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Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• U.S. Will Continue Defeat-ISIS Campaign, Official Says DoD News 16 Oct 2019 -- The United States will continue its campaign against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria from outside Syria, said a senior defense official who wished to remain anonymous, yesterday in Washington.
• US-Led Coalition Destroys Own Military Base in Syria After Withdrawing Troops - Reports Sputnik 16 Oct 2019 -- Earlier, Erdogan's government launched "Operation Peace Spring" in the north of Syria, with Turkey's NATO allies severely criticising the move and halting arms sales to Ankara, whereas the US responded by imposing sanctions on the Turkish administration.
• Deadly Taliban truck bomb hits near police station in eastern Afghanistan Press TV 16 Oct 2019 -- A truck bomb explosion near a police station in eastern Afghanistan has left at least three people dead and some 27 others injured, officials say.
• Record-Low Afghan Vote Turnout Could Plummet Further RFE/RL 16 Oct 2019 -- Turnout in Afghanistan's presidential election was already a record low, at around 26 percent. But it could sink more as election authorities sift through the votes cast in the September 28 poll.
• Afghan Election Commission Wraps Up Probe Into Complaints – Member Sputnik 16 Oct 2019 -- The Afghan Election Commission has concluded an investigation into complaints registered during last month's presidential election, commission member Qutbuddin Royedar said Tuesday.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Jordan, U.S. complete training cycle Army News 16 Oct 2019 -- New Jersey National Guard Soldiers with 1st Squadron, 102nd Cavalry Regiment, 44th Infantry Brigade Combat Team of the 42nd Infantry Division, and Jordan Border Guard Force Soldiers, with the 7th Mechanized Battalion, 48th Mechanized Brigade, completed their Jordan Operational Engagement Program (JOEP) training Oct. 3.
• Adversaries Pose Unconventional Threats in 'Gray Zone,' DOD Official Says DoD News 16 Oct 2019 -- The unconventional and insidious threat U.S. adversaries pose is in the "gray zone," the space between U.S. traditional concepts of a peaceful state of affairs and full-scale war, a Defense Department official said.
• SECNAV Names Future Destroyer in Honor of US Navy Medal of Honor Recipient NNS 16 Oct 2019 -- Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer named a future Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, DDG 134, in honor of U.S. Navy Hospitalman John E. Kilmer, who was awarded the Medal of Honor for his service during the Korean War.
• Navy Satellite Communications System Successfully Completes Key Test and Evaluation Phase NNS 16 Oct 2019 -- The Navy's next-generation narrowband satellite communications system completed a critical test and evaluation phase and was assessed as operationally effective, operational suitable and cyber survivable. The successful completion of this testing demonstrates the system's full operational capability and its readiness for forces to transition it into unrestricted operations.
• Exercise Polar Force tests Agile Combat Employment US Air Force 16 Oct 2019 -- Exercise Polar Force 20-1, a biannual two-week mission readiness exercise designed to test multiple elements of the Agile Combat Employment concept of operations ended Oct. 10.
• Eielson AFB reactivates 356th Fighter Squadron US Air Force 16 Oct 2019 -- Eielson Air Force Base reactivated the 356th Fighter Squadron Oct. 10, in preparation for the arrival of the F-35 Lightning IIs to interior Alaska.
• Consistent in combat training, to build a comprehensive operational support Navy News 16 Oct 2019 -- Recently, a detachment of the Northern War Zone Navy conducted actual combat training in a certain sea area. They followed the "theory of training, the basis of the command, the determination of the command drill, the ability of the actual inspection and exhibition, and the review and evaluation."
• 50 US Nuclear Bombs at Incirlik Air Base in Turkey Essentially 'Hostage' – Report Sputnik 16 Oct 2019 -- US Officials are reviewing plans to evacuate up to 50 nuclear bombs that have long been stored at Incirlik Air Base in Turkey in the wake of Ankara's military offensive in northern Syria, according to a report from the New York Times.
• India Puts Defence Bases in Punjab, Jammu on 'Orange Alert' Following Intel Inputs of Terror Attack Sputnik 16 Oct 2019 -- India has put its defence facilities in the northern states of Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir on high alert following intelligence inputs that suggested a group of suspected terrorists from Pakistan has infiltrated into India.
• Indian Fighter Jets Using Smaller Airfields to Be Combat Ready in Case of War with China Sputnik 16 Oct 2019 -- The Indian military has been holding high-level military exercises in the Himalayas near the Line of Actual Control (LAC) since September. The frequency of these exercises has increased after reports of a military build-up by China since the Doklam stand-off in 2017. The LAC is the de-facto border between India and China.
• Taiwan to Proceed With F-16 Fighter Jet Upgrades After Delays, Unmet Deadlines Sputnik 16 Oct 2019 -- Following a series of delays and a shortage of engineers, Taiwan Defense Minister Yen Teh announced the country's $4.56 billion refitting program for its 142-aircraft F-16 fleet is now back on schedule.
• Remarks by President Trump and President Mattarella of the Italian Republic Before Bilateral Meeting The White House 16 Oct 2019

Defense Industry

• Contracts For Oct. 16, 2019

Other Conflicts

• 16 October 2019 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 16 Oct 2019
• Trump: I Did Not Green-Light Turkish Incursion Into Syria VOA 16 Oct 2019 -- U.S. President Donald Trump forcefully rejected allegations Wednesday that he was responsible for Turkey's invasion of northeast Syria.
• Erdogan Slams US Peace Efforts Ahead of Pence, Pompeo Visit VOA 16 Oct 2019 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan pledged Wednesday to continue a military operation into Syria, despite calls from Washington for a cease-fire.
• Moscow Warns Turkey to Limit Syria Offensive VOA 16 Oct 2019 -- Russians officials urged Turkey to limit the duration and scale of its cross-border military incursion into northeast Syria, stressing Turkish troops must at all costs avoid clashing with Syrian government forces, which have moved north and are racing to take over Kurdish border towns ahead of the Turks.
• Erdogan to Meet with VP Pence, Pompeo in Turkey VOA 16 Oct 2019 -- Turkish officials say President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will meet with U.S. Vice President Mike Pence and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo when they travel to Turkey to press for a halt to Ankara's invasion of northeast Syria.
• Turkey rejects U.S. proposal for cease-fire with Kurdish forces in Syria People's Daily 16 Oct 2019 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on late Tuesday rejected the offer of his U.S. counterpart Donald Trump for a cease-fire with the Syrian Kurdish fighters, but agreed to keep in dialogue with Washington.
• Erdogan says won't hold talks with US delegation on Ankara visit Press TV 16 Oct 2019 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says he would not meet with US Vice President Mike Pence and State Secretary Mike Pompeo during their visit to Ankara to discuss a ground offensive by his country's military forces and allied militants against Kurdish forces in the northern part of Syria.
• Turkey's war on Syria 'not our problem,' Trump says, claiming Kurds were 'paid a lot of money' Press TV 16 Oct 2019 -- Turkey's offensive against Kurds in northern Syria is "not our problem," says US President Donald Trump as pressure mounts on his administration over abandoning of the formerly US-backed forces in the region.
• Erdogan: No talks with Syria Kurds until safe zone established Press TV 16 Oct 2019 -- President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says Turkey will never sit at the negotiating table with Kurdish militants in Syria, emphasizing that Ankara's military operation in the Arab country's north will come to an end only when the Kurds leave the region and a "safe zone" is established there.
• US House Votes to Condemn Trump's Troop Withdrawal, Turkish Incursion in Syria Sputnik 16 Oct 2019 -- In a rare display of bipartisan unity, the US House of Representatives has voted by a large majority to condemn US President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw troops from eastern Syria, as well as the Turkish invasion of that territory that quickly followed.
• Turkey Says It Is Preparing Retaliatory Sanctions Against US Sputnik 16 Oct 2019 -- Earlier in the day, Chair of the House Republican Committee Liz Cheney said that US House Republicans were preparing a bill to impose sanctions on Turkey which they would introduce in the coming hours.
• Republican Lindsey Graham: Erdogan Made "Phone" Commitment to Trump to Stay Away from Kobani Sputnik 16 Oct 2019 -- Last Wednesday, Turkey launched a cross-border operation in the north of Syria, It claimed the move was to remove Kurdish forces and Daesh* militants from the area and establish a "safe zone" for Syrian refugees.
• Turkey to Respond Reciprocally to US Sanctions Over Operation in Syria - Foreign Minister Sputnik 16 Oct 2019 -- Turkey will respond to the sanctions imposed by the United States in response to Ankara's military operation in north Syria, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Wednesday.
• Erdogan Slams Arab League for Lack of Support For Conflict-Affected Syrians - Reports Sputnik 16 Oct 2019 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan criticised on Wednesday the League of Arab States (LAS) for its lack of support for Syrians amid the conflict in their country and noted that Ankara's ongoing operation was aimed at fighting Syria's oppressors and not Syrians themselves, the Daily Sabah newspaper reported.
• Ankara Vows to Retaliate for 'Unacceptable' US Sanctions, Threats Over Syria Op Sputnik 16 Oct 2019 -- On Monday, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order authorising broad-ranging sanctions against Turkish officials and entities, including the Turkish defence and energy ministries, in response to Ankara's ongoing military operations in northern Syria.
• Turkey Expects Russia to Complete S-400 Deliveries by End of Year - President Erdogan Vows to Retaliate for 'Unacceptable' US Sanctions, Threats Over Syria Op Sputnik 16 Oct 2019 -- The last stage of Russia's deliveries of S-400 air defence systems to Turkey is expected to be completed in November-December, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has announced.
• Kurdish authorities say Turkish assault displaces 275,000 in northern Syria People's Daily 16 Oct 2019 -- The Kurdish Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria, known as Rojava, said on Tuesday that the ongoing Turkish assault in northern Syria has so far displaced over 275,000 people.
• Govt. forces enter Kurdish-inhabited Kobani in northern Syria Press TV 16 Oct 2019 -- Units of Syrian government troops have entered a strategic Kurdish-populated city in the country's northern province of Aleppo, amid an ongoing military offensive by Turkish soldiers and allied militants against Kurdish forces in the northern part of the war-battered Arab country.
• Russia patrols will not allow conflict between Turkish, Syrian armies Press TV 16 Oct 2019 -- Russia says its military police units are patrolling along contact line areas between Turkish and Syrian armies near Syria's flashpoint northern city of Manbij to help avert a possible confrontation following the withdrawal of American troops and the subsequent launch of a Turkish offensive against Kurdish militants in the area.
• Trump Says Kurdish Group PKK Is Worse Than Daesh Sputnik 16 Oct 2019 -- The statement was made during a joint press conference with Italian President Sergio Mattarella. The latter arrived for a bilateral meeting with Trump at the White House.
• Trump Says 'It's Fine' If Syria Gets Help From Russia, Claims Kurds 'are No Angels' Sputnik 16 Oct 2019 -- Turkey launched a military operation in northern Syria last week, with the campaign, dubbed 'Operation Peace Spring', supposedly aimed at the creation of a security zone along the Turkish-Syrian border free of Daesh (ISIS)* terrorists and Syrian Kurdish YPG militants, whom Turkey also labels a terrorist entity.
• Pompeo Says US is Working To Make Sure There is No Vacuum in Syria Sputnik 16 Oct 2019 -- US Vice President Mike Pence and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo are expected to meet Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara on Thursday to discuss the ongoing military operation in Syria.
• U.S. Envoys Head To Turkey As Erdogan Says He Won't Agree To Truce In North Syria RFE/RL 16 Oct 2019 -- U.S. President Donald Trump is dispatching his vice president, top diplomat, and national-security adviser to Ankara on October 16 to demand a cease-fire while Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said he will "never" order a truce in northern Syria.
• India says 3 militants killed in Kashmir shootout Press TV 16 Oct 2019 -- India says three militants have been killed in a gun battle with Indian security forces in the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir.
• Sudan Talks Delayed After Attacks in Nuba Mountains VOA 16 Oct 2019 -- The SPLM-North (Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North) faction based in Sudan's Nuba Mountains suspended peace talks in Juba with Khartoum officials after military forces allegedly bombed several areas in the region and killed a sheik on Tuesday. The group's leader said the sustained attack shows the Sudanese government's failure to respect the cessation of hostilities agreement the parties signed last month.
• Zelensky's Idea to Dissolve DPR, LPR Unexpected for Other Normandy Four Participants - Kremlin Sputnik 16 Oct 2019 -- Kiev's idea about the dissolution of the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Lugansk people's republics (DPR and LPR) is unexpected for other participants of the Normandy format, so it is yet difficult to comment on it, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Wednesday.
• Myanmar's Arakan Army is Recruiting and Training to Fight Government VOA 16 Oct 2019 -- On the edge of a mountainside in Northern Myanmar's Kachin state, several hundred young army recruits kick up the dust as they jog down a trail during early morning military drills.
• Psychological Care Lacking in Cameroon's Separatist Conflict VOA 16 Oct 2019 -- Cameroon's three-year separatist conflict has left close to 3,000 people dead and growing numbers in need of psychological care. An influx of people impacted by the conflict are flooding into trauma centers across the English-speaking regions of the central African state. Medical officials say they are running short of supplies and trauma workers are struggling to provide care.

News Reports

• Senate confirms Barrett to be Air Force secretary US Air Force 16 Oct 2019 -- The Senate overwhelmingly confirmed Barbara Barrett to be the 25th Secretary of the Air Force, Oct. 16, clearing the way for the experienced pilot and former ambassador to lead the service as it faces new threats globally and in space.
• Pentagon Refuses to Comply With House Democrats' Subpoena Sputnik 16 Oct 2019 -- The Pentagon refuses to comply with a subpoena issued by the US House seeking documents related to the Trump-Ukraine scandal, Assistant Secretary of Defence for Legislative Affairs Robert Hood said in a letter to Congressmen Adam Schiff, Eliot Engel and Elijah Cummings.
• VP Pence, Trump Confidante Giuliani Ignore Congressional Summons In Probe RFE/RL 16 Oct 2019 -- U.S. Vice President Mike Pence and President Donald Trump's personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani said on October 15 they won't comply with a Congressional impeachment investigation into Trump's efforts to prod Ukraine to investigate a political foe.
• Ex-Pompeo Aide Cites Frustration With State Department Politicization VOA 16 Oct 2019 -- A former top aide to U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told impeachment investigators Wednesday that he quit last week in growing frustration over the politicization of the State Department, with the final straw President Donald Trump's ouster of the well-regarded American ambassador to Ukraine, Marie Yovanovitch.
• Ukraine's Chief Prosecutor Could Be Pivotal in Trump, Biden Standoff VOA 16 Oct 2019 -- Ukraine's new prosecutor general has only been in office since the end of August, but he will likely be central to the future course of any investigations relating to the impeachment proceedings against U.S. President Donald Trump and the conduct of his possible rival, Joe Biden, in the 2020 presidential election.
• 4th Man Arrested in Probe of Giuliani Associates VOA 16 Oct 2019 -- A fourth person has been arrested in connection with federal campaign finance cases involving associates of President Donald Trump's personal attorney, Rudy Giuliani.
• Three U.S. Diplomats Taken Off Train, Briefly Detained Near Sensitive Russian Site RFE/RL 16 Oct 2019 -- Three U.S. diplomats have been removed from a train and briefly questioned by Russian authorities in the sensitive Arctic shipyard city of Severodvinsk, near the site of a mysterious explosion in August that killed five nuclear workers.
• US Embassy Says Diplomats Accused of Violating Rules of Stay in Russia Filled Out Required Papers Sputnik 16 Oct 2019 -- Earlier, three employees of the US Embassy in Russia were removed from a train at the Severodvinsk station in Russia's Arkhangelsk region after allegedly attempting to enter a restricted area without permission.
• Chinese Officials Must Notify State Department Before Meetings in US VOA 16 Oct 2019 -- The United States is requiring all Chinese diplomats in the country and Chinese officials traveling to the U.S. on official business to give the State Department advance notice of meetings with local, state and federal officials, as well as educational and research institutions.
• State Dept: US Will Require Chinese Diplomats to Report Contacts With American Officials, Educators Sputnik 16 Oct 2019 -- US State Department officials stated on Wednesday that moving forward, Chinese diplomats will have to give advance notice of any meetings with state, local and municipal officials, including those with research and educational institutions.
• US Drops Turkey From Anti-Daesh Intel Sharing Programme Amid Ankara's Syria Op – Report Sputnik 16 Oct 2019 -- Testy US-Turkish relations sunk to a new low last week after Ankara launched a military operation in northern Syria, with Washington and its European partners criticising the attack on their erstwhile Syrian Kurdish allies, with Ankara vowing that nothing would stop its operations to shore up the security of its southern borders.
• Kim Jong Un Climbs Mountain, Threatens to 'Strike the World With Wonder' VOA 16 Oct 2019 -- North Korean state media on Wednesday posted a slideshow of leader Kim Jong Un scaling the country's highest mountain on horseback, and suggested the display means he is considering a major decision.
• Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un Ascends Mt Paektu on Horseback KCNA 16 Oct 2019 -- Kim Jong Un, chairman of the Workers' Party of Korea, chairman of the State Affairs Commission of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and supreme commander of the armed forces of the DPRK, rode a white horse to the top of Mt Paektu in the first snow.
• Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un Gives Field Guidance to Construction Sites in Samjiyon County KCNA 16 Oct 2019 -- Kim Jong Un, chairman of the Workers' Party of Korea, chairman of the State Affairs Commission of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and supreme commander of the armed forces of the DPRK, gave field guidance to the construction sites in Samjiyon County where the second-phase project is in the successful final stage.
• DPRK Will Never Overlook U.S. Provocative Moves: KCNA Commentary KCNA 16 Oct 2019 -- The U.S. and the south Korean authorities persist in grave military provocative moves against the DPRK behind the curtain of dialogue and peace.
• Reception Given to Mark 70th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations between DPRK and China KCNA 16 Oct 2019 -- The Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and the China-Korea Friendship Association jointly gave a reception in Beijing on Oct. 11 to mark the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the People's Republic of China.
• US wants China to press North Korea to be more constructive in talks: Pentagon Press TV 16 Oct 2019 -- The United States wants China to put pressure on North Korea to be more constructive in talks with Washington, a Pentagon official says.
• Iran dismisses claims on oil leakage from SABITI IRNA 16 Oct 2019 -- National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) rejected false news and films on the continuation of oil spill from SABITI and causing environmental pollution by the vessel.
• Iran's FM: Europe proved incapable of fulfilling JCPAO commitments Press TV 16 Oct 2019 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says the European signatories to the 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers have proved incapable of fulfilling their commitments under the agreement.
• US 'deeply worried' as China continues to buy Iran oil Press TV 16 Oct 2019 -- Chinese companies continuing oil purchases from Iran despite US sanctions are seriously worrying the White House which is warning them to stop the trade, senior administration officials say.
• Iranian President's Brother Begins Prison Term, Claims 'Illegal' Wiretap RFE/RL 16 Oct 2019 -- The brother of Iranian President Hassan Rohani has begun serving a five-year prison sentence for corruption claiming his case was based on an "illegal" wiretap.
• France Urges Iran to Refrain From New Phase of Nuclear Commitments Reductions Sputnik 16 Oct 2019 -- Earlier this week, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said that Tehran would soon use new-generation IR-9 gas centrifuges in its nuclear activity.
• Pakistan: Threat of Saudi-Iran War Subsiding Due to Diplomacy by Islamabad VOA 16 Oct 2019 -- Pakistan said Wednesday that Saudi Arabia and Iran have both shown a willingness to settle mutual disputes through diplomacy and negotiations, reducing chances of an immediate war in the Gulf.
• China warns of countermeasures to US bill on HK Global Times 16 Oct 2019 -- China warned of effective countermeasures after the US House of Representatives approved legislation that authorizes the US government to launch diplomatic action and economic sanctions against officials and law-enforcement personnel from China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR).
• Hong Kong chief executive tackles social, economic woes in policy speech Global Times 16 Oct 2019 -- Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor on Wednesday announced a slew of policy initiative to address social and economic challenges in the city and urged society to stop attacking each other and return to normalcy for the sake of Hong Kong's future.
• HKSAR chief executive stresses "one country, two systems" in resolving impasse in Hong Kong People's Daily 16 Oct 2019 -- Chief Executive of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Carrie Lam said on Wednesday that Hong Kong will be able to get out of the impasse as long as the principle of "one country, two systems" is accurately implemented.
• China condemns U.S. House approval of bill on Hong Kong: spokesperson People's Daily 16 Oct 2019 -- A spokesperson for the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council on Wednesday made serious protest to and strongly condemned the passing of the so-called Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act of 2019 by the U.S. House of Representatives.
• China hits back at US House over Hong Kong bills Press TV 16 Oct 2019 -- China has censured the passing of measures at the United States House of Representatives in support of the protesters in Hong Kong, calling it interference in the affairs of the city.
• Hong Kong Lawmakers, Activists Slam Hammer Attack on Peaceful March Organizer Radio Free Asia 16 Oct 2019 -- A key organizer of recent million-strong peaceful protests has been attacked in Hong Kong by unidentified thugs wielding hammers, as the city's chief executive Carrie Lam left the legislature amid heckling from pro-democracy lawmakers during her annual policy address.
• Beijing Vows 'Strong' Response to US Legislation in Support of Hong Kong Protesters Sputnik 16 Oct 2019 -- Hong Kong has seen a wave of demonstrations against the now-withdrawn extradition bill which have since evolved into violent anti-China and anti-police demonstrations. Beijing views the situation in Hong Kong as a result of foreign interference in China's domestic affairs.
• US Renews Call for 'Humane' Solution to Hong Kong VOA 16 Oct 2019 -- U.S. officials are renewing their call for a "humane" solution to the situation in Hong Kong, where ongoing protests show no immediate sign of ending.
• Hong Kong Chief Executive Walks Out of Legislature Amid Jeers VOA 16 Oct 2019 -- Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam on Wednesday was forced to abruptly end and walk out on her annual policy address to the legislature by jeering lawmakers.
• State Council loosens rules on overseas financial firms People's Daily 16 Oct 2019 -- The Chinese government amended two financial management regulations seeking to expand business scope and ease market access for foreign-invested insurance companies and banks, media reported on Tuesday.
• Spain premier, opposition leaders meet for emergency talks amid Catalan protests Press TV 16 Oct 2019 -- Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has held emergency talks with opposition leaders to address the violent protests by Catalan separatists that recently rocked the country.
• Protests held in Spain's Catalonia over conviction of separatist leaders Press TV 16 Oct 2019 -- Pro-independence protesters have staged rallies in Spain's Catalonia region, blocking a railway and several motorways.
• Ex-Ukraine Top Prosecutor Lutsenko Probed For Abuse Of Power RFE/RL 16 Oct 2019 -- Ukraine's former Prosecutor-General Yuriy Lutsenko is being investigated on suspicion of abuse of power, local online news website Ukrainska Pravda reported, citing a response to an inquiry it received from the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU).
• Total of 39 Terrorist Attacks Foiled in Russia in 2019, Federal Security Service Reveals Sputnik 16 Oct 2019 -- Since the beginning of the year, Russian law enforcement agencies have foiled 39 terrorist attacks and eliminated 49 terrorist cells, whose members had planned to carry out attacks in various regions of the country, Alexander Bortnikov, the Director of Russian Federal Security Service, said.
• Opposition Activists Remain Loyal, Patiently Await Exiled Leaders' Return to Cambodia: CNRP Official Radio Free Asia 16 Oct 2019 -- Activists with the banned opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) remain loyal to the party's leaders and are patiently waiting for their return from exile next month, despite a widening government crackdown that has seen dozens arrested and charged in recent weeks, a party official said Wednesday.
• Specialists: Contagious Disease Not The Cause Of Kosovo Election Officials' Illness RFE/RL 16 Oct 2019 -- Kosovo's top infectious diseases specialists say health issues developed by several election officials who opened ballot boxes containing votes from Serbia after a October 6 snap poll were not caused by a contagious disease.
• Kenya Opens Second Phase of Massive Railway Project VOA 16 Oct 2019 -- Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta officially opened on Wednesday the second phase of his flagship infrastructure project: a Chinese-funded and built railway that will eventually link the port of Mombasa to Uganda.
• With Promises of a Trans Himalayan Link, China Grows Influence in Nepal VOA 16 Oct 2019 -- China's plans to build railways and roads that will cut across the Himalayan mountains into Nepal are being watched closely: The ambitious projects could draw Beijing deeper into the South Asian region increasing its strategic influence close to Indian borders.