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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• Taliban Fighters Storm District In Western Afghanistan, Killing Dozens RFE/RL 05 Apr 2019 -- Afghan officials say hundreds of Taliban militants stormed a district in the northwestern province of Badghis, killing dozens of government soldiers and police.
• US Envoy Discusses Afghan Peace With Pakistani Leaders VOA 05 Apr 2019 -- The U.S. envoy assigned to promote a negotiated resolution to the 18-year-old war in Afghanistan has held talks with top officials in neighboring Pakistan and briefed them on his recent meetings with Afghan and Taliban leaders.
• US Acknowledges 2 Civilians Killed in 2018 Somalia Airstrike VOA 05 Apr 2019 -- U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) says new information reveals a woman and child were killed last year in a U.S. airstrike in Somalia, the first civilian casualties acknowledged in the U.S. military's war against Islamist militants there.

Defense Policy / Programs

• ACC announces 24th and 25th NAF merger US Air Force 05 Apr 2019 -- Air Combat Command is merging 24th and 24th numbered Air Forces at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, this summer to better integrate cyber effects, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance operations, electronic warfare operations and information operations.
• Triple Nickels kick-off exercise African Lion 2019 with a roar US Air Force 05 Apr 2019 -- Airmen from the 31st Fighter Wing and Royal Moroccan Air Force conduct F-16 aviation training during exercise African Lion 2019, March 25-April 3, at Ben Guerir Air Base.
• PACAF hosts first U.S.-Mongolia Airman-to-Airman talks US Air Force 05 Apr 2019 -- Pacific Air Forces hosted a delegation from the Mongolian Air Force Command for Airman-to-Airman talks here, March 26-28.
• Survey Shows Less than Half of Americans Support NATO VOA 05 Apr 2019 -- A new survey shows that less than half of Americans support the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, an alliance originally designed to provide collective security against the Soviet Union, but now focused on Russia and non-state actors such as the Taliban and the Islamic State group.
• Pompeo calls for NATO unity to confront Iran, Russia, China Press TV 05 Apr 2019 -- US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has called on NATO members to get united in the face of what he called emerging threats from Iran, Russia and China.
• U.S. Considers Extending F-35 Jet Sales To Romania, Poland: Report RFE/RL 05 Apr 2019 -- Reuters is reporting that the United States is considering expanding sales of Lockheed Martin-made F-35 fighter jets to five new countries, including Romania, Poland, and Greece.
• Turkey will purchase Russian S-400 missile systems, President Erdogan says Press TV 05 Apr 2019 -- President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says Turkey continues to make payments under a deal with Russia to purchase advanced S-400 air defense missile systems, which Washington has warned could put Ankara at risk of US sanctions.
• Billion-pound investment in vital MOD testing sites UK MOD 05 Apr 2019 -- Military equipment testing, training and evaluation sites are set to get a £1.3bn boost, the Defence Secretary has announced.
• Royal Navy vessel identifies evasion of North Korea sanctions UK MOD 05 Apr 2019 -- A Royal Navy vessel conducting United Nations sanctions enforcement against North Korea has successfully tracked an illegal transfer at sea.
• Remarks by President Trump Before Marine One Departure The White House 05 Apr 2019

Defense Industry

• Contracts for April 5, 2019

Other Conflicts

• 5 April 2019 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 05 Apr 2019
• China, Philippines conclude dialogue on South China Sea issues People's Daily 05 Apr 2019 -- China and the Philippines have wrapped up talks on the South China Sea issues as well as maritime activities in a friendly and constructive manner, and achieved fruitful outcomes, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said on Thursday.
• Philippines' Duterte warns China with 'military action' over disputed island Press TV 05 Apr 2019 -- Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte has threatened to send his troops on a "suicide mission" if China does not back off from a disputed island in the South China Sea.
• China, Philippines conclude fruitful dialogue on South China Sea issues Global Times 05 Apr 2019 -- China and the Philippines have wrapped up talks on the South China Sea issues as well as maritime activities in a friendly and constructive manner, and achieved fruitful outcomes, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said on Thursday.
• Joint Statement on Syria US Dept. of State 05 Apr 2019 -- The text of the following statement was released today by UK Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, and U.S. Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo.
• Pakistan Wants 'Truth' From India About Recent Aerial Dogfight VOA 05 Apr 2019 -- Pakistan's agreement with the United States does not prevent it from using F-16 fighter jets in a conflict with India, and Indian claims of shooting down a Pakistani aircraft in a recent dogfight between the two nations is untrue, according to an influential U.S.-based publication.
• Situation in the West of Libya: G7 Foreign Ministers' statement UK FCO 05 Apr 2019 -- Statement from the Foreign Ministers of the UK, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the US and EU High Representative on the situation in the West of Libya.
• Russia 'not backing Haftar's Tripoli offensive' Press TV 05 Apr 2019 -- Russia says it has not assisted forces loyal to Libyan strongman Khalifa Haftar in their latest push to take over Tripoli, calling for a political solution to the recent flare-up of tensions in Libya.
• Haftar forces 'pushed back' from checkpoint after short exchange of fire Press TV 05 Apr 2019 -- Forces loyal to Libya's strongman Khalifa Haftar have been pushed back from a key checkpoint a day after they managed to seize the control of a town in the south of the capital Tripoli.
• UN Security Council, G7 Demand Haftar Forces Halt Military Advance In Libya RFE/RL 05 Apr 2019 -- The United Nations Security Council has called on Libyan army commander Khalifa Haftar to halt his forces' advance toward Tripoli, which is under the control of a UN-backed government.
• UN committed 'to support the Libyan people' as Guterres departs 'with deep concern and a heavy heart' UN News 05 Apr 2019 -- The United Nations Secretary-General left Libya on Friday voicing his hope that the divided country can "avoid a bloody confrontation" in and around the capital Tripoli.
• With Haftar's Forces Outside Tripoli, UN Urges Calm in Libya VOA 05 Apr 2019 -- Fighting erupted Friday around the Libyan capital, Tripoli, shortly after the departure of the U.N. secretary-general, who had been in the country for nearly three days and called for a de-escalation.
• Myanmar military target civilians in deadly helicopter attack, UN rights office issues war crimes warning UN News 05 Apr 2019 -- Intensifying clashes between the Myanmar military and armed separatists that reportedly involved a deadly helicopter bombing raid on civilians earlier this week in Rakhine state, have been condemned by the UN human rights office, OHCHR.
• Thousands Displaced by Intensified Fighting in Myanmar's Rakhine State VOA 05 Apr 2019 -- The U.N. Human Rights Office says more than 20,000 civilians in Myanmar's northern Rakhine State have been forced to flee their homes in recent weeks in the face of escalating fighting between the Myanmar military and the ethnic Rakhine Arakan Army.

News Reports

• 20 US states file motion to block Trump border wall funding Press TV 05 Apr 2019 -- Twenty US states have filed a motion to block funding for a wall President Donald Trump plans to build on the southern border.
• Remarks by President Trump in Roundtable on Immigration and Border Security | Calexico, California The White House 05 Apr 2019
• Remarks by President Trump After Touring New Border Wall | Calexico, CA The White House 05 Apr 2019
• Remarks by Vice President Pence to Homeland Security Investigation and ICE Agents The White House 05 Apr 2019
• Remarks by Vice President Pence at a Briefing From Homeland Security Investigation and ICE Agents The White House 05 Apr 2019
• Venezuelans brave torrential border river, face exploitation, abuse – UN urges greater protection UN News 05 Apr 2019 -- Noting that the Venezuela refugee crisis will leave some 1.1 million children, returnees and people in-transit lacking protection and basic services across Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) in 2019, the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) called on regional Governments to uphold their rights and protect unaccompanied, undocumented children.
• Signing of Protecting Power Arrangement for the United States in Venezuela US Dept. of State 05 Apr 2019 -- "The United States and Switzerland reached an arrangement on April 5, 2019 regarding the Swiss acting as a protecting power for U.S. interests in Venezuela.""
• The United States Sanctions Companies Enabling Shipment of Venezuelan Oil to Cuba US Dept. of State 05 Apr 2019 -- Today, the United States sanctioned two companies, Ballito Bay Shipping Inc. and ProPer in Management Inc., operating in Venezuela's oil sector and the vessel Despina Andrianna used to transport oil to Cuba.
• Treasury Sanctions Companies Operating in the Oil Sector of the Venezuelan Economy and Transporting Oil to Cuba US Treasury 05 Apr 2019 -- Today, the Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated two companies operating in the oil sector of the Venezuelan economy, pursuant to E.O. 13850, as amended. Additionally, OFAC identified one vessel, which transported oil from Venezuela to Cuba, as blocked property that is owned by one of these companies.
• UN: Venezuelans Risk Lives Fleeing Across Borders VOA 05 Apr 2019 -- The U.N. refugee agency reports thousands of Venezuelans are risking their lives by fleeing to neighboring countries via irregular dangerous pathways since official crossing points are no longer available to them.
• US Places New Sanctions on Venezuelan Oil Company VOA 05 Apr 2019 -- U.S. Vice President Mike Pence announced new sanctions Friday on 34 vessels of Venezuela's state oil company and two companies that ship crude oil to Cuba.
• US Revokes Visa of Chief Prosecutor of International Court VOA 05 Apr 2019 -- The United States has revoked the visa of the chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Fatou Bensouda, over a possible investigation of U.S. soldiers' actions in Afghanistan.
• Kremlin Critic Khodorkovsky Says Putin's Circle Wants Him To Remain In Power Beyond 2024 RFE/RL 05 Apr 2019 -- Former Russian oil tycoon and Kremlin foe Mikhail Khodorkovsky says political and business circles close to President Vladimir Putin want him to remain in power after his fourth term ends in 2024.
• US conducted secret surveillance of Huawei: Prosecutors Press TV 05 Apr 2019 -- Chinese telecoms giant Huawei Technologies has been spied on by US authorities, a court prosecutor says.
• Minister: Iran exports 1500 megawatt of electricity to Iraq IRNA 06 Apr 2019 -- Energy Minister Reza Ardakanian said on Saturday that the Islamic Republic of Iran is to export 1500 megawatts of electricity to Iraq under the current circumstances.
• Iran denies floods affected joint oil fields with Iraq Press TV 06 Apr 2019 -- Iranian authorities have reject reports that massive floods have affected crude production in joint oil fields with neighboring Iraq.
• FM Zarif rebukes US 'flip-flop' on Iran's power Press TV 06 Apr 2019 -- Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has castigated the administration of US President Donald Trump's "flip-flop" on Iran's power, saying American officials make "contradictory" claims that fit an occasion.
• Reports: U.S. Set To Designate Iran's Revolutionary Guards As Terrorist Organization RFE/RL 06 Apr 2019 -- U.S. media are reporting that the United States will soon designate Iran's hard-line Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) a foreign terrorist organization, which would be the first time Washington has given that label to the military unit of another country.
• US to Declare Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps a Terrorist Group - Report Sputnik 06 Apr 2019 -- The Trump administration is reportedly preparing to designate Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) a foreign terrorist organization (FTO), the Wall Street Journal reported Friday, citing sources in the administration.
• IAEA visits Iran site which exposed Netanyahu's lie: Report Press TV 05 Apr 2019 -- The UN nuclear agency says it has inspected a site in Tehran which Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu last year described as a "secret atomic warehouse" but it turned out to be a carpet cleaning facility.
• Hong Kong Moves Forward With Controversial China Extradition Deal VOA 05 Apr 2019 -- Hong Kong took its first steps this week toward allowing extraditions to China, prompting warnings from across the political, legal and economic sectors that it could have significant legal and economic repercussions for the autonomous Chinese city.
• U.S. senators submit resolution reaffirming commitment to Taiwan CNA 05 Apr 2019 -- Following in the footsteps of the House of Representatives, a group of U.S. senators on Thursday introduced a concurrent resolution reaffirming the U.S. commitment to Taiwan to mark the 40th anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA).
• U.S., Turkey Intensify War Of Words Over Syria, Russian Missiles RFE/RL 05 Apr 2019 -- A war of words between NATO allies the United States and Turkey intensified, with the sides disputing the readout of a meeting of the countries' foreign ministers regarding Syria
• 'Time for Bouteflika's men to go:' Algerians protest still Press TV 05 Apr 2019 -- Thousands of Algerians have once again taken to the streets of the capital, Algiers, after the resignation of President Abdelaziz Bouteflika to demand the removal of the remnants of his regime.
• The Week In Russia: The Long Ballot Next Door RFE/RL 05 Apr 2019 -- Moscow watches as Ukraine holds a presidential ballot that seems less like a Russian election every day, and the Kremlin gives an almost extravagantly modest reception to Kazakhstan's new interim president. Meanwhile, a survey shows that one in five Russians would vote with their feet and leave the country if they could, including 44 percent of those under 30.
• Ukraine's Presidential Race Takes A Turn For The Nurse RFE/RL 05 Apr 2019 -- It was the latest surreal twist in a presidential race chock-full of them.
• European Parliament Says OSCE Cut Critical Remark About Russia From Ukraine Vote Statement RFE/RL 05 Apr 2019 -- The European Parliament has accused the Organization for Cooperation and Security in Europe (OSCE) of whitewashing a press release about the Ukrainian presidential election by watering down critical wording about Russia, according to a sternly worded letter seen by RFE/RL.
• Ex-Presidents Can Be Prosecuted If Stripped Of Status, Kyrgyz Bill Says RFE/RL 05 Apr 2019 -- A bill that had initially been drafted amid calls to prosecute former Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambaev preserves immunity from prosecution for former presidents, but also states that prosecution could be possible if the person in question loses the status of ex-president.
• EU, Ex-Soviet Republics To Extend Partnership Beyond 2020 RFE/RL 05 Apr 2019 -- The foreign ministers of the European Union and six former Soviet republics will meet next month to endorse an extension of the Eastern Partnership Program.
• IAEA's Amano asks Saudi Arabia to provide safeguards for 1st nuclear reactor Press TV 05 Apr 2019 -- The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has asked Saudi Arabia to implement safeguards for its first nuclear reactor under construction near the Saudi capital Riyadh that could complete by the end of the year.
• Soyuz Rocket Launches Satellites From French Guiana Site RFE/RL 05 Apr 2019 -- Arianespace says it has successfully launched a Soyuz rocket from French Guiana carrying four telecommunications and Internet satellites.