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Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• Officials: US Airstrike Kills 17 Afghan Policemen in Helmand VOA 17 May 2019 -- A U.S. military airstrike in Afghanistan's embattled southern Helmand province has mistakenly killed at least 17 government forces and wounded 14 others.
• At Least 17 Afghan Soldiers Killed in US Air Strike in Southern Afghanistan Sputnik 17 May 2019 -- At least 17 Afghan soldiers were killed and 14 others wounded in US airstrike in Nahr-e-Saraj district of the southern Afghan province of Helmand, head of the provincial council, Ataullah Afghan, told Sputnik.
• US airstrike kills 8 Afghan police officers Press TV 17 May 2019 -- At least eight policemen have been killed in a US airstrike on Afghanistan's southern province of Helmand in what was seemingly an accident.
• At Least Nine Afghan Policemen Killed In Air Strike RFE/RL 17 May 2019 -- An air strike has mistakenly killed at least nine Afghan police officers, including a commander, during a battle with the Taliban in the southern province of Helmand, local officials say.

Defense Policy / Programs

• CH-53K LRIP contract awarded for 12 heavy-lift helicopters NNS 17 May 2019 -- The Naval Air Systems Command awarded on May 17 a $1.3 billion Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) Lots 2 and 3 contract for 12 aircraft to Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company, Stratford, Conn. for the U.S. Marine Corps CH-53K King Stallion.
• U.S.-Lebanon Joint Military Commission (JMC) DoD 17 May 2019 -- Senior delegations from the United States and Lebanon met May 16-17 in Washington, D.C. for the fourth meeting of the U.S.-Lebanon Joint Military Commission (JMC).
• Airmen come together for Combat Archer exercise US Air Force 17 May 2019 -- The 325th Fighter Wing is approaching the conclusion of Combat Archer 19-8 that was conducted in conjunction with the on-going Checkered Flag 19-1 exercise at Tyndall Air Force Base, May 6-17.
• Blue Flag 19-1 exercises Ninth Air Force's command, control capability US Air Force 17 May 2019 -- Ninth Air Force staff participated as a joint task force headquarters during Blue Flag 19-1, a joint exercise, at Homestead Air Reserve Base, Florida, from May 6-10.
• Soldiers train with Army's first personal Unmanned Aerial System Army News 17 May 2019 -- Imagine a battlefield where Soldiers have access to near-real time video transmitted back to them on a handheld device. Program Executive Office Soldier (PEO Soldier) fielded the first personal Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) in the U.S. Army to Soldiers of 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, April 29 -May 3, 2019 at Fort Bragg, NC.
• Source: nuclear submarine "Kazan" will not be handed over to the fleet in 2019 TASS 17 May 2019 -- The interlocutor of the agency said that a number of auxiliary units and components of the ship does not meet the requirements of the Ministry of Defense
• Canada - MK 54 Lightweight Torpedoes DSCA 17 May 2019 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Canada of MK 54 lightweight torpedoes with support for an estimated cost of $387 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on May 16, 2019.
• Hungarian PM Orban Confirms Plans to Buy US Mid-Range Missiles − Reports Sputnik 17 May 2019 -- In addition to bolstering his country's defence capabilities with US weapons, Orban is understood to have asked Trump for assistance regarding the supply of an alternative to Russian gas.
• US Wants More Countries to 'Stay Away' From Russian, Chinese Arms – Report Sputnik 17 May 2019 -- The programme, which was reportedly launched last year, has already seen the State Department allocating $190 million for the delivery of US-made military hardware to six countries, including Albania, Croatia, Greece, and Slovakia.
• Berlin to Give Largest Boost to Defence Expenditure Since Cold War - Reports Sputnik 17 May 2019 -- Germany has informed NATO of its plans to spend 47.3 billion euros ($52.8 billion) on defence in 2019, the most significant increase to its national defence expenditure since the end of the Cold War, but will still fall short of the alliance's 2 percent of GDP guideline, n-tv broadcaster reported.
• Germany to Resume Training Troops in North Iraq Amid US-Iran Tensions - Reports Sputnik 17 May 2019 -- Germany will resume training Iraqi and Kurdish soldiers in northern Iraq, the German Defence Ministry was reported as saying on Friday, three days after Berlin halted training missions over tensions between Iran and the United States.
• 'Iraqi parl. to vote on bill banning US military presence' Press TV 17 May 2019 -- The Iraqi parliament is set to vote on a draft bill that would ban the United States-led military presence in Iraq, a report says.
• India Reaches 'Milestone' in Anti-Air Capabilities After Firing Israeli Missile Sputnik 17 May 2019 -- The test enables India to share sensor data on air targets, including incoming enemy aircraft and cruise missiles, in real time. The Barak-8 is a supersonic surface-to-air missile with a range of 70-100 km.
• Iranian Military Official: Missiles Capable of Striking Warships in Gulf VOA 17 May 2019 -- A senior member of Iran's elite Revolutionary Guard Corps said Friday Iranian short-range missiles can "easily" reach warships in the Persian Gulf, according to the semi-official Fars news agency.
• US approves missile sales to South Korea, Japan Press TV 17 May 2019 -- The US says it has approved the sales of air defense missiles, worth more than $600 million, to South Korea and Japan as tensions build up with North Korea.
• Japan - AIM-120C-7 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) DSCA 17 May 2019 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Japan of AIM-120C-7 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) with support for an estimated cost of $317 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on May 16, 2019.
• Korea - SM-2 Block IIIB Standard Missiles DSCA 17 May 2019 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Korea of SM-2 Block IIIB Standard missiles with support for an estimated cost of $313.9 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on May 16, 2019.
• U.S. Air Force Chief Says It's Still 'Possible' Turkey May Call Off Russian Missile Purchase RFE/RL 17 May 2019 -- The chief of the U.S. Air Force says it is still "possible" that Turkey will decide against purchasing a Russian missile-defense system, a deal that has angered Washington and many NATO allies.
• Turkey to Stick to S-400 Agreement – Russian Upper House Speaker Sputnik 17 May 2019 -- Turkey confirmed that, despite US pressure, there will be no changes in the agreement with Russia on the supply of Russian S-400 air defence missile systems, Federation Council speaker Valentina Matvienko told reporters Friday after meeting with Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan
• Ankara Ready to Receive Russian-Made S-400 'Any Moment' - Foreign Minister Sputnik 17 May 2019 -- Turkey is ready to receive the S-400 air defence complexes that it is buying from Russia as soon as Moscow implements the deliveries, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said Friday.

Defense Industry

• Contracts for May 17, 2019

Other Conflicts

• 17 May 2019 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 17 May 2019
• US Admiral Urges Australia, Indonesia to Counter Beijing in South China Sea Sputnik 17 May 2019 -- The US has repeatedly sent its warships through the South China Sea, a strategic waterway, in what Washington calls "freedom of navigation" exercises. Beijing, which claims ownership of 90 percent of the South China Sea, in turn has warned Washington against "actions that undermine China's sovereignty".
• Saudi Arabia, UAE, Norway notify the UN Security Council of attacks against oil tankers SPA 17 May 2019 -- The Permanent Missions of each of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the Kingdom of Norway accredited to the United Nations have sent a joint letter to the United Nations Security Council, drawing attention to an incident in UAE territorial waters which caused damages to four oil tankers.
• Saudi Arabia, UAE, Norway notify the UN Security Council of attacks against oil tankers
• Deadly Yemen airstrikes that claim children's lives in capital Sana'a, strongly condemned by UN UN News 17 May 2019 -- Thursday's airstrikes on Yemen's capital Sana'a that reportedly killed five children and injured dozens more, have been strongly condemned by UN agencies, which have warned of the "brutal toll" on civilians of more than four years of conflict.
• Airstrike Kills, Injures Dozens of Civilians in Yemeni Capital VOA 17 May 2019 -- U.N. agencies are expressing anger and sadness at the deaths and injuries of dozens of civilians, including children, hit by airstrikes on the Yemeni capital, Sanaa, Thursday night.
• Syria says its air defenses intercept several Israeli projectiles Press TV 17 May 2019 -- The Syrian army says its air defense units have brought down several projectiles fired from Israeli-occupied territories.
• Syrian Air Defenses Down Projectiles Fired From Israeli-Controlled Territory Sputnik 17 May 2019 -- According to Syrian state media, Syrian air defenses have intercepted projectiles coming from Israeli-controlled territory.
• Russia presents draft resolution to get 'politicized' OPCW 'back on track' Press TV 17 May 2019 -- Russia has presented a draft resolution to the UN Security Council to "get the Organization for Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) back on track", as it believes the UN's chemical watchdog has been "hijacked by politics".
• Risk grows of 'catastrophic humanitarian fallout' in Syria's Idlib, where 3 million are trapped: top UN officials urge unity in Security Council UN News 17 May 2019 -- The UN's Political and Humanitarian Affairs chiefs on Friday called on the Security Council to unite in support of an immediate de-escalation of fighting around Syria's Idlib province, and work towards an enduring political solution on behalf of the Syrian people.
• Repatriation of extremist fighters and families to Kazakhstan, welcomed by UN rights expert UN News 17 May 2019 -- Stressing the need for some Governments to reform their laws and policies on fighting terrorism and extremism, an independent UN human rights expert welcomed on Friday Kazakhstan's repatriation of 231 of its citizens from conflict sites in Syria and Iraq, earlier this month.
• UN Decries Surge in Attacks on Hospitals in Syria's Idlib VOA 17 May 2019 -- The United Nations condemned attacks on health facilities in Syria's northwest Idlib province Friday and warned that a military offensive there by the Bashar al-Assad regime with Russian support risked "catastrophic humanitarian fallout" if it continued.
• Hungary Extradites Serb Suspected Of War Crimes To Kosovo RFE/RL 17 May 2019 -- Kosovo's justice minister has said that a Serbian man wanted in connection with a 1999 massacre in Kosovo has been extradited from Hungary.
• Stateless Rohingya Refugees in Bangladesh Receive Identity Documents for First Time VOA 17 May 2019 -- Bangladeshi authorities and the U.N. refugee agency have registered more than a quarter million Rohingya refugees and presented them with identity documents that grant them a number of rights and safeguards.
• Somaliland Celebrates Independence Despite Lack of International Recognition VOA 17 May 2019 -- The breakaway state of Somaliland is preparing to celebrate 28 years since it declared independence from Somalia. No country recognizes Somaliland as a sovereign nation, but in the capital, preparations for the celebration are under way.

News Reports

• Court Filing: Ex-Security Adviser Flynn Told Mueller Of Attempts To Obstruct Russia Probe RFE/RL 17 May 2019 -- Former White House national security adviser Michael Flynn gave Special Counsel Robert Mueller information about several attempts by people to obstruct the Russia investigation, newly released court documents show.
• Guaido Confirms Norway Mediation, But Says No Direct Talks With Venezuela Government RFE/RL 17 May 2019 -- Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido has confirmed he sent representatives to Norway to join mediation efforts to resolve the crisis in his South American country, but he denied direct talks are taking place with President Nicolas Maduro's government.
• Venezuela's Guaido Claims Rumoured SECRET Meeting With Maduro's Reps Not Talks Sputnik 17 May 2019 -- Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido explained that the ongoing contacts between his representatives and the Venezuelan officials in Oslo were not negotiations but an attempt to sit down at the negotiating table.
• Maduro Meets With Representatives of International Contact Group for 1st Time Sputnik 17 May 2019 -- Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro released a video of his first-ever meeting with the representatives of the International Contact Group (ICG), during which the impact of US sanctions on the South American country was discussed.
• Russia says will retaliate new US sanctions Press TV 17 May 2019 -- Russia says it will retaliate against the recent sanctions imposed by the United States on a Chechen law enforcement unit and Russian nationals.
• Council Of Europe Ministers Agree Way For Russia To Rejoin RFE/RL 17 May 2019 -- Ministers from the Council Of Europe (CoE) have adopted a joint declaration that would allow Russia to return to the continent's main human rights body, following a dispute related to Moscow's 2014 takeover of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula.
• Former CIA Officer Sentenced to Prison for Espionage US Dept. of Justice 17 May 2019 -- Kevin Patrick Mallory, 62, of Leesburg, Virginia, was sentenced today to 20 years in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release after being convicted under the Espionage Act for conspiracy to transmit national defense information to an agent of the People's Republic of China. Assistant
• Prominent Kazakh Sinologist Arrested On High Treason Charges RFE/RL 17 May 2019 -- Kazakhstan's authorities have arrested a leading sinologist in the country, Konstantin Syroyezhkin, on charges of high treason.
• 'Honey-Trapped' Indian Soldier Suspected of Spying for Pakistan Arrested - Media Sputnik 17 May 2019 -- Officers of the Indian armed forces are allowed to have social media accounts but are barred from posting pictures in uniform, revealing their place of posting or any official material, including information on visits or plans regarding operations.
• Iran FM: Practical measures only way to safeguard JCPOA IRNA 17 May 2019 -- Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Friday that practical measures are required to protect the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and only issuance of supportive statements will be useless.
• Iran FM: World community should save JCPOA IRNA 17 May 2019 -- Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Friday that it is the responsibility of the international community to save the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
• US 'sitting by the phone' awaiting call from Iran: Official Press TV 17 May 2019 -- A senior Trump administration official says the US is "sitting by the phone" to hear from Iran, but it has yet to receive any message suggesting Tehran is willing to accept Donald Trump's overtures for direct talks.
• Iran urges 'practical measures' to safeguard JCPOA Press TV 17 May 2019 -- Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has said that safeguarding the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) is a responsibility that demands "practical measures" by the international community.
• Tehran urges US to declassify its 'intelligence' on Iran threat in Iraq Press TV 17 May 2019 -- Iran's ambassador to the UN has called on the US government to declassify its alleged intelligence on "Iranian threat" in Iraq, saying Tehran is confident the claim is "fake".
• US Democrats accuse Trump of 'bending intelligence' on Iran Press TV 17 May 2019 -- Four US senators have sent a letter to President Donald Trump to express growing concerns on Capitol Hill that his administration is "inflating threats and bending intelligence" to justify a potential armed confrontation with Iran.
• Trump orders aides to avoid open conflict with Iran: Report Press TV 17 May 2019 -- US President Donald Trump has ordered his administration to avoid a military confrontation with Iran, the New York Times and Reuters have reported.
• Iran's Zarif Calls For 'Concrete Action' To Salvage Nuclear Deal RFE/RL 17 May 2019 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has urged China, Russia, and other "partners" to take "concrete action" to safeguard a nuclear deal that the United States exited a year ago.
• White House Gives Lawmakers Classified Iran Briefing After Complaints Of Secrecy RFE/RL 17 May 2019 -- A select group congressional leaders received a classified briefing on Iran from the White House following complaints that lawmakers had not been kept informed on recent U.S. military moves in the Middle East.
• US 'Sitting By the Phone' But Hasn't Heard From Iran Yet - Trump Admin. Official Sputnik 17 May 2019 -- Earlier on Thursday, US President Donald Trump told reporters that he hopes the US is not going to war with Iran.
• China urges US to stop meddling in Hong Kong affairs Global Times 17 May 2019 -- China firmly opposes any attempted foreign interference in Hong Kong's affairs, Lu Kang, a spokesperson for Chinese Foreign Ministry, told reporters at a press conference Friday regarding US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's comments on the newly proposed Hong Kong extradition law.
• Retaliation on American firms suggested after Huawei ban Global Times 17 May 2019 -- As the trade war between China and the US continues to escalate, with the latter constantly raising the stakes and widening the battle, Chinese officials could be considering all options to strike back, including targeting big US corporations, analysts have suggested.
• China slams US intervention in Hong Kong's affairs Press TV 17 May 2019 -- China has decried the United States' interference in the affairs of Hong Kong, which is self-ruled but subject to Chinese sovereignty, following remarks by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo about a proposed extradition law.
• In Trade War, How Much Can Beijing Fight Back? VOA 17 May 2019 -- China's retaliatory measures against the United States in their ongoing trade war have raised questions about the limitations of Beijing's ability to fight back.
• Reeling in Syria, Iraq, Islamic State Tries to Surge Online VOA 17 May 2019 -- While Islamic State fighters in Syria and Iraq have largely been forced underground, the terror group's other fighters along with its media operatives appear intent on surging, combining an increase in attacks with ramped-up output on social media.
• Ali Kourani Convicted in Manhattan Federal Court for Covert Terrorist Activities on Behalf of Hizballah's Islamic Jihad Organization US Dept. of Justice 17 May 2019 -- Ali Kourani Was Trained by Hizballah's External Terrorist Operations Component and Gathered Intelligence in New York City in Support of Attack-Planning Efforts
• EU Approves New Cyber-Sanctions Regime Ahead Of Parliament Elections RFE/RL 17 May 2019 -- The European Union has adopted a new legal tool to slap penalties on those found responsible for cyberattacks on the bloc's member states, as well as third countries and international organizations.
• Cyber criminals face new EU sanctions UK FCO 17 May 2019 -- Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt welcomes new EU cyber sanctions regime pushed for by the UK.
• Britain's Labor Party: No Chance of Brexit Ratification by July VOA 17 May 2019 -- Brexit talks appear to have collapsed a day after British Prime Minister Theresa May set out a timetable for her exit from office – the latest sign of a government in tatters.
• Ukraine's Ruling Parliament Coalition Breaks Up In Blow For Zelenskiy RFE/RL 17 May 2019 -- Ukraine's ruling coalition in parliament has broken up in a possible setback for President-elect Volodymyr Zelenskiy's plans to hold early general elections.
• Turkmen Leader Hails 'Generous' Harvests Despite Food Shortages RFE/RL 17 May 2019 -- Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov says that his country has become a wheat-exporting nation, according to state media, amid reports that the local population is facing severe food shortages.