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"Syrian government forces now control all of the strategic Damascus to Aleppo highway, which they had been trying to wrest from Turkish-backed rebels for weeks. As Syrian troops continue to push ahead inside the rebel-held enclave of Idlib, Turkey sent reinforcements to observations posts it occupies, while dispatching its foreign minister to Moscow."

"The U.S. government and the Afghan Taliban have agreed to the first step of a peace deal, a senior Trump administration official said Friday, a major milestone after months of talks over ending a war that has gone on for more than 18 years."

"The United Nations said Friday that more than 140,000 civilians have been displaced from northwestern Syria in just the last three days. An escalation in fighting across Idlib and Aleppo has pushed more than 830,000 people to flee their homes since early December, causing what the U.N. has said is the biggest humanitarian catastrophe since the conflict started in 2011."

"A senior U.S. official said Friday the United States and the Taliban have reached a truce agreement that will take effect “very soon” and could lead to withdrawals of American troops from Afghanistan."

"The two ANP killed Sgt. 1st Class Antonio R. Rodriguez, 28, of Las Cruces, New Mexico and Sgt. 1st Class Javier J. Gutierrez, 28, of San Antonio, Texas. The ANP wounded six other U.S. troops before being killed, the source said."

"Nigeria’s military burned down villages and forcibly displaced hundreds of people in its fight against Islamist insurgents in the country’s northeast, rights group Amnesty International alleged Friday."

"The United States is trying to ease concerns about its decision to withdraw conventional troops from Africa and replace them with specialized military trainers."

"The United States and the Taliban have agreed to a proposal for a reduction in violence in Afghanistan, and the Defense Department is working with allies on the path forward, Defense Secretary Dr. Mark T. Esper said."

"The move by the Philippines to end a security pact that allowed U.S. forces to train in the country potentially “challenged” future American operations with Filipino forces, a U.S. admiral said on Thursday."

"China and its increasingly sophisticated and far-flung military sit atop U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper’s list of international security worries, but in Europe a bigger concern is closer to home: Russia."

"Hundreds of missiles, weapons and munitions likely headed from Iran to Houthi militants in Yemen are in U.S. hands, intercepted during an operation earlier this week in the Arabian Sea."

"In recent years, the Army has stationed more troops in Europe to balance against Russia and also increased temporary Pacific rotations, while the Marine Corps is throwing much of its weight into highly mobile, distributed units to counter China. But which approach is more likely to keep either adversary in check?"

"US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says there has been a "pretty important breakthrough" in peace talks with the Taliban in recent days."

"The Iraqi government has given NATO the green light to stay in the country, the alliance's chief said Thursday, weeks after Iraq demanded foreign forces leave the country over the U.S. killing of Iran’s top general near the Baghdad airport."

"Defense Secretary Mark Esper said Thursday that a tentative deal has been reached between the U.S. and the Taliban on a seven-day 'reduction of violence' in Afghanistan."

"This report analyzes the golden hour—the early phase of a postconflict stability operation—and the actions, organization, and capabilities necessary to seize it and set the conflict-affected country on a path to self-sustaining peace. The report combines a review of the literature in this field and a brief examination of key cases of U.S.-led stability operations."

"Unlike his predecessors, John Bolton or H.R. McMaster, who pursued their own agendas or tried to block some of Trump’s impulses, O’Brien has taken a wrecking ball to parts of the National Security Council, the intelligence and foreign policy hub of the White House, to satisfy a president who doesn’t trust experts."

"U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday he did not mind Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte's decision to end a decades-old military agreement with the United States, a position at odds with that of his defense secretary who viewed the move with dismay."

"PENTAGON - The United States is starting to change its force posture in Africa, announcing it is bringing home part of an infantry brigade and replacing them with specialized military trainers."

"BRUSSELS - NATO has agreed "in principle" to take over some of the training activities carried out by the U.S.-led coalition against the Islamic State terror group in Iraq, according to NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg."

"A U.S. military convoy was attacked on Wednesday by pro-Syrian government militia fighters in northeast Syria, local sources and U.S. officials said. The incident occurred in a village near the northeastern city of Qamishli."

"Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has accused Russia of committing 'massacres' in its support of the Syrian government and threatened to strike Syrian regime forces 'everywhere' if its soldiers come under renewed attack."

"AYAHUALTEMPA, Mexico - At age 13, Luis Gustavo Morales barely knows how to do basic math, but he already knows how to handle a shotgun nearly as tall as he is."

"The Army's 1st Security Force Assistance Brigade will deploy to Africa in coming weeks to train forces in an effort to contend with Russia and China on the continent, the Pentagon announced today."

"Despite reports U.S. troops could be reduced in Africa, U.S. Army Africa commander Maj. Gen. Roger L. Cloutier Jr. said African partners can remain confident the U.S. will not abandon Africa."