Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• 'Unanimous' ICC gives go-ahead to probe Afghanistan alleged war crimes UN News 05 Mar 2020 -- Prosecutors have been given the green light to investigate alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Afghanistan - and beyond its borders – linked to Afghan, Taliban and US troops, the International Criminal Court said on Thursday.
• International Criminal Court Allows Afghanistan War Crimes Probe VOA 05 Mar 2020 -- The International Criminal Court (ICC) ruled Thursday that an investigation can go ahead into war crimes and crimes against humanity allegedly committed by the United States and other warring parties to the conflict in Afghanistan
• US Outraged at 'Reckless' ICC Ruling on Afghan War Crimes VOA 05 Mar 2020 -- The United States severely criticized the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Thursday for authorizing an investigation into war crimes allegedly committed by American armed forces and other parties to the conflict in Afghanistan.
• U.S. Rejects Top Court's 'Reckless' Decision To Back Afghan War Crimes Probe RFE/RL 05 Mar 2020 -- U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has denounced as "reckless" a ruling by the International Criminal Court (ICC) that an investigation into alleged war crimes committed in Afghanistan could go ahead.
• Pompeo Says Afghanistan Violence 'Must Be Reduced' For Peace Process To Move Forward RFE/RL 05 Mar 2020 -- U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has voiced frustration with renewed violence in Afghanistan, saying the Afghan parties to the conflict need to take advantage of a peace deal signed over the weekend.
• ICC Decision on Afghanistan US Dept. of State 05 Mar 2020 -- "Today, the International Criminal Court (ICC) Appeals Chamber authorized an investigation into the alleged activities of the Taliban and U.S. and Afghan personnel related to Afghanistan. This is a truly breathtaking action by an unaccountable political institution, masquerading as a legal body."
• ICC gives green light to investigation of US crimes in Afghanistan Press TV 05 Mar 2020 -- Appeals judges at the International Criminal Court (ICC) have given the green light to prosecutors to open an investigation into war crimes and crimes against humanity by the US in Afghanistan.

Defense Policy / Programs

• DOD Officials Describe Layered Missile Defense Progress DoD News 05 Mar 2020 -- The mission of the Missile Defense Agency is defending the U.S., deployed forces, friends and allies from missiles of all sorts. "It's a no-fail mission," said its director, Navy Vice Adm. Jon A. Hill, speaking at the 11th annual McAleese Defense Programs Conference in Washington, D.C.
• U.S., U.K. Leaders Discuss China, Russia, Afghan Peace in Pentagon Meeting DoD News 05 Mar 2020 -- United States and United Kingdom defense leaders discussed a range of issues including China, Russia, Afghanistan and more during a Pentagon meeting today.
• Readout of Secretary of Defense Dr. Mark T. Esper's Meeting with UK Secretary of State for Defense Ben Wallace DoD 05 Mar 2020
• Military Medical Budget Prioritizes Readiness, Reform DoD News 05 Mar 2020 -- The military medical budget for fiscal year 2021 prioritizes the medical readiness of the military force in addition to their readiness of the medical force, while sustaining beneficiaries' access to quality healthcare, the assistant secretary for defense for health affairs told Congress today.
• 5G to Aid Warfighters, Thwart Adversaries DoD News 05 Mar 2020 -- The Defense Department is preparing to use 5G in its networks and prevent adversaries from hacking into it, a DOD official said.
• Readiness Up Across the Force, Chairman Says DoD News 05 Mar 2020 -- The fiscal year 2021 Defense Department budget request is driven by the National Defense Strategy, and also furthers the department's readiness and modernization efforts, said the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
• U.S. Navy Kicks Off ICEX 2020 NNS 05 Mar 2020 -- Commander, Submarine Forces (COMSUBFOR) officially commenced Ice Exercise (ICEX) 2020 in the Arctic Ocean with the construction of a temporary ice camp, Camp Seadragon, and the arrival of two U.S. Navy fast-attack submarines March 4.
• Theodore Roosevelt Strike Group arrives in Vietnam NNS 05 Mar 2020 -- USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) and USS Bunker Hill (CG 52) arrived in Da Nang, March 5, for a scheduled port visit commemorating 25 years of U.S.-Vietnam diplomatic relations.
• Construction Begins on First Flight III Arleigh Burke-Class Destroyer NNS 05 Mar 2020 -- Construction of the future USS Louis H. Wilson Jr. (DDG 126) officially began at General Dynamics Bath Iron Works (BIW) shipyard on Mar. 3. The milestone was marked by a ceremony at BIW's structural fabrication facility in Brunswick, Maine. DDG 126 will be the first Arleigh Burke-class destroyer built in the Flight III configuration at BIW.
• COMUSAFE-AFAFRICA discusses JADC2, ACE at Air Warfare Symposium US Air Force 05 Mar 2020 -- Defense industry leaders and Airmen from all over the globe gathered for the Air Force Association Air Warfare Symposium in Orlando, Feb. 27-28. Gen. Jeff Harrigian, U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa commander; Gen. Charles Q. Brown, U.S. Pacific Air Forces commander and Gen. Terrence J. O'Shaughnessy, U.S. Northern Command and North American Aerospace Defense Command commander, participated in a panel discussion at the conference on the emerging concept of Joint All-Domain Command and Control, or JADC2.
• New Hampshire's 12th CST trains in frigid Alaskan weather Army News 05 Mar 2020 -- U.S. Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Sara McPherson, the decontamination NCO and acting noncommissioned officer in charge with the 12th Civil Support Team (CST), New Hampshire National Guard, set up a sick call for native Alaskans to seek medical treatment in Bethel Feb. 29 during exercise Arctic Eagle 2020.
• U.S. Defense Chief Assails Russia's 'Noncompliance' With Open Skies Treaty RFE/RL 05 Mar 2020 -- U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper accused Russia of violating the Treaty on Open Skies, saying Moscow has been blocking the United States from conducting flights over the Baltic Sea city of Kaliningrad and near Georgia, which are permitted by the agreement.
• China, a Non-Arctic Nation, Meddling in Arctic, Says DOD Official DoD News 05 Mar 2020 -- U.S. competition with Russia and China is manifesting itself globally, including in the Arctic, said a Defense Department official.
• Chinese troops participate in HADR drill of Exercise Cobra Gold 2020 PLA Daily 05 Mar 2020 -- The humanitarian assistance disaster relief field training exercise (HADR FTX) as part of Exercise Cobra Gold 2020 was held at the national disaster relief training center in Chachoengsao Province, Thailand from March 1 to 4, 2020. Over 200 troops from seven countries including China, Thailand and the US participated in the drill.
• Upgraded Type 053H3 frigate joins real combat scenario exercise Global Times 05 Mar 2020 -- With a new anti-aircraft missile system and a new type of close-in weapon system, an upgraded Type 053H3 frigate participated in a recent naval exercise, and analysts expect it to become a powerful addition to China's offshore defense force.
• MOD leads cross-government review into the UK's defence and security industrial strategy UK MOD 05 Mar 2020 -- A review that will revitalise the UK's defence and security industrial sectors and improve productivity has been launched.
• £2.5m investment in XL autonomous submarine development UK MOD 05 Mar 2020 -- The first extra-large autonomous test submarine will be developed for the Royal Navy following a new contract by the Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA).
• Defence Secretary Ben Wallace gives a speech to the Atlantic Council UK MOD 05 Mar 2020 -- Defence Secretary Ben Wallace outlines the importance of helping to stabilise fragile states
• Israel cancels joint drill with US over coronavirus concerns Press TV 05 Mar 2020 -- Israel has canceled a major joint military drill with the United States over fears of the spread of the novel coronavirus.
• Nuclear non-proliferation treaty an essential pillar for peace and security UN News 05 Mar 2020 -- Countries meeting in New York next month to review progress on nuclear non-proliferation are being urged by the UN Secretary-General to use the opportunity to strengthen global peace and security.
• Secretary Pompeo's Remarks to the Press US Dept. of State 05 Mar 2020

Defense Industry

• Contracts For March 5, 2020

Other Conflicts

• Javier Pérez de Cuéllar praised as 'accomplished statesman' who had 'profound impact' on the world UN News 05 Mar 2020 -- Javier Pérez de Cuéllar, the fifth United Nations Secretary-General, praised for his ability to foster dialogue and for leading the Organization through a turbulent decade, has passed away at the age of 100.
• Yemeni air defense forces intercept, down Saudi-led reconnaissance drone Press TV 05 Mar 2020 -- Yemeni army forces, supported by allied fighters from the Popular Committees, have intercepted and targeted an unmanned aerial vehicle belonging to the Saudi-led military coalition as it was flying in the skies over Saudi Arabia's southwestern border region of Jizan.
• Russia, Turkey reach deal on midnight ceasefire in Syria's Idlib Press TV 05 Mar 2020 -- The Russian and Turkish presidents say they have come to an agreement on an imminent ceasefire regime in the northwestern Syrian province of Idlib, where Turkish violations have brought about an unwarranted flare-up of already high levels of violence.
• Russian, Turkish Leaders Agree To Cease-Fire In Syria's Idlib Region RFE/RL 05 Mar 2020 -- Turkey and Russia say they have agreed to a cease-fire for the northwestern Syrian province of Idlib, as Ankara and Moscow sought to ease tensions over a flare-up in violence in Syria.
• Russian and Turkish Presidents Reach Cease-Fire Deal in Northwestern Syria VOA 05 Mar 2020 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan Thursday agreed to a cease-fire in northwestern Syria, following talks in Moscow on easing tensions in the region.
• Syrian air defenses intercept Israeli missiles: Reports Press TV 05 Mar 2020 -- Syrian air defenses have intercepted several Israeli missiles over Quneitra province in the country's southwest and the central province of Homs, reports say.
• No normal ties with Turkey as long as Erdogan supports terrorists: Assad Press TV 05 Mar 2020 -- Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has described the chances of normal diplomatic relations with neighboring Turkey as remote, stressing that such an ideal cannot be achieved as long as President Recep Tayyip Erdogan supports Takfiri militant groups and is under the heavy influence of Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood movement.
• Turkey rebrands 80,000 terrorists to stop Syria's liberation of Idlib Press TV 05 Mar 2020 -- As tensions are escalating in Syria's northwestern province of Idlib, the last militant bastion in a nine-year war, Turkey is attempting to hold its grip over the flashpoint region through tens of thousands of militants it supports.
• United States Announces New Humanitarian Assistance for Displaced Rohingya and Members of Other Affected Communities in Bangladesh and Burma US Dept. of State 05 Mar 2020 -- "On March 3, the United States announced more than $59 million in additional humanitarian assistance for Rohingya refugees and host communities in Bangladesh and internally displaced Rohingya and members of other affected communities in Burma. This funding will help address the emergency needs of more than 900,000 refugees in Bangladesh, many of whom are Rohingya women and children from Rakhine State, Burma, as well as the needs of Bangladeshi host communities."
• Fresh Violence Tempers Hopes After South Sudan Peace Deal VOA 05 Mar 2020 -- Humanitarian workers say they hope the formation of a national unity government in South Sudan under a peace deal last month will ease suffering in the country, but those expectations have been tempered by reports of continuing violence.
• Kenya Accuses Somalia of Border Incursion VOA 05 Mar 2020 -- Kenya has accused Somalia of an unwarranted attack on the Kenyan border town of Mandera, in the latest territorial dispute between the neighbors. Kenya and Somalia have long accused each other of encroaching on the other's territory and Kenya's remarks come as it faces pressure on the future of its troops fighting al-Shabab militants inside Somalia.
• Russia Bound? Dungans Don't Believe In 'Peaceful Future' After Deadly Ethnic Conflict In Kazakhstan RFE/RL 05 Mar 2020 -- The mistrust is palpable among the local communities in southern Kazakhstan's Qordai district nearly a month after ethnic clashes between Kazakhs and Dungans claimed 11 lives and injured dozens of others.
• Tibetan Students Now Taught Mainly in Chinese: Report Radio Free Asia 05 Mar 2020 -- A growing emphasis on Chinese-language schooling in Tibet, though facilitating greater participation in China's modern economy, is slowly destroying the cultural identity of Tibetan schoolchildren, according to a report released on Thursday by Human Rights Watch.

News Reports

• Kremlin Critic Navalny's Group Fined For Failing To Register As Foreign Agent RFE/RL 05 Mar 2020 -- A Russian court has fined opposition politician Aleksei Navalny's Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK) for failing to register as a foreign agent under a controversial Russian law.
• US Accuses Russia of Spreading Fear, Panic on Coronavirus VOA 05 Mar 2020 -- The United States is accusing Russia of opening up its entire disinformation playbook to prey on growing fears about the spread of the coronavirus.
• As Greek-Turkish Crisis Deepens, Erdogan Claims Success VOA 05 Mar 2020 -- As Greece works to turn back the thousands of migrants who are trying to cross the border from Turkey, the Turkish government is boosting its forces by deploying an additional 1,000 police officers to the border area.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian's Regular Press Conference on March 5, 2020 PRC MofA 05 Mar 2020
• China's Bid For WIPO Fails, But Beijing's UN Plan is Still on Track Radio Free Asia 05 Mar 2020 -- Singapore's candidate defeated China's on Thursday to win a leadership contest at the United Nations' World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), as Beijing continues to jockey for control and influence at the U.N.
• Tens of Thousands Call on US to Take up Case of Wuhan Reporters Radio Free Asia 05 Mar 2020 -- A petition calling on Washington to take up the case of coronavirus reporter Chen Qiushi, who is being held by the authorities in enforced "quarantine" after he reported from the front line of the COVID-19 epidemic, has garnered tens of thousands of signatures since it was posted last month.
• Cambodia Charges 16 Crewmembers Suspected of Violating North Korea Sanctions Radio Free Asia 05 Mar 2020 -- Authorities in Cambodia Thursday officially charged 16 crewmembers of a ship suspected in breaking sanctions on North Korea that anchored in Cambodian waters last week after being expelled from Taiwan.
• North, South Korea Exchange Letters About Coronavirus VOA 05 Mar 2020 -- North and South Korean leaders are again speaking after months of broken-down communication. This time, though, the two countries are focusing their discussions on the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak.
• U.S. Accuses Iran Of Violating Nuclear Safeguards, Calls For Global Pressure RFE/RL 05 Mar 2020 -- The United States has called for Iran to be held accountable for its commitments under international nuclear treaties, accusing Tehran of violating safeguards.
• Pompeo Urges UN Security Council to Renew Arms Embargo on Iran VOA 05 Mar 2020 -- U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is urging the U.N. Security Council to renew the arms embargo on Iran before it expires in October.
• U.S. House passes act to support Taiwan's international presence CNA 05 Mar 2020 -- The United States House of Representatives on Wednesday unanimously passed the Taiwan Allies International Protection and Enhancement Initiative (TAIPEI) Act of 2019.
• After Israel's 3rd Election, Still No Government VOA 05 Mar 2020 -- Israel's prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu is struggling to build a governing coalition even after beating challenger, former chief of staff Benny Gantz, in Monday's elections – the country's third in a year. Netanyahu – Israel's longest-serving prime minister – has fallen only three seats short of forming a government coalition.
• Myanmar's Wa Region to Take Part in 2020 Elections: UWSA Radio Free Asia 03 Mar 2020 -- Myanmar's largest ethnic armed group, the United Wa State Army, will hold voting in four townships of its self-administered region for the first time when general elections are held later this year, a spokesman for the UWSA said Tuesday.
• Ukraine Parliament Passes Vote Of No-Confidence In Top Prosecutor Amid Government Reshuffle RFE/RL 05 Mar 2020 -- The Ukrainian parliament has passed a no-confidence vote in Prosecutor-General Ruslan Ryaboshapka, the latest move in a reshuffle that saw the prime minister and most of his government ousted.
• Treasury Sanctions Nicaraguan National Police and Police Commissioners Involved in Human Rights Abuse US Treasury 05 Mar 2020 -- The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) today designated the Nicaraguan National Police (NNP), the primary law enforcement entity in Nicaragua, for its role in serious human rights abuse in Nicaragua.
• United States and Colombian Officials Set Bilateral Agenda to Reduce Cocaine Supply The White House 05 Mar 2020
• Text of a Notice on the Continuation of the National Emergency with Respect to Venezuela The White House 05 Mar 2020
• Message to the Congress on the Continuation of the National Emergency with Respect to Venezuela The White House 05 Mar 2020