US News
- The F-35 has new problems with the canopy. The F-22 has been replaced with F-15 in the Middle East. [Link]
- Protesters in Puerto Rico are demanding the territory’s leader step down. Puerto Rico’s governor says he will not seek reelection, but will not resign. [Link]
- The head of the IAEA dies. [Link]
Ukraine
- Ukrainian president’s party wins a majority in parliamentary elections. [Link]
Middle East
- Israel will destroy Palestinian homes outside of Jerusalem. [Link]
- Iran claims to have captured 17 US spies. Secretary of State Pompeo denies these claims. [Link]
- The acting Defense Secretary approves the deployment of US troops and resources to Saudi Arabia. [Link]
- Lockheed wins a $1.48 billion contract to provide THAAD missiles to Saudi Arabia. [Link]
- Over the past eight months, 1,000 IS fighters have fled Syria for Iraq. [Link]
Turkey
- Turkey threatens to retaliate against the US if sanctions are imposed. Turkey has already been removed from the F-35 program for buying the Russian made S-400 air defense system. It will cost the US $500 to $600 million to remove Turkey from the program. [Link]
- Turkey threatens to invade northern Syria – east of the Euphrates River – if a safe zone is not established. Turkey does not want US-backed Syrian Kurds operating on the border with Turkey. Turkey continues to say the US did not honor an agreement by withdrawing Syrian Kurds from Manbij. [Link]
Africa
- A bombing in Mogadishu killed at least 17 people. [Link]
- A drone strike killed seven of Haftar’s fighters in the battle for Tripoli. [Link]
- South Africa deployed soldiers to Cape Town to reduce gang violence. Authorities report about 2,000 murders in 2019. [Link]
- The UK plans to send 250 troops to Mali next year. [Link]
