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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• Taliban Militants Kill Five Afghan Bank Employees, Police Say RFE/RL 10 Apr 2020 -- Five employees of a state-owned bank have been killed by Taliban militants in the western Afghan province of Herat, police officials said on April 10.
• Somali, U.S. forces engage insurgents in support of the Federal Government of Somalia AFRICOM 10 Apr 2020 -- (updated April 13: April 10 airstrike location updated)
• 'Mistakes Were Made': US' $100 Million Niger Air Base May Have Violated Law - IG Report Sputnik 10 Apr 2020 -- The US Department of Defense Investigator General's (IG) latest report highlights the US Air Force may have broken laws, bypassed Congress and put service members in danger while rushing to construct a $100 million Nigerien Air Base.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Military Health System Press Briefing on Unified Response to Coronavirus DoD 10 Apr 2020 -- Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs Tom McCaffery; Surgeon General of the Army Lieutenant General R. Scott Dingle; Surgeon General of the Navy Rear Admiral Bruce L. Gillingham; Surgeon General of the Air Force Lieutenant General Dorothy A. Hogg; Lieutenant General Ronald J. Place, director, Defense Health Agency; Dr. Richard Thomas, president, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
• Air Force Lt. Gen. Webb Press Briefing on Protecting Air Force Training Pipelines DoD 10 Apr 2020 -- Lieutenant General Marshall B. Webb, commander, Air Education and Training Command
• US Air Force Wants to Refit Lancer Bombers to Carry 31 Hypersonic Missiles Each Sputnik 10 Apr 2020 -- The US Air Force plans on culling nearly one-third of its B-1B Lancer bomber fleet, but it wants to refurbish and repurpose the remaining aircraft to serve as long-range missile platforms. The modifications could enable the jets to carry up to 31 hypersonic weapons, or even more missiles when mixed with other types.
• Air Force update for COVID-19 US Air Force 10 Apr 2020
• Pentagon Chief Says Reinstating Coronavirus-Ridden Warship's Commander Not 'Off the Table' Sputnik 10 Apr 2020 -- Captain Brett Crozier, commander of the USS Theodore Roosevelt, was relieved of his command last week after penning an 'inappropriate' open letter to Navy officials requesting urgent help for his men in addressing an outbreak of COVID-19 on his ship. The fallout from the fiasco prompted at least one senior Navy official to resign.
• US Warships Struggle over COVID-19 as China Holds Naval Drills in the Pacific, According to US Media Sputnik 10 Apr 2020 -- As the US has currently logged more COVID-19 cases than any other country, China has ceased reporting new instances of the disease, lifting the 76-day lockdown of its city of Wuhan, which was once the epicenter of the pandemic.
• NATO BG-P completes EIB and ESB Army News 10 Apr 2020 -- Multinational Soldiers, deployed in support of the NATO enhanced Forward Presence Battle Group-Poland initiative, earned the U.S. Army's Expert Infantryman Badge and U.S. Army Europe's Expert Soldier Badge in Bemowo Piskie, Poland, between March 23, 2020 and April 3, 2020. Notably, this served as the first ESB training and testing in U.S. Army Europe.
• Precautions Protect Air Force Trainees From COVID-19 DoD News 10 Apr 2020 -- The Air Force is taking a proactive approach to reduce the risk of trainees contracting COVID-19, a top Air Force general said.
• 3rd Marine Logistics Group Supports USS Theodore Roosevelt NNS 10 Apr 2020 -- A team of medical professionals assigned to 3rd Medical Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force deployed to Guam in order to augment the COVID-19 response efforts by USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71).
• NAVFAC Marianas Awards $1.9 Million to Guam-Based Small Business for Environmental Services NNS 10 Apr 2020 -- Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Marianas awarded a contract with a maximum amount of $25 million to Landscape Management Systems, Inc., a Guam-based small business, for environmental services at Joint Region Marianas (JRM).
• US Air Force to Upgrade U-2 Spy Plane for Future Battles - Lockheed Martin Sputnik 10 Apr 2020 -- The US Air Force has awarded a $50 million contract to upgrade the U-2 spy plane, which first flew 65 years ago, Lockheed Martins said in a press release on Friday.
• U.S., Chinese military aircraft fly near Taiwan's airspace CNA 10 Apr 2020 -- A United States military reconnaissance aircraft was reported flying near Taiwan's southern airspace Friday, the same day the Ministry of National Defense (MND) confirmed Chinese warplanes were monitored southwest of the country.
• Chinese PLA holds 'regular' drills near Taiwan in preparation for military struggle: experts Global Times 10 Apr 2020-- The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) reportedly held military drills featuring warplanes near the island of Taiwan on Friday, and such drills, having taken place at least four times since the traditional Spring Festival holiday in January, have become regular and are now a part of military struggle preparations against the island, mainland experts said on Friday.
• NATO helps expedite delivery of COVID-19 supplies between Allies. NATO 10 Apr 2020 -- SHAPE, Belgium -- NATO's Rapid Air Mobility initiative facilitated the delivery of essential equipment between Allies, in support of COVID-19 relief efforts, April 10, 2020.
• Coronavirus response: Czech Republic delivers assistance to North Macedonia NATO 10 Apr 2020 -- Today (10 April 2020), a military transport aircraft CASA of the Czech Army transported 1,000,000 masks to North Macedonia, in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.
• Coronavirus response: airlift brings urgent medical supplies to Poland NATO 10 Apr 2020 -- An AN-124 cargo plane carrying several tons of urgent medical supplies from China, including 190,000 masks and 180,000 protective suits, landed in Wrocław, Poland on Thursday (9 April 2020) to help the country's fight against COVID-19.
• China-made VT-4 MBT delivered to Nigeria PLA Daily 10 Apr 2020 -- The first batch of 17 military vehicles consisting of VT-4 main battle tanks (MBT), ST-1 wheeled tank destroyer and two types of self-propelled howitzers bought by the Nigerian Army (NA) from the China North Industries Corporation (NORINCO) arrived at the Apapa Ports on April 8, 2020. The NA made this emergency purchase to strike Boko Haram Terrorists (BHTs) in northern Nigeria.
• 50 test positive for COVID-19 aboard French aircraft carrier Press TV 10 Apr 2020 -- France's armed forces ministry has announced that 50 coronavirus cases have been recorded among the crew of the country's sole aircraft carrier, the Charles de Gaulle.
• Fifty COVID-19 Cases Confirmed on Board France's Charles de Gaulle Aircraft Carrier Sputnik 10 Apr 2020 -- This comes as France's death toll from the new coronavirus infection has exceeded 12,000, according to the country's health ministry.
• The Netherlands - Excalibur Projectiles DSCA 10 Apr 2020 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of the Netherlands of one hundred ninety-nine (199) Excalibur Increment IB M982Al tactical projectiles and related equipment for an estimated cost of $40.55 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.
• Korea - F-35 Follow-On Support DSCA 10 Apr 2020 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Republic of Korea for follow-on support and services for its F-35 aircraft, engines, weapons and related equipment for an estimated cost of $675 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.
• Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un Guides Drill of Mortar Sub-Units of KPA Corps KCNA 10 Apr 2020 -- A drill of mortar sub-units of corps of the Korean People's Army (KPA) took place at a stirring time when the hot wind of revolution in training sweeps across the KPA and the flame of modernizing weapons and equipment rises higher to increase the combat efficiency of the KPA under the far-reaching plan and energetic leadership of the Workers' Party of Korea to further fortify the country's defense capabilities. The drill was held also at a time when the unprecedented proud achievements are being made successively in developing the national defense capabilities.

Defense Industry

• Contracts For April 10, 2020

Other Conflicts

• COVID-19 threatening global peace and security, UN chief warns UN News 10 Apr 2020 -- While the COVID-19 pandemic is first and foremost a health crisis, its implications are more far-reaching and could threaten global peace and security, the UN Secretary-General told members of the Security Council in a closed video-conference held on Thursday.
• War-torn Yemen reports first new coronavirus case amid poor medical sector Press TV 10 Apr 2020 -- Yemen has reported its first case of infection with the novel coronavirus in a southern province under the control of Saudi-sponsored militiamen loyal to the country's former President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi.
• Yemen Reports First Coronavirus Case VOA 10 Apr 2020 -- Yemen confirmed its first coronavirus case Friday, in the southern oil-rich region of Hadhramout.
• Syrian army repels Daesh offensive to overrun town in Homs Press TV 10 Apr 2020 -- Syrian forces have thwarted a major attack by Daesh terrorists against the central province of Homs, killing some 22 of the terrorists in fierce clashes.
• Iraqi forces launch second phase of operation along border with Jordan, Saudi Arabia Press TV 10 Apr 2020 -- Iraqi army troops and fighters from the Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) have launched the second phase of a major military operation to purge the westernmost part of Anbar province along the border with Jordan and Saudi Arabia of the remnants of the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group.
• 1,000 Boko Haram Fighters Killed in Raid, Chad Army Reports VOA 10 Apr 2020 -- Chadian army officials report military forces have killed about 1,000 Boko Haram extremists in an operation on the islands of Lake Chad.
• Burkina Faso on Brink of Humanitarian Disaster VOA 10 Apr 2020 -- The U.N. refugee agency warns Burkina Faso is on the brink of a humanitarian disaster because of growing instability and a chronic shortage of resources.
• India Releases Video of 'Retaliation' to Pakistan's Ceasefire Violation in Kashmir Sputnik 10 Apr 2020 -- Last week, five Indian army soldiers died and five Pakistani militants were killed following an exchange of fire in Jammu and Kashmir's border area. After the gunfight, Indian authorities suspended internet services in the area.

News Reports

• The Week In Russia: Putin, Pechenegs, And Pneumonia RFE/RL 10 Apr 2020 -- President Vladimir Putin reaches back more than a millennium to find an analogy for Russia's fight against COVID-19, unleashing a mass of mocking memes. And, as recorded infections rise fast and Putin seeks to signal control over the country's coronavirus response, fresh signs that the official numbers are an undercount emerge.
• Meeting on rocket and space sector development President of Russia 10 Apr 2020 -- The President held a videoconference meeting on the rocket and space industry's development.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian's Regular Press Conference on April 10, 2020 PRC MofA 10 Apr 2020
• China Pushes Economic Recovery to Meet CPC Goals Radio Free Asia 10 Apr 2020 -- As the peak of the COVID-19 epidemic passes in China, there are signs that pre-crisis Communist Party goals are playing a part in the push to get back to work.
• Wuhan Lockdown Diary Author Says She is Being Abused by China's 'Extreme Left' Radio Free Asia 10 Apr 2020 -- An author who is due to publish her diary of her time under coronavirus lockdown in the central Chinese city of Wuhan has been subjected to widespread online abuse and criticism from key media figures.
• Chinese Lawyer Withdraws Appeal Against Disciplinary Sanction Radio Free Asia 10 Apr 2020 -- A lawyer in the central Chinese province of Henan who was disciplined for writing on social media about the number of dead bodies being cremated in the central city of Wuhan has abandoned her appeal against the sanction.
• HK anti-mask ruled as 'constitutional' reveals practical judicial thinking: experts Global Times 10 Apr 2020-- A Hong Kong appeals court on Thursday overturned part of an earlier ruling that found the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government's ban on wearing masks at unauthorized protests "unconstitutional," declaring the measure imposed during the turmoil last year valid, with observers noting that this is a "demonstration of justice" and will help the HKSAR government quell the turmoil eventually.
• Taiwan Finds Fake Twitter Accounts Tweeting Apologies From 'Taiwanese' to WHO Chief Radio Free Asia 10 Apr 2020 -- Investigators in Taiwan say they have found a number of fake Twitter accounts linked to China posting fake apologies to World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who has accused the democratic island of involvement in a series of personal and racist attacks against him.
• Chinese netizens pose as Taiwanese to 'apologize' to WHO chief CNA 10 Apr 2020 -- Taiwan's Ministry of Justice Investigation Bureau said Friday that Chinese posing online as Taiwanese are behind an online campaign to apologize to World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who on Wednesday accused Taiwan of involvement in a series of personal attacks against him.
• US politically motivated to criticize WHO ignoring Taiwan: Chinese FM Global Times 10 Apr 2020-- The US State Department's claim that the US is "deeply disturbed Taiwan's information was withheld from the global health community" is not fact and is politically motivated to shift focus and blame, which does nothing to ease the COVID-19 outbreak in the US and only undermines its credibility, Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Friday.
• DPP cannot contain COVID-19 in Taiwan by slandering mainland: spokesperson Global Times 10 Apr 2020-- The Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council on Friday denounced Taiwan's separatist Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) for attacking and slandering the Chinese mainland and Taiwan firms and compatriots in the mainland instead of focusing on its burning issues: containing the spread of COVID-19 in the island and tackling local people's practical needs.
• Chinese mainland condemns Taiwan for racist attack aimed at WHO leader Global Times 10 Apr 2020-- Chinese mainland condemned Taiwan's separatist Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) for making racist comments online against the World Health Organization's (WHO) director-general. The Taiwan party was also accused of using COVID-19 as a political trick to undermine the one-China principle and join the WHO, which is doomed to fail, according to a spokesperson with the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council.
• Chinese mainland condemns DPP's "malicious" verbal attacks on WHO People's Daily 10 Apr 2020 -- A Chinese mainland spokesperson Thursday strongly condemned the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authority in Taiwan for its "malicious" verbal attacks on the World Health Organization (WHO) and its director-general.
• China slams Taiwan 'venomous' attack on WHO as US takes side with Taipei in coronavirus row Press TV 10 Apr 2020 -- China and the United State have clashed again over Taiwan as Beijing joined the World Health Organization (WHO) in a row over the coronavirus outbreak, but Washington took sides with the self-ruled island.
• Chinese mainland suspends allowing students to pursue higher education in Taiwan People's Daily 10 Apr 2020 -- The Chinese mainland has decided to suspend allowing graduates at schools of all levels to further their study in Taiwan in 2020, the Ministry of Education (MOE) said Thursday.
• China condemns personal attacks against WHO Director-General People's Daily 10 Apr 2020 -- A spokesperson for Chinese Foreign Ministry said Thursday that China strongly condemns personal attacks and racist words and deeds against WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
• South Korea wins US approval for humanitarian trade with Iran: Report Press TV 10 Apr 2020 -- South Korean officials say authorities have received a special permit from the United States to resume humanitarian trade with Iran amid claims of support for the Islamic Republic in its fight against the new coronavirus pandemic.
• South Korea Cuts Deal With US to Resume Deliveries of Humanitarian Exports to Iran – Reports Sputnik 10 Apr 2020 -- Tehran has repeatedly called on Washington to abandon its "illegal" sanctions against the Islamic Republic, especially amid the COVID-19 pandemic, accusing America of threatening the lives and wellbeing of millions of Iranians.
• Security Companies in South Korea Discover North Korean Cyberattack Radio Free Asia 10 Apr 2020 -- Private security companies in South Korea Friday detected evidence that North Korea attempted to hack into the personal computers of select targets, a spear-phishing effort using documents appearing to be related to former North Korean citizens running for South Korea's April 15 legislative election, RFA has learned.
• New Ebola case confirmed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo WHO 10 Apr 2020
• 3 Proton-M Rockets Sent Back to Manufacturer Over Quality Control Issues – Space Industry Source Sputnik 10 Apr 2020 -- Russian space agency Roscosmos recently introduced more stringent quality control measures in a bid to reduce the amount of defective components and equipment in both the commercial and state space sector orders.
• Iraq's national sovereignty is my red line: PM-designate Press TV 10 Apr 2020 -- The newly-designated prime minister has said that the success of Iraq's international relations will be based on "respect and cooperation."
• 22 states agree to cut production by 10 million oil bpd, Iran's minister says ISNA 10 Apr 2020 -- Iran's Petroleum Minister Bijan Zangeneh said on Friday that OPEC and non-OPEC members reached an agreement to cut the production by 10 million oil barrels per day.
• Trumps says Russia and Saudi Arabia close to deal on reduction of oil production People's Daily 10 Apr 2020 -- U.S. President Donald Trump said Thursday that he believes Russia and Saudi Arabia are close to a deal to cut oil production amid rock-bottom prices, following talks he held with the two nations' leaders.
• Saudi Arabia, Russia, U.S. assert cooperation for stability of energy markets People's Daily 10 Apr 2020 -- Saudi Arabia, the United States and Russia have asserted cooperation for the stability of energy markets, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Friday.
• Oil Producers In OPEC+ Group Outline Plan To Cut Output, Expect U.S. To Join RFE/RL 10 Apr 2020 -- Representatives of OPEC, Russia, and other oil-producing countries have outlined a plan to cut production, a move meant to stabilize the global oil market shaken by the coronavirus pandemic.
• Custodian of Two Holy Mosques, US President, Russian President Review Exerted Efforts in Light of OPEC+ Meeting and Importance of Joint Cooperation to Maintain Stability of Energy Markets Via Joint Phone Call SPA 10 Apr 2020 -- A joint phone call has been made among the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, President Donald Trump of the United States of America and President Vladimir Putin of the Russian Federation.
• Saudi Arabia says final accord on oil production depends on Mexico Press TV 10 Apr 2020 -- Major oil producers have reached a partial agreement on the reduction of their production to prop up prices hammered by the coronavirus pandemic but Saudi Arabia says the final accord depends on Mexico's consent to go along with the proposed cuts.
• UK Cabinet Wound Up Without Leadership Vacuum Plan as Boris Johnson is Fighting Coronavirus – Report Sputnik 10 Apr 2020 -- Britain's prime minister spent three days in intensive care, with Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab officially deputising for him while the government was due to make a crucial decision on whether to lift the crippling national lockdown.
• Bulgaria Rushes To Join Eurozone To Tap Coronavirus Funds RFE/RL 10 Apr 2020 -- Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov says his country plans speed up its efforts to join the eurozone and apply for membership by the end of April to help the Balkan country recover from the coronavirus pandemic.
• Cambodia Approves Law on State of Emergency Despite Warnings From Rights Groups Radio Free Asia 10 Apr 2020 -- Cambodia's National Assembly approved legislation on Friday authorizing a state of emergency to contain the spread of the coronavirus despite widespread concerns that it would give unchecked power to Prime Minister Hun Sen, who has rolled back democratic freedoms in the country.