Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 06 May 2014 [PDF]
• Afghanistan: UN official urges long-term support for vulnerable communities UN News Centre 06 May 2014 -- In the wake of last week's massive landslide in north-eastern Afghanistan, a senior United Nations relief official today voiced deep concern about the impact of conflict and natural disasters in the country, and urged the world to step up support to vulnerable communities.
• Pakistan PM Defends Taliban Peace Talks VOA 06 May 2014 -- Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is continuing to defend his government's efforts to tackle Islamic extremism and militancy through peace talks with the Pakistani Taliban. But critics say the controversial floundering peace dialogue is instead emboldening Islamist forces in Pakistan, adding to the concerns of religious minorities.

Defense Policy / Programs

• DOD Works to Counter Russian Intervention in Ukraine AFPS 06 May 2014 -- The Defense Department is working with the State Department and NATO allies to provide reassurance, deterrence and support to Ukraine, the deputy assistant secretary of defense for Russia, Ukraine and Eurasia told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee today.
• Ukrainian Border Guards Get Equipment, DOD Spokesman Says AFPS 06 May 2014 -- Ukraine's border guard has received a large percentage of the U.S.-funded equipment it requested, a Defense Department spokesman said here today.
• Remarks by Secretary Hagel at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, Chicago, Illinois DoD 06 May 2014 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel
• Hagel: DOD Focuses on People, Capabilities, Partners AFPS 06 May 2014 -- People, capabilities and partners are the focus of Defense Department leaders as they reshape the defense enterprise for challenges ahead and to ensure America's continuing global leadership, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said today in Chicago.
• Remarks by Secretary Hagel at a Town Hall with Recruit Training Command School Student Instructors at Naval Station Great Lakes, North Chicago, Illinois DoD 06 May 2014 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel
• USS Hopper Returns to Pearl Harbor Following Eight-month Deployment NNS 06 May 2014 -- On May 6, friends and family members of the crew from USS Hopper (DDG 70) gathered at the Bravo piers to welcome back the guided-missile destroyer as she returned to her homeport Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam after completing an eight-month independent deployment to the 5th and 7th Fleet areas of responsibility.
• CNO Explains Navy's Compensation Reform at Congressional Hearing NNS 06 May 2014 -- WASHINGTON (May 6, 2014) - Chief of Naval Operations testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) encouraging Congress to accept and implement the Department of Defense budget proposal recommendation to slow growth of service members' pay and compensation.
• U.S., Canadian Troops Join Poland in Combined Airborne Operation AFPS 06 May 2014 -- A combined airborne training operation is underway with U.S. forces and NATO partners Canada and Poland, a Pentagon spokesman announced today, calling it a further demonstration of a commitment to alliance security.
• Budget Uncertainty Leads to Imbalance, Top Marine Says AFPS 06 May 2014 -- The current period of fiscal austerity has exacerbated an imbalance across the Marine Corps' budget, Marine Corps Commandant Gen. James F. Amos told the Senate Armed Services Committee today.
• Chief of Staff Describes Air Force's 'Precarious' Position AFPS 06 May 2014 -- After 23 years of high-tempo operations, the Air Force is in a precarious position, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III told the Senate Armed Services Committee today.
• Quality of Service at Issue for Sailors, Greenert Says AFPS 06 May 2014 -- The Navy made some difficult choices while crafting its portion of the 2015 presidential budget proposal, the chief of naval operations told the Senate Armed Services Committee today.
• DOD Announces Recruiting And Retention Numbers For Fiscal 2014, Through March 2014 DoD 06 May 2014-- The Department of Defense announced today recruiting and retention statistics for the active and reserve components for fiscal 2014, through March 2014.
• What Marines need to know about Venezuela USMC News 06 May 2014 -- Venezuela, like many countries in Latin America, has been plagued by poverty and unequal income distribution for decades. This made this oil-rich country prone to come under the political influence of populist leaders such as former President Hugo Chavez.
• United States Signs Protocol to Central Asian Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty US Dept. of State 06 May 2014
• Eyes in the sky AFNS 06 May 2014 -- With an aim to enhance comprehensive base safety and security, the 30th Security Forces Squadron is bolstering its Small Unmanned Aircraft System program.
• U.S., Philippine Forces Begin Bilateral Balikatan Exercise AFPS 06 May 2014 -- Senior military leaders from the armed forces of the Philippines and the United States, together with government officials, began Exercise Balikatan 2014 here yesterday, a week after U.S. President Barack Obama visited the Philippines and reaffirmed the "ironclad" alliance between the two nations.
• Slower Growth Needed in Pay, Benefits, Army Chief Says AFPS 06 May 2014 -- Pay and benefit programs must remain competitive, yet balanced against strategic needs, Army Chief of Staff Gen. Ray Odierno told Congress today.
• Dempsey Stresses Need for Military Balance in Senate Hearing AFPS 06 May 2014 -- Pay and compensation are only one part of a broader challenge to the Defense Department to maintain the balance the military needs to fight the nation's wars, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff told the Senate Armed Services Committee today.
• Winnefeld Combats Disinformation on Pay, Compensation Proposals AFPS 06 May 2014 -- No one in the Defense Department is asking for a military pay cut, nor are leaders trying to shutter commissaries, the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff told the Senate Armed Services Committee today.
• NATO and Japan sign cooperation accord to deepen partnership, discuss Ukraine crisis NATO 06 May 2014 -- NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Tuesday (06 May 2014) signed a roadmap detailing areas where the Alliance and Japan will work to widen and deepen their longstanding partnership. "Today we signed an agreement that will take this relationship a step further," said the Secretary General. "It will bring our practical cooperation to a new level including in the areas of counter piracy, disaster relief and humanitarian assistance."
• Moscow Open About Military Drills Near Ukrainian Border – Lavrov RIA Novosti 06 May 2014 -- Moscow has nothing to hide about military exercises conducted near the Ukrainian border and international inspections have already proven them non-threatening, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Tuesday.
• Russian Pacific Military Flights Unrelated to Ukraine – Defense Ministry RIA Novosti 06 May 2014 -- The Russian Defense Ministry said Tuesday it was surprised at a statement by US General Herbert Carlisle of an increase in flights of Russian long-range aircraft over the Pacific Ocean amid the situation in Ukraine.
• New Ships, Subs to Boost Russia's Black Sea Fleet in Crimea RIA Novosti 06 May 2014 -- Russia's Black Sea Fleet headquartered in the Crimea region that recently reunified with Russia will be beefed up with a slew of next-generation warships and submarines, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Tuesday.
• Russia to Spend $2.4 Bln on Black Sea Fleet by 2020 RIA Novosti 06 May 2014 -- Russia's Black Sea Fleet will receive more than 86 billion rubles ($2.4 billion) for development in the period to 2020, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Tuesday.
• Russian Air Force planes over neutral Pacific Ocean waters cannot be called 'challenge' to US VoR 06 May 2014 -- The flights of planes of the Russian Air Force over neutral waters of the Pacific Ocean cannot be called 'a challenge' to the United States, a high-ranking official of the Russian Defense Ministry told ITAR-TASS on Tuesday, commenting on a statement by US Pacific Air Forces Commander General Herbert J. Carlisle regarding intensified flights of Russia's long-range aviation planes over the Pacific in connection with the developments in Ukraine, TASS reports.
• Russia Launches Military Satellite Into Orbit RIA Novosti 06 May 2014 -- Russia on Tuesday launched a carrier rocket from its northern Plesetsk space center to put a military satellite in orbit, the Defense Ministry said.
• European missile shield to increase, has anti-Russian potential - ministry VoR 06 May 2014 -- The European elements of the United States national missile defense system are aimed against Russia and their potential will only grow over time, head of the Russian Defense Ministry's Main Directorate for International Military Cooperation Sergei Koshelev told reporters.
• India's Modi pledges defense procurement overhaul VoR 06 May 2014 -- India's frontrunner for prime minister Narendra Modi has pledged to speed up corruption-hit defense procurement if he comes to power to ensure the country's military is better prepared for battle, AFP reports. As the nation's general election enters its final stretch, Modi said timely, cost-effective and corruption-free purchase of defense weapons and other equipment was critical for the military.
• Iraq to receive first batch of Russian Night Hunter helicopters before end of 2014 VoR 06 May 2014 -- The Iraqi Air Force will receive Russia's Mil Mi-28NE 'Night Hunter' military helicopters before the end of this year, Deputy Director of the Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation Konstantin Biryulin told Interfax-AVN on Tuesday.
• Daily Press Briefing by the Press Secretary Jay Carney, 05/06/14 The White House 06 May 2014
• May 6, 2014 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 06 May 2014
• May 6, 2014 - Secretary of State John Kerry Remarks With EU High Representative Lady Catherine Ashton After Their Meeting US Dept. of State 06 May 2014

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for May 06, 2014

Other Conflicts

• 6 May 2014 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 06 May 2014
• May 6, 2014 - Background Briefing on South Sudan US Dept. of State 06 May 2014
• US Imposes Sanctions on Military, Rebel Leader in South Sudan VOA 06 May 2014 -- The United States has announced its first sanctions against South Sudan, where clashes between pro- and anti-government forces have left thousands of people dead since mid-December.
• In South Sudan, UN chief appeals for peace as political rivals agree to meet for talks UN News Centre 06 May 2014 -- United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today that South Sudan's President and his main political rival – whose respective forces are locked in an increasingly brutal conflict in the country – have said they plan to "sit down together" later this week for talks on ending nearly five months of fighting.
• South Sudanese refugees flooding into Ethiopia, UN agency reports UN News Centre 06 May 2014 -- Waves of South Sudanese women and children are fleeing across the Ethiopian border, with more than 11,000 people crossing in the past 72 hours, the United Nations refugee agency today said confirming that UN agencies and humanitarian partners are rushing food and medical supplies to the site.
• UN chief arrives in strife-torn South Sudan for high-level talks, meeting with community leaders UN News Centre 06 May 2014 -- United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon arrived in Juba today, capital of strife-torn South Sudan, to show solidarity with the people and hold talks with top Government officials, community leaders, and the head of the UN mission there.
• UN human rights office 'disappointed' by ruling in DR Congo mass rape trial UN News Centre 06 May 2014 -- Disappointed by the ruling of a Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) military court which acquitted close to half of the 39 Congolese soldiers accused of mass rape in 2012, the United Nations Human Rights Office (OHCHR) said today the decision fell short of the expectations of the numerous victims and confirmed the shortcoming of the country's justice system.
• Thousands return to DRC amid Brazzaville crackdown on migrants IRIN 06 May 2014 -- Some 60,000 Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) nationals have returned over the past month from neighbouring Republic of Congo (RoC) as a result of actual or threatened deportation in an operation that has cost several policemen their jobs because of brutality. On 6 May alone, some 2,600 made the journey by boat.
• During visit to Chad, UN humanitarian chief meets with Central African refugees UN News Centre 06 May 2014 -- The top United Nations relief official today visited with mostly women and children fleeing violence in the Central African Republic (CAR) by taking refuge in Chad, where they are receiving food, vaccines and other support from UN agencies and partners.
• UN rights office warns Boko Haram over 'sale' of Nigerian schoolgirls, as new kidnappings reported UN News Centre 06 May 2014 -- The United Nations human rights office today lashed out at the militant group known as Boko Haram which claimed responsibility for kidnapping more than 200 schoolgirls in Nigeria and now, referring to the girls as "slaves", says it plans to sell them "in the market" and "marry them off".
• Lingering psychological trauma three years after Libya's uprising IRIN 06 May 2014 -- In Hay El-Islami, a poor neighbourhood in western Tripoli, two groups of children are facing off. The first is led by a 10-year-old whipping a strip of plastic. About 30 metres down the dusty, unpaved street, their rivals wait with wooden sticks.

News Reports

• Kerry Calls Eastern Ukraine Referendum 'Crimea Play-Book' RFE/RL 06 May 2014 -- Washington has denounced what it calls 'contrived and bogus' plans by pro-Russia separatist groups in eastern Ukraine to conduct a weekend referendum on self-determination.
• Kerry to Russia: Don't Sabotage Ukraine Poll VOA 06 May 2014 -- U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on Tuesday again warned Russia of increased sanctions if it tries to sabotage presidential elections in Ukraine, while on Capital Hill some lawmakers expressed frustration with what they see as the Obama administration's incremental measures.
• US Lawmakers Focus on America's Response to Ukraine Crisis VOA 06 May 2014 -- A top U.S. official has defended the Obama administration's response to the crisis in Ukraine, and has promised more sanctions against Russia if Kyiv loses more territory to separatists widely seen as backed by Moscow. Assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs Victoria Nuland testified on Capitol Hill, where a growing bipartisan chorus is urging tougher penalties against Russia before presidential elections in Ukraine, scheduled for May 25.
• Ukraine Says It Supports Dialogue, But Not With 'Terrorists' VOA 06 May 2014 -- Ukrainian officials Tuesday voiced support for a new round of international negotiations to find a peaceful resolution to the growing conflict with pro-Russian separatists in the eastern part of the county. But officials in Kyiv rejected Russia's latest proposal that pro-Russian rebels also be included in the talks.
• Ukrainian forces prepare provocation against Russia in Donetsk VoR 06 May 2014 -- Russian military uniforms and fake IDs of Russian officers have been taken to the eastern Ukrainian city of Donetsk to stage an attack on Ukrainian border guards, a Ukrainian law enforcement official told RIA Novosti Tuesday on condition of anonymity. 'The task is to stage an attack on Ukrainian border guards by people dressed in Russian military uniforms and make a video of it,' he said.
• Kyiv Seeks New Talks as Ukraine Slides Closer to War VOA 06 May 2014 -- Ukraine is ready to back a new round of talks in Geneva in a bid to de-escalate a political crisis with Russia as long as Moscow supports presidential elections on May 25, Ukrainian Acting Foreign Minister Andriy Deshchytsia said on Tuesday.
• Ukrainian military contingent involved in punitive raid reaches 30,000 servicemen VoR 06 May 2014 -- The numerical strength of Ukrainian armed forces' group involved in the punitive raid in the Donetsk region is 30,000 people, coordinator of Donbass defense Vasily Kiselyov told ITAR-TASS on Tuesday. Additionally, according to self-defense forces' representative, armored vehicles and heavy armaments are being deployed at Slavyansk.
• Ukrainian army fighting side by side with neo-Nazis against own people - Lavrov VoR 06 May 2014 -- The West continues to ignore the fact that Ukrainian army is fighting, side by side with neo-Nazis against their own people, Russian Foreign Ministry Sergei Lavrov said Tuesday. Lavrov said that EU and US officials refuse to comment the fact that the Ukrainian army has received the order to fight against own people side by side with the neo-Nazis.
• West turns blind eye to true causes of Odessa tragedy - Russian FM Sergei Lavrov VoR 06 May 2014 -- Western countries remain indifferent to the causes of last week's tragedy in Ukraine's southern city of Odessa that claimed dozens of lives, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Tuesday. 'Even though the West condemns the Odessa tragedy, it's turning a blind eye to the true causes of it,' Lavrov said during the Council of Europe's ministerial meeting in Vienna. The Russian foreign minister added that Western countries had concealed and justified actions aimed at the rehabilitation of Nazi collaborators by former Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko under the guise of Ukrainian patriotism.
• Ukraine Parliament Holds Emergency Meeting On Crisis In Country's East RFE/RL 06 May 2014 -- Ukraine's parliament is holding an emergency session to discuss the escalating crisis in the east of the country. Ukrainian media reports say security chiefs on May 6 are expected to brief lawmakers of the Verkhovna Rada behind closed doors on the situation in the east, where pro-Russian forces have seized government buildings and police stations in a string of cities and towns.
• Ukrainian Parliament Votes Against Referendum on Decentralization RIA Novosti 06 May 2014 -- The Ukrainian parliament has voted against holding a decentralization referendum on May 25 in Ukraine, Parliamentarian Alexander Briginec wrote on Facebook Tuesday.
• Moscow Slams West for Pushing Own Agenda in Ukraine RIA Novosti 06 May 2014 -- Russia believes the tensions that have "ripened" in Ukrainian society were used by Western countries to advance their own interests, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Tuesday.
• Lavrov Says External Players Should Contribute to Dialogue in Ukraine RIA Novosti 06 May 2014 -- External players, including Russia, the US and the EU, must help promote dialogue in Ukraine, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Tuesday.
• Sides in Ukrainian Conflict Must Agree to Exit Crisis – Lavrov RIA Novosti 06 May 2014 -- The opposing sides in Ukraine need to agree on steps to settle the ongoing political crisis in the country under the observance of the Organization for Security Cooperation in Europe, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Tuesday.
• Lavrov Says Nationwide Dialogue Way Out of Ukrainian Crisis RIA Novosti 06 May 2014 -- Moscow sees nationwide dialogue as the only resolution to the domestic political crisis in Ukraine, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Tuesday.
• Lavrov Warns Against Excluding Ukraine Opposition from 4-Party Talks RIA Novosti 06 May 2014 -- Moscow does not believe holding new multilateral talks on Ukraine would be effective without representation from the country's opposition, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Tuesday.
• Ukrainian Police Confirm 46 Dead, 3 Missing in Odessa Clashes RIA Novosti 06 May 2014 -- Forty-six people died and three remain missing as a result of clashes in Odessa last Friday, the branch of Ukraine's Ministry of Internal Affairs in the region said Tuesday.
• Ukrainian Party Demands Resignation of Acting President RIA Novosti 06 May 2014 -- Ukraine's Party of Regions has demanded the immediate resignation of acting President Oleksander Turchynov and several government officials, the head of the Donetsk regional organization of the party said Tuesday.
• Federalists Seize City Council in Ukraine's Donetsk Region RIA Novosti 06 May 2014 -- Pro-federalization supporters have taken control of the city council in the Ukrainian town of Debaltsevo in Donetsk Region, local media reported Tuesday.
• Ukrainian Government Sides with Neo-Nazis Against Own People – Lavrov RIA Novosti 06 May 2014 -- The West continues to ignore the fact that Ukrainian army is fighting side by side with neo-Nazis against their own people, Russian Foreign Ministry Sergei Lavrov said Tuesday.
• Moscow Urges UN to Remain Impartial on Ukrainian Issues RIA Novosti 06 May 2014 -- A senior Russian diplomat has called on UN officials to be as impartial as possible while assessing the ongoing events in Ukraine, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Tuesday.
• Ukraine's Party of Regions Warns of Imminent National Collapse RIA Novosti 06 May 2014 -- The Party of Regions, the previous ruling political force under ousted President Viktor Yanukovych, warned the current authorities in Kiev Monday that the process of Ukraine's disintegration is becoming irreversible.
• Ukraine: Alarmed by surging violence, UN rights chief urges greater effort to resolve crisis UN News Centre 06 May 2014 -- Increasing violence in eastern and southern Ukraine is resulting in more and more death and destruction, the top United Nations human rights official said today, calling on all sides in the conflict to make a greater effort to find a peaceful resolution, particularly ahead of the 25 May presidential election.
• OPINION: St. George's Ribbon Campaign Promotes Patriotism RIA Novosti 06 May 2014 -- St. George's ribbon is perceived in many countries of the former USSR as a symbol of Russia, and in Russia itself it contributes to the shaping of the national idea of patriotism, according to experts.
• 'We're Worried,' Say Hard-line Opponents Of Iran's Nuclear Deal RFE/RL 06 May 2014 -- Iranian hard-liners have concerns about Tehran's ongoing negotiations over its nuclear program, and they want the government to know about it.
• Russian-Designed Reactor at Indian Nuclear Plant Nears Capacity – Source RIA Novosti 06 May 2014 -- Experts working on the construction of India's Kudankulam nuclear power plant being built with Russian assistance have brought the first reactor unit to 90 percent of its capacity, a source in the industry told RIA Novosti Tuesday.
• Moldovan Deputy PM Has White House Talks Amid Ukraine Crisis RFE/RL 06 May 2014 -- Moldova's Deputy Prime Minister for Reintegration Eugen Carpov has met with a senior U.S. national security official in Washington, a day after Moldova placed its border forces on alert due to concerns about the crisis in neighboring Ukraine.
• Egypt's Sissi: Muslim Brotherhood, Morsi Are 'Finished' VOA 06 May 2014 -- Egypt's former army chief Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi says the Muslim Brotherhood has no future in Egypt if he wins the country's presidential election later this month.