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Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• Coalition War Planes Holding Fire Against IS in Syria VOA 05 Jun 2019 -- U.S. and coalition jets have been quiet in the skies over Syria, failing to launch any airstrikes against remnants of the Islamic State terror group for a second consecutive month.
• NATO Allies and partners reaffirm their firm support to Ambassador Khalilzad's continued efforts towards lasting peace in Afghanistan NATO 05 Jun 2019 -- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg met with the United States Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation, Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad, at NATO Headquarters on Wednesday (5 June 2019). Ambassador Khalilzad also briefed all 41 NATO Allies and Resolute Support Mission operational partners on his latest efforts in support for peace in Afghanistan.
• Afghan Peace Marchers Detained By Taliban, Supporters Say RFE/RL 05 Jun 2019 -- Afghan peace protesters who went missing after marching through a Taliban-controlled area of Helmand Province have been detained by the militants, a supporter of the movement told RFE/RL on June 5.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Bulldog Brigade assaults through the breach Army News 05 Jun 2019 -- Doing routine things routinely and striving to master the fundamentals is critical for all military units to be prepared to support any contingency when required.
• Soldiers conduct battle drills during Astral Knight 19 Army News 05 Jun 2019 -- As a siren sounded, Soldiers of the 5th Battalion 7th Air Defense Artillery Regiment rushed to activate radar systems in a drill in Koper, Slovenia June 4, 2019.
• US Air Force's Aging B-1B Lancer Fleet Suffering From Major Readiness Issues Sputnik 05 Jun 2019 -- The Pentagon's fleet of B-1B Lancer supersonic bombers is showing its age, and according to a Congressional panel, is in need of serious repairs. Of the 62 Lancers, fewer than 10 are mission-capable.
• Congress Fumes as US' New Supercarriers Unable to Carry Lockheed's $1.5 Trln Jet Sputnik 05 Jun 2019 -- The Pentagon's all-in-one fighter has faced criticism over a bevy of technical issues, design problems and cost overruns, with Acting Defence Secretary Patrick Shanahan once calling it "f***ed up" and boasting that Boeing could have done a much better job. But the new class of carriers meant to carry the F-35 seems to have problems of its own.
• US Air Force, Congress Locked in Budget Battle Over B-52 Engine Update Sputnik 05 Jun 2019 -- Replacement engines for the US Air Force's biggest bomber hang in the balance of a dispute between the Pentagon and Capitol Hill over acquisition funding.
• Agile BOLT maintainers support F-35 deployment US Air Force 05 Jun 2019 -- Maintainers in an innovative 388th Maintenance Group have taken two huge steps while developing a program that continues to push and streamline F-35A Lightning II sustainment.
• US Announces Action Plan to Boost Supplies of 35 Critical Minerals Sputnik 05 Jun 2019 -- The Trump administration has developed an action plan to protect and grow supplies of 35 critical minerals vital for advanced technology, the Commerce Department revealed in a report.
• US 6th Fleet Claims Russian Jet Intercepted US Spy Plane Over Mediterranean Sea Sputnik 05 Jun 2019 -- According to a statement from the US 6th Fleet, a Russian SU-35 intercepted an American P-8A Poseidon at least three times on 4 June, claiming that one of the interactions was "unsafe" and put the US crew at risk.
• Moscow Rejects U.S. Accusations Of 'Unsafe' Aircraft Interception Over Mediterranean RFE/RL 05 Jun 2019 -- Russia's Defense Ministry has rejected a statement by the U.S. Naval Forces' 6th Fleet regarding the interception of a U.S. aircraft over the Mediterranean, which was deemed unsafe.
• Russian MoD Denies US Claims of Unsafe Intercept of Spy Plane Over Mediterranean Sputnik 05 Jun 2019 -- Earlier in the day, the US 6th Fleet reported that a Russian SU-35 had intercepted an American P-8A Poseidon at least three times on 4 June, claiming that one of the interactions was "unsafe" and put the US crew at risk.
• Moscow to Commission New Yars Missile Units, Avangard Systems - Russian MoD Sputnik 05 Jun 2019 -- The Russian Strategic Missile Forces (RVSN) have said that they will put three missile units armed with Yars missile complexes and one unit with the Avangard hypersonic system on combat duty by year's end.
• US Claims Russia 'Probes Ways' to Disrupt NATO by Supplying S-400 to Turkey Sputnik 05 Jun 2019 -- Earlier, Washington reportedly gave Ankara until the end of the first week of June to either scrap the S-400 deal with Russia or face penalties, which would include sanctions and the cancelling of the delivery of 100 F-35 jets.
• Brits Unknowingly Subsidising Nuclear Submarines Through Energy Bills - Report Sputnik 05 Jun 2019 -- If confirmed, the research is likely to raise alarm among many, and may serve to bolster calls for alternatives to nuclear power, such as wind turbines, which according to the same researchers, may be available at nearly half the cost.
• China's aircraft carrier development 'will not blindly follow the US' Global Times 05 Jun 2019 -- China should walk its own path for its future aircraft carrier development and not blindly follow other countries like the US, Chinese military experts said on Wednesday as US President Donald Trump announced plans to reverse advanced technologies used on US carriers back to traditional ones.
• Running on E? China's Second Aircraft Carrier May Experience Fuel Constraints Sputnik 05 Jun 2019 -- Needing to store roughly 13,000 metric tons of fuel for its operations, China's second aircraft carrier is likely to experience fuel supply issues once it's sent out on official business as part of the People's Liberation Army-Navy.
• China showcases cluster of 'aircraft carrier killer' missiles Global Times 05 Jun 2019 -- In a rare move, the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Rocket Force displayed 10 DF-21D anti-ship ballistic missiles in a recent video, as China reaffirmed the weapon's capability of attacking medium- to large-sized vessels.
• China's military actions aim to impact Taiwan 2020 election: ex-AIT head CNA 05 Jun 2019 -- China's military actions over the years are being carried out for political purposes in an attempt to influence Taiwan's upcoming presidential election in 2020, former American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) Chairman Richard Bush said Wednesday.
• Indian Navy Acquires Capability to Rescue Submarines Without US Help Sputnik 05 Jun 2019 -- To date, the Indian Navy has relied on a 1997 contract with the US for assistance if one of its submarines were to meet with an accident underwater. In such a situation, the US Navy would fly out its Deep Submarine Rescue Vessels (DSRVs) on massive transport aircraft before being transferred to a ship that would need to sail to the accident site.
• Iran decries West for continued arms sales to Saudi, UAE Press TV 05 Jun 2019 -- Iran's foreign minister has once again slammed Western governments for pushing through arms exports to Saudi Arabia and its allies, which are used in the devastating Yemen war.
• Minju Joson on Japan's Intention in SDF Overseas Operation KCNA 05 Jun 2019 -- The Maritime "Self-Defense Force" of Japan joined the U.S.-led drills in the Pacific in May.
• Pakistan's Military Says Budget Cut Won't Affect its 'Capacity to Respond' Sputnik 05 Jun 2019 -- Irrespective of the voluntary cut in defence budget for the coming financial year, there shall be no impact on Pakistan's ability to respond to all types of threats or the quality of life of the soldiers, Pakistan's Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa said.
• Armenia Sends Another Group Of Sappers, Medics To Syria RFE/RL 05 Jun 2019 -- Armenia says it has sent a new team of demining experts and other personnel to Syria as part of what it describes as a humanitarian mission with the assistance of Russia.
• Ukraine's President Promises NATO Referendum As Part Of Path To West RFE/RL 05 Jun 2019 -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has promised to hold a referendum on NATO membership -- a move strongly opposed by Moscow -- as the country embarks on a path of European and Euro-Atlantic integration.
• Slovak PM Says 100-Mln-Euro Contract on MiG-29 to Be Signed With Russia Soon Sputnik 05 Jun 2019 -- Slovak Prime Minister Peter Pellegrini said Wednesday a contract would be signed with Russia worth 100 million euros ($112mln) to service MiG-29 fighters.

Defense Industry

• Contracts for June 5, 2019

Other Conflicts

• Fresh water shows Taiping Island is not just rock: military CNA 05 Jun 2019 -- A military official has reiterated that Taiping Island is an island, not just a rock, as he welcomed three Taiwanese naval ships that visited the island in the disputed South China Sea in late May, according to a Military News Agency report.
• Yemen captures 20 military positions from Saudi forces in Najran, incurs heavy losses IRNA 05 Jun 2019 -- Official sources in Yemen announced that the country's army have seized over 20 military positions in Najran from Saudi Arabia over the past 72 hours.
• Syrian Weapon System Damaged by Alleged Israeli Strike, Israeli Spy Firm Claims Sputnik 05 Jun 2019 -- Earlier, Syria's state-run media reported that at least one soldier was killed and two more wounded when Israel launched an airstrike on Syria's T-4 airbase near the northern city of Homs on Sunday.
• US deal of the century 'will go to hell', Palestinian president says Press TV 05 Jun 2019 -- Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has once again dismissed US President Donald Trump's controversial proposal for "peace" between the Israeli regime and Palestinians, dubbed "the deal of the century," stressing that the plan will eventually "go to hell."
• Chief Palestinian negotiator calls on Arabs to boycott 'US settlers' Press TV 05 Jun 2019 -- Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat has called upon Arabs to boycott President Donald Trump's controversial proposal for "peace" between the Israeli regime and Palestinians, dubbed "the deal of the century," describing his three-man team tasked with formulating the plan as "settlers."
• Hamas Claims It Found Ways to Overcome Israeli Iron Dome System Sputnik 05 Jun 2019 -- The Iron Dome is a land-based missile defence system intended to intercept short-range rockets and artillery. It was developed jointly by the US and Israel as a means of protecting Israeli territory from threats that stem from adjacent areas, Gaza and Lebanon in particular.
• Ukraine's Zelenskiy Calls For Tougher EU Sanctions On Russia RFE/RL 05 Jun 2019 -- On the second and last day of his visit to Brussels, Ukraine's newly elected president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, has called on the European Union to step up sanctions against Russia.
• Kyiv Says Three Ukrainian Soldiers Killed, Three Wounded In Fighting In East RFE/RL 05 Jun 2019 -- Ukraine says three of its soldiers have been killed and at least three others wounded in clashes with Russia-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine.​
• At least 4 killed in militant attacks in Egypt's Sinai Press TV 05 Jun 2019 -- At least four people, including one civilian, have been killed in militant attacks on a number of security checkpoints in Egypt's northern Sinai, medics and security sources say.
• Islamic Militants Attack Police Checkpoint Outside Northern Sinai Town of el-Arish VOA 05 Jun 2019 -- Islamic militants attacked a police checkpoint outside Egypt's northern Sinai port city of el-Arish just minutes before traditional prayers marking the beginning of the Eid al-Fitr holiday, following the month of Ramadan.
• Montenegrin Jailed For 14 Years For War Crimes In Kosovo Conflict RFE/RL 05 Jun 2019 -- A court in Montenegro has convicted a defendant of committing war crimes in the late-1990s conflict in neighboring Kosovo and sentenced him to 14 years in prison.
• Boko Haram Ranks Including IS Militants Swelled by 2000 in 2018 - Russian Envoy Sputnik 05 Jun 2019 -- Some 2,000 foreign fighters, including from the Daesh (IS) terrorist group joined the Boko Haram militant group in 2018, Russia's First Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations Dmitry Polyanskiy said during UN Security Council consultations on the situation in the Central African region.

News Reports

• Number of Children, Families Crossing US-Mexico Border Jumps in May VOA 05 Jun 2019 -- The number of unauthorized border-crossers apprehended along the U.S.-Mexico frontier increased sharply in May, federal officials announced Wednesday, as the country grapples with an unprecedented level of children and families entering the U.S. without papers.
• US Apprehended 130,000 Migrants at Southwest Border With Mexico in May - CBP Sputnik 06 Jun 2019 -- US authorities apprehended more than 130,000 migrants at the nation's Southwest Border with Mexico in May, the highest number in 13 years, according to data released on Wednesday by the Customs and Border Protection.
• Situation in Sudan US Dept. of State 05 Jun 2019
• Sudanese Rebel Leader, Recently Returned from Exile, Arrested in Khartoum VOA 05 Jun 2019 -- A Sudanese rebel leader who returned to Khartoum last week after years in exile has been arrested by the ruling military council.
• Sudanese Protesters Spurn General's Call for Talks VOA 05 Jun 2019 -- Protest leaders in Sudan have rejected a proposal to negotiate with military generals, maintaining the call is insincere as security forces continue to target protesters in a violent crackdown that has killed at least 100 people this week.
• Survivors of Sudan's Security Crackdown Describe Brutal Attacks VOA 05 Jun 2019 -- The death toll from Monday's attacks on pro-democracy protesters by Sudanese government forces rose to at least 60 Wednesday, according to doctors linked to the protesters.
• Sudan opposition rejects talks with military council Press TV 05 Jun 2019 -- The umbrella protest movement Alliance for Freedom and Change has snubbed the ruling Transitional Military Council's invitation to talks after at least 60 people were killed in a crackdown against a sit-in outside the army headquarters in Khartoum.
• Death toll from Sudan army raid on sit-in nearly doubles Press TV 05 Jun 2019 -- The death toll from a crackdown by the Sudanese army on a sit-in in the capital, Khartoum, has nearly doubled, medics say.
• UN to Recall Sudan Staff amid Ongoing Unrest - Report Sputnik 05 Jun 2019 -- The United Nations is moving some of its staff from Sudan, UN spokesperson Eri Kaneko said Wednesday, as the death toll from a crackdown on protesters soared to more than 100, Reuters reported.
• Khartoum Governor Resigns Over Crackdown on Opposition Rally - Reports Sputnik 05 Jun 2019 -- Khartoum Governor Lieut. Gen Mortada Warraq has resigned in protest to the recent violent dispersal of a protest camp in the Sudanese capital, Al Jazeera reported, citing sources.
• Briefing by Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova, June 5, 2019 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 05 Jun 2019
• Putin Replaces Another Russian Regional Governor Ahead Of Elections RFE/RL 05 Jun 2019 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has replaced another regional governor ahead of regional elections as waning support for the ruling United Russia party put its hold on power at risk.
• DPRK's 2017 Nuke Test More Powerful, Destructive - Study Finds Sputnik 05 Jun 2019 -- A recently published study in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth found that North Korea's sixth nuclear test, which occurred on September 3, 2017, was 16 times more powerful than the bomb that US forces detonated over Hiroshima during World War II.
• Kim Jong Un's Sister Makes First Public Appearance in More Than 50 Days Sputnik 05 Jun 2019 -- On Tuesday, Kim Yo Jong, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's sister, appeared in public for the first time in more than 50 days.
• Experts: US-China Trade Tensions Could Impact Pyongyang Sanctions Support VOA 05 Jun 2019 -- The escalating trade dispute between the United States and China could distract Beijing from dealing with nuclear North Korea and undermine its efforts to enforce international sanctions, potentially hampering the U.S. attempt to denuclearize the country, experts said.
• N. Korea Warns of 'Limit to Our Patience' on Nuke Talks VOA 05 Jun 2019 -- Warning there is a "limit to our patience," North Korea has called on the United States to change its approach to nuclear talks.
• World Bank: Iran Likely to Suffer Worse Recession Than Previously Thought VOA 05 Jun 2019 -- The World Bank says Iran is likely to experience an even worse recession this year than previously thought, as U.S. sanctions largely choke off oil exports that have been Tehran's main revenue source.
• Prospect of JCPOA without compensation for Iran ambiguous: Russian Official IRNA 05 Jun 2019 -- Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkovsaid that the prospect of Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) is unclear without the creation of a mechanism to compensate for Iran's economic losses caused by the US sanctions.
• Rouhani: Strategic patience foils US anti-JCPOA plots IRNA 05 Jun 2019 -- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said the strategic patience of the Iranian people and system foiled the US plots with regard to pulling out of the nuclear deal known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
• China President urges effective implementation of JCPOA IRNA 05 Jun 2019 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping underlined the fact that Iran deal is the result of multilateralism and urged effective implementation of it.
• Iran not after tension with big powers but will firmly respond to any 'foolish' act: Rouhani Press TV 05 Jun 2019 -- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani says the Islamic Republic is seeking to promote security in the Middle East and is not willing to engage in any conflict but will give a firm response to any "foolish" act against its territory.
• Mideast tensions stem from extreme US pressure on Iran: China Press TV 05 Jun 2019 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping says the US campaign of "extreme" pressure and unilateral sanctions against Iran are to blame for a rise in tensions in the Middle East region.
• UK, US have 'special relationship' in dealing with Iran, but just one stands 'by the nuclear deal' Press TV 05 Jun 2019 -- The United Kingdom and United States have a "special relationship" in dealing with Iran, says British Prime Minister Theresa May alongside US President Donald Trump, yet noting that London intends to "stand by the nuclear deal" unlike Washington.
• Trump Says Prepared To Talk To Iran But There's Always A Chance Of Military Action RFE/RL 05 Jun 2019 -- U.S. President Donald Trump says he is prepared to talk to Iran but that there was always a chance of U.S. military action against Tehran.
• Iran Warns of Decisive Response to Opponents' 'Unwise Move' Amid Tension With US Sputnik 05 Jun 2019 -- Iran does not pursue conflicts with other countries but is ready to give a decisive response to threats if necessary, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said during a phone conversation with Emir of Qatar Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on Wednesday.
• Zarif: Mossad fabricating intel to blame Iran for Fujairah false flag Press TV 05 Jun 2019 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has dismissed as a"fabricated" claim by Israeli spy agency Mossad that Iran was behind the recent attacks near the Emirati port of al-Fujairah, saying he had warned about such false flag attacks in the region.
• Iran Blames Mossad for 'Fabricating Intelligence' on Its Role in Tanker Attack Sputnik 05 Jun 2019 -- The United States has publicly accused Iran of orchestrating the reported attack, despite the fact that an international investigation into the incident has so far not come up with any conclusions. A recent report in Israel suggests that Washington received a tip-off from Mossad.
• Russian, Chinese Leaders Hail 'New Era' At Kremlin Meeting RFE/RL 05 Jun 2019 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin and visiting Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping have vowed to raise bilateral relations to a "higher level" as China's leader opened a three-day visit to Russia.
• Russia, China Will Develop Practice of Payments in National Currencies - Putin Sputnik 05 Jun 2019 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday after talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping that Russia and China would develop the practice of settlements in national currencies.
• China, Russia vow to push ties to new high Press TV 05 Jun 2019 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin say the two countries are determined to forge closer ties amid shared tensions with the United States.
• China slams US global bully tactics Global Times 05 Jun 2019 -- Top Chinese government advisers on Wednesday harshly criticized US untrustworthiness on the global stage, as US officials continue what is widely described as bullying actions against not just China but many other countries, including their close allies, over trade and other issues.
• China's Threats to Ban Rare Earth Exports Build VOA 05 Jun 2019 -- Following Washington's decision to ban Huawei and some 70 affiliates over national security concerns, China has been looking for a high-tech counterpunch to use in response.
• China's Export of Authoritarianism Explored on Capitol Hill VOA 05 Jun 2019 -- Thirty years after China's deadly Tiananmen Square crackdown, Beijing is exporting authoritarianism and prodding governments around the world to spy on and control their citizens, U.S. lawmakers and human rights advocates said on Wednesday.
• Private space companies draw inspiration from successful rocket launch at sea Global Times 05 Jun 2019 -- China's "CZ-11 WEY" rocket was successfully launched at sea for the first time on Wednesday, giving a much needed boost to the country's space industry.
• Carrier rocket's sea launch safer, cheaper: experts Global Times 05 Jun 2019 -- Despite a complicated marine environment, China successfully launched a Long March-11 carrier rocket at sea for the first time on Wednesday, which experts hailed as a safer and more economical way of rocket launch.
• China Conducts 1st Successful Space Launch From Floating Platform - Reports Sputnik 05 Jun 2019 -- China carried out on Wednesday morning its first ever successful launch of the Chang Zheng 11 carrier rocket from a floating launch platform, local media reported.
• Russian Deputy Prime Minister Pledges Moscow's Support to Cuba Amid US Sanctions Sputnik 05 Jun 2019 -- Moscow sees Havana as its "pivotal" ally in Latin America and will make every effort to support Cuba amid US sanctions pressure, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Yury Borisov said at a meeting with his Cuban counterpart, Ricardo Cabrisas.
• UN 'financial crisis,' years in the making, Guterres tells budget body, proposes solutions UN News 05 Jun 2019 -- The UN's financial crisis has been years in the making and is undermining the organization's mandates and reform efforts, Secretary-General António Guterres told the Fifth Committee, the body responsible for the United Nations budget, on Tuesday.
• Iran spurns Saudi-backed plan to change OPEC meet Press TV 05 Jun 2019 -- Iran and several other OPEC members have opposed a proposal to reschedule the oil producing group's next meeting later this month, reports said on Wednesday.
• UN Warns of Famine Threat in Somalia VOA 05 Jun 2019 -- The U.N. humanitarian chief appealed Wednesday for urgently needed funding to prevent wide-scale hunger in the Horn of Africa after another failed rainy season.