06 September 2019 Military News

Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

Defense Department Statement on Denmark's Deployment to Syria DoD 06 Sep 2019 -- "The United States welcomes the announcement by the Danish Government to make a military deployment to Syria in support of Operation Inherent Resolve and to continue to share the burden and responsibilities of this important mission."
Denmark to Make Military Deployment to Northeast Syria - Pentagon Sputnik 06 Sep 2019 -- The Danish military will deploy soldiers to northeast Syria to assist the US-led coalition in the fight against Daesh, Chief Pentagon Spokesman Jonathan Hoffman said in a statement on Friday.

Draft U.S.-Taliban Deal 'Very Dangerous, Damaging' To Afghanistan, Ex-Envoys Say RFE/RL 06 Sep 2019 -- Three former U.S. envoys to Afghanistan warn that a draft U.S.-Taliban agreement on the withdrawal of all foreign troops from the country is a mistake that could unleash a "more dangerous" civil war.
Taliban attack army recruitment center amid talks with US Press TV 06 Sep 2019 -- Taliban militants have launched an attack against an Afghan army recruitment center in the western province of Farah, the latest in a series of attacks that rocked the country despite ongoing peace talks between the militants and the United States.
Afghan President's Planned Visit To Washington 'Postponed' RFE/RL 06 Sep 2019 -- Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has postponed a planned visit to Washington during which he was to discuss the U.S.-Taliban talks aimed at ending the nearly 18-year war in Afghanistan, officials say.
Taliban Conduct Attacks in Afghanistan Amid Peace Negotiations VOA 06 Sep 2019 -- Officials said Friday Taliban militants conducted an overnight attack on the western Afghan city of Farah, the capital of Farah province.

Defense Policy / Programs

As Prepared Remarks by Secretary Esper at the Royal United Services Institute in London DoD 06 Sep 2019 -- Secretary of Defense Dr. Mark T. Esper
Russia, China Want to Disrupt International Order DoD News 06 Sep 2019 -- Warning that Chinese economic power and Russian aggression pose threats to global security, Defense Secretary Dr. Mark T. Esper urged European allies to commit to keeping the world safe.
Military Builds on Strategy to Address Threats, Dunford Says DoD News 06 Sep 2019 -- The United States military is building on the National Defense Strategy to address the complex threats and problems in the world today, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said at a Council on Foreign Relations event.
Intelligence Communications System Gets Tech Refresh DoD News 06 Sep 2019 -- An overhaul of the Joint Worldwide Intelligence Communications System, or JWICS, is underway to make it better able to serve its expanded mission and to potentially extend its capabilities to other parts of the defense community and to more parts of government, the deputy director of the Defense Intelligence Agency said.
US-ASEAN Wrap Up First Combined Naval Drills Radio Free Asia 06 Sep 2019 -- The United States and 10 Southeast Asian countries have concluded their first combined naval exercise in the Gulf of Thailand and contested South China Sea, with officials from both sides saying it was a success and would help them address security threats more efficiently.
U.S. Pacific Fleet Leads 'Global 11' Wargame NNS 06 Sep 2019 -- Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet recently organized a team of joint warfighters during a wargame held at the Naval War College.
Historic US Big-Gun Arsenal Expands to Meet Army Demand for Long-Range Precision Artillery Sputnik 06 Sep 2019 -- A cannon factory that has produced big guns dating back to the Spanish-American War in the late 1800s is revamping a mothballed installation to meet a US Army demand for long-range, precision artillery, the US Department of Defense said in a press release.
US Navy Fast Frigate Deploys to Indo-Pacific Sporting New Anti-Ship Missile Sputnik 06 Sep 2019 -- A US Navy frigate has been deployed to the Indo-Pacific theater carrying the service's new long-range anti-ship missile, the Norgwegian-made Naval Strike Missile, and the Navy's new Fire Scout targeting drone.
France, US Need to Coordinate Navies in Gulf - Senior US Defence Official Sputnik 06 Sep 2019 -- France is capable of playing a leadership role in ensuring maritime security in the Persian Gulf but there still has to be coordination with the US Navy, a senior US defence official said Friday ahead of US defence chief's visit to Paris.
USS Nebraska Tests Four Trident II D5 Missiles NNS 06 Sep 2019 -- The U.S. Navy conducted four scheduled missile test flights of unarmed Trident II (D5) missiles from USS Nebraska (SSBN-739), an Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine, off the coast of Southern California this week.
Space Expansion Presents Opportunities, Challenges for DOD DoD News 06 Sep 2019 -- As more nations, businesses and militaries become involved in space, the amount of data that will become available will also increase, as will challenges and opportunities for the Defense Department, a panel of defense intelligence experts said yesterday.
Joint Chiefs Chairman Warns Russia, China, North Korea, Iran are Trying to 'Contest' US Space Supremacy Sputnik 06 Sep 2019 -- The remarks come a week after the Trump administration's reactivation of 'Space Command' – a DoD unit aimed at 'defending America's vital interests in space.' President Trump has called outer space "the next warfighting domain," possibly putting the US commitment to the 1967 Outer Space Treaty into question.
Cyber Strategy Protects Critical U.S. Infrastructure DoD News 06 Sep 2019 -- Last spring, the Defense Department embarked on a new cyber strategy that will play an increasingly important, yet nontraditional supporting role: protecting critical infrastructure in the homeland.

NATO navies arrive in Halifax for Cutlass Fury, largest such naval exercise in decades NATO 06 Sep 2019 -- Around 2,800 sailors and airmen from eight nations are gathering in Halifax on Friday (6 September 2019) for Cutlass Fury 2019 – the largest Canadian-led naval exercise to take place off Canada's east coast in decades.
NATO diplomats and experts meet in Riga to discuss NATO's nuclear deterrence NATO 06 Sep 2019 -- Senior diplomats, policy experts, academics and NATO officials are meeting in Riga on Thursday (5 September 2019) to discuss NATO's nuclear deterrence and defence at a time when Russia's destabilising actions and military build-up are undermining security in Europe.

Two Su-34s Collide in Sky Over Russian City of Lipetsk - Reports Sputnik 06 Sep 2019 -- During a training flight in the Lipetsk region, two Su-34 fighter-bomber planes collided; fortunately, the pilots managed to land both planes, the Russian news media outlet REN-TV reported.

China, Russia pledge to deepen military cooperation Global Times 06 Sep 2019 -- Chinese and Russian senior military officials have agreed to strengthen military cooperation between the two countries to jointly maintain global peace and stability.

India Set to Simplify Rules to Expedite Military Purchases Sputnik 06 Sep 2019 -- The Indian defence ministry has set March 2020 as a deadline to come up with a more flexible, simplified framework for military procurement to expedite the acquisition and maintenance of military assets.
India Signs Military Logistics Pact with South Korea Sputnik 06 Sep 2019 -- The agreement will establish basic terms, conditions, and procedures for the reciprocal provision of logistic support, supplies, and services between the navies of India and South Korea.

Turkey Successfully Tests Next-Generation Concrete-Piercing Cruise Missile - Minister Sputnik 06 Sep 2019 -- Turkey has successfully conducted the first tests of its own SOM-B2 cruise missiles, which are capable of destroying concrete bunkers and fortifications, the minister of industry and technology said.

Defense Industry

Contracts For Sept. 6, 2019

Other Conflicts

6 September 2019 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 06 Sep 2019

Yemeni forces fire ballistic missile at Najran airport in southern Saudi Arabia Press TV 06 Sep 2019 -- In a retaliatory action, Yemeni army forces, supported by allied fighters from Popular Committees, have fired a domestically-developed ballistic missile at a strategic economic target in Saudi Arabia's southwestern border region of Najran.
Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen: Houthi Terrorist Militia Fires A Ballistic Missile from Amran Governorate SPA 06 Sep 2019 -- Spokesman of Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen Colonel Turki Al-Malki said that the Iranian-backed terrorist Houthi militia fired a ballistic missile from Amran governorate, Harf Sufyan district, on Friday afternoon, using civilian objects for the launch site, fell in the Yemeni territory in Saada governorate.
Houthis' Missile Attack Disrupts Navigation in Saudi Airport - Spokesman Sputnik 06 Sep 2019 -- A Yemeni rebel Houthi movement has launched a missile at Najran airport in southwest of Saudi Arabia , disrupting navigation there, a spokesman for the movement, Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree, said on Friday.

Turkey Plans to Start Joint Land Patrol with US in Syria's Safe Zone on 8 September Sputnik 06 Sep 2019 -- Earlier this week, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reaffirmed his intention to establish a 'safe zone' in northeast Syria together with the United States by the end of September.

Pakistan's PM Khan vows 'fullest possible response' to India over Kashmir Press TV 06 Sep 2019 -- Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan says his government will give the "fullest possible response" to India's actions in Kashmir, but reiterated that Islamabad was not seeking a war with India.
Pakistan Prepared to Give 'Enemy' India Fullest Possible Response - Imran Khan Sputnik 06 Sep 2019 -- New Delhi (Sputnik): Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan will be meeting troops today at the line of control (LoC) amid reports that hundreds of soldierss are being deployed within 30 kilometres of the sensitive line that divides disputed Kashmir.

Israeli drone attacks on Iraq launched from US airbases: Iraqi Cmdr. Press TV 06 Sep 2019 -- Israel has used American airbases in Iraq to launch its recent drone attacks against the Hashd al-Shaabi positions, said an Iraqi commander, warning that the aggression will be retaliated if repeated.
Israeli Drone Attacks in Iraq Launched From US Bases – Iraqi Militia Commander Sputnik 06 Sep 2019 -- Last week, amid silence from Tel Aviv regarding Israel's alleged involvement in a recent string of drone strikes against Iraqi Popular Mobilisation Unit militia, a senior Trump official told US media that any Middle Eastern country which aligns itself with a "malign" power like Iran is responsible for attacks against itself.

Israeli military launches fresh attack on Gaza Strip Press TV 06 Sep 2019 -- The Israeli military has launched fresh attacks on the besieged Gaza Strip, after Israeli troops killed two Palestinian teenagers during anti-occupation protests near the fence separating the coastal sliver from the occupied territories.

Any aggression against Lebanon will be met with legitimate self-defense, President Aoun says Press TV 06 Sep 2019 -- President Michel Aoun says Lebanon has a legitimate right to fight off any act of aggression threatening its territorial integrity, warning that the Israeli regime will bear all the consequences in such a case.

'Backed Into A Corner': In Negotiating Prisoner Swap With Russia, Ukraine's Zelenskiy Faces Tough Decision RFE/RL 06 Sep 2019 -- In just over 100 days as Ukraine's president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy has made good on some of his election promises. But to deliver on one major pledge -- to bring dozens of Ukrainians behind bars in Russia back home -- he must make what might be the most difficult decision of his fledgling presidency.

Tibetan Religious Festival Marred by Police Presence, State Propaganda Radio Free Asia 06 Sep 2019 -- A major religious festival was held in Tibet's regional capital Lhasa this week under heavy security, with large numbers of Chinese police both in uniform and plain clothes deployed to monitor the crowds, Tibetan sources said.

Bangladesh Takes Steps to Control Movements of Rohingya Radio Free Asia 06 Sep 2019 -- Bangladesh is taking tough measures to contain an increase in violence in Rohingya refugee camps after the crisis over the mass exodus of the persecuted group from Myanmar entered its third year.

News Reports

Zimbabwe's Ex-President Robert Mugabe Passes Away at 95 Sputnik 06 Sep 2019 -- Former president of Zimbabwe, Robert Mugabe, has passed away at the age of 95, President Emmerson Mnangagwa said on Friday.
Robert Mugabe, Zimbabwe's Founding Father Dead VOA 06 Sep 2019 -- Robert Mugabe, who ruled the southern African nation of Zimbabwe for 37 years following the end of white minority rule in 1980, has died. He was 95 years old. Some hail him as a liberation hero who stood by his principles -- but others say he rigged elections, destroyed the economy of what was once Africa's breadbasket and terrorized his people for decades.
Zimbabwe's Mugabe Leaves Behind Mixed Legacy VOA 06 Sep 2019 -- Former Zimbabwean leader Robert Mugabe, who died in a Singapore hospital Friday at age 95, leaves behind a complicated legacy. To some, he was a liberation hero who stood by his principles. Others say he rigged elections, destroyed the economy of what was once Africa's breadbasket and terrorized his people for decades.

How A Local Vote Rocked Russia: Moscow Election Caps Summer Of Discontent RFE/RL 06 Sep 2019 -- Five years in prison for a tweet; four for repeatedly protesting; three for using pepper spray; two for pulling a policeman's arm.
U.S. Lawmakers Condemn Russia's Election 'Failure,' Crackdown Ahead Of Votes RFE/RL 06 Sep 2019 -- Two high-ranking U.S. congressmen have condemned Russia's "failure to hold free" local elections this weekend in Moscow and St. Petersburg and "its crackdown on protesters," according to a joint statement on September 5.

Putin calls Italy's arrest of Russian executive at US request 'really bad practice' Press TV 06 Sep 2019 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has condemned the detention of a top executive of Russia's aircraft-engine maker in Italy, which came at the request of the US on charges of espionage.
Russian Defense Executive Arrested On Charges of Stealing U.S. Trade Secrets RFE/RL 06 Sep 2019 -- A Russian defense industry executive has been arrested in Italy at the request of the United States on charges of attempting to steal trade secrets from a unit of General Electric based in Ohio.

US Democrats to Trump: North Korean Denuclearization Requires Tougher Diplomacy Radio Free Asia 06 Sep 2019 -- A group of Democratic U.S. Senators Thursday delivered a letter to President Donald Trump asking him to reevaluate his diplomatic approach toward North Korea in light of a spate of missile tests that Washington has played down.
KCNA Commentary Urges S. Korean Military Warmongers to Behave Themselves KCNA 06 Sep 2019 -- The south Korean military warmongers are running high fever in their moves to introduce F-35As.

Pompeo presses Europeans over Iran's plan to expand nuclear R&D Press TV 06 Sep 2019 -- US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has called on European countries to end what he referred to as "Iran's nuclear extortion."
Third step: Iran officially informs EU of plan to expand nuclear R&D Press TV 06 Sep 2019 -- Iran has informed the European Union that it will begin unlimited nuclear research and development work from Friday, officially unleashing the third stage of its measured responses to Europe's lack of action in the face of America's violation of the 2015 nuclear deal.
Iran's third step and repeated reactions of Europeans IRNA 06 Sep 2019 -- The Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran in a letter to the EU foreign policy chief announced Iran's third step in the framework of 2015 nuclear agreement and a further reduction of Tehran's commitments in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
Iran's third JCPOA step; outcome of US illogical measures IRNA 06 Sep 2019 -- Analysts and media in the world interpret Iran's decision to take third step towards reducing its commitments to the nuclear deal it has signed with six western countries as the logical outcome of extreme US sanctions.
EU spokeswoman says Europe's trade mechanism with Iran going on Press TV 06 Sep 2019 -- The European Union says there is "an advancement" in a long-anticipated trade mechanism, called the INSTEX, with Iran, after Tehran's announcement of further cuts in its commitments under a 2015 nuclear accord it signed with major world powers.
White House: US will not drop Iran sanctions, Trump tells Macron Press TV 06 Sep 2019 -- US President Donald Trump has informed French President Emmanuel Macron that the United States will not lift economic sanctions against the Islamic Republic of Iran, according to the White House.
US threatens to blacklist anyone fueling sanctioned Iranian vessel Press TV 06 Sep 2019 -- The US Treasury Department has threatened to blacklist anyone around the world who helps fuel an Iranian vessel already sanctioned by the US administration.
U.S. Defense Chief Signals Iran 'Inching' Could Lead Toward Talks RFE/RL 06 Sep 2019 -- U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper has hinted that Iran might be nearer to an opportunity for new talks despite Tehran's latest move away from adherence to international curbs on its nuclear activities.
Iran Appears 'Inching Toward' Negotiating With US - Pentagon Chief Sputnik 06 Sep 2019 -- Iran has given tentative indications of a willingness to negotiate directly with the United States, Defence Secretary Mark Esper told the Royal United Services Institute in London on Friday.
Iran Lifts Limitations on Its R&D Field Scaling Back Commitments to Nuclear Deal - Reports Sputnik 06 Sep 2019 -- Iran also said it would report the details of its nuclear steps to the United Nations nuclear agency.

HK eyes greater opportunity with regional integration Global Times 06 Sep 2019 -- Hong Kong, as an international center for trade, finance and shipping, could help enterprises in the Pan-Pearl River Delta Region expand their presence in the international market and help Chinese mainland cities attract foreign investment, Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor said on Friday.
Hong Kong public voice support for chief executive's call for dialogue Global Times 06 Sep 2019 -- Members of the public in China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) have expressed support for Chief Executive Carrie Lam's call for dialogue to find a way out of the current impasse.
Hong Kong Police Fire Tear Gas as Angry Crowd Melts Away Like Water Radio Free Asia 06 Sep 2019 -- Hong Kong police on Friday once more fired tear gas at a fleeing crowd outside a subway station on Kowloon, who had gathered to demand the release of surveillance camera footage taken inside the station during a raid by a special police squad last weekend.
Hong Kong Police Dispersing Protesters in Mong Kok With Rubber Bullets – Reports Sputnik 06 Sep 2019 -- Hong Kong police are using rubber bullets to disperse protesters who gathered near a police station in the Mong Kok area, media reported on Friday.
Hong Kong Police Reportedly Used Tear Gas to Disperse Protesters in City's Northwest Sputnik 06 Sep 2019 -- Hong Kong police said on Monday it had resorted to using tear gas to disperse violent protesters, who were hurling stones at law enforcement officers in the Tin Shui Wai district.

In Bid for Friendship Renewal, China Offers Philippines More Development Money VOA 06 Sep 2019 -- China has pledged to help fund a $169 billion infrastructure renewal drive in the Philippines, an apparent bid for friendship as Filipinos question whether officials in Beijing are trying to squelch their maritime sovereignty claims.

India Completes First Level of Astronaut Selection for Manned Space Mission Sputnik 06 Sep 2019 -- Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with Russian President Vladimir Putin, on Wednesday, announced that Moscow would provide advance training to three Indian astronauts for New Delhi's manned space mission – Gaganyaan.

British PM says NHS "not on table" in post-Brexit trade talks with U.S. People's Daily 06 Sep 2019 -- British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Thursday that the NHS, the British national health service, is "not on the table" during any post-Brexit trade deal talks with the United States.
House of Lords Approves Bill to Force Prime Minister Johnson to Seek Brexit Delay Sputnik 06 Sep 2019 -- Earlier, the House of Commons rejected the prime minister's calls for a snap general election, instead approving a bill seeking to prevent the government from withdrawing the UK from the European Union on October 31 if an agreement with Brussels is not in place.

India's Moon Mission Suffers Setback as it Loses Contact With Landing Craft VOA 06 Sep 2019 -- India's ambitious mission to land an unmanned probe on the moon suffered a setback when its space agency lost contact with the landing craft minutes before it was to make a critical touchdown on the lunar surface.

Putin Rebukes Russian Space Officials Over Troubled Far Eastern Cosmodrome RFE/RL 06 Sep 2019 -- During a visit to the often-delayed, corruption-plagued space-launch facility in Russia's Far East, President Vladimir Putin has told officials he expects a "more responsible attitude" from them.

Treasury Issues Changes to Strengthen Cuba Sanctions Rules US Treasury 06 Sep 2019 -- Today, the Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) amended the Cuban Assets Control Regulations (CACR) to further implement President Trump's June 2017 National Security Presidential Memorandum (NSPM) Strengthening the Policy of the United States Towards Cuba.

U.S. Senators Meet Ukraine's Zelenskiy, 'More Optimistic' About Nation's Future RFE/RL 06 Sep 2019 -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy had a meeting with U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (Democrat-Connecticut) and Ron Johnson (Republican-Wisconsin) in Kyiv on September 5, during which both lawmakers expressed support for for the former Soviet state's continued progress.
Zelenskyy Pardons Prisoners Being Prepared for Russia-Ukraine Simultaneous Release - Lawyer Sputnik 06 Sep 2019 -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has pardoned people being prepared for simultaneous release by Russia and Ukraine, Ukrainian lawyer Valentin Rybin said Friday.

Visiting U.S. Senators Urge Renewed Serbia-Kosovo Dialogue RFE/RL 06 Sep 2019 -- During a visit to Belgrade, U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (Democrat-Connecticut) and Ron Johnson (Republican-Wisconsin) have called on Serbia and its former province of Kosovo to restart dialogue with the aim of normalizing their relations.

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