Friday, January 31, 2020

U.S. Special Operations Troops Mock Order To Behave

US Special Operations Forces pose for a group photo in Syria

Washington Examiner: 'They want us to be choirboys': Special operations troops mock order to behave

TAMPA, Florida — Four men sat inside at a back corner table, monitoring the pub's main entrance for unspecified perils. They did not expect trouble, but this is what special operators do: They stay vigilant, even when far from war zones.

Here at a favorite hangout near Florida's MacDill Air Force Base, home to U.S. Special Operations Command, the men convened in civilian attire Wednesday night while off-duty. The operators met with the Washington Examiner to talk about a simmering issue within their ranks: a "culture and ethics" letter issued this week to all members of U.S. Special Operations Command.

The letter from commanders was released along with the results of a study into why elite war fighters sometimes get into trouble over matters, including war crimes or murder. The letter lamented the threat to public trust and cited shortcomings in leadership, discipline, and accountability. It conveyed a mix of gratitude, encouragement, and somber admission but cited no direct plan to set things aright.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: Complain as much as they want. In the end these men will follow orders and behave.

Is A Russian Spacecraft Shadowing An American Spy Satellite?


Daily Mail: Mysterious Russian spacecraft has maneuvered into orbit right behind a $4 billion US spy satellite - and the Pentagon is worried it could be preparing for an attack

* Cosmos 2542 is a Russian 'space apparatus inspector' designed to monitor other satellites in space
* After it launched in November 2019, it was bypassing a US spy satellite, USA 245, every 11 or 12 days
* However, between January 20-23, Cosmos 2542 made several maneuvers to end up in the same orbit as the US satellite
* It is now closely following USA 245, which experts say could mean it is taking photos or preparing to attack

A Russian 'inspector' spacecraft has changed its orbit to closely follow a secret American spy satellite.

On January 20, Cosmos 2542 maneuvered so it was behind USA 245, a satellite that gathers images for military and intelligence purposes for the $4billion KH-11 photo reconnaissance project.

The Russian craft is a 'space apparatus inspector,' meaning it's designed to monitor other satellites in space - and the US government has warned that it can use cameras and sensors to gather information about other satellites or even use high-power microwaves, lasers or radio frequency jammers to launch an attack.

Read more ....

Update #1: Why Is Mystery Russian Spacecraft Suddenly Stalking Secret U.S. Spy Satellite? (Daily Beast)
Update #2: A Russian "Inspector" Spacecraft Now Appears To Be Shadowing An American Spy Satellite (Warzone/The Drive)
Update #3: A Russian satellite seems to be tailing a US spy satellite in Earth orbit (The Verge)

WNU Editor: Satellites spying on other satellites.

Al-Qaida's Top Leader In Yemen Killed In U.S. Air Strike

Qasim al-Raymi

Yahoo News: U.S. killed a top al-Qaida leader in Yemen, reports say

The leader of al-Qaida’s Yemen branch is believed to have been killed in a U.S. airstrike earlier this year.

The New York Times said three current or former U.S. officials “expressed confidence” that Qasim al-Raymi, the emir of al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), was killed in Yemen, although there was no official confirmation.

U.S. forces had been tracking al-Raymi for months, and there was a $10 million price on his head.

It is unclear whether the strike was carried out by the U.S. military or the CIA. Spokespersons for U.S. Central Command, the National Security Council and the CIA declined to comment.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: The US has been after this Al Qaeda leader for almost 10 years. His death will be a serious hit for Al Aqaeda.

More News On Al-Qaida's Top Leader In Yemen Killed In U.S. Air Strike

US airstrike targets Yemen’s al Qaeda chief -- Washington Examiner
US Expects Confirmation of al-Qaeda's Leader Death - Report -- Sputnik
US conducts strike targeting al Qaeda leader in Yemen -- CNN
Trump Takes Out Another Top Terrorist In The Middle East -- Daily Wire

Tonight's Movie Is 'Von Richthofen and Brown'



From Wikipedia: Von Richthofen and Brown, alternatively titled The Red Baron, is a 1971 war film directed by Roger Corman and starring John Phillip Law and Don Stroud as Manfred von Richthofen and Roy Brown. Although names of real people are used, the story by Joyce Hooper Corrington and John William Corrington makes no claim to be historically accurate, and in fact is largely fictional.

Read more ....

Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials -- January 31, 2020



Tom Rogan, Washington Examiner: Brexit is done, but the EU is readying another battle for Britain

A few hours from now, at 6 p.m. EST, Britain will no longer be a member of the European Union. It's a big victory for Prime Minister Boris Johnson, but one he won't be able to savor for long. A major battle for the economic future of Britain and the EU is now set to begin.

It's a battle in which the EU holds a distinctly political objective. The key here is that President Emmanuel Macron of France and the EU executive leadership are determined to show that it is better to be inside the EU club than outside of it. Macron's fear is that Britain will now ease the burden of its regulatory and tax regimes, thus incentivizing foreign investment and expanded trade. And that this success will harm less efficient EU economies.

Read more ....

Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials -- January 31, 2020

After UK leaves EU on January 31, what will change? -- Alasdair Lane, Al Jazeera

After Brexit: A US-Britain trade deal would be a boon for Boris Johnson and Donald Trump -- Ross Clark, Spectator

China Prepared to Fight the Last Virus -- Daniel Moss, Bloomberg View

Coronavirus has been declared a public health emergency by WHO. Here's what that means -- Michael Walsh, ABC News Online

No pillows, no hot meals: Airlines adopt preventative measures against the coronavirus -- Maggie Hiufu Wong, CNN

If the US launches cyberattacks on Iran, retaliation could be a surprise -- Thomas S. Warrick, Fifth Domain

Why are Arab states 'divided' in the face of Trump's plan? -- Farah Najjar, Al Jazeera

This Man Is Trump's Biggest Problem in the Middle East -- Daniel R. DePetris, National Interest

US, Philippine defense ties on a chopping block -- Richard Javad Heydarian, Asia Times

Why Can't South Africa Grow Its Economy? -- Mandla Lionel Isaacs, Daily Maverick

Burkina Faso Plays With Fire in Arming Its Citizens -- Stephen Rakowski, The National

Greece Is the Weak Spot in Post-Caliphate European Counterterrorism -- Daveed Gartenstein-Ross and Colin P. Clarke, National Interest

Trump's impeachment trial is being tuned out by America because no one thinks it matters -- Jeremy Lott, NBC

World News Briefs -- January 31, 2020 (Evening Edition)

Jubilant Brexiteers heralded the moment with celebrations across the country, including a flagship bash in London's Parliament Square (pictured) where Nigel Farage led a chorus of God Save The Queen

Daily Mail: Got Brexit done! The UK finally leaves the EU as Britons across the country celebrate in jubilant scenes as the clock hits 11pm - from Nigel Farage in Parliament Square to ordinary people up and down the nation

* On the stroke of 11pm, the UK officially divorced from the bloc after three years of bitter political struggle
* Brexiteers heralded the moment with celebrations, including a flagship bash in London's Parliament Square
* The last moments were ticked off in a light show projected on to the famous black door of Downing Street
* The Prime Minister hailed the 'moment of hope, a moment many people thought would never come'

Britain has ushered in a new chapter outside the European Union as Brexit was at last delivered, drawing a line under 47 years of membership.

On the stroke of 11pm, the UK officially divorced from the bloc after three years of bitter political struggle that split families and paralysed Westminster.

Jubilant Brexiteers heralded the moment with celebrations across the country, including a flagship bash in London's Parliament Square attended by Nigel Farage and other figureheads of the Leave divide.

Britain's last moments inside the EU were ticked off in a light show projected on to the famous black door of Downing Street, where Boris Johnson held a muted party for his staff after releasing a pre-recorded address to the nation.

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

Cold and humiliated, Syrians displaced yet again by new Assad campaign.

Syria: pro-Assad forces batter Idlib and spark fears of fresh crisis.

Erdogan says Turkey may launch Syria offensive if Idlib attacks continue. Turkey ‘will not hesitate to use military force’ if attacks by Syrian govt forces don’t stop in Idlib – Erdogan.

Iraqi cleric condemns use of force, 11 protesters wounded.

Pressure mounts on Iraq to choose PM as cleric calls for new protests.

U.S. sanctions Iran's atomic power chief for nuclear violations.

‘I’m never coming back’: Lebanon crisis fuels brain drain.

Israeli forces hit Hamas in retaliation for rocket attack.

'Not an inch': Palestinians at Al-Aqsa vow to fight Trump's plan.

ASIA

China's Hubei reports 45 new coronavirus deaths, total at 249.

China locked down 50 million people and has to keep them fed.

South Korea confirms 11 coronavirus cases.

Coronavirus: first human transmission in Thailand as Russia and UK confirm cases.

18 S.Korean evacuees hospitalised after returning from Wuhan.

Mongolia bans Chinese, foreigners arriving from China.

Australia fires: Canberra declares state of emergency.

Afghanistan violence soars amid US-Taliban talks: Watchdog.

Deadly gunfight between police and rebels in Kashmir.

Delhi shooter was quiet teenager who pushed Hindu cause online.

AFRICA

Coronavirus: Liberia monitoring Chinese nationals.

Nigerian nurses worried about coronavirus.

Gambian journalists startled as President Barrow rolls back press freedom.

Sudan accused of failing men who say they were duped into working in Libya.

Trump says deal on giant Ethiopian dam is near.

US appoints special envoy for S. Sudan crisis.

Clashes in diamond hub shed light on C.Africa's ethnic tensions.

EUROPE

Britain leaves the European Union, leaps into the unknown.

Brexit at last: Britain leaves the EU for an uncertain future.

Coronavirus: Two cases confirmed in UK.

First two persons infected with coronavirus identified in Russia. First two cases of coronavirus confirmed in Russia, both Chinese citizens.

French citizens evacuated from virus-hit Wuhan arrive in France.

Britain readies to leave EU Friday night, begin 11-month transition. Brexit: UK to quit EU at 23:00 GMT, as PM promises 'new dawn'.

Brexit is a 'historic warning sign' for the European Union, says Macron.

Eurozone economic growth in 2019 was slowest in 6 years. Eurozone economy barely growing at all.

Pompeo pledges unwavering support for Ukraine ahead of Zelenskiy meeting.

AMERICAS

Trump curbs immigrants from 6 nations in election-year push.

U.S. ramps up anti-coronavirus measures at border as impact spreads.

US bars foreigners coming from China for now over virus fear. Trump's expanded travel ban targets Nigeria, five other countries.

Senate rejects witnesses in Trump trial, ensuring acquittal.

Trump told Bolton to help his Ukraine pressure campaign, book says.

Trump denies asking Bolton to put Zelensky and Giuliani in contact.

GOP warns impeachment trial could spill over into next week.

Murkowski to vote 'no' on witnesses, dashing Democrats' hopes of extending trial.

Bloomberg surges past Warren into third place in new national poll.

Coronavirus: US advises against all travel to China.

Canada gets China nod to bring home citizens amid epidemic.

A deadly virus is spreading from state to state and has infected 15 million Americans so far. It's influenza.

House votes to curb Trump’s military action on Iran.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Second CIA contractor testifies in 9/11 case at Guantanamo.

AFRICOM commander: My top fear is another deadly attack like Manda Bay.

Guantanamo Bay interrogator accuses Obama CIA chief John Brennan of throwing him 'under the bus'.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Stocks sink on fears virus outbreak will dent global economy.

3 main US airlines suspend flights between US and China over coronavirus.

China’s US soybean imports soar in wake of phase one trade war deal.

Think tank: U.S. trade deficit with China cost 3.7M jobs since 2001.

Airbus to pay record £3bn in fines for 'endemic' corruption.

Wuhan Coronavirus News Updates -- January 31, 2020



Daily Mail: BREAKING: Seventh American with coronavirus confirmed as the White House declares the global outbreak a public health emergency in the US and closes its border to visitors from China as the illness spreads to more than 11,000 people worldwide

* A man in Santa Claram California was confirmed to have coronavirus on Friday, bringing the US total case count to seven
* US health officials on Friday declared the outbreak of coronavirus a public health emergency in the US
* Foreign nationals - except the immediate family of Americans - will be blocked from entering the US if they've visited China in the last two weeks beginning 5pm ET on Sunday
* All flights from China will be funneled through seven airports: JFK, Chicago O'Hare, Seattle, San Francisco, Atlanta, Honolulu and LAX
* People who have been in Hubei province - where Wuhan is located - within two weeks of returning to the US will be under mandatory quarantine for up to 14 days
* People coming back from any part of China will be asked to self-quarantine at home for up to 14 days
* CDC officials have issued a 14-day federal quarantine for all 195 passengers who were evacuated from Wuhan
* It's the first time in 50 years that the agency has had to issue a federal quarantine
* Since Thursday, cases of the new coronavirus have increased by 26%, sickening nearly 10,000 people worldwide
* The CDC said it is possible that someone could test negative for the coronavirus before developing symptoms, but become ill later
* The World Health Organization declared the coronavirus outbreak to be a global health emergency on Thursday
* The 'public health emergency of international concern' is the highest warning the UN health agency can give
* Just one week ago, WHO officials said it was too early to declare the outbreak an emergency
* It comes the same week that the sixth US case of coronavirus was confirmed in a Chicago man in his 60s
* This marks the first case of human-to-human transmission of the virus in America, and it's now suspected that people can infect others even if they don't have symptoms
* Currently, there are 168 possible cases are under investigation in the US, 21 of which are in Illinois
* Worldwide, well over 11,000 people have been infected and 258 people - all in China - have died

A man in Santa Clara, California, has become the seventh American diagnosed with the deadly coronavirus sweeping the globe, local authorities announced Friday, nearly simultaneous with the White House's declaration that the outbreak that's sickened more than 11,000 and killed 258 people worldwide is a public health emergency in the US.

While the outbreak is ongoing, President Trump has issued an order that will block all foreign nationals who have visited China in the prior two weeks - except for the immediate family citizens or permanent residents - from entering the US, beginning at 5pm ET on Sunday.

At seven, the American case count remains low, but the virus has quickly spread in China and around the globe the Department of Health and Human Services and President Donald Trump are stepping up measures to contain the deadly new disease.

Read more ....

Wuhan Coronavirus News Updates -- January 31, 2020

Coronavirus: Germany announces sixth infection — live updates -- DW
Coronavirus: Worldwide cases overtake 2003 Sars outbreak -- BBC
Coronavirus: Which countries have confirmed new cases? -- Al Jazeera
Sweden becomes latest country to be struck down by the killer coronavirus as Russia announces two cases with almost 10,000 now infected across the world -- Daily Mail
Coronavirus: Two cases confirmed in UK. -- BBC
French citizens evacuated from virus-hit Wuhan arrive in France -- France 24
Myanmar sends back China plane after coronavirus scare -- AFP
Canada gets China nod to bring home citizens amid epidemic -- France 24
Coronavirus: Pakistan will not evacuate citizens from Wuhan -- Al Jazeera
US announces 14-day quarantine on 195 virus evacuees -- AFP
Nearly 200 Americans repatriated from China placed under quarantine -- Reuters
More curbs on travel to China as coronavirus fatalities continue to rise -- France 24
US DENIES entry to any foreign national who has visited China over the past two weeks, while United joins Delta and American Airlines in suspending ALL flights to China due to coronavirus -- Daily Mail
China raps 'mean' U.S. for travel warning as virus toll reaches 213 -- Reuters
China shows footage of 20 happy coronavirus patients celebrating after recovering in epicentre Wuhan - amid claims that Beijing could be covering up the real death toll -- Daily Mail
Chinese residents in quarantine call for government action -- Al Jazeera
Diary of a Wuhan native: A week under coronavirus quarantine -- Al Jazeera
How does coronavirus spread and how can you protect yourself? -- Al Jazeera
Q&A: Evacuations from China's virus-hit Wuhan -- AFP
Timeline: How China's new coronavirus spread -- Al Jazeera

President Trump's Impeachment Trial May Extend Into Next Week

U.S. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) addresses a news conference with Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Mazie Hirono (D-HI) prior to the resumption of the Senate impeachment trial of U.S. President Donald Trump at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, U.S., January 30, 2020. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid

Politico: Trump’s impeachment trial could extend into next week

White House officials wanted more time to prepare their closing arguments in the case, said several sources.

The Senate impeachment trial for President Donald Trump could drag into next week, even as GOP leaders appear to have the votes needed to prevent additional witnesses and testimony from being offered, according to Republican senators and aides.

Republicans suggest the trial could extend into next week due to scheduling concerns over the Iowa caucuses on Monday and Trump’s State of the Union address on Tuesday. But nothing is decided, and the party spent about an hour hashing out the next steps on Friday afternoon.

White House officials also wanted more time to prepare their closing arguments in the case, said several sources close to the issue.

There was a "major discussion" among GOP senators at lunch on the trial endgame, Republican sources said. Republicans remained divided over how to wind down the trial, with several expressing dissatisfaction about dragging things out over the weekend, according to a person familiar with the matter.

Read more
....

WNU Editor: I guess we will know by tonight on when this will end.

New York Times: President Trump Told Bolton to Help Him Pressure Ukraine



New York Times: Trump Told Bolton to Help His Ukraine Pressure Campaign, Book Says

WASHINGTON — More than two months before he asked Ukraine’s president to investigate his political opponents, President Trump directed John R. Bolton, then his national security adviser, to help with his pressure campaign to extract damaging information on Democrats from Ukrainian officials, according to an unpublished manuscript by Mr. Bolton.

Mr. Trump gave the instruction, Mr. Bolton wrote, during an Oval Office conversation in early May that included the acting White House chief of staff, Mick Mulvaney, the president’s personal lawyer Rudolph W. Giuliani and the White House counsel, Pat A. Cipollone, who is now leading the president’s impeachment defense.

Mr. Trump told Mr. Bolton to call Volodymyr Zelensky, who had recently won election as president of Ukraine, to ensure Mr. Zelensky would meet with Mr. Giuliani, who was planning a trip to Ukraine to discuss the investigations that the president sought, in Mr. Bolton’s account. Mr. Bolton never made the call, he wrote.

Read more ....

Update: New John Bolton bombshell as Republicans get the votes to block witnesses: His book says Donald Trump ordered him to help Giuliani meet Ukraine's Zelensky - which president denies but Rudy DOESN'T and calls Bolton a 'scumbag' (Daily Mail)

WNU Editor: Since President Trump was inaugurated, I have lost count on the number of times the New York Times says it has a bombshell report on President Trump, and after a few days everything fizzles. And here is another "bombshell report. The problem with this claim is that Ukraine did get military aid. The Biden family was not investigated by the Ukrainians. And Ukraine President Zelenskiy has been persistent in denying these that he was ever pressured by President Trump.

Update #2: Not surprising, President Trump is denying these new reports .... Trump denies asking Bolton to put Zelensky and Giuliani in contact (The Hill). More here .... Trump denies telling Bolton to pressure Ukraine (AFP).

World News Briefs -- January 31, 2020



Daily Mail: 'Full steam ahead after Brexit': Boris Johnson gathers Cabinet in Leave-backing Sunderland as clock ticks down to quitting the EU at 11pm TONIGHT - with PM appealing for the country to unite after years of bitter infighting

* Boris Johnson will deliver a plea for country to move on from Brexit this evening as the UK leaves the EU
* The Prime Minister will insist that Brexit marks 'not an end but a beginning' in an address shortly before 11pm
* He will stress his belief that the referendum was a vote for lasting change in neglected areas of the country
* The Cabinet met in Sunderland this afternoon - the first city to declare for Leave at 2016 referendum
* Mr Johnson will host a reception in No10 for ministers and officials to make the historic Brexit moment

Boris Johnson insisted it will be 'full steam ahead' after Brexit today as he gathered his Cabinet in Leave-backing Sunderland hours before the historic moment.

After three-and-a-half years of turmoil, the UK's legal membership of the EU will come to an end on the stroke of 11pm - opening a new era for the country.

Mr Johnson took his senior team to the city in the north east this afternoon in a symbol of his desire to 'level up' every part of the country.

He told the meeting the UK is starting a 'new chapter' and he would be 'going full steam ahead to bring the nation together', according to Downing Street.

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

Syria: pro-Assad forces batter Idlib and spark fears of fresh crisis.

Erdogan says Turkey may launch Syria offensive if Idlib attacks continue. Turkey ‘will not hesitate to use military force’ if attacks by Syrian govt forces don’t stop in Idlib – Erdogan.

Pressure mounts on Iraq to choose PM as cleric calls for new protests.

U.S. sanctions Iran's atomic power chief for nuclear violations.

‘I’m never coming back’: Lebanon crisis fuels brain drain.

Israeli forces hit Hamas in retaliation for rocket attack.

'Not an inch': Palestinians at Al-Aqsa vow to fight Trump's plan.

ASIA

South Korea confirms 11 coronavirus cases.

Coronavirus: first human transmission in Thailand as Russia and UK confirm cases.

18 S.Korean evacuees hospitalised after returning from Wuhan.

Mongolia bans Chinese, foreigners arriving from China.

Australia fires: Canberra declares state of emergency.

Afghanistan violence soars amid US-Taliban talks: Watchdog.

Deadly gunfight between police and rebels in Kashmir.

AFRICA

Coronavirus: Liberia monitoring Chinese nationals.

Nigerian nurses worried about coronavirus.

Gambian journalists startled as President Barrow rolls back press freedom.

Sudan accused of failing men who say they were duped into working in Libya.

Trump says deal on giant Ethiopian dam is near.

US appoints special envoy for S. Sudan crisis.

Clashes in diamond hub shed light on C.Africa's ethnic tensions.

EUROPE

Coronavirus: Two cases confirmed in UK.

First two persons infected with coronavirus identified in Russia. First two cases of coronavirus confirmed in Russia, both Chinese citizens.

French citizens evacuated from virus-hit Wuhan arrive in France.

Britain readies to leave EU Friday night, begin 11-month transition. Brexit: UK to quit EU at 23:00 GMT, as PM promises 'new dawn'.

Brexit is a 'historic warning sign' for the European Union, says Macron.

Eurozone economic growth in 2019 was slowest in 6 years. Eurozone economy barely growing at all.

Pompeo pledges unwavering support for Ukraine ahead of Zelenskiy meeting.

AMERICAS

Trump told Bolton to help his Ukraine pressure campaign, book says.

Trump denies asking Bolton to put Zelensky and Giuliani in contact.

GOP warns impeachment trial could spill over into next week.

Murkowski to vote 'no' on witnesses, dashing Democrats' hopes of extending trial.

Bloomberg surges past Warren into third place in new national poll.

Coronavirus: US advises against all travel to China.

Canada gets China nod to bring home citizens amid epidemic.

A deadly virus is spreading from state to state and has infected 15 million Americans so far. It's influenza.

House votes to curb Trump’s military action on Iran.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

AFRICOM commander: My top fear is another deadly attack like Manda Bay.

Guantanamo Bay interrogator accuses Obama CIA chief John Brennan of throwing him 'under the bus'.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

3 main US airlines suspend flights between US and China over coronavirus.

China’s US soybean imports soar in wake of phase one trade war deal.

Think tank: U.S. trade deficit with China cost 3.7M jobs since 2001.

Airbus to pay record £3bn in fines for 'endemic' corruption.

Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- January 31, 2020

An F/A-18F Super Hornet, left, and an E/A-18G Growler on one of the Ford's aircraft elevators before being lifted from the hangar bay to the flight deck, January 21, 2020. US Navy/Mass Comm Specialist Seaman Jesus O. Aguia

Business Insider: The Navy's top civilian official says the aircraft carrier Ford's weapons elevator 'disaster' is back 'on track'

* The US Navy's newest carrier has been in the Atlantic conducting Aircraft Compatibility Testing since January 16.
* At sea, the crew has been getting more practice with some of the carrier's most important equipment: the aircraft launching and landing systems.
* Another major piece of that gear, the carrier's weapons elevators, has been "a disaster up until now," the Navy's acting secretary says, but things are now "on track."

The Navy's new, first-in-class aircraft carrier, USS Gerald R. Ford, went to sea again on January 16 for more testing, including of the carrier's Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System and Advanced Arresting Gear.

EMALS and the AAG, as they're known, have had problems, but the Ford has done more than 70 successful launches and landings with them on this cruise, which follows improvements made during the carrier's protracted post-shakedown availability.

But one of the Ford's most important components, its advanced weapons elevators, still isn't where it needs to be.

Read more ....

Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- January 31, 2020

Costliest U.S. Carrier Isn’t Ready to Defend Itself, Tests Show -- Bloomberg

America’s Most Advanced Aircraft Carrier Has Been Sailing Without Proper Defences – Pentagon Report -- SPutnik

The carrier Ford is trying to shake years of controversy and find its groove -- Defense News

USS Ford Plans New Aggressive Training Schedule At Sea -- Breaking Defense

Here's Why Patriot Missiles Weren't Protecting US Troops In Iraq And Why They Still Aren't -- Warzone/The Drive

Why the Army pulled Bradleys out of Syrian oil fields after one month -- Army Times

The Air Force Its Getting a New Stealth Bomber but the B-2 Remains Lethal for 1 Reason -- National Interest

Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. awarded $127.4M to produce two C-37Bs -- UPI

Scramjet-Powered Cruise Missile Emerges As New U.S. Priority -- Aviation Week

The Army is testing a next-generation woobie that can hide a soldier’s heat signature from the enemy -- Task & Purpose/Military.com

US Plans to Relax Restrictions on Landmines -- Military.com/AFP

Esper says he personally briefed Trump on the seriousness of TBI after Iran attack, now at 64 cases -- Military Times

Debate over brain injuries in US military: A teachable moment -- Sandra L. Shullman, Ph.D., Military Times

House votes to rein in Trump's military authority -- The Hill

House votes to curb Trump’s military action on Iran -- Defense News

House approves pair of measures reining in Trump's military action against Iran -- CNN

The military's 2nd-highest-ranking officer wants to change the Pentagon's 'unbelievably ridiculous' classification process -- Defense News

Sexual assault reports at military academies up sharply last year -- UPI

Pentagon report shows 32 percent spike in reports of sexual assault at military academies -- The Hill

Pentagon Eyes Guantanamo Bay Military Prison for Cuts to Personnel, Infrastructure -- Military.com

Rocket Lab successfully launches U.S. spy satellite -- UPI

As tech startups catch DoD’s eye, big investors are watching -- Defense News

The FBI is reportedly probing a notorious Israeli spyware company that was linked to the Jeff Bezos phone hack -- Business Insider

Israel Aerospace Industries nabs $240M for T-38 replacement wings -- UPI

Israel Tests Rocket Propulsion System for 2nd Time in 2 Months - Defence Ministry -- Sputnik

Here's Why Germany Just Canceled a $2.5 Billion Deal to Buy Northrop Drones -- Motley Fool

Greece ratifies major military expansion with US -- Greek City Times

Russia to extend service life for carriers of Avangard hypersonic boost-glide vehicle -- TASS

China's New Anti-Stealth Radar Could Mean Big Trouble For America's F-22 Raptor -- National Interest

Why Is China Providing Drones to Fuel Libya's Civil War? -- David Axe, National Interest

Coronavirus Case Suspected in Djibouti, Where US and China Base Troops -- Military.com

Coronavirus could become a major security threat in developing countries, US military commanders warn -- Military Times

Turkey Deploys Military Forces, Equipment, And Frigates To Tripoli, Libya


Warzone/The Drive: Two Turkish Frigates Appear Off Libya Amid Reports Of Troops And Armor Landing Ashore

These developments point to a major escalation in Turkey's involvement in the conflict following abortive attempts to broker a ceasefire.

Weeks after the Turkish government announced plans to send various forces to Libya to support that country's internationally recognized government, there are now indications that those deployments are well underway. Two Turkish Navy Gabya class frigates have appeared off the coast of Tripoli, the official Libyan capital, and there are reports emerging now that Turkish troops and heavy armor are arriving in that city, too.

Pictures showing the two warships sailing together near Tripoli first emerged online on Jan. 28, 2020. Unconfirmed reports about the arrival of Turkish forces began to appear on social media hours later. On Jan. 5, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had said in a televised interview that an unspecified number of Turkish troops would be heading to Libya soon and, the day after, revealed that members of the country's National Intelligence Organization, also referred to by the Turkish acronym MIT, were already in the country.

Read more ....



More News On The Libyan War

Turkey deploys warships and air defense systems to Libya: LNA -- AMN
Syrian mercenaries lured to fight for Turkey in Libya -- Ahval
Libya’s Warring Factions Resume Fighting in Threat to Cease-Fire -- The Wall Street Journal
Pentagon: Turkey’s deployment to Libya threatens escalation -- Al-Monitor
Libya: UN envoy slams violations of pledge to end foreign meddling -- AFP
U.N. shuts refugee center in Libya's capital as truce crumbles -- Reuters
UN halts Tripoli refugee centre operations over safety fears -- AFP
Libya heading towards ‘full-blown’ war despite ceasefire -- The Independent
How Outside Powers Like Russia and Turkey Are Fueling the Libyan Civil War -- Emadeddin Badi, WPR
Russian mercenaries, a CIA-linked general and lots of oil: Explaining Libya’s war -- CNBC

France-Turkey Dispute Escalates Over Libya And Mediterranean



Al Jazeera: Turkey, France engage in war of words over Libya

Turkey blames France for instability after Macron accused Erdogan of violating promise to stay out of Libya conflict.

Turkey has blamed France for instability in Libya after French President Emmanuel Macron accused his Turkish counterpart of failing "to keep his word" to put an end to meddling in the North African country.

"The main [actor] responsible for the problems in Libya since the crisis started in 2011 is France," Turkish foreign ministry spokesman Hami Aksoy said in a statement on Wednesday.

Read more ....

More News On The France-Turkey Dispute Escalating Over Libya And Mediterranean

France-Turkey dispute escalates over Libya and Mediterranean -- Arab News
France to send warships to support Greece in Turkish standoff -- The Guardian
Libya civil war: Macron accuses Erdogan of meddling in conflict -- BBC
France's Macron accuses Turkey's Erdogan of breaking Libya promises -- National Post/Reuters
France sends warships to Mediterranean to deter Turkey -- Middle East Monitor
French aircraft carrier to dock in Cyprus amid Turkey drilling dispute -- The National
Turkey blames France for instability in Libya -- France 24
Turkey urges France to stop supporting Haftar in Libya -- Hurriyet Daily News

Key Republican Senator Says He Will Oppose New Witnesses On President Trump's Impeachment Trial



Politico: Sen. Lamar Alexander to oppose new witnesses in trial, signaling vote likely to be defeated

Mitch McConnell and the GOP Senate could get Trump acquitted by Friday.

Sen. Lamar Alexander announced he will vote against a motion to call witnesses in President Donald Trump's impeachment trial, almost certainly ensuring the vote fails and paving the way for a speedy end to the trial.

"I worked with other senators to make sure that we have the right to ask for more documents and witnesses, but there is no need for more evidence to prove something that has already been proven and that does not meet the United States Constitution's high bar for an impeachable offense," Alexander said in a statement.

Senate Democrats need four Republicans to join them to win the witness vote, and the retiring Tennessee Republican was considered a key swing vote they might be able to win over.

The Senate will hold the vote on witnesses Friday afternoon and could move to acquit Trump from the impeachment charges later that night.

Read more ....

Update #1: Day in Impeachment: Lamar Alexandar Says He’ll Vote Against Witnesses (The New York Times)
Update #2: GOP Sen. Lamar Alexander, a key impeachment swing vote, says he will vote against witnesses (NBC News)

WNU Editor: Republican Senator Collins has said that she will vote for witnesses. I can only assume that Senator Romney will also vote for witnesses. But Republican Sen. Lamar Alexander's  announcement that he will not vote for witnesses means that this impeachment trial will now probably end, and President Trump will be acquitted in a Senate vote later tonight.

U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper: U.S. Will Not Completely Withdraw Forces From Africa

Secretary of Defense Mark Esper says U.S. does not plan to remove all troops from Africa as part of review.

Military Times: Esper says US military not withdrawing from AFRICOM

Secretary of Defense Mark Esper told reporters at the Pentagon Thursday that the U.S. military would not conduct a full troop withdrawal from Africa, though an ongoing review that could result in troop reductions.

Lawmakers and national security experts have expressed concern over the potential reduction of U.S. troops from the region following an al-Shabab attack on the Manda Bay, Kenya, base that killed three Americans, among them a U.S. soldier.

The Pentagon is amidst a review of the U.S. troop posture across the globe as military planners look for avenues to shore up resources and forces to address rising near-peer threats like Russia and China, and to better align policy with the National Defense Strategy.

Read more ....

Update #1: U.S. will not completely withdraw forces from Africa: Pentagon chief (Reuters)
Update #2: U.S. Officials: Some Troops To Stay In Africa Amid Moves By Russia, China (RFE)

WNU Editor: The French are relieved .... 'Critical to our operations': French defense minister asks Esper to maintain US presence in Africa (Washington Examiner).

Pentagon Waiting Iraqi Permission To Deploy Patriot Missile Defenses To Protect U.S. Troops


Warzone/The Drive: Here's Why Patriot Missiles Weren't Protecting US Troops In Iraq And Why They Still Aren't

Iraq is holding up the plan, but it's also hard to understand how the US military didn't fix this defensive gap earlier given the known threats.

The U.S. military wants to send Patriot surface-to-air missile units to Iraq in the wake of unprecedented Iranian ballistic missile strikes aimed at American forces in the country earlier this month, which the Pentagon now says caused dozens of injuries in addition to significant damage to facilities at Al Asad Air Base. However, the U.S. government still needs permission from authorities in Iraq to do so, approval that has so far not been forthcoming, something The War Zone's Tyler Rogoway had raised as a likely issue immediately following Iran's strikes. Discussions regarding the potential deployment of the air defense are ongoing, but come amid attempts by certain Iraqi factions to secure the withdrawal of all U.S. troops from the country.

Read more ....

More News On The Pentagon Waiting Iraqi Permission To Deploy Patriot Missile Defenses To Protect U.S. Troops

Pentagon seeking Iraqi permission to deploy missile defenses -- AP
U.S. seeks Iraqi nod to bring in air defenses after Iran attack -- Reuters
US awaits Iraq's okay to deploy Patriots to protect troops -- AFP
Pentagon still ’working on’ deploying Patriot missiles to Iraq, admits Baghdad’s ‘permission’ hasn’t been granted -- RT
Here’s why Patriot missile defense systems aren’t in Iraq yet -- Military Times

There Are Now 64 U.S. Troops Being Treated For Traumatic Brain Injuries From Iran Missile Strike





Military Times: Esper says he personally briefed Trump on the seriousness of TBI after Iran attack, now at 64 cases

In the days following an Iranian rocket attack on U.S. troops in Iraq, as reported injuries ballooned from zero casualties to 64 diagnosed traumatic brain injuries at last count, questions have arisen as to whether the military’s most senior leadership recognizes the concerns over TBI.

Though President Donald Trump last week dismissed the injuries as “headaches" and “not serious,” Defense Secretary Mark Esper told reporters Thursday that he had personally explained to the president the implications of the diagnosis.

“I’ve had the chance to speak with the president. He is very concerned about the health and welfare of all of our service members — particularly those who were involved in the operations in Iraq,” Esper said, though he did not elaborate on whether the talk came before or after Trump’s statements. “And he understands the nature of these injuries."

Read more ....

WNU Editor: Of the 64 service members who have been diagnosed, 39 have already returned to duty.

More News On 64 U.S. Troops Being Treated For Traumatic Brain Injuries From Iran Missile Strike

Pentagon chief defends Trump after traumatic brain injury comments -- Reuters
Now It’s 64. Wounded Troop Tally from Iran Missile Strike Rises Again -- Defense One
Number of US troops diagnosed with traumatic brain injuries after Iran attack rises to 64 -- FOX News
64 US troops now being treated for Traumatic Brain Injury as toll of Iranian attack continues to increase -- Task & Purpose
Defense secretary says Trump 'very concerned' about Iran attack brain injury victim -- ABC News
DoD Releases Video Explaining Traumatic Brain Injuries After Trump Comments -- Military.com

Pentagon Reveals F-35 Lightning's Guns Don't Shoot Straight



Daily Mail: Pentagon reveals F-35 Lightning's guns don't shoot straight and are cracking in scathing report that demands Lockheed Martin fix 873 flaws on $100million stealth fighter jet

* Report due this week lists flaws that need to be resolved with F-35 Lightning
* More than 800 software bugs were found in the Lockheed Martin jet
* Air Force model's 25mm gun doesn't shoot straight and mounts are cracking
* The $428 billion program has produced 491 jets so far that must be fixed
* Top customers for the Joint Strike Fighter include US, UK, Italy and Australia

The F-35 Lightning II's problems include hundreds of software vulnerabilities and guns that don't shoot straight, according to a new Pentagon report on issues with Lockheed Martin's $428 billion program.

Air Force models of the F-35 use an internally mounted 25mm Gatling gun that has 'unacceptable' accuracy due to 'misalignments,' according to an upcoming report from the Pentagon's test office obtained by Bloomberg.

The mounts on the guns are also cracking, forcing the Air Force to restrict use of the gun, the report says.

The Marine and Navy versions of the Joint Strike Fighter use an externally mounted version of the gun that does not have the same issues, according to the report.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: Unbelievable!!!!

More News On The Pentagon Revealing That The F-35 Lightning's Guns Don't Shoot Straight

F-35’s List of Flaws Includes a Gun That Can’t Shoot Straight -- Bloomberg
The Gun On the Air Force's F-35 Has 'Unacceptable' Accuracy, Pentagon Testing Office Says -- Time
Pentagon finds flaws in new F-35 amid increasing orders: report -- The Hill
F-35 To Go To School For Trillion-Dollar Planes That Can't Shoot Good -- Jalopnik
Mission incapable? Pentagon review finds gun on F-35 fighter jet can’t hit targets & 800+ software glitches – report -- RT
DOD tester’s report: F-35 is still a lemon -- Ars Technica

Tweets For Today











The Residents Of Wuhan Sing The Chinese National Anthem At 8:00








WNU Editor: This is moving.

Picture Of The Day

An empty street is seen in Wuhan, Hubei province, China. INSTAGRAM/EMILIA via REUTERS

WNU Editor: The above picture came from this photo-gallery .... Top Photos of the Day (Reuters).

CNN Is Saying That The U.S. Coronavirus Task Force Should Be More Diverse


WNU Editor: What's wrong with CNN? This crisis has nothing to do with diversity. It is an international health emergency. The CNN article is here .... Coronavirus task force another example of Trump administration's lack of diversity (CNN).

Thursday, January 30, 2020

Today Is Brexit Day





Daily Mail: A new dawn: Boris Johnson will say that Brexit is 'not an end, but a beginning' while hailing a new era and promising to transform neglected regions of Britain - as the nation leaves EU at 11pm TONIGHT

* Boris Johnson will deliver a plea for country to move on from Brexit on Friday night as the UK leaves the EU
* The Prime Minister will insist that Brexit marks 'not an end but a beginning' in an address shortly before 11pm
* He will stress his belief that the referendum was a vote for lasting change in neglected areas of the country

Boris Johnson will deliver a plea for the country to move on from Brexit on Friday night as the UK finally leaves the EU tonight.

In an address to be broadcast shortly before Britain's departure at 11pm, the Prime Minister will insist that Brexit marks 'not an end but a beginning'.

And in a sign of the new Government's changed approach, he will convene a symbolic Cabinet meeting this afternoon in Sunderland, the first city to declare for Brexit when the 2016 referendum results came out.

Read more ....

More News On The UK Leaving The EU Today

Brexit finally arrives Friday: A momentous yet quiet moment -- AP
Brexit day: United Kingdom casts off from the European Union -- Reuters
Brexit: Boris Johnson to hail 'dawn of a new era' on departure day -- BBC
'Leap into the unknown': what the papers say about Brexit day -- The Guardian
Britain is finally set to leave the EU, but what happens next? The UK and Brussels are braced for 11 months of crunch trade talks before a 'cliff-edge' in December (and Boris Johnson wants deals with Japan AND the US in 2020 as well) -- Daily Mail
Brexit: What travelers need to know -- DW
Brexit is happening Friday but not much is changing ... for now -- CNBC
Brexit Timeline 2016–2020: key events in the UK’s path from referendum to EU exit -- Euronews