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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 16 Jul 2014 [PDF]
• Georgian Army ends mission in Helmand province, Afghanistan USMC News 16 Jul 2014 -- Soldiers with the Republic of Georgia gathered for a ceremony marking their end of mission with Regional Command (Southwest) aboard Camp Leatherneck, Helmand province, Afghanistan, as they bid farewell to their coalition counterparts, July 15, 2014.
• 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, supply Marines account for $117 million worth of gear USMC News 16 Jul 2014 -- Tracking equipment required to sustain missions for an infantry battalion in a combat zone may seem like it would be the work for an entire battalion itself. For 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, the supply shop consists of only five Marines.
• Vice Chairman: Budget Request Covers More Than Afghanistan AFPS 16 Jul 2014 -- The $58.6 billion in supplemental overseas contingency operations funds the Pentagon is seeking for fiscal year 2015 supports global missions beyond Afghanistan, the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff told the House Armed Services Committee today.
• U.S. Watchdog Urges Delay In Delivering More Aircraft To Afghanistan RFE/RL 16 Jul 2014 -- The U.S. government watchdog charged with overseeing aid to Afghanistan has recommended delaying the delivery of additional cargo aircraft to the nascent Afghan Air Force (AAF).
• Karzai Speaks with VOA on Afghan Political Tensions, Relations with West VOA 16 Jul 2014 -- These are the last days of Hamid Karzai's presidency in Afghanistan. The election to replace him is mired in controversy and accusations of vote rigging. As the country awaits a high-stakes U.N.-supervised election audit, Karzai spoke with VOA Afghan service correspondent Shaista Lami about his thoughts on the current political situation, his tumultuous relationship with western countries, and the future of his country and his own political career.
• Suspected US Drone Strikes Kill 15 in Pakistan VOA 16 Jul 2014 -- Pakistani officials say as many as four U.S. drone strikes have killed at least 15 people in the country's northwest tribal region.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Remarks by the President on Foreign Policy The White House 16 Jul 2014
• America Prepares to Visit Colombia on Maiden Transit NNS 16 Jul 2014 -- The future amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) will conduct a port visit to Cartagena, Colombia on July 17.
• 45th Space Wing launches ORBCOMM satellites AFNS 16 Jul 2014 -- The 45th Space Wing supported Space Exploration Technologies' successful launch of their Falcon 9 rocket carrying six second-generation ORBCOMM communications satellites July 14, from Space Launch Complex 40, here.
• USNS Mercy Departs Pearl Harbor for RIMPAC's Sea Phase NNS 16 Jul 2014 -- The Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) departed Pearl Harbor July 15 to participate in the sea phase of Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) Exercise 2014, the world's largest international maritime exercise.
• Acting VA Secretary Outlines Problems, Actions Taken AFPS 16 Jul 2014 -- In testimony before the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee yesterday, Acting VA Secretary Sloan D. Gibson outlined serious problems regarding access to health care and key actions the department has taken to get veterans off waiting lists and into clinics.
• Contingency Funds Support Operations, Recovery, New Missions AFPS 16 Jul 2014 -- The Defense Department's request for $58.6 billion in fiscal year 2015 overseas contingency operations funds is nearly one-third less than it received the previous year and is part of a continued downward trend in war-related spending, Deputy Defense Secretary Bob Work told Congress today.
• DOD Approves Grants Totaling $62,599,954 for Design, Renovation, Repair, and New Construction of Schools on Naval Base San Diego, California; Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California; and Fort Belvoir, Virginia. DoD 16 Jul 2014
• GW Carrier Strike Group Bids Farewell to Busan, ROK NNS 16 Jul 2014 -- The George Washington (CVN 73) Carrier Strike Group (GWCSG) departed Busan, Republic of Korea (ROK) after a four-day, goodwill port visit, July 15.
• Carrier Strike Group 12 Assets Join Forces During At Sea Maneuvers NNS 16 Jul 2014 -- The aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) joined ships from Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 2 to conduct a pass-and-review as part of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 12, July 15.
• Patrol Squadron 5 Deploys to 7th Fleet NNS 16 Jul 2014 -- The Mad Foxes of Patrol Squadron (VP) 5 began a seven-month deployment to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations, following a turnover ceremony at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan, July 15.
• Is Israel's 'Iron Dome' All It's Cracked Up to Be? VOA 16 Jul 2014 -- A U.S. Senate defense subcommittee has voted to double funding for Israel's Iron Dome missile defense system. The Pentagon originally requested $175 million for Iron Dome, but if the new bill passes, Israel would receive more than $350 million.
• China expels two officials over alleged corruption Iran Press TV 16 Jul 2014 -- Two more senior officials in China have been expelled from the ruling Communist Party over corruption allegations, paving the way for their prosecution.
• July 16, 2014 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 16 Jul 2014
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Josh Earnest, 7/16/2014 The White House 16 Jul 2014

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for July 16, 2014

Other Conflicts

• 16 July 2014 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 16 Jul 2014
• Israel agrees to 'humanitarian pause' in war-torn Gaza Strip, UN envoy confirms UN News Centre 16 Jul 2014 -- After days of escalating violence and follow-on civilian suffering in the Gaza Strip, the United Nations special envoy for the Middle East confirmed today that Israel has agreed to a five hour humanitarian pause – set to begin tomorrow morning – and repeated his call on Hamas to respect the lull "in the interest of the people of Gaza."
• Israel, Hamas Agree to Brief Truce in Gaza VOA 16 Jul 2014 -- Israel and Hamas militants have agreed to a United Nations request for a temporary cease-fire in Gaza on Thursday.
• Israel Targets Hamas Leaders in Latest Gaza Strikes VOA 16 Jul 2014 -- Israel's Defense Forces intensified airstrikes in Gaza early Wednesday, a day after a possible cease-fire deal with Hamas fell through.
• US Welcomes China Oil Rig Relocation VOA 16 Jul 2014 -- The U.S. on Wednesday praised China's removal of an oil rig from disputed waters in the South China Sea, two months after its placement near the Paracel Islands sparked tensions with Vietnam.
• China removes controversial oil rig Iran Press TV 16 Jul 2014 -- A Chinese petroleum firm has announced that an oil rig that had caused a major diplomatic row with Vietnam over drilling in disputed waters has finished its work and is being removed.
• China Moves Controversial Oil Rig VOA 16 Jul 2014 -- China has removed an exploratory rig from disputed waters in the South China Sea, two months after its placement near the Paracel Islands sparked diplomatic tensions with Vietnam.
• U.S., E.U. Announce Tougher Sanctions Against Russia RFE/RL 16 Jul 2014 -- The United States and the European Union significantly strengthened sanctions on Russia over Ukraine on July 16, with Washington for the first time directly targeting Russia's banking, military and energy sectors.
• Ukraine-related Sanctions; Publication of Executive Order 13662 Sectoral Sanctions Identifications List US Department of the Treasury 16 Jul 2014 -- ?OFAC is introducing the Sectoral Sanctions Identifications List to identify persons operating in sectors of the Russian economy identified by the Secretary of the Treasury pursuant to Executive Order 13662. Directives found within the list describe prohibitions on dealings with the persons identified.
• Draft Statement Says EU Will Work To Block New Loans To Russia RFE/RL 16 Jul 2014 -- European Union leaders will work to block loans for new projects in Russia by two multilateral lenders and broaden the scope of other sanctions in response to Moscow's actions in Ukraine.
• Merkel Says New Sanctions Against Russia on EU Summit's Agenda RIA Novosti 16 Jul 2014 -- New sanctions against Russia will be discussed during the forthcoming EU summit in Brussels on Wednesday evening, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said.e
• EU to Consider Blocking New Loans to Russia VOA 16 Jul 2014 -- European Union leaders will work to block loans for new projects in Russia by two multilateral lenders and broaden the scope of other sanctions in response to Moscow's actions in Ukraine, according to a draft statement seen by Reuters on Wednesday.


• Conference Call by Senior Administration Officials on Ukraine The White House 16 Jul 2014
• US: Russia Massing Troops on Ukraine Border VOA 16 Jul 2014 -- The United States and NATO are growing increasingly concerned about Russia's military posture. The U.S. on Wednesday accused Russia of amassing thousands more troops along its border with Ukraine, as well as tanks and artillery.
• Russian Military Buildup Near Ukraine Concerns DoD Officials AFPS 16 Jul 2014 -- U.S. defense officials are concerned about a buildup of Russian troops along that country's border with Ukraine, Pentagon spokesman Army Col. Steve Warren said today.
• Russia's accusations - setting the record straight (July 2014) NATO 16 Jul 2014 -- Russia's aggression against Ukraine has led to Russia's international isolation, including NATO's suspension of all practical cooperation with Russia. To divert attention away from its actions, Russia has levelled a series of accusations against NATO which are based on misrepresentations of the facts and ignore the sustained effort that NATO has put into building a partnership with Russia. Russia has also made baseless attacks on the legitimacy of the Ukrainian authorities and has used force to seize part of Ukraine's territory. This document sets the record straight.
• Analysts: Putin Wants 'Frozen Conflict' in Eastern Ukraine VOA 16 Jul 2014 -- As Ukraine's military continues to retake eastern territory seized by pro-Russian rebels earlier this year, the Kremlin is threatening retaliation for a civilian death in Russia.
• Ukrainian troops encircled by Lugansk self-defense fighters in Izvaryno VoR 16 Jul 2014 -- Militia fighters in the self-proclaimed Lugansk People's Republic (LPR) have encircled the Ukrainian government forces near the border checkpoint in Izvaryno, with the Ukrainian army sustaining tangible losses, Interfax reports with reference to the Novorossiya agency.
• Self-defense fighters downed two Ukrainian strike aircraft – Donetsk People's Republic VoR 16 Jul 2014 -- The self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic downed two Sukhoi Su-25 assault aircraft belonging to the Two Ukrainian Air Force, which were attacking the positions of the region's self-defense fighters, Interfax cites Donbas militia's information center as saying.
• Helping Ukraine Reclaim Crimea Hardly Under Discussion - NATO RIA Novosti 16 Jul 2014 -- NATO members are not discussing military plans to restore Crimea to Ukraine, although the alliance still insists the territory belongs to Ukraine, head of NATO's Allied Land Command said.
• Merkel Disappointed with Lack of Contact Group Talks with Militia in Ukraine RIA Novosti 16 Jul 2014 -- German Chancellor Angela Merkel is disappointed that the contact group on Ukraine has not managed to hold talks with independence supporters, German Government Spokesman Steffen Seibert said Wednesday following Merkel's telephone conversation with Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko a day earlier.
• UN Ready to Consider Information on Kiev's Use of Prohibited Arms RIA Novosti 16 Jul 2014 -- The United Nations says it is prepared to investigate information on Kiev's use of banned military weapons if appropriate evidence is presented, UN High Commissioner Navi Pillay told RIA Novosti on Wednesday.
• Kiev Military Aviation Resumes Flights in Special Operation Zone RIA Novosti 16 Jul 2014 -- Military aviation flights above the special operation zone in eastern Ukraine resumed Wednesday after being briefly halted in the wake of a military transport plane crash on Monday, the country's national security council said.
• Foreign Contractors Fight Against Militia in Eastern Ukraine - Self-Defense RIA Novosti 16 Jul 2014 -- Foreign contractors are fighting against independence supporters in the southeast of Ukraine, Horlivka's self-defense militia leader Ihor Bezler said in an interview with RIA Novosti.
• Donetsk Militia Ready to Exchange 14 Prisoners in Swap Deal - Self-Defense Leader RIA Novosti 16 Jul 2014 -- The militia of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic is holding captive 14 people and is ready to exchange them for their people, Horlivka self-defense forces' leader Ihor Bezler told RIA Novosti.
• Ninety Percent of Militia in Eastern Ukraine Local Citizens - Self-Defense Forces Leader RIA Novosti 16 Jul 2014 -- Ninety percent of the independence supporters fighting alongside the government forces in the southeast of Ukraine are local citizens, Horlivka self-defense militia's leader Ihor Bezler said in an interview with RIA Novosti.
• Selective treatment for IDPs in Kurdistan IRIN 16 Jul 2014 -- Concern is growing over how the semi-autonomous government of Iraqi Kurdistan is managing its borders amid reports that vulnerable families seeking refuge are being refused entry or forced into transit camps along ethnic lines.
• Iraqi Kurds Talk Independence But Move For Stronger Position In Iraq RFE/RL 16 Jul 2014 -- Iraq's Kurdish region appears to be making a determined drive toward independence as Baghdad reels from a Sunni Islamist takeover of much of the country's north.
• UN relief chief warns of looming disaster amid linked crises in Sudan and South Sudan UN News Centre 16 Jul 2014 -- Deeply concerned by the escalating and increasingly interlinked crises in Sudan and South Sudan, where violence is sparking refugee flows and disrupting harvests again this year, the top United Nations relief official warned today that the humanitarian situation is deteriorating for hundreds of thousands of people in both countries.
• Army Deserters Blamed as Fighting Rocks South Sudan State VOA 16 Jul 2014 -- At least 29 people have been killed in clashes between pro- and anti-government forces in Northern Bahr el Ghazal in South Sudan, shattering the fragile peace in a state that has been largely unaffected by seven months of fighting in the country, officials said Wednesday.
• Central African Republic: Security Council briefed on roll-out of UN peacekeeping mission UN News Centre 16 Jul 2014 -- The insecurity in the Central African Republic (CAR) remains a great concern, the top United Nations peacekeeping official said today, highlighting the need for airlift capacity and other logistical assistance to increase the number of UN 'blue helmets' in the country.
• People flee clashes in CAR's Bambari, storm Bangui Iran Press TV 16 Jul 2014 -- People displaced by the recent clashes in the Central African Republic (CAR) town of Bambari have flocked into the capital, Bangui.
• Dutch state liable for 300 Srebrenica deaths Iran Press TV 16 Jul 2014 -- A court in the Netherlands has ruled that the Dutch state is responsible for the deaths of over 300 people in the Srebrenica massacre.
• As violence flares, UN rights expert urges Cambodia to lift protest ban UN News Centre 16 Jul 2014 -- The United Nations expert on the situation of human rights in Cambodia urged all sides to immediately exercise utmost calm and restraint, and reiterated his call for an end to the official ban on demonstrations.
• Mali Government, Rebels Hold Talks VOA 16 Jul 2014 -- The Mali government and rebel groups begin meetings Wednesday in Algiers to hash out a final peace arrangement a year after returning to democracy. The talks - which include African mediators - come amid this month's escalation of violence in the north, in violation of a May ceasefire. Meanwhile French President Francois Hollande is expected in West Africa later this week to flesh out his new counter-terrorism strategy in the Sahel - which will replace the current French troop presence in northern Mali.

News Reports

• Syrian President Begins Third Term VOA 16 Jul 2014 -- Syrian President Bashar al Assad took the oath of office Wednesday for a third seven year term in office, amid a three-year-old civil war across much of the country.
• Assad sworn in for third term as Syrian president VoR 16 Jul 2014 -- Bashar al-Assad was sworn in for a new seven-year term as President of Syria for the third time on Wednesday, media reports. 'I pledge to respect the constitution and protect the people of Syria,' he said during a live broadcast on Syrian television at a red carpet ceremony held at the presidential palace in Damascus.
• Cuba Agrees to Return Lourdes Intelligence Center to Russia - Report RIA Novosti 16 Jul 2014 -- Russia and Cuba have agreed on returning a Soviet intelligence facility in Lourdes near Havana to Russia for use, Kommersant business daily wrote Wednesday.
• Russian Media: Moscow to Reopen Cuba Intel Base VOA 16 Jul 2014 -- Russia will reopen an intelligence base in Cuba that closed in 2001, according to Russian media reports on Wednesday.
• Russia regains control of radio facility in Cuba's Lourdes base VoR 16 Jul 2014 -- Russia has retrieved the main Soviet radio interception facility – the signals intelligence center in Cuban Lourdes, the Kommersant newspaper wrote on Wednesday. 'The decision to return to Cuba can be explained by Russia's long strengthened financial capabilities, as well as cooling of relations with the US,' sources in the Russian power structures said.
• Obama Wants to Improve Intelligence Cooperation With Germany After Spy Scandal RIA Novosti 16 Jul 2014 -- US President Barack Obama in a phone conversation with German Chancellor Angela Merkel said he wants to improve cooperation in the intelligence field amid the recent spy scandal, according to the statement issued by the White House Wednesday.
• Swedish Court Rules Wikileaks Founder to Remain in Detention VOA 16 Jul 2014 -- A Swedish court has ruled that Julian Assange will remain in detention in abstentia over allegations of sexual misconduct and molestation.
• UN human rights chief warns of 'disturbing lack of transparency' for digital mass surveillance UN News Centre 16 Jul 2014 -- The top United Nations human rights official today warned of the "disturbing" lack of transparency in governmental surveillance policies and practices, "including de facto coercion of private sector companies to provide sweeping access to information and data relating to private individuals without the latter's knowledge or consent."
• Iran not yet agreed to nuclear talks extension: Zarif Iran Press TV 16 Jul 2014 -- Iran's foreign minister says the Islamic Republic has not yet agreed to the extension of the ongoing nuclear talks with the Sextet of world powers beyond the July 20 deadline.
• Malaysian Tanker Hijacked on South China Sea VOA 16 Jul 2014 -- A Malaysian-flagged oil tanker has been hijacked in the South China Sea and its cargo siphoned. It is the latest in a recent spate of such incidents blamed on sophisticated criminal gangs.