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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
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Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• Taliban Assault on Afghan Military Base Inflicts Heavy Casualties VOA 21 Jan 2019 -- Taliban insurgents launched a major suicide bomb-and-gun attack against a military base in central Afghanistan Monday, and numerous officials reported that at least 126 security personnel were killed.
• Taliban, US Open Afghan Peace Talks in Qatar VOA 21 Jan 2019 -- Afghanistan's Taliban opened a new round of peace talks Monday in Qatar with the United States, the insurgent group said.
• Taliban hold talks with Khalilzad in Qatar, hours after attack on security base Press TV 21 Jan 2019 -- The Taliban have held talks with US special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad in Qatar hours after militants from the group killed scores of Afghan security forces in central Maidan Wardak province.
• Taliban assault on Afghan military compound kills over 100 troops Press TV 21 Jan 2019 -- More than 100 Afghan security forces have been killed and scores wounded in an assault by Taliban militants on a military base in the south.
• Taliban Assault On Afghan Military Base Kills At Least 12 RFE/RL 21 Jan 2019 -- Taliban militants have carried out an assault on a military base in Afghanistan's eastern province of Maidan Wardak, killing at least 12 people and wounding more than 20 others, officials say.

Defense Policy / Programs

• 'Eye in the sky' surveillance at Al Udeid AFNS 21 Jan 2019 -- According to Air Force doctrine, air superiority requires basic freedom of movement – the ability to operate anywhere without opposition.
• USS Donald Cook arrives in Batumi, Georgia NNS 21 Jan 2019 -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Donald Cook (DDG 75) arrived in Batumi, Georgia, Jan. 21, 2019 for a scheduled port visit.
• Stay away from our coast, Russia warns US warship in Black Sea Press TV 21 Jan 2019 -- Russia has warned the American destroyer USS Donald Cook deployed in the Black Sea against approaching Russian coasts, stressing that Moscow is closely watching and monitoring the warship's actions.
• Russian Warships Observe, Escort Two US Destroyers in Baltic Sea - Military Sputnik 21 Jan 2019 -- The US fleet has yet to comment on the move, however, the Pentagon has recently been boosting its naval presence near Russia's territorial waters, with the USS Donald Cook guided-missile destroyer entering the Black Sea over the weekend.
• NATO intelligence chief visits Skopje for talks on defence reforms NATO 21 Jan 2019 -- The head of NATO's intelligence and security division, Ambassador Arndt Freytag von Loringhoven, started three days of talks in Skopje on Monday (21 January 2019) focused on reforming the country's defence and security institutions.
• NATO Deputy Secretary General Rose Gottemoeller visits Israel NATO 21 Jan 2019 -- From 20 to 21 January 2019, NATO Deputy Secretary General Rose Gottemoeller paid an official visit to Israel, to discuss practical cooperation activities between NATO and Israel. She met with representatives from Israel's legislative body, the Knesset, in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem to exchange views on current developments in the region.
• Russia rejects US demand to destroy new missile system Press TV 21 Jan 2019 -- Russia has rejected a US demand for Moscow to destroy a new cruise missile system, a weapon Washington alleges is in violation of the landmark Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty.
• U.S. Envoy Blasts Russia's 'Irresponsible' Behavior, Calls For 'Demonstrable Steps' To Save INF Treaty RFE/RL 21 Jan 2019 -- Washington has again called on Moscow to take "demonstrable steps" to save a key Cold War arms-control treaty, and reiterated claims that Russia's behavior is not that of a "responsible state actor."
• Russia Ready to Show US 'Unprecedented Transparency' Over SSC-8 Missile Sputnik 21 Jan 2019 -- The statement by the official comes amid Washington's plans to suspend the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty with Moscow.
• Aircraft carrier Liaoning in likely sea trial after maintenance, modification Global Times 21 Jan 2019 -- China's first aircraft carrier Liaoning might be embarking on a new sea trial on Monday after more than half a year's maintenance and modification. Military experts say the warship will come back not only replenished but also strengthened.
• India Develops Advanced Laser Pods to Boost Fighter Jet's Attack Skills - Source Sputnik 21 Jan 2019 -- Laser Designator Pods (LDPs) are complex laser targeting systems used by the military. American firm Lockheed Martin has been developing a cost-effective fibre laser system that will be demonstrated on a fighter jet in 2021. According to Sources, Indian scientists claim that their laser designator pod is highly cost-effective and accurate.
• 'Compelling case' for urgency around global disarmament, UN-led forum told UN News 21 Jan 2019 -- Michael Møller, head of the UN in Geneva, has warned delegates to the Conference on Disarmament that cyber-security challenges, and the existence of new weapons systems and technologies, are not being sufficiently addressed or reflected in current arms control regimes.
• Moroccan Fighter Jet Crashes in Northern Region of Country - Armed Forces Sputnik 21 Jan 2019 -- Moroccan Mirage F1 fighter jet has crashed during the training flight in the northern region of the country, a statement by the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces read on Monday.

Defense Industry

• German arms manufacturer may sue Berlin over halt in arms sales to Saudi Arabia Press TV 21 Jan 2019 -- A major German arms manufacturer has threatened legal action against the government of Chancellor Angela Merkel over its decision to suspend all weapons sales to Saudi Arabia in the wake of the assassination of a dissident journalist in the kingdom's consulate in Istanbul, Turkey.
• German Gov't Faces Suit for Banning Arms Export to Saudi Arabia – Reports Sputnik 21 Jan 2019 -- Angela Merkel's cabinet stopped military supplies to Saudi Arabia and called on other countries to do the same following the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi at Riyadh's consulate in Turkey.

Other Conflicts

• 21 January 2019 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 21 Jan 2019
• Daesh-claimed bomb attack kills 5 SDF militants in NE Syria Press TV 21 Jan 2019 -- A car bomb attack, claimed by the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group, has killed at least five members of the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) militant group in northeastern Syria, a London-based monitor group says.
• Syria downed over 30 Israeli cruise missiles, bombs: Russia Press TV 21 Jan 2019 -- Russia says Syria's air defenses shot down more than 30 cruise missiles and guided bombs during Israel's aerial attacks in the early hours of Monday.
• Syria says its air defenses intercept 'most of Israeli missiles' fired on Damascus Press TV 21 Jan 2019 -- Syrian media reported on Sunday that the country's air defenses have thwarted an Israeli aerial attack on targets in the capital Damascus, intercepting and shooting down several missiles.
• Israel Confirms Military Strike on Iranian Targets in Syria VOA 21 Jan 2019 -- In a rare public admission, Israel confirmed early Monday that it carried out airstrikes on Iranian military targets inside Syria.
• Israeli strikes aimed at prolonging crisis in Syria: Damascus Press TV 21 Jan 2019 -- Syria has once again written protest letters to the United Nations, urging the world body to take a decisive step and put an end to Israel's acts of aggression against its territory as Tel Aviv's hostile strikes are aimed at "prolonging" the crisis in the Arab country.
• Israel Confirms Air Strikes Against Iranian Forces In Syria RFE/RL 21 Jan 2019 -- The Israeli military confirmed early on January 21 that it attacked Iranian military targets in Syria, hours after Israeli forces carried out rare daylight air strikes near Damascus International Airport.
• Syrian NextGen Buk-M2 Defense System Repels Israeli Attack - Report Sputnik 21 Jan 2019 -- On Sunday, the Israeli Air Forces carried out an attack against the Damascus International Airport. A Russian military spokesman confirmed that Syrian-operated air-defense missile systems destroyed seven Israeli missiles, successfully repelling the attack.
• Erdogan to Trump: Turkey ready to take over Manbij security Press TV 21 Jan 2019 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says his country is prepared to take over security in Syria's northern town of Manbij where a deadly bomb attack killed several American soldiers last Wednesday.
• Erdogan: Turkey not to allow Syria safe zone to turn into 'swamp' Press TV 21 Jan 2019 -- Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says the country will never allow the implementation of a militant-free safe zone in Syria to be turned into "a swamp" like the one in northern Iraq, where US-backed Kurdish militants launch attacks on Turkish soil.
• Erdogan, Trump Agree to Speed Up Talks on Security Zone in Syria - Ankara Sputnik 21 Jan 2019 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his US counterpart Donald Trump during a phone conversation agreed to speed up negotiations on the creation of a security zone in northeastern Syria, the Turkish leader's administration said on Sunday.
• Iraq's Hashd al-Sha'abi warns Israel against possible attacks, pledges strong response Press TV 21 Jan 2019 -- Iraq's pro-government Popular Mobilization Units, known in Arabic as Hashd al-Sha'abi, have advised Israel against "playing with fire" after US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo hinted that Tel Aviv may attack the anti-terror volunteer fighters.
• India-Bangladesh Border Guards Spar Over Rohingya Muslim Refugees - Reports Sputnik 21 Jan 2019 -- Each side accuses the other of perpetrating the influx of refugees across their respective borders. Some 31 Rohingyas are currently at Zero Line on the international border.
• The Kuriles Question: Not So Fast On Russia-Japan World War II Peace Treaty RFE/RL 21 Jan 2019 -- When Japanese President Shinzo Abe addressed a packed audience at the Eastern Economic Forum in September, held in the Russian Far East city of Vladivostok, he had a direct message for his host.

News Reports

• Kremlin Had No Contacts Regarding Construction of Trump Tower in Moscow - Peskov Sputnik 21 Jan 2019 -- The Kremlin was not engaged in any discussions regarding the potential construction of a Trump Tower skyscraper in Moscow, even though it received several emails regarding the matter, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has stated.
• Muslim-American Congresswomen Prompt Saudi Alarm VOA 21 Jan 2019 -- Saudi Arabia may learn to regret the political attacks launched from the kingdom on two American Muslim women who won seats for the Democrats in Congress in the U.S. midterm elections. One of them Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, has secured a seat on a House panel that has the power to disrupt U.S. arms sales to Saudi Arabia.
• S.Korean FM, Pompeo hold phone talks over 2nd DPRK-U.S. summit People's Daily 21 Jan 2019 -- South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha and U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo held phone talks Monday morning over the second summit between the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the United States, according to Seoul's Foreign Ministry.
• A Complicated Path to Denuclearization as Trump-Kim Summit Nears VOA 21 Jan 2019 -- Despite the Trump administration asserting there's been ongoing progress in talks with North Korea over its commitment to denuclearize, it is unclear what has been achieved ahead of the U.S. announced summit between President Trump and Kim Jong Un.
• 2nd Trump-Kim summit expected to be held in Vietnam: report People's Daily 21 Jan 2019 -- The second summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un, top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), is expected to take place in Vietnam, with three candidate cities being under consideration, U.S. media reported Sunday.
• Supervisory board on JCPOA to make decision about nuclear deal: AEOI chief ISNA 21 Jan 2019 -- The head of Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Ali Akbar Salehi rejected the US national security adviser John Bolton's recent claim that Tehran has gave false information to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), saying, "Has Mr. Bolton ever said the truth and right thing?"
• Iran does not allow any coalition against its interests: Deputy FM Press TV 21 Jan 2019 -- Iran's deputy foreign minister for political affairs says the Islamic Republic does not allow any country to build a coalition against its interests either within the Middle East or outside.
• Iran Not Invited, Russia Snubs Mideast Conference In Warsaw, Poland Says RFE/RL 21 Jan 2019 -- Iran has not been invited to a global conference on the Middle East in Warsaw next month and Russia has declined the invitation, Poland's foreign minister says.
• Germany Cites 'Security Interests' To Ban Iranian Airline RFE/RL 21 Jan 2019 -- Germany has revoked the license of Iran's Mahan Air airline, citing "security concerns" and the company's activities in Syria, officials say.
• Japan says it will continue oil purchase from Iran IRNA 21 Jan 2019 -- Japanese refiner Fuji Oil was loaded with Iranian crude oil in the first cargo to head for the East Asian country since Tokyo received a waiver from the US sanctions on Tehran.
• Japan's Fuji Oil loads first Iran oil cargo since US sanctions waiver Press TV 21 Jan 2019 -- Governor of the Central Bank of Iran (CBI) Abdolnaser Hemmati says Japan has restarted importing crude oil from Iran, with Fuji Oil loading the first such cargo since the United States granted Tokyo waiver over renewed sanctions on the Islamic Republic's energy sector.
• China's economy expands 6.6 pct in 2018 People's Daily 21 Jan 2019 -- In the midst of a complex external environment, China's economy has ended 2018 on firm footing, with better quality and improved structure.
• Premier Li seeks opinions, suggestions for draft report of government work People's Daily 21 Jan 2019 -- Premier Li Keqiang has said the government should work to address key and difficult problems ly related to the people's well-being and advance a harmonious development of economy and society.
• China's Strategy to Unify with Taiwan Sparks Anger VOA 21 Jan 2019 -- Last year some of the world's biggest airlines changed their websites, one by one, to label Taiwan as anything but an independent country. When passengers opened country-specific pages or menus, they often found the Western Pacific island linked instead to China. Each change angered the Taiwanese, who have enjoyed de facto autonomy since the 1940s even though China says the island belongs under its flag.
• Israel seeking Africa foothold with renewed Chad ties Press TV 21 Jan 2019 -- Israel has for some time been trying to expand its influence across the African continent. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's recent visit to Chad is being viewed as a step in this direction. The two sides have now announced the normalization of their diplomatic ties amid reports of Israel supplying the Central African state with weapons.
• Kenya Arrests at Least 11 Following Hotel Attack VOA 21 Jan 2019 -- Kenyan authorities have made more arrests in connection with last Tuesday's terrorist attack in Nairobi. Meanwhile, Kenyan officials are vowing to prevent further attacks.
• UK PM refuses MPs demand to rule out no-deal Brexit Press TV 21 Jan 2019 -- British Prime Minister Theresa May has refused a request from members of parliament to rule out a possibility that the country could leave the European Union at the end of March in a disorderly manner and without an agreement that could set out terms of a Brexit and future relations.
• May to set out plan B proposals in parliament Press TV 21 Jan 2019 -- British Prime Minister Theresa May will try to break the Brexit deadlock by laying out her plan B which includes gaining concessions from the European Union (EU).
• PM statement to the House of Commons on Brexit: 21 January 2019 Gov.UK 21 Jan 2019 -- Mr Speaker, I am sure the whole House will join me in condemning Saturday's car bomb attack in Londonderry – and paying tribute to the bravery of the Northern Ireland Police and the local community who helped to ensure that everyone got to safety.
• EU's Sefcovic Says Russia-Ukraine Gas Deal Possible End Of 2019 RFE/RL 21 Jan 2019 -- Ukraine and Russia should be able to reach an agreement by the end of 2019 on the transportation of natural gas to the European Union, a top EU official has said.
• Venezuela's Supreme Court Disavows Guaido as Congress Head Sputnik 21 Jan 2019 -- Juan Guaido, the speaker of the disempowered National Assembly, was declared the interim president of Venezuela by the opposition earlier this month; however, the government refused accept the decision and briefly detained him.
• Venezuelan Armed Forces Detain Soldiers Involved in Caracas Coup Attempt - MoD Sputnik 21 Jan 2019 -- The news comes after reports of exiled military opposition members claiming that the armed forces are ready to turn against President Nicolas Maduro, calling on people to take to the streets.
• DR Congo President Has Officially Won, But Can he Govern? VOA 21 Jan 2019 -- By all official measures, Felix Tshisekedi has won the presidency of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The nation's highest court certified his win over the weekend, invalidating the claim by challenger Martin Fayulu. The African Union, which last week surprised observers by raising doubts over the messy, chaotic poll, also stood down from its challenge and postponed its Monday visit to Kinshasa.
• Cameroon, China Look to Improve Ties Amid Miners' Tensions VOA 21 Jan 2019 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping's special representative was in Cameroon this weekend to improve relations between the two countries. Trade and security ties have steadily grown between Beijing and Yaounde. But tensions between Cameroonian and Chinese miners has given China a bad name
• Indonesian Presidential Debate Highlights Disagreements VOA 21 Jan 2019 -- Indonesia's presidential candidates are highlighting their disagreements on several topics, from corruption, bureaucratic system to combating terrorism, but also, on a more surprising note, showing a lot of similarities.
• Zimbabwe President Returns Home After Violent Protests VOA 21 Jan 2019 -- Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa cut short his international trip and returned home Monday, after days of protests left at least 12 people dead in a government crackdown.
• Bashir Heads to Qatar as Protests Rock Sudan VOA 21 Jan 2019 -- Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir is set to arrive in Qatar, his first overseas trip since widespread anti-government protests rocked the nation.