Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• Iraq Doesn't Want Quick Withdrawal of US Troops, US General Claims Sputnik 19 Jun 2020 -- At the beginning of the year the Iraqi parliament voted in favour of a plan that would end the US military presence in the country. The vote came in response to the killing of top Iranian general Qasem Soleimani in a US drone strike in the capital Baghdad. The move received harsh condemnation from the international community.
• US reaches troops reduction target of 8,600 in Afghanistan: US general Global Times 19 Jun 2020 -- The United States has reduced its troops level to 8,600 in Afghanistan, fulfilling its first phased pullout obligation under the US-Taliban deal, a US general said on Thursday.
• Western states back Kabul's refusal to free dangerous Taliban prisoners: Report Press TV 19 Jun 2020 -- Western countries back the Afghan government's refusal of a demand by the Taliban militant group to release those of its members who have been imprisoned for involvement in violent attacks as a condition to start intra-Afghan dialog, a report says.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Secretary of the Navy Braithwaite and Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gilday Hold a Press Briefing on the Results of the USS Theodore Roosevelt Command Investigation DoD 19 Jun 2020 -- Secretary of the Navy Kenneth J. Braithwaite; Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Michael M. Gilday
• SECNAV and CNO As-Delivered Opening Remarks to Pentagon Press Corps NNS 19 Jun 2020 -- Secretary of the Navy, Kenneth J. Braithwaite and Chief of Naval Operations, Adm. Mike Gilday delivered remarks to the Pentagon Press Corps regarding the results of the investigation into the COVID-19 outbreak on USS Theodore Roosevelt, June 19.
• Navy: Former USS Theodore Roosevelt Commander Will Not Be Reinstated DoD News 19 Jun 2020 -- Following the release of a report into the events surrounding an outbreak of COVID-19 on the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt, Navy Capt. Brett E. Crozier, the ship's former commander, will not be reinstated, Navy Adm. Michael M. Gilday, chief of naval operations said at a Pentagon news conference.
• DOD Announces $187 Million in Defense Production Act Title III COVID-19 Actions DoD 19 Jun 2020 -- Today the Department is announcing five Defense Production Act Title III actions to help sustain and strengthen essential domestic industrial base capabilities and defense-critical workforce in shipbuilding, aircraft manufacturing, and clothing and textiles.
• Cybersecurity Expert Discusses DOD's Role in National Security DoD News 19 Jun 2020 -- The Defense Department is involved in its own cybersecurity efforts at every level, and DOD also assists other government agencies, the intelligence community and international partners, the deputy assistant secretary of defense for cyber policy said.
• Readout of Secretary of Defense Dr. Mark T. Esper's Phone Call With Thailand Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Prayut Chan-o-cha DoD 19 Jun 2020
• DOD's Chief Data Officer Aims to Deliver Data Reform DoD News 19 Jun 2020 -- Information technology is the backbone of today's modern battlefield and is even more important in a constantly evolving security climate.
• IT Experts Discuss DOD's Use of Digital Communications DoD News 19 Jun 2020 -- It's essential to modernize the Defense Department's perimeter-based security models and compliance requirements that prevent DOD from transforming the way it achieves its objectives, information technology experts said in response to evolving cyber risks.
• Undersea Warfare Center Detachment Conducts Magnetic Treatment on Coast Guard Cutter NNS 19 Jun 2020 -- Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) Division, Keyport's Detachment (Det) San Diego conducted a magnetic treatment of the U.S. Coast Guard cutter USCGC Kimball (WMSL 756) at the Magnetic Silencing Facility (MSF) at Naval Base Point Loma (NBPL) in May.
• Navy-Coast Guard Team: Four Interdictions in Four Days NNS 19 Jun 2020 -- The Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Lassen (DDG 82) and the Freedom-variant littoral combat ship USS Detroit (LCS 7) with embarked U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Law Enforcement Detachment (LEDET) teams disrupted a combined 112 bales of suspected contraband worth over $79.6 million May 24-27.
• NATO, UN and Civil Society discuss fight against conflict-related sexual violence NATO 19 Jun 2020 -- On the International Day for the Elimination of Conflict-Related Sexual Violence, NATO hosted a digital dialogue on Friday (19 June 2020) to address the prevention and response to the use of sexual violence as a tactic of war.
• NATO Deputy Secretary General stresses the importance of security partnership for democracy NATO 19 Jun 2020 -- On 19 June 2020, NATO Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoană participated in an online discussion of the Copenhagen Democracy Summit. The session about the "Military Backbone of Democracy" covered the current global security issues we face today and the resulting new challenges for global multilateral cooperation, including the COVID-19 outbreak. The Deputy Secretary General gave his perspectives on how the military and security partnership is important for democracy.
• Eleven Allies launch Multinational Initiative on Pilot Training NATO 19 Jun 2020 -- Eleven NATO Defence Ministers launched on Friday (19 June 2020) an initiative to create a network of training facilities for pilots across the European continent. The Ministers of Defence of Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Portugal, Romania, Spain and Turkey signed a Letter of Intent confirming the establishment of the NATO Flight Training Europe (NFTE) initiative, in order join forces for the training of fighter jet, helicopter, fixed wing and drone pilots.
• Russian Air Force Scrambles Fighters to Intercept US B-52H Bombers Over Sea of Okhotsk Sputnik 19 Jun 2020 -- The General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces previously stated that the Defence Ministry had registered intensified military activity by the US and its NATO allies near the Russian border.
• Russian Manufacturer Launches Batch Production of Mi-8AMT Civilian Arctic Helicopter Sputnik 19 Jun 2020 -- The manufacturing company Russian Helicopters (part of the Rostec Corporation) told Sputnik on Friday it was launching batch production of the Mi-8AMT Arctic helicopter for civilian customers, and that the Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant had already manufactured the first aircraft.
• Iran Unveils Video Of Naval Missile System On Anniversary Of Downing US Drone Radio Farda 19 Jun 2020 -- The Revolutionary Guard on Friday unveiled a new video of a naval missile defense system that downed an American military drone in southern Iranian airspace a year ago amid rising tensions between the two countries.
• UK-Qatari Typhoons take off as joint squadron UK MOD 19 Jun 2020 -- The Royal Air Force and Qatar Emiri Air Force (QEAF) Typhoon Squadron have commenced flying as a Joint Squadron.
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany The White House 19 Jun 2020

Defense Industry

• Contracts For June 19, 2020

Other Conflicts

• 19 June 2020 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 19 Jun 2020
• World Refugee Day: End conflict that drives 'appalling' displacement numbers UN News 19 Jun 2020 -- UN Secretary-General António Guterres has reminded countries of their fundamental obligation to protect the nearly 80 million people worldwide forced to flee their homes due to conflict, persecution and other crises.
• Without funds, 'no choice' but to suspend most aid flights, warns WFP UN News 19 Jun 2020 -- A critical warning was issued by the UN's World Food Programme (WFP) on Friday, declaring that it may soon have "no choice" but to suspend "most" of its critical aid flights, because of a lack of funding.
• Humanitarian Air Service Could Run Out of Money VOA 19 Jun 2020 -- The U.N.'s World Food Program says its humanitarian air service could stop at the end of July without more funds to keep operating.
• PM holds All Party Meeting to discuss situation in India-China border areas India PIB 19 Jun 2020 -- Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today held an All Party Meeting via video conferencing to discuss the situation in India-China border areas. Presidents of various political parties participated in the meeting.
• Germany, France Trying to Prevent Israel's Annexation of Palestinian Territories, Maas Says Sputnik 19 Jun 2020 -- Germany and France are worried about Israel's plan to take control of the Palestinian territories, they want to prevent this violation of international law, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said Friday.
• Eight Terrorists Killed in Two Encounters in Kashmir Valley Sputnik 19 Jun 2020 -- The security forces in Jammu and Kashmir have neutralised more than 110 terrorists in 2020 due to the rise in terror activities over the last three months. The data reveals that most of the terrorists were locals, while around 10 were foreigners and some unidentified.
• Royal Navy Speedboats Repulse Spanish Warship Sailing in British Gibraltar Waters Sputnik 19 Jun 2020 -- The incident was said to have taken place as two British Royal Navy minehunters along with three Gibraltar-based squadron ships were participating in a routine naval exercise near Europa Point, Gibraltar's southern-most point on Thursday.
• EU Leaders Support Extension Of Sanctions Against Russia Over Ukraine RFE/RL 19 Jun 2020 -- European Union leaders on June 19 have supported a six-month extension of economic sanctions imposed against Russia over its role in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
• Business Reopens Between Southern Cameroon and Nigeria VOA 19 Jun 2020 -- Cameroon's military says it has restored security on an important trade road between western Cameroon and Nigeria. The military this week said it had killed at least 13 separatist fighters who blocked the Bamenda-Enugu Road for two months and were demanding illegal tolls. The rebels denied it was their fighters and blamed other armed groups.
• Trial of Alleged Sudan War Criminal Sends Strong Signal, Prosecutor says VOA 19 Jun 2020 -- After more than a decade on the run, alleged Sudanese war criminal Ali Kushayb sat in a courtroom in the Netherlands this week, accused of commanding Janjaweed fighters who raped, tortured and killed civilians in Darfur.

News Reports

• Australia Says it Has Been Target of 'State-Based' Cyberattacks VOA 19 Jun 2020 -- Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Friday that a major cyberattack by a "sophisticated state-based actor" has hit the nation.
• The Week In Russia: Trials, Tunnels, And An Ominous Homage To Orwell RFE/RL 19 Jun 2020 -- The consecration of a colossal cathedral for the successor of the Soviet Army. A school surveillance-camera system called Orwell. Spray-equipped tunnels set up at the Kremlin and President Vladimir Putin's main residence to protect him from the coronavirus. And a regional leader whose denial of a plot to murder a journalist seems to double as a threat.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian's Regular Press Conference on June 19, 2020 PRC MofA 19 Jun 2020
• Europe and the China Challenge US Dept. of State 19 Jun 2020 -- Speech by Michael R. Pompeo, Secretary of State
• US Should 'Immediately Enforce' Sanctions on Chinese Officials For Abuses in Xinjiang: Religious Freedom Panel Radio Free Asia 19 Jun 2020 -- U.S. President Donald Trump should "immediately enforce" sanctions against Chinese officials responsible for rights abuses in northwest China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) as authorized by an act of Congress he signed into law this week, according to a panel on religious freedom.
• Hong Kong: Draft law on national security must comply with rights obligations UN News 19 Jun 2020 -- The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said on Friday that her office was closely following developments as China's top legislative body, the National People's Congress, holds talks on a proposed national security law for Hong Kong.
• China says potential US decision to end ties 'will only hurt Americans' Press TV 19 Jun 2020 -- China has responded to President Donald Trump's recent threat to cut ties with Beijing, warning that the move "will only hurt American citizens."
• Trump renews threat to cut ties with China Press TV 19 Jun 2020 -- US President Donald Trump has renewed his threat to sever relations with China, saying Washington could pursue a "complete decoupling from" Beijing.
• Pompeo Says If China Wants to Rise, It Should Do So Based on 'Western Rules Set' Sputnik 19 Jun 2020 -- US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Friday that if China wants to rise, it should do so based on a Western set of rules.
• 2 Canadians prosecuted in China for spying with 'abundant evidence' Global Times 19 Jun 2020 -- On Friday, two Canadian nationals, former diplomat Michael John Kovrig, and his intelligence contact Michael Peter Todd Spavor, were prosecuted by the procuratorates in Beijing and Dandong, Northeast China's Liaoning Province, respectively, for spying on China's national secrets and collecting classified intelligence.
• China Charges Canada's 'Two Michaels' With Espionage Radio Free Asia 19 Jun 2020 -- Authorities in China said on Friday they have indicted two Canadian nationals -- Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor -- on spying charges, after arresting them in the days following the arrest of Huawei Technologies' chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou in Vancouver.
• China's Local Bond Binge Sparks Debt Concerns Radio Free Asia 19 Jun 2020 -- As China's government seeks to revive the economy, it has so far steered clear of excessive infrastructure spending, hoping to avoid the effects of building binges in the past.
• Hong Kong Protest Leaders to Run in September's General Election Radio Free Asia 19 Jun 2020 -- Former 2014 protest leader Joshua Wong announced he will run in forthcoming elections for Hong Kong's Legislative Council (LegCo), in spite of concerns that he could be targeted for political reprisals by Beijing.
• US Uygur bill can't disrupt Xinjiang's stability: regional spokesperson Global Times 19 Jun 2020 -- The government of Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and people of all ethnic groups denounce and oppose the US Uygur bill, and by no means can it disrupt Xinjiang's prosperity and stability, Xinjiang regional government spokesperson told a press conference on Friday.
• Official North Korean Fury at Defectors Belies Popular Envy of Remittances From Exiles Radio Free Asia 19 Jun 2020 -- North Korea has blown up a showcase inter-Korean meeting hall and pressed citizens to join staged venting rallies to show its fury at what it views as traitors who have fled to South Korea, after small groups of them launched balloons carrying leaflets denouncing leader Kim Jong Un.
• South Korean President Accepts Resignation of Unification Minister Sputnik 19 Jun 2020 -- Earlier, Unification Minister Kim Yeon-chul offered to step down to take responsibility for the decline in the relationship between Seoul and Pyongyang after North Korea blew up a North-South liaison office at Kaesong.
• South Korean Unification Minister Resigns VOA 19 Jun 2020 -- South Korea's unification minister resigned Friday over heightened tensions on the Korean Peninsula, days after the North destroyed its liaison office with the South.
• Inter-Korean tensions keep soaring after liaison office demolition Press TV 19 Jun 2020 -- Tensions have escalated on the Korean Peninsula after Pyongyang blew up its liaison office with the South and prompted the resignation of South Korea's Unification Minister, a point man designated to mend fragile ties with the North.
• European Troika To Hold Meeting To Find Ways To Save Iran Nuclear Agreement Radio Farda 19 Jun 2020 -- In a statement on Friday, France, Germany and Britain said they are committed to finding a diplomatic solution to bring Iran back to full compliance with the terms of the 2015 nuclear deal formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
• This Week in Iran Policy US Dept. of State 19 Jun 2020 -- Fact Sheet
• E3 foreign ministers' statement on the JCPoA: 19 June UK FCO 19 Jun 2020 -- France, Germany and the UK reiterate commitment to finding a diplomatic solution to bring Iran back to full compliance with the JCPoA.
• Briefing With Special Representative for Iran Brian Hook, U.S. Ambassador to UNVIE Jackie Wolcott, and Assistant Secretary for International Security and Nonproliferation Dr. Christopher A. Ford On IAEA Actions to Hold Iran Accountable US Dept. of State 19 Jun 2020
• Iran to take appropriate action in response to resolution of IAEA BoG, envoy says IRNA 19 Jun 2020 -- In response to the adoption of the proposed resolution of the three European countries in the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Friday, Iran Ambassador stated that the Islamic Republic of Iran completely rejects the resolution of the Board of Governors, adding that It will take appropriate and necessary reaction to it.
• Zarif advises E3 not to be accessory for JCPOA enemies IRNA 19 Jun 2020 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in a message urged IAEA Board of Governors not to let JCPOA enemies endanger Iran's interests saying E3 should not be their accessory.
• Iran 'categorically' deplores IAEA resolution, vows 'appropriate action' Press TV 19 Jun 2020 -- Iran has deplored the latest resolution passed by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), saying the Islamic Republic would take "appropriate action" where the sponsors of the move would stand responsible for any "repercussions."
• China, Russia see US 'bullying' as IAEA adopts anti-Iran resolution Press TV 19 Jun 2020 -- China and Russia have rebuked the International Atomic Energy Agency for giving in to US "bullying" as the IAEA's board of governor on Friday passed a resolution critical of Iran for the first time since 2012.
• IAEA Resolution Criticizes Iran For Denying Access To UN Inspectors Radio Farda 19 Jun 2020 -- For the first time since 2012, the board of governors of the United Nation's International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) passed a resolution critical of Iran on Friday, June 19.
• UN Nuclear Watchdog Ramps Up Pressure On Iran To Access Sites RFE/RL 19 Jun 2020 -- The board of governors of the United Nations' atomic agency issued a resolution on June 19 urging Iran to provide access to two sites where nuclear activity may have occurred in the past.
• Britain, France, and Germany Oppose US Effort to Re-Impose Sanctions Against Iran Sputnik 19 Jun 2020 -- The statement comes following discussions between the European signatories to the deal on the future of the JCPOA agreement amid heightened tensions with the United States, which withdrew from the accord in 2018.
• Iran Regrets IAEA Resolution Introduced by E3 Amid Their Lack of Action on JCPOA, Envoy Says Sputnik 19 Jun 2020 -- Iran regrets that the resolution, adopted earlier on Friday by the IAEA's Board of Governors, was introduced by three European signatories to the nuclear deal, namely France, Germany and the UK, as they themselves have produced no concrete action to implement their obligations under the agreement, Gharib Abadi said.
• IAEA Board of Governors Adopts Resolution, Calls on Iran To Cooperate Without Further Delay US Dept. of State 19 Jun 2020 -- Today, the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) adopted a resolution calling on Iran to provide IAEA inspectors the information and access they have requested and that Iran is obligated to provide. Iran
• Iran confirms death of fugitive judge, urges Romania to explain details Press TV 19 Jun 2020 -- Iran's Foreign Ministry has confirmed reports about the death of a fugitive Iranian judge in a fall from a hotel window in Romania's capital.
• Fugitive Iran Judge Found Dead In Romania Radio Farda 19 Jun 2020 -- Fugitive former Iranian judge, Gholamreza Mansouri, was found dead in the Romanian capital Bucharest in suspicious circumstances.
• Former Iranian Judge Sought By Tehran, Linked To 'Torture' Of Journalists Found Dead In Bucharest RFE/RL 19 Jun 2020 -- A former Iranian judge sought by his homeland to face corruption charges has been found dead in Romania's capital, officials say.
• In Iran, No Space On Cyberspace For Dissenting Voices As Tehran Takes 'Orwellian Approach' To Muffle Critics RFE/RL 19 Jun 2020 -- Iran has intensified its efforts to silence dissenting voices on cyberspace, where many Iranians discuss issues deemed by the Islamic establishment as sensitive.
• UN Calls on Iran for Access to Suspected Nuclear Sites VOA 19 Jun 2020 -- The United Nations nuclear agency said it passed a resolution Friday urging Iran to allow inspectors access to two sites where undeclared nuclear material was believed to have been used or stored.
• Venezuela to take US sanctions case to International Criminal Court Press TV 19 Jun 2020 -- The Venezuelan government has vowed to take the United States to the International Criminal Court (ICC) in response to new unilateral sanctions imposed by Washington on the Latin American country.
• Baltic States Protest Russia's Historical Revisionism On Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact RFE/RL 19 Jun 2020 -- Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania have protested moves in Russia they say are a whitewashing of historical facts about the 1939 nonagression pact between the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany that led to their annexation by Moscow.
• Moscow's Approval Necessary For Any Deal Between Serbia, Kosovo, Lavrov Says RFE/RL 19 Jun 2020 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says Russia's approval would be required for any solution reached in peace talks between Kosovo and Serbia, whose leaders are scheduled to meet in the White House next week.
• Laos Appoints New Electricity Chief Amid Growing Anger Over High Prices Radio Free Asia 19 Jun 2020 -- Laos has appointed a new managing director of the state-owned Electricite du Laos power company, replacing the former director amid rising anger in the country over high rates for electricity in spite of growing levels of unemployment because of business closings to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
• European Lawmakers Call For Eastern Partners' Greater Integration RFE/RL 19 Jun 2020 -- European lawmakers are calling for the creation of a "common economic space" between the EU and the six former Soviet republics of its Eastern Partnership program as part of a process of "gradual integration" into the bloc.
• After Arresting Presidential Challenger, Belarus's Lukashenka Says 'Revolution' Thwarted RFE/RL 19 Jun 2020 -- Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka claims to have thwarted an attempt to foment revolution in the Eastern European country, a day after his government ordered the arrest of a popular, would-be presidential candidate, prompting thousands to take to the streets to protest what they see as increased harassment of opposition leaders.