06 December 2019 Military News

Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

Statement by Secretary of Defense Mark T. Esper DoD 06 Dec 2019 -- As the Department has stated repeatedly, we were never discussing or considering sending 14,000 additional troops to the Middle East.
U.S. May Send Several Thousand More Troops To Middle East To Counter Iran RFE/RL 06 Dec 2019 -- The United States says it is considering sending thousands of additional troops to the Middle East over concerns about Iranian actions in the region.
Pentagon Mulls Sending 7,000 Additional Troops to Middle East - Report Sputnik 06 Dec 2019 -- The Wall Street Journal broke the news earlier, citing sources that the US Department of Defence (DoD) was considering to authorize the deployment of additional 14,000 troops to the Middle East along with various military hardware to deter alleged Iranian threat in the region - the news which was later denied by DoD spokesperson.

Unidentified armed men attack US military base in eastern Syria: Report Press TV 06 Dec 2019 -- A group of unknown gunmen has reportedly attacked a US military base inside an oil field in Syria's eastern province of Dayr al-Zawr, prompting American forces at the site to respond.

Deadly Clashes Erupt in Volatile Northern Afghan Province VOA 06 Dec 2019 -- New clashes between government security forces and the Taliban in northern Afghanistan are said to have killed around 20 combatants on both sides.

Defense Policy / Programs

New Army Contract Writing System pilot to launch in 2020 Army News 06 Dec 2019 -- The Army Corps of Engineers will be the first organization to test the new Army Contract Writing System in February, a top procurement official said Wednesday.
Readout of Meeting Between Secretary of Defense Mark T. Esper and Singapore Minister for Defence Ng Eng Hen DoD 06 Dec 2019
USS America Arrives in Japan as Latest Amphib Force Addition NNS 06 Dec 2019 -- Amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) joined the U.S. 7th Fleet forward-deployed amphibious force in Sasebo, Dec. 6, after transiting the Pacific Ocean from its former homeport of San Diego.
John C. Stennis Sailors 3D Print 300 Parts to Accelerate Repairs and Keep Systems Running NNS 06 Dec 2019 -- "Additive manufacturing was a powerful capability to maximize readiness while deployed," said Capt. Randy Peck, Commanding Officer of the John C. Stennis. "In the hands of creative Sailors loaded with initiative, it allowed us to increase logistics capability–in some cases reducing potentially longer lead times and shipping costs for material delivery." John C. Stennis Sailors utilized the AML to fabricate a rotary joint for the ship's Commercial Broadband System Program (CBSP) antenna.
U.S. 2nd Fleet and U.S. 6th Fleet Collaborate during Staff Discussions NNS 06 Dec 2019 -- U.S. 2nd Fleet (C2F) staff members hosted staff members from U.S. 6th Fleet (C6F) at C2F headquarters in Norfolk to discuss best practices for maritime effectiveness, Dec. 4-5, 2019.
Vice Adm. Myers Says Partnerships Are Key to Success in Cyberspace DoD News 06 Dec 2019 -- The key to success in cyberspace is developing robust partnerships with government agencies, law enforcement, allies and partners, a top military expert said.
Black Hawk Helicopter Crash Kills 3 Minnesota National Guardsmen Sputnik 06 Dec 2019 -- A Minnesota Army National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk crashed after it took off from an aviation facility in Minnesota for a planned maintenance test flight, a state National Guard official confirmed Thursday.

South Korea, US Fail to Strike Defense Cost-Sharing Deal VOA 06 Dec 2019 -- The United States and South Korea failed to reach a defense cost-sharing agreement after holding a fourth round of talks this week.

NATO's looming future amid divergence and fractures People's Daily 06 Dec 2019 -- US efforts to steer its allies to define China as a threat have come to nothing after members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) issued a declaration Wednesday, in which China was identified as providing strategic "opportunities and challenges". Experts have described this as a demonstration of NATO's looming fractures.

Russia vows to respond in kind if US deploys INF-covered missiles in Europe Press TV 06 Dec 2019 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov says his country will not hesitate to respond to any new deployment of medium-range missiles by the United States in Europe.
Russia to Never Deploy Medium-Range Missiles in Europe Unless US Does – Lavrov Sputnik 06 Dec 2019 -- Russia will never be the first to deploy medium-range missiles in Europe after the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty ended but will respond in kind if the United States takes this step, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Friday.
Russian Navy to Commission 'Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky' Submarine, Will Join Pacific Fleet in 2020 Sputnik 06 Dec 2019 -- The Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, a Varshavyanka-class (Project 636.3) diesel-electric attack submarine, will be commissioned in 2020, the commander of the Russian Pacific Fleet, Adm. Sergei Avakyants, said.

Zarif refutes EU3 claims on Iran missiles with a statement from Washington Press TV 06 Dec 2019 -- Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has referred to a statement issued by Washington to refute allegations made European signatories of the 2015 nuclear deal claiming Iran's missile activities have violated the deal.

Russia: US trying to demonize Iran missile program Press TV 06 Dec 2019 -- Russia's mission to the United Nations says the US continually tries to demonize Iran's missile activities despite lack of any damning evidence against the Islamic Republic's defensive activities, and while Washington itself is in default of several international non-proliferation agreements.
Israel tests nuke-capable missile system aimed at Iran: Report Press TV 06 Dec 2019 -- The Israeli military has reportedly tested a propulsion system used for carrying nuclear-capable and other missiles, with the occupying entity's media billing the alleged display as "a show of force aimed at Iran."
Iran's FM Javad Zarif Claims Israel Tested Nuke-Missile 'Aimed at Iran' Sputnik 06 Dec 2019 -- The Defence Ministry of Israel announced in the early hours of Friday morning that it had tested a new rocket propulsion system at a an airbase in the central part of the country, as part of a missile defence modernization plan.
Israel Successfully Tests New Rocket Propulsion System - Defence Ministry Sputnik 06 Dec 2019 -- Israel successfully tested on Friday a new rocket propulsion system as part of country's missile defence modernization, the Israeli Defence Ministry said.

No progress in shifting Turkey from Russian S-400 missile system: U.S. defense chief People's Daily 06 Dec 2019 -- U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper said Thursday there had been "no movement" with regard to getting Turkey to abandon the Russian S-400 missile system.
Turkey Intends to Solve Problems With US Over S-400 Through Dialogue – Foreign Ministry Sputnik 06 Dec 2019 -- Turkey intends to overcome disagreements with the United States regarding the purchase of Russian-made S-400 air defence systems through diplomatic means, Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman Hami Aksoy said at a press conference on Friday, stressing that Ankara has a "sovereign right" to protect itself.

India Lends $500 Mln to Bangladesh for Defence Purchase Sputnik 06 Dec 2019 -- Bangladesh is seeking to diversify its military arsenal given that more than 90% of its equipment is of Chinese origin. The current strategy is based on fears of being trapped in a full-blown conflict with Myanmar, which enjoys China's backing over the Rohingya issue.

Philippines Army Indicates Possible Induction Date for BrahMos Anti-Ship Cruise Missile Sputnik 06 Dec 2019 -- In a major development that could change the power dynamics in Southeast Asia, the Philippines Army has indicated that it is going ahead with the purchase of the BrahMos anti-ship cruise missile, an India-Russia joint development that is considered the world's deadliest missile and can hit the target at around Mach 3 speed.

Serbia Exploring Possibility of Purchasing Russian MC-21 Sputnik 06 Dec 2019 -- Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Russian President Vladimir Putin met on 4 December at Bocharov Ruchey state residence in Sochi.

Under the Chemical Weapons Convention, Nations Act to Prevent Further Use of Deadly "Novichok" Nerve Agents US Dept. of State 06 Dec 2019 -- On March 4, 2018, the Russian Federation used a military-grade nerve agent it developed, frequently referred to as a "novichok," in a brazen assassination attempt on two individuals in Salisbury, the United Kingdom. The attack was the first-ever use of novichoks, which attack the human central nervous system and are deadly.

Defense Industry

Contracts For Dec. 6, 2019

Other Conflicts

6 December 2019 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 06 Dec 2019
UN evaluates progress in improving peacekeeping performance UN News 06 Dec 2019 -- The international community on Friday took stock of action to improve UN peacekeeping in line with a Security Council resolution aimed at enhancing performance at all levels, both at Headquarters in New York and in the field.

Vietnam, China Start Talks Again as Part of 20-Year Fight-Make-up Cycle VOA 06 Dec 2019 -- Maritime sovereignty rivals China and Vietnam have started talking again after a prolonged standoff earlier this year, entering what analysts call a routine show of peace before more flare-ups.

Sudan's new PM wants to withdraw troops from Yemen Press TV 06 Dec 2019 -- Sudan's new Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok has vowed to withdraw troops from the Saudi-led war in Yemen, saying his country's role should be limited to assisting in a political resolution of the conflict.
US Releases Photos of Seized 'Significant Cache' of Iran Missile Parts Headed to Yemen Sputnik 06 Dec 2019 -- The US government announced on Thursday that it had intercepted a weapons stash which it alleges was destined for Houthi militants and delivered by Iran. This comes as the Trump administration steps up its pressure on the Iranian government.

'Daesh Has Absolutely Not Been Defeated' - Head of UK Military Sputnik 06 Dec 2019 -- The United Kingdom's chief of the defence staff, General Sir Nick Carter, delivered the annual State of Defence speech on Thursday evening at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) in London.

Cameroon Asks UN, Foreign Donors to Help With Reconstruction VOA 06 Dec 2019 -- Diplomats, U.N. agency heads, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) converged this week to discuss rebuilding towns and villages scarred by the separatist war in Cameroon.

Tibetan Nuns Undergo Forced 'Political Training' at Shugsep Nunnery Near Lhasa Radio Free Asia 06 Dec 2019 -- Tibetan nuns living near Tibet's regional capital Lhasa have been forced to declare their loyalty to Beijing and the ruling Chinese Communist Party in a political campaign conducted by their nunnery's management committee and state-controlled "women's cooperatives," state media said this week.

Refugees in Myanmar's Shan State Fear Losing Untended Land to China Projects Radio Free Asia 06 Dec 2019 -- Refugees from conflict in the northern part of Myanmar's Shan state say they are worried that their land could be confiscated for Chinese-backed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)-related infrastructure projects while they are unable to return because of fighting.

Bangladesh: Rohingya Rights Group's Office Padlocked, Power Lines Snapped Radio Free Asia 06 Dec 2019 -- A Rohingya rights group involved in documenting alleged atrocities suffered by refugees who fled violence in Myanmar closed its headquarters in Bangladesh after authorities shut down electric service for undisclosed reasons, a senior leader of the group said Friday.
Bangladesh orders closure of Rohingya advocacy office Press TV 06 Dec 2019 -- Bangladesh has ordered the closure of the headquarters of a leading Rohingya advocacy group, which has become a key voice for the Muslim minority stuck in squalid camps, amid a clampdown by the country's authorities on the refugees.

H-Hour For Ukraine's 'Normandy Four' RFE/RL 06 Dec 2019 -- KYIV -- In some circles, it's being called a peace summit. But the "Normandy Format" meeting in Paris on December 9 seems unlikely to live up to that billing, unless closer adherence to the frequently violated cease-fire in the war in eastern Ukraine counts -- and even that may be a long shot, judging by assessments from officials, analysts, and one of the four heads of state involved.
The Latest, Best Chance to End East Ukraine War VOA 06 Dec 2019 -- The leaders of Russia and Ukraine hold their first face-to-face talks in Paris next week as part of a European summit aimed at ending the five-year war between Ukrainian government forces and pro-Russian rebels in east Ukraine.

News Reports

Democrats Say Trump Impeachment Charges Must Come Swiftly VOA 06 Dec 2019 -- House Democrats moved aggressively to draw up formal articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump on Thursday, with Speaker Nancy Pelosi saying he "leaves us no choice" but to act swiftly because he's likely to corrupt the system again unless removed before next year's election.
Ukrainian Political Consultant Says Giuliani Has Left Kyiv RFE/RL 06 Dec 2019 -- A former Ukrainian government adviser says Rudy Giuliani, U.S. President Donald Trump's personal lawyer who is at the center of the president's impeachment inquiry, has left Ukraine.

Russian Blogger Zhukov Given Suspended Sentence For 'Inciting Online Extremism' RFE/RL 06 Dec 2019 -- A court in Moscow has handed popular blogger Yegor Zhukov a three-year suspended sentence after finding him guilty of inciting extremism online in a case condemned as politically motivated.
Supporters Credit Public Pressure After Surprise Release Of Acerbic Putin Critic RFE/RL 06 Dec 2019 -- Prosecutors recommended a harsh prison term for the charge he faced: inciting extremism online. Instead, the judge handed Zhukov a three-year suspended sentence with restrictions on Internet use and access to his popular video blog.
The Week In Russia: Famous Last Words RFE/RL 06 Dec 2019 -- Undeniably, President Vladimir Putin's era has been marked and marred by a number of recurring events: terror attacks, deadly disasters in which the human toll has been exacerbated by human error, often committed by officials of the Russian state, and - less lethal but also defining - politically charged trials.

NATO-Linked Report Says Social-Media Platforms Failing On Manipulation RFE/RL 06 Dec 2019 -- A NATO-linked report says the world's largest social-media companies are failing at regulating their platforms to combat the manipulation of information.

North Korean Citizens Living Near Samjiyon Fed Up With Being Mobilized to Prepare for Kim Jong Un Visits Radio Free Asia 06 Dec 2019 -- North Koreans living near a major North Korean government-backed construction project are becoming resentful after being forcibly mobilized to prepare for a visit from leader Kim Jong Un for the third time this year.

Iran: All JCPOA parties consider US as root cause of tensions IRNA 06 Dec 2019 -- Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said all parties to the nuclear deal, also known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) consider US as root cause of tensions.
China urges US to adjust its wrong maximum pressure policy IRNA 06 Dec 2019 -- Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying described the US unilateralism as escalating tensions and urged Americans to adjust its wrong policy of imposing maximum pressure.
China not willing to activate trigger mechanism IRNA 06 Dec 2019 -- Director-General of the Department of Arms Control of the Chinese Foreign Ministry Fu Cong announced that his country is not willing to activate trigger mechanism with regard to Iran nuclear deal known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
Russian envoy says all JCPOA parties still committed IRNA 06 Dec 2019 -- Russia's Permanent Representative to the International Organizations in Vienna and the International Atomic Energy Agency Mikhail Ulyanov said despite all difficulties, JCPOA parties comply with commitments.
Russia Upsets Effort to Save 2015 Iran Nuclear Deal VOA 06 Dec 2019 -- Five world powers trying to save their 2015 nuclear deal with Iran from U.S. efforts to overturn it are grappling with a new setback as they meet with Iranian officials in Vienna Friday.
Europeans will not invoke trigger JCPOA dispute mechanism: China envoy Press TV 06 Dec 2019 -- European parties to the Iran nuclear deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), did not invoke a mechanism that could lead to the re-imposition of United Nations sanctions against Tehran, a Chinese envoy says.
World Powers Urge Iran To Reverse Atomic Deal Violations RFE/RL 06 Dec 2019 -- World powers pressed Tehran on December 6 to reverse recent actions that violate a landmark 2015 nuclear agreement, a Chinese official said at the end of a meeting in Vienna that came amid heightened tensions between the West and Iran.
UN Rights Chief Accuses Iranian Forces Of 'Shooting To Kill' Protesters RFE/RL 06 Dec 2019 -- The UN's human rights chief has accused Iranian security forces of using "severe violence" against protesters and "shooting to kill" during last month's demonstrations against a sharp hike in gas prices.
UN rights chief 'extremely concerned' over deadly crackdown on protesters in Iran UN News 06 Dec 2019 -- In the wake of recent protests in Iran, the top United Nations human rights official expressed alarm on Friday over multiple human rights violations which have reportedly taken place across the country.

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying's Regular Press Conference on December 6, 2019 PRC MofA 06 Dec 2019
Public security minister meets with HK police chief in show of support Global Times 06 Dec 2019 -- The central government and Ministry of Public Security always firmly back the Hong Kong police and will continue to support the Hong Kong police in law enforcement, China's State Councilor and Minister of Public Security Zhao Kezhi said while meeting with Hong Kong Police Commissioner Chris Tang Ping-keung in Beijing on Friday.
HKSAR gov't urges political figures to stop asking for foreign intervention in Hong Kong affairs Global Times 06 Dec 2019 -- The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government expressed on Friday deep regret over the spreading of untrue claims overseas in recent days by some Hong Kong political figures who urged foreign governments or legislatures to interfere with the affairs of the HKSAR.
Unrest causes over 2 pct GDP slip in Hong Kong: official Global Times 06 Dec 2019 -- Out of the 2.9-percent gross domestic product slip in the third quarter in Hong Kong, over 2 percentage points were caused by the prolonged social unrest, a senior official of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government said Friday.
Interview: 'The Common Goal is Caring About Hong Kong.' Radio Free Asia 06 Dec 2019 -- Richard Chan, a 48-year-old businessman who made headlines after being pepper-sprayed during protests at Hong Kong's international airport has quit the boardroom to involve himself in the city's political life full time. He spoke to RFA's Mandarin Service about his support for the five demands of the six-month-old protest movement, and his recent election to the District Council:
China imposes reciprocal restrictions on US diplomats Press TV 06 Dec 2019 -- Beijing says American diplomats will now have to notify Chinese authorities before any meetings with local officials and academics in China, explaining that the measures are taken in response to a similar restriction by Washington.
US Lawmakers Urge Olympic Committee to Ensure Rights Protections Ahead of Beijing Winter Games Radio Free Asia 06 Dec 2019 -- U.S. lawmakers have called on the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to speed up implementation of an agenda requiring host cities to adhere to rights protections ahead of Beijing's Winter Games in 2022, citing reports of widespread abuses in China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR).
China Formally Arrests Outspoken Human Rights Attorney, Denies Lawyer Visit Radio Free Asia 06 Dec 2019 -- Authorities in the southwestern Chinese region of Guangxi have formally arrested an outspoken human rights lawyer on suspicion of subversion.
China Foundation for Human Rights Development condemns U.S. House passage of Xinjiang-related bill People's Daily 06 Dec 2019 -- The China Foundation for Human Rights Development Thursday strongly condemned and protested against the passage of a Xinjiang-related bill by the U.S. House of Representatives.
Huawei asks US court to overturn ban People's Daily 06 Dec 2019 -- The legal battle between Huawei Technologies Co and United States government intensified on Thursday. The Chinese tech heavyweight announced a legal challenge to the US Federal Communications Commission, seeking to overturn the latter's order that bans telecom carriers from buying the company's equipment via federal subsidies.
CPPCC committee slams U.S. House approval of Xinjiang-related bill People's Daily 06 Dec 2019 -- The Committee of Ethnic and Religious Affairs of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee on Thursday condemned the passing of a bill on Xinjiang-related issues by the U.S. House of Representatives.

Britain's 'Lesser of Two Evil' Election May Go Down to Wire VOA 06 Dec 2019 -- Britons vote next Thursday in the country's third general election in under four years, with pollsters and politicians warning it isn't going to be easy to forecast the outcome.

Assistant Secretary for Near Eastern Affairs David Schenker On Iraqi Global Magnitsky Designations US Dept. of State 06 Dec 2019
US Imposes Sanctions on Iraqi Militia Leaders Linked to Iran VOA 06 Dec 2019 -- The United States imposed sanctions Friday on three Iranian-backed Iraqi militia leaders over their alleged role in violently suppressing protests that have shaken Iraq.
U.S. Hits Iran-Linked Iraqi Militias With Sanctions RFE/RL 06 Dec 2019 -- The United States has imposed sanctions on three Iranian-linked Iraqi militia leaders for allegedly assisting the violent repression on protests that have swept the country.
On Sanctioning Those Involved in Killing Protestors and Corruption in Iraq US Dept. of State 06 Dec 2019 -- "The United States recently expressed its commitment to using its legal authorities to sanction corrupt individuals stealing the Iraqi people's public wealth and killing and wounding peaceful protesters."
Treasury Sanctions Iran-Backed Militia Leaders Who Killed Innocent Demonstrators in Iraq US Treasury 06 Dec 2019 -- Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated three leaders of Iran-backed militias in Iraq that opened fire on peaceful protests, killing dozens of innocent civilians.
Iraq's Top Shi'ite Cleric Urges Selection of New PM With No Outside Ties VOA 06 Dec 2019 -- Iraq's top Shi'ite religious leader, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, called on the country's political leaders Friday not to choose a new prime minister with ties to outside countries, ostensibly referring to Iran and the U.S.

French Strike Against Pension Reforms Continues VOA 06 Dec 2019 -- One of France's biggest demonstrations in recent history continued Friday, with unions vowing to protest until the government backs down on planned pension reforms.

Tadawul Announces Listing Date for Saudi Aramco SPA 06 Dec 2019 -- The Saudi Stock Exchange (Tadawul) has announced that the listing and trading of the Saudi Arabian Oil Company (Saudi Aramco) will start on Wednesday 11/12/2019, with the symbol 2222, and a ±10% daily price fluctuation limit.
Saudi Aramco Announces Offering Size, Final Offer Price of its Shares SPA 06 Dec 2019 -- Saudi Arabian Oil Company (Saudi Aramco) has announced the end of the book-building period and the setting of the final offer price for the offering, at SR 32 for a share.

Leader of a Violent Mexican Drug Trafficking Organization Charged with International Drug Importation Conspiracy and Weapons Use US Dept. of Justice 06 Dec 2019 -- Fausto Isidro Meza-Flores, also known as "Chapo Isidro," has been charged in a superseding indictment with a conspiracy to distribute cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin and marijuana for importation into the United States.

Bronx Man Sentenced in Manhattan Federal Court to 22 Years in Prison for Attempting to Provide Material Support to ISIS US Dept. of Justice 06 Dec 2019 -- Sajmir Alimehmeti Amassed Combat Knives and ISIS Propaganda in His Apartment, Facilitated Equipment Purchases by an Individual He Believed Was Traveling to Syria to Fight with ISIS, and Conspired with Chelsea Bomber Ahmad Khan Rahimi to Distribute Terro

Two Former Kyrgyz Prime Ministers Receive Prison Terms RFE/RL 06 Dec 2019 -- A court has sentenced former Kyrgyz Prime Minister Sapar Isakov to 15 years in prison on corruption charges stemming from his involvement in a 2013 project to modernize the Bishkek Thermal Power Station.

Listen Delhi! Maldives Rejects Western Media Spin on Chinese Debt; Exerts Strong Links with Beijing Sputnik 06 Dec 2019 -- The Maldives is stuck in the middle of a power battle between India and China as both seek to ensure their dominance over the crucial shipping lanes in the Indian Ocean. Beijing invested millions of dollars in the country during the rule of former leader Abdulla Yameen as part of Beijing's Belt and Road plan.

Bolivian Interim President Anez Will Not Run in March Election - Chief of Staff Sputnik 06 Dec 2019 -- The interim president of Bolivia, Jeanine Anez, does not intend to participate in the presidential elections scheduled for March, the head of the presidential administration, Yerko Nunez, told reporters on Thursday.

Nairobi Governor Arrested on Corruption Charges VOA 06 Dec 2019 -- Kenya's public prosecutor Noordin Haji on Friday ordered the immediate arrest and prosecution of Nairobi County Governor Gideon Mbuvi.

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