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Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• US Military, Key Watchdog in War of Words Over Unfavorable Data VOA 01 May 2019 -- A decision by U.S. military officials in Afghanistan to stop tracking the amount of territory controlled by the Taliban is sparking an increasingly tense showdown with the watchdog overseeing reconstruction efforts.
• Commander: No Decision on US Troops in Afghanistan VOA 01 May 2019 -- As the United States and the Taliban begin a new round of negotiations in an effort to move the peace process forward, a senior U.S. military commander says no decision has been made about the presence of U.S.-led NATO forces in Afghanistan.
• US-Taliban Resume Talks Amid Optimism VOA 01 May 2019 -- The United States and the Taliban have begun a new round of negotiations in Doha, Qatar, in a bid to advance peace efforts in Afghanistan and to urge the insurgent group to participate in an inclusive intra-Afghan dialogue.
• Taliban: New Round Of Peace Talks With U.S. Opening In Qatar RFE/RL 01 May 2019 -- U.S. and Taliban representatives are due to meet in Qatar to resume talks aimed at ending the 17-year war in Afghanistan, the militant group says.
• NATO's Afghan Mission Cuts Back On War Data RFE/RL 01 May 2019 -- The U.S.-led NATO mission in Afghanistan has stopped releasing data showing the number of Afghan districts -- and the percentage of their population -- controlled by the Kabul government compared to the Taliban.
• US, Taliban resume talks in Qatar as Kabul holds grand meeting on peace Press TV 01 May 2019 -- The Afghan Taliban militant group and the United States have resumed a new round of negotiations – excluding the Kabul government – in Qatar while Afghan officials continue to host a rare assembly at home to ensure their interests are met in any peace deal with Taliban.

Defense Policy / Programs

• US military, partner nations assess future warfighting capabilities Army News 01 May 2019 -- The U.S. Army Joint Modernization Command is supporting Joint Warfighting Assessment 19, a joint multinational military exercise conducted at Yakima Training Center, April 8, 2019 to May 11, 2019.
• T-6 Texan II crashes at Sheppard AFB US Air Force 01 May 2019 -- A T-6 Texan II from Sheppard Air Force Base crashed shortly before 2 p.m. May 1, near Lake Waurika, Oklahoma. Emergency crews are en route to the scene. Initial indications are that the pilot and copilot ejected safely. An investigation is underway. More information will be released as it becomes available.
• US Military Data Breach Prompts Immigrant Recruits to Apply for US Asylum VOA 01 May 2019 -- While the U.S. government has announced efforts to prevent or decrease the flow of Central American asylum-seekers, some migrants find themselves applying for protection, even though they had not planned to do so.
• New voice-bridging system to streamline communications with allies Army News 01 May 2019 -- The Army is developing a new device to simplify secure radio communications with allied partners.
• O-Level Reform: Lemoore Strike Fighter Squadrons Returning More Jets to Flight Line NNS 01 May 2019 -- Two Navy Super Hornet squadrons at Naval Air Station (NAS) Lemoore, California, have reduced maintenance turnaround times and are boosting aircraft readiness as part of naval aviation's maintenance reform initiatives under the Naval Sustainment System (NSS).
• Kearsarge Keeps Green Streak Going NNS 01 May 2019 -- The Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) earned the Commander, Naval Surface Forces 2018 Force Health and Unit Wellness "Green H", April 25.
• John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group Operates with Regional Allies NNS 01 May 2019 -- Maritime forces from Great Britain and France operated with the John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group (JSCSG) in the Mediterranean Sea, April 23-25.
• USS Ross Departs the Black Sea NNS 01 May 2019 -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Ross (DDG 71) departed the Black Sea April 28 after conducting maritime security operations in the region.
• Vice President Visits USS Harry S. Truman NNS 01 May 2019 -- Vice President Mike Pence visited Sailors aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) April 30 while pierside in Norfolk.
• US Air Force F-35s Just Carried Out First-Ever Combat Mission in THIS Country Sputnik 01 May 2019 -- The mission was the first combat deployment of the plane's F-35A modification, and just the third deployment of any variant of the F-35 following their use by Israel for strikes against Syria in May 2018 and the US Marine Corps in Afghanistan last September.
• True Size of US Strategic Arsenal Uncovered Despite Pentagon Secrecy Sputnik 01 May 2019 -- Earlier, the Department of Energy formally rejected a request for information on the size of the US nuclear weapons stockpile by the Federation of American Scientists, breaking with nearly a decade of practice.
• F.E. Warren AFB tests Minuteman III missile with launch from Vandenberg US Air Force 01 May 2019 -- A team of Air Force Global Strike Command Airmen from the 90th Missile Wing at F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming, launched an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile equipped with a test reentry vehicle May 1 from Vandenberg AFB, California.
• China, Thailand to hold joint naval training Global Times 01 May 2019-- China and Thailand's naval forces will hold their joint training, code-named Blue Commando-2019, starting on Thursday.
• Germany, Norway Seeking to 'Plot a Path' for Joint Sub Programme – Report Sputnik 01 May 2019 -- The submarine programme dates back to 2017, when then-Norwegian Defence Minister Ine Marie Eriksen Soreide and her German counterpart Ursula Gertrud von der Leyen agreed to develop bilateral cooperation on naval defence equipment.
• UK defense minister sacked over Huawei leak Press TV 01 May 2019 -- Britain's defense secretary Gavin Williamson has been sacked from the cabinet over a controversial leak of government discussions suggesting that Chinese telecommunication company Huawei will be a partner in UK's future internet projects.
• Theresa May Fires UK Defence Secretary Williamson Over Huawei Leak Sputnik 01 May 2019 -- On Monday, UK Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt stated that the United Kingdom and its businesses should exercise a certain degree of caution in cooperation with Chinese companies, such as Huawei, as they allegedly could be a threat to national security.
• Russia Sends China Replacements for Storm-Damaged S-400 Missiles - Reports Sputnik 01 May 2019 -- Replacement missiles for the S-400 anti-air missile system sold to China by Russia last year have been sent, according to media reports. Some of the system's missiles and other equipment were damaged in a storm in the English Channel in December 2017.

Defense Industry

• Contracts for May 1, 2019

Other Conflicts

• 1 May 2019 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 01 May 2019
• End 'political opportunism' that's letting hate speech flourish, urges top UN genocide official UN News 01 May 2019 -- With murderous attacks against religious institutions on the rise, leaders across the world need to do more to end "political opportunism" and policies which allow hate speech and violent extremism to flourish, said the UN Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide on Wednesday.
• US, Israel to supply anti-aircraft missiles to Kurdish militants in Syria: Report Press TV 01 May 2019 -- The United States and Israel are reportedly set to supply anti-aircraft missiles to Kurdish militants in northern Syria amid tensions between Ankara and Washington over the latter's support for the militants, which the Turkish government views as terrorists.
• Russia, Turkey Should Increase Patrols in Syria's Idlib - UN Special Envoy Sputnik 01 May 2019 -- Russia and Turkey should uphold the ceasefire and increase patrolling in Syria's Idlib de-escalation zone, UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen said at a Security Council meeting.
• Over 340 Killed, 1,652 Injured Since Start of LNA Offensive on Tripoli - WHO Sputnik 01 May 2019 -- As many as 345 people were killed and 1,652 more were injured since the beginning of Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar's Libyan National Army (LNA) offensive on Tripoli, which is controlled by the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA), the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Tuesday.
• Suspected Maoist attack kills 15 police commandos, driver in Indian state of Maharashtra Press TV 01 May 2019 -- Maoist rebels have attacked a van carrying police commandos in the insurgents' stronghold in western India and killed 15 officers and their driver in the western state of Maharashtra, local police officials say.
• Pakistan Warns India of Much 'Stronger Response' in Case of Fresh Conflict Sputnik 01 May 2019 -- While formally naming the response "Operation Swift Retort", Pakistan's Chief of Air Staff said the PAF's retaliatory action to the Indian airstrike in February was a demonstration of firm resolve, capacity and capability in thwarting hostile actions against the country.
• UN designates Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar as global terrorist IRNA 01 May 2019 -- The United Nations Sanctions Committee on Wednesday placed Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) leader Masood Azhar on its global terror list.
• UN Lists Pakistani Cleric as Global Terrorist VOA 01 May 2019 -- A United Nations Security Council committee has designated the head of the Pakistan-based militant organization Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) as a global terrorist after China withdrew its long-held objections to the designation.
• Over 900 policemen lost lives in Pakistan's Balochistan since 2009 IRNA 01 May 2019 -- Over 900 policemen have lost their lives in Pakistan's south western Balochistan province since 2009, says police.
• Putin Signs Order Widening Eligibility For Russian Passports RFE/RL 01 May 2019 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree to fast-track passports and citizenship for people in Ukraine and Soviet-era deportees.
• Saudi crown prince offered Abbas $10 billion to accept Trump's plan: Report Press TV 01 May 2019 -- Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has reportedly offered Palestinian Authority (PA) chief Mahmoud Abbas 10 billion dollars in return for accepting US President Donald Trump's controversial proposal for peace between the Israelis and Palestinians, dubbed "the deal of the century."

News Reports

• AG Barr Defends Handling of Mueller Report VOA 01 May 2019 -- U.S. Attorney General William Barr appeared before Congress on Wednesday to defend his handling of special counsel Robert Mueller's recent report on Russian meddling in the 2016 election and Barr's controversial determination that President Donald Trump did not obstruct the investigation.
• Attorney General Barr Will Not Testify Before House on Thursday VOA 01 May 2019 -- Attorney General William Barr will not testify before the House Judiciary Committee on Thursday, a Justice Department spokeswoman confirmed Wednesday evening.
• U.S. Attorney General Defends Conduct As Lawmakers Question Handling Of Mueller Report RFE/RL 01 May 2019 -- The head of the U.S. Justice Department is defending his handling of the final report of Special Counsel Robert Mueller, who investigated whether President Donald Trump and his associates colluded with Russian officials.
• Mueller complains Barr's summary did not capture 'context' of Trump probe Press TV 01 May 2019 -- US Special Counsel Robert Mueller has complained in a letter to Attorney General William Barr that the summary of Mueller's report on the Russia probe "did not fully capture the context, nature, and substance" of the investigation's conclusions, US media report.
• Russia: US Courting 'Drastic Consequences' in Venezuela VOA 01 May 2019 -- The unrest in Venezuela is turning into a battleground of rhetoric between the United States and Russia.
• Pompeo: US Prepared for Military Intervention in Venezuela VOA 01 May 2019 -- U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says the United States is prepared to intervene militarily to stem the ongoing unrest in Venezuela.
• Maduro, Guaido to Hold May Day Rallies as Political Standoff Escalates VOA 01 May 2019 -- Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and Juan Guaido, his chief political opponent who declared himself interim president, are set to hold competing May Day rallies Wednesday as both men engage in an escalating battle for control of the economically wrecked country.
• Venezuela: UN human rights office calls for 'maximum restraint' by authorities in face of new demonstrations UN News 01 May 2019 -- With another day of mass protests taking place across Venezuela, the UN human rights office (OHCHR) said on Wednesday it was "extremely worried by reports of the excessive use of force" by security forces, loyal to President Nicolás Maduro, a day after an opposition-led uprising appeared to stall.
• Pentagon not ordered to prepare for war on Venezuela Press TV 01 May 2019 -- The Pentagon says it has not been ordered to prepare for military intervention in Venezuela, which State Secretary Mike Pompeo has described as "possible."
• Venezuela's Maduro says coup attempt thwarted Press TV 01 May 2019 -- Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro says a coup attempt by a small group of the military has been defeated, expressing gratitude to the country's armed forces for their continued loyalty to him.
• Venezuelan president says military leaders have expressed "total loyalty" Global Times 01 May 2019-- Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said on Tuesday via twitter that military commanders from all regions and defense areas of the country have "expressed their loyalty to the people, the Constitution and the country."
• Venezuela Convulses And Russia Frets: What Does Moscow Stand To Lose If The Maduro Government Falls? RFE/RL 01 May 2019 -- Venezuela slipped further into chaos on April 30 as Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido called for a military uprising to oust President Nicolas Maduro and armed factions exchanged gunfire outside a Caracas air base.
• Opposition Protesters Gather in Venezuelan Capital As Moscow, Washington Trade Accusations RFE/RL 01 May 2019 -- Clashes have erupted between opposition protesters and members of Venezuela's armed forces, as opposition leader Juan Guaido called for more protests against President Nicholas Maduro.
• 'Nerves of Steel': Nicholas Maduro Urges Venezuelans to Say 'No' to US Meddling Sputnik 01 May 2019 -- President Maduro made his appeal to the people mere hours after opposition leader Juan Guaido attempted to initiate the "final phase" of so-called "Operation Freedom" and call upon the military to help him seize power in the country.
• Venezuelan President Maduro Delivers Address to 'Venezuelan People and World' Sputnik 01 May 2019 -- Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro has appeared on state television together with Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino and the head of the National Constituent Assembly Diosdado Cabello.
• Trump Threatens 'Full and Complete' Embargo on Cuba Amid Venezuela Crisis Sputnik 01 May 2019 -- US President Donald Trump threatens "full and complete embargo" and sanctions on Cuba if its troops do not cease operations in Venezuela.
• Putin Signs 'Sovereign Internet' Law, Expanding Government Control of Internet RFE/RL 01 May 2019 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed into law a new measure that aims to expand government control over the Internet.
• UK court gives Assange 50-week jail term for breaching bail Press TV 01 May 2019 -- A court in Britain has handed down a 50-week jail sentence to Australian whistleblower and press freedom activist Julian Assange, saying he disrespected the UK judicial system and escaped his bail conditions by taking refuge in the Ecuadorian embassy for almost seven years.
• Butina Blasts U.S. Justice System, Calls 18-Month Sentence 'Disgrace' RFE/RL 01 May 2019 -- Maria Butina, who pleaded guilty to not registering as an agent for the Russian government while in the United States, has blasted the U.S. judicial system, calling her 18-month prison sentence "absolutely absurd" and a "disgrace."
• 'Warrantless & Suspicionless': US Border Searches of Devices Illegal - Lawsuit Sputnik 01 May 2019 -- The number of US government searches of travelers' cellphones and laptops at airports and border crossings has almost quadrupled since 2015, according to a federal lawsuit filed Tuesday by the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).
• Iran Says It Wants Good Relations With Saudi Arabia, U.A.E. RFE/RL 01 May 2019 -- Iran says it wants good relations with Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and their allies, and it called on them to end their bitter dispute with Persian Gulf neighbor Qatar.
• Iran considering new ways for oil exports: Oil Minister IRNA 01 May 2019 -- Iran's Minister of Oil Bijan Zangeneh said on Wednesday that some new ways have been adopted for oil exports drawing up new mechanisms.
• Iran officially launches trade mechanism to match INSTEX ISNA 01 May 2019 -- Following registration and establishment of Iranian mechanism similar to INSTEX called the "Special Trade and Finance Institute" (STFI), the first financial transactions between Iran and Europe will be carried out in coordination between Iranian and European sides and banks.
• Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant restarts production of electricity ISNA 01 May 2019 -- Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant which was temporarily shut down in February 26, 2019 for partial overhaul has restarted production of electricity from Monday.
• Chaos pending: US bans on Iran oil keep market on edge Press TV 01 May 2019 -- The United States' insistence on zeroing out Iran's oil exports is starting to cause all kinds of commotion in the global market, keeping confused both experts and buyers as they look straight into what is shaping up to be a chaotic chapter for the petroleum industry.
• Iran warns countries using oil as weapon, says OPEC could collapse Press TV 01 May 2019 -- Iranian Minister of Petroleum Bijan Zangeneh says a US bid to cut Iran's oil exports to zero is a "pious hope," warning countries using oil as a weapon about repercussions of further volatility in the global market.
• Iran to raise gas exports to Iraq despite US opposition Press TV 01 May 2019 -- Iran is about to raise gas exports to neighboring Iraq to 35 million cubic meters a day this year, head of the National Iranian Gas Company (NIGC) Hassan Montazer Torbati said on Wednesday.
• Iran: US power doesn't match its bluster Press TV 01 May 2019 -- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani says the United States government is not as long on actual power as it is on threatening language.
• Zarif: US unilateralism existential threat to entire world Press TV 01 May 2019 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says American unilateralism poses an "existential threat" to the whole world.
• Enemies on war footing against Iran on various fronts: Leader Press TV 01 May 2019 -- Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has warned that enemies have been on a war footing against Iran on various fronts, calling on the nation to stand ready to fully confront them.
• Iran oil exports at 8-month high as US waivers end Press TV 01 May 2019 -- Asian buyers lifted 1.57 million barrels per day (bpd) of crude oil from Iran in March, the highest in eight months, data from government and trade sources show.
• US to blame for any clash between IRGC, CENTCOM in Persian Gulf: Iran Press TV 01 May 2019 -- Iran says the IRGC forces and those of the US Navy Central Command (CENTCOM) may engage in clashes in the Persian Gulf and elsewhere, and that's blamed on the US government which fanned the flames by blacklisting the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps.
• U.S. Special Envoy To Brief UN Security Council On Iran Policy RFE/RL 01 May 2019 -- The U.S. special representative for Iran is traveling to the United Nations to update permanent members of the Security Council on U.S. policy toward Iran, as Washington looks to step up pressure on Tehran.
• Iran Takes Steam Out of US Sanctions, Boosts Gas Sales to Neighbours Sputnik 01 May 2019 -- Earlier, Washington indicated that it would not renew the exemptions granted to eight major importers to its tough sanctions on Iranian crude oil exports once they expire later this week, with economists fearing the restrictions may impact the global energy market.
• Chinese Economic Outreach in Latin America Draws US Concerns VOA 01 May 2019 -- For generations, the economies of Latin America and the Caribbean have been dominated by trade with the United States. In recent years, though, a growing push by China to invest in the region, lately accelerated by the Xi Jinping administration's Belt and Road Initiative, has begun to reorient trade toward China with far-reaching consequences.
• Algeria army chief offers dialogue to protesters Press TV 01 May 2019 -- Algeria's chief of military staff has urged protesters to join dialogue with state institutions to find a solution to end the country's political crisis amid continuing protests against the figures of the former regime.
• African Union extends deadline for Sudan junta to cede power by 60 days Press TV 01 May 2019 -- The African Union has extended the deadline for Sudan's military rulers to transfer power to civilians by further 60 days or face suspension.
• UN Panel: South Sudan Killed Activists VOA 01 May 2019 -- A new U.N. report says South Sudanese security agents likely executed two prominent critics of the government who vanished in Kenya in January 2017.
• Sudan Tensions Spike as Military Push to Clear Protester Barricades VOA 01 May 2019 -- Tensions between Sudan's ruling military council and protesters have spiked after the military warned it could remove barricades near their month-long sit-in. Protesters responded by fortifying obstacles around the protest camp and calling for a mass rally to pressure the military to hand over power to civilians.
• Crown Prince Naruhito Becomes New Emperor of Japan Sputnik 01 May 2019 -- Earlier, Japan's Crown Prince Naruhito's ascension ceremony started in the Imperial Palace in Tokyo with the main Japanese TV channels broadcasting this event.
• Kazakh Protesters Call For Presidential Election Boycott RFE/RL 01 May 2019 -- Dozens of protesters have been detained across Kazakhstan as several hundred people took to the streets to call for the release of all political prisoners and a boycott of the upcoming presidential election.
• Moonlight Madness: For Clues To How Well Kazakhstan Is Managing Wages, Just Ask Its Civil Servants RFE/RL 01 May 2019 -- For civil servant Nurzhan Sadirbekuly, a pay raise couldn't come soon enough. "Couldn't" as in it's too late.
• Iran criticizes U.S. plan to designate Muslim Brotherhood terrorist organization ISNA 01 May 2019 -- Iran criticized U.S. plan to designate the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization, Iranian Foreign Minister said in Doha on Wednesday.
• Turkish Government Surveilled US Troops as Part of 2016 Coup Probe - Report Sputnik 01 May 2019 -- The Turkish government secretly investigated and monitored US troops deployed in Turkey as part of the state's larger investigation into the failed 2016 coup attempt, secret documents recently obtained by the Nordic Monitor reveal.
• Polish Leader Says Central European EU Members Seek Less Integration In Bloc RFE/RL 01 May 2019 -- Nations in Central Europe that have joined the European Union over the past 15 years want the bloc to hand more power back to individual countries, the Polish prime minister said, highlighting issues that often divide east and west in the EU.
• Campaigning Under Way for Likely Era-Shaping Euro Election VOA 01 May 2019 -- Political parties across Europe are kicking off their campaigns for possibly the most consequential EU election since 1979, when voters began casting ballots for a European parliament.