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Current Operations

• OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 18 Aug 2014 [PDF]
• Readout of Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel's Call to the MV Cape Ray DoD 18 Aug 2014
• Milestone in Eliminating Syria's Chemical Weapons Program US Dept. of State 18 Aug 2014 -- "Today, we mark a milestone in our unrelenting work to ensure the end of the Assad regime's deadly chemical arsenal: The United States has finished neutralizing the regime's deadliest chemical weapons aboard the Cape Ray."
• Statement by the President on the Completion by the M/V Cape Ray of the Destruction of Syria's Declared Chemical Weapons The White House 18 Aug 2014
• Statement by the President The White House 18 Aug 2014
• Statement from Pentagon Press Secretary Rear Admiral John Kirby DoD 18 Aug 2014-- Over the past 72 hours, at the request of the Iraqi government, the U.S. military used fighters, bombers, attack, and unmanned aircraft to conduct 35 strikes that eliminated ISIL positions in and around the Mosul Dam complex
• U.S. Conducts More Airstrikes Near the Mosul Dam AFPS 18 Aug 2014 -- U.S. Conducts More Airstrikes Near the Mosul Dam
• US Ambassador: Deadlines Loom in Afghanistan VOA 18 Aug 2014 -- As a recount of votes in the Afghanistan presidential election grinds into a third month, U.S. Ambassador James Cunningham said several crucial policy decision deadlines loom.
• 1st Marine Regiment cases colors, ends mission in Afghanistan USMC News 18 Aug 2014 -- A blinding sandstorm swept across the desert floor surrounding Regional Command (Southwest)'s security-nebulous, Task Force Belleau Wood, Aug. 15, 2014. During a brief pause in the storm, Marines with 1st Marine Regiment held a small ceremony to case the unit's battle colors for the final time in Helmand province, Afghanistan.
• Marines with 1st Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company provide security for units operating in Helmand province, Afghanistan USMC News 18 Aug 2014 -- During the early morning hours before sunrise, Marines with 1st Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company donned their gear for a security operation in Helmand province, Afghanistan, Aug. 8.
• DoD Continues Aid to Combat Western Wildfires AFPS 18 Aug 2014 -- Two Department of Defense C-130 aircraft equipped with U.S. Forest Service Modular Airborne Fire Fighting Systems and under the command and control of U.S. Northern Command are assisting with wildfire suppression efforts in the Northwest, Great Basin, and elsewhere in the West at the request of the National Interagency Fire Center in Boise, Idaho.

Defense Policy / Programs

• US, Poland train for humanitarian missions to Iraq AFNS 18 Aug 2014 -- Loadmasters from the U.S. and Poland began training together, Aug. 11, to sharpen the skills necessary to conduct humanitarian missions to Iraq.
• New Mexico maintainers keep the future of the Air Force in the sky AFNS 18 Aug 2014 -- Recently, the mission here has transformed from projecting combat airpower to training the next generation of combat pilots and among its many aircraft, Holloman Air Force Base is the premier training base for the MQ-1B Predator and the MQ-9 Reaper.
• Breedlove Discusses Russian Threats in Europe AFPS 18 Aug 2014 -- NATO is examining additional ways it can reassure alliance members who feel threatened by Russia's on-going actions in Ukraine, including positioning forces in new locations, the Supreme Allied Commander Europe told a German newspaper.
• 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit visits Iwo To during transit through U.S 7th Fleet USMC News 18 Aug 2014 -- Marines and sailors with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit and Amphibious Squadron 5 were afforded a rare opportunity to visit Iwo To (formally known as Iwo Jima) while transiting through the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility Aug. 16, 2014.
• 15th MEU completes PANAMAX 2014 USMC News 18 Aug 2014 -- Every day U.S. forces train with partner nations to combat global threats. The relationships built through these exercises allow the Marine Corps and its allies to function as a global force in readiness.
• Medical experts train counterparts in Mongolia AFNS 18 Aug 2014 -- The sounds of agony filled the air near the wooded back lot of the Central Armed Forces Hospital, or CAFH, in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, as an interpreter encouraged accident victims to 'ham up' their performances during mass casualty response training, as part of Operation Pacific Angel 14-4 Mongolia.
• NMCB-133 Takes Charge of Camp Covington NNS 18 Aug 2014 -- Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 1 turned over duties to NMCB-133 during a change of charge ceremony at Camp Covington on U.S. Naval Base Guam Aug. 15.
• USS Vella Gulf Arrives in Batumi, Georgia NNS 18 Aug 2014 -- The Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Vella Gulf (CG 72) arrived in Batumi, Georgia, for a scheduled port visit, Aug. 18.
• Rogers: Cybercom Defending Networks, Nation AFPS 18 Aug 2014 -- U.S. Cyber Command continues to expand its capabilities and capacity, Navy Adm. Mike Rogers said Aug. 14.
• NATO Seeking Long-Term Military Presence in Eastern Europe RIA Novosti 18 Aug 2014 -- NATO's leadership implore the leaders of its member-states to approve the long-term deployment of troops to Eastern Europe during its September summit in Wales, NATO's leaders wrote in an article published by The Wall Street Journal.
• Danish Inspectors to Conduct Observation Flight over Russia RIA Novosti 18 Aug 2014 -- A military delegation from Denmark will conduct an observation flight over Russia under the Open Skies Treaty, an official at Russia's Defense Ministry said on Sunday.
• Russian Baltic Fleet Holds Artillery Exercises RIA Novosti 18 Aug 2014 -- More than 400 Russian servicemen are taking part in the coastal artillery exercises of the Russian Baltic Fleet in Kaliningrad Region, which involve over 60 units of combat equipment, the fleet's press service reported Monday.
• Army asked to follow Xi's order People's Daily 18 Aug 2014 -- A military leader has asked the army to firmly obey the command of President Xi Jinping and the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee.
• Tanks need more power, experts say People's Daily 18 Aug 2014 -- China's tanks have advanced weapons, armor and automation systems, but their engines need to be improved, according to military officers and experts.
• Kazakh troops reach SCO anti-terror drill site People's Daily 18 Aug 2014 -- Eight Russian MI-8MT helicopters landed at the Zhurihe training base in north China's Inner Mongolia on Sunday night to participate in joint anti-terror drills scheduled for Aug. 24-29.
• Fateh submarine to join Navy fleet early December: Commander IRNA 18 Aug 2014 -- Navy Commander Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari said on Monday that the indigenous Fateh (Conqueror) submarine will join the Navy fleet in early December.
• Iran to launch indigenous submarine in November: Navy cmdr. Iran Press TV 18 Aug 2014 -- Iran's Navy Commander Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari says the country plans the launch of an indigenously-manufactured submarine in the near future.
• August 18, 2014 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 18 Aug 2014

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for August 18, 2014

Other Conflicts

• 18 August 2014 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 18 Aug 2014
• Security of Mosul Dam Critical to Iraq's Infrastructure AFPS 18 Aug 2014 -- President Barack Obama has announced that Iraqi forces, aided by on-going U.S airstrikes, have recaptured Mosul Dam from ISIL terrorists.
• Iraq Military Claims It Controls Country's Largest Dam Iran Press TV 18 Aug 2014 -- Iraqi counterterrorism forces and Kurdish Peshmerga have retaken the Mosul Dam, previously controlled by Islamic State (IS) militants since August 7, AFP reports citing Iraqi security spokesman Lieutenant General Qassim Atta. According to BBC, he told state television that the dam had been "fully cleansed".
• UN humanitarian agencies scaling up efforts as Iraq's displacement crisis deepens UN News Centre 18 Aug 2014 -- Amidst an expanding displacement crisis in Iraq, several United Nations humanitarian organizations are scaling up efforts to get food and water to people fleeing attacks by the Islamic State (IS).
• Iran Looks to Maintain Influence in Baghdad With New Shia PM VOA 18 Aug 2014 -- Washington and Tehran share the goal of stopping Syrian-based militants in Iraq. But experts say it's Iran, not the United States, that will most influence how the new government in Baghdad approaches internal reforms and the war in Syria.
• Obama: Iraqi Kurds, Military Recapture Mosul Dam VOA 18 Aug 2014 -- President Barack Obama says American airstrikes have helped Iraqi forces and Kurds recapture the strategic Mosul dam from Islamist militants and avert a humanitarian disaster.
• Fleeing Yezidi Iraqis seek safety in Turkey IRIN 18 Aug 2014 -- As soon as he crossed the border into southeastern Turkey, Khudeda Khalaf downed a bottle of water and called his aunt's cell phone, praying that she and her family had made it to safety.
• Iraq, Militants Voice Conflicting Claims Over Control of Mosul Dam VOA 18 Aug 2014 -- Iraqi and Kurdish forces say they have retaken control of the key Mosul dam from Islamic State fighters, but the militants are disputing the claim.
• Australia Offers to Resettle Thousands of Iraqi and Syrian Refugees VOA 18 Aug 2014 -- Australia's immigration minister, Scott Morrison, said the country will offer to resettle almost 4,500 refugees from Iraq and Syria. This will be part of Canberra's formal refugee intake of about 14,000 people each year. Morrison insists the places are available because of the government's success in stopping asylum-seeker boats.
• US Imposes Sanctions Against Key Members of Islamic State, Jabhat al-Nusra RIA Novosti 18 Aug 2014 -- US authorities have imposed sanctions on two key members of Islamic State (IS) and Jabhat al-Nusra military groups, the US Department of the Treasury said on its website.
• Terrorist Designation of Abu Mohammed al-Adnani US Dept. of State 18 Aug 2014 -- The Department of State has designated Abu Mohammed al-Adnani as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist under Executive Order (E.O.) 13224, which targets terrorists and those providing support to terrorists or acts of terrorism.
• Israel, Palestinians Again Extend Gaza Cease-Fire VOA 18 Aug 2014 -- Israel and the Palestinians have agreed to extend a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip for another 24 hours, as they meet in Cairo to try to agree on a lasting truce.
• Middle East: UN envoy urges parties to break 'deadlock of violence and retaliation' UN News Centre 18 Aug 2014 -- With the latest Gaza ceasefire due to expire at midnight, the United Nations special envoy for the Middle East urged all parties to reach an understanding on a durable truce which addresses underlying issues and breaks the deadlock of violence and retaliation.
• Palestinians expect truce extension in case of no deal Iran Press TV 18 Aug 2014 -- Representatives of Palestinian resistance groups holding indirect negotiations for a lasting ceasefire with Israel in Gaza say they expect the truce to be extended if an agreement is not reached.
• Israel, Palestinians Facing End of Gaza Cease-fire VOA 18 Aug 2014 -- Israel and the Palestinians are facing the end of the latest Gaza cease-fire as they meet in Cairo to try to agree on a lasting truce.
• NATO, EU Delivery of Military Aid to Kiev Would Contradict All Agreements Reached - Lavrov RIA Novosti 18 Aug 2014 -- The delivery of military aid to Kiev by NATO or the European Union would contradict all of the agreements reached earlier, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Monday.
• Russia Has Right to Security Measures as War Rages Near Its Borders - Lavrov RIA Novosti 18 Aug 2014 -- Moscow has the right to make decisions on security measures on its territory because hostilities continue a few kilometers away from its border with Ukraine, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Monday.
• Moscow Voices Need to Ceasefire in Ukraine During Berlin Talks - Lavrov RIA Novosti 18 Aug 2014 -- Moscow called for the need of an unconditional ceasefire in Ukraine during the four-party Berlin talks, but Kiev is continuing to set conditions, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Monday.
• Moscow Calls on US to Push Kiev to Stop Fratricidal War, Violence - Lavrov RIA Novosti 18 Aug 2014 -- Moscow has called on Washington to use its influence on Kiev to stop the fratricidal war and violence in eastern Ukraine, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Monday.
• Dozens Killed Fleeing Ukraine's Luhansk VOA 18 Aug 2014 -- Ukrainian officials said dozens of civilians were killed Monday in an attack by pro-Russian rebels on a convoy trying to escape fighting in the country's east.
• Ukraine Says Dozens Killed In Attack On Refugee Convoy RFE/RL 18 Aug 2014 -- A spokesman for Ukraine's national security council says 'dozens' of civilians have been killed in a rebel attack on a convoy of people trying to flee war-torn eastern Ukraine.
• Many dead in attack on refugee convoy in east Ukraine Iran Press TV 18 Aug 2014 -- Many people have been killed in rocket and mortar attacks on vehicles transporting refugees from Ukraine's eastern region of Lugansk.
• Russia, Ukraine, Germany, France Hold 'Difficult' Crisis Talks RFE/RL 18 Aug 2014 -- German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier has said Ukraine crisis talks in Berlin were 'difficult' but made 'some progress.'
• Lavrov Claims Humanitarian Convoy Cleared; Kyiv Defers To ICRC RFE/RL 18 Aug 2014 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says agreements have been reached with Ukraine and the International Red Cross that clear the way for Russian humanitarian shipments into eastern Ukraine.
• Cross-border aid reaches civilians displaced by ongoing violence in Libya - UN UN News Centre 18 Aug 2014 -- The United Nations refugee agency said today it has, for the first time, begun sending aid into western Libya from Tunisia to help some of the tens of thousands of people displaced by weeks of fighting in Tripoli.
• Libyan militias' battle for Tripoli airport forces 100s to flee Iran Press TV 18 Aug 2014 -- Hundreds of Libyans have been forced to leave their homes as clashes continue between rival militia groups near Tripoli international airport.
• Cameroon Villagers Flee Boko Haram Cross-Border Attacks VOA 18 Aug 2014 -- Fotocol, a Cameroonian town across the border from Nigeria's Borno state – the base of the Islamist group Boko Haram - looks deserted.
• Warning over rampaging youth gangs in Abidjan IRIN 18 Aug 2014 -- Children and teenagers who were drawn into Côte d'Ivoire's 2010-2011 post-election conflict are joining armed gangs in the commercial capital Abidjan after being abandoned by politicians and others who exploited them at the time, according to local officials who blame the government for not taking action.
• Top UN envoy pledges to step up support for peace, progress in Somaliland UN News Centre 18 Aug 2014 -- The top United Nations envoy in Somalia today pledged to step up the world body's support for peace and progress in Somaliland during a visit to the region, which declared itself independent in 1991.

News Reports

• Iran, G5+1 to take voluntary steps to prove goodwill about nuclear agreement IRNA 18 Aug 2014 -- Legal Advisor to Foreign Ministry Jamshid Momtaz said on Monday that the Joint Plan of Action, the interim nuclear deal signed on November 24, 2013, is not an international treaty and the two sides will voluntarily take actions in six months or six plus four months to show their goodwill.
• Iran not to agree with G5+1 'at any cost' ISNA 18 Aug 2014 -- A member of Iranian nuclear negotiating team Majid Takhte Ravanchi reiterated that the country would start negotiations with the six power, but it would not agree with the countries 'at any cost'.
• No nuclear deal with Sextet unless UNSC bans lifted: Iran FM Iran Press TV 18 Aug 2014 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says there will be no agreement with the six world powers over Tehran's nuclear energy program unless the UN Security Council's sanctions against Iran are repealed.
• IAEA expects progress over Iran's nuclear issue: Amano Iran Press TV 18 Aug 2014 -- Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Yukiya Amano says he expects progress will be made over Iran's nuclear energy program within the next week.
• P5+1 must make tough decisions: Iran negotiator Iran Press TV 18 Aug 2014 -- A senior Iranian nuclear negotiator says the six world powers in talks with Tehran must make "tough decisions" to pave the way for the resolution of the standoff over Iran's nuclear energy program.
• Ebola: UN health agency requests exit screening of travellers leaving affected countries UN News Centre 18 Aug 2014 -- The United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) today said any persons with an illness consistent with Ebola should not be allowed to travel by air, sea or land from affected countries unless it is part of a medical evacuation, as it also expressed concern over the threats and harassment of health workers in West African countries developing into a "worry element."
• Nigeria Makes Gains in Efforts to Contain Ebola VOA 18 Aug 2014 -- The health situation could be turning the corner in Nigeria, nearly a month after an Ebola-infected air traveler from Liberia brought the disease to Lagos.
• Anti-Government Protesters March to Islamabad's 'Red Zone' VOA 18 Aug 2014 -- Political tensions are set to come to a head in Pakistan, where an opposition politician says his party's lawmakers will resign from parliament and he will lead thousands of protesters into the capital's heavily fortified "Red Zone," despite stern government warnings.
• Anti-government protesters hold ground in Pakistan's capital Iran Press TV 18 Aug 2014 -- Pakistan has plunged further into a political crisis as anti-government protesters hold their ground in the capital, Islamabad, to demand the resignation of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
• 6,017 officials punished for violating rules in July People's Daily 18 Aug 2014 -- A total of 6,017 people were punished for breaches of anti-bureaucracy rules in July, the Communist Party of China (CPC)'s discipline agency said Sunday.
• Wikileaks' Assange Seeks Exit From Ecuador London Embassy VOA 18 Aug 2014 -- Wikileaks founder Julian Assange says he may leave the embassy of Ecador in London where he has sought political asylum for the past two years.
• Russian Cosmonauts Carry Out Science-Oriented Spacewalk Outside Space Station RIA Novosti 18 Aug 2014 -- Russian cosmonauts Alexander Skvortsov and Oleg Artemyev on Monday ventured outside the International Space Station (ISS) to conduct a planned six-hour and 15-minute spacewalk focused on scientific experiments and routine maintenance work, Russia's Federal Space Agency Roscosmos told RIA Novosti.