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News Reports

Current Operations

• UN Agency Reports Sharp Drop In Afghan Opium Production RFE/RL 19 Nov 2018 -- Opium production in Afghanistan dropped by 29 percent last year, the United Nations anti-drug agency reported, a decrease attributed mainly to a severe drought.
• Taliban: No deal reached with US in Qatar on deadline to end Afghan war Press TV 19 Nov 2018 -- The Taliban militant group says it has failed to reach any agreement with the United States after three days of talks in Qatar, citing dissatisfaction with a deadline set by Washington's Afghanistan envoy to end the war.
• 17 years into Afghanistan War, US admits 'Taliban not losing' Press TV 19 Nov 2018 -- The top US military officer has admitted that the Taliban "are not losing" in Afghanistan and much more needs to be done to bring peace to the war-torn country 17 years into the longest war in American history.

Defense Policy / Programs

• F-35A combat power exercise conducted at Hill AFB AFNS 19 Nov 2018 -- The active duty 388th Fighter Wing and Air Force Reserve 419th Fighter Wing conducted a combat power exercise Nov. 19, launching dozens of F-35A Lightning IIs within a condensed period of time.
• 1st Armored Division participates in Warfighter Exercise to enhance operational readiness Army News 19 Nov 2018 -- The 1st Armored Division participated in the Warfighter 19-2 exercise November 4-15, across several training sites here in the sprawling military installation in preparation for future contingency operations.
• Guam National Guard plays role in moving supplies to Saipan Army News 19 Nov 2018 -- Amphibious dock landing ship USS Ashland (LSD 48) worked with 254th Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineers (RED HORSE), from the Guam Air National Guard, to transport vehicles and supplies from the Guam Army National Guard to Saipan by both sea and air Nov. 17.
• U.S., Japanese medical personnel discuss key topics, issues at bilateral conference Army News 19 Nov 2018 -- U.S. Army Medical Activity - Japan hosted its annual bilateral medical conference here Nov. 14, during which U.S. and Japanese medical personnel received updates on a variety of relevant topics and issues.
• U.S. naval vessels in West Pacific to maintain regional peace: MND CNA 19 Nov 2018 -- The United States has sent two aircraft carriers to the West Pacific as part of its Indo Pacific strategy and to maintain regional peace, Taiwan's Minister of National Defense Yen De-fa (嚴德發) said Monday.
• Iwo Jima Concludes Exercise Trident Juncture 2018 NNS 19 Nov 2018 -- The Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) finished its role exercise Trident Juncture 18 with allied NATO forces Nov. 15.
• US Participates in Bahrain International Airshow 18 NNS 19 Nov 2018 -- U.S. Central Command aviation was on display Nov. 14-16 during the Bahrain International Airshow (BIAS) at Sakhir Airbase, Bahrain.
• A First: U.S. Navy Admiral Pilots Brunei Black Hawk Helicopter at CARAT 2018 NNS 19 Nov 2018 -- Rear Adm. Joey Tynch, Commander Task Force 73, along with members from the Royal Brunei Air Force (RBAF), flew a Sikorsky S-70i Black Hawk helicopter during maritime exercise Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) 2018 at Rimba Air Base, Brunei, Nov. 14.
• Norway's Prime Minister Visits USS Iwo Jima NNS 19 Nov 2018 -- Norway's Prime Minister Erna Solberg attended a reception aboard the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) during a recent port visit in Oslo, Norway Nov. 15 after the conclusion of Trident Juncture 18.
• Ashland works with Army, AF, USMC to support CNMI NNS 19 Nov 2018 -- Amphibious dock landing ship USS Ashland (LSD 48) worked with 254th Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineers (RED HORSE), from the Guam Air National Guard, to transport vehicles and supplies from the Guam Army National Guard to Saipan by both sea and air Nov. 17.
• NMCB 1 Honors Fallen Shipmate, Names Tinian Base 'Camp Adams' NNS 19 Nov 2018 -- The Seabees of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 1 honored a fallen shipmate by naming their Super Typhoon Yutu recovery base camp in Tinian after him.
• Navy Accepts Delivery of USNS Burlington NNS 19 Nov 2018 -- The Navy accepted delivery of its tenth Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF 10) from Austal USA, Nov. 15.
• RAF Announces US Spy Planes Moving Due to Shutdown of Mildenhall Air Base Sputnik 19 Nov 2018 -- The US Air Force is proceeding with the shutdown of a key air base in Britain as part of a cost-saving effort and redistributing its forces elsewhere in Europe. The Royal Air Force has now announced that hundreds of servicemen will be moved to a base in Gloucestershire, along with some of the USAF's best spy planes.
• Navy to Expand Communications Reach with Nanosatellite Launch NNS 19 Nov 2018 -- A Navy nanosatellite designed to extend the range of ultra-high frequency (UHF) communications into the polar regions is scheduled for launch Nov. 19 from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.
• NATO Support and Procurement Agency - Precision Guided Munitions DSCA 19 Nov 2018 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the NATO Support and Procurement Agency of precision guided munitions kits for an estimated cost of $320.5 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on November 16, 2018.
• Joint press point with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and the Prime Minister Lithuania, Saulius Skvernelis NATO 19 Nov 2018
• Deputy Secretary General addresses NATO Parliamentary Assembly in Halifax NATO 19 Nov 2018 -- NATO Deputy Secretary General Rose Gottemoeller stressed the importance of Alliance unity in a keynote address to the 64th Annual Session of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly in Halifax, Canada on Monday (19 November 2018). Noting that unity among allies has underpinned Euro-Atlantic security for almost seventy years, she thanked parliamentarians for their support for NATO. She said: "There is nothing stronger than this Alliance when it is united, and when our publics are behind it. In that, your support is essential."
• Hungary Sets Condition For Ukraine's Participation In NATO Meeting RFE/RL 19 Nov 2018 -- Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said on November 19 that Budapest will continue to block meetings of the NATO-Ukraine Commission at a ministerial level, amid a diplomatic spat between the two neighbors.
• Putin Says Russia 'Will Certainly Respond' to US Withdrawal From INF Treaty Sputnik 19 Nov 2018 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed on Monday to discuss Russia's steps in regard to the US plans to withdraw from the Treaty on Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF Treaty).
• Putin Mulls Russia Retaliation If U.S. Quits INF Treaty RFE/RL 19 Nov 2018 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has met with his top military officials to discuss a response to U.S. threats to pull out of a key nuclear arms treaty because of alleged violations by Moscow.
• Russian Veterans Appeal To ICC Over Moscow's Alleged Use Of Mercenaries RFE/RL 19 Nov 2018 -- An umbrella organization of groups representing Russian military veterans has appealed to the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate the alleged mercenary activities of Russian private security firms.
• Russian servicemen arrive in India to take part in Indra-2018 joint military drills Press TV 19 Nov 2018 -- Russian troops of the Eastern Military District have arrived in India to participate in the Indra-2018 joint military drills, which will be held in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, Russia's military says.
• India-Russia Joint Military Exercise Gets Underway in India's Jhansi Sputnik 19 Nov 2018 -- The exercise provides an opportunity to Indian and Russian forces to train in joint counter-terrorism operations in a multinational scenario.
• Finnish Foreign Ministry Expresses Concern to Russian Envoy Over GPS Scandal Sputnik 19 Nov 2018 -- Russian Ambassador to Finland Pavel Kuznetsov was summoned by the Finnish Foreign Ministry earlier this month following an incident of alleged GPS jamming by Russia during the Trident Juncture exercises.
• Spain warns it could reject Brexit deal over Gibraltar Press TV 19 Nov 2018 -- Spanish Foreign Minister Josep Borrell has threatened that his country could torpedo Britain's agreement for withdrawing from the European Union because it still fails to mention that Madrid would have the right to independently discuss the future of Gibraltar with London after Brexit.
• Spain Needs More 'Clarity' on Gibraltar Before Endorsing Brexit Deal – Officials Sputnik 19 Nov 2018 -- 27 European Union member states have examined UK prime minister Theresa May's Brexit draft agreement regarding Britain's withdrawal from the European Union, with Spanish officials stating that it cannot endorse the plan due to a lack of understanding over the contentious position of Gibraltar.
• More Than 500 Safety Scares Recorded at UK's Trident Nuclear Base Since 2006 Sputnik 19 Nov 2018 -- There have long been concerns about the security of the UK's Trident submarine fleet based in Scotland. Accusations that the government has covered up safety scares have long been in circulation. Now, it appears that such concerns were well founded.
• MOD awards £160m contract to prepare RAF Lakenheath for US F-35s UK MOD 19 Nov 2018 -- The MOD has awarded a contract worth £160m to Kier VolkerFitzpatrick to deliver infrastructure to ready RAF Lakenheath for two squadrons of US F-35s.
• Armed Forces Minister reaffirms importance of Gibraltar to UK defence UK MOD 19 Nov 2018 -- Armed Forces Minister Mark Lancaster reaffirmed the strategic importance of Gibraltar for UK defence at the signing ceremony for the Armed Forces (Gibraltar) Act onboard HMS Diamond.
• PLA, US Army conduct military exchange in China People's Daily 19 Nov 2018 -- Senior Chinese and US military officers praised the successful completion of a disaster management exchange (DME) between the two militaries during the weekend in Nanjing, East China's Jiangsu Province, as the two sides agreed on the importance of building understanding and mutual trust through similar exchanges.
• North Korean Weapon Test Demonstrates Pyongyang's Resolve VOA 19 Nov 2018 -- What does a new "tactical" weapon mean for the North Korean denuclearization process? Both the United States and the South Korean government downplayed the weapons test, but Adam Mount, a member of the Federation of American Scientists, disagreed.
• Sea Power: Iran to Maintain Naval Presence on High Seas - Commander Sputnik 19 Nov 2018 -- In recent years, the Iranian Navy has increased its presence in international waters to secure naval routes and protect ships and oil tankers from pirates.
• Japan - AIM-120C-7 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) DSCA 19 Nov 2018 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Japan of thirty-two (32) AIM-120C-7 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) for an estimated cost of $63 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on November 16, 2018.
• Japan - Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) Missiles DSCA 19 Nov 2018 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Japan of eight (8) Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) Block 1B Missiles and thirteen (13) Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) Block 2A Missiles for an estimated cost of $561 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on November 16, 2018.
• Belgium to Purchase US MQ-9 SkyGuardian Predator Drones – General Atomics Sputnik 19 Nov 2018 -- The manufacturer describes the MQ-9B as the latest generation of its multi-mission Predator B fleet. The system features 40-hour endurance, all-weather, short-field, self-deployment, and "detect-and-avoid" capabilities.

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for November 19, 2018

Other Conflicts

• 19 November 2018 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 19 Nov 2018
• Chinese President Calls on Philippines to Enhance Dialogue on S China Sea Issue Sputnik 19 Nov 2018 -- Beijing and Manila should intensify dialogue on settling territorial disputes in the South China Sea, Chinese President Xi Jinping said in an article published in The Philippine Star.
• Fighting Breaks Out in Yemen Port Despite Pledges to Stop VOA 19 Nov 2018 -- Fighting broke out in Yemen's key port of Hodeida on Monday even as efforts toward a cease-fire accelerated.
• Saudi Arabia, Houthi Rebels Pledge Support for UN Peace Efforts VOA 19 Nov 2018 -- Saudi Arabia and the Houthi militia group have expressed support for U.N. calls for a cease-fire in Yemen, even as fighting between them continued on the ground.
• Houthis Cease Missile, Drone Attacks Against Saudi Coalition VOA 19 Nov 2018 -- Houthi rebels in Yemen have agreed to halt drone and missile attacks on Saudi Arabia or its coalition partner the United Arab Emirates, following a U.N. call for a cease-fire in the region.
• Red Cross looking for political solution to end Yemen's conflict IRNA 19 Nov 2018 -- Vice-president of the International Committee of Red Cross Gilles Carbonnier said it seeks to find a political solution to end the conflict in Yemen and needs the help of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
• UN draft resolution calls for Yemen truce, two weeks to unblock aid shipments Press TV 19 Nov 2018 -- A United Nations draft resolution has called for an immediate truce in Hudaydah, Yemen's strategic port and its only conduit to the outside world, setting a two-week deadline for removing all barriers to humanitarian aid for the impoverished state.
• Yemen fighters say halting counterstrikes on aggressors Press TV 19 Nov 2018 -- Yemen's popular Houthi Ansarullah movement, which has been defending the nation against a Saudi Arabian-led war, says it is halting its counterstrikes as a goodwill measure to speed up "peace" process.
• Yemen fighters say halting counterstrikes on aggressors Press TV 19 Nov 2018 -- Yemen's popular Houthi Ansarullah movement, which has been defending the nation against a Saudi Arabian-led war, says it is halting its counterstrikes as a goodwill measure to speed up "peace" process.
• Yemen's Houthis Ready for Broader Ceasefire if 'Saudi-Led Coalition Wants Peace' Sputnik 19 Nov 2018 -- Yemen's Houthi movement announced that it was ready for a broader ceasefire if "the Saudi-led coalition wants peace."
• Syrian army says Daesh cleared from last stronghold in south Press TV 19 Nov 2018 -- The Syrian army says it has removed Daesh Takfiri terrorists from their last stronghold in the country's south, where they had been holding out for months.
• Infighting between pro-Turkey militants kills 25 in Syria Press TV 19 Nov 2018 -- At least 25 militants have been killed in an "unprecedented" infighting between pro-Turkey groups over influence in Syria's northern town of Afrin, a pro-opposition monitoring group says.
• Syrian Forces Rout Daesh From Last Stronghold in Southern Syria Sputnik 19 Nov 2018 -- The Syrian Armed Forces have reported a total victory over Daesh terrorists in as-Suwayda province. This was one of the three remaining Daesh strongholds in Syria.
• Credible, legitimate constitutional committee for post-war Syria 'may not' be possible - UN envoy UN News 19 Nov 2018 -- It "may not" be possible to form an inclusive and legitimate constitutional committee in Syria – a way out of the years long crisis plaguing the country – the United Nations negotiator for the conflict-ridden nation has warned.
• Reports: Turkey-backed Rebels Battle in Afrin VOA 19 Nov 2018 -- Clashes in the Syrian town of Afrin are intensifying as Turkish-backed Syrian rebel factions continue fighting each other over influence in the northwestern town.
• Conflict and inequality shape children's lives in Iraq; UNICEF urges 'right policies' for protection UN News 19 Nov 2018 -- Conflict and inequality remain the defining features of children being raised in Iraq today, according to the first comprehensive survey conducted by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) in seven years.
• The United States and UN Sanction Libyan Militia Leader Salah Badi US Dept. of State 19 Nov 2018-- Today, the United States, in coordination with the UN Security Council's Libya Sanctions Committee, imposed financial sanctions on Libyan militia leader Salah Badi (Badi).
• Treasury Sanctions Militia Leader Responsible for Multiple Attacks on Libyan Capital US Treasury 19 Nov 2018 -- The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), concurrent with the UN Security Council's Libya Sanctions Committee, took action today targeting Salah Badi (Badi), the leader of the Sumud Brigade militia that has sparked violent clashes in the south of Libya's capital, Tripoli.
• UN calls for calm after Myanmar police shoot, wound Rohingya Muslims Press TV 19 Nov 2018 -- The United Nations has called for calm after several members of persecuted Rohingya Muslims were shot and wounded at a camp in the western state of Rakhine.
• If any side fails, every side fails - UN envoy for Middle East Peace Process UN News 19 Nov 2018 -- A senior United Nations official has called on the global community to remain committed to the two-state solution in the Middle East peace process, urging efforts to establish an environment conducive to the return of negotiations to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
• Guilty Verdicts Mark the Start of the End for Cambodia's Genocide Trial VOA 19 Nov 2018 -- Guilty verdicts in the genocide trial of Pol Pot's senior henchmen has brought the curtain down on the main act of a controversial tribunal that has lasted more than a decade, cost more than $300 million and is finally nearing an end.

News Reports

• Rift Widens Between Trump, Former US Intel Bosses VOA 19 Nov 2018 -- The chasm between U.S. President Donald Trump and elders of the intelligence community is widening.
• Russia Targets Kremlin Critic Browder With 'Kafkaesque' Poison Probe RFE/RL 19 Nov 2018 -- Russian authorities have leveled new accusations at British-based financier Bill Browder, saying the vocal Kremlin critic is now suspected of involvement in the death of his associate Sergei Magnitsky in a Moscow jail a decade ago.
• Ukraine Threatens To Suspend Interpol Membership If Russian Elected President RFE/RL 19 Nov 2018 -- Ukrainian Interior Minister Arsen Avakov says his country will consider suspending its membership in Interpol if a Russian official is elected as the international police agency's new chief.
• APEC Leaders Fail to Agree on Leaders' Statement Amid China-US Trade Tensions Sputnik 19 Nov 2018 -- The 2018 APEC summit in Papua New Guinea was unable to produce its traditional joint communique at the end of the summit for the first time in history due to disagreement over the future of multilateral trade.
• Treasury Designates Individual Who Helped North Korea Acquire Oil US Treasury 19 Nov 2018 -- The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) today announced a North Korea-related designation of one individual pursuant to Executive Order 13722, continuing the implementation of existing sanctions. Today's action highlights North Korea's reliance upon illicit use of the financial system to circumvent sanctions.
• Cuba says interested in Iran-EU clearing mechanism Press TV 19 Nov 2018 -- Cuba has expressed interest in a plan by the European Union to create a mechanism to get round US sanctions against Iran, saying it hopes the mechanism would also help it sidestep the trade embargo that Washington has imposed on it for decades now.
• US economic sanctions restrict Iran's access to medical, health services: IRIMC Press TV 19 Nov 2018 -- The Islamic Republic of Iran Medical Council (IRIMC) says illegal economic sanctions imposed by the United States against Tehran have negative impacts on the country's health sector, calling for an immediate and humanitarian solution to the issue.
• Rouhani Vows Continued Oil Exports Despite US Sanctions Sputnik 19 Nov 2018 -- Iran is remaining resolute when it comes to the country continuing to export its oil in the face of US sanctions specifically targeted at the sector, President Hassan Rouhani vowed on Monday.
• China urges US to stop wagging finger at others People's Daily 19 Nov 2018 -- Certain countries should stop finger-wagging at other countries but to match words with deeds, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying said on Sunday when commenting on U.S. Vice President Mike Pence's recent remarks of China.
• Germany bans 18 Saudis from entering Schengen zone over Khashoggi killing Press TV 19 Nov 2018 -- Germany has imposed travel bans on 18 Saudi nationals suspected of having links to the murder of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the kingdom's diplomatic mission in Turkey's Istanbul early last month.
• 18 Saudis Banned From Europe's Schengen Zone VOA 19 Nov 2018 -- Germany's foreign minister said Monday that Berlin will ban 18 Saudi nationals from entering Europe's border-free Schengen zone because of their alleged links to the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
• Berlin Bans 18 Saudis From Schengen Zone, Halts Arms Exports Amid Khashoggi Case Sputnik 19 Nov 2018 -- Saudi Arabia recently announced it had charged 11 citizens of being involved in planning and executing the journalist's murder, with 5 of them facing death penalty. Riyadh denies any of the Royal Family was involved in the crime and urged against politicising the case.
• Trump can't ditch MbS because of personal stakes: report Press TV 19 Nov 2018 -- US President Donald Trump can't let go of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman despite increasing evidence that the prince ordered the murder of a Saudi critic overseas, and that is because the US president has personal stakes in propping up Mohammed, a new report suggests.
• Saudi King's Speech Makes No Mention of Slain Journalist VOA 19 Nov 2018 -- Saudi King Salman broke his long-running public silence since the murder of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi to make his annual policy speech.
• Imran Khan hits back after Trump's 'tirade' against Pakistan Press TV 19 Nov 2018 -- Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has hit back at US President Donald Trump following his remarks that Islamabad doesn't do anything for Washington despite billions of dollars in American aid for the Asian country.
• Pakistan's Khan Fires Back After Trump's 'Tirade' RFE/RL 19 Nov 2018 -- Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan has hit back at Donald Trump's claim that Islamabad does not do "a damn thing" for the Unites States, calling on the U.S. president to name an ally that has sacrificed more in the fight against militancy.
• US Should Assess Afghan Campaign Instead of Blaming Islamabad for Failures - PM Sputnik 19 Nov 2018 -- The United States should assess the efficiency of its military operation in Afghanistan instead of making Pakistan a scapegoat for its failures in the region, Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan said on Monday responding to US President Donald Trump's critical remarks about Islamabad.
• Khan Slams Trump's Denunciation of Pakistan's Anti-Terror Efforts VOA 19 Nov 2018 -- Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan sharply criticized President Donald Trump Monday for questioning Pakistan's anti-terror efforts, saying Washington is making Islamabad "a scapegoat" for U.S. "failures" in Afghanistan.
• Trump Says Pakistan Has Not Done A 'Damn Thing For Us' RFE/RL 19 Nov 2018 -- U.S. President Donald Trump has accused Pakistan of not doing "a damn thing for us" and defended his administration's decision to withhold hundreds of millions of dollars in military aid to Islamabad.
• China launches twin BeiDou navigation satellites People's Daily 19 Nov 2018 -- China sent two new satellites of the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS) into space on a Long March-3B carrier rocket from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Sichuan Province at 2:07 a.m. Monday.
• Portugal Builds Spaceport in the Azores Sputnik 19 Nov 2018 -- One of the islands of the Azores archipelago, Santa Maria, may soon become a base for launching small satellites, unique in Europe (the spaceport will deal with launching only small satellites, unlike the Kourou spaceport in French Guiana). Currently, companies from eight countries are competing for the right to use the port.
• Netanyahu's Coalition Intact After Minister Backs Off Withdrawal Threat VOA 19 Nov 2018 -- Israel's ruling coalition remained intact Monday after a key minister backed off his threat to withdraw his party from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government.
• Netherlands Propose New EU Human Rights Sanctions Regime RFE/RL 19 Nov 2018 -- The Netherlands is proposing a new EU sanctions regime that would target individuals accused of human rights abuses worldwide.