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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
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Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• Volley of rockets hit Iraqi airbase hosting US forces, wound several local troops: Iraq's military Press TV 12 Jan 2020 -- A rocket barrage has hit an Iraqi airbase hosting US forces north of the capital Baghdad, Iraq's military says.
• 4 Iraqi Troops Wounded in Attack on Air Base North of Baghdad VOA 12 Jan 2020 -- Four members of Iraq's military were wounded in a rocket attack on a base north of Baghdad, Iraq's military said Sunday.
• Esper: Information Indicated 'Broad Scale' Attack Within 'Matter of Days' DoD News 12 Jan 2020 -- Defense Secretary Dr. Mark T. Esper reiterated his belief on Sunday morning talk shows that elimination of Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani would prevent an attack that could lead to more dangerous, open conflict with Iran.
• New report reveals details of US assassination of Iran's Gen. Soleimani, exposes Israel's role Press TV 12 Jan 2020 -- NBC News has revealed details of Washington's assassination of prominent Iranian commander Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani, saying the terrorist operation used Israeli intelligence and was run from the US Central Command (CENTCOM) headquarters in Qatar.
• US tried 2nd strike in Yemen to kill another Iran commander after Soleimani assassination Press TV 12 Jan 2020 -- American military forces reportedly carried out a failed terror attack against another Iranian commander in Yemen the same day they assassinated Lt. Gen. Qassem Soleimani and other Iranian and Iraqi military officers in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad.
• Support Hedged for Trump Claim Iranian Commander Wanted to Blow Up 4 US Embassies VOA 12 Jan 2020 -- Key U.S. officials hedged Sunday in detailing President Donald Trump's claim that Iranian Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani intended to blow up four U.S. embassies before Trump ordered a drone strike to kill him.

Defense Policy / Programs

• US threatens to cut off Iraq's access to oil account in New York if troops expelled: Paper Press TV 12 Jan 2020 -- Iraqi officials say the administration of US President Donald Trump has threatened to shut off Iraq's access to a key central banking account if Baghdad expels American troops from the Arab country.
• Trump's National Security Advisor Reveals Circumstances Under Which US Would Withdraw From Iraq Sputnik 12 Jan 2020 -- Last week, following the US drone strike against a senior Iranian commander in Baghdad, Iraq's parliament passed a resolution calling for the expulsion of all foreign troops from the country and the cancellation of Iraq's cooperation with the US-led coalition against Daesh (ISIS).*
• Pentagon Fears Falling Behind 'Fast-Moving' Russia, China Despite Record Budget Sputnik 12 Jan 2020 -- Late last year, President Trump signed the 2020 National Defence Authorization Act into law, approving a whopping $738 billion in defence spending for the fiscal year beginning in October 2020, including an additional $71.5 billion for 'overseas contingency funding' (i.e. the nation's war budget).
• DRAGON simulator to augment AWACS training US Air Force 12 Jan 2020 -- A new Air Force Life Cycle Management Center simulator will train pilots and flight engineers operating the E-3 Sentry, or AWACS, aircraft updated with cockpit modifications known as DRAGON, which stands for Diminishing Manufacturing Sources Replacement of Avionics for Global Operations and Navigation.
• Over a dozen Saudi servicemen to be expelled from US: Report Press TV 12 Jan 2020 -- Over a dozen Saudi servicemen accused of harboring links to extremist groups and possessing child pornography will be expelled from US military bases, according to media reports.
• Russian 'Orbital Spy Satellite' Has Broken Up in Space – Harvard Astronomer Sputnik 12 Jan 2020 -- Russia launched the Kosmos-2491 military satellite into orbit in 2013, with few details made available regarding its capabilities and mission, leading to speculation about its true purpose.
• UK's Defence Secretary Says Britain Must 'Diversify its Assets' to Reduce Military Dependence on US Sputnik 12 Jan 2020 -- The minister apparently fears that if Washington actually reduces its military presence around the world, the burden will rest on other states, including Britain, particularly in the tense regional security environment of the Middle East.
• Chinese Navy commissions first Type 055 destroyer Global Times 12 Jan 2020 -- China's first 10,000 ton-class Type 055 guided-missile destroyer, which is expected to accompany aircraft carriers in battle groups, was officially commissioned into the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy on Sunday.
• China's first Type 055 destroyer Nanchang commissioned PLA Daily 12 Jan 2020 -- The Nanchang, China's first Type 055 guided-missile destroyer, was commissioned in the People's Liberation Army Navy on Sunday morning in the port city of Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province.
• China's top radar institute awarded for classified, advanced project Global Times 12 Jan 2020 -- China's top radar development institute was recently awarded a national prize for a classified, advanced project, as experts hailed China's radar industry on Sunday as a top player in the world.
• Secretary Michael R. Pompeos Call with Turkish Foreign Minister Cavusoglu US Dept. of State 12 Jan 2020
• Secretary Michael R. Pompeo's Call with French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian US Dept. of State 12 Jan 2020

Defense Industry

• Rolls-Royce Developing New Jet Engine for Britain's Next-Generation Tempest Fighter - Reports Sputnik 12 Jan 2020 -- The UK's Tempest fighter jet is a sixth-generation fighter that is deemed to become fully operational in the year 2035 and is being constructed by Britain, Italy, and Sweden.

Other Conflicts

• Warring Sides in Syrian Province of Idlib Cease Military Activities Starting Sunday Sputnik 12 Jan 2020 -- All conflicting parties in the Syrian province of Idlib ceased military activities starting Sunday midnight.
• Libya's government, rebels agree to ceasefire brokered by Turkey, Russia Press TV 12 Jan 2020 -- Libya's internationally-recognized government and militia groups under the command of renegade General Khalifa Haftar have agreed to a ceasefire brokered by Russia and Turkey.
• Libyan Rivals Agree To Cease-Fire Call By Russia, Turkey RFE/RL 12 Jan 2020 -- Forces loyal to eastern Libyan strongman Khalifa Haftar and the UN-backed Tripoli government both say they have agreed to a cease-fire, potentially bringing a truce in the fierce battle to control the war-ravaged North African country.
• Libya's Eastern-Based Parliament May Ask Egypt for Military Assistance - Speaker Sputnik 12 Jan 2020 -- In early January, the Turkish parliament approved military support for Libya, after which President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced that Ankara had sent troops to the country at the request of the western-based Government of National Accord (GNA).
• LNA Claims to Have Downed Turkish Drone That Was Attacking Southern Tripoli Sputnik 12 Jan 2020 -- This comes following a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart in Istanbul on 8 January when they urged both sides in the conflict in Libya to start observing a ceasefire from midnight on 12 January.
• Libya's Government of National Accord Accuses Haftar's Forces of Ceasefire Violations Sputnik 12 Jan 2020 -- On Wednesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, agreed on a common stance on Libya and called for a comprehensive ceasefire starting midnight January 12. They also urged all conflict parties to begin negotiations.
• Libya Cease-Fire Takes Effect as Some See 'Second Syria' Brewing VOA 12 Jan 2020 -- The United Nations, Arab League, and European Union are urging both sides fighting for power in Libya to abide by the cease-fire that took effect Sunday.
• Libyan GNA, LNA Accuse Each Other of Ceasefire Violations, No Official Statements Yet Sputnik 12 Jan 2020 -- The Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA), headed by Fayez Sarraj, has violated the ceasefire announced at midnight on Sunday, according to media reports, however the rival Libyan National Army (LNA) has not officially issued a statement.
• LNA Headed by Haftar Announces Ceasefire in West of Libya Starting Midnight on Sunday Sputnik 12 Jan 2020 -- Earlier, the Libyan National Army (LNA) welcomed the ceasefire initiative by Russia and Turkey, but added that the LNA would continue the fight for Tripoli.
• Niger Army Base Attack Death Toll Increases to At Least 89 - Reports Sputnik 12 Jan 2020 -- On Thursday, a military base in Chinegodar, located north of the local capital in the western Tillaberi Region, was assaulted by unidentified militants. Earlier, the national defence ministry said that the attack had claimed the lives of 25 Nigerien soldiers.
• Tibet government first in China to legislate ethnic unity guarantee Global Times 12 Jan 2020 -- The government of Southwest China's Tibet legislated to guarantee ethnic unity for the first time at the ongoing 3rd Session of the 11th People's Congress of Tibet on Saturday, reflecting the significant role of ethnic unity in the region's economic and social development, said experts.
• Crisis In Abkhazia Enters Fourth Day As Demonstrators Occupy Presidential Building RFE/RL 12 Jan 2020 -- Hundreds of protesters have remained holed up in the presidential administration building in Abkhazia's capital for a fourth day as leader Raul Khajimba defied calls to step down.
• Abkhazia's Vice President Says President Khajimba Signed Resignation Letter Sputnik 12 Jan 2020 -- Abkhazian President Raul Khajimba signed a resignation letter, Vice President Aslan Bartsits said on Sunday amid unrest in the breakaway republic.
• Three, Including Top Terrorist, Killed in Encounter with Security Forces in Kashmir - Reports Sputnik 12 Jan 2020 -- India's restive Kashmir region has witnessed considerably fewer incidents of violence since the federal government revoked Article 370 on 5 August 2019. However, there have been several shoot-outs between militants and security forces in Kashmir.

News Reports

• Trump implies he would block Bolton's testimony in impeachment trial Press TV 12 Jan 2020 -- US President Donald Trump has implied he would block his former national security adviser John Bolton from testifying before the Senate's impending impeachment trial, insisting that Bolton's testimony would undermine his authority.
• Echoes Of War And Collapse: Russia's Demographic Decline As Small 1990s Generation Comes Of Age RFE/RL 12 Jan 2020 -- Russia's demographic turbulence, which stretched the length of the last century, is continuing into the third decade of this one.
• Tensions High As Iranians Continue Protests Over Downing Of Ukrainian Jet RFE/RL 12 Jan 2020 -- As angry demonstrations broke out in Iran for a second day over the way Tehran has handled the downing of a Ukrainian passenger airliner by its air defenses, reports suggest the authorities have refrained from using excessive force to confront demonstrators.
• E3 statement on the JCPoA: 12 January 2020 UK FCO 12 Jan 2020 -- Statement from the heads of state and government of France, Germany and the United Kingdom, 12 January 2020.
• Plane tragedy weighs on Iran Global Times 12 Jan 2020 -- Tehran urged to hold those responsible to account The unintentional downing of a Ukraine aircraft by Iran has put the Middle Eastern country under tremendous pressure not only domestically but also globally.
• Iranian parliament sympathizes with victim's families, supports IRGC IRNA 12 Jan 2020 -- The Iranian parliament (Majlis) issued a statement on Sunday to sympathize with families of those killed in the accidental downing of the Ukrainian airliner and also to support the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC).
• Zarif: Foreign Ministry ready to help families of plane crash victims IRNA 12 Jan 2020 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in a message expressed Foreign Ministry readiness to help families of the victims of the Ukrainian plane crash.
• Reparation for Ukrainian plane depends on Tehran-Kiev settlement IRNA 12 Jan 2020 -- Reparation for Ukrainian plane depends on a settlement between Iran and Ukraine due to the process of the air disaster, Iran Civil Aviation Organization official said on Sunday.
• IRGC chief commander General Salami expresses extreme sorrow over plane crash Press TV 12 Jan 2020 -- The chief commander of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has expressed his profound sorrow over recent downing of a Ukrainian passenger plane over Tehran, saying he had never felt more shame in his life.
• No intention to cover up cause of Ukrainian plane crash: Shamkhani Press TV 12 Jan 2020 -- The secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) says no effort was made to cover up the reasons behind the crash of a Ukrainian plane in southwest Tehran, emphasizing that covering up such incident was impossible in view of its nature and characteristics.
• New Iranian Protests Erupt Amid Continuing Outrage Over Downing Of Ukrainian Jet RFE/RL 12 Jan 2020 -- Iranian students have protested outside several universities for a second day amid mounting outrage over officials' admission that an Iranian antiaircraft battery was responsible for downing a Ukrainian passenger jet.
• Iran Braces for More Protests After Military Admitted Shooting Down Plane VOA 12 Jan 2020 -- Iran deployed riot police in Tehran, the capital, on Sunday as authorities braced for another day of protests after the military admitted to mistakenly shooting down a civilian Ukrainian plane, killing all 176 on board.
• European Powers Urge Iran To Stick To 2015 Nuclear Deal RFE/RL 12 Jan 2020 -- Germany, France, and Great Britain have urged Tehran to stick by the terms of the 2015 deal that restricted Iran's nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief.
• 2020 ELECTIONS / Election win shows Taiwanese cherish democratic values: Tsai CNA 12 Jan 2020 -- President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) secured a comfortable win in Saturday's presidential election, a victory that she said was indicative of the value the people place on democracy.
• 2020 ELECTIONS / Taiwan People's Party emerges as country's third party CNA 12 Jan 2020 -- The Taiwan People's Party (TPP), established by Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) last August, has emerged as the country's third largest party after Saturday's legislative elections.
• 2020 ELECTIONS / KMT's Han Kuo-yu stresses unity in concession speech CNA 12 Jan 2020 -- Han Kuo-yu (韓國瑜), the presidential candidate of the main opposition Kuomintang (KMT), called for unity and stressed the value of Taiwan's democratic system after conceding defeat Saturday night.
• 2020 ELECTIONS / Young candidates, underdogs prevail in several legislative races CNA 12 Jan 2020 -- Taiwan's legislative elections saw several young politicians prevail in high-profile races, and some candidates claimed victory independent of the country's political mainstream dominated by the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and Kuomintang (KMT).
• China can maintain one-China principle Global Times 12 Jan 2020 -- Some senior diplomats of Western countries, including the US and the UK, congratulated Taiwan regional leader Tsai Ing-wen and her Democratic Progressive Party on their victory in the island's regional leadership and legislative elections.
• Hundreds in Hong Kong Cheer Taiwan Pro-Democrats' Election Win VOA 12 Jan 2020 -- Hundreds of people rallied in Hong Kong Sunday in support of the Chinese territory's pro-democracy movement.
• China urges int'l community to continue adhering to one-China principle Global Times 12 Jan 2020 -- The foreign ministry on Sunday urged the international community to continue abiding by the one-China principle after the Taiwan leadership election.
• Chinese mainland's policy toward Taiwan clear, consistent: spokesperson Global Times 12 Jan 2020 -- Chinese mainland's policy toward Taiwan is clear and consistent, a spokesperson said Saturday.
• UN committed to helping Haiti build better future, says Guterres, marking 10-year anniversary of devastating earthquake UN News 12 Jan 2020 -- On 12 January 2010, a 7.0 magnitude quake struck the Haiti, devastating its capital, Port-au-Prince. About 220,00 people were reportedly killed, among them, 102 UN staff who lost their lives when the stabilization mission there, known as MINUSTAH, collapsed. Some 300,000 people were injured and 1.5 million become homeless during the 35-second-long tremor.
• Managed Uzbek Election Exposes Mix of Reform and Inertia VOA 12 Jan 2020 -- The Dec. 22 parliamentary elections in Uzbekistan highlighted the complex mix of change and inertia that characterizes this Central Asian country today.
• Chance to Vote Boosted Uzbeks' Hopes Despite Limited Choices VOA 12 Jan 2020 -- The morning of Dec. 22, dawned cold but bright in Tashkent, the Uzbek capital, as a morning snowfall gave way to afternoon light. For the first time since the death in 2016 of the country's longtime strongman, Islam Karimov, voters went to the polls to choose a parliament and local councils.
• Malta's Labour Party Elects New Prime Minister Amid Political Crisis - Reports Sputnik 12 Jan 2020 -- Malta's Labour Party has elected Robert Abela as the country's new prime minister to replace Joseph Muscat, who announced his resignation last month amid political turmoil in the wake of the investigation into the 2017 murder of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, the Malta Today newspaper reported.