Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• Taliban raid Afghan army bases nationwide shortly after signing deal with US Press TV 03 Mar 2020 -- The Taliban have carried out over a dozen attacks on Afghan military bases shortly after they signed a so-called peace deal with the United States.
• The Historic U.S.-Taliban Deal May Already Be Unraveling Over These Two Key Issues RFE/RL 03 Mar 2020 -- The historic U.S.-Taliban agreement aimed at ending the long war in Afghanistan is only a few days old, but the deal is already threatening to unravel over disputes about key issues.
• Trump Had 'Very Good Talk' With Taliban Leader RFE/RL 03 Mar 2020 -- U.S. President Donald Trump held a phone call with a Taliban leader after the two sides signed an agreement aimed at ending the nearly 19-year war in Afghanistan.

Defense Policy / Programs

• U.S. Seeks to Maintain Credible Nuclear Deterrent DoD News 03 Mar 2020 -- The United States maintains a robust nuclear arsenal that consists of ground-based, air-launched and sea-launched weapons. Together, it's commonly called the "nuclear triad," and it remains the centerpiece of the U.S. nuclear deterrent. The triad is fast approaching the end of its service life and must quickly be replaced before it's lost.
• Africom's Exercise Flintlock 2020 Strengthens Partnerships, Security DoD News 03 Mar 2020 -- More than 1,600 service members from 30 African and Western nations celebrated the accomplishments of Exercise Flintlock 2020 in Nouakchott, Mauritania.
• Barrett, Goldfein outline Air Force priorities to Senate committee and the "tradeoffs" needed to achieve them US Air Force 03 Mar 2020 -- The Air Force's top civilian and military leaders told the Senate Armed Services Committee March 3 that an "aggressive package of strategic trades" is necessary to successfully reshape the service to confront emerging threats from "peer competitors" such as China and Russia.
• US Trying to Catch Up With Russia, China in Hypersonic Arms Development - Defence Department Sputnik 03 Mar 2020 -- The United States finds itself behind both Russia and China after the two countries transitioned from hypersonic technologies to working weapon systems, something the Pentagon has yet to accomplish, two officials in charge of the US Department of Defence program told reporters.
• Africom's Exercise Flintlock 2020 Strengthens Partnerships, Security DoD News 03 Mar 2020 -- More than 1,600 service members from 30 African and Western nations celebrated the accomplishments of Exercise Flintlock 2020 in Nouakchott, Mauritania.
• U.S. Forces to Hone Arctic Warfare Skills in Norway's High North in Exercise Cold Response 20 USMC News 03 Mar 2020 -- Nearly 1,500 U.S. service members are scheduled to take part in Exercise Cold Response 20 in Norway from March 9-18.
• USS Gerald R. Ford Prepares to Begin Flight Deck Certification NNS 03 Mar 2020 -- USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) is poised to log major milestones this month, when Carrier Strike Group Twelve (CSG-12) assumes operational control of the first ship of the Navy's newest class of aircraft carrier and the ship begins flight deck certification off the coast of Norfolk, Virginia.
• USS Ross Departs Black Sea NNS 03 Mar 2020 -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Ross (DDG 71) began its south-bound international strait transit en route to the Mediterranean Sea March 3, after conducting maritime security operations intended to enhance regional maritime stability, combined readiness, and naval capability with our NATO allies and partners in the region.
• F-35A Lightning II store separation test completed ahead of schedule, under budget US Air Force 03 Mar 2020 -- Store separation testing on a one-fifteenth scale model of an F-35A Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter in the Arnold Engineering Development Complex 4-foot Transonic Wind Tunnel, or 4T, at Arnold Air Force Base, was completed weeks ahead of a scheduled facility maintenance outage, saving the test customer more than $1 million.
• Readout of Secretary of Defense Dr. Mark T. Esper's Meeting With Estonia Defense Minister Jüri Luik DoD 03 Mar 2020
• Readout of Secretary of Defense Dr. Mark T. Esper's Telephone Call with the People's Republic of China's Minister of National Defense General Wei Fenghe DoD 03 Mar 2020
• Military's readiness high during virus battle People's Daily 03 Mar 2020 -- The ongoing novel coronavirus outbreak in China will not affect the Chinese military's combat training and exercises, and the military has comprehensively demonstrated its emergency-response abilities during its fight against the outbreak, a Defense Ministry spokesman said on Monday.
• China's J-10C fighter jet uses homemade engine: report Global Times 03 Mar 2020 -- A newly built J-10C fighter jet is reportedly equipped with a domestically developed WS-10 Taihang engine and ready to join military service, a sign that the homemade engine has become technically mature and reliable, experts said.
• China's PLA Suspends Joint Drills, Sends Logistics Units to Fight COVID-19 Outbreak Sputnik 03 Mar 2020 -- China's armed forces have suspended annual joint drills in Inner Mongolia amid the COVID-19 novel coronavirus outbreak, and the logistics apparatus is being used instead to combat the Wuhan-centered outbreak. However, border units and single-branch drills will not be affected.
• Israel - KC-46A Aerial Refueling Aircraft DSCA 03 Mar 2020 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Israel of up to eight (8) KC-46 aircraft and related equipment for an estimated cost of $2.4 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.
• Tourist Photo May Have Uncovered Cuban Navy's Highly Classified Class of Midget Subs Sputnik 03 Mar 2020 -- Situated about 140 km from the shores of the world's number one naval superpower, the Cuban Revolutionary Navy has been forced to come up with some asymmetrical solutions to naval warfare. Among them is an elusive new class of midget subs.
• Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un Guides Firepower Strike Drill of Long-range Artillery Sub-units of KPA on Front KCNA 03 Mar 2020 -- Kim Jong Un, chairman of the Workers' Party of Korea, chairman of the State Affairs Commission of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and supreme commander of the armed forces of the DPRK, visited the firepower strike drill ground of long-range artillery sub-units of the Korean People's Army on the front on March 2 to further kindle the flames of the training revolution.
• N Korean State Media Confirms Pyongyang Held Long-Range Artillery Strike Drills on Monday Sputnik 03 Mar 2020 -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on Monday supervised "firepower strike drill" of the armed forces' long-range artillery sub-units, state-run media reported on Tuesday.
• Morocco - M88A2 Heavy Equipment Recovery Combat Utility Lift and Evacuation System (HERCULES), Support, and Equipment DSCA 03 Mar 2020 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Morocco of twenty five (25) M88A2 Heavy Equipment Recovery Combat Utility Lift and Evacuation System (HERCULES) vehicles and/or M88A1 long supply HERCULES refurbished vehicles and related equipment for an estimated cost of $239.35 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.
• US Intends to Support Turkey's Actions in Syria's Idlib by Supplying Ammunition - Report Sputnik 03 Mar 2020 -- On Monday, Secretary of Defence Mark Esper said the US would not be providing Turkey with air support in the restive Syrian province.
• ARGE F125 hands over second frigate of class F125 to Germany's procurement agency Thyssenkrupp 03 Mar 2020 -- The NORDRHEIN-WESTFALEN is the second of four class F125 vessels being built for the German Navy under the leadership of thyssenkrupp Marine Systems. The lead ship of the frigate class F125, the BADEN-WÜRTTEMBERG, was handed over at the end of April 2019 and put into service in June 2019.
• Pentagon Signs Contract To Produce More U.S. Javelins For Ukraine RFE/RL 03 Mar 2020 -- The U.S. Defense Department has signed a new contract for the production of Javelin anti-tank missile systems for partner countries, including Ukraine, Ukrinform reported on March 3.
• Remarks by President Trump After Marine One Arrival The White House 03 Mar 2020
• Remarks by President Trump Before Marine One Departure The White House 03 Mar 2020

Defense Industry

• Contracts For March 3, 2020
• Boeing reveals its U.S. Army Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft design Boeing 03 Mar 2020 -- Boeing \is offering the U.S. Army an agile, fully integrated, purpose-built system for the Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA) prototype competition.

Other Conflicts

• 3 March 2020 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 03 Mar 2020
• US Announces $108 Mln in Humanitarian Assistance for Syria - State Department Sputnik 03 Mar 2020 -- The United States plans to provide an additional $108 million in humanitarian support for Syria, State Department spokesperson Morgan Ortagus said in a statement on Tuesday.
• America Announces New Humanitarian Assistance for the Syria Crisis Response US Dept. of State 03 Mar 2020 -- Today in Turkey, the U.S. Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Kelly Craft, announced $108 million in additional humanitarian assistance for the people of Syria in response to the ongoing crisis caused by Assad regime, Russian, and Iranian forces.
• UN 'determined to stand by the people of Syria' says Lowcock, as grave humanitarian crisis intensifies around Idlib UN News 03 Mar 2020 -- The United Nations is "determined to stand by" civilians across Syria's war-torn northwest, as "a grave humanitarian crisis" continues, the UN emergency relief chief said on Tuesday.
• UN Aid Chief: Syrian Relief Operations Overwhelmed VOA 03 Mar 2020 -- Humanitarian relief operations are overwhelmed by the nearly one million people who have recently fled from violence in northwestern Syria, the United Nations' aid chief said Tuesday, repeating his calls for a cease-fire.
• Foreign Secretary's joint press conference Turkish Foreign Minister, March 2020 UK FCO 03 Mar 2020 -- Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab gave a press statement following a meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu in Ankara.
• Russia rejects claims by Turkey, US on Idlib situation as 'incorrect' Press TV 03 Mar 2020 -- Russia says the allegations by Turkey, the United States, and some European countries that a humanitarian crisis has been caused in northwestern Syria as a result of Syrian and Russian military operations to retake territory from dangerous armed militants there are incorrect.
• Russia won't stop terror fight in Syria to solve EU's refugee problem: Lavrov Press TV 03 Mar 2020 -- Russia says it will not stop fighting terrorism in Syria alongside the Damascus government because of European concerns over a new influx of refugees into the continent.
• Turkey Downs Syrian Jet as Moscow Warns Ankara VOA 03 Mar 2020 -- Turkish forces shot down a Syrian warplane in Syria's Idlib province Tuesday, in an escalation of Turkey's military offensive against Syrian government forces. Ankara's assault is in retaliation for the killing of 34 Turkish troops in an airstrike blamed on Damascus.
• Syrian Warplane Downed by Turkish Forces in Idlib - Turkish Defence Ministry Sputnik 03 Mar 2020 -- Earlier, a Syrian Defence Ministry source confirmed that Turkish F-16s had violated Syrian airspace in Idlib and shot down two Syrian Air Force aircraft on Sunday, with the pilots ejecting and making it to safety. Damascus has since closed the airspace over the region.
• Turkey downs Syrian fighter jet as it intensifies Idlib attacks Press TV 03 Mar 2020 -- Turkey has shot down a Syrian fighter jet over the embattled northwestern province of Idlib, where Ankara supports militant groups fight against the government of President Bashar al-Assad.
• Syrian government forces shoot down Turkish drone in Saraqib Press TV 03 Mar 2020 -- Syrian government forces have intercepted and targeted an unmanned aerial vehicle belonging to Turkish military while flying in the skies over a strategic city in the country's northwestern province of Idlib.
• One Turkish Soldier Killed, 9 Others Injured in Syria's Idlib - Turkish Defence Ministry Sputnik 03 Mar 2020 -- One Turkish soldier was killed in an attack by Syrian government forces in Idlib province, while nine others were injured, the Turkish Defence Ministry said on Tuesday, adding that response fire followed.
• Myanmar doing too little to ensure displaced Rohingya return: UN refugee agency chief UN News 03 Mar 2020 -- UN agencies together with the Bangladesh authorities have appealed for $877 million to support hundreds of thousands of Rohingya refugees from Myanmar, where conditions are still not conducive for their safe return, UN refugee agency chief Filippo Grandi said on Tuesday.
• Rohingya Refugee Crisis Has Bangladesh, UN Calling for Help VOA 03 Mar 2020 -- The U.N. refugee and migration agencies are jointly appealing for $877 million to aid 855,000 Rohingya refugees, most of whom fled violence and persecution from Myanmar three years ago, and more than 444,000 vulnerable Bangladeshis hosting them.
• UK to intensify military activity in the Sahel region Press TV 03 Mar 2020 -- The UK is set to step up military activities in West Africa, ostensibly to combat a jihadist insurgency in the region.
• Sudan Lifts Restrictions on Aid Agencies VOA 03 Mar 2020 -- Sudan's transitional government has removed laws, rules and procedures that hampered the ability of humanitarian relief organizations to operate in the country. The move is being welcomed by relief agencies that say humanitarian aid access is needed to restore life to normal in the war-scarred Darfur region.

News Reports

• Manhattan, Mishustin, Magnitsky, Millions: The Armani-Designed New York Condo Where Connected Russians Have Bought Apartments RFE/RL 03 Mar 2020 -- When Soviet-born diamond billionaire Lev Leviev reopened 20 Pine Street as a luxury condominium in the late 2000s, it symbolized the ongoing transformation of New York City's famed Financial District into a partly residential neighborhood: a place where money and the moneyed rub shoulders.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian's Regular Press Conference on March 3, 2020 PRC MofA 03 Mar 2020
• China Vows to Retaliate Against US Over Limits on Chinese State Media Personnel VOA 03 Mar 2020 -- China is threatening to retaliate against the United States over its decision to limit the number of state media personnel allowed to work in the U.S.
• Cap on Chinese media 'nasty' Global Times 03 Mar 2020 -- China will play the US' "reciprocity" game and reserve the right to take further action to respond to Washington's decision to cap Chinese media employee numbers in the US, Chinese officials said Tuesday, calling the latter's move a political oppression driven by its Cold War mentality and ideological bias.
• China to retaliate US restrictions on Chinese journalists Press TV 03 Mar 2020 -- China has condemned as "bullying" the recent restrictions imposed by the United States on Chinese media in the country, pledging to take countermeasures.
• White House places more restrictions on Chinese journalists as crackdown intensifies Press TV 03 Mar 2020 -- The United States is slashing by nearly half the number of US-based journalists working for Chinese state-owned media outlets, intensifying its crackdown on the Chinese press.
• Chinese Authorities Track People's Phones as Some Return to Work Radio Free Asia 03 Mar 2020 -- Authorities in China are using big data gleaned from popular social media apps to step up surveillance of hundreds of millions of people caught up in the coronavirus epidemic.
• Xinjiang officials refute CECC claims on abuse Global Times 03 Mar 2020 -- Officials and residents in Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on Monday refuted claims hyped in a US congressional report, which alleged local people have been tortured and foreign nationals have been detained in vocational education and training centers.
• IAEA releases report on Iran's JCPOA commitments IRNA 03 Mar 2020 -- The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has issued a report on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) verifying the country's voluntary implementation of the document.
• Envoy: IAEA continues supervision, verification of JCPOA IRNA 03 Mar 2020 -- Iran's Ambassador and Permanent Representative to international organizations in Vienna Kazem Gharibabadi on Tuesday referred to the report released by IAEA on the verification of the implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and said IAEA is to continue supervision and verification in Iran.
• New IAEA report confirms JCPOA-related monitoring process underway in Iran: Envoy Press TV 03 Mar 2020 -- Iran says a new report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) shows the UN nuclear watchdog has kept up its monitoring and verification process inside the country concerning a 2015 multilateral nuclear deal.
• UN Says Iran's Uranium Stockpile Surges, Seeks Clarity On Three Undeclared Sites RFE/RL 03 Mar 2020 -- The UN's atomic watchdog says Iran has nearly tripled its stockpile of enriched uranium over the past three months, in sharp violation of the 2015 nuclear deal it signed with six world powers.
• Bolivia's Morales says party will win May polls, unless fraud, coup occur Press TV 03 Mar 2020 -- Former Bolivian president Evo Morales says that his Movement for Socialism (MAS) Party will definitely win general elections in May except if there is fraud or a coup d'état.
• Serbia Claims Sierra Leone Is Latest Country To Rescind Kosovo Recognition RFE/RL 03 Mar 2020 -- Serbia's Foreign Ministry says Sierra Leone has become the latest country to withdraw its recognition of Kosovo as an independent nation.
• European Commission: Albania, North Macedonia Merit EU Membership Talks RFE/RL 03 Mar 2020 -- North Macedonia and Albania have received promising news after updated progress reports published by the EU's executive body said both countries had delivered results and appeared ready to open EU accession talks.
• 'Critical' window of opportunity closing fast in Iraq, Security Council hears UN News 03 Mar 2020 -- Political leaders in Iraq will have to "step up to the plate" and prioritize national interests if the country is to realize a more just and prosperous future, the top UN official there said in the Security Council on Tuesday.
• Iraq's Interim PM Mehdi Says He's Stepping Aside VOA 03 Mar 2020 -- Months of political crisis in Iraq appeared to take a new leap into the unknown Tuesday, after caretaker Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mehdi's interim mandate expired, in accordance with the country's 2005 post-Saddam Hussein constitution. Mohammed Tawfiq Allawi, who had been chosen to succeed Abdul Mehdi, withdrew Sunday, saying he was unable to form a new government, triggering a political void.
• Scandal-hit Netanyahu claims victory in Israel Knesset election Press TV 03 Mar 2020 -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has claimed victory in the general election after exit polls put his party ahead of its main rival with a narrow lead.
• Shmygal Set To Replace Honcharuk As PM Amid Ukraine Government Shake-Up RFE/RL 03 Mar 2020 -- Ukrainian Prime Minister Oleksiy Honcharuk has submitted his resignation as the government prepares for a major reshuffle, lawmakers in President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's ruling Servant of the People party tell RFE/RL.