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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• US mulls keeping troops in Syria to counter, attack Iranians in 'self-defense': Report Press TV 27 Jan 2019 -- Washington is considering a plan to illegally maintain a force contingent at a US military base in Syria to "combat" Iran's influence in the region and even strike Iranians passing by near the base while purportedly claiming "self-defense," despite a presidential order to pull out all US forces from the country, a report said.
• US says progress made in Taliban talks amid reports of troop pull-out deal Press TV 27 Jan 2019 -- The US envoy leading the so-called "peace talks" with the Taliban terrorist group has confirmed "significant progress" in the negotiations amid claims by the group that the American side has agreed to a troop-withdrawal deal.
• U.S. Peace Envoy In Kabul After 'Significant Progress' Made In Qatar RFE/RL 27 Jan 2019 -- U.S. special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad is consulting with Afghan government officials following six days of talks with the Afghan Taliban in Qatar aimed at ending the 17-year conflict in Afghanistan.
• US 'Serious' About Promoting Peace in Afghanistan, Withdrawing Troops - Pompeo Sputnik 27 Jan 2019 -- The United States is willing to promote peace in Afghanistan and withdraw its troops from the country, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Sunday.

Defense Policy / Programs

• IRONHORSE Dragons train for lethality during Combined Resolve XI Army News 27 Jan 2019 -- Enduring sub-zero temperatures, Soldiers worked a schedule consisting of nothing but train, eat, sleep, repeat. Demanding 12-hour shifts are the standard for Soldiers assigned to 1st Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, during Combined Resolve XI, phase II, near the Camp Aachen training area in Grafenwoehr, Germany, Jan. 15-25, 2019.
• US to spend $500bn on nuclear weapons upgrade over next 10 years Press TV 27 Jan 2019 -- A new US government estimate has found that Washington's plans for modernizing and maintaining the country's nuclear arsenal will cost nearly $500 billion over the next decade.
• Russia Detects US Military Satellites' Manoeuvres in Outer Space – Report Sputnik 27 Jan 2019 -- The reported manoeuvres come after US President Donald Trump presented the country's new Missile Defence Review last week, saying that in line with the document, Washington "will recognise that space is a new war-fighting domain, with the Space Force leading the way".
• US, Canada scramble jets to escort Russian bombers Press TV 27 Jan 2019 -- The United States and Canada have sent four fighter jets to shadow Russian long-range bombers flying near Canadian air defense identification zone in the Arctic region, authorities say.
• U.S., Canadian Jets Scrambled To Escort Russian Bombers Away From North American Coastline RFE/RL 27 Jan 2019 -- U.S. and Canadian fighter jets were scrambled to escort two Russian nuclear-capable bombers away from the North American coastline in the Arctic region, military officials say.
• US, Canadian Jets 'Identified' Russian Bombers in Airspace Near Canada - NORAD Sputnik 27 Jan 2019 -- On Saturday, the Russian Defence Ministry said that two Tu-160 strategic bombers had carried out a planned flight over the neutral waters of the Arctic Ocean, spending over 15 hours in the airspace. The ministry noted that all flights had been conducted in strict accordance with the international rules on the use of the airspace.
• Kremlin Casts Doubt On Report It Sent Military Contractors To Help Venezuela's Maduro RFE/RL 27 Jan 2019 -- The Kremlin has cast doubt about a report that it has sent as many as 400 private military contractors to Venezuela to help embattled socialist President Nicolas Maduro strengthen security amid opposition protests and a competing claim to leadership by opposition head Juan Guaido.
• Kremlin Spokesman Refutes Reports of Russian Military Presence in Venezuela Sputnik 27 Jan 2019 -- Media reports claiming that Russian military contractors have arrived in Venezuela to reinforce the security of President Nicolas Maduro are untrue, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Sunday.
• Missile launch shows China's DF-26 able to adjust position mid-flight, attack moving aircraft carriers: expert Global Times 27 Jan 2019 -- Close-up details of the Chinese anti-ship ballistic missile DF-26 show that the missile can greatly adjust its position mid-flight to accurately attack a moving aircraft carrier, experts said Sunday after China showed the launch of its new-generation missile for the first time.
• Iran does not allow interference in its defense policies: Qassemi Press TV 27 Jan 2019 -- The Islamic Republic acts independently in adopting its defense policies and will never allow other countries to interfere in that regard, says the spokesman of Iran's Foreign Ministry.
• Iran 'may adopt offensive military tactics to defend interests' Press TV 27 Jan 2019 -- Iran's chief military commander says the country may adopt offensive military tactics in order to protect its interests while continuing to adhere to its broad doctrine of defense.

Defense Industry

Other Conflicts

• Arab League calls for Syrian integrity, peaceful solution to crisis Press TV 27 Jan 2019 -- Secretary-General of the Arab League Ahmed Aboul Gheit has stressed the need for maintaining Syria's territorial integrity against foreign-sponsored Takfiri terrorist groups, and a peaceful settlement to the conflict there.
• Six killed, over a dozen injured in bomb and gun attacks across Iraq Press TV 27 Jan 2019 -- Iraqi security officials and medical sources say at least six people have lost their lives and more than a dozen sustained injuries when separate bomb and gun attacks struck the country's northern provinces of Salahuddin and Nineveh as well as the eastern province of Diyala.
• 20 Dead, 81 Hurt in Philippines Cathedral Bombing VOA 27 Jan 2019 -- Twin bombings Sunday at a cathedral in the restive southern Philippines have killed 20 people and wounded 81. Police say earlier death tolls were incorrect because of double counting.
• At Least 20 People Killed, 81 Injured in Explosion in Philippines - Reports Sputnik 27 Jan 2019 -- The death toll in the blasts that hit a cathedral in the southern Philippine province of Sulu on Sunday morning has climbed to 20 people, while the number of injured reached 81, local media reported, citing police.
• Blasts kill dozens after Muslim self-rule vote in Philippines Press TV 27 Jan 2019 -- At least 27 people have lost their lives and dozens of others been injured after two bombs hit a church on a southern Philippine island, which is home to a Daesh-linked terrorist group.
• UN chief condemns deadly terrorist attack on church in southern Philippines UN News 27 Jan 2019 -- United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has condemned the deadly terrorist attack on a church in restive southern Philippines early Sunday, and has called for the perpetrators to be brought to justice
• Cameroon Struggles to Secure Neighbors, Its Own Territory VOA 27 Jan 2019 -- While Sudan hosted a new round of Central African Republic (C.A.R.) peace talks this week (Thursday, Jan. 24), Cameroon's military was announcing new troop deployments to contain spillover from fighting inside C.A.R.'s border.
• Japan Won't Budge on Kuril Islands Position - Cabinet Deputy Chief Secretary Sputnik 27 Jan 2019 -- The Japanese government has not changed its principal stance on the disputed Kuril islands amid ongoing peace talks with Russia and continues to insist that they are Japan's ancestral territory, Deputy Chief Secretary of the Japanese cabinet Koichi Hagiuda said.
• Kremlin: Talks on Peace Deal Between Russia, Japan Hampered by Tokyo's Sanctions Sputnik 27 Jan 2019 -- Conclusion of a peace treaty over the disputed Kuril islands between Moscow and Tokyo is impeded by Japan's sanctions against Russia, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Sunday.
• Hezbollah Says Can Retaliate Against Israel in Case of New Airstrikes on Syria Sputnik 27 Jan 2019 -- Lebanon-based military group Hezbollah does not rule out that it, Iran, and Syria could retaliate against Israel if it conducts another airstrike on Syria, Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah said.

News Reports

• Venezuelan Opposition Leader Offers Amnesty to Soldiers VOA 27 Jan 2019 -- Venezuelan opposition leader and self-declared interim president Juan Guaido is offering amnesty to soldiers who back democracy and reject the current Maduro government.
• Representative of the Government of Venezuela to the United States US Dept. of State 27 Jan 2019 -- "The United States accepted interim President Juan Guaido's designation of Carlos Alfredo Vecchio as the Chargé d'Affaires of the Government of Venezuela to the United States on January 25. Mr. Vecchio will have authority over diplomatic affairs in the United States on behalf of Venezuela."
• Mulvaney refusing to rule out military action in Venezuela Press TV 27 Jan 2019 -- US President Donald Trump's acting chief of staff has refused to rule out military action in Venezuela in the midst of a political crisis there.
• Venezuela's Maduro rejects Europe's call for new election Press TV 27 Jan 2019 -- Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro has rejected an ultimatum made by a number of European countries that calls for a new election in the Latin American state within eight days, amid a profound political crisis there.
• Venezuela 'coup' grew from secret talks in US: Report Press TV 27 Jan 2019 -- The political crisis which came to a head in Venezuela this week followed "weeks of secret diplomacy," including a visit last month to the United States, Colombia and Brazil by opposition leader Juan Guaido.
• Violence Against US Diplomats to Be Met 'With Significant Response' - Bolton Sputnik 27 Jan 2019 -- On Sunday, the last group of US diplomats left Venezuela, according to Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, who noted that he had tasked the nation's foreign ministry to initiate talks with Washington.
• Caracas Compares EU Ultimatum for New Elections to Actions of Colonial Powers Sputnik 27 Jan 2019 -- Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza on Sunday rejected an ultimatum from several EU countries to call fresh elections within eight days, stressing that they were acting like "colonial powers."
• Israel Recognises Guaido as Venezuela's President - Netanyahu Sputnik 27 Jan 2019 -- On Saturday, Venezuelan military attache in Washington Col. Jose Luis Silva called on the international community to recognise Juan Guaido, who declared himself the interim president of Venezuela, as the country's new head of state.
• Venezuela's Maduro Open to Dialogue, Doesn't Rule Out Meeting Trump - Reports Sputnik 27 Jan 2019 -- This comes after earlier this week, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro called opposition leader Juan Guaido a US "puppet" and accused the United States of organising a coup in Venezuela.
• Venezuelan Defence Ministry Slams Military Attache's Move to Recognize Guaido Sputnik 27 Jan 2019 -- The Venezuelan Defence Ministry said on Sunday that Col. Jose Luis Silva, a military attache at the Venezuelan Embassy in Washington, has committed treason by recognizing opposition leader Juan Guaido as country's interim president.
• Venezuelan Senior Official Says Guaido Acknowledged Being Under US Govt Pressure Sputnik 27 Jan 2019 -- Jorge Rodriguez, Venezuelan vice-president for communications, culture, and tourism, claimed on Sunday that Juan Guaido, who declared himself the country's interim president on Wednesday, had acknowledged that he was pressured by US politicians.
• Last Group of US Diplomats Left Venezuela - Maduro Sputnik 27 Jan 2019 -- The last group of US diplomats has left Venezuela earlier in the day, said Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, adding that he had tasked the country's foreign ministry to launch talks with the United States on creation of so-called offices of mutual interests in the countries within 30 days.
• Venezuela Defence Attaché to Washington Recognizes Guaido as President Sputnik 27 Jan 2019 -- The Venezuelan defence attaché to Washington DC said that he recognized opposition leader Juan Guaidó Márquez (Guaido) as interim president, having broken with Maduro's government.
• One-Time Trump Aide Might Cooperate in Russia Probe VOA 27 Jan 2019 -- Roger Stone, a long-time friend and adviser to U.S. President Donald Trump, said Sunday he would consider cooperating with special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 election and discuss his conversations with the U.S. leader.
• White House Challenges Democrats on Border Security VOA 27 Jan 2019 -- The White House challenged opposition Democrats on Sunday to prove they want tough security on the southern border with Mexico now that the longest-ever partial government shutdown has ended and the clock is ticking on a three-week window for negotiations.
• U.S. Lifts Sanctions On Rusal, Other Firms With Links To Deripaska RFE/RL 27 Jan 2019 -- The U.S. Treasury Department says sanctions imposed on three companies linked to Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska have been lifted.
• OFAC Delists En+, Rusal, and EuroSibEnergo US Treasury 27 Jan 2019 -- The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) today lifted sanctions imposed on En+ Group plc ("En+"), UC Rusal plc ("Rusal"), and JSC EuroSibEnergo ("ESE"), following an earlier notification submitted to Congress on December 19, 2018.
• Iran official: EU had better launch SPV before it is too late Press TV 27 Jan 2019 -- Iran's nuclear chief says the European Union (EU) had better launch a promised payment mechanism meant to maintain trade with Iran and bypass unilateral sanctions by the United States "before it is too late."
• Iran Discovers Untapped Oil Reserves Amid US Sanctions - Petroleum Minister Sputnik 27 Jan 2019 -- The discovery comes as Iran has been exploring new crude oil extraction opportunities, while facing severe restrictions on its ability to trade in the global energy market due to sanctions re-imposed by United States President Donald Trump in November 2018.
• Anti-government protesters rally in Sudan despite massive police deployment Press TV 27 Jan 2019 -- Anti-government protesters in Sudan have flocked to the streets of the capital, Khartoum, and its twin city of Omdurman to hold sit-ins and rallies, as hundreds of riot police attempted to break up the crowds and disrupt the rallies.
• France's Macron in Egypt Amid Defense, Rights Concerns VOA 27 Jan 2019 -- French President Emmanuel Macron left a France roiled by ongoing yellow vest protests for another tumultuous region – the Middle East – and talks with his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah el-Sissi on regional politics and weapons sales, shadowed by the looming U.S. troop pullout from Syria.
• 'We Have Succeeded In Surviving': An Interview With Exiled Tajik Islamic Party Leader Muhiddin Kabiri RFE/RL 27 Jan 2019 -- According to Tajikistan's government, the disbanded Islamic Renaissance Party of Tajikistan (IRPT) is a "terrorist organization" with evolving ties in the global network of extremist groups. The IRPT helped recruit citizens of Tajikistan to go to Syria and Iraq and join the ranks of jihadist groups, and even recently conspired with the militant group Islamic State (IS) to carry out attacks inside Tajikistan, Tajik authorities allege.
• Nigeria Rejects Foreign Criticism Over Judge's Suspension VOA 27 Jan 2019 -- Nigeria's government warned off international "meddling," insisting the West African country will conduct "free, fair elections" for the presidency on February 16.