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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
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Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• Statement From Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan on Additional Forces to U.S. Central Command DoD 17 Jun 2019 -- "In response to a request from the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) for additional forces, and with the advice of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and in consultation with the White House, I have authorized approximately 1,000 additional troops for defensive purposes to address air, naval, and ground-based threats in the Middle East."
• US officials to discuss sending more troops to Middle East: Report Press TV 17 Jun 2019 -- Officials within the administration of US President Donald Trump are reportedly to discuss sending more troops to the Middle East.

Defense Policy / Programs

• AFRL XQ-58A UAV completes second successful flight US Air Force 17 Jun 2019 -- The XQ-58A Valkyrie demonstrator, a low-cost unmanned air vehicle, successfully completed all test objectives during a 71-minute flight, June 11, at Yuma Proving Grounds, Arizona.
• Devil Brigade Soldiers showcase air defense capabilities Army News 17 Jun 2019 -- Three teams of two Soldiers each, from the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, participated in Shabla 19, here, June 10-15, 2019.
• Multinational exercise expands Ohio-Serbia State Partnership Army News 17 Jun 2019 -- Up and down the green valley and rolling hills of Presevo in Southern Serbia, 10 countries' Soldiers endured the summer heat and patrolled for peace under one banner: Platinum Wolf.
• USS John P. Murtha, Indian Navy conduct maritime exercises NNS 17 Jun 2019 -- The San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS John P. Murtha (LPD 26) with embarked elements from the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) participated in maneuvering and communication drills with Indian navy ship, Rajput-class destroyer INS Ranvijay (D 55) in the Bay of Bengal, June 14.
• New Airborne Mine Countermeasures Capability in Baltic Sea for First Time in BALTOPS 2019 NNS 17 Jun 2019 -- Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron Two Eight (HSC 28) conducted airborne mine countermeasures (AMCM) operations as part of the BALTOPS 2019 Mine Warfare Task Group, June 15.
• U.S., Royal Thai Navy Conduct Joint Submarine Training During CARAT Thailand 2019 NNS 17 Jun 2019 -- The U.S. Navy and Royal Thai Navy (RTN) conducted joint submarine knowledge exchanges and simulations at Sattahip Naval Base during Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) 2019 from May 28 to June 8.
• Naval Hospital Jacksonville Expands Behavioral Health Care with New Inpatient Unit NNS 17 Jun 2019 -- More local services will be available for active and retired military service members and their adult family members, with the planned July opening of a new inpatient behavioral health unit at Naval Hospital (NH) Jacksonville. The inpatient unit will complement the hospital's existing outpatient services.
• Georgia Guard unit participates in Memphis Shake 2019 Army News 17 Jun 2019 -- Georgia National Guard Army and Air units participated in a joint exercise led by the Federal Emergency Management Agency at the Memphis Fire Department Training Center in Memphis, Tenn., June 3-7.
• Modernization of world nuclear forces continues despite overall decrease in number of warheads: New SIPRI Yearbook out now SIPRI 17 Jun 2019 -- SIPRI Governing Board Chair Ambassador Jan Eliasson, former Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, says: 'A key finding is that despite an overall decrease in the number of nuclear warheads in 2018, all nuclear weapon-possessing states continue to modernize their nuclear arsenals.'
• Global Nuclear Arsenal Declines, But Future Cuts Uncertain Amid U.S.-Russia Tensions RFE/RL 17 Jun 2019 -- The number of nuclear weapons held by world powers declined in the past year, but future reductions look uncertain because of the "political and military differences" between Moscow and Washington, an influential research group says.
• 'Fewer But Newer': SIPRI Report Finds Amount of Nuclear Weapons on Decline, But Getting Modernized Sputnik 17 Jun 2019 -- A recently published report reveals that although there has been a decrease in the world's overall number of nuclear warheads in 2019, nuclear-armed states are currently modernizing their arsenals.
• Su-27 Jets Intercept US B-52 Bombers Approaching Russian Borders from Black and Baltic Seas - MoD Sputnik 17 Jun 2019 -- Last week, the Russian Armed Forces' official newspaper, Krasnaya Zvezda, reported that Russian jets had been scrambled 10 times in the past few days to intercept foreign planes that were detected near Russia's airspace.
• Russia to Reinforce Western Border as US Plans to Deploy More Troops in Poland Sputnik 17 Jun 2019 -- Russia will reinforce its troops at the country's western border as a response to US plan to send additional troops to Poland, Vladimir Dzhabarov, the deputy chairman of the Russian upper house's foreign affairs committee said on Monday.
• Russian Aerospace Forces Receive 2 Modern MiG-35 Fighters - Head of MiG Corporation Sputnik 17 Jun 2019 -- The Russian Aerospace Forces have received two modern MiG-35 fighters and will receive four more before the end of the year, Russian Aircraft Corporation MiG Director General Ilya Tarasenko said.
• RAF Typhoons scramble to intercept Russian fighters as part of Baltic Air Policing Mission UK MOD 17 Jun 2019 -- RAF jets deployed in Estonia were scrambled twice over the weekend (14-15 June) to intercept Russian fighter aircraft.
• China dismisses 'irresponsible actions' accusation by US in Djibouti Global Times 17 Jun 2019 -- US media's report claiming that China tried to "constrain international airspace" by barring aircraft from flying over the Chinese military base in Djibouti, flashed lasers at the US pilots and deployed drones to interfere in US operations is completely inconsistent with the facts, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Monday.
• Israel in possession of close to 100 nuclear warheads: SIPRI Press TV 17 Jun 2019 -- A new report reveals that the Israeli regime is in possession of approximately 100 atomic warheads which it refuses to confirm or deny as part of its policy of nuclear ambiguity.
• Department Press Briefing – June 17, 2019 US Dept. of State 17 Jun 2019

Defense Industry

• Contracts for June 17, 2019
• Airbus welcomes Franco-German decision to onboard Spain as partner in Future Combat Air System programme Airbus 17 Jun 2019 -- At the 2019 Paris Air Show, the Governments of France and Germany officially welcomed Spain as a partner nation in the sixth-generation Future Combat Air System (FCAS) programme.
• Industrial agreement, offers delivered to France and Germany: Dassault Aviation and Airbus achieve next decisive milestone for Future Combat Air System programme Dassault Aviation 17 Jun 2019 -- Dassault Aviation and Airbus SE have delivered a joint industrial proposal to the governments of France and Germany for the first Demonstrator Phase of the Future Combat Air System (FCAS).

Other Conflicts

• 17 June 2019 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 17 Jun 2019
• US politicizes boat accident Global Times 17 Jun 2019 -- Irresponsible remarks from the US on the accidental collision between Chinese and Filipino fishing boats revealed its intention to damage China's relations with countries in the South China Sea area and destabilize the Asia-Pacific region, Chinese experts said Monday.
• Saudi airport comes under 2nd bout of Yemen retaliation Press TV 17 Jun 2019 -- A second round of Yemeni retaliatory strikes hits an airport in southwestern Saudi Arabia in a little over 24 hours.
• Aid suspension in Yemen likely to start this week, warns UN food chief Press TV 17 Jun 2019 -- The executive director of the United Nations World Food Programme has warned that the humanitarian situation in Yemen is deteriorating due to a diversion of aid and clashes between Houthi Ansarullah fighters and militiamen loyal to Yemen's former president Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi.
• Yemen launches fresh retaliatory attack on Abha airport Press TV 17 Jun 2019 -- Yemeni forces have launched a fresh drone attack on an airport in Abha, the capital city of the province of Asir in southern Saudi Arabia, in retaliation for Riyadh's bombardment of the innocent people of Yemen during the past four years.
• UN Security Council strongly condemns Houthi militias' targeting of Abha International Airport SPA 17 Jun 2019 -- Members of the UN Security Council today strongly condemned the targeting of Abha International Airport with a projectile by the Houthi militia, which resulted in the injury of 26 civilians, including children and women of different nationalities.
• Permanent Representative of Yemen to United Nations: The government calls on the Security Council to take all measures against Houthi militias and supporting forces SPA 17 Jun 2019 -- The Yemeni government confirmed that the continuation of the Houthi terrorist militias targeting civilian installations in Saudi Arabia and the international maritime corridors, with the support and guidance of the Iranian regime, reflects the extent of the danger posed by these coup militias, pointing out that these terrorist acts represent a flagrant challenge to the international community and a clear message to the world that these militias do not believe in peace and have no desire and willingness to respond to their demands.
• Yemen's Houthi Faction Launches Wide Drone Operations Against Saudi Airport - Report Sputnik 17 Jun 2019 -- Yemeni Shia Houthi rebels on Monday launched a new attack on the international airport of Saudi Arabia's southwest city of Abha, local media reported. It comes almost a week after a Houthi rocket hit the arrival lounge of the Saudi airport, leaving 26 people injured.
• Yemeni Houthi Rebels Stage 4th Attack on Saudi Arabia's Abha Airport in 7 Days – Reports Sputnik 17 Jun 2019 -- Yemeni Houthi Rebels staged the fourth attack in a week on the international airport of the Saudi city of Abha, local media reported.
• Yemeni children 'dying right now' due to food aid diversions Beasley warns Security Council UN News 17 Jun 2019 -- Food continues to be taken "from the mouths of hungry little boys and little girls" in many areas of Yemen controlled by Houthi rebels, warned the head of the UN World Food Programme (WFP) on Monday, who said the agency would be forced to suspend some food assistance within days, unless agreements are finally honoured.
• Car bomb explosion rocks northeastern Syrian city of Qamishli; casualties reported Press TV 17 Jun 2019 -- Several people have lost their lives or sustained injuries when a powerful explosion ripped through a residential area in Syria's Kurdish-populated northeastern city of Qamishli on the border with Turkey.
• 12 civilians killed after mortar attack hits Syrian wedding party Press TV 17 Jun 2019 -- At least 12 Syrian civilians have been killed and more than a dozen injured after a wedding party was hit by a terrorist mortar attack in Aleppo's suburbs.
• Iraq removes blast walls around Baghdad neighborhoods Press TV 17 Jun 2019 -- Iraqi authorities have removed nearly 30 kilometers of concrete blast walls across Baghdad in the past six months in the wake of a significant improvement of security situation.
• Head of Eastern Libyan Government Describes GNA Idea to Hold Peace Conference as Act of Despair Sputnik 17 Jun 2019 -- Abdullah Thinni, prime minister of the government based in eastern Libya, called the initiative of the head of Libya's UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA), Fayez Sarraj, to call a national reconciliation conference an "act of despair."
• Mideast peace attempts in vain without Palestinian state: Arab League chief Press TV 17 Jun 2019 -- Secretary-General of the Arab League Ahmed Aboul Gheit has warned that any attempt to settle the Israel-Palestine conflict without considering the establishment of a Palestinian state on all territories occupied by the regime in the 1967 Middle East war will be in vain.
• Palestinians in Gaza to receive new Qatari financial aid Press TV 17 Jun 2019 -- Palestinians in the besieged Gaza Strip will receive a new tranche of financial aid donated by the gas-rich Persian Gulf state of Qatar.
• Triple attack kills 30 in northeast Nigeria: Officials Press TV 17 Jun 2019 -- Militants have launched a triple bombing attack in northeast Nigeria killing a multitude of people in Borno State.
• Indian Army Major Killed, 3 Injured in Gunfight with Terrorists in Kashmir Sputnik 17 Jun 2019 -- Around 286 terrorists are still believed to be active in the Kashmir valley. The Kashmiri insurrection commenced in 1989 with a section of pro-independence youths launching an armed struggle in the Indian-administered part of the region.
• UN chief accepts independent report on Myanmar, highlighting 'systemic' failure surrounding Rohingya crisis UN News 17 Jun 2019 -- An independent review into how the UN System operated in Myanmar in the years leading up to the mass exodus of the Rohingya following serious human rights abuses, has concluded there were "systemic and structural failures" that prevented a unified strategy from being implemented.
• Erdogan Dismisses Athens' EU Sanctions Threat over Cyprus VOA 17 Jun 2019 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is dismissing threats of European Union sanctions as tensions escalate over disputed energy rights on the divided island of Cyprus. The dispute threatens to further isolate Ankara, which is already facing a major crisis with Washington.
• US Reopens Permanent USAID Mission in Somalia VOA 17 Jun 2019 -- The United States is reopening its permanent U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Mission in Somalia, 28 years since its closing on January 5, 1991.

News Reports

• Pentagon: New Photos Offer More Proof Iran Attacked Oil Tankers Last Week VOA 17 Jun 2019 -- The Pentagon has released new photographs it says are more proof that Iran attacked two foreign oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman last week.
• Sudan protesters urge new night-time rallies over 'massacre' Press TV 17 Jun 2019 -- Sudan's protest movement has called for night-time rallies in the capital Khartoum, to condemn the "massacre" of demonstrators at a sit-in early this month.
• League of Arab States Supports Peaceful Transition of Power in Sudan - Secretary General Sputnik 17 Jun 2019 -- League of Arab States (LAS) Secretary General Ahmed Aboul Gheit said Sunday that LAS supported a peaceful transition of power in Sudan, as well as the resolution of the political crisis in the country without external intervention.
• Egypt's former President Mohamed Morsi dies in court Press TV 17 Jun 2019 -- Egypt's former President Mohamed Morsi has passed away during a trial court session in the capital Cairo, state television says.
• Egypt's Ex-President Morsi Dies During Trial RFE/RL 17 Jun 2019 -- Egypt's ousted President Muhammad Morsi has died after fainting in a courtroom in Cairo, officials say.
• Former Egypt President Mohamed Morsi Dies After Fainting in Courtroom at Age 67 - Report Sputnik 17 Jun 2019 -- One of the top members of the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood and the leader of the Freedom and Justice Party ruled the country between June 2012 and July 2013.
• Former Egyptian President Morsi Dies in Court VOA 17 Jun 2019 -- Egypt's former President Mohamed Morsi, the country's first democratically elected head of state who was later ousted from power, collapsed and died during a court session.
• Kremlin says report on US cyber attack on Russia's power grid worrying Press TV 17 Jun 2019 -- The Kremlin has described as quite worrying a New York Times report alleging that the United States has escalated its cyber attacks against Russia through incorporating malicious software into Russian power systems.
• Putin Trust Ratings Slip In New Survey By State-Funded Pollster RFE/RL 17 Jun 2019 -- Russians' trust in President Vladimir Putin has slipped again, according to a survey by Russia's main state-funded pollster released just days before Putin's annual nationally televised call-in show.
• France Would Like to Avoid Russia's Complete Withdrawal From Council of Europe - Macron Sputnik 17 Jun 2019 -- France would like to avoid Russia's complete withdrawal from the Council of Europe, which would be bad for many parties, including Russian people, French President Emmanuel Macron said on Monday.
• Leaked N. Korean Document Shows Internal Policy Against Denuclearization VOA 17 Jun 2019 -- An official North Korean document obtained by the Voice of America suggests Kim Jong Un does not intend to give up his regime's nuclear weapons, a position that appears to contradict the Trump administration's certainty that North Korea will denuclearize.
• Xi to make state visit to NK Global Times 17 Jun 2019 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping is scheduled to visit North Korea on Thursday and Friday. Experts noted that making such a significant visit before the convening of the G20 summit in Japan shows that China is trying to further highlight its unique influence in pushing forward the peace process on the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue.
• Xi Jinping to Visit DPRK KCNA 17 Jun 2019 -- At the invitation of Kim Jong Un, chairman of the Workers' Party of Korea and chairman of the State Affairs Commission of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and president of the People's Republic of China, will pay a state visit to the DPRK from June 20 to 21. -0-
• Xi to pay state visit to DPRK People's Daily 17 Jun 2019 -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and Chinese president, will pay a state visit to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) from June 20 to 21, at the invitation of Kim Jong Un, chairman of the Workers' Party of Korea and chairman of the State Affairs Commission of the DPRK.
• Russia says dialogue only way to achieve peace on Korean Peninsula Press TV 17 Jun 2019 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says dialogue is the "only possible way" to achieve peace on the Korean Peninsula and that Russia will work to promote the negotiation process to resolve the crisis in the region.
• Russia, China Activate Korean Talks Ahead of G20 RFE/RL 17 Jun 2019 -- Russia says it has invited South Korea to join in developing a "new Russian-Chinese initiative" to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula amid a flurry of diplomacy on the topic ahead of next week's Group of 20 (G20) summit in Japan.
• Iran registers four-fold growth of uranium output IRNA 17 Jun 2019 -- Spokesman of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Behrouz Kamalvandi said on Monday that output of uranium has increased four-fold and will surpass 300kg in the next ten days.
• Iran to surpass 300kg enriched uranium limit in 10 days: AEOI spokesman ISNA 17 Jun 2019 -- Iran will surpass the 300kg limit that was previously determined for enriched uranium, in 10 days, the spokesman of Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) said on Monday. However he added European countries still had time to save Iran's nuclear deal.
• Iran's enriched uranium stockpile to surpass 300 kg from June 27: AEOI spokesman Press TV 17 Jun 2019 -- The spokesman for the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran says the country will surpass the uranium stockpile limit set under the nuclear deal from June 27.
• US Calls Iran Plan to Surpass Uranium Stockpile Limit 'Nuclear Blackmail' VOA 17 Jun 2019 -- The United States calls Iran's plan to surpass the internationally agreed limit on its stock of low-enriched uranium "nuclear blackmail."
• Iran Expects to Surpass Uranium Stockpile Limit in 10 Days VOA 17 Jun 2019 -- Iran's atomic energy agency said Monday the country would soon surpass the limit on the amount of enriched uranium it is allowed to keep under the 2015 international agreement aimed at restraining its nuclear weapons program.
• Kremlin: Tehran honors all its nuclear commitments IRNA 17 Jun 2019 -- Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Monday that Moscow judges Iran nuclear program based on the reports issued by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) officials who say Iran has honored all its nuclear commitments under a 2015 multilateral deal known as JCPOA.
• EU reiterates support for Iran nuclear deal IRNA 17 Jun 2019 -- The European External Action Service (EEAS) said in a statement on Monday that the visit to Iran of EEAS Secretary General Helga Schmid is a token of the EU support for the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.
• France: Iran nuclear deal can still be saved Press TV 17 Jun 2019 -- France says there is a window of opportunity between now and July 8 -- when Iran has warned it could be forced to suspend more of its nuclear obligations -- to save the nuclear deal between the Islamic Republic and world countries.
• Saudi policies stoking militarism, tension, crisis: Iran Press TV 17 Jun 2019 -- Iran says Saudi Arabia lacks true understanding of variables in the Middle East and is fomenting tensions through its "militarism and crisis-fomenting" policies.
• Collapse of nuclear deal will not benefit Iran, France, world: Rouhani Press TV 17 Jun 2019 -- Iran's President Hassan Rouhani says France and other signatories to a 2015 nuclear deal with the Islamic Republic must do their best to help the accord survive, as its failure will not serve the interests of Iran, France and the entire world.
• If Iran wants to block Persian Gulf oil exports, it will do it publicly: Military chief Press TV 17 Jun 2019 -- Iran's military chief says if the Islamic Republic decided to stop oil flow from the Persian Gulf, it will do it publicly and there will be nothing covert about it.
• U.S. Calls For International Response To Iran's 'Nuclear Blackmail' RFE/RL 17 Jun 2019 -- The United States says Iran's plan to breach the limit on its stockpile of enriched uranium, which was set under a 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, amounts to "nuclear blackmail" and must be met with "increased international pressure."
• Iran uncovered, busted CIA-run cyber-espionage network: Security chief Press TV 17 Jun 2019 -- Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Ali Shamkhani says the country's intelligence apparatus has successfully discovered and dealt a serious blow to a cyber-espionage network, which was run by the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and operated in a number of countries.
• Iran Claims It Uncovered U.S. Cyberespionage Network RFE/RL 17 Jun 2019 -- Iran claims it has exposed a U.S. cyberespionage network run by the CIA and that several spies have been arrested in several countries as a result.
• Arrests Made as Iran Busts 'Large' CIA-Run Network - Reports Sputnik 17 Jun 2019 -- The development comes against the backdrop of tensions between the United States and Iran that dramatically escalated last week, when Washington accused Tehran of being behind attacks on two oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman.
• US: Hong Kong Protesters Demonstrate for Basic Rights VOA 17 Jun 2019 -- The U.S. voiced new support Monday for Hong Kong democracy activists, saying they were demonstrating for basic rights.
• Taiwan's legislature expresses support for Hong Kong people CNA 17 Jun 2019 -- Cross-party caucuses in the Legislative Yuan expressed support for Hong Kong people through a resolution Monday, amid ongoing controversy over an extradition bill that has already seen millions of residents of the Chinese Special Administrative Region take to the streets.
• 'American hand' seen behind HK bill protest Global Times 17 Jun 2019 -- The American hand behind the radical forces in protests against Hong Kong's extradition bill, has launched all-around attacks to obstruct the regional government's legislative process, a Hong Kong alliance convener who supports the bill said.
• China warns West over 'ill-intentioned' meddling in Hong Kong Press TV 17 Jun 2019 -- China slams "ill-intended" and "hypocritical" foreign intervention in the affairs of Hong Kong after violent protests over a proposed amendment to the city's extradition law.
• China to Introduce Rare Earths Policies as Soon as Possible Sputnik 17 Jun 2019 -- China's state planner said on Monday it will study, develop and roll out relevant policies on rare earths as soon as possible amid the ongoing trade war with the US.
• China to tame illegal rare-earth exports, mulls tracking system Global Times 17 Jun 2019 -- China has vowed to impose stern export restrictions on its rare-earth resources and may introduce a tracking mechanism for the rare-earth industry to ensure export compliance, an official said on Monday.
• Top political advisor stresses cross-Straits economic exchanges, integration Global Times 17 Jun 2019 -- Top political advisor Wang Yang Sunday called economic exchanges and integration across the Taiwan Straits a general trend that no force can hold back.
• To Resist or Engage Old Foe China: Focus of Taiwan's Presidential Race VOA 17 Jun 2019 -- The Taiwan ruling party's expected nomination this week of Beijing-wary incumbent President Tsai Ing-wen for a second term in office will kick off a campaign season highlighted by the island's sticky, increasingly strained ties with China.
• EU Foreign Ministers Call For 'Strong Partnership' With Central Asia RFE/RL 17 Jun 2019 -- The European Union member states have adopted a new strategy on Central Asia, saying the document aims at forging a "strong and durable partnership" between the bloc and countries of the region.
• Libyan National Found Guilty of Terrorism Charges in 2012 Attack on U.S. Facilities in Benghazi US Dept. of Justice 17 Jun 2019 -- Mustafa al-Imam, a Libyan national approximately 48 years old, was found guilty of terrorism charges for his participation in the Sept. 11, 2012, attack on the U.S. Special Mission and Annex in Benghazi, Libya. Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens and U.S. government personnel Sean Smith, Tyrone Woods and Glen Doherty died in the attack at the Mission and the nearby Annex in Benghazi.
• Turkmen President Names Son Provincial Governor RFE/RL 17 Jun 2019 -- Turkmenistan's authoritarian President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov has appointed his son as governor of the south-central region of Ahal, state media report.
• Kyrgyz Commission Brings NIne Charges Against Ex-President Atambaev RFE/RL 17 Jun 2019 -- A Kyrgyz parliamentary commission has indicted former President Almazbek Atambaev on nine counts of corruption in a move toward stripping him of his immunity to allow for his prosecution.
• Cities Sinking in Pakistan's Baluchistan Province VOA 17 Jun 2019 -- Local and American experts warn unchecked groundwater extraction in major urban centers in Pakistan's Baluchistan province has triggered the sinking of the land at a rate of 10 centimeters a year, causing cracks in buildings, roads, and agricultural fields.
• Catalan Separatists to Back Sanchez Despite Prospect of Harsh Jail Terms VOA 17 Jun 2019 -- Legislators representing the Catalan independence movement appear ready to help clear the way for Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez to form a new government despite the looming prospect of harsh prison sentences facing a dozen of the movement's leaders.