19 December 2019 Military News

Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

Iran's Rouhani slams US plan to control Syria oil Press TV 19 Dec 2019 -- Iran's President Hassan Rouhani has expressed concern about the US plan to gain control over Syrian oil reserves, urging more cooperation from Turkey to help the government in Damascus.
'Who has given the Americans the right to be in Syria?' China asks Press TV 19 Dec 2019 -- China's special envoy for Syria says the United States' pretext for extending its military presence in the Arab country, namely to protect Syrian oil fields, is untenable.

US forces detain top Hashd al-Sha'abi commander in western Iraq Press TV 19 Dec 2019 -- US military forces have reportedly conducted an operation and arrested a leader of tribal fighters affiliated to the Iraqi pro-government Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) in the country's western province of Anbar, but refused to give any reasons for the detention.

Defense Policy / Programs

Statement to the Media by Garry Reid, Director for Intelligence (Counterintelligence, Law Enforcement, and Security) on the Vetting and Security Review DoD 19 Dec 2019 -- On Dec. 10, 2019, the Deputy Secretary of Defense tasked the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence (USD(I)) to: A. Take immediate steps to strengthen personnel vetting for international military students (IMS); and B. To complete a review within 10 days of policies and procedures for screening foreign students and granting them access to our bases. These efforts will seek to more closely align IMS vetting procedures with those we apply to U.S. personnel. Today, I'd like to provide an update of our review process and give you an idea of the way forward.
DOD Official Updates Progress on Enhanced Vetting of International Military Students DoD News 19 Dec 2019 -- New foreign military student vetting procedures have been put into place, a senior defense official announced at the Pentagon.

Air Force names newest helicopter 'Grey Wolf' US Air Force 19 Dec 2019 -- Air Force Global Strike Command named the MH-139A helicopter "Grey Wolf" during a naming ceremony at Duke Field, Dec. 19.
Griffin Missile Exercise 2019 CENTCOM 19 Dec 2019 -- ARABIAN GULF (Dec. 14, 2019) – U.S. Navy coastal patrol ships and U.S. Coast Guard patrol boats conducted an annual test of the MK-60 Griffin guided-missile system in the Arabian Gulf Dec. 10-14.
Defense Department Invests $32 Million in Manufacturing Engineering Education Program DoD 19 Dec 2019 -- The Department of Defense, through the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, has selected seven awardees for the Manufacturing Engineering Education Program. These distinguished educational and industry partners will receive more than $32 million over a three-year period to establish or expand educational opportunities for Americans to acquire manufacturing skills critical to sustaining the U.S. defense innovation base.
Carney Participates in PASEX with Spanish Partners NNS 19 Dec 2019 -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Carney (DDG 64), assigned to destroyer squadron 60, participated in a routine passing exercise (PASEX) with the Spanish Navy in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Spain, Dec. 17.
Carney Pulls in for Training and Maintenance NNS 19 Dec 2019 -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Carney (DDG 64) pulled back into Naval Station Rota, Spain for a training and maintenance availability (TRAV), Dec. 19.
Niemeyer Says Shore Installation Readiness Linked to Lethality of Naval Power NNS 19 Dec 2019 -- Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Energy, Installations and Environment Lucian Niemeyer visited the Northeast Florida tri-base area Dec. 10-13 to review the installations and be briefed on ongoing projects to improve base infrastructure.
Hill AFB fighter wings receive final F-35A Lightning II US Air Force 19 Dec 2019 -- Fighter wings at Hill AFB received their final F-35A Lightning II Dec. 17. The delivery brings the total number of aircraft at the installation to 78.
U.S., Russian Military Chiefs Meet In Switzerland On Syria, Avoiding Conflicts RFE/RL 19 Dec 2019 -- The top U.S. and Russian military commanders on December 18 held talks on Syria, where both countries are militarily engaged, and on improving mutual communication.

Russia's Only Aircraft Carrier Had No Critical Damage in Recent Fire - Ship Manufacturer Sputnik 19 Dec 2019 -- Russia's aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov sustained no critical damage in a recent fire, the incident will not affect the timing of the repairs, Alexey Rakhmanov, the president of the United Shipbuilding Corporation, said Thursday.
Putin: Global Security Will Be Shaken If New START Treaty is Not Extended Sputnik 19 Dec 2019 -- Earlier this month, President Vladimir Putin confirmed Moscow's readiness to extend the Russian-US Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) without any conditions by the year-end.
Global security will be put in jeopardy if New START treaty with US not renewed: Putin warns Press TV 19 Dec 2019 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that nothing can hold back yet another arms race and thus international security will be damaged if the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) with the United States is not renewed.

Navy: New carrier represents major advance People's Daily 19 Dec 2019 -- CNS Shandong, the People's Liberation Army Navy's new aircraft carrier, has better combat and logistic capabilities than its predecessor, CNS Liaoning, according to a Navy spokesman.

U.S. and India Deepen Bilateral Defense Trade, Sign Two Defense Technology and Trade Initiative Agreements DoD 19 Dec 2019 -- The 2019 U.S.-India 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue resulted in several significant achievements related to the U.S.-India Defense Technology and Trade Initiative.
Indian Navy Releases Video of India-Russia Joint Tri-Service Exercise Sputnik 19 Dec 2019 -- The second edition of the Indra tri-service exercise between the armed forces of Russia and India started in north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, western Maharashtra and in the neighbouring coastal state of Goa on 10 December.
India Test Fires Pinaka Rocket Amid Threat of War With Pakistan Sputnik 19 Dec 2019 -- The Pinaka rocket system can destroy 900 square metres at a 20-80 kilometre range by firing a salvo of 12 rockets within 48 seconds. India has been conducting a series of tests of its missile system for the past month and India's Army Chief on Wednesday said that the situation could escalate at any time with Pakistan.
India, US Sign Major Defence Pacts Ahead of $15 Billion Fighter Jet Tender Sputnik 19 Dec 2019 -- The US has been denying critical defence technology to India, citing security reasons, for years. Washington had expressed its concerns to India that Moscow may allegedly snoop on the inner workings of its defence tech if secure technological pacts are not present to act as safeguards.
Washington Pitches American Weapons System to India as Alternate to Russia's S-400 Missile Defence Sputnik 19 Dec 2019 -- India and Russia signed a $5.43 billion contract in 2018 for the purchase of five S-400 missile defence systems, despite US threats to slap sanctions on any country that buys from Russia's defence sector under CAATSA (Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act).

Turkish army to use indigenous machine gun-mounted drones Press TV 19 Dec 2019 -- The Turkish military is set to use its first indigenous armed drones capable of firing automatic machine guns during what it says are counter-terrorism operations.

Argentina - Support for EDA P-3C Aircraft DSCA 19 Dec 2019 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Argentina of equipment, support and services in support of Argentina's EDA purchase of four (4) P-3C aircraft and related equipment for an estimated cost of $78.032 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.

New pledges for the Armed Forces announced in Queen's Speech UK MOD 19 Dec 2019 -- The Queen's Speech prioritises both veterans and service personnel with a promise to further incorporate the Armed Forces Covenant in law.

Defense Industry

Contracts For Dec. 19, 2019
Aerojet Rocketdyne Wins $81.5 Million Contract to Build Hypersonic Missile Motor Sputnik 19 Dec 2019 -- Aerojet Rocketdyne, an American rocket and missile propulsion manufacturer, was recently awarded a hefty contract by US defense contractor Lockheed Martin to manufacture a solid-fuel rocket motor that will propel a hypersonic missile for the US Air Force.

Other Conflicts

19 December 2019 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 19 Dec 2019
UN Says Cost-Sharing Key to World Refugee Crisis VOA 19 Dec 2019 -- A year after the United Nation's General Assembly adopted the Global Refugee Compact to deal with the world refugees crisis, world leaders gathered in Geneva to weigh the progress made, and pledged more than $3 billion to support refugees and about 50,000 resettlement communities.

Yemen's Houthis, Saudi-sponsored militiamen exchange dozens of prisoners Press TV 19 Dec 2019 -- Yemen's Houthi Ansarullah movement and Saudi-sponsored militiamen loyal to former president Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi have exchanged dozens of prisoners in a swap in the southern Yemeni governorate of Ta'izz, local sources and media reports say.

Bringing coordinated relief to the people of Syria UK FCO 19 Dec 2019 -- Statement by Ambassador Karen Pierce, UK Permanent Representative to the UN, at the Security Council briefing on Syria
Life for civilians in Syria 'worse than when the year began' UN News 19 Dec 2019 -- The humanitarian situation facing civilians in many parts of Syria is "worse than when the year began", the UN deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator told the Security Council on Thursday.

Turkey's Erdogan Warns of New Syrian Refugee Exodus as Tensions With Moscow Loom VOA 19 Dec 2019 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is warning of another refugee exodus from Syria as government forces there conduct airstrikes against rebel targets in Idlib province. With Russian forces backing the assault, Ankara and Moscow face a looming threat to their recent warming ties.
Bomb attack leaves five dead in Turkish-controlled northern Syrian town Press TV 19 Dec 2019 -- At least five people, including three children, have lost their lives and several others sustained injuries when a car rigged with explosives went off in an area of Syria's northeastern province of al-Hasakah, controlled by Turkish military forces and their allied militants ever since they launched a ground offensive against militants from the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG).

Swiss Court Orders Russia To Pay Ukraine Oil Firm $44 Million For Crimea Investments RFE/RL 19 Dec 2019 -- The Supreme Court of Switzerland has ruled in favor of Ukraine's state majority-owned Ukrnafta oil production company to recover $44 million in investments from Moscow that were lost as a result of Russia's annexation of Crimea.
UN Adopts Updated Resolution To Safeguard Rights In Crimea RFE/RL 19 Dec 2019 -- The UN General Assembly on December 18 adopted a draft resolution seeking protection of human rights in Russian-occupied Crimea, according to Ukraine's permanent mission to the international body in New York.

Bangladesh: Rohingya Remain 'Hopeless' following Myanmar Meetings Radio Free Asia 19 Dec 2019 -- A week after Myanmar defended itself before an international court over allegations of genocide against Rohingya, a delegation from Naypyidaw tried to persuade refugees in Bangladesh to repatriate, but rejected demands for citizenship and international monitoring, officials and reports said.

'Typical India': Pakistan's Army Promises Befitting Response to Indian Misadventures Sputnik 19 Dec 2019 -- Indian Army Chief General Bipin Rawat on Wednesday said that the situation along the Line of Control (LoC) can escalate anytime, and the Indian Army is ready for an escalation in the wake of ceasefire violations by Pakistan on the borders since the change in Kashmir's status.
Pakistan Warns India Deploying Missiles in Kashmir to Launch Attack VOA 19 Dec 2019 -- Pakistan says rival India has deployed, among other escalatory steps, medium-range missiles in the disputed Kashmir allegedly to stage a cross-border military attack and harm regional peace.

Israel has advanced plans for 22,000 housing units in West Bank in 3 years: UN Press TV 19 Dec 2019 -- The United Nations says the Israeli regime has advanced or approved plans for more than 22,000 housing units in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem al-Quds in the course of just three years since the UN Security Council adopted a resolution slamming settlements on Palestinian lands.

Bill to Support Tibet Moves Forward in the US Congress Radio Free Asia 19 Dec 2019 -- A new bill to strengthen U.S. policy in support of Tibet moved forward in the U.S. Congress this week, with unanimous approval given on Wednesday by the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

News Reports

Pelosi: Timing of Impeachment Submission to Senate Depends on Rules VOA 19 Dec 2019 -- One day after U.S. President Donald Trump was impeached by the House of Representatives, Speaker Nancy Pelosi said she will not send the articles of impeachment to the Senate or choose impeachment prosecutors until the Senate agrees on rules governing the process.
Trump Impeached For Abuse Of Power, Obstruction RFE/RL 19 Dec 2019 -- The U.S. House of Representatives late on December 18 impeached President Donald Trump, advancing the proceedings to the Senate for a trial on whether to convict and remove him from office.
Trump becomes 3rd president impeached in U.S. history People's Daily 19 Dec 2019 -- The Democrat-led U.S. House of Representatives voted on Wednesday to pass two articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump, who has become the third president in U.S. history to be formally impeached and will face a trial in the Senate.
U.S. House passes Trump impeachment, trial uncertainty remains People's Daily 19 Dec 2019 -- The Democrat-led U.S. House of Representatives voted on Wednesday to impeach President Donald Trump for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.

Vladimir Putin's annual news conference President of Russia 19 Dec 2019
Putin Weighs In on Trump Impeachment, Hints at Staying in Power VOA 19 Dec 2019 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin held his annual press conference with journalists on Thursday – a more than four-hour freewheeling event highlighted by swipes at the push to impeach President Donald Trump and suggestions that an adjustment to Russia's constitution could extend to Putin's hold on power when his current term ends in 2024.
Putin Reveals Hardest Moments of His Presidency Sputnik 19 Dec 2019 -- 1 September saw the 15th anniversary of the tragic events in the southern Russian city of Beslan, where more than 300 hostages, including 186 children, were killed after terrorists seized a local school.
From BoJo, Trump and WADA to New START: Key Takeaways From Putin's Big Year-End Presser Sputnik 19 Dec 2019 -- A record 1,895 journalists from around the world gathered at Moscow's World Trade Centre on Thursday in the hope of asking the Russian president about the hot button issues of the day.
A Signal Or A Slip Of The Tongue? Putin Remark Adds To Speculation About His Future RFE/RL 19 Dec 2019 -- Somewhere before the request for more money for Yekaterinburg's subway, but after the question about the high cost of flying to the faraway Kamchatka Peninsula, President Vladimir Putin got a couple of politically vital questions during his marathon annual news conference on December 19.
A Chance To Plead: Few Muckrakers At Annual Putin Event RFE/RL 19 Dec 2019 -- Anna Sunitsa arrived in the Russian capital with a dream and a plan. The dream was to get Vladimir Putin's attention, and the plan was to wave a traditional head scarf she had adorned with a sewn-on image of the president's face.
EU Lawmakers Say Russia 'Deliberately' Creating 'Hostile' Atmosphere Toward Civil Society RFE/RL 19 Dec 2019 -- The European Parliament is calling on Russian authorities to repeal the country's controversial law on "foreign agents" and to "stop deliberately creating an atmosphere that is hostile to civil society."
WADA doping ban 'not fair, politically motivated,' Russian President Putin says Press TV 19 Dec 2019 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has described as not fair and politically-motivated the four-year ban handed to his country by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) from major sporting events, including the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, over systematic violations.

Deadly Shootout Near FSB Headquarters in Moscow: Everything We Know So Far Sputnik 19 Dec 2019 -- The attack left the area around the intelligence service's headquarters on lockdown.
One Officer Killed, Suspected Gunman Dead After Shooting in Moscow - Federal Security Service Sputnik 19 Dec 2019 -- A criminal case has been opened into an attempt to kill law enforcement agents, the Russian Investigative Committee said.
Moscow: Officer killed in lone wolf 'terror attack' on security agency building Press TV 19 Dec 2019 -- An unknown assailant has attacked the headquarters of Russia's domestic security agency in Moscow, killing one of its officers and two other people, in what the agency has billed a "terrorist" incident.
'FSB Member Killed, Five Wounded' In Moscow Shooting RFE/RL 19 Dec 2019 -- Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) says one of its members was killed and five were wounded by an unidentified shooter who opened fire outside its headquarters in central Moscow on December 19.

Bulgarian Poison Probe Focuses On Russian Spy Chief Suspected In Novichok Attack On Skripals RFE/RL 19 Dec 2019 -- Bulgarian officials say an investigation into the attempted assassination of an arms maker is focusing on five suspected Russian agents -- including a Russian military intelligence general alleged to have commanded a team accused in the 2018 Novichok attack in Britain against former Russian spy Sergei Skripal.

Chinese Foreign Ministry Unaware of Woman Detained for Trespassing on Trump's Residence Sputnik 19 Dec 2019 -- Beijing has no information as to whether the woman detained in the United States for trespassing onto the territory of President Donald Trump's residence is a Chinese citizen, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Geng Shuang said at a briefing on Thursday.

Sino-Russian-proposed UN resolution on North Korea 'best plan' at current time Press TV 19 Dec 2019 -- China says its joint proposal with Russia to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) aimed at diffusing tensions between North Korea and the United States is "the best plan," repeating its call on the world body to remove some sanctions on the North in order to break the deadlock between Pyongyang and Washington.

US Slaps New Sanctions on Iran Targeting Tehran Revolutionary Court Judges - Report Sputnik 19 Dec 2019 -- Earlier Thursday, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani revealed that a sanctions-happy Washington had slapped his country with over 90 sets of restrictions against the Iranian state, Iranian companies and Iranian nationals in the past year-and-a-half alone.
US slaps new sanctions on Iran, imposes visa restrictions Press TV 19 Dec 2019 -- The United States has announced new sanctions against Iran, targeting individuals in the judicial courts and security services over the handling of the recent protests against fuel price hikes in the country.
Human Rights and the Iranian Regime US Dept. of State 19 Dec 2019 -- Speech by Michael R. Pompeo, Secretary of State
Treasury Sanctions Two Judges Who Penalize Iranians for Exercising Freedoms of Expression and Assembly US Treasury 19 Dec 2019 -- Today, the Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated two judges presiding over branches of the Iranian regime's Revolutionary Court who, for years, have punished Iranian citizens and dual-nationals for exercising their freedoms of expression or assembly.
U.S. Hits Iran With Sanctions After Deadly November Crackdown On Protesters RFE/RL 19 Dec 2019 -- The United States is implementing additional restrictive measures on Iran for what it says are ongoing human rights abuses, following a deadly crackdown last month on protesters in Tehran and more than 100 other cities and towns.
Spox condemns UN human rights resolution against Iran IRNA 19 Dec 2019 -- Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Abbas Mousavi condemned the recent resolution voted on by the United Nations against the human rights situation in Iran.
Iran condemns 'biased, politically-motivated' UN rights resolution Press TV 19 Dec 2019 -- The Iranian Foreign Ministry unequivocally denounces a resolution passed at the United Nations General Assembly, which has found fault with the human rights situation in Iran.
European Parliament Blasts Iran's 'Widespread' Use Of Force Against Protesters RFE/RL 19 Dec 2019 -- European lawmakers have passed a resolution denouncing the "widespread and disproportionate" use of force by Iranian security forces against nonviolent protesters.
Iran's Rohani Urges Muslim Countries To Fight Against U.S. 'Hegemony' RFE/RL 19 Dec 2019 -- Iranian President Hassan Rohani has used an Islamic conference in Malaysia to urge Muslim nations to deepen cooperation in order to counter U.S. "hegemony."
Iran and US both undermining nuclear deal says UN political affairs chief UN News 19 Dec 2019 -- Both Iran and the United States have been putting strain on the groundbreaking 2015 deal to monitor Iran's nuclear programme, which remains a "cornerstone of international peace and security", said the UN's political affairs chief on Thursday.

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Geng Shuang's Regular Press Conference on December 19, 2019 PRC MofA 19 Dec 2019
Four Arrested, $9 Million Frozen by Hong Kong Police in Protest Fund Laundering Probe Sputnik 19 Dec 2019 -- At least four individuals have been arrested and approximately $9 million (HK$70 million) was recently frozen after a Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) probe busted a money laundering syndicate which obtained donations under the guise of supporting demonstrators arrested during anti-government protests.
Hong Kong Democracy Movement Left Reeling by Police Seizure of Crowd-Funded Account Radio Free Asia 19 Dec 2019 -- Hong Kong police on Thursday said they had frozen donations to a group funding legal support for arrestees during the six-month-old protest movement, as pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong on Thursday accused them of hacking his phone for evidence.
President Xi meets Macao SAR chief executive Global Times 19 Dec 2019 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping met with outgoing Chief Executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) Chui Sai On here Wednesday, saying the central government fully acknowledged Chui's diligent work during his 10 years as the chief executive.
Macao shares mainland's plan Global Times 19 Dec 2019 -- The astonishing achievement Macao has made over the past two decades was shaping a consensus inside the society that it has no hesitation when fulfilling its mission as part of the nation's development plan, and the society is united in achieving this goal, Pansy Ho Chiu-king, a predominant businesswoman in Macao, told the Global Times on Thursday.
Labor NGO Founder, Volunteer, Intern Detained in China's Guangdong Radio Free Asia 19 Dec 2019 -- A labor rights worker, a volunteer and an intern were reported incommunicado in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou on Thursday, while mainland Chinese activists who took part in the Hong Kong protests were sent for "drug rehabilitation," RFA has learned.
European Parliament Passes Resolution Condemning China on Treatment of Uyghurs in Xinjiang Radio Free Asia 19 Dec 2019 -- The European Parliament on Thursday approved a resolution condemning the mass incarceration of Uyghurs in northwest China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) and reiterating its call for unfettered access to the region for independent journalists and international observers.
The Legacy of China's One-Child Policy is an Aging Population Radio Free Asia 19 Dec 2019 -- Decades of population control under the one-child policy has left China with a rapidly aging population without enough financial resources to support their needs.

State Department Official On Multilateral Cyber Efforts US Dept. of State 19 Dec 2019 -- Special Briefing

Treasury Sanctions Guatemalan Mayor and His Drug Trafficking Organization US Treasury 19 Dec 2019 -- Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) identified Guatemalan mayor Erik Salvador Suñiga Rodriguez, known as "El Pocho," and the Suñiga Rodriguez drug trafficking organization (Suñiga Rodriguez DTO or "Los Pochos DTO") as significant foreign narcotics traffickers pursuant to the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act (Kingpin Act).
Sanctions Against Guatemalan Mayor and his Drug Trafficking Organization US Dept. of State 19 Dec 2019 -- The United States is committed to preventing and combating narcotics trafficking globally. Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned Guatemalan mayor Erik Salvador Suñiga Rodriguez, known as "El Pocho," and the Suñiga Rodriguez drug trafficking organization (Suñiga Rodriguez DTO (drug trafficking organization) or "Los Pochos" DTO) as significant foreign narcotics traffickers pursuant to the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act (known as the "Kingpin Act").

Tolerance key to tackling violent extremism: UN counter-terrorism chief UN News 19 Dec 2019 -- The head of the UN Counter-Terrorism Office (UNOCT) has highlighted the importance of tolerance in combating the "corrosive spread" of violent extremism.

WHO: Insecurity, Poor Access Delay End of DR Congo Ebola Outbreak VOA 19 Dec 2019 -- The World Health Organization says insecurity and lack of access in conflict-ridden parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo remain major threats to ending the Ebola outbreak there.

Pakistan Seeks to Remove Leader of Three-Judge Panel That Handed Death Sentence to Pervez Musharraf Sputnik 19 Dec 2019 -- After Pakistan's legal fraternity questioned the harshness of the verdict delivered by the Peshawar High Court's Chief Justice against former President-General Pervez Musharraf, the government is seriously reassessing his capability to perform the duties of his office.
Pakistani Lawyers On Strike Over Government, Army Objections To Musharraf Sentencing RFE/RL 19 Dec 2019 -- Lawyers in a northwestern Pakistani region have gone on strike to protest against what they called the "insulting attitude" of the country's military and the government toward the judiciary.
Pakistan Seeks Removal of Judge for Ordering Public Hanging of Musharraf VOA 19 Dec 2019 -- Pakistan's government announced Thursday that it was seeking to disqualify the head of a three-judge panel that ruled that the corpse of convicted former dictator Pervez Musharraf should be "hanged for three days" outside Parliament if he died before his execution.

Myanmar Immigration Officials Nab Growing Number of Illegal Chinese in Shan State Radio Free Asia 19 Dec 2019 -- More than 240 Chinese nationals were arrested for illegally entering Myanmar through Shan state during the first half of the year, mostly to look for work, a state immigration official told RFA on Thursday.

Ukraine Lifts Prosecutorial Immunity For Members Of Parliament RFE/RL 19 Dec 2019 -- Ukraine's national legislature, the Verkhovna Rada, on December 18 passed a bill in its final reading that cancels prosecutorial immunity for lawmakers.

Brexit: Mission Accomplished or Just the Beginning? VOA 19 Dec 2019 -- British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's recent resounding general election victory – the biggest Conservative win since his predecessor, Margaret Thatcher's 1987 barnstorming success – has made it certain that Britain will part company with the European Union come the end of January, fulfilling the government's key re-election campaign pledge to "get Brexit done."

Ukraine's PrivatBank Files Additional Court Claims Against Former Oligarch Owners RFE/RL 19 Dec 2019 -- Ukrainian state-owned PrivatBank on December 18 filed a $600 million lawsuit in Israel as part of its worldwide effort to recover assets it says the lender's two previous majority shareholders had allegedly embezzled.
Fraught Gas Talks Between Russia, Ukraine, EU To Resume In Berlin RFE/RL 19 Dec 2019 -- The next round of natural-gas transit talks between Russia, Ukraine, and the European Union are set to resume in Berlin on December 19.

Former Education Minister Hassan Diab Designated Lebanon's Next Prime Minister - President Aoun Sputnik 19 Dec 2019 -- The move follows media reports that the majority of Lebanese lawmakers selected former education minister Diab as the candidate for the post of prime minister.
Lebanon president Aoun designates Diab as country's new premier Press TV 19 Dec 2019 -- Lebanon's President Michel Aoun has designated former education minister as the country's new prime minister after he got the confidence vote of nearly 70 lawmakers during consultations on the matter.

Bolivian regime issues arrest warrant for ex-president Morales Press TV 19 Dec 2019 -- The Bolivian regime has ordered the arrest of former president Evo Morales, who has been in exile since his forced resignation last month, after the interim government accused him of sedition and terrorism.

Waste From Chinese Gold Mines Sickens Villagers, Kills Livestock and Fish in Cambodia Radio Free Asia 19 Dec 2019 -- Villagers in Cambodia's Kratie and Mondulkiri provinces are voicing fears for their health following the release into rivers of toxic waste from Chinese gold mines that has sickened local residents and killed livestock and fish, local sources say.

Analysis: Don't Expect Too Much From Uzbekistan's Parliamentary Elections RFE/RL 19 Dec 2019 -- Anyone expecting Uzbekistan's upcoming parliamentary elections to establish President Shavkat Mirziyoev's credentials as a reformer will probably be disappointed.

Return of Street Protests Pose Little Threat to Thai Government for Now VOA 19 Dec 2019 -- Thailand's pro-military government has little to fear for now from the sharp shift in tactics by a leading opposition party that called thousands of its supporters into the streets over the weekend to demand democratic reforms, analysts say.

Nicola Sturgeon Will Consider 'All Options' If UK Rejects Demand for New Scottish Independence Vote Sputnik 19 Dec 2019 -- Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and her party have renewed calls for a second independence referendum in Scotland after making big gains in last week's general election. Boris Johnson has openly stated that his government would not allow another vote to happen.

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