Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• US Has No Plans to Commit Troops in Syria's Idlib - National Security Advisor Sputnik 11 Mar 2020 -- The United States is not going to commit troops to defuse tensions in Syria's northwestern Idlib province despite appeals to do so, US National Security Advisor Robert O'Brien said at the Heritage Foundation on Wednesday.
• 3 Troops Killed in Rocket Attack on Coalition Base in Iraq VOA 11 Mar 2020 -- Two Americans and a coalition servicemember are dead, and a dozen more wounded, after a barrage of rockets slammed into a military base north of Baghdad.
• Pentagon Deploying More Ships, Forces to Latin America VOA 11 Mar 2020 -- U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) plans to increase U.S. military presence in the Western Hemisphere while taking on funding cuts to partner security programs that help Latin American partners counter drug cartels.
• U.S. Congress Votes To Limit Trump Military Action Against Iran; Veto A Certainty RFE/RL 12 Mar 2020 -- In a sharp rebuke to President Donald Trump, the U.S. Congress has given final approval to a measure to limit Trump's authority to order a military attack on Iran -- a resolution sure to be vetoed by the U.S. leader.
• US forces start constructing airport near Iraq's Ain al-Asad base: Source Press TV 11 Mar 2020 -- An Iraqi security source says American military forces have started the first phase of constructing an airport near Ain al-Asad air base, which houses US and other foreign troops in Iraq's western province of Anbar.
• US Moving Air, Missile Defense Systems Into Iraq - CENTCOM Chief Sputnik 11 Mar 2020 -- The US is moving air defense systems into Iraq to defend against ballistic missile and drone threats, the head of US Central Command said Tuesday. When Iran bombarded two US bases earlier this year, there were no anti-air defenses to halt the attack, and dozens of US troops were injured. However, Baghdad has made clear it wants US forces out.
• Afghan president orders release of 1,500 Taliban prisoners Press TV 11 Mar 2020 -- Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has approved the release of hundreds of Taliban prisoners as part of efforts to pave the way for the start of talks with the militants.
• Afghan President, Taliban At Impasse Over Prisoner Release RFE/RL 11 Mar 2020 -- The Afghan government has offered to release 1,500 Taliban prisoners, saying it is "impossible" to release more, as demanded by the Taliban to start peace talks envisaged under a deal with the United States.
• U.S. Says Level Of Violence In Afghanistan Unacceptable For Peace Process RFE/RL 11 Mar 2020 -- The United States has warned the Taliban on March 10 that the current level of violence by the militants "is unacceptable" to advancing the peace process as the UN Security Council supported a U.S.-led effort to end Afghanistan's nearly two-decade old war.
• US drone kills six civilians in Somalia Press TV 11 Mar 2020 -- In Somalia, six civilians have been killed in an airstrike by a US drone, says a lawmaker and relative of one of the victims.

Defense Policy / Programs

• U.S. Potential Target for Malicious Actors, DOD Official Tells Congress DoD News 11 Mar 2020 -- The United States is no longer a sanctuary, but a target, Kenneth Rapuano, the assistant secretary of defense for homeland defense, told the House Armed Services Committee in Washington today.
• Exercise Defender-Europe 20 update Army News 11 Mar 2020 -- After careful review of the ongoing Defender-Europe 20 exercise activities and in light of the current Coronavirus outbreak, we will modify the exercise by reducing the number of U.S. participants. Activities associated with the exercise will be adjusted accordingly and we'll work closely with Allies and partners to meet our highest priority training objectives.
• US military curtails Europe exercise over Coronavirus fears Press TV 11 Mar 2020 -- The US military has announced that it will reduce the number of troops that were supposed to take part in an exercise in Europe over "health protection" amid the Coronavirus outbreak.
• Department Of Defense Press Briefing By Admiral Craig Faller, Commander, U.S. Southern Command DoD 11 Mar 2020 -- Admiral Craig Faller (USN), Commander, U.S. Southern Command
• Northcom Commander Calls for 21st Century Tools to Defeat Current Threats DoD News 11 Mar 2020 -- The U.S. Northern Command is responsible for defending the homeland and is morphing to develop 21st century tools to defend against 21st century threats.
• Pentagon Deploying More Ships, Forces to Latin America VOA 11 Mar 2020 -- U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) plans to increase U.S. military presence in the Western Hemisphere while taking on funding cuts to partner security programs that help Latin American partners counter drug cartels.
• Cobra Gold 20: US, Royal Thai Marine Corps breach, clear obstacles showcasing combined arms firepower during final exercise USMC News 11 Mar 2020 -- Explosions and bullets rain past obstacles as the Royal Thai Marine Corps and U.S. Marines clear ground in a bilateral assault March 5, 2020, as part of exercise Cobra Gold 2020. Over the course of an hour, a force of over 100 Marines and Thais demonstrated combat breaching of obstacles and indirect fire support for combined arms rehearsals.
• USAF Stratotankers provide air refueling capabilities for exercise Cold Response 20 US Air Force 11 Mar 2020 -- The air refueling capabilities for exercise Cold Response 20 are fully operational at Ørland Air Station, Norway, with the arrival of KC-135R Stratotankers assigned to Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, RAF Mildenhall, United Kingdom, and Tinker AFB, Oklahoma.
• Barrett points to recent activities as a clear example for why the US Space Force is needed US Air Force 11 Mar 2020 -- Secretary of the Air Force Barbara Barrett asserted March 10 that a Russian satellite "actively maneuvering suspiciously near" a U.S. "security satellite" is the clearest sign of space's changing nature and why creating the U.S. Space Force is necessary.
• Allied fighter jets intercept Russian aircraft NATO 11 Mar 2020 -- Fighter jets from several NATO countries scrambled on Wednesday (11 March 2020) to intercept Russian military aircraft off the western coasts of Scotland and Ireland and over the Gulf of Biscay.
• Norway Halts 'Cold Response' Military Exercise Over Coronavirus Fears - US EUCOM Sputnik 11 Mar 2020 -- Norway cancelled the remainder of the ten-nation Cold Response military exercise to protect service members from potential exposure to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), the US European Command (EUCOM) said in a press release on Wednesday.
• Russia's Zircon Hypersonic Missile to Be Test-Launched From Underwater – Reports Sputnik 11 Mar 2020 -- The Zircon, a scramjet-powered maneuverable anti-ship cruise missile capable of accelerating to speeds of up to 11,100 km an hour, is one of half-a-dozen or so strategic systems being developed by Russia's military to help ensure global strategic stability.
• Chinese military to procure suicide drones Global Times 11 Mar 2020 -- The Chinese military is procuring two types of loitering munitions, also known as suicide drones, a genre of weapon that can offer a wide variety of new tactics to the troops, analysts said on Wednesday.
• PLA Army to host "Crossing Obstacles 2020" land-based unmanned system competition PLA Daily 11 Mar 2020 -- The Armament Department of the Chinese PLA Army will host "Crossing Obstacles 2020" land-based unmanned system competition between the coming September and October, in a bid to further promote the innovation and development of the PLA Army's unmanned system equipment.
• Export of Tejas Fighter Jet India PIB 11 Mar 2020 -- HAL is currently producing Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) – Tejas, to meet Indian Air Force requirements. In order to export LCA to other friendly countries, the following activities have been carried out:-
• Indian Defence Ministry Rules Out Raising Army Units Based on Caste Sputnik 11 Mar 2020 -- Currently, there are several regiments and units which are named after caste, community and region – like Jat, Sikh, Rajput, Dogra, Mahar, Jammy and Kashmir Rifles, Gorkha and the Sikh Light Infantry
• Pakistan Air Force F-16 jet crashes in Islamabad IRNA 11 Mar 2020 -- A Pakistan Air Force F-16 Jet crashed in Islamabad on Wednesday involved in rehearsals for Pakistan Day military parade to be held on March 23.
• Pakistani air force aircraft crashes in Islamabad People's Daily 11 Mar 2020 -- A Pakistan Air Force (PAF) F-16 fighter jet crashed in the capital of Islamabad on Wednesday during a rehearsal ahead of the Pakistan Day parade, spokesperson of the PAF Syed Ahmer Raza told Xinhua.
• Pakistani Pilot Dies In Fighter Jet Crash In Islamabad RFE/RL 11 Mar 2020 -- A Pakistani pilot died when his F-16 jet crashed in a wooded area in the capital, Islamabad, the Pakistani Air Force says.
• Pilot killed in Pakistan Air Force F-16 crash in Islamabad SPA 11 Mar 2020 -- A Pakistan Air Force F-16 fighter jet crashed on Wednesday in a parade ground in the capital, Islamabad, killing the pilot as he was rehearsing for a Pakistan Day air show, the air force said, according to Reuters.
• US offers Turkey Patriot missiles if it ditches Russia's S-400: Erdogan Press TV 11 Mar 2020 -- Turkey's president says the United States has offered to provide Ankara with the Patriot missile system if it refuses to operationalize the advanced S-400 defense system that it has bought from Russia.

Defense Industry

• Contracts for March 11, 2020

Other Conflicts

• 11 March 2020 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 11 Mar 2020
• Chinese forces expel US warship in Xisha Islands of S.China Sea Global Times 11 Mar 2020 -- The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) on Tuesday expelled a US warship that trespassed into Chinese territorial waters in the Xisha Islands of the South China Sea, while experts said Wednesday that recent US naval activities in the South China Sea are a sign that the US is losing control in the region and wants to flex its muscles to gain influence in the region.
• Chinese military slams US provocative acts in South China Sea PLA Daily 11 Mar 2020 -- A US guided-missile destroyer USS McCampbell trespassed into Chinese territorial waters off the Xisha Islands without permission on Tuesday. In response, the Southern Theater Command (STC) of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) organized naval and air forces to track, verify, identify, and warn the ship away, Senior Colonel Li Huamin, spokesperson for the PLA STC, said in a statement on Wednesday.
• Erdogan Threatens 'Tougher' Action in Idlib if Russia-Turkey Brokered Ceasefire is Breached Sputnik 11 Mar 2020 -- Russia, Syria's key military ally, brokered a ceasefire with Turkey after a weeks-long period of escalation in the northwestern Syrian province of Idlib. Days later, Turkish President Erdogan is accusing Syria of violating the deal.
• Lives of Rohingya 'Better' in Bangladesh Camps than Myanmar, UN Official Says Radio Free Asia 11 Mar 2020 -- The largest refugee settlement in the world is a "vibrant" place where the lives of Rohingya Muslims are "in some ways better" than they were in Myanmar, the World Food Program's representative in Bangladesh told BenarNews, an RFA-affiliated online news service, in a recent interview.
• Myanmar's Arakan Army Captures 30 Government Troops, Battalion Commander Radio Free Asia 11 Mar 2020 -- Myanmar's rebel Arakan Army captured 30 government soldiers, including a battalion commander, near the Paletwa township in western Myanmar's Chin state during heavy fighting this week, the ethnic armed group said in an announcement on Tuesday.
• More support key for counter-terrorism in Africa, where 'misogyny is at the heart of so many' groups UN News 11 Mar 2020 -- The UN Security Council on Wednesday called for greater international support to African countries in their continued fight against terrorism and violent extremism, particularly in parts of the Sahel, the Lake Chad Basin region and the Horn of Africa.
• Two Ukrainian Troops Killed, Eight Wounded In East Part Of Country RFE/RL 11 Mar 2020 -- Two Ukrainian soldiers were killed and eight wounded from projectile fire on March 10 in the eastern part of the country where a war has raged since 2014 with Russia-backed separatists.

News Reports

• Secretary Michael R. Pompeo on the Release of the 2019 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices US Dept. of State 11 Mar 2020
• Assistant Secretary for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor Robert A. Destro on the Release of the 2019 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices US Dept. of State 11 Mar 2020
• U.S. Berates Iran, China's Treatment Of Uyghurs In Latest Human Rights Report RFE/RL 11 Mar 2020 -- The United States has singled out Iran, China, Venezuela, and Cuba for their gross abuses in its yearly report on human rights practices that covers 199 countries and territories.
• US Calls Out Iran, China and Venezuela on Human Rights Abuses VOA 11 Mar 2020 -- The United States is accusing authoritarian governments around the world of suppressing people with severe human rights "violations and abuses" to control any activities that might threaten their power.
• Statement from Attorney General William P. Barr on House Legislation to Reauthorize the USA Freedom Act US Dept. of Justice 11 Mar 2020
• US House leaders reach deal to extend surveillance program Press TV 11 Mar 2020 -- Democratic and Republican leaders of the US House of Representatives have reached an agreement that would extend a controversial set of government surveillance tools.
• Russia's upper house overwhelmingly approves Putin-proposed reforms Press TV 11 Mar 2020 -- Russia's upper house of parliament has overwhelmingly approved constitutional reforms that would allow President Vladimir Putin to run for two more six-year terms.
• Russia's Federation Council Approves Bill Allowing Putin To Run For New Term RFE/RL 11 Mar 2020 -- Russian lawmakers have given their final approval to sweeping constitutional amendments that open the possibility for President Vladimir Putin to remain in power for another 16 years.
• Upper House of Russian Parliament Approves Bill on Constitutional Amendments Sputnik 11 Mar 2020 -- Earlier in the day, the lower house of the Russian parliament, the State Duma, approved the presidential bill on the amendment to the national constitution.
• Calculation, Chaos, And A Cosmonaut's Speech: Five Takeaways From Putin's Big Bombshell RFE/RL 11 Mar 2020 -- The most obvious answer to the question of why Vladimir Putin is giving himself the option of seeking two more terms as Russian president is also the simplest one: He wants to stay in the Kremlin until 2036. Behind the scenes, it may be a bit more complicated.
• Russian State Duma Approves Bill on Amendments to Constitution Sputnik 11 Mar 2020 -- In late January, Russian President Vladimir Putin submitted a bill to the Duma on amendments to the fundamental law with changes that aim to develop provisions that enshrine the foundations of the constitutional system, including human and civil rights and freedoms.
• Russia's Putin Hints at New Path to Staying in Power VOA 11 Mar 2020 -- Russian leader Vladimir Putin threw his weight behind proposals to amend Russia's current constitutional cap on presidential term limits – a move that opens the door to Putin, 67, staying in power far beyond the end of his current and, in theory, final term in 2024.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Geng Shuang's Regular Press Conference on March 11, 2020 PRC MofA 11 Mar 2020
• Chinese Evade Social Media Censors to Repost Doctor's Banned Virus Essay Radio Free Asia 11 Mar 2020 -- Chinese social media users are scrambling to reproduce and repost a banned article by a doctor on the front line of the coronavirus epidemic in the central city of Wuhan after it was deleted by ruling Chinese Communist Party censors.
• Hongkongers Converge on Washington to Call For Sanctions Against Police, Leaders Radio Free Asia 11 Mar 2020 -- Pro-democracy lawmakers from Hong Kong are lobbying the U.S. government to impose sanctions on senior officials in the city over police violence and human rights violations during last year's protests.
• 'China out of darkest moment' Global Times 11 Mar 2020 -- While the threat of a pandemic has become real as the world meltdown caused by the coronavirus is accelerating, with spikes in confirmed cases and a surging death toll, China, the first country entangled in the unprecedented public health crisis, is gradually ascending from the darkest moment two months later following all-out efforts and strong collective will.
• China tests Mars probe for 2020 Mars mission PLA Daily 11 Mar 2020 -- The Beijing Aerospace Control Center announced on Tuesday that China completed a probe test ahead of an exploration mission to Mars this year.
• Iran not supposed to answer IAEA non-professional questions: Mousavi IRNA 11 Mar 2020 -- Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi said on Wednesday that Iran is not supposed to answer any non-professional and political questions of the International Atomic Energy Agency.
• Iran urges JCPOA parties to save accord, restore balance between rights and duties Press TV 11 Mar 2020 -- A senior Iranian diplomat has underlined the need for the remaining parties to the 2015 Iran nuclear deal to save the historic agreement by restoring balance between their rights and duties and keeping their side of the bargain.
• Iran Agrees To Hand Over Black Boxes From Downed Ukrainian Plane To Kyiv RFE/RL 11 Mar 2020 -- The Iranian Civil Aviation Organization has agreed to send the flight recorders from a downed Ukrainian passenger plane to Kyiv for analysis, an Iranian diplomat said.
• Treasury Sanctions Businesses Linked to Mexican Cartels US Treasury 11 Mar 2020 -- The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) today designated four Mexican businesses pursuant to the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act (Kingpin Act) because of their links to the Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generacion (CJNG) and the Los Cuinis Drug Trafficking Organization (Los Cuinis), two closely allied Mexican drug trafficking organizations.
• Treasury Sanctions Two Individuals for Human Rights Abuse in Zimbabwe US Treasury 11 Mar 2020 -- The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) today designated Anselem Sanyatwe (Sanyatwe) and Owen Ncube (Ncube) for their involvement in human rights abuses including directing an attack on peaceful demonstrators and political opponents in Zimbabwe.
• Burundi Election Could Be Compromised, UN Warns VOA 11 Mar 2020 -- U.N. investigators warn Burundi's coming elections could be compromised by increasing repression of political opponents, economic and social instability and growing criminality. The U.N. Commission of Inquiry on Burundi has submitted its report to the U.N. Human Rights Council.
• Vietnam Copies China Model of Forced Confessions on State TV-Report Radio Free Asia 11 Mar 2020 -- Vietnam is adopting the techniques of fellow Communist state China when it comes to televising forced confessions of human rights advocates and other political prisoners, a Spain-based rights NGO said in a report on Wednesday.
• Cambodia Ranks at Bottom for Rule of Law in East Asia: Report Radio Free Asia 11 Mar 2020 -- Cambodia placed 15th out of 15 countries surveyed in the East Asia and Pacific region for adherence to rule of law, according to a report released on Wednesday by the World Justice Project, which also ranked the autocratic Southeast Asian state near the very bottom of its list of countries examined worldwide.
• The United States Sanctions Two Zimbabwean Officials for Human Rights Abuses US Dept. of State 11 Mar 2020 -- Today, the United States designated Anselem Sanyatwe and Owen Ncube for their role in human rights abuses related to political repression in Zimbabwe.
• Aung San Suu Kyi Speech, Legislative Setback Underscore Dominance of Myanmar Military Radio Free Asia 11 Mar 2020 -- Myanmar's de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi raised eyebrows Wednesday when she visited the scene of a 2003 state-backed massacre of her followers in the central Sagaing region without mentioning the incident or the role of the military junta that ran the country at the time.
• Democracy is sliding away in Myanmar, warns top rights investigator UN News 11 Mar 2020 -- Daily fighting in Myanmar, widespread internet blackouts and reporting restrictions, indicate that the shift to more democratic rule is "sliding away", a senior UN-appointed independent rights investigator said on Wednesday.
• Belarusian PM Optimistic After Talks With Russian Counterpart Over Oil Prices RFE/RL 11 Mar 2020 -- Belarusian Prime Minister Syarhey Rumas says a sharp drop in oil prices has opened room for Minsk to reach an agreement with Moscow over supplies.
• DEA-Led Operation Nets More Than 600 Arrests Targeting Cártel Jalisco Nueva Generación US Dept. of Justice 11 Mar 2020 -- The Justice Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) today announced the results of Project Python, a DEA-led interagency operation encompassing all global investigations and related disruption activities targeting the Cártel de Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG).
• Laos Cancels Public Events Including Lao New Year Celebrations on COVID-19 Fears Radio Free Asia 11 Mar 2020 -- Authorities in Laos are urging the public to suspend or postpone all "unnecessary" social events including weddings and Lao New Year celebrations in an attempt to prevent the spread of COVID-19.