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Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• Official: 25 Elite Afghan Commandos Killed In Clashes With Taliban RFE/RL 17 Jul 2019 -- An Afghan regional governor said 25 members of the country's elite commando units have been killed in fighting with the Taliban.
• 18 Afghan soldiers killed during raid on Taliban positions Press TV 17 Jul 2019 -- Eighteen Afghan soldiers have been killed during clashes with Taliban militants that erupted after the troops conducted a night raid on their hideouts to capture a top leader of the militant group, government officials say.
• Afghan Taliban force Swedish group to close some medical centers Press TV 17 Jul 2019 -- Taliban militants in Afghanistan have forced a foreign charity to close more than half of its health centers in a central province.
• Taliban Shuts 42 Swedish-Run Health Clinics in Afghanistan VOA 17 Jul 2019 -- An International relief agency says the Taliban has forced them to close dozens of clinics in an embattled central - eastern region of Afghanistan, depriving hundreds of thousands of people, particularly women and children, of receiving medical treatment and health services.
• Pentagon Gives Green Light to Deployment of 2,100 More Troops to US Southern Border Sputnik 17 Jul 2019 -- Previously, the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) requested that the Defence Department provide 1,000 additional troops to reinforce the border in a bid to stop the flow of illegal migrants crossing it.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Corps' new sniper rifle now fully operational USMC News 17 Jul 2019 -- Recon Marines and scout snipers now have a new weapon in their arsenal.
• Readout of Assistant Secretary of Defense Kenneth Rapuano's Meeting With Israeli Director of Policy and Political Military Affairs Zohar Palti DoD 17 Jul 2019
• Construction Begins on First B-21 Stealth Bomber for US Air Force Sputnik 17 Jul 2019 -- Defense contractor Northrop Grumman has begun construction on the US Air Force's next-generation stealth bomber, the B-21 Raider.
• US Army to Upgrade High-Powered Tactical Laser For Fight Against Drone Swarms Sputnik 17 Jul 2019 -- The US Army is working with officials within the US Navy to help upgrade its High Energy Laser Tactical Vehicle Demonstrator (HEL TVD) so that it can better combat aerial strikes from enemy drone swarms.
• Al Udeid AB drives largest sustainment airdrop in CENTCOM history US Air Force 17 Jul 2019 -- Airmen from the 746th and 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadrons conducted the largest sustainment airdrop in U.S. Central Command's history July 10-11.
• Air Force pilot flies HH-60W for first time US Air Force 17 Jul 2019 -- The 413th Flight Test Squadron successfully conducted the first Air Force-piloted flight of the HH-60W Combat Rescue Helicopter July 11. The test took place at Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation Development Flight Center in West Palm Beach.
• NATO: The Transatlantic Alliance at 70 - Conversation with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at the Aspen Security Forum NATO 17 Jul 2019
• NATO Must Not Forget Central Europe's Energy Needs In Countering Russian Influence, U.S. Senator Says RFE/RL 17 Jul 2019 -- The United States and NATO should invest in the energy infrastructure of former Warsaw Pact members as they seek to counter growing Russian power, a U.S. senator has said.
• NATO Committee Report Accidentally Disclosed US Nuke Locations in Europe – Reports Sputnik 17 Jul 2019 -- While elaborating plans regarding the future of NATO's nuclear deterrence capabilities and corresponding policy, some secrets were accidentally revealed by one of the organization's functionaries.
• NATO Commander Meets with Serb Leaders, Agrees to Kosovo Hotline VOA 17 Jul 2019 -- NATO's supreme commander met with Serbian political and military leaders in Belgrade on Wednesday in his first visit to Serbia since assuming the alliance's top military post.
• Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment Ellen M. Lord and Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Policy David J. Trachtenberg Press Briefing on DOD's Response to Turkey Accepting Delivery of the Russian S-400 Air And Missile Defense System DoD 17 Jul 2019 -- Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment Ellen M. Lord; Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Policy David J. Trachtenberg
• Turkey Calls U.S. Action To Exclude Ankara From F-35 Program 'Unfair' RFE/RL 17 Jul 2019 -- Turkey has condemned as "unfair" a U.S. move to exclude it from the American-led F-35 stealth fighter jet program following Ankara's purchase of the Russian-made S-400 air-defense system.
• Trump Veto of F-35s for Turkey Could Force Ankara to Buy Russian Aircraft VOA 17 Jul 2019 -- U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to block the sale of the advanced F-35 jet to Turkey means Ankara may look elsewhere to replace its aging air force.
• US F-35 decision to do 'irreparable damage' to ties: Turkey Press TV 18 Jul 2019 -- Turkey has blasted the United States for its decision to exclude Ankara from the F-35 fighter jet program because it has purchased missile defense systems from Russia.
• U.S. Removing NATO Ally Turkey From Stealth Fighter Jet Program RFE/RL 17 Jul 2019 -- The United States has said that Turkey can no longer be part of the American F-35 stealth fighter jet program after its purchase of the Russian S-400 missile-defense system.
• Turkey's Participation in F-35 Programme 'Impossible' Due to Russian S-400 Purchase - White House Sputnik 17 Jul 2019 -- Earlier this month, Washington decided to impose economic sanctions on Ankara over its acquisition of the Russian air defence systems. The Pentagon also claims that the S-400 deal could compromise the F-35 stealth fighter project.
• US Cuts Turkey Out of F-35 Fighter Jet Program VOA 17 Jul 2019 -- The United States is officially removing Turkey from its F-35 stealth fighter jet program after Ankara accepted the Russian delivery of its S-400 missile defense system.
• Britain to deploy 3rd warship to Persian Gulf amid tensions with Iran Press TV 17 Jul 2019 -- The United Kingdom has announced that it will send a third warship to the Persian Gulf later this year, a move that comes amid intensifying tensions with Tehran over the illegal seizure of an Iranian oil tanker.
• Israel Gets $50 mn Contract to Supply Air Missile Defence System for Indian Warships Sputnik 17 Jul 2019 -- State-owned Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) on Wednesday announced a $50 million deal to supply complementary MRSAM (medium-range surface-to-air missile) systems to the Indian Navy and the Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders. The Israeli firm will also supply compatible systems for the Air Defence Systems (ADS).
• Delivery of S-400 Triumph Air Defence Systems to India to be Completed by 2023 - Defence Ministry Sputnik 17 Jul 2019 -- The Indian Defence Ministry on Wednesday announced the delivery of five units of S-400 Triumf Air Defence systems from Russia is likely to be completed by April 2023. The statement comes on the backdrop of finalisation of a new payment mode between India and Russia to skirt the CAATSA threat.
• Iran Army unveils brand new drone IRNA 17 Jul 2019 -- The Ground forces of Iranian Army unveiled brand new drone capable of detecting , intercepting and targeting the threats on missions inside or outside airspace, Commander of specialized drone manufacturing unit of the Army said on Wednesday.
• Tehran Refuses to Negotiate Missile Program Cutbacks Under Any Condition - Iran Mission to UN Sputnik 17 Jul 2019 -- Iran has denied speculation that the nation could reconsider its missile programs if the United States stopped selling missiles and other weapons to nations in the region, Iran's mission at the United Nations in New York said in a statement on Tuesday.
• Israel to Spend $10 Million on Hardened Hangars to Guard Against Hezbollah Rockets Sputnik 17 Jul 2019 -- Israel's air force is shelling out $10 million for hardened aircraft hangars capable of withstanding the threat posed by Hezbollah's missiles.
• Chinese radar firm gives a glimpse on future AEW aircraft Global Times 17 Jul 2019 -- Future airborne early warning (AEW) aircraft could become unmanned, interconnected and highly intelligent, and will no longer need the traditional mounted radome, giving their greater aerodynamic and stealth capabilities, said China's top radar firm. Chinese military observers said on Wednesday that China is likely developing such aircraft.
• Remarks by Vice President Pence at Fort Bragg Army Base | Fort Bragg, NC The White House 17 Jul 2019

Defense Industry

• Contracts for July 17, 2019

Other Conflicts

• 17 July 2019 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 17 Jul 2019
• Yemenis conduct fresh retaliatory drone attack on Jizan airport Press TV 17 Jul 2019 -- Yemeni armed forces have launched a fresh retaliatory drone attack on Saudi Arabia's Jizan airport, the fourth such raid on the kingdom's airports in the past hours.
• Operations at Saudi's Jizan Airport Disrupted Due to Yemeni Houthi Drone Attack - Reports Sputnik 17 Jul 2019 -- Militants from the Yemeni Houthi movement have been conducting attacks on Saudi Arabia's Jizan Airport on a regular basis, with the latest attack taking place the day before.
• US imposes sanctions on Myanmar army chief over Rohingya crimes Press TV 17 Jul 2019 -- The United States has imposed sanctions on Myanmar's military chief and three other top officers over their role in the atrocities against the Rohingya Muslim minority group in the Buddhist-majority country.
• Putin Widens Citizenship Offer To All Residents Of Ukraine's Donetsk, Luhansk Regions RFE/RL 17 Jul 2019 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree expanding the simplified procedure for obtaining Russian citizenship for all residents of Ukraine's eastern Donetsk and Lugansk regions.
• Moscow Court Extends Pretrial Detention Of 24 Ukrainian Sailors RFE/RL 17 Jul 2019 -- A Moscow court has prolonged by three months the pretrial detention of 24 Ukrainian sailors detained by Russian forces along with their three naval vessels in November near the Kerch Strait, which links the Black Sea and Sea of Azov.
• Families, Countries Mark Fifth Anniversary Of MH17 Flight Downed Over Ukraine RFE/RL 17 Jul 2019 -- Relatives of victims killed in the 2014 downing of a passenger jet over Ukraine are marking the anniversary of the tragedy, an incident that international investigators have blamed on Russia and the separatist forces it backs in the region.
• Students in Cameroon Separatist Areas Urged to Go Back to School VOA 17 Jul 2019 -- Cameroon's civil society groups are urging young people to return to schools in the country's volatile English-speaking regions. Most schools in the two regions have been closed because of attacks and kidnappings stemming from the war between separatists and the military.

News Reports

• Rights groups file lawsuit against Trump administration over new anti-asylum rule Press TV 17 Jul 2019 -- The American Civil Liberties Union and other advocacy groups have sued the administration of President Donald Trump in an attempt to block a new rule that would prevent almost all migrants from seeking asylum inside the United States.
• Civil Rights Groups File to Temporarily Block Trump Asylum Rule VOA 17 Jul 2019 -- Several civil rights groups on Wednesday sought a temporary restraining order to block a Trump administration asylum rule that went into effect the day before.
• Sudan's military council, opposition alliance ink political deal Global Times 17 Jul 2019 -- Sudan's Transitional Military Council (TMC) and the opposition Freedom and Change Alliance on Wednesday signed with initial letters on the Political Declaration, which institutes for the transitional period structures.
• Sudan's junta, opposition sign political accord Press TV 17 Jul 2019 -- Sudan's ruling military council and an alliance of opposition groups have signed a landmark political accord to pave the way for the establishment of a civilian government, following weeks of political deadlock and protests.
• Sudan's Opposition and Ruling TMC Sign Political Accord VOA 17 Jul 2019 -- Sudan's ruling Military Council and a coalition of opposition groups signed a power-sharing accord in Khartoum Wednesday. Analysts say the accord is an important step forward after months of unrest, but not everyone is convinced it is a new beginning for Sudan.
• Sudan's Power-Sharing Deal Missing Key Details VOA 17 Jul 2019 -- After months of on-again, off-again talks, Sudan's military and opposition leaders have signed a power-sharing deal that rotates control of an executive council, but leaves other key details to be determined.
• Briefing by Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova, Moscow, July 17, 2019 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 17 Jul 2019
• UN Court Orders Review Of Pakistan Death Sentence For Indian Accused Of Spying RFE/RL 17 Jul 2019 -- The United Nations' top court has ordered Pakistan to review the death penalty given to a retired Indian naval officer who was convicted of being a spy.
• International Court of Justice orders Pakistan to review death penalty for Indian accused of spying UN News 17 Jul 2019 -- In a ruling delivered on Wednesday, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ordered Pakistan to review a death sentence handed down in the case of a former Indian Navy officer accused by Pakistan of spying, finding that the country's authorities acted in breach of the Vienna Convention, which lays out rules for diplomatic relations between countries.
• International Court of Justice Orders Pakistan to Review Indian Officer's Death Sentence VOA 17 Jul 2019 -- The International Court of Justice on Wednesday ordered Pakistan to review a death sentence it handed down to an Indian national convicted of spying.
• Press Review KCNA 17 Jul 2019 -- Following are major news items and articles in newspapers of the DPRK on Wednesday:
• Kim Jong Un, Great Illustrious Commander KCNA 17 Jul 2019 -- Seven years has passed since Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un received the title of DPRK Marshal on July 17, 2012. It is a significant day for the prosperity of socialist Korea.
• 'Rehearsal of War': Pyongyang Condemns US Over Planned Military Exercises with Seoul Sputnik 17 Jul 2019 -- This week, North Korea accused the US of "reneging on its commitments" by agreeing to hold military drills with South Korea from August 5 to August 23, and released a follow-up statement condemning the US over its "rehearsal of war."
• FM Zarif stresses Iran's progress despite US sanctions IRNA 17 Jul 2019 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif highlighted Iran's progress despite US unlawful sanctions.
• Zarif: Nuclear bomb cannot augment Iran security IRNA 17 Jul 2019 -- Iranian Foreign Minister rejected the unfounded accusation against Iran over alleged nuclear bomb ambition, saying it will not augment Iran's security.
• Zarif: Iran not to renegotiate with US IRNA 17 Jul 2019 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif told BBC that the US has left the negotiation table and Iran will not renegotiate with the US.
• FM Spox: Iran helps foreign tanker in Persian Gulf IRNA 17 Jul 2019 -- Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman said that Iran offered help to a foreign tanker with technical failure in territorial waters, adding that the routine practice of helping vessels in the Persian Gulf is going on.
• Trump assigns Rand Paul as Iran liaison, sources tell Politico Press TV 17 Jul 2019 -- US President Donald Trump has reportedly assigned Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) as a liaison to Iran in a stated effort to de-escalate tensions with Tehran.
• Iran fuel stocks at optimal level despite US sanctions: Official Press TV 17 Jul 2019 -- A senior official from Iran's Ministry of Oil says the country is currently holding abundant stocks of fuel despite US sanction that have affected the oil industry.
• Defensive power Iran's redline: Rouhani's chief of staff Press TV 17 Jul 2019 -- President Hassan Rouhani's chief of staff asserts that Iran's defensive power is non-negotiable, reacting to misinterpretation of earlier remarks made by Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif.
• US anti-Iranian line behind flare-up of tensions in Mideast: Lavrov Press TV 17 Jul 2019 -- Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says the hostile policy being pursued by the United States against Iran has fueled tensions in the Middle East, warning that such an approach could have "catastrophic consequences" in the region.
• Iran Nuclear Watchdog Confirms Tehran's Drive to Boost Uranium Enrichment Level to 20% Sputnik 17 Jul 2019 -- Last week, Tehran began enriching uranium beyond the limit outlined in the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, also known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). This followed Iran's announcement that it had suspended some of its JCPOA obligations, but that it doesn't want to exit from the deal.
• Mainland is HK's future Global Times 17 Jul 2019 -- Western media is instigating the youth in Hong Kong to confront their motherland and inciting conflict between the special administrative region and the mainland by justifying their violent protests as "a movement to preserve Hong Kong's freedoms."
• Mainland sea bridge built with hope of linking Taiwan Global Times 17 Jul 2019 -- A cross-sea bridge from East China's Fujian Province was completely connected on Wednesday after the last phase of concrete pouring, moving Chinese mainland infrastructure a step closer to linking with the island of Taiwan.
• UN Human Rights Council Divided Over China's Xinjiang Policies VOA 17 Jul 2019 -- Members of the U.N. Human Rights Council are divided over China's hardline policies in its Xinjiang region, where more than one million Muslim Uighurs have been detained in reeducation camps that critics say are aimed at destroying indigenous culture and religious beliefs.
• Will US First Class Treatment of Visiting Taiwan President Rattle China? VOA 17 Jul 2019 -- On a two-day visit to New York this month, Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen vowed in a speech never to "succumb to any threats" from China. She mixed too with U.S. Congress members in America's largest city. Reporters were allowed to cover some of her events. It is more open and welcoming than past U.S. trips by Taiwan presidents.
• Pakistan detains alleged mastermind of 2008 Mumbai attacks Press TV 17 Jul 2019 -- Pakistani authorities say they have detained a terror suspect blamed for a four-day militant attack on the Indian port city of Mumbai in 2008, on terror finance charges.
• Pakistan Arrests Alleged Mastermind Of Mumbai Attacks Ahead Of Trump Meeting RFE/RL 17 Jul 2019 -- Pakistani authorities say they have arrested the radical Islamist leader accused of masterminding the 2008 attacks in Mumbai that killed 166 people.
• Pakistan Arrests Hafiz Saeed, Chief of Outlawed Jamat-ud Dawa Sputnik 17 Jul 2019 -- On Wednesday, Pakistan arrested Hafiz Saeed, chief of the outlawed Jamat-ud Dawa, earlier known as Lashkar-e-Taiba, and has remanded him to judicial custody. Saeed is the mastermind behind several terror attacks in India, including the 2008 Mumbai attacks.
• Pakistan Arrests Cleric Wanted By US for Terrorism in India VOA 17 Jul 2019 -- Police in Pakistan have arrested an Islamist cleric whom the United States has designated as a global terrorist for his alleged role in the deadly 2008 attacks on the Indian city of Mumbai.
• Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, Sinaloa Cartel Leader, Sentenced to Life in Prison Plus 30 Years US Dept. of Justice 17 Jul 2019 -- Joaquin Archivaldo Guzman Loera, known by various aliases, including "El Chapo" and "El Rapido," was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Brian M. Cogan to a life term of imprisonment plus 30 years to run consecutive to the life sentence for being a principal leader of a continuing criminal enterprise – the Mexican organized crime syndicate known as the Sinaloa Cartel – a charge that includes 26 drug-related violations and one murder conspiracy. The Court also ordered Guzman Loera to pay $12.6 billion in forfeiture.
• Bulgarian Authorities Say Suspect Detained In Massive Hacking Attack RFE/RL 17 Jul 2019 -- Bulgarian authorities said they detained a man suspected in a massive hacking attack that leaked personal financial data of millions of Bulgarians, the largest such leak in the country's history.
• DR Congo Ebola outbreak now a Public Health Emergency, UN health agency declares UN News 17 Jul 2019 -- The second worst Ebola outbreak of all time, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), was officially declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on Wednesday, with the head of the World Health Organization calling for countries to 'take notice and redouble our efforts".
• WHO Declares Ebola in DRC a Global Public Health Emergency VOA 17 Jul 2019 -- The World Health Organization on Wednesday declared the Ebola epidemic in the Democratic Republic of the Congo's conflict-ridden North Kivu and Ituri provinces a public health emergency of international concern.
• Ukraine's Constitutional Court Upholds Law Equating Communism To Nazism RFE/RL 17 Jul 2019 -- Ukraine's Constitutional Court has upheld a law that equates communism to Nazism and bans the dissemination of its symbols, a law that has prompted angry protests from Moscow.