Further Reading

Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• Trump Announces Beginning of 'Long Overdue Pullout' of US Troops from Syria Sputnik 14 Jan 2019 -- US President Donald Trump tweeted that Washington is beginning its pullout of US troops from Syria.
• Taliban Official Tells VOA Peace Talks With US Stalled VOA 14 Jan 2019 -- The fledgling U.S.-initiated dialogue with the Taliban, aimed at ending the war in Afghanistan, has come to a halt, an insurgent spokesperson said Monday, apparently dealing a blow to renewed hopes for a much-needed Afghan peace.
• US Discusses Possibility of Keeping Bases in Afghanistan With Taliban – Report Sputnik 14 Jan 2019 -- Negotiations between the Taliban and Washington have been conducted behind closed doors and without representatives of the government in Kabul, which has led to rumours about what provisions in the deal might contain.
• At Least 4 Killed, 90 Injured in Kabul Bomb Blast - Interior Ministry Sputnik 14 Jan 2019 -- At least four people were killed and another 44 were wounded in a bomb explosion in the Green Village area of the Afghan capital, Kabul, on Monday, a spokesperson for the Interior Ministry, Najib Danish, said.
• Four Killed, 90 Wounded In Kabul Car-Bomb Attack RFE/RL 14 Jan 2019 -- At least four people were killed and more than 90 were wounded when a car bomb exploded near a foreign compound in the east of Afghanistan's capital, Kabul, on January 14, officials said.
• Car bomb blast near foreign compound kills four, injures 90 in Afghan capital Press TV 14 Jan 2019 -- At least four people have been killed and dozens of others wounded after a bomb-laden car exploded near a heavily fortified foreign compound in the Afghan capital Kabul.

Defense Policy / Programs

• DOD Statement on Support to DHS DoD 14 Jan 2019 -- In response to the December 27, 2018 request from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Acting Secretary of Defense Pat Shanahan approved Department of Defense assistance to DHS through Sept. 30, 2019.
• 41st FAB: Bringing back the 589th BSB Army News 14 Jan 2019 -- The 589th Brigade Support Battalion reactivation ceremony was held at the Grafenwoehr Field House here, Jan. 11, 2019.
• Defense Department Successfully Closes Blended Retirement System Opt-In Window DoD 14 Jan 2019 -- The Blended Retirement System opt-in enrollment period closed at midnight on Dec. 31, 2018, capping off the successful roll-out of a new retirement system for members of the uniformed services.
• USS Gravely Assumes Flagship of SNMG1 NNS 14 Jan 2019 -- The Norfolk based Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Gravely (DDG 107) became the flagship for Standing NATO Maritime Group (SNMG) 1 during a ceremony in Copenhagen, Denmark, Jan. 14.
• CNO Visits Chinese Counterpart in Beijing NNS 14 Jan 2019 -- Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. John Richardson met with People's Liberation Army (Navy) (PLA(N)) commander Vice Adm. Shen Jinlong in Beijing, Jan 14.
• USS Donald Cook Departs NAVSTA Rota, Resumes 8th FDNF Patrol NNS 14 Jan 2019 -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Donald Cook (DDG 75) departed Naval Station Rota, Spain resuming its eighth forward-deployed naval forces (FDNF) patrol in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations, Nov. 19, 2018.
• U.S. Navy, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force conduct cooperative deployment East China Sea NNS 14 Jan 2019 -- Ships assigned to the Wasp Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) joined Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) amphibious transport dock ship, JS Kunisaki (LST 4003), for a cooperative deployment Jan. 11-12.
• US Navy Probe Into Deadly 2017 Crash Found 'Numerous, Almost Routine' Violations Sputnik 14 Jan 2019 -- The US Navy's internal probe of the June 2017 crash between the destroyer USS Fitzgerald and a civilian container cargo vessel near Japan that killed seven sailors found "routine, almost casual, violations of standing orders" by bridge crew who failed "rules of the road" tests given by investigators, a Navy Times exclusive has revealed.
• U.S. and Qatar Sign MOU Reaffirming Qatar's Commitment to Supporting U.S. Military Activities at Al Udeid Air Base DoD 14 Jan 2019 -- The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) and the Ministry of Defense of the State of Qatar signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) concerning Qatar's support of DOD activities at Al Udeid Air Base (AUAB) during the second U.S.-Qatar Strategic Dialogue in Doha, Qatar Jan. 13.
• Qatar Makes 'Generous Offer' Amid US Base Expansion Sputnik 14 Jan 2019 -- US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced on Sunday that he had signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Qatar regarding the expansion and renovation of al-Udeid Air Base, which hosts thousands of US military personnel and the forward headquarters of the US military's Central Command.
• US plays Taiwan card to contain China: experts Global Times 14 Jan 2019 -- A top US Navy officer's visit to China includes a stop in Nanjing, East China's Jiangsu Province, which Chinese analysts believe is a sign that the US is highlighting the island of Taiwan in its military talks with China.
• No military aspect to Iran's satellite activity: Ministry Press TV 14 Jan 2019 -- Iran's Foreign Ministry has strongly countered claims ascribing military aspects to the country's ongoing satellite projects.
• Iranian Army Boeing-707 Crashes Near Tehran, 15 Killed Sputnik 14 Jan 2019 -- Fars has reported that the pilots lost control of the aircraft during landing, resulting in the plane crashing in a residential area. According to the news agency, the plane was meant to arrive at Payam International Airport in Karaj but accidentally went to Fath Airport.
• Remote Military Outpost will Help Indonesia Resist Chinese Maritime Expansion VOA 14 Jan 2019 -- Indonesia's new military base on a remote island chain near the embattled South China Sea will help it deter Chinese fishing boats and their coast guard escorts from entering territorial waters as Beijing expands its maritime claims.
• 'Military deal with Sudan paves way for Russia to build base on Red Sea' Press TV 14 Jan 2019 -- A senior Sudanese parliamentarian says a draft military deal with Russia on mutual navy port visits could pave the way for Moscow to build a permanent military base on the Red Sea coast.
• Remarks to Traveling Press US Dept. of State 14 Jan 2019 -- Remarks by Michael R. Pompeo, Secretary of State

Defense Industry

Other Conflicts

• 14 January 2019 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 14 Jan 2019
• Scores of Saudi troopers, mercenaries slain, injured by Yemeni army Press TV 14 Jan 2019 -- Scores of Saudi soldiers and Saudi-sponsored militiamen loyal to Yemen's former president Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi have lost their lives when Yemeni army soldiers and fighters from allied Popular Committees launched separate offensives against their positions in the kingdom's border regions.
• Syrian Army stops terrorists' breaches in Hama IRNA 14 Jan 2019 -- Units of the Syrian Arab Army conducted on Sunday artillery strikes against terrorists' positions and their movements in surroundings of a number of villages and towns in Hama northern countryside hitting back their violations of the demilitarized zone agreement.
• Iran MP, Syria president: Tehran, Damascus resolute on strengthening strategic relations Press TV 14 Jan 2019 -- The Syrian president and a senior Iranian lawmaker have expressed the two countries' firm determination to continue developing decades-long strategic relations in order to serve the two nations' interests in various fields.
• Baghdad govt. supports Syria's return to Arab League: Iraqi FM Press TV 14 Jan 2019 -- Iraqi Foreign Minister Mohammad al-Hakim says the Baghdad government supports the restoration of Syria's membership in the Arab League, amid promising signs that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government is being admitted back into the Arab world after nearly eight years of foreign-sponsored militancy.
• Damascus welcomes Kurds' call for talks, seeks to reunite Syria Press TV 14 Jan 2019 -- The Syrian government has welcomed talks with Kurdish groups aimed at maintaining the country's unity after the Kurds called for a Russian-mediated deal with Damascus.
• Syrian Minister Reveals Damage Done in Israeli Airstrike on Damascus Sputnik 14 Jan 2019 -- Israel claims that the air raid, which took place on the night of 11-12 January, was aimed at alleged Iranian military targets situated in Syria. Damascus has condemned Tel Aviv's strike and urged the UN to respond in light of repeated Israeli attacks.
• Kurds Continue Fighting Daesh in Syria, Capture 1,000 Militants - Official Sputnik 14 Jan 2019 -- The Syrian Kurds continue to fight the Daesh terrorist group with the help of the US-led international coalition in Syria and are currently storming the city of Hajin, an official representative of the Syrian Kurds in Moscow, Rshad Bienaf, told Sputnik on Monday.
• Turkey says 'not intimated' after Trump threatens economic devastation Press TV 14 Jan 2019 -- Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu says Turkey will not be intimidated by US President Donald Trump's threat to "devastate" its economy if Ankara attacked Kurdish militants in Syria.
• Trump to 'devastate Turkey economically if they hit Kurds' in Syria Press TV 14 Jan 2019 -- US President Donald Trump has threatened to "devastate Turkey economically" if it attacks US backed Kurdish militants in Syria after US withdrawal.
• 'Fatal Mistake': Turkey Slams Trump Over Warning on 'Economic Devastation' Sputnik 14 Jan 2019 -- Tensions between Ankara and Washington have further escalated over the Kurdish issue as Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu announced last week that Ankara would launch a military operation east of the Euphrates River if the US failed to withdraw its troops from the Arab Republic in time.
• Trump Tells Turkey: 'Don't Mistreat The Kurds' RFE/RL 14 Jan 2019 -- U.S. President Donald Trump has warned his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in a telephone conversation against attacking Kurdish military units that have been closely allied to U.S. forces in Syria.
• UN calls for 'rapid and unimpeded' aid access to Myanmar's Rakhine Press TV 14 Jan 2019 -- The United Nations has expressed grave concerns about the condition of civilians in Myanmar's state of Rakhine, calling on the government to allow "rapid and unimpeded" humanitarian access to the region.
• Major differences still hinder peace talks with Japan over contested islands: Russian FM Press TV 14 Jan 2019 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says there are still significant disagreements with Japan on reaching a conclusive peace deal to end a decades-long territorial dispute over a group of islands, which has prevented the two sides from promoting their ties since the conclusion of World War II.
• Lavrov Talks Tough At Meeting With Japan On Disputed Islands RFE/RL 14 Jan 2019 -- Moscow has warned Tokyo not to expect progress toward an agreement over the disputed Kurile Islands unless Japan first recognizes Russian sovereignty over the Pacific island chain claimed by both countries since World War II.
• Former Kosovar War Commander Questioned At Hague Court RFE/RL 14 Jan 2019 -- A former commander of the Kosovo Liberation Army (UCK) has been interviewed at a controversial special court in the Netherlands about his role during Kosovo's 1998-99 war of independence from Serbia.

News Reports

• Trump Vows to 'Never Back Down' on Border Wall Demand VOA 14 Jan 2019 -- Although a majority of Americans blame the U.S. president for the prolonged partial government shutdown, Donald Trump on Monday told farmers that the opposition Democrats in Congress are squarely responsible.
• Trump Mulls Border Emergency to Fund Wall VOA 14 Jan 2019 -- With the partial shutdown of the U.S. federal government now in its fourth week, President Donald Trump continues to hold out the possibility that he will declare a national emergency along the southern border with Mexico.
• 'I Never Worked For Russia,' Trump Says, Slamming 'Big Fat Hoax' RFE/RL 14 Jan 2019 -- U.S. President Donald Trump says he has "never worked for Russia," in response to reports that raised questions about his ties to President Vladimir Putin, reports which he called a "big fat hoax."
• Trump: I Never Worked for Russia' VOA 14 Jan 2019 -- U.S. President Donald Trump declared Monday, "I never worked for Russia," days after news reports suggested he might be beholden to Russia and President Vladimir Putin.
• Reports Of New Antigay Purge In Chechnya Prompt Renewed Calls For Moscow's Accountability RFE/RL 14 Jan 2019 -- LGBT activists allege that a new antigay purge in Chechnya has led to at least two deaths by torture and the detention of around 40 people.
• Payam Satellite to be launched into space in coming days: Iranian President ISNA 14 Jan 2019 -- Iranian President, Hassan Rouhani announced that Iran will launch two satellites into the space in coming days.
• Iran not to wait for permission to launch satellite: FM spokesman ISNA 14 Jan 2019 -- Iran's actions in aerospace area don't violate any United Nations Security Council resolutions, such as Resolution 2231, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman, Bahram Qassemi said.
• Iran sole regional country with its own satellite launchers: ISA official Press TV 14 Jan 2019 -- An official at the Iranian Space Agency (ISA) says the Islamic Republic is the sole country in the region actively producing satellite launchers as Tehran is getting ready to put two new satellites into orbit.
• Iran stresses talks with Europe limited to SPV, JCPOA IRNA 14 Jan 2019 -- Iran reiterated that the discussions with the Europeans were merely related to special purpose vehicle (SPV) and the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and they are not linked to other issues.
• US' policy to continue animosity towards Iran IRNA 14 Jan 2019 -- The White House rulers have begun to pursue certain policies in the global context, including hostility towards Iran, Iranian foreign ministry spokesman said.
• US must learn lessons from consecutive defeats in Mideast: Iran Press TV 14 Jan 2019 -- Iran Foreign Ministry has lashed out at US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo for making fresh remarks against the Islamic Republic, urging the United States to learn lessons from its consecutive defeats in the Middle East.
• Dialog must replace war to strengthen region: Iran FM Press TV 14 Jan 2019 -- Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says if regional countries want a strong region, they must substitute dialog for war as well as cooperation for arms race.
• Pompeo in Mideast to corner Iran but Tehran not cowed Press TV 14 Jan 2019 -- US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has been touring the Middle East to rally support against Iran, but Tehran is not impressed.
• Rouhani: US, allies' schemes will be frustrated Press TV 14 Jan 2019 -- President Hassan Rouhani has assured the Iranian nation that Iran is the party that will eventually emerge victorious from the ongoing campaign of sanctions and pressure that the country has been subjected to by the United States and its allies.
• Iran Moves Toward New Uranium Enrichment – Iranian Nuclear Chief Sputnik 14 Jan 2019 -- The head of Iran's nuclear program, Ali Akbar Salehi, told Iranian state television that the Iranian Atomic Energy Organization (AEOI) is about to create new types of nuclear fuel on its own.
• CCDI communique vows new progress in Party governance People's Daily 14 Jan 2019 -- The 19th Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) of the Communist Party of China (CPC) adopted a communique at its third plenary session held from Friday to Sunday.
• China, US work on moon Global Times 14 Jan 2019 -- NASA has cooperated on lunar research with China's Chang'e -4 probe, a Chinese space official told the Global Times at a press conference in Beijing on Monday.
• Su Tseng-chang takes up post as premier (update) CNA 14 Jan 2019 -- Premier Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌) and his Cabinet members were sworn into office Monday at a ceremony hosted by President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) at the Presidential Office.
• New Taiwanese Prime Minister Takes Oath, Assumes Office - Administration Sputnik 14 Jan 2019 -- New Taiwanese Prime Minister Su Tseng-chang took the oath and assumed office on Monday, the Taiwanese administration said in a statement.
• Pompeo: Saudi Leaders Committed To Holding Khashoggi's Killers Accountable RFE/RL 14 Jan 2019 -- Saudi Arabia's rulers have "reiterated their commitment" to hold the killers of prominent Saudi columnist Jamal Khashoggi accountable, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has said in Riyadh.
• Pompeo: Saudi Leaders Committed to Accountability in Khashoggi Killing VOA 14 Jan 2019 -- U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says Saudi King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman acknowledge "accountability needs to take place" in the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
• Pompeo calls for ending Gulf dispute during Qatar visit People's Daily 14 Jan 2019 -- Visiting U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Sunday called for ending the continuing crisis between Qatar and mainly its Arab Gulf neighbors.
• France's Macron launches 3-month national debate to calm unrest Press TV 14 Jan 2019 -- French President Emmanuel Macron has, in a lengthy letter to the nation, asked people to express their views on government policies as part of a "national debate" aimed at calming public anger and ending almost two months of "yellow vest" protests that have shaken the administration.
• Jordan monarch visits Iraq for first time since 2008 Press TV 14 Jan 2019 -- Jordanian King Abdullah II has made his first trip to Baghdad in more than a decade, meeting Iraqi President Barham Saleh.
• 3 to Stand Trial for Alleged Role in Kenya's Westgate Mall Attack VOA 14 Jan 2019 -- A Kenyan court says three men must stand trial for their alleged role in the 2013 terrorist attack on Nairobi's Westgate Mall. The suspects are accused of aiding the Somalia-based militant group al-Shabab.
• Britain Heads for Constitutional Fight Between Parliament, Government VOA 14 Jan 2019 -- Britain appears set for a full-blown constitutional crisis, with a cross-party group of senior lawmakers conspiring to sideline embattled Prime Minister Theresa May by seizing control of Brexit negotiations.
• Election Drama Builds in DRC VOA 14 Jan 2019 -- ​This is new territory for the Democratic Republic of Congo: the presidential election is over, and the nation appears poised to see its first-ever opposition president take power.
• Bashir rejects calls for resignation, says protests 'will not change government' Press TV 14 Jan 2019 -- Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir has rejected calls for his resignation, saying weeks of protests over a worsening economic crisis in the northeast African country will not lead to a change in the government.
• Pashinian Reappointed Armenian PM After Securing Parliament Majority RFE/RL 14 Jan 2019 -- Nikol Pashinian has been appointed to a second term as prime minister of Armenia after his political alliance scored a landslide victory in snap parliamentary elections.
• Zimbabweans Rally Against Rising Cost of Living VOA 14 Jan 2019 -- Growing tired of chronic economic hardships, hundreds of Zimbabweans took to the streets of Harare Monday, protesting an increase in the price of fuel.
• Sharp hike in fuel prices triggers angry protests in two Zimbabwean cities Press TV 14 Jan 2019 -- Protesters have taken to the streets in Zimbabwe to voice their outrage over a sharp hike in fuel prices recently announced by President Emmerson Mnangagwe as a measure to tackle the country's worst fuel shortage in a decade.
• Venezuela to refine tons of gold in Turkey Press TV 14 Jan 2019 -- Venezuela has sent a committee to Turkey to sign a contract enabling refining of thousands of tons of gold at central Turkish facilities.