February, 2019

• 1 February

  Marine Rifle Squads get upgraded night vision devices

  An updated helmet-mounted night vision system is beginning to make its way to infantry units. Marine Corps Systems Command accelerated the acquisition of about 1,300 Squad Binocular Night Vision Goggles using existing Defense Logistics Agency contracts.

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• 1 February

  USS Porter Departs Riga, Latvia

  The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Porter (DDG 78) departed Riga, Latvia, Jan. 26 following a scheduled port visit. The visit served to enhance U.S.-Latvia relations as the two NATO allies work together for a stable, secure, and prosperous region.

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January, 2019

• 31 January

  Five Nuclear Powers Meeting In Beijing As U.S. Calls For Transparency

  The United States has called for more transparency from Russia and China regarding their nuclear programs, as diplomats from five major nuclear powers meet in Beijing. The two-day conference that opened on January 30 is aimed at preventing the further proliferation of nuclear weapons. Aside from Beijing, Moscow, and Washington, …

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• 31 January

  Turkey Warns It's Ready for Strike Against Syrian YPG

  Turkey claims its military preparations for a cross-border operation into Syria against a Kurdish militia are complete. Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar made the announcement Tuesday. “When the time comes, the necessary actions will be taken both in Manbij and east of the Euphrates,” Akar said during a visit to …

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• 31 January

  Iran not to extend range of its missiles: Top security official

  Iran has no scientific bottleneck to extend its missiles range but, according to its defense doctrine, the country is only focusing on improving the precision of its missiles and not on extending their ranges, said the secretary of Supreme National Security Council of Iran on Tuesday.

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• 31 January

  DNI: Russia, China Most Serious Espionage Threats To U.S.

  Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Dan Coats says Russia and China present the most serious espionage and cyberattack threats to the United States as the two seek to expand their global reach. In testimony on worldwide threats, Coats told the Senate on January 29 that the Kremlin’s relationship with Beijing …

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• 30 January

  Talk to Kabul, US Envoy Tells Taliban

  The U.S. special representative for Afghan reconciliation is urging direct talks between the Taliban and the Kabul government as he confirmed details in a draft peace deal aimed at ending the 17-year conflict in the country.

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• 30 January

  Some 600 US Soldiers Arrived at Syria Military Bases Amid Pullout – Reports

  In December, US President Donald Trump declared victory over the Daesh* terrorist group and said he would withdraw some 2,000 US troops who are currently deployed in the Middle Eastern country.

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• 30 January

  Turkey: Imprisoning Dissidents while Bidding for EU Membership

  At a rally in Ankara over the summer, held by the women’s branch of Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced: "From now on, there will be no fight for freedom of faith, freedom of thought and freedom of opinion. Everyone will be free …

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• 30 January

  U.S. Lifts Sanctions On Rusal, Other Firms With Links To Deripaska

  The U.S. Treasury Department says sanctions imposed on three companies linked to Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska have been lifted. The action, which was vehemently opposed by the Democratic-controlled U.S. House, was announced on January 27 in a statement by the Treasury.

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