US and Russian officials on Monday held the third video conference to discuss flight safety over Syria. “The two sides discussed measures to enhance operational safety for counter-ISIL coalition and Russian military forces operating in Syria, including the means to avoid accidents and unintended confrontation between coalition and Russian forces whenever the two sides operate in close proximity,” Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook said in a statement. The US representatives included Elissa Slotkin, the acting assistant secretary for international security affairs, and Marine Lt. Gen. Kenneth McKenzie, the Joint Staff director for strategic plans and policy. The two sides previously held video conferences in January and October 2015, when the memorandum was finalized. The discussion solely focused on flight operations, and did not discuss the cessation of hostilities that the US and Russia agreed upon on Feb. 12.
All of the U.S. military services are pursuing capabilities to complement GPS amid concerns that the constellation is increasingly vulnerable to interference, but a new government watchdog report calls for better coordination and prioritization among those efforts to avoid delays and duplication.
