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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
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Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 26 May 2014 [PDF]
• Experts: Military Strikes Against Taliban Not End to Peace Talks VOA 26 May 2014 -- The Pakistani government is taking a more proactive attitude toward Islamist militants after peace talks between the two sides failed to produce any meaningful results.
• IDPs likely to return to roofless homes in Pakistan's Tirah Valley IRIN 26 May 2014 -- Nearly 46,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) are due to start their return this month to Pakistan's conflict-hit Tirah Valley close to the Afghan border. But most are likely to find their homes completely destroyed, or at best roofless.

Defense Policy / Programs

• US House approves $600 million in military aid for Israel Iran Press TV 26 May 2014 -- The US House of Representatives has approved a bill that would grant Israel over $600 million of American taxpayers' money in military aid.
• Russia Ready to Dismantle GPS Stations if Glonass Talks Fail - Rogozin VoR 26 May 2014 -- Russia stands firm on its decision to dismantle GPS ground stations on its territory if Washington refuses to allow the placement of Glonass facilities in the US, Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin said Monday. 'If we don't receive any news [from the US] by May 31, we will suspend the work of these stations for three months,' Rogozin told reporters during his visit to Crimea, which has recently become part of Russia.
• China-Russia naval drill concludes People's Daily 26 May 2014 -- The Chinese and Russian directors of a joint naval drill on Monday announced the successful conclusion of the seven-day initiative.
• Chinese, Russian warships return to Shanghai from joint drill People's Daily 26 May 2014 -- All warships participating in the China-Russia joint naval drill returned to a Shanghai port Sunday.
• Russian-Chinese military exercises Joint Sea 2014 end in China VoR 26 May 2014 -- A closing ceremony of Russian-Chinese naval drills Joint Sea 2014 was held in the eastern Chinese city of Shanghai on Monday, ITAR-TASS reports. On Monday, Shanghai residents visited Varyag missile cruiser, flagship of Russia's Pacific Fleet, and were taken on a tour of the ship by Russian naval sailors.
• Ukraine to Keep Non-Aligned Status, Revision Possible RIA Novosti 26 May 2014 -- Ukraine's membership in NATO is off the table for now, but its future in the military alliance will depend on Russia's plan of action, the Ukrainian acting foreign chief said Monday.
• Background Briefing By a Senior Administration Official The White House 26 May 2014

Defense Industry

Other Conflicts

• Vietnam Accuses China of Injuring Four Officials in Oil Rig Standoff VOA 26 May 2014 -- Vietnam says four fisheries surveillance officers were wounded Sunday after their ships were hit by water cannons fired by Chinese vessels guarding Beijing's oil rig in disputed waters of the South China Sea.
• Chinese jets scrambled after Japan's dangerous behavior People's Daily 26 May 2014 -- China condemned Japan's dangerous behavior in the East China Sea after Japanese military planes entered China's air defense zone during maritime exercises with Russia.
• Displaced CAR youths in Chad desperate for school IRIN 26 May 2014 -- Some 40,900 children and thousands more youths displaced by the violence in the Central African Republic (CAR) are stuck in transit camps in southern Chad with no formal school to attend, few to no training opportunities, and no jobs, leaving them with no sense of what the future will bring.
• Israel OKs dozens of new settler units despite intl. outrage Iran Press TV 26 May 2014 -- Israel has approved plans to build dozens of new settler units in the occupied East al-Quds (Jerusalem) despite international outcry over its settlement activities.

News Reports

• Ukraine President-Elect: No Talks with 'Terrorists' VOA 26 May 2014 -- Ukraine's likely president-elect Petro Poroshenko says there will be no talks with 'terrorists' - his word for the armed pro-Russian separatists in the east.
• Russian Officials Call for Talks with Ukraine's New President VOA 26 May 2014 -- For weeks, Russian officials cast doubt on Ukraine's presidential election. But on Sunday voting took place peacefully in 90 percent of the country, and with most of the votes counted Petro Poroshenko has clearly won more than 50 percent and a first-round victory.
• Analysis: Ukraine's Likely President Leans Toward West but Must Face Moscow VOA 26 May 2014 -- Billionaire Petro Poroshenko, Ukraine's likely new president, wasted little time in exhibiting his pro-Western leanings.
• Fire from gov't forces kills two, wounds child at Donetsk train station VoR 26 May 2014 -- Two adults were killed and a child was injured by fire from government forces on the square in front of the rail terminal in Donetsk on Monday during a current anti-militia operation, the press service of the unilaterally proclaimed 'Donetsk People's Republic' told Interfax agency.
• Donetsk People's Republic to have dialogue with new Ukrainian authorities with mediators VoR 26 May 2014 -- The administration of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic is ready for dialogue with the new administration of Ukraine provided there are mediators, including Russia, Denis Pushilin, presidium chairman of the Supreme Council of the Donetsk People's Republic, said in a phone conversation with Interfax on Monday.
• Poroshenko wants military operation in southeastern Ukraine to continue in new format VoR 26 May 2014 -- Petr Poroshenko, who is leading in the Ukrainian presidential election, has said the army operation in southeastern Ukraine should continue in a changed format. 'I support the continuation of this [army operation] but I demand a new format,' Poroshenko said at a press briefing on Monday.
• Donetsk People's Republic introduces martial law VoR 26 May 2014 -- Martial law is introduced in the proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic on Monday, Denis Pushilin, chairman of the presidium of the Donetsk People's Republic Supreme Council, told TASS.
• NATO Secretary General congratulates Ukrainian people on Elections NATO 26 May 2014
• Poroshenko says will return Crimea to Ukraine Iran Press TV 26 May 2014 -- Ukraine's president-elect has said that one of his main priorities is to return Crimea to his country's rule but Russia says Crimea will not be returned to Ukraine.
• Donetsk airport under Ukraine army fire Iran Press TV 26 May 2014 -- The main airport in Ukraine's newly-declared Republic of Donetsk, which is under control of pro-Russia activists, has been targeted with airstrikes by the Ukrainian army.
• Russia ready for dialog with Ukraine: Lavrov Iran Press TV 26 May 2014 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has expressed Moscow's readiness to have dialog with Ukraine's newly-elected president, Petro Poroshenko.
• Poroshenko Rolls Up His Sleeves: Ukraine's New President's Top, Top Priorities RFE/RL 26 May 2014 -- Chocolate magnate Petro Poroshenko seems set to be declared the outright winner of Ukraine's May 25 presidential election. But even before the confetti hits the floor, he'll have to start tackling some daunting tasks to stabilize a country in the grips of economic, political, and geopolitical crises.
• Poroshenko, Moscow Signal They're Ready For Dialogue RFE/RL 26 May 2014 -- Ukraine's new president and Moscow have signaled they are ready to talk over the crisis in Ukraine.
• Ukrainian Forces Launch Operation To Retake Donetsk Airport RFE/RL 26 May 2014 -- Reports say the Ukrainian military has launched an offensive to take back the main airport in Donetsk following its seizure by armed separatists.
• On The Maidan: Should I Stay Or Should I Go? RFE/RL 26 May 2014 -- Under the blazing sun, a patchwork of flags and anti-Putin banners flutter in the breeze from the metal frame of Kyiv's Christmas tree, which still overlooks Euromaidan's sprawling, barricaded tent encampment.
• Ukraine's Military Bombs Donetsk Airport – Federalists RIA Novosti 26 May 2014 -- Ukrainian military aircraft have bombed the Donetsk airport in eastern Ukraine, representatives of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic said Monday on Twitter.
• Ukraine's Poroshenko Aims to Continue Special Operation in Eastern Ukraine RIA Novosti 26 May 2014 -- Billionaire Petro Poroshenko, who has claimed victory in Sunday's presidential vote in Ukraine, said the special operation in eastern Ukraine should continue and become more effective.
• Ukraine Frontrunner Poroshenko Says Ready to Negotiate With Federalists RIA Novosti 26 May 2014 -- Billionaire Petro Poroshenko, who leads Ukraine's presidential race, said Monday he was ready to sit down at the negotiating table with all people of the turbulent Donetsk and Luhansk regions, but added illegal armed forces must give up their weapons.
• Lavrov Calls New Round of East Ukraine Crackdown 'Tremendous Mistake' RIA Novosti 26 May 2014 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Monday the restart of the active phase of Kiev's military operation in eastern Ukraine would be a "tremendous mistake."
• Moscow Ready to Expand Dialogue With Kiev, Western Mediation Not Needed – Lavrov RIA Novosti 26 May 2014 -- Direct contacts between Moscow and Kiev have never ceased, and Russia is ready to establish pragmatic and equal dialogue following the recent presidential election, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Monday.
• Ukraine Army Kills 2, Captures 14 in Luhansk RIA Novosti 26 May 2014 -- Ukrainian troops killed two opposition activists and captured 14 in an offensive on Sunday in Ukraine's easternmost region of Luhansk, the Ukrainian Defense Ministry said Monday.
• Poroshenko Plans to Visit Russia in June to Discuss Ukrainian Crisis RIA Novosti 26 May 2014 -- Petro Poroshenko, who is leading the presidential election results in Ukraine, told journalists Friday that he hopes to meet with Russian leaders in early June to discuss the settlement of the Ukrainian crisis.
• EU Says Ukraine Presidential Election Successful, Has High Hopes for New Leader RIA Novosti 26 May 2014 -- The European Union welcomes Sunday's presidential election in Ukraine and looks forward to working with the newly elected president, EU leaders said in a joint statement Monday.
• Ukraine's Presidential Vote 'Step Forward' – Russian Lawmaker RIA Novosti 26 May 2014 -- Russian State Duma Speaker Sergei Naryshkin said Monday that Sunday's presidential election in Ukraine was a step away from lawlessness and toward a lawful government in Kiev.
• 2014 Presidential Elections in Ukraine US Dept. of State 26 May 2014 -- Press Statement by John Kerry, US Secretary of State
• Thai Coup Leader Says He Has Received King's Blessing VOA 26 May 2014 -- Thailand's coup leader Monday said the palace has endorsed his takeover of the government. The army chief who carried out the bloodless putsch last week also issued a warning about any challenges to military rule.
• Interview: Why Did Euroskeptics Triumph At EU Poll? RFE/RL 26 May 2014 -- Europe is reeling following the big gains of anti-EU and nationalist parties in European Parliament elections on May 25. RFE/RL's Claire Bigg discusses the causes and implications of the Euroskeptics' triumph with Judy Dempsey, a nonresident senior associate at Carnegie Europe and editor in chief of the 'Strategic Europe' blog.
• Report blasts 'unscrupulous' U.S. surveillance in China People's Daily 26 May 2014 -- A Chinese Internet information body has complained of 'unscrupulous' surveillance by U.S. intelligence agencies over the rest of the world, and called for an immediate cessation of the practice.
• China attacks United States spying operations Iran Press TV 26 May 2014 -- China has carried out a broadside against the United States spying operations, saying they force their way into every corner of the country.
• White House Mistakenly Discloses Afghanistan CIA Chief – Reports RIA Novosti 26 May 2014 -- The White House accidentally disclosed the name of the CIA's resident chief in Afghanistan by including him on a list given to journalists of officials attending a briefing with US president Barack Obama, the Washington Post wrote Monday.
• White House mistakenly blows cover of CIA chief in Afghanistan – reports VoR 26 May 2014 -- The White House accidentally blew the cover of the top CIA officer in Afghanistan Saturday, when his name and title were released in an e-mail sent to reporters who traveled with President Obama on his surprise visit to Bagram Air Field.
• Iran will boost missile capability: Cmdr. Iran Press TV 26 May 2014 -- A senior Iranian commander says Iran's missile capability will not be part of any negotiations, as the country is determined to enhance that capability.
• Iran says powers demand 'too much' in nuclear talks VoR 26 May 2014 -- Iran said on Monday that world powers were 'demanding too much' in negotiations aimed at reaching a deal on Tehran's nuclear program by a July deadline, but hurdles could be overcome, Reuters reporst. Tehran and six world powers made little progress in the latest round of talks earlier this month in Vienna on ending their stand-off, raising doubts about the chances of a breakthrough by July 20.
• China vows to maintain stability in Xinjiang People's Daily 26 May 2014 -- China will harshly crack down on terror attacks and maintain lasting stability in Xinjiang, the central leadership of the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC) said on Monday.
• China Tightens Security in Xinjiang VOA 26 May 2014 -- China says its security forces in the restive western region of Xinjiang have broken up 23 terrorist groups and arrested more than 200 following a deadly attack on a public market in Urumqi.
• Russia may carry out joint astronautic projects with China – Russian Deputy Prime Minister Rogozin VoR 26 May 2014 -- Russia may implement joint astronautic projects with China, Deputy Prime Minister of Russia Dmitry Rogozin told journalists. 'As for the period after 2020, Russia may have new astronautic projects with other partners or a broader range of partners,' Rogozin said, speaking about a possible denial to renew the program of the International Space Station (ISS) after 2020.
• Iraq Seeks Arbitration in Dispute With Turkey over Kurdish Oil Sale VOA 26 May 2014 -- Baghdad has requested legal arbitration in a dispute with Turkey over the sale of Iraqi Kurdish oil. The move comes after the first super tanker of Iraqi Kurdish oil departed from Turkey, despite warnings and threats from Baghdad to not go ahead with the sale. Analysts say the move raises the stakes again in a long-running game of political brinkmanship as Baghdad seeks to thwart Kurdistan's moves towards greater self-sufficiency.