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Current Operations

• OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 08 May 2014 [PDF]
• Taliban declares annual 'spring offensive' on US-led forces Iran Press TV 08 May 2014 -- The Taliban militant group in Afghanistan has announced the start of its annual "spring offensive" on foreign forces before the latter's withdrawal from the war-torn country.
• Brigade prepares for final Afghanistan tour UK MOD 08 May 2014 -- Service men and women have been showcasing their work ahead of the last historic mission.
• US Forces Are in Nigeria to Aid Search for Kidnapped Girls VOA 08 May 2014 -- The U.S. military said almost a dozen staff officers were in Nigeria and would form the core part of the U.S. team to aid in finding nearly 300 schoolgirls who were abducted last month in northern Nigeria.

Defense Policy / Programs

• U.S. Announces More Exercises with East European Allies, Partners AFPS 08 May 2014 -- The United States has begun a new military exercise with Estonia amid no indication of a Russian troop pullback from its border with Ukraine.
• Michigan Guard Soldiers Arrive in Latvia AFPS 08 May 2014 -- A 30-member Michigan Army National Guard Unmanned Aircraft System platoon arrived in Riga, Latvia, yesterday.
• DDR design poised to serve as open systems architecture pathfinder AFNS 08 May 2014 -- Mounted on an experimental aircraft known as the Proteus, the Air Force's Dismount Detection Radar, or DDR, pod underwent its first test flight above the Mojave Airport Civilian Flight Test Center in California, April 22.
• Face of Defense: U.S.-Philippine Troops Partner in Exercise AFPS 08 May 2014 -- Philippine and American troops held a May 5 ceremony that marked the start of the Balikatan 2014 field training exercise being held here.
• USS Taylor Arrives in Batumi, Georgia NNS 08 May 2014 -- The Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate USS Taylor (FFG 50) arrived in Batumi, Georgia, for a scheduled port visit, May 8.
• EODMU-5 Conducts 2014 Tri-Crab Exercise NNS 08 May 2014 -- Sailors from Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit (EODMU) 5 trained alongside members of the Royal Australian Navy and Air Force, Australian Army and Republic of Singapore Navy during the biennial Tri-Crab Exercise on U.S. Naval Base Guam.
• Updated Facilities Bring a Taste of Home to Remote Navy Location NNS 08 May 2014 -- Sailors and civilians stationed at Naval Base Ventura County (NBVC) San Nicolas Island (SNI) are enjoying the comforts of home thanks to an upgraded theater and brand new Ship's Store in Nictown, the island's main living area.
• NATO justified in reinforcing defence of Allies, Secretary General says in visit to Poland NATO 08 May 2014 -- NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said the Alliance was fully justified in reinforcing the defence of Poland and other Allies in wake of the Ukraine crisis. "Russia's illegal and illegitimate aggression against Ukraine is the greatest challenge to Europe's security in a generation. So we have rightly reinforced the defence of our Allies, including Poland," the Secretary General said at the start of his visit to Warsaw on Wednesday (7 May 2014).
• British Foreign Minister Backs Georgia's NATO Membership RFE/RL 08 May 2014 -- British Foreign Secretary William Hague has arrived in Georgia and voiced 'very clear support' for the Caucasus country's bid to join NATO and the European Union.
• Russia holds war games to repel nuke strike Iran Press TV 08 May 2014 -- President Vladimir Putin says Russia's military is totally ready while overseeing military drills involving Russia's military forces as tensions grow with the West over the Ukraine crisis.
• Russia to Quadruple Precision Strategic Weapon Platforms by 2021 RIA Novosti 08 May 2014 -- Russia will quadruple its arsenal of long-range precision delivery platforms in the next seven years to strengthen the country's strategic deterrent, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Thursday.
• Russian Tu-95 Bear Bomber Launches Cruise Missiles During Drills RIA Novosti 08 May 2014 -- A Russian strategic TU-95 "Bear" bomber launched six cruise missiles against ground targets during military drills Thursday overseen by President Vladimir Putin.
• Russia Test Launches ICBM During Exercises Led by Putin RIA Novosti 08 May 2014 -- Russia's strategic missile forces test launched an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) during a training exercise on Thursday under the leadership of President Vladimir Putin.
• Russian Aircraft Carrier Group Enters English Channel RIA Novosti 08 May 2014 -- A group of warships from Russia's Northern Fleet led by the aircraft-carrying cruiser Admiral Kuznetsov entered the English Channel Thursday, the head of the Western Military District's press service for the Northern Fleet told RIA Novosti.
• Putin Showcases Russian Military Preparedness to Neighbors RIA Novosti 08 May 2014 -- Russian strategic offensive and defensive forces are prepared and proficient, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday after overseeing a routine drill of the country's armed forces.
• Russia Returns 5 More Navy Ships to Ukraine RIA Novosti 08 May 2014 -- Russia has transferred five additional ships to Ukrainian command, with the vessels already having arrived in Odessa, the acting head of the Sevastopol administration told RIA Novosti Thursday.
• Hi-tech radars, telecoms fitted in IRGC vessels: Commander Iran Press TV 08 May 2014 -- Speed vessels in the inventory of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) have been equipped with sophisticated radars and telecommunications systems that are rather matchless in the world, says an IRGC commander.
• Australian military is to use new cyber warfare after Snowden's revelations VoR 08 May 2014 -- The Australian Defence Force is about to begin using cyber warfare for various military operations in the near future. Official ADF documents do not explain how the use of it will influence the Australian people. Previously, the Australian government has expressed the desire and need to protect their country from cyber threats and various foreign spying. However, it is due to the release of the ADF new 'Information Activities' report last November that launches the start of Australia being engaged in the cyber activities.
• Press Gaggle by Principal Deputy Press Secretary Josh Earnest -- Los Angeles, CA The White House 08 May 2014
• May 8, 2014 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 08 May 2014

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for May 08, 2014

Other Conflicts

• 8 May 2014 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 08 May 2014
• Final group of militants leaving Syria's Homs Iran Press TV 08 May 2014 -- The final batch of foreign-backed militants is leaving the Syrian city of Homs as part of a deal between Damascus and militants.
• Syria militants block aid convoy near Aleppo Iran Press TV 08 May 2014 -- Al-Qaeda-linked militants in Syria have blocked a relief aid convoy from reaching two war-ravaged towns in the outskirts of the northern city of Aleppo.
• Massive Blast Levels Historic Syria Hotel VOA 08 May 2014 -- A massive explosion in a tunnel dug by rebel fighters destroyed an historic hotel facing Aleppo's iconic 13th century Citadel. Both opposition and government sources are reporting numerous casualties among government troops being housed in the building.
• Chinese embassy urges Philippines to stop provocative actions People's Daily 08 May 2014 -- Chinese embassy in Manila urged the Philippines on Wednesday to 'take no more provocative action' after 11 Chinese fishermen were seized by Philippine police near Half Moon Shoal of Nansha Islands.
• Vietnam, China Trade Barbs Over Oil Rig Dispute VOA 08 May 2014 -- A day after Vietnamese and Chinese vessels were reported sparring near a Chinese oil rig in disputed waters in the South China Sea, Beijing said Vietnam continues to send ships to the area, threatening Chinese personnel.
• In wake of abductions, Ban to send high-level envoy to Nigeria to discuss UN support UN News Centre 08 May 2014 -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today voiced his deep concern at the fate of the recently kidnapped schoolgirls in Nigeria during a phone call with the country's President, Goodluck Jonathan, who has accepted the United Nations chief's offer to send a high-level envoy to discuss how the world body can support the Government tackle internal challenges.
• Schoolgirl Abduction Puts New Spotlight on Boko Haram Leader VOA 08 May 2014 -- The abduction of nearly 300 girls from a secondary school in northeastern Nigeria has vaulted the leader of militant Islamist sect Boko Haram into the international spotlight. Abubakar Shekau transformed the sect into a jihadist army capable of increasingly brutal attacks.
• Gross rights abuses committed by both sides in South Sudan conflict, UN report finds UN News Centre 08 May 2014 -- Gross human rights abuses have been committed by both sides in the brutal conflict that erupted in South Sudan at the end of last year, including rapes, mass killings and torture, and, according to a new United Nations report released today, civilians were not only caught up in the violence, they were directly targeted, often along ethnic lines.
• South Sudan's Kiir, Machar Set to Meet Friday VOA 08 May 2014 -- South Sudanese President Salva Kiir and rebel leader Riek Machar are set to meet in Ethiopia Friday for talks aimed at ending their country's five-month-old conflict.
• CAR survivors endure squalid camp conditions in Chad IRIN 08 May 2014 -- Abdou Abdoullahi stands beside the drenched makeshift shelter he built with his family in Doyaba camp in southern Chad: a few flimsy cotton shawls stretched over thin branches twisted into a cone-shape. Ten metres away lies a fetid rubbish dump and seven latrines reeking of human excrement.
• France to deploy 3,000 soldiers to Africa Sahel Iran Press TV 08 May 2014 -- France's Defense Minister says 3,000 soldiers will be deployed to fight militants in Africa's Sahel region.
• Yemeni forces seize Azzan town in south Iran Press TV 08 May 2014 -- Yemen's Defense Ministry says government forces have seized control of Azzan town, as an offensive against militants enters its tenth day.
• Kyrgyz-Tajik Border Situation 'Tense' But Stable RFE/RL 08 May 2014 -- One day after at least 25 people were injured in a clash between villagers in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, officials in both countries described the situation along their common border as 'tense' but stable.

News Reports

• Clashes in Ukraine's Mariupol kill 8: Reports Iran Press TV 08 May 2014 -- Media reports say at least eight pro-Russia activists have been killed during heavy fighting with Ukrainian forces in the southern port city of Mariupol.
• West and Russia in Diplomatic Bind Over Ukraine VOA 08 May 2014 -- The crisis in Ukraine has the United States, Europe and Russia in a diplomatic bind, analysts say, with little immediate prospect for a lasting solution.
• Ukraine Separatists to Hold Secession Vote VOA 08 May 2014 -- Pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine say they voted unanimously on Thursday in favor of holding a referendum on independence on Sunday as planned.
• Poll: Most Ukrainians Want United Country VOA 08 May 2014 -- A survey of nearly 1,700 Ukrainians say they want their country to remain united, even as divisions remain about Russia's influence and regional differences highlight tensions over the government in Kyiv, a poll released on Thursday found.
• Russia vows further efforts to resolve Ukrainian crisis VoR 08 May 2014 -- Russia will continue efforts to de-escalate the crisis in Ukraine and calls on the West to press the Kiev regime to start all-inclusive dialogue on national reconciliation, the Foreign Ministry said Thursday, May 8, according to RIA Novosti. 'Russia is ready to continue its fair and consistent search for compromises in terms of external influence on the internal conflict in Ukraine,' the ministry stated.
• Kiev upsets OSCE efforts to launch inclusive dialogue in Ukraine - Russia Foreign Ministry VoR 08 May 2014 -- Kiev has essentially jeopardized the efforts of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) to launch an inclusive dialogue in Ukraine, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Thursday, May 8. 'The reaction to the results of the Moscow meeting between the presidents of Russia and Switzerland that came from the Kiev authorities, who have essentially jeopardized the OSCE efforts to launch an inclusive dialogue, is deeply regrettable,' the ministry said.
• East Ukraine operation will continue regardless of referendum decision - Kiev official VoR 08 May 2014 -- Ukrainian National Security and Defense Council Secretary Andriy Parubiy has announced that the Armed Forces operation in the east of the country will continue regardless of any decision to be made by representatives of the 'Donetsk People's Republic' concerning their so-called referendum, set for May 11.
• NATO Secretary General: Ukraine crisis shows defence matters more than ever NATO 08 May 2014 -- NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said Thursday (8 May 2014) the Ukraine crisis has made it more urgent that Allies work together to develop modern military capabilities and reverse the decline in defence spending.
• Ukraine government regains control of Mariupol Iran Press TV 08 May 2014 -- Ukrainian government troops have regained control over the eastern city of Mariupol.
• Pro-Russian Separatists To Hold Secession Referendums RFE/RL 08 May 2014 -- Pro-Russian separatist leaders in Donetsk and Luhansk say they will continue with referendums on self-determination on May 11 despite calls by Russian President Vladimir Putin to postpone them.
• Explainer: The Separatist Referendums In Eastern Ukraine RFE/RL 08 May 2014 -- Antigovernment rebels in eastern Ukraine say they plan to go forward with self-determination referendums on May 11, despite calls by Russian President Vladimir Putin to postpone them. The initiatives are similar to the one that led to Crimea's annexation by Russia in March. Here's what's known about the polls.
• Belarusian President Offers to Coordinate on Ukraine With Moscow RIA Novosti 08 May 2014 -- Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko suggested to Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday that the two countries could coordinate joint activities in regard to the situation in Ukraine.
• Ukraine's Yatsenyuk Offers Minority Language Loophole to Regions RIA Novosti 08 May 2014 -- Acting Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseny Yatsenyuk has promised a constitutional reform that would let regional authorities seek an official status for Russian and other minority languages, provided Ukrainian will remain the only state language in the country.
• Russian Defense Official Bashes NATO for Ignoring Troop Pullout RIA Novosti 08 May 2014 -- Russian Deputy Defense Minister Anatoly Antonov has urged the United States and NATO to stop lying to the global community about Russia's alleged military presence on the Ukrainian border.
• 15,000 Ukrainian Troops on Russian Border – Russian Defense Ministry RIA Novosti 08 May 2014 -- Russian Deputy Defense Minister Anatoly Antonov said Thursday there were 15,000 Ukrainian troops stationed near the border with Russia.
• Ukraine's Luhansk Region to Go Ahead With Referendum May 11 RIA Novosti 08 May 2014 -- The People's Committee in Ukraine's southeastern region Luhansk has decided to go ahead with a referendum on the self-determination of the region scheduled for Sunday.
• Donetsk Refuses to Postpone May 11 Referendum RIA Novosti 08 May 2014 -- Federalists in Donetsk have agreed to go ahead with a referendum on self-determination planned for this Sunday.
• Ukraine's Forces to Fire on All Armed Persons – Interior Ministry RIA Novosti 08 May 2014 -- Ukraine's security forces will fire at anyone with weapons in their hands, the country's Ministry of Internal Affairs said in a statement on Thursday.
• Ukraine Says Special Op to Continue Regardless of Referendum Decision RIA Novosti 08 May 2014 -- The Kiev authorities' special operation in southeastern Ukraine will continue regardless of the decision of the Donetsk People's Republic to hold a referendum on the region's status, a senior Ukrainian official said Thursday.
• Obama To End Special Trade Benefits For Russia RFE/RL 08 May 2014 -- U.S. President Barack Obama plans to halt Russia's eligibility for trade benefits under a program that assists developing countries.
• Putin Warns of Growing Militant Nationalism, Nazi Ideology in Europe RIA Novosti 08 May 2014 -- Militant nationalism, which has led to the appearance of Nazi ideology, is raising its head in Europe, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday.
• President Putin discusses Ukraine with Russia's Security Council VoR 08 May 2014 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin had an urgent meeting with the permanent members of the Russian Security Council late on Wednesday, presidential spokesperson Dmitry Peskov reported.
• MERS kills four more in Saudi Arabia Iran Press TV 08 May 2014 -- Health officials in Saudi Arabia have announced four new deaths from the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) as the kingdom battles to contain the disease that has killed 121 people so far.
• Emails reveal close relationship between Google, NSA Iran Press TV 08 May 2014 -- The US National Security Agency and Google have had a far closer relationship than previously believed, Al Jazeera America reported, citing email exchanges between the agency's officials and Google executives.
• German lawmakers want to quiz Snowden on mass surveillance VoR 08 May 2014 -- German lawmakers decided on Thursday they want to question former US intelligence contractor Edward Snowden as part of a parliamentary inquiry into the mass surveillance of German citizens, which he exposed, Reuters reports.