Further Reading

Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• Pompeo: US to remain in Syria until Daesh defeated Press TV 24 Jan 2019 -- US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says American military forces will remain in Syria until Daesh terrorists are defeated, in what seems to be yet another sign of disagreement in Washington over President Donald Trump's order to evacuate the Arab country.
• Taliban Appoints New Political Leader Amid Peace Talks With U.S. RFE/RL 24 Jan 2019 -- A co-founder of the Afghan Taliban who was released from detention by Pakistan last year has been appointed as the leader of the militant group's political office in Qatar.
• US-Taliban Talks Generate Hopes for Afghan Peace VOA 24 Jan 2019 -- There are signs of progress in the ongoing peace talks between the United States and the Taliban in Qatar, leading some to think they could set the stage for a politically negotiated settlement to the 17-year-old war in Afghanistan.
• Afghanistan's Ghani Ousts Public Official, Fuels Political Tensions VOA 24 Jan 2019 -- President Ashraf Ghani formally dismissed a deputy of Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah from office Thursday in a move that seems to have heightened political tensions at a critical time for the country.
• US, Taliban hold 4th day of talks in Doha; mechanism for ceasefire on agenda Press TV 24 Jan 2019 -- The United States special envoy for Afghanistan and representatives of the Taliban militant group meet for a fourth straight day in the Qatari capital, after the negotiations were extended.

Defense Policy / Programs

• US Completes 20-Year-Long Naval Nuclear Warhead Overhaul Sputnik 24 Jan 2019 -- The US has completed a two-decade-long project to refurbish and update the W76 nuclear warhead in use on US Navy submarine-launched ballistic missiles, the US Department of Energy (DOE) announced Wednesday. However, the larger problem of its Trident missile delivery system remains.
• US Upgrade of Nuclear Forces to Cost More Than Expected Sputnik 24 Jan 2019 -- The Trump administration's plans to accelerate the modernization of US nuclear forces over the next 10 years will likely cost around $494 billion, a full $94 billion more than previously expected, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) said in an estimate released on Thursday.
• Chinese, Russian Anti-Satellite Tech Puts US 'Space Assets at Risk' - Report Sputnik 24 Jan 2019 -- A new report released by the US National Air and Space Intelligence Center (NASIC) on Wednesday is claiming that Chinese and Russian military forces are using advanced and counterspace technologies for warfighting strategies in an effort to "challenge US superiority."
• Joint Simulation Environment inches closer to reality US Air Force 24 Jan 2019 -- The 412th Electronic Warfare Group is one step closer to bringing the Joint Simulation Environment to life at Edwards Air Force Base. The 412th EWG recently began work to pave the way for ultimately building a new facility to house the JSE.
• Essex Arrives in Phuket NNS 24 Jan 2019 -- The Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) and the embarked 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) arrived in Phuket, Thailand Jan. 24 for a port visit.
• John C. Stennis, Cassard Complete Joint Training NNS 24 Jan 2019 -- The open ocean is a vast and sometimes unpredictable area in which the world's navies operate. Maritime forces must often rely on helping hands from allies to complete missions.
• Navy Denies All Pending Camp Lejeune Federal Tort Claims Act Claims NNS 24 Jan 2019 -- The health and welfare of service members, veterans, civilians, and their families is the Department of the Navy's (DoN) leading priority. For more than two decades, the Navy and Marine Corps have supported and assisted the study of possible impacts of water contamination at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. To date, approximately 4,400 Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) administrative claims have been filed alleging personal injury or wrongful death resulting from exposure to contaminants from the 1950s to the 1980s.
• US Navy Vessels Sail Through Taiwan Strait Despite Beijing's Past Warnings Sputnik 24 Jan 2019 -- The US Navy sailed two of its vessels through the Taiwan Strait on Thursday, the US Pacific Fleet, which oversees operations in the area, and Taiwan's Ministry of Defense both confirmed.
• MND confirms two U.S. Navy vessels sailed through Taiwan Strait CNA 24 Jan 2019 -- Two United States Navy vessels sailed through the Taiwan Strait Thursday, Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense (MND) confirmed that day.
• NATO Secretary General in Davos: the transatlantic Alliance is strong NATO 24 Jan 2019 -- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg stressed the importance of strong transatlantic cooperation and institutions at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland on Thursday (24 January 2019). The Secretary General took part in a panel session on the 'Future of the Transatlantic Alliance', together with German Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen, Polish Foreign Minister Jacek Czaputowicz, former US Secretary of State John Kerry and Professor Kishore Mahbubani of the National University of Singapore.
• U.S. Official Accuses Russia Of Stonewalling On Missile Treaty Demands RFE/RL 24 Jan 2019 -- Russia is unlikely to meet U.S. demands for more verification on a missile system Washington says has violated a key Cold War treaty, the lead U.S. negotiator on arms control issues said.
• Germany Claims Russia Lacks Transparency Despite Demostration of 9M729 Missile Sputnik 24 Jan 2019 -- German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said on 23 January after meeting with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo that Russia had "failed to provide enough transparency" on the 9M729 missile, which, according to Washington's claims, allegedly violated the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty.
• Sweden Says Russian Military Planes Briefly Violated Airspace RFE/RL 24 Jan 2019 -- The Swedish military says a Russian reconnaissance plane and two fighter jets briefly violated Sweden's air space on the country's Baltic Sea coast.
• Russian Su-27 Jet Scrambled to Intercept Swedish Reconnaissance Aircraft Sputnik 24 Jan 2019 -- The Russian airspace control equipment spotted the Swedish reconnaissance aircraft Gulfstream over the Baltic Sea close to the Russian border, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Thursday, adding that the Russian Su-27 jet was scrambled to intercept it.
• Russia Confirms 'Private Security Companies' Operating Amid Unrest In Sudan RFE/RL 24 Jan 2019 -- The Russian Foreign Ministry says private Russian companies are training the army in Sudan, confirming their presence in the African country being shaken by mass street demonstrations by opposition forces.
• Chinese Rocket Forces Simulate ICBM Launch From 'Underground Great Wall' Sputnik 24 Jan 2019 -- China's strategic and tactical missile forces have practiced firing intercontinental ballistic missiles from a post deep underground, Chinese media reported.
• China settles 480,000 veterans in 2018 Global Times 24 Jan 2019 -- China is conducting a census on the number and living conditions of its military veterans as the country strives to arrange for their settlement and improve their life.
• China should learn from Su-57: experts Global Times 24 Jan 2019 -- Although many Chinese military observers are pessimistic over Russia's latest fighter jet Su-57's capability, a senior Chinese warplane designer believes the Su-57 has a very unique concept, and China should learn from it despite the country already operating the J-20 fighter.
• Chinese Military Aircraft Flexes Muscles Flying Near Taiwan Sputnik 24 Jan 2019 -- On Tuesday, Chinese military aircraft flew over the Bashi Channel, a waterway between Taiwan and the Philippines, according to Taiwan's defense ministry.
• Indian Navy Operationalises Third Airbase in Indian Ocean Region Sputnik 24 Jan 2019 -- INS Kohassa is the third naval air base in Andaman after INS Utkrosh at Port Blair and INS Baaz at Campbell Bay. The three airbases together will be of vital strategic advantage to the Indian Navy as they lie close to the Malacca Straits – the world's busiest shipping route, fulfilling two-third of China's energy requirements.
• India Follows Chinese Footsteps in Africa With First Multi-Nation Military Drill Sputnik 24 Jan 2019 -- The 10-day joint exercise named "India-Africa Field Training" will be conducted with a focus on anti-terror operations, humanitarian action, and joint peace operations at the Aundh Military station and College of Military Engineering in Pune, India.
• Iranian Army's Ground Force to hold maneuver Friday IRNA 24 Jan 2019 -- Commander of Iranian Army's Ground Force Brigadier General Kiomars Heidari announced on Thursday that a 2-day military maneuver dubbed as 'Eghtedar-e- 97' (Authority- 97) will kick off on Friday in a wide area of Isfahan province.
• Israel deploys 'Iron Dome' after Syria warns of retaliatory strike on Ben Gurion airport Press TV 24 Jan 2019 -- The Israeli military has deployed the so-called "Iron Dome" missile systems in Tel Aviv and other parts of the occupied territories after Syria warned of a retaliatory strike on the Ben Gurion airport if the UN fails to stop the regime's aerial acts of aggression against the Arab country.
• Iron Dome Reportedly Set Up in Tel Aviv as Damascus Mulls Retaliatory Strike Sputnik 24 Jan 2019 -- Israel conducted airstrikes on Damascus International Airport on 20 and 21 January after it intercepted a missile over the Golan Heights. The IDF claims to have targeted Iranian military bases.
• Pakistan conducts launch of short range ballistic missile IRNA 24 Jan 2019 -- Pakistan successfully conducted the training launch of short range surface to surface ballistic missile "Nasr" on Thursday to enhance the operational efficiency of Army Strategic Forces, said the military's media wing.
• Pakistan Equips Military With Tactical Nuke-capable Missile VOA 24 Jan 2019 -- Pakistan launched a short-range ballistic missile Thursday, formally equipping the military with a nuclear-capable rocket that officials say would deter a surprise conventional attack against the country by rival India.

Defense Industry

• Contracts for January 11, 2019
• Kalashnikov Concern Plans to Start Production of NATO-Standard Assault Rifle Sputnik 24 Jan 2019 -- The Kalashnikov Concern is planning to begin mass production of the AK-308 assault rifle with NATO-standard ammunition in 2019, the concern's General Director Vladimir Dmitriev said.

Other Conflicts

• 24 January 2019 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 24 Jan 2019
• Yemeni nation determined to withstand Saudi-led oppression: Houthi Press TV 24 Jan 2019 -- The leader of Yemen's Houthi Ansarullah movement says his country is determined to stand up to oppressive measures of Saudi Arabia and its regional allies, which are involved in an atrocious military campaign against the impoverished Arab country.
• US Syrian Pullout Pushes Syrian Kurds Toward Damascus VOA 24 Jan 2019 -- Talks between Syrian Kurdish forces and Damascus are seen as the latest repercussion from Washington's decision to pull troops out of Syria. The talks could force Ankara to end its freeze in diplomatic relations with Damascus. Both developments are key objectives of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
• Russian S-300s not active during attack in Syria IRNA 24 Jan 2019 -- Head of Majlis (parliament) national security and foreign policy commission Heshmatollah Falahat-Pisheh said on Thursday afternoon that Russian air defense system of 'S-300', which are deployed in Syria, were inactive during the Zionist attack on Syria.
• 3 killed, dozens injured as bombing spree hits militant-held towns in northwest Syria Press TV 24 Jan 2019 -- A string of bomb attacks have stricken several towns in northwestern Syria, killing three people and injuring nearly a dozen others.
• 'Syria's Assad revokes multiple entry visas for European Union diplomats' Press TV 24 Jan 2019 -- Syria's President Bashar al-Assad has revoked multiple entry visas for European Union diplomats and officials traveling regularly to Damascus, senior EU diplomats say.
• Netanyahu Mocks Iran's Top General Over 'the State of Iranian Bases' in Syria Sputnik 24 Jan 2019 -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suggested to Iranian Quds Force Commander Qassem Soleimani that he should look into the state of "bases he is trying to establish in Syria" instead of "interfering in the [Israeli] elections."
• Russia, Turkey vow to continue joint anti-terror fight in militant-held Idlib Press TV 24 Jan 2019 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, have agreed to take steps towards stabilizing the situation in Syria's northwestern province of Idlib, the last major militant stronghold in the Arab country.
• Turkey: We Won't Exclude US, Russia if They Want to Cooperate on Syria Safe Zone Sputnik 24 Jan 2019 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, held negotiations on Syria in Moscow on 23 January, focusing on the creation of a security zone in the northern part of the war-torn country.
• Hamas turns down Qatari funds over Israel's change of conditions Press TV 24 Jan 2019 -- The Palestinian Islamic resistance movement, Hamas, says it would not accept a fresh tranche of Qatari funds to the Gaza Strip after the Israeli regime blocked its delivery over unrest along the border between the besieged costal enclave and the occupied territories.
• UN says new Myanmar curbs threatening 50,000 Rohingya Press TV 24 Jan 2019 -- The UN says new government curbs on aid activities are affecting at least 50,000 people in Myanmar's beleaguered Rakhine state, where persecuted Rohingya Muslims are mainly based.
• 'Forgotten crisis' in Cameroon, with attacks on the rise, millions in need of 'lifesaving assistance' UN News 24 Jan 2019 -- Around 4.3 million Cameroonians, mostly women and children, are now in need of lifesaving assistance, the UN announced on Thursday, presenting it's 2019 Humanitarian Response Plan for the West African country, in coordination with the Government and aid partners.
• Cameroon Struggles to Aid IDPs in Anglophone Separatist Areas VOA 24 Jan 2019 -- Cameroon is struggling to get humanitarian aid to hundreds of thousands of people who fled areas of separatist unrest, some of them trapped by the fighting. Meanwhile, authorities' calls for separatists to disarm and be pardoned are failing as rehabilitation centers remain empty.
• South Sudan Resumes Oil Production in Former Unity State VOA 24 Jan 2019 -- Oil is again being pumped from fields in South Sudan's former Unity state, five years after production was halted because of fighting between government soldiers and rebels.

News Reports

• Remarks at the Organization of American States US Dept. of State 24 Jan 2019 -- Remarks by Michael R. Pompeo, Secretary of State
• United States Is Ready To Provide Urgent Humanitarian Aid to the People of Venezuela US Dept. of State 24 Jan 2019
• Foreign Secretary statement on situation in Venezuela, January 2019 UK FCO 24 Jan 2019 -- Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt gave a statement to media on the situation in Venezuela during a visit to Washington.
• UN chief calls on Venezuela's politicians to 'avoid escalation', end suffering of the people UN News 24 Jan 2019 -- Reports of violence and casualties linked to unrest in Venezuela should be investigated transparently and independently, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Thursday, before calling for calm.
• Britain, France Back Protests Against Venezuela's Maduro VOA 24 Jan 2019 -- France and Britain are the latest countries Thursday to throw their weight behind the popular street protests seeking to force Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro to step aside, dubbing the embattled Latin American ruler "illegitimate."
• US Urges OAS to Recognize Guaido as Venezuela's Legitimate Ruler VOA 24 Jan 2019 -- The United States is rallying nations in the Western Hemisphere to continue the push to isolate Venezuela's disputed president Nicolas Maduro, as an increasing number of countries declared their support for National Assembly President Juan Guaido as the country's leader.
• Venezuela Opposition in Push to Oust Maduro VOA 24 Jan 2019 -- Venezuela's opposition party continued to push to isolate the country's disputed president Nicolas Maduro, as an increasing number of countries declared their support for interim leader Juan Guaido Thursday.
• U.S. recognizes Venezuelan opposition leader as nation's "interim president" People's Daily 24 Jan 2019 -- U.S. President Donald Trump said Wednesday that the United States had recognized Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido as the nation's "interim president," a move that came after Nicolas Maduro was inaugurated as president of the Latin American country earlier this month.
• Venezuela breaks off diplomatic relations with US People's Daily 24 Jan 2019 -- Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro announced on Wednesday that the country has cut off diplomatic relations with the United States, giving American diplomats 72 hours to leave the country.
• Venezuela Leader Maduro Says Decided to Close Embassy and Consulates in US Sputnik 24 Jan 2019 -- Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro said that he has decided to close the country's embassy and all consulates in the United States. Meanwhile, Caracas is not going to take any actions against US diplomats in Venezuela, Venezuela's ambassador said.
• Russia Offers Support To Embattled Venezuelan Leader, Condemns Bid To 'Usurp Power' RFE/RL 24 Jan 2019 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin "expressed support" to his Venezuelan counterpart, Nicolas Maduro, in a telephone call, after an opposition leader declared himself interim leader of the South American country.
• Interview: Russia's Ties To Venezuela Give It 'Nuisance Power' Over The U.S. RFE/RL 24 Jan 2019 -- As the political standoff in Venezuela escalates, Moscow has become increasingly ardent in its support for embattled socialist President Nicolas Maduro since Washington and other capitals recognized opposition leader Juan Guaido's claim to being Venezuela's interim leader.
• Syria, China condemn US 'interference' in Venezuela's domestic affairs Press TV 24 Jan 2019 -- Syria and China, among other countries, have condemned US interference in Venezuela, after Washington recognized opposition leader Juan Guaido, who declared himself president, as interim leader.
• Iran, Turkey, Russia warn US against meddling in domestic affairs of Venezuela Press TV 24 Jan 2019 -- Iran, Turkey and Russia throw their weight behind the Venezuelan government against a bizarre move by the US-backed opposition leader to proclaim himself "president," warning Washington against interfering in domestic affairs of the South American state.
• UK Foreign Secretary Backs Guaido as 'Right Person to Take Venezuela Forward' Sputnik 24 Jan 2019 -- UK Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said Thursday that Nicolas Maduro was not a legitimate leader of Venezuela and the country should be led by speaker of the opposition parliament Juan Guaido.
• How US-Venezuela Escalation Unfolded From Sanctions to Backing Anti-Maduro Coup Sputnik 24 Jan 2019 -- The Trump administration has officially recognised opposition figure Juan Guaido as the president of Venezuela and dismissed Nicolas Maduro's inauguration as "illegitimate". Maduro, on the other hand, hit back, saying that Washington has been trying to oust him.
• EU Supports 'Re-Establishment of Democracy' in Venezuela - Macron Sputnik 24 Jan 2019 -- The French president's statement comes amid a crisis in Caracas, where the head of the opposition-run National Assembly, Juan Guaido, has declared himself the country's interim president, with the US and several other countries recognising him.
• Russia Warns US Against Military Interference in Venezuela's Affairs Sputnik 24 Jan 2019 -- Russia warns the United States against military interference in Venezuela's affairs, it would be a disaster, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said on Thursday, noting that Moscow stands for the principle of non-interference in internal affairs.
• Things to Know About Venezuelan Opposition Leader Recognised as President by US Sputnik 24 Jan 2019 -- US President Donald Trump has announced that Washington recognises Juan Guaido as the "rightful head" of Venezuela in a move that has been fiercely blasted by President Nicolas Maduro as a coup attempt.
• Brazil Rejects Possibility of Military Operation Against Venezuela - Reports Sputnik 24 Jan 2019 -- Brazilian Vice President Hamilton Mourao has rejected the possibility of Brazil taking part in any kind of a military operation against neighbouring Venezuela, which has recently seen an escalation of its months-long political crisis, the Global news outlet reported.
• Venezuela Crisis: What We Know So far as US, Number of Countries Back Opposition Sputnik 24 Jan 2019 -- On Wednesday, Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido declared himself the country's interim president at a mass rally in Caracas with the United States subsequently urging Nicolas Maduro to step down in favour of Guaido. Maduro has called Guaido "the US puppet" and said that Venezuela was severing diplomatic ties with Washington.
• Venezuelan Defense Minister: Armed Forces Will Defend Constitution, Sovereignty Sputnik 24 Jan 2019 -- Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino said Wednesday that the country's military will continue to defend the Venezuelan constitution and national sovereignty, and would not accept an "imposed president."
• North Korea's Kim says 'believes in' US President Trump ahead of 2nd summit Press TV 24 Jan 2019 -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-un says he "believes in" American President Donald Trump, expressing his satisfaction with the progress in talks between officials from the two countries about a second summit to be held between him and the US president.
• Tokyo Detects Alleged Illegal Oil Transfer Violating Sanctions Against N Korea Sputnik 24 Jan 2019 -- The Japanese Foreign Ministry said in a statement that a suspected ship-to-ship oil transfer took place near Shanghai and involved a North Korean tanker, thus violating the UN sanctions against the country.
• Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un Meets Delegation to 2nd DPRK-U.S. High-level Talks KCNA 24 Jan 2019 -- Kim Jong Un, chairman of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK), chairman of the State Affairs Commission of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and supreme commander of the Korean People's Army, met the delegation to the second DPRK-U.S. high-level talks that had visited Washington D.C. of the United States.
• North Korea's Kim Received Letter From Trump - Reports Sputnik 24 Jan 2019 -- The deputy chair of North Korean Workers' Party's central committee, Kim Yong Chol, who recently returned from the United States where he held high-level talks, handed US President Donald Trump's letter over to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, local media reported on Thursday.
• U.S. Targets Iran-Backed Airline, Militia Fighters In Syria With Sanctions RFE/RL 24 Jan 2019 -- The United States has targeted with sanctions two Iran-backed foreign militias fighting in Syria, an Iranian airline, and an Armenian general sales agent providing services to an already sanctioned Iranian carrier.
• Treasury Designates Iran's Foreign Fighter Militias in Syria along with a Civilian Airline Ferrying Weapons to Syria US Treasury 24 Jan 2019 -- Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) took action against two Syria-based, Iran-backed militias composed of foreign nationals, an Iranian airline linked to designated Iranian airline Mahan Air and Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force (IRGC-QF), and an Armenian general sales agent (GSA) providing services to Mahan Air.
• US Adds Iran-backed Militants in Syria to Terror List VOA 24 Jan 2019 -- The U.S. Treasury Department added two Iran-backed militant groups to its official list of terrorists on Thursday.
• Iran to launch 'Friendship Satellite' soon IRNA 24 Jan 2019 -- Doosti (Friendship) Satellite, the only fully domestic Iranian made satellite, will be launched in the coming few weeks, said official of the Sharif University of Technology of Tehran on Thursday.
• Xi presides over 6th meeting of central committee for deepening overall reform People's Daily 24 Jan 2019 -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), presided over the sixth meeting of the central committee for deepening overall reform Wednesday.
• China Party-Backed Tabloid Warns of Protracted Battle Ahead Over Huawei VOA 24 Jan 2019 -- A party-backed nationalistic tabloid in China has warned that the extradition battle over tech giant Huawei's chief financial officer, Meng Wanzhou, is likely to be drawn out and complex. In a sharply worded editorial, the Global Times also said Beijing should make it clear that it will retaliate against both Washington and Ottawa if the request is approved.
• Taiwan's efforts to expand international space continue: president CNA 24 Jan 2019 -- President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) said Thursday that Taiwan is continuing to seek greater international space, particularly through the United Nations system.
• Ukraine Sentences Ex-President Yanukovych In Absentia To 13 Years In Prison RFE/RL 24 Jan 2019 -- A Ukrainian court has found former President Viktor Yanukovych guilty of high treason and sentenced him in absentia to 13 years in prison over attempts to quash a 2014 pro-Western uprising.
• Ex-Ukrainian President Yanukovich Sentenced to 13 Years in Prison in Absentia Sputnik 24 Jan 2019 -- The court ruled that the former Ukrainian head of state, who was overthrown in a coup in 2014, was not guilty of a violation of Ukraine's territorial integrity, but had committed high treason.
• DR Congo Celebrates New President, Keeps Sharp Eye on Ex VOA 24 Jan 2019 -- All eyes were on Felix Tshisekedi as he was sworn in as new president of the Democratic Republic of Congo on Thursday. And he knew it, taking an unscheduled break to leave the stage because he felt, as he said, exhausted by the long election campaign and the emotion of this occasion.
• Sudan police clash with anti-govt. protesters amid calls for Bashir's resignation Press TV 24 Jan 2019 -- Sudanese police forces have fired teargas canisters at hundreds of protesters in the capital Khartoum as anti-government demonstrators are mounting pressure on President Omar al-Bashir to step down over price hikes and shortages in the east African nation.
• Qatar FM: No sign of breakthrough in Persian Gulf crisis Press TV 24 Jan 2019 -- The Qatari foreign minister says there is no sign of breakthrough in the Persian Gulf diplomatic crisis, which has seen a Saudi-led quartet of states impose a blockade against Qatar.
• Greek Police Disperse Protesters Over Macedonia Deal, Parliament Delays Vote RFE/RL 24 Jan 2019 -- Greek police have fired tear gas and stun grenades to disperse demonstrators gathered outside parliament to protest against a historic agreement to change the name of neighboring Macedonia.
• Greece Postpones Vote on Macedonia Deal VOA 24 Jan 2019 -- A vote in Greece's parliament to end a name dispute with neighboring Macedonia, set to take place late Thursday, has been pushed back to Friday.