28 May 2019 Military News

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Taliban, Russia Demand Foreign Troops Leave Afghanistan VOA 28 May 2019 -- The Taliban and Russia have jointly called for the withdrawal of U.S.-led coalition troops from Afghanistan, with a top leader of the Islamist insurgent group denouncing the foreign presence in the country as a major obstacle to Afghan peace.
UNICEF Says Militant Attacks On Afghan Schools Tripled In 2018 RFE/RL 28 May 2019 -- The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) says militant attacks on schools in Afghanistan increased almost threefold last year, making it increasingly difficult to ensure education for children in many parts of the country.
Hosting Taliban Delegates, Russia Calls For Withdrawal Of Foreign Forces From Afghanistan RFE/RL 28 May 2019 -- Hosting Taliban delegates and Afghan politicians in an effort to promote itself as a peacemaker in Afghanistan, Russia has called for the complete withdrawal of international forces from the war-ravaged country.
Foreign forces must exit Afghanistan for peace: Taliban Press TV 28 May 2019 -- The Afghan Taliban militant group says the foreign occupation of Afghanistan must end for peace to prevail in the Asian country.
UN agency says attacks on Afghan schools tripled in 2018 Press TV 28 May 2019 -- A new report by the United Nations children's agency says the number of attacks on schools in Afghanistan nearly tripled in the past year.
In Afghanistan, attacks against schools have tripled in one year UN News 28 May 2019 -- The UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) said on Monday that much greater protection for educational facilities was needed across Afghanistan where attacks against schools have increased three-fold in just one year. The call coincides with the third International Conference on Safe Schools, taking place this week in Mallorca, Spain.

Defense Policy / Programs

Trump rips aircraft carrier design, says will 'use steam' Press TV 28 May 2019 -- US President Donald Trump rips the Navy's new electromagnetic aircraft launch systems on its new Ford-class supercarriers, asserting that he wants them "to use steam."
New US Aircraft Carriers' Catapults Will Use… STEAM, Trump Says Sputnik 28 May 2019 -- Earlier this year, the US Navy announced plans to purchase an additional two Ford-class aircraft carriers equipped with the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) which has repeatedly been criticised by President Donald Trump.
Carrier Strike Group Nine Completes Exercise Northern Edge 2019 NNS 28 May 2019 -- USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) and select ships from Carrier Strike Group Nine (CSG-9), along with U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army, and Marine Corps service members, successfully concluded Exercise Northern Edge 2019 (NE19), May 24, bringing an end to Alaska's largest biannual joint-military training exercise.
A "Small" Contribution to Exercise Northern Edge 2019 NNS 28 May 2019 -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Russell (DDG 59) is one of three U.S. Navy destroyers participating in this year's exercise Northern Edge 2019 (NE19) in the Gulf of Alaska, which began May 13.
USS Mobile Bay Returns from Deployment NNS 28 May 2019 -- Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Mobile Bay (CG 53), including a detachment from Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 71 "Raptors," returned to its homeport of San Diego, following an around the world deployment to all six geographic Fleet areas of operation as part of the John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group, May 28.
Carney Departs Rota to Finish MOB-D NNS 28 May 2019 -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Carney (DDG 64) departs Rota, Spain, to finish their Mobility Damage Control Warfare (MOB-D) certification, May 26, 2019.
Carderock's McAllister Talks Future of Unmanned Vehicles NNS 28 May 2019 -- Before the turn of the century, futurists imagined today looking something like an episode of "The Jetsons," with robots doing the dull and dirty work in every home, and pilotless flying cars providing seamless transportation. While that is certainly not the case yet, futuristic concepts are being developed and tested at Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division.
CSCSU Great Lakes Delivers Navy's First Ready, Relevant Learning Modernized Training Course NNS 28 May 2019 -- Center for Surface Combat Systems Unit (CSCSU) Great Lakes graduated the first group of students to complete the initial run of its modernized operations specialist (OS) training course May 24.
BHR Sailors Enhance Skills Using NSST NNS 28 May 2019 -- Sailors assigned to the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) participated in a drill combining navigation and seamanship training with visual information training at the Navigation, Seamanship and Shiphandling Trainer (NSST) on Naval Base San Diego, May 21.
Carney Completes Formidable Shield 19 NNS 28 May 2019 -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Carney (DDG 64) completed her support of the U.S.–led multinational integrated air and missile defense (IAMD) exercise Formidable Shield (FS) 19, May 17, 2019.
USNS Lawrence H. Gianella Completes its Final Underway Mission NNS 28 May 2019 -- Military Sealift Command's last champion class T-5 petroleum tanker, USNS Lawrence H. Gianella (T-AOT 1125), completed its final underway mission for the U.S. Navy by sailing down the Elisabeth River to downtown Norfolk, Virginia in support of National Maritime Day, May 23.
Alaska Army National Guard engineers train with Romanian counterparts Army News 28 May 2019 -- Alaska Army National Guard Soldiers 2nd Lt. Maria Hart and Sgt. Corine Barrera led two main projects during exercise Resolute Castle 2019 at Land Forces Combat Training Center Getica, May 1 -21.
Pentagon Deploys F-35 Stealth Fighters to Italian Airbase Sputnik 28 May 2019 -- F-35s from two fighter wings are set to take part in exercises and conduct routine training with other allied Europe-based aircraft.
Australian, US Airmen conduct bilateral flying operations US Air Force 28 May 2019 -- The California Air National Guard's 194th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, Fresno, California, teamed up with several units from the Royal Australian Air Force to conduct bilateral training during Exercise Diamond Storm May 6-26.
Text of a Letter from the President to Selected Congressional Committee Leadership The White House 28 May 2019
Oklahoma National Guard supports local communities following severe weather Army News 28 May 2019 -- The Oklahoma Army National Guard has been mobilized to parts of Northeastern and Central Oklahoma in response to flood and tornado damage beginning May 23.
Oklahoma National Guard supports local communities following severe weather Army News 28 May 2019 -- The Oklahoma Army National Guard has been mobilized to parts of Northeastern and Central Oklahoma in response to flood and tornado damage beginning May 23.
New York National Guard Soldiers hone domestic nuclear disaster response skills Army News 28 May 2019 -- 160 New York Army National Guard Soldiers spent May 8-16 honing their emergency response skills during exercise Guardian Response 2019.
SecDef Names New Convening Authority DoD 28 May 2019 -- The Department of Defense announced the selection of Christian L. Reismeier to serve as the Convening Authority for Military Commissions and Director of the Office of the Convening Authority for Military Commissions.

National Security Advisers meet at NATO Headquarters NATO 28 May 2019 -- Allied National Security Advisers and other senior officials met at NATO Headquarters on Tuesday (28 May 2019) to discuss NATO's approach to countering hybrid threats.

Russian Defense Minister Discusses Military Cooperation With Tajik President In Dushanbe RFE/RL 28 May 2019 -- Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu has discussed military cooperation between Russian and Tajikistan with the Central Asian country's president, Emomali Rahmon, and its defense minister.

U.S. National-Security Adviser In U.A.E. To Discuss 'Regional Security' RFE/RL 28 May 2019 -- U.S. national-security adviser John Bolton says he has arrived in the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.) for talks on "regional security matters."

Australian Navy Pilots Hit by Lasers During South China Sea Drills - Reports Sputnik 28 May 2019 -- China and several other regional countries – namely Japan, Vietnam and the Philippines – have disagreements over maritime borders and areas of responsibility in the South China and East China Seas. Australia doesn't have South China Sea-related claims, but has consistently called for all nations to have free access to the area.

Taiwan's jet fighters land on freeway for 1st time in 5 years CNA 28 May 2019 -- The three main fighter jets in the Air Force fleet successfully completed emergency take-offs and landings on a section of Taiwan's No. 1 National Freeway on Tuesday morning to test the military's response capabilities in the event of a Chinese attack.

Trump visit to Japan's future carrier causes concern Global Times 28 May 2019 -- US President Donald Trump concluded his four-day visit to Japan on Tuesday with an inspection of a helicopter destroyer, which is planned to be converted into an aircraft carrier, and Chinese experts said his move indicates his acquiescence of Japan's military ambitions and may trigger a new arms race.
Trump, Abe jointly inspect Japanese destroyer People's Daily 28 May 2019 -- U.S. President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Tuesday jointly inspected Japan's largest warship south of Tokyo at the Yokosuka-based Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.
US, Japan Leaders Emphasize Enhanced Military Cooperation VOA 28 May 2019 -- Enhanced military cooperation between the United States and Japan in the face of a rising China was emphasized as President Donald Trump concluded a four-day state visit in the island nation.

UN: North Korea Builds Its Military While Its People Starve VOA 28 May 2019 -- The U.N. human rights office has accused the North Korean government of starving its people while building up its military power. It finds people are trapped in a system of endemic corruption and repression, which keeps them mired in lifelong poverty and deprivation.

Iran has dried up enemies' capacity for war: IRGC Press TV 28 May 2019 -- The chief commander of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) says the country's enemies have unsuccessfully exhausted all of their capacity for various types of warfare against the Islamic Republic.
Iran's Revolutionary Guards 'Doesn't Fear a War' as US Makes Military Moves Sputnik 28 May 2019 -- The United States earlier blacklisted the elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terror group, in an escalating spiral of hostile rhetoric and actions aimed at curbing Iran's regional influence and apparent nuclear ambitions.

France blasts 'dirty' Saudi-led war, but keeps arms flow Press TV 28 May 2019 -- France has urged Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to stop the "dirty war" on Yemen, but says, at the same time, that it will continue its controversial arms sales to the Persian Gulf states.

Delivery of S-400 systems may be delayed until after June: Turkish DM Press TV 28 May 2019 -- Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar says the delivery of advanced Russian built S-400 air defense missile systems to his country "might be delayed until after June" irrespective of US pressure and threats of imposing sanctions on Ankara over the purchase of the military hardware.

Department Press Briefing – May 28, 2019 US Dept. of State 28 May 2019

Defense Industry

Contracts for May 28, 2019

Other Conflicts

28 May 2019 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 28 May 2019

Eight years in, Syria still embroiled in conflict 'that no longer sparks outrage', Security Council hears UN News 28 May 2019 -- After eight years of deadly air strikes and terrorist attacks that have left hundreds of thousands of Syrians dead and millions of others injured, United Nations Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator Ursula Mueller asked the Security Council on Tuesday, the hard-hitting question: "Can't this Council take any concrete action when attacks on schools and hospitals have become a war tactic that no longer sparks outrage"?
Syrian Army Repels Nusra Front Attack in Hama Province - Russian Military Sputnik 28 May 2019 -- The Syrian government forces repelled an attack by militants from the Al-Nusra Front* terrorist group in the north of Hama province on the night of May 26, which was carried out with support of tanks and multiple-launch rocket systems (MLRS), the Russian centre for Syrian reconciliation said Monday.

Turkey 'begins operation against Kurdish militants in Iraq' Press TV 28 May 2019 -- Turkey says it has launched a military operation against Kurdish militants in a mountainous area of northern Iraq.

India's Navy Chief: Kashmir Airstrike Will Change Pakistan's Behaviour Sputnik 28 May 2019 -- The former princely state has been at the heart of India-Pakistan animosity for decades. In February, the age-old conflict flared up once again following an Indian air raid on a suspected terror camp within Pakistani territory.

White House Adviser Travels Abroad to Get Support for Peace Plan VOA 28 May 2019 -- President Donald Trump's son-in-law is in Morocco Tuesday as part of a three-day trip to garner support for his Middle East peace plan.

HRW: Egyptian Security Forces Committed Widespread Abuses in Northern Sinai VOA 28 May 2019 -- The Egyptian military and police forces have committed widespread abuses in the northern Sinai Peninsula, according a new report by Human Rights Watch, which said some of the actions amount to war crimes.

Uganda Seeks $927 Million to Support Refugee Population VOA 28 May 2019 -- The Ugandan government and the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees are calling on the donor community to extend $927 million to support the over 1.2 million refugees living in Uganda. But the appeal is complicated by the alleged misuse of previous contributions.

Myanmar Grants Early Release to Soldiers Involved in Rohingya Massacre VOA 28 May 2019 -- Myanmar's early release of seven soldiers who were jailed for killing a group of Rohingya Muslims is drawing criticism from rights activists.

News Reports

Maduro Says Sabotage Prevents Ships With Gasoline, Food From Reaching Venezuela Sputnik 28 May 2019 -- Vessels carrying gasoline and food to the crisis-stricken Venezuela are being prevented from reaching the country's coast because of sabotage attacks, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said, adding that Caracas was trying to find a solution to the issue.

EU Leaders Starting to Pick Bloc's Top Chiefs VOA 28 May 2019 -- European leaders are in Brussels to choose their preferred candidates for top European Union positions after last week's parliamentary elections, but already are divided on who should be the next president of the European Commission, the executive arm of the 28-nation bloc.

General strike starts in Sudan Press TV 28 May 2019 -- Sudanese people have launched a two-day nationwide strike to step up pressure on a ruling military council to transfer power to a civilian authority.
Strikers in Sudan Push Military to Cede Power VOA 28 May 2019 -- Chanting anti-government slogans, workers lined up outside the upscale al-Waha shopping center in downtown Khartoum, demanding an end to the country's 30-year military rule.

Angering Anti-Corruption Crusaders, Russia Proposes Banning Access To Land Registry RFE/RL 28 May 2019 -- Russia's Economy Ministry has proposed restricting access to the Unified Land Registry, or EGRN, a database widely used by journalists and anticorruption campaigners to shed light on the lifestyles of the country's elite.

People in North Korea trapped in vicious cycle of deprivation, corruption and repression – UN human rights report UN-OHCHR 28 May 2019 -- People in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) are trapped in a vicious cycle, in which the failure of the State to provide for life’s basic necessities forces them to turn to rudimentary markets where they face a host of human rights violations in an uncertain legal environment, according to a new UN human rights report.
Divergence over DPRK missiles issue clouds Abe-Trump summit People's Daily 28 May 2019 -- A cloud of uncertainty had loomed over the summit between Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and visiting U.S. President Donald Trump due to differing approaches to the recent missile launches of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), local media reported on Monday.
North Koreans trapped in 'vicious cycle of deprivation, corruption, repression' and endemic bribery: UN human rights office UN News 28 May 2019 -- Bribery is the main way people in North Korea get food, healthcare, shelter and work, a new UN human rights office report said on Tuesday.

Iran: Signing of non-aggression pact promotes trust building IRNA 28 May 2019 -- Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on Tuesday that signing of non-aggression pact will help promote confidence-building among countries in the region.
FM Zarif: Trump's actions, not words to show his real intention IRNA 28 May 2019 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif reacted to US President Donald Trump's recent statements during his visit to Japan, and said that actions speak louder than words.
No prospect for talks with US: Iran Foreign Ministry spokesman ISNA 28 May 2019 -- Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman, Seyyed Abbas Mousavi said on Tuesday, Iran's diplomacy has entered a new era.
Trump's actions not words to show his intent: Iran FM ISNA 28 May 2019 -- Iran's Foreign Minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif in a tweet reacted to recent remarks made by US President Donald Trump in Japan.
Non-aggression pact can boost confidence in Mideast: Iran Press TV 28 May 2019 -- A senior Iranian diplomat has described dialog with regional countries as a priority for Tehran, saying that the signing of a non-aggression pact – an Iranian initiative – can boost confidence among the Persian Gulf littoral states.
Tehran: US must change behavior towards Iran; shift in tone not enough Press TV 28 May 2019 -- Tehran says it pays little attention to the change in US President Donald Trump's rhetoric on Iran, and that it will not hold talks with Washington until it also changes its behavior towards the Islamic Republic.
Tehran Slams US for 'Raising a Lie' About Iran's Push for Atom Bomb Sputnik 28 May 2019 -- The statement comes after Iran's Ambassador to France Bahram Qassemi underscored the peaceful nature of Tehran's nuclear programme, adding that the Islamic Republic is not seeking atomic weapons.
Iran Extends Olive Branch to Persian Gulf Monarchies Amid Escalation With US Sputnik 28 May 2019 -- The move comes a few days after Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif signalled Tehran's readiness to clinch a non-aggression pact with Iran's immediate neighbours in the Persian Gulf as the Islamic Republic's tensions with the US show no sign of abating.
China Stopped Buying Oil From Iran Due to US Sanctions - Reports Sputnik 28 May 2019 -- China has stopped buying oil from Iran after Washington announced a decision not to extend exemptions from its sanctions for certain countries, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing sources in the Iranian oil industry.
India plans to resume Iran oil imports despite US ban: Report Press TV 28 May 2019 -- The Indian government is looking at ways to resume oil imports from Iran despite US sanctions which aim to dry up Iranian revenues, local media reported on Tuesday.
India Likely to Resume Iranian Oil Imports Amid US Sanctions - Source Sputnik 28 May 2019 -- India and Iran will begin figuring out a fresh payment channel to resume oil trade, according to a New Delhi official. The US had conveyed to New Delhi that India's "escrow account" used for Rupee-Rial trade cannot be operated after 2 May. Earlier, India had an option to trade in its national currency to circumvent the sanctions.

China indicates it may use rare earths as weapon in trade war Global Times 28 May 2019 -- China indicated Tuesday night that it may weaponize its rare earths in an escalation of the trade war with the US, according to a Chinese official from the country's top state economy planner.
NDRC official talks about the development of China's rare-earth industry Global Times 28 May 2019 -- On May 20, Chinese President Xi Jinping visited JL MAG Rare-Earth Co, a Ganzhou-based high-technology company specializing in research and development (R&D) into rare-earth permanent magnetic materials to learn about the company's operations and the development of the rare-earth industry in the city of Ganzhou in Jiangxi Province.
Rare earths remain 'ace in the hole' in China-US trade war Global Times 28 May 2019 -- An official of China's National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) said on Tuesday that China will not tolerate foreign high-tech products made from rare earths produced in China being used to contain and suppress China's development.
China's Kazakh Ambassador Angrily Rejects Xinjiang Crackdown Allegations RFE/RL 28 May 2019 -- Pressed for information about what relatives and activists say is a crackdown on indigenous, mostly Muslim ethnic groups in China's northwestern province of Xinjiang, the Chinese ambassador to Kazakhstan angrily denied any wrongdoing by Beijing.

Security Beefed Up After Intel of Daesh Presence in Coastal India Sputnik 28 May 2019 -- Indian authorities have been on high alert since 23 May, following intelligence reports of 15 terrorists being on their way to the Lakshadweep group of islands in the southeastern part of the Arabian Sea in boats from neighbouring Sri Lanka.

Israel moves toward parl. dissolution, election rerun amid deadlock in coalition talks Press TV 28 May 2019 -- Israeli lawmakers have approved the first reading of a bill to dissolve the parliament (Knesset) and hold new general elections as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's efforts to form a coalition government remained deadlocked.
Israel Heading Toward Political Crisis VOA 28 May 2019 -- "This is a night of a marvelous victory! Marvelous!" Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu triumphantly declared after hearing the election results. That was 49 days ago, and Netanyahu appeared securely positioned to – come July – become the longest serving prime minister in the Jewish state's history.
Israel Moves Toward New Elections VOA 28 May 2019 -- Israel moved closer to new parliamentary elections Tuesday as lawmakers voted in favor of the first of three procedural moves necessary to dissolve the current parliament.

Thousands Attend Anti-Military Protests In Pakistan RFE/RL 28 May 2019 -- Thousands of protesters have attended anti-military protests overnight in northwestern Pakistan after activists from a rights group were killed when soldiers fired at their demonstration.

US Removing Eritrea from Counterterror Non-Cooperation List VOA 28 May 2019 -- Eritrea is being removed from the United States government's list of countries deemed not to be cooperating fully with U.S. counterterror efforts.

DR Congo: Strengthened effort against Ebola is paying off, but insecurity still major constraint – UN health agency UN News 28 May 2019 -- Although the Ebola response in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) continues to make headway thanks to the determination of health workers on the ground, insecurity is still hampering the response, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Tuesday. This has led the UN to establish a new coordination structure in the hopes that access to at-risk areas can be improved.

China strongly opposes official contact between US, Taiwan: spokesperson Global Times 28 May 2019 -- China on Monday voiced its firm opposition to official contact between the United States and Taiwan "in any form" and "under any excuse."

Ukrainian President Reinstates Saakashvili's Citizenship RFE/RL 28 May 2019 -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has reinstated the Ukrainian citizenship of Mikheil Saakashvili, the former Georgian president who served as governor of Ukraine's Odesa region in 2015-16.

Kosovo Police Operation Fans Tensions With Serbia, Russia RFE/RL 28 May 2019 -- Serbia ordered its troops on high alert and its ally Russia accused Kosovo of provocation, following a Kosovar police operation in the country's mainly ethnic-Serb north.

German, Uzbek Presidents Discuss Cooperation In Tashkent RFE/RL 28 May 2019 -- German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoev have discussed bilateral cooperation in the Uzbek capital on the second day of Steinmeier's three-day official visit to Central Asia's most populous country.

Malawi President Sworn In After Tight Election Win VOA 28 May 2019 -- President Peter Mutharika was sworn in for a second term Tuesday after beating six other candidates in the tightly contested presidential election.

Mozambique Hosts Pledging Conference After Cyclone Devastation VOA 28 May 2019 -- The U.N. Development Program says Mozambique will host a pledging conference later this week to raise money for reconstruction efforts in the wake of cyclones Idai and Kenneth that devastated the country over the months in March and April.

Severe Drought Puts 2 Million Somalis at Starvation Risk VOA 28 May 2019 -- Severe drought in Somalia is putting more than two million people at risk of starvation and forcing thousands out of villages and into a relief camp outside the capital. The United Nations has called for emergency aid to help those in need, including nearly a million Somali children facing hunger.

Cambodian Government Denies Allegations of Political Intimidation VOA 28 May 2019 -- Cambodian political observers say intimidation has been a widely used tool in the government for decades but that recently, there has been a shift in the practice to ensure the ruling party wins the next national election.

Police Violence in Indonesian Riots Sparks Human Rights Debate VOA 28 May 2019 -- Rights groups in Indonesia investigating charges of police brutality are complaining that police are operating with impunity against demonstrators after the release of election results last week.

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