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News Reports

Current Operations

• Defense Officials Express Agreement With President's Warning to Iran DoD News 22 Apr 2020 -- Defense Department officials are in full agreement with President Donald J. Trump's warning to the Iranian regime on Twitter, senior Pentagon officials said today.
• Trump says ordered Navy to destroy Iranian boats 'if they harass' US ships Press TV 22 Apr 2020 -- US President Donald Trump is stepping up his anti-Iran threats by claiming that he has instructed the US Navy to destroy Iranian boats "if they harass" US ships in the Persian Gulf.
• Trump Orders Navy To Destroy Iranian Gunboats That Harass U.S. Ships RFE/RL 22 Apr 2020 -- U.S. President Donald Trump says he has ordered the Navy to attack and destroy any Iranian vessel that harasses U.S. ships after Iranian ships appeared to harass U.S. vessels last week in the Persian Gulf.
• US Navy Has Authorities to Translate Trump's Warning to Iran Into Lethal Action - Pentagon Sputnik 22 Apr 2020 -- US Navy commanders have all the necessary authorities to translate President Donald Trump's warning to Iran into lethal action, Defense Department officials said during a press briefing on Wednesday.
• Trump 'Instructs' Navy to 'Shoot Down, Destroy' Any Iranian Gunboats if They 'Harass' US Ships Sputnik 22 Apr 2020 -- The statement by POTUS comes several months after the two countries were on the verge of open hostilities after a US Air Force strike killed top Iranian general Qasem Soleimani while the latter was visiting Iraq on a diplomatic mission in January 2020.
• US Could Strike Iranian Gunboats if They 'Harass' US Military Ships VOA 22 Apr 2020 -- U.S. President Donald Trump's message to Iran should be "crystal clear," top defense officials said Wednesday, defending the president's latest social media missive to the government in Tehran.
• Afghanistan Releases Another 71 Taliban Prisoners In Step Toward Peace Talks RFE/RL 22 Apr 2020 -- Afghanistan says it has released another 71 Taliban prisoners in a further step toward bringing the two sides together to negotiate a peace settlement.
• Fresh Afghan Fighting Kills Dozens of Combatants VOA 22 Apr 2020 -- Clashes between government forces and Taliban insurgents have killed about 60 combatants on both sides, officials in Afghanistan said Wednesday.
• Deputy Secretary of Defense, Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Provide Update on DOD COVID-19 Efforts DoD 22 Apr 2020 -- David L. Norquist, Deputy Secretary of Defense; Air Force General John E. Hyten, vice chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff
• Maryland National Guard Surgeon General Discusses Maryland COVID-19 Response DoD 22 Apr 2020 -- Maryland National Guard State Surgeon Colonel Dr. Eric Allely
• US Hospital Ship Comfort Can Be Redeployed as New York Has Enough Hospital Capacity - Cuomo Sputnik 22 Apr 2020 -- New York State does not need anymore the additional hospital capacity provided by the US Navy hospital ship Comfort, deployed to the state on orders of President Donald Trump amid the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, and the government may consider redeploying it, Governor Andrew Cuomo said in an interview.
• 3,600 Guardsmen Contribute to New York's COVID-19 Fight DoD News 22 Apr 2020 -- Nearly seven weeks into the COVID-19 pandemic response mission, the New York National Guard had 3,600 troops performing missions ranging from answering public inquiry hotlines to assisting New York City in retrieving the remains of those who have died at home.
• Maryland Guard's Surgeon Details State COVID-19 Assistance DoD News 22 Apr 2020 -- Some 1,400 Maryland National Guard soldiers and airmen are on active duty, and 700 more are on enhanced standby, able to come on active duty within a matter of hours if called upon by the governor, the Maryland Guard's state surgeon said.

Defense Policy / Programs

• US Military Bracing for Pandemic to Resurge VOA 22 Apr 2020 -- U.S. military officials are planning for additional battles against the coronavirus, even after the current pandemic subsides, pointing to evidence that suggests the virus will be cyclical.
• Air Force update for COVID-19 US Air Force 22 Apr 2020
• DOD Starts Tiered COVID-19 Testing Process to Ensure Safety DoD News 22 Apr 2020 -- The Defense Department is moving to a tiered COVID-19 testing program to protect service members and ensure they can continue to do the nation's business, the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said.
• Pentagon Reports 82 New COVID-19 Cases in US Military for Total of 3,578 Sputnik 22 Apr 2020 -- The Department of Defence said in a press release on Wednesday that 82 additional military personnel have contracted the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), bringing the total to 3,578.
• Pentagon Races to Build Guam Hospital for Infected Aircraft Carrier's Crew Sputnik 22 Apr 2020 -- The US Naval Hospital Guam's Expeditionary Medical Support System (EMEDS) facility is expected to expand treatment for sailors of the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt who are infected with the COVID-19 novel coronavirus.
• 3rd Marine Logistics Group Offloads and Stages Lifesaving Field Hospital in Guam USMC News 22 Apr 2020 -- Approximately 120 Marines and Sailors assigned to 3rd Transportation Support Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 3, 3rd Marine Logistics Group offloaded and staged an Expeditionary Medical Facility 150, in support of Commander, Task Force 75, from the vehicle cargo ship USNS Dahl onto Naval Base Guam from April 11-17, 2020.
• Fifth Advanced Weapons Elevator certified aboard USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) NNS 22 Apr 2020 -- Program Executive Office (PEO) Aircraft Carriers announced the certification of a fifth Advanced Weapons Elevator (AWE) aboard USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) this week.
• Eielson AFB welcomes F-35A Lightning II US Air Force 22 Apr 2020 -- It was a historic day for Eielson Air Force Base as the installation received its first two F-35A Lightning II fighter aircraft April 21.
• Coronavirus response: Estonia delivers medical supplies to Spain and Italy NATO 22 Apr 2020 -- As part of continued Allied efforts to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, Estonia has donated medical supplies to Italy and Spain, including 30,000 face masks and 2,000 units of disinfectant manufactured by the local producer Nordic Group OÜ, to each ally.
• Coronavirus response: NATO-procured protective gear arrives in Spain, Norway NATO 22 Apr 2020 -- A vital shipment of protective medical equipment arrived in Spain from Luxemburg on Monday (20 April 2020) as part of NATO's efforts to help curb the spread of the Coronavirus.
• China launches second amphibious assault ship Global Times 22 Apr 2020 -- China on Wednesday launched its second Type 075 amphibious assault ship, only a little more than half a year after the launch of the first one, leading Chinese military experts to say China has mastered mature technologies, prepared related aviation equipment and needs the ships in safeguarding sovereignty and territorial integrity.
• Aircraft carriers, destroyer prepare for Chinese Navy's 71st anniversary Global Times 22 Apr 2020 -- The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy is conducting intensive exercises with its new combat forces including two aircraft carriers and a 10,000 ton-class destroyer, with the Navy preparing to celebrate the 71st anniversary of its founding on Thursday.
• Growing air assault force makes Chinese PLA Army stronger PLA Daily 22 Apr 2020 -- The air assault force is a new-type combat troop of the PLA Army. It emerged in the reform of China's national defense and armed forces several years ago, aiming to accelerate the PLA Army's pace into an era of multi-dimensional warfare. During the past years, the aviation force of the PLA Army has paced up its integration with over 10 branches of ground forces, including the infantry and the artillery forces, with the mode of "combined arms and multi-dimensional assault" being normalized in routine training.
• IRGC comdr hails successful launching of Iran's 1st military satellite IRNA 22 Apr 2020 -- Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Baqeri in a message on Wednesday congratulated successful launching of Noor-1 military satellite in earth orbit.
• Commander lauds IRGC's joining space IRNA 22 Apr 2020 -- The commander of the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) congratulated the successful launch of 'Noor Satellite', and said that today, the IRGC's joining space where the realization of this important goal means that "we can have significant and global success in any field by relying on God Almighty and our inner talents".
• Guards Commander Says Iran's Eye In Sky Makes It 'A World Power' Radio Farda 22 Apr 2020 -- IRGC Commander Hossein Salami says the launch of Iran's first military satellite on Wednesday April 22 marks the "beginning of the formation of a world power."
• Iran's first military satellite put on orbit IRNA 22 Apr 2020 -- The first military satellite of Iran was successfully put on orbit by the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps on Wednesday.
• Iran's 1st satellite successfully put into orbit by IRGC ISNA 22 Apr 2020 -- Iran's first satellite was successfully put on orbit on Wednesday by the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps.
• IRGC shoots Iran's first military satellite into orbit Press TV 22 Apr 2020 -- Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has successfully launched and placed the country's first military satellite into the orbit.
• Iran Revolutionary Guard Says Country's First Military Satellite 'Successfully Placed In Orbit' Radio Farda 22 Apr 2020 -- Iran's Revolutionary Guard on Wednesday said the country's first military satellite has successfully been placed in orbit.
• Iran Claims It 'Successfully' Launched Military Satellite RFE/RL 22 Apr 2020 -- Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said on April 22 that it launched a military satellite into orbit, after months of failed attempts.
• Iran Says It Put Military Satellite Into Orbit VOA 22 Apr 2020 -- Iran's Revolutionary Guard said Wednesday it successfully launched the country's first military satellite into orbit.
• Rear admiral fails to report all fever cases on COVID-19-infected ship CNA 22 Apr 2020 -- The former commander of a Navy flotilla on which a cluster of COVID-19 coronavirus infections has occurred admitted to lawmakers on Wednesday that he did not report back to his superiors all the fever cases aboard his ships during their month-long cruise as required.
• Tsai apologizes for COVID-19 cluster infection on naval ship CNA 22 Apr 2020 -- Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) on Wednesday apologized for the handling of a COVID-19 cluster on board a naval ship which has so far left 28 people infected with the virus, saying that as commander-in-chief, she holds ultimate responsibility for the military.
• Secretary Michael R. Pompeo at a Press Availability US Dept. of State 22 Apr 2020

Defense Industry

• Contracts For April 22, 2020

Other Conflicts

• 22 April 2020 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 22 Apr 2020
• Philippines Files Diplomatic Protests against Beijing's Moves in South China Sea Radio Free Asia 22 Apr 2020 -- The Philippines filed two diplomatic protests against Beijing on Wednesday, saying it violated international law through recent actions in the South China Sea, including by declaring parts of the disputed waters as Chinese districts, according to Manila's top envoy.
• US 'Strongly Opposes China's Bullying' in the South China Sea VOA 22 Apr 2020 -- The United States is accusing China of taking advantage of the COVID-19 outbreak and increasing its military activities near Taiwan and in the South China Sea.
• U.S. Navy, Royal Australian Navy Team Up in South China Sea NNS 22 Apr 2020 -- The U.S. Navy and Royal Australian Navy came together for operations in the South China Sea starting April 13.
• Australian frigate joins US fleet in South China Sea Press TV 22 Apr 2020 -- An Australian frigate has joined three US warships in the disputed South China Sea near an area where a Chinese vessel has been based, raising concerns over an escalation of tensions.
• Beijing Stakes Out Sovereignty Claims in Contested South China Sea Sputnik 22 Apr 2020 -- Beijing has issued a proclamation of sovereignty over dozens of geographical features in the disputed South China Sea, just weeks after Vietnam protested China's right to do so.
• FMs of Iran, Russia, Turkey stress consultations within Astana process as best solution to Syria crisis Press TV 22 Apr 2020 -- The Iranian, Turkish and Russian foreign ministers have emphasized the need to continue consultations and coordination among the three guarantors of the Astana process as the most effective format for the settlement of the crisis in Syria.
• Four Suspected Terrorists Killed in Fierce Gun Battle With Indian Security Forces in Kashmir Sputnik 22 Apr 2020 -- The Indian government says that the number of terrorist attacks has decreased since Jammu and Kashmir's special status was revoked in August 2019. However, recent incidents suggest that terrorist groups have intensified their activities ahead of summer in the valley.
• German Cabinet Agrees Plan to Deploy Up to 300 Troops to Uphold Arms Embargo on Libya Sputnik 22 Apr 2020 -- The German cabinet agreed on Wednesday to send up to 300 troops to patrol the waters off the coast of Libya as part of the new EU mission to stop arms smuggling, the government spokesman said.
• Militants massacre 52 villagers in northern Mozambique Press TV 22 Apr 2020 -- Militants have killed 52 villagers in northern Mozambique who refused to be recruited to their ranks.
• Greece, Cyprus Lash Out at Turkey for 'Illegal' Drilling in Eastern Mediterranean VOA 22 Apr 2020 -- Turkey has been flying F-16 fighter jets over the Libyan coast as it steps up its intervention in the country's civil war. It also has sent a vessel to drill for oil off the coast of Cyprus, angering the island republic and its sister state, Greece. The two EU members states have placed their militaries on alert for fear of what they call further provocations from Turkey as the government of Recep Tayyip Erdogan faces trouble back home.
• Trawlers Carrying 500 Rohingya Spotted off Bangladesh Coast Radio Free Asia 22 Apr 2020 -- Fishing boats carrying hundreds of Rohingya refugees were spotted off southeastern Bangladesh and sailing toward its coast, a local border-police commander said Wednesday, as Amnesty International called on the South Asian nation to take them in.
• Rakhine Villager Shot at Checkpoint in Latest of Myanmar Civilian Killings Radio Free Asia 22 Apr 2020 -- Myanmar Army soldiers gunned down a villager as he returned home from fishing in war-ravaged Rakhine state, the latest in a series of civilian killings, with troops saying the man failed to follow instructions at a security checkpoint, the victim's father said Wednesday.
• Cameroon Admits Military Massacred Civilians VOA 22 Apr 2020 -- Cameroon's President Paul Biya acknowledged that soldiers killed three women and 10 children in a February massacre that they then tried to cover up by torching houses and blaming rebels.

News Reports

• 'The Government Knows Where You Live': Russia's Journalists Walk A Dangerous Tightrope Covering COVID-19 Pandemic RFE/RL 22 Apr 2020 -- The Novosibirsk-based news website Taiga.info recently published an interview with a woman who told the independent outlet that she called an ambulance after experiencing severe flu-like symptoms that she feared could be COVID-19. The paramedics who showed up had no gloves, masks, or other personal protective equipment (PPE), she said.
• With Little Government Support, Some Russians Under Lockdown Are Resorting To Protest -- Both Online And Offline RFE/RL 22 Apr 2020 -- An opera singer spent weeks encouraging residents of Vladikavkaz, the capital of Russia's North Ossetia region, to protest against a lockdown imposed by the authorities in connection with the coronavirus pandemic.
• EU Monitors See Coordinated COVID-19 Disinformation Effort By Iran, Russia, China RFE/RL 22 Apr 2020 -- EU monitors have identified a "trilateral convergence of disinformation narratives" being promoted by China, Iran, and Russia on the coronavirus pandemic and say they are being "multiplied" in a coordinated manner, according to an internal document seen by RFE/RL.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Geng Shuang's Regular Press Conference on April 22, 2020 PRC MofA 22 Apr 2020
• Unity and cooperation are the international community's most potent weapon to overcome the pandemic People's Daily 22 Apr 2020
• U.S. should stop playing political games under excuse of COVID-19 People's Daily 22 Apr 2020 -- Some American politicians just played their same old trick again, making irresponsible remarks on multiple occasions that the novel coronavirus originated from China's Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV). They declared, in a high-sounding manner, to make an investigation, and such ridiculous remarks were even hyped by Fox News.
• China Dismisses Missouri Lawsuit as 'Absurd' VOA 22 Apr 2020 -- China's Foreign Ministry Wednesday rejected a lawsuit filed by the U.S. state of Missouri claiming the nation is responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic.
• HK govt reshuffle for better governance, recovery Global Times 22 Apr 2020 -- China's State Council on Wednesday announced the appointment and removal of several key officials of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government, and the chief executive of the HKSAR stressed that the reshuffle aims to push the economic recovery.
• Central gov't firmly supports HK police arrest of 15 criminal suspects: spokesperson People's Daily 22 Apr 2020 -- A central government spokesperson on Tuesday expressed firm support for the arrest of 15 criminal suspects including Jimmy Lai Chee-ying and Martin Lee Chu-ming by Hong Kong police.
• Central gov't has authority to maintain constitutional order in Hong Kong: spokesperson People's Daily 22 Apr 2020 -- The central government has the authority and responsibility to safeguard constitutional order in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), a spokesperson said Tuesday.
• Hong Kong reshuffles cabinet to revive economy hit by pandemic Press TV 22 Apr 2020 -- Hong Kong has appointed five new principal officials as part of one of its biggest cabinet reshuffles in years in a declared attempt to revive its economy hit by the new coronavirus pandemic.
• China Confirms Hong Kong Reshuffle in High-Profile Announcement Radio Free Asia 22 Apr 2020 -- China on Wednesday confirmed reports of a reshuffle of several key officials in Hong Kong, following reports that the ruling Chinese Communist Party is taking a more direct role in the running of the once-autonomous city.
• Hong Kong Leader Overhauls Cabinet VOA 22 Apr 2020 -- A key member of Hong Kong's Cabinet has been reassigned under a major reshuffling unveiled Wednesday.
• China to announce name of its first Mars exploration mission PLA Daily 22 Apr 2020 -- The name and logo of China's first Mars exploration mission will be made public on the Space Day of China, which will fall on April 24, according to the China National Space Administration (CNSA).
• Kim Jong-un's Sis: Meet Lady Who's Reportedly Been Prepared Since 2019 to Take Over as DPRK Leader Sputnik 22 Apr 2020 -- Kim Jong-un's younger sister, who is currently first vice-department director of the ruling Workers' Party is believed to have been slowly but surely ascending through the party ranks for the past few years, and has recently been seen by her brother's side at key political gatherings.
• US rejected EU call to allow economic aid to Iran to fight COVID-19: Top EU diplomat Press TV 22 Apr 2020 -- The European Union has censured the United States for refusing to ease sanctions on the Islamic Republic and blocking an International Monetary Fund (IMF) loan to Iran to help it fight the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Vaezi: US sanctions go in parallel with COVID19 IRNA 22 Apr 2020 -- Head of Presidential Office Mahmoud Vaezi said on Wedbesday that US unlawful sanctions on Iran go in parallel with coronavirus, causing human tragedy.
• US should help own coronavirus-hit forces instead of threatening Iran: IRGC commander Press TV 22 Apr 2020 -- The US government should focus on saving its own coronavirus-hit forces instead of threatening countries like Iran, says the spokesman for the Iranian Armed Forces Brigadier General Abolfazl Shekarchi.
• Iranian Petroleum Minister Calls for Additional Measures to Stabilise Oil Market Sputnik 22 Apr 2020 -- Iranian Petroleum Minister Bijan Zangeneh called on Wednesday for additional measures for stabilizing the oil market, qualifying the current situation as unprecedented.
• Court in Cambodia Charges Former Opposition Official With 'Incitement Against the King' Radio Free Asia 22 Apr 2020 -- A court in Cambodia on Wednesday charged a former official of Cambodia's banned opposition party with inciting the public against King Norodom Sihamoni, days after police arrested him over what they claimed was a "debt to a microfinance institution."
• COVID 19 Concerns Were Behind Israel Power-Sharing Deal VOA 22 Apr 2020 -- After three elections and more than a year, Israel has a new unity government in an emergency power-sharing deal reached this week between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his rival, Benny Gantz. But there is concern the new leadership may not be able govern because of internal differences.
• Chernobyl forest fire still smoldering as nearly 1,400 rescuers work at site People's Daily 22 Apr 2020 -- A total of 1343 rescuers and 299 vehicles are still working on putting out the smoldering remaining at the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, the State Emergency Service of Ukraine (SESU) stated on its official website on Tuesday.
• Ukraine Offers Saakashvili Post Of Deputy Prime Minister RFE/RL 22 Apr 2020 -- Ukraine's government has offered former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili the post of deputy prime minister to supervise reforms.
• Ethiopia Ends Blanket Protection for Eritrean Refugees VOA 22 Apr 2020 -- Ethiopia has stopped granting automatic asylum to Eritreans entering the country. The United Nations and aid groups say the previously unannounced policy change, which went into place about three months ago, put Eritreans trying to flee the country at the mercy of unscrupulous human smugglers.
• Tajik Father Stunned By Son's Arrest In Germany On Terror Charges RFE/RL 22 Apr 2020 -- Vali Karimov, a taxi driver from the southern Tajik district of Muminobod, thought his son was living a respectable life in Germany with a wife he met there and the two children they've had together.
• South Sudan Urged to Free More Prisoners Over Virus Fears VOA 22 Apr 2020 -- With the threat of the coronavirus infecting thousands of prisoners held in extremely overcrowded South Sudanese facilities, Human Rights Watch (HRW) is urging the country's prison authorities to release pretrial detainees and prisoners who have served most of their terms.
• Vietnam Using Mask Diplomacy to Fortify Foreign Relations VOA 22 Apr 2020 -- Vietnam's shops and restaurants are closed to stop the spread of the deadly COVID-19 respiratory disease. Factory work is slowing because of weak demand in other parts of the world that are under their own shutdowns.