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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 29 Jul 2014 [PDF]
• Suicide Bomber Kills Afghan President's Cousin VOA 29 Jul 2014 -- Afghan officials say a suicide bomber has killed a cousin of President Hamid Karzai in the southern province of Kandahar.
• U.S. Continues to Help Iraq in Face of Extremist Threat AFPS 29 Jul 2014 -- While Pentagon officials continue reviewing assessments of the situation in Iraq, operations to aid the Iraqi government against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant continue, Pentagon Press Secretary Navy Rear Adm. John Kirby said today.

Defense Policy / Programs

• US Navy, JMSDF VBSS Teams Build Unity Aboard McCain during Malabar 2014 NNS 29 Jul 2014 -- The Arleigh-Burke class guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) was the stage for a compliant boarding exercise involving visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) teams from U.S. Navy and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), July 27, as part of exercise Malabar 2014.
• Sailors, Airmen come together for Patriot Partner 14 NNS 29 Jul 2014 -- Navy and Air Force personnel completed two weeks of training at Naval Station Norfolk's Air Terminal, July 25.
• Pacific Angel-Tonga wraps up AFNS 29 Jul 2014 -- More than 4,300 patients received care and five schools obtained much needed upgrades as Operation Pacific Angel 14-3, a joint and combined humanitarian mission, closed July 25.
• U.S. Pacific Command Kicks Off Exercise Fortune Guard AFPS 29 Jul 2014 -- U.S. Pacific Command is hosting personnel from 31 nations as part of the proliferation security initiative Exercise Fortune Guard.
• Department of Defense Press Briefing by Admiral Kirby in the Pentagon Briefing Room DoD 29 Jul 2014 -- Presenters: Rear Admiral John Kirby, Press Secretary
• Department of Defense Press Briefing by Admiral Locklear in the Pentagon Briefing Room DoD 29 Jul 2014 -- Presenters: Admiral Samuel J. Locklear III, Commander, U.S. Pacific Command
• Space and Missile Systems Center awards first-of-its-kind hosted payload solutions contract AFNS 29 Jul 2014 -- The U.S. Air Force Space Command's Space and Missile Systems Center awarded an indefinite-delivery-indefinite-quantity, or IDIQ, contract under the Hosted Payload Solutions, or HoPS, program, July 10.
• 7th Fleet Commander Kicks Off 20th CARAT Singapore NNS 29 Jul 2014 -- The 20th annual exercise Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Singapore commenced with an opening ceremony at Changi Naval Base, July 29.
• Mercy Holds Mass Casualty Drill During RIMPAC's Sea Phase NNS 29 Jul 2014 -- The crew of the Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) took part in a mass casualty drill July 27 during the sea phase of Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) Exercise 2014.
• US Launches Two Surveillance Satellites From Cape Canaveral RIA Novosti 29 Jul 2014 -- A Delta 4 rocket mounted with two GSSAP surveillance satellites to monitor space debris and other space activities was launched from Cape Canaveral in Florida Monday, CBS News reported.
• Britain to send troops for NATO drills in Poland Iran Press TV 29 Jul 2014 -- Britain has decided to deploy 1,350 military personnel and more than 350 vehicles to Poland for NATO war games amid the crisis in Ukraine.
• Japan, France Agree on Expanding Defense Cooperation RIA Novosti 29 Jul 2014 -- France and Japan will expand defense cooperation and conduct joint military exercises as part of a treaty signed in Tokyo by Japan's Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera and his French counterpart Jean-Yves Le Drian.
• Large-Scale Tactical Flight Training Kicks Off in Russia RIA Novosti 29 Jul 2014 -- About 30 helicopters and some 300 pilots and ground specialists will carry out operational firing of free-flight rockets as part of the three-day tactical flight training that kicks off in Russia's Rostov Region and Stavropol Territory, the Southern Military District's press service reported Tuesday.
• Russian Naval Destroyer Moving to Mediterranean RIA Novosti 29 Jul 2014 -- The Russian Navy's Vice-Admiral Kulakov, an Udaloy-class destroyer, is moving to the eastern parts of the Mediterranean Sea, where it will join the permanent Russian naval task force, Northern Fleet spokesman Capt. 1st Rank Vadim Serga said.
• Washington Says Moscow Violated INF Treaty RIA Novosti 29 Jul 2014 -- The United States has claimed Russia violated the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF) by testing a prohibited ground-launched cruise missile, The New York Times reported citing senior US officials.
• US: Russia Violated Nuclear Treaty VOA 29 Jul 2014 -- The United States accused Russia of violating a historic nuclear test ban treaty by testing a ground-launched cruise missile.
• Japanese Minister Says French Mistral Deal With Russia Can Affect Japan's Security RIA Novosti 29 Jul 2014 -- The sale of two Mistral-class helicopter carriers to Russia may have a negative impact on Japan's security, Japanese Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera said during a meeting with his French counterpart Jean-Yves Le Drian in Tokyo.
• July 29, 2014 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 29 Jul 2014

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for July 29, 2014

Other Conflicts

• Citing humanitarian impact, Ban warns against further escalation in Gaza conflict UN News Centre 29 Jul 2014 -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has strongly urged all sides to avoid any further escalation in the Gaza conflict, warning of the devastating humanitarian impact on civilians in the enclave who have already suffered immensely since the crisis started.
• Israel Pounds Gaza; Netanyahu Warns of Long Campaign VOA 29 Jul 2014 -- Israel's military stepped up its bombardment of the Gaza Strip on Tuesday after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his country should be prepared for a long conflict in the Palestinian enclave, quashing any hopes of a swift end to the conflict.
• Israel kills 100 Gazans in a single day Iran Press TV 29 Jul 2014 -- Over 100 Palestinians have been killed and dozens injured in a single day as Israel intensifies its bombardment of the besieged Gaza Strip.
• Hamas denies agreeing to temporary ceasefire Iran Press TV 29 Jul 2014 -- The Palestinian resistance movement, Hamas, has denied that it accepted a 24-hour ceasefire with Israel, saying it would only consider a truce offer when it is assured of Israeli commitment.
• 1130 Palestinians killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza Iran Press TV 29 Jul 2014 -- The Palestinian death toll from Israel's 22-day deadly military offensive against the blockaded Gaza Strip has risen to at least 1,130.
• Power Plant in Gaza Shut Down After Israeli Attacks RIA Novosti 29 Jul 2014 -- The only power plant in the Gaza Strip has been shut down after Israeli attacks set several fuel reservoirs on fire, a local energy company representative told RIA Novosti.
• Hamas Urges Egypt to Revise Peace Initiative to Mediate Ceasefire RIA Novosti 29 Jul 2014 -- The militant Hamas movement in Gaza believes Egypt needs to come up with an expanded version of truce to reclaim its role as the main mediator in the Israeli-Palestinian armed conflict, a senior Hamas official told RIA Novosti Tuesday.
• Senior Official Says Hamas 'Grateful' to Qatar, Turkey for Siding With Palestinians RIA Novosti 29 Jul 2014 -- The Islamist Hamas movement in Gaza is grateful to Qatar and Turkey for their offer of extensive political, economic and diplomatic support to Paletinians, a senior Hamas official told RIA Novosti Tuesday.
• Hamas Has Upper Hand in Gaza, Set to Win Standoff With Israel – Senior Official RIA Novosti 29 Jul 2014 -- Leadership of the Palestinian Islamic movement Hamas is certain its fighters will get the upper hand over Israeli troops engaged in a ground operation in Gaza, a senior Hamas official told RIA Novosti Tuesday.
• Russian Forces Continue to Gather on Border with Ukraine AFPS 29 Jul 2014 -- Russian military forces continue to gather on the Ukraine's southeast border, and Russia continues to funnel heavy equipment to Russian-backed separatists in Ukraine, a Pentagon spokesman said today.
• Remarks With Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin After Their Meeting US Dept. of State 29 Jul 2014
• US Ambassador: Advanced Weapons on Russia-Ukraine Border VOA 29 Jul 2014 -- The United States says it expects to pass another round of tough sanctions against Russia over its alleged involvement in the conflict in eastern Ukraine. In an interview with VOA, the US Ambassador to Ukraine Geoffrey Pyatt said Russian President Vladimir Putin must take steps to de-escalate the crisis.
• Statement by the President on Ukraine The White House 29 Jul 2014
• Background Conference Call on Ukraine The White House 29 Jul 2014
• Moscow: Ukrainian Forces Fire Into Russian Territory RFE/RL 29 Jul 2014 -- Russia says Kyiv's forces have fired across the border from eastern Ukraine into Russian territory with assault rifles and grenade launchers.
• Ukrainian Troops Using Ballistic Missiles Against Independence Supporters - Report RIA Novosti 29 Jul 2014 -- Ukraine's government troops have used short-range ballistic missiles against independence supporters in the country's east, CNN reported Tuesday citing US officials.
• Ukraine Hinders MH17 Crash Investigation, Violates UN Resolution - Russia RIA Novosti 29 Jul 2014 -- Attempts by international experts to reach the crash site of a Malaysian passenger plane in eastern Ukraine have been hampered by a new round of hostilities launched by Kiev authorities in the area, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday.
• Russia Demands Ukraine to Stop Cross-Border Fire RIA Novosti 29 Jul 2014 -- Moscow demands that Kiev immediately stop its cross-border fire and ensure the safety of international monitors being deployed on the Russian-Ukrainian border, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Tuesday.
• Kiev Says Cannot Provide Security Guarantees to Experts at Crash Site RIA Novosti 29 Jul 2014 -- Ukraine's security troops said Tuesday they cannot provide security guarantees to international experts working at the scene of the Boeing crash in Donetsk Region, controlled by independence supporters.
• UN Report on Ukraine Distorts Facts, Hypocritical – Russia RIA Novosti 29 Jul 2014 -- The recent UN report about the humanitarian situation in Ukraine is nonobjective, hypocritical and lacks the main message: the call to end the Kiev government's military operation in eastern Ukraine, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Tuesday.
• International Experts Fail to Reach Malaysian Boeing Crash Site for Third Time Running RIA Novosti 29 Jul 2014 -- A group of international investigators has for the third time failed to reach the crash site of the Malaysia Airlines Boeing 777 due to ongoing fighting in the region, Agence France-Presse reported Tuesday, citing a statement by the Dutch Justice Ministry.
• Kerry: No Evidence Russia Seeks to End Ukraine Violence VOA 29 Jul 2014 -- Calling on Russia to use its 'considerable influence' with separatists in eastern Ukraine to ensure the Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 crash site is secured, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said there is not a 'shred of evidence' Russia seeks to end the violence and bloodshed in eastern Ukraine.
• Iraq's Holy Sites Reduced To Rubble RFE/RL 29 Jul 2014 -- The Islamic State initially exhibited some restraint after entering northwestern Iraq in June, focusing on establishing control of the territories it held and gaining the trust of local Sunni communities. But as the self-declared caliphate has grown more comfortable in its surroundings, it has revealed its radical aims by destroying anything that conflicts with its strict interpretation of Islam.
• US Orders Seizure of Iraqi Kurdistan's Oil Cargo RIA Novosti 29 Jul 2014 -- A US court has ordered marshals to seize a cargo of oil from Iraqi Kurdistan aboard a tanker off the Texas coast, Reuters reported Tuesday, referring to court filings.
• A Look at Libya's Most Active Armed Groups VOA 29 Jul 2014 -- Analysts estimate there are up to 1,700 armed groups operating in Libya, where the central government has struggled to impose order since the 2011 ouster of Moammar Gadhafi.
• Canada pulls diplomats out of Libya amid soaring unrest Iran Press TV 29 Jul 2014 -- The Canadian government says its diplomatic mission in Libya has suspended operations and staff members have been withdrawn from the North African country amid "unpredictable security environment" there.
• Fighter jet goes down in anarchic eastern Libya Iran Press TV 29 Jul 2014 -- A Libyan fighter jet has crashed in the restive eastern city of Benghazi amid fighting between militiamen and forces loyal to a renegade former army general.
• A tentative ceasefire in CAR IRIN 29 Jul 2014 -- While the ceasefire signed in Brazzaville on 23 July by the two principal armed factions in the Central African Republic (CAR), the ex-Seleka and anti-Balaka, was widely greeted as a positive step forward, analysts are sceptical it can lead to lasting peace.
• Vietnam's Communists Urged to Sue China VOA 29 Jul 2014 -- Dozens of prominent members of Vietnam's Communist Party (VCP), voicing concerns over China's actions in the South China Sea, are calling on their leaders to file a legal case against Beijing with the International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea.
• South Sudan Urges Rebels to Negotiate in 'Good Faith' VOA 29 Jul 2014 -- South Sudan's information minister called on the representatives of the rebels fighting the government in Juba to negotiate in good faith and ensure peace is restored to citizens as the next phase of peace talks is set to begin this week in Ethiopia's capital, Addis Ababa.

News Reports

• Obama Announces New Sanctions Against Russia VOA 29 Jul 2014 -- President Barack Obama announced new sanctions against Russia, just hours after the European Union expanded its own punitive measures over what the West sees as Moscow's continued efforts to destabilize Ukraine.
• EU Sanctions Against Russia – Who Will Feel the Pain? VOA 29 Jul 2014 -- European Union governments have agreed to impose new sanctions against Russia that will target, among other areas, its defense sector, with Washington poised to follow. Experts agree the measures were long in coming but there seems to be little agreement over how painful they will be for Russia – and for Europe itself.
• EU Imposes Tougher Sanctions on Russia VOA 29 Jul 2014 -- European Union countries reached agreement on Tuesday to impose new economic sanctions against Russia, targeting its oil industry, defense, dual-use goods and sensitive technologies, according to diplomats.
• Four Putin allies hit EU sanctions list Iran Press TV 29 Jul 2014 -- The EU has added new names to its sanctions list, targeting four Russian individuals closely tied to President Vladimir Putin, a European Union official says.
• Russian Lawmakers Draft Bill On 'Aggressor Countries' RFE/RL 29 Jul 2014 -- Russian lawmakers have reportedly drafted amendments that would brand states that impose sanctions on Russia as 'aggressor countries.'
• Russia to Introduce Term 'Aggressor State' to Legislation RIA Novosti 29 Jul 2014 -- Lawmakers in Russia's State Duma are considering adding the notion of "aggressor country" to the country's laws, Izvestia newspaper reported Tuesday.
• Japan's New Sanctions Against Russia 'Unfriendly, Short-Sighted' – Moscow RIA Novosti 29 Jul 2014 -- Japan's announcement of further sanctions against Moscow is "unfriendly and short-sighted," Russia's Foreign Ministry said Tuesday in a commentary.
• China Investigates Former Powerful Security Chief VOA 29 Jul 2014 -- China has announced it is investigating a man who used to be one of the country's most powerful politicians, former domestic security chief Zhou Yongkang. The investigation is likely to boost already growing public support for Chinese President Xi Jinping's widening anti-corruption drive.
• Nigeria Faces Possible Ebola Outbreak Amid National Doctors' Strike VOA 29 Jul 2014 -- In the midst of a national doctors' strike, Nigerian authorities are now working to prevent an outbreak of Ebola, after the country's first patient died last week. The strike leaves Nigeria's hospitals unprepared to treat or contain the disease if it begins to spread.