23 August 2019 Military News

Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

President Ghani says Afghanistan will survive after US troop withdrawal Press TV 23 Aug 2019 -- Afghan President Ashraf Ghani says a partial withdrawal of US troops from the country will not have a crucial impact on the lives of the Afghan people.

Defense Policy / Programs

Soldiers 'at the heart of' modernizing warfighter gear Army News 23 Aug 2019 -- Army leaders met with industry partners Tuesday to focus on new ways to outfit Soldiers with lighter weight, wireless, and tech-compatible systems, looking at revamping the Adaptive Squad Architecture.
CNAF, X-Force Create Model to Improve Super Hornet Readiness NNS 23 Aug 2019 -- Graduate students from the University of California San Diego (UCSD) joined data scientists from Commander, Naval Air Forces (CNAF) at Naval Air Station North Island for the first-ever collaboration between the National Security Innovation Network's (NSIN) X-Force Program and CNAF.
SMC works with government, industry partners in successful launch of GPS III SV 2 satellite US Air Force 23 Aug 2019 -- The Air Force and its mission partners successfully launched the second GPS III satellite at 9:06 a.m. EDT, Aug. 22 from Space Launch Complex-37 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida.

US, ASEAN to Stage Joint Naval Drills in Gulf of Thailand Radio Free Asia 23 Aug 2019 -- Amid tensions in the contested South China Sea, the navies of the United States and the 10 ASEAN member-states will stage their first combined maritime exercise in early September in the Gulf of Thailand, the Thai Navy announced Friday.

Putin orders 'symmetric' response to US missile test Press TV 23 Aug 2019 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered state apparatuses to prepare a "symmetric" response to the United States' recent test-launch of a missile that Moscow says could pose a threat to Russia's security.
Russia warns against another arms race as US tested new missile Press TV 23 Aug 2019 -- The Russian envoy to the United Nations says the world is on the verge of a new arms race as the US has already started the test launch of a formerly banned missile after it recently abandoned a landmark arms control treaty with Moscow.
Putin Orders 'Comprehensive Measures' In Response To U.S. Missile Test RFE/RL 23 Aug 2019 -- The Kremlin says President Vladimir Putin has ordered Russia's military to prepare "comprehensive measures" in response to a U.S. missile test that has raised fears of a new arms race after the collapse of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty.
Putin: Russia to Ensure its Security Following US Withdrawal From INF Treaty, Missile Testing Sputnik 23 Aug 2019 -- Earlier, the Russian president said Moscow was "disappointed" by the US's recent ground-based medium-range missile testing activities, which Moscow considers a blatant violation of the Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces Treaty. Washington completed its withdrawal from the INF earlier this month.
New START Treaty At Risk After Recent US Actions, Statements - Russia Envoy to UN Sputnik 23 Aug 2019 -- The survival of the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) is in danger because of recent actions and statements by the United States, Acting Russian Ambassador to the United Nations Dmitry Polyanskiy said on Thursday.
Russia, U.S. Engage In War Of Words Over Arms Treaty At UN RFE/RL 23 Aug 2019 -- Russia and the United States have traded accusations at the United Nations over the abandonment of a landmark arms-control treaty, with each side accusing the other of endangering global security.
Norwegian Researchers Say Data May Point To Second Blast At Russian Test Site RFE/RL 23 Aug 2019 -- Researchers at a Norwegian institute believe that there may have been two explosions, not one, at the Russian naval test site on the White Sea earlier this month, an incident that killed at least five people and raised new questions about Russia's weapons research.

South Korea to Share Intelligence With Japan via Three-Way Channel Involving US - Official Sputnik 23 Aug 2019 -- Earlier, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said that Japan still expects South Korea to keep its promises on the contentious issue of wartime forced labour and to work to rebuild trust after South Korea's decision to scrap a deal to share military intelligence.
South Korea Scrapping Intel Pact Strains US Alliance, Analysts Warn VOA 23 Aug 2019 -- South Korea's decision to end a military intelligence sharing pact with Japan won't necessarily have an immediate impact on regional security, but the move could challenge the U.S.-South Korea alliance at a particularly tense moment, analysts warn.
Abe: Seoul's Ending of Intelligence Deal Damages Mutual Trust VOA 23 Aug 2019 -- Japan's prime minister said Friday that South Korea's decision to end a military intelligence sharing deal with Tokyo damages mutual trust.

Xi urges Chinese air force to enhance capability to win Global Times 23 Aug 2019 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping has called on the Chinese air force to enhance its capability to win and greet the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China with great achievements.
Russia, US trade barbs over INF collapse, China says no interest in trilateral treaty Global Times 23 Aug 2019 -- Russia and the United States on Thursday blamed each other for the collapse of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, while China said it has no interest in trilateral arms control talks that Washington wants.
China Has No Interest in Trilateral Talks With US, Russia on Arms Control - UN Envoy Sputnik 23 Aug 2019 -- China is urging the United States and Russia to pursue new arms control agreements following the demise of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, but is not willing to join the effort, China's envoy to the United Nations Zhang Jun told the UN Security Council.

U.S. military sails through Taiwan Strait after Chinese protest CNA 23 Aug 2019 -- A United States military ship sailed through the Taiwan Strait on Friday, two days after Beijing warned Washington on a possible sale of advanced F-16 fighter jets to Taiwan.
US Warship Sails Through Taiwan Strait Amid Tensions With China Sputnik 23 Aug 2019 -- The United States regularly sails its warships through the sensitive strait, which separates mainland China and Taiwan, which the Beijing government regards as a breakaway province.
Visit of U.S. research ship not related to F-16V deal: AIT CNA 23 Aug 2019 -- A port call by U.S. naval research vessel Sally Ride to Taiwan is unrelated to the F-16V sale recently notified by the Trump administration to U.S. Congress, according to the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT).

Brazilian Military Ready to Defend Amazon Forest Amid Wildfires - Chief of Armed Forces Sputnik 23 Aug 2019 -- Earlier on Friday, Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro said that the army could be sent in to help combat fires in the Amazon.

North Korea Tests More Missiles, Violating Pledge to Trump VOA 23 Aug 2019 -- North Korea has conducted another ballistic missile launch, violating an apparent promise to U.S. President Donald Trump to refrain from such tests after the conclusion of U.S.-South Korean military exercises.
Pyongyang Using Ancient Biplanes to Practice on South Korean F-15 Mockups Sputnik 23 Aug 2019 -- According to a South Korean newspaper, North Korea has a special bombing range complete with mockups of South Korean F-15K Slam Eagle jets. Is this for its advanced fleet of MiGs? No, apparently the range is for its ancient An-2 biplanes.

France Set to Deliver First of 36 Rafale Fighter Jets to India in September Sputnik 23 Aug 2019 -- India and France have reiterated that their defence cooperation is one of the strongest pillars of their bilateral relationship, and they are making substantial progress in this sector.

Iran says its missile defense system 'much better' than US Patriot, S-300 Press TV 23 Aug 2019 -- An Iranian Army general says the domestically-built missile defense system "Bavar-373" is much better than the US Patriot system and its Russian counterpart S-300.

China gifted frigate formally joins Sri Lanka Navy Global Times 23 Aug 2019 -- Sri Lanka Navy held commissioning ceremony at the Colombo port on Thursday for China-gifted frigate "P625", renamed "Parakramabahu".

State Department to Assess Funding, After White House Abandons Fight Over US Foreign Assistance VOA 23 Aug 2019 -- The State Department says it will assess its programming and redirect all funding on foreign aid, after U.S. President Donald Trump abandoned plans to cut $4 billion in spending on the grounds that it was wasteful and unnecessary.

Defense Industry

Contracts For Aug. 23, 2019
General Dynamics Awarded $1.6 Billion Contract to Build Additional U.S. Navy Expeditionary Sea Base Ships General Dynamics 23 Aug 2019 -- General Dynamics NASSCO, a subsidiary of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), was awarded a contract by the U.S. Navy worth up to $1.6 billion for the construction of the sixth and seventh ships of the Expeditionary Sea Base (ESB) program, as well as an option for ESB 8.

Other Conflicts

23 August 2019 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 23 Aug 2019
UN: Conflict Robs Nearly 2 Million Children of Education in Africa VOA 23 Aug 2019 -- The U.N. children's agency reports schools across West and Central Africa are being targeted by insurgent groups. It says attacks and threats of violence have forced more than 9,000 schools across eight countries to close since the end of 2017, robbing nearly 2 million children of an education.

School closures triple in Central and Western Africa as education comes under fire UN News 23 Aug 2019 -- A surge in "deliberate" attacks against students, teachers and schools in West and Central Africa has led to a tripling in school closures in the last year and left almost two million youngsters "robbed of an education", the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) said on Friday.

China-Vietnam Maritime Standoff: 3 Scenarios for the Next Stage VOA 23 Aug 2019 -- A standoff between Chinese and Vietnamese vessels in the South China Sea has intensified with the return this month of China's oil survey boat – followed by a reprimand from U.S. natural security adviser John Bolton.

US Calls Deployment of Chinese Coast Guard Ships Near Indian Oil Block in S China Sea 'Escalation' Sputnik 23 Aug 2019 -- The US has expressed deep concern over China's redeployment of coast guard's ships into the waters off the shore of Vietnam near India's oil block in the South China Sea.

Saudis failing to repel Yemeni drone strikes despite US-supplied Patriot system: UAE report Press TV 23 Aug 2019 -- Saudi Arabia has failed to repel Yemen's retaliatory drone strikes despite relying on the US Patriot air defense system, a matter which has caused a slump in Saudi troop morale, according to a UAE intelligence report.
Yemeni forces, allies shoot down Saudi-led surveillance drone in Hajjah Press TV 23 Aug 2019 -- Yemeni army forces, supported by allied fighters from the Popular Committees, have intercepted and targeted an unmanned aerial vehicle belonging to the Saudi-led military coalition as it was flying in the skies over the country's northwestern province of Hajjah.
Yemeni Government Accuses UAE of Attempting to Capture Shabwah Province Capital Sputnik 23 Aug 2019 -- The internationally recognised authorities of Yemen have accused the United Arab Emirates' (UAE) forces of attempting to capture the administrative center of the southern Shabwah province amid reported clashes between the government forces and Southern Transitional Council.

Syria officially declares liberation of Khan Shaykhun Press TV 23 Aug 2019 -- Syria's military has officially announced the liberation of the strategic town of Khan Shaykhun south of Idlib province along with other localities previously held by terrorists in northern Hama province.
Syria retakes cluster of towns in last terrorist bastion Press TV 23 Aug 2019 -- The Syrian army has seized control of a pocket of territory in the northwestern province of Hama from militants who had held it since the early years of the war.
Syrian Army to Advance to Idlib Province After Liberating Khan Sheikhoun Sputnik 23 Aug 2019 -- The General Staff of the Syrian Armed Forces announced on Friday the plans to advance further north after the liberation of the town of Khan Sheikhoun in Idlib and a number of other settlements in the north of Hama province.
Syrian Forces Gain Control Over Key Villages North of Hama - Military Source Sputnik 23 Aug 2019 -- The Syrian troops have gained control over the villages of Kafr Zita, Ltamenah, Latmeen, Tal Fas north of Hama, a Syrian military source said on Friday, as the government forces continue the offensive against militants in the northwest.

Erdogan Warns of Crisis as Syrian Offensive Strains Turkish-Russian Ties VOA 23 Aug 2019 -- A Russian-backed Syrian government offensive against the rebel-controlled Idlib enclave is putting Turkey's recent rapprochement with Russia to the test. Ankara, which backs the rebels, is voicing alarm over the attack, warning of a "humanitarian crisis."

Israel carries out attacks targeting bases of Iraqi anti-terror forces 'in recent days': NYT Press TV 23 Aug 2019 -- Israel has carried out several attacks targeting bases of Iraqi anti-terror forces "in recent days", the New York Times reports.

Myanmar Army Warns of Full-Blown War in Shan, Deploys Aircraft in Rakhine Radio Free Asia 23 Aug 2019 -- The Myanmar military on Friday accused an ethnic armed group operating in Myanmar's northeastern Shan state of terrorism and drug trafficking, and issued a strong warning that it is ready to engage in full-blown armed conflict a week after the rebel force and two other ethnic armies conducted coordinated attacks on roads, bridges, and military and police buildings.
UN Report Finds Genocidal Intent Sexual Violence Against Rohingya by Myanmar Army Radio Free Asia 23 Aug 2019 -- Sexual violence committed by Myanmar soldiers against Rohingya women and girls in 2017 indicated a genocidal intent to "intimidate, terrorise and punish" the Muslim ethnic minority, United Nations investigators said in a report that swiftly rejected Friday by the Myanmar military.

Ukraine, Russia Reportedly Preparing To Exchange Dozens Of Prisoners RFE/RL 23 Aug 2019 -- Kyiv and Moscow are reportedly preparing a prisoner exchange that would see each side swapping 33 detainees, possibly including Ukrainian sailors captured by Russian forces late last year.

Israel deploys large number of forces in occupied West Bank following 'bomb attack' Press TV 23 Aug 2019 -- Israel has deployed a large number of forces to the site of an explosion near an Israeli settlement in the occupied West Bank.

France's Macron Urges Modi To Respect Rights In Kashmir, Avoid 'Escalation' RFE/RL 23 Aug 2019 -- French President Emmanuel Macron has told Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi that Paris is watching developments in Kashmir closely and urged him to respect the rights of people on both sides of the divided Himalayan region.
India, Pakistan Exchange Cross-Border Fire; One Indian Soldier Killed Sputnik 23 Aug 2019 -- Amid rising anger at the diplomatic level, the armed forces of India and Pakistan exchanged heavy fire on the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir, leaving one Indian soldier dead. The Indian Army said that it was retaliating to Pakistani fire.

South Sudan: UN rights experts see little headway on peace deal amid spike in local-level violence UN News 23 Aug 2019 -- A United Nations expert group looking at human rights in South Sudan said on Friday that it is "deeply concerned" that, although the overall armed conflict has waned, there has been little progress in adhering to the peace agreement that guided the country thus far.

With security improving in DR Congo's Kasai, thousands of refugees head home from Angola UN News 23 Aug 2019 -- As security has improved in the restive Kasai region of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), some 8,500 refugees have left the Lóvua settlement in Angola's north-east Lunda Norte province in the past week, hoping to cross the border and return home, according to the UN refugee agency.

New 'Social Security Card' For Tibetans Aims at Tightened Controls by Beijing Radio Free Asia 23 Aug 2019 -- Chinese authorities in Tibet are quickly expanding the distribution of controversial social security cards across the region year, prompting fears that the cards will be used to further tighten controls over the Tibetan people, rights groups say.

News Reports

European Leaders Brace for Trump Ahead of G-7 Summit VOA 23 Aug 2019 -- The world's largest advanced democracies – collectively known as the "Group of Seven," or G-7 – will have their annual summit this weekend in Biarritz, a French seaside resort town known for its world-class surfing.

West's Divisions Empowering China and Russia, Analysts Warn VOA 23 Aug 2019 -- China and Russia believe they can behave as they want and have impunity to crush dissent because Western states are at odds with themselves and have lost confidence in their ability to shape the world around them, warn analysts.

Dubbed The 'Nuclear Titanic,' Russia's First Floating Atomic Power Plant Sets Sail Amid Environmental Fears RFE/RL 23 Aug 2019 -- Russia's first floating nuclear power plant, which Greenpeace has dubbed a "floating Chernobyl," has set sail on a nearly 5,000-kilometer voyage to its destination in the nation's northeast.
Navalny Released From Moscow Jail After Court Refuses To Extend His Sentence RFE/RL 23 Aug 2019 -- Russian opposition leader Aleksei Navalny has been released from a Moscow jail after serving 30 days for violating Russia's restrictive protest laws.

Spokesperson for DPRK Foreign Ministry Denounces Japan for National Discrimination KCNA 23 Aug 2019 -- A spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea made public a press statement on Friday in denunciation of the unfair move of national discrimination now being taken by the Japanese government against the Korean children resident in Japan.
DPRK Foreign Minister's Statement Rebukes U.S. State Secretary's Anti-DPRK Malarkey KCNA 23 Aug 2019 -- Foreign Minister of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea Ri Yong Ho made public the following statement Friday:
North Korea says ready for dialogue, confrontation with US Press TV 23 Aug 2019 -- North Korea says it is ready for both dialogue and confrontation with the United States, warning the administration of President Donald Trump that continuing unilateral sanctions against Pyongyang will be a" miscalculation."
North Korea Says Ready for Dialogue, Standoff With US Amid Pompeo's Sanctions Pressure Plans Sputnik 23 Aug 2019 -- North Korea is ready for both dialogue and confrontation with the United States, the Asian country's Foreign Minister, Ri Yong Ho, said on Friday in the wake of US State Secretary Mike Pompeo's announcement of plans to impose tougher restrictions on the country if it does not abandon its nuclear arsenal.
North Korea to US: Ready for 'Dialogue or Stand-off' VOA 22 Aug 2019 -- North Korea warned Friday it is "ready for dialogue or stand-off" with the United States, warning it has given Washington "enough time" to change its approach to stalled nuclear talks.

Zarif says JCPOA not optional agreement IRNA 23 Aug 2019 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif referred to US unilateral and provocative withdrawal from Iran nuclear deal known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), saying JCPOA was not an optional agreement, but a pact which was verified by the UNSC.
Iran, France discuss latest regional issues, JCPOA IRNA 23 Aug 2019 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and his French counterpart Jean-Yves Le Drian reviewed latest developments in bilateral ties, regional issues and Iran nuclear deal known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
Talks with French president on nuclear deal constructive: Iran FM Press TV 23 Aug 2019 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says he held "constructive" negotiations with French President Emmanuel Macron on ways to salvage an international nuclear deal, over a year after the United States unilaterally withdrew from it.
US will aggressively enforce sanctions over Iran tanker: State Dept official Press TV 23 Aug 2019 -- The United States has threatened to aggressively enforce its sanctions on those potentially assisting the return of an Iranian-operated supertanker that has been released by Gibraltar after more than a month of detention there by Britain.
Iran's FM Zarif Calls Nuclear Talks With France's Macron 'Productive' RFE/RL 23 Aug 2019 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says talks with French President Emanuel Macron aimed at rescuing a 2015 international deal to curb Tehran's nuclear program were "productive."

China Wages Overseas Information War on Hong Kong, While Clamping Down at Home Radio Free Asia 23 Aug 2019 -- Google says it has taken down more than 200 YouTube channels that were linked to the Chinese Communist Party's disinformation campaign targeting the Hong Kong protests.
HK to rekindle Lion Rock Spirit of hard work Global Times 23 Aug 2019 -- While young protesters in Hong Kong call for massive strikes across the city to paralyze public transport, businesses and schools, many diligent Hongkongers continue to stand their ground, calling for the rekindling of a core value - the "Lion Rock Spirit," which helped shaped the city's economic phenomenon.
Five things to know about Hong Kong's ordinance amendment issue Global Times 23 Aug 2019 -- A series of violent activities have plagued Hong Kong since June. The following are five things you need to know about what has happened in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong court extends interim injunction at airport amid continuing threat of disturbances Global Times 23 Aug 2019 -- The High Court of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on Friday extended an interim injunction at Hong Kong International Airport amid repeated calls in social media for further disturbances at the airport in the coming weekend.
Certain western politicians should immediately stop meddling in Hong Kong affairs People's Daily 23 Aug 2019 -- Hong Kong was put into extreme chaos by illegal assemblies and violent protests, which have lasted more than two months and aroused resentment among Hong Kong residents.
Hong Kong Court Extends Ban on Protests in City's Airport - Reports Sputnik 23 Aug 2019 -- The Hong Kong Supreme Court on Friday extended for an unspecified period a ban on rallying in the city's international airport, media reported.
Thousands Form Human Protest Chain Amid Calls to 'Free Hong Kong!' Radio Free Asia 23 Aug 2019 -- Thousands of people formed a human chain in Hong Kong on Friday, as a peaceful form of protest against plans by the city's government to allow extradition to mainland China.
China to Impose 10%, 5% Extra Tariffs on $75 Billion Worth of US Imports Sputnik 23 Aug 2019 -- Chinese Commerce Ministry spokesman Gao Feng said at a news briefing the day before that Beijing was ready to retaliate if Washington fails to correct its "wrong actions".
China hits back with new tariffs Global Times 23 Aug 2019 -- China on Friday struck back at the US with additional tariffs on hundreds of billions of dollars in US products in a tit-for-tat response to planned US tariffs on Chinese products, and slammed the US for further escalating trade tensions and hurting the interests of both countries as well as the world.
China Gears up to Collect Citizens' DNA Nationwide Radio Free Asia 23 Aug 2019 -- Provincial and municipal authorities across China are buying large amounts of instruments, tools and medical supplies that are designed to collect DNA samples from people, RFA has learned.

Cambodia Playing up Border Tensions With Laos to Distract From Sam Rainsy Return: Analysts Radio Free Asia 23 Aug 2019 -- Tensions along the border between Cambodia and Laos are likely being exaggerated by Cambodia's government as part of a bid to distract the public from the impending return of acting opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) chief Sam Rainsy from self-imposed exile, analysts said Friday.

Two Queens Women Plead Guilty in Connection with Plan to Build Explosive Devices Similar to Those Used in Prior Terrorist Attacks in the United States US Dept. of Justice 23 Aug 2019 -- Earlier today, at the federal courthouse in Brooklyn, Asia Siddiqui and Noelle Velentzas, both citizens of the United States and residents of Queens, pleaded guilty to teaching and distributing information pertaining to the making and use of an explosive, destructive device, and weapon of mass destruction, intending that it be used to commit a federal crime of violence.

Ebola Virus Spreads to New Areas in Eastern DRC, WHO Reports VOA 23 Aug 2019 -- The World Health Organization said Friday that the deadly Ebola virus had spread to new areas in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. The number of cases was 2,934, including 1,965 deaths, it said.

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