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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• Russia Hosts Afghan Talks, Highlighting Growing Role VOA 09 Nov 2018 -- Russia hosted a group of Afghan government-linked envoys along with their Taliban rivals Friday, as the Kremlin waded into efforts to end a 17-year conflict where Western efforts have repeatedly failed.
• Afghan Government Distances Itself From Moscow Conference VOA 09 Nov 2018 -- The Afghan government seemingly tried to distance itself from a conference in Moscow in which a Taliban delegation publicly appeared for the first time at an international forum.
• US war on terror kills 500,000 in Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan Press TV 09 Nov 2018 -- A study has revealed that the so-called US war on terror has killed about half a million people in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan over the past 17 years.
• Taliban Says It's Not Ready For Talks With Kabul RFE/RL 09 Nov 2018 -- The Taliban are not ready to negotiate with the Afghan government, a Taliban member said at talks in Moscow on November 9.
• Moscow hosts peace talks between Taliban, Afghan govt. Press TV 09 Nov 2018 -- Multilateral talks on Afghanistan peace opened in Moscow on Friday with the participation of the Taliban and the Afghanistan High Peace Council (HPC), which is said to be representing the Kabul government.

Defense Policy / Programs

• US Did Not Discuss Planned INF Treaty Pullout With Chinese Officials - Pompeo Sputnik 09 Nov 2018 -- US and Chinese officials have not addressed the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty in the wake of United States' decision to pull out from the accord, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Friday.
• Russia says US nuke policy 'playing with devil' Press TV 09 Nov 2018 -- Russia has warned that the United States will be "playing with the devil" by implementing President Donald Trump's new nuclear weapons strategy, which identifies Russia and China as main threats and calls for producing small nuclear warheads for "limited" operations.
• Keen Sword 19: Historic first JGSDF jump from USAF C-130Js in Japan AFNS 09 Nov 2018 -- A 36th Airlift Squadron C-130J Super Hercules became the first U.S. aircraft to drop Japan Ground Self-Defense Force soldiers on Hiju-dai drop zone, Oita prefecture, Japan, Nov. 4, during exercise Keen Sword 2019.
• Gen. Goldfein meets with Ukrainian air force chief AFNS 09 Nov 2018 -- In the latest example of the strong ties between the U.S. and Ukraine, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David L. Goldfein held high-level discussions with his Ukrainian counterpart, Col-Gen. Sergii Drozdov, at the Pentagon, Nov. 8.
• Readout of Secretary of Defense James N. Mattis' Meeting with The Minister of National Defense of the People's Republic of China, General Wei Fenghe DoD 09 Nov 2018
• Ronald Reagan Strike Group Concludes Keen Sword 2019 NNS 09 Nov 2018 -- The Ronald Reagan Strike Group finished exercise Keen Sword 2019 with units from the U.S. Air Force, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) and the Japan Air Self-Defense Force on November 8th.
• Russia Equips Cruise Missiles with Electronic Warfare Systems - Developer Sputnik 09 Nov 2018 -- Russia has finished the development and started mass production of electronic warfare systems for cruise missiles in service with the Russian armed forces, Vladimir Mikheev, adviser to the first deputy general director of the Concern Radio-Electronic Technologies (KRET), told Sputnik.
• Trump Slams Macron For Suggesting Europe Create Its Own Army RFE/RL 09 Nov 2018 -- U.S. President Donald Trump has criticized French President Emmanuel Macron for suggesting that Europe should create its own army.
• New drone unveiled potentially for China's third aircraft carrier People's Daily 09 Nov 2018 -- A new drone with folding wings and the potential to be deployed on China's third aircraft carrier debuted at Airshow China 2018 in Zhuhai, South China's Guangdong Province this week.
• China unveils combat drone amid arms race with US Press TV 09 Nov 2018 -- China has displayed its new-generation stealth unmanned combat aircraft amid an ongoing arms race with the United States.
• France's Nuclear-Powered Aircraft Carrier Returns to Sea After Pricey Makeover Sputnik 09 Nov 2018 -- France's Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier returned to the sea this week after spending more than a year undergoing upgrades that cost roughly $1.4 billion, the Direction Générale de l'Armement announced on Thursday.
• India's Home Grown Trainer Aircraft Successfully Completes Spin Test Sputnik 09 Nov 2018 -- Manufacturer HAL has claimed that the HTT 40 exceeds Preliminary Services Qualitative Requirements (PSQR) on most fronts and offers a technologically more advanced product than its competitor. The firm is also aiming to export the weaponized version of the aircraft to Myanmar and African nations.
• A Gun for All Seasons: Indian Army Gets K9 Vajra, M777 Howitzers Sputnik 09 Nov 2018 -- The K9 Vajra howitzer, designed to operate in the desert areas bordering Pakistan, will offer close fire support to the Indian Army's mechanised strike corps during deep thrusts into enemy territory. The M-777 will provide much-needed support in the Himalayan terrain along the border with China.
• Norway suspends licenses for arms export to Saudi Arabia Press TV 09 Nov 2018 -- Norway has suspended new licenses for arms exports to Saudi Arabia following the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the kingdom's consulate in Turkey and Riyadh's campaign against Yemen that has been devastating the poor country since March 2015.
• Norway Suspends Defense-Related, Dual-Use Exports to Saudi Arabia Sputnik 09 Nov 2018 -- Norway has decided not to renew the license allowing the country to export defense-related and dual-use products to Saudi Arabia, the Norwegian Defense Ministry said on Friday.
• German shipyard halts production after Saudi arms ban as Riyadh turns to Spain, S Africa Press TV 09 Nov 2018 -- German shipbuilder Luerssen has put on hold the production of coastguard vessels ordered by Saudi Arabia due to the uncertainty surrounding the future of Berlin's arms deals with Riyadh.
• Philippine navy hopes for more engagements with China, Russia People's Daily 09 Nov 2018 -- The Philippine Navy (PN) wants to have more engagements with the Chinese and Russian navies, noting the just-concluded maritime drill between China and the Southeast Asian countries' navies in the waters off China went well, the Philippine naval chief said on Thursday.
• Remarks by President Trump Before Marine One Departure The White House 09 Nov 2018

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for November 09, 2018
• US weapons trade up 13% in 2018 Press TV 09 Nov 2018 -- The United States has sold $192.3 billion worth of weapons in international arms deals in 2018, showing a 13% annual rise in combined arms sales.
• US Arms Exports Rise Up to $192.3 Billion in Fiscal Year 2018 - State Department Sputnik 09 Nov 2018 -- The total value of authorized arms transfers by the United States to other countries increased by 13 percent to $192.3 billion in fiscal year 2018, the US State Department said in a press release.

Other Conflicts

• 9 November 2018 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 09 Nov 2018
• Multilateralism more vital than ever, as World War centenary looms: Security Council UN News 09 Nov 2018 -- With the centenary of the end of the First World War just days away, the Security Council reaffirmed the crucial importance of multilateralism – or international cooperation and collective problem-solving – and highlighted the key role played by the United Nations since its creation 73 years ago.
• ICRC warns of Saudi coalition's attack on Hodeida in Yemen IRNA 09 Nov 2018 -- The Geneva-based International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) on Friday warned against Saudi coalition's new attack on Yemen's Hodeida Port.
• Saudi mercenaries launch new offensive to capture Yemen's Hudaydah Press TV 09 Nov 2018 -- Saudi-backed militiamen loyal to Yemen's former president Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi have launched a "vast offensive" to take full control of the country's strategic western city of Hudaydah as the Riyadh regime presses ahead with its atrocious bombardment campaign against its southern neighbor.
• Yemen: Major UN aid boost for 'up to 14 million' as country risks becoming a land of 'living ghosts' UN News 09 Nov 2018 -- Efforts are being made to step up life-saving aid from eight million, to 14 million stricken Yemenis a month, the World Food Programme (WFP) said on Friday, before urging warring parties to spare the key Red Sea port of Hudaydah, which is a lifeline for the whole country.
• Syrian army kills 5 terrorists in Hama Countryside IRNA 09 Nov 2018 -- A unit of the Syrian Arab Army on Friday killed five terrorists belonging to the so-called "Kataeb al-Ezza" organization in a tight ambush at al-Zalaqiyat direction in Hama northern countryside.
• US airstrikes on Syria kill 26 civilians, mostly women, children Press TV 09 Nov 2018 -- The US-led coalition's airstrikes on Dayr al-Zawr, eastern Syria, killed 26 civilians, including 14 children, on Friday morning, the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.
• Syrian army retakes key position in heavy fighting in Hama Press TV 09 Nov 2018 -- In one of the heaviest clashes in northwestern Syria in a year, the army has retaken a key position and killed at least 22 militants in Hama province on Friday, a London-based observatory said Friday.
• Humanitarian aid convoy to Syria's Rukban camp: Mission Accomplished UN News 09 Nov 2018 -- The United Nations and partners concluded a six-day humanitarian aid operation, providing lifesaving aid to around 50,000 mostly women and children living in southeast Syria's Rukban camp ­– the first supplies they had received since January.
• Fleeing violence, Cameroonian refugee arrivals in Nigeria pass 30,000, reports UN refugee agency UN News 09 Nov 2018 -- The number of Cameroonians fleeing violence and seeking refuge in neighbouring Nigeria has crossed the 30,000-mark, the United Nations refugee agency has said, highlighting that the needs on the ground are outpacing assistance efforts.
• Car bombs rock Mogadishu, kill 17 people Press TV 09 Nov 2018 -- Seventeen people have been killed in two car bomb attacks at a hotel near the headquarters of Somalia's Criminal Investigations Department (CID) in the capital Mogadishu.
• Three Explosions Rock Somali Capital; 27 Dead, Including Gunmen VOA 09 Nov 2018 -- Three car bomb explosions and gunfire rocked the Somali capital of Mogadishu on Friday, killing at least 23 people in addition to four gunmen, witnesses and health officials said.

News Reports

• U.S. Protesters, Democrats Demand Protection For Russia Investigation RFE/RL 09 Nov 2018 -- Hundreds of protesters have taken to the streets of major U.S. cities to call for protection of the special counsel charged with investigating ties between Russia and President Donald Trump's 2016 election campaign.
• Democrats warn president against blocking Russia probe Press TV 09 Nov 2018 -- Democrats have warned US President Donald Trump against making efforts to stop the Russia probe after he forced Attorney General Jeff Sessions out.
• Cesar Altieri Sayoc Charged in 30-Count Indictment With Mailing Improvised Explosive Devices in Connection With Domestic Terrorist Attack US Dept. of Justice 09 Nov 2018 -- Cesar Altieri Sayoc, aka Cesar Randazzo, aka Cesar Altieri, and aka Cesar Altieri Randazzo, 56, was charged today in a 30-count Indictment for offenses relating to his alleged execution of a domestic terrorist attack in October 2018, which involved the mailing of 16 improvised explosive devices (IEDs) to 13 victims throughout the country.
• U.S. imposes new sanctions against Russia People's Daily 09 Nov 2018 -- The United States has imposed new sanctions against individuals and entities supporting Russia's role in Ukraine issue, according to a statement issued by the Department of the Treasury on Thursday.
• Austria, Russia summon diplomatic representatives amid espionage allegations Press TV 09 Nov 2018 -- Russia and Austria have summoned each other's diplomatic representatives amid a dispute over allegations of Russian espionage involving a retired Austrian colonel.
• Retired Austrian Officer Suspected Of Spying For Russia RFE/RL 09 Nov 2018 -- Austrian authorities have questioned a recently retired military officer under suspicion of spying for Russia for almost 20 years, Chancellor Sebastian Kurz has said.
• Vienna's 'Russian Spy' Claims are 'Suspicions Without Any Evidence' - Moscow Sputnik 09 Nov 2018 -- On Friday, Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz confirmed that a former colonel in the Austrian armed forces has been suspected of spying for Russia over the course of about two decades.
• Vienna Learned About Colonel Allegedly Spying For Russia From 'Friendly Service' Sputnik 09 Nov 2018 -- Earlier, Austria's Chancellor Sebastian Kurz said that a former Austrian colonel was suspected of having conducted espionage for Moscow. Russia's Foreign Minister Lavrov lambasted Vienna for using "megaphone diplomacy" instead of traditional diplomatic methods, adding that the Austrian Ambassador has been summoned to the Russian Foreign Ministry.
• Austrian Army Colonel Suspected of Spying for Russia VOA 09 Nov 2018 -- A recently retired Austrian army colonel is suspected of having spied for Russia for several decades.
• North Korea-Linked Hackers Accused of Stealing Millions in ATM Cyber Attacks Sputnik 09 Nov 2018 -- A hacking group believed to be linked to North Korea is conducting hacks motivated by money, according to a new report.
• North Korea cancels high-level talks with US: Haley Press TV 09 Nov 2018 -- North Korea has cancelled a scheduled meeting between Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and North Korean officials in New York, US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley says.
• U.S. Blocks Russian Bid To Ease North Korean Sanctions At UN RFE/RL 09 Nov 2018 -- The United States has blocked an attempt by Russia to ease UN sanctions on North Korea in what it claimed was an effort to deliver humanitarian aid to the impoverished nation.
• US Remains Committed to N. Korea Sanctions VOA 09 Nov 2018 -- U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley told reporters North Korea hasn't progressed enough on the denuclearization front to warrant lifting sanctions.
• 'Not Going to Let it Happen': Haley Vows to Stop Russia Lifting DPRK Sanctions Sputnik 09 Nov 2018 -- US Envoy to the United Nations Nikki Haley said Thursday that Moscow wants to lift banking sanctions on North Korea put in place to try to curb Pyongyang's nuclear program, but the United States would not let that happen, Reuters reported.
• Iraq to import electricity from Iran after US sanctions waiver IRNA 09 Nov 2018 -- Per the US sanctions waiver, Iraq will be entitled to import electricity from Iran.
• India welcomes US exemptions on Iran oil purchase despite sanctions Press TV 09 Nov 2018 -- India welcomes the United States' decision to grant exemptions to the country to continue the import of Iranian crude oil despite re-imposition of sanctions on Iran, saying New Delhi is examining the details of the waivers.
• US Presses China on Religious Rights, South China Sea, Taiwan VOA 09 Nov 2018 -- U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo pressed their Chinese counterparts on religious freedom, freedom of navigation in the South China Sea and other issues Friday in a meeting aimed at setting up a summit between their nations' presidents later this month.
• Chinese President to Visit Philippines, Talk Infrastructure VOA 09 Nov 2018 -- A state visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping to the Philippines this month heralds more development aid and progress on joint undersea fuel exploration for a host country that's in the midst of economic change.
• Khashoggi killed for disclosing Saudi funding of anti-Iran TV channel: Guardian Press TV 09 Nov 2018 -- Saudi dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who was killed on October 2 in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, might have lost his life for disclosing Riyadh's funding of an anti-Iran UK-based TV channel, the British daily Guardian suggests.
• Bulgaria Detains Suspected Russian Hacker on US Request Sputnik 09 Nov 2018 -- The Bulgarian authorities have detained a Russian citizen for up to 60 days at the request by Washington over his suspected involvement in cyber-fraud, the man will be later extradited to the United States, the Bulgarian prosecutor's office said in a statement posted on its website on Friday.
• Daesh Reportedly Claims Responsibility For Melbourne Attack Sputnik 09 Nov 2018 -- Earlier in the day, a Somali man stabbed one person to death and wounded two more after torching his car, which was laden with gas cylinders, on Bourke Street in Melbourne.
• One Man Stabbed to Death, at Least Three Wounded in Australia VOA 09 Nov 2018 -- A man stabbed several people, killing one in the Australian city of Melbourne Friday.
• Tsai: Ma's 'new three noes' proposal hurts Taiwan's sovereignty CNA 09 Nov 2018 -- The new "three noes" recently proposed by former President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) has hurt Taiwan's sovereignty and sent the wrong message that China's bullying of Taiwan is effective, President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) said Friday.
• Turkey arrests dozens of on-duty soldiers over affiliation to Gulen movement Press TV 09 Nov 2018 -- Turkish security forces have arrested at least 74 on-duty soldiers on suspicion of affiliation to a movement led by US-based opposition cleric Fethullah Gulen, whom the Ankara government accuses of having masterminded the July 2016 coup attempt against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
• Turkish court sentences Syrian correspondent to over 4 years in prison for insulting Erdogan Press TV 09 Nov 2018 -- A court in Turkey has sentenced a journalist working for Syria's official news agency, SANA, to more than four years in prison for allegedly insulting President Recep Tayyip Erdogan but indeed exposing the Ankara government's support for foreign-sponsored Takfiri terrorists operating inside Syria.
• Turkish-US Rapprochement Accelerates; Key Issues Unresolved VOA 09 Nov 2018 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is set to meet his U.S. counterpart Donald Trump on the sidelines of World War I commemorations in France. The meeting comes as the two NATO allies seek to reset relations after sustained tensions.
• EU Commissioner Urges Ukraine Not To Backpedal On Reforms RFE/RL 09 Nov 2018 -- The EU commissioner in charge of enlargement has urged Ukraine to move forward on reforms, warning against any retreat from such efforts, especially on fighting corruption.
• Western lawmakers call for 'free elections' in Bahrain Press TV 09 Nov 2018 -- The government of Bahrain has come under fire by Western lawmakers against the backdrop of a ban on an opposition party from contesting the upcoming elections in the Arab country.
• U.S., Iran Condemn Bahrain's Imprisonment Of Shi'ite Opposition Leader RFE/RL 09 Nov 2018 -- The United States has voiced concern over Bahrain's sentencing of the head of the country's Shi'ite opposition movement to life in prison, a move which was also condemned by Iran.
• Normalization Talks Between Kosovo, Serbia Hit Snag Over Tariff Dispute RFE/RL 09 Nov 2018 -- An attempt by the leaders of Serbia and Kosovo to move closer to an agreement on long-standing disputes that would further their bids to join the European Union has sputtered after less than an hour of talks.