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Current Operations

• OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 26 Aug 2014 [PDF]
• Department of Defense Press Briefing by Rear Adm. Kirby in the Pentagon Briefing Room DoD 26 Aug 2014
• Obama: U.S. Combat Troops Will Not Return to Iraq AFPS 26 Aug 2014 -- President Barack Obama has again emphasized that U.S. combat troops will not be sent back into Iraq.
• Obama Warns of Expanding Battle Against Islamic State VOA 26 Aug 2014 -- The United States is preparing to extend its reach in the effort to contain the group known as the Islamic State.
• Statement by Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel on Kurdish Resupply Effort DoD 26 Aug 2014
• Hagel: Seven Nations Pledge Arms for Iraqi Kurds in Fight Against ISIL AFPS 26 Aug 2014 -- Seven nations have joined the United States and the Iraqi government with pledges to provide arms to Kurdish forces in northern Iraq.
• US Official: Obama Approves Surveillance Flights Over Syria VOA 26 Aug 2014 -- A senior White House official says President Barack Obama has authorized surveillance flights over Syria.
• Obama Authorizes Surveillance Flights Over Syria RIA Novosti 26 Aug 2014 -- US President Barack Obama has approved surveillance flights over Syria.
• 'US to use spy aircraft to track ISIL in Syria' Iran Press TV 26 Aug 2014 -- The United States is planning to send spy planes into Syria to track ISIL militants who have captured large swaths of territory in neighboring Iraq.
• NATO's Eastern Members To Get NATO Troop Rotations RFE/RL 26 Aug 2014 -- NATO says it is planning constantly manned facilities in NATO-member countries that are east of what formerly was the iron curtain.
• Two NATO Ships to Return to Black Sea RIA Novosti 26 Aug 2014 -- An American destroyer and a French frigate will enter the Black Sea on September 3, an international military source told RIA Novosti on Tuesday.
• US Transfers Pakistani Bagram Detainees to Islamabad, Angering Kabul VOA 26 Aug 2014 -- The fate of nine Pakistani detainees who were held at a U.S. military prison in Afghanistan is a source of friction between Islamabad and Kabul.
• Pundits Split Over Long-Term US Role in Afghanistan VOA 26 Aug 2014 -- Some American foreign policy experts are looking beyond the political standoff to a deadline that will end U.S. military involvement in the war-torn country.
• Dunford Turns ISAF Command to Campbell in Kabul AFPS 26 Aug 2014 -- Marine Corps Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr. turned over command of NATO’s International Security Assistance Force to Army Gen. John F. Campbell during a ceremony in Kabul, Afghanistan, today.
• Campbell Takes ISAF Command in Afghanistan AFPS 26 Aug 2014 -- Army Gen. John F. Campbell assumed command of the NATO International Security Assistance Force from Marine Corps Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr., during a change of command ceremony held here today.
• Abdullah Threatens to Pull Out of Afghan Presidential Vote Audit VOA 26 Aug 2014 -- Afghan presidential candidate Abdullah Abdullah has threatened to pull out of the auditing process of June's disputed runoff election, further complicating efforts to resolve the standoff.
• Abdullah threatens to withdraw from Afghan vote audit Iran Press TV 26 Aug 2014 -- Afghan presidential candidate Abdullah Abdullah has threatened to pull out of the UN-supervised auditing process of June's contentious runoff election in a move that further complicates efforts to resolve the dispute.

Defense Policy / Programs

• U.S., S. Korean Warmongers Will Have to Pay High Price for Staging UFG: Warns Rodong Sinmun KCNA 26 Aug 2014 -- The U.S. announced that it would apply for the first time during Ulji Freedom Guardian joint military exercises being staged in south Korea the "strategy" which calls for making a preemptive strike.
• ANG B-2 pilot surpasses 1,000 hours AFNS 26 Aug 2014 -- Lt. Col. Ryan "Poacher" Bailey, a Missouri Air National Guardsman surpassed 1,000 flying-hours in the B-2 Spirit stealth bomber.
• Ramstein Airmen conclude operations in Poland AFNS 26 Aug 2014 -- With a flurry of grass and dirt, a C-130J Super Hercules touched down on a grass runway at Powidz Air Base, Poland, marking the final week of deployed operations here, Aug. 25.
• Coast Guard Craft Fires Warning Shot at Iranian Dhow AFPS 26 Aug 2014 -- A U.S. Coast Guard vessel operating in international waters in the Persian Gulf fired today on an Iranian dhow in what U.S. military officials described as a defensive move.
• US to Give Tunisia $60 Million in Military Aid VOA 26 Aug 2014 -- The United States plans to give Tunisia $60 million in military aid to help the country meet a threat by Islamic militants.
• NAVFAC Southeast Awards F-35 Maintenance Hangar Contract NNS 26 Aug 2014 -- Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Southeast announced the first task order from a $240 million indefinite-delivery indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) multiple award design-build construction contract Aug. 26.
• 2/8 Marines join forces with MARSOC to enhance partner nation force training capabilities USMC News 26 Aug 2014 -- As the nature of conflict and challenges to the U.S. and its interests remain constant, so does the demands of the U.S. Marine Corps’ ability to operate and conduct operations.
• USS Vella Gulf Departs Black Sea NNS 26 Aug 2014 -- The Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Vella Gulf (CG 72) departed the Black Sea after a series of engagements promoting peace and stability in the region, Aug. 26.
• USS Greeneville Returns Home NNS 26 Aug 2014 -- A crowd lined the submarine piers for a warm aloha welcome as the Los Angeles-class fast attack submarine USS Greeneville (SSN 772), returned to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Aug. 25, following a deployment to the Western Pacific.
• President Obama to Award the Medal of Honor The White House 26 Aug 2014
• JOINT FACT SHEET DoD and VA Take New Steps to Support the Mental Health Needs of Service Members and Veterans DoD - VA 26 Aug 2014
• FACT SHEET: President Obama Announces New Executive Actions to Fulfill our Promises to Service Members, Veterans, and Their Families The White House 26 Aug 2014
• Obama: VA Misconduct 'Outrageous, Inexcusable' VOA 26 Aug 2014 -- President Barack Obama is vowing to "do right by" the nation's military veterans, calling misconduct uncovered within the U.S. Veterans Affairs Department "outrageous and inexcusable."
• President Pledges Support to Veterans AFPS 26 Aug 2014 -- The country is welcoming home a new wave of veterans and Americans have a sacred trust to get them the benefits they earned, President Barack Obama said today.
• Russia Plans to Supply India With A-50 Aircraft – Aircraft Company RIA Novosti 26 Aug 2014 -- Russia and India plan on signing a contract to supply India with A-50 airborne early warning and control aircraft.
• Canada Ready to Use Force Against Russia in the Arctic – Canadian Foreign Minister RIA Novosti 26 Aug 2014 -- Canada is concerned about Russia’s military expansion in the Arctic and is ready to defend its interests in the region using military force, John Baird, Canadian foreign affairs minister.
• Taiwan Says Chinese Jets Breached its Airspace VOA 26 Aug 2014 -- Taiwan says it scrambled fighter jets to track two Chinese military planes that crossed into its airspace at least two times on Monday.
• Israel drone tracked upon entry into Iran: IRGC Cmdr. Iran Press TV 26 Aug 2014 -- Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) managed to track the recently-downed Israeli spy drone the moment it penetrated the Iranian airspace, says a top commander.
• U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing, August 26, 2014 US Dept. of State 26 Aug 2014

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for August 26, 2014

Other Conflicts

• Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General, 26 August 2014 United Nations 26 Aug 2014
• Islamic State Growing Larger Than Al-Qaeda Ever Thought They Could - Experts RIA Novosti 26 Aug 2014 -- The Islamic State (IS) jihadi movement has evidently overshadowed al-Qaeda, claim terrorism experts.
• US Eyes Islamic State Threat VOA 26 Aug 2014 -- As the U.S. begins surveillance flights over Syria to track Sunni extremists who claim responsibility for beheading American journalist James Foley, there are mixed messages coming out of Washington over whether the Islamic State (IS) could attack U.S. soil.
• Iran 'Provided' Weapons To Iraqi Kurdish Forces To Fight IS RFE/RL 26 Aug 2014 -- The Iraqi Kurdish leader says Iran has provided weapons and ammunition to Iraqi Kurdish forces to fight Islamic State (IS) militants.
• Car Bomb Kills 10 in Iraqi Capital VOA 26 Aug 2014 -- A car bomb has exploded in a mainly Shi'ite neighborhood in Iraq's capital, killing at least 10 people and wounding 31 others.
• Explainer: Is Libya Plunging Into Civil War? RFE/RL 26 Aug 2014 -- Inter-militia fighting is wreaking havoc in Libya, which is witnessing the worst violence since the 2011 overthrow and killing of longtime dictator Muammar Qaddafi.
• Foreign Intervention in Libya Seen as Further Destabilizing Fractured Country VOA 26 Aug 2014 -- Senior U.S. officials say Egypt and the United Arab Emirates have launched airstrikes against Islamist militants twice in the past week in the Libyan capital.
• US, European Allies Discuss Escalation of Violence in Libya RIA Novosti 26 Aug 2014 -- The United States in a joint statement with France, Germany, Italy and Britain has condemned the escalation of combat actions and violence in Libya and called for a democratic transition in the conflict-torn country.
• US Surprised by Egypt, UAE Airstrikes on Libyan Militants VOA 26 Aug 2014 -- Senior U.S. officials said Egypt and the United Arab Emirates have launched airstrikes against Islamic militants in the Libyan capital twice in the past week.
• UAE launched airstrikes on Libya militia targets Iran Press TV 26 Aug 2014 -- US officials say the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has secretly sent warplanes on bombing raids against militias in Libya using Egypt’s air bases.
• Belarus Meeting Fails to End Fighting in Eastern Ukraine VOA 26 Aug 2014 -- A meeting of the presidents of Ukraine and Russia in Belarus has failed to end the conflict in eastern Ukraine, which has killed more than 2,000 people since fighting broke out in April.
• Putin, Poroshenko Begin One-To-One Talks In Minsk RFE/RL 26 Aug 2014 -- Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka says Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko have begun direct one-on-one talks in Minsk about the crisis in eastern Ukraine.
• Ukraine: Captured Troops Proof of Russian Role in Separatist Fight VOA 26 Aug 2014 -- Ukraine said on Tuesday its forces had captured a group of Russian paratroopers who had crossed into Ukrainian territory on a “special mission” - but Moscow said they had ended up there by mistake.
• Russian Soldiers Are In Ukraine RFE/RL 26 Aug 2014 -- Videos appeared to confirm what Kyiv authorities had been claiming for months amid denials from the Kremlin - that Moscow is supplying pro-Russian separatists with military hardware and personnel.
• US State Department Concerned About Russia’s Plans for Another Aid Convoy to Ukraine RIA Novosti 26 Aug 2014 -- Another humanitarian convoy sent to Ukraine from Russia without Kiev’s consent will only escalate the situation, Jen Psaki, a spokesperson for the US Department of State said.
• Embargoed EU Goods Actively Re-Imported To Russia Via Belarus – Putin RIA Novosti 26 Aug 2014 -- Goods embargoed by Moscow in response to Western economic sanctions are being actively shipped to Moscow via Belarus, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday.
• Russia to Lift Food Embargo When Its National Security No Longer Threatened – Deputy PM RIA Novosti 26 Aug 2014 -- Moscow will lift its food embargo, imposed in response to Western economic sanctions, when it sees that Russia’s national security is no longer threatened, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich said.
• Cameroon ‘Redoubles’ Efforts to Combat Boko Haram VOA 26 Aug 2014 -- Cameroon is redoubling efforts to end violence carried out on its territory by the Nigeria-based Islamist militant group Boko Haram.
• Statement on Today's Cease-fire Agreement US Dept. of State 26 Aug 2014
• Israel, Palestinians Reach Gaza Cease-fire Deal VOA 26 Aug 2014 -- Israeli and Palestinian negotiators announced Tuesday they have agreed to an open-ended cease-fire to halt seven weeks of deadly combat in Gaza.
• Palestinians reach long-term truce with Israel: Officials Iran Press TV 26 Aug 2014 -- Palestinian resistance groups and Israeli officials have reportedly reached an agreement on a permanent ceasefire for the besieged Gaza Strip.
• Israel Destroys High-Rises As Palestinians Continue Rocket Fire RFE/RL 26 Aug 2014 -- Two Gaza City high-rises have been destroyed by Israeli bombs as Palestinian rockets continued to be fired into Israel.
• UN rights expert seeks access to Israel, occupied Palestinian territories for assessment mission UN News Centre 26 Aug 2014 -- An independent United Nations expert has requested access to Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory to gather first-hand information on the impact of current hostilities on the human rights situation.
• Gaza humanitarian situation disaster beyond imagination: Abbas Iran Press TV 26 Aug 2014 -- The President of Palestinian Unity government Mahmoud Abbas has described the humanitarian situation in the besieged Gaza strip as a disaster beyond imagination.
• South Sudan: three dead in UN-contracted helicopter crash near Bentiu UN News Centre 26 Aug 2014 -- The United Nations mission in South Sudan has confirmed that three crew members died and another was injured when one of its helicopters crashed today near Bentiu, Unity state.
• 3 Killed in UN Helicopter Crash in South Sudan VOA 26 Aug 2014 -- The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) said Tuesday three Russian crew members were killed and one injured when a helicopter on a U.N. mission crashed near Bentiu in Unity state.
• Ban welcomes signing of blueprint to implement South Sudan ceasefire UN News Centre 26 Aug 2014 -- United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has welcomed the signing by the South Sudanese Government and the opposition of a plan to implement a seventh-month-old ceasefire deal between the two sides.
• Central African Republic: Announcement of New Government US Dept. of State 26 Aug 2014
• Consensual, Yemeni-led political process only peaceful exit to current crisis: UN envoy UN News Centre 26 Aug 2014 -- The United Nations envoy to Yemen today expressed concern over the high level of unrest in the country.
• Security Council extends UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon for another year UN News Centre 26 Aug 2014 -- The Security Council today renewed the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon for another year, while strongly condemning attempts to threaten the country’s security and stability.
• UN hosts meeting with Greek Cypriot, Turkish Cypriot negotiators UN News Centre 26 Aug 2014 -- The United Nations confirmed today that Greek and Turkish Cypriot negotiators met today in Nicosia to discuss arrangements for the upcoming meeting of the leaders from the two sides.

News Reports

• Ukraine’s Poroshenko Announces Early Parliamentary Elections in October RIA Novosti 26 Aug 2014 -- Ukraine is to hold early parliamentary elections on October 26, the country’s president, Petro Poroshenko, announced after dissolving the parliament.
• Thailand Prepares for New Round of Peace Talks VOA 26 Aug 2014 -- Thailand's military-led government is planning to hold talks with separatist groups in Southern Thailand to try to end a decade of violence that has claimed more than 6,000 lives.
• Mugabe Turns to One of Few Allies Left - China VOA 26 Aug 2014 -- Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe is in China on a five-day state visit.
• KCNA Commentary Terms U.S. Chief Culprit of Counterfeit Notes Printing and Circulation KCNA 26 Aug 2014 -- Various U.S. papers on August 14 reported about the disclosure of the biggest-ever counterfeit note case.
• Cambodian Opposition Gets Parliamentary Commission Roles VOA 26 Aug 2014 -- This week lawmakers from Cambodia’s opposition party are being voted onto 10 parliamentary commissions.