Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 27 Jun 2014 [PDF]
• ISAF's Gender Advisor Mentors Afghan Female Counterparts AFPS 27 Jun 2014 -- The International Security Assistance Force's gender advisor is breaking new ground not only in her native country of Croatia but also in Afghanistan.
• New Recording Alleges Order To Cover Up Afghan Election Fraud RFE/RL 27 Jun 2014 -- Presidential candidate Abdulah Abdullah's campaign has released a new secretly recorded telephone conversation that appears to show complicity among electoral and government officials in carrying out vote fraud during Afghanistan's June 14 presidential runoff.
• Afghan Protesters Support Abdullah VOA 27 Jun 2014 -- Afghan presidential candidate Abdullah Abdullah led thousands of supporters Friday as part of his ongoing protest campaign against alleged mass fraud in the June 14 runoff presidential election. He has ignored repeated calls by the U.N. and his rival candidate to rejoin the vote-counting process.
• Over 500k displaced in Pakistan due to army ops: UN Iran Press TV 27 Jun 2014 -- Over half a million people in Pakistan have been displaced due to recent military operations against pro-Taliban militants in the country's North Waziristan region.
• Armed, Remotely Piloted Aircraft Patrolling Skies Over Iraq AFPS 27 Jun 2014 -- Some of the manned and unmanned aircraft that the United States is flying over Iraq are armed to protect newly arrived American military advisers on the ground, Pentagon press secretary Navy Rear Adm. John Kirby said today.

Defense Policy / Programs

• President Requests $58.6 Billion for Overseas Contingencies AFPS 27 Jun 2014 -- President Barack Obama's fiscal year 2015 budget request for overseas contingency operations is significantly less than last year, but still provides the resources needed to protect the United States and its interests, Defense Department officials said.
• U.S. Announces Changes to Landmine Policy AFPS 27 Jun 2014 -- The United States will not produce or otherwise acquire any anti-personnel landmines in the future, American officials announced in Maputo, Mozambique, today.
• Department of Defense Press Briefing by Rear Adm. Kirby in the Pentagon Briefing Room DoD 27 Jun 2014 -- Presenter: Press Secretary Rear Admiral John Kirby
• Marine Corps Returns to its Amphibious 'Wheelhouse' AFPS 27 Jun 2014 -- After more than a decade of land-based combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Marine Corps' new Expeditionary Force 21 doctrine is returning the service to its amphibious roots, a senior Marine Corps official said yesterday.
• Readout of Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel's Meeting with Italy's Minister of Defense Roberta Pinotti DoD 27 Jun 201
• RIMPAC to kick off in Hawaiian Islands USMC News 27 Jun 2014 -- The U.S. Pacific Command is holding a large-scale multinational maritime exercise from June 26 through Aug. 1, 2014 around the Hawaiian Islands.
• Communicators Practice Joint Interoperability Skills AFPS 27 Jun 2014 -- Napoleon Bonaparte once said: 'The secret of war lies in the communications.'
• USS John Paul Jones Makes History with Live Fire Missile Tests NNS 27 Jun 2014 -- Guided-missile destroyer USS John Paul Jones (DDG 53) successfully conducted a series of five live-fire tests for the Baseline 9C Aegis Combat System during Combat Systems Ship's Qualification Trials (CSSQT) and Naval Integrated Fire Control Counter Air (NIFC-CA) capability, June 18-20.
• US grounds all F-35 jets after fire Iran Press TV 27 Jun 2014 -- In the latest setback for the Pentagon's nearly $400 billion F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program, the U.S. military has grounded all of the fighter jets from flight operations after one of them caught fire at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida earlier this week.
• US-Philippines War Games Open in Disputed Waters VOA 27 Jun 2014 -- This week the United States and Philippines launched military joint exercises in the South China Sea. With a newly signed military agreement between the treaty allies, the Philippines, which is locked in a dispute with China over territorial claims in the sea, is now heavily focused on beefing up its maritime capabilities.
• British and French forces train together UK MOD 27 Jun 2014 -- Airborne forces from the UK and France have been taking part in a training exercise.
• Thirty Minesweepers to Join Russian Navy by 2050 RIA Novosti 27 Jun 2014 -- Around 30 minesweepers are expected to join Russia's Navy by 2050, a deputy Russian defense minister said Friday.
• Test Launch of Russian Angara Space Rocket Aborted, Putin Demands Explanation RIA Novosti 27 Jun 2014 -- Friday's test launch of Russia's new eco-friendly Angara rocket was automatically terminated, according to the commander of the Aerospace Defense Forces, Major-General Alexander Golovko.
• Kim Jong Un Guides Test-fire of Newly Developed Ultra-precision Tactical Guided Missiles KCNA 27 Jun 2014 -- Kim Jong Un, first secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea, first chairman of the National Defence Commission of the DPRK and supreme commander of the Korean People's Army, guided the test-fire of newly developed cutting- edge ultra-precision tactical guided missiles.
• North Korea tests its 'breakthrough' guided missile VoR 27 Jun 2014 -- North Korea announced Friday the successful test of a new high-precision, tactical guided missile, as its army threatened a 'devastating' retaliation against South Korea for carrying out live fire drills near their maritime border. The launch of the 'cutting-edge' missile was watched by North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un, according to the North's official KCNA news agency, which hailed the test as a 'breakthrough' in national defense capability.
• Press Gaggle by Press Secretary Josh Earnest en route Joint Base Andrews, 6/27/2014 The White House 27 Jun 2014
• June 27, 2014 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 27 Jun 2014

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for June 27, 2014

Other Conflicts

• 27 June 2014 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 27 Jun 2014
• Up to 10,000 people from Christian communities flee violence in northern Iraq - UN UN News Centre 27 Jun 2014 -- The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said today that up to 10,000 people from predominately Christian communities in northern Iraq have fled their homes this week amid the ongoing violence in Mosul.
• Barzani Says Kurdish Rule To Stay In Kirkuk RFE/RL 27 Jun 2014 -- Iraqi Kurdish leader Masud Barzani has said that there is no going back on autonomous Kurdish rule in the oil-rich city of Kirkuk and other northern towns that Kurdish fighters are now defending against Sunni Islamist militants.
• Kerry Meets with Syrian Opposition Leader in Saudi Arabia VOA 27 Jun 2014 -- Meeting with U.S. Secretary John Kerry Friday in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Syrian opposition leader Ahmad al-Jarba asked for more foreign aid from the United States and Saudi Arabia as his rebels attempt to push back both Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's forces and the al-Qaida offshoot group, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).
• Iraq army advances against ISIL terrorists in Tikrit Iran Press TV 27 Jun 2014 -- Iraqi security forces backed by thousands of volunteers have pushed ahead with their campaign against militants from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) in the northern city of Tikrit.
• Iraq troops in almost full control of Diyala: Officials Iran Press TV 27 Jun 2014 -- The Iraqi army has regained almost full control of the province of Diyala, amid the brutal militancy that rages in the country.
• Iraqi forces eliminate 90 ISIL terrorists: Reports Iran Press TV 27 Jun 2014 -- Iraqi military forces have reportedly killed more than 90 Takfiri militants from the so-called Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) near the northern city of Mosul.
• UN refugee agency warns of 'sharp rise' in people fleeing eastern Ukraine UN News Centre 27 Jun 2014 -- Some 16,400 people fled their homes in crisis-riven eastern Ukraine during the past week, bringing the number of displaced within the country to 54,000, according the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR).
• Russia to send humanitarian aid to eastern regions of Ukraine on June 28 VoR 27 Jun 2014 -- The Russian Foreign Ministry said Friday it has notified Kiev about plans to send 60 metric tons of humanitarian aid to eastern regions of Ukraine caught in the fighting between the government forces and independence supporters.
• Donetsk People's Republic leaders ready to extend ceasefire until June 30 VoR 27 Jun 2014 -- The leadership of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) is willing to agree to Ukrainian President Petr Poroshenko's proposal on extending the ceasefire.
• 164,000 people displaced by Ukraine crisis: UN Iran Press TV 27 Jun 2014 -- The UN refugee agency says at least 164,000 Ukrainians have fled their homes, as tensions continue in the country's troubled eastern regions.
• Clashes kill 20 Ukrainian troops in troubled east Iran Press TV 27 Jun 2014 -- More than 20 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed during clashes with pro-Russia activists in the troubled eastern regions, despite an ongoing ceasefire between the two sides.
• OSCE Observers Freed In Ukraine RFE/RL 27 Jun 2014 -- Four monitors for the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) who were abducted in May by pro-Russian gunmen in eastern Ukraine have been freed.
• Moscow Would Welcome Truce in Ukraine, Not Postponement of Ultimatum – Lavrov RIA Novosti 27 Jun 2014 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Friday Moscow would welcome a longer truce between the warring parties in Ukraine, but warned it should not resemble a "postponement of ultimatum."
• Ukrainian Interior Minister Says Army Ready for Tough Action in Eastern Regions RIA Novosti 27 Jun 2014 -- Ukrainian law-enforcement agencies are ready for tough action in the protest-hit eastern regions of the country once the ceasefire expires later on Friday, Interior Minister Arsen Avakov said.
• Kiev Failed to Discuss Constitutional Reform with East Regions – Lavrov RIA Novosti 27 Jun 2014 -- The Ukrainian government has so far made no practical moves to discuss amendments to the country's constitution with the breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Friday.
• Number of Ukrainian Refugees in Russia Reaches 110,000 - UN RIA Novosti 27 Jun 2014 -- Some 110,000 people have fled Ukraine to Russia this year, while 54,400 others have been displaced within the country, Melissa Fleming, chief spokeswoman of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), said Friday.
• Kiev Mulls Next Step as Ceasefire Set to Expire RIA Novosti 27 Jun 2014 -- The government in Kiev is considering its next step in the turbulent southeastern regions as the ceasefire between the Ukrainian government and independence forces expires Friday evening, a spokesman for Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council said.
• Renewed Central African Republic fighting displaces thousands of civilians - UN UN News Centre 27 Jun 2014 -- Thousands of people are fleeing new violence and reprisal attacks in and around the town of Bambari in Central African Republic (CAR) that have already left at least 45 people dead and scores more wounded, the United Nations refugee agency reported today.
• Thousands Flee Attacks in C.A.R. VOA 27 Jun 2014 -- The U.N. refugee agency reports thousands of people have fled this week from deadly attacks by various groups of armed men in the Central African Republic town of Bambari.
• Gbagbo's trial: charges and challenges IRIN 27 Jun 2014 -- The recent confirmation by the International Criminal Court (ICC) that charges against Lauren Gbagbo still stand has reignited criticism about the court's approach to Côte d'Ivoire and its alleged failure to deal even-handedly with a highly complex post-conflict situation.
• Remarks With Syrian Opposition Coalition President Ahmad al-Jarba During Their Meeting US Dept. of State 27 Jun 2014

News Reports

• Statement by the Secretary General on the signature of the European Union's Association Agreements with Georgia, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine NATO 27 Jun 2014 -- I welcome the signature of Association Agreements between the EU and Georgia, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine. The Association Agreements, and the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area, will significantly deepen the political and economic ties between the EU and its three Eastern partners.
• Ukraine, Moldova, And Georgia Sign EU Accords RFE/RL 27 Jun 2014 -- Ukraine, Georgia, and Moldova have signed key economic and political accords with the European Union in Brussels.
• Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia Ink Association Deals with EU, Create Free-Trade Zone RIA Novosti 27 Jun 2014 -- Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine and the European Union signed association agreements that foresee the creation of a free-trade zone with the EU during a summit in Brussels Friday.
• Ukraine, EU Sign Free Trade Agreement VOA 27 Jun 2014 -- Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko signed a landmark trade and economic agreement with the European Union in Brussels Friday, and said he would decide later whether to extend the unilateral cease-fire he announced a week ago in the military campaign against pro-Russian separatists.
• Ukraine signs agreement with EU Iran Press TV 27 Jun 2014 -- Ukraine's new authorities have finally inked a free trade deal with the European Union (EU) following months of violent unrest and clashes over the issue.
• Russia Seeks Common Ground with EU on Ukraine Association – Foreign Ministry RIA Novosti 27 Jun 2014 -- Russia expects the forthcoming expert-level consultations and ministerial talks with Ukraine and the EU on Kiev's association with the bloc will be a step toward reaching common ground, a deputy Russian foreign minister said Friday.
• Ukraine Split by Coup, Made to Choose East or West – Putin RIA Novosti 27 Jun 2014 -- An illegal coup orchestrated by forces outside Ukraine has caused a deep rift in Ukrainian society and forced the ex-Soviet nation to choose between Russia and the EU, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Friday.
• EU Gives Russia Three Days to De-Escalate Ukraine Crisis, Threatens Sanctions RIA Novosti 27 Jun 2014 -- The European Council on Friday said it would give Moscow three days to de-escalate the situation in Ukraine, or it will impose new sanctions against Russia, according to a statement published Friday.
• Russia to Remain Reliable Supplier of Energy Resources to Europe - Putin RIA Novosti 27 Jun 2014 -- Russia has always been and remains a reliable supplier of energy resources to Europe and is prepared to fulfill its obligations in the future, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Friday.
• No agreement on Additional Protocol yet: Iran FM Iran Press TV 27 Jun 2014 -- Iran's foreign minister says Tehran and six world powers have not yet discussed the issue of Iran's acceptance of the Additional Protocol of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
• Ebola outbreak 'not out of hand', UN health agency says readying response UN News Centre 27 Jun 2014 -- The United Nations health agency and partners are working with the Governments of Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone to control an outbreak of Ebola in West Africa, an official today said, announcing an international meeting next week to agree on a coordinated regional response.