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Current Operations

• Taliban Chief Welcomes Uzbek Peace Efforts, Infrastructure Work In Afghanistan RFE/RL 05 Mar 2019 -- Uzbekistan's Foreign Ministry says the head of the Taliban's political office in Qatar has expressed interest in cooperating with Tashkent in order to push Afghanistan's peace process forward.

Defense Policy / Programs

• US General Calls for Firepower, Focus to Counter Russia VOA 05 Mar 2019 -- The United States needs more firepower and focus to push back against ever-increasing Russian aggression across Europe and beyond, according to the top U.S. commander in Europe.
• Send More Boats, Eucom Commander Tells Senate DoD News 05 Mar 2019 -- More maritime power, including surface vessels and anti-submarine capability, are needed in Europe to counter threats there, the commander of U.S. European Command told the Senate Armed Services Committee at a hearing here today.
• US Plans to Increase Presence of Carrier Strike Group to Counter Russia - EUCOM Sputnik 05 Mar 2019 -- The United States is set to expand the rotational presence of guided missile destroyers and attack submarines to counter Russia in Europe, US European Command (USEUCOM) chief Gen. Curtis Scaparrotti said in congressional testimony on Tuesday.
• Kearsarge Departs Bahrain NNS 05 Mar 2019 -- The Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) departed Manama, Bahrain following a scheduled port visit, Feb. 26.
• Distressed cruise passenger rescued by HSC-25 NNS 05 Mar 2019 -- Sailors from the Guam-based "Island Knights" of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 25 provided emergency assistance to a cruise passenger in distress early Monday, March 4.
• 14th Pacific Partnership Mission Prepares to Enhance Disaster Response Cooperation, Strengthen Ties in Indo-Pacific NNS 05 Mar 2019 -- The U.S. Navy will join allied and partner nation forces for the 14th Pacific Partnership mission, scheduled to begin March 4. This annual maritime operation will help improve disaster response preparedness, resiliency and capacity while enhancing partnerships with participating nations and civilian humanitarian organizations throughout the Indo-Pacific.
• USS Donald Cook Arrives in Algiers NNS 05 Mar 2019 -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile cruiser USS Donald Cook (DDG 75) arrived in Algiers, Algeria March 5, 2019 for a scheduled port visit. The visit serves to enhance U.S.-Algeria relations as the two nations work together to strengthen regional security.
• Brazil Riverine Medical Mission 2019-1 Concludes NNS 05 Mar 2019 -- Four U.S. Navy physicians embarked aboard Brazilian Navy hospital ship NAsH Carlos Chagas (U 19) completed a month-long mission with their Brazilian Navy counterparts to exchange medical expertise and to bring medical care to isolated communities along the Amazon River, March 3.
• Leveraging Theater Assets for Long Term Sustainability Army News 05 Mar 2019 -- For the Army's only forward stationed Patriot Missile System Maintenance Company in Japan, the Soldiers of Echo Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Air Defense Artillery Regiment (1-1 ADA), has had to take a holistic look at sustainment not only in Japan but also throughout the US Indo-Pacific Theater to support the warfighters.
• Trump cites cost as reason for canceling joint 'war games' Press TV 05 Mar 2019 -- United States President Donald Trump has cited "cost" as the reason for canceling hated annual joint military exercises with South Korea.
• Putin signs decree suspending Russia's participation in INF Treaty People's Daily 05 Mar 2019 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree suspending Russia's compliance with the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty with immediate effect, the Kremlin said Monday.
• Russia May Deploy Missiles With Range Across Europe if US Puts Such Arms in Area Sputnik 05 Mar 2019 -- Russia may be forced to deploy missiles capable of striking the entire European continent if the United States deploys such weapons in the region, Russian Ambassador to the US Anatoly Antonov said during remarks at the Stimson Center in Washington, DC.
• China-made crane ship salvages sunken Norwegian warship People's Daily 05 Mar 2019 -- A China-made crane ship has been used to successfully salvage a sunken Norwegian frigate after a six-day operation, the maker of the crane ship said Tuesday.
• Nation lowers defense budget growth to 7.5% in 2019 Global Times 05 Mar 2019 -- China announced Tuesday that its defense budget for 2019 is 1.1899 trillion yuan ($177.5 billion), a 7.5 percent increase from 2018, lower than the 8.1 percent increase from the previous year.
• Russia to train 100 China troops on S-400 operations: Report Press TV 05 Mar 2019 -- Russia is reportedly set to train around 100 Chinese servicemen on how to operate S-400 as it is about to deliver a second regiment of the missile defense systems to Beijing.
• China to lower defense budget growth to 7.5 percent Global Times 05 Mar 2019 -- China will lower its defense budget growth rate to 7.5 percent in 2019, from last year's 8.1 percent, according to a draft budget report to be submitted to the annual session of the National People's Congress (NPC) opening Tuesday.
• Army robotics receive £66m boost UK MOD 05 Mar 2019 -- Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson commits £66m of defence's new multi-million-pound Transformation Fund to fast-track military robotic projects.
• India to Equip Su-30MKIs With Israeli High-Precision Bombs Sputnik 05 Mar 2019 -- New Delhi earlier reported that it had bombed a major terrorist camp in Pakistani territory, killing numerous militants, but did not specify the number of those killed. At the same time, Islamabad insists that no such camp ever existed and that the Indian Air Force (IAF) had bombed a largely barren hillside.
• Pentagon awards Lockheed Martin nearly $1billion for Saudi THAAD missile system Press TV 05 Mar 2019 -- The Pentagon has awarded its top weapons supplier Lockheed Martin Corp nearly $1 billion on behalf of Saudi Arabia for the installation of the US military giant's THAAD missile system in the kingdom.
• Lockheed Martin Wins $945Mln Contract to Provide THAAD System to Saudi Arabia Sputnik 05 Mar 2019 -- Lockheed Martin has received an almost $946 million Missile Defence Agency Foreign Military Sale contract to provide the Terminal High Altitude Area Defence system to Saudi Arabia, the Department of Defence said in a release.
• Ministry reassures public after news of PLA bomber deployment CNA 05 Mar 2019 -- The Ministry of National Defense (MND) reassured the public Tuesday that the ROC military is closely monitoring Taiwan's air space and territorial waters, after news broke on Monday of Beijing's latest bomber deployment.
• Experts: North Korea Can Make Nuclear Weapons Without Yongbyon VOA 05 Mar 2019 -- North Korea's offer to dismantle its Yongbyon nuclear facility should not persuade the United States to lift sanctions, nuclear experts say. Even without the showcase installation, the country can produce two to three nuclear weapons a year in other facilities, they say.
• US warns Turkey of 'grave consequences' over purchase of Russian S-400 missile systems Press TV 05 Mar 2019 -- The United States has sent out a stark warning to Turkey over its plan to buy the advanced Russian-built S-400 air defense missile systems, stating that the purchase of the anti-aircraft platform will dramatically affect military ties between the two NATO allies.
• Pentagon Recommends Not to Transfer F-35 to Turkey if Ankara Buys Russian S-400 Sputnik 05 Mar 2019 -- State Departments' Last Efforts to Dissuade Turkey From Buying S-400s
• US to Provide Enhanced Defensive Capabilities to Ukraine - European Command Sputnik 05 Mar 2019 -- The United States will provide additional defensive capabilities to Ukraine, Supreme Allied Commander Europe of NATO Allied Command Operations Gen. Curtis Scaparrotti announced during a hearing of the US Senate Armed Services Committee on Tuesday.
• Department Press Briefing - March 5, 2019 US Dept. of State 05 Mar 2019

Defense Industry

• Contracts for March 5, 2019

Other Conflicts

• 5 March 2019 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 05 Mar 2019
• Yemen accuses Saudis of violating Al Hudaydah truce 966 times IRNA 05 Mar 2019 -- Yemeni Armed Forces spokesman has accused the Saudi-led coalition of repeatedly breaching ceasefire agreement in Al Hudaydah, Yemen, saying that it has breached the truce 966 times in 4 days.
• Yemeni army destroys Saudi ammunition depot IRNA 05 Mar 2019 -- The Yemeni army targeted Saudi ammunition depot in southern Saudi Arabia with missile and annihilated it.
• Houthis: UK's Hunt distorting terms of Hudaydah ceasefire deal Press TV 05 Mar 2019 -- Yemen's Houthi Ansarullah movement has censured recent comments by British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt on the control of Hudaydah, saying the top UK diplomat is distorting the terms of a UN-mediated ceasefire deal reached between the Yemeni warring sides in Sweden over the strategic Red Sea port city.
• Yemen Accuses Houthi Rebels of Breaking Cease-fire VOA 05 Mar 2019 -- Yemen and its Saudi and UAE allies are accusing the Houthi rebels of breaking their agreement to withdraw from two ports.
• Syria launches airstrikes against Daesh positions in Badiya desert: Report Press TV 05 Mar 2019 -- The Syrian military has launched airstrikes against remnants of the Takfiri Daesh terror group and engaged its elements in the central part of the Arab country.
• India shoots down Pakistani drone: Media Press TV 05 Mar 2019 -- Indian media say the country's Air Force has shot down a Pakistani drone that had strayed across the common border, stoking fears that bilateral tensions could soar again after a recent high point.
• Pakistan 'wards off Indian submarine' Press TV 05 Mar 2019 -- Pakistan says it has successfully thwarted an alleged attempt by an Indian submarine to enter its waters, amid heightened military tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.
• Pakistan Navy Foils Alleged Attempt by Indian Sub to Enter Pak's Waters Sputnik 05 Mar 2019 -- The Pakistan Navy has released a video claiming that an Indian submarine had tried to enter Pakistani waters on 3 March and was pushed back. The latest development comes after an increase in tensions between the two nuclear-armed nations.
• Pakistan Launches Crackdown On Militants After Kashmir Attack RFE/RL 05 Mar 2019 -- Pakistan says it has arrested dozens of suspected militants, including prominent members of a group that has claimed responsibility for a deadly suicide bombing in Indian-administered Kashmir last month.
• Pakistan Arrests Dozens of Militants, Including Key Members of Jaish-e-Mohammed Sputnik 05 Mar 2019 -- The escalation of tensions between Pakistan and India started after a deadly terrorist attack that took place on 14 February killing 45 Indian military personnel. India has accused Pakistan of harbouring and protecting terrorists, blasting the country for having a "direct hand" in the incident.
• Pakistan Detains Suspects Tied to Indian Kashmir Attack VOA 05 Mar 2019 -- Authorities in Pakistan have detained 44 suspected militants, including two relatives of the leader of the Islamist group that India accused of plotting a suicide car bombing in the divided Kashmir region.
• Modi Vows to Make 'Big, Bitter Decisions' as India Reportedly Downs Pak Drone Sputnik 05 Mar 2019 -- Tensions between Pakistan and India have been running high since the Pakistan Air Force brought down an Indian MiG-21 and captured its pilot. The downing followed shortly after the Indian Air Force launched an assault on an alleged terrorist training base in Pakistan.
• Turkish Armed Forces Neutralized 1,149 Terrorists in 2018 - Reports Sputnik 05 Mar 2019 -- The Turkish Armed Forces' Gendarmerie General Command (GGC) neutralized 1,149 terrorists in 2018, according to an annual report released on Monday, local media reported.
• Female Tank Commander 'Defects' For Love, Warns Kyiv Of 'Invasion' Plan RFE/RL 05 Mar 2019 -- KYIV -- It may be a Ukrainian love story as complicated and dubious as the motives behind the simmering war itself: A female separatist commander and star propagandist for Russia-backed separatists defects to Kyiv to be with her Ukrainian spy lover. But she also brings word of Russian plans for a massive invasion. Moreover, she's ready to testify in The Hague to Moscow's role in alleged war crimes.
• Armenian PM, Tusk Discuss Relations and Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict RFE/RL 05 Mar 2019 -- Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian and European Council President Donald Tusk have met in Brussels for talks on relations between Yerevan and the European Union and on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
• South Sudan's President Calls for No Revenge Attacks VOA 05 Mar 2019 -- South Sudan's president is calling on his people to refrain from revenge attacks, as the country tries to move on from a brutal civil war.
• Israeli security forces' response to Gaza protests 'a recipe for more bloodshed', says UN expert UN News 05 Mar 2019 -- Since the beginning of the year, Israeli security forces have responded to protests along Gaza's border fence with tear gas, rubber coated bullets and live ammunition that have caused death, injury and fear, which the UN's independent human rights expert on the region described on Tuesday as "a recipe for more bloodshed".
• Drastic deterioration in security across Burkina Faso as 70,000 flee their homes in past two months, UN warns UN News 05 Mar 2019 -- The landlocked West African country of Burkina Faso is facing "unprecedented" displacement, triggered by armed groups and intercommunal clashes, and exacerbated by long-term food insecurity, UN aid officials said on Tuesday.
• UN Warns Humanitarian Crisis Unfolding in Burkina Faso VOA 05 Mar 2019 -- The United Nations warned Tuesday that "an unprecedented humanitarian emergency" is developing in Burkina Faso, which has seen a surge in terrorist attacks and intercommunal violence.

News Reports

• Opposition figure Guaido returns to Venezuela; calls for street protests Press TV 05 Mar 2019 -- Venezuela's opposition figure Juan Guaido has returned to the country, facing arrest for violating a travel ban that had been imposed on him by the Supreme Court.
• Attempted Trump 'Armed Aggression' Against Venezuela Failed - Bolivian President Sputnik 05 Mar 2019 -- Bolivian President Evo Morales believes that an attempt of an "armed aggression" by US President Donald Trump against Venezuela taken under the guise of providing humanitarian aid has failed.
• Text of a Notice on the Continuation of the National Emergency with Respect to Venezuela The White House 05 Mar 2019
• Presidential Message to the Congress on the Continuation of the National Emergency with Respect to Venezuela The White House 05 Mar 2019
• Trump Assails New Democratic Investigation VOA 05 Mar 2019 -- U.S. President Donald Trump assailed Democratic lawmakers Tuesday for opening a wide-ranging investigation of him and his administration, calling it "a big, fat, fishing expedition in search of a crime."
• Trump accuses House judiciary committee chairman of harassment in probe Press TV 05 Mar 2019 -- US President Donald Trump has accused House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler of attempting to "harass" his associates in a wide-ranging investigation into possible obstruction of justice, corruption and abuse of power by the president.
• White House Blasts Congressional Democrats Seeking Files From Trump Associates RFE/RL 05 Mar 2019 -- The White House has lashed out at congressional Democrats, calling a sweeping request by a House of Representative committee for files from dozens of President Donald Trump associates "disgraceful and abusive."
• US House Democrats Seek Criminal Probe of Jared Kushner Over Security Clearance Sputnik 05 Mar 2019 -- Congressmen Ted Lieu and Don Beyer wrote in a letter to Attorney General William Barr on Tuesday asked the US Department of Justice to open a criminal investigation of Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner after a media report that Trump ordered White House officials to give Kushner a top secret security clearance.
• Bitter Medicine: Doctors Give Bad Marks To Russian Program To Boost Rural Health Care RFE/RL 05 Mar 2019 -- In 2017, Vladimir Sotnikov graduated from Tomsk Medical University and joined the government's Rural Doctor program, an initiative aimed at encouraging young medical professionals to work in remote rural locations.
• Controversial NSA Phone Program Quietly Ditched - House Aide Sputnik 05 Mar 2019 -- First employed by President George W. Bush's administration following the 2001 terror attacks, the NSA-championed phone data programme was reshaped into the so-called Freedom Act of 2015, which stipulates that Americans' phone data remain in the hands of telecom companies.
• Chinese Hackers Targeted US Universities for Maritime Military Secrets - Report Sputnik 05 Mar 2019 -- Chinese hackers reportedly targeted nearly 30 universities around the world in an attempt to steal military maritime technology secrets.
• S. Korea to seek three-way talks with DPRK, U.S. People's Daily 05 Mar 2019 -- South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha said Monday that her ministry will seek to hold three-way talks with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the United States to help rapidly resume the DPRK-U.S. dialogue.
• Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un Arrives at Home after Concluding Official Goodwill Visit to Vietnam KCNA 05 Mar 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, arrived at home on Tuesday after successfully wrapping up his official goodwill visit to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
• JCPOA Joint Commission to convene in Vienna ISNA 05 Mar 2019 -- The fresh round of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) joint commission meeting will be held in Vienna on Wednesday.
• Highlights of 2019 Government Work Report People's Daily 05 Mar 2019 -- On March 5, 2019, Premier Li Keqiang delivered the Government Work Report to the second session of the 13th National People's Congress in Beijing. Here are the highlights:
• China Says Tough Year Ahead Economically VOA 05 Mar 2019 -- China's Premier Li Keqiang has warned that the world's second largest economy has a tough struggle ahead this year as Beijing grapples with slowing growth and an ongoing trade dispute with the United States.
• China preparing for space station missions People's Daily 05 Mar 2019 -- The China Manned Space Engineering Office (CMSEO) announced Monday that the core module of the country's space station, the Long March-5B carrier rocket and its payloads will be sent to the launch site in the second half of this year, to make preparations for the space station missions.
• State Department Terrorist Designation of Harakat al-Nujaba (HAN) and Akram 'Abbas al-Kabi US Dept. of State 05 Mar 2019 -- The Department of State has designated the Iranian proxy group Harakat al-Nujaba (HAN) and its leader, Akram 'Abbas al-Kabi, as Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGTs) under Executive Order (E.O.) 13224.
• Lukashenka Says Belarus Must Balance Policies Between East, West RFE/RL 05 Mar 2019 -- Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenka has said that his country "must overcome the cold" of a "standoff" between Russia and the European Union by "equally " balancing its foreign policy between East and West.
• U.S. senators ask Trump to send Cabinet-level official to Taiwan CNA 05 Mar 2019 -- A group of American senators from across party lines have asked Presidential Donald Trump to send a Cabinet-level official to Taiwan to attend an event commemorating the 40th anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA).
• Turkey slams US plan to end special trade status Press TV 05 Mar 2019 -- Ankara has blasted the United States for its decision to scrap the preferential trade status granted to Turkey, saying Washington's plan is contrary to mutual trade goals.
• Algerian protesters not likely to give up anti-Bouteflika demos Press TV 05 Mar 2019 -- It was late February when President Abdelaziz Bouteflika of Algeria, 82, announced he sought re-election for a fifth term. But demonstrators on the streets across the country do not favor him any longer, and keep calling for him to quit.
• Former Colonial Power France Silent on Algerian Protests VOA 05 Mar 2019 -- In recent weeks, French President Emmanuel Macron has spoken out forcefully in favor of the European Union and Venezuela's opposition protests. He has dominated town hall meetings to address grievances at home, and sought stronger ties in China.
• Tusk warns of 'hostile foreign meddling' in EU parliamentary elections Press TV 05 Mar 2019 -- European Council President Donald Tusk gives one of the starkest warnings yet from the European Union against hostile foreign meddling in May's European Parliament elections.
• In Bucharest, four countries seek to create Black Sea-Caspian Sea corridor Press TV 05 Mar 2019 -- Azerbaijan, Georgia, Romania and Turkmenistan have agreed on creating an international transport corridor connecting the Black Sea with the Caspian Sea.
• EU Hails Georgia's Implementation Of Association Agreement RFE/RL 05 Mar 2019 -- European Union foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini has said that Georgia had made "great steps" in the implementation of a political and trade agreement with the bloc.
• Serbia's Vucic Says No Recognition Of Kosovo Unless Belgrade Gets Something Too RFE/RL 05 Mar 2019 -- Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has said that Belgrade "cannot recognize Kosovo" as an independent state unless Serbia gets something in return from Pristina as part of a larger deal.
• UN human rights chief regrets closure of Burundi office following Government pressure UN News 05 Mar 2019 -- In a statement released on Tuesday, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, announced her regret at the closure of the UN Human Rights Office in Burundi – which was set up more than two decades ago – at the insistence of the country's government.