Trump prepares to “renew” the US military? The demilitarized zone in Idlib is only temporary
(Baonghean.vn) - The world over the past 24 hours has been filled with many outstanding news such as: India announced to pursue an independent policy in arms procurement; China accused the former president of Interpol of taking bribes; Syrian President Assad: The demilitarized zone in Idlib is only temporary; Mr. Trump is preparing to "renew" the US military?...
Is Trump preparing to "revamp" the US military?
 |
| US President Donald Trump and Secretary of Defense James Mattis answer questions from the press outside the White House. Photo: AP |
As President Donald Trump faces a series of major foreign policy challenges in the coming months, he will have to make some key decisions about the generals who will advise him and lead the US military.
Behind the scenes, the White House and the Pentagon are looking for a series of senior officers capable of taking on many important positions to replace many military generals about to retire, according to CNN.
Defense Secretary James Mattis is playing a central role in the process of nominating nominees for Senate confirmation. No one knows how long Mattis will stay in office or what names he is proposing. But this senior leadership class is believed to help shape U.S. military policy and operations for years to come.
India declares to pursue independent policy in arms procurement |
| Russia's S-400 Triumph missile system. Source: AFP/TTXVN |
Amid concerns over US sanctions over Russia's S-400 missile system deal, Indian Army Chief General Bipin Rawat said the country pursues an independent policy and is also interested in buying Kamov helicopters and other weapons systems from Moscow.
India and Russia on October 5 signed a multi-billion dollar deal for New Delhi to buy the S-400 Triumf air defense system from Moscow, a move that could lead to sanctions under the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA). India and Russia signed the deal despite US warnings that it would be a "focus area" for sanctions.
China accuses former Interpol president of taking bribes
|
Mr. Manh Hoang Vi. Photo:Xinhua |
China's Ministry of Public Security said on October 8 that Meng Hongwei, the recently resigned president of Interpol, is being held for investigation into bribery. A statement on the Ministry of Public Security's website said Meng, who is also a vice minister, "took bribes and is suspected of breaking the law." The statement added that anyone who accepted bribes would be investigated.
China's Ministry of Public Security said Mr. Meng's suspected bribery and illegal behavior had "caused serious harm" to the party and the police force, adding that a task force would investigate anyone suspected of taking bribes with Mr. Meng.
Turkish government eases ban on foreign currency transactions
 |
| Turkish lira and US dollars at a money exchange shop in Ankara. Photo: THX/TTXVN |
The Turkish government has introduced a number of exemptions from the ban on the use of foreign currencies in commercial transactions, including export contracts, capital market instruments and employment contracts involving foreigners.
The exemption also applies to other areas such as the sale of software produced abroad, charter contracts for transport vessels and contracts involving state institutions, provided that these transactions do not involve employment or real estate.
Last month, President Recep Tayyip Erdoga's government announced that real estate or rental contracts must be transacted in the local currency lira.
Syrian President Assad: Demilitarized zone in Idlib is only temporary
 |
| Syrian army tanks. Illustration photo: Masdar News |
Türkiye-backed Syrian rebels said on Friday they expected to complete the withdrawal of heavy weapons from a buffer zone in northwest Syria within days under a deal to set up a demilitarized zone aimed at halting bloody fighting in Idlib.
Earlier, Russia and Türkiye on September 17 reached an agreement to establish a demilitarized zone in northwestern Idlib, on the Turkish border, to prevent what many warn will be the worst humanitarian disaster since the conflict broke out in Syria.
However, Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad warned on October 7 that the agreement reached to prevent a major battle in the last stronghold of opposition forces was only a “temporary measure” before the Government army regained control of Idlib. The latest statement by Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad has made many people worry that fighting in Idlib could still happen at any time.
The 2018 Nobel Prize in Economics honors two American economists
 |
| William D. Nordhaus and Paul M. Romer. Photo: Reuters |
On the afternoon of October 8 (Vietnam time), two American economists, William D. Nordhaus and Paul M. Romer, won the 2018 Nobel Prize in Economics. According to the announcement of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, William D. Nordhaus was honored for integrating climate change into macroeconomic analysis, and Paul M. Romer was highly appreciated for bringing technological innovation into long-term macroeconomic analysis.
The Nobel Prize in Economics is the fifth and final prize of the 2018 Nobel season. Previously, the 2018 Nobel Prizes in Chemistry, Physics, Medicine and Peace were announced.
