ELECTION DELAY FUELING ALGERIAN PROTESTERS FIRE

Source: Al Monitor By Simon Speakman Cordal Thousands of Algerians returned to the streets on Friday, June 7, buoyed by the decision of the Constitutional Council to cancel presidential elections scheduled for July 4. A new date has not, however, been set. This latest concession to the Algerian street has provided further impetus to the… Continue reading ELECTION DELAY FUELING ALGERIAN PROTESTERS FIRE

SRI LANKA RECEIVES GIFTED CHINESE FRIGATE

Source: Naval Today The Sri Lanka Navy officially received a former Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy frigate in a handover ceremony at the Shanghai Dockyard in China on June 5. The gifted vessel spent 21 years in service as Jiangwei I-class frigate Tongling before being retired in 2015. Read more at: https://navaltoday.com/2019/06/10/sri-lanka-receives-gifted-chinese-frigate/

US SENATOR: CHINESE BUILDUP IN SOUTH CHINA SEA LIKE “PREPARING FOE WW III”

Source: Navy Times By: Geoff Ziezulewicz China’s ongoing military buildup on islands in the South China Sea is akin to “preparing for World War III,” the chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee declared on Tuesday. The comment by Republican Sen. James Inhofe of Oklahoma came during a hearing to discuss the challenges posed by… Continue reading US SENATOR: CHINESE BUILDUP IN SOUTH CHINA SEA LIKE “PREPARING FOE WW III”

US-BACKED EAST MED ALLIANCE MAY BYPASS TURKEY

epa03010742 epa03010733 An aerial view from a helicopter of the Homer Ferrington rig operated by Noble Energy in the east Mediterranean, drilling in an offshore block on concession from the Cypriot government, 21 November 2011. Houston-based Noble started drilling for gas off Cyprus in September, in the island's first attempt to tap speculated offshore hydrocarbons deposits. Cypriot President Demetris Christofias visited the rig, which started drilling for gas on 21 November. EPA/STR EPA/STR

Source: Ahvalnews By Nikos Georgiades The United States is fostering efforts by Greece, Cyprus and Israel to form an eastern Mediterranean security alliance as Washington’s NATO ally Turkey flirts with Russia and Iran, and confronts U.S. policy in Syria. Alongside security agreements, the United States is looking to set up an energy corridor to transfer… Continue reading US-BACKED EAST MED ALLIANCE MAY BYPASS TURKEY

CHINA CONSIDERING NEW OVERSEAE MILITARY BASES

Source: Defense World China is considering setting up new overseas military bases to provide logistical support to Chinese units operating overseas, a senior People’s Liberation Army (PLA) strategist said Thursday. “It is possible for China to build new overseas support facilities depending on two factors- the new base should help China better fulfil missions given… Continue reading CHINA CONSIDERING NEW OVERSEAE MILITARY BASES

US NAVY PLANS TO SEND MORE SHIPS INTO ARCTIC AND ESTABLISH POLAR PORT

Source: The Drive By Joseph Trevithick The U.S. Navy says it is considering sending surface ships into the Arctic this summer and that it could establish a new strategic port facility in the Bering Sea to support more of those patrols in the future. These announcements come as the ice in the region continues to… Continue reading US NAVY PLANS TO SEND MORE SHIPS INTO ARCTIC AND ESTABLISH POLAR PORT

UK PLANS TO BUILD 2 NEW MILITARY BASES IN CARIBBEAN AND ASIA

Source: Defence Blog U.K. Defense Secretary Gavin Williamson announced plans to build two new military bases in the Caribbean and southeast Asia, according to the Sunday Telegraph. Citing an interview with Gavin Williamson, the Sunday Telegraph reported that the plans are part of an effort to make the U.K. “a true global player” by increasing… Continue reading UK PLANS TO BUILD 2 NEW MILITARY BASES IN CARIBBEAN AND ASIA

GERMAN ARMY FLOATS PLAN TO RECRUIT EU CITIZENS

Source: Reuters Struggling to fill its ranks, Germany’s military is drawing up plans to recruit nationals from other European countries as part of a drive to beef up the armed forces. Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen wants to recruit Poles, Italians and Romanians, magazine Der Spiegel said, citing a ministry document. The German military,… Continue reading GERMAN ARMY FLOATS PLAN TO RECRUIT EU CITIZENS

MATTIS RESIGNS AS DEFENSE CHIEF CITING DIFFERENCES WITH TRUMP

Source: Bloomberg By Anthony Capaccio Defense Secretary Jim Mattis announced his resignation on Thursday, citing differences over policy with Donald Trump, a day after the president abruptly called for the withdrawal of American forces from Syria. Mattis informed the president of his decision in a meeting earlier in the afternoon in which the two discussed… Continue reading MATTIS RESIGNS AS DEFENSE CHIEF CITING DIFFERENCES WITH TRUMP

CYPRUS, GREECE, ISRAEL AGREE ON EASTMED PIPELINE

Source: Ekathimerini Cyprus, Greece and Israel reached on Thursday an interstate agreement on the EastMed pipeline, during the 5th tripartite summit that is being held in the Israeli city of Beer Sheva. As CNA learns, the agreement on the pipeline, which aims to connect Israel, Cyprus and Greece, needs to get the approval of the… Continue reading CYPRUS, GREECE, ISRAEL AGREE ON EASTMED PIPELINE