• 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

• Trump Leans Toward Leaving About 200 US Special Forces in Eastern Syria - Reports Sputnik 21 Oct 2019 -- US President Donald Trump is in favour of keeping a small contingent of American troops in eastern Syria to fight the Daesh* terror group, US media reported, citing a senior US official.
• US completes troop withdrawal from Syrian provinces of Aleppo, Raqqa: Report Press TV 21 Oct 2019 -- US troops have completely withdrawn from the northern Syrian provinces of Aleppo and Raqqa, according to a report.
• Pentagon chief confirms plan to keep some troops in Syria to control oil fields Press TV 21 Oct 2019 -- Pentagon chief Mark Esper has confirmed that keeping some US troops in parts of northeastern Syria near oilfields is being discussed, but no decision has been made.
• US Keeping Troops Near Syrian Oil Fields VOA 21 Oct 2019 -- The United States is keeping some troops near oil fields in northeastern Syria to protect them from being captured by Islamic State, defense chief Mark Esper said Monday.
• US Military Crosses Into Iraq From Syria VOA 21 Oct 2019 -- The United States is keeping some troops near oil fields U.S. troops have crossed into Iraq from Syria.
• US Quietly Reduces Troop Force in Afghanistan by 2,000 VOA 21 Oct 2019 -- The top American commander in Afghanistan revealed Monday the size of U.S. troop force in the country has quietly been reduced by 2,000 over the last year, insisting remaining military personnel are still capable of reaching their stated objectives.
• Remarks by Secretary Esper in a Joint Press Conference With Senior Afghan Officials and Resolute Support Mission Commander DoD 21 Oct 2019 -- Secretary of Defense Mark T. Esper; Asadullah Khalid, Afghan Minister of National Defense; Massoud Andarabi, Afghan Acting Minister Of The Interior; Resolute Support Mission Commander General Austin Scott Miller
• Pentagon chief: US to remain in Afghanistan, Syria withdrawal notwithstanding Press TV 21 Oct 2019 -- US Secretary of Defense Mark Esper says there is no reason for the people of Afghanistan to think the near-total withdrawal of US troops from northern Syria is a precursor to a similar move in their country.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Trump Slams Pelosi as She Visits Jordan to Discuss Syria, Says Schiff Should Be 'Deposed' Sputnik 21 Oct 2019 -- US President Donald Trump on Sunday lashed out at Speaker Nancy Pelosi as she led a bipartisan congressional delegation to Jordan to discuss the administration's recent decision to pull troops from Syria.
• Soldiers move over 300 pieces of equipment through Latvian port Army News 21 Oct 2019 -- In the dark hours of the early morning, with cold wind blowing in from the Baltic Sea, U.S. Army Soldiers began the process of offloading over 300 pieces of military equipment from the Green Ridge, a carrier vessel, in the Port of Riga, Latvia, Oct. 16, 2019.
• US deploys troops, tanks to Lithuania in message to Russia Press TV 21 Oct 2019 -- The United States has begun deploying some 500 troops and dozens of tanks to Lithuania for an unprecedented six-month rotation in the EU and NATO state, a move by the US to deter neighboring Russia.
• Transformational Change Comes to DOD Acquisition Policy DoD News 21 Oct 2019 -- In December, the Defense Department will fully implement an adaptive acquisition framework designed to speed acquisition and make the process more agile, a top DOD official said last week.
• JLTV course teaches Pendleton Marines to drive new ground vehicle USMC News 21 Oct 2019 -- Multiple units on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton have started to introduce the new Joint Light Tactical Vehicle to their Marines by teaching them the basic operations of one of the Marine Corps' newest ground vehicles.
• International Maritime Exercise 2019 Commences in U.S. 5th Fleet NNS 21 Oct 2019 -- International Maritime Exercise 2019 (IMX 19), a multinational exercise featuring assets and personnel from more than 50 partner nations and seven international organizations, begins Oct. 21.
• Commander, ESG-2 Visits BATARG Ships During COMPTUEX NNS 21 Oct 2019 -- Rear Adm. John Mustin, commander, Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 2, visited the amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5) and transport dock ship USS New York (LPD 21) Oct. 17, 2019. The ships, joined by the dock landing ship USS Oak Hill (LSD 51) make up the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group (BAT ARG) and were at sea conducting Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU).
• USS Porter (DDG 78) Departs Odesa, Ukraine NNS 21 Oct 2019 -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Porter (DDG 78) departed Odesa, Ukraine, Oct. 16, 2019, after completing a scheduled port visit.
• US Defence Secretary Esper Makes Unannounced Visit to Saudi Arabia Sputnik 21 Oct 2019 -- US Secretary of Defence Mark Esper announced on 18 October that he would travel to the Middle East to get updates on the current operations in the region and later head to the NATO ministerial meeting in Brussels where he will meet with Turkish counterparts and discuss the campaign to defeat the Daesh* terrorist group.
• US Marines depart Darwin after successful rotation Australian DoD 21 Oct 2019 -- To support USFPI activities, Australia and the United States will invest around $2 billion on aircraft maintenance, support facilities, fuel storage, accommodation upgrades and upgrades to training areas and ranges.
• US Military Will Invest Billions to Upgrade, Expand Northern Australia Presence Sputnik 21 Oct 2019 -- The Pentagon is investing billions of dollars in upgrading and expanding US capabilities at a base in Australia's Northern Territory, according to a Monday announcement by Australian Defense Minister Linda Reynolds.
• North Macedonia's NATO Accession Process 'Well On Track,' Stoltenberg Tells PM RFE/RL 21 Oct 2019 -- NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg says he has assured North Macedonia's Prime Minister Zoran Zaev that the country's accession process is "well on track," days after the European Union failed to initiate membership talks with Skopje.
• Submariners fired an Incomplete Program Vedomosti 21 Oct 2019 -- During the Thunder-2019 strategic command-and-staff exercise, the final stage of which was personally led by Russian President Vladimir Putin, an emergency occurred, two people close to the Defense Ministry told Vedomosti.
• Russian MoD Dismisses Reports About 'Abnormal Situation' During Grom Sputnik 21 Oct 2019 -- Ballistic and cruise missiles were fired as part of the Grom (Thunder) 2019 strategic exercises led by Russian President, Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Armed Forces Vladimir Putin, the Defence Ministry said on 17 October.
• US May Deploy INF-Banned Missiles in Pacific Rim to Incite Tensions - Russia's Shoigu Sputnik 21 Oct 2019 -- There is a chance that the United States may deploy in the Pacific Rim its short-medium and intermediate missiles, previously banned by the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF), as a provocation, Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said on Monday.
• New START Treaty Should be Extended Even if It Needs to be Revised - Russian Defence Minister Sputnik 21 Oct 2019 -- The New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) was signed between Russia and the United States in April 2010 to replace an old nuclear armaments treaty.
• Containment of China, Russia True Reason Behind US INF Treaty Withdrawal - Russian Defence Minister Sputnik 21 Oct 2019 -- The restoring of Russia's defence potential, the growing power of China and the expansion of military-technical cooperation between the two powers forced the United States to unilaterally withdraw from the now-defunct Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said Monday.
• Russian defense chief says US' Indo-Pacific strategy would hurt Asia-Pacific multilateral cooperation Global Times 21 Oct 2019 -- Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu on Monday questioned the Trump administration's Indo-Pacific strategy at the 9th Beijing Xiangshan Forum, saying that it would undermine the multilateral cooperation system in the Asia-Pacific region.
• Defense chief stresses peace through cooperation at forum Global Times 21 Oct 2019 -- China vowed to shoulder its international responsibility as a major country at a security forum in Beijing as the country's defense minister made an important strategic pledge to support peace, stability and cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region.
• Wei blasts foreign interference, 'color revolution' as sources of chaos Global Times 21 Oct 2019 -- Intervening in regional affairs, meddling in other countries' internal affairs, inciting a "color revolution" and even subverting the legitimate political power of other countries are the real source of regional chaos and wars, Wei Fenghe, State Councilor and Minister of National Defense said at the opening ceremony of the 9th Beijing Xiangshan Forum on Monday morning.
• China promotes peace, denounces hegemony at Xiangshan forum Global Times 21 Oct 2019 -- The 9th Beijing Xiangshan Forum officially opened on Monday with a congratulatory message from Chinese President Xi Jinping sent to the opening ceremony of the forum, expressing China's commitment to advancing cooperation through dialogue, promoting peace though cooperation and safeguarding development through peace.
• China defense minister: secession is a dead end Global Times 21 Oct 2019 -- Wei Fenghe, State Councilor and Minister of National Defense said at the opening ceremony of the 9th Beijing Xiangshan Forum on Monday morning that China resolutely safeguards its sovereignty, security and development interests, and the reunification of the motherland is the righteous path and secession can only lead to a dead end.
• India Opens Bridge Capable of Handling Fighter Jet Over 'River of Death' Near China Border Sputnik 21 Oct 2019 -- The river bridge is crucial for troops and military equipment deployment in the Eastern Ladakh region - a contentious region between China and India. China had recently upped its ante in the area calling the entire region disputed after India declared Ladakh a separate administrative zone under the direct control of Delhi.
• Remarks by President Trump in Cabinet Meeting The White House 21 Oct 2019

Defense Industry

• Contracts For Oct. 21, 2019

Other Conflicts

• 21 October 2019 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 21 Oct 2019
• WHO says cholera has killed over 910 people in Yemen since January Press TV 21 Oct 2019 -- The World Health Organization (WHO) says cholera has killed more than 910 people in war-torn Yemen since January and nearly 700,000 suspected cholera cases has been reported.
• Al-Jubeir: Iran is responsible for the attack on Aramco and there is no mediation with it SPA 21 Oct 2019 -- Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Cabinet Member Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir denied the existence of mediation between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Iran to ease tensions. He said that it is the responsibility of the Iranian regime to change its behavior and show good intentions rather than words.
• Turkey detains 3 pro-Kurdish mayors over 'terror' links Press TV 21 Oct 2019 -- Turkey has arrested three mayors from the pro-Kurdish People's Democratic Party (HDP) on suspicion of "membership in a terror group" and "disseminating terror propaganda."
• Since when did you start to side with terror? Erdogan asks West Press TV 21 Oct 2019 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says the West's failure to support Turkey's cross-border operation against Kurdish militants in northeastern Syria means "standing by terrorists."
• Engel & European Allies Condemn Turkey's Invasion of Northern Syria U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs 21 Oct 2109 -- Representative Eliot L. Engel, Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, issued the following joint statement with his counterparts in Germany, France, the United Kingdom, and the European Parliament condemning Turkey’s invasion of Northern Syria
• Macron Tells Putin Syria Cease-Fire Should Be Extended RFE/RL 21 Oct 2019 -- French President Emmanuel Macron has told his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, that France wants to see an extension of a cease-fire by Turkey in northeast Syria.
• 12 militant prisons left unguarded due to Turkish offensive in Syria: Russia Press TV 21 Oct 2019 -- Russia says Turkey's offensive in northeastern Syria has left 12 Syrian prisons for foreign militants as well as eight refugee camps unguarded, warning about the return of hundreds of terrorists to their home countries.
• Iran Rejects Turkish Military Posts Inside Syria, Urges Diplomatic Solution RFE/RL 21 Oct 2019 -- Iran has rejected the establishment of Turkish military posts inside of Syria, saying borders between the two countries should be respected.
• Putin, Erdogan to Discuss Situation in Syria in Context of Offensive on 22 October - Kremlin Sputnik 21 Oct 2019 -- Putin, Sisi to Discuss Russia-Egypt Charter Flights Resumption 23 October
• Russia Will Back Possibility to Amend Syria-Turkey Adana Pact If Sides Deem Necessary - Lavrov Sputnik 21 Oct 2019 -- Earlier in the day, Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs Mevlut Cavusoglu claimed that Syrian Kurds had begun leaving the country's safe zones, though they continue to violate a ceasefire regime.
• Turkish Army Surrounded by Syrian One in Ras al-Ain, Soon to Leave - Syrian Lawmaker Sputnik 21 Oct 2019 -- The Syrian Army has surrounded the Turkish one in the border town of Ras al-Ain in north Syria, where Ankara has launched a military operation, and the Turkish forces are soon to withdraw from that area, member of the Syrian parliament, Jansit Kazan, said on Sunday.
• Russian Military Registers 18 Truce Violations in 4 Syrian Provinces Over Past 24 Hours Sputnik 21 Oct 2019 -- The Russian military has registered 18 episodes of fighting in Syria over the past 24 hours, with militants attacking settlements in the provinces of Aleppo, Latakia, Hama and Idlib, Major General Aleksey Bakin, the head of the Russian reconciliation centre for Syria, said.
• Two Iraqi forces killed in Daesh attacks on security checkpoints Press TV 21 Oct 2019 -- The Daesh Takfiri terrorist group's attacks on two security checkpoints in northern Iraq have killed two security forces and wounded three others, according to the Iraqi military.
• Palestine condemns Israeli regime's 'biggest land heist' in West Bank Press TV 21 Oct 2019 -- The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates has condemned Israel's latest decision to seize more Palestinian land in the occupied West Bank in defiance of international outcry over the Tel Aviv regime's land expropriation policies, describing it as "the biggest land heist."
• Bangladesh Official: Rohingya Families Will Move to Bhashan Char Radio Free Asia 21 Oct 2019 -- A group of Muslim-minority Rohingya refugees have agreed to leave their camps in the Cox's Bazar region and move to an isolated island in the Bay of Bengal as part of a government relocation program to address overcrowding, an official said.
• Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe Urges Swift Repatriation of Rohingya Radio Free Asia 21 Oct 2019 -- Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe called on Myanmar's State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi on Monday to quickly facilitate the repatriation of over 700,000 Rohingya refugees from Bangladesh to their former homes in Rakhine state, also urging the de facto national leader to guarantee safe conditions for their return.
• Islamabad Denies India's Claim That it Destroyed 'Terror Camps' in Pakistan-Administered Kashmir Sputnik 21 Oct 2019 -- Hours after the Indian Army claimed to have launched an attack on Pakistan-administered Kashmir and said it destroyed three terror camps in the region, the Pakistan army has categorically denied these claims.
• India Opens World's Highest Battlefield to Public to Integrate Kashmir Through Tourism Sputnik 21 Oct 2019 -- Nearly three months after India repealed the special status of Jammu and Kashmir, the government has started the process of completing Kashmir's integration through tourism.
• UN Security Council calls for South Sudan leaders to speed up action on peace deal UN News 21 Oct 2019 -- In a visit to South Sudan this past weekend, members of the UN Security Council urged leaders to expedite implementation of a 2018 peace agreement aimed at ending six years of ongoing conflict.
• Cameroon Separatist Fighter Names Himself 'King' of Southwest District VOA 21 Oct 2019 -- There is outrage in Cameroon after a separatist fighter who chased several traditional rulers from the English-speaking Lebialem district enthroned himself as king. Raids by the military to capture the fighter and ensuing battles led to the deaths of 11 suspected fighters and the beheading of a police officer.

News Reports

• Top U.S. Diplomat In Ukraine To Testify Before Congressional Impeachment Panels RFE/RL 21 Oct 2019 -- As the U.S. Congressional impeachment investigation into President Donald Trump surpasses a month, the country's top diplomat in Ukraine is set to be deposed on October 22 behind closed doors in front of three panels as this week's key witness.
• Facebook Suspends Russian Instagram Accounts Targeting U.S. Voters RFE/RL 21 Oct 2019 -- Facebook says it has suspended a series of Instagram accounts originating in Russia whose operators posed as people inside the United States that targeted Americans with divisive political messages ahead of next year's presidential election.
• Facebook Unveils Policies to Protect 2020 US Elections VOA 21 Oct 2019 -- Facebook on Monday said it will apply lessons learned from America's 2016 election to prevent manipulation of its platforms in the 2020 presidential contest.
• Putin Looks To Summit For Leg Up In Race For Influence In Africa RFE/RL 21 Oct 2019 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin will host a summit in the Black Sea resort of Sochi this week as he looks to gain an edge in the race against other world powers to increase influence in Africa.
• Guns, Mercenaries, Minerals - Russia Embraces Africa VOA 21 Oct 2019 -- Russia has been busy on the African continent in recent years. Russian officials acknowledged Russians were on board an Antonov An-72 transport which crashed last week in a remote Congolese forest.
• Putin Pushes Critical Voices Out Of Russia's Human Rights Council RFE/RL 21 Oct 2019 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered a major reshuffle of the Human Rights Council, including its chief and others seen as supportive of recent anti-government protests.
• Russia says it missed OPEC+ oil production target last month Press TV 21 Oct 2019 -- Russian authorities say they have missed a target for curbing daily production of oil set by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allied producers, a grouping known as OPEC+, citing preparations for winter months as a main reason.
• Czech Intel Chief Says Russian Spy Network Was Meant For Cyberattacks RFE/RL 21 Oct 2019 -- The head of the Czech counterintelligence service says a Russian espionage network that his agency dismantled last year was meant to be used for cyberattacks against the Czech Republic and its foreign allies.
• Russian Hackers Hijacked Iranian Group To Hide While Launching Attacks RFE/RL 21 Oct 2019 -- British and U.S. intelligence agencies say Russian hackers hijacked Iran-based cyberspy groups to attack dozens of countries and organizations while pretending to be Iranian.
• Manhattan U.S. Attorney Announces Forfeiture Of North Korean Cargo Vessel DOJ - US Attorney for the SDNY 21 OCt 2019 -- Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and John C. Demers, Assistant Attorney General for National Security, announced today the entry of a judgment of forfeiture regarding the M/V Wise Honest (the "Wise Honest"), a 17,061-ton, single-hull bulk carrier ship flagged in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea ("DPRK" or "North Korea"). The Wise Honest, one of the largest North Korean-flagged vessels, was used to conduct large illicit shipments of coal from North Korea and to import heavy machinery back to the DPRK. Payments
• US hostility causes peace talks' deadlock: NK general Global Times 21 Oct 2019 -- A North Korean general criticized the US at the Ninth Beijing Xiangshan Forum in Beijing on Monday, saying that US hostility was the key reason peace talks have become deadlocked again, prompting Chinese and South Korean experts to note the process needed more international participation.
• N Korea: Actions of US, South to blame for rising tensions on Korean Peninsula Press TV 21 Oct 2019 -- North Korea blames actions of the neighboring South and the United States for rising tensions on the Korean Peninsula, urging Washington and Seoul to find new solutions to help break an impasse in the diplomatic process with Pyongyang and resolve the standoff in the volatile region.
• North Korea Trades Rare Earth Mine Rights to China for Investment in Solar Plants Radio Free Asia 21 Oct 2019 -- Authorities in North Korea have reached out to China to invest in solar plant projects as a potential solution to the country's ongoing power shortage problems. Sources say that in exchange, Chinese companies would gain the rights to a rare earth mineral mine in North Pyongan province.
• Zarif says Iran has yet to decide on 4th step of reducing JCPOA commitments IRNA 21 Oct 2019 -- Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif announced here on Monday that Iran has not decided yet to take what kind of measure for the fourth step of reducing the commitments to the July 2015 nuclear deal.
• Iran ready for fourth JCPOA step: FM Spox IRNA 21 Oct 2019 -- Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi said in his weekly press conference on Monday that Iran is prepared to take the fourth step towards reducing commitments to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) if it sees no serious measures by other parties to maintain the nuclear deal.
• Secondary circuit of Arak nuclear reactor to be operational in 2 weeks ISNA 21 Oct 2019 -- Special assistant to the head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), Ali Asghar Zarean announced that the secondary circuit of the Arak heavy water nuclear reactor will be operational within two weeks.
• Iran Says New Phase of Reducing Nuclear Obligations Ready, Hopes There Won't be Need to Implement It Sputnik 21 Oct 2019 -- In July, a deadline expired for the JCPOA signatories to butt in decisively facilitating business ties, including oil trade with Iran, for the sake of the landmark nuclear deal. It prompted the Islamic Republic to announce preparedness to cut its obligations under the deal, which the US withdrew from on 8 May 2018.
• Iran FM: I'm ready to visit Saudi Arabia to settle differences Press TV 21 Oct 2019 -- Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says he is ready to visit Saudi Arabia to help reduce tensions between Riyadh and Tehran if suitable conditions existed.
• Turkey can have bases on own soil, but not in Syria: Iran Press TV 21 Oct 2019 -- Iran has expressed opposition to Turkey establishing military bases inside Syria, calling on Ankara to respect the Arab country's territorial integrity.
• Iran invites UN to join on oil tanker attack probe IRNA 21 Oct 2019 -- Iran invited UN on Monday to take part in its investigations about a recent attack on its oil tanker SABITI in the Red Sea.
• Zarif describes FATF decision on Iran as "absolutely political" IRNA 21 Oct 2019 -- Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif dismissed the recent Financial Action Task Force (FATF) on Iran politically-motivated.
• Missile-hit oil tanker Sabiti enters Iran's territorial waters Press TV 21 Oct 2019 -- An Iranian oil tanker that was recently hit by two missiles in a suspicious attack in waters off the Saudi coast in the Red Sea has entered Iran's territorial waters.
• Attacked Iran's Tanker Sabiti Enters Country's Territorial Waters - National Tanker Company Sputnik 21 Oct 2019 -- Iran's Sabiti tanker attacked in the Red Sea earlier in October has entered the country's territorial waters on Monday, the National Iranian Tanker Company (NITC) said in a statement.
• Iran Submits Details of Attack on Tanker in Red Sea to UN Security Council Sputnik 21 Oct 2019 -- Tehran has sent documents related to the recent attack on Iran's oil tanker in the Red Sea to the UN Security Council amid continued strained tensions in the region, Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi said on Monday.
• Official rebuffs 'groundless' foreign media reports of economic hard landing Global Times 21 Oct 2019 -- An official from a Chinese economic planner has said that foreign media's reporting of a Chinese economy hard landing is "groundless," citing robust travelling data from the National Day holidays, and data on power consumption and cargo transport from the first three quarters of 2019.
• Commentary: Chinese economy resilient enough to withstand external headwinds People's Daily 21 Oct 2019 -- The Chinese economy slowed down in the third quarter, but it is no cause for panic.
• China's Energy Risks Rise With Iran Sanctions Radio Free Asia 21 Oct 2019 -- As concern rises in China over reliance on imported oil and gas, U.S. sanctions on the transport sector have heightened the country's energy security risks.
• Police Chief Detained in Xinjiang After Expressing Concerns Over Mass Detention of Fellow Uyghurs Radio Free Asia 21 Oct 2019 -- A police chief in northwest China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) has been detained for expressing concerns over the mass detention, and possible deaths, of fellow Uyghurs in internment camps in his township, according to sources from the area.
• 'No force can stop Taiwan's reunification with China' Press TV 21 Oct 2019 -- The Chinese defense chief says separatist attempts in self-ruled Taiwan are "doomed to failure," warning once again that no force can stop mainland China's "full reunification."
• In barring HK murder suspect visit, Taiwan sees Beijing trap CNA 21 Oct 2019 -- Taiwanese officials on Monday said the government's decision to bar a Hong Kong citizen wanted for murder in Taiwan from turning himself in was a political decision and that Taiwan would not fall into China's trap.
• Rocket-maker unveils new blueprint People's Daily 21 Oct 2019 -- ChinaRocket, a commercial space wing of the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology, the country's leading rocket-maker, has unveiled its plans to develop a number of carrier rocket models to tap the space launch market.
• Netanyahu says he cannot form cabinet after election deadlock Press TV 21 Oct 2019 -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced that he cannot establish a new cabinet after talks with his political rival Benny Gantz over forming a coalition broke down.
• Israeli PM Netanyahu Tells President Rivlin He Can't Form Government Sputnik 21 Oct 2019 -- Israeli President Reuven Rivlin tasked Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with forming a government by 23 October after neither his Likud party nor Benny Gantz's Blue and White party secured a majority in the snap election. Rivlin is expected to name another nominee with a strong chance of creating a coalition.
• Netanyahu Fails to Form New Israeli Government VOA 21 Oct 2019 -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday he has failed to form a new government following last month's inconclusive parliamentary election, making way for centrist rival Benny Gantz to try to put together a majority coalition of lawmakers and become the country's new leader.
• Turkey detains 3 pro-Kurdish mayors over 'terror' links Press TV 21 Oct 2019 -- Turkey has arrested three mayors from the pro-Kurdish People's Democratic Party (HDP) on suspicion of "membership in a terror group" and "disseminating terror propaganda."
• British Parliament Speaker Blocks New Brexit Vote VOA 21 Oct 2019 -- British Parliament Speaker John Bercow on Monday blocked the House of Commons from holding a new vote on Brexit, the latest setback for Prime Minister Boris Johnson in his effort to have Britain divorce itself from the European Union.
• Kazakh President Cedes Key Powers To Predecessor Nazarbaev RFE/RL 21 Oct 2019 -- Kazakh President President Qasym-Zhomart Toqaev has handed his predecessor, Nursultan Nazarbaev, more sweeping powers, according to a presidential decree published on October 21.
• Kazakh Offshore Development Projects Lose Major Investors RFE/RL 21 Oct 2019 -- Kazakhstan's effort to tap into its offshore oil and gas wealth has taken a hit with the withdrawal of major foreign investors from two Caspian Sea projects.
• Ukraine Court Orders Former Security And Defense Official To 60-Day Pretrial Detention RFE/RL 21 Oct 2019 -- Ukraine's High Anti-Corruption Court (HACC) has remanded the former deputy secretary of the National Security and Defense Council to 60 days in pretrial detention on abuse-of-office charges and for allegedly submitting an erroneous asset declaration to authorities.
• Visiting Zelenskiy Discusses Infrastructure Projects In Ukraine With Japan's Abe RFE/RL 21 Oct 2019 -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has kicked off a four-day working visit to Japan during which he'll attend Emperor Naruhito's enthronement ceremony.
• Can Renewable Power Reenergize Ukraine? RFE/RL 21 Oct 2019 -- Chernobyl is again churning out energy - not nuclear, but solar power.
• Protesters in Khartoum Demand Justice for Massacre Victims VOA 21 Oct 2019 -- Thousands of people marched in Khartoum and other Sudanese cities Monday to mark the October 1964 uprising that ended the dictatorship of Ibrahim Aboud. The protesters, however, focused on the present, and made demands that stem from the recent ouster of former leader Omar al-Bashir.
• Lebanon government approves 2020 budget as protests go on Press TV 21 Oct 2019 -- Lebanese Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri says the cabinet has approved a raft of economic reforms, including halving ministers' wages, and agreed on the 2020 budget in a bid to tackle fiscal crisis in the cash-strapped country and put an end to the nationwide demonstrations that have entered the fifth day.
• Lebanon's PM Hariri: Agreed Upon Reforms Include Cutting Salaries of MPs, Ministers in Half Sputnik 21 Oct 2019 -- Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri stated earlier that he was considering halving ministerial salaries and abolishing some government committees in a bid to save money.
• Chile extends state of emergency as seven die in violent protests Press TV 21 Oct 2019 -- Authorities in Chile have extended a state of emergency after seven people lost their lives in violent clashes, looting and arson attacks during protests over a hike in public transportation costs.
• UN rights chief urges 'immediate dialogue' to end Chile unrest UN News 21 Oct 2019 -- The top UN human rights official is calling for politicians and civil society in Chile to engage in "immediate dialogue" to resolve the deadly crisis which has gripped the nation in recent days.
• Rights Group Urges Foreign Governments, Donors to Press Cambodia on Political Prisoners Radio Free Asia 21 Oct 2019 -- Cambodia must end the arrest and detention of opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) members and activists for "exercising their basic rights," according to Human Rights Watch (HRW), which urged foreign governments and donors to press for the release of those "wrongfully detained."
• Will Massive Project Make Central Asia The Core Of Regional Energy Market? RFE/RL 21 Oct 2019 -- Nine Central and Western Asian countries have signed an agreement in Tashkent that could pave the way for the creation of a regional energy market that could benefit billions of people from Europe to China.
• Thai King Strips His Consort of All Titles Over 'Disloyalty to The King' - Reports Sputnik 21 Oct 2019 -- The 34-year-old former nurse-turned royal concubine was granted the special title of Royal Noble Consort during a ceremony this August, as she knelt in front of Thailand's 67-year-old King Maha Vajiralongkorn in the presence of his wife. This became the first time that the Asian monarchy has admitted to polygamy in almost a century.
• Bolivia's Morales Receives Record Low 45% in Presidential Election, 2nd Round Expected Sputnik 21 Oct 2019 -- Bolivia's incumbent president, Evo Morales, received 45.28 percent in the presidential election, which was not enough to win in the first round, with his closest rival Carlos Mesa getting 38.16 percent, according to data from the country's Supreme Electoral Tribunal following the processing of more than 83% of the vote.