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Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• Progress against torture in Afghan detention centres, but Government needs to do more, says UN report UN News 17 Apr 2019 -- Torture is likely still widespread in Afghanistan's State-run prisons for detainees linked to ongoing conflict there, the UN said on Wednesday, while also noting an "encouraging reduction" in the level of abuse since 2016.
• Afghanistan To Send 250 Delegates To Taliban Meeting In Qatar RFE/RL 17 Apr 2019 -- The Afghan government says it will send 250 delegates for talks with the Taliban in Qatar this week that are seen as a potential breakthrough in efforts to end the nearly 18-year war.
• UN: Some Progress In Afghanistan Torture Eradication, But Much Left To Do RFE/RL 17 Apr 2019 -- The United Nations says there has been "encouraging" progress in Afghanistan's efforts to eradicate the torture of people detained in relation to the country's ongoing conflict, but much remains to be done.
• UN Concerned About Conflict-Related Torture of Afghanistan Detainees VOA 17 Apr 2019 -- A new United Nations report has documented a modest decline in torture allegations in Afghan prisons, but noted its ongoing concern at the "disturbingly" high number of conflict-related detainees still alleging serious abuses.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Tropic Lightning Division Conducts Multi-Domain Live-Fire Exercise Army News 17 Apr 2019 -- In years past, Lightning Strike was conducted as a live-fire exercise at the division level with division assets. This year, 25th Inf. Div. assets worked in concert with the U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force and U.S. Marine Corps to make LS19 a joint exercise. Modern war-fighting situations were tested to give Tropic Lightning Soldiers a feel for potential conflicts in the United States Indo-Pacific Command's area of responsibility.
• Exercise brings American firepower to European partners Army News 17 Apr 2019 -- The 2nd Battalion, 34th Armored Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division from Fort Riley, Kansas, participated in Allied Spirit X, a multinational exercise designed to develop and enhance NATO and key partner interoperability and readiness across specified warfighting functions, here, March 30 - Apr. 17, 2019.
• Logistics Support Plays Key Role During SWATT 2019 Exercise NNS 17 Apr 2019 -- Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) Fleet Logistics Center Yokosuka (FLCY) participated in Surface Warfare Advanced Tactical Training (SWATT) 2019, a complex naval exercise providing dedicated port and at sea training for surface ships.
• USS Ross Arrives in Varna NNS 17 Apr 2019 -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Ross (DDG 71) arrived in Varna, Bulgaria, April 15 for a scheduled port visit.
• USS Nitze Arrives in Souda Bay NNS 17 Apr 2019 -- The Arleigh Burke class guided-missile destroyer USS Nitze (DDG 94) arrived in Souda Bay, Greece, April 15 for a scheduled port visit.
• US Army Seeks New Weapons for 'High Intensity' Battles Sputnik 17 Apr 2019 -- The US Army's chief laid out a weapons wishlist to reporters Tuesday, noting the service sought to cancel dozens of programs it says are "not as relevant" to current US strategy and requesting new ones better catered to the Pentagon's primary concern of "inter-state strategic competition" with Russia and China.
• F-35 Parts Suppliers Moved to Long-Term Contracts to Reduce Costs - Producer Sputnik 17 Apr 2019 -- More suppliers of spare parts to the controversial F-35 Lightning II aircraft have been awarded longer-term contracts in an effort to reduce sustainment costs, prime contractor Lockheed Martin said in a press release on Wednesday.
• Allied firefighters conduct joint training during CENTAM SMOKE exercise US Air Force 17 Apr 2019 -- Firefighters from five Central American countries and Joint Task Force-Bravo participated in Central America Sharing Mutual Operational Knowledge and Experiences, or CENTAM SMOKE, exercise at Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras, April 8-12.
• Hungary, augmented by the United Kingdom and Spain, will lead 50th NATO Baltic Air Policing detachment NATO 17 Apr 2019 -- Hungary is scheduled to be the lead nation for NATO's Baltic Air Policing mission at Šiauliai, Lithuania, together with augmenting nations Spain and the United Kingdom.
• Naval Forces Worldwide Test Anti-Torpedo Interception Systems Sputnik 17 Apr 2019 -- Several naval forces are testing the idea of anti-torpedo torpedoes, self-propelled weapons with explosive warheads that are used to detonate enemy torpedoes. The technology could change undersea warfare by seriously weakening the threat of enemy submarines.
• Ankara Won't Allow Questioning Its NATO Status Over S-400s – Official Sputnik 17 Apr 2019 -- Turkey will not allow NATO to question its status of an alliance member over the decision to buy Russian S-400 air defence systems (NATO reporting name: SA-21 Growler), Turkish presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin told the Anadolu news agency in an interview.
• US-Turkey Deadlock Over Ankara's S-400 Deal Shows No Sign of Resolution – Report Sputnik 17 Apr 2019 -- On Tuesday, Turkish Finance Minister Berat Albayrak said after his talks with Donald Trump in Washington that the US President has demonstrated "a reasonable approach" toward Ankara's purchases of Russian S-400 air defence systems.
• U.S.' new arms sales will boost Taiwan combat capabilities: Tsai CNA 17 Apr 2019 -- An approved arms sale of US$500 million by Washington to Taipei will strengthen Taiwan's overall military capabilities, President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) said Wednesday during a visit to Magong Air Base in Penghu.
• Arms sale in line with Taiwan Relations Act: U.S. CNA 17 Apr 2019 -- The U.S. Department of State confirmed Tuesday its latest approval of an arms sale to Taiwan, citing the need to help the island maintain sufficient self-defense capability in the face of growing intimidation from China.
• Top new turbofan engine to power China's carrier-based stealth fighters: specialist Global Times 17 Apr 2019 -- The young members of a team of Chinese aero engine designers will be given an award for successfully designing and prototype testing of a new top-class turbofan engine that will help Chinese fighter jets take on their advanced foreign counterparts.
• China Unveils 'Marine Lizard' Amphibious Assault Drone Amid S China Sea Tensions Sputnik 17 Apr 2019 -- The stealthy vessel, named the 'Marine Lizard', has a maximum range of 1,200 km, a maximum speed of up to 50 knots, and can be controlled remotely via satellites, according to its creators.
• North Korea Tests New 'Tactical Guided Weapon' VOA 17 Apr 2019 -- North Korea has tested a new "tactical guided weapon," the latest display of Pyongyang's military capabilities, state media reported Thursday.
• F-21 Combat Aircraft Will Give India Significant Edge - Lockheed Martin Sputnik 17 Apr 2019 -- The Maryland-based defence manufacturer claims that the new combat aircraft it is providing to India will have impressive standoff capabilities, greater staying power with lower fuel consumption and state-of-the-art network data-linking capabilities across all platforms.
• Remarks to the Press US Dept. of State 17 Apr 2019 -- Remarks by Michael R. Pompeo, Secretary of State
• Briefing With Assistant Secretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs Kimberly Breier US Dept. of State 17 Apr 2019 -- Special Briefing by Office of the Spokesperson, Assistant Secretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs Kimberly Breier

Defense Industry

• Contracts for April 17, 2019
• New Swedish SIGINT ship launched in Gdynia SAAB 17 Apr 2019 -- Nauta Shiprepair Yard has completed the next milestone in the construction of the Swedish SIGINT ship for the Royal Swedish Navy. Outfitting and equipment installation will take place in Nauta Shiprepair Yard, after which the vessel will undergo harbour and sea trials. The ship will then sail to Saab's shipyard in Karlskrona to complete outfitting of special systems.

Other Conflicts

• 17 April 2019 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 17 Apr 2019
• Ansarullah condemns Trump's veto to end US involvement in Yemen war Press TV 17 Apr 2019 -- The Yemeni Houthi Ansarullah movement has strongly censured US President Donald Trump's veto of a Congress resolution directing him to end support for the Saudi-led war against Yemen, describing the measure as a proof that Washington was behind the conflict.
• Trump vetoes resolution on ending US involvement in Yemen war Press TV 17 Apr 2019 -- US President Donald Trump has vetoed a congressional resolution to end American support for the Saudi-led war in Yemen, which has so far claimed thousands of innocent lives and left the impoverished nation struggling with the biggest humanitarian crisis in the world.
• Trump Vetoes Congressional Resolution to End US Role in Yemen War Sputnik 17 Apr 2019 -- The ousted Sudanese president, Omar Bashir, has been transferred from house arrest to prison in Khartoum, the Akhir Lahza newspaper reported on Wednesday.
• JIAT Reviews Some Reports on Allegations against Coalition Forces to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen SPA 17 Apr 2019 -- Consultant Mansour Ahmed Al-Mansour, official spokesman of the Joint Incidents Assessment Team (JIAT) on Yemen, held here today a press conference, announcing the results reached by the joint incidents assessment team in Yemen with regard to the latest allegations against the coalition forces military operations in the field.
• Zarif: Iran believes in political solution of Syrian crisis IRNA 17 Apr 2019 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Tuesday that Tehran believes in political solution of the Syrian crisis with the regional countries.
• EU rejects Israeli claim to Golan, other occupied territory Press TV 17 Apr 2019 -- The European Union's foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini has once again expressed the 28-nation bloc's disapproval of the Israeli regime's claim of "sovereignty" to Syria's Golan Heights and other Tel Aviv-occupied territories.
• Iraqi Air Force and Coalition Counter Air Mission CENTCOM 17 Apr 2019 -- Iraqi Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft flew a defensive counter air mission above the Iraqi-Syrian border alongside Coalition aircraft April 16, 2019.
• Libya: Heavy shelling and civilian deaths 'blatant violation' of international law - UN envoy UN News 17 Apr 2019 -- Heavy shelling overnight on Tuesday which hit a densely-populated neighbourhood of Libya's capital, Tripoli, was condemned "in the strongest terms" by the head of the UN Mission there, after "scores" of civilians were reportedly killed and injured.
• UN: Fighting in Libyan Capital Intensifies VOA 17 Apr 2019 -- The United Nations said Wednesday that the Libyan capital saw its most intense fighting overnight since the forces of Gen. Khalifa Haftar began their battle to take Tripoli earlier this month.
• Russian Court Keeps Ukrainian Seamen In Jail Through Late July RFE/RL 17 Apr 2019 -- A Moscow court has extended the pretrial detainment period for several of the 24 Ukrainian seamen who were jailed after the Russian Coast Guard seized their vessels near the Kerch Strait in a flare-up of tensions in November.
• Indian Armed Police Base Attacked in Kashmir With Grenade Launchers - Report Sputnik 17 Apr 2019 -- The attack took place in the same district of Kashmir where the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) carried out an attack on a convoy of Indian troops on 14 February, killing over 40 of them.
• Indian Defence Minister Mocks Pakistan's Claims About IAF's New Strike Plans Sputnik 17 Apr 2019 -- The statement comes a few days after Indian and Pakistani troops reportedly once again exchanged fire along the Line of Control in the Rajouri district of the northernmost Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir.
• Violence on the rise in Darfur following Sudan military takeover, but UN-AU peacekeeping mission maintains 'robust posture' UN News 17 Apr 2019 -- Security across the volatile Darfur region of Sudan has deteriorated since last week's military takeover in Khartoum, the UN Security Council heard on Wednesday, but the peacekeeping mission in Darfur has "remained vigilant" in the face of rising violence.
• Car bomb blast kills four in Somali capital Press TV 17 Apr 2019 -- A car laden with explosives has gone off on a busy road in Somalia's capital, Mogadishu, leaving at least four people killed.
• 4 Killed in Mogadishu Car Bombings VOA 17 Apr 2019 -- At least four people were killed and 13 others were injured when a car bomb exploded Wednesday on a key Mogadishu road, according to witnesses and medical services.

News Reports

• The United States Sanctions the Central Bank of Venezuela US Dept. of State 17 Apr 2019 -- "Today, the United States has taken further action to halt the former Maduro regime's theft of Venezuela's assets and destruction of the economy."
• Treasury Sanctions Central Bank of Venezuela and Director of the Central Bank of Venezuela US Treasury 17 Apr 2019 -- Today, the Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated Banco Central de Venezuela, or the Central Bank of Venezuela, pursuant to E.O. 13850, as amended, for operating in the financial sector of the Venezuelan economy. Additionally, OFAC designated Iliana Josefa Ruzza Terán (Ruzza), pursuant to E.O. 13692, as amended, who is determined to be a current or former official of the Government of Venezuela.
• Bolton: New Venezuela Sanctions Warning to 'External Actors, Including Russia' Sputnik 17 Apr 2019 -- The day before, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo blamed Russia and Venezuela for a crippling refugee crisis that has been seen in the Latin American country.
• Sudan's ousted President Bashir moved from residence to jail Press TV 17 Apr 2019 -- Sudan's ousted President Omar al-Bashir has been taken from his residence to a prison in the capital Khartoum.
• Uganda Dangles Asylum for Sudan's Deposed Bashir VOA 17 Apr 2019 -- Uganda says it will consider giving asylum to Sudan's former president Omar al-Bashir, who was deposed by his country's military last week.
• Sudan Protesters Skeptical of Reports Bashir Transferred to Prison VOA 17 Apr 2019 -- Reports citing relatives of former Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir say the ousted leader has been moved from house arrest to prison. But protesters who are demanding civilian leadership, instead of the transitional military council, are skeptical.
• Sudan's Bashir Transferred to High-Security Prison VOA 17 Apr 2019 -- Former Sudanese president Omar al-Bashir has been taken to a prison in the capital, five days after the military removed him from power and put him under house arrest.
• Sudanese Authorities Detain Parliament Speaker in Khartoum's Airport - Reports Sputnik 17 Apr 2019 -- Sudanese authorities have detained the speaker of the country's parliament, Ibrahim Ahmed Omer, in an airport in the country's capital of Khartoum, the al-Arabiya broadcaster reported on Wednesday.
• Sudan's Military Orders Central Bank to Review Dubious Money Transfers – Reports Sputnik 17 Apr 2019 -- Sudan's military council chief Abdel Fattah Abdelrahman Burhan on Wednesday ordered the nation's central bank to audit suspicious transactions for clues to potential fraud, state media said.
• Ousted Sudanese President Transferred to Maximum Security Jail – Reports Sputnik 17 Apr 2019 -- The ousted Sudanese president, Omar Bashir, has been transferred from house arrest to prison in Khartoum, the Akhir Lahza newspaper reported on Wednesday.
• Additional Financial Sanctions Against Nicaragua US Dept. of State 17 Apr 2019 -- Today, the United States has affirmed its commitment to use all economic and diplomatic tools to promote accountability for the Ortega regime and to support the Nicaraguan people in their quest for freedom.
• Treasury Targets Finances of Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega's Regime US Treasury 17 Apr 2019 -- Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated Laureano Ortega Murillo, the son of Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega and Vice President Rosario Murillo, as well as Nicaraguan bank Banco Corporativo SA (BanCorp). Today's action, taken pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13851, targets corrupt financial operations and Ortega regime support networks.
• Former Peruvian President Garcia Dies After Shooting Himself VOA 17 Apr 2019 -- Former Peruvian President Alan Garcia died in a hospital Wednesday after he shot himself in the head as police tried to arrest him over bribery allegations.
• Peruvian Ex-President Garcia Dies After Shooting Himself During Arrest Sputnik 17 Apr 2019 -- Peruvian President Martín Vizcarra has confirmed via Twitter the death of the country's former leader Alan Garcia, who shot himself earlier in the day as police attempted to arrest him.
• Former Manager for International Airline Pleads Guilty to Acting as an Agent of the Chinese Government US Dept. of Justice 17 Apr 2019 -- Defendant Placed Packages on Flights from JFK Airport to Beijing at the Direction of Military Officers Assigned to the Chinese Mission to the United Nations
• President Moreno Reveals REAL Reason His Gov't Revoked Assange's Asylum Sputnik 17 Apr 2019 -- Ecuador's President Lenin Moreno has told the BBC why his government decided to revoke Julian Assange's asylum. The Wikileaks co-founder was arrested in London on 11 April after spending seven years in the Ecuadorian embassy.
• Former Spy: Hungary Used as Logistical Base for Russian Intelligence Activity VOA 17 Apr 2019 -- "Is your boss working for Moscow?" It isn't a question any Western counter-intelligence officer wants to be asked by counterparts in agencies from allied NATO countries, but for Ferenc Katrein it wasn't such an infrequent query during his decade-and-a-half at Hungary's Constitution Protection Office.
• US monitor detects 'possible nuclear activity' at North Korea site Press TV 17 Apr 2019 -- A US-based monitor says it has detected possible signs of fresh reprocessing of radioactive material into bomb fuel at one of North Korea's main nuclear sites.
• Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un Guides Flight Drill of Unit 1017 of KPA Air and Anti-Aircraft Force KCNA 17 Apr 2019 -- Kim Jong Un, chairman of the Workers' Party of Korea, chairman of the State Affairs Commission of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and supreme commander of the Armed Forces of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Tuesday guided the flight drill of the combat pilots of Unit 1017 of the Air and Anti-aircraft Force of the Korean People's Army.
• Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un Inspects Sinchang Fish Farm KCNA 17 Apr 2019 -- Kim Jong Un, chairman of the Workers' Party of Korea, chairman of the State Affairs Commission of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and supreme commander of the Armed Forces of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, together with his wife Ri Sol Ju Tuesday inspected the Sinchang Fish Farm.
• Iran FM warns about long-term repercussions of US blacklisting of IRGC Press TV 17 Apr 2019 -- Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has warned of "long-term and immediate repercussions" of the US designation of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization, urging global action against Washington's acts of adventurism.
• Iran's Zarif, Turkey's Erdogan slam US sanctions, IRGC blacklisting as they urge enhanced ties Press TV 17 Apr 2019 -- Tehran and Ankara have voiced opposition to the US sanctions against Iran as well as Washington's terror blacklisting of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps while reaffirming the need to bolster bilateral ties.
• Tehran to Pompeo: It's US, not Iran, that should change in nature Press TV 17 Apr 2019 -- Hitting back at US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Tehran says Washington's misbehavior and "unlawful" measures have led to growing calls on the world stage for a change in the US regime's nature.
• Instant Ban For Iran's IRGC On Instagram: Social-Media Giant Blocks Commanders' Sites RFE/RL 17 Apr 2019 -- With some 800,000 followers, the Instagram page of the commander of Iran's elite Quds Force was among the most popular pages of Iranian officials on the photo-sharing website.
• China builds landmark projects along the Belt and Road People's Daily 17 Apr 2019 -- The construction site of the Central Business District (CBD) project in the New Administrative Capital, Egypt (Photo by China State Construction Engineering Corporation)
• US administration unveils new sanctions to pressure Cuba, Venezuela Press TV 17 Apr 2019 -- US National Security Adviser John Bolton has announced a series of new sanctions against Cuba and Venezuela as the Donald Trump administration is seeking to boost pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and the countries that support him.
• Trump Administration Restricts Remittances, Travel to Cuba VOA 17 Apr 2019 -- The Trump administration is imposing new restrictions on Cuba aimed at punishing the regime for its support of the Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.
• Ukrainian Authorities Say Russian 'Terror' Group Thwarted, Seven Arrested RFE/RL 17 Apr 2019 -- Ukrainian authorities say they have arrested seven people they claim were sent by Russian security services to carry out political killings and other "terrorist" acts, including the slaying of Ukrainian intelligence agents.
• Ukrainian Presidential Debate Appears On For April 19 RFE/RL 17 Apr 2019 -- Preparations continue for the scheduled debate between Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko and his challenger, the comic actor Volodymyr Zelenskiy.
• Ukrainian Presidential Front-Runner Zelenskiy Hires Washington Lobbying Firm To 'Elevate Profile' RFE/RL 17 Apr 2019 -- Ukrainian comedian and presidential front-runner Volodymyr Zelenskiy has hired a Washington lobbying firm to burnish his international image and set up meetings between members of his camp and officials in the U.S. capital.
• Poroshenko Reinvented: Apologies, New Promises, And Slick Moves May Be 'Too Little, Too Late' RFE/RL 17 Apr 2019 -- There is one presidential candidate Ukrainians have become accustomed to watching sing and dance on stage.
• Indonesians Vote Amid Tight Security VOA 17 Apr 2019 -- Indonesians voted in national and regional elections Wednesday with President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo widely expected to win a second term. However, late reports suggest his winning margin could be much smaller than anticipated.
• Egypt's parliament votes to extend Sisi's rule until 2030 Press TV 17 Apr 2019 -- Egypt's parliament has voted in favor of a number of constitutional amendments that would extend the rule of President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, and would allow him to stay in power until 2030.
• Egypt to Hold Vote That Could Entrench Sissi Rule VOA 17 Apr 2019 -- Egypt said Wednesday it is staging a three-day referendum later this week on sweeping constitutional changes that could let President Abdel Fattah al-Sissi remain in power until 2030.