Further Reading

Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• UK's SAS Fought in Syria Skirting Parliament's Decision, Military Admits Sputnik 24 Feb 2019 -- Back in 2015, when the British parliament was deciding on the country's participation in a US-coalition it allowed the use of its air forces in the Arab state, but never authorised boots on the ground.
• UN: Afghan Civilian Deaths Rise to New High in 2018 VOA 24 Feb 2019 -- The United Nations says the armed conflict in Afghanistan last year killed more than 3,800 civilians, including 927 children, the highest number of civilian deaths recorded in the past ten years.
• UN: Record Number Of Afghan Civilians Killed In 2018 RFE/RL 24 Feb 2019 -- The United Nations says a record number of Afghan civilians were killed in 2018, blaming the increase on unprecedented suicide bombings by militant groups and air strikes carried out by U.S.-led forces.
• Taliban Political Chief Baradar To Attend Afghan Peace Talks In Qatar RFE/RL 24 Feb 2019 -- A new round of peace talks between Taliban and U.S. negotiators is to begin in Doha this week and will include the militant group's co-founder Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, according to Taliban and diplomatic sources in Qatar.
• Civilian deaths in Afghanistan hit record high in 2018: UN Press TV 24 Feb 2019 -- A United Nations (UN) report says more civilians lost their lives in the war in Afghanistan in 2018 than any other year on record, nearly 18 years into a United States-led invasion and ongoing occupation.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Pentagon deems US military's new $50bn tactical vehicle 'not operationally suitable' Press TV 24 Feb 2019 -- The US military's expensive new tactical vehicle, designed to partially replace the ageing Humvee, is "not operationally suitable," the US Defense Department's testers have concluded.
• Okinawans vote on high-interest plan to relocate US military base Press TV 24 Feb 2019 -- The people of the Japanese island of Okinawa have taken part in a referendum to determine what percentage of the residents are opposed to the government's controversial plan to relocate a US airbase there.
• Japan's Okinawa 'Votes Against' Controversial US Base Relocation – Authorities Sputnik 24 Feb 2019 -- About 70 percent of Okinawans oppose the new US base in the prefecture, interim results of the referendum vote count revealed on Sunday.
• Liaoning ends maintenance, leaves shipyard Global Times 24 Feb 2019 -- China's first aircraft carrier Liaoning appears to have left the maintenance bay of the Dalian Shipyard on Sunday, as the country's second carrier, the Type 001A, is also expected to soon begin a new sea trial, reports said.
• China issues work plan on national defense education Global Times 24 Feb 2019 -- China will push forward reform in national defense education in 2019, according to a circular released by the national defense education office Thursday.
• 'Velayat 97" wargame ends with successful scenarios IRNA 24 Feb 2019 -- Great naval "Velayat 97" wargame, three days after reaching the pre-planned targets terminated on Sunday evening.
• Iran navy copters conduct attack operation in drills IRNA 24 Feb 2019 -- Iranian Navy's Air Force helicopters carried out attack operations on Sunday on the third day of the wide-scale military exercises in the Persian Gulf.
• Iran air force uses Nasr cruise missile in Persian Gulf drills IRNA 24 Feb 2019 -- Iran's Air Force has launched Nasr cruise missiles, destroying targets on sea as part of military drills being carried out in the Persian Gulf.
• Iran successfully launches cruise missile from Qadir-class submarine ISNA 24 Feb 2019 -- On the third day of the massive three-day drill, codenamed "Velayat 97", a Qadir-class submarine has successfully launched a cruise missile.
• Iran hacked US drone command center in response to Washington's impudence: IRGC Press TV 24 Feb 2019 -- A senior commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) says Iran's aerospace force has successfully hacked the US drone command and control system as a response to Washington's impudence in claiming that it has sabotaged Iran's missiles.
• Iran Navy successfully fires cruise missile from submarine Press TV 24 Feb 2019 -- On the third day of major annual drills by the Iranian Navy, a Qadir-class submarine has successfully fired an anti-surface cruise missile.
• Iran Test-Fires Cruise Missile From Submarine In Military Drill RFE/RL 24 Feb 2019 -- Iran has test-fired a cruise missile from a submarine during annual naval exercises near the Strait of Hormuz, according to state media.
• Iranian Submarine Conduct First Underwater Launch of Cruise Missile Sputnik 24 Feb 2019 -- Over the past decade, the Islamic Republic has made major advances in developing its own submarines, as well as missiles to equip them. The country had the chance to test these in recent drills that took place near the Strait of Hormuz.
• African Women Surmount Obstacles to Redefine Their Countries' Militaries VOA 24 Feb 2019 -- In the 17th century, a fearsome group of African soldiers defended their kingdom against invaders and marauders. Well-trained and thousands strong, the Women Warriors of Dahomey inspired fear and won battles for more than 200 years in what is now Benin.

Defense Industry

Other Conflicts

• New UK aid to feed millions of people in Yemen UK FCO 24 Feb 2019 -- The UK is stepping up its humanitarian support to help millions of people at risk of starvation in Yemen, the Prime Minister announced today.
• Yemen targets Saudi positions with missile IRNA 24 Feb 2019 -- Yemeni army targeted Saudi positions in Southern Saudi Arabia with missile and artillery shells.
• Mercenaries fighting for Riyadh killed in Yemeni missile strike near Najran Press TV 24 Feb 2019 -- Dozens of mercenaries fighting for the regime in Riyadh have been killed in a strike by a domestically-manufactured ballistic missile fired by Yemeni army forces on their base in the northwestern Yemeni province of Sa'ada near the border with the southern Saudi region of Najran.
• UN and partners to hold conference seeking urgently needed funds to save millions in Yemen from 'horrific' plight UN News 24 Feb 2019 -- Preparations are being finalized at the UN for a $4.2 billion appeal to scale up help to millions of people in Yemen, where years of war have created the world's worst humanitarian emergency.
• UN Pledging Conference Seeks Support For 19 Million Yemenis in Crisis VOA 24 Feb 2019 -- A high-level pledging conference for the humanitarian crisis in Yemen this week will seek international support for 19 million people who are suffering from years of conflict and deprivation.
• Hezbollah: US main cause of persisting crisis in Syria Press TV 24 Feb 2019 -- A high-ranking member of the Lebanese Hezbollah resistance movement says the United States is the main cause of the persisting crisis in Syria.
• Landmine blast kills 24 civilians in Syria Press TV 24 Feb 2019 -- A landmine left behind by the Takfiri Daesh terrorists in Syria's west-central Hama Province has killed 24 civilians.
• Erdogan warns US-planned Syria safe zone must be under Turkey's control Press TV 24 Feb 2019 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has warned the United States and allies operating along the Syria border that any safe zone planned for the area should be under Ankara's control.
• Daesh Roadside Bomb Blast in Western Syria Kills at Least 24 Civilians - Reports Sputnik 24 Feb 2019 -- Militants operating in Syria's Idlib de-escalation zone on 16 February shelled four settlements in Hama and Aleppo provinces, according to the Russian Defence Ministry's Centre for Reconciliation in Syria.
• CAR Leader Pledges to Create Inclusive Gov't After Peace Deal With Armed Groups Sputnik 24 Feb 2019 -- President of the Central African Republic Faustin-Archange Touadera takes on the obligation to create an inclusive government immediately after signing a peace agreement with armed groups, according to the text of the accord seen by Sputnik on 24 February.

News Reports

• US Looking for New Ways to Get Aid into Venezuela VOA 24 Feb 2019 -- Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says the U.S. is looking for ways to get humanitarian assistance into Venezuela, after troops loyal to President Nicolas Maduro repelled aid trucks in clashes at the borders with Brazil and Colombia.
• Guaido: 'We Must Have All Options' to Free Venezuela VOA 24 Feb 2019 -- At least four civilians were killed Saturday as Venezuelan security forces clashed with demonstrators at the border with Brazil over deliveries of humanitarian aid.
• Tear gas, rocks fly as Venezuelan clashes spill over into Brazil border region Press TV 24 Feb 2019 -- Venezuelans ran across the border into Brazil on Sunday, February 24, to escape tear gas coming from the National Guard, as they step up their protest for aid to cross into the country.
• Iran slams foreign intervention in Venezuela, backs government Press TV 24 Feb 2019 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has slammed foreign intervention in Venezuela's internal affairs amid escalation of the political crisis in the Latin American country.
• Guaido says to ask US to consider 'all options' in Venezuela Press TV 24 Feb 2019 -- Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido says he plans to propose that the US consider "all options" to oust President Nicolas Maduro after a bid to bring in American "aid" was blocked by Venezuela's army.
• US 'will take action' in support of anti-government protests in Venezuela: Pompeo Press TV 24 Feb 2019 -- Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says that the United States "will take action" in support of anti-government protesters amid clashes between them and Venezuelan police.
• Colombia: Deserting Venezuelan soldiers cross into Colombia as riots continue Press TV 24 Feb 2019 -- Members of the Venezuelan National Guard have left their posts and crossed into Colombia to the applause and cheers of those protesting at the border in Cucuta on Saturday.
• Over 60 Venezuelan Servicemen Asked Bogota for Asylum - Colombian Minister Sputnik 24 Feb 2019 -- Colombian Foreign Minister Carlos Holmes Trujillo said on 23 February that more than 60 Venezuelan National Guard troops who defected to Colombia had sought asylum in the country over the past day.
• Pompeo Looking for Cause to Start War Against Caracas - Venezuelan Minister Sputnik 24 Feb 2019 -- Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza has accused US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo of orchestrating the torching of trucks with Venezuela-bound humanitarian aid on the Colombian border and of "desperately" looking for a reason to start a war against Caracas.
• Tensions escalate in Venezuela, civilians killed and injured: top UN officials lament excessive use of force by authorities UN News 24 Feb 2019 -- As tensions escalated on Saturday at various points along Venezuela's borders with Colombia and Brazil, as well as within the country itself, resulting in the death and injury of various civilians, the United Nations chief, António Guterres, and the head of the UN human rights office (OHCHR), Michelle Bachelet, expressed their shock and appealed for calm.
• US Aid Deliveries to Venezuela Pursuing Political Goals - Foreign Minister Sputnik 24 Feb 2019 -- Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza said that the deliveries of humanitarian aid to Venezuela were pursuing political goals.
• Mueller Court Filing Says Manafort Does Not Deserve Leniency In Sentencing RFE/RL 24 Feb 2019 -- Special Counsel Robert Mueller's office has told a U.S. judge that President Donald Trump's former campaign chairman, Paul Manafort, "repeatedly and brazenly" broke the law and does not deserve any leniency at his sentencing.
• US warned of 'shattered dream' as Kim heads to summit Press TV 24 Feb 2019 -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is heading to Vietnam for a second summit with US President Donald Trump whose advisers have said they have low expectations for the talks.
• Kim Jong-un Takes Armoured Train to Vietnam for Second Summit with US Sputnik 24 Feb 2019 -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-un was on a train Sunday to Vietnam, where he is set to hold a second summit with US President Donald Trump, local media reported.
• Trump Optimistic About Summit with N. Korea's Kim VOA 24 Feb 2019 -- U.S. President Donald Trump says he is optimistic about his summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, over U.S. efforts to end the threat of Pyongyang's nuclear weapons arsenal.
• Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un to Pay Official Goodwill Visit to Vietnam KCNA 24 Feb 2019 -- Kim Jong Un, chairman of the Workers' Party of Korea and chairman of the State Affairs Commission of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, will soon pay an official goodwill visit to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam at the invitation of Nguyen Phu Trong, general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam and president of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
• Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un Leaves Pyongyang for Second DPRK-U.S. Summit Meeting and Talks KCNA 24 Feb 2019 -- Kim Jong Un, chairman of the Workers' Party of Korea and chairman of the State Affairs Commission of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, left here for the second DPRK-U.S. summit meeting and talks to be held in Hanoi, the Socialist Republic of Vietnam from Feb. 27 to 28, Juche 108 (2019).
• Afghanistan Sends First Exports To India Via Iran's Chabahar Port RFE/RL 24 Feb 2019 -- Landlocked Afghanistan has sent its first export shipment to India through Iran's strategic Chabahar Port.
• UK PM delays final parliament vote on Brexit deal Press TV 24 Feb 2019 -- British Prime Minister Theresa May has announced that a meaningful vote in the parliament on her European Union (EU) withdrawal agreement will not be held next week as it had been expected by the British lawmakers.
• Biography of Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz SPA 24 Feb 2019 -- Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz was appointed as Saudi ambassador to the United States of America on April 22, 2017. He presented his credentials to US President Donald Trump and took office on July 21, 2017.
• Moldovan Socialists Take Lead Over Democrats RFE/RL 24 Feb 2019 -- CHISINAU -- With more than 66 percent of the votes counted, Moldova's pro-Russia Socialist Party has taken the lead over the ruling Democratic Party in a close battle that could determine whether the impoverished Eastern European country moves closer to Moscow or the European Union.
• Crucial Moldovan Parliamentary Vote Marred By Fraud Allegations RFE/RL 24 Feb 2019 -- Moldova has held parliamentary elections that could determine whether the impoverished Eastern European country moves closer to Moscow or the European Union.
• Moldovan Democratic, Socialists Parties Running Neck and Neck in Sunday Vote Sputnik 24 Feb 2019 -- Four political parties have managed to secure seats in the Moldovan parliament, while the Party of Socialists is leading with 30.4 percent of the votes after 10% of the votes counted in the Sunday parliamentary elections the Central Electoral Commission data showed.
• Turkish Man Wanted by US Set Free in Turkey VOA 24 Feb 2019 -- A Turkish citizen, wanted by the U.S. for his involvement in a terror attack that killed two U.S. military personnel in Afghanistan, has been set free by Turkish authorities following his deportation from Germany where the suspect completed an 11-year prison sentence last year.
• Nigerians Await Election Results VOA 24 Feb 2019 -- Nigerians waited for election results Sunday as vote counting continued from the nation's hotly-contested presidential poll.
• Senegal Awaits Election Results VOA 24 Feb 2019 -- Vote counting has begun in Senegal after a peaceful day of voting in Sunday's presidential election.
• UN: Criminalization of Dissent in Nicaragua Worsens Unrest VOA 24 Feb 2019 -- U.N. human rights chief Michelle Bachelet is expressing alarm at growing repression in Nicaragua and warns the increasing criminalization of dissent is promoting political and social instability in the country.
• Will 2019 Be the Year of Euro-Skeptics? VOA 24 Feb 2019 -- A poster at the National Rally's headquarters outside Paris shows a smiling Marine Le Pen standing alongside Italy's interior minister and League leader Matteo Salvini. "Everywhere in Europe," reads the tagline, "our ideas are coming to power."