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Defense Policy / Programs

• Trump angry with Pompeo and Bolton over Iran war threats: Washington Post Press TV 16 May 2019 -- US President Donald Trump is angry with his National Security Advisor John Bolton and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo who are pushing the United States into a military confrontation with Iran, a report has revealed.
• 'I Hope Not,' Trump Says on Possibility of War With Iran VOA 16 May 2019 -- President Donald Trump says he hopes the U.S. is not going to war with Iran amid rising tensions in the Middle East, as an Iran diplomat downplayed such prospects.
• Trump Denies Iran Policy 'Infighting,' Lawmakers Want Briefing on Threats VOA 16 May 2019 -- U.S. President Donald Trump says there is "no infighting whatsoever" about his Middle East policies and that as tensions with Iran continue, he is "sure that Iran will want to talk soon."
• Trump says he hopes US does not go to war with Iran Press TV 16 May 2019 -- President Donald Trump has said he hopes the United States does not go to war with Iran, amid escalating tensions between Washington and Tehran over the Trump administration's hegemonic policy towards the Islamic Republic.
• US lawmakers worried about war with Iran amid tensions Press TV 16 May 2019 -- American lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are growing more concerned about heightened tensions between Iran and the United States, urging President Donald Trump to stop keeping them in the dark about his next step amid talks of a military confrontation.
• Recent US Concern Over Iran Caused by Pics of Missiles in Persian Gulf – Reports Sputnik 16 May 2019 -- Photographs of Iranian missiles on small boats in the Persian Gulf reportedly became a cause for the recent escalation of warnings among White House officials.
• Pentagon Awards $787Mln for Border Wall Construction Projects Sputnik 16 May 2019 -- Two US construction firms won more than $787 million combined to help build a wall on the southern border with Mexico, the Defence Department said in a press release.
• UN chief warns of nuclear 'coffin' leaking in Pacific Press TV 16 May 2019 -- United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has expressed alarm at the leakage of radioactive material from a concrete dome built to contain waste from atomic bomb tests by the United States amd France during the Cold War.
• Tri-service team offloads Marine Corps cargo at Pearl Harbor Army News 16 May 2019 -- 599th Transportation Brigade personnel facilitated offload of U.S. Marine Corps helicopters and equipment from the M/V Green Lake here May 6-7.
• USS John C. Stennis Arrives in Norfolk NNS 16 May 2019 -- The nearly 5,000 Sailors of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 3 arrived in Norfolk, Virginia, May 16, concluding a seven-month deployment.
• With a Nod to WWII Codebreaking Hero, Rochefort Group Tackles New Age of Warfare NNS 16 May 2019 -- The Rochefort Group was formed at U.S. Naval War College in August 2018 after associate professor Erin Meehan and Cmdr. Matthew Griffin, both career cryptologic warfare officers, surveyed the information-warfare landscape and concluded that a new effort was needed.
• Secretary General and Tunisian Foreign Minister take stock of partnership between NATO and Tunisia NATO 16 May 2019 -- Tunisian Foreign Minister Khemaies Jhinaoui met with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg today (16 May 2019) at NATO Headquarters. They shared views on Tunisia-NATO partnership and the commitment of both sides to cooperation.
• In quest for bigger military budget, UK's new defense chief speaks of Russian, Chinese threats Press TV 16 May 2019 -- British Defense Secretary Penny Mordaunt, who took the position two weeks ago, has used her maiden speech to plead for more military funding by citing Russia and China as threats, following what has become a trend in the UK's foreign policy of recent months.
• UK Raises Threat Level for Troops in Iraq Over Alleged Risk From Iran - Reports Sputnik 16 May 2019 -- London has raised the threat level for UK troops and diplomats in Iraq over alleged increased security risks from Iran, Sky News reported Wednesday, citing sources.
• UK Warship Escorts Russian Missile Destroyer Through English Channel Sputnik 16 May 2019 -- The Russian Udaloy-class warship, Severomorsk, equipped with ship-to-air "Kinzhal" missile systems, is on its way back to its home port in northern Russia after a long voyage that started almost a year ago and included missions in the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Aden, the Red Sea, and the Mediterranean.
• RAF Typhoons scramble twice in two days to intercept Russian aircraft UK MOD 16 May 2019 -- Royal Air Force Typhoons deployed in Estonia scramble for the first time since taking over the NATO Baltic Air Policing mission in the country.
• UK and US pilots to prepare for frontline on state-of-the-art simulators UK MOD 16 May 2019 -- Defence Minister Stuart Andrew has announced that British pilots will be able to undertake simultaneous, virtual exercises with US counterparts based across the Atlantic using new cutting-edge simulation technology.
• Navy might convert airliner into surveillance plane: report Global Times 16 May 2019 -- The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy might acquire a type of domestically developed airliner and convert it into a maritime surveillance aircraft, as military analysts said on Thursday the move could rapidly boost China's naval surveillance capability at a low cost.
• France Has Not Beefed Up Patrols in Persian Gulf Amid Iran Tensions - Army Chief Sputnik 16 May 2019 -- Four ships, including two Saudi oil tankers, were targeted off the United Arab Emirates, said the two countries on Sunday and Monday, without further details on the circumstances or suspected perpetrators. The Saudis have denounced an attempt to jeopardise the security of global oil deliveries.
• Iraq 'will not allow US to use its territory to attack Iran' Press TV 16 May 2019 -- Iraq's ambassador to Moscow says Iraq will not allow the United States to use Iraqi soil to launch attacks against Iran, as Washington ratchets up tensions with Tehran.
• Turkey RULES OUT Russian-Made S-400 Integration With NATO Infrastructure Sputnik 16 May 2019 -- US officials earlier raised concerns that once the Russian system is incorporated into NATO's defence structure, it could gain access to sensitive information, including on the F-35 jets which Turkey has also ordered, and pass this data on to Moscow. These concerns have served as a pretext for Washington to freeze F-35 deliveries to Ankara.
• Fears of US War With Iran Weigh on Spain VOA 16 May 2019 -- Spain this week withdrew a frigate assigned to a U.S. navy task force ordered into the Persian Gulf. The decision is widely seen as reflecting persistent fears of Spain's socialist government about getting involved in a possible war with Iran.
• Netherlands Mulls Resumption of Military Training Mission in Iraq - Reports Sputnik 16 May 2019 -- The Netherlands is expected to resume its military training mission in northern Iraq on the weekend, media reported.
• Unease as Norway Admits F-35 Bill May Prove Too Large for Armed Forces to Handle Sputnik 16 May 2019 -- Oslo's decision to update its air fleet with F-35 fighter aircraft has been billed the single largest defence procurement in Norwegian history, but has run into one problem after another.
• New Arms Contracts With Venezuela Unlikely At Present - Russian Official Sputnik 16 May 2019 -- A Venezuelan government commission, headed by Information Minister Jorge Rodriguez, is currently paying a visit to Norway in a bid to find possible ways for rapprochement with the opposition amid turmoil in the country, a source close to the talks said.
• Caribbean-United States Security Cooperation Dialogue US Dept. of State 16 May 2019 -- The text of the following joint statement was issued by the governments of the Caribbean states and the United States on the Tenth Anniversary of the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative, following the Caribbean-United States Security Cooperation Dialogue in Washington, DC on May 16, 2019.

Defense Industry

• Contracts for May 16, 2019

Other Conflicts

• 16 May 2019 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 16 May 2019
• Saudis Blast Iran's 'Expansionist Agenda' After Attacks On Oil Installations RFE/RL 16 May 2019 -- Saudi Arabia has accused Iran of ordering recent drone attacks on the country's oil facilities that were claimed by Yemen's Shi'ite Huthi rebels.
• 6 civilians killed in Saudi strikes on Yemen's capital Press TV 16 May 2019 -- At least six civilians, including children, have been killed and dozens of others wounded in multiple airstrikes by a Saudi Arabian-led coalition on various neighborhoods of Yemen's capital, Sana'a.
• Yemeni retaliatory drone raids on Saudi Arabia had no links to Iran: Ansarullah Press TV 16 May 2019 -- A senior member of the Houthi Ansarullah movement says Yemen's recent retaliatory drone strikes on a vital oil pipeline in Saudi Arabia were an act of self defense and had nothing to do with Iran, which the Riyadh regime and its allies falsely accuse of arming Yemeni forces.
• Yemeni Information Minister Confirms that all Previous Experiences with the Militia Coup were Negative SPA 16 May 2019 -- Yemeni Minister of Information Muammar Al-Eryani praised the role of the Arab Coalition to Support legitimacy in Yemen for the continuous efforts of the legitimate government to restore state institutions, normalize the situation in liberated areas, as well as alleviate the humanitarian situation caused by the coup militias in all Yemeni governorates.
• Syria to exhaust all means to retake Israeli-occupied Golan: Foreign Ministry Press TV 16 May 2019 -- Syria has censured Israel's land theft and repressive measures against Syrians in the occupied side of the Golan Heights as a flagrant violation of international law, saying that Damascus reserves the right to re-establish control over the occupied land.
• 'Starvation' now a reality for displaced Syrians stranded in camp near Jordanian border UN News 16 May 2019 -- Starvation "is already starting" in a camp for displaced people in south-east Syria, a senior UN official said on Thursday, while condemning ongoing airstrikes and retaliatory shelling in opposition-held territories in the north-west.
• Nine Islamic State Militants Killed In Southwest Pakistan Raid RFE/RL 16 May 2019 -- Pakistani security forces have killed nine Islamic State militants during an hours-long operation near the city of Quetta in the southwestern Balochistan Province where repeated militant attacks occurred this month, officials said on May 16.
• Eight killed in fierce gunbattle in Indian-controlled Kashmir Press TV 16 May 2019 -- Eight people, including six Kashmiri fighters, an Indian soldier and a local civilian, have been killed during a gunbattle between militants and government forces in the Indian-administered Kashmir.
• Five, Including One Indian Soldier Killed in Fierce Gun Battle in Kashmir Sputnik 16 May 2019 -- The shootout began when Indian forces were conducting a search-and-cordon operation when suspected terrorists fired at them, leading to the encounter. The son of the house owner was also killed in the incident.
• Burkina Faso Seeks Broad Sahel Anti-Terror Coalition VOA 16 May 2019 -- The foreign minister of Burkina Faso called Thursday on the international community to consider creating a counterterrorism coalition, like the ones for Iraq and Afghanistan, to better combat terrorism in Africa's Sahel region.
• Foreign Firms Face Scrutiny as UN Looks to Isolate Myanmar Generals VOA 16 May 2019 -- Multinational companies doing business with Myanmar's military have so far shrugged off calls from activists to cut ties despite ongoing efforts to have the country's top generals prosecuted for genocide.

News Reports

• 'Venezuela govt., opposition reps head for talks in Norway' Press TV 16 May 2019 -- Representatives of the Venezuelan government and opposition have purportedly traveled to Norway for talks on resolving the political crisis in the Latin American country.
• Maduro's Minister, Guaido's Rep Meet in Norway for SECRET Talks Sputnik 16 May 2019 -- Two weeks ago, opposition leader and self-proclaimed Venezuelan interim President Juan Guaido conducted a coup attempt in Caracas in a bid to rally the country's armed forces to oust elected President Nicolas Maduro. The attempt ultimately failed, as the Venezuelan military pledged loyalty to Maduro.
• Venezuelan Gov't, Opposition Looking for Ways to Reconcile in Norway - Source Sputnik 16 May 2019 -- A Venezuelan government commission, headed by Information Minister Jorge Rodriguez, is currently paying a visit to Norway in a bid to find possible ways for rapprochement with the opposition amid turmoil in the country, a source close to the talks said.
• Venezuela's Guaido Confirms He Sent Negotiators to Norway VOA 16 May 2019 -- Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido confirmed Thursday he sent a team of negotiators to Norway to help mediate the crisis in the South American country but denied they were in talks with representatives of President Nicolas Maduro's government.
• Suspected explosions in bustled Persian Gulf IRNA 16 May 2019 -- As the tensions in the Persian Gulf continue to increase, the role of the disturbing actors who are pushing for exacerbation of the conflict between Tehran and Washington to secure their interests is highlighted more than before.
• U.A.E. Vows Restraint After Attacks On Vessels Off Its Coast, Criticizes Iran RFE/RL 16 May 2019 -- The United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.) has vowed to show restraint after attacks on oil tankers off its coast amid complaints that it is being "bullied by Iran."
• Implementation of the Sergei Magnitsky Rule of Law Accountability Act US Dept. of State 16 May 2019 -- "Today the State Department submitted to Congress the sixth annual report on the U.S. government's actions to implement the Sergei Magnitsky Rule of Law Accountability Act ("Russia Magnitsky Act")."
• U.S. Sanctions Chechen Officials Allegedly Linked To 'Gay Purge', Killing Of Opposition Leader Nemtsov RFE/RL 16 May 2019 -- U.S. officials have imposed new financial sanctions on a Chechen law enforcement agency linked to a recent "gay purge" that has resulted in dozens of gay and bisexual men being imprisoned, and in some cases, tortured in the North Caucasus region.
• Treasury Targets Additional Individuals Involved in the Sergei Magnitsky Case and Gross Violations of Human Rights in Russia US Treasury 16 May 2019 -- Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated five individuals and one entity pursuant to the Sergei Magnitsky Rule of Law Accountability Act of 2012 (the Magnitsky Act). In addition, the U.S. Department of State issued its annual submission to Congress on the U.S. Government's actions to implement the Magnitsky Act.
• China Formally Charges 2 Canadians with Stealing State Secrets VOA 16 May 2019 -- China says two Canadian citizens who have been in detention since late last year have been formally charged with stealing state secrets, a move that is expected to further increase tension between the two countries.
• Iran oil 'leverage' in China's trade talks with US Global Times 16 May 2019 -- China's purchases of Iranian oil will be leverage against the US in the trade talks between the world's two largest economies, which have stalled, Chinese analysts said on Thursday.
• Supreme Leader appoints new IRGC commanders IRNA 16 May 2019 -- Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei appointed new Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) acting commander and deputy commander for coordination.
• Putin urging Iran to stick to nuclear deal IRNA 16 May 2019 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin says that he has been urging Iran's leadership to stick to the nuclear deal, despite the US withdrawal from it.
• Iran FM rules out possibility of talks with US Press TV 16 May 2019 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif rules out any prospect of negotiation with the United States, calling the Washington regime a "bully" trying to force all others into acting illegally.
• Iran not seeking escalation in region, but will defend itself: Tehran's UN envoy Press TV 16 May 2019 -- Tehran's ambassador to the United Nations says Iran will not take steps towards the escalation of tensions in the Middle East, but will stand ready to defend itself against any act of aggression, as the US builds up its military presence in the region amid tensions with Tehran.
• Iran: US decision to pull diplomats out of Iraq over 'Iran threat' mere propaganda war Press TV 16 May 2019 -- Tehran's mission to the UN has rejected as a mere "propaganda war" America's decision to pull its diplomats out of Iraq amid claims of heightened "threats" from Iran, emphasizing that the Islamic Republic poses threat to no one – neither in Iraq nor elsewhere in the world.
• Iran showing maximum restraint despite US exit from nuclear deal: Zarif Press TV 16 May 2019 -- In a visit to Japan, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says Tehran is showing "maximum restraint" in the face of the United States' unilateral exit from the 2015 nuclear deal and the "unacceptable" re-imposition of sanctions against the Iranian nation.
• IRGC commander: Iran enemies have reached end of the line Press TV 16 May 2019 -- The chief commander of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) says the enemies of Iran "have reached the end of the line" and despite their ostentatious appearance, they are suffering from "osteoporosis."
• Iran Says 'No Possibility' Of Talks With U.S. To Reduce Spiraling Tensions RFE/RL 16 May 2019 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says there is "no possibility" of talks with the United States to reduce spiraling tensions.
• Trump Says He Is Sure Iran Will Seek Talks 'Soon' RFE/RL 16 May 2019 -- U.S. President Donald Trump says he is sure Tehran will "soon" seek to negotiate with Washington, and he dismissed media reports suggesting there was disagreement within the administration of his policy toward Iran.
• Iran Showing 'Maximum Restraint' in Face of US Exit From Nuclear Deal - Zarif Sputnik 16 May 2019 -- The statement comes after the United States deployed an aircraft carrier strike group and a bomber task force to the Persian Gulf last week in what White House National Security Adviser John Bolton described as an "unmistakable" message to Iran that any attack on US or allied interests would be met with "unrelenting force".
• US need for rare earths an ace in Beijing’s hand Global Times 16 May 2019 -- Shares of rare-earth producers on Thursday led the stock markets in the Chinese mainland higher after the US decided not to increase tariffs on rare earths and other critical minerals from China.
• Diplomat Confirms Limits on Ramadan in Xinjiang VOA 16 May 2019 -- A Chinese official denies allegations by activists that China's government is blocking Muslim religious practices in the restive Xinjiang region during the holy month of Ramadan.
• China's Huawei hits back after US blacklisting Press TV 16 May 2019 -- Chinese telecom giant Huawei has lambasted as "unreasonable" US President Donald Trump's declaration of a national emergency to ban telecommunications equipment from "foreign adversaries" that is perceived to pose a national security risk.
• Huawei Warns US Over Ban on Rollout of 5G Technology VOA 16 May 2019 -- One day after the United States effectively banned Chinese telecom titan Huawei from building next-generation "5G" mobile networks in the United States, the company warned the move would harm American workers.
• Confidential Data on New Russian Satellites LEAKED Online Sputnik 16 May 2019 -- Confidential data on Russia's new spacecraft, including names of prospective satellites, production details and launch dates, has been illegally made publicly available on the Internet, Russian engine-maker NPO Saturn said.
• Turkey Struggles to Balance Ties With US, Russia VOA 16 May 2019 -- Analysts say Turkey is running out of time to balance its relationship with Russia and the United States as Moscow and Washington step up pressure on Ankara over its pending acquisition of Russian missile defense systems.
• Oligarch Kolomoyskiy Returns To Ukraine RFE/RL 16 May 2019 -- Ukrainian tycoon Ihor Kolomoyskiy has returned to the country after spending almost two years in self-exile.
• Sudan: UN chief calls for 'positive momentum' as civilian rule talks stall between military and opposition UN News 16 May 2019 -- The UN Secretary-General has commended the progress made so far between Sudan's military leaders and opposition forces towards agreeing a timetable for a return to civilian rule, following the overthrow of President Omar al-Bashir just over a month ago.
• Sudanese Military Suspends Talks with Civilian Protest Leaders VOA 16 May 2019 -- Sudan's ruling military council has suspended talks with civilian protest leaders on a transitional government after at least eight people were wounded in an apparent clash with security forces in Khartoum on Wednesday.
• Sudanese Protesters Divided Over Barricade Removal Order VOA 16 May 2019 -- Arguments, shouting matches, and physical tussles broke out late Wednesday among Sudanese protesters over the positioning of barricades surrounding a sit-in in the capital Khartoum, where thousands of demonstrators have camped since April 6.
• EU Elections: Populists Hope to Do Well in Suburbs VOA 16 May 2019 -- The winners and losers in European Parliament elections next week are likely to be determined in the suburbs of the continent's cities, which are turning into three-way electoral battlegrounds.
• Kyrgyz Legislation Allowing Prosecution Of Ex-Presidents Signed Into Law RFE/RL 16 May 2019 -- Kyrgyz President Sooronbai Jeenbekov has signed into law legislation under which former heads of states can be prosecuted.
• Interview: Laura Codruta Koevesi: The Bête Noire Of Romanian Corruption RFE/RL 16 May 2019 -- Sitting in a Bucharest restaurant, Romanian prosecutor Laura Codruta Koevesi is joking about her high-tech fitness watch, which prods her to start moving when she's been sitting too long.