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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• Afghan presidential guards come under attack in Paktika Iran Press TV 17 Jul 2014 -- Gunmen have stormed a convoy of presidential guards in Paktika Province, eastern Afghanistan.
• UN mission welcomes start of audit of Afghan presidential run-off election UN News Centre 17 Jul 2014 -- The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has welcomed the start today of the audit of the results of last month's presidential run-off election.
• Taliban Takes Credit for Kabul Airport Attack VOA 17 Jul 2014 -- Authorities in Afghanistan say they have killed a group of heavily armed Taliban insurgents who took part in a Thursday assault on Kabul International Airport.

Defense Policy / Programs

• New 'Whistleblower Law' Gains Momentum in First Year AFPS 17 Jul 2014 -- The rate of complaints from Defense Department whistleblowers increased from about four to six a month as of August 2013 to more than 200 since Jan. 1, following a year-old whistleblower rights and protections law, officials from the DOD inspector general's office said yesterday.
• Readout of Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel's Phone Call with UK Secretary of State for Defense Michael Fallon DoD 17 Jul 2014-- BUG: the source does not exist in description file
• USS Donald Cook Participates in SAREX NNS 17 Jul 2014 -- Guided-missile destroyer USS Donald Cook (DDG 75) participated in a bilateral search and rescue exercise (SAREX) off the coast of Cyprus with search and rescue units and personnel from the Republic of Cyprus, July 16.
• F-15E takes first flight with new radar system AFNS 17 Jul 2014 -- The first 389th Fighter Squadron F-15E Strike Eagle received a Radar Modernization Program, or RMP, upgrade here in June.
• F-35s return to limited flight operations AFNS 17 Jul 2014 -- The 26 Air Force F-35s Lightning II joint strike fighters assigned here returned to limited flight operations July 17 with the approval of commanders and Air Force airworthiness authorities.
• Air Force will provide assured access to space AFNS 17 Jul 2014 -- Gen. William L. Shelton, Air Force Space Command commander, stressed the importance of maintaining assured access to space to the Senate Subcommittee on Strategic Forces and Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation during a hearing on the options for assuring domestic access to space, July 16.
• Afghanistan Dominates Dunford's Confirmation Hearing AFPS 17 Jul 2014 -- America expects its Marine Corps to be second to none, Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr. told the Senate Armed Services Committee today, and if he's confirmed as the service's next commandant, he vowed, the Marine Corps would continue to live up to that expectation.
• Mercy Conducts MEDEVAC Drill during RIMPAC NNS 17 Jul 2014 -- The crew of the Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) participated in a medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) drill, July 16, during Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2014.
• VP-16 Departs 7th Fleet After Historic Deployment NNS 17 Jul 2014 -- Patrol Squadron (VP) 16's final aircraft touched down in Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Florida, signifying the successful end to a dynamic seven-month deployment for the War Eagles of VP-16 and the first operational deployment of the P-8A Poseidon July 16.
• CORIVRON 2 Completes Training with Belize SBU During SPS 2014 NNS 17 Jul 2014 -- Coastal Riverine Squadron (CORIVRON) 2, held an end-of-mission ceremony at Camp Fairweather, July 11, in support of Southern Partnership Station 2014 (SPS-JHSV 14).
• Cyber Guard Exercise Tests People, Partnerships AFPS 17 Jul 2014 -- Partners from across government, academia, industry and the international coalition recently completed Cyber Guard 14-1, a two-week exercise designed to test operational and interagency coordination as well as tactical-level operations in response to a domestic cyberspace incident.
• 6 Guantanamo Bay Detainees to be Sent to Uruguay VOA 17 Jul 2014 -- The Obama administration has informed the U.S. Congress that it will transfer six detainees from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba to the South American country of Uruguay.
• Japanese Security Council Approves Export of Sensors for US Missile Systems – Reports RIA Novosti 17 Jul 2014 -- Japan's National Security Council approved the export of high-performance sensors produced by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to the United States, making it the first arms export since Tokyo lifted its self-imposed ban on such materials in April, Kyodo news agency reported Wednesday.
• Japan Outlines Constitution Change Impact VOA 17 Jul 2014 -- Japan's ambassador to the Philippines, Toshinao Urabe, says the proposed "reinterpretation" of Japan's pacifist constitution would allow it to help if a country it has a "close relationship" with is attacked.
• CSTO Holds Military Exercises in Central Asia RIA Novosti 17 Jul 2014 -- Russia and its partners from the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) will jointly carry out military exercises in Central Asia for the neutralization of extremism, Central Military District representative Colonel Yaroslav Roshupkin said Thursday.
• Ban, Security Council condemn recent DPR Korea missile launches UN News Centre 17 Jul 2014 -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the members of the Security Council have deplored the continued missile launches conducted by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).
• South Sudan Army Defends New Weapons Purchase VOA 17 Jul 2014 -- The spokesman for South Sudan's military says the army, with the constitutional responsibility to protect the country, has the right to arm itself.
• Gaggle by Press Secretary Josh Earnest Delaware, 7/17/14 The White House 17 Jul 2014
• July 17, 2014 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 17 Jul 2014

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for July 17, 2014

Other Conflicts

• 17 July 2014 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 17 Jul 2014
• Malaysian Airliner Crashes in Eastern Ukraine VOA 17 Jul 2014 -- A Malaysia Airlines jetliner flying from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur crashed Thursday in eastern Ukraine, killing all 298 people on board, and Ukrainian government officials said pro-Russian insurgents had shot down the plane.
• Malaysian Airliner Carrying 295 People Crashes in Eastern Ukraine 17 Jul 2014 -- A Malaysian Airlines jetliner flying from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur crashed Thursday in eastern Ukraine, and Ukrainian government officials said pro-Russian insurgents had shot down the plane.
• IHS Jane's analysis of the capabilities of Ukraine's missile systems IHS 17 Jul 2014 -- An airliner cruising at around 30,000 ft altitude would be well above the coverage of shoulder-fired man-portable missile systems, which typically can engage targets flying at up to around 10,000 ft.
• US, NATO Charge Russian Weapons Flooding Eastern Ukraine VOA 17 Jul 2014 -- Western military officials are sounding new alarms over the increasing amount of heavy and sophisticated weaponry ending up in the hands of Russian-backed separatists in Ukraine.
• Readout of the President's Call with President Putin of Russia The White House 17 Jul 2014
• Russia Rejects 'Absurd' Accusation Over Downed Ukrainian Jet RFE/RL 17 Jul 2014 -- Russia's Defense Ministry has denied that it shot down a Ukrainian fighter jet and called the accusation by Kyiv 'absurd.'
• Ukraine Separatist Leader Boasts Of Downing Plane RFE/RL 17 Jul 2014 -- Shortly before reports surfaced that a Malaysian Airlines Boeing 777 had crashed in eastern Ukraine, a separatist leader boasted on social media that his men had shot down an aircraft.
• Donetsk Separatists Dig In For Street Fighting RFE/RL 17 Jul 2014 -- Empty streets, machine-gun nests, and rebels vowing to fight to the end. That's Donetsk today as separatists turn it into a bastion they hope can withstand any Ukrainian military effort to oust them.
• U.S. Officials: Russia Increasing Support for Ukraine Rebels AFPS 17 Jul 2014 -- Obama administration officials say Russia's support for pro-Russian separatists in neighboring Ukraine is increasing, and Pentagon officials are citing a buildup of Russian forces along their shared border.
• Malaysia passenger plane 'shot down' over Ukraine, 295 dead Iran Press TV 17 Jul 2014 -- A Malaysian passenger airliner has reportedly been 'shot down' over Ukraine near the border with Russia, with all the 295 people on board dead.
• Russia downs Ukrainian jet: Kiev Iran Press TV 17 Jul 2014 -- Kiev has claimed that a Russian air force jet shot down a Ukrainian warplane over its territory without any casualties.
• Dozens of Bodies Scattered Around Malaysian Plane Crash Site in Ukraine - Witnesses RIA Novosti 17 Jul 2014 -- At least several dozen bodies were found scattered around the crash site of a Malaysia Airlines passenger plane in eastern Ukraine, witnesses told RIA Novosti.
• Ukrainian Army Buk Missile Likely Downed Malaysian Plane - Source RIA Novosti 17 Jul 2014 -- A Ukrainian army battalion of Buk air defense systems was deployed near the city of Donetsk a day before the crash of a Malaysian passenger plane on Thursday, making the downing of the aircraft by one of the missiles highly probable, an expert source said.
• Malaysia Airlines Boeing Crashes in Ukraine RIA Novosti 17 Jul 2014 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin said early on Thursday that the new US sanctions against the country's individuals and business entities needed a careful look.
• Report: Russia Denies It Shot Down Ukrainian Warplane VOA 17 Jul 2014 -- Russia's Defense Ministry denied on Thursday it had shot down a Ukrainian military jet and called the accusation by Kyiv "absurd," Russian state news agency RIA reported.
• PM Netanyahu and DM Yaalon order the IDF to commence ground action Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs 17 Jul 2014 -- Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yaalon this evening (Thursday, 17 July 2014) instructed the IDF to commence ground action to strike at the terrorist tunnels from the Gaza Strip into Israeli territory.
• Israel Carrying Out Ground Offensive In Gaza VOA 17 Jul 2014 -- Thousands of Israeli soldiers began a ground invasion into the Gaza Strip late Thursday, escalating a 10-day military operation that aims to destroy Hamas' offensive capabilities, including the group's weapons arsenal and tunnels that infiltrate Israel's territory.
• Israel, Hamas Resume Hostilities VOA 17 Jul 2014 -- Israeli Defense Forces and Palestinian militants resumed hostilities in Gaza Thursday after a temporary humanitarian cease-fire came to an end. Meanwhile, talks on a more comprehensive truce are underway in Egypt.
• Gaza conflict begins after temporary ceasefire Iran Press TV 17 Jul 2014 -- Israel and the Palestinian resistance groups have begun trading fire again after a temporary ceasefire to halt the recent military conflict in the Gaza Strip ended.
• Israel, Hamas agree to ceasefire from Friday: Israel Official Iran Press TV 17 Jul 2014 -- An Israeli official says Tel Aviv and the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas have agreed to a new ceasefire due on Friday.
• Gaza breathes briefly, then holds its breath IRIN 17 Jul 2014 -- Mazen, desperate, worked his way to the top of the line. "Excuse me, can I go in front? Its an emergency," he pleaded. After squeezing his way through the crowd, he implored the bank teller to give him his month's wages.
• Temporary reprieve in Gaza shows long-term ceasefire is possible, UN chief says UN News Centre 17 Jul 2014 -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon welcomed the humanitarian pause in Gaza which allowed the United Nations food agency and partners to provide aid to thousands of people, while expressing his hope that this will lead to a more durable calm.
• UN chief, special envoys pledge to 'spare no effort' to end Syria bloodshed UN News Centre 17 Jul 2014 -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, flanked by his new special envoys for Syria, today pledged to "spare no effort" to help end the bloodshed and bring about a peaceful resolution to the conflict that brought untold suffering to millions.
• ISIL militants seize gas field in central Syria Iran Press TV 17 Jul 2014 -- Takfiri ISIL terrorists have taken control of a gas field in Syria's central region of Palmyra, an opposition source says.
• Syrian army makes fresh gains in Hama Iran Press TV 17 Jul 2014 -- The Syrian army makes fresh gains in the province of Hama in its fight against the foreign-backed militants operating in the country.
• Libya Asks UN to Help Protect Oil Fields VOA 17 Jul 2014 -- Libya's foreign minister has painted a bleak picture of the situation in his country, warning it could become a failed state without international assistance.
• Violence in Libya Disrupts Election to Council of Representatives - UN Envoy RIA Novosti 17 Jul 2014 -- The armed clashes in Tripoli and its international airport as well as violent acts all over Libya jeopardized the June 25 election, UN's envoy to Libya Tarek Mitri told the Security Council on Thursday.
• Recent turmoil in Libya could escalate quickly, threaten fledgling transition - UN envoy UN News Centre 17 Jul 2014 -- The top United Nations envoy to Libya today warned that the risk of a major escalation of the recent fighting in the capital is high and threatens the fledgling political process in the country.
• Inter-Korean Working Talks Held KCNA 17 Jul 2014 -- Working talks between the DPRK Olympic Committee and the organizing committee of the south side for the 17th Asian Games was held at Panmunjom Thursday as regards the issue of participation of players group and cheerleading squad of the DPRK in the games.
• Chinese Experts: Oil Rig Removal Not Linked to US Pressure VOA 17 Jul 2014 -- Chinese scholars say Beijing's removal of a controversial oil rig from the South China Sea is part of a long-term strategy.
• Burundi's troubled peace and reconciliation process IRIN 17 Jul 2014 -- Fifteen years after a peace accord called for its creation, Burundi is finally to set up a Peace and Reconciliation Commission (PRC) to examine crimes committed since 1962. But the controversies and disagreements that have dogged the mechanism since it was first mooted continue to reverberate, casting doubt on its efficacy, with the key concern being whether the commission's purview will be selective.
• On criminal justice day, UN urges ratification of treaty setting up International Criminal Court UN News Centre 17 Jul 2014 -- Justice matters, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon stressed, calling for universal ratification of the Rome Statute, which was adopted 16 years ago today and established the International Criminal Court (ICC), the world's first permanent court set up to try war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide.
• UN Panel: Expel Militia Fighters From CAR Armed Forces VOA 17 Jul 2014 -- U.N. experts have called for militia fighters to be expelled from the Central African Republic's armed forces, but other observers said that's easier said than done and might jeopardize upcoming peace talks.
• Nigerian President Seeks $1B to Fight Boko Haram VOA 17 Jul 2014 -- Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan wants to borrow up to $1 billion in foreign funds to help security forces fight militant group Boko Haram.

News Reports

• Explainer: How Much Of An Escalation Is Latest Round Of U.S. Sanctions? RFE/RL 17 Jul 2014 -- The United States has unveiled a major, third wave of sanctions on Russia and the European Union announced that it would also strengthen its sanctions against Moscow. What effect will the new round of sanctions have?
• If Past Is Prologue, EU Needs To Up Its Game With Russia RFE/RL 17 Jul 2014 -- As the world watched anxiously, the conflict between Russia and a Western-leaning former Soviet neighbor intensified.
• Russia reserves 'right to retaliate' against US sanctions Iran Press TV 17 Jul 2014 -- Russia has strongly censured the latest package of sanctions against Moscow by the US as blackmail and Washington's revenge for the failure of its agenda in Ukraine, saying Moscow reserves the right to take retaliatory measures.
• Russian Senior Official Warns US of Sanctions Backlash RIA Novosti 17 Jul 2014 -- New sanctions against Russian companies and financial institutions will have a negative impact on US external political and economic goals, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said Thursday.
• New Russia Sanctions Primitive Revenge Attempt Over Ukraine - Russian RIA Novosti 17 Jul 2014 -- Moscow considers the United States implementing new sanctions against Russia to be a primitive attempt for revenge over the events in Ukraine, which are not unfolding according to Washington's plans.
• US Slaps Russia With New Sanctions on Individuals, Banks, Energy, Defense Companies RIA Novosti 17 Jul 2014 -- The United States has added new Russian individuals to its list of Ukraine-related sanctions and introduced a so-called Sectoral Sanctions Identification List that affects companies and institutions across various sectors of Russian economy.
• US Sanctions Strike Russia's Top Firms VOA 17 Jul 2014 -- The United States and the European Union imposed new sanctions Wednesday, striking at the heart of Vladimir Putin's powerbase by targeting companies closest to him over Moscow's failure to curb violence in Ukraine.
• Russia Blasts New U.S., EU Sanctions As 'Primitive' Measures RFE/RL 17 Jul 2014 -- The Kremlin has blasted significantly strengthened U.S. and EU sanctions against Russia for its actions in Ukraine.
• Putin Denies Plans to Re-open Soviet-Era Intel Outpost in Cuba RIA Novosti 17 Jul 2014 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has not confirmed rumors alleging that Moscow and Havana last week agreed to re-open a major electronic intelligence facility in Cuba.
• Putin Denies Cuba Spy Base Reopening VOA 17 Jul 2014 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin is denying media reports that he will reopen a Soviet-era base in Cuba used to spy on the United States.
• China lodges protest with Britain over Hong Kong affairs People's Daily 17 Jul 2014 -- China on Wednesday lodged solemn protests with Britain over the meetings between high-ranking British officials and the Hong Kong opposition.