16 February 2019 Military News

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Defense Policy / Programs
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Defense Policy / Programs

Readout of Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick M. Shanahan's Meeting With Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim al-Thani DoD 16 Feb 2019
US rolls out B-2, F-35 aircraft to simulate war in Pacific amid China tensions Press TV 16 Feb 2019 -- The US military has rolled out a number of its B-2, F-22 and F-35 stealth aircraft to simulate "high-end combat scenarios" in the Pacific, as Washington turns its attention to the region in order to curb China and Russia's growing influence there.

Vice President Details U.S. National Security Policy During Munich Speech DoD News 16 Feb 2019 -- Vice President Mike Pence gave a report card on the Trump administration's security policy two years after telling European leaders that "America first, did not mean America alone."
Remarks by Vice President Pence at the 2019 Munich Security Conference | Munich, Germany The White House 16 Feb 2019
US VP Pence slams EU over its position on Iran, Russia, Venezuela Press TV 16 Feb 2019 -- US Vice President Mike Pence has lambasted European powers once again over their position on Iran, Venezuela and Russia, launching a renewed attack on Washington's traditional allies.
US VP faces embarrassing silence at Munich Security Conference Press TV 16 Feb 2019 -- US Vice President Mike Pence faces an embarrassing silence while addressing American allies at Munich Security Conference.
Pence Rebukes Europe Over Iran, Venezuela, Russia Links VOA 16 Feb 2019 -- U.S. Vice President Mike Pence strongly criticized European allies Saturday for their stance on Iran and Venezuela, in a speech at the Munich Security Conference in Germany.
Germany's Merkel Warns U.S. Against Withdrawing From Syria, Afghanistan RFE/RL 16 Feb 2019 -- German Chancellor Angela Merkel has warned that a hasty U.S. pullout from Syria runs the risk of strengthening the roles of Russia and Iran in the Middle East.

Russia warns NATO against expanding presence in Black Sea Press TV 16 Feb 2019 -- Russia has warned the US-led NATO alliance over a recent decision to beef up military presence in the Black Sea, saying such a move would further increase tensions in the volatile region.
NATO Chief Rules Out Moving New Nuclear Arms to Europe Sputnik 16 Feb 2019 -- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on Friday ruled out pulling more nuclear weapons to Europe even as the INF nuclear control treaty seems to be on its last legs.

Foreign Minister Lavrov says Russia open to talks with US on arms-control pacts Press TV 16 Feb 2019 -- Russia says it is ready for talks to keep in place arms-control treaties with Washington, despite a recent decision by the administration of US President Donald Trump to withdraw from one such agreement.
Russian Improved Missile Alert System Almost Complete - Aerospace Forces Sputnik 16 Feb 2019 -- Russia has completed reconfiguring its land-based missile attack warning system and has patched up all gaps left after the collapse of the Soviet Union, Igor Morozov, deputy chief of the Russian Aerospace Forces, said Saturday.
US May Be Dragging Out Time Until New START Treaty Expires - Moscow Sputnik 16 Feb 2019 -- There is a growing risk that Washington is dragging out time by refusing to engage in a genuine dialogue on the Strategic Arms Reduction (New START) Treaty, so the sides would fail to extend the accord before its expiration, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said on Saturday at the Munich Security Conference.
Russia to Try to Organise Consultations With US on New START Treaty - Lavrov Sputnik 16 Feb 2019 -- Russia will continue is attempts to hold substantial consultations with the United States on the prolongation of the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START), Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has stated on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference.

No going back on S-400 deal with Russia despite US: Erdogan Press TV 16 Feb 2019 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has reiterated his country's resolve to proceed with a purchase of advanced S-400 air defense missile system from Russia, a day after an informal deadline Washington set for Ankara to respond to a rival US offer passed.
Erdogan Says Turkey To Proceed With Russian Air-Defense Purchase RFE/RL 16 Feb 2019 -- Turkey's president has said his country will proceed with plans to purchase the advanced S-400 air-defense system from Russia despite pressure from the United States to scrap the deal.
Erdogan Dissatisfied With US Reluctance to Jointly Produce Patriot Systems Sputnik 16 Feb 2019 -- Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan has noted that the United States cannot fulfil Ankara's two basic conditions for acquiring Patriot surface-to-air missile (SAM) system, of providing credit and joint production.

Iran defense minister hails new indigenous submarine as unique IRNA 16 Feb 2019 -- Iran's new domestically-developed advanced submarine Fateh (Conqueror) enjoys unique characteristics, Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Amir Hatami said on Saturday.
Iran's 60th naval fleet docks in Colombo Port ISNA 16 Feb 2019 -- The 60th naval fleet of Iran's Navy, currently sailing through international waters seeking to expand its naval presence, docked at Sri Lanka's Colombo Port.

Defense Industry

Other Conflicts

Yemen shoots down Saudi spy drone IRNA 16 Feb 2019 -- The Yemeni forces have shot down a Saudi spy drone in western Yemen.
Israel training mercenaries for Yemen war in UAE camps in Negev: Haaretz Press TV 16 Feb 2019 -- Israel's leading daily Haaretz says Tel Aviv is a partner to the Saudi war on Yemen and is "reaping the profits" from its partnership in the brutal aggression.

Daesh's Downfall May Result in Al-Qaeda's Resurgence, MI6 Chief Warns Sputnik 16 Feb 2019 -- In light of Washington's decision to withdraw all American troops from Syria due to the "victory" over Daesh, the UK Foreign Office said that despite the US-led international coalition's successful efforts in fighting the terrorist group, it remains a threat and must be defeated.

US to ask allies to send 'hundreds of troops' to Syria Press TV 16 Feb 2019 -- Senator Lindsey Graham says the US is looking for its allies to deploy hundreds of troops to Syria following the withdrawal of American soldiers from the Arab country.
US Urges Allies to Send 1,500 Troops to Syria to Create Safe Zone – Reports Sputnik 16 Feb 2019 -- Earlier on Friday, US Senator Lindsey Graham called for a joint military presence of EU countries and the US in Syria in order to protect American-backed Kurdish forces in the country from Ankara, as well as to prevent the Daesh* terrorist group from regaining its positions.
Militants Shell 4 Settlements in Syria's Aleppo, Hama Provinces - Russian MoD Sputnik 16 Feb 2019 -- Militants operating in Syria's Idlib de-escalation zone shelled four settlements in Hama and Aleppo provinces over the past 24 hours, the Russian Defense Ministry's Center for Reconciliation in Syria said on Saturday.
Operation Against Daesh in Syria's Baghouz Village Close to an End - SDF Sputnik 16 Feb 2019 -- The remaining militants from the Daesh terrorist group* are entrenched in a small area of Baghouz, the last terrorists-held village in Syria, head of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces' (SDF) Media Center Mustafa Bali told Sputnik on Saturday.
US-Controlled Militants Gain Majority of UN Goods to Syria - Coordination Centre Sputnik 16 Feb 2019 -- Russia will help Syria open two humanitarian corridors for refugees willing to leave the Rukban camp located in an area controlled by the United States, a joint statement by the Russian and Syrian interdepartmental coordination centres on returning refugees said on Saturday.
Last Defenders of Islamic State's Caliphate Surrounded VOA 16 Feb 2019 -- The last defenders of the Islamic State terror group's self-proclaimed caliphate are surrounded in a small neighborhood in the eastern Syrian village of Baghuz, facing imminent defeat.
US-backed forces capture last holdout in Syria under deal with Daesh: Monitor Press TV 16 Feb 2019 -- US-backed forces have captured the last enclave held by Daesh in Syria under a deal with the Daesh terrorist group, a UK-based monitoring group says.

AMISOM Unveils Plan to Flush al-Shabab From Somalia Hideouts VOA 16 Feb 2019 -- Top military commanders of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) said Saturday that they had agreed to launch new, targeted military operations against al-Shabab militants in Somalia.

Egyptian security forces kill seven militants in North Sinai: Military Press TV 16 Feb 2019 -- Egyptian security forces have "eliminated" at least seven suspected members of a terror outfit affiliated to the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group in the restive North Sinai region during a counterterrorism operation, which also left 15 government forces either killed or wounded.
N. Sinai Terrorist Attack on Egyptian Military Results in 15 Casualties VOA 16 Feb 2019 -- Following a terrorist attack Saturday on Egyptian military personnel in the northern Sinai region of el-Arish that resulted in 15 casualties, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi told a security gathering in Munich that terrorism destroys societies and hinders economic development, and it must be fought by all.

UN warns of worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza Press TV 16 Feb 2019 -- The United Nations has warned that the humanitarian situation in the besieged Gaza Strip is deteriorating due to a decade-long blockade by Israel on the Palestinian enclave, calling for an "immediate" end to the crisis.

China slams Canadian media 'hype' on student patriotic actions Global Times 16 Feb 2019 -- China strongly supports the patriotic actions of Chinese students at the University of Toronto and McMaster University, opposing the Tibet and Xinjiang separatism forces.

Warsaw conference sought to kill Palestinian cause, isolate Iran: Nasrallah Press TV 16 Feb 2019 -- The secretary general of the Lebanese Hezbollah resistance movement says a recent US-organized conference in the Polish capital Warsaw was an attempt in vain to suffocate the Palestinian cause and isolate Iran.

News Reports

US 'stealing' billions from Venezuela and offering 'crumbs' as aid: Maduro Press TV 16 Feb 2019 -- Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro says the United States has been "stealing" billions of dollars from the Latin American country through sanctions and offering "crumbs" in return as humanitarian aid.
Venezuelan Opposition Leader Asks Citibank Not to Invoke Gold Guarantee for Loan Sputnik 16 Feb 2019 -- Nicolas Maduro's government earlier took a loan from the US finance giant with gold reportedly worth over $1 billion put as a guarantee. The loan is due to expire in March. If by that time the Latin American country, which is going through a major crisis and political turmoil, fails to repay it, then Citibank is entitled to keep the collateral.
Western Move to Recognise Guaido as Venezuelan President is 'Arbitrary' - Lavrov Sputnik 16 Feb 2019 -- Earlier this week, Washington issued new sanctions against Caracas, imposing restrictions on Oil Minister Quevedo Fernandez and four other individuals close to President Nicolas Maduro, including the head of Venezuelan National Intelligence Service (SEBIN) and the commander of the Presidential Guard.
President Maduro Puts Forth Plan for Permanent Mobilisation of Military Sputnik 16 Feb 2019 -- Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Friday suggested that a plan for the permanent mobilisation of the Armed Forces to guard against a possible foreign intervention should be adopted.
Guaido Gives Pro-Maduro Military 7 Days to 'Take Side of Constitution' Sputnik 16 Feb 2019 -- Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido, who has declared himself the country's interim president, called on the Venezuelan Armed Forces, supporting President Nicolas Maduro, to change sides, giving the military seven days to do so, in the anticipation of humanitarian aid arrivals to the crisis-hit country.
US Officials to Join Military Flight Delivering Aid to Venezuela - Statement Sputnik 16 Feb 2019 -- Officials from the State Department and US Agency for International Development (USAID) will be aboard a military aircraft that the United States is sending to the Venezuelan border on Saturday to deliver aid to the crisis-torn country, the department's Deputy Spokesperson Robert Palladino said.

Ex-V.P. Biden Warns Of Election Interference, Citing Russia RFE/RL 16 Feb 2019 -- Former U.S. Vice President Joe Biden has warned of efforts by foreign countries to interfere in upcoming elections, "particularly coming from Russian" actors.

Former Trump Campaign Chairman Manafort Could Face 19-24 Years In Prison RFE/RL 16 Feb 2019 -- Paul Manafort, the former campaign chairman for Donald Trump, could face 19 to 24 years in prison on tax and bank-fraud charges, according to a new court filing by the U.S. special counsel.

Third Russian named as suspect in UK spy poisoning case Press TV 16 Feb 2019 -- European security sources have confirmed that a third Russian national has been identified by investigators in Britain as a suspect in a case related to the poisoning of a former Russian spy in southern England last year.

The Minister for Europe meets Russian First Deputy Foreign Minister UK FCO 16 Feb 2019 -- Sir Alan Duncan meets Vladimir Titov at Munich Security Conference.
Lavrov Slams U.K.'s Williamson As 'Minister Of War' RFE/RL 16 Feb 2019 -- A day after accusing Russia of trying to "goad the West," British Defense Minister Gavin Williamson has been labeled the "minister of war" by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
British Defense Chief Tells Russia To Stop 'Trying To Goad' West RFE/RL 16 Feb 2019 -- Britain's defense minister has accused Russia of "trying to goad the West into a new arms race" and he urged Moscow to reset its relations with the West through dialogue.

Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un Visits Kumsusan Palace of Sun KCNA 16 Feb 2019 -- Kim Jong Un, chairman of the Workers' Party of Korea, chairman of the State Affairs Commission of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and supreme commander of the Korean People's Army, visited the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun to pay homage to Chairman Kim Jong Il on the occasion of the significant Day of the Shining Star, his birth anniversary.

Pence's allegations of Iran harboring Nazi-like anti-Semitism absurd: Foreign ministry Press TV 16 Feb 2019 -- Iran has lashed out at US Vice President Mike Pence for accusing the Islamic Republic of Nazi-like anti-Semitism, saying such "absurd" allegations originating from a grudge and anger would fail to have any impact on Iranian Muslims' opinion of Jews inside and outside the country.
U.S. Vice President Calls On Europe To Abandon Iran Nuclear Deal RFE/RL 16 Feb 2019 -- U.S. Vice President Mike Pence has called on European allies to renounce a landmark 2015 nuclear deal with Iran.
U.S. Vice President Accuses Iran Of Nazi-Like 'Murderous Threats' RFE/RL 16 Feb 2019 -- U.S. Vice President Mike Pence, following a visit to the memorial site of Auschwitz, has accused Iran of Nazi-like anti-Semitism, a day after blasting European countries for attempting to undermine U.S. sanctions against Tehran.
Merkel supports JCPOA at Munich's annual security conference IRNA 16 Feb 2019 -- On the second day of the three-day Munich security conference in Germany, the Chancellor of Germany called into question the decision of the United States to leave Syria and referred to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) as efficient agreement.
World needs constructive dialogue with Iran: German FM Press TV 16 Feb 2019 -- German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas has reiterated the global need for engaging with Iran on sensitive issues, including crises in the Middle Eastern countries.
EU, Germany reject US' call for leaving JCPOA Press TV 16 Feb 2019 -- Germany and the European Union on Friday rejected a call by US Vice President Mike Pence for Europe to follow in the US' footsteps and leave the Iran nuclear deal in a bid to "isolate" the Islamic Republic.
Iran Confirms Failure Of Second Satellite Launch RFE/RL 16 Feb 2019 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has confirmed in an interview with NBC News that Tehran's bid to send a satellite into space failed in early February, the second such mishap within two months.
US 'Possibly' Sabotaging Iran's Satellite Launches Amid Failed 2nd Try - Zarif Sputnik 16 Feb 2019 -- The comments arrived on the heels of Mike Pence's outspoken remarks at a Middle East symposium in Poland, where he dwelled on Iran plotting "a new Holocaust". Days earlier, a satellite image emerged sporting an empty launch pad and a burn mark on it at the Imam Khomeini Space Centre in Iran's Semnan Province.
India says no support for sanctions against Iran IRNA 16 Feb 2019 -- India's External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said Saturday her government would not support sanctions imposed on Tehran.
Iran to avenge attack on border guards: IRGC Cmdr IRNA 16 Feb 2019 -- Iran will definitely take revenge on the terrorists that killed Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) members on Khash-Zahedan Road.
Thousands Attend Funeral For Iranian Revolutionary Guards RFE/RL 16 Feb 2019 -- Thousands have turned out in Iran for the mass funeral of 27 Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) troops killed in a suicide car bombing near the border with Pakistan on February 13.

VOA Persian Interviews Israel's Netanyahu VOA 16 Feb 2019 -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was interviewed Thursday by VOA Persian in Warsaw, where he discussed Israel's outreach to Arab countries and the Iran nuclear deal. Netanyahu was in Warsaw in connection with a U.S.-led conference on Mideast security.

Erdogan vows to carry Khashoggi case to intl. court Press TV 16 Feb 2019 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says his country is working to carry the case of the murder of Saudi dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul to an international court.

Nigeria Delays National Elections by One Week VOA 16 Feb 2019 -- Voters in Nigeria woke up Saturday morning to the news that the presidential and parliamentary elections have been postponed for a week.

Lebanon new coalition government wins parliament confidence vote Press TV 16 Feb 2019 -- Lebanon's parliament has given a vote of confidence to the new coalition government to commence its work about two weeks after the country's presidency announced the formation of the national unity government.

Foreign Secretary statement on the Republic of North Macedonia UK FCO 16 Feb 2019 -- A statement from the Foreign Secretary on the Prespa Agreement between Greece and Macedonia entering into force.

In West Africa, UN Security Council visits Côte d'Ivoire and Guinea-Bissau UN News 16 Feb 2019 -- Members of the United Nations Security Council are mid-way through a mission to West Africa where they are reviewing strides made in peacebuilding by both Côte d'Ivoire and Guinea-Bissau.

Haitian Protesters Plan to Return to Streets Sunday VOA 16 Feb 2019 -- Life in Haiti's capital, Port-au-Prince, and its suburbs slowly began to return to normal Saturday after days of demonstrations against the country's president and economic problems.

Huge Land Loss Predicted for Vietnam's Mekong Delta VOA 16 Feb 2019 -- Nearly the entire Mekong Delta in Vietnam – an area that helps feed about 200 million people – will sink underwater by the year 2100 at current rates, a new study predicts.

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