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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• Pentagon Announces Force Optimization DoD 15 Nov 2018 -- The Department of Defense announced today the realignment of Counter-Violent Extremist Organization personnel operating in U.S. Africa Command to support priorities outlined in the National Defense Strategy.
• Mattis Cuts US Troop Numbers in Africa by 10 Percent VOA 15 Nov 2018 -- U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis is cutting hundreds of U.S. troops from Africa so he can use those resources for potential future conflicts with Russia and China.
• 'From One Grave To Another': Afghan Hazara Fleeing Taliban Find Little Solace In Escape RFE/RL 15 Nov 2018 -- The mountain paths leading out of Jaghori, a district in the remote highlands of central Afghanistan, teem with trucks and cars crammed with men, women, and children. Despite freezing conditions, others make the journey by foot, trudging alongside the hastily formed convoys with their meager possessions slung over their shoulders.
• Taliban Kills Over 40 Afghan Forces Near Iran Border VOA 15 Nov 2018 -- Fresh Taliban attacks have killed more than 40 government troops in Afghanistan's western Farah province, which borders Iran.
• Dozens Killed In Taliban Attack On Afghan Security Forces RFE/RL 15 Nov 2018 -- Taliban insurgents attacked a joint police and army outpost in Afghanistan's western Farah Province, killing at least 38 officers and soldiers, as the onslaught against the country's security forces mounts, officials say.
• Taliban kills 30 more Afghan troops IRNA 15 Nov 2018 -- Afghan officials announced on Thursday 30 security forces were killed in the widespread Taliban attacks in west of the country near the Iranian border.
• Taliban attack kills 30 policemen in western Afghanistan Press TV 15 Nov 2018 -- At least 30 Afghan security forces have been killed in an overnight attack by the Taliban militants against an outpost in Afghanistan's western province of Farah bordering Iran, Afghan officials say.
• Rapid Equipping Force in Afghanistan enables Soldiers' ideas into battlefield solutions Army News 15 Nov 2018 -- At Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, there is a place that wants to know about your tactical problems.

Defense Policy / Programs

• US at risk of losing war with Russia or China: Experts Press TV 15 Nov 2018 -- A US Congress-mandated panel of bipartisan experts has warned that the United States runs the risk of losing a military confrontation with China or Russia.
• Report warns of eroding U.S. military supremacy CNA 15 Nov 2018 -- The United States may not be able to deter adversaries in large-scale conflicts with rivals like China and Russia, as its military superiority has "eroded to a dangerous degree," a report suggests.
• Department of Defense Announces Fiscal Year 2018 Recruiting and Retention Numbers -- End of Year Report DoD 15 Nov 2018 -- The Department of Defense today announced recruiting and retention statistics for the Active and Reserve Components for fiscal year 2018.
• Modernization, people needed to drive Army's cyber capabilities Army News 15 Nov 2018 -- With an increase in digital connectivity and a rapid development of technologies, such as advanced computing, big data analytics, and artificial intelligence, the character of war has changed, making cyberspace a critical battlefield of the 21st century and beyond, the U.S. Military Academy superintendent said Wednesday.
• Press Gaggle By Deputy Secretary Shanahan DoD 15 Nov 2018 -- Deputy Secretary Of Defense Patrick M. Shanahan
• East Coast CRUDES units Conduct Live Fire Exercise NNS 15 Nov 2018 -- Warships from the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) Carrier Strike Group (CSG), along with other Norfolk-based cruiser-destroyer (CRUDES) units, participated Nov. 5 in a Live Fire With A Purpose (LFWAP) missile exercise (MSLEX) off the East Coast of the U.S. demonstrating enhanced lethality, capability and readiness.
• Undersea Rescue Command Completes Exercise NNS 15 Nov 2018 -- Undersea Rescue Command (URC) and the Virginia-class fast-attack submarine USS Texas (SSN 775) completed a submarine rescue exercise Oct. 27-31, at the Navy's Southeast Alaska Acoustic Measurement Facility (SEAFAC) off the coast of Ketchikan, Alaska.
• US, Aussie partnership thriving at Luke AFB AFNS 15 Nov 2018 -- Since the arrival of Australia's first F-35A at Luke Air Force Base in December 2014, Australian pilots and maintainers have trained side by side with members from the U.S. Air Force and Lockheed Martin in preparation for the day when Australian F-35s would travel home to Australia.
• QF-16 delivered to hurricane-ravaged Tyndall AFB AFNS 15 Nov 2018 -- The recent delivery of a QF-16 from Boeing to the 82nd Aerial Target Squadron marks an important milestone on the road to recovery for Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida.
• STRATCOM: US Must Not Trail China, Russia in Aspects of Hypersonic Technology Sputnik 15 Nov 2018 -- The United States must not trail China or Russia in any aspect of hypersonic weapons technology, Strategic Command (STRATCOM) Commander Gen. John Hyten said during remarks at Harvard University.
• EU Urges US to Assess Impact of Pullout From INF Treaty on European Security Sputnik 15 Nov 2018 -- The EU has urged Washington to assess the implications of a possible US withdrawal from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF), a spokeswoman for the Austrian EU presidency said on Wednesday.
• Finland Discusses With Russia GPS Glitches at NATO Drills - Foreign Ministry Sputnik 15 Nov 2018 -- Helsinki is discussing with Moscow through diplomatic channels the investigation of GPS glitches during recent NATO exercises, the Finnish Foreign Ministry said on Thursday.
• NATO Calls GPS Jamming 'Dangerous, Disruptive', Joins Norway in Accusing Russia Sputnik 15 Nov 2018 -- NATO has decided to throw its weight behind Helsinki's and Oslo's claims of GPS disruption during the recent alliance drill in Norway. Meanwhile, unsubstantiated allegations of Russian involvement are gaining momentum in the Nordic countries.
• US discusses plan to create 'Arab NATO' with Qatar Press TV 15 Nov 2018 -- US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo meets with Qatari Defense Minister Khalid al-Attiyah in Washington over a US plan to create a NATO-like Arab military alliance as Washington pushes for an end to a diplomatic rift between Doha an a Saudi-led quartet in favor of an alliance against Iran.
• State Arms Exporter Explains What Makes Russian S-400 So Unique Sputnik 15 Nov 2018 -- Russia's S-400 Triumph mobile air defense system is unmatched by rival weapons in both attack range and deployment time, Rosoboronexport, the state arms seller, said on Thursday.
• At Least 13 States Mull Buying Russia's S-400 Despite US Sanctions - Reports Sputnik 15 Nov 2018 -- At least 13 countries have expressed their interest in purchasing the Russian S-400 Triumph surface-to-air missile systems instead of US equipment despite the likelihood of provoking Washington's sanctions, media reported citing people with first-hand knowledge of a US intelligence assessment.
• Draft Design of Il-276 Military Transport Plane to Be Ready in 2019 Sputnik 15 Nov 2018 -- The draft design of the Il-276 prospective medium-lift military transport plane is expected to be completed in 2019, aircraft manufacturer Ilyushin Aviation Complex told Sputnik.
• UK to double F-35 fleet with 17-jet order, Defence Secretary announces UK MOD 15 Nov 2018 -- The multi-million-pound contract signed will see the UK own 35 stealth jets by end of 2022 with Britain manufacturing 15% of the overall global order for 255 aircraft.
• UK to Double F-35 Fleet 'Building Game-Changing Capability' - Defence Secretary Sputnik 15 Nov 2018 -- The UK will double its fleet of F-35 fighters by placing a massive order to obtain 17 more jets to conduct its defense initiatives, Defense Secretary Gavin Williamson said.
• UK, EU Agree on British Military Bases in Cyprus, Gibraltar Sputnik 15 Nov 2018 -- Earlier this week, EU chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier revealed the contents of the draft Brexit deal agreed upon by the United Kingdom and the European Union. The document includes three protocols related to Cyprus, Gibraltar and the Irish border.
• European Commission Backs European Army Idea Sputnik 15 Nov 2018 -- The European Commission recalled that the idea of creating an EU army was put forward by President Jean-Claude Juncker four years ago, and welcomed the fact that it had recently been actively supported by France and Germany.
• New Infantry Division on Poland's Border to Cost Warsaw Over $7Bln - Reports Sputnik 15 Nov 2018 -- More than $7 billion will be spent by the Polish government on the creation of a new mechanized infantry division near the country's eastern border, the Defence24 portal reported on Thursday.
• Prepared Remarks for Vice President Pence at the East Asia Summit Plenary Session The White House 15 Nov 2018
• Remarks by Vice President Pence at the 6th U.S.-ASEAN Summit The White House 15 Nov 2018
• Department Press Briefing - November 15, 2018 US Dept. of State 15 Nov 2018

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for November 15, 2018

Other Conflicts

• 15 November 2018 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 15 Nov 2018
• 'That's Reality': Duterte Tells US South China Sea is Now in 'Beijing's Hands' Sputnik 15 Nov 2018 -- Beijing currently controls the vast majority of islands, reefs and shoals in the South China Sea, which are also claimed by a number of other nations in the region, including Taiwan, the Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei.
• 'Let the children live': UN prepares to ramp up food aid to Yemen as famine risk grows UN News 15 Nov 2018 -- As the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) prepares to ramp up aid to Yemen, in the face of the world's worst humanitarian crisis, David Beasley, Executive-Director of the agency, issued a heartfelt plea for all warring parties to end "this horrible war."
• Bitter crushing defeat forces Saudis to stop merciless air raids on Hudaydah IRNA 15 Nov 2018 -- Riyadh has been forced to stop operations against Hudaydah of Yemen once again following its consecutive failures and growing fatality of Saudi troops and their mercenaries.
• 23 Syrian civilians killed in US-led coalition airstrikes IRNA 15 Nov 2018 -- The US-led International coalition warplanes on Thursday renewed airstrikes targeting citizens' houses in the eastern countryside of Deir Ezzor.
• Terrorists' infiltration attempts in Hama countryside foiled IRNA 15 Nov 2018 -- Syrian army units in Hama have foiled two infiltration attempts by terrorist groups towards military posts and safe towns in the western countryside near the administrative borders of Idleb southern countryside on the outskirts of the demilitarize zone.
• US-led coalition strikes villages in Syria's Dayr al-Zawr, leave some two dozen dead Press TV 15 Nov 2018 -- Nearly two dozen civilians, mostly women and children, have lost their lives when the US-led coalition purportedly fighting the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group bombarded residential areas in Syria's embattled eastern province of Dayr al-Zawr.
• US-led Coalition Denies Use of Cluster Bombs in Syria Amid Reported Casualties Sputnik 15 Nov 2018 -- The reports that the US-led coalition against the Daesh* used cluster bombs in its airstrikes on Hajin city and Shaafa village in Syria's Deir ez-Zor province are untrue, coalition spokesman Sean Ryan told Sputnik on Thursday.
• Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh protest repatriation to Myanmar Press TV 15 Nov 2018 -- Hundreds of Rohingya Muslim refugees at camps in southeast Bangladesh have protested against sending them back to Myanmar, where they fled a military crackdown.
• Rights groups warn against repatriation of Rohingya Muslims Press TV 15 Nov 2018 -- Human Rights Watch (HRW) and Amnesty International have called on Bangladesh and Myanmar to drop plans for the repatriation of Rohingya Muslims.
• Rohingya Refugees Refuse Repatriation from Bangladesh VOA 15 Nov 2018 -- None of the first Rohingya Muslims on a list to return Myanmar showed up at their departure points in Bangladesh Thursday, the first day they were scheduled to be sent back under a repatriation agreement between the two nations.
• Separatist Leader In Eastern Ukraine Vows Closer Russia Integration After 'Sham' Polls RFE/RL 15 Nov 2018 -- The newly elected leader of an area controlled by Moscow-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine has promised closer integration with Russia following polls denounced as a sham by Kyiv and the West.
• EU To Sanction Five People Over Ukraine Separatist Vote RFE/RL 15 Nov 2018 -- The European Union is set to add five individuals involved in the organization of the weekend elections in the areas controlled by Russia-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine to its sanctions list, according to sources in Brussels.
• Ukraine: Temperatures plunge amid rising humanitarian needs UN News 15 Nov 2018 -- Amidst an ongoing active conflict that seems to have fallen off the international community's radar, temperatures in eastern Ukraine dropping well below zero and leaving millions are in need of urgent humanitarian assistance, said the United Nations, calling for support.
• 7 UN Soldiers Killed in DRC VOA 15 Nov 2018 -- Seven U.N. military personnel were killed during joint operations with the Congolese military in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Six of the dead were Malawian, and one Tanzanian.
• Fighting Kills 7 UN Peacekeepers in Congo Region Infected by Ebola – Spokesman Sputnik 15 Nov 2018 -- Seven United Nations peacekeepers were killed during an operation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on Wednesday along with an unknown number of Congolese military forces in North Kivu province, where health workers are battling an Ebola epidemic, the UN spokesman told reporters on Thursday.
• Sahel States need international support 'now more than ever' - UN peacekeeping chief UN News 15 Nov 2018 -- Africa's crisis-torn Sahel region needs support from the international community "now more than ever," the head of United Nations peacekeeping operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, told the Security Council on Thursday.

News Reports

• Trump Unleashes New Attacks on Russia Probe VOA 15 Nov 2018 -- U.S. President Donald Trump unleashed new attacks Thursday on the investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 election, even as there are hints special counsel Robert Mueller's probe could be nearing a conclusion.
• U.S. Senate Leader Blocks Bipartisan Bill To Protect Russia Probe RFE/RL 15 Nov 2018 -- The Republican leader of the U.S. Senate has blocked a bipartisan effort to pass legislation to protect the special counsel investigating ties between Russia and President Donald Trump's election campaign.
• Macron: Being US ally does not mean being vassal state IRNA 15 Nov 2018 -- French President Emmanuel Macron deepened his stand against US foreign policy in Europe Wednesday, saying that being America's ally 'does not mean being a vassal state.'
• Briefing by Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova, Moscow, November 15, 2018 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 15 Nov 2018
• European Court Rules Navalny's Arrests 'Unlawful,' 'Politically Motivated' RFE/RL 15 Nov 2018 -- The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has ruled that Russia violated opposition politician Aleksei Navalny's rights over numerous arrests and jailings, calling them "unlawful and arbitrary" and "politically motivated."
• Pence on North Korea: 'Now We Need to See Results' VOA 15 Nov 2018 -- The proposed second summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un must result in a detailed list of North Korean nuclear weapons sites, U.S. Vice President Mike Pence said Thursday.
• U.S. Claims Iran Is Spending $1 Billion A Year Backing Hizballah, Other Allies RFE/RL 15 Nov 2018 -- The United States is claiming that Iran spends nearly $1 billion a year providing support to Hizballah, Hamas, and other allied militant groups in the Middle East.
• Pakistan Rescues Kidnapped Iranian Border Guards VOA 15 Nov 2018 -- Pakistan confirmed Thursday that its security forces have rescued five abducted Iranian border guards, saying efforts to recover other captives are ongoing.
• IRGC chief: Five of abducted Iranian forces freed in Pakistan Press TV 15 Nov 2018 -- Major General Mohammad Ali Jafari, the chief commander of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), says five of the 12 Iranian forces, who were kidnapped last month by Pakistan-based terrorists, have been freed.
• Tehran: Iran in talks with Europe to lay off US sanctions IRNA 15 Nov 2018 -- Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Abbass Araqchi says Iran is busy in talks with Europeans to counter the US sanctions.
• Chinese premier urges upgrading China-ASEAN strategic partnership People's Daily 15 Nov 2018 -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Wednesday called for efforts to upgrade the strategic partnership between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), as the two sides adopted a key document to chart the course for their ties till 2030.
• China Brushes Aside Western Concerns Over Muslim Rights RFE/RL 15 Nov 2018 -- China says Western diplomats exceeded their diplomatic roles by issuing a letter expressing concern about mass detentions in the northwestern province of Xinjiang.
• US imposes sanctions on 17 Saudis over Khashoggi killing Press TV 15 Nov 2018 -- The United States has imposed economic sanctions on 17 Saudis involved in the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, including top aides of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
• S Arabia urges hanging 5 accused of killing journo IRNA 15 Nov 2018 -- A request has been made for issuing death penalty for five out of eleven people accused of being involved in slaying dissident journalist, the Saudi deputy public prosecutor told reporters on Thursday.
• Saudi squad involved in Khashoggi murder must be tried in Turkey: FM Press TV 15 Nov 2018 -- Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu says the 15-man Saudi team involved in the murder of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi should be tried in Turkey.
• Public Prosecution: Investigation Results Briefing SPA 15 Nov 2018 -- The Public Prosecution said in a press briefing that through the investigation carried out up to date with the 21 suspects in the case of the murder of Saudi citizen Jamal Khashoggi, the investigation has resulted in the following findings:
• Media Minister on Public Prosecution's Statement on Khashoggi SPA 15 Nov 2018 -- Dr. Awwad bin Saleh Al-Awwad, Minister of Media, affirmed today that the statement issued by the Public Prosecution regarding the case of the murder of Saudi citizen Jamal Khashoggi does show the leadership's keenness on achieving justice, clarifying the truth and punishing whoever the culprit.
• Al-Jubeir Confirms Saudi Arabia's Rejection of Attempts to Politicize the Case of Jamal Khashoggi's Murder SPA 15 Nov 2018 -- Minister of Foreign Affairs Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir affirmed that the case of Jamal Khashoggi's murder has become a legal case and is being dealt with by justice authorities of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, stressing the Kingdom's rejection of any attempt to politicize this case or intervene in its internal affairs.
• US Sanctions 17 Saudis Including Crown Prince Top Aide Over Khashoggi Killing Sputnik 15 Nov 2018 -- Earlier Thursday, Saudi Attorney General Saud al-Mojeb demanded the death penalty for five out of 11 defendants who are accused in the case of the murder of the Saudi dissident journalist in a Saudi diplomatic compound in Istanbul.
• Prosecution Seeks Death Sentence for Saudis Who Killed, Dismembered Khashoggi Sputnik 15 Nov 2018 -- Saudi reporter Jama Khashoggi went missing after he entered the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul on October 2. Riyadh has arrested 21 Saudis as part of an investigation into the murder and is seeking the death penalty for five suspects.
• Global Magnitsky Sanctions on Individuals Involved in the Killing of Jamal Khashoggi US Dept. of State 15 Nov 2018 -- Today, the United States imposed sanctions on seventeen Saudi Arabian individuals for serious human rights abuse resulting from their roles in the killing of Jamal Khashoggi at the Consulate of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Istanbul, Turkey, on October 2.
• Treasury Sanctions 17 Individuals for Their Roles in the Killing of Jamal Khashoggi US Treasury 15 Nov 2018 -- oday, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated Saud al-Qahtani, his subordinate Maher Mutreb, Saudi Consul General Mohammed Alotaibi, and 14 other members of an operations team for having a role in the killing of Jamal Khashoggi. These individuals are designated pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13818, which builds upon and implements the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act, to target perpetrators of serious human rights abuse and corruption.
• Saudi Prosecutor Requests Death Sentence for Khashoggi Killing VOA 15 Nov 2018 -- Saudi Arabia's public prosecutor has requested the death penalty for five suspects in the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
• US Announces Sanctions Against 17 Saudis in Khashoggi Murder Case VOA 15 Nov 2018 -- The U.S. has announced sanctions against 17 Saudis for their alleged role in the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi at Riyadh's consulate in Istanbul.
• China using fake news to undermine Taiwan's democracy: U.S. report CNA 15 Nov 2018 -- China is carrying out extensive "United Front" work to undermine Taiwan's democracy by spreading fake news through social media and other online tools, a United States report said Thursday.
• 'Falling Apart': Turmoil as UK Ministers Quit Gov't Protesting May's Brexit Deal Sputnik 15 Nov 2018 -- A number of UK ministers has left the government amid disagreements over the controversial draft Brexit deal with Prime Minister Theresa May after she managed to secure the cabinet's support of the agreement.
• British PM May: Rejection of Brexit Deal Would Create Grave Uncertainty VOA 15 Nov 2018 -- British Prime Minister Theresa May is promising to fight for approval of the draft agreement for Britain to withdraw from the European Union, saying a rejection would put Britain on "a path of deep and grave uncertainty."
• Contentious Brexit Divorce Agreement Triggers Ministerial Resignations VOA 15 Nov 2018 -- "There will be difficult days ahead," Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May said on the steps of Downing Street when announcing she had secured the backing of her Cabinet for a contentious Brexit divorce agreement after an impassioned and at times angry five-hour meeting.
• Bahrain court hands down lengthy jail sentences to six more activists Press TV 15 Nov 2018 -- A court in Bahrain has sentenced six more activists to up to 10 years in prison over their alleged role in exploding a gas cylinder last year.
• UNSC unanimously votes to lift Eritrea sanctions Press TV 15 Nov 2018 -- The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has unanimously adopted a British-drafted resolution on lifting sanctions against Eritrea, following a rapprochement with neighboring Ethiopia and the thawing of relations with Djibouti.
• EU Cuts Moldova Funding Amid Rule-Of-Law Concerns RFE/RL 15 Nov 2018 -- The European Commission on November 15 said it was cutting its financial assistance to Moldova by 20 million euros ($22.7 million) per year for both 2017 and 2018 amid concerns about the rule of law and the democratic backsliding of the country.
• Eleven Political Parties Register For Armenia's Parliamentary Elections RFE/RL 15 Nov 2018 -- Eleven political parties and alliances have submitted documents to vie for seats in the Armenian parliament in the snap elections scheduled for December 9.
• Fighting Breaks Out in Sri Lanka's Parliament as Political Crisis Deepens VOA 15 Nov 2018 -- A day after ousting the prime minister in a no-confidence vote, Sri Lanka's parliament descended into violence when rival lawmakers exchanged blows.