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News Reports

Current Operations

• Taliban says 'way too early' to speak of negotiations with US Press TV 29 Nov 2019 -- The Afghan Taliban militant group says it is "way too early" to speak of restarting direct negotiations with the United States, a day after US President Donald Trump paid a surprise visit to Afghanistan and said Washington is resuming talks with the militant group.
• Trump says U.S.-Taliban talks resumed amid Afghanistan visit People's Daily 29 Nov 2019 -- U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday paid an unannounced visit to Afghanistan, where he confirmed that the United States is holding talks with Afghan Taliban, according to the White House.
• Vote Recount Protests Erupt in Afghan Capital VOA 29 Nov 2019 -- Thousands of supporters of a leading presidential candidate in Afghanistan rallied Friday in the capital, Kabul, demanding election officials halt the ongoing vote recount process to prevent alleged electoral fraud.
• Thousands Rally In Kabul To Condemn Electoral 'Fraud' RFE/RL 29 Nov 2019 -- Thousands of supporters of Afghan Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah have marched in Kabul in a rally the organizers said was aimed at condemning and preventing electoral fraud.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Concern growing in US military over Trump's decision-making Press TV 29 Nov 2019 -- Tensions are mounting between US President Donald Trump and some senior military officials over Trump's decision to intervene in the cases of three US soldiers accused of war crimes.
• Navy's Oldest Floating Dry Dock Passes Material Inspection NNS 29 Nov 2019 -- The crew of the Mid-Atlantic Regional Maintenance Center's (MARMC) Floating Dry-Dock Dynamic (AFDL 6) recently passed a material inspection by the Navy's Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV), certifying the dock as materially ready and safe for continued use.
• NATO Secretary General announces increased defence spending by Allies NATO 29 Nov 2019 -- Ahead of the meeting of NATO Leaders in London to mark the Alliance's 70th anniversary, Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on Friday (29 November 2019) gave details of large increases in Allied defence spending. Mr. Stoltenberg announced that in 2019 defence spending across European Allies and Canada increased in real terms by 4.6 %, making this the fifth consecutive year of growth. He also revealed that by the end of 2020, those Allies will have invested $130 billion more since 2016. Based on the latest estimates, the accumulated increase in defence spending by the end of 2024 will be $400 billion. Mr. Stoltenberg said: "This is unprecedented progress and it is making NATO stronger.'
• Defence Expenditure of NATO Countries (2013-2019) NATO 29 Nov 2019 -- NATO collects defence expenditure data from Allies on a regular basis and presents aggregates and subsets of this information. Each Ally's Ministry of Defence reports current and estimated future defence expenditure according to an agreed definition of defence expenditure.
• France's Macron says his NATO "brain-death" comment "necessary wake-up call" People's Daily 29 Nov 2019 -- The "brain-death" comment on NATO has served as a "necessary wake-up call", French President Emmanuel Macron told a press conference along with NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg after their talks at the Elysee Palace on Thursday.
• NATO Chief Hails 'Unprecedented' Spending RFE/RL 29 Nov 2019 -- NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg says defense spending across European allies and Canada increased by 4.6 percent this year, making this the fifth consecutive year of growth.
• French President Should Check His Own 'Brain Death' - Erdogan on Macron's NATO Comment Sputnik 29 Nov 2019 -- In an interview with The Economist in early November, French President Emmanuel Macron said that European countries could no longer rely on the United States to defend North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) allies, adding that "what we are currently experiencing is the brain death of NATO".
• Moscow Accuses NATO of Luring Extra-Regional Nations Into Military Activities in Arctic Sputnik 29 Nov 2019 -- NATO increases military and political tensions in the Arctic region through encouraging extra-regional nations to engage in military activities there, the Russian Foreign Ministry's ambassador-at-large for international Arctic cooperation, Nikolai Korchunov, said.
• NATO Allies' defence investment: Foreign Secretary's statement UK MOD 29 Nov 2019 -- Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab gave a statement following an announcement that NATO Allies have increased defence investment.
• Russia successfully test fires nuclear ballistic missile system Press TV 29 Nov 2019 -- Russia has test launched a nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) system, despite the West's concerns regarding Moscow's developing military technology.
• Moscow May Stop Using Nukes as Deterrent Force, Commander of Russian Strategic Missile Forces Says Sputnik 29 Nov 2019 -- Earlier, Sergei Karakaev said that Russia's strategic missile forces have more than 200 mobile and stationary missile systems. Speaking with the Russian Armed Forces' official newspaper, Krasnaya Zvezda, Karakaev said that Russia's military is now replacing the last missile systems that were made in the Soviet Union.
• Moscow on Proposed INF-Weapons Moratorium: No Country Can Say It Does not Share Russia's Concerns Sputnik 29 Nov 2019 -- Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov has commented on Germany's rejection of Russia's proposal to impose a moratorium on the deployment of intermediate-range and shorter-range missiles in Europe, as envisioned under the now-defunct Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty.
• Jordan army simulates battle with Israel in military exercise Press TV 29 Nov 2019 -- The Jordanian army has held a "defensive" military exercise, attended by the country's King Abdullah II, to simulate a possible battle with Israel.
• North Korea Threatens Ballistic Missile Test Under Japan's 'Nose' VOA 29 Nov 2019 -- North Korea made perhaps its most direct recent threat to resume longer-range missile tests, warning Saturday it may soon launch a "real ballistic missile" in the vicinity of Japan.
• Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un Inspects Test-fire of Super-large Multiple Launch Rocket System KCNA 29 Nov 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, inspected the test-fire of the super-large multiple launch rocket system conducted by the Academy of Defence Science.
• North Korea Says It Successfully Tested Super-Large Multiple Rocket Launchers Sputnik 29 Nov 2019 -- Recently, Kim Jong-un reportedly ordered North Korea's armed forces to conduct "real war-like drills" at a "higher degree of intensity". All the projectiles launched this year have followed a similar pattern and were closely monitored by Japan, South Korea, and the US.
• Russian Defence Ministry Delivers Small Arms to Gabon for Free to Fight Poaching Sputnik 29 Nov 2019 -- Russia delivered small arms for free to Gabon to help the former French colony on the west coast of Africa fight poaching and protect national parks, the Russian Defen?e Ministry said on Thursday.
• China, Pakistan to hold joint maritime drill People's Daily 29 Nov 2019 -- China and Pakistan will stage a joint maritime exercise in Pakistan in January 2020, China's Ministry of National Defense announced Thursday.
• India Fires Salvo Against Israeli Manufacturer for 'Snubbing' Its Domestic Anti-Tank Guided Missile Sputnik 29 Nov 2019 -- Israeli manufacturer Rafael faced a major setback in 2018 after the Indian Defence Ministry cancelled a $500 million Spike deal in favour of a domestically manufactured anti-tank guided missile. New Delhi previously bailed on a Spike purchase in 2011, and again in 2017 – both times under the DRDO's pressure.
• Indian Army Set to Deploy 200 Armoured Fighting Vehicles With Guided Missiles Along Pakistani Border Sputnik 29 Nov 2019 -- India and Pakistan have been engaged in a serious border escalation since a cross border aerial strike by the Indian Air Force in February. The two arch-rivals have deployed their troops and military equipment at forward bases to retaliate in case of a misadventure by either side.
• India Cuts Purchase of P-8 Spy Planes From US in Half Sputnik 29 Nov 2019 -- The Indian Navy had originally asked for 10 P-8I aircraft in a bid to deploy more spy planes to crucial points in the Indian Ocean region under "Mission Based Deployment". However, the Defence Ministry has now decided to cut the request in half due to budget constraints.
• Iran to unveil new destroyer this February: Navy Cmdr IRNA 29 Nov 2019 -- Navy Commander Rear Admiral Hossein Khanzadi said Iran will unveil the Dena destroyer in February and stressed that with the construction of racket launcher warships and the construction of Moj-class destroyers such as Jamaran, Damavand and Sahand destroyer Iran has entered the field of naval combat.
• Iranian Ships Will Use Cutting-Edge Drones Amid Equipment Upgrade - Navy Head Sputnik 29 Nov 2019 -- Tehran continues to boost its military amid a standoff with the US in the wake of Washington establishing a maritime coalition patrolling the waters near Iran's borders.
• Senior Army official says Iran producer of strategic, military weapons IRNA 29 Nov 2019 -- Deputy Chief of Operations of Iran's Army noted that Iran is one of the manufacturers of strategic and military weapons in the world which has made enemies not dare to threaten sea, land خق air borders.
• Iran safeguards 5,000 ships, tankers in high seas IRNA 29 Nov 2019 -- Deputy commander of Iran's Army for coordination said that the country's navy has provided security for 5,000 of its trade ships and oil tankers in the Gulf of Aden, Bab al-Mandab Strait and the Red Sea to save its economy.

Defense Industry

• Contracts For Nov. 29, 2019

Other Conflicts

• Saudi artillery fire claims six civilian lives in Yemen Press TV 29 Nov 2019 -- Six civilians have been killed and several others injured in artillery attacks by the forces of the Saudi-led military coalition in the northwestern province of Sa'ada and the western coastal province of Hudaydah.
• Yemeni forces down Saudi Apache helicopter using 'new technology', images available: Spokesman Press TV 29 Nov 2019 -- Yemen's Armed Forces have downed a Saudi Apache helicopter using "new technology" and have filmed the operation, the force's spokesman has said.
• US Military Presence at Syria's Oil Fields Escalates Situation in Country - Russian Deputy FM Sputnik 29 Nov 2019 -- The day before, Syrian state television reported that US forces mustered dozens of military vehicles near oil fields in the Rumeilan region of Al-Hasakah province in Syria's northeast.
• Israeli warplane targets Hamas position in blockaded Gaza Strip Press TV 29 Nov 2019 -- An Israel warplane has launched an airstrike against a position of the Palestinian resistance movement of Hamas in the northern parts of the besieged Gaza strip, hours after Israeli troops shot dead a Palestinian teenager during a protest rally in the coastal enclave.
• Israel Strikes Hamas Military Post in Gaza in Response to Recent Attack - IDF Sputnik 29 Nov 2019 -- The tensions between the two sides have escalated recently, following Israel's killing of Baha Abu al-Atta, a top commander from the Islamic Jihad group in the Gaza Strip.
• Violence in DR Congo Ebola hotspot leaves people 'caught in crossfire' UN News 29 Nov 2019 -- Attacks on communities in an Ebola outbreak hotspot in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have sparked a humanitarian crisis and threatened aid distribution, the UN said on Friday, amid reports of serious civil unrest.

News Reports

• Reporter's Notebook: They Do Things Differently in Russia VOA 29 Nov 2019 -- Everyone overlooks them as they scurry about in their luminescent orange uniforms at all hours of the day and night, armed only with small brushes and the the type of long-handled lobby dustpans a concierge might use in New York or London to tidy up an entrance.
• Russia Says Proposed Four-Year Athletic Doping Ban 'Unfair,' 'Maybe Even A War' RFE/RL 29 Nov 2019 -- Russia has lashed back at a proposed four-year ban on the country's athletes over noncompliance with anti-doping regulations, calling it a politically motivated act designed to prevent its athletes from competing.
• Russian woman arrested on suspicion of spying for Ukraine in Crimea Press TV 29 Nov 2019 -- Russia says it has arrested a woman in Crimea for allegedly trying to obtain Russian military secrets on behalf of the Ukrainian government.
• Russia Detains Woman Suspected Of Spying For Ukraine In Crimea RFE/RL 29 Nov 2019 -- Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) says a Russian woman has been detained on suspicion of state treason for allegedly spying for Ukraine in the Russian-occupied Crimean Peninsula.
• Russian Black Sea Fleet Staffer Spying for Ukraine Detained in Sevastopol - Lawmaker Sputnik 29 Nov 2019 -- A Russian woman who tried to obtain national secret military information at the request of the Ukrainian Defence Ministry has been detained in Russia's southern city of Sevastopol, the country's Federal Security Service (FSB) said on Friday.
• Serbian Intelligence Service Says Exposed Network of Spies From Croatia Sputnik 29 Nov 2019 -- Serbian Security Intelligence Agency (BIA) said on Friday it had handed over to the prosecutor's office a case on two suspects of espionage in favor of Croatia.
• Cyprus-Based 'Israeli Surveillance Van' to Undergo In-Depth Probe Over Spy Scandal Sputnik 29 Nov 2019 -- The van that first came to light in August is alleged to have been intercepting private messages on a variety of platforms, like Facebook and WhatsApp, with the owner arguing it's just a matter of time before governments start looking for loopholes to spy on their own citizens.
• S.Korea's nuke envoy holds phone talks with U.S., Japanese envoys after DPRK's projectile test-firing People's Daily 29 Nov 2019 -- South Korea's top nuclear envoy held phone talks with his U.S. and Japanese counterparts after the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)'s test-firing of short-range projectiles, Yonhap news agency reported Friday citing Seoul's foreign ministry.
• Six more Europeans states to join INSTEX IRNA 29 Nov 2019 -- Belgium, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Norway, and the Netherlands in a joint statement supported Iran deal and expressed readiness to join the Instrument in Support of Trade Exchanges (INSTEX).
• Finland, Belgium, Denmark, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden Join INSTEX Mechanism for Trade With Iran - Finnish Foreign Ministry Sputnik 29 Nov 2019 -- Iran considers the European Instrument in Support of Trade Exchanges (INSTEX), a tool set up to help trade with Tehran under the US sanctions, to be weak, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi stated earlier in November, adding that the system has not been fully implemented so far.
• Araghchi: There is still hope to save JCPOA IRNA 29 Nov 2019 -- Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Abbas Araghchi said on Thursday that there is still hope to save Iran nuclear deal, known as JCPOA, but it depends on the Europeans' compliance with their commitments under the deal.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Geng Shuang's Regular Press Conference on November 29, 2019 PRC MofA 29 Nov 2019
• Time to restart HK's future Global Times 29 Nov 2019 -- It has been a tough week for the pro-establishment camp in Hong Kong, as the majority of candidates lost in the district council elections, and the landslide victory of pan-democratic forces astonished many, who firmly believed the pro-establishment camp would be capable of serving local communities well.
• PolyU blockade lifted; police find 4,000 gas bombs in two days Global Times 29 Nov 2019 -- Hong Kong police on Friday said they had seized nearly 4,000 petrol bombs, 1,400 pieces of explosives materials, 600 items containing corrosive liquids and 570 weapons during the two-day evidence-collection procedure at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, which was reopened at about Friday noon after being occupied by rioters for 13 days.
• Hong Kong Polytechnic University severely damaged by rioters: president Global Times 29 Nov 2019 -- The president of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) said on Friday, after the management of the university took over the campus from the police, that the campus was severely damaged during the occupation of rioters.
• Tens of Thousands Celebrate in Hong Kong As Democracy, Human Rights Act Becomes Law Radio Free Asia 29 Nov 2019 -- Tens of thousands of people poured onto the streets of Hong Kong's downtown Central business district on Thursday, waving American flags and singing the national anthem of the United States in a gesture of thanks after U.S. President Donald Trump signed legislation they had been campaigning for into law.
• Hong Kong University Siege Ends Peacefully As Street Protests Continue Radio Free Asia 29 Nov 2019 -- Hong Kong police on Friday ended their siege of the Polytechnic University after removing explosive materials and makeshift weapons left behind by frontline protesters.
• Hong Kong Police Lift Cordon Surrounding Polytechnic University After 2-Week Standoff Sputnik 29 Nov 2019 -- The Hong Kong police said on Friday that they had retreated from the Polytechnic University (PolyU) following the completion of a two-day search operation and the removal of dangerous items that were left on the campus during the violent clashes that lasted for two weeks.
• US considering new measures to restrict Huawei suppliers: Report Press TV 29 Nov 2019 -- The United States is considering new measures to block shipments of products to the Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei, according to a report.
• Chinese Officials Tear Down Madonna Painting, Replace it With President Xi Radio Free Asia 29 Nov 2019 -- Authorities in the eastern province of Jiangxi have forced a Catholic church to replace a painting of the Virgin Mary with her child with one of President Xi Jinping, as well as hang up the Chinese flag and nationalist slogans in support of the ruling Chinese Communist Party.
• Pakistan to Debut Chinese Yuan-Denominated Panda Bonds Worth $1 Billion Sputnik 29 Nov 2019 -- China's Panda Bonds are onshore products that help international borrowers to explore domestic yuan investors. These yuan-dominated notes are sold by non-Chinese issuers.
• Anti-infiltration bill sent to second reading at Legislature CNA 29 Nov 2019 -- A draft bill designed to complement existing laws on preventing foreign hostile forces from intervening in Taiwan's democratic political system and elections went directly to a second reading at the Legislative Yuan Friday.
• Violence Continues in Iraq Despite PM's Resignation VOA 29 Nov 2019 -- Anti-government violence raged on in southern Iraq on Friday, despite the announced resignation of Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi. At least 21 people were killed in the southern part of the country, and one protester was killed in central Baghdad as demonstrations continued here, including a thousands-strong sit-in at Tahrir Square.
• Iraqi prime minister announces intention to resign following Sistani call Press TV 29 Nov 2019 -- Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi says he intends to resign in response to a call by the country's top Shia cleric, who urged Iraqi lawmakers to "reconsider" their options regarding the future of Iraq.
• Iraqi PM To Resign After Deadly Protests RFE/RL 29 Nov 2019 -- Iraqi Prime Minister Adil-Abdel Mahdi says he will resign, after nearly two months of anti-government protests that have cost more than 400 lives.
• Iraqi Prime Minister to Submit Resignation Letter to Parliament Amid Protests Sputnik 29 Nov 2019 -- Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi said Friday, following weeks of protests in the country, he would submit his resignation letter to parliament.
• Ayatollah Sistani warns of enemy plot seeking to create civil strife, bring back 'era of dictatorship' Press TV 29 Nov 2019 -- Iraq's top cleric has warned that enemies of Iraq and affiliated groups in the country are plotting to create internal strife and bring the country back to the "era of dictatorship", an apparent reference to the former rule of Saddam Hussein.
• Influential Iraqi cleric condemns mob attack on Iran consulate in Najaf Press TV 29 Nov 2019 -- Influential Iraqi Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr has condemned an arson attack on the Iranian consulate in Najaf, dismissing allegations that his followers were behind the Wednesday incident.
• At Least 45 Protesters Shot Dead, 152 Others Wounded in Escalating Iraqi Unrest - Reports Sputnik 29 Nov 2019 -- At least 27 demonstrators have been shot dead and 152 others had been injured amid increasing protest violence in the south of Iraq and the country's capital of Baghdad, media reported, citing sources.
• Iraq: UN 'deeply concerned' at continued protester deaths UN News 29 Nov 2019 -- UN chief António Guterres has expressed deep concern over reports of the continued use of live ammunition against demonstrators in Iraq.
• New Law in Sudan Dismantles Foundations of Bashir's Government VOA 29 Nov 2019 -- Sudanese authorities have approved a law to dismantle the foundations of former president Omar al-Bashir's government. Demonstrators flooded the streets in Khartoum in celebration of the new law, which also repeals a public order act used to regulate women's dress and behavior.
• Sudan adopts law to 'dismantle' Bashir party, NCP slams move as 'illegal' Press TV 29 Nov 2019 -- Ousted President Omar al-Bashir's party on Friday condemned Sudan's new "illegal government" for ordering its closure and the dismantling of his regime that ruled the country for 30 years.
• Sudan Dissolves Former President al-Bashir's Party, Confiscates Party's Funds Sputnik 29 Nov 2019 -- As of today, al-Bashir is still in prison and facing charges of corruption. He previously admitted in court to having received $90 million in cash from the Saudi Royal family.
• India, Sri Lanka Reset Relationship As Sri Lankan Leader Visits New Delhi VOA 29 Nov 2019 -- India has offered to lend $400 million to Colombo for infrastructure development as it reaches out to build ties with Sri Lanka's newly elected president, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who is visiting New Delhi.
• Mexico says won't allow US armed intervention over cartels Press TV 29 Nov 2019 -- Mexico says it bluntly objects to any potential cross-border armed operations targeting the country's soil by the United States after the latter vows to blacklist the Mexican drug cartels.
• London Police Kill Man, Declare Terrorist Incident on London Bridge VOA 29 Nov 2019 -- British police say two stabbing victims have died in addition to a knife-wielding attacker who was confronted and killed Friday on London Bridge, in an attack police are treating as an act of terrorism.
• Assailant in the Netherlands Stabs Three in Street Attack VOA 29 Nov 2019 -- An assailant in the Netherlands has stabbed three people on a busy shopping street in The Hague.
• Kyrgyzstan's Former Istanbul Envoy Arrested On Suspicion Of Abuse Of Office RFE/RL 29 Nov 2019 -- Kyrgyzstan's former consul-general in Istanbul, Erkin Sopokov, has been arrested in Bishkek after his car was found near the site where a businessman from China's Xinjiang Province was shot dead in Istanbul earlier this month.
• Senior Lawmaker Says Bolivian Legislature Adopts Regulations for Holding Elections Sputnik 29 Nov 2019 -- Bolivia's Plurinational Legislative Assembly adopted regulations for choosing new members of the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE), the highest electoral court that acts as an electoral watchdog, which sets the stage for holding the next presidential election, the upper house speaker, Monica Eva Copa Murga, said.