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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• Taliban Calls Off Planned Pakistan Meeting That Angered Afghans RFE/RL 17 Feb 2019 -- The Taliban have called off a planned round of peace talks in Pakistan, saying that most of the members of its negotiating team are unable to travel because they are subject to U.S. and UN sanctions.
• Afghanistan Protests Pakistan Invitation To Taliban RFE/RL 17 Feb 2019 -- Afghanistan has expressed concerns to the UN Security Council about a planned visit by Taliban negotiators to Pakistan, asserting that the militant group's members traveling to Islamabad are under UN sanctions and that Kabul should have been consulted prior to any such meeting.
• US-Taliban Meeting in Pakistan Cancelled VOA 17 Feb 2019 -- An upcoming meeting in Pakistan between a delegation of the United States and Taliban representatives has been cancelled, according to information coming from both sides.

Defense Policy / Programs

• USS Tulsa Commissioned as Navy's Newest Surface Combatant NNS 17 Feb 2019 -- The littoral combat ship USS Tulsa (LCS 16) was commissioned as the Navy's newest surface combatant in a ceremony in San Francisco Feb. 16.
• Readout of Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick M. Shanahan's Meeting With Singapore Minister of Defense Dr. Ng Eng Hen DoD 17 Feb 2019
• Georgian PM Praises NATO's 'Open-Door Policy' RFE/RL 17 Feb 2019 -- The prime minister of Georgia, an ex-Soviet republic that aspires to join NATO, has hailed the Western military alliance's decision to allow North Macedonia to join.
• Europe: Alliance with US 'broken', schism 'getting crazier' Press TV 17 Feb 2019 -- An annual security conference in Germany has erupted into a full-scale assault on the Trump administration's foreign policy, with leaders taking turns to flay the US president's go-it-alone policy.
• Russia's Kalashnikov Kamikaze Drone Successfully Passes Trials - Press Service Sputnik 17 Feb 2019 -- Russia's Kalashnikov Group has created and successfully tested kamikaze drone KYB, capable of self-exploding when approaching a target, the company said on Sunday at the IDEX-2019 arms exhibition in the United Arab Emirates.
• China hopes U.S., Russia will return to INF Treaty: official Global Times 17 Feb 2019 -- China hopes that the United States and Russia will return to the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, a senior Chinese official said here Saturday.
• Xi Signs Order to Boost China's 2 Mln Army Training Efficiency – Report Sputnik 17 Feb 2019 -- The Chinese leader signed regulations to clarify military training methods and the prosecution of wrongdoings in the army amid continuing tensions over the South China Sea dispute.
• Iran most advanced domestically-built submarine joins fleet IRNA 17 Feb 2019 -- Iran's new domestically-developed submarine Fateh joined the country's naval fleet.
• Defense Minister: Equipping Naval fleet to be pursued vigorously IRNA 17 Feb 2019 -- Iran's Defense Minister announced that the ministry's plans for the developing and equipping the naval fleet of the Army, the IRGC, and the Border Guards are being pursued vigorously.
• Supply Iran with jet fighters if against our missiles: Zarif to EU IRNA 17 Feb 2019 -- Iran's Minister of Foreign Affairs told a German media that if Europeans disagree with Iran's missile program, they should sell fighter jets to the country.
• Iran unveils Fateh submarine equipped with cruise missiles Press TV 17 Feb 2019 -- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has inaugurated a new domestically-built submarine armed with cruise missiles in line with the Islamic Republic's move to boost its defense power.
• Iran Unveils 'Cruise-Missile Equipped' Submarine RFE/RL 17 Feb 2019 -- According to Iranian state media, President Hassan Rohani has inaugurated a new domestically built submarine armed with cruise missiles, amid heightened tensions with the United States.
• Iran Unveils New Domestically-Built Missile Armed Fateh Sub Sputnik 17 Feb 2019 -- Iran presented on Sunday a new domestically-built submarine Fateh equipped with cruise missiles and cutting-edge equipment, the Press TV broadcaster reported, live streaming the unveiling ceremony.
• Moscow, Riyadh Continue Talks on S-400 Air Defence Systems Deal – Arms Exporter Sputnik 17 Feb 2019 -- Russia and Saudi Arabia continue the talks on deliveries of S-400 Triumph air defence systems (NATO reporting name SA-21 Growler), the director general of the Russian state arms exporter Rosoboronexport, Alexander Mikheev, said on Sunday.
• US 'won't stand idly by' as Turkey buys S-400: Pence Press TV 17 Feb 2019 -- US Vice President Mike Pence has repeated warnings to Turkey against purchasing of Russia's S-400 missile defense systems, arguing that doing so puts other members of the NATO military alliance in danger.
• China to develop missiles as West ups military spending Press TV 17 Feb 2019 -- China has rejected Germany's appeal to join a Cold War-era arms control treaty from which the United States unilaterally withdrew this month, saying it would place unfair limits on the Chinese military.
• Abu Dhabi Purchases Russian Anti-Tank Missile Systems - UAE Armed Forces Sputnik 17 Feb 2019 -- The United Arab Emirates (UAE) signed a contract, worth some 147 million dirhams ($40 million), to purchase Kornet-E anti-tank missile systems from Russia, a representative of the UAE armed forces, Brig. Gen. Mohammed Al Hassani, said on Sunday.

Defense Industry

Other Conflicts

• Yemenis, Houthis Agree to Pullback Forces from Key Port of Hodeidah VOA 17 Feb 2019 -- Yemeni officials and Houthi rebels have agreed on phase 1 of a mutual pullback of forces from the key city of Hodeidah, U.N. negotiators announced Sunday.
• Yemeni protesters slam 'Arab traitors' Press TV 17 Feb 2019 -- Tens of thousands of people have taken to the streets across Yemen to slam some of the country's fellow Arab states' attempts at normalization of relations with Israel.
• Warring sides in Yemen agree on 'Phase 1' of redeploying forces in Hudaydah: UN Press TV 17 Feb 2019 -- The Houthi fighters and Saudi-backed militants loyal to the ex-Yemeni government have reached an agreement on "Phase 1" of their mutual redeployment of forces under a UN-sponsored deal for the warring armies to leave the Yemeni port city of Hudaydah, the UN said Sunday.
• 9 Saudi soldiers killed in Yemeni fire on southern border posts Press TV 17 Feb 2019 -- At least nine Saudi soldiers have been killed in renewed wave of fire from Yemeni fighters of the Houthi Ansarullah movement on military positions south of the kingdom.
• Trump wants Europe to take back Daesh captives in Syria Press TV 17 Feb 2019 -- US President Donald Trump says Europe should take responsibility for those Daesh terrorists from the continent who have been captured by the US in Syria; otherwise, American forces will be "forced" to release them, as he plans to withdraw American forces from the Arab country.
• Trump Asks European Allies To 'Take Back' 800 IS Fighters From Syria RFE/RL 17 Feb 2019 -- U.S. President Donald Trump has declared that the Islamic State (IS) "caliphate" is on the verge of collapse and he called on European allies to "take back" more than 800 militants captured in Syria.
• Denmark Rejects US Call to Take Back Daesh Fighters, Germany Notes Legal Issues Sputnik 17 Feb 2019 -- A day before US President Donald Trump urged EU allies to take back over 800 Daesh* fighters that had been captured in Syria and put them on trial.
• Spain Dismisses US Appeal for NATO Personnel in Syria Sputnik 17 Feb 2019 -- Two months ago, US President Donald Trump made a surprise decision to bring American troops back home from Syria, having declared victory over Daesh. Washington's European allies, however, seem to disagree with the move.
• Trump Asks EU Allies to 'Take Back Over 800' Daesh Fighters Captured in Syria Sputnik 17 Feb 2019 -- US President Donald Trump on Saturday urged "Britain, France, Germany and other European allies" to take back the Daesh militants captured by the US in Syria, hinting at the release of the fighters if Washington's EU allies refuse to put them on trial.
• Syrian Kurds should begin dialog with Damascus: Russia Press TV 17 Feb 2019 -- Russia says Syria's Kurdish militants should begin dialog with the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad as the United States – hitherto backing them on the ground – is preparing to withdraw from the Arab country.
• US will not protect those who serve as its agents, Assad says Press TV 17 Feb 2019 -- Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has implicitly warned the so-called Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) against reliance on the United States, saying Washington would not protect those who depend on it.
• Assad on Groups 'Betting on US': 'Americans Won't Protect You, Syrian Army Will' Sputnik 17 Feb 2019 -- The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) noted earlier this week they are now clearing the village of Baghouz, which is from their point of view the last settlement in Syria controlled by the Daesh* terrorist group.
• US Doesn't Want Syrian Gov't to Regain Control of NE Syria - Special Rep. Sputnik 17 Feb 2019 -- US special representative to Syria James Jeffrey has addressed the Munich Security Conference, outlining Washington's plans on troop withdrawal and subsequent goals in the region.
• Report: Iraqi Forces Sexually Abuse IS Female Relatives in Mosul VOA 17 Feb 2019 -- Dozens of female relatives of Islamic State (IS) fighters in the refugee camps of Mosul have faced harassment and sexual abuse at the hands of Iraqi security forces, according to a joint report this week by the Network of Iraqi Reporters for Investigative Journalism and the Mosul Investigation Team.
• Israeli settler violence has risen against Palestinians: UN Press TV 17 Feb 2019 -- The United Nations (UN) says acts of violence and vandalism committed by Israeli settlers against Palestinians and their property have risen since the beginning of the year 2019.
• India on alert for communal strife after Kashmir attack Press TV 17 Feb 2019 -- The Indian government is on alert following a recent deadly attack on Indian forces in Kashmir that has triggered a wave of communal violence against Kashmiris residing in different parts of India.
• Somalia Moves to Calm Diplomatic Tensions With Kenya VOA 17 Feb 2019 -- The Somali government has moved to calm diplomatic tensions following Kenya's decision to recall its ambassador to Mogadishu and instruct Somalia's ambassador to leave Nairobi.

News Reports

• US aid for Venezuela touches down amid distribution uncertainty Press TV 17 Feb 2019 -- A US military transport plane carrying humanitarian aid meant for Venezuelans landed on Saturday in the Colombian border city of Cucuta, where food and medicine is being stored amid uncertainty over how and where aid will be distributed.
• Guaido 'Pleased to Confirm' Arrival of 3 US Jets With Aid in Colombia Sputnik 17 Feb 2019 -- Three US Air Force planes carrying humanitarian cargo for Venezuela have arrived in the Colombian border city of Cucuta, Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido said.
• US aid for Venezuela touches down amid distribution uncertainty Press TV 17 Feb 2019 -- A US military transport plane carrying humanitarian aid meant for Venezuelans landed on Saturday in the Colombian border city of Cucuta, where food and medicine is being stored amid uncertainty over how and where aid will be distributed.
• Acting Pentagon chief not decided yet on funding border wall Press TV 17 Feb 2019 -- Acting US Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan says that no decision has been made on whether to fund a wall along the US southern border using Pentagon's budget.
• White House Defends Trump's National Emergency Declaration VOA 17 Feb 2019 -- The White House on Sunday defended President Donald Trump's declaration of a national emergency to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexican border to thwart illegal immigration even though he said he didn't need to do it.
• Zarif urges Europe to 'get wet' against US unilateralism IRNA 17 Feb 2019 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif urged the European Union to take more concrete actions to combat unilateral US moves around the world.
• FM Zarif slams White House policies toward JCPOA, Europe IRNA 17 Feb 2019 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif criticized US administration policies as regard walking away from Iran nuclear deal and its pressures on Europe to breach its commitments under UNSC resolutions.
• Iran dismisses US VP's 'hostile' statements ISNA 17 Feb 2019 -- Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman has rejected the "hostile" and "hollow" remarks made by US Vice President, Mike Pence likening Iran to the Nazi government.
• US vice president's anti-Iran remarks hateful, ignorant: Zarif Press TV 17 Feb 2019 -- Iran's foreign minister says US Vice President Mike Pence's remarks in which he accused Tehran of anti-Semitism akin to the Nazis, were "hateful" and "ignorant."
• Zarif Condemns U.S. Efforts To Persuade Allies To Pull Out Of Iran Deal RFE/RL 17 Feb 2019 -- Iran's foreign minister has condemned Washington's efforts to press European allies to pull out of a landmark nuclear agreement with Tehran.
• Iran Criticises EU Trade Mechanism Aimed at Bypassing US Sanctions - Zarif Sputnik 17 Feb 2019 -- A Special Purpose Vehicle, called INSTEX (short for Instrument for Supporting Trade Exchanges) was created by Paris, Berlin, and London at the beginning of February in order to continue trade with Tehran.
• 3rd phase of Persian Gulf Star Refinery to be opened ISNA 17 Feb 2019 -- Persian Gulf Star Refinery's third phase will be opened with participation of Iran's President, Hassan Rouhani in Hormozgan province, Iranian president's chief of staff, Mahmoud Vaezi said.
• In Albania, MKO practices causing horrific bodily injuries Press TV 17 Feb 2019 -- A German weekly has revealed that members of the anti-Iran terrorist Mujahedin-e Khalq Organization (MKO) engage in intense practice, learning how to inflict horrific bodily injuries, at a camp in Albania, where they have been relocated to.
• Iran Says Deadly Attack On Revolutionary Guards Planned In Pakistan RFE/RL 17 Feb 2019 -- Iran's parliament speaker has said that an attack that killed 27 members of Iran's elite Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) was "planned and carried out from inside Pakistan."
• Iran summons Pakistan ambassador over terrorist attack Press TV 17 Feb 2019 -- The Iranian Foreign Ministry has summoned Pakistan's ambassador to Tehran, expressing the Islamic Republic's "strong protest" to Islamabad over a deadly terrorist attack that targeted a group of security forces in southeastern Iran.
• Pakistan must be accountable for terror attack in Iran: Parl. Speaker Larijani Press TV 17 Feb 2019 -- Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani says Islamabad should account for a recent bloody terrorist attack in Iran's southeast as the assault was plotted on and launched from Pakistani soil.
• Iran will avenge blood of terrorist attack victims: Rouhani Press TV 17 Feb 2019 -- President Hassan Rouhani says the Iranian nation will "undoubtedly avenge" a recent terrorist attack that killed over two dozen members of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), regretting the "wrong" policies of some of Iran's neighbors.
• Saudi Arabia Signs Multi-Billion Dollar Deals In Pakistan RFE/RL 17 Feb 2019 -- Saudi Arabia signed agreements worth $20 billion during the visit of its de facto ruler, Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman, to cash-strapped Pakistan.
• Saudi Crown Prince Signs $20B in Investment Deals in Pakistan VOA 17 Feb 2019 -- Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Sunday oversaw the signing of unprecedented investment deals with Pakistan worth $20 billion just a few hours after landing in Islamabad on his maiden state visit.
• Breaking Down Community Resistance in Ebola-Affected Congo VOA 17 Feb 2019 -- A unique project is making strides in breaking down community resistance toward international efforts to contain the spread of the deadly Ebola virus in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has teamed up with the U.S.-based Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to collect, analyze and implement new strategies in "real time" to tackle the major concerns of people faced with this dreaded disease.
• Haiti's PM Announces Economic Measures Aimed at Resolving Crisis VOA 17 Feb 2019 -- Haiti's Prime Minister Jean-Henry Ceant made a highly-anticipated address to the nation late Saturday in which he detailed measures aimed at resolving the economic crisis that prompted massive nationwide protests.