Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
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News Reports

Current Operations

• US beefs up security around Baghdad embassy amid Washington's plans to target PMU: Iraqi MP Press TV 28 Mar 2020 -- A senior Iraqi lawmaker says the United States has tightened security around its embassy in the capital Baghdad, emphasizing that any attack against the positions of the Popular Mobilization Units (PMU), better known by the Arabic name Hashd al-Sha'abi, as well as affiliated field commanders will not go unanswered.
• US DoD Orders Preparation of 'Destruction' Campaign Against 'Iranian-Backed Groups' in Iraq - Report Sputnik 28 Mar 2020 -- Amid the coronavirus pandemic, it was reported earlier that the US army may suspend military training and impose 'restrictions of the highest level' on overseas missions.
• Taliban Takes District Headquarters, Says It Will Not Negotiate With Afghan Government Team RFE/RL 28 Mar 2020 -- Taliban forces have taken control of a district headquarters in Afghanistan's northeastern province of Badakhshan, an overnight development that was followed on March 28 by an announcement that the militant group will not negotiate with a team recently unveiled by the Afghan government.
• Afghan Security Council Warns Any Propaganda Could Sabotage Prisoner Swap Process Sputnik 28 Mar 2020 -- Any propaganda, including on the part of the Taliban movement that refused to agree on a ceasefire and increased violence against Afghans, could hinder the process of prisoners exchange in Afghanistan, Javid Faisal, the spokesman for the National Security Council, said on Saturday.
• Experts: $1 Billion Cut in US Aid to Afghanistan Will Have Serious Implications VOA 28 Mar 2020 -- While the government of President Ashraf Ghani downplays the repercussions of a potential $1 billion cut in U.S. aid to Afghanistan, ordinary Afghans and experts warn the country is not in a position to withstand such a financial blow as it struggles with ongoing political instability that threatens the country's peace process and growing fears of a COVID-19 outbreak.
• Federal Government of Somalia, AFRICOM target al-Shabaab AFRICOM 28 Mar 2020 -- In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted an airstrike targeting al-Shabaab terrorists in the vicinity of Buulo Fuulay, Somalia, Mar. 27.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Trump, Esper Send Off USNS Comfort to Join New York's COVID-19 Fight DoD News 28 Mar 2020 -- The United States is at war with an invisible enemy in the coronavirus, President Donald J. Trump said from the dock at Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia, where he and Defense Secretary Dr. Mark T. Esper saw off the Navy hospital ship USNS Comfort as it left for New York City to join the response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Department of Defense Statement on the use of National Guard Forces Under Title 32 Section 502(f) DoD 28 Mar 2020 -- "On Friday, Secretary Esper modified and accelerated the process for how the Department of Defense authorizes the use of National Guard forces under Title 32 Section 502(f)."
• Partnering With the U.S. Defense Industrial Base to Combat COVID-19 DoD 28 Mar 2020 -- "The Department continues to aggressively partner with the defense industry to mitigate impacts from the COVID-19 national emergency."
• Pentagon says it is alarmed by coronavirus trend in several US states Press TV 28 Mar 2020 -- Top American military generals say the US Defense Department is monitoring coronavirus infection trends in several cities and states with concern and considering where to deploy troops, as the sum of known US infections climbed well past 100,000, with more than 1,600 dead.
• Coronavirus response: second C-17 cargo plane arrives in Romania with 100,000 protective suits NATO 28 Mar 2020 -- A military plane filled with 45 tons of medical supplies landed at Bucharest airport on Saturday morning (28 March 2020). The C-17 Globemaster cargo plane, which arrived from the Republic of Korea, carried 100,000 protective suits as part of efforts to combat the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. The protective suits were purchased by the Romanian government as part of the efforts to combat COVID-19.
• N. Korea Has Record Month for Missile Launches, With Global Focus on Coronavirus VOA 28 Mar 2020 -- North Korea has conducted another missile test, sending a fresh signal it will not stop developing weapons even amid a coronavirus pandemic.
• Iran to enhance explosive power of missile warheads: Defense minister Press TV 28 Mar 2020 -- Defense Minister Brigadier General Amir Hatami says Iran is planning to increase the explosive power of its missile warheads and boost their speed.
• UN Postpones Five-Year Review Of Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty Due To Coronavirus RFE/RL 28 Mar 2020 -- The United Nations has announced that a conference to review the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty has been postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Defense Industry

Other Conflicts

• Ballistic missile, rocket intercepted over Riyadh, Jazan: Reports Press TV 28 Mar 2020 -- At least one ballistic missile and a rocket have been intercepted in the sky above the Saudi capital Riyadh and the southern city of Jazan, Saudi state media report.
• Yemeni ports suffer losses of over $800mln due to Saudi-led aggression, naval blockade: Official Press TV 28 Mar 2020 -- A high-ranking Yemeni maritime official has warned about the serious repercussions of the ongoing Saudi-led military campaign and naval blockade against the impoverished Arab country, saying the measures have led to a substantial drop in the number of container vessels docking at Yemen's ports along the strategic Red Sea.
• US to send equipment to terrorists in Syrian refugee camp under guise of medical aid: Report Press TV 28 Mar 2020 -- The United States plans to transport equipment to terrorists in a refugee camp in war-ravaged Syria under the guise of providing refugees with medical and humanitarian aid, Syrian and Russian officials warn.

News Reports

• Rosneft Sells Assets In Venezuela To Russian State Company RFE/RL 28 Mar 2020 -- Russia's largest oil producer, Rosneft, has announced that it is halting operations in Venezuela and selling its assets there to a company fully owned by the Russian government.
• No force can block China's reunification: mainland spokesperson Global Times 28 Mar 2020 -- A Chinese mainland spokesperson has voiced firm opposition to the signing of the so-called "2019 Taipei Act" into law by the United States, saying China's national reunification and rejuvenation will not be stopped by any force.
• China's top legislature firmly opposes U.S. signing Taiwan-related act into law People's Daily 28 Mar 2020 -- China's top legislature on Friday expressed strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition after the United States signed the so-called "Taiwan Allies International Protection and Enhancement Initiative (TAIPEI) Act of 2019" into law.
• White House signing 'Taipei act' could alienate US, China farther away Global Times 28 Mar 2020 -- US President Donald Trump signing the "Taipei Act" into law and hours later communicating with China over containing the COVID-19 pandemic are deemed not contradictory, Chinese analysts say.
• US stirs up instability by signing 'Taipei Act' despite COVID-19 pandemic Global Times 28 Mar 2020 -- US President Donald Trump's signing of the "Taipei Act," which is only a piece of paper that costs nothing for the US but may fool Taiwan island, into law on Thursday amid a global fight against the COVID-19 pandemic shows that the US is only acting to serve its own interests at the expense of damaging China-US ties to provoke instability in the region and its "Taiwan card" will only be counterproductive, experts claimed.
• Congressman Raises Concerns Over Trump Administration Tactics on Kosovo VOA 28 Mar 2020 -- A prominent member of the U.S. House of Representatives on Friday issued a highly critical statement on U.S. policy toward Kosovo.