Further Reading

Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• US Exit from Syria Starts with Equipment, Not Troops VOA 11 Jan 2019 -- The United States' withdrawal from Syria is getting under way but, at least for now, it does not involve some 2,000 U.S. troops on the ground, who are aiding in the fight against the Islamic State terror group.
• US Begins Pulling Troops Out of Syria VOA 11 Jan 2019 -- The U.S.-led coalition in Syria is beginning to remove troops from the country.
• US Starts Withdrawal of Military Hardware From Syria 'for Security Reasons' Sputnik 11 Jan 2019 -- On 19 December, President Donald Trump declared victory over Daesh* terrorists in Syria and announced his decision to withdraw roughly 2,000 US troops from the Middle Eastern country.
• US Starts Pulling Out Equipment, But Not Troops From Syria - Defence Official Sputnik 11 Jan 2019 -- The US has started withdrawing non-essential equipment from Syria, though military personnel remains deployed in the country, an anonymous source told AFP news agency.
• US says Syria withdrawal has begun; Russia doubtful Press TV 11 Jan 2019 -- The US says it has begun the process of withdrawing from Syria but Russia cast doubt on the claim Friday, saying it thinks Washington wants to stay in the Arab country.
• Large US troop deployment in Kirkuk causes Iraqi outcry Press TV 11 Jan 2019 -- The United States military has made a large troop deployment to military bases near the Iraqi city of Kirkuk, causing outcry among the local population.

Defense Policy / Programs

• CNO to Visit China NNS 11 Jan 2019 -- Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. John Richardson is scheduled to visit China, Jan. 13 to 16, to meet with Central Military Commission leadership and People's Liberation Army (Navy) (PLA(N)) commander Vice Adm. Shen Jinlong.
• U.S. Air Force accepts first Boeing KC-46A tanker aircraft People's Daily 11 Jan 2019 -- The U.S. Air Force has accepted the first Boeing KC--46A aerial refueling tanker aircraft and the "milestone delivery" to the McConnell Air Force Base in the Midwestern state of Kansas will be made in a few weeks, U.S. aircraft manufacturer Boeing Company said Thursday.
• Arctic May Heat Up as US Mulls Sending Warships to Area Amid Russia Tensions Sputnik 11 Jan 2019 -- Earlier, Russian Northern Fleet Commander Nikolai Evmenov warned that the potential for conflict between Russia and the NATO alliance was growing as powers wrangle for control over resources and shipping lanes in the Arctic region.
• Russian Defense Ministry Proposes Law To Allow Shooting Down Of Passenger Planes RFE/RL 11 Jan 2019 -- Russia's Defense Ministry has outlined draft legislation that would allow Russian forces to shoot down civilian passenger planes within the country's airspace.
• Russia Vows Response as UK Defence Chief Issues 'Warning to Putin' Sputnik 11 Jan 2019 -- Earlier, UK Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson boasted that Britain's new fleet of F-35s served as a message to the country's "enemies", including Russia, not to "mess with" Britain.
• Central African Republic open to Russian military base Press TV 11 Jan 2019 -- Moscow is considering the establishment of a military base in the Central African Republic (CAR), where Russian forces are already training local troops as part of a deal with Bangui.
• European Army 'Already Taking Shape' – German Defence Minister Sputnik 11 Jan 2019 -- In early November 2018, French President Emmanuel Macron called for the creation of what he touted as a "true European army" which he said would protect the interests of the bloc. The proposal was supported by German Chancellor Angela Merkel but criticised by British Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson.
• Russia Condemns British Plans To Build Military Bases RFE/RL 11 Jan 2019 -- Moscow has condemned Britain's plans to build new military bases in Southeast Asia and the Caribbean, saying Russia is prepared to take retaliatory measures if its own interests or those of its allies are threatened.
• Iranian fighter jets fire domestically made missiles on 2nd day of large-scale military drills Press TV 11 Jan 2019 -- The Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF) launched the second day of its massive military drills in the central province of Isfahan on Friday, targeting various positions with domestically made missiles and smart bombs.
• Iran conducts drone-jetfighter joint operation for 1st time IRNA 11 Jan 2019 -- Iran performed drone-jetfighter joint operation for the first time, Commander of the Iranian Air Force Brigadier General Aziz Nasirzadeh said.
• Air Force drills end IRNA 11 Jan 2019 -- Iranian Air Force ended military maneuver codenamed 'Modafean-e-Aseman-e-Velayat 97 (The Defenders of Velayat Skies 97)' on Friday after two days of success.
• Iran's Air Force combat UAVs to be operational IRNA 11 Jan 2019 -- Spokesman for the eighth drill of 'Defender of Velayat Skies' said for first time Iran's Air Force UAVs will be operational.
• Iran's Air Force launches counterchemical attack operations IRNA 11 Jan 2019 -- Combat counter-attack against enemy chemical teams was launched by teams specializing in new fighting areas of the Army Air Force on the first day of the main and operational phase of the 'Defender of Velayat Skies' drill.
• US blocks Israeli sale of used F-16s to NATO member Croatia over upgrades Press TV 11 Jan 2019 -- The United States has blocked the Israeli regime's sale of 12 used F-16 jet fighters to Croatia in a deal worth $500 million over demands that Tel Aviv removes electronic modifications it has made to the war p

• F-35s Unlikely, Taiwan Upgrades F-16s Fighters to Counter China VOA 11 Jan 2019 -- Taiwan is upgrading a fleet of American-made fighter jets, but may scrap ambitions to acquire the more advanced F-35 models, showing the limits of U.S.-Taiwan military cooperation despite a common interest of resisting China.

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for January 11, 2019

Other Conflicts

• 11 January 2019 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 11 Jan 2019
• New Yemeni Qasef K2 drone launches 2nd strike in less than 24 hours Press TV 11 Jan 2019 -- Yemeni army forces, backed by allied fighters from Popular Committees, have launched another airstrike with the new domestically-developed Qasef K2 (Striker K2) combat drone, less than 24 hours after they used the same unmanned aerial vehicle to target Saudi-paid militiamen loyal to resigned president Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi.
• Syria shoots downs 'most of Israeli missiles' fired towards Damascus: State media Press TV 11 Jan 2019 -- Syrian air defenses have managed to destroy most of the missiles fired by Israeli warplanes toward the capital Damascus, Syrian state media say.
• US Withdrawal From Syria Concerns Minorities VOA 11 Jan 2019 -- Minorities in northeastern Syria are concerned the withdrawal of U.S. troops from the country without putting in place a sustainable alternative would lead to a security vacuum that could be filled by remnants of extremist groups, including the Islamic State (IS) in the country.
• Syrian Army foils attack in Hama but terrorists take full control of Idlib Press TV 11 Jan 2019 -- The Syrian Arab Army has repelled a terrorist attack violating a truce in the northern countryside of the Hama province where al-Qaeda-linked terrorists are expanding control.
• Thousands risk lives fleeing fighting in Syria's last ISIL stronghold UN News 11 Jan 2019 -- North-east Syria is seeing increasing numbers of civilian casualties and large-scale displacement amid intensifying efforts to defeat extremists from ISIL, otherwise known as Da'esh, in Deir-ez-Zor governorate, the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, said on Friday.
• Turkish defense minister vows operation against Kurdish YPG forces when time is right Press TV 11 Jan 2019 -- Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar says his country's military continues to prepare for a military operation against US-backed Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) in northern Syria, which will start "at the right time" for the Ankara government.
• Turkey to Launch Operation East of Euphrates 'at Right Time' - Defense Minister Sputnik 11 Jan 2019 -- Turkey continues to prepare for a military operation east of the Euphrates River in Syria that will start "at the right time for Ankara," Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said on Friday.
• China backs UN for financially supporting G5 Sahel force People's Daily 11 Jan 2019 -- A Chinese envoy on Thursday said that China backs the United Nations' necessary financial support for the G5 Sahel joint force.
• Lebanon to lodge complaint with UNSC against Israeli 'border wall' Press TV 11 Jan 2019 -- Lebanon says it will file a complaint with the UN Security Council against the Israeli regime's violation of a number of points contested by Beirut, especially a wall it has built near the Lebanese border.
• Japanese FM To Visit Moscow For Talks On Disputed Islands RFE/RL 11 Jan 2019 -- Russia's Foreign Ministry says Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono plans to visit Moscow next week for talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on the four Pacific islands that have been disputed since World War II.
• New Georgian President Says Time Not Right to Mend Diplomatic Ties With Russia Sputnik 11 Jan 2019 -- Georgia's newly-elected President Salome Zourabichvili said Friday conditions were not right for restoring diplomatic ties with Russia after they broke off over a decade ago.

News Reports

• Report: FBI Probed Whether Trump Was Working Against US Interests VOA 11 Jan 2019 -- The New York Times is reporting that FBI officials were so alarmed by President Donald Trump’s behavior after he fired former FBI Director James Comey that they started investigating whether he was working against American interests.
• Remarks by Vice President Pence Before Meet-and-Greet with U.S. Customs and Border Patrol Employees The White House 11 Jan 2019
• US military prepares options to build Trump's border wall Press TV 11 Jan 2019 -- The US Defense Department is preparing options to build a wall on the US-Mexico border in the event that President Donald Trump declares a national emergency, the latest sign that such a move is gaining support within the White House.
• Trump says ready to declare national emergency as he visits Mexico border Press TV 11 Jan 2019 -- US President Donald Trump has reiterated the idea of announcing a national emergency to build a wall along the Mexican border.
• Crisis on Southern Border Worse Than Expected, US Faces 'Invasion' - Trump Sputnik 11 Jan 2019 -- US President Donald Trump offered his assessment of what he calls a crisis after visiting the US-Mexican border, saying he found the situation worse than ordinary people can understand, according to a presidential Twitter post on Friday.
• Trump: No Intent to Declare Border Security Emergency 'Right Now' VOA 11 Jan 2019 -- President Donald Trump on Friday called the situation at the U.S. southern border "an invasion," but he indicated that he would not be declaring a national emergency that could give him the legal authority to begin building his long-promised wall.
• Legal Debate Rages Over US Presidential 'Emergency Powers' VOA 11 Jan 2019 -- U.S. President Donald Trump is considering formally declaring the southern U.S. border a "national emergency," likely clearing the way for him to authorize new funding for a permanent physical barrier.
• Remarks by President Trump During Briefing at the Rio Grande Valley U.S.-Mexico Border The White House 11 Jan 2019
• Remarks by President Trump in Roundtable on Border Security | McAllen, TX The White House 11 Jan 2019
• Briefing by Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova, Moscow, January 11, 2019 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 11 Jan 2019
• U.S. Lawmakers Slam Treasury Secretary Over Sanctions Relief For Deripaska RFE/RL 11 Jan 2019 -- The U.S. Treasury secretary has said he told U.S. lawmakers that President Donald Trump will keep strict sanctions on Oleg Deripaska, as congressional Democrats turned up pressure on the administration's policy toward the Kremlin-connected oligarch.
• Germany Says U.S. Sanctions Against Gas Pipeline 'Not The Way To Go' RFE/RL 11 Jan 2019 -- U.S. sanctions against the Moscow-backed Nord Stream 2 natural-gas pipeline project would be the wrong way to solve a dispute over energy supply, according to German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas.
• Mnuchin: Treasury to Be Vigilant in Ensuring EN+, RUSAL Meet Commitments Sputnik 11 Jan 2019 -- The US Department of Treasury will monitor closely whether En+ Group PLC (En+), United Company RUSAL PLC (Rusal), and EuroSibEnergo (ESE) adhere to the requirements for sanctions relief, Secretary of Treasury Steven Mnuchin said in a statement on Thursday.
• Kaspersky Spotted Leak NSA Missed as Spy Agency Lacks 'Good Handle' on Security Sputnik 11 Jan 2019 -- On Wednesday, Politico reported that Moscow-based Kaspersky Labs, which is banned on US government computers over spying fears, helped uncover in 2016 perhaps the single largest theft of US intelligence in history. Sputnik spoke with Kim Zetter, the author who broke the ironic story, about what happened.
• Ecuador Believes Assange Should Surrender to UK Authorities – Foreign Minister Sputnik 11 Jan 2019 -- Ecuadorian Foreign Minister Jose Valencia suggested that WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, who has found shelter at Ecuador's embassy in London, should surrender to the UK authorities.
• 'Critical test' for North Korea's Government as civilian suffering remains rife, warns UN rights expert UN News 11 Jan 2019 -- The human rights situation in Democratic People's Republic of Korea – DPRK - remains "extremely serious", and along with international demands for denuclearization, this constitutes a "a critical test" for the year ahead, a senior UN-appointed expert said on Friday.
• Key consensuses lift DPRK ties People's Daily 11 Jan 2019 -- President Xi Jinping and Kim Jong-un, top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, reached important consensuses after holding talks on Tuesday and Wednesday during Kim's fourth trip to China in less than a year.
• Eyeing Iran, US to Host Mideast Peace Ministerial in Warsaw VOA 11 Jan 2019 -- With an eye on Iran, the United States and Poland will jointly host a ministerial meeting to promote peace and security in the Middle East. The international gathering will be held in Warsaw on Feb. 13-14.
• Pompeo Says U.S. To Hold Iran-Focused Summit In February RFE/RL 11 Jan 2019 -- U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has announced U.S. plans to hold a global summit next month in Poland that is focused on the Middle East, particularly Iran.
• Mogherini: Europe, int'l community working to preserve JCPOA IRNA 11 Jan 2019 -- Brussels together with the international community is working to preserve Iran nuclear deal, also known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), EU top diplomat said.
• Europe will not allow US to determine trade relations with Iran: Mogherini Press TV 11 Jan 2019 -- The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, says the United States cannot impose its policies on the 28-nation bloc's "legitimate trade" relations with Iran.
• Iran urges vigilance to foil US divisive policies, plots in Middle East Press TV 11 Jan 2019 -- Iran has dismissed as unfounded recent allegations made by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo against the Islamic Republic, urging all regional countries to heighten their vigilance in the face of the "divisive policies and plots" of American officials.
• Tehran, Baghdad discuss expansion of ties in defiance of US' pressures Press TV 11 Jan 2019 -- Top officials from Iran and Iraq held talks on Thursday on ways to boost cooperation between the two neighboring countries, just one day after a surprise visit by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to the Arab country, which was supposed to convince Baghdad to restrict its ties with Tehran.
• France Urges Iran to Stop Missile Activities Related to Nuclear Weapons Sputnik 11 Jan 2019 -- Earlier, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said that his country would launch two satellites using domestic launch vehicles in the near future.
• India Will Continue to Import Iranian Oil Despite US Sanctions - Ministry Sputnik 11 Jan 2019 -- A day after Washington threatened to impose further economic sanctions against Iran, India once again reiterated that it will continue to import Iranian crude oil to fulfill the country's energy needs.
• China 'Deeply Concerned' Over Huawei Employee's Arrest in Poland – Foreign Min. Sputnik 11 Jan 2019 -- The detention comes after Canadian authorities arrested Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou in Vancouver in December 2018 at the request of US law enforcement officials. She is suspected of committing fraud in order to bypass US sanctions against Iran.
• China declares Chang'e-4 mission complete success People's Daily 11 Jan 2019 -- China announced Friday that the Chang'e-4 mission, which realized the first-ever soft-landing on the far side of the moon, was a complete success.
• 'Move The Muscles, Bones': China's Jade Rabbit-2 Rover 'Wakes Up' From Nap Sputnik 11 Jan 2019 -- China's Jade Rabbit-2 rover awoke from its extended nap on the moon on Thursday, taking to social media to inform space enthusiasts that it's headed back to work after its five-day hibernation.
• India Sets December 2021 Deadline for Maiden Manned Space Mission Sputnik 11 Jan 2019 -- India today announced an all-new space flight centre as part of its ambitious plans to send humans into space. The country's space agency plans to launch its maiden manned space mission before the end of 2021.
• Su Tseng-chang named as new premier CNA 11 Jan 2019 -- President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) announced Friday that former Premier Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌) will lead the new Cabinet, in a major reshuffle.
• Lai's Cabinet resigns en mass ahead of major reshuffle CNA 11 Jan 2019 -- Premier Lai Ching-te (賴清德) led his Cabinet in a mass resignation Friday in preparation for a major reshuffle in which he will be replaced.
• Congo's Fayulu to Challenge Election Results in High Court VOA 11 Jan 2019 -- Congolese presidential candidate Martin Fayulu plans to demand a recount of election results that showed him losing to fellow opposition leader Felix Tshisekedi.
• DR Congo: days ahead 'critical' to 'historic election process' Security Council hears UN News 11 Jan 2019 -- With millions in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) demonstrating "their commitment to the political process", the days ahead are "critical" to what has been an "historic election process", the top UN official in the country told the Security Council on Friday.
• In Diplomatic 'Breakthrough,' Belarus Removes Limit On U.S. Envoys Allowed In Minsk RFE/RL 11 Jan 2019 -- The U.S. journal Foreign Policy reports that Belarus has lifted a long-standing limit on the number of U.S. diplomats allowed in the country.
• MbS continues despotic rule, consults Khashoggi hit squad leader: Report Press TV 11 Jan 2019 -- Despite facing worldwide controversy after the assassination of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi, reports have shown that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has continued his despotic practices, regularly consulting the killing's alleged mastermind Saud al-Qahtani.
• Pompeo: New Penalties Against Saudi Arabia for Khashoggi Murder Still Possible Sputnik 11 Jan 2019 -- The United States is standing by its promise to penalize Saudi Arabia further in response to the murder of columnist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, the US Secretary of State Pompeo said in an interview on Friday.
• Wither Brexit? Hunt Says UK Could Remain in EU if MPs Vote Against May's Deal Sputnik 11 Jan 2019 -- As the Brexit impasse continues to anger the British public, one of Theresa May's most senior cabinet officials has landed a bombshell claim that is likely to further the confusion already felt by many.
• UK ministers: Brexit may be delayed, even cancelled Press TV 11 Jan 2019 -- British ministers reveal that Brexit may be delayed or even cancelled as lawmakers are set to vote on Prime Minister Theresa May's exit deal on Tuesday.
• Macedonian Parl't Approves Country's Name Change to Republic of North Macedonia Sputnik 11 Jan 2019 -- The name dispute between Greece and Macedonia has been souring bilateral relations for years, with Athens opposing the use of "Macedonia," which is also the name of a region in Greece.
• Macedonia Renames Itself, Opens Doors To EU And NATO RFE/RL 11 Jan 2019 -- Macedonia's parliament has approved a constitutional amendment that renames the country the Republic of North Macedonia.
• Fresh Corruption Charges Filed Against Kyrgyz Ex-PM RFE/RL 11 Jan 2019 -- Kyrgyzstan's former prime minister, who was arrested in 2018 on corruption charges linked to the modernization of a Bishkek power plant, is facing additional charges in another corruption case.
• Uganda Not Worried China Will Seize Assets Over Rising Debt VOA 11 Jan 2019 -- Uganda's growing debt is sustainable, and the country is not at risk of losing state assets to China, the country's finance minister, Matia Kasaija, said this week.
• Statement from National Security Advisor Ambassador John Bolton on Venezuela The White House 11 Jan 2019