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Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• Trump Again Eyes Iranian Cultural Sites, Says Iraq Faces Sanctions Over Possible U.S. Troop Withdrawal RFE/RL 06 Jan 2020 -- After a 17-day sojourn at his Florida estate, U.S. President Donald Trump returned to Washington on January 5 facing the fallout from the strike he ordered to kill a powerful Iranian general.
• Trump Doubles Down on Iran Warning, Says US to Strike Back 'Perhaps in a Disproportionate Manner' Sputnik 06 Jan 2020 -- US President Trump repeatedly tweeted threats at Iran, warning that if Tehran struck US targets or military personnel in response to the assassination of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani, the US would strike back.
• Press Gaggle With Secretary of Defense Dr. Mark T. Esper and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark A. Milley DoD 06 Jan 2020 -- Secretary Of Defense Dr. Mark T. Esper, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark A. Milley
• Esper: U.S. Continues to Deploy, Reposition Troops in Middle East DoD News 06 Jan 2020 -- The United States continues to deploy and reposition troops throughout the region of Iraq and Iran to bolster U.S. security and force protection and to be prepared for any contingency, Defense Secretary Dr. Mark T. Esper said.
• Mistakenly Sent Draft Letter Falsely Announces US Forces Preparing to Leave Iraq Sputnik 06 Jan 2020 -- A Monday letter sent to Iraqi military leaders, the US-led coalition in Iraq announced it was preparing to "move out" of the country out of respect for Iraqi sovereignty. However, Pentagon leaders later clarified it was an unsigned draft sent by "mistake."
• Esper: US Not Withdrawing from Iraq VOA 06 Jan 2020 -- The United States is not withdrawing troops from Iraq, Defense Secretary Mark Esper said Monday, with the top U.S. military officer explaining that a letter from a senior military officer that appeared to suggest withdrawal was a poorly worded mistake.
• US Deploys Reinforcements to African Base VOA 06 Jan 2020 -- The United States has sent reinforcements to a military base in Kenya following Sunday's deadly attack on the base by militant group al-Shabab.
• UPDATE #2: U.S. Statement on Manda Bay Terrorist Attack AFRICOM 06 Jan 2020 -- U.S. Africa Command's East Africa Response Force (EARF) arrived at Manda Bay, Kenya, Jan. 5, to augment security to secure the airfield after an attack by al-Shabaab terrorists.
• Somalia's al-Shabaab attack on US-Kenya base leaves 3 Americans dead Press TV 06 Jan 2020 -- One American military service member and two US Department of Defense (DoD) contractors have been killed in an attack on a Kenyan base used by US troops.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Pelosy: US House will vote to limit Trump's war powers on Iran Press TV 06 Jan 2020 -- US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi has announced that the legislative body will seek to limit President Donald Trump's "military actions regarding Iran" in the wake of increased tensions between the two countries.
• Trump Threat to Destroy Iranian Cultural Sites Condemned Internationally VOA 06 Jan 2020 -- Threats by U.S. President Donald Trump to destroy Iranian cultural sites are generating widespread international condemnation and accusations it would be a war crime.
• Rouhani dismisses Trump's threat, mentions US crimes against Iranian civilians Press TV 06 Jan 2020 -- Iran's President Hassan Rouhani has downplayed his American counterpart's recent threat to target Iranian sites if Tehran took retaliatory action after the assassination of its top general, Qassem Soleimani, in Iraq.
• Trump threats against Iran 'nothing but a bluff': Army commander Press TV 06 Jan 2020 -- A senior Iranian Army commander says the United States has been threatening the Islamic Republic for the past 40 years, stressing that recent threats made by US President Donald Trump against Iran are "nothing but a bluff."
• Trump doubles down on rhetoric to strike Iran cultural sites Press TV 06 Jan 2020 -- US President Donald Trump has doubled down on his threat to strike Iranian cultural heritage sites, asserting to a group of reporters that the United States has the right to bomb such targets.
• Trump's Threat To Target Iranian Cultural Sites Sparks Alarm RFE/RL 06 Jan 2020 -- President Donald Trump's suggestion that the United States could target Iranian cultural sites has sparked alarm in Iran and beyond, with Human Rights Watch (HRW) saying such action would be a war crime.
• President Rouhani to Trump: Never Threaten the Iranian Nation Sputnik 06 Jan 2020 -- On Sunday, US President Donald Trump said that if Tehran attacks US assets in retaliation for the killing of Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani, Washington will strike 52 sites in Iran "very fast and very hard."
• Trump Threatens to Strike Iranian Cultural Sites VOA 06 Jan 2020 -- Huge crowds gathered Monday in Tehran to mourn top general Qassem Soleimani, as his replacement vowed to take revenge for the U.S. airstrike that killed him, and U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to hit Iranian cultural sites if Iran does retaliate.
• Trump Reiterates Threat to Strike Iran's Cultural Sites Amid Backlash Sputnik 06 Jan 2020 -- US President Donald Trump doubled down on his threats to strike Iran's cultural sites if Tehran attacks the United States, as critics of the plan note that such strikes could amount to war crimes.
• UN cultural agency chief meets with Iran ambassador amid current tensions UN News 06 Jan 2020 -- The current tensions across the Middle East and Gulf region and their potential implications for cultural heritage sites were the focus of a meeting on Monday between the head of the UN's cultural agency, UNESCO, and a senior diplomat from Iran.
• Army introduces weld automation for next generation combat vehicles Army News 06 Jan 2020 -- To prepare for the future battlefield, the Army has defined a concept for its next generation of combat vehicles. These vehicles, encompassing a family of new platforms, will have advanced capabilities to ensure continued overmatch against adversaries for decades and beyond. Enhanced survivability is critical for these vehicles, and will be enabled by improved designs, materials and manufacturing processes.
• Fleet Input on EAW Functionality Key to System Enhancements NNS 06 Jan 2020 -- With the first enlisted advancement cycle complete following the rollout of the automated Enlisted Advancement Worksheet (EAW), the EAW working group began to address Fall 2019 advancement cycle lessons learned based on input from Sailors and Educational Services Officers to enhance the Navy's processes.
• 432nd Wing/432nd AEW brings Reaper airpower into new decade US Air Force 06 Jan 2020 -- In early 2009, a recently reactivated combat unit, now named the 432nd Wing/432nd Air Expeditionary Wing, achieved the mark of 500,000 hours of combat, for a relatively new form of airpower, known as remotely piloted aircraft.
• Hill AFB aims to improve vehicle ops training with state-of-the-art simulator US Air Force 06 Jan 2020 -- Hill AFB civilians and military Airmen in need of ground transportation training now have an option other than real-world driving thanks to a new simulator purchased by the 75th Logistics Readiness Squadron.
• Press point by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg following a meeting of the North Atlantic Council NATO 06 Jan 2020 -- (As delivered)
  
• NATO Members Agree Iran Must Never Acquire Nuclear Weapon - Alliance Chief Stoltenberg Sputnik 06 Jan 2020 -- Last week, Iran stated that it would continue to reduce its obligations under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) nuclear deal, and proceed to enrich uranium based on the technical requirements of its nuclear industry.
• Influential cleric: Iraq will turn into new Vietnam for US if its forces stay Press TV 06 Jan 2020 -- Iraq's influential cleric, Muqtada al-Sadr, has released a statement saying that if US troops do not leave the country, Iraq will turn into a new Vietnam for Washington.
• Trump threatens harsh sanctions against Iraq after parliament vote People's Daily 06 Jan 2020 -- U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday threatened to impose harsh sanctions on Iraq after the war-torn country's parliament passed a resolution urging the government to expel foreign troops.
• US not to leave Iraq, unless they pay for our base: Trump Press TV 06 Jan 2020 -- US President Donald Trump has vowed to launch sanctions on Iraq after the parliament votes to ban the American forces' presence in the country.
• Iraqi PM stresses foreign troops withdrawal in talks with US ambassador Press TV 06 Jan 2020 -- Iraq's caretaker prime minister says his country and the United States should work together on implementing the withdrawal of all foreign troops from the country.
• Iraq Limits US-Led Coalition's Ground, Air Movements After Soleimani Killing – Reports Sputnik 06 Jan 2020 -- Iraq's parliament on Sunday voted in favour of removing US troops after a powerful Iranian military commander was killed in a US airstrike in Baghdad. President Trump has threatened Iraq with sanctions should the plan go forward.
• Trump Administration Attempted to Block Iraqi Parliament Vote on Expelling Foreign Troops - Report Sputnik 06 Jan 2020 -- On Sunday, the Iraqi parliament voted in favor of expelling all foreign military troops from the territories of Iraq following the killing of Iranian top military commander Qasem Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, a senior member of Iraq's Iranian-backed Popular Mobilization Forces, by a US drone strike in Baghdad.
• Trump Says US Will Not Leave Iraq Until Baghdad Pays for American Air Base, Threatens Sanctions Sputnik 06 Jan 2020 -- The Iraqi parliament on Sunday voted to expel all foreign troops from the nation's territories and cut off ties with the US-led international anti-terrorist coalition after Friday's assassination of Qasem Soleimani, the commander of the elite Quds Force of the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in Baghdad, by the US
• US Expresses Disappointment Over Iraqi Legislature's Decision to Expel Foreign Troops Sputnik 06 Jan 2020 -- The US expresses disappointment over Iraqi parliament's vote on expelling foreign troops from Iraq and cutting off ties with the US-led international anti-terrorist coalition, the US State Department said, as tensions in the area are rising after the killing of an Iranian military commander and an Iraqi militia leader in Baghdad.
• Iraqi Government Working on Steps to Expel Foreign Troops – Prime Minister Sputnik 06 Jan 2020 -- The Iraqi government has begun working on steps to implement the parliament's decision on the expulsion of foreign forces from the country, the press service of Prime Minister Adil Abdul Mahdi said in a statement, as regional tensions are rising in the wake of the assassination of Iranian general by the United States in Baghdad.
• Pakistan, China hold 6th joint Navy exercises IRNA 06 Jan 2020 -- The sixth joint exercises of Pakistan and Chinese naval forces began on Monday.
• Sea-Guardians-2020: China, Pakistan Kick Off Major Naval Exercise on West Coast of India Sputnik 06 Jan 2020 -- Lawmakers who support Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido gathered at the editorial office of a local newspaper and voted to "re-elect" him as speaker of the National Assembly, the Venezuelan parliament, following the election of pro-Maduro lawmaker Luis Parra to the position.
• China, Pakistan hold joint naval exercises in North Arabian Sea Global Times 06 Jan 2020 -- China and Pakistan kicked off a nine-day joint naval exercise in the North Arabian Sea on Monday, a move that will boost cooperation, build a safe maritime environment and enhance the two navies' capability to deal with maritime terrorism and crime together.
• China, Pakistan kick off "Sea Guardians-2020" naval drill in Karachi PLA Daily 06 Jan 2020 -- The PN-PLAN Bilateral Exercise, code-named Sea Guardians-2020, kicked off at the Pakistan Navy Dock Yard in Karachi, Pakistan on the morning of January 6, local time.
• Secretary Michael R. Pompeo's Call with Kuwaiti Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Ahmad Nasser al-Mohammed al-Sabah US Dept. of State 06 Jan 2020

Defense Industry

• Contracts For Jan. 6, 2020

Other Conflicts

• Stop escalation, urges UN chief, as geopolitical tensions reach 'highest level this century' UN News 06 Jan 2020 -- The UN Secretary-General António Guterres called on world leaders to de-escalate geopolitical tensions on Monday, which he described as being "at their highest level this century" as the new decade dawns.
• UN Chief: Global Tensions at 'Highest Level This Century' VOA 06 Jan 2020 -- U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres started off the year with a warning about the geopolitical tensions, which he said are at their "highest level this century" and continuing to escalate.
• Indonesia will not Negotiate Natuna Sovereignty, President Says Radio Free Asia 06 Jan 2020 -- Indonesia's sovereignty over waters off the Natuna Islands cannot be negotiated, President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo said Monday, after local media reported that Chinese ships, which had entered Jakarta's Exclusive Economic Zone in the South China Sea, were refusing to leave.
• Indonesia Boosts Patrols Near Natuna Islands, as Row with China Escalates Radio Free Asia 06 Jan 2020 -- Indonesia is boosting patrols in its maritime territory in the South China Sea after incursions by Chinese coast guard and fishing boats in recent days.
• Houthi Commander and Five of his Companions Killed in Southwest of Yemen SPA 06 Jan 2020 -- A field commander of the Iranian-backed Houthi terrorist militia and five of his companions were killed in confrontations with the Yemeni National Army forces in the city of Taiz, southwest of Yemen.
• Iraqi Forces Trying to Keep Pressure on Islamic State VOA 06 Jan 2020 -- Iraqi forces are pushing ahead with their crackdown on Islamic State's ongoing insurgency, despite the pause in assistance from the United States and coalition partners.
• Haftar's Forces Seize Key Libyan Coastal Town VOA 06 Jan 2020 -- Forces loyal to Libyan General Khalifa Haftar say they have captured the strategically-important city of Sirte from the Western-backed government in Tripoli.
• Libya Rebels Say They Seized Key Coastal City RFE/RL 06 Jan 2020 -- Rebel forces in Libya say they have taken control of Sirte following what media reports describe as a rapid advance on the strategic coastal city.
• Haftar's Lybian National Army Declares Full Control Over City of Sirte Sputnik 06 Jan 2020 -- The Libyan National Army (LNA), led by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, took full control of the country's largest city of Sirte, LNA spokesman Ahmed Mismari said on Monday.
• Libyan National Army Enters Sirte, Takes Control Of Sea Port, Some City Areas - Army Source Sputnik 06 Jan 2020 -- This comes after the Libyan National Army denied on Sunday its involvement in an attack on a military academy in Tripoli that claimed the lives of 30 people.
• Turkey Starts Military Deployment in Libya as International Pressure Rises VOA 06 Jan 2020 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan declared Monday that Turkish forces would do their duty in Libya after being deployed to support the country's besieged Government of National Accord.
• Displaced Population in Myanmar's Rakhine State Reaches 100,000 Radio Free Asia 06 Jan 2020 -- The number of civilians displaced during the past year amid an uptick in armed conflict in Myanmar's northern Rakhine state has reached more than 100,000, a regional relief organization said Monday, as authorities continue to limit area access to groups providing aid.
• Report: Tajik-Uzbek Border Cleared Of Mines RFE/RL 06 Jan 2020 -- Uzbekistan has completed mine-removal activities along its shared border with Tajikistan, local publication Asia-Plus reported over the weekend, citing a source in the security bloc of Tajikistan.
• Kenyan Civilians Flee Manda Bay Area After al-Shabab Attack VOA 06 Jan 2020 -- In Lamu county, the coastal region of Kenya, some civilians are moving out of their homes into small towns for safety. The development comes a day after the al-Shabab militant group stormed a military base that hosts U.S. and Kenyan counter-terrorism forces, killing three U.S. personnel.

News Reports

• Ex-National Security Adviser Bolton Willing to Testify at Trump Impeachment Trial VOA 06 Jan 2020 -- Former U.S. national security adviser John Bolton said Monday he would testify at President Donald Trump's impeachment trial if the Senate subpoenas him, potentially giving Democrats key behind-the-scenes testimony about Trump's efforts to get Ukraine to launch investigations to benefit himself politically.
• Venezuela's Guaido and Rival Lawmaker Call for Competing Legislative Sessions VOA 06 Jan 2020 -- Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido and his new rival, lawmaker Luis Parra, called for competing legislative sessions Tuesday after both claimed to be the country's parliamentary speaker.
• Venezuela's Guaido Blocked from Congress as Rival Lawmaker Claims Speaker Post VOA 06 Jan 2020 -- Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido and a rival lawmaker, Luis Parra, backed by socialist leader Nicolas Maduro, both claimed to be the country's parliament speaker after two separate votes and accusations of a "parliamentary coup."
• FCO statement on Venezuela UK FCO 06 Jan 2020 -- The UK continues to support Venezuelan interim constitutional President Guaidó and efforts toward a peaceful and democratic resolution to the crisis in Venezuela.
• Venezuela parliament elects Guaido's rival Parra as new speaker Press TV 06 Jan 2020 -- Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has endorsed the election of legislator Luis Parra, a rival to opposition figure Juan Guaido, as the speaker of parliament.
• US Looking to Impose Additional Sanctions in Venezuela to Pressure Maduro - Special Envoy Sputnik 06 Jan 2020 -- The United States is looking at potentially applying additional sanctions in Venezuela to put more pressure on the Maduro government, US Special Representative for Venezuela Elliott Abrams said during a press briefing on Monday.
• Supporters of Venezuela's Guaido Say Re-Elected Him as Parliament Speaker Sputnik 06 Jan 2020 -- Lawmakers who support Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido gathered at the editorial office of a local newspaper and voted to "re-elect" him as speaker of the National Assembly, the Venezuelan parliament, following the election of pro-Maduro lawmaker Luis Parra to the position.
• Epifaniy: About 600 Parishes Of Moscow-Aligned Church Convert To New Ukrainian Orthodox Church RFE/RL 06 Jan 2020 -- Some 600 parishes in Ukraine belonging to the Orthodox church aligned with the Moscow Patriarchate have in one year switched over to the newly formed Orthodox Church of Ukraine, the church's leader says.
• Russian Anti-Doping Agency Head Sees Little Chance In Appeal Of Ban RFE/RL 06 Jan 2020 -- The head of the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) says his country has little chance to win its appeal against a ban that prevents Russia from participating in major sporting events during the next four years.
• What Does Misreport Aim at?: KCNA Commentary KCNA 06 Jan 2020 -- Revealed once again is the true nature of Japan which leaves no means untried to realize its wild ambition.
• Rodong Sinmun on Further Strengthening Our Own Force KCNA 06 Jan 2020 -- Rodong Sinmun Monday in an article says that to strengthen in every way our own force is an important demand to be constantly held fast to in the socialist construction.
• Rodong Sinmun on Bright Future of DPRK KCNA 06 Jan 2020 -- Rodong Sinmun Monday says in an article that the proud reality of Juche Korea tells an iron truth that only when a country is led by a peerlessly great man can it get strong enough to firmly defend the nation's sovereignty and dignity.
• North Korean Restaurants in Russia Remain in Business Beyond Worker Withdrawal Deadline Radio Free Asia 06 Jan 2020 -- North Korean-themed restaurants in Russia remained open on New Year's Day, indicating that many of the employees staffing the restaurants were not repatriated by the Dec. 22 deadline under U.N. sanctions, RFA has learned.
• Iran Will Never Have a Nuclear Weapon - Trump Sputnik 06 Jan 2020 -- On Sunday, Iran announced that it would be rolling back its commitments under the 2015 nuclear deal amid escalating tensions with Washington over the killing of a senior Iranian military commander.
• Russia stresses adherence to JCPOA IRNA 06 Jan 2020 -- Russian Foreign Ministry in a statement on Monday stressed the need to abide by the 2015 nuclear deal officially known as Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
• EU chief: Full implantation of JCPOA is of prime importance IRNA 06 Jan 2020 -- High Representative of the European Union Josep Borrell on Monday called for full implementation of Iran's nuclear deal known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
• IAEA to report any development on Iran final step IRNA 06 Jan 2020 -- The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in a statement announced that it will report any development regarding Iran's final step.
• Russia endorses Iran's nuclear program remains under full control of IAEA IRNA 06 Jan 2020 -- Russia's Permanent Representative to International Organizations in Vienna, including the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), noted that Iran's nuclear program remains under full control of the IAEA because of its importance.
• Iran leaves all operational limitations within JCPOA ISNA 06 Jan 2020 -- Iran's government announced the fifth and final step of reducing its commitments within the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
• E3 states urge Iran to reverse nuclear countermeasures Press TV 06 Jan 2020 -- Britain, France, and Germany say they want Iran to reverse the countermeasures it has adopted in response to the United States withdrawing from the country's 2015 nuclear agreement with the P5+1 group of states.
• Iranian Nuclear Deal On Life Support After Tehran Decides To Ignore Restrictions RFE/RL 06 Jan 2020 -- Iran's announcement that it will not abide by the limits put on its nuclear program under a historic 2015 deal with six world powers has put the landmark accord on the verge of collapse.
• Iran takes final step to end commitments to nuke deal Global Times 06 Jan 2020 -- Iran on Sunday announced the fifth and final step to end its commitments to the landmark 2015 nuclear deal, official IRNA news agency reported.
• Zarif: Iran to continue full cooperation with IAEA IRNA 06 Jan 2020 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif referred to Iran's final remedial step under the JCPOA, saying Iran will continue its cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
• Iran takes final step to end commitments to nuke deal People's Daily 06 Jan 2020 -- Iran on Sunday announced the fifth and final step to end its commitments to the landmark 2015 nuclear deal, official IRNA news agency reported.
• Joint statement from President Macron, Chancellor Merkel and Prime Minister Johnson on the situation in Iraq UK FCO 06 Jan 2020 -- Statement from the heads of state and government of France, Germany and the United Kingdom.
• Supreme Leader leads prayer for body of Martyr General Soleimani IRNA 06 Jan 2020 -- Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei on Monday led mass prayers for the beloved Martyr Lieutenant-General Qasem Soleimani.
• E3 stresses on importance of de-escalating tensions in Iraq, Iran ISNA 06 Jan 2020 -- The 'E3' group of countries comprised of France, Britain and Germany called on Iran to refrain from any alleged "violent action" and urged Iran to go back to arrangements laid out in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) 2015 nuclear deal with world powers.
• Uproar growing for Trump over Soleimani assassination: CNN Press TV 06 Jan 2020 -- The administration of US President Donald Trump is in danger of losing control of the crisis unleashed by the assassination of Iranian commander Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani, according to US media reports.
• Iran's parliament to discuss urgent motion in response to US terrorism Press TV 06 Jan 2020 -- The Iranian parliament is considering a triple-urgency motion in response to terrorist assassination of the late commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps' Quds Force Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani and his companions, including the second-in-command of Iraq's Popular Mobilization Units Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis.
• New Chief of Iran's Quds Force Vows to Remove US From Middle East to Avenge Soleimani Hit Sputnik 06 Jan 2020 -- Iraqi lawmakers have already taken legislative steps to oust American troops from the country; and it's not clear what sort of action the new Quds commander was referring to.
• Massive Tehran Crowd Mourns Soleimani at His Funeral VOA 06 Jan 2020 -- Hundreds of thousands of Iranians took to the streets of Tehran Monday to mourn top general Qassem Soleimani at his funeral, even as Iranian officials vowed to exact revenge against the U.S. for the drone attack that killed him.
• UN Chief Urges Leaders To 'Stop Escalation' Amid Rising U.S.-Iran Tensions RFE/RL 06 Jan 2020 -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has joined a number of political leaders across the world in calling for restraint amid rapidly rising tensions between Washington and Tehran after the United States killed Iran's top military commander.
• French Foreign Minister Urges Iran to 'Renounce Retaliation' Against US Sputnik 06 Jan 2020 -- The French Foreign Minister said Monday Iran should not take revenge against the United States for killing its top military commander in order to avoid further escalation.
• Israel Braces for Possible Retaliation After Soleimani Killing VOA 06 Jan 2020 -- Israel is on high alert fearing possible retaliation for the U.S. killing of top Iranian general Qassem Soleimani. President Donald Trump has stepped up his rhetoric and Iranian leaders are threatening both the U.S. and Israel.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Geng Shuang's Regular Press Conference on January 6, 2020 PRC MofA 06 Jan 2020
• HK office's role enhanced Global Times 06 Jan 2020 -- The liaison office of the Chinese central government in Hong Kong is expected to play a more active role in engaging with Hong Kong society in a more creative way instead of simply being a channel of communication as its new head took office on Monday to help the city engulfed in violent protests to return to the right path.
• New director of liaison office says "one country, two systems" is Hong Kong's greatest advantage Global Times 06 Jan 2020 -- The "one country, two systems" principle is Hong Kong's greatest advantage, Luo Huining, the new director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), said Monday.
• Motherland is Hong Kong's biggest support: new head of liaison office Global Times 06 Jan 2020 -- The "One Country, Two Systems" is the biggest advantage for Hong Kong and the motherland is Hong Kong's biggest support, Luo Huining, the new chief of the liaison office of the central government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region said at a brief and highly anticipated press conference on Monday, his first day in office.
• Class Resumes at Hong Kong University That Fought Back Against Riot Police Radio Free Asia 06 Jan 2020 -- Students at a Hong Kong university where riot police fired hundreds of rounds of tear gas and were met with petrol bombs hurled across makeshift barricades in November, returned to class on Monday after police made dozens more arrests during a protest at the weekend.
• New Hong Kong Liaison Office Chief Praises 'One Country, Two Systems' as Advantage for City Sputnik 06 Jan 2020 -- Hong Kong has been gripped by violent protests for months. Recently, protesters demanded Beijing honor its commitment to maintaining the territory's semi-autonomous status, as outlined in a 1997 treaty that transferred the city's sovereignty from UK to Chinese rule, also known as the "one country, two systems" framework.
• China's Pipeline Plan May Raise Energy Risk Radio Free Asia 06 Jan 2020 -- China's plan to create a national oil and gas pipeline company may raise the country's reliance on energy imports, achieving just the opposite of what the government intends.
• Chinese Media Campaign to Discredit Movement For Missing Uyghurs Will Fail: #StillNoInfo Founder Radio Free Asia 06 Jan 2020 -- A campaign by official Chinese media to discredit a movement by Uyghurs seeking information about missing relatives back home in northwest China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) will fail, according to the movement's organizer, because of Beijing's intransparency over its policies there.
• China Says Mystery Viral Pneumonia Outbreak in Wuhan Isn't SARS Radio Free Asia 06 Jan 2020 -- Confirmed cases of a mystery virus causing atypical pneumonia have continued to grow as authorities in the central Chinese city of Wuhan ruled out Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, or SARS.
• Vietnam's PM Urges Police to Clamp Down on National Security Crimes Radio Free Asia 06 Jan 2020 -- On the heels of a report that the Vietnamese government arrested and charged 39 prisoners of conscience in 2019 on charges of violating national security, the country's prime minister urged the police to step up its efforts against "hostile forces and reactionaries."
• As Uzbekistan Presents A New Face To The West, One Name Is Rarely Spoken RFE/RL 06 Jan 2020 -- If you happen to be in Uzbekistan's capital in the next few months, you're likely to hear the number three a lot.
• Serbian, Montenegrin Orthodox Churches Hold Dueling Christmas Ceremonies Amid Tensions Over New Law On Religion RFE/RL 06 Jan 2020 -- Christmas Eve celebrations were held by Montenegro's two dueling Orthodox denominations in the Balkan country's historical capital on January 6 without incident.
• Croatian Opposition Candidate Milanovic Wins Presidential Vote RFE/RL 06 Jan 2020 -- Croatian presidential election candidate Zoran Milanovic has won the country's second-round presidential ballot, defeating the conservative incumbent candidate Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic.
• Uganda Opposition Leader Bobi Wine Teargassed, Arrested VOA 06 Jan 2020 -- Ugandan musician and opposition legislator Robert Kyagulanyi, best known by his stage name Bobi Wine, was arrested Monday while holding a public meeting in preparation for his presidential campaign.