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Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• Iraqi popular forces urge ouster of US troops after ban Press TV 08 Mar 2019 -- Iraq's popular resistance forces have condemned US sanctions on Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba and called for measures to oust American troops from the country.
• US-Taliban Talks to Continue but Face 'Some Obstacles' VOA 08 Mar 2019 -- The United States and the Taliban took a one-day break Friday from a marathon 11 days of talks in Qatar aimed at finalizing a deal for ending Afghanistan's 18-year war. A top U.S. military official, however, spoke of "some obstacles" that negotiators were trying to overcome.
• UN Chief Urges Direct Talks Between Afghan Government, Taliban RFE/RL 08 Mar 2019 -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for immediate talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban, saying peace can only be reached through "comprehensive intra-Afghan dialogue."

Defense Policy / Programs

• Pentagon Spokesman Discusses Variety of Topics With Reporters DoD News 08 Mar 2019 -- There will be grave consequences for Turkey should the country go ahead with buying the Russian S-400 anti-aircraft missile system, chief Pentagon spokesman Charles E. Summers Jr. said here today.
• Transcom Commander: Sealift Fleet Urgently Needs Recapitalization DoD News 08 Mar 2019 -- The need is urgent to recapitalize on U.S. Transportation Command's sealift fleet, the Transcom commander said on Capitol Hill yesterday.
• Ramstein wraps up Exercise Operation Varsity 19-01 US Air Force 08 Mar 2019 -- The giant voice system echoes throughout the installation. The children running around the house hear only one phrase, "EXERCISE, EXERCISE, EXERCISE." As the kids echo the bits and pieces of what they understood to each other, they begin to mimic exercises, by running up and down the stairs in their house. While it might be all fun and games for the kids, their parents are out and about, hard at work.
• Sixth Fleet Commander Visits French Aircraft Carrier FS Charles de Gaulle NNS 08 Mar 2019 -- The U.S. 6th Fleet commander, Vice Adm. Lisa Franchetti, at the invitation the operational commander for the Mediterranean, Vice Adm. Charles-Henri du Ché, visited the French aircraft carrier FS Charles de Gaulle March 7 as the ship and its carrier strike group (CSG) began its long-planned deployment.
• Washington Wants to Make Allies Pay Huge Premium for Hosting US Troops - Reports Sputnik 08 Mar 2019 -- The United States is considering raising the price for stationing US military troops in allied countries, Bloomberg reported on Friday.
• US, South Korea sign deal for paying more for American military Press TV 08 Mar 2019 -- The United States and South Korea have signed an agreement to increase the Asian country's payment for American troops deployed there after months of discussions between the two sides.
• Speech by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at a conference organized by the Polish Institute of International Affairs with the German Marshall Fund of the United States NATO 08 Mar 2019
• Russia, Turkey Conduct Joint Naval Drills in Black Sea – Defence Ministry Sputnik 08 Mar 2019 -- The Russian Black Sea Fleet's naval ships together with the vessels of the Turkish Naval Forces have conducted a passing exercise to improve interoperability in possible mine danger areas, Black Sea Fleet spokesman Capt. 2nd Rank Alexei Rulyov said on Friday.
• Turkey will begin to install Russian S-400 missile systems in October: Defense minister Press TV 08 Mar 2019 -- Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar says the country will start installment of the advanced Russian-built S-400 air defense missile systems later this year, regardless of strong opposition from the United States to the plan and warnings that Ankara should not buy the platform.
• S-400 Missile Defence Systems Will Start to be Installed in Turkey in October Sputnik 08 Mar 2019 -- The process of deploying Russia's S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems in Turkey will begin in October, Turkish Minister of Defence Hulusi Akar said.
• Pentagon: 'Grave Consequences' to US, Turkey Military Relations Over S-400 Spat VOA 08 Mar 2019 -- The Pentagon is warning of "grave consequences" to military relations between the United States and Turkey should Ankara purchase a Russian surface-to-air missile system.
• China Eyes Alternative Sources for Maritime Expansion VOA 08 Mar 2019 -- Officials in Beijing are expected to take money from non-defense sources this year to solidify their military control in the disputed South China Sea following a proposed slowdown in formal defense spending.
• DPRK blasts joint military exercise by South Korea, U.S. People's Daily 08 Mar 2019 -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Thursday blasted South Korea and the United States for holding a joint military exercise, saying it was a violation of summit agreements they reached with the DPRK last year.
• Indian Government Retracts 'Stolen File' Statement on Rafale Fighter Jet Deal Sputnik 08 Mar 2019 -- With elections in India now less than two months away, the Rafale fighter jet deal with a French FIRM has become a hot campaign issue as the opposition has been alleging corruption in the procurement of the aircraft.
• Indian Air Force Lost Seven Warplanes Since Beginning of 2019 - Reports Sputnik 08 Mar 2019 -- In February alone, the Indian Air Force (IAF) lost five aircraft with one casualty. The largest casualty was recorded during the 28 January Mi-17 chopper crash which killed all six persons on board.
• Indian MiG-21 Bison Crashes Near Pakistani Border Sputnik 08 Mar 2019 -- Tensions between India and Pakistan have been running high following Indian air strikes which apparently targeted terrorist infrastructure on the Pakistani side of the border in Kashmir. Islamabad swiftly described this operation as a violation of its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
• India Signs $3 Bln Deal on Russian Sub Lease Despite US Sanction Threat – Report Sputnik 08 Mar 2019 -- The signing of the agreement comes as New Delhi faces restrictive measures from Washington after inking a deal with Moscow for the purchase of S-400 Russian missile systems in October 2018.
• India, Russia ink submarine deal; Turkey to get S-400 in Oct. Press TV 08 Mar 2019 -- India signs an agreement to lease another nuclear-powered attack submarine from Russia, while Turkey says it will begin deploying a Russian-made S-400 missile defense system in October.
• Iran Navy foils pirate attack on oil tanker in Gulf of Aden Press TV 08 Mar 2019 -- Iran's naval forces have successfully thwarted a pirate attack on an Iranian oil tanker in the Gulf of Aden.
• U.S.-Taiwan council supports Taiwan's request for F-16V fighters CNA 08 Mar 2019 -- The U.S.-Taiwan Business Council has expressed support for Taiwan's request to purchase a fleet of new fighter jets from the United States, saying it would be consistent with the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA).
• Remarks by President Trump Before Marine One Departure The White House 08 Mar 2019

Defense Industry

• DoD Contracts for March 8, 2019
• Hyundai Heavy Signs Deal to Take over Daewoo Shipbuilding KBS World Radio 08 Mar 2019 -- Hyundai Heavy Industries on Friday signed a formal deal with the state-run Korea Development Bank(KDB) on its takeover of rival firm Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering.

Other Conflicts

• 8 March 2019 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 08 Mar 2019
• Victory Over Islamic State Remnants Proves Elusive VOA 08 Mar 2019 -- A week after U.S.-backed forces announced the start of their final assault on Islamic State territory in Syria, there is little the troops or the countries backing them can be sure of.
• US Commanders Once Again Warn Syria, Iraq at Risk of Daesh Resurgence Sputnik 08 Mar 2019 -- As Daesh loses its final sliver of territory in Syria, US and Iraqi leaders are warning the militant group isn't gone for good, and some think tanks are warning that the group could reemerge powerfully in Iraq. Those dangers, however, seem nearly as overblown as those the Pentagon is employing to keep US troops in Syria.
• Pakistan Violating Ceasefire Along LoC With Artillery Strikes - Indian Army Sputnik 08 Mar 2019 -- The Indian and Pakistani armed forces have clashed repeatedly in recent days amid strong tensions over last week's anti-terrorist operation by Indian aircraft over Pakistani territory in Kashmir.
• Pakistani PM Imran Khan vows to crack down on terrorists Press TV 08 Mar 2019 -- Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has vowed to crack down on Pakistan-based terrorist groups carrying out attacks abroad, following deadly attacks by such outfits in India and Iran.
• UN Notes Progress Mixed with Challenges in South Sudan VOA 08 Mar 2019 -- The United Nations' top envoy in South Sudan offered a mixed picture of progress Friday as that country tries to move toward peace after more than five years of civil war.
• Peace deal holds in South Sudan, but humanitarian funding 'ultimately unsustainable,' says top UN envoy UN News 08 Mar 2019 -- September's UN-backed South Sudan peace agreement is holding and has led to positive change, but tens of thousands of civilians in the war-weary nation are still reliant of life-saving humanitarian assistance, and time is running out. This was the message that David Shearer, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for South Sudan, relayed to the Security Council on Friday.
• Uganda Calls for Coordinated Action Against Militants VOA 08 Mar 2019 -- Uganda's president, Yoweri Museveni, has called for more coordinated action to deal with militants in Africa's Great Lakes region. Meanwhile, the United Nations has urged countries to address the root causes of conflicts in the region that have created over 4 million refugees and displaced millions more.
• British Army Vets May Face 'Bloody Sunday' Trial as Tensions Rise VOA 08 Mar 2019 -- Sectarian tensions are rising in Northern Ireland – and not only because of Brexit and the possibility that the island of Ireland will once again be divided by a so-called "hard border."

News Reports

• Special Representative for Venezuela Elliott Abrams US Dept. of State 08 Mar 2019 -- Special Briefing by Elliott Abrams, U.S. Special Representative for Venezuela
• New Lifeline for Venezuelans Opens in Colombia VOA 08 Mar 2019 -- The U.N. refugee agency and Colombian authorities are opening a reception center in the border city of Maicao, in the La Guajira region, to offer humanitarian assistance to vulnerable Venezuelans fleeing their country.
• UN rights team heading to Venezuela may pave way for official mission led by Bachelet UN News 08 Mar 2019 -- A United Nations human rights team is to begin an official visit to Venezuela on Monday at the invitation of the Government, potentially paving the way for an official mission to Caracas by the UN's top rights official, Michelle Bachelet.
• Venezuela plunges into darkness after major dam 'sabotage' Press TV 08 Mar 2019 -- Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro says the United States has declared an "electric energy war" against his country amid a widespread blackout that has left the capital Caracas and several other states in almost complete darkness.
• Most of Venezuela Hit By Power Outage - Reports Sputnik 08 Mar 2019 -- Power outage was registered in 21 out of 23 states of Venezuela, local media have reported amid "sabotage" at the major hydroelectric power plant Guri, reported by the National Electric Power Corporation.
• Former Trump Campaign Chief Manafort Sentenced To 47 Months In Prison RFE/RL 08 Mar 2019 -- Paul Manafort, who built a lucrative career consulting for Ukrainian politicians and later served as President Donald Trump's campaign chairman, has been sentenced to 47 months in prison.
• The Week In Russia: Gerasimov's Trojan Horse And A Tabloid's Tip For Putin RFE/RL 08 Mar 2019 -- A bizarre claim by Russia's top general that the Pentagon is developing a strategy involving air strikes and support for protesters sounds like bad news for Russians themselves, or at least for those in the mood to demonstrate against President Vladimir Putin's government, garbage dumps, or anything at all. Meanwhile, a tabloid sends Putin a warning about "the impermanence of power."
• Estonian President Strips Officer Convicted of Spying for Russia of Ranks Sputnik 08 Mar 2019 -- Estonian President Kersti Kaljulaid has stripped a former officer convicted of spying for Russia of his military ranks, her office said Friday.
• South Korea replaces point man on North after Hanoi summit collapse Press TV 08 Mar 2019 -- South Korea's President Moon Jae-in has replaced his point man on North Korea with his longtime confident in an apparent effort to further improve ties with Pyongyang.
• South Korea's Moon Replaces Minister in Charge of Relations with DPRK Sputnik 08 Mar 2019 -- The President of South Korea Moon Jae-in announced that he had replaced the country's unification minister, who is responsible for affairs with North Korea.
• China, DPRK to jointly build ties for new era: FM Global Times 08 Mar 2019 -- China will work with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) to build a relationship for the new era, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Friday.
• Trump: 'Very Disappointed' if North Korea Resumes Nuclear Testing VOA 08 Mar 2019 -- U.S. President Donald Trump said he would be "very disappointed" if North Korea is resuming nuclear testing after his recent meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
• US State Department Does Not Rule Out New Sanctions on North Korea Sputnik 08 Mar 2019 -- Earlier, Donald Trump told reporters he would be very disappointed in North Korean Chairman Kim Jong-un if reports that he is rebuilding the Sohae long-range rocket launch site turn out to be true.
• UN's DPRK Mission Needs $120 Million to Respond to Country's Humanitarian Crisis Sputnik 08 Mar 2019 -- A new report from the United Nations office in North Korea found that while roughly 43 percent of the population is not properly nourished, humanitarian organizations in the country lack funding to reach people who need food and water aid, which includes local infrastructure investment. The report follows a plea from Pyongyang for aid.
• US accuses Iran of defying UN resolution, calls for tough bans Press TV 08 Mar 2019 -- The US has accused Iran of violating the UN Security Council Resolution 2231 by testing one of its ballistic missiles and launching two satellites, urging the world body to restore "tougher international sanctions" against the Islamic Republic.
• U.S. Urges New UN Sanctions On Iran For Missile, Satellite Launches RFE/RL 08 Mar 2019 -- The United States has urged the United Nations Security Council to impose sanctions on Iran over its recent ballistic-missile test and launches of two satellites, saying they violate the world body's resolutions.
• US Calls on UN to Re-Impose Restrictions on Iran's Missiles Program SPA 08 Mar 2019 -- The United States has accused Iran of defying a UN Security Council resolution by launching a ballistic missile and two industrial satellites since last December, urging the UN Security Council to re-impose tougher international restrictions on Tehran.
• Highlights of Chinese foreign minister's press conference People's Daily 08 Mar 2019
• Chinese FM: Huawei Case Is 'Deliberate Political Suppression' VOA 08 Mar 2019 -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Friday called the legal clash between Chinese company Huawei and the U.S. government "deliberate political suppression," and he vowed to protect the rights of Chinese companies and citizens abroad.
• India's Modi Taps Into Tide of Nationalist Sentiment as Elections Loom VOA 08 Mar 2019 -- At public meetings and election rallies held since the recent confrontation between India and Pakistan, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been tapping into a wave of nationalistic sentiment sweeping the country and presenting himself as a strong leader willing to take a more muscular approach to Pakistan.
• Assassination reports compound amid rift among Saudi royals Press TV 08 Mar 2019 -- Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has escaped an assassination attempt by his brother Bandar bin Salman, an Israeli newspaper reports.
• SpaceX Dragon Capsule Splashes Down In The Atlantic RFE/RL 08 Mar 2019 -- The SpaceX Dragon capsule has successfully splashed down in the Atlantic Ocean after spending more than six days in space, the U.S. space agency, NASA, said on March 8.
• Tens of Thousands Demonstrate Against Fifth Term for Algerian President Bouteflika VOA 08 Mar 2019 -- Arab media are reporting that Algerian security forces cut transportation links between parts of the country and the capital, Algiers, on Friday, as opposition groups held large protests against ailing incumbent President Abdelaziz Bouteflika seeking a fifth term in office.
• Algerians protest against President Bouteflika Press TV 08 Mar 2019 -- Thousands of Algerians have staged a protest in the capital, Algiers, against ailing President Abdelaziz Bouteflika's decision to seek a fifth term in office, a day after he warned of the risk of "chaos."
• U.S. Envoy Calls On Serbia, Kosovo To End 'Mutual Provocations' RFE/RL 08 Mar 2019 -- A senior U.S. envoy has urged feuding neighbors Serbia and Kosovo to stop provoking each other and to resume talks aimed at normalizing relations.
• Will Rustam Emomali Become The Next President Of Tajikistan? RFE/RL 08 Mar 2019 -- At age 29, he was appointed as mayor of Dushanbe. In 2018, the Tajik Constitution was amended to allow a person as young as 30 to run for president.
• U.S. Charges Daughter Of Late Uzbek President With Bribery, Corruption RFE/RL 08 Mar 2019 -- The United States has for the first time named Gulnara Karimova, the elder daughter of the late president of Uzbekistan, in a major international bribery scheme, charging her with conspiracy to violate U.S. foreign-corruption laws.
• EU Parliament Leaders Back Romanian Candidate For EU Prosecutor RFE/RL 08 Mar 2019 -- Leaders of the European Parliament have endorsed former Romanian anti-corruption chief Laura Codruta Koevesi as their top choice to be the first-ever EU chief prosecutor.