21 November 2019 Military News

Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

Islamic State Staggers in Afghanistan, but Survives VOA 21 Nov 2019 -- One of the Islamic State's most feared affiliates has suffered a significant setback, though U.S. officials caution reports that the terror group was "obliterated" are overblown.
Officials: Trump Thanks Pakistani, Afghan Leaders for Release of Western Hostages VOA 21 Nov 2019 -- U.S. President Donald Trump telephoned Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday and thanked him for Islamabad's efforts in facilitating the release of two Western hostages in Afghanistan, according to Khan's office.

Defense Policy / Programs

Remarks by Deputy Secretary of Defense David Norquist and Georgian Minister of Defense Irakli Garibashvili Before Their Bilateral Meeting DoD 21 Nov 2019 -- Deputy Secretary of Defense David L. Norquist; Georgia Minister of Defense Irakli Garibashvili
Remarks By Secretary Esper in a Preflight Press Gaggle DoD 21 Nov 2019 -- Secretary of Defense Mark T. Esper
Readout of the Bilateral Engagement With Georgian Minister of Defense Irakli Garibashvili DoD 21 Nov 2019
Military Services Strengthen, Modernize Industrial Base DoD News 21 Nov 2019 -- The military services are making progress on strengthening and modernizing their organic industrial base, service officials said.
DOD Officials Discuss Systems, Warfighters Who Use Them DoD News 21 Nov 2019 -- Defense Department leaders discussed systems acquisition and sustainment and the people who use those systems during the 2019 Defense Services Conference today in Arlington, Virginia.
Trident Jupiter reinforces II MEF's naval integration, focus on Europe USMC News 21 Nov 2019 -- "The Marine Corps will be trained and equipped as a naval expeditionary force-in-readiness and prepared to operate inside actively contested maritime spaces in support of fleet operations. In crisis prevention and crisis response, the Fleet Marine Force – acting as an extension of the Fleet – will be first on the scene, first to help, first to contain a brewing crisis, and first to fight if required to do so."
USS Cincinnati (LCS 20) Arrives at San Diego Homeport for First Time NNS 21 Nov 2019 -- The Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Cincinnati (LCS 20) arrived at its new homeport in San Diego for the first time, Nov. 20.
Deputy Commander of U.S. 6th Fleet visits French Aircraft Carrier FS Charles de Gaulle NNS 21 Nov 2019 -- Rear Adm. William J. Houston, deputy commander, U.S. 6th Fleet, was hosted aboard the French aircraft carrier FS Charles de Gaulle by French Rear Adm. Marc Aussedat, commander, French Maritime Forces.
JAXMAN Symposium Strikes Again NNS 21 Nov 2019 -- Helicopter maritime strike and maritime patrol aviators from Naval Air Station Jacksonville (NAS Jax) and Naval Station (NS) Mayport gathered for the JAXMAN Symposium at Patrol Squadron THIRTY (VP-30) Nov. 14-15. This was the second symposium in what looks to be a new annual event. The symposium was designed by junior officers to align the focus and understanding of both communities and highlight warfighting concepts that need to be better defined for future success.
Two US Airmen Killed in Aircraft Mishap During Training in Oklahoma - Vance Air Force Base Sputnik 21 Nov 2019 -- Two US airmen were killed in an aircraft accident at Vance Air Force base in Oklahoma, the base said in a statement on Thursday.

Pentagon Rejects Report US Pulling Forces From South Korea VOA 21 Nov 2019 -- The Pentagon is rejecting a report that the United States is preparing to pull military forces from South Korea.
Pentagon Dismisses Reports of US Troop Withdrawal from South Korea If Seoul Rejects Spending Hike Sputnik 21 Nov 2019 -- The report comes days after talks on defence cooperation between the US and South Korea were cut short for unspecified reasons, with neither side making any official comment on the matter.

First NATO AGS remotely piloted aircraft ferries to Main Operating Base in Italy NATO 21 Nov 2019 -- The first of five NATO Alliance Ground Surveillance (AGS) aircraft landed in Sigonella, Italy at 16h46 local time on Thursday (21 November 2019), marking an important step in the delivery of the AGS Program. First NATO Alliance Ground Surveillance (AGS) aircraft lands in Sigonella, Italy on Thursday (21 November 2019)
NATO Recognizes Space as 'a New Operational Domain' - Stoltenberg Sputnik 21 Nov 2019 -- The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has identified space as an operational domain, alongside air, land, sea and cyber area, the alliance's Secretary-General, Jens Stoltenberg, said.

Report: Russian Military, Command Control Exceeds NATO Capacities RFE/RL 21 Nov 2019 -- Russia's ongoing development of an advanced command-and-control military system using sophisticated artificial intelligence (AI) has surpassed the existing capacities of NATO, an analysis by the Washington-based global research group Jamestown Foundation says.

39-year-old heads China's 3rd carrier construction Global Times 21 Nov 2019 -- With military observers expecting China's second aircraft carrier to join naval service soon, the country's third aircraft carrier is being built in Shanghai, headed by a 39-year-old builder, the state broadcaster reported.

Fund Shortage Issue Looms Large Over Sale of $1 Billion US Naval Guns to India - Analyst Sputnik 21 Nov 2019 -- The Indian Navy has been pressing for additional funds to strengthen its capabilities in terms of additional warships and other equipment for the last few months. With the limited resources available, it will not be enough for the services to fund the contracts signed during the past few years, an analyst says.

Iranian Navy Moves Headquarters From Tehran to Southern Province - Commander Sputnik 21 Nov 2019 -- The announcement comes two days after the US navy said in a press release that the USS Lincoln Carrier completed its scheduled transit through the Strait of Hormuz.

US State Dept. official: Turkey needs to 'get rid of' Russian S-400 system Press TV 21 Nov 2019 -- A senior US State Department official says Turkey needs to get rid of the advanced Russian S-400 missile defense system to put an end to the standoff with the United States.

Morocco Buys Three Dozen Apache Choppers Despite Last War Taking Place Decades Ago Sputnik 21 Nov 2019 -- On Tuesday, the US State Department approved a potential $4.25 billion sale of 36 AH-64E Apache helicopters, along with associated weapons and accessories, to Morocco. The West African country, which is closely aligned with Washington and Riyadh and fiercely anti-Iranian, is considered "a major Non-NATO ally."

Moscow Slams 'Aggressive' US Threats to Hit Egypt With Sanctions Over Purchase of Russia's Su-35 Sputnik 21 Nov 2019 -- US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Defence Secretary Mark Esper sent a letter to Egypt's defence minister threatening with sanctions if Cairo did not cancel purchasing more than 20 Su-35 Flanker-E next-generation fighters from Moscow, The Wall Street Journal reported last week.

Assistant Secretary for Political-Military Affairs R. Clarke Cooper US Dept. of State 21 Nov 2019 -- Special Briefing
The United States Supports the Transitional Government in Bolivia to Achieve Free, Fair, and Inclusive Elections US Dept. of State 21 Nov 2019
Background Briefing on Political-Military Affairs US Dept. of State 21 Nov 2019
Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom Samuel Brownback US Dept. of State 21 Nov 2019 -- Special Briefing by Samuel D. Brownback, Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom

Defense Industry

Contracts For Nov. 21, 2019

Other Conflicts

21 November 2019 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 21 Nov 2019
Report: Rebel Forces' Use of Mines Causes Surge in Civilian Casualties VOA 21 Nov 2019 -- A report released Thursday said that last year, nearly 7,000 people, most of them civilians, were killed or injured by landmines and explosive remnants of war planted by rebel forces in at least six countries in conflict: Afghanistan, India, Myanmar, Nigeria, Pakistan and Yemen.

Yemeni forces, allies shoot down Saudi-led surveillance drone in Najran Press TV 21 Nov 2019 -- Yemeni army forces, supported by allied fighters from Popular Committees, have intercepted and targeted an unmanned aerial vehicle belonging to the Saudi-led military coalition in the skies over the kingdom's southern border region of Najran, in retaliation for the alliance's military aggression against their conflict-stricken country.
Shelling by Saudi-led militia kills 10 African refugees in Yemen Press TV 21 Nov 2019 -- At least 10 African refugees have been killed and 35 others wounded after mortar shells launched by Saudi-backed militiamen targeted a district in Manba border town in Yemen's northern province of Sa'ada.

Missile strike kills at least 12 civilians, including children, in Syria's Idlib: UN humanitarians UN News 21 Nov 2019 -- Violence in Syria continues to kill and maim civilians with reports that missiles fired into settlements for people fleeing conflict in the country's northwest on Wednesday night, killed at least 12 people and wounded dozens more, including children, UN humanitarians said on Thursday.
UN: 2018 Deadliest Year for Syrian Children Since War Began VOA 21 Nov 2019 -- The U.N. Children's Fund said Thursday that 1,106 children were killed in Syria in 2018, making it the deadliest year for children since the war began there in 2011.
Attack on al-Qah IDP Camp in Northern Syria US Dept. of State 21 Nov 2019 -- "The United States strongly condemns the Assad regime's barbaric attacks yesterday on the al-Qah camp for internally displaced persons (IDP) in northern Idlib. "

In Syria, A Mutilated Corpse, Video Evidence, And New Scrutiny For Russian Mercenaries RFE/RL 21 Nov 2019 -- The graphic video shows four men in camouflage gear exchanging jokes in unaccented Russian as they pour flammable liquid over a man's mutilated corpse strung up on two wooden beams.

Death toll of Israeli airstrikes on Syrian military sites rises to 23 People's Daily 21 Nov 2019 -- The death toll of the Israeli airstrikes on Syrian military sites on Wednesday has risen to 23, includin
Israeli Satellite Operator Releases Imagery of 'Aftermath' of Airstrikes on Syria Sputnik 21 Nov 2019 -- Israeli satellite operator ImageSat International (ISI) has published pictures of what it believes is the aftermath of recent Israeli airstrikes on southwestern Syria.

Turkey Never Used Banned Weapons in Syria During Operation Peace Spring - Defence Minister Sputnik 21 Nov 2019 -- Turkey has never used banned weapons during Operation Peace Spring against Kurdish militia and the Daesh* terrorist group in northern Syria, Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar said.
UN experts urge Turkey to repatriate Irish woman associated with terror group UN News 21 Nov 2019 -- Turkey must ensure that an Irish woman and her infant daughter who are being held in custody there are repatriated, independent UN experts said in a statement released on Thursday. The woman, Lisa Smith, has been described in press reports as a supporter of the ISIL terror group, and former member of the Irish military.
Syria censures acts of aggression by Turkish forces against ordinary citizens Press TV 21 Nov 2019 -- Damascus has strongly condemned "criminal acts of aggression" perpetrated by Turkish military forces against Syrian people in the aftermath of a cross-border incursion into the northern part of the Arab country, calling on the international community to force Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to stop the measures.

In Symbolic Move, Ukraine's Zelenskiy Opens Rebuilt Bridge In War-Torn East RFE/RL 21 Nov 2019 -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, in a symbolic move that highlights efforts to rebuild Ukraine's war-torn east, has reopened a bridge in the Luhansk region that has sat in ruins the past four years.
Ukraine's Zelenskiy Names Four Key Issues For Upcoming Peace Summit on Donbas RFE/RL 21 Nov 2019 -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has said he will advance four key issues during an upcoming four-way meeting with the leaders of Germany, France, and Russia on a potential peace settlement in the Donbas conflict.
Russia, Ukraine Trade Barbs Over Condition of Returned Naval Ships VOA 21 Nov 2019 -- Ukraine says three captured naval vessels returned by Russia earlier this week were in poor condition and stripped of key components.

Rohingya Genocide Case Against Myanmar Based on 'Compelling' Evidence: Lawyer Radio Free Asia 21 Nov 2019 -- An attorney assisting Gambia with its lawsuit against Myanmar for state-sponsored genocide at the U.N.'s top court said Thursday that he is confident that the West African nation will win the case based on copious, strong evidence of army atrocities against the Muslim Rohingyas.

UN Security Council strongly condemns Trump's support for Israeli settlements Press TV 21 Nov 2019 -- The European Union, Russia, China and other members of the UN Security Council on Wednesday strongly opposed the US announcement that it no longer considers Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank to be a violation of international law.

Militant Group Vows Retaliation Following Indian Court Ruling VOA 21 Nov 2019 -- Following a ruling by India's Supreme Court over a land dispute between the country's majority Hindus and minority Muslims, a Kashmir-based militant group, with alleged ties to al-Qaida, has vowed retaliation and urged Muslims in the country to stand up against the decision.

18 terrorists killed in attempted raid on Burkina Faso police base Press TV 21 Nov 2019 -- Eighteen terrorists have been killed in an attempted attack on a police base in the volatile north of Burkina Faso, authorities say.

Political consensus critical ahead of Somalia election: UN mission chief UN News 21 Nov 2019 -- With Somalia scheduled to hold "one-person, one-vote" elections next year, leaders must act now to break the "stalemate" between the central government and federal member states, the top UN official in the country told the Security Council on Thursday.

News Reports

Ex-White House Adviser Rejects False Ukraine Narrative VOA 21 Nov 2019 -- A former key official on the White House National Security Council told the impeachment inquiry targeting President Donald Trump on Thursday that it is a "fictional narrative" that Ukraine, and not Russia, meddled in the 2016 U.S. election that Trump won.
Highlights of a Momentous Week of Impeachment Hearings VOA 21 Nov 2019 -- The U.S. House of Representatives impeachment inquiry hearings picked up steam this week, as nine current and former U.S. officials testified about President Donald Trump's controversial dealings with the Ukrainian government.
Trump Impeachment Testimony Shows Concerns Over Role, Aims Of Giuliani RFE/RL 21 Nov 2019 -- Two U.S. officials, one current and one former, say they became increasingly alarmed by the role President Donald Trump's personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani played in Ukraine, as a congressional impeachment panel entered its fifth day of testimony.
Pentagon Official Says Ukraine Asked About Aid On Day of Trump-Zelenskiy Call RFE/RL 21 Nov 2019 -- Ukraine voiced concern over a stoppage in $390 million of U.S. military aid to the country as early as July 25, the same day that President Donald Trump made a controversial phone call to his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, A Pentagon official has told a congressional panel.
Pelosi: Clear evidence that Trump used office for his personal gain Press TV 21 Nov 2019 -- US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has said there is clear evidence President Donald Trump used his office for personal gain and undermined America's national security.
U.S. Ambassador to EU says there was "quid pro quo" involving Ukraine in testimony to House People's Daily 21 Nov 2019 -- U.S. Ambassador to the European Union Gordon Sondland on Wednesday testified that U.S. President Donald Trump conditioned a White House meeting for Ukraine's new president on his assurance to conduct investigation into Trump's democratic adversaries.

Briefing by Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova, Moscow, November 21, 2019 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 21 Nov 2019
Russian Duma Approves 'Foreign Agents' Bill That Threatens Journalists With Label RFE/RL 21 Nov 2019 -- The Russian parliament's lower chamber, the State Duma, has approved the final reading of a bill allowing reporters who work for organizations officially listed as foreign agents to be designated as foreign agents themselves.

Chinese National Who Worked at Monsanto Indicted on Economic Espionage Charges US Dept. of Justice 21 Nov 2019 -- Haitao Xiang, 42, formerly of Chesterfield, Missouri, was indicted today by a federal grand jury on one count of conspiracy to commit economic espionage, three counts of economic espionage, one count of conspiracy to commit theft of trade secrets and three counts of theft of trade secrets.

Vucic Accuses Moscow Of Spying On Serbia, Says Ties Still Strong RFE/RL 21 Nov 2019 -- Serbian security services have uncovered a large-scale intelligence operation between Russian spies and current and former members of the Serbian military, President Aleksandar Vucic said on November 21, but added that the scandal won't jeopardize friendship between Moscow and Belgrade.

U.S. Investigating Universities, Including MIT, Over Russian, Chinese Donations RFE/RL 21 Nov 2019 -- U.S. officials have asked the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) to turn over documents regarding the university's contacts with foreign governments and donations from foreign sources, including those coming from Russia, China, and Saudi Arabia.

Russia Arrests Soldier Suspected Of Spying For Ukraine RFE/RL 21 Nov 2019 -- Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) has detained a military serviceman on suspicion of spying on behalf of Ukraine in the Rostov region.

North Korea's Elite Have Developed a Fondness for Smuggled South Korean Eyewear Radio Free Asia 21 Nov 2019 -- Elites in North Korea love South Korean eyeglasses smuggled into the country through China due to their purported higher quality over Chinese and North Korean counterparts. As North Korea's wealthy are willing to pay, traders are going to great lengths to acquire prescription glasses made in the South, sources say.

Iran's Internet Mostly Down into 6th Day, With Slight Easing of Access in South VOA 21 Nov 2019 -- A major internet outage in Iran aimed at suppressing anti-government protests has extended into a sixth day, with access levels rising slightly as authorities said they reconnected several regions to the web.
Russia 'puzzled' by 'hypocritical' US support for Iran unrest Press TV 21 Nov 2019 -- Russia has lambasted "hypocritical" support by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo for Iranian protesters during recent riots triggered mostly by economic problems created by US sanctions on Tehran.
Trump Says Iran Disconnected Internet To Hide 'Death And Tragedy' RFE/RL 21 Nov 2019 -- U.S. President Donald Trump has accused Tehran of disconnecting Iranians from Internet access to cover up dozens of killings over the past week amid protests that erupted over fuel-price hikes.
Iran says Europe should pay price to keep JCPOA intact IRNA 21 Nov 2019 -- Europe should pay a price to maintain "the world's most important diplomatic achievement", said Iran's ambassador to the IAEA.
Spokesman: EU should show commitment instead of supporting rioters in Iran IRNA 21 Nov 2019 -- Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Abbas Mousavi strongly criticized certain European countries for supporting rioters in Iran, and said that instead of sympathizing with violence-seekers the EU states should try to remain committed to their Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) commitments.
Spox: Iran considers protecting important, crucial centers as its right IRNA 21 Nov 2019 -- Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Abbas Mousavi said that the inspectors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) should respect Iran's laws and regulations because the Islamic Republic considers protecting the sensitive centers as its right.
Iran: Protecting vital nuclear facilities our right, IAEA must respect our regulations Press TV 21 Nov 2019 -- The Iranian Foreign Ministry says the country considers protecting vital nuclear sites and facilities its inalienable right and expects the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to respect regulations it has set for safeguarding such sites.
IAEA To Press Iran Over Suspected Undeclared Nuclear Site RFE/RL 21 Nov 2019 -- The UN's nuclear watchdog has asked Iran for details on why traces of uranium were found at an undeclared site after Iranian officials failed to provided information about the discovery.
Iranian Environmentalists Handed Prison Terms In 'Sham' Trial Amid Deadly Protests RFE/RL 21 Nov 2019 -- An Iranian court has sentenced six members of a local environmental group to between six and 10 years in prison in an internationally criticized espionage case, their families and activists say, amid a deadly crackdown on recent demonstrations sparked by sharp fuel-price hikes.
Kingdom welcomes US decision to halt sanctions waivers for Iran's Fordow plant SPA 21 Nov 2019 -- An official source at the Foreign Ministry expressed the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's welcome of and satisfaction with the U.S. decision to halt sanctions waivers for Iran's Fordow plant effective December 15, 2019.

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Geng Shuang's Regular Press Conference on November 21, 2019 PRC MofA 21 Nov 2019
US Congress Approves Hong Kong Pro-Democracy Bills VOA 21 Nov 2019 -- The U.S. Congress approved two bills Thursday to support pro-democracy demonstrators in Hong Kong after months of unrest in the semi-autonomous city.
China says US after 'destroying' Hong Kong, threatens retaliation Press TV 21 Nov 2019 -- China says the US is seeking to "destroy" Hong Kong by indulging "violent criminals" who have plunged the international financial hub into turmoil for the past six months, threatening Washington with retaliation.
US-China 'phase one' trade deal to be postponed until next year Press TV 21 Nov 2019 -- Completion of a partial trade deal between the US and China will likely be postponed to next year, as Beijing presses for more extensive tariff rollbacks and Washington counters with more demands of its own, according to trade experts and people close to the White House
Beijing Threatens Retaliation if Trump Signs Hong Kong Rights Bill Into Law Radio Free Asia 21 Nov 2019 -- Beijing on Thursday called on U.S. President Donald Trump to veto a law aimed at protecting the human rights of Hong Kong's 7.5 million residents, threatening to retaliate if the president signed it into law.
Taiwan Makes Space For Hundreds of Hongkongers After Universities Shut Down Radio Free Asia 21 Nov 2019 -- Taiwan on Thursday invited Hong Kong residents whose studies have been disrupted by university closures or fear of arrest after five months of pro-democracy protests to continue their studies on the democratic island.
China Vows to 'Fight Back' After US Congress Supports Protests in Hong Kong Sputnik 21 Nov 2019 -- American lawmakers previously condemned alleged human rights violations against the protestors in the semi-autonomous region and adopted a bill banning the export of certain munitions to Hong Kong.
Revised agreement between mainland, Hong Kong opens services further Global Times 21 Nov 2019 -- The government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) signed an agreement in Hong Kong concerning an amendment to the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA) on Trade in Services on Thursday, to further enhance the mainland's openness in the services trade to Hong Kong.
Commentary: Hong Kong bill will eventually bring disgrace to the US People's Daily 21 Nov 2019 -- The "performance art" action of the United States Senate passing the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act of 2019 is a joke.
US Congress Passes Bill Throwing Support Behind Hong Kong Protesters Sputnik 21 Nov 2019 -- The US Congress has passed a pair of bills aimed at supporting protesters in Hong Kong. One bill condemns the police crackdown on the protests, and the other bans the export of certain munitions to the semi-autonomous Chinese island.

China's new commercial rocket to debut in 2020 People's Daily 21 Nov 2019 -- China's new carrier rocket the Long March-8 has entered final assembly and test stages and is expected to make its maiden flight in 2020, the Global Times has learned from the developer - China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology under the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) on Wednesday.

India's Space Minister Reveals Reason Behind 'Failed' Chandrayaan-2 Moon Mission Sputnik 21 Nov 2019 -- India's ambition to soft-land on the Moon crash-landed when the Chandrayaan-2 failed to touch-down on the lunar surface as planned on 7 September. Its orbiter, however, continued to perform "as per the design providing valuable scientific data".

Israel's Attorney General Indicts PM Netanyahu in 3 Separate Corruption Cases VOA 21 Nov 2019 -- After three years of investigation, Israel's Attorney General has decided to indict Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in three separate cases.
Netanyahu indicted for bribery, fraud and breach of trust Press TV 21 Nov 2019 -- Israel's attorney general has indicted Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for "receiving a bribe, fraud, and breach of trust" in a development that could prove fatal to his political career.
Netanyahu's main rival Gantz fails to form coalition cabinet Press TV 20 Nov 2019 -- Benny Gantz, the leader of Israel's Blue and White Party and the incumbent premier's main rival, has failed to form a coalition cabinet, pushing Israel closer to holding its third election in a year.
Israeli President Gives Knesset Three Weeks to Form Government Sputnik 21 Nov 2019 -- Israeli President Reuven Rivlin has given the country's legislature, the Knesset, 21 days to form a coalition government after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Blue and White alliance head Benny Gantz failed to do so.

Evo Morales Seeks International Assistance For Bolivia Return Sputnik 21 Nov 2019 -- Former Bolivian President Evo Morales on Wednesday asked international mediators for assistance in returning from Mexico, where he was granted political asylum, to Bolivia.

Australian Bank Accused of Millions of Money Laundering, Terrorism Financing Breaches VOA 21 Nov 2019 -- Australia's second-biggest bank, Westpac, has been accused of 23 million breaches of anti-money laundering and counterterrorism financing laws.

Turkish court upholds verdict against former Cumhuriyet employees Press TV 21 Nov 2019 -- A Turkish court has confirmed convictions against a dozen former journalists from Turkey's main opposition Cumhuriyet newspaper, despite their sentences being overturned by a higher court.

Cambodian PM Hun Sen Shrugs Off Looming Loss of EU Preferential Trade Status Radio Free Asia 21 Nov 2019 -- Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on Thursday waived off concerns over pressure from the European Union to improve the country's human rights record or risk losing its preferential trade status, saying that his government is prepared to pay additional taxes and make a profit even without the trade scheme.

A Promise Cut Short RFE/RL 21 Nov 2019 -- Over the span of five years, one man funnelled hundreds of millions of dollars out of Central Asia. What he knew may have cost him his life. But before his murder, he shared with reporters a trove of documents that reveal the source of this colossal wealth: A secretive family that ran an underground cargo empire with the help of a powerful political patron.
A Promise Cut Short RFE/RL 21 Nov 2019 -- Despite receiving a death threat, the operator of a massive Kyrgyz money-laundering scheme shared hundreds of documents to corroborate what he knew. He promised even more – but then he was murdered.
The Dubai Partnership RFE/RL 21 Nov 2019 -- The wife of Raimbek Matraimov, a powerful former Kyrgyz customs chief, has a joint investment in Dubai with a shadowy Uyghur family, the Abdukadyrs. Back in Central Asia, that family built a cargo empire that has thrived thanks to corruption in the customs service.
Kyrgyz-Linked Businessman Detailed Widespread Corruption Before Killing In Turkey RFE/RL 21 Nov 2019 -- A Kyrgyz-linked businessman shot dead in Turkey this month had secretly provided reporters with evidence of corruption in Kyrgyzstan's customs service and massive outflows of cash from the country, according to a new joint investigation by RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service, Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), and the Kyrgyz news site Kloop.

Tusk Elected European People's Party Chief, Blasts Far-Right 'Populists,' 'Autocrats' RFE/RL 21 Nov 2019 -- Poland's Donald Tusk, the new president of the largest party in the European Parliament, has warned against electing far-right "political populists, manipulators, and autocrats" to leadership roles within the alliance.

Morales Says Wants to Return to Bolivia, Needs Security Guarantees From Interim Gov't Sputnik 21 Nov 2019 -- Bolivia's former President Evo Morales told Sputnik in an interview that he would like to return to the country as soon as tomorrow but needed security guarantees from the interim government for it.

Lebanon Financial Crisis Fuels Upheaval; Upheaval Fuels Financial Crisis VOA 21 Nov 2019 -- In the parts of Beirut where protesters camp out, financial institutions remained shuttered this week, with cartoons of pigs with dollar-sign eyes spray-painted on the walls next to graffiti calling for revolution.

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