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Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• US, Afghan Taliban Pause Peace Talks for One Day VOA 05 Jul 2019 -- The Afghan Taliban and the United States took a break from a seventh round of peace negotiations Friday, with the Taliban saying they had made "good progress" over the past six days toward agreeing on a timetable for foreign troops to leave Afghanistan.
• Over 40 Civilians Killed, Wounded as Mortar Shell Hits Market in Afghanistan - Reports Sputnik 05 Jul 2019 -- Earlier in June, at least eight policemen were killed and seven others were injured after a Taliban-hijacked military armoured car laden with explosives rammed into a police building in the eastern Afghan province of Ghazni.
• Thousands Of Internally Displaced Afghans Return Home RFE/RL 05 Jul 2019 -- More than 2,000 families who had left their villages in eastern Afghanistan amid military operations and militant attacks have returned home as the security situation improved, local authorities in the province of Nangarhar say.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Kearsarge Rocks Out on Liberty in Spain NNS 05 Jul 2019 -- The Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) departed Naval Station Rota, Spain following a port visit, July 3.
• CRS 2, USCGC Kiska arrived in Yap, Federated States of Micronesia NNS 05 Jul 2019 -- Two Mark VI patrol boats, attached to Coastal Riverine Squadron (CRS) 2, along with the Island-class Patrol Boat USCGC Kiska arrived in Colonia, Yap July 3 for a port visit.
• Ronald Reagan Strike Group Arrives in Brisbane NNS 05 Jul 2019 -- The Ronald Reagan Strike Group arrived in Brisbane, Australia, July 5 for a regularly scheduled port visit.
• Comfort Completes First Medical Mission of 2019 Deployment in Manta NNS 05 Jul 2019 -- The hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) wrapped up its first medical mission in Manta, Ecuador, during a symbolic closing ceremony, July 3.
• Press point by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg following the meeting of the NATO-Russia Council NATO 05 Jul 2019
• Russia intercepts US spy plane over Black Sea Press TV 05 Jul 2019 -- A Russian Sukhoi Su-27 fighter jet has intercepted a US spy plane that was approaching Russia's border over the Black Sea.
nd the European Union.
• Russian Su-27 Jet Scrambled to Intercept US Spy Plane Over Black Sea - Military Sputnik 05 Jul 2019 -- A Russian Su-27 fighter jet intercepted a US P-8A Poseidon reconnaissance aircraft as it approached Russian airspace over the Black Sea, the Russian Defence Ministry said on Friday.
• Russian Navy Starts Own Drills in Black Sea Amid NATO Sea Breeze Exercises Sputnik 05 Jul 2019 -- The Russian Navy has begun scheduled exercises in the Black Sea, as NATO's Sea Breeze naval drills are currently taking place, the press service of the Southern Military District said.
• NATO: No Breakthroughs in INF Talks With Russia VOA 05 Jul 2019 -- NATO and Russia did not make any breakthroughs on the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF) in talks at the alliance headquarters, NATO's secretary-general said.
• NATO Chief: Russia Still Not Complying With Arms-Control Treaty RFE/RL 05 Jul 2019 -- NATO's secretary-general said Russia has shown no signs of complying with a key Cold War-era arms-control treaty, amid years of accusations from Washington and European allies.
• Russia Vows Mirror Response to Mid-Range Missile Deployment in NATO Countries Sputnik 05 Jul 2019 -- Earlier on Friday NATO Chief Jens Stoltenberg said that the alliance would respond with coordinated "defensive" measures in the event of the termination of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty.
• MND voices optimism on purchase of M1A2 tanks from U.S. CNA 05 Jul 2019 -- The Ministry of National Defense (MND) confirmed Friday its efforts to procure M1A2 Abrams tanks and other weapons from the United States and welcomed news that the sale could be announced in the near future.
• US creates trouble with lies about PLA missile launch Global Times 05 Jul 2019 -- The Pentagon claimed this week that the People's Liberation Army (PLA) launched a Chinese missile from the "man-made structures in the South China Sea" near the Nansha Islands. "Man-made structures" refer to the island reefs that China built on the Nansha Islands. The Pentagon said China's acts were meant to "intimidate other South China Sea claimants."
• PLA naval drills near Hainan not targeted at any country: defense ministry Global Times 05 Jul 2019 -- The Southern Theatre Command of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) recently conducted live-fire shooting exercises in waters in proximity to Hainan Province, according to a recent annual training report, and were not aimed at a specific target or country, China's Ministry of National Defense told the Global Times on Friday.
• Chinese, German army medics start joint exercise in Feldkirchen Global Times 05 Jul 2019 -- The medical services of the Chinese and German armed forces started an integrated exercise on medical support in Germany's southern military base of Feldkirchen on Friday.
• Defence Modernisation Takes A Hit as India Doesn't Raise Annual Allocation in Budget Sputnik 05 Jul 2019 -- Amid growing needs to modernise the armed forces, the Indian government has kept the defence budget at the level announced during the interim budget in February.
• Turkey to receive 1st shipment of Russian S-400 defense system Sunday: Report Press TV 05 Jul 2019 -- The first shipment of Russian S-400 air defense systems to Turkey are set to be delivered to the NATO member country next week, Turkish media say.
• Turkish Media Releases New Details on How S-400 Will Be Delivered Sputnik 05 Jul 2019 -- Turkey's decision to buy the advanced Russian-made air defence system has led to a significant souring of relations with Washington, which has threatened to slap Ankara with sanctions and to deprive the country of the F-35 fighters it had already bought and paid for.
• India Should Act as Guarantor of Peace and Stability in Indian Ocean Region: Maldives Sputnik 05 Jul 2019 -- The Maldives' Chief of Defence Forces Major General Abdulla Shamaal on Friday, said India should act as the guarantor of peace and stability in the Indian Ocean Region. Major General Abdullah feels radicalisation and violent extremism have posed a critical threat to the states in the region.
• Remarks by President Trump Before Marine One Departure The White House 05 Jul 2019

Defense Industry

• Contracts for July 5, 2019

Other Conflicts

• Saudi airports come under fresh retaliatory raids by Yemen Press TV 05 Jul 2019 -- Yemen's Houthi Ansarullah forces have carried out fresh retaliatory strikes against military sites in Saudi Arabia's Abha and Jizan airports after bypassing the kingdom's air defenses.
• Foundation Linked To Russian Troll Farm Says Two Employees Detained In Libya RFE/RL 05 Jul 2019 -- A Moscow organization with links to the notorious Russian "troll farm" said two of its employees have been arrested by Libyan authorities, and one news report said they were accused of trying to influence upcoming elections there.
• UN accuses Libyan guards of shooting refugees fleeing Tripoli airstrikes Press TV 05 Jul 2019 -- "There are reports that following the first impact, some refugees and migrants were fired upon by guards as they tried to escape," said the OCHA report, which came a day after UN authorities emphasized that the airstrikes -- by renegade Libyan General Khalifa Haftar – may have constituted a war crime.
• Putin blames NATO for destruction of Libya, warns about flow of terrorists from Syria Press TV 05 Jul 2019 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin says the US-led NATO military alliance is to blame for the destruction of Libya, warning that the situation there was deteriorating as more and more militants are moving from Syria into the North African country.
• Turkish President Erdogan Urges Haftar to Stop Attacks in Libya - Report Sputnik 05 Jul 2019 -- Last Saturday, Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, who leads the Libyan National Army (LNA), threatened to attack Turkish assets in the country for allegedly supporting the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA).
• Six children among 53 confirmed fatalities after Libya detention centre airstrikes: Security Council condemns attack UN News 05 Jul 2019 -- The toll from Tuesday's reported airstrikes on a detention centre in the suburbs of Tripoli has risen to 53 dead and more than 130 injured among the "severely traumatized" surviving migrants and refugees, UN aid agencies said on Friday, reiterating their appeal to close all such facilities in the embattled country.
• UN: Release All Refugees, Migrants from Libyan Detention Centers VOA 05 Jul 2019 -- United Nations agencies are calling for the release of all refugees and migrants from Libyan detention centers. The call comes in the wake of the deadly airstrike July 2 on the Tajoura detention center, on the outskirts of the capital, Tripoli.
• Libyan National Army Downs Rival GNA Warplane – Statement Sputnik 05 Jul 2019 -- The Libyan National Army (LNA), headed by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, on Thursday downed a warplane belonging to forces loyal to the Government of National Accord (GNA), the LNA press service claimed.
• 'Deal of the Century' to Fail Just Like US-Led Conference in Bahrain - Palestine's Abbas Sputnik 05 Jul 2019 -- Washington's so-called deal of the century for settling the Israeli-Palestinian conflict will fail just like the US-led "Peace to Prosperity" conference that took place in Bahrain last week, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said on Thursday.
• Heavy Fighting Erupts Between Indian, Pakistani Forces in Kashmir Region - Reports Sputnik 05 Jul 2019 -- Heavy firing exchanges were reported on Friday between Indian and Pakistani forces on the so-called Line of Control (LoC) in the disputed Jammu and Kashmir region, local media reported.
• Pakistan Will Not Dare Infiltrating Again Like Kargil War: Indian Army Chief Sputnik 05 Jul 2019 -- Months after the Balakot airstrike that escalated India-Pakistan tensions to a war-like situation, Indian Army Chief General Bipin Rawat has said Pakistan will not dare to attempt infiltrating India as it did in Kargil in 1999 because it has "seen the consequences".
• Scores of Rohingya refugee shelters in Bangladesh destroyed by flooding UN News 05 Jul 2019 -- Heavy monsoon rains in Bangladesh have drenched the Cox's Bazar settlement, home to more than 900,000 Rohingya refugees, destroying some 273 shelters, and injuring 11 people, the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, said on Friday. The huge refugee camp has been hit by three days of non-stop rain, and more heavy downpours are expected throughout next week, with four months of the monsoon season still to go.
• Sentencing for Garissa Attacks Brings No Closure to Survivors VOA 05 Jul 2019 -- A Kenyan court Wednesday sentenced three men connected to the deadly 2015 assault on Garissa University that killed 148 people, most of them students.

News Reports

• UN Human Rights Report Documents Maduro Regime's Human Rights Abuses US Dept. of State 05 Jul 2019
• Russia Vows to Beef Up Venezuelan Military, Counter Destabilisation Attempts Sputnik 05 Jul 2019 -- The situation in Venezuela has been tense since January following the eruption of anti-government protests, fueled by opposition leader Juan Guaido's proclamation as the nation's interim president.
• UN human rights chief 'hopeful' Venezuelan authorities are ready to address violations, calls for dialogue UN News 05 Jul 2019 -- "The only way out of this crisis is to come together, in dialogue": that was the clear message delivered by Michelle Bachelet, the UN human rights chief, to the Government of Venezuela on Friday, during an address to the Human Rights Council, coinciding with the publication of a new UN report on Venezuela.
• UN Report Accuses Venezula Regime of Murder, Torture, Repression VOA 05 Jul 2019 -- A U.N. report accuses the government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro of extra-judicial killings and of repressive measures aimed at neutralizing political opponents. U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Michele Bachelet presented the report Friday to the U.N. Human Rights Council.
• UN chief welcomes power-sharing deal between Sudanese military and opposition UN News 05 Jul 2019 -- UN Secretary-General António Guterres said on Friday he was "encouraged" by reports of a newly-inked power-sharing deal between the Forces for Freedom and Change – a coalition of opposition and protest groups – and Sudan's ruling military council.
• Sudan Military Council, Opposition Reach Power-Sharing Agreement for Transition Period - Report Sputnik 05 Jul 2019 -- Sudan's Transitional Military Council (TMC) and the country's largest opposition alliance, the Forces of Freedom and Change, have reached an understanding on a number of matters, local media have reported, citing a representative of the African Union engaged in mediation efforts in the nation.
• Putin Looks To Italy To Help Mend EU Ties, Bring Sanctions Relief RFE/RL 05 Jul 2019 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin says he hopes the leadership of the populist government of Italy will help persuade the European Union's new chiefs to ease their policy towards sanctions imposed on Moscow.
• President Putin calls on Italian PM to help improve ties between Russia, EU Press TV 05 Jul 2019 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has called on Italy to help improve a "mutually respectful relationship" between Moscow a

• Russian Security Agency Detains Aide To Presidential Envoy On Treason Charges RFE/RL 05 Jul 2019 -- Russia's main security agency detained an aide to a Kremlin-appointed envoy on treason charges, in what appeared to the first such case targeting a government official since the Soviet collapse.
• Iran may boost uranium enrichment level to 5%: Official Press TV 05 Jul 2019 -- A senior Iranian official says the country may increase the level of its enriched uranium to at least five percent as of July 7, as part of a decision to reduce its commitments under a 2015 nuclear deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
• Russia condemns UK for seizing Iranian oil supertanker off Gibraltar Press TV 05 Jul 2019 -- Russia has condemned Britain for its seizure of an Iran-operated supertanker off the coast of Gibraltar, calling the provocative move a deliberate step geared to further deteriorate the situation in the Middle East.
• UN nuclear watchdog to hold emergency meeting on Iran Press TV 05 Jul 2019 -- The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) says it will hold an emergency meeting on Iran next week, a few days after a planned increase in the level of Iran's uranium enrichment, which will come as part of the country's reduction of its commitments under a multilateral 2015 nuclear deal to reciprocate Europe's inaction to fully abide by the agreement.
• British Seek Clues to Iranian Sanction Busting From Crew of Seized Tanker VOA 05 Jul 2019 -- British police on Friday were questioning the crew of an Iranian supertanker that was seized at 4 a.m. Thursday in waters near Gibraltar, and which remains anchored close to the eastern shore of what locals refer to as "the Rock."
• British Seizure of Iranian Tanker Draws Tehran's Wrath VOA 05 Jul 2019 -- The impounding off the coast of Gibraltar of a supertanker suspected of smuggling two million barrels of Iranian oil is adding to spiraling tensions between Washington and Tehran.
• Gibraltar officials extend Iranian oil tanker detention for 2 more weeks IRNA 05 Jul 2019 -- Government of Gibraltar stated that they had obtained an order issued by the Supreme Court that would effectively extend the detention of the Grace 1 tanker by two weeks.
• Gibraltar court extends detention of Iranian tanker for 14 days: Attorney general Press TV 05 Jul 2019 -- A top court in the British overseas territory of Gibraltar has ruled that an Iranian supertanker illegally seized in the Strait of Gibraltar can be detained for up to 14 more days.
• Iran must seize UK oil vessel if tanker not released: Official Press TV 05 Jul 2019 -- A senior Iranian official has called for the seizure of a British oil tanker in case London refuses to release the Iranian vessel it has illegally detained in Gibraltar.
• UK's 'illegal' seizure of Iranian oil tanker praised by Bolton Press TV 05 Jul 2019 -- US National Security Adviser John Bolton has hailed Britain's "illegal" seizure of an Iranian oil tanker in the Strait of Gibraltar.
• Gibraltar Investigating Seized Iranian Tanker; Influential Iranian Calls For Seizing British Ships RFE/RL 05 Jul 2019 -- Gibraltar authorities said they continued to investigate an Iranian tanker that was boarded and seized by British Royal Marines on suspicion of smuggling Iranian oil to Syria, in violation of European Union sanctions.
• UK Seizure of Iranian Tanker is 'Piracy' – Iran Foreign Ministry Sputnik 05 Jul 2019 -- The Islamic republic, following the UK seizure of an Iranian tanker in the Gibraltar Strait, said that it will use all political and legal means to have the ship released, as Tehran affirms the boat was operating in accordance with the ongoing international sanctions regime.
• Cost of non-compliance with obligations in JCPOA IRNA 05 Jul 2019 -- Iran has continued to reduce its commitment to the JCPOA by crossing 300-kilogram ceiling in uranium enrichment; a reciprocal action against the lack of adherence by the signatory parties which will continue in the face of procrastination and not taking practical and tangible steps.
• Trump and Iran's reciprocal measure via reducing commitments to JCPOA IRNA 05 Jul 2019 -- Analysts and media in the West believe that US president Donald Trump's actions have led Iran to reduce its commitments to the 2015 nuclear deal known as JCPOA; in this framework, the best solution, is change in the approach of the US president and more European mobility.
• Iran says reducing nuclear deal commitments to save it from 'total collapse' Press TV 05 Jul 2019 -- Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says Tehran's decision to scale down its commitments under the JCPOA is indeed aimed at protecting the multilateral deal, not killing it.
• 'We Can Prevent JCPOA From Total Collapse' - Iranian FM Mohammad Javad Zarif Sputnik 05 Jul 2019 -- On 7 July, the Iran ultimatum to Europe expires, since the EU failed to provide Tehran with a trade mechanism and Iran will resume uranium enrichment.
• UK urged to stay away from Hong Kong affairs Global Times 05 Jul 2019 -- Citizens and legislators in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on Friday urged the UK to stop interfering in China's domestic affairs, as the city recovers from the scars after its legislative body was stormed by a group of radical protesters earlier this week.
• U.S. must lift all additional tariffs for agreement with China: commerce ministry People's Daily 05 Jul 2019 -- Because the Sino-U.S. economic and trade frictions were triggered by the U.S. imposition of additional tariffs on Chinese goods, all those tariffs must be lifted if the two countries could reach an agreement, the Ministry of Commerce (MOC) said Thursday.
• China's Reforms Move May Just Be Bargaining Chip for US Negotiators VOA 05 Jul 2019 -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang recently announced a major economic reform move, saying China would scrap ownership controls on foreign companies investing in the financial sector next year, ahead of schedule.
• Chinese official says both sides of Taiwan Strait are 'one family' CNA 05 Jul 2019 -- Liu Jieyi (劉結一), the director of China's Taiwan Affairs Office, said both sides of the Taiwan Strait are "one family" but avoided sensitive terms like "one country, two systems" and "peaceful reunification" when he met with Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) in Shanghai on Friday.
• Iran to launch 3 homegrown satellites by year end: Official IRNA 05 Jul 2019 -- Head of Iranian Space Agency (ISA) announced that three remote sensing and communication satellites will be completed by the end of the current Iranian year (to end March 20, 2020).
• India Sets Roadmap to Become $5 Trillion Economy by 2025 VOA 05 Jul 2019 -- Facing an economic slowdown, India has unveiled plans to ramp up foreign investment and meet its ambitious target of growing into a $ 5 trillion economy by 2025.
• Car bomb kills three Syrians in Turkey Press TV 05 Jul 2019 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says three Syrian citizens have lost their lives in a car bomb explosion in southeast Turkey, near the border with Syria, adding that the attack may be terroristic.
• Sheikh Zakzaky in dire need of treatement: Rights group warns Press TV 05 Jul 2019 -- A London-based Islamic rights organization has called on Nigeria to immediately release top Shia Muslim cleric Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky from prison and send him abroad for urgent medical treatment.
• Georgian Prosecutors Allege Mass Protests Were Part Of Attempted Coup RFE/RL 05 Jul 2019 -- Prosecutors have alleged that the mass protests that roiled the Georgian capital last month were part of an attempted coup by unnamed individuals seeking to seize power.
• Kosovo Government Denies Ban On Serbian Officials, Deepening Confusion RFE/RL 05 Jul 2019 -- Kosovo's government has denied there was a ban on Serbian officials entering the country, contradicting the Foreign Ministry and deepening confusion in Pristina.
• Poland Criticizes EU For Postponing Accession Talks With Albania, North Macedonia RFE/RL 05 Jul 2019 -- Polish President Andrzej Duda has criticized the European Union for delaying accession talks with Albania and North Macedonia and urged the bloc to offer the Balkan states a clear path towards EU membership.
• European Leaders Seek To Reassure Western Balkans On Eventual EU Membership RFE/RL 05 Jul 2019 -- Officials from European countries sought to reassure Western Balkans nations that are hoping to join the European Union that the bloc still looks favorably on their aspirations.
• Moldovan Parliament Publishes Second Report On $1 Billion Bank Fraud RFE/RL 05 Jul 2019 -- A Moldovan parliamentary commission has published the second part of an investigation detailing the disappearance of some $1 billion from the nation's banking system, an event that the tiny, impoverished country is still reeling from.
• Assassinations, Arrests Test Ethiopia's Fragile Push Toward Democracy VOA 05 Jul 2019 -- Days after gunmen, led by a top general, killed five government officials, including a regional president and the army's chief of staff, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed planted olive seedlings at the National Palace in the capital, Addis Ababa, in their memory.
• African Leaders Meet to Push Forward Free-Trade Deal VOA 05 Jul 2019 -- Officials are gathering in Niger's capital this weekend for an African Union summit that begins the "operational phase" of a long-sought continental free trade zone.
• Election Protesters Promise Vigils in Malawi VOA 05 Jul 2019 -- Protesters in Malawi have wrapped up two days of demonstrations aimed at forcing the head of the country's electoral commission to resign.