valuable training during a simple role during Exercise Trident Juncture 2018, and from the very beginning, they would learn much more by becoming an integral role player in establishing and maintaining the bases that would host U.S. troops during the multinational NATO exercise.
IDC from 22 NCR Leads Training with Navy Corpsman, Norwegians NNS 08 Nov 2018 -- Chief Hospital Corpsman Michael Winkle, 22nd Naval Construction Regiment's (22 NCR) Senior Medical Department Representative has led the way for medical support on Camp Frigaard, Norway during Exercise Trident Juncture 18.
NAVFAC EXWC Supports Successful Test of Wave Energy Converter NNS 08 Nov 2018 -- Naval Facilities Engineering and Expeditionary Warfare Center (NAVFAC EXWC) is pleased to announce the most recent round of Wave Energy Converter (WEC) testing at the U.S. Navy's Wave Energy Test Site (WETS) off Marine Corps Base Hawaii (MCBH), Kaneohe, Hawaii, on the Island of Oahu.
Prairie Assurance quake drill preps Guard, first responders Army News 08 Nov 2018 -- Imagine that a subtle shaking awakens you from a sound sleep. You step out of bed to investigate and as you move through your house, the rumble intensifies to a shake, then a full-on roil.

Text of a Notice on the Continuation of the National Emergency with Respect to the Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction The White House 08 Nov 2018
Text of A Letter from the President to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President of the Senate The White House 08 Nov 2018

Poland, Baltic States Host Their Biggest-Ever NATO Military Drills RFE/RL 08 Nov 2018 -- Around 17,500 soldiers from 10 NATO member states are participating in military drills that started on November 7 in Poland and the Baltic states, the Polish Defense Ministry announced.

Military must be ready for new threats from China: president CNA 08 Nov 2018 -- President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) urged the armed forces Thursday to be ready to counter new forms of security threats from China, including misinformation, as she commissioned two Perry-class guided missile frigates purchased from the United States.
U.S. sale of warships to Taiwan helps regional stability: AIT CNA 08 Nov 2018 -- The sale of two U.S. warships to Taiwan, which were commissioned on Thursday, contributes to stability and military balance in Indo-Pacific region, the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) said Thursday.
Taiwan adds new US-made warships to navy Press TV 08 Nov 2018 -- Taiwan has launched two US-manufactured frigates as part of plans to boost its naval capabilities.
Taiwan Navy Commissions Two US-Made Warships Amid Tensions With China Sputnik 08 Nov 2018 -- Frictions in the Taiwan Strait have been on the rise after the United States sailed its warships through the narrow waterway last month. The move drew criticism from Beijing, which considers Taiwan part of its territory in line with the One-China principle that the US backs.

Country's first unmanned missile boat on display at Airshow China People's Daily 08 Nov 2018 -- China's first unmanned missile boat that recently tested missile launch is on display at the 12th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition (Airshow China) in Zhuhai, South China's Guangdong province.
China Unveils Stealth Drone for First Time at Zhuhai Airshow Sputnik 08 Nov 2018 -- On display at the 12th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, otherwise known as the Zhuhai Airshow, is a model of the country's new CH-7 unmanned aerial vehicle ‒ a stealth drone expected to be the first to hit global markets.
CASIC Unveils New Anti-Ship Ballistic Missile Sputnik 08 Nov 2018 -- China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation Limited (CASIC) showcased a new type of anti-ship ballistic missile at the Airshow China 2018 in Zhuhai, South China's Guangdong Province on Tuesday, which an expert says has the potential to destroy a hostile ship with one hit.

NATO Membership Won't Prevent Turkey From Having Good Ties With Russia - Ankara Sputnik 08 Nov 2018 -- Turkey's NATO membership will not stand in the way of it developing a good relationship with Russia, Volkan Bozkir, the chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Turkish Grand National Assembly, said Thursday.

MOD sets out vision to diversify supply base UK MOD 08 Nov 2018 -- The Ministry of Defence has today announced plans for modernising its estate and establishing a broader and more diverse supply base.

Yemeni Ex-Chief of General Staff Appointed New Defense Minister - Reports Sputnik 08 Nov 2018 -- Yemeni President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi appointed ex-Chief of General Staff Mohammed Maqdishi as the new defense minister ahead of key fighting with the rebel Houthi movement on the control over Al Hudaydah port city, local media reported.

French Minister Suggests Joint EU Army Could Tackle Climate Disasters Sputnik 08 Nov 2018 -- The EU potential rapid deployment force may be used for tackling the consequences of natural disasters, for providing humanitarian assistance and in military operations, French Armed Forces Minister Florence Parly said.

Australia to Boost Defense, Diplomatic Presence in South Pacific VOA 08 Nov 2018 -- Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Canberra will set up a multi-billion-dollar infrastructure bank to fund telecommunications, energy, transport and water projects in the South Pacific. There will be new diplomatic posts in Palau, the Marshall Islands, French Polynesia, Niue and the Cook Islands. Australia is also promising to boost defense cooperation in the region.

Defense Industry

DoD News: Contracts for November 08, 2018
U.S. Arms Transfers Rise 13 Percent in 2018, Highlighting Administration's Success Strengthening Security Partners While Growing American Jobs US Dept. of State 08 Nov 2018 -- Over the last fiscal year, authorized arms exports rose by a total of 13 percent to $192.3 billion, adding thousands of jobs to the U.S. economy and sustaining many thousands more. These increases in both government-to-government and commercial sales of defense equipment by U.S. companies have coincided with efforts by the State Department's Bureau of Political-Military Affairs and its interagency partners to comprehensively reform and modernize the arms transfer process.
Conventional Arms Transfer (CAT) Policy Implementation Plan Update US Dept. of State 08 Nov 2018-- In July the Secretary of State submitted to the President the Implementation Plan requested as part of the Conventional Arms Transfer (CAT) Policy (NSPM-10). This plan supports the U.S. National Security Strategy through a whole-of-government approach to better align our conventional arms transfers with our national security and economic interests.

Other Conflicts

8 November 2018 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 08 Nov 2018

Civilians suffering due to sanctions must be spared 'collective punishment' urges UN rights expert UN News 08 Nov 2018 -- Innocent civilians must not be exposed to "collective punishment" in disputes between two States, a United Nations human rights expert has said, calling for greater protection for ordinary people affected by punitive sanctions imposed by one country on another.

Amnesty International Urges Houthis to Leave Hodeida Hospital in Yemen VOA 08 Nov 2018 -- Amnesty International is calling on the pro-Iranian Houthi group to withdraw from the May 22 national hospital in Yemen's Red Sea port city of Hodeida. The Saudi-led coalition, which is gaining ground in the rebel-held city, claims the Houthis are using patients as human shields.
Half of Yemen population on brink of famine, 35 NGOs warn Press TV 08 Nov 2018 -- Thirty-five Yemeni and international NGOs on Wednesday called for an immediate cessation of hostilities in Yemen, where they warned the Saudi-led coalition's war has put 14 million people on the brink of famine.
Yemen warns enemy over Al Hudaydah attack IRNA 08 Nov 2018 -- Colonel Aziz Rashed, deputy military spokesman for the Yemeni army, warned the Arab-coalition over their attacks on Al Hudaydah, Arab media 'Al Mayadeen' reported.
US playing pivotal role in attacking Yemenis IRNA 08 Nov 2018 -- The US is playing major role in attacking Yemeni people, the leader of Yemen's Ansarullah Movement said.
Saudi warplanes bombard Al Hudaydah 30 times IRNA 08 Nov 2018 -- Saudi jet fighters bombarded Al Hudaydah for 30 times, Yemeni TV Channel 'Al-Masirah' reported.
Saudi-coalition jet fighters kill 8 Yemenis in western Yemen IRNA 08 Nov 2018 -- Eight members of a Yemeni family were killed in an air strike conducted by Saudi-American coalition in Hajjah Province, western Yemen, Yemeni media 'Yemen Press' reported.

S-300 deliveries minimized Israeli attacks' success IRNA 08 Nov 2018 -- Deliveries of Russian S-300 air defense systems to Syria did not nullify the risks of new attacks by Israel, but minimized the possibility of their success, Syrian Army political bureau head Brig. Gen. Hasan Ahmad Hasan told Sputnik in an interview.
Syrian forces free all women, children held hostage by Daesh: SANA Press TV 08 Nov 2018 -- Syrian government forces have managed to set free all the remaining women and children, who had been abducted by the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group from the country's southern province of Suwayda in July.
S-300 Deliveries Minimized Possibility of Israeli Attacks' Success – Syrian Army Sputnik 08 Nov 2018 -- Deliveries of Russian S-300 air defense systems to Syria did not nullify the risks of new attacks by Israel, but minimized the possibility of their success, Syrian Army political bureau head Brig. Gen. Hasan Ahmad Hasan told Sputnik in an interview.
US, Turkey Conduct Second Joint Patrol in Manbij VOA 08 Nov 2018 -- U.S. and Turkish forces have completed their second joint patrol in the area of Manbij, Syria, where Kurdish militia have been critical to defeating Islamic State fighters.
Syrian Forces Free Hostages, Launch Offensive Against Daesh in Safa Region Sputnik 09 Nov 2018 -- Some 1,500 Daesh terrorists are believed to remain in this area of southern Syria.

US imposes additional sanctions on Russia over Crimea Press TV 08 Nov 2018 -- The United States has slapped additional sanctions on Russian individuals and a company over Crimea's re-integration with Russia in 2014.
U.S. Sanctions Persons, Entities Over Activities In Russian-Occupied Crimea RFE/RL 08 Nov 2018 -- The United States is imposing a new round of financial sanctions related to Moscow's aggression in Ukraine, focusing on individuals and companies doing business in Russian-annexed Crimea.
US Sanctions 9 Russian Entities, 3 Individuals Over Crimea - Volker Sputnik 08 Nov 2018 -- The United States is imposing new sanctions against three Russian individuals and nine entities operating in Crimea, US Special Representative for Ukraine Negotiations Kurt Volker said in a telephone conference on Thursday.
Treasury Sanctions Officials and Targets Entities Supporting Russia's Occupation of Crimea and Forcible Control of Eastern Ukraine US Treasury 08 Nov 2018 -- The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) today imposed additional sanctions in response to Russia's continuing malign activity and destabilizing behavior by designating three individuals and nine entities under Ukraine-related authorities. These designations include two individuals and one entity engaged in serious human rights abuses under the Support for the Sovereignty, Integrity, Democracy, and Economic Stability of Ukraine Act of 2014 (SSIDES), as amended by Section 228 of the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA).
New US Sanctions Hit Russian, Ukrainian Individuals, Entities VOA 08 Nov 2018 -- The United States has announced additional sanctions against a number of Russian and Ukrainian entities tied to Russia's actions in neighboring Ukraine.

Ceasefire holds in Tripoli, but core problems remain, says UN Libya mission chief UN News 08 Nov 2018 -- The recent ceasefire in Libya's capital Tripoli, brokered by the United Nations mission in the country, is holding, its head told the Security Council on Thursday, highlighting efforts to sustain the calm and help secure lasting peace.

Rohingya Fearful of Forcible Repatriation to Myanmar VOA 08 Nov 2018 -- Rohingya Muslims who fled a brutal military campaign in Myanmar last year are living in fear after being told they are on a list of over 2,200 people due to be forcibly returned to the country this month.

Some 2 million in urgent need of food in CAR: UN Press TV 08 Nov 2018 -- The United Nations (UN)'s food agency has warned that nearly two million people are in urgent need of food in the violence-stricken Central African Republic (CAR).

News Reports

White House: Russia Probe 'Will Continue' After Sessions' Departure RFE/RL 08 Nov 2018 -- Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into alleged Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election will continue despite the change in leadership at the Justice Department, the White House says.

Briefing by Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova, Moscow, November 8, 2018 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 08 Nov 2018

Haley: North Korea Canceled High-Level Talks VOA 08 Nov 2018 -- U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley says it was North Korea that postponed this week's high-level talks with Washington.

Iranian National Pleads Guilty to Conspiring to Illegally Export Products From the United States to Iran US Dept. of Justice 08 Nov 2018 -- Arash Sepehri, 38, a citizen of Iran, pleaded guilty on Nov. 7, to a federal charge stemming from his role in a conspiracy to cause the export of controlled goods and technology to Iran, in violation of U.S. Department of Commerce and military controls, as well as in contravention of sanctions imposed against Iran.
Tehran writes to IMO over illegal US bans on scores of Iranian ships Press TV 08 Nov 2018 -- Tehran lodges a complaint with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) against the US over the re-imposition of sweeping sanctions, which target scores of Iranian ships as part of Washington's much-criticized push to cut off the country's oil exports.
South Korea, Iran to trade in local currencies Press TV 08 Nov 2018 -- South Korea says it has reached a deal with Iran to use local currencies in mutual trade between the two countries instead of the US dollar.
U.S. Warns Iranian Oil Tankers May Be Courting 'Environmental Disaster' RFE/RL 08 Nov 2018 -- The United States is warning other countries not to allow Iranian oil tankers into their ports, saying the tankers not only could incur penalties under U.S. sanctions but may be courting "environmental disaster."
Text of a Notice on the Continuation of the National Emergency With Respect To Iran The White House 08 Nov 2018
Text of A Letter from the President to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President of the Senate The White House 08 Nov 2018

U.S. Energy Secretary Warns Sanctions Still Possible Over Nord Stream 2 Project RFE/RL 08 Nov 2018 -- Washington may still impose sanctions over the construction of an underwater natural-gas pipeline between Russia and Germany through the Baltic Sea, U.S. Energy Secretary Rick Perry has said.

China's Pledges to Boost Imports May Face Headwind Ahead VOA 08 Nov 2018 -- China has pledged to use its army of consumers to boost imports dramatically over the next decade or so – a move that is aimed in part at addressing complaints about its trade surplus and unfair trade practices.

Russia, China Lash Out At U.S. Sanctions While Forging Closer Ties RFE/RL 08 Nov 2018 -- Russian and Chinese leaders are lashing out at U.S. sanctions and tariffs that they say are undermining the global trading system built by Washington, and say the measures have served to cement closer economic and political ties between Beijing and Moscow.
Pakistan Begins Talks With IMF On Three-Year Bailout Package RFE/RL 08 Nov 2018 -- Pakistan has begun talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on a possible bailout package to help the country overcome a deepening economic crisis.

Traces of acid found at Saudi consul general's home IRNA 08 Nov 2018 -- Saudi authorities used acid and other chemicals to dispose of slain journalist Jamal Khashoggi's body, a source at the Turkish attorney general's office has told Al Jazeera.
Cops Find Acid Used to Dissolve Journo's Body at Saudi Consul's Home - Reports Sputnik 08 Nov 2018 -- That discovery, made two weeks after the Saudi journalist's demise, reportedly led the authorities to conclude that Khashoggi's dead body was dissolved in acid in one of the rooms at the consul's residence.
Israeli spyware may have helped Saudi Arabia track, kill Khashoggi: Snowden Press TV 08 Nov 2018 -- Former US National Security Agency contractor and whistle-blower Edward Snowden says Saudi Arabia may have used software made by an Israeli cyber firm to track prominent dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who was killed after visiting the kingdom's consulate in Turkey's largest city of Istanbul last month.
Riyadh uses death penalty as tool to crush Shia dissidents: Amnesty Press TV 08 Nov 2018 -- Amnesty International has warned against what appears to be imminent executions of a dozen Shia men on death row in Saudi Arabia, blasting the Riyadh regime for resorting to death sentences as a "tool" to suppress the kingdom's Shia minorities.

Ebola outbreak in DR Congo conflict zone 'remains dangerous and unpredictable' - UN chiefs UN News 08 Nov 2018 -- While new measures to tackle the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) are working, the epidemic remains dangerous and unpredictable, the United Nations said on Thursday.

U.S. official: Taiwan policy unchanged despite 'country' description CNA 08 Nov 2018 -- Brian Hook, the U.S. Special Representative for Iran, reiterated Wednesday that the United States' policy toward Taiwan remains unchanged, despite Secretary of State Mike Pompeo calling it a nation earlier in the week.

Dialog with Sunni MPs key to formation of Lebanese govt.: Hezbollah Press TV 08 Nov 2018 -- Lebanon's Hezbollah resistance movement has urged Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri to start dialog with Sunni lawmakers in order to remove remaining barriers to the formation of a new government in the Arab country.

Brussels Hosts Serbia, Kosovo Leaders For 'Difficult' Normalization Talks RFE/RL 08 Nov 2018 -- The presidents of Kosovo and Serbia are meeting in Brussels as part of an EU-mediated dialogue on the normalization of relations between the two neighbors.

Armenian Government Seeks Cuts In Natural-Gas Prices From Russia RFE/RL 08 Nov 2018 -- The Armenian government is in talks with Moscow and Russian state-owned energy giant Gazprom on the possibility of gaining a cost cut for natural gas supplied to the South Caucasus nation and prices charged to retail customers.

UK refusing Venezuela's request to return $550mn in gold Press TV 08 Nov 2018 -- Britain is reportedly refusing to repatriate some 14 tonnes of gold to Venezuela worth around $550 million over fears that the move could violate US sanctions against the Latin American country.
UN sounds alarm as Venezuelan refugees and migrants passes three million mark UN News 08 Nov 2018 -- The number of refugees and migrants who have left Venezuela worldwide has now reached three million, the two main United Nations agencies advocating for them announced on Thursday, flagging the need to increase support for the countries which are hosting large numbers of displaced Venezuelans.

US Move Against PKK Trio Seen Snarling Peace VOA 08 Nov 2018 -- A recent U.S. move against Kurdish militant leaders in Turkey could complicate prospects for peace between the Turkish government and the country's Kurdish minority, activists and analysts said.

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