20 September 2019 Military News

Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

Afghan President Vows Steps To Prevent Civilian Casualties After Deadly Attacks RFE/RL 20 Sep 2019 -- Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has promised to take steps to prevent civilian casualties in the war against militants, a day after at least 30 civilians were killed in a U.S. drone strike in eastern Nangarhar Province.
Afghanistan's Ghani vows measures to avoid civilian deaths Press TV 20 Sep 2019 -- Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has vowed to introduce measures to avoid civilian casualties during security operations, following an assault during which a US airstrike killed at least 30 civilians.
Taliban Commander Killed in Airstrike in Northern Afghanistan - Source Sputnik 20 Sep 2019 -- US President Donald Trump announced earlier this month that the peace talks with the Taliban were "dead" after the group had claimed responsibility for a terrorist attack in Kabul that killed a US serviceman.
Blast Kills Pakistani Army Officer, Soldier Near Afghan Border VOA 20 Sep 2019 -- Authorities in Pakistan said Friday an army major and a soldier were killed in a bomb explosion near the border with Afghanistan.

Defense Policy / Programs

Joint Press Briefing with Secretary of Defense Dr. Mark T. Esper and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Marine General Joseph F. Dunford Jr. DoD 20 Sep 2019 -- Secretary of Defense Dr. Mark T. Esper; Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Joseph F. Dunford Jr.
Defense Leaders Announce Steps to Deter Further Iranian Malign Behavior DoD News 20 Sep 2019 -- Defense leaders announced the steps the United States will take to deter Iran's continued aggressive and malign behavior in the Persian Gulf.
Pentagon To Brief Trump On Potential Military Responses To Attack On Saudi Oil RFE/RL 20 Sep 2019 -- The Pentagon is set to present a wide range of military options to President Donald Trump as he considers how to respond to an attack on Saudi Arabia's oil industry that many in the administration have blamed on Iran.

Australian, U.S. Leaders Discuss Mutual Security Objectives DoD News 20 Sep 2019 -- Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and U.S. Defense Secretary Dr. Mark T. Esper discussed current and future cooperation between the United States and Australia during a meeting at the Pentagon.
Battle Group Poland conducts rapid response exercise Army News 20 Sep 2019 -- NATO enhanced Forward Presence Battle Group Poland alongside Polish 15 Mechanized Brigade, successfully completed another iteration of the multinational rapid response exercise, Bull Run 10, Sep. 18-19.
Seabees Join Soldiers in Gulf Coast Readiness Exercise NNS 20 Sep 2019 -- Seabees assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 133 supported the U.S. Army 4th and 25th Infantry Brigade Combat Teams (IBCT) in a joint readiness exercise (JRE) in Pascagoula, Mississippi, Sept. 17.
Navy Lays Keel of Future USS Savannah (LCS 28) NNS 20 Sep 2019 -- The U.S. Navy held a keel-laying and authentication ceremony for the future USS Savannah (LCS 28) at Austal USA's shipyard Mobile, Ala., on Sept. 20.
Unmanned Refueling Aircraft Passes First Test Flight NNS 20 Sep 2019 -- The Navy and Boeing successfully completed the first test flight of the MQ-25, the first operational carrier-based unmanned refueling aircraft, Sept. 19 from MidAmerica Airport in Mascoutah, Illinois.
Boeing, US Navy Successfully Complete First Unmanned Aerial Refueler Test Flight Sputnik 20 Sep 2019 -- Boeing, the US aircraft manufacturing giant, has announced that together with the US Navy it had completed the first operational unmanned aerial refueler test flight, marking a milestone in the military's efforts to reliably deliver fuel via unmanned aircraft to carrier ships.
NavyTests Experimental Technology at Trident Warrior 2019 NNS 20 Sep 2019 -- Naval Information Warfare Systems Command (NAVWAR) tested tools and techniques to rapidly equip the warfighter with advanced capabilities during Trident Warrior 2019 (TW19), which ended Sept. 19 off the coast of San Diego.
Tunnel 9 personnel provide guidance for hypersonic experiment US Air Force 20 Sep 2019 -- When those conducting Air Force-sponsored basic science research in hypersonic aerodynamics needed some advice, they relied upon the expertise of engineers and technicians at Arnold Engineering and Development Complex Hypervelocity Wind Tunnel 9 in White Oak, Maryland.
US Air Force partners with Portugal to host European Partnership Flight US Air Force 20 Sep 2019 -- Approximately 30 Air Force delegates from eight nations participated in the European Partnership Flight event Sept. 8-15, 2019, at Monte Real Air Base.
Pentagon Says Has Plan of Defeating Air Defence System of Russia's Kaliningrad Region Sputnik 20 Sep 2019 -- The Pentagon has developed a plan of defeating the air defence system of the Russian westernmost enclave, the Kaliningrad Region, in case of Moscow's possible aggression, Commander of the US Air Forces in Europe and Africa, Gen. Jeffrey Lee Harrigian, said.
Esper Describes DOD's Increased Cyber Offensive Strategy DoD News 20 Sep 2019 -- Cyberspace is a warfighting domain, and the U.S. military must take an active role in defending the country and its allies from threats in that realm, Defense Secretary Mark T. Esper said yesterday.
US, Australia to Reveal Joint Plan to Challenge China Dominance in Rare Earths Sputnik 20 Sep 2019 -- The United States and Australia will announce a new plan to jointly cooperate on improving their supplies of rare earth minerals when Prime Minister Scott Morrison visits Washington next week, a senior Trump administration official said on Thursday.

Deputy Secretary General in Dublin: NATO is committed to partnership with Ireland NATO 20 Sep 2019 -- NATO Deputy Secretary General Rose Gottemoeller welcomed the Alliance's partnership with Ireland in a visit to Dublin on Friday (20 September 2019). Meeting with Secretary General of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Niall Burgess, the Deputy Secretary General praised Ireland's contributions to international peace and security, including through its contributions to UN and EU peacekeeping operations, as well as the NATO-led peacekeeping force in Kosovo. While stressing NATO's firm respect for Ireland's military neutrality, she praised the country's cooperation with NATO, which benefits both NATO and Ireland in today's challenging security environment.

Operation Cobra Warrior: Israeli F-15s Join RAF for First Ever Joint Drills on British Soil Sputnik 20 Sep 2019 -- The Israeli and British fighter jets conducted military exercise together over the eastern Mediterranean several months ago, and the drills also involved the US Air Force at the time.

Donald Trump Brands China 'Threat to the World' in Due to Its Military Build-up Sputnik 20 Sep 2019 -- Although Washington has temporarily lifted the tariffs on hundreds of goods from China that were imposed last year at the beginning of the US-Chinese trade spat, he has not ceased his critical rhetoric towards the Asian powerhouse, cooling the enthusiasm of those who had hoped the dispute would be resolved soon.

India's Meteor Rival BVR Air-to-Air Missile 'Astra' Ready for Induction Sputnik 20 Sep 2019 -- India's military's research and development agency DRDO has successfully flight-tested the 'Astra' missile from a Su-30 MKI platform.

North Korea May be Preparing to Launch Nuclear Missile-Capable Submarine - Reports Sputnik 20 Sep 2019 -- North Korea could possibly be preparing to deploy a new ballistic missile-capable submarine, the Japanese broadcaster NHK reported, citing independent US researchers.

Fuel Tanks Break off From Tornado Fighter Mid-flight as Germany Seeks Replacement for Aging Jets Sputnik 20 Sep 2019 -- The Bundeswehr jet lost two 5.6-metre-long containers during a training exercise at an altitude of around 6,000 metres. The tanks, weighing 130 kilograms each, fell on a rural area of the northern German state of Schleswig-Holstein.

Iran Army, IRGC hold joint aerial drills over Persian Gulf Press TV 20 Sep 2019 -- Fighter jets of the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF) and the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) have taken part in joint aerial drills over the Persian Gulf waters ahead of a massive parade slated for Sunday.
Iran to Respond From Mediterranean to Indian Ocean Against Any US Plots - Top IRGC Chief Sputnik 20 Sep 2019 -- Tensions between Tehran and Washington intensified amid US claims suggesting Iranian complicity in last week's attacks against Saudi oil refineries, which was claimed by Yemen's Houthis.

Taiwan's Navy places order for locally built anti-ship guns CNA 20 Sep 2019 -- The Navy has recently signed a contract to acquire three indigenous short-range anti-ship systems produced by the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST), the military said Friday.

Defense Industry

Contracts For Sept. 20, 2019

Other Conflicts

20 September 2019 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 20 Sep 2019
UNICEF Says More Than 29 Million Babies Born In Conflict Zones In 2018 RFE/RL 20 Sep 2019 -- More than 29 million babies were born last year into conflict-affected areas, including Afghanistan, Somalia, South Sudan, Syria, and Yemen, according to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).

Hanoi Silent in Face of China's Claim of Sovereignty in Vietnam's EEZ Radio Free Asia 20 Sep 2019 -- China's claim this week of jurisdiction over waters claimed by Vietnam has met so far with official silence in Hanoi, which had earlier demanded that Beijing withdraw an oil survey ship and other vessels from what Vietnam calls its own exclusive economic zone.

How Pompeo Took Charge of US Response to Attack on Saudi Oil Fields VOA 20 Sep 2019 -- As the world waited for the U.S. and Saudi Arabia to decide what to do next in response to last weekend's drone and missile attack on two major Saudi oil fields, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo made the most bellicose statement yet on the attacks, unambiguously accusing Iran of launching them and declaring the attacks an "act of war."
Saudi-Led Coalition Initiates Operation on 'Military Targets' in Yemen - State TV Sputnik 20 Sep 2019 -- The Saudi-led coalition announced that it has begun military operations north of the Yemeni city of Hodeidah against " legitimate military targets," according to Saudi state TV.

Yemen's Houthis announce plan to conditionally halt strikes against Saudi Arabia Press TV 20 Sep 2019 -- Yemen's Houthi Ansarullah movement says it will stop launching retaliatory missile and drone attacks against positions inside Saudi Arabia if the Saudi-led military coalition, which has been pounding impoverished Yemen for the past several years, reciprocates the initiative in kind.
Yemenis countering world's strongest, wealthiest countries: Houthi Press TV 20 Sep 2019 -- Mohammed Ali al-Houthi, chairman of the Supreme Revolutionary Committee of Yemen, has said that the war-wracked country is countering the world's "strongest and wealthiest" countries in its fight against the Saudi war.
Saudi-led coalition attacks Yemen's Hudaydah in violation of truce deal Press TV 20 Sep 2019 -- The Saudi-led coalition has launched a military operation against the Yemeni port city of Hudaydah in violation of a 2018 UN-brokered ceasefire agreement.
Coalition's JFC for Support of Legitimacy in Yemen: Qualitative Operation North of Hodeidah Targeting Iranian-Backed Terrorist Al-Houthi Militia's Locations of Assembling, Booby-Trapping Remote-Controlled Boats and Sea Mines SPA 20 Sep 2019 -- The spokesman of the Joint Forces Command (JFC) of the Coalition for the Support of Legitimacy in Yemen, Colonel Turki Al-Malki stated that following the statement issued by JFC of Coalition on Thursday (Sep 18, 2019) regarding the interception and destruction of a remote-controlled booby-trapped boat, the Coalition's Joint Forces carried out in north of Hodeidah a qualitative operation at dawn today targeting Al-Houthi terrorist militia's hostile targets that pose a threat to regional and international security.

Militants Block Humanitarian Corridor to Idlib's Abu al-Duhur Checkpoint- Syrian Army Sputnik 20 Sep 2019 -- Militants in the province of Idlib in northern Syria are blocking local residents from entering the territory controlled by the government through the recently re-opened Abu al-Duhur checkpoint, Syrian Army Brig. Gen. Nabil Abdullah, who is responsible for organising the humanitarian corridor, said on Friday.
Trump Renews Threat to Dump IS Fighters at Europe's Border VOA 20 Sep 2019 -- U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday renewed threats to dump captured Islamic State fighters on Europe's doorstep if countries there continue to refuse to take back all their foreign fighters.

Bus bombing attack kills 12 people near Iraqi city of Karbala Press TV 20 Sep 2019 -- At least 12 people have been killed and several others wounded in a bus bomb attack in the vicinity of Iraq's holy city of Karbala.

'Collective' erosion of two-State solution, continues unabated: Mladenov UN News 20 Sep 2019 -- The "steady deterioration" of chances that a lasting peace can be negotiated between Israel and Palestine as two States live side by side, reflects a "collective failure" of leadership across the region and the world.
Deal of Century aims to trample on Palestinian people's rights: Hamas official IRNA 20 Sep 2019 -- Chief of Hamas' Political Affairs in Lebanon Ahmed Abdel Hadi said on Thursday that Deal of Century is aimed at violating Palestinian people's rights and end their cause.

Balakot Strike: Indian Air Force Chief Says Pakistan 'Always Miscalculated' India's Resolve to Act Sputnik 20 Sep 2019 -- Pakistan has always underestimated India's national leadership and they did the same during the Balakot airstrikes, the IAF chief said on Friday.
Indian PM Modi Calls for Building 'A New Kashmir' Sputnik 20 Sep 2019 -- In a shift from the much-used slogan of "Kashmir is Ours" all these years in election speeches, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday called on people to work towards building a new Kashmir, as he gave people a new slogan – "We've to Build A New Kashmir".

Seoul, Washington to Hold Talks on Defence Cost-Sharing Deal in South Korea Next Week - Reports Sputnik 20 Sep 2019 -- The agreement between Seoul and Washington obliges South Korea to pay roughly 80 billion won (around $70 million) more for hosting 28,500 US troops per year, which, according to the Yonhap news agency, will be the main discussion topic during the negotiations.

Ukraine Preparing More Troop Withdrawals VOA 20 Sep 2019 -- Hints of another exchange of prisoners, talk of a bilateral withdrawal of combat soldiers and heavy weaponry from the 450-kilometer frontline in Ukraine's east, and rising signs that Moscow and Kyiv are close to a deal on a new Russian gas-transit contract – what's happening?

Rebel Alliance Unilaterally Extends Temporary Ceasefire in Myanmar Radio Free Asia 20 Sep 2019 -- Three ethnic armed groups fighting with Myanmar's military in northern Rakhine State and northern Shan State have unilaterally extended a ceasefire until end of this year, according to a statement released by the alliance on Friday.

News Reports

Trump Defends Himself Against Whistle-Blower's 'Ridiculous' Complaint RFE/RL 20 Sep 2019 -- U.S. President Donald Trump has dismissed a whistle-blower's complaint reported to relate to a promise he allegedly made to a foreign leader - believed to be Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy - as "ridiculous."
Whistle-Blower Complaint Against Trump Reportedly Involves Ukraine RFE/RL 20 Sep 2019 -- A reported whistle-blower complaint against President Donald Trump allegedly made by a U.S. intelligence official involves Ukraine, The Washington Post and other U.S. media are reporting.
Whistleblower Complaint About Trump Centers Around Ukraine – Reports Sputnik 20 Sep 2019 -- The details of a whistleblower complaint reported by The Washington Post described as an unspecified "promise" by US President Donald Trump to a foreign leader remain unknown, however, two people familiar with the matter told the outlet that the promise involved Ukraine.

Briefing by Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova Moscow, September 20, 2019 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 20 Sep 2019
The Week In Russia: Big Chills, Little Thaws, And 'Workshop Solidarity' RFE/RL 20 Sep 2019 -- If you don't like the weather, wait 15 minutes. They say that about New England, but it might work for Moscow, too, if it's the short-term political climate you're talking about. One day, a man is sentenced to years in prison, a few days later he may be released from jail. But the next, some other crackdown is in the forecast. Tough to tell a thaw from a false spring these days.
Russia Suspected of Manipulating Doping Data From Moscow Lab - Reports Sputnik 20 Sep 2019 -- Russia is suspected of manipulating the data of the Moscow Anti-Doping Laboratory, a non-compliance procedure has been launched against the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA), German ARD television journalist Hajo Seppelt reported.

Statement by Roving Ambassador of DPRK Foreign Ministry KCNA 20 Sep 2019 -- Kim Myong Gil, roving ambassador of the Foreign Ministry of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, released the following statement on Friday:
North Korea welcomes Trump's firing of 'nasty' Bolton Press TV 20 Sep 2019 -- North Korea has welcomed the move by US President Donald Trump to fire his national security adviser John Bolton, who espoused a standoffish view of how America had to deal with Pyongyang.
Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un Sends Reply Message to General Secretary Xi Jinping KCNA 20 Sep 2019 -- Kim Jong Un, chairman of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) and chairman of the State Affairs Commission of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), sent a reply message to Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and president of the People's Republic of China, on September 19.

U.S. Sanctions Iran's Central Bank, National Development Fund, and Etemad Tejarat Pars US Dept. of State 20 Sep 2019 -- "In a failed attempt to disrupt the global economy, the Islamic Republic of Iran attacked the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This act of aggression was sophisticated in its planning and brazen in its execution. Regardless of transparent attempts to shift blame, the evidence points to Iran–and only Iran. As a result, President Trump instructed his administration to substantially increase the already-historic sanctions on the world's leading state sponsor of terrorism."
Treasury Sanctions Iran's Central Bank and National Development Fund US Treasury 20 Sep 2019 -- Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) took action against the Central Bank of Iran (CBI), the National Development Fund of Iran (NDF), and Etemad Tejarate Pars Co. under its counterterrorism authority, Executive Order (E.O.) 13224.
Trump Announces New Sanctions Against Iran VOA 20 Sep 2019 -- U.S. President Donald Trump announced new sanctions against Iran's national bank Friday, further escalating economic pressure on the Islamic Republic.
US sanctions CBI as new step in anti-Iran economic terrorism IRNA 20 Sep 2019 -- The US President Donald Trump in line with his policy of waging economic terrorism against Iranians imposed sanctions against Central Bank of Iran (CBI).
US imposes sanctions on Iran's central bank: Trump Press TV 20 Sep 2019 -- US President Donald Trump has imposed sanctions on Iran's central bank in the latest round of Washington's anti-Iran measures.
Russia vows to continue banking cooperation with Iran despite 'illegitimate' US sanctions Press TV 20 Sep 2019 -- Russia has dismissed "illegitimate" sanctions imposed by the United States on the Central Bank of Iran (CBI), vowing to continue its cooperation with the Islamic Republic in the banking sector.
U.S. Slaps 'Highest Sanctions Ever' On Iran After Saudi Oil Attack RFE/RL 20 Sep 2019 -- The United States has imposed another round of sanctions on Iran, including on its central bank and its sovereign wealth fund, following last week's attack on Saudi Arabia's oil infrastructure that Riyadh and Washington blame on Iran.
US-Iranian Tensions Threaten to Overshadow UN General Assembly VOA 20 Sep 2019 -- As world leaders prepare to gather for their annual meetings at the U.N. General Assembly, heightened tensions between the United States and Iran threaten to overshadow a summit on global warming.
In letter to UNSC, Iran refutes US claims on space activities, ballistic missiles IRNA 20 Sep 2019 -- which is a terminated and, in fact, dead resolution -- is ironic. Likewise, it is hypocritical that the United States, which arrogantly continues to threaten other States either to violate resolution 2231 (2015) or face punishment, is calling for the full implementation of that resolution. If the implementation of resolution 2231 (2015) matters for the United States, it should end violating it itself and also stop forcing other States to violate that resolution.
Zarif: Iran has no desire for war IRNA 20 Sep 2019 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said in a Twitter message that Iran has no desire for war, adding that Iran will defend its own people.
Strike on Iran will lead to "all-out war" in region, warns Iranian FM People's Daily 20 Sep 2019 -- Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif warned Thursday that a possible military strike on his country will lead to an "all-out war" in the region.
US resorting to 'maximum deception' campaign against Iran: Envoy Press TV 20 Sep 2019 -- Iran's ambassador to the UN has rejected "certain baseless accusations" repeated by the US against the Islamic Republic's space and ballistic missile activities, saying Washington is resorting to a "maximum deception" campaign in dealing with Tehran.
B-Team wants to fight Iran to the last American: FM Zarif Press TV 20 Sep 2019 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says that US-allied Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates apparently want to "fight Iran to the last American."
Zarif slams US-proposed 'Coalition for Peaceful Resolution' targeting Iran Press TV 20 Sep 2019 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has slammed the US' proposed "Coalition for Peaceful Resolution" seeking to "counter" Iran.

HKSAR chief executive to attend 1st community dialogue on Sept. 26 Global Times 20 Sep 2019 -- The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government said on Thursday that HKSAR Chief Executive Carrie Lam will attend the first Community Dialogue session on the evening of Sept. 26, and 150 people from the community will be invited to the dialogue.
China demands US drop bill on HK People's Daily 20 Sep 2019 -- China on Thursday demanded the United States stop advancing a Hong Kong-related bill and its interference in Hong Kong affairs on Thursday, after US lawmakers held a news conference to back the bill.
Hong Kong Police 'Torture', Mistreat Detained Anti-Extradition Protesters: Amnesty International Radio Free Asia 20 Sep 2019 -- London-based rights group Amnesty International has hit out at the Hong Kong police over the "torture and other ill-treatment" of anti-extradition protesters in detention, as well as the reckless and indiscriminate use of force.
Protests Could Undermine Hong Kong's Ability to Compete with Singapore VOA 20 Sep 2019 -- Hong Kong and Singapore have always been rivals of a sort. Government stability and transparent legal systems have attracted thousands of multinationals to both since the 1960s, giving each the title of Asian financial center.

Taiwan is to blame for Kiribati's decision Global Times 20 Sep 2019 -- The Pacific island nation of Kiribati on Friday abruptly severed "diplomatic ties" with Taiwan. It came less than a week after the Solomon Islands cut "diplomatic ties" with Taiwan. Taiwan's "diplomacy" is collapsing, and may lose all of its "allies."
Kiribati Cuts Diplomatic Ties to Taiwan in Favor of China VOA 20 Sep 2019 -- The United States said it is deeply disappointed in Kiribati's decision to abandon its diplomatic ties with Taiwan, in favor of China.
China's campaign to lure Taiwan's diplomatic allies concerns U.S. CNA 20 Sep 2019 -- The American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) reiterated Friday U.S. concern over China's suppression of Taiwan's international space, which is deemed by Washington as a change of the status quo across the Taiwan Strait, after Beijing took another diplomatic ally from Taiwan.
FM asked to stay on after offering to resign over diplomatic setback CNA 20 Sep 2019 -- President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) has asked Minister of Foreign Affairs Joseph Wu (吳釗燮) to remain in his post after he tendered his resignation to shoulder political responsibility for the termination of diplomatic relations with Kiribati, the Presidential Office spokesman said Friday.
Tsai condemns Beijing after Kiribati ditches Taiwan for China CNA 20 Sep 2019 -- President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) condemned China Friday for trying to interfere in Taiwan's upcoming elections after Kiribati decided to switch its diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing.
China's diplomatic offensive aimed at swaying elections: Taiwan FM CNA 20 Sep 2019 -- China's ongoing diplomatic offensive is aimed at influencing Taiwan's upcoming elections and undermining its democratic process, Foreign Minister Joseph Wu (吳釗燮) said Friday at a press conference, at which he announced the severance of official ties with Kiribati.
Taiwan cuts diplomatic ties with Kiribati CNA 20 Sep 2019 -- Taiwan on Friday lost its second diplomatic ally in a week, after Foreign Minister Joseph Wu (吳釗燮) announced that the country was cutting diplomatic ties with Kiribati as the central Pacific nation has decided to switch allegiance to Beijing.
MOFA closely watching Taiwan's ties with Kiribati CNA 20 Sep 2019 -- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said Friday that it is closely monitoring Taiwan's ties with Kiribati, amid speculations that the Pacific island nation might switch diplomatic recognition to China.
China Targets Taiwan's Allies Ahead of 2020 Elections: Tsai Ing-wen Radio Free Asia 20 Sep 2019 -- Taiwan president Tsai Ing-wen hit out at China on Friday after a second Pacific nation announced it was terminating diplomatic ties with the democratic island to establish relations with the People's Republic of China instead.

Zelenskiy To Meet Trump In New York Next Week RFE/RL 20 Sep 2019 -- U.S. President Donald Trump will meet with his Ukrainian counterpart for the first time next week amid a House investigation over their July 25 phone call.

Gantz rejects Netanyahu's unity offer, vows own coalition Press TV 20 Sep 2019 -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's strongest rival, Benny Gantz, has thrown out his offer for a coalition, after their battle in the regime's latest general elections ended up in a deadlock.

Cuba slams US expulsion of UN diplomats as 'unjustified' Press TV 20 Sep 2019 -- The government in Havana has denounced as "unjustified" the expulsion of two members of its United Nations mission by the United States over security claims.

Kazakhstan Doing Everything To Keep Zhanaozen Activists Away From Proposed Rally RFE/RL 20 Sep 2019 -- Following a wave of antigovernment protests across Kazakhstan earlier this month, activists from the volatile city of Zhanaozen say authorities are taking extraordinary measures to prevent them from attending another rally.
Kazakh Prosecutor Calls On Citizens Not To Take Part In 'Illegal' Rallies RFE/RL 20 Sep 2019 -- The Prosecutor-General's Office has called on citizens not to take part in what it called "illegal" rallies planned by the banned Kazakhstan's Democratic Choice (DVK) movement on September 21.

Saudi Arabia pressuring wealthy families to fund Aramco IPO after Yemeni strike Press TV 20 Sep 2019 -- Saudi Arabia is pressuring wealthy families to invest in the initial public offering (IPO) of Aramco after suffering substantial damage from a major Yemeni drone attack, according to reports.

INTERVIEW: Guterres urges world leaders to 'do what is necessary' for peace and the planet UN News 20 Sep 2019 -- As global leaders prepare to convene in New York next week to debate the best way forward for the planet, Secretary-General António Guterres is urging them to "do what is necessary" to ensure that "we are able to solve the dramatic problems we face."

Cambodia Labels Acting Opposition Chief Sam Rainsy's Planned Return a 'Coup,' Vows to Jail Supporters Radio Free Asia 20 Sep 2019 -- Cambodia's Ministry of Justice on Friday labeled acting opposition chief Sam Rainsy's planned return from self-imposed exile in November part of a "coup," vowing to jail supporters from the general public for "15-30 years" and government officials for life.

Thousands Stage Anti-Government Protest In Tbilisi RFE/RL 20 Sep 2019 -- Thousands of people have gathered in the center of Georgia's capital to protest against the government and the ruling Georgian Dream party, three months after the violent dispersal of a rally against Russian influence.

Armenia's Ex-President Kocharian Denied Bail RFE/RL 20 Sep 2019 -- A court in Yerevan has denied bail to former President Robert Kocharian, who faces charges of overthrowing the constitutional order.

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