• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• Czech President: We Are Doomed to Stay in Afghanistan Sputnik 20 Nov 2018 -- The Czech Republic, one of the countries contributing to the NATO mission in Afghanistan, has lost a number of military personnel serving there in recent months.
• Pentagon Inspector General: Progress in Afghanistan Remains 'Elusive' Sputnik 20 Nov 2018 -- The US Defense Department's inspector general assessed the prospects of achieving peace in Afghanistan to be "elusive" in a new quarterly report, echoing findings that have been repeated by US military officials for years that the battle against Taliban forces remains at a stalemate.
• Suicide Blast At Kabul Religious Gathering Kills At Least 43 RFE/RL 20 Nov 2018 -- A suicide bombing at a large gathering of Afghan clerics in Kabul has killed at least 43 people and wounded 83 others, officials say.
• Terror blast kills over 50 people, wounds dozens in Afghan capital Press TV 20 Nov 2018 -- More than 50 people have been killed and over 80 wounded after a huge explosion ripped through a building in Afghanistan's capital in which a large crowd of people, including religious scholars, were marking the birthday anniversary of Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him).
• 83 Taliban, Daesh terrorists killed in Afghanistan IRNA 20 Nov 2018 -- Afghan Defense Ministry in a statement announced on Tuesday that 83 members of Taliban and Daesh (ISIS) terrorist groups have been killed over the past 24 hours.
• Dozens Killed in Kabul Suicide Blast VOA 20 Nov 2018 -- Afghan officials say at least 50 people were killed and 83 others were wounded in a suicide bomb blast at a gathering of religious scholars in the capital, Kabul.
• US: Airstrikes Kill 37 Al-Shabab Militants in Somalia VOA 20 Nov 2018 -- The U.S. military says it conducted two airstrikes in central Somalia Monday, killing a total of 37 al-Shabab militants.

Defense Policy / Programs

• JB Charleston executes full-spectrum readiness exercise AFNS 20 Nov 2018 -- Approximately 600 Airmen from the 628th Air Base Wing, 437th Airlift Wing and 315th Airlift Wing teamed up for a total force rapid mobility exercise Nov. 13-17, 2018.
• Tenn. National Guard joins in historic Anakonda-18 exercise Army News 20 Nov 2018 -- On Nov. 9, NATO's joint training exercise Anakonda-18 (AN-18) kicked off with an opening ceremony, making it the seventh iteration of this key training event. The 10-day exercise involved over 17,500 Soldiers, including National Guard members, 10 countries, and spanned from Poland to Lithuania to the Baltic Sea.
• USS John S. McCain Opens Maverick Cafe NNS 20 Nov 2018 -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) re-opened her mess decks Nov. 19.
• US Air Force Conducts Rapid F-35A Drills in Utah Sputnik 20 Nov 2018 -- The US Air Force's 388th Fighter Wing and Air Force Reserve 419th Fighter Wing, both stationed at the Hill Air Force Base in northern Utah, staged a combat power exercise this week that involved dozens of F-35A multirole fighter jets.
• 'Catastrophic Damage' to US Naval Shipyard For Nuclear Subs Predicted Sputnik 20 Nov 2018 -- The US Navy needs to begin protecting its most vulnerable facilities immediately, and has only 10 to 20 years to begin work on the rest.
• EU's Mogherini voices concern over fate of US-Russia nuclear treaty Press TV 20 Nov 2018 -- The European Union's Foreign Policy Chief Federica Mogherini Federica Mogherini has expressed serious concern over the consequences of a decision by the administration of US President Donald Trump to quit a landmark bilateral nuclear arms control treaty with Russia.
• EU Hoping INF Treaty May Still Be Salvaged - Mogherini Sputnik 20 Nov 2018 -- The European Union is still hoping that the Treaty on Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF Treaty) can be saved, despite US plan to withdraw, EU Representative for Foreign Affairs Federica Mogherini has stated, ahead of talks with EU states' defence ministers.
• Doorstep statement by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg prior to the European Union Foreign Affairs Council meeting NATO 20 Nov 2018
• UK warns Russia about military operations at Azov Sea Press TV 20 Nov 2018 -- The UK has warned Russia against using its growing military presence in the Sea of Azov to "destabilize" regional economy, amid allegations that Ukrainian ships are being denied access to the waters.
• Putin urges Russian military to take 'concrete steps' against US withdrawal from INF Treaty Press TV 20 Nov 2018 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Monday Moscow does not need to join another arms race, but it would not leave Washington's decision to unilaterally withdraw from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty unanswered.
• Britain slams Germany, France for proposing EU army Press TV 20 Nov 2018 -- UK Defense Secretary Gavin Williamson has lashed out at leaders of France and Germany for their proposal for creating a European army that could rival the NATO military alliance.
• EU is Not and Will Not Become Military Alliance - Mogherini on European Army Sputnik 20 Nov 2018 -- French President Emmanuel Macron has sparked a continental debate after calling for the creation of a pan-European army to defend the EU against Russia, China and even the United States in light of recent cyber attacks and, as he put it, attempts to meddle into France's domestic affairs.
• RCAF Commander's Statement on the November 20 Auditor General's report Canada DND 20 Nov 2018-- On November 20, 2018, the Office of the Auditor General (OAG) released a report on Canada's Fighter Force. It highlighted key points regarding the recruitment and retention of Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) Fighter Force technicians and pilots, as well as the need for an in-depth analysis of upgrades required for the CF-18 Hornet fleet to remain operationally relevant until 2032.
• Minister of National Defence's statement in response to the Auditor General of Canada's report on Canada's fighter force Canada DND 20 Nov 2018 -- Following the tabling of the Auditor General of Canada's report on Canada's fighter force, the Minister of National Defence, Harjit S. Sajjan, issued the following statement:
• Canada Air Force Needs Upgrade to Meet NATO, NORAD Commitments - Minister Sputnik 20 Nov 2018 -- A just-completed audit of Canada's military shows a need to modernize the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) to meet the nation's obligations to both, NATO and the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), Defense Minister Harjit Sajjan said in a press release on Tuesday.
• Pentagon, US Congress Seek Alternatives to Russia's S-400 for Turkey - Spokesman Sputnik 20 Nov 2018 -- Russia's S-300 air defense systems in Syria have no impact on the United States' operations in the country, US Department of Defense spokesman Eric Pahon told Sputnik.
• India to Build Two Admiral Grigorovich Class Frigates Under ToT from Russia Sputnik 20 Nov 2018 -- The 3,620-ton Admiral Grigorovich-class is an upgraded variant of the six Talwar-class frigates that Russia built for the Indian Navy between 2003 and 2013. These frigates will be equipped with the sea-launch version of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile system instead of 3M-54E Klub-N anti-ship missiles.
• Russia's Igla Wins $1.5Bln Tender for Air Defence Systems in India - Source Sputnik 20 Nov 2018 -- Russia and its man-portable air defence system Igla won a tender in India to deliver $1.5 billion worth of short-range air defence systems, a source in the cooperation industry told Sputnik on Tuesday.
• Six Killed, 10 Injured in a Blast at Indian Ordnance Factory Sputnik 20 Nov 2018 -- India's apex audit body, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), warned the government on several occasions of safety lapses at ordnance factories across the country.
• Iranian destroyer to be dispatched to high seas IRNA 20 Nov 2018 -- Sahand destroyer will be dispatched to missions at the Sea of Oman and the high seas as it is going to be unveiled soon, Deputy Coordinator of the Iranian Army Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari said.
• Iran unveils armored combat vehicle IRNA 20 Nov 2018 -- Domestically designed and made armored fighting vehicle (AFV) was unveiled in the presence of Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Amir Hatami on Tuesday.
• Iran unveils its new anti-mine, anti-ambush AFV "Toofan" ISNA 20 Nov 2018 -- An anti-mine and anti-ambush armored fighting vehicle known as "Toofan" (storm) made by Iran's Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics and its production line were unveiled and delivered to Ground Forces of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
• Iran unveils Mine Resistant Ambush Protected military vehicle Press TV 20 Nov 2018 -- Iran has unveiled a Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) military vehicle designed and manufactured by Iranian defense experts.
• Saudis Ready to Find Alternative Arms Suppliers Amid Khashoggi Scandal Sputnik 20 Nov 2018 -- Earlier, Germany froze weapons shipments to the kingdom over reports that the CIA allegedly believes that the royal family was behind Saudi journalist Khashoggi's murder. Riyadh strongly denies involvement and has called the killing a "rogue operation." Authorities have already arrested 21 Saudi citizens suspected of involvement in the murder.
• Vietnam Offers India Chance to Get Tougher Against Maritime Rival China VOA 20 Nov 2018 -- Advances in relations between Vietnam and India will help both countries resist Chinese expansion in Asia including the contested South China Sea, Asia scholars say.
• Experts Reveal Possible Wreckage Scenario of San Juan Submarine - Reports Sputnik 20 Nov 2018 -- The submarine was located in mid-November, at a depth of 907 meters (0.56 miles). It was found deformed and with signs of an explosion.
• Remarks to the Press US Dept. of State 20 Nov 2018 -- Remarks by Michael R. Pompeo, Secretary of State
• Remarks by President Trump Before Marine One Departure The White House 20 Nov 2018

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for November 20, 2018

Other Conflicts

• 20 November 2018 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 20 Nov 2018
• Refugee and migrant children losing over 1.8 million school days, every day - UN report UN News 20 Nov 2018 -- Migrant and refugee children to face incredible hardships attending schools and accessing education, a new United Nations report released on Tuesday has revealed, highlighting also structural weaknesses in national systems that can sometimes exclude children on the move.
• UN Envoy Prepares for Peace Talks in Yemen Amid Renewed Fighting VOA 20 Nov 2018 -- U.N. envoy Martin Griffiths visits war-torn Yemen Wednesday to prepare for peace talks after fresh fighting erupted in the key port of Hodeida.
• UN chief advocates for a strengthening of peacekeeping in Africa UN News 20 Nov 2018 -- Citing the "encouraging progress" achieved by United Nations peacekeeping operations in Africa – which hosts half of all ongoing missions – UN chief António Guterres on Tuesday called the international community to strengthen cooperation and commitment to peacekeeping, during an open debate held at the Security Council.
• Yemen Gov't Concerned Houthis Will Not Adhere to Proposed Ceasefire - Adviser Sputnik 20 Nov 2018 -- Yemeni Government Prioritizes Implementation of Existing UN Resolutions Over New Ones
• Riyadh, allied militants resume Hudaydah attacks despite UN ceasefire efforts Press TV 20 Nov 2018 -- The Saudi-led coalition and allied militants have resumed attacks on Yemen's strategic port city of Hudaydah amid United Nations efforts to bring an end to Riyadh's devastating war on the country.
• Syrian army repels terrorists infiltration attempts in Hama IRNA 20 Nov 2018 -- Terrorist groups continued to violate the demilitarized zone agreement in Idleb countryside and Hama northern countryside by infiltrating towards strategic points to attack military posts positioned in the area to protect civilians in the safe villages.
• Syrian Military Destroys Militants' Ammunition at Test Range Near Damascus Sputnik 20 Nov 2018 -- Syrian military destroyed ammunition discovered near Damascus after the liberation of the territory from militants, head of the 166th sapper unit Ali Suleyman has stated.
• Moscow, Ankara must take swift decisions on Syria's Idlib: Russian defense chief says Press TV 20 Nov 2018 -- Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu says Moscow and Ankara need to take swift decisions to support a demilitarized zone in Syria's northwestern province of Idlib, which has so far held off a government offensive on the last major terrorist stronghold in the country.
• U.S. Targets Iranian-Russian Network With Sanctions Over Oil Shipments To Syria RFE/RL 20 Nov 2018 -- The U.S. Treasury Department has targeted six individuals and three entities that it says are part of an Iranian-Russian network providing millions of barrels of oil to the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and funding the militant groups Hamas and Hizballah.
• Treasury Designates Illicit Russia-Iran Oil Network Supporting the Assad Regime, Hizballah, and HAMAS US Treasury 20 Nov 2018 -- Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is designating nine targets in an international network through which the Iranian regime, working with Russian companies, provides millions of barrels of oil to the Syrian government. The Assad regime, in turn, facilitates the movement of hundreds of millions of U.S. dollars (USD) to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force (IRGC-QF) for onward transfer to HAMAS and Hizballah.
• Syrian army repels terrorists infiltration attempts in Hama IRNA 20 Nov 2018 -- Terrorist groups continued to violate the demilitarized zone agreement in Idleb countryside and Hama northern countryside by infiltrating towards strategic points to attack military posts positioned in the area to protect civilians in the safe villages.
• Syrian southern region declared completely free of terrorism IRNA 20 Nov 2018 -- The General Command of the Syrian Army and Armed Forces announced the entire southern region is now free of terrorism following elimination of the last gatherings of ISIS terrorists in Tuloul al-Safa area deep inside Sweida eastern Badiya (Desert).
• Syrian Envoy to UN Urges to Set Up Country's Constitutional Committee Sputnik 20 Nov 2018 -- UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura voiced late on Monday his hope that the Syrian Constitutional Committee, set to draft reforms to the country's constitution, could convene in December.
• US Continues De-escalation Effort Between Turkey, Kurds in Syria - Pentagon Sputnik 20 Nov 2018 -- The United States continues to try to de-escalate the situation between the Kurds and Turkey in Syria, US Department of Defense spokesperson Sean Robertson told Sputnik.
• Pentagon Supports Enhanced Dialogue Between US, Russian Troops in Syria Sputnik 20 Nov 2018 -- US Department of Defense spokesman Eric Pahon told Sputnik on Monday that the existing deconfliction channel between the Russian and US militaries in Syria has worked well.
• Cameroon violence condemned by UN human rights office in appeal for dialogue to address grievances UN News 20 Nov 2018 -- Continuing insecurity in Cameroon has been condemned by the United Nations Human Rights Office (OHCHR) amid reports of killings by armed groups and State forces that has prompted mass internal displacement.
• UN migration agency builds temporary safe havens to shelter Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh UN News 20 Nov 2018 -- The United Nations migration agency said on Tuesday that it has upgraded structures in Bangladesh's Rohingya refugee camps as temporary accommodations for emergency situations.
• Rohingya Face 'Intimidation, Violence' in Bangladesh camps VOA 20 Nov 2018 -- The failed attempt to send thousands of Rohingya back to Myanmar starting this month has drawn attention to alleged violence and intimidation by security forces against members of the Muslim minority living in Bangladesh's sprawling refugee camps.
• Military Official Worries Terrorism Could Spill into Liberia VOA 20 Nov 2018 -- The acting top Sergeant Major for Armed Forces of Liberia says he is concerned about terrorists in neighboring countries spilling into his homeland.

News Reports

• Trump Criticizes Retired U.S. Navy Admiral Over Bin Laden Raid RFE/RL 20 Nov 2018 -- U.S. President Donald Trump has criticized a retired Navy admiral, as he repeated earlier assertions that U.S. military and political leaders erred by not capturing Osama Bin Laden sooner.
• Russia Accused of Abusing Interpol as It Seeks to Secure Presidency VOA 20 Nov 2018 -- Interpol is in danger of being politicized by Russia as the organization chooses a new president, according to Kremlin critics.
• Kremlin: Opposition to Russian Candidate to Head Interpol is Election Meddling VOA 20 Nov 2018 -- The Kremlin says opposition to a Russian candidate to lead the global police group Interpol amounts to election interference.
• Russia says US meddling in election of Interpol president Press TV 20 Nov 2018 -- Russia says public opposition by a group of American senators to a Russian candidate for the position of the head of the international police organization Interpol amounts to election meddling, in an apparent dig at an investigation into allegations that Moscow interfered with the 2016 US Presidential Election.
• Pressure Builds On Interpol Ahead Of Vote To Choose New Chief RFE/RL 20 Nov 2018 -- Pressure is building on Interpol ahead of a vote to choose a new chief for the international police agency, with Russian opposition activists, U.S. senators, and officials from other countries warning against the possibility that a top Russian Interior Ministry official might become the agency's new head.
• Interpol Might Get A Russian President, But His Clout Seen As Limited RFE/RL 20 Nov 2018 -- The potential election of a Russian official to Interpol's presidency has outraged Kremlin critics, including a group of senior U.S. senators who say installing one of Moscow's own at the global police clearinghouse would be "akin to putting a fox in charge of a henhouse."
• Kosovo Fails For Third Time To Win Interpol Membership RFE/RL 20 Nov 2018 -- Interpol, the international police agency, has rejected Kosovo's membership for a third time, an outcome that the Balkan country said was disappointing and the United States described as a loss for "closing a critical security gap in the Balkans."
• EU Defense Ministers Endorse Creation of Joint Intelligence School Sputnik 20 Nov 2018 -- The Council of the European Union adopted on Monday an updated version of the EU Cyber defense Policy Framework, having set several priority areas, such as cyber defense capabilities development, military drills, and enhancement of civil and military cooperation, the council said in a press release.
• Israel's Only High School Teaching Farsi Preps Teens for Military Intel Work VOA 20 Nov 2018 -- Israel is seeking to expand its pool of experts in the language and policies of its long-time foe Iran, through a project of a retired Israeli general who has found a new calling in the classroom.
• Statement from President Donald J. Trump on Standing with Saudi Arabia The White House 20 Nov 2018
• Trump: US Interests Outweigh Harshly Punishing Saudis for Killing Journalist VOA 20 Nov 2018 -- Abandoning Saudi Arabia, despite its responsibility for killing a U.S.-based journalist, "would be a terrible mistake," President Donald Trump told reporters Tuesday.
• Trump Standing by Saudis Despite Khashoggi Killing VOA 20 Nov 2018 -- President Donald Trump said Tuesday the U.S. is standing by Saudi Arabia even though the president acknowledged Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman may have known about a Saudi operation last month to kill dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi inside Riyadh's consulate in Istanbul.
• Trump Suggests Saudi Crown Prince Knew About Khashoggi Killing Sputnik 20 Nov 2018 -- Earlier, the US president claimed that the Saudi crown prince said in telephone talks that Riyadh had nothing to do with the murder of Jamal Khashoggi. Saudi Arabia later stated on multiple occasions that the royal family did not order Khashoggi's killing.
• US will remain steadfast partner of Saudi Arabia to ensure Israel's interests: Trump Press TV 20 Nov 2018 -- President Donald Trump has said Washington intends to remain a steadfast partner of Saudi Arabia to ensure interests of the United States, Israel and regional partners.
• Detained Saudi activists tortured by electrocution, flogging: Amnesty International Press TV 20 Nov 2018 -- Amnesty International says detained political dissidents and pro-democracy campaigners in Saudi Arabia face sexual harassment, torture and other forms of ill-treatment during interrogation, as a crackdown led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman against human rights defenders and intellectuals continues unabated in the conservative kingdom.
• Zarif condemns US president's shameful statement on Saudi crimes Press TV 20 Nov 2018 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has denounced a statement by US President Donald Trump that Washington will stand by Saudi Arabia despite the murder of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi as "shameful."
• Saudi king throws his weight behind his son, Judiciary on Khashoggi murder Press TV 20 Nov 2018 -- Saudi King Salman has thrown his weight behind his son, Crown Prince Mohammed, and lavished praise on the Saudi Judiciary in his first public remarks since the killing of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who is said to have been murdered at bin Salman's order.
• Saudi FM Blasts 'CIA Report' on Crown Prince's Alleged Role in Khashoggi Killing Sputnik 20 Nov 2018 -- Last week The Washington Post reported, citing sources with knowledge of the case, that the CIA had named Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman as the person who had given the order to kill journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Both US President Donald Trump and the State Department stated that the final conclusions of the case are yet to be made.
• North Korea Eliminates 10 Observation Posts in Demilitarised Zone - Seoul Sputnik 20 Nov 2018 -- North Korea has destroyed 10 observation posts in the demilitarised zone bordering the South in compliance with an agreement reached between Seoul and Pyongyang in September, the South Korean Defence Ministry said in a statement.
• Where Did North Korea's Cyber Army Come From? VOA 20 Nov 2018 -- North Korean hackers continue to circumvent protections and compromise computer systems around the globe. Pyongyang's cyber operatives, like the Lazarus Group, have been linked to computer system infiltrations like the 2014 Sony Pictures Studios hack prior to the release of the U.S. film "The Interview" and the attempted theft of close to $1 billion from the central Bangladesh bank using the SWIFT banking network in 2016.
• Hook: US Sanctions on Iran Have Had Almost 'Entire' Global Compliance VOA 20 Nov 2018 -- A senior Trump administration official says tough U.S. sanctions re-imposed on Iran earlier this month have been effective, with "almost entire compliance" from the international community.
• Iran to rapidly pass through sanctions: Defense minister IRNA 20 Nov 2018 -- Today's conditions in the country are better than the pre-sanctions era, and Iran will breeze through the fresh sanctions which went into effect from November 5, Iranian defense minister said here on Tuesday.
• Defense chief: Iran will fast overcome conditions created by US bans Press TV 20 Nov 2018 -- Iran's defense minister says the American sanctions have failed to slow down the nation's progress, and that the country will manage to prevail over the conditions created by the bans at a fast pace.
• Zarif: Iran to resist US sanctions, even thrive under restrictions Press TV 20 Nov 2018 -- Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says the US's renewed campaign of pressure and sanctions will only strengthen the Iranian nation's "resolve to resist," and that his country will even "thrive" under such restrictive measures.
• Asians resume oil imports as Iran vows US cannot stop its sales Press TV 20 Nov 2018 -- Japan and South Korea will resume imports of Iranian crude oil as of next month or so after halting shipments ahead of new US sanctions on the Islamic Republic.
• Expectations run high on Xi's visit to the Philippines People's Daily 20 Nov 2018 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping's signed article published Monday in the mainstream Philippine newspapers has raised high expectations in the Southeast Asian country for closer ties with China.
• China president arrives in Philippines in attempt to cozy up to US ally Press TV 20 Nov 2018 -- Amid competition between Beijing and Washington for supremacy in the strategic Pacific region, Chinese President Xi Jinping has said he just had a "milestone" visit to the Philippines, a long-time ally of the United States.
• Pakistan summons US envoy to protest Trump's bin Laden emarks Press TV 20 Nov 2018 -- Pakistan has summoned the US chargé d'affaires to protest the "baseless" accusations leveled against Islamabad by President Donald Trump, who has criticized the Asian country's role in fighting terrorism as well as the capture of former al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden.
• Islamabad Summons U.S. Envoy In Protest To Trump's Pakistan Criticism RFE/RL 20 Nov 2018 -- Pakistan has summoned the U.S. chargé d'affaires in Islamabad to protest against President Donald Trump's criticism of Pakistan's role in fighting terrorism and the killing of Osama bin Laden.
• Pakistan Takes Rare Credit for Helping US Kill al-Qaida Leader VOA 20 Nov 2018 -- Pakistan summoned Tuesday the top U.S. diplomat in the country to formally protest President Donald Trump's allegations that Islamabad had sheltered al-Qaida chief Osama bin Laden, despite receiving billions of dollars in U.S. assistance.
• 'Yellow Vests' End Macron's Honeymoon VOA 20 Nov 2018 -- "Yellow Vest" activists have vowed to bring the French capital Paris to a standstill next weekend, prolonging their campaign of disruption to force President Emmanuel Macron to ease fuel taxes.
• 20 Years After Killing, Starovoitova's Sister Doesn't Believe Mob Boss Ordered Hit RFE/RL 20 Nov 2018 -- Twenty years after democratic reformer Galina Starovoitova was assassinated, her sister says she does not believe that an infamous alleged crime kingpin who was implicated in the slaying was, in fact, behind it.
• 'US mulls designating Venezuela state sponsor of terror' Press TV 20 Nov 2018 -- The United States is considering enlisting Venezuela as a "state sponsor of terrorism," but no final decision has been made by Washington yet, an informed source reportedly says.
• State Department Terrorist Designation of Hajji 'Abd al-Nasir US Dept. of State 20 Nov 2018 -- The Department of State has designated Hajji 'Abd al-Nasir as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) under Section 1(b) of Executive Order 13224, which imposes sanctions on foreign persons who have committed, or pose a significant risk of committing, acts of terrorism.
• US Adds IS Leader's Associate to Terror List VOA 20 Nov 2018 -- Hajji Abd al-Nasir, an Iraqi national who served as a senior Islamic State military leader in Syria and a close confidant of its leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, has been named as a specially designated global terrorist by the United States, the U.S. State Department announced Tuesday.
• DR Congo violence puts Ebola humanitarian response at risk, UN food relief agency warns UN News 20 Nov 2018 -- A spokesperson for the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has condemned any violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) that could slow down the humanitarian response to the Ebola outbreak in the vast country's north-east, following an attack on a UN base and nearby hotels housing UN staff, in the city of Beni on Friday.
• 3 Men Charged Over Alleged 'Mass Killing' Terror Plot in Australia VOA 20 Nov 2018 -- Three men have been arrested on suspicion of plotting a "mass killing" terror attack in Australia's second biggest city, Melbourne.
• Venezuelan Billionaire News Network Owner, Former Venezuelan National Treasurer and Former Owner of Dominican Republic Bank Charged in Money Laundering Conspiracy Involving Over $1 Billion in Bribes US Dept. of Justice 20 Nov 2018 -- A Venezuelan billionaire who owns Globovision news network was charged in an indictment unsealed yesterday for his role in a billion-dollar currency exchange and money laundering scheme. A former Venezuelan national treasurer and a former owner of Banco Peravia bank in the Dominican Republic each pleaded guilty in proceedings unsealed today for their roles in the scheme.
• 'Bahrain has failed to provide conditions for free elections' Press TV 20 Nov 2018 -- Human Rights Watch (HRW) says Bahrain has failed to provide conditions for fair and free voting in the upcoming parliamentary elections in the country.
• Discord Deepens As Kyrgyz Ex-President Atambaev Slams Successor Over Arrests RFE/RL 20 Nov 2018 -- In a sign of a growing rift between Kyrgyz President Sooronbai Jeenbekov and his predecessor, former President Almazbek Atambaev has publicly called the arrests of his associates "a show" orchestrated by the Central Asian nation's current leadership.
• Serb Nationalist Takes Helm Of Bosnia's Presidency RFE/RL 20 Nov 2018 -- Serb nationalist Milorad Dodik has taken the helm of Bosnia-Herzegovina's three-part presidency, as the badly-riven Balkan country inaugurated a new leadership following general elections last month.
• Hungary Reportedly Grants Gruevski Asylum, Macedonia Files Extradition Request RFE/RL 20 Nov 2018 -- The Macedonian government says it has filed an extradition request for fugitive former Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski, amid reports Hungarian authorities have already granted him asylum.