South China Sea: China Places Missile Launchers On Disputed Island

February 17, 2016 | 05:33 GMT

The Chinese military has deployed an advanced surface-to-air missile system to one of its contested islands in the South China Sea, according to civilian satellite imagery by ImageSat International, Fox News reported Feb. 17. An unnamed U.S. official confirmed the accuracy of the photos. The images show two batteries of eight surface-to-air missile launchers as well as a radar system on Woody Island, part of the Paracel Island chain controlled by China but also claimed by Vietnam and Taiwan. The HQ-9 system, which has a range of 125 miles (200 kilometers), would provide considerable coverage, given that it would be deployed over open water with less obstruction to detection range. Other images released by The Diplomat over the weekend show Chinese island-building work at two sites in the island chain. The move comes as Southeast Asian leaders are meeting with U.S. President Barack Obama at a landmark summit in California

For the Chinese Military, a Modern Command System

February 16, 2016 | 09:00 GMT

The redrawing of China's military theater command districts will incorporate the restructuring of the military's command systems, for the first time putting army, navy and air forces under a unified combined command. (Getty Images)

China may have more or less finished the broader steps to restructuring its military. On Feb. 1, Chinese President Xi Jinping presided over the inauguration of five new theater commands, replacing China's seven former military regions. While not the first time China has cut down the number of its military regions and redrawn their borders, this particular reform is the first instance in which the function and role of the military regions have been drastically altered by unifying the chains of command of its military forces. These changes are intended to reinforce China's ability to conduct effective joint military operations, an important development if it wants to compete with the world's most advanced militaries.

A cargo truck crosses the Nepal-India border after the lifting of monthslong blockade. Nepalese parties imposed the blockade in September to protest Nepal's new constitution, starving the country of much-needed imports from India. (MANISH POUDEL/AFP/Getty Images)

For four months, the India-Nepal border was under a blockade that reduced the import of key goods to landlocked Nepal to a trickle. On Feb. 5, that blockade ended but the conditions that produced it remain. The restriction barring trade into Nepal was the work of the country's three-party United Democratic Madhesi Front, which is against the newly adopted Nepalese constitution. Starting in late September, the border shutdown limited the transport of fuel, medicine and other essential goods.

U.S., Russia: Obama, Putin Hold Phone Call About Syria, Ukraine

February 14, 2016 | 15:59 GMT

Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Barack Obama held a telephone conversation about the Syrian civil war and the conflict in Ukraine, the Kremlin said in a statement, the New York Times reported Feb. 14. The call took place at Washington's initiative, but the statement did not specify when it occurred. On Syria, both sides gave a positive assessment of the results of the meeting of the International Syria Support Group on Feb. 12 toward a cease-fire. Putin also discussed the importance of combatting terrorism and establishing a working relationship between the Pentagon and the Russian Defense Ministry.

Syria: Kurdish Militia Refuses To Leave Seized Areas, Turkey Continues Shelling

February 14, 2016 | 15:57 GMT

A Turkish assault on positions claimed by Kurdish fighters in northern Syria has continued into Feb. 14, officials said, BBC reported. Turkey began shelling the Kurdish militia, the People's Protection Units (YPG), on Feb. 13, claiming it is linked to the banned Kurdistan Workers Party. The YPG has rejected Turkey's demand to leave areas it has seized, saying jihadist groups would return if it left. Turkey's assault is a new thread in the Syrian conflict that has drawn in competing regional powers. World leaders agreed on Feb. 12 to work toward a cease-fire in Syria within a week, though the long-term prospects for its success are uncertain.

Iran: Tehran Ready To Defend Syrian Airspace, Defense Chief Says

February 14, 2016 | 15:03 GMT

Iran is ready to help defend Syria's airspace, Iran's air defense chief said, the New York Times reported Feb. 14. However, he said any such aid would be provided in an "advisory" capacity. This is the first time Iran has offered to assist with Syrian air defenses. The defense chief's remarks come after Turkey and Saudi Arabia — leading supporters of the rebels battling to topple al Assad — said they were open to sending ground troops into Syria to battle the Islamic State. Saudi Arabia also deployed warplanes to Turkey's Incirlik air base on Feb. 14 for the same purpose.

Saudi Arabia: Aircraft Dispatched To Turkish Air Base

February 14, 2016 | 14:09 GMT

Saudi Arabia has deployed warplanes to a Turkey's Incirlik air base to intensify its operations against the Islamic State in Syria, a senior Saudi defense official said, France24 reported Feb. 14. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said Feb. 13 that Saudi jets would be deployed at Incirlik, and that the two countries could participate in ground operations against Islamic State in Syria. However, Syrian President Bashar al Assad's government last week warned that its forces would resist any ground intervention. The Saudi defense official also said the decision to deploy an unspecified number of jets to Turkey was made in coordination with U.S.-led, anti-Islamic State coalition members, and that a ground operation was being planned as well. Turkey has hit Kurdish and Syrian loyalist positions in northern Syria, further complicating efforts to end the war after world powers on Feb. 12 agreed to begin a cease-fire in the coming week