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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
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Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• Decommissioned F-117 Nighthawks Were Used in Syria, Iraq in 2017 – Report Sputnik 03 Mar 2019 -- The once famous F-117 stealth attack jets were decommissioned several years after one was shot down over Yugoslavia in March 1999 by a Soviet-made S-125 missile defence system and after the F-22 took over some of the F-117's roles, when precision strikes were deemed essential for a mission.
• 350 Taliban members killed in 1 week IRNA 03 Mar 2019 -- Afghanistan Defense Ministry in a statement announced that 350 members of Taliban, including 12 commanders, have been killed in various areas of the country.
• Afghan Loya Jirga Aimed At Discussing Peace Talks Delayed RFE/RL 03 Mar 2019 -- A planned meeting of hundreds of Afghan politicians and tribal, ethnic, and religious leaders aimed at discussing negotiations with the Taliban has been postponed, officials say.

Defense Policy / Programs

• US, S Korea Suspend Joint Drills to Boost DPRK Denuclearization - Pentagon Sputnik 03 Mar 2019 -- The news comes on the heels of the recent DPRK-US Summit in Hanoi. According to the Yonhap news agency, a permanent end to the annual joint US-South Korean military maneuvers near the Korean Peninsula could facilitate a much-anticipated denuclearization by North Korea.
• Trump Cites Cost as Reason for Halting US-South Korea War Games VOA 03 Mar 2019 -- President Donald Trump says the reason he canceled large-scale springtime military drills with South Korea is to save "hundreds of millions of dollars" that the U.S. is never reimbursed.
• Commissioning Ceremony Breathes Life into USS Charleston NNS 03 Mar 2019 -- As clouds passed overhead, shipboard alarms echoed across the Cooper River and the crew of USS Charleston (LCS 18) ran aboard their ship and brought it to life, March 2. More than 5,000 guests gathered at the Columbus Street Terminal in the ship's namesake city, officially welcoming the U.S. Navy's newest littoral combat ship into the fleet.
• Iran's missile policies based on national interests: Top security official IRNA 03 Mar 2019 -- The Secretary of National Security Council of Iran Ali Shamkhani said on Sunday that Tehran based its missile power policies on its own national interests and the threats and stressed that these policies are non-negotiable.
• Russia, India Open AK-203 Assault Rifle Production Plant - Official Sputnik 03 Mar 2019 -- Russia and India on Sunday inaugurated a plant that will produce AK-203 Kalashnikov assault rifles in the northeastern Indian town of Korwa, Russian Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation (FSMTC) Director Dmitry Shugaev said.
• US investigating reports Pakistan used F-16s to down Indian jet in possible breach of deal Press TV 03 Mar 2019 -- The United States says it is investigating reports that Pakistan has breached mutual security agreements by using an American-made fighter jet to down an Indian aircraft during the recent flare-up between the two nuclear neighbors.
• Pentagon warns Turkey; senator hints at NATO expulsion Press TV 03 Mar 2019 -- Acting Pentagon chief Pat Shanahan has warned Turkey over plans to buy a Russian missile defense system, while a US senator has asked whether Ankara is seeking to leave NATO.
• Soldier numbers in British army dip to historic lows: Report Press TV 03 Mar 2019 -- The number of soldiers in the British army has plunged to some of the lowest levels seen in the history, a new report shows, as the force struggles with a years-long recruitment problem.
• Defence Secretary announces £11million boost to chemical defences UK MOD 03 Mar 2019 -- On the eve of the Salisbury Novichok poisoning anniversary, the Defence Secretary has allocated £11million of additional funding to bolster the UK's response to chemical attacks.

Defense Industry

Other Conflicts

• In Yemen, war can reach children wherever they are: UN Press TV 03 Mar 2019 -- The United Nations' children's agency says the war in Yemen continues to take a "horrific toll" on children despite a partial ceasefire between the parties to the conflict.
• Foreign Secretary visits Yemen to bolster support for UN peace process UK MOD 03 Mar 2019 -- Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt has visited Yemen as part of a wider tour of the Gulf.
• Yemeni National Army controls new locations from militia in Sa'ada SPA 03 Mar 2019 -- Yemeni National Army on Sunday captured strategic positions from Houthi militia in Razih district in Yemen northern province of Sa'ada.
• Children still dying in Yemen war, despite partial ceasefire: UNICEF chief IRNA 03 Mar 2019 -- Responding to the violent deaths of five children in the Yemeni port city of Hudaydah on Thursday, Henrietta Fore, Executive Director of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), said that Yemen's civil war continues to take a "horrific toll" on children, UN website reported.
• After The Caliphate: To Repatriate Or Not To Repatriate? RFE/RL 03 Mar 2019 -- As international coalition forces seize the last vestiges of territory in Syria under the control of Islamic State militants since 2015, authorities in the United States, Europe, Russia, and Central Asia are grappling with a new dilemma.
• Syria takes part in Arab Inter-Parliamentary Union conference after 8 years Press TV 03 Mar 2019 -- Syria has taken part in a meeting of Arab states for the first time since the foreign-backed militancy broke out in the country eight years ago, in what has been seen as another sign that the Damascus government led by President Bashar al-Assad is being welcomed back into the fold.
• Syria 'will not stand idly by in face of terrorist crimes' Press TV 03 Mar 2019 -- Syria says it will not "stand idly by" while terrorist groups continue committing crimes against Syrian citizens and troops, following a deadly attack against government forces in the central Hama Province.
• Syrian Army foils terrorists' attack on northern Hama IRNA 03 Mar 2019 -- Syrian Army's units clashed with terrorist groups which attacked in large numbers military points on the directions of al-Masasneh in northern Hama in a new violation of the de-escalation zone agreement in Idleb.
• Iran to stay in Syria as long as Damascus wants: Shamkhani ISNA 03 Mar 2019 -- Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Ali Shamkhani stressed Iran will stay in Syria as long as the Arab country demands Tehran's assistance to help Syrian government and nation.
• Netanyahu: Israel, Russia To Cooperate On Pullout Of Foreign Forces From Syria RFE/RL 03 Mar 2019 -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that Israel and Russia have agreed to establish a joint team to advance the withdrawal of foreign forces from Syria.
• Syrian Army Repels Militant Attack in North Latakia, 2 Soldiers Injured - Source Sputnik 03 Mar 2019 -- The Syrian military forces repelled the second in 24 hours massive terrorist attack targeting their positions – this time in the western province of Latakia, a Syrian military source told Sputnik, specifying that two servicemen were wounded, and several militants were killed in the attack.
• US-Led Coalition Denies Preventing Exit of Refugees From Rukban Camp - Spokesman Sputnik 03 Mar 2019 -- The US-led coalition, fighting against Daesh had not prevented the exit of refugees from the Rukban camp, located in the US-controlled area in Syria's al-Tanf, a spokesman of the coalition, VR Col. Sean Ryan, told Sputnik on Sunday.
• Several Syrian Soldiers Killed in Terrorist Attack in Hama Province - Reports Sputnik 03 Mar 2019 -- A terrorist attack earlier this week on a city in the Syrian province of Hama left one civilian dead and five more injured.
• India Reportedly Used Israeli GPS-Guided Bombs in Air Raid on Jaish-e-Mohammed Sputnik 03 Mar 2019 -- India's Finance Minister Arun Jaitley previously said that New Delhi would not reveal details about the operation against an alleged militant camp in Pakistan amid reports that the air strike hit an empty hillside without hurting any militants.
• India Says It Will Not Share 'Operational Details' Of Air Strike Inside Pakistan RFE/RL 03 Mar 2019 -- An Indian government minister says New Delhi will not share proof that a large number of militants were killed in a compound inside Pakistan late last month, after Islamabad raised doubts that any insurgents were harmed in the air strike.
• Indian PM Convenes National Security Council to Discuss Kashmir - Sources Sputnik 03 Mar 2019 -- Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called a meeting of the National Security Council to assess the security situation in the country, especially in Jammu and Kashmir bordering Pakistan, Prime Minister Office sources told Sputnik on Sunday.
• As Pakistan Calls for Peace, India Refuses to Reveal Air Raid Details – Report Sputnik 03 Mar 2019 -- Earlier, Islamabad stated that the Indian strikes hit an empty hillside and denied the existence of the militant camps that Delhi allegedly targeted during the air raid. At the same time, India insists that Pakistan is harbouring militants, including those responsible for a terrorist attack on a security convoy on 14 February.
• IAF Used Decoy Jets to Distract Pak in Raid on Alleged Terror Base - Reports Sputnik 03 Mar 2019 -- On 26 February, India's Air Force carried out an attack on an alleged Jaish-e Mohammad terrorist organisation base in Balakot, Pakistan-administered-Kashmir in retaliation for a suicide attack claimed by the group earlier in the month that killed some 45 Indian soldiers.
• Detained Ukrainian Church Archbishop Released In Crimea, Lawyer Says RFE/RL 03 Mar 2019 -- Authorities in the Russia-annexed Crimean Peninsula have released the head of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine in the region after briefly detaining him, a Russian lawyer says.
• Rogues' Gallery: Whatever Happened To The First Separatist Leaders In Ukraine? RFE/RL 03 Mar 2019 -- In 2014, Russia-backed separatists made their grab for power in Ukraine's Crimea Peninsula as well as the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, sparking a conflict in the southeast of the country that has left some 13,000 dead, 30,000 wounded, and more than 1 million displaced.
• US to go ahead with merger of al-Quds missions in anti-Palestine move Press TV 03 Mar 2019 -- The United States is expected to implement a decision to merge its consulate general in Jerusalem al-Quds with an embassy it has opened in the city, effectively stripping Palestinians of American consular services.
• Merger of U.S. Embassy Jerusalem and U.S. Consulate General Jerusalem US Dept. of State 03 Mar 2019 -- "On March 4, 2019, U.S. Consulate General Jerusalem will merge into U.S. Embassy Jerusalem to form a single diplomatic mission. This step follows Secretary Pompeo's October 18, 2018 announcement that the two missions and teams would be combined."

News Reports

• Russia will prevent US intervention in Venezuela: Official Press TV 03 Mar 2019 -- A Russian official says Moscow will do all it can to prevent potential intervention in Venezuela by the United States, which has not ruled out the military option to overthrow the elected government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.
• Guaido Calls for Protests in Venezuela Ahead of His Return VOA 03 Mar 2019 -- Venezuela opposition leader Juan Guaido called on the Venezuelan people to take to the streets Monday to coincide with his planned return after touring Latin American allies.
• US Seeks to Form Coalition For Gov't Change in Venezuela - Bolton Sputnik 03 Mar 2019 -- Earlier, in February, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, who has described Guaido as a "US puppet" and accused Washington of trying to stage a coup in Venezuela, said that the opposition leader must be tried if he returns. Guaido may now face up to 30 years in prison for violation of the travel ban.
• Guaido Vows to Return to Venezuela After Ecuador Visit - Reports Sputnik 03 Mar 2019 -- The self-proclaimed interim president of Venezuela Juan Guaido crossed into Colombia in late February in defiance of a Venezuelan Supreme Court order barring him from leaving the country due to an ongoing investigation.
• Russia says ready to consult with U.S. on Venezuela based on UN Charter People's Daily 03 Mar 2019 -- Russia is ready for consultations on the Venezuela crisis with the United States in accordance with the principles of the UN Charter, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Saturday.
• Top Democrats Vow to Intensify Trump Probes VOA 03 Mar 2019 -- Top Democratic lawmakers vowed Sunday to step up their investigations of U.S. President Donald Trump and his connections to Russia during the 2016 presidential election.
• WikiLeaks Whistle-blower Manning Subpoenaed to Testify in Case Against Assange Sputnik 03 Mar 2019 -- Earlier, The Daily Beast reported that another WikiLeaks volunteer, David House, had agreed to testify before the grand jury in the case in exchange for immunity, noting that he was "walking around on the street [and] not [sitting] in an embassy".
• Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un Leaves Vietnam KCNA 03 Mar 2019 -- Kim Jong Un, chairman of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) and chairman of the State Affairs Commission of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, successfully finished the official goodwill visit to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and left Hanoi on Saturday.
• Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un Makes Official Goodwill Visit to Socialist Republic of Vietnam KCNA 03 Mar 2019 -- Kim Jong Un, chairman of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) and chairman of the State Affairs Commission of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, laid a wreath before the mausoleum of President Ho Chi Minh on Saturday morning.
• Iran reject's UAE FM's false claims at OIC meeting ISNA 03 Mar 2019 -- Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman, Bahram Qassemi says some countries have got used to making false claims in order to cover up their destructive policies.
• China's top political advisory body warns West over 'ulterior motives' Press TV 03 Mar 2019 -- China's top political advisory body has repudiated growing Western criticism of the country's methods, saying there are ulterior motives behind what an official characterized as smear campaign.
• CPPCC starts annual session Global Times 03 Mar 2019 -- China's top political advisory body said Sunday that it has played a positive role and offered valuable input to the country's social and economic development over the past year and will continue to rally unity and support for the country this year, as it faces many challenges.
• China's top political advisory body starts annual session People's Daily 03 Mar 2019 -- China's top political advisory body started its annual session Sunday afternoon in Beijing, raising the curtain of a key season in the country's political calendar.
• Sino-US cooperation is 'best option' for all People's Daily 03 Mar 2019 -- The signing of a mutually beneficial trade agreement at an early date will not only benefit China and the United States, but also will be good for the world economy, a spokesman for China's top political advisory body said on Saturday.
• SpaceX Dragon 2 Successfully Docks With ISS - NASA Sputnik 03 Mar 2019 -- Dragon 2, also known as Crew Dragon, atop a Falcon 9 rocket, was launched at 2:49 am EST (07:49 GMT) from NASA's Kennedy Space Center for its first unmanned test mission to the ISS.
• Space X Crew Capsule Reaches Space Station VOA 03 Mar 2019 -- The first American commercially built-and-operated crew spacecraft in eight years docked successfully Sunday at the International Space Station.
• Taiwan ready to share experience as victim of China's hostility: MOFA CNA 03 Mar 2019 -- As country that has been subjected to China's political belligerence for many years, Taiwan would be willing to share that experience with other nations that might be facing a similar problem, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said in its latest report to the Legislature.
• Taiwan protests exclusion from WHO flu vaccine meeting in Beijing CNA 03 Mar 2019 -- Taiwan was unable to attend a recent World Health Organization (WHO) meeting on flu vaccines because of political interference from China, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said Sunday, expressing dissatisfaction with the invitation process.
• Estonia's Liberal Opposition Party Declared Winner In General Election RFE/RL 03 Mar 2019 -- The opposition liberal Reform Party has scored a victory over the ruling center-left Center Party of Prime Minister Juri Ratas, according to final results of the March 3 election in which the far-right also emerged with increased support.
• European Parliament Urges Kosovo To Drop 100 Percent Tariff On Serbian Goods RFE/RL 03 Mar 2019 -- The European Parliament has urged Kosovo to withdraw its 100 percent tariff on goods from Serbia to help restart normalization talks between the Western Balkan neighbors.
• Algeria's Bouteflika vows not to 'serve full term' if elected Press TV 03 Mar 2019 -- Algeria's ailing President Abdelaziz Bouteflika has for the fifth term submitted his candidacy for the country's presidential votes, but offered to step down after a year if re-elected for a fifth term in office amid mass protests against his 20 years in power.
• Algerians stage fresh protests as Bouteflika eyes 5th term Press TV 03 Mar 2019 -- Thousands of people have staged new rallies in the Algerian capital and other cities to demand that President Abdelaziz Bouteflika abandon his plan to stand for a fifth term in the upcoming election.
• Algeria's Bouteflika Seeks Fifth Term as President Amid Protests VOA 03 Mar 2019 -- Longtime Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika said Sunday that he would not serve a full term if elected again in April, as protests against his intention to run for another fifth term continued.