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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• U.S. Vows To Guarantee Passage Through Strait of Hormuz RFE/RL 16 Jun 2019 -- The United States and its ally Saudi Arabia have said they don't want to go to war with Iran, but insisted they were ready to take all necessary actions to deal with any Iranian threat.
• US Guarantees Hormuz Shipping Passage VOA 16 Jun 2019 -- The United States says it will "guarantee freedom of navigation" for shipping through the Strait of Hormuz through diplomatic talks or military intervention, contending again that it was "unmistakable" that Iran launched last week's attacks on two tankers sailing through the narrow passage.

Defense Policy / Programs

• NATO faces big bill if it fails to pick AWACS successor soon: Officials Press TV 16 Jun 2019 -- A senior NATO official says the US-led military alliance would be facing the unpleasant prospect of paying a significant bill if it failed to come up with a successor to its ageing fleet of AWACS spy planes by around 2035.
• PLA Navy needs own 'STOVL stealth fighter' jets to protect territory Global Times 16 Jun 2019 -- As China is reportedly building more aircraft carriers and its first group of amphibious assault ships, the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy might eventually need its own F-35B-like short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) stealth fighter jet to safeguard territorial integrity, Chinese military analysts said on Sunday.
• CCTV to dedicate channel to military affairs to promote national defense education Global Times 16 Jun 2019 -- China Central Television (CCTV) Channel 7 is to refocus its coverage solely on military affairs in a move to expand national defense publicity and education. Currently, the channel specializes in both military and agricultural reporting.
• Turkey's Erdogan: Russian S-400 systems to arrive in July Press TV 16 Jun 2019 -- Turkey's president says advanced Russian S-400 missile defense systems will begin arriving in the country in July, despite threats by the United States over the defense exchange.
• Turkey Brushes off Attempts to Influence Its Foreign Policy Amid S-400 Row With US Sputnik 16 Jun 2019 -- Washington has been trying to convince Ankara to ditch its deal with Moscow since it was signed in 2017, threatening to block the delivery of F-35 jets and to impose sanctions against the country.
• S-400 Deliveries to Turkey May Begin in 1st Half of July - Erdogan Sputnik 16 Jun 2019 -- Russian S-400 air defence systems may start being delivered to Turkey in the first half of July, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told CNN Turk on Sunday.
• UK to Send Marines to Persian Gulf Region to Protect Country's Vessels – Reports Sputnik 16 Jun 2019 -- The United Kingdom decided to send 100 marines to the Persian Gulf region in order to protect its military and merchant vessels after the recent incident in the Gulf of Oman, local media reported on Sunday.
• UK Royal Marines Reportedly Deployed to Gulf in Wake of Tanker Attacks Blamed on Iran Sputnik 16 Jun 2019 -- The reported development comes amid heightened tensions in the Middle East as the United States and its regional allies have accused Iran of orchestrating an attack on two oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman earlier this week. Tehran has strongly rejected the allegations as unfounded.
• US Senate Scrutinizes Saudi, UAE Arms Sales VOA 16 Jun 2019 -- Later this week, the U.S. Senate is expected to mount an effort to block an $8 billion arms sale to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, as many American lawmakers continue to seethe over Riyadh's human rights record, the war in Yemen and last year's murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. The Trump administration sought to bypass congressional review of the weapons sale by tying it to a national emergency declaration to counter threats from Iran.

Defense Industry

Other Conflicts

• Conflict and Climate Change Drive Global Hunger VOA 16 Jun 2019 -- A new report by SIPRI, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, finds conflict and climate change are largely responsible for rising global hunger. 　
• U.S. Accuses Iran Of Helping Huthi Rebels Shoot Down Drone Over Yemen RFE/RL 16 Jun 2019 -- The U.S. military says Yemen's Shi'ite Huthi rebels shot down a U.S. government-operated drone earlier this month with "assistance" from Iran.
• Syrian forces launch retaliatory strikes in Idlib, Hama Press TV 16 Jun 2019 -- Syrian government forces have conducted retaliatory strikes against the positions of Jabhat al-Nusra terrorist group, formerly known as al-Nusra Front, in Hama and Idlib provinces.
• UN chief condemns terrorist attacks in Kenya and Somalia UN News 16 Jun 2019 -- The UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, condemned on Sunday the attack that took place on Saturday in Wajir County, Kenya, in which at least eight police officers were killed when their car struck an improvised explosive device (IED), and the car bomb attack in Mogadishu, Somalia, in which at least eight people were killed.
• New Ukraine president visits areas likely to incense Russia Press TV 16 Jun 2019 -- Ukraine's new president, Volodymyr Zelensky who has defined his top priority as ending the conflict in the country's volatile east, made his first official visit to the Donetsk region on Saturday and called for the return of all pro-Russia areas to Kiev's control.
• Separatist Bomb Attack Kills 4 Policemen in Cameroon VOA 16 Jun 2019 -- Cameroon says separatist fighters have killed four policemen and wounded six in the English- speaking southwestern town of Eyumojock. The separatist fighters use of bombs is the first to be reported since the conflict that has killed nearly 2,000 people started three years ago.
• Civil Protests in Khartoum Affect Crisis in Sudan's Darfur Region VOA 16 Jun 2019 -- The mass civil disobedience campaign in the Sudanese capital Khartoum is impeding aid from flowing to flood-stricken victims in the northern Darfur region, the U.N. reports.

News Reports

• Pompeo Claims Military Option on Table as Iran Suggests Gulf 'Attacks' are US False Flag Op Sputnik 16 Jun 2019 -- The US earlier claimed that the Islamic Republic was behind the attack against ships operated by Japan and Norway in the Gulf of Oman on 13 June and has even released video "evidence". While Tehran vehemently denies any involvement, the Japanese government reportedly considers Washington's allegations unconvincing.
• Intel Shows Iran 'Almost Certainly' Behind Tanker Attacks, UK Foreign Secretary Hunt Claims Sputnik 16 Jun 2019 -- The development comes shortly after Britain's ambassador to Iran, Rob Macaire, denied reports that he had been summoned by the Iranian Foreign Ministry in the wake of London accusing Tehran of attacking two oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman on 13 June.
• Iranian official: US may have been behind tanker incidents Press TV 16 Jun 2019 -- Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani says the United States may have carried out acts of sabotage against two oil tankers in the Sea of Oman to blame them on Iran and pressure Tehran.
• 'Japan dismisses US claim that Iran attacked tankers' Press TV 16 Jun 2019 -- Japanese officials say Tokyo has dismissed a claim by the United States that Iran attacked two oil tankers – both of them carrying "Japanese-related" cargo – in the Sea of Oman.
• HRH Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz to Asharq Al-Awsat: We Don't Want War but We Won't Hesitate in Dealing with Any Threat SPA 16 Jun 2019 -- His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz , Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, said that Saudi Arabia does not want a war in the region, but stressed that it "will not hesitate in dealing with any threat against our people, sovereignty and vital interests."
• Saudi Arabia Calls for 'Swift Response' to Oil Supply Chain Threats in Wake of Attack on Tankers Sputnik 16 Jun 2019 -- Previously, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman accused Iran of attacking the two tankers in the Gulf of Oman, despite Tehran vehemently denying the accusations. Iran has suggested that the blasts were a US false-flag operation carried out in order to intensify pressure on the Islamic Republic.
• "Suspicious" oil tanker attacks complementary to US' sanctions against Iran: Larijani ISNA 16 Jun 2019 -- Iran's Parliament Speaker, Ali Larijani said, oil tanker attacks in the Gulf of Oman are "suspicious" and a "complementary" to United States' economic sanctions against Iranian nation.
• Pompeo says US does not want war with Iran Press TV 16 Jun 2019 -- US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says Washington does not want to go to war with Tehran, while falsely accusing Iran again for the attacks on two oil tankers in the Sea of Oman last week.
• Saudi Crown Prince Accuses Iran of Attack on Tankers in Gulf of Oman Sputnik 16 Jun 2019 -- Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman accused rival Iran of twin attacks on oil tankers in a vital Gulf shipping channel, according to excerpts of an interview published early Sunday.
• Trump raps NYT report on US cyber attacks against Russia Press TV 16 Jun 2019 -- President Donald Trump has attacked The New York Times for its Saturday report that said the United States was increasing its cyber attacks against Russia's power grid in response to alleged Russian meddling in US elections.
• Trump Calls NYT Report On U.S. Cyberactivity In Russia 'Treason' RFE/RL 16 Jun 2019 -- President Donald Trump has blasted The New York Times for an article alleging that the United States was ramping up its digital incursions into Russia's power grid.
• Junta general vows to send perpetrators of Khartoum carnage to 'gallows' Press TV 16 Jun 2019 -- A top Sudanese general has vowed to send to the "gallows" those who carried out a deadly crackdown on protesters outside the military headquarters in Khartoum earlier this month.
• Record number of Venezuelans arrive in Peru: UN steps up response UN News 16 Jun 2019 -- The UN refugee agency, UNHCR, has sent extra teams this week to the border between Peru and Ecuador to support the authorities, as an unprecedent number of Venezuelan refugees and migrants – over 15,000 – have entered Peru this week.
• Russia denies meddling in European Parliament elections Press TV 16 Jun 2019 -- A senior Russian security official has dismissed as "completely absurd" accusations that Moscow meddled in European Parliament elections last month.
• Pakistan Appoints New Spy Chief RFE/RL 16 Jun 2019 -- The Pakistani military has announced the appointment of a new chief for the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) spy agency.
• Lavrov To Discuss 'New Russian, Chinese Initiative' On Korean Peninsula With Visiting South Korean FM RFE/RL 16 Jun 2019 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is set to host his South Korean counterpart in Moscow on June 17 for talks on the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.
• Top French lawmaker stresses on preserving JCPOA ISNA 16 Jun 2019 -- Chairwoman of the Foreign Relations Committee of the French National Assembly Marielle de Sarnez stressed on preserving Iran nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
• Iran to detail measures taken to reduce obligations under nuclear deal Press TV 16 Jun 2019 -- Iran will release important details about the measures it has taken so far to suspend some of its commitments under a 2015 nuclear deal, in reciprocation of a move by the United States to unilaterally scrap that deal.
• Iran to Announce Steps to Reduce Commitments Under Nuclear Deal Amid US Sanctions Sputnik 16 Jun 2019 -- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani warned on 15 June that his country will continue to suspend some of its commitments under the nuclear deal, inked in 2015, if Iran doesn't receive some "positive signals" from other signatories to the accord in the near future.
• Hundreds of Thousands Demand Hong Kong Leader's Resignation VOA 16 Jun 2019 -- Hong Kong's streets once again filled with hundreds of thousands of protesters clad in black and marching Sunday against a controversial legislative bill that would allow for extradition to China.
• Central govt supports HK's decision Global Times 16 Jun 2019 -- Three Central government departments including the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR), the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs all expressed support, respect and understanding of Hong Kong government's decision to suspend the extradition bill on Saturday.
• HKSAR chief executive announces suspension of fugitive law amendments, promises to continue explanation People's Daily 16 Jun 2019 -- Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Chief Executive Carrie Lam announced Saturday that the HKSAR government will suspend the amendments to the Fugitive Offenders Ordinance and the Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Ordinance until further communication and explanation work is completed.
• China wary of outside meddling as Hong Kong unrest continues Press TV 16 Jun 2019 -- Thousands of people have rallied again in central Hong Kong to demand the city's leader step down, a day after she suspended an extradition bill following the most violent protests in decades.
• Hong Kong Leader Apologises Over Extradition Bill Sputnik 16 Jun 2019 -- Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam has apologised over a controversial extradition bill and vowed to accept all criticism, in a statement published on Sunday.
• Xi urges joint efforts to open up new prospects for Asian security, development People's Daily 16 Jun 2019 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday urged Asian countries and their partners to join hands in opening up new prospects for Asian security and development under new circumstances.
• Xi calls on newspaper to unite intellectuals around CPC Global Times 16 Jun 2019 -- President Xi Jinping has called on the Guangming Daily to guide intellectuals rallying closely around the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee.
• China ready for long trade war with US: Party journal Press TV 16 Jun 2019 -- The main theoretical journal of China's Communist Party says the United States would be wrong to underestimate the Chinese people's will to fight a trade war, stressing that Beijing is ready for a lengthy economic fight with Washington.
• Thousands join rally in Taipei to demand bill's withdrawal CNA 16 Jun 2019 -- Young Taiwanese, Taiwan-based Hong Kongers and members of civic groups rallied in Taipei on Sunday to demand that Hong Kong authorities withdraw a controversial extradition bill rather than temporarily suspending its legislative process.
• Israeli Prime Minister's wife convicted of misusing public funds Press TV 16 Jun 2019 -- An Israeli court has convicted Sara Netanyahu, the wife of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, of misusing public funds through lying to use regime's funds for meals at her private residence.
• Ukraine's Zelenskiy To Meet With French, German Presidents This Week RFE/RL 16 Jun 2019 -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy is expected to make his first visits to France and Germany as head of state this week, with the European capitals seeking progress on reforms in Ukraine and the country's conflict with Russia-backed separatists.