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Current Operations

• Afghan Taliban: Trump administration 'appears serious' in talks Press TV 01 Feb 2019 -- The Taliban militant group in Afghanistan says the administration of United States President Donald Trump "appears" to be "serious" in its negotiations with the group on bringing an end to the war in the Asian country.
• US troops to leave Afghanistan if peace deal reached with Taliban: Trump Press TV 01 Feb 2019 -- United States President Donald Trump says American troops in Afghanistan will return home if his administration's talks with the Taliban militant group lead to an "agreement".
• Afghan Security Forces Shrinking as Taliban Regain Territory - Report Sputnik 01 Feb 2019 -- The size of the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF) has reached its lowest point in three years, insurgent control over territory in Afghanistan has increased, and the Afghan government's influence inside the country's borders continues to decline, a US watchdog report says.

Defense Policy / Programs

• US suspends obligations under INF treaty with Russia: Pompeo Press TV 01 Feb 2019 -- The United States has officially announced the suspension of its participation in a landmark Cold War-era arms control treaty with Russia over claims that Moscow has been violating the key pact and jeopardizing Washington's security interests.
• Pompeo Announces U.S. Pulling Out Of Nuclear Arms-Control Treaty RFE/RL 01 Feb 2019 -- U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has announced the United States will suspend its obligations under the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty as of February 2.
• What You Need to Know About Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty Sputnik 01 Feb 2019 -- Last October, US President Donald Trump announced his country's intention to withdraw from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF) over alleged Russian violations of the agreement, and the start of the withdrawal process may begin on Saturday.
• US Set to Exit Key Arms Treaty, Leaves Door Open for Talks VOA 01 Feb 2019 -- The United States on Friday fired a diplomatic warning shot at Russia, making good on threats to begin its withdrawal from a key arms control agreement and thus taking the next step toward what some politicians and analysts see as a burgeoning arms race.
• Remarks to the Press US Dept. of State 01 Feb 2019 -- Remarks by Michael R. Pompeo, Secretary of State
• Statement from the President Regarding the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty The White House 01 Feb 2019
• President Donald J. Trump to Withdraw the United States from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty The White House 01 Feb 2019
• Statement on Russia's failure to comply with the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty NATO 01 Feb 2019 -- "Following nearly six years of U.S. and Allied engagement with Russia, on 4 December 2018, NATO Allies declared that Russia has developed and fielded a missile system, the 9M729, which violates the INF Treaty, and poses significant risks to Euro-Atlantic security."
• Europe 'at gunpoint' as US decides to quit missile treaty Press TV 01 Feb 2019 -- Russia has regretted Washington's expected exit from a key arms control treaty, saying the decision to abandon the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF) has been made a long time ago.
• Russia Hits Back At U.S. Decision To Pull Out Of INF Treaty RFE/RL 01 Feb 2019 -- Russian officials and politicians blasted the U.S. decision to suspend its obligations under the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty, with one lawmaker saying Washington had "taken another step toward its destruction."
• Russia Deploying Additional 9M729 Missiles as US About to Leave INF – Report Sputnik 01 Feb 2019 -- Washington claims that Russia has tested the 9M729 missile at ranges that violate the conditions of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, citing an intelligence report, but has failed to present evidence proving that this is the case. Russia denies the accusations and has its own questions regarding the US' adherence to the accord.
• Moscow: No Evidence of INF Violations as US Suspends Obligations Under Treaty Sputnik 01 Feb 2019 -- US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo warned Russia in December that it has two months to cease its alleged violations of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty. Moscow has denied all accusations and has made counterclaims regarding Washington's own adherence to the accord.
• 2CR implements the Stryker Leaders Course Pre-Pilot I Army News 01 Feb 2019 -- 2d Cavalry Regiment infantryman Soldiers participated in the Stryker Leaders Course Pre-Pilot I to instill familiarization with the Stryker family of vehicles and driver's training in Vilseck, Germany, Jan. 22-23, 2019.
• USS Donald Cook Arrives in Toulon, France NNS 01 Feb 2019 -- Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Donald Cook (DDG 75) arrived in Toulon, France, Jan. 31, for a scheduled port visit.
• SSC Atlantic Gains Technical Knowledge from Cloud Computing Industry Leader NNS 01 Feb 2019 -- A Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center (SSC) Atlantic employee completed a six-month fellowship at Amazon Web Services (AWS), a unit of Amazon that provides cloud computing services to private industry and government.
• SPAWAR Improves Speed and Quality of Communications for Warfighters at Sea NNS 01 Feb 2019 -- Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR) Systems Center Pacific (SSC Pacific) successfully concluded a rapid prototyping effort in December of 2018 for the Office of the Secretary of Defense to explore the use of 4G LTE technology as a communications system for ship-to-ship and ship-to-shore communications.
• National Guard committed to 'long game' with State Partnership Program US Air Force 01 Feb 2019 -- The National Guard takes a long-term view of its partnerships with more than one-third of the world's countries, Air Force Gen. Joseph Lengyel, National Guard Bureau chief, said during visits to three countries in the Western Balkans this week.
• 'Repeated Offender': British MPs Slam Defence Ministry for Poor Money Management Sputnik 01 Feb 2019 -- An affordability gap of £7 billion between the Department's budget and what it actually plans to spend over the next ten years has been identified, and according to a new report, the MoD has been failing taxpayers.
• French-Made Fighter Jet of Indian Air Force Crashes in Bengaluru: 1 Pilot Killed Sputnik 01 Feb 2019 -- The cause of the crash remains to be announced by authorities. At least one pilot has been killed as a result of the crash.
• Germany Says Nein to US F-35 Jets, to Choose Between Boeing and Airbus – Report Sputnik 01 Feb 2019 -- Pressed with billions in maintenance costs, the necessity of fulfilling its NATO obligations and carrying US nuclear bombs, Berlin is seeking the most optimal replacement for their Tornado and old Eurofighter jet fleet. In spite of earlier plans, the $3.4 billion in orders will fly by US-based Martin Lockheed, recent reports suggest.
• IDF Completes Major Military Drill Near Lebanese Border Amid Tensions With Iran Sputnik 01 Feb 2019 -- The drill reportedly imitated an armed conflict between the Israeli military and the Lebanese Hezbollah movement.

Defense Industry

• Contracts for February 01, 2019

Other Conflicts

• 1 February 2019 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 01 Feb 2019
• We are losing a generation of children in Yemen: UNICEF Press TV 01 Feb 2019 -- The United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) has expressed concern about the humanitarian conditions of Yemeni children, warning about the formation of a "lost generation".
• Civilians Face Deplorable Conditions to Flee Fighting in Syria VOA 01 Feb 2019 -- The U.N. refugee agency says thousands of civilians caught in fighting between Islamic State militants and U.S.-backed Syrian Defense Forces in northeastern Syria's Deir-el-Zour governorate are facing deplorable conditions.
• Dozens of Daesh militants' family members leave last redoubt in eastern Syria Press TV 01 Feb 2019 -- Members of the so-called Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have evacuated dozens of people from the last pocket of land held by the Daesh Takfiri terrorists on the eastern bank of the Euphrates River in Syria, the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said on Friday.
• Daesh Could Reclaim Syrian Areas Abandoned by US in a Year – Report Sputnik 01 Feb 2019 -- The US announced its withdrawal from Syria in 2018 with President Donald Trump suggesting that other states in the region will clear out the remains of the terrorist organisation.
• Aid stepped up to Syria camp; new arrivals say terrorists blocked their escape UN News 01 Feb 2019 -- Harrowing details continue to emerge of thousands of families who have risked their lives fleeing fighting in Syria's last ISIL terrorist-held enclave, as UN humanitarians warned on Friday that children are still dying on their way to an overcrowded camp for the displaced, amid access problems and perishing cold.
• Romania To Replace Canada In Mali Peacekeeping Mission RFE/RL 01 Feb 2019 -- Romania will take over for Canada in the massive and dangerous peacekeeping mission in the African country of Mali this summer when Ottawa's deployment ends, the two countries announced.
• Libyan Army Repels Attack by Chad-Based Militants in Southern Region – Spokesman Sputnik 01 Feb 2019 -- The Libyan army repulsed an attack by militants from Chad in Libya's southwest on Friday, a spokesman of the 73rd infantry brigade of the main command of the Libyan National Army, Gen. Mounzer Khartoush, told Sputnik.
• Boko Haram kills 60 in northeast Nigeria: Amnesty Press TV 01 Feb 2019 -- Amnesty International says an attack by the Boko Haram terrorist group on Nigeria's northeastern town of Rann has left at least 60 people dead, denouncing Nigerian authorities for their failure to protect civilians.
• 'No other possibility but to leave': UN News special report from the Nigeria-Cameroon border as 35,000 newly-displaced seek safety UN News 01 Feb 2019 -- Small shelters, some covered in the ubiquitous white sheeting provided by the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), dot the dusty grey sun-bleached plain around the village of Goura, in the far north-east of Cameroon.
• Cameroon's Arrested Opposition Leader Begins Hunger Strike VOA 01 Feb 2019 -- Cameroon's arrested opposition leader Maurice Kamto and 29 of his imprisoned supporters started a hunger strike a day after being told they will face eight charges amounting to treason. If found guilty, they could face the death penalty.
• UN Security Council Extends Central African Republic Arms Embargo Sputnik 01 Feb 2019 -- The UN Security Council unanimously voted for the extension of the arms embargo against the Central African Republic (CAR) for a year, a press release revealed.
• Al-Shabab Battles IS in Northeastern Somalia VOA 01 Feb 2019 -- The al-Shabab militant group has scaled up its attacks against pro-Islamic State fighters in the northeastern mountainous Somali region of Bari, experts say.
• ICC Appeals Chamber Places Conditions on Gbagbo's Release VOA 01 Feb 2019 -- After seven years detained at the International Criminal Court in The Hague, former Ivorian president Laurent Gbagbo and ex-youth leader Charles Ble Goude are free men – but there's a hitch.
• ICC Orders Conditional Release of Ex-Ivory Coast President Gbagbo Sputnik 01 Feb 2019 -- In mid-January, the International Criminal Court dismissed the war crime charges against Gbagbo and his co-accused former political ally, Charles Ble Goude. However, prosecutors contested his release, striving to add conditions to it.

News Reports

• Remarks by Vice President Pence at Venezuela Solidarity Event | Doral, Florida The White House 01 Feb 2019
• Pence Urges Support for 'Side of Freedom' in Venezuela VOA 01 Feb 2019 -- U.S. Vice President Mike Pence said Friday that the United States "calls on every nation to recognize Juan Guaido as Venezuela's president and take the side of freedom."
• Mystery Deepens Over Venezuela's Gold VOA 01 Feb 2019 -- The Kremlin may have helped Venezuela's embattled socialist leader Nicolas Maduro swap gold for cash, transporting Venezuelan bullion deposited in Moscow to the United Arab Emirates and then flying U.S. currency into the Venezuelan capital, an investigative newspaper has claimed.
• Venezuelan authorities say "uncover new plot" to overthrow gov't People's Daily 01 Feb 2019 -- Venezuelan security forces have uncovered a "new plan" to overthrow President Nicolas Maduro, Interior Minister Nestor Reverol said on Thursday.
• UN rejects Venezuela's Guaido, will only cooperate with recognized government of Maduro Press TV 01 Feb 2019 -- The United Nations (UN)'s Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has rejected an aid request by Venezuela's self-proclaimed "interim president" Juan Guaido, stressing that the body only cooperates with the country's recognized government led by President Nicolas Maduro.
• Pence Calls for End to Maduro Govt: Not Time for Dialogue, It's Time for Action Sputnik 01 Feb 2019 -- US Vice President Mike Pence said Friday that all options on Venezuelan political crisis are on the table, stressing that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro should not "test the resolve of the United States".
• US Not Planning Military Intervention in Venezuela, But Option on Table - Bolton Sputnik 01 Feb 2019 -- The United States has no plans for an imminent military intervention in Venezuela, but all options with regard to the situation in that county remain on the table, US National Security Advisor John Bolton said on Friday.
• Foreign Meddling in Venezuela Crisis May Result in Civil War - Turkish FM Sputnik 01 Feb 2019 -- Foreign meddling in Venezuela's political crisis is "not healthy" and can even result in a civil war, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Friday.
• Right to Recognize Venezuelan Leadership Lies With EU States - Mogherini Sputnik 01 Feb 2019 -- The right to recognize or not to recognize the leadership of Venezuela lies with EU member states and not the institutions of the EU, the EU foreign policy chief, Federica Mogherini, said amid the adoption of the EU Parliament's resolution recognizing Juan Guaido as the Venezuelan legitimate acting president.
• EU to Set Up Intl Contact Group on Venezuela Crisis - Mogherini Sputnik 01 Feb 2019 -- The EU countries have decided to set up an international contact group on Venezuela crisis, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Federica Mogherini said Thursday.
• UN Chief Responds to Guaido's Letter, Offers Assistance to Venezuela - Spokesman Sputnik 01 Feb 2019 -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres responded to the letter sent by Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido for assistance and said the United Nations stands ready to increase humanitarian aid to Venezuela, United Nations Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said in a press briefing on Thursday.
• Trump Mulls Emergency Declaration to Build Border Wall VOA 01 Feb 2019 -- U.S. President Donald Trump said Friday that he would consider declaration of a national emergency as the path forward to building a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border because he didn't think lawmakers' negotiations would produce the necessary funds.
• Any Border Security Legislation Will Not Include Trump's Wall Funding - Pelosi Sputnik 01 Feb 2019 -- US Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi told reporters on Thursday that Democrats would not support any legislation from Republicans on border security that includes funding for building a wall on the US southern border.
• Trump Says His Lawyers Assured He Is Not Target Of Mueller Probe RFE/RL 01 Feb 2019 -- U.S. President Donald Trump says in an interview that his lawyers have been assured he is not a "subject" of the investigation by Special Counsel Robert Mueller into Russian meddling in U.S. elections.
• Trump makes U-turn on US intelligence, says they're 'in agreement' Press TV 01 Feb 2019 -- A day after he slammed the US intelligence community over their assessment of global threats to America, US President Donald Trump abruptly reversed course and said he and US spy officials "are all on the same page."
• The Week In Russia: Crime, Corruption, And A Showdown Across The Ocean RFE/RL 01 Feb 2019 -- The drama unfolds up the street from the Bolshoi Theater this time, as a lawmaker is detained in parliament on murder charges. The Justice Ministry proposes legalizing corruption in certain cases, while Moscow vows to do "everything" to prop up its embattled ally in Venezuela and a new report suggests Russia's most prominent "private military company" is not so private.
• US seeks full list of North Korean weapons programs Press TV 01 Feb 2019 -- A top US diplomat has called on North Korea to fully disclose its weapons program amid lack of progress over denuclearization talks.
• Beijing supports Iran-Europe INSTEX IRNA 01 Feb 2019 -- China seriously supports the efforts made by European countries to set up the Instrument in Support of Trade Exchanges (INSTEX) with Iran and preserving Iran nuclear deal, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said.
• Russia welcomes setting up of INSTEX IRNA 01 Feb 2019 -- Russian Ambassador to the EU Vladimir Chizhov welcomed establishment of the Instrument in Support of Trade Exchanges (INSTEX), hoping that the vehicle would be able to help maintain nuclear deal known as JCPOA.
• Iran welcomes INSTEX as EU first step IRNA 01 Feb 2019 -- Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qasemi welcomed the EU's announcement of commissioning Instrument in Support of Trade Exchanges (INSTEX), saying that Iran considers the move as the EU's first step in line with fulfilling its commitments.
• Mogherini: EU continues to remain committed to JCPOA IRNA 01 Feb 2019 -- EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini welcomed creation of the Instrument in Support of Trade Exchanges (INSTEX) as channel for legitimate trade with Iran, describing it as a major step by the EU in line with adherence to Iran nuclear deal.
• Zarif says Trump's INF withdrawal proves any deal with US not worth the ink Press TV 01 Feb 2019 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says the United States' decision to suspend its compliance with the Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty with Russia sends the message that any deal with the US government is not worth the ink, even treaties ratified by the Congress.
• INSTEX shows EU's resolve to uphold Iran nuclear deal: China Press TV 01 Feb 2019 -- China has praised the European Union's "determination" to keep a historic 2015 nuclear agreement with Iran alive by establishing a mechanism to facilitate trade with the country despite the "toughest ever" sanctions imposed by the United States against the Islamic Republic.
• Formation of a New Government in Lebanon US Dept. of State 01 Feb 2019 -- The United States welcomes Lebanon's announcement of the formation of a new government and congratulates President Aoun and Prime Minister Hariri on this historic occasion.
• US calls on new Lebanese government to block Hezbollah Press TV 01 Feb 2019 -- The United States has urged Lebanon to deprive the Hezbollah resistance movement of all official funds following the formation of a new government headed by Prime Minister Saad Hariri.
• Iran welcomes new Lebanese govt., vows support Press TV 01 Feb 2019 -- Iran has welcomed the formation of a new government headed by Prime Minister Saad Hariri in Lebanon after a nine-month deadlock and reiterated its support for the country's security.
• UN chief welcomes new Government in Lebanon, after eight-month impasse UN News 01 Feb 2019 -- United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres welcomed, on Friday, the announcement of a new Government in Lebanon; the result of eight months of negotiation, following general elections last May.
• Bahrain's Sheikh Salman, colleagues targeted due to their political views Press TV 01 Feb 2019 -- The United Nations' human rights agency says prominent Bahraini opposition figure Sheikh Ali Salman and two of his colleagues have been given life sentences by the regime because of their political viewpoints, while Manama has attempted to portray their case as one of espionage.
• Thaci Urges Kosovo's Lawmakers To Consider Western Ties When Talking Tariffs RFE/RL 01 Feb 2019 -- Kosovar President Hashim Thaci says the country's politicians need to look at the broader picture as they consider what to do about a retaliatory tax levied on imports of Serbian goods.
• New Chief Says Shanghai Cooperation Group Stresses Development VOA 01 Feb 2019 -- Based in Beijing, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) encompasses eight countries representing 3 billion people. That gives it heft but worries many in the West, who see an emerging bloc that will oppose Washington and its allies in Eurasia.
• Union Budget 2019: India Announces Meagre Rise in Defence Allocation Sputnik 01 Feb 2019 -- The Indian government on Friday announced a two percent increase in the defence allocation for the year 2019-20, leaving country's armed forces high and dry on modernisation in comparison to China and Pakistan.
• As Elections Loom, India's Government Promises Income Support for Farmers VOA 01 Feb 2019 -- With an eye on wooing voters ahead of what is expected to be a tough national election, India's Hindu nationalist government announced cash handouts of billions of dollars for poor farmers.
• US Researchers Look for Long-Lasting Ebola Vaccine VOA 01 Feb 2019 -- South Sudan is vaccinating health workers against Ebola in case the virus crosses the border from the Democratic Republic of Congo. Ebola has stricken more than 700 people in the DRC and killed more than 400. The World Health Organization said the death rate is 59 percent.
• WHO Reports Progress in Controlling Ebola in Congo VOA 01 Feb 2019 -- Six months after the outbreak of Ebola was declared in the Democratic Republic of Congo's North Kivu province, the World Health Organization is expressing cautious optimism that it is making headway in controlling the spread of the deadly virus.
• Six months into DR Congo's deadliest Ebola outbreak, top UN official praises 'brave' response effort UN News 01 Feb 2019 -- "Brave" UN teams and partners leading the fight against deadly Ebola disease in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) along with Government authorities and peacekeepers there, have been key in helping protect communities, a top World Health Organization (WHO) official said on Friday, six months after the latest outbreak began.
• May's Brexit deal stumbles as EU refuses to renegotiate People's Daily 01 Feb 2019 -- British Members of Parliament (MPs) signaled their support for Prime Minister Theresa May's revised Brexit deal, but the European Union (EU) said it won't consider it.