• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• UN Says 14,000 'Grave Violations' Against Afghan Kids In Four Years RFE/RL 04 Oct 2019 -- The worsening security situation in Afghanistan over the past four years has led to over 14,000 "grave violations" against children, including nearly 3,500 deaths, a UN report says.
• Taliban Delegation Met With US Special Envoy During His Trip to Pakistan - Reports Sputnik 04 Oct 2019 -- The movement and American officials have been holding talks in Doha for almost a year, but US President Donald Trump announced their collapse in September after the group had claimed responsibility for an assault in Kabul that killed a US serviceman.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Southcom Commander: Foreign Powers Pose Security Concerns DoD News 04 Oct 2019 -- In South and Central America, four foreign powers are operating with differing involvement across all elements of national power, the commander of U.S. Southern Command said.
• Comfort Strengthens Partnership with Saint Lucia Following Successful Medical Mission NNS 04 Oct 2019 -- The hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) departed Saint Lucia following the completion of the ship's eighth medical mission in Central America, South America, and the Caribbean, Oct. 2.
• NATO's New Strategy Will Better Protect Europe, Top Commander Says DoD News 04 Oct 2019 -- The top U.S. military commander in Europe says the U.S. military will have a more productive role in NATO as a means of protecting Europe against two basic threats: Russia's "malign influence" and international terrorism.
• NATO Deputy Secretary General in Batumi: Georgia has demonstrated that it is an exporter of security NATO 04 Oct 2019 -- Speaking in the Black Sea city of Batumi after a meeting with Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili on Friday (4 October), NATO Deputy Secretary General Rose Gottemoeller thanked the President for hosting the North Atlantic Council. She said that the Substantial NATO-Georgia Package has been a success story in the five years since it was created, strengthening Georgia's interoperability with the Alliance and making Georgian armed forces more capable. "Allies have now decided to conduct a refresh as we call it or a strengthening of the package by 2020, updating and improving our cooperation", she said.
• Remarks by NATO Deputy Secretary General Rose Gottemoeller and Vakhtang Gomelauri, Minister of Internal Affairs of Georgia, Batumi Port NATO 04 Oct 2019 -- (as delivered)
• Russia Rolls Out Missile Early Warning Systems in Arctic Sputnik 04 Oct 2019 -- Two new Voronezh-type missile early warning radars will become operational in 2022 in the Komi Republic and the Murmansk region in northern Russia, the Defence Ministry said.
• Russia to Deploy Over 10 Space Monitoring Centres by 2022 Sputnik 04 Oct 2019 -- Russia will deploy more than 10 new laser-optical and radio-technical space monitoring stations on its territory by 2022, the Russian Defence Ministry said.
• Putin: I am helping China to build a missile warning system expert: he is sincere SOHU.com 04 Oct 2019 -- According to Russian satellite network news on October 4, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Moscow is helping Beijing to build a missile early warning defense system.
• Russia helping China build missile attack warning system: Putin Press TV 04 Oct 2019 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has revealed for the first time that his country is assisting China to develop an state-of-the-art missile attack warning system, a technology only owned by Russia and the United States at the moment.
• Experts: North Korea's Submarine-Capable Missile Poses Threat to US Allies VOA 04 Oct 2019 -- North Korea's underwater-launched missile has a longer-range than the missiles the country tested earlier this year and is designed to be launched from a submarine that has a potential to pose a threat to the U.S. allies in northeast Asia, experts said.
• IRGC Chief Commander Warns Israel to Be Wiped Off Political Maps If It Wages New War Sputnik 04 Oct 2019 -- A senior Iranian military commander hailed the country's deterrence system as one that has helped keep enemies at bay and offset economic pressures exerted on the Islamic Republic by the US and its allies over the past year.
• Saudi Arabia enlists women in military for first time Press TV 04 Oct 2019 -- The Saudi Defense Ministry has allowed women to be enlisted in its armed forces for the first time in a bid to "empower women" as part of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's "Saudi Vision 2030" development plan.
• Knightresses of the Gulf: Saudi Arabia Allows Women to Join Military – Report Sputnik 04 Oct 2019 -- Last year, women in Saudi Arabia were allowed to join security forces in areas related to public security - counter-narcotics, criminal investigation, customs, and prisons; but now the government thinks that women in the kingdom can do more.
• US approves anti-tank missiles sale to Ukraine amid phone call scandal Press TV 04 Oct 2019 -- The US State Department has approved the sale of anti-tank missiles to Ukraine in a move which is likely to anger Russia.
• Pompeo: U.S., Montenegro To Sign Military Deal RFE/RL 04 Oct 2019 -- The United States and Montenegro are finalizing their biggest bilateral arms deal, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has said during a short trip to NATO's newest member.
• Remarks by President Trump Before Marine One Departure The White House 04 Oct 2019
• Secretary Michael R. Pompeo and North Macedonia Prime Minister Zoran Zaev Remarks to the Press US Dept. of State 04 Oct 2019 -- Remarks by Michael R. Pompeo, Secretary of State
• Secretary Michael R. Pompeo and Montenegrin Prime Minister Dusko Markovic Remarks to the Press US Dept. of State 04 Oct 2019 -- Remarks by Michael R. Pompeo, Secretary of State

Defense Industry

• Contracts For Oct. 4, 2019

Other Conflicts

• 4 October 2019 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 04 Oct 2019
• Putin's Meeting with Philippine President Signals Bigger, Trickier Russian Role in Disputed South China Sea VOA 04 Oct 2019 -- Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's meeting this week with Vladimir Putin in Russia signals Moscow's interest in playing a tricky but persuasive role in the South China Sea maritime sovereignty dispute now dominated by China and the United States, specialists in the region say.
• Yemenis rally to express support for recent anti-Saudi operation Press TV 04 Oct 2019 -- Thousands of Yemenis have taken to the streets of the northern Yemeni city of Sa'ada to express support for the country's recent retaliatory military operation against Saudi-led forces in the border region of Najran.
• Command of Joint Forces of Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen: Iranian-Backed Houthi Terrorist Militia Fires Two Ballistic Missiles Today's Morning From Sana'a Using Civilian Objects to Launch and Fall Inside Sa'ada SPA 04 Oct 2019 -- Spokesman of Command of Joint Forces of Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen Col. Turki Al-Malki said that the Iranian-backed terrorist Houthi militia fired two ballistic missiles from Sana'a Governorate on Friday morning, October 4, 2019, using civilian objects of the launch site and fell after firing in Saada Governorate.
• US Increasingly Worried Turkey Will Conduct Major Offensive in Syria - Reports Sputnik 05 Oct 2019 -- The United States is worried that Turkey will carry out a major offensive against Kurdish militia in Syria, media reported on Friday.
• Reports: Up to 35 Russian Mercenaries Killed in Libya VOA 04 Oct 2019 -- As many as 35 Russian mercenaries are reported to have been killed in Libya while they were fighting for Khalifa Haftar, the military general most associated with the rule of the late leader Muammar Gaddafi, who launched an offensive earlier this year on the Libyan capital of Tripoli, home to the country's internationally-recognized government, according to a Russian media.
• India Admits Downing Own Mi-17 Chopper in Dogfight With Pak in February, Prompting Investigation Sputnik 04 Oct 2019 -- Rafale Deal
• Ukraine says plans major prisoner swap with Russia Press TV 04 Oct 2019 -- Ukraine's Foreign Minister Vadym Prystaiko says his country plans to conduct a "large-scale" prisoner swap with Russia.
• Cyprus Slams Turkish Drill Ship Operating Near Borders as 'Flagrant Violation' of Its Sovereignty Sputnik 04 Oct 2019 -- Ankara previously stated that Turkish vessels would continue carrying out hydrocarbons exploration in the Cyprus exclusive economic zone despite concerns, voiced by the EU.
• Cameroon Separatists Say Presidential Pardons Won't Stop Crisis VOA 04 Oct 2019 -- Cameroon separatists said the release of more than 300 fighters ordered by President Paul Biya is not enough to stop the war that has killed at least 2,000 people in the central African state.

News Reports

• House Democrats Issue Subpoena to White House in Impeachment Inquiry VOA 04 Oct 2019 -- U.S. Democrats in the House of Representatives have sent a subpoena to the White House for documents related to their impeachment inquiry of President Donald Trump.
• Trump Lashes Out at Schiff, New Face of Impeachment Inquiry VOA 04 Oct 2019 -- Adam Schiff, the erudite and dogged chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, is prosecuting the case of his life on Capitol Hill this fall.
• Trump Says He Has Constitutional Obligation to Investigate Biden on Corruption VOA 04 Oct 2019 -- U.S. President Donald Trump, in his latest remarks explaining his requests to foreign governments to investigate his political opponents, is asserting he has a constitutional duty to fight corruption.
• Pentagon Releases Memo Urging Preservation of Ukraine Aid Documents VOA 04 Oct 2019 -- The Defense Department's office of the General Counsel has ordered Pentagon officials to turn over all documents and communications concerning U.S. military aid to Ukraine for cataloguing and preservation.
• Top Democrats ask Pence to turn over Ukraine documents Press TV 04 Oct 2019 -- Democrats in Congress leading an impeachment probe have requested documents related to President Donald Trump's policy toward Ukraine from Vice President Mike Pence.
• Impeachment inquiry most serious threat to Trump's presidency: US media Press TV 04 Oct 2019 -- The rapidly escalating impeachment inquiry against US President Donald Trump is the latest and perhaps most serious threat to his presidency, and the White House is failing to contain the crisis, accoding to US media reports.
• Trump Publicly Calls On China To Investigate Biden RFE/RL 04 Oct 2019 -- U.S. President Donald Trump has publicly called on China to investigate Democratic presidential hopeful Joe Biden, amid an impeachment inquiry in Congress over his request for Ukraine to investigate Biden and his son, Hunter.
• US House Democrats Request Documents From VP Pence Related to Impeachment Inquiry Sputnik 04 Oct 2019 -- House Democrats have asked Vice President Mike Pence to send them relevant documents in connection with their ongoing impeachment inquiry into US President Donald Trump. Pence's spokesperson replied the request does not appear to be "serious."
• Romney Says Trump's Calls to Invite China to Investigate Biden's Illegal Activities 'Appalling' Sputnik 04 Oct 2019 -- On Thursday, US President Donald Trump urged Beijing to launch an investigation into former Vice President Joe Biden and his son Hunter, following the ex-VP's alleged involvement in the sacking of Ukraine's general prosecutor back in 2016.
• Trump Discussed Biden With China's Xi in June – Reports Sputnik 04 Oct 2019 -- US President Donald Trump discussed ex-VP Joe Biden, who is currently in a centre of a scandal over his links with Ukraine, with Chinese leader Xi Jinping back in June, media reported, citing two people familiar with the conversation, on Friday, amid Trump's calls for probes into Biden to be conducted in Ukraine and China.
• Giuliani Was Warned Ukrainians Sent Him Unreliable Information on Bidens - Reports Sputnik 04 Oct 2019 -- Former US Special Representative for Ukraine Kurt Volker told the House Intelligence Committee in private testimony that he warned President Trump's personal attorney Rudy Giuliani that he was receiving unreliable information from certain Ukrainian politicians about former VP Joe Biden and his son Hunter, media reported.
• At Center Of Whirlwind, Can Ukraine Weather The Storm And Keep U.S. Support? RFE/RL 04 Oct 2019 -- It was supposed to be a special occasion, an event that would symbolize and strengthen the bond between the United States and Ukraine.
• Ukrainian Prosecutor Says Yet To See Evidence Of Biden Wrongdoing, Case Reviews Under Way RFE/RL 02 Oct 2019 -- Ukraine's top prosecutor says he doesn't know of any evidence showing illegal activity by the son of former U.S. Vice President Joe Biden but that his office is reviewing several closed cases, including ones related to a gas company where Hunter Biden worked.
• Microsoft: Iranian Hackers Targeted U.S. Presidential Campaign RFE/RL 04 Oct 2019 -- A hacking group allegedly linked to the Iranian government has targeted a unidentified U.S. presidential campaign, Microsoft says.
• Microsoft Claims Cyber Group Targeted Accounts Related to US Presidential Campaign Sputnik 04 Oct 2019 -- The American tech company claims that it has recently seen significant cyber activity by a threat group that they call Phosphorous, which they believe originates from Iran.
• Microsoft: Hackers Linked to Iran Targeted US Presidential Campaign VOA 04 Oct 2019 -- Microsoft said hackers linked to the Iranian government targeted a U.S. presidential campaign, but were not successful.
• US Military Says Venezuela's Maduro 'Increasingly Isolated' VOA 04 Oct 2019 -- A top U.S. military commander says embattled Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro is slowly but surely losing his grip on power, forced to rely on countries like Cuba and Russia, and even on drug cartels, to stay in office.
• Second Defendant Arrested in Case Alleging Theft of Trade Secrets from American Aviation Company US Dept. of Justice 04 Oct 2019 -- Indictment unsealed today charges Russian and Italian nationals
• Second Suspect Arrested In U.S. Probe Into Russian-Led Theft Of Aviation Secrets RFE/RL 04 Oct 2019 -- A second suspect has been arrested as part of a U.S. criminal case alleging that a Russian defense executive attempted to steal trade secrets from the aviation unit of General Electric.
• Belarus Pardons Ukrainian Man After Kyiv Releases Belarusian 'Spy' RFE/RL 04 Oct 2019 -- Belarus has pardoned a Ukrainian man sentenced to 8 years in prison on espionage charges a day after Ukrainian authorities released on his own recognizance a Belarusian citizen also charged with spying.
• Rights Expert Alarmed About North Korean Worker Conditions VOA 04 Oct 2019 -- A U.N. human rights expert has expressed concern over the working conditions of North Korean workers abroad in response to VOA's report that uncovered North Korea's illicit labor activities in Senegal.
• Does North Korea-themed Bar Violate South Korea's National Security Act? VOA 04 Oct 2019 -- A plan to open a controversial, North Korea-themed bar in Seoul is highlighting the gray area surrounding South Korea's National Security Act, which bans glorifying North Korea.
• Trump says talks with DPRK happening 'soon' as envoys prepare to meet in Stockholm Global Times 04 Oct 2019 -- President Donald Trump said Thursday that the United States will be talking to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) "soon," indicating stalled denuclearization negotiations could quickly pick up steam.
• Light Planes Presented to KPA KCNA 04 Oct 2019 -- There was a presentation of light planes Chongnyonjonwi, Sonyon, Nyomaeng prepared by the youth league, the children's union and the women's union, on the occasion of the 74th founding anniversary of the Workers' Party of Korea.
• Coal Production Increases in DPRK KCNA 04 Oct 2019 -- The coal industrial sector of the DPRK is conducting a drive to produce in a larger quantity coal needed for thermal power plants.
• Electricity Economy Drive Brisk in DPRK KCNA 04 Oct 2019 -- All the sectors and units of the DPRK are conducting a brisk campaign to economize in power.
• UN nuclear agency says Iran taking 'a step in the right direction' Press TV 04 Oct 2019 -- The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) says Iran has taken "a step in the right direction" regarding its nuclear program but there are still issues that have not been "completely addressed."
• Iran Taking 'Step In Right Direction,' IAEA Acting Chief Says RFE/RL 04 Oct 2019 -- The United Nations' nuclear watchdog says Iran has taken "a step in the right direction" with regard to questions on its nuclear program, but warns that the issues have not been "completely addressed."
• Hong Kong's ban on masks during protests will raise tensions: MAC CNA 04 Oct 2019 -- Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council (MAC), which oversees cross-strait affairs, said on Friday that the Hong Kong government's ban against wearing masks during protests is expected to increase confrontation between protesters and the authorities in the territory.
• HK chief enacts anti-mask law, calls it a 'necessary, responsible' move Global Times 04 Oct 2019 -- Hong Kong SAR Chief Executive Carrie Lam Friday invoked emergency powers to enact a law banning face masks at illegal public assemblies. The law, which takes effect on Saturday, is expected to help quell months of anti-government violence and chaos in Hong Kong.
• Rampage in HK paralyzes major parts of city after mask ban Global Times 04 Oct 2019 -- Rampage culminated in a large-scale eruption of violence across Hong Kong on Friday night, which forced a plain-clothes police officer to fire a shot in self-defense and all train services to be suspended after the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government enacted an anti-mask law.
• Central govt agencies firmly support HK's mask ban to end riots Global Times 04 Oct 2019 -- Central government agencies, major political groups, lawmakers, and many ordinary Hongkongers on Friday voiced their support to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government for enacting the anti-mask law amid spiraling rampage in the city, which will help police handle rioters.
• Enacting anti-mask law is legitimate move, echoing global practice Global Times 04 Oct 2019 -- Enacting an anti-mask law is in line with global practice and a legitimate move which would help Hong Kong SAR government deal with spiraling violence and riot, which are leading the city into the abyss, legal experts and government representatives say.
• Thousands Block Hong Kong Streets in Masks Amid Public Anger Over Ban Radio Free Asia 04 Oct 2019 -- Thousands of people took to the streets of Hong Kong on Friday in protest at the Hong Kong government's ban on the wearing of masks in public, which takes effect at midnight under emergency powers granted by colonial-era legislation.
• Hong Kong Emergency Powers Could Include Shutting Down Communications Radio Free Asia 04 Oct 2019 -- The Hong Kong government's decision to invoke emergency legislation to ban face-masks in public places has paved the way for potentially draconian controls on every aspect of life and business in the city, commentators warned on Friday.
• Hong Kong Legislature Evacuated Amid Protests Against Law Banning Masks Sputnik 04 Oct 2019 -- Hong Kong's Legislative Council, the region's unicameral legislature, issued a red alert on Friday, requiring all people on its premises to safely evacuate as protesters are rallying against the enactment of the law prohibiting people to wear masks.
• Hong Kong protests, 4 October 2019: Foreign Secretary's statement UK FCO 04 Oct 2019 -- Statement by the Foreign Secretary on the situation in Hong Kong, 4 October 2019
• Hong Kong Residents Protest Government Ban on Masks VOA 04 Oct 2019 -- Protests broke out Friday in Hong Kong immediately after the city's government banned people from wearing masks at public demonstrations.
• Hong Kong Bans Masks in Hardening Stance on Protests VOA 04 Oct 2019 -- The Hong Kong government on Friday banned people from wearing masks at public protests by invoking a British colonial era emergency powers act.
• Iraqi parliament speaker vows housing, healthcare reform Press TV 04 Oct 2019 -- Iraqi Parliament Speaker Mohammed al-Halbousi has vowed to implement plans to generate housing, employment and health "within a time frame", a few days after sporadic protests against alleged corruption erupted across the Arab country.
• Iraq's top Shia cleric urges security forces, protesters to avoid violence Press TV 04 Oct 2019 -- Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, the top Shia cleric of Iraq, has urged security forces and protesters to avoid violence, expressing sorrow over some sporadic unrest that has led to several casualties.
• Iraqi PM says ready to meet protesters, pledges change Press TV 04 Oct 2019 -- Iraqi Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi has expressed regret that the ongoing protests in the country have become violent, saying he is ready to meet with the organizers to discuss their demands.
• Prominent Shi'ite Cleric Calls For Iraqi Government's Resignation RFE/RL 04 Oct 2019 -- Prominent Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr has called for the government to resign and for early elections as protests intensified across the country.
• Nine More People Killed In Iraq Protests Despite PM's Call For Calm RFE/RL 04 Oct 2019 -- Nine more Iraqis have reportedly been killed in anti-government protests, bringing this week's overall death toll to 42, mainly in the predominantly Shi'ite south.
• Death Toll From Unrest in Iraq Up to 31 People, Almost 1,200 People Injured – Source Sputnik 04 Oct 2019 -- The number of people killed in unrest in Iraq rose to 31, while almost 1,200 people have been wounded, a source in the country's High Commission for Human Rights said.
• UN expresses concern following wave of street protests in Iraq and elsewhere UN News 04 Oct 2019 -- Authorities in Iraq have been urged by the UN human rights office, OHCHR, to allow citizens to exercise their right to freedom of expression after the security forces opened fire on mass anti-government protests which began earlier this week.
• Influential Iraqi Cleric Calls on Government to Resign Over Protests VOA 04 Oct 2019 -- One of Iraq's most influential clerics has called for Iraq's government to resign as anti-government protesters gathered in Baghdad for a fourth day of demonstrations against unemployment, poor public services and corruption.
• UN Condemns Iraq's Deadly Crackdown Against Protesters VOA 04 Oct 2019 -- The office of the U.N. high commissioner for human rights has harshly criticized Iraq's deadly crackdown on people protesting against corruption, lack of jobs and basic services, including electricity and clean water.
• Iraqi Forces Fire on Anti-Government Protesters in Baghdad VOA 04 Oct 2019 -- Iraqi security forces opened fired on anti-government protesters gathering in Baghdad Friday for a fourth day of demonstrations against unemployment, poor public services and corruption.
• UN highlights milestone of 1,000 Ebola survivors in DR Congo amid complex environment of conflict and mistrust UN News 04 Oct 2019 -- One thousand people have survived the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC): a testament to the strong leadership of the Congolese health authorities combined with the tireless efforts of thousands of local health workers and partners, United Nations agencies said on Friday.
• Three More Opposition Activists Charged With 'Plotting a Coup' in Cambodia Radio Free Asia 04 Oct 2019 -- A court in Cambodia's Tbong Khmum province on Friday charged three activists with the banned opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) with "plotting a coup," citing their support for the planned return of the party's acting president Sam Rainsy from self-imposed exile next month.
• Pompeo Warns North Macedonia On 'Russian Trolls,' Chinese Investment, Upbeat On NATO RFE/RL 04 Oct 2019 -- U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has warned against the "malign" influence of Russian trolls and Chinese investment during a visit to North Macedonia.
• Silver Lining? Tajikistan Defends Controversial Decision To Give Mine To China RFE/RL 04 Oct 2019 -- Tajik authorities are defending their decision to give a Chinese company the rights to develop a major silver mine in a move seen by some as great for Beijing but providing unknown benefits to Dushanbe.
• Haiti Protesters Demand US, International Community Stop Supporting President Moise VOA 04 Oct 2019 -- Thousands filled the streets of Haiti's capital, Port-au-Prince, as well as cities to the north and south again Friday to demand President Jovenel Moise resign.
• Zambian President Rings Alarm on Climate Change VOA 04 Oct 2019 -- Zambian President Edgar Lungu says climate change threatens to derail his country's economy, and disruptions to the rainy season have already dampened its outlook.
• Toll of Detained Protesters in Ecuador Reaches 350 as Thousands Rally - Interior Minister Sputnik 04 Oct 2019 -- The number of people detained during protests in Ecuador, which have erupted in response to the government's decision to cancel fuel subsidies, has reached 350, Ecuadorian Interior Minister Maria Paula Romo said on Friday.