11 February 2020 Military News

U.S. Raises Brain-Injury Toll In Iran Attack For Fifth Time, Now Says 109 Hurt RFE/RL 11 Feb 2020 -- The U.S. military has for the fifth time raised the number of U.S. service members who suffered traumatic brain injuries after an Iranian missile attack on an air base in Iraq last month.

At Least Five Killed In Suicide Blast Near Kabul Military Academyt RFE/RL 11 Feb 2020 -- A suicide bombing targeting a military academy in a southern neighborhood of Kabul has killed at least five people, in what was described as the first major assault in the Afghan capital in months.
U.S. Agency Says Rebuilding Afghanistan Cost Thousands Of Lives RFE/RL 11 Feb 2020 -- Reconstruction and stabilization activities in Afghanistan have left 5,135 people killed or injured during a period of 17 years following the 2001 U.S.-led invasion that toppled the Taliban, according to a new report by a U.S. government watchdog.

Statement on the Deployment of Army's 1st Security Force Assistance Brigade to Africa DoD 11 Feb 2020 -- "The Secretary of Defense has been conducting a comprehensive review of DoD forces, programs and activities within each Combatant Command to ensure alignment with the National Defense Strategy's priorities. U.S. Africa Command was the first to present their findings and recommendations."
Remarks by Secretary Esper En Route to Europe DoD 11 Feb 2020 -- Secretary of Defense Mark T. Esper
CNO Meets with Italian Counterpart NNS 11 Feb 2020 -- Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Mike Gilday met with his Italian counterpart, Chief of the Italian Navy Adm. Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, at the Pentagon, Feb. 11.
Newest F-35A squadron brings fifth-generation capabilities to Red Flag US Air Force 11 Feb 2020 -- Pilots and maintainers with the 421st Fighter Squadron are launching and flying the F-35A Lightning II in their first Red Flag exercise together.
Department of Defense Releases 2021 Military Intelligence Program Budget Request DoD 11 Feb 2020 -- The Department of Defense released today the Military Intelligence Program (MIP) top line budget request for Fiscal Year 2021. The total, which includes both the base budget and Overseas Contingency Operations funding, is $23.1 billion and is aligned to support the 2018 National Defense Strategy.

NATO Ministers To Discuss 'Response' To Russian Missile Systems RFE/RL 11 Feb 2020 -- NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg says the alliance's defense ministers will meet this week to assess the challenge posed by Russia's missile systems and discuss other issues including the allies' support for Afghanistan.
North Macedonia Ratifies NATO Protocol, Raises Alliance Flag RFE/RL 11 Feb 2020 -- The NATO flag has been raised in front of the parliament building in Skopje as North Macedonia celebrated its impending accession to the Western military alliance.

Chinese military conducts joint air-sea drill near Taiwan island PLA Daily 11 Feb 2020 -- Following the combat-readiness patrol on February 9, the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Eastern Theater Command organized its naval and air forces to conduct a joint drill in waters off the southeast coast of Taiwan island on Feb. 10, said Senior Colonel Zhang Chunhui, spokesperson for the Chinese PLA Eastern Theater Command on Tuesday.

U.S. Accuses Iran Of Using Satellite Launches To Develop Ballistic Missiles RFE/RL 11 Feb 2020 -- The United States has accused Tehran of using satellite launches to develop ballistic missiles two days after Iranian officials reported a failed attempt to send an Iranian-made Zafar satellite into Earth orbit.

Philippines Informs US of Withdrawal from Military Pact Radio Free Asia 11 Feb 2020 -- The Philippines officially notified the United States on Tuesday that it was terminating a decades-old military pact, leading the American embassy to say Manila's move would have "significant implications" for the longtime alliance.

11 February 2020 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 11 Feb 2020

Troika Statement: Compromise Essential to Timely Formation of South Sudan's Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity US Dept. of State 11 Feb 2020 -- The following statement was issued jointly by the Governments of the United States of America, the United Kingdom, and the Kingdom of Norway.

UN underlines need for dialogue to resolve Israel-Palestine conflict UN News 11 Feb 2020 -- Rising tensions and instability across the globe, particularly in the Middle East, underscore the need to resolve the decades-long conflict between Israelis and Palestinians, the UN Secretary-General told the Security Council on Tuesday.

American Businessman Who Ran Houston-Based Subsidiary of Chinese Company Sentenced to Prison for Theft of Trade Secrets US Dept. of Justice 11 Feb 2020 -- The head of a Houston-based company that was the subsidiary of a Chinese company that developed stolen trade secrets was sentenced to 16 months in prison and ordered to forfeit more than $330,000 by U.S. District Judge Christopher R. Cooper of the District of Columbia.

Report: Russian Couple Faces Charges For Wedding Photos That Include FSB Officer RFE/RL 11 Feb 2020 -- A Russian newspaper says that a married couple faces criminal charges for photographs taken at their wedding five years ago and published online that reveal the identity of a counterintelligence officer with Russia's main security agency.

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Geng Shuang's Daily Briefing Online on February 11, 2020 PRC MofA 11 Feb 2020

Chinese UN mission angry at leakage of DPRK report People's Daily 11 Feb 2020 -- A spokesperson of China's Permanent Mission to the United Nations on Monday expressed indignation and concern over the leakage of a report on sanctions against the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

Iran's Failed Space Launch US Dept. of State 11 Feb 2020 -- The Iranian regime uses satellite launches to develop its ballistic missile capabilities. The technologies used to launch satellites into orbit are virtually identical and interchangeable with those used in longer range systems, including intercontinental ballistic missiles. Each launch, whether failed or not, further allows Iran to gain experience using such technologies that could benefit its missile programs under the guise of a peaceful space program.
Four Texans, One New Yorker Arrested for Conspiracy to Sell Sanctioned Iranian Oil to Refinery in China for Huge Profit US Dept. of Justice 11 Feb 2020 -- The Department of Justice today announced that the following defendants were arrested and charged by Complaint on charges of conspiracy and violating the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) based on their attempt to transact in sanctioned Iranian oil:
Rohani Urges Iranians To Vote As Country Marks Islamic Revolution RFE/RL 11 Feb 2020 -- President Hassan Rohani has used a speech marking the 41th anniversary of the 1979 Islamic Revolution to encourage Iranian voters to participate in upcoming parliamentary elections.

Ukrainian President Fires Chief Of Staff, Appoints Aide Who Met With Giuliani RFE/RL 11 Feb 2020 -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has dismissed the chief of his administration, Andriy Bohdan, and replaced him with Andriy Yermak, an aide whose name has been linked to U.S. President Donald Trump's personal lawyer, Rudolph Giuliani.

U.S. 'Disappointed' Over Conviction, Sentencing Of Georgian Opposition Leader RFE/RL 11 Feb 2020 -- The U.S. Embassy in Tbilisi says it is "disappointed" with the conviction and sentencing of Georgian opposition leader Gigi Ugulava in what the jailed politician has called a politically motivated case.

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